Fourth advancement quest

Looking down at the new recruits, they appeared as a dense, dark mass.

More than 300,000 people crammed into a single drill ground, forming a dense array of squares, was still quite intimidating.

Lieutenant Colonel Naris, positioned in the center of the group, turned and glanced at Lister.

His cautious gaze revealed a hint of inquiry.

"Lieutenant Colonel Naris, just like we said the other night, you don't need to worry."

"I'll coordinate the logistics and officer duties at the recruit camp; you'll remain in charge of the recruit camp."

Apart from the recruit training camp, the two sides were vastly different in strength and status.

Even though Naris is a lieutenant colonel in Central Army Group, he is still far from being the number one figure among Lister Quasi-Hegemon, and is very likely to become a true Overlord Tier.

This was evident in the last recruitment mission, where Lieutenant Colonel Naris was merely a follower and cooperator.

Lister, on the other hand, led a separate army, and even Tolon, who wanted to command him, had to make some compromises and concessions.

Of course, all of this is happening outside, inside the current recruit camp.

Lister was still giving the Federation Military District face; before truly overthrowing the federal system, lying low, developing, and growing stronger was the top priority.

Lieutenant Colonel Naris nodded, and in the next instant, an immense pressure erupted from his body.

The 16th rank and the A-level combat power of the Central Army exuded a cold and sharp aura, as if dragging one into an extremely cold place.

The training ground, which had been somewhat restless, fell silent instantly.

"Welcome to the Federation Military District. Let me introduce myself. My name is Naris, Lieutenant Colonel, Seventh Central Army Group of the Federation Military District, and I am also the person in charge of this recruit camp."

"Notification: You have been affected by special energy. Due to the difference in rank, your movement speed has been reduced by 3.2%, and you are about to enter a lightly frozen state, which will reduce your health over time."

After the Third Advancement, a high-level combatant, as long as its perception is strong enough, can exert pressure that is not only psychological and physical.

Especially when the difference in rank between the two sides is too great, this pressure will also come with a lot of damage and special effects.

Just like Lister's own Killing Intent Wave, it can directly execute low-level life forms.

The same applies to Lieutenant Colonel Naris; for players who are only at level 12, his intimidation will come with tangible effects.

In the game's public chat, players had already begun discussing this oppressive aura.

"A lieutenant colonel in the Central Army? Impressive!"

"I didn't expect that just having that kind of aura could create so much pressure. It's even more effective than a negative aura. I've never encountered anything like it when fighting monsters before, except for bosses."

"Who is stronger, Count Merrick or Lieutenant Colonel Naris?"

"Why do I feel that Lieutenant Colonel Naris in the middle is not as good as our Count Merrick?"

"Is there even a question? Is there any comparison between World-Ending Level combat power and Lord Tier combat power?"

"You don't even read the recruit camp regulations and basic information, do you? Lieutenant Colonel Naris was appointed by the Federation Military District and represents the Federation Military District, which is why he has this power and position."

"Otherwise, they wouldn't even deserve to be mentored by our 'Divine Revelation son'!"

While they were secretly discussing it in the public chat, the players were still quite cooperative in their actions.

Their military posture was much more upright, and their gaze and demeanor were more focused; there was no secret communication between them.

Players aren't afraid of death, so they don't care much about this kind of pressure.

But nobody wants to waste time on the game's missions and storylines; they just want to act out the process with the NPCs and move on as quickly as possible from the boot camp.

"... Aside from the array drills in the first two weeks, everyone can arrange their own time. There will be a group assessment once a month!"

Those who rank highly in the assessment will receive military merit rewards, which can be exchanged for necessary resources...

"Also, there will be a special resource reward from the Federation Military District in six months. Please be prepared..."

"Special resources?"

What is it? Is there one for everyone, or is there only one?

"Where's the data set? Where's the background information set? Please analyze it!"

The special resource Naris mentioned quickly became a hot topic of discussion among players in the public chat.

Seeing this, Lister added, "I hope the top players will join in."

The A-level combat power player who was unmatched in his previous life was someone who could barely be his assistant in this life.

At most, I'd be doing odd jobs for him on the warship.

Lister was also counting on this legion of players to truly help him in his subsequent actions!

"Let me briefly explain on behalf of Lieutenant Colonel Naris."

"This special federal resource will only be issued in one quantity to each recruit camp, and will be awarded to the strongest recruit."

