Zogarth
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Chapter 873 - Nevermore: The Final Stretch
🕑 Added 2024-03-18 12:01:50 +0000 UTCTo a C-grade, while fifty years wasn’t considered a very long time, it was definitely still a significant part of their lives, especially for those from the new universe, who were all very young by multiversal standards. For many, it was even a majority of their lives, truly highlighting the pure momentum of the natives in a new universe.
For another group who had also been heavily involved in Nevermore, fifty years was but the blink of an eye. The gods who kept an eye on everything that was happening – both from inside of Nevermore and those outside using messengers they sent in – a fifty-year period was barely ever of any consequence. At least not usually… but when a new universe was integrated, things always got exciting.
The Records were flowing freely, as the system was more active than ever, throwing events and special happenings around everywhere, not just for those in the new universe, even if the majority were for the newly integrated.
To the gods, this was a prime opportunity to grasp power for themselves and to expand their factions… Nevermore being a huge aspect in this. The Leaderboards were perhaps the best advertisement, not just for the groups with powerful people on it, but for the geniuses of the new era who had yet to fully integrate themselves with a faction.
Few would dare aim to recruit those who were in the top spots, and most of them were already in big factions anyway… but the ones who would have ranked in the top thousands were still more than worth it to recruit. For these geniuses who were close to the pinnacle, the best thing they could do personally was to get closer to the peak while also aligning themselves with the factions capable of nurturing these other peak C-grades who did top the Leaderboards.
Perhaps the luckiest of all wasn’t the newly integrated mortals or the gods who could now finally progress once more but the young talents who had been born in other universes before the new integration and could now partake in the festivities. They had the advantage of growth before the integration and tended to be older with far more stable foundations than the newly integrated Nevermore Attendees… yet no one expected any of them to actually take the top spot, at least not right away.
History had proven that it was always newly integrated people who disproportionally dominated the Era Leaderboards, at least in the beginning. Each era was a few billion years at least, so many records would be broken during that time, but it did happen on occasion that a record set in the initial stages held strong for an entire era. Yip of Yore was one such happening.
When he had done Nevermore back in the day, he had taken the top spot, with his rival at the time, Altius, taking the second spot. Over time, Altius was pushed down to number four – still showing he had been an absolute pinnacle talent – but Yip had managed to maintain his rank, even as all the geniuses of an entire era competed with him, truly proving himself the pinnacle talent of the ninety-second era. He had been alive during the integration and set an unbeatable record… and now the question was if that feat would repeat itself as the next generation began to appear on the Leaderboards.
“Any spoilers?” Minaga asked the Wyrmgod, who was sitting silently and watching a myriad of lifestreams and timers with the other gods.
“No,” the Primordial shook his head. “But I do believe most can infer some things.”
“Alright, alright… thoughts from the room how their factions did?” Minaga asked loudly, even calling out to the large gathering of gods observing from the back.
Yet it was the Blightfather who spoke up first. “Can’t say I’m particularly disappointed or overjoyed. There were some pleasant surprises and some who underperformed, but that is all to be expected. Overall, while Nevermore is certainly an important step in the Paths of C-grades and an excellent recruitment tool to find worthwhile talents, it isn’t that important in the grand scheme of things.”
“While I will not disagree with your main point, we shouldn’t downplay the most well-known World Wonder of the multiverse either, now should we? Also, let us not pretend this iteration hasn’t been a bit out of the ordinary… our very presences in this room here is proof of that,” the Holy Mother countered.
Vilastromoz just sat back, once more seeing no reason to get involved when the two of them got into it. He also knew that the reason the Holy Mother wanted to put more emphasis on Nevermore was due to how well the Holy Church always did. They were a faction focused on working together and the single-largest faction in the multiverse, after all, so for them to be displayed prominently on the Leaderboards was only to be expected.
Overall, they were definitely the ones doing the best simply due to their sheer numbers, but if one looked at the factions with the highest average placement, they were far behind. This space was instead dominated by the most elite factions, such as the Order of the Malefic Viper and Court of Shadows. Ones that didn’t solely care about making a big organization, but that every member part of it had to be worthy.
Of course, there was one faction that dominated here more than any other when one still looked at major factions… one that was focused nearly solely on combat: Valhal.
Valdemar also did seem pretty happy with how things had gone. Even if their average placements were high, they tended to not have anyone at the top either. It did happen from time to time, but their members tended not to really focus enough on their professions or crafting in general to place that high.
As for the factions that did the absolute best, it was the incredibly small ones that had very strict requirements. Organizations such as the Crimson Flame, led by Gwyndyr. Even that archer from Earth affiliated with him had done pretty well for herself. Not to the level of beating any of the true top contenders, but a respectable performance, a bit like Jake’s brother from the Court of Shadows. Pretty good but not outstanding.
The discussion of how each faction would do had quickly filled the hall as the gods talked openly, some even making subtle bets here and there. This was a rare chance for many of these representative gods to talk to a Primordial, something they were both open to in this forum. Didn’t hurt that it was primarily just them being rained with praise while bragging, but that was neither here nor there.
Talks continued for a while until quickly, the topic moved toward what most of them ultimately cared about. The most interesting part of this period in Nevermore. It was a time where, more likely than not, the top spots of the Leaderboards would be switched out several times a day as more and more pinnacle geniuses finished until finally, the dust would settle, and only one name would remain atop as the Era’s Pinnacle.
And while there was much discussion about who could take the top ten and even top five slots in the end, there was no doubt only two people were truly in contention for the top two:
One of the most spoken of Chosen of this generation, primarily because of the stuff one of them had pulled off recently and because these two had gods on open conflict:
Ell’hakan, Chosen of Yip, the former Era’s Pinnacle and top genius of the last era.
