Xeon Freud was someone who had the weakest class, Rogue, and for the crime of being unlucky he was currently being beat by five of his classmates.
Today was the last day of High School, a momentous occasion as it meant that those children were now adults, and legally able to enter Dungeons or Gates to level up.
Yes, level up. A concept that in this world was previously reserved to gaming and novels, was now a reality for everyone on the planet.
Over eight decades ago, the world received a proclamation from an unknown being, that they were going to be subject to something grand a century later.
[Welcome to the League!]
[Since your world is so underdeveloped, you will be given a grace period of 100 years.]
[To help your species grow, Dungeons will be available to conquer, along with Gates.]
[Good luck!]
With that final message, a great massacre took place, as those Dungeons and Gates began to pour out monsters. Monsters that couldn't be handled by the likes of guns, and even some who couldn't be handled with even nukes.
After no more than a single day, half of the population had died. While hope began to seem like a luxury, from the despair came a discovery:
The system.
A magical tool that every human was given, but the existence of it was not known until after the monsters had killed billions of people. However using the system, humans were able to fight back against monsters. They used simpler weapons, like swords and spears. Incorporating other gifts from the system, like the introduction of magic, and the class system.
There were an infinite number of possible classes you could receive from the system, but they all stemmed from the basic classes.
Warriors, Archers, Mages, Priests, and finally Rogues.
The other four classes had access to a myriad of powerful skills and subclasses, however Rogue seemed different. It was incredibly weak, with few offensive skills, and with equally lackluster advancement classes.
Xeon was in that sad group who had received Rogue as their class when they were born, and over the past 18 years he had suffered immensely. His parents both passed away when he was 15, dying in a Dungeon that became unstable and had it's level increased suddenly. They had insurance, so after their deaths Xeon was able to live on his own, however the money wasn't enough to stop the bullying he received.
As people his age came closer to the age of 18, when they would be allowed into Dungeons, his peers became increasingly violent. Xeon's final year of school was just beatings everyday. As if a cruel joke, he had even learned the skill [Ignore Pain - F Rank].
Skills had rankings, from F to SSS, which didn't exactly correlate to their usefulness but was typically a good indication. The higher the rank of a skill, the stronger it would become. Skills were typically earned from skill books, which were an item dropped randomly by monsters that would only be usable by the person who killed the monster, and they contained a random skill for your class.
There was also general skills, a type of skill that could be acquired through specific actions, or repetitive actions. For example, people could acquire weapon mastery skills, such as swordsmanship.
However Xeon acquiring [Ignore Pain] was a cruel joke, as the bullies learned that he could just take a tougher beating. However on graduation day, they took it too far, and now Xeon was in his current situation.
"Oh shit.. Ryan I think he is dying."
"Who cares? He's just some piece of trash Rogue, no one will care. You think they'll make a big deal of a rogue when I am the son of the Guild Master of the Orion Guild? They'll thank me for getting rid of this piece of shit. Let's go."
With that final statement, Xeon watched their backs as they left his bleeding to death. While the wounds hurt, it was what Ryan had said that truly stung, because it was partially true. While he probably wouldn't get away scot free for murder, there was a good chance he wouldn't face jail time for killing Xeon, and that was what hurt Xeon the most.
Society truly didn't care about him, just because he received a class that was deemed to be weak. However Xeon didn't hate the class, he agreed it didn't seem outright as strong as others, but that by no means meant he was less of a person. Rogues had a unique fighting style, and Xeon felt that if they were played right that they could be just as strong as the other four classes.
Xeon had practiced really hard the past 18 years to improve his combat capabilities, but other than an exaggerated Agility stat, he was still no match for his peers. The only impressive thing he had managed to do, was raise his [Dagger Mastery], and [Needle Mastery] skills to E-Rank. A feat that was typically only achieved by people in their mid level 20s.
With an increase of the damage he could inflict with the two weapons, he had gained a little recognition for his efforts, however that was it. Daggers were not popular as they were easily countered by magic shields or heavy armors. Needles required insane precision, but that level of mastery had never been reached.
While laying on the ground, Xeon was about to give up when he thought of his parents. His parents had always pushed him to his limits, but he just now was realizing that they did that so that he could break through the limitations society had put on him.
As Xeon began to remember all the good memories he had with his parents, he grew increasingly indignant about the current situation he was in.
