I Awakened The SSS Class Abyssal Warlord

Meta Essence.

This is the foundation of all awakened abilities. The very force that fuels strength, growth, and survival. Without it, one is powerless.

The system's voice resonated through Oliver's mind, outlining the two primary paths to accumulate Meta Essence:

1. Breathing Techniques – An internal, system-integrated technique that passively absorbs Meta Essence from the environment. While effective, it is slow and provides only a fraction of what is needed for true power.

2. Trial Completion – The fastest and most efficient means of acquiring Meta Essence. Trials offer far greater rewards than breathing techniques alone. Those who rely solely on passive absorption will be left behind.

Oliver absorbed the information carefully. So, breathing would keep him going, but trials were the real path forward.

He had already survived one—albeit through sheer luck, grit, and a ridiculous encounter with a supposed legend.

If he wanted to thrive, he needed to challenge more.

His eyes flickered toward the rest of the announcement.

Upon awakening, all individuals are assigned one of three primary class types:

Warrior Class – Masters of physical combat, close-quarters engagements, and raw endurance.

Magic Class – Wielders of elemental and arcane forces, capable of shaping reality.

Utility Class – Specialists in support, crafting, strategy, and non-combat abilities.

Classes are further categorized by rarity, from the weak F-Class to the near-mythical SSS-Class.

Oliver smirked slightly. He had drawn the ultimate lottery with his SSS-Class Abyssal Warlord. He could already tell that it would be a game-changer.

His gaze hardened as he read the final section on leveling.

There are twelve tiers of advancement:

Awakener, Adept, Veteran, Champion, Conqueror, Mythic, Overlord, Calamity, Cataclysm, Ascendant, Paragon, Trascendent.

Each level marked a significant transformation, granting stronger abilities, heightened control over Meta Essence, and increased survivability in trials.

"Strength isn't given—it's earned," Oliver muttered under his breath.

A simple philosophy, but one that resonated with him.

The system then stated:

If you seek more details about your class, abilities, or your role as a Trial Taker, you may access your Status Panel at will. Understanding yourself is the first step to mastering the path ahead.

— THIS IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW. —

You must uncover the rest on your own. Strength is not given—it is earned. Adapt. Overcome. Ascend. 

After the announcement, Oliver called up his Status Panel.

[STATUS PANEL]

Name: Oliver Lancaster

Level: 1 (Awakener)

Meta Essence: 200/1000

Class: Abyssal Warlord (SSS)

Skills

Class Skills:

Unyielding Rebirth – Upon death in battle, the user is resurrected, fully restoring their body. This ability can only be activated in combat.

Acquired Skills:

[No acquired skills]

Trial Availability:

[Trial Available]

Inventory:

[Access Inventory]

Team:

[Locked – Requires Level 2]

Oliver frowned slightly. There were no traditional stats like Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence. Instead, everything seemed to revolve around Meta Essence.

So, Meta Essence is an all-rounder energy source? He mused. But how does it actually affect me?

His gaze landed on Unyielding Rebirth, his greatest asset.

I can die in battle and come back. But outside of combat? I'm just as vulnerable as anyone else.

A useful skill, but also a dangerous one if misused. If people learned about his ability, they might exploit his weaknesses. That meant keeping its mechanics a secret.

Then, there was Acquired Skills.

"How do I even get those?" he muttered.

That was something he'd have to figure out through experience. If the system wasn't handing him answers, he'd find them himself.

With a thought, he checked his Inventory.

Inside, he found some basic supplies: bread, water, and a simple dagger.

"At least the system isn't completely heartless," he chuckled dryly, taking out a piece of bread and biting into it. It was plain and slightly dry, but edible.

Next, his eyes shifted to the Trial Section.

His finger hovered in the air before He accessed the Trial Section.

Trial Name: "Baptism of Blood" 

Rank: One 

Location: Veilbound Village

A secluded settlement encased within two barriers—the Inner Veil, which shields the village itself, and the Outer Veil, which encircles the dense forest beyond. This village serves as the starting point for all Earthlings located in different areas of the main world, offering them their first taste of survival in the Main World.

Rank 1 Monsters (Found Beyond the inner Veil)

1. Daggerfang Wolf – A swift and agile predator with razor-sharp fangs capable of tearing through flesh with ease. Hunts in small packs of two or three.

2. Goreback Boar – A heavily built beast with a thick, scarred hide and two massive tusks. It charges with devastating force, making it dangerous in close combat.

3. Hollow Serpent – A silent, venomous snake that camouflages within the forest undergrowth. Its bite weakens prey, making it easier to subdue.

4. Razorbeak Crow – A large, predatory bird with iron-like talons and a beak sharp enough to pierce armor. It hunts from the shadows, striking when least expected.

5. Grasping Ghoul – A mindless undead creature that lingers near old battlegrounds. Though slow, it is relentless, clawing at anything living with decayed, bony fingers.

Trial Parameters:

Duration: 7 Days (One Week)

Objective: Slay 100 Rank 1 Monster

Failure Conditions: 

Death

Inability to meet the required kill count by the end of the week

Penalties: Release of monsters into the main world

Rewards:

Meta Essence (Amount based on performance)

Exceptional Completion Bonus: In rare cases, an artifact may be granted to those who exceed expectations.

The only path forward is one paved in blood. Survive, grow stronger, or perish—this is the law of the Main World.

Oliver's smirk faded.

Well... shit.

Oliver was perplexed. The trial objective was vastly different from the first trial.

Before, he had only needed to kill a single creature. Now? He had to face a hundred. The increase in difficulty was absurd.

And he wasn't the only one who noticed.

"What the hell?! This is ridiculous!" someone shouted, their voice thick with frustration.

"There's no way this is a fair jump in difficulty!" another person cried out. "How are we supposed to go from killing one monster to fending off an entire horde?!"

A few people were visibly shaken. Some clenched their fists, others paced in frustration.

A handful of them were already considering giving up, their expressions dark with fear.

"This is bullshit," one man growled. "There's no way the system expects us to actually pass this."

Oliver took a deep breath, calming his thoughts. Complaining wouldn't change anything. The only option was to adapt.

It didn't matter how much harder the trial was. He had an advantage that no one else had.

He couldn't die.

That alone changed everything.

If the others were panicking, that was on them.

He wouldn't waste energy worrying about fairness. Instead, he walked away from the growing crowd, tuning out their protests and complaints.

I need a plan.