And naturally the absolutely most spoken up, the Harbinger of Primeval Origins, and Villy’s own drinking buddy, Jake.
They would soon know who would take the top spot as both were about to finish the World Wonder, and it was certain one of them would finish before the other, potentially blocking the other from holding the Era’s Pinnacle title for even a moment.
--
“We should quickly sort our order and get going,” the Sword Saint suggested after they had been talking for a while. “Also to put additional pressure on other factions who may be dallying too much.”
“It isn’t like we will finish immediately either way,” the Fallen King also added. “It will take some time, even with our respective time chambers. Does the Order of the Malefic Viper have some prepared already?”
The final part was naturally to Jake, who confidently shrugged. “I have no idea.”
“No cause for concern in that area,” the Sword Saint shook his head. “Someone affiliated with my Patron shall be there and have everything ready.”
“That’s convenient,” Jake tilted his head. “Did Aeon contact you or something?”
“No, this was planned before I even entered Nevermore in the first place. Also, let me be clear, this isn’t something specifically prepared for us. Others are also very much interested in the services of the best time mage one can find in C-grade,” the old man explained.
“Makes sense, I guess,” Jake nodded.
“Ree?” Sylphie also asked.
“No, it’s definitely faster to stay inside of Nevermore to take advantage of the compounding time dilation,” the Sword Saint answered.
Sylphie had asked if it wouldn’t be faster to go to Nevermore City – the entrance of Nevermore – and have someone above C-grade set up a time chamber there. One had to remember that even if they left Nevermore and the time expired out there, it would still count. But, as the Sword Saint said, it was better to stay in Nevermore to double-dip on the time dilation.
Even if the C-grade in Nevermore could only do a, let’s say, ten-to-one dilation inside of Nevermore, coupled with the natural dilation of Nevermore, one easily hit a 100x multiplier in Realtime. Or, well, the opposite of a multiplier, as more time would pass inside the chamber than outside.
“Now, let us proceed to decide our order… and as much as it annoys me, I reckon the bird and I are first, considering our performances in the Challenge Dungeons,” the Fallen King said.
“We still need to decide the exact order,” the Sword Saint said. “As in… how many points do each of you have exactly?”
Jake perked up at hearing that. Each of them naturally had a lot of points, but if Sylphie somehow ended up with more, it would be hilarious.
Spoiler.
It was hilarious.
“A measly, not even two thousand points is…” the King said, trying to make excuses.
“Ree.”
“The sheer incompetence in design behind that ridiculous labyrinth…” the Fallen King shifted the blame.
“Ree.”
“No, it was by far the worst of the Challenge Dungeons, of that there is no doubt,” the Unique Lifeform said, now moved onto anger, before finally… acceptance. “Let us not waste time on what has happened. Additionally, the hawk has gained more levels, which will add even more points at the end. So, move on to decide the winner between the dryad and swordsman.”
“Ree,” Sylphie courtesly agreed as they moved on indeed.
Jake had kind of forgotten the extra points one would also get from levels and wondered how that worked. It was one of the reasons it was advised to be as close to level 200 as one could when one entered, even if one could compete on the Leaderboards as long as one was below 210. Anyway, he would definitely find out soon.
“There is no need to compare us,” Dina shook her head. “I think it’s best he finishes first. With a 70% multiplier from the Challenge Dungeons, neither of us are getting on the top 10 Leaderboards for the era, but the Sword Saint does have a very good shot at the top ten on the ninety-third universe Leaderboards.”
“We should still decide,” the Sword Saint smiled. “Even if we don’t get top ten, reaching top 100 or top 250 is bound to also have certain rewards, and I want no enmity born from one of us blocking the other.”
“I wouldn’t-“
“1,952,976.”
Dina was silent for a bit before muttering. “Fifty-eight thousand…”
“So, you got me beat,” the old man smiled.
“No… no, you got more levels than me,” Dina shook her head. “While I’m not sure about the details, I am sure that will add even more at the end, making you overtake me.”
The two of them ended up agreeing on the old man going first after a bit more back and forth, which just left Jake.
“Anyone wanna know how many points I got?” he asked with a bright smile.
“I will assume so many that it would be shameful if you failed to reach the top spot of the Era and Universe Leaderboards,” the Fallen King shot back.
“I wouldn’t say shameful… but enough so that I would be disappointed if I didn’t top at least one of them,” Jake shrugged. “And I say that knowing full well that there is a good chance a certain orange fuck is already topping one if not both of them already. Anyway, we’re all good, right? Let’s get moving and finally get done with Nevermore.”
There were no complaints as everyone finally got up, and Dina dispelled the recovery circle. They all at least looked representable now as they moved toward the door and the final city floor. On the way, Dina threw Jake a few glances before finally asking.
“Would… would you really be disappointed if you didn’t get the top spot? Do you expect to get it?” she asked a bit cautiously. “My grandfather said that to take the top spot isn’t easy, and even if getting it doesn’t necessarily mean one is the strongest of a generation… it won’t be far off.”
“I think I would be, yeah,” Jake muttered. “I did my best here in Nevermore, and as you said, the spot is often reserved for the top of a generation, right?”
“Yes,” Dina nodded.
“Well, then I belong there,” Jake shrugged as he grinned. “My goal has always been to be the very best like no one ever was.”
“Ree?” Sylphie asked, still held by Jake as she was still very tired. Or, at the very least, pretended to still be very tired to get carried.
“No, no, you’re in the generation after mine, so you can be the very best of that one,” Jake shook his head while scratching her.
“Does that mean I am from the generation before you?” the Sword Saint asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Of course not,” Jake said, sounding almost offended. “You’re at least three generations before me, if not more.”
