Chapter 8 --Live Feed and the Attention of the Celestial Bureau!
Chapter 8: Chapter8-Live Feed and the Attention of the Celestial Bureau!
A sense of accomplishment welled up within Harrison.
This experience felt like droplets of potent magic essence, slowly fortifying his strength.
Alas, he lamented not possessing a unique talent to exponentially increase experience; otherwise, his leveling speed would be meteoric.
With his fireball now at level 4, its power had quadrupled, as had its size.
Following his past tactics, Harrison unleashed another fireball at the remaining Grey Dogs.
Yet, these creatures proved more alert than before, deftly scattering to evade the fiery onslaught.
After casting his spell five consecutive times, Harrison successfully eliminated the remaining adversaries, ascending to level 11.
Elevating the fireball from level 4 to 5 demanded a vast amount of skill experience.
Demonstrating his prowess once more, Harrison cast the fireball five times across the expansive terrain.
Moments later, the erstwhile road resembled a molten lava river, boiling and churning with fervent heat.
Eventually, a system prompt resonated in his ears.
"Congratulations! Your fireball has reached level 5, unlocking a special effect: Explosion!"
Harrison began to chant, conjuring the maxed-out fireball.
This spell was no longer the one from days past. Its size had grown to that of a large water tank, its hue deepening from a vibrant red to a profound purple-red.
The surface of the fireball pulsed with dark, swirling currents—emblems of destructive power, cold and terrifying.
With this newfound might, Harrison entered a vast plaza.
The square was eerily silent, save for the whispers of the wind and Harrison's own footsteps.
Positioning himself at the heart of the space, he released the fireball with deliberate care.
"BOOM!"
In an instant, a staggering blaze erupted at the plaza's core.
The explosion's brilliance was blinding, forcing Harrison to shield his eyes.
Turbulent shockwaves slammed against his Stone Shield, and even the surrounding trees quivered under its force.
Roughly a minute passed.
As the dust settled, Harrison slowly opened his eyes.
Where the plaza once stood, now lay a scene of devastation.
A gaping crater at the center appeared like a scar on the earth, with upturned soil forming hillocks around it.
Stunned, Harrison realized the fireball's explosive force was akin to the ultimate blow of a level 40 player.
The power of the Lord of Element was truly terrifying!
Harrison gently set down his wand.
Taking a deep breath, he keenly felt the surging power within him.
He reflected upon the bearers of SSS-level talents from his past life, each exuding immense pride and exceptionalism.
An SSS-level talent seemed like a magical conduit, allowing mere mortals to transform into deities.
Wrapped in this realization, Harrison decided to head towards the outskirts of the city.
Those undeveloped suburbs were known to be frequented by monsters, and he was determined to level up swiftly.
However, what Harrison didn't realize was that the city's surveillance system had captured the very moment he unleashed the fireball in the plaza.
This footage, through some clandestine means, found its way onto the internet.
The instant the video played, it gripped the attention of virtually everyone.
"My God, what... what kind of skill is that?! It's beyond human!"
"That blow... it could easily obliterate any enemy!"
"He's truly a god in human form!"
"I possess an A-level 'Fire Walker' talent. Though my flame damage is tenfold the norm, it pales in comparison to him in the video!"
"Judging by his performance, he has at least an S-level fire talent, or perhaps even SSS-level!"
With that, the netizen uploaded their own combat video to the forum.
In the clip, their fireball was the size of a grapefruit.
Upon striking a Grey Dog, flames rapidly engulfed the creature.
However, the Grey Dog resisted for a solid ten seconds before succumbing to the blaze.
Compared to the fireball at the plaza, the difference was stark, like comparing day to night. This contrast left all viewers utterly astounded.
However, even an A-level talent, at this unique juncture, was regarded as a precious treasure, naturally becoming the focal point of many.
Some only possessed a nascent talent at F-level.
"Major props to the pros. Having an A-level talent is truly impressive!"
"Where is your city, pro? Can you take me in? Those monsters are the stuff of nightmares for me!"
"This game is way too hard for an average person like me. My F-level talent is 'Gourmet,' and while I can cook dishes that taste 50% better, how does that help in combat?"
"I completely agree. I have a D-level talent in calligraphy. Other than making my writing look better, it has no bearing on battle!"
"Can any pros help me? My main talent is an E-level 'Swift Walker,' but my secondary talent is a B-level 'Steel Bone'!"
"I've already changed my class to a warrior. Once I reach level 20, I'll be the strongest vanguard!"
"Where are you located? Can we connect privately?"
"Of course, pro!"
At this moment, some sensed the opportunities and challenges brought about by the Red Mist's descent.
They began strategizing, preparing to establish their own alliances.
Yet, even the mighty machinery of the state didn't overlook Harrison's display of the fireball in the plaza.
The newly formed "Celestial Bureau," established after the descent of the Red Mist, immediately delved deep into the matter.
Screens showcased Harrison releasing the fireball, with a group of experts watching intently.
The moment the fireball exploded ferociously, every gaze was fixated, the air seemingly frozen in time.
A leading elder gravely stated, "Such power... it must be wielded by someone with at least an SS-level fire talent."
"Icethorn, what's your take on this?"
A man named Icethorn stepped forward leisurely.
Frost and snow delicately graced his eyebrows and beard, making him look like a sovereign of winter.
He was the bearer of an SS-level talent—King of Ice.
What was even rarer, he possessed a piece of rare ice-attribute gear from the Diamond Chest, making him the most formidable in the Celestial Bureau.
At full strength, he could turn an entire village into an icy wasteland.
"Chief, I believe this Harrison is undoubtedly at the pinnacle like me. The gear he wears undoubtedly augments the potency of his flames."
After reflecting for a moment, the Celestial Bureau Chief nodded subtly.
"Indeed. The Celestial Bureau is still in its nascent phase. We must actively recruit such strong individuals, especially with ambitious figures now emerging."
"We cannot let them destabilize the firm foundations of society!"
With the Chief's words, the atmosphere in the room became even more tense.
"Yes, Chief!"
Though the world around them might be ever-changing, their unwavering loyalty to the state remained steadfast.
Their hearts brimmed with deep hostility towards those who would exploit national crises to expand their influence.