"As for its effectiveness, it can greatly enhance a person's current strength and future potential, and may even help you all reach the Overlord Tier combatant. I hope all new recruits will take this seriously."

The moment the words were spoken, the game's public chat exploded once again.

The allure of Overlord Tier combat power is self-evident to players.

This level of combat power was something everyone had only seen in the bosses of each scene before; no one had ever imagined that they would have the opportunity to reach the Overlord Tier.

After all, the player currently ranked number one in the entire server has an A-level combat power.

Top players, in particular, pay even closer attention to this.

The competition is already fierce, and this special resource, designed to help the strong become even stronger, will clearly widen the gap between the first place and the rest of the group.

They've already started plotting frantically in secret.

"Why is this kind of resource only available in the recruit camp? Why don't we players who joined the government have it?"

"Don't even mention it, our Expeditionary Army is even worse off than a stepchild."

"Did you see the ways to earn military merits that I posted? All the hard work over the years might not even amount to as much as what you get from a single monthly exam in recruit camp."

During the discussion, players from other factions also joined in.

The only voices were those of regret, especially among the top thousand players on the leading servers, who never expected that joining the military region's recruit camp would offer such a special opportunity.

Neither the Expeditionary Army nor the Merrick Government had heard of it.

In fact, the Federation Government does have a share of these special resources.

However, only members of Congress residing in the Federation Military District have a chance to receive it.

This is why Wang Yue was able to obtain several copies; the Merrick Government itself couldn't acquire these things.

With anticipation for the special resources, players have finally begun their journey in Act VII.

New players don't have the chance to experience the new version; they're all busy with the tedious task of leveling up.

The original farming spots on the forum have long since disappeared, and the entire Merrick Star Region has become a "real interactive power point," where the only option is to constantly search for monsters and opposing power points on various planets to eliminate them.

Without the guidance of experienced players, leveling up alone is several times more difficult than it was for players in the past.

On the contrary, the veteran players were having a great time, especially those in the new recruit camp.

The actual landing and formation of warships was novel to everyone, not to mention the advanced courses in the recruit camp itself.

Hundreds of courses were offered free of charge by the Federation Military District to recruits, including some skills courses purchased by Lister and instructors hired.

For players, this is a huge boon – a treasure trove of skills!

Skills that would normally require a hefty price to purchase at the Auction House can now be learned through training in the boot camp.

A large number of general skills, as well as some powerful skills, including Federation Shunpo, can be learned directly.

Lister himself even established a course in Merrick Saber Technique within the recruit camp.

Now possessing SS-level swordsmanship, it ignited the passion of all the players in the recruit camp.

This incident made the other players feel that it was even more unfair.

Every day, I lament in the public chat that I've been on the wrong path since this version.

My jealousy towards the players in the recruit camp surged endlessly.

Fortunately, Lister did not limit himself to the recruit camps; he also opened courses for the Expeditionary Army, including the Federation Government.

Unfortunately, so far, all he can teach is Merrick Saber Technique.

Players are no longer like they used to be; only true martial arts practitioners who specialize in swordsmanship would learn from Lister.

The game has progressed to the seventh act today, entering the stage where the combat power truly differentiates at the Third Advancement level.

The ability to fight across ranks with high combat power is fully demonstrated; top players and ordinary players are no longer on the same level after the Third Advancement.

The idea that rank is less important than combat strength has become deeply ingrained in people's minds.

On the official forum, some "data team" players even posted strategies to improve their combat power.

This includes improving basic attributes, focusing on a single, extreme specialization, enhancing active skills, and adding bonuses to passive skills, etc.

Finally, there was a systematic description of combat strength, which, in Lister's view, was written very thoroughly.

In contrast, while this information was gaining traction on the forum...

Auction Houses generate buzz much faster.

In fact, since the end of the previous scene, some people have already started buying up and hoarding passive skills, realizing their importance.

Now, with Act VII having been open for less than two months, passive skills have been completely unleashed on this forum.

All passive skills were sold out in a very short time at the Auction House.

Whether it's the passive skills of the four basic attributes or the passive skills of the secondary professions.

This also reduced the number of people who could learn Lister's swordsmanship.

Fortunately, the number of new players is increasing in Act 7, and compared to veteran players, the potential for exploitation among new players is much greater.

With many veteran players calling him "Divine Revelation's favorite son," quite a few have chosen to follow the same path as Lister.