“That… isn’t how generations work in the multiverse,” Dina said. “While a generation isn’t a set time, in most instances, especially when talking about C-grades, one considers a single generation at least a few hundred years…”
“That sounds like something I will definitely ignore ever learning,” Jake grinned as the five of them finally entered the door and went to the final city floor they would ever see.
It was… pretty basic and very empty if Jake said so himself. Especially compared to City Floor Fourteen, the one where all the top teams were doing Challenge Dungeons. Still, the ones that were present were either those not competing on the Leaderboards – in other words, those who had entered while already above 210 – or the absolute top teams. And most of those teams wouldn’t be found just wandering about as they were doing exactly what Jake and company were about to do.
Ignoring the system message welcoming them to the city floor, the five of them made their way toward somewhere the Sword Saint felt powerful time energy gathered. Jake also felt it, and using Pulse, he spotted the place the old man was talking about.
Reaching the area, they saw a large set of buildings that looked a bit like one of those motels where the doors opened directly from the outside into the rooms, except the doors, in this case, were heavy enchanted gates, and the rooms were lined up boxes of metal.
“This the place?” Jake asked the Sword Saint as he read the sign above the fence surrounding the weird, motel-looking place… and it did not inspire confidence.
Time Chambers For Rent! Best Rates, Best Service, Best Performance!
“It is indeed,” the old man nodded, Jake choosing to believe him as they walked inside. They had barely managed to get in before Jake spotted an approaching figure who raised a hand and waved.
“You’re finally here! Damn, I was getting scared you fucked up and got stuck on floor seventy-five or something, as you didn’t go to the city floor,” the newcomer said. “A fellow follower of the glorious God of Time, too!”
Jake observed the man and used Identify, quickly being told what he already knew… this guy was strong.
[Hobgoblin – lvl 349 – Divine Blessing of Aeon Clok]
“Greetings,” the Sword Saint bowed. “I do not believe I need to say why we’re here?”
“Of course not,” the hobgoblin shook his head. “Seeing as you’re a follower of our god, I can even throw in a three percent discount! No, wait, with the Malefic’s Chosen also here, I believe I can make it three-point-five percent! The true VIP treatment!”
“How generous…” Jake muttered.
“I know, right?” the hobgoblin said, still smiling. “Now, let’s get you all settled, alright? I will naturally need payment up front as you’ll all just pop right back to Nevermore City when the timer expires.”
“Can I ask, has the Chosen of Yip of Yore also arrived here?” Jake asked.
“Yep, he already got here over a full day ago and will pop out soonish, I reckon,” the peak C-grade explained.
“I see…” Jake muttered. “Say… would it be possible to pay a bit extra to maybe do it so his time dilation isn’t as effective as it maybe should be, allowing a certain other Chosen to finish first?”
The hobgoblin looked at Jake for a moment as his smile faded entirely. “Are you asking me to divert from my own Path by maliciously breaking my business practices?”
“I would never ask that and simply made a tasteless hypothetical,” Jake quickly backtracked quickly as he smiled. “Anyway, five rooms, please.”
“Oh, of course, you would never truly ask something preposterous like that,” the hobgoblin said with a serious look before he went right back to smiling. “Now, follow me, and I’ll show you to your rooms.”
Comments
Christian M
Jake Ketchum
Endless Nature
Thanks for the chapter
Rita Limehouse
That’s what it looks like after reading today’s chapter 😫
Johnny_B
He's gonna make us wait til Friday for Jake's score I bet.
Skyler Brown
i feel chastised make me feel like zogarth was speakin from the Hob to the readers lol
Hayden Leech
Fine with me.
Clint
I think you have it backwards. Jake is one of Sandy’s pocket monsters.
Mat
Remember Sandy grows by consumption and does not fight
Mat
That is speculation at best. Levels are gained for experience gained related to a profession or class. We do not know EH class or profession, so makes you think that him avoiding fights using his bloodline is not part of his profession or class?
Mat
That would mess up the exit order of his team members resulting in potential loss on achievements to be earned for helding a position for a moment
TSMS
Jake is more for direct and straightforward confrontation. Getting ahead of EH not on his own merit, but by manipulating EH's time chamber is not in line with his character. It would be more likely for him to ask to speed his time chamber up instead. Though, that would put his exit ahead of all his teammates so I guess that's not possible either.
Chloe
Definitely maybe our friend the hungry worm could just eat him.
Chloe
This is what I hope happens. Maybe bloodline time dilation resistance fuckery. Gosh. The heck with El Cheeto.
Chloe
Artemis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff McCulley
He is using the concept of generations (debatable in length, but often 20-25 years) to say that while he is the best of “his” generation, Sophie is the best of the younger crowd. She’s his “niece”, after all. So the next generation. He’s throwing her a bone. Er, a tasty bird treat. A consolation prize. Of course, Dina messes it up by saying that in the multiverse, “generations” are much, much longer.
Rita Limehouse
I can’t wait until tomorrow’s installment. Hope Jake tops both leaderboards 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Jeff McCulley
They’re going into them in the order they want to come out.
Jeff McCulley
How does him trying to make sure that EH never gets the top spot (and title) not make sense for his character? I’ve seen the comment several times, have to ask.
Jeff McCulley
Because multipliers from the challenge dungeons aren’t the only factor.
Jeff McCulley
Thanks Anthony. Some folks don’t seem to get that.
Jeff McCulley
It’s fascinating to me to see anyone who thinks that Arnold is merely a crafter and “non combat focused”.
Erik Leiden
I think there have got to be different titles for actively holding the top spot and having previously held the top spot. Seems unbalanced otherwise.
