Skullius read the contents of the message several times to understand what the flesh was going on with this so-called Null Life.
The beginning portion sounded regal and serious, truly giving the vibe that he was about to get something beautiful. However, the second portion gave him a sense of unease.
'It's the power found when a life is lost? But it's not exactly death? Hmmm,' Skullius thought. 'Come to think of it, I really have changed, haven't I? I don't feel disgusted by this anymore. Now it feels...meh.'
Skullius thought as he kicked a few stalks of grass.
[Indeed, young Boneman. You now exist between Death and Life. Purity in Death it's called, even though it's not really associated with Death. You should check the more extravagant options that come with this power].
"Hmm?"
A notification from the guidance field appeared before him, blinking continuously.
[You will experience a major change in stats and power from this point onwards with the choice you are about to make. Please choose a Class]
"A Class?"
[Yes, young Boneman. Classes are normally available only for lifeforms like humans while certain beasts have none. Well, most don't. Similarly, Undeath incorporated these Classes which you must have seen among the ranks of more powerful undead].
"Oh, right! I see. Like spellcasters and the like?" said Skullius as his socket flames flickered. He remembered only vaguely because these details were not fed to him directly as a Moronic Undead. Only basic skills fundamental to manual labor were hammered into his head through some of Somanda's magic.
Now, Skullius felt that if he had told the Undead Captains that he had learned [Mana Sense], he would have been royally fleshed.
[Indeed. Usually, the concept of Tiers is considered when it comes to Undead for a Class to be granted. From Tier 1 generally. Humans and other sentient lifeforms who live in worlds don't have this inconvenience, as they level up continuously with no evolution. They have their own system of growth which makes them dangerous creatures to deal with. Again, I will warn you, do not pick a fight with them, especially with your skeletal appearance].
"Hmmm, I see. I understand none of that, except for staying away from humans."
[... Right. You still have a single digit of intelligence. You'll figure it out eventually. Now, choose a Class].
"Hmmm. A Class." Skullius considered the options before him. Since Undeath was no longer a part of him, he wondered what he would get from Null Life.
~~~
[Available Classes For 'Null Lifeform' Boneman:-]
[-Vehement Bone Nullmancer]
[-Berserk Skull Hegemon]
[-Spirit Walker]
[-Revenant Forcemancer]
~~~
"Oh... " Skullius gulped down nothingness. Four solid Class options had popped up for him to choose from.
They all seemed to carry a lot of weight.
In his zeal, he hadn't forgotten about the Doom Factors though. Those had to influence his choice. That, and the fact that he also wanted his choice to be able to help him rip Somanda's skull off at the end of the next hundred years.
"Let's see what they can do," he said as he poked all the options for more details.
[Fufufu].
"What was that?"
[N-nothing].
~~~
[Vehement Bone Nullmancer]
The one who harnesses the power of Null Life to enhance his connection to mana, solidifying his mastery of the world alongside his followers of the void, all of whom hold world-shaking power. He who chooses to walk this path will conquer kingdoms after attaining:
+150 Mana
+50 Intelligence
+20 Strength
-Apostle Summoning.
-Apostle Armament.
-Depths of the Core.
-'#@%%#'
----
[Berserk Skull Hegemon]
True power lies in the bone, not the flesh. Transcend the limits of mortal strength with your body, and enter the realms of power where a single fist can demolish mountains. Armies will cower at your might which can very much warp space itself. He who chooses this path will be feared after attaining:
+200 Strength
+40 Agility
+50 Mana
-Berserk Armament.
-Berserk Ascension
-Forged Bones
-'#%@^!'
----
[Spirit Walker]
To be a Null Lifeform means to be closer to the edge of Non-existence. A fleeting presence that can barely be perceived even by the strongest experts. The greatest enemies are ones that strike without anyone knowing of their presence. He who chooses this path will become a legend that has never been seen after attaining:
+150 Agility
+40 Strength
+80 Mana
-Shadow Assimilation
-Border of Death
-Spirit Touch
-'##%#&!'
---
[Revenant Forcemancer]
Those who possess life are capable of manipulating the elements of the world, creating powerful forms of magic from them. Do not envy these weak practitioners, for those who walk on this path are assimilated with the elements of the '#%%@$' and have the power to manipulate them. He who chooses this path will rend all worlds after attaining:
+200 Mana
+40 Strength
+20 Agility
-'$%#%$'
-Elemental Exchange
-Elemental Ruination
-'#%$@!'
~~~~
"..."
[Fufufufu].
Skullius' mind went numb. This was a lot of detail to go through. All the classes promised tremendous aspects of power that made him want to pick them all.
Just what would he pick?
He went through all the options, again and again, struggling to choose which one would be the most promising.
Unfortunately, he couldn't see details about the additional skills that came with the Class. Some even had their names hidden.
"What's with those that I can't read?" he asked.
[The information on those skills is either barred from you until you reach Tier 1, or isn't available to you until you have broken through a certain realm of power other than simple Tiers].
"I see," said Skullius.
He thought about these realms of power and instantly realized that they must be related to the power that Azila exuded. Just when would he reach that kind of level?
The issue of Tiers also boggled his mind.
'I guess that's why that pervert was so strong even as a level one. He had a higher Tier. Wait! What's a pervert?! Bah! It's happening again!' Skullius clutched his head.
After a few more seconds of considering and yelling at himself, he finally came to a conclusion.
"There's no other choice. I have to pick this one," he said, and he poked the guidance field.