Several months later, the final monthly exam of the six-month training camp will begin.

Lister, meanwhile, was improving himself in his own detached dormitory.

As soon as the player appears, his experience points begin to increase rapidly.

I've been busy teaching skills lately, but today I finally have some time to use up that experience.

Notification: Congratulations, your level has been increased.

[Level: LV174→LV180]

Notification: Congratulations, your skill has been upgraded.

[Merrick Saber Technique (SS Rank) LV174→LV180:...]

[Blade Soul Domain (S-rank) LV43→LV180:...]

[Flash (S-rank) LV170→LV180]

[Knee Strike (Grade A) LV134→LV180]

[Robust Soul (Passive, No Grade) LV120→LV180 (Note: Cannot be upgraded further, requires special resource Soul Crystal):...]

Two-thirds of your experience is squandered in an instant.

All levels, active skills, and passive skills have been maxed out.

"Whew!"

The cool, refreshing sensation slowly faded from his body, Lister let out a soft sigh of relief.

Aside from the Robust Soul Restriction to enhance his abilities, each of these upgrades was his most enjoyable moment.

The feeling of complete comfort and the surge of power that kept flowing into him were intoxicating.

Only after the pleasant sensation subsided did Lister continue to take out orange-red reagents from his Inventory.

The federal level three standard resources, a total of six, were something he had prepared long ago.

One injection after another entered the arm, and that lifting, exhilarating sensation returned.

Notification: Basic attributes have been improved.

[Attributes: Strength 360 (Base 180 + Bonus 180), Intelligence 360, Stamina 360, Agility 360]

Finally, all the necessary preparations were completed.

All upgrades to the Third Advancement stage have been completed.

The only area for improvement is upgrading a few active skills, but these cannot be done in the short term.

The crystal for "Transcendent Radiance," which upgrades skills to S-rank, is so rare that even level four civilizations within the Galactic Federation would find it difficult to obtain.

Not to mention the special items that can upgrade skills to SS level, which can only be searched for in the future during the Great Space Era.

Lister then opened the task notification that had been displayed in his system.

Congratulations! You have met the requirements for job change and are currently accepting the job change quest.

"Notice: Basic attributes and all skills are now fixed. You cannot upgrade existing skills before completing the job change quest. (Note: You can continue to upgrade skills and learn new skills before completing the job change quest.)"

Notification: The item 'Icas's Tribulation (S-rank)' is currently in use...

[The Tribulations of Ikas (S-Rank): A special item that increases the difficulty of the current quest. Completing the quest will result in a significant increase in rewards. (Note: This item can enhance the difficulty of most quests, including Main Quests!)]

This was just Auction House by Lister last month for 2.74 million credits.

I don't know which player leaked it, but he used it to increase the difficulty of the job change quest.

Notification: Use failed. This item cannot be used to upgrade your job change quest because notarization is required!

"Notice: Alien life form Lister Merrick, in recognition of your great contributions to the interaction of the Divine Revelation game in this universe as a great pioneer of the Merrick Civilization."

Authorized by the District 71 Mastermind, the difficulty of your upcoming job change can be increased. Do you wish to increase it? (Note: Once the difficulty is increased, it cannot be changed or abandoned. The strength of your Fourth Advancement job will be enhanced upon completion.)

A series of unexpected events sent Lister's emotions on a rollercoaster.

Surprisingly, S-rank items that can even improve Main Quest cannot be used for job change quests.

Unexpectedly, the District 71 Mastermind would provide him with help at this crucial moment.

Without further hesitation, he immediately confirmed.

"Need!"

Notification: The Fourth Advancement quest has been re-drawn and distributed; system notarization in progress... Notarization complete!

Congratulations, your job change quest has been drawn and issued.

"Lister Merrick's exclusive fourth job advancement quest: The Founding of the Merrick Civilization Army. As the founder and primary authority of the Merrick Civilization Army, you are required to lead Civilization Army development."

Task specific requirements: Three stages in total.

First stage: Improve the basic strength of the Merrick Civilization Army, requiring large ships (1/1) (completed), medium ships (0/20) (incomplete), and small ships (3/100) (incomplete).

Second stage: Enhance the overall strength of the Melek Civilization Army. Colonel (1/3) (Incomplete), Lieutenant Colonel (0/60) (Incomplete), Major (1/500) (Incomplete).

The third step: As the leader of the Civilization Army, you need to raise your rank to at least general.