Mahetze
it was said (in this chapter) that you had to be bellow level 210 to compete for the leaderboard positions
Steven Wood
William went in D grade
Austin Gillespie
So are the time dilation chambers varying in speed to ensure they all time out at slightly different times to ensure that good order, rather than them timing out at once or in a weird order?
Rahsheem Reid
I’m not seeing it either. Maybe some from his group but idk about him at all
Rahsheem Reid
I think EH being lower or higher is a plus either way too his story bc of how he can spin it but he will get more records if he is already higher then Jake through bloodline/system fuckery. No chance he beats Jake.
Rahsheem Reid
Even tho sandy just finished eating she still misses eating.
dakota dodson
Facts dude. On top of that, he's a crafter. He's was never gonna make it that much higher
dakota dodson
Dude I feel that on Dakota krout. That mf will end on the biggest cliffhanger possible every chapter. My favorite part of reading his stuff on here is when he just gives us the rest of the book in one drop
dakota dodson
And sandy misses eating
Hayden Leech
I’m really hoping Jake just gets flung ahead of everybody else because of that moment of the primal hunter time resistance. Maybe Jake just forgot to specify and the hobgoblin just turns it as high as it’ll go? I hope so haha. Nobody gets the title! Just Jake and a collection of holy church goons from the beginning.
DirePants
I knew you were going to do this Zorg… you know what we want and you’re teasing us.
Tyler S.
It would be funny it it was a rabbit with maybe demonic red eyes
Tyler S.
After aging to now older then her parents she could have learned to have the wind make people understand what shes saying
Tyler S.
It may be best to take the week off and relax. Your anger and frustration is not going to get them to write any faster
Yinka
I agree 👍. Nevermore did not have proper stakes. The Tutorial had stakes, intrigue, competition etc. Nevermore nothing of genuine significance.
Samantha Sandlin
You can leave at any time but your name doesn't appear on the leaderboards until your 50 years are up, regardless of when you left. William went in early and was never a candidate for the leaderboards.
Bobby B
Meh
Hayden Leech
93 Eras Pinnacle: Craig!!! “Who tf?”
Hayden Leech
“Get fucked lol” -Sword Saint
Hayden Leech
I miss Sandy. #WayOftheWorm
Ral
Jake has a lot of appointments after nevermore! Including one with Artemis!
Lonnie Sizemore
Zog must have been hanging out with will wight and Dakota krout to have so much foreshadowing these last few weeks 😁 you on a cruise as well? 😆
Ira White
More like the Geneve Wish list.
Ira White
I support this theory. She definitely deserves more screen time? Book time? FaceTime? What ever definitely looking forward to the eventual meet and greet between Erin and Carmen.
Ira White
The chapter made me chuckle on a Monday all it needs to accomplish really.
Pip Mitchell
I honestly don’t understand all the comments about Arnold possibly being ahead of EH - we know he only got 75% in the challenge dungeons so how could he have a chance against EH (and Jake’s) percentage increases?
dakota dodson
Likely speaking Arnold won't even be in the top 10. He's very non combat focused. He's one of those can do combat but is really just a crafter
Ira White
And if Minanga magiced up a buffet of random cereal for them to try it would even make sense lmao
Ira White
A chapter with the gods arguing about which is best between oatmeal, malt-o-meal, cream of wheat, grits, or cereal would be hilarious 😂 😃 😄
Kyler
I’d prefer Arnold win over the others tbh
Daniel is ŁØNE
Honestly, It would subvert expectations if Jake isn't in the top 2 but it would be in a bad way, the only person who has a chance is Arnold and I'd honestly need to understand specifics for me to accept him toping Jake.
Peter Smith
Tell the hobgoblin!! The author is dragging on our time dilation!! Hes making it inefficient!!!! Points points points points pointspoints points points points
Dream
Yeah, but in nevermore there were a lot of floors with a flood of lower leveled enemies. He essentially got 0exp from killing those. As an example a few chapter back he had outleveled the Sword Saint but recently the Sword Saint out leveled him. Would be hard to know how much exp he missed out on from lower leveled enemies vs gained from higher lvl ones. Anyway we will see what the points look like from lvling, hopefully it doesn't mess up his ranking.
JC
Doesnt he get more xp from higher level enemies to compensate?
I just happy the cliff wasn't right before a month break... that was torture... love your books but why?!
Thenais
seems likely
CrabClaw
Last bit made no sense with Jake's character. Hopefully it was just a joke and nothing will come of it. If it got recorded somehow and used to instigate drama by Ell'Hakan and Yip I'll be sorely disappointed. Don't get me started on the filler either...
Jeff McCulley
lol! The Gods are all sitting there expecting this to be a two horse race, because one way or another, someone is watching every contender. Sure, Yip isn’t there, but eyes are on Ell’Hakan because of his party. Umm….take a wild guess whose patron God is NOT at the watch party (or have a representative)? Yup, Arnold! Lololololololol… I think EH might be in for a surprise when he steps out of Nevermore.,. And the watch party, too!
Ty Cooper
They mention how the holy church does it every era. Send some to finish after the first 10 floors then do time chambers but they said there was a point they had to hit to get rewards. It has been a long time since I read the start of Nevermore so I do not remember what they said had to be hit, but there is one.
Jeff McCulley
Arnold is already ahead of EH when the latter walks out. There’s a reason Zog didn’t give us his POV. Then Jake beats Arnold.
Zogarth
Tweaked the numbers a bit. Had some stuff wrong on my end.
Jeff McCulley
I’m pretty confident that if Jake hoped to prevent EH from even getting the #1 title for a minute, that someone unexpected is going to do that. Say, where’s Arnold been lately? Then EH is third after Jake walks out…
Jeff McCulley
No, he wants to keep EH from ever getting the title for first. You keep the bonuses for the title even after you’re knocked down. EH wouldn’t even have those bragging rights.
