Descending from the cold, desolate slopes of Whisper Peak felt like returning to a different world. Kael left the stern gaze of Master Hu and the daunting promise of future training behind him, his focus shifting entirely to the immense task ahead: the Path of Equilibrium. He needed levels, countless levels, distributing his power according to the monk's directive – funneling points into his weakest attributes until they reached the distant baseline of 150.
He bypassed Silverhaven entirely and headed southeast into the sprawling, murky expanse of the Serpentil Marsh. Isolation and high-level monsters were what he needed now. The swamp provided both in abundance.
The grind began anew, colored by his radical stat strategy. He battled Giant Mire Leeches, Bog Walkers, and Venomous Glidewyrms (Level 15-20 mobs). With each level up – 16, 17, 18, 19 – the allocation was ruthlessly focused. Strength (137) and Vitality (92) remained untouched. All 15 points went into raising Intelligence, Wisdom (starting at 20), and Dexterity (starting at 28), prioritizing the lowest first.
His combat style evolved rapidly, strangely. His punches, lacking fresh Strength investment, didn't hit noticeably harder level by level, but he became dramatically faster. His Dexterity climbed rapidly, allowing him to weave through attacks, sidestep lunges, and reposition with a fluidity that felt entirely new. The subtle effects of rising INT and WIS began to surface – perhaps a slightly faster processing of enemy attack patterns, a clearer perception of environmental hazards, or a less potent effect from the Glidewyrms' disorienting venom (WIS resisting status effects?). Fights against tougher enemies became wars of attrition, relying on his speed to avoid hits and his persistence to land enough blows, while his static Vitality meant he couldn't afford to absorb many direct hits from heavy hitters.
Then came the approach to Level 20. The EXP bar seemed to stretch into infinity. The requirement wasn't just higher; it was multiplied tenfold – a staggering 200,000 EXP needed to bridge the gap from 19 to 20. What felt like over a week of relentless, non-stop grinding passed in the swamp's depths. Kael hunted ceaselessly, pushing himself from dawn till dusk, the EXP gains from even strong swamp creatures feeling like chipping away at a mountain with a teaspoon. The isolation was absolute; the only sounds were the squelch of mud, the cries of dying monsters, and his own breathing.
Level 19: 196190 / 200000 EXP
He cornered an Elder Bog Walker, its form immense and threatening. The fight was long, Kael using his speed to avoid its crushing slams, landing dozens of punches that slowly wore it down. Finally, it collapsed.
[System]: Elder Bog Walker defeated! +900 EXP! [System]: Loot Drop: Preserved Bog Heart x1 -> +250 EXP! [System]: Loot Drop: Ancient Femur x2 -> +120 EXP! Total Gain: (900 + 250 + 120) * 3 = 1270 * 3 = 3810 EXP!
The numbers trickled in, agonizingly pushing the massive bar over the top.
[System]: Congratulations! You have reached Level 20! +15 Stat Points available. Health and Mana fully restored. Level 20: 0 / 21500 EXP
A profound wave of exhaustion mixed with triumph washed over Kael. He had climbed the second great wall. The golden chime of the title upgrade felt particularly earned this time.
[System]: Your achievements as a true pioneer... continue to resonate through Genesis! Your Title
The small boost to all stats, including his neglected STR and VIT, was greatly appreciated after the arduous grind. He immediately allocated the 15 points from Level 20: +5 INT, +5 WIS, +5 DEX, continuing his focus on the lowest attributes according to the Path of Equilibrium.
He needed a bigger challenge, a bigger reward. Krakentooth.
He tracked the regional boss (Level ~23-24) to its deep-water lair. The battle commenced. Kael was a blur, his significantly enhanced Dexterity allowing him to dance around the colossal amphibian's attacks with newfound ease. He avoided the worst of the jaw snaps and tail whips. When Krakentooth summoned swarms of lesser fish, Kael dispatched them quickly while evading the main threat. His higher INT seemed to help anticipate the boss's telegraphed AoE water blasts, while his WIS provided resistance against a confusing spittle attack.
However, his damage output per punch hadn't scaled dramatically. His Strength (now 137 + 2 title = 139) chipped away at the beast's immense health pool slowly. It was a long battle of attrition. He landed dozens, perhaps hundreds of blows, whittling Krakentooth down while relying on his speed and base Vitality (now 92 + 2 title = 94) to survive the occasional unavoidable hit.
Finally, after a prolonged engagement focused on evasion and relentless, precise attacks, Krakentooth fell.
[System]: Regional Boss [Krakentooth] defeated! +20000 EXP! [System]: Loot Drop: Krakentooth Hide (Rare) x1 -> +5000 EXP! [System]: Loot Drop: Aqua-Core Gem (Rare) x1 -> +6000 EXP! [System]: Loot Drop: Colossal Tooth x3 -> +4500 EXP! Total Gain: (20000 + 5000 + 6000 + 4500) * 3 = 35500 * 3 = 106500 EXP!
The enormous influx of experience points flooded his system.
Lvl 20->21: Needs 21500. Remaining: 106500 - 21500 = 85000. Ding Lvl 21!Lvl 21->22: Needs 18000 Remaining: 85000 - 18000 = 67000. Ding Lvl 22!Lvl 22->23: Needs 22000 Remaining: 67000 - 22000 = 45000. Ding Lvl 23!Lvl 23->24: Needs 27000 Remaining: 45000 - 27000 = 18000. Ding Lvl 24!
[System]: Congratulations! You have reached Level 21! +15 Stat Points available... [System]: Congratulations! You have reached Level 22! +15 Stat Points available... [System]: Congratulations! You have reached Level 23! +15 Stat Points available... [System]: Congratulations! You have reached Level 24! +15 Stat Points available... Level 24: 18000 / 33000 EXP
Four levels from one kill! Kael felt the surge of power, immediately allocating the combined 60 stat points (15 points x 4 levels). Following the Path, he poured them into his lowest stats: INT, WIS, and DEX saw massive gains. (+20 INT, +20 WIS, +20 DEX).
He left Krakentooth's pool, pushing into the swampy highlands bordering the marsh. The grind resumed against Level 25+ monsters. His combat style continued its strange evolution. He was incredibly fast, almost preternaturally aware of his surroundings, but each individual punch felt less impactful than his raw Strength stat suggested it could be. He was winning fights through speed, numerous hits, and exploiting openings his agility created.
Level 25... 26... 27... 28. Each level brought 15 more points funneled doggedly into INT, WIS, and DEX, bringing them steadily closer to VIT, while STR remained far ahead. He dodged the clumsy swing of a Level 29 Mire Hulk, landed five rapid punches to its exposed back, then flowed away before it could retaliate. He allocated the points from Level 28 – more into INT, WIS, DEX. He felt the Level 30 wall, another 10x monster, drawing closer. The Path of Equilibrium demanded patience and a strange evolution, forging him into a fighter unlike any other in Genesis. He spotted his next target and moved, a blur against the misty landscape.