'I don't deserve this... I shouldn't just take this while laying down. No, I REFUSE to take this! So what if I am a Rogue, I'll show them... I'll become someone that the other classes fear... But first... I have to stop the bleeding.'
Xeon then looked around for anything that could help, when he pulled out his needle set, while coming to a crazy solution. He grabbed one of the needles, and threaded it with some thread he carried with him just in case. He then set it aside, and went to do the hardest part.
He was currently bleeding profusely and on the verge of death, because Ryan and his cronies had broken a rib. A rib that was currently punctured outside of his chest, that Xeon knew he had to push back in before he could close the wound that was bleeding. Xeon rolled a piece of cloth he kept in his bag to wipe blood away after he received beatings everyday, and shoved it into his mouth to prevent himself from biting his own tongue.
When everything was ready, Xeon took a deep breath, and after a short count of three he grabbed his rib. The moment he touched it, he felt a jolt of electricity threaten to turn his vision white, as the jolt flooded his brain.
However, fighting that instinct to stop, he decisively shoved his rib back inside his chest. He then felt his vision turn white, and he lost consciousness.
When Xeon woke up again, he realized his vision was getting closer to turning black, and that things were starting to get blurry.
'I'm losing too much blood, I have to close the wound.'
With that, he shook his head to gather his senses, and grabbed his needle. Using the needle, he began to suture his own chest wound. The pain was incredible, and even with his passive to ignore pain, he still only barely held on to his consciousness.
After an unknown amount of time, he woke up, only now realizing he had passed out at some point. He looked down, and noticed that he had succeeded in reducing the bleeding enough that he was no longer at risk of death. With that realization, he gather his things before forcing himself up.
He winced from the terrible pain of moving with a broken rib, but he endured as it would actually lead to his death if he were to stay where he was. He then walked down the roof, where he was stranded, and made his way through the school towards the nurse's office.
****
Amanda Rolls was a nurse at a high school, and she was currently talking with a female student name Hailey Binds. Hailey was a girl from a large guild, as her parents were two executive members of the Titan Guild, and her own future was bright. She was already proficient with rapiers, and was predicted to become a very powerful warrior.
Today they were simply saying their farewells, as they had gotten to know each other a little during the past four years, when suddenly the door swung open to Amanda's office. While students were allowed in, as the door was never locked, the door was slammed this time. Upsetting Amanda at first, but that was until she noticed the child who just came in.
Xeon Freud, an unfortunate child who received the Rogue class, and someone who was constantly in the nurse's office to get healed because he was unable to participate in physical training with his injuries. However, today was a different case.
Hailey was shocked, as she looked at the boy who just came in, while bleeding profusely from his chest and face. Everyone knew of his beatings, and while this was a society that operated on the rules of the jungle, even she felt this was too far.
Amanda reacted immediately, rushing over with her level 50 speed, and caught the boy who was only barely able to make it to her office. She quickly laid him on a gurney, and inspected his condition. She lifted his tattered shirt, and saw a horrid sight.
'He has a broken rib, that is now in a completely wrong spot, and a puncture wound on his chest... This kid... He shoved his own rib back into his chest and closed the wound with some thread... If he didn't do that he might have died before even making it to me... Who did this to you Xeon?'
Amanda was feeling pity for the poor boy, but she focused on her task at hand. She quickly placed her hand on his chest, and began casting healing magic. It was only after casting Heal and Regenerate did his condition finally stabilize.
Amanda finally let out a breath of relief, before she sat down.
"Is he going to be okay, Ms. Rolls?" Hailey asked, concerned. Even though she was treated as a genius, and many thought she had a cold personality, she was actually quite a caring person.
"It's okay Hailey.. He had a broken and misplaced rib, but he's okay now. I'm sad to see that someone beat him so hard to the point where he almost died from his injuries, but I am even more shocked to see that he shoved his rib back into his chest then closed the wound himself."
"That... I don't think I could do that..." Hailey said, looking at the poor boy with a hint of respect.
"Most adults couldn't even do it, much less expecting it from a child... However I guess that's the world we live in now... Why don't you head home though, I am sure your family is preparing for the big announcement from the System tomorrow." Amanda said, shooing the girl out of her office.
"Ah! I almost forgot, yes, okay I'll head home now. Again, thank you for everything you've done over the years, and the offer still stands if you would life to join the Titan guild. We always welcome talented healers."