Ty Cooper
Did they mentioned how many points Dina got in the challenge dungeons? I thought they only mentioned her percent amplifiers.
Ty Cooper
I thought same
Cheshirerogue
Ell-Oompa Might have some time shenanigans going since he’s a “celestial child” and space/sun-moon stuff might have a bit of time stuff in it just as a concept maybe
Micah Molina
@Bent Sommer actually I take it back. I actually kinda agree with you! It does seem low. I went back to check Dina's percentages and yes, I agree Jake should have a higher than 100k. She got 20%, 15%, 15%, 10%, 10%. Idk, what the point cutoffs for the lower numbers but Jake should have gotten more points than 100k-130k than her. Idk it's weird, maybe she got something like 99k, 78k, 78k, 49k, 49k...? Shrug
Ted Burgess
Totally disagree. This forum is only in part for our entertainment. The primary benefit is for the author to refine his craft. Critical feedback is the most useful for that end, and there seems to be a consensus that this is an entirely fluff chapter.
Micah Molina
I don't think so, but there's a start time, preventing anyone who got number one before that date not count, unless you got number 1 before the date and held it after the start date?
Micah Molina
The only time he could of gotten more points than Dina is the Challenge Dungeons. You get the 25% after surpassing 100k points in the dungeon. Jake got 100k, 124k, 148k (very rough estimates from recall). You get 20% by achieving 80K+. If we take into account that when Dina excelled and got maximal points for her percentages, then yea its around about 100k-130k dif.
Luke Scheffe
That last bit from Jake seems out of character. It seems more realistic for him to actually ask for the dilation to be increased, so he can be sure he’ll push ell’hakan down.
Kass
Same question. Can’t you just leave anytime? Why do you have to use up every second of your 50 years? That metal dude from earth came out early what seems like 40 years ago at this point.
Micah Molina
Being the fastest doesn't matter unless you have the most points. Although, we are told, the deeper you go in Nevermore the stronger the time dilation. But is that every floor? Every 10 floors? Or every 100? Shrug. The point I was getting at in my op, was yes EH was faster, but IF Jake jumped down before EH on floor 0, then Jake should be kicked out of Nevermore earlier. That's why the significance of finishing a day a part could be more significant.
joel southard
Nice thank you for the chapter
Anthony Smith
Eh most likely bloodline cheated and didn't gain as many levels as Jake either. Avoiding fights or skipping opportunities to work on profession or using people to accomplish things rather than do it himself and from exp
Alexander Doran
Wasn't it said you need to atleast have a certain level of points yo get onto the leaderboards that's why the people the hig factions send thru to build in cities don't get on there.
Anthony Smith
Jake can withstand a high time dilation rate. And EH doesn't have any time skills we have seen yet. He could be lapped in time.
Micah Molina
Well, there is probably an additional title for holding the title at the end of the Era, handed out by the System. It's probably only for gods tho, unless you were born at the end of an Era; since an Era is billions of years. You can't just be the first one done neither, the Wyrmgod set a start time date. Iirc, the leaderboard was filled with anonymous ppl for the Holy Church, but it's way before the official start. It's a mechanism to prevent ppl cheesing it early.
jazz
He’s also ahead on floors completed. Might just be better suited for the floors that took Jake longer
TSMS
To me the question to slow EH time chamber down seemed to be out of character for Jake. I don't believe the exchange is just there to pad the chapter and will have some consequences in the next chapter. I'm confident that with either Jake's or EH's remaining time in NM will be messed with in some way.
Bent Sommer
Last chapter: Checking his Nevermore Points, Jake saw he had finally broken the two million mark and then some. Current Nevermore Points: 2,120,950
Benjamin Mages
Jake's number was never established in this chapter, where are you getting this?
Bent Sommer
100k more Points than dina/ss feels kind of low 😔 jake should have some more Points for his challenge dungeon Performance
Micah Molina
Hilarious! Jake is not the funniest MC, so it's good to see him joke around. Love how he complements Sylphie and disparage the SS. Wait, if EH is one day ahead. Doesn't when they started Nevermore come into play, when you consider time dilation, starting minutes or hours before could have s huge effect. I wonder if EH immediately started after talking to Jake in floor 0 or if Jake jumped down before him?
Ryan Ulrich
So the fact you get rewards for holding the top spot even for a moment are kinda bonkers. If you are the first person to complete NM in an era you automatically get the #1 spot. If the first 10 people, all with pretty average scores, but who all did better than their predecessor complete NM they all get rewards for the #1 spot? How good can the reward be then unless you hold it for an era? Seems like it must be something that gets better the longer you hold it?
Dream
I really hope this whole getting points from levels doesn't fuck our boy over. I mean he has a disadvantage there, he can't lvl from weaker enemies... Unless the system accounts for that, which I hope it does.
Anonymonous
It's been that mentioned he's not the highest on his team
Biggy smalls
Ohh yeah Zog is the best in releasing new content every week day. He has a very impressive work ethic. Don’t even get me started on George RR Martin. I’d like to start reading his book series but I won’t because I know he’ll never finish it. He won’t even let a ghost writer finish it after he croaks… I’m bummed about the DCC release schedule. He seems to be struggling like you said Mike. As far Zogs series goes though I look forward to tuning in 3 or 4 times a year post Nevermore. I can’t handle being clock blocked several times a week :)
Chase Koehn
Feel like I should’ve added this on my original but I still love the hell out of this series and it’s still my favorite. Just feel like I’m stonewalled after every chapter release due to the way Zog ends them. Personal opinion and all thats. Still not gonna unsubscribe, just needed to vent lol
Captain the Red Beard
Final final final stretch, let's hope we get numbers before Wednesday of next week.
