RPG content is commonly classified into vertical and horizontal categories.

Vertical refers to content that satisfies the desire for growth and challenge.

Horizontal is content that anyone can enjoy.

Most RPG users prefer vertical content.

The thrill of growth, intense battles, the sense of achievement from success, and so on…

There are many reasons, but ultimately the important thing is ‘fun.’

Of course, many users enjoy horizontal content as well.

However, they are never the mainstream, which is why many RPG games focus on vertical progression.

The same goes for Akare.

Dungeons, farming, enhancements, boss raids, and so on…

There was no shortage of engaging content.

On the other hand, does that mean horizontal content is lacking? Not at all.

Fundamentally, Akare is a game with a high degree of freedom.

It’s as if the fantasy world has been perfectly realized.

Akare is a vast open world, overflowing with adventure opportunities.

Both vertical and horizontal content can be said to captivate everyone.

This became a decisive factor for Akare to swallow the entire domestic RPG market.

However, hidden elements still remained in the game prepared by Aurora.

For example, the players’ biggest concern, ‘Second Awakening.’

Many users thought that the Second Awakening would occur at level 50.

But instead of the Second Awakening, a teaching event appeared.

So when exactly will the Second Awakening take place?

Clues about this were hidden throughout the Empire.

‘A mage who achieved a higher circle stage soon attained enlightenment.’

Records found in the library of the magic tower, the center of magic.

‘A baptized disciple gained great enlightenment and was officially promoted to priest.’

Part of a priest’s memoir found in the church’s cathedral.

‘A knight who endured the golem training faced the brink of death, gained enlightenment, and survived.’

The story of the knight who was the sole survivor against a demon that descended to the mortal realm, and so on…

The commonalities of this information are twofold.

One is that they received teaching.

The other is that shortly after receiving the teaching, they attained something called ‘enlightenment.’

As hidden stories within the game began to be uncovered.

The outlines of the Second Awakening began to take shape.

The prerequisite is the execution of the teaching event.

Then, not long after, the Second Awakening named ‘enlightenment’ would occur.

Currently, the highest level was Master Kim, who was at level 59.

Since nothing happened at level 55, the chance for the Second Awakening was highest at level 60.

[Master Kim’s broadcast has started. – Akashic Records 5 hours ago]

[Master Kim’s broadcast title: The Day I Achieve Level 60 First]

“Master, how much longer do we have?”

“Just 5% left.”

It’s really only a short while before reaching level 60 now.

As that thought filled his mind, Master Kim couldn’t stop hunting.

“Hmph. I’m still at level 58.”

Suzuka, who was hunting in a party with him, let out a small lament.

Suzuka was also one of the strong candidates for being the first at level 60.

But she happened to get involved with a crazy girl and suffered some experience penalties.

Experience gain reduction by 10%.

If she died, it would last for 6 hours.

Of course, even if it wasn’t a debuff, it was likely that Master Kim would achieve it first by a narrow margin.

But from Suzuka’s perspective, it was only natural to feel regret.

“Who’s been bullying our Zuka? Should I let uncle teach them a lesson?”

“Umm… you might end up getting scolded instead.”

“Hmph. What could a priest possibly do?”

Although Pagu pretended to be confident outwardly.

In reality, he had no desire to get involved with Pera.

Pagu had once out of curiosity looked up a video of Pera in battle.

It was truly shocking the first time he saw it.

No matter how he simulated it in his mind, he couldn’t find an angle to parry Pera’s attacks.

“That priest is that good at PVP?”

Master Kim, who couldn’t bring himself to call her ‘crazy,’ muddled through lightly.

“She’s a ghost. A ghost who hunts down cultists!”

“Come on, isn’t that a bit excessive?”

Unlike Pagu, Master Kim had not looked up any videos of Pera in battle.

To be more accurate, he couldn’t do so.

He had been pouring all his time into leveling up, leaving no time to browse the community.

But he knew enough about Pera from all the information he got from Suzuka.

So he thought of Pera as just a ‘physically talented priest.’

“No matter how great Master is, you can’t guarantee a win.”

“With that level of confidence, I do want to try my hand at it.”

A unique concept PVP master that could turn the tables on level and teaching differences.

It was enough to stir Master Kim’s competitive spirit.

“Sweet might have a chance if she fights…”

“What? Are you saying I’m worse than Witty?”

“No, that’s not it… Sweet is a mage after all. She has an advantage due to the type match-up! I meant it in that way.”

Pagu, who had been watching their conversation, let out a playful smile.

“When you mention Sweet, honey practically drips from your eyes. Ah, those were the days.”

“Ah! What are you saying?”

“The unreasonable uncle is back again.”

If Sweet was absent due to personal matters,

She probably would have teased, ‘Suzuka-chan, were you interested in me?’

From Suzuka’s standpoint, that was a fortunate turn of events.

“But seriously, without a warrior here, it would be hell.”

The place where the major corporation party was hunting was ‘Dragon’s Valley,’ located on the western edge of the Empire.

The monsters that appeared in Dragon’s Valley are broadly categorized into two types.

Wyverns and Drakes.

Wyverns were flying monsters, meaning a warrior with a provoking skill was absolutely necessary.

Drakes, with their sheer brute strength, made it very challenging to deal with unless there was a warrior to take the front.

One warrior (essential), at least one dealer, and one healer (essential).

The optimal party composition for hunting in Dragon’s Valley.

“Only 1% left now.”

Just ahead, a wyvern had respawned.

Seeing this, Pagu immediately used the taunt skill.

