Echo Of Infinity: 100× exp

The Echo of Infinity: Chapter 14 - The First Real Mission

Following the assessment, Kael was assigned mandatory training modules – holographic tutors and practice drills designed to bring provisional members up to basic Guild standards for Tier 1 operation. He went through the motions, deliberately performing at the level expected of his fabricated status, finding the exercises insultingly simple compared to his real capabilities.

He continued taking Copper and occasional Iron rank quests – enough to earn his keep and maintain his cover. He focused his hidden grinding on skill levels rather than just class levels. Maxing out basic combat and stealth skills provided tangible benefits without needing suspiciously high class levels. His real classes steadily climbed: [Swift Blade Lv. 15], [Shadow Scout Lv. 14], [Mana Weaver Lv. 13].

The notification for [Swift Blade] hitting Lv. 15 brought a new option:

```
[ Swift Blade reached Lv. 15! ]
[ Class Evolution Available! Choose Path: ]
1. [Duelist]: Focus on single-target precision, parrying, and critical hits. Requires high DEX & INT.
2. [Blade Dancer]: Focus on multi-target attacks, evasive maneuvers, and area control. Requires high DEX & CHA (Charisma used for performative/distracting elements).
3. [Ghost Blade] (Rare): Focus on assassination, illusionary strikes, and mana-infused blades. Requires high DEX, INT & specific Quest Completion/Item.
```

[Ghost Blade] sounded incredible but unattainable for now. [Duelist] fit his high INT, while [Blade Dancer] required Charisma, his dump stat. He mentally earmarked [Duelist] but didn't evolve yet – doing so would change the class name on his status, something impossible to explain currently. He needed to reach Lv. 15 on his *fabricated* status first, a long way off.

After nearly three weeks in Riverbend, Elara approached him again. "Guildmaster Stonehand and I feel you're ready for a proper team assignment. Iron Rank quest, standard patrol route in the Mirewood Swamp southeast of the city. Reports of oversized leeches and potentially aggressive Lizardfolk tribes."

Kael felt a flicker of excitement mixed with apprehension. A real mission, not just city errands. But also, working closely with a team under scrutiny.

"Who's the team leader?" Kael asked.

"Grak," Elara replied. "An Iron Rank Orc. [Berserker Lv. 18], [Swamp Guide Lv. 15]. Experienced in the Mirewood, tough, but... not subtle. Your [Shadow Scout] skills, even at the level you display, should complement his approach." She handed him a quest scroll. "Team meets at the South Gate tomorrow dawn. Don't be late."

Kael examined the scroll. Standard patrol, map potential hazards, engage hostile creatures below Tier 2, report any unusual tribal activity. The pay was significantly better than his Copper quests.

He spent the evening preparing. He sharpened his sword, checked his basic armor, and mentally reviewed his fabricated status and skills. For the mission, he decided to equip his real classes but keep the fabricated Lv. 11 status projected. He needed his full Tier 1 senses and combat ability in an unknown swamp environment, trusting the Accumulator's cloak. He practiced projecting the feeling of 'minor artifact interference' Lyraelle had mentioned, hoping to preemptively explain any subtle oddities.

Dawn found him at the South Gate. Two figures were already there. One was a massive Orc, easily seven feet tall, clad in heavy hide armor reinforced with bone plates, leaning on a greataxe that looked capable of felling trees. His green skin was marked with faded tribal tattoos. His Weave status pulsed with barely contained energy: 'Grak - [Berserker Lv. 18 (Tier 1)], [Swamp Guide Lv. 15 (Tier 1)], [Tracker Lv. 12 (Tier 1)]'.

The other figure was a lithe Felid (cat-person) with sand-colored fur, sharp green eyes, and twitching ears. She wore light leather armor and carried a pair of wicked-looking daggers at her belt. 'Silky - [Assassin Lv. 16 (Tier 1)], [Trap Expert Lv. 14 (Tier 1)], [Acrobat Lv. 10 (Tier 0)]'.

Grak grunted as Kael approached, looking him up and down dismissively. "You the artifact kid? Elara's charity project?"

"Name's Kael," Kael said evenly, ignoring the jibe. "Ready for the mission."

The Felid, Silky, gave him a quick, unreadable glance, then focused on checking her dagger sheathes.

"Right," Grak huffed. "Listen up, kid. Mirewood ain't the Whispering Woods. It's wet, full of poison bugs, sinkholes, and Lizardfolk who'll turn you into jerky. I lead. Silky scouts ahead and handles traps. You... you try not to get eaten. Stick close, stay quiet unless spoken to. Got it?"

"Got it," Kael confirmed.

As they set off towards the swamp, Kael felt the familiar tension of his dual existence. He was part of a Guild team now, relying on them as they relied on him. But his reliance was based on a lie, and theirs on ignorance. He could sense Silky's natural stealth was impressive, likely augmented by her [Assassin] class, and Grak's presence radiated raw power and knowledge of the swamp terrain. They were competent Tier 1 adventurers.

Could he function within this team, contribute meaningfully, without slipping up? The Mirewood Swamp would be the first real test of his ability to balance the Echo of Infinity with the demands of the world.

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publishment date: 8/4/2025