Biggy smalls
You do have a point here discodame. Hopefully this is an element Zog can re-introduce into the story. It did happen with the Mushroom he poisoned. He lost to that thing twice and came back strong enough to win on the third attempt. Same with the Wasp King. Got his butt whooped round 1 and barely squeezed out a victory in the second attempt. But you are right on an individual stat basis. Stats are kind of becoming just big numbers at this point.
Mike
i’m putting my money on filler till friday then a huge cliff and the totals coming out a week from today.
Mike
this is the proper and nicest way to say “C’mon Man!” that i have seen today. hehe
Jordan
Possible EH had same idea as Jake with the goblin but succeeded with bloodline?
Mike
yeah i’m subbed to HWFWM, DotF, Primal Hunter and my favorite, Wandering Inn. between them it keeps me sane when one or the other gets loopy.
Mike
yeah well at least he is on a great release schedule and hasn’t gone all George RR Martin like Dungeon Crawler Carl has. I dropped it because that guy is just rereleasing things on Sound Booth Theatre as “ultimate emerson” with extra voice actors in it. Basically a money grab while trying to get past his writers block i guess. is what it is though and of course it’s much better than Alerong Kong has done with his series(s) and basically stopped writing but every freaking 2-3 months comes out to a convention claiming to be the “father of LitRPG” and lying about a release date that comes and goes with no new material. Kong is a doctor IRL so he doesn’t need the money so no real motivation to put any effort into writing.
TwoMoreYears
This is going to be so entertaining, watching everyone pop out one by one and watching the leaderboards shift over and over again. The comments section is going to be just as entertaining in all likelihood.
Ty Cooper
I was hoping EH would forever and always be 2nd.
Captain the Red Beard
It'll be next week lol, gotta edge us till his Friday cliffhanger
Mike
well actually you could do a side story with a character for every chode that complains on their attempt at nevermore and have them fail in some spectacular way. that would prevent this mass weeping and gnashing of teeth that i’m seeing here today. but TFTC i love it and yes im excited to see the leaderboards but man are these comments like some petulant children that didn’t get the toy in their happy meal.
Ty Cooper
I know we haven't had any of those since Sandy
Ty Cooper
I'm super excited to see what he does with the demon lord heart. I am thinking he makes a super sexy succubus lord or something.
Ty Cooper
I was wondering that also. Well could I pay extra to finish faster
Mike
Geneva checklist or suggestions because in a real war for survival you do what has to be done.
Ty Cooper
SS waving his hand on the sly messing with it as they walk to their rooms. The time goblin none the wiser.
Mike
so the reason as i understand it being is that you get achievements for placing in the top spots even if someone comes after you and beats your score. so they want the lowest of their group to be able to place high and get an achievement prior to the next person bumping them down out of a spot (potentially) of course.
Ty Cooper
Sad but EH might actually get on the all time leaderboard before Jake. Hoping that SS using time magic throughout Nevermore that maybe their true souls are ahead of EH before the time chambers and can get done first. That's a very long stretch though.
Steven Myer
What they're arranging is for the lowest point total to pop out first, so say the King who has 2000 point less then the cute bird pops out and knock out a person in the top 10 place, he gets the 10th place reward, then the bird pops out knocks him to 11th and then she gets the 10th place reward. If the bird came out first he would come out 11th and miss out on a top 10 reward.
Captain the Red Beard
I don't think we'll see numbers till next week. It's gonna be a weeklong edge session with a cliff again on Friday. Most likely get numbers on Wednesday of next week.
Dustin
Yesss!
Captain the Red Beard
Tyftc, every chapter is one closer to the end of nevermore.
Captain the Red Beard
Next week we'll get the end results, this week is prolly gonna be POV and edging for the big reveals next friday
Ty Cooper
Well dang. Was hoping the SS would be able to get on the boards before EH.
Captain the Red Beard
We won't get numbers this week, it'll be pushed to next week.
JJB4345_80_815
Zogarth, thank you for the chappy! ...But you are SUCH a tease! You have more tease than the Boston Harbor! This is why Americans drink coffee, 'cause we hate the tease... I swear man, one day my wee lil' brain is gonna go on permanent fritz and I'll be twitching and glitching and repeating "Not ANOTHER cliff!" And the local looney bin will toss me in the padded room with all of the other readers... Loved the chappy, but for my own sanity I am praying for the numbers tomorrow. "Oh, all powerful Zoggy, please give us next day that of which you have maleficently withheld today. In the name of the Viper, the chosen, and the holy hotness of the Verdant Lagoon Witches I pray, Amen!" 🙏🙏🙏
Biggy smalls
Yeah. I love this series, Zog should be very proud of his creation. In my opinion it’s one of the three best Litrpgs out there (Dungeon Crawler Carl and the Unbound series make up the rest of my top 3). After the Nevermore arc ends I’m going to come back every 3 to 4 months to catch back up (read this series as well as the other 2 I listed above in installments). I’ve found that I’m not patient enough to be a daily reader :)
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Lawrence Dillon
Cheeto must go down!!
Austin Gillespie
Not sure if I’m dumb and didn’t catch it, but I don’t understand why they sorted the order they would leave the floor before all walking out together to 0 notifications directly to a time dilation chamber which is apparently the thing all the cool kids do. Were they sorting the order they would eventually leave time dilation? Are they running out their remaining Nevermore time in time dilation?