As the aggroed wyvern approached in a straight line,

Suzuka wrapped the wyvern’s wings with her whip and pulled it down.

As the wyvern was immediately subdued, Master Kim swung his fist at it.

[Level Up!]

Finally, Master Kim achieved level 60 for the first time but didn’t celebrate just yet.

“Did anything pop up?”

“Did the second awakening trigger?”

“Uh… let’s see.”

He waited for the system message, but nothing happened.

If the level requirement for the Second Awakening isn’t 60, that’s a bit disappointing.

The leveling speed had slowed immensely since level 50,

If this interval turns out to be long, it could feel a bit loose.

“Level 70 is absurd… huh?”

Master Kim voiced his doubts.

For just a brief moment, his attention wandered,

And before he knew it, the surrounding scenery had changed.

“This is… the Hall of Heroes.”

―――

Wow, what’s up with this?

Did the Second Awakening trigger?

That Aurora statue, lol.

Back here again!

―――

Master Kim’s thoughts mirrored that of the viewers.

The starting point of Akare, the Hall of Heroes.

As soon as he reached level 60, he returned there.

With renewed emotions, Master Kim stood before the Aurora statue.

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Then, a familiar-looking maid was summoned and locked eyes with Master Kim.

“To the one who has reached the Hall of Heroes, what do you desire to come this far?”

The maid repeated the question she posed during their first meeting.

What did he desire to come here for?

The answer was, of course, predetermined.

“I have someone I want to protect.”

Initially, if he had taken this treacherous path against the overwhelming authority of the warrior,

Now, he truly wanted to protect someone, so he must become stronger.

“Is that so.”

It was hard to discern the maid’s feelings, still expressionless.

“I’ll bring forth the records. May there be enlightenment.”

Unlike the words from their first meeting, a different line came out.

And at the same time, Master Kim’s consciousness flickered.

***

After Master Kim was moved to the Hall of Heroes, Suzuka and Pagu continued hunting.

Especially, Pagu made sure to let Suzuka get the finishing blow as much as possible.

Thanks to that, both Suzuka and Pagu managed to reach level 60 simultaneously.

“Wow. The cult has achieved the first Second Awakening.”

While the title of the first Second Awakening overall went to Master Kim,

It was still Suzuka who was the first to achieve the Second Awakening among the cult users.

Excited by that fact, Suzuka walked toward the Aurora statue.

Soon, she was face-to-face with the maid who appeared from behind the statue.

“To the one who has reached the Hall of Heroes, what do you desire to come this far?”

“I want the Second Awakening!”

Unlike Master Kim’s romantic remarks,

Suzuka’s reply was coldly realistic.

“Is that so.”

“Yes. Please grant me the Second Awakening quickly.”

“I shall bring forth the records. May there be enlightenment.”

Was it just her imagination, or did it seem like the maid’s expression crumpled for a brief moment?

Since Suzuka’s focus was solely on the Second Awakening, she didn’t pay attention to such trivial things.

Thus, as soon as the maid’s words ended, her consciousness flickered,

And Suzuka found herself awakening in a never-before-seen new location.

The background that came into view was reminiscent of a place of worship for a dawn prayer.

Candles were placed all over the floor, and people who appeared to be believers were huddled together in prayer.

Surely since it was the cult’s Second Awakening, wouldn’t all of them believe in Aurora?

While looking around, Suzuka couldn’t hold back her laughter upon seeing the Aurora statue.

The sight of NPCs worshipping the Director was quite comical.

However, that laughter didn’t last long.

Crash-! Kraaang-!

Suddenly, the ceiling collapsed, and an unidentified entity descended through it.

The mysterious being that intruded into the worship hall shattered the Aurora statue in two.

[BOSS Great Demon Lv. ???]

The appearance of a boss monster never seen before.

The emergence of the Great Demon sent the believers into a panic.

Did it sense that negativity? The Great Demon wore a grotesque smile.

Now, all that was left was the Great Demon’s one-sided massacre.

No matter how much they prayed, the god did not respond.

The mocking laughter of the Great Demon seemed to declare this.

At that moment, just as a tragedy was about to unfold.

Magic circles surrounded the Great Demon, laughing mockingly.

Startled, the Great Demon tried to flee quickly.

But chains made of colorful elements restrained the Great Demon.

Step by step—

In the center of the worship hall.

A woman stopped in front of the restrained demon and removed her robe.

Then, her long hair, reminiscent of the blue sky, flowed gracefully.

Her eyes, sparkling like sapphires, locked onto the Great Demon.

―――!!!

Upon seeing the woman, Aurora, the Great Demon let out a ferocious roar.

A roar from the Great Demon would instantly kill any ordinary human on the spot.

But a bubble-like protective shield enveloped all the believers.

“Pitiful beings with nowhere to lean on.”

A gigantic spear made of light pointed at the Great Demon’s heart.

“You monster that feeds on human depravity.”

Swish-!

The spear of light pierced the heart of the Great Demon.

“Return to nothingness, and come back to my embrace.”

Aurora’s lips curled slightly.

It was such a fleeting moment that no one noticed.

“My dear. Do not be afraid.”

Witnessing a miracle, the believers knelt and clasped their hands together.

“Your god is always by your side.”

With those final words, Aurora vanished from sight.

As if she were but a mirage, leaving no traces behind.

Upon witnessing that spectacle, Suzuka unconsciously shouted.

“Long live the goddess!”

Waaaaah-!

Suzuka’s cry and the cheers of the cult’s believers echoed throughout the worship hall for a long time.