Chapter 395: A Normal Grape

When the dust cleared, he was somewhat disappointed but not surprised that Doren was completely unharmed. Even his clothes, which had no sign of protection, were unruffled. The only sign that Julius had hit him with an attack was the slight reddish tinge in the middle of his forehead.

Doren rubbed his forehead. “That was more powerful than expected,” he said with an impressed look.

Julius could only shake his head. It didn’t matter that he had thrown everything he had into that attack, it was futile in the end. There was just that big of a difference in tiers. He didn’t let that discourage him though, he used this experience as an example of what he should be aiming for.

He did review the notifications he received, though.

[Armaments of the Arcane lvl 17 -> 18]

[Sage of Savagery lvl 18 -> lvl 19]

[Inexorable Aura of Ruin lvl 14 -> lvl 15]

Julius almost laughed out loud. Despite that he had thrown that attack at a completely undefended person, he had earned more from that single strike than he would have clearing an entire Tier 3 rift.

It likely had something to do with the man being so strong, but honestly, it was still shocking to see. Three skills all leveling up wasn’t something he saw all that often.

“Well, that went better than expected,” he muttered.

“You got some levels?” Doren asked knowingly.

He nodded. “Yeah, did you know that would happen?”

“I thought the chances were highly likely that you would get at least one level if you pushed yourself,” Doren admitted.

Julius acknowledged the reasoning in that statement with a chuckle. “Anyway, so what was that about you selling me to this Cain person?”

Doren sighed. “I’m not selling you. I don’t run a human trafficking ring.”

Julius made a shooing gesture with his hand. “Sure, sure. But can you explain more of it to me? I’m not saying I am going to agree, but I want to know what I am getting myself into.”

If Doren was offended by Julius’s attitude, then the man didn’t show it. Instead, he went on to explain more things about this Cain person and what it would mean if Julius accepted the offer.

***

After Doren explained more about the situation to Julius, he told him that they would have to continue this conversation outside the rift. Apparently, Doren’s presence put pressure on the rift and risked destabilizing it the longer he stayed.

“Wait, so why does the guild think the rift will disappear if someone clears the final floor?” Julius asked.

Doren shrugged. “No idea. I think they were just using the rift as an opportunity to observe some of their own talent. But who knows, there might be another reason.”

“So what? Do we just leave now?” Julius asked.

“Yeah, whenever you wish,” Doren replied.

Julius nodded, but he paused as he realized something. “Wait, isn’t there some kind of reward for this rift? Don’t I get something nice for being the first person to complete all the floors?” He asked excitedly.

Doren nodded. “Yes, there is.”

“What is it? Is it something that could evolve my soul for the second time?” He asked with a grin.

“You already got it,” Doren said with a shake of his head.

Julius stared blankly, confused by what Doren had just said. “Huh?”

“You already received the reward,” Doren repeated.

“What do you mean?” Julius asked, feeling more confused than ever. Unless he had amnesia, he hadn’t received any shiny rewards as of yet.

“Your reward was to meet me and for me to introduce you to someone who might help you develop your abilities,” Doren said as if that was expected, and was confused that Julius was asking for more.

“I have been scammed,” Julius grumbled.

“Oi!” Doren said, offendedly.

“So what does someone get if they only complete nine floors?” Julius asked with a disappointed glare at Doren.

Doren shrugged. “Depends. It is adjusted based on their performance in the rift. For example, if someone had a hard time dealing with the staircase floor, the rift might have given them a physical growth treasure. Something that would bring their physical abilities closer to their other abilities.”

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“Why can’t I get something like that?” Julius asked with an expectant look at Doren.

“Why are you so concerned about a reward?” Doren questioned him.

Julius scoffed. “I like rewards,” he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Even if the rewards the rift would have offered you would barely make an impact on your strength?” Doren pointed out.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that the physical growth treasure would barely work on you with your already powerful Tier 3 body. Most of the treasures and rewards offered to you would barely have an effect on your abilities.”

“Not even a soul enhancement treasure?”