Mohammed Sheekh
bro you might as well propose to zogarth, even if he stretches the nevermore arc for another 2 weeks, you will be there to defend your master 🤣
Michael Fannon
Not going to lie, a chapter with a ton of POVs of various beings and gods all enjoying different cereal with a debate between the blight father and the holy mother if cereal is a soup sounds pretty fun.
jackalsclaw
I honestly read the goblenoids reply as "how big a bribe are you offering?"
jackalsclaw
I'm waiting for someone to sneak in and reverse the setting on yipping boy's chamber so that he finishes after everyone.
Biggy smalls
That be bad writing. A character never discussed or hinted at by the Gods in the livestream room takes the top spot? After all the setup between Jake and EH and Nevermore, over half the length of this series, and some unknown third party takes the crown. Gross.
Hunter Thornton
Well this is a weird one. I’m glad to finally be over nevermore but we’re still in nevermore. Just hope the orange fuck tries to recruit Jake again. That was funny
jackalsclaw
I'm honestly thinking about unsubscribing from the patreon and just waiting for a whole books to come out. The way logical chapters are being broken down into as many cliffhangers as possible is actually kind of detracting from me enjoying this
Jared Prater
And there was absolutely no need for you to comment and yet here we are
jackalsclaw
Stop giving him ideas, before we end up with a chapter where someone is eating cereal
jackalsclaw
It would be fine if it actually concluded. But "the final stretch part 1" is some bullshit
jackalsclaw
This is almost Non consensual edging.
jackalsclaw
He would not be the first old man to just nod when not understanding what a kid is saying
Cody C
Goddamn im starting to suspect he doesn’t or didn’t know what the hell the next arc would be until last week with all this useless suspense. If he doesn’t give us the numbers next chapter im gonna throw a tantrum i stg
Titaniumtac
no rewards for that set of floors?
DiscoDame
Compare the impact of stats now to say the beginning of the story. Book 1. Stats were huge then. Every point meant a battle he could now win that before he couldn't. We had that contrast. We had fights he couldn't win. Or fights he could barely win. We could see him grow from barely killing 3 guys to taking out an entire squad of people hunting him. That was awesome. We don't have that anymore. We have no comparison. No arena he can barely beat that he will go back to and absolutely destroy. So who cares how much stronger he gets % wise at this point. There is no Agent Smith for him to absolutely destroy after powering up.
Kirivina
That would be funny but not at the same time.
BumAssBumAss
Sword saint can understand bird now.
DiscoDame
Let's imagine that instead of 70 levels, Jake got 140. Or just say he got to B grade. Say that being in NM gets the top people enough levels to get to B grade. What would that change story wise? Well, Jake would have had a lot more black text. Maybe more skills that changes his fighting style a bit?... that's about it. Gods can still kill him, orange dude is still a challenge. So almost no impact. We are closer to godhood. Stats and levels don't really matter right now.
DiscoDame
In order for stats could have a story impact Jake needs a challenge he can't beat. A beast that is destroying cities on Earth. A unique life form that almost assassinates him. A fight he loses. Then he goes out, does something amazing, gets a bunch of stats, and can now beat the thing he was fighting easily. Bam, stats have a story impact. Right now, there is nothing like that. The orange guy also got a lot stronger in NM so that fight will be hard for Jake regardless of stats. So all stats are going to do is maybe mean the "power level" of his next fight is higher. Not that it will change the text of the fight much.
Kael
Comment of the Era
Strato Junon
I agree that the last bit of nevermore has been a drag (the twin head emperor thing had no importance at all) on the whole i enjoyed nevermore tons. I do think it maybe went on a little too long but hey if you don't like it then skip it
Kyler
Watch it be neither of them that get the top spot but some random get it by a landslide
DiscoDame
Stat increases really don't change the story at this point. Stats have almost lost all meaning. Like, say he gets a title with lot of stats. Wow! Now Jake is so strong!... Anyways, so his next fight really brings him to the edge of death because blah blah blah. It doesn't matter. Double his stats. Triple them. He isn't going to start killing gods. If he got a new skill or something then maybe his fights in the future would change, but stats have almost no story impact.
Den
There was also absolutely no need for this chapter and yet here we are
Jeff McCulley
Even better. Jake doesn’t finish ahead of EH, but someone totally unexpected does…with higher points. Then Jake knocks EH down to third. Hey, where’s our resident void mechanic these days?
Ted Burgess
Is it a ten to one time dilation?
Garigis
Yeah, tomorrow is going to be another filler without ending Nevermore. Probably won't see the leadervoards til Friday... or next week on Friday.
Ted Burgess
Maybe it was stated too strongly, but we were all thinking it lol. Seriously, mate, my inner monologue was “what did this chapter accomplish?” Maybe some suspense building, I guess?
Bro please don't keep us in suspense. This goes against the Geneva convention.
Cnewton84
The title(s) alone will have been worth it, we can assume they will have massive stat increases. He also leveled up 70+ times in less than 5 years real time, which is much better than he would have been able to do outside nevermore. Also add in the records and the other loot he has gotten (soul flame) and will probably get for his performance.
Hodge Wasson
Damn. Clock Block failed.
Jared Prater
Womp womp
Jared Prater
There's absolutely no need for that toxicity.
ItWasIDIO!!
Well damn Jake I didn't think you'd fuck around like that ya almost found out
Ignatius
tftc
Martín Ballesteros Arias
But maybe he could get a time chamber cranked up a notch extra, that way he could finish up first
DiscoDame
Maybe he gets something that upgrades his bloodline? Like he can now sense even further? Or he can start predicting the future a bit like spider man?
Bob of Doom
I hope his next animal companion is a mammal. Maybe a wolf that evolves into a Fenrir or something similar.
