'A [ LEADER ]?'
This single line emitted a faint blue glow, setting it apart from the other lines that remained pure white. It became evident that its rarity surpassed the rest. Without delay, I immersed myself in the class descriptions, starting from the top and scanning down.
[Warrior (Common)] An essential addition to any party, the [Warrior] excels in frontline combat.
Upon embracing this class, you shall acquire fundamental expertise in wielding various melee weapons like swords, spears, axes, and more. Furthermore, you will gain access to unlocking other melee-oriented classes, including [Barbarian], [Knight], [Paladin], [Cavalryman], [Mercenary], and an array of others. Notably, it bestows a modest increase of one point each to strength, vitality, and endurance.
[Archer (Common)] The archer class specializes in launching devastating ranged attacks. Upon transitioning to this class, you will acquire fundamental expertise in wielding bows and arrows. Additionally, you can explore related paths like [Thief] and [Assassin]. Moreover, there exists a chance to ascend to a higher-tier [Archer] class, such as [Spirit Archer] or [Magic Archer]. 3 points will significantly bolster your agility.
[Wizard (Common)] The mystical [Wizard] class excels in unleashing long-range spells and harnessing the power of magic. Embracing this class will bestow you with fundamental knowledge and mastery of spellcasting. Subsequently, you can delve into other alluring class avenues, such as [Warlock], [Alchemist], or [Summoner]. Expect a remarkable enhancement of your magical prowess by 3 points.
The first three options didn't seem undesirable at all.
Opting for [Warrior] would provide a substantial boost to my three most challenging attributes to enhance. Meanwhile, [Archer] presented an intriguing opportunity to learn the art of ranged combat, an enticing prospect for someone like me, who preferred a more reserved role on the battlefield.
Similarly, choosing [Wizard] would amplify my magical abilities, which remained an uncharted domain for me.
However, what intrigued me the most was the rare class that surfaced, [Leader].
[Leader (Rare)] The [Leader] class does not center around combat skills but rather focuses on the strategic command of the battlefield from a position of leadership. By embracing this class, you gain an expansive view of the battlefield, enabling you to make crucial decisions and issue orders from the rear lines. The possibilities of unlocking other classes in the future remain shrouded in mystery. Your intelligence is modestly elevated by 1 point.
Honestly, until I read the description, I was firmly set on becoming a [Leader].
Yet, now that I've familiarized myself with the advantages and disadvantages of all available classes, I sense a brewing headache.
The abilities of a [Leader] are not without merit.
"But what's the advantage of having a broader field of view here?" I questioned. The class I chose only increased my intelligence by 1 point. It seemed insignificant when compared to the 3 extra points offered by all the other classes, making me lose out on 2 points.
However, that wasn't my only concern. "What about my future path of development?" I wondered aloud. Disturbingly, there were no mentions of any possible classes to be unlocked afterward. On the other hand, Kim Hyunsung had a common grade one class, [Swordsman], but it was highly likely that he had unlocked rare or even heroic grade classes. With the Sword Expert attribute, he was probably set on being a [Swordsman], sticking to what he already knew rather than exploring new possibilities with potentially lower efficiency.
As my thoughts wandered, I noticed Kim Hyunsung approaching us. "Looks like you guys unlocked some classes," he remarked.
"Yes," I replied, feeling anxious. For someone like him, who had a clear direction of growth, choosing a class was a mere formality. Unlike me, this decision carried great weight as it would shape my future. Park Deokgu then sought his advice. "Hyung-nim, I'm not sure about this," he hesitated. "I have Warrior and Priest as options, both being of common rank. There's also a rare grade class, Shieldman, but I'm unsure if it's the right choice."
"Warrior can change to Berserker, and Priest can transform into Paladin," Park Deokgu explained. "But wouldn't starting with a rare class be better?"
Taking into account Park Deokgu's exceptional potential in vitality and endurance, [Shieldman] did seem like the ideal choice for him. I pondered his options. "Shieldman," I said thoughtfully.
