After focusing on my screen for several hours, I checked the time on my phone. It was already 2 in the morning. I got up from my chair and began to stretch. I gazed at the amulet my grandmother gave to me. She wished for me to wear it as I fell asleep tonight. I don't know what we're doing in the morning, but I felt like I should head to sleep a little earlier than normal. I took the ruby amulet in my hand and clipped the chain around and behind my neck. The amulet felt heavy around my neck, but as I rested my head down on my pillow it did not feel uncomfortable. I closed my eyes for a few minutes as I slowly sunk into my bed.
Shortly after, I began to hear wind fly by my ear and I felt as if I was falling. I quickly opened my eyes as I saw a bright light above me shine. It was almost bright enough to burn my eyes, but I kept them open. I looked towards the left as I saw a blue transparent barrier and beyond that, a colorless abyss. I looked down and saw what I could only describe as the gateway to hell. Quickly after, someone's hand turned me back to the light above me. Their appearance was of a short boy in a white toga. He grabbed my hand and pulled me through the blue barrier next to me. I became suspended in space as I looked around. The blue barrier I saw before, now looking like a giant tube that led straight to Hell.
"Hey kid, can you hear me?" I looked behind me where the voice came from. The boy glanced at me curiously as he focused on my necklace. "You're one of the few people who end up on the road to hell, because of those artifacts." I glanced down at the ruby amulet. "An artifact, what do you mean?" The kid shrugged as he pulled out a contract. "Not too sure myself, I just work around here. Anyways, you've been summoned to help out a world linked to the afterlife, I just want you to fill out this document here of what you'd like to be in this new world." I took the contract followed by a pen as I began reading the document.
It was describing this new world that seemed straight out of a Fantasy RPG. The first thing it told me to do was to choose a class to be proficient in. Right below that it told me of the starting level I'd enter in with. The document read specifically: "Aurum Praelia: Level 0". I looked at the young boy who was now eating some sort of pastry and spoke up. "Why does it say I'm level zero? Shouldn't I at least start at one?" The boy floated over as he read the document. "Hmm, that is odd. Let me check my guidebook for this." He then pulled out a large book as he began flipping through the pages. "Ah, here we go! It states that if anyone is level zero, they will not be able to level up and gain new abilities through the level system. Only by acquiring skill scrolls and armor, you may increase your abilities."
I blinked once as I took a deep breath. "So you're saying that only what I start with is the only thing I will passively learn." He gave a quick nod. I turned back towards the document. I needed to choose the strongest class at the base level, no matter how bad it would be later on. Reading all of my options there was actually some very well-thought-out systems in this world, even more than any RPG I played. The classes I had the choice between were: Blademaster, Beastmaster, Gunslinger, Warrior of Light, Dark Knight, High Priest, Dragon Sorcerer, Spell Thief, Storm Mage, and much more. It was a shame that most of these classes seemed to unlock all of their strong abilities at much higher levels. However, one was strong enough at base level that I could make it work. Spell Thief. It's two skills were Stealth and Spellsteal, proficiency in bladed weapons was also provided. I checked that class off with the pen.
Next, I was allowed to choose a race. It didn't matter anymore what I wanted to be, I had to be the most efficient with my very limited skill set at a stuck level. There were normal humans, nekos, elves, orcs, dragonborns, and then the list went on for dozens of choices. I looked at the Neko race as I began reading their skills. It seemed they had a passive bonus to agility which would favor a spellthief, on top of that, they had increased run speed and will never take damage from falling. I checked that option off as I looked further down at the contract. It seemed that was the only two options I had to make.
I handed back the contract. The boy looked at me and smiled. "Welcome Aurum, I hope you enjoy your time at Kholusa." He snapped his fingers as my eyes felt tired again. I fell asleep again and all around me, there was silk touching my hand. I tried moving around as I kicked around in a very tight area. I opened my eyes as there was all darkness around me. Vibrations came all around me and some bumps tossed me around a little bit. I put my hands in front of me as I was stopped by some wall. I pushed with my strength as I saw the sun and a blue sky in my direction. I looked at the door I had just opened, it was a coffin's door. Horse hooves clacked around me. I rose from the coffin as I noticed I was on the bock of a horse carriage.
I quickly got out of the coffin and closed. Jumping off the carriage I landed on my two feet. Looking down at my own feet I saw two black boots that I had not owned before. I took a closer look at what I was wearing. I had dark brown pants, a white tunic, a dark short cloak, and my skin seemed to be tanner than usual. I then touched the top of my head as I felt two fuzzy ears there. I quickly panicked and felt the side of my head. My ears were no longer there. In a now even more panicked mode, I looked behind me as I saw a white tail come out of my pants. I quickly grabbed the amulet around my neck as it reassured me that I haven't lost it yet.
I gave a relieved sigh and recomposed myself as I looked towards the road. Just down the hill, I saw a city, merchant carriages heading to and from the city. I don't know exactly what my mission is to do here, but maybe I'll find some answers there.