DiscoDame
A new weapon that changes his fighting style a bit? A new skill he uses a bunch? An item that somehow gets him to B grade? Maybe he spent so long in NM his mom & dad have died? His nephew is like a adult now? The order of the viper has changed a lot? Like his statue is everywhere?
ReadingObsessed
The opposite. If Jake gets #1 then everyone else gets 2+. If Agent Orange gets #1 then even when Jake pushes him out with a larger score then he still keeps his #1 achievement.
DiscoDame
I'm trying to imagine what Jake could possibly get or what could possibly happen to make this worth it.
ReadingObsessed
Even the victory will be bittersweet.
Ben Heystek
Thanks for the chapter awesome chapter
Aerlevsedi
So how many animal companions were you planing Jake to have? What with the "... be the very best like no one ever was.” I'm beginning to worry the answer is just yes. Lol.
Den
What a waste of a chapter.
Jonathan Hovey
Nice Pokemon reference!
DiscoDame
I don't even really care anymore. Nevermore has taken so long I just want it over with. I mean what even are the stakes here anymore? Jake isn't top and is disappointed? OOoOOoooo. He is top, gets some title that doesn't materially change anything, and some gods sputter a bit? WowOWoWowow. Just get it over with so we can move on to something else.
InfernoDroid
Yea, it's the one bad thing about the web novel subscription model. It can feel oddly passed when the author takes release times into account when writing. That, and chapters are shorter (by necessity of needing to release 5 a week) than those from books written traditionally
Shup Idot
Nice
Alex
Yeah, its not like they actually have enough time to do anything else useful. Though I feel like they're not as useful as they're made seem. 10x acceleration means they'll leave nevermore 10x as fast, doesnt it? Considering they don't have anything else to do its fine, but doesn't seem all that great either
Rishain
Pretty sure tomorrow's chapter is going to be checking in on Miranda and everybody else there won't be any leaderboard stuff for tomorrow
Michael Fannon
Yup. Just glad DoTF is back today too. These chapters releases have done something I never thought possible: actually make me look forward to mondays.
TSMS
Jake got a bit less than 500,000 points from the challenge dungeons. If we substract them from his total, each member has more than 1.6 million points + whatever they scored in the challenge dungeons. With multipliers, every member should get over 3 million points.
Sam Rosenberg
Good setup chapter
Michael Fannon
Those aren't the totals. Those are the numbers so far. They still get points for levels gained if I recall, so total points won't be until the end.
Jeff
I'm hoping Jake either does extreme time dilation to get out first or he does none and goes to do some solo leveling to get those sweet sweet levels
Rishain
I guess I should be glad that we're finally leaving nevermore it's been way too long like it at its good moments but my God I'm glad it's over
Rishain
Kind of a BS chapter. Nothing but filler sucks that it had to happen on Monday
Tyler S.
I see a spar between both in front of the gods because of the all star board, then maybe it gets called off early next week
Ira White
Tyftc Zogarth you should draw out the reveal by one chapter for every nagging comment 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 First person to nag gain individual pov chapters for the entire party 2nd get individual pov chapter from every person from earth 3rd gets the gods to get individual chapters for each of their people 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
Chase Koehn
Too many filler chapters just for cliff hangers. Starting to get upset tbh. We got zero progression out of this one. Still not gonna see the leaderboards till Friday most likely. Salty.
Blake Noyes
Now that they’re done with as many levels as they can complete, they want to hop on a chamber to speed up the remaining few days to come out fast. If they went on to floor 81 they wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything in the time they have left, so might as well go recover and prepare for politics in peace.
Travis G
Chapter releases: dopamine :) Finish reading chapter: dopamine done :(
Tyler S.
Great chapter, but could we get some new examples of some of the records and who gains them instead of another few paragraphs saying records are spreading... Welp back to the 3% for Jake lol cant wait for the drop and how much the levels add to the score
SmokeJam
As expected, the cliffhanger chapter always gets thrown in, without fault xD
Akashiro_Krax
Nice try
Steven Ramey
I really can't wait for these results to finally come out!
Gavin
Bro....🙄
Jackson Daw
I'm glad I can see the end of Nevermore in sight, this arc was fun, but I'm glad to move on, thank you!
Samantha Sandlin
I wonder if these totals are raw numbers or after all the multipliers, because didn't Jake have over 2 million 120 thousand before multipliers? Dina with the highest of only 2 million 18 thousand, if after multipliers, is a HUGE difference.
Cory Sauls
Thank you for the chapter!
BerciTheBeast
Could they pay for better rooms?
Ryan Ulrich
EH will definitely finish NM first, but Jake will smash his point total
John Balman
LoL Jake being Jake
Pablo Barbatto
Great Chapter, tomorrow better be a bunch of bold letter with numbers.
Omar Jimenez
Alright, so we’re setting the stage. I’d guess a chapter of self reflection for Jake, a chapter from the team’s POVs, another chapter from different POVs (both godly and mortal), and two chapters for the score reveals of everyone but Jake. Can’t wait to see what titles and loot everyone gets!
Olof Karlsson
Thanks for the chapter!
Isley
good chappie
Mats
Sooooon! 🥳🥳🥳
Michael Fannon
Why the time chambers? To squeeze out every possible moment in nevermore?
Matthias
Tftc
One Winged Angel
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......Zogggaaarrrthhhhhh, stop dancing with your hand on my ass and make a move already! Wanna see Jake Mollywhop this orange and blue fuck!
TDMC
Pattern recognition
Decibel790
How come I get the feeling you'll find some way to make us wait until Friday somehow before getting the end results, lol Tftc!
Phasmatic7
Thanks for the chapter
Justin Buro
Never get between a goblinoid and his mostly ethical business practices
BlackRazaras
Thanks for the chapter
Ivan Majstorović
First