"Yes, it's a defensive class with bonuses for shield usage," Park Deokgu elaborated. "The only uncertainty lies in the classes I could unlock later. Although I'd lose 2 points in strength, I'd gain 3 points in endurance and vitality."
"It doesn't sound bad," Kim Hyunsung spoke up before I could even open my mouth. He offered his advice without being asked.
"You seem to be someone with high endurance... Your strength would decrease, but the significant rise in endurance and vitality would be amazing. Even if you lose 2 points of strength, you'll still be 4 stat points ahead."
'Indeed.'
In this online game, having a tanker, a warrior who fights at the forefront, would be essential. The system here seemed to mirror that idea, just like in the game.
Not only priests, but tankers were also valuable here.
"Hmm... You think so?" I replied, considering his words.
"Have you unlocked any attributes yet?" he asked.
"Not yet."
"For me, I chose the common-grade class, Swordsman, and an attribute that boosts my damage. Initially, I wanted to go for Warrior to increase my strength, but I had a hunch that a swordsman with a significant boost in agility would be a better fit. Later, I accidentally unlocked an attribute, which confirmed my choice of class was the right one."
"Ah," I acknowledged, realizing he was the type to openly express his opinions.
The quality of the class itself wasn't the most crucial factor. What mattered most was how well the class balanced with a person's stats, attributes, and abilities, ensuring the best efficiency.
Although Kim Hyunsung didn't push too hard, it was evident that he wanted me to choose the rare-grade [Shieldman] class.
"What do you think, Hyung-nim?" I asked, seeking his opinion.
"My opinion aligns with Hyunsung-ssi's. While it's uncertain if you'll gain attributes to increase your damage in the future, we have Hyunsung-ssi to compensate for any lack of attack power. Plus, increasing your stats by 4 points would be beneficial. However, the final choice is yours."
"That's right..."
"How about Priest then...?" Kim Hyunsung proposed.
"That's the worst choice."
[Priest] was the least suitable option for Park Deokgu. He couldn't be a priest, although it might work if he switched to something like [Paladin] later on. But honestly, his talent for magic wasn't particularly great.
After some time had passed, Park Deokgu's body started glowing with blue light, signifying a successful class change.
"What did you choose?" I asked him.
"Just as you said, Shieldman seems to be the most suitable class for me," he replied.
"Is that so?" I nodded in approval. "I believe you'll excel in that role, protecting us with even greater efficiency. As for the offense, leaving it to others is a wise decision. Magic can be dangerous if mishandled."
Kim Hyunsung turned to me and asked, "If you don't mind, can I ask what class you chose?"
For a moment, I hesitated before answering, "I haven't made my decision yet. I have three options for common grade classes: Warrior, Archer, and Wizard, and one rare grade class: Leader."
Upon mentioning the Leader class, I noticed a subtle change in Kim Hyunsung's expression. It made me realize that the [Leader] class might be a trap card in this situation.
"Hyung-nim, Leader! This class would be perfect for you! I just know it!" Park Deokgu enthusiastically chimed in.
While flattered by his excitement, I didn't see myself as a natural Leader. The truth was, I lacked experience in war strategy and tactics. In fact, with my character, I felt more suited to be a scammer, making [Thief] a reasonable choice for me.
Ignoring Park Deokgu's fervent pleas, I considered the advantages and drawbacks of each class. The [Leader] class might provide a wider field of vision and a slight increase in intelligence, but the other common grade classes offered more significant stat boosts.
"Kee Miyoung should be a Leader! Leader! Please, command me!" Park Deokgu continued insisting.
"I think the Archer class wouldn't be a bad fit for you, Kee Miyoung. Attacking from a distance could be very helpful," Kim Hyunsung suggested, hoping I would lean toward that option.
As they continued their debate, I felt increasingly torn between the choices. In the end, I decided to weigh my strengths and weaknesses to make the most efficient choice.
"Ah..." After much contemplation, I made my decision and closed my eyes. With a flash of light, I felt my body transform slightly.
"Phew..." I sighed, knowing I had successfully changed my class.
At the same time, Kim Hyunsung and Park Deokgu simultaneously asked, "Leader?" "Archer?"