"Ah you scheming child! Just go. I'm too old to go back into Dungeons at this point... I just wanted to help the next generation prepare for the future. Anyways, get out of here!"
With that Hailey finally left, and it was just Amanda with Xeon in the office. Amanda went back to her desk, to finish packing up her stuff for summer vacation, while she waited for Xeon to regain consciousness.
****
Xeon was looking at the news on TV, with a blank look on his face as he listened to the reporter.
"In a tragic accident, Adam Freud and Jenny Freud both perished today while clearing a level 30 Gate, when it suddenly increased in difficulty before becoming a level 70 Gate. The Satyr's turned into Minotaurs, and unfortunately the couple were unable to survive. They leave behind their 15 year old son, and the Crow guild has already made a statement sending their condolences to their son... In other news the increase in Dungeon breaks and Gate difficulty increases have experts debating on the cause. Local experts-"
The voice on the TV faded out as Xeon was overcome with grief. Xeon remembered that the last conversation he had with his parents was him screaming at them, blaming them for him being born as a Rogue, and he distinctly remember his mother tearing up as his father argued with him.
'The last time I ever saw my parents alive... I blamed them for my class... I didn't know if they died knowing that I didn't really blame them or that I loved them... I should have... Told them I loved them one more time... Just one more time..'
Xeon's eyes began to flutter open, as he regained consciousness. What greeted him was a white ceiling, and with that he knew he had somehow made it to the nurse's office, as he had actually lost consciousness on the way there. Only making it by instinct.
Tears were still in his eyes as he remembered his dream... A memory he hated as it showcased his weakness, but also reminded him of his greatest regret. Wiping away the tears, Xeon checked his body's condition.
"No bleeding, and there is only muscle pain... I really owe Ms. Rolls this time.." Xeon muttered.
"Damn right you owe me. How the hell did you even manage to get yourself to that point?" A voice said behind the curtains. As the curtains were pushed aside, there stood an older woman, in her mid 50s. She had greying hair but she still had a spark about her.
It had to be noted, however, that Ms. Rolls was actually over 130 years old. The system had enhanced human's bodies to the level where they had increased lifespans. Many of the higher leveled heroes remembered the time before the system. How life used to be before people had powers.
Xeon always found her to be beautiful, not caring if her hair was greying. However he made sure not to show it.
"Thank you very much Ms. Rolls, and it's not important how I got like this.. I have to head home, but... Thank you for everything you've done over the years... I can't say that I would have lived if it weren't for you healing me." Xeon said, before quietly getting off the bed he was on, and making his way out the door.
Amanda wanted to say something, like encouraging words, but she stopped herself. She knew his position as a Rogue, and that while she could say some encouraging words, his life was already decidedly tough.
So she simply let Xeon walk out the door without stopping him.
****
It was a short walk to the parking lot, where Xeon climbed into his car. It was a large car, which he bought because it would be very helpful to carry all his gear that he would need. Currently he only had spare clothes for when he received beatings, but he didn't bother changing into those. Tomorrow would be the day that the century long prophecy would reveal itself.
So in preparation of that, Xeon headed home and went to his private gym. Xeon made sure to not spend his parents' life insurance money on things that wouldn't directly help him get stronger. He had spent quite a bit of money to procure this house with the private gym, but because he did he had been able to raise his weapon skills to E-Rank.
Xeon entered the gym, and began to think of what he needed to improve on immediately. It was only after an hour did Xeon finally realize one of the biggest mistakes he, and the entire world, made about Rogues.
Why was he trying to fight close up, when Rogues had almost no defensive capabilities? It was this realization that made him start thinking of an alternative way to fight as a rogue.
"What if... I just become so hard to hit and catch, while learning how to fight from a distance? Wouldn't that take advantage of the higher Agility stat that Rogues had, while helping alleviate the low Stamina stat they had?"
Xeon began to formulate all these new ideas, when he received a reward for his efforts, almost confirming his thought process.
[Accelerated Thinking - F Rank] was added to Xeon's skills. The skill's description was incredibly simple, it increased his thought process. It was these passive skills, that has simple effects, that Xeon thought were the strongest. Xeon adopted a unique style, where he preferred passive skills, that would empower him at all times.
While his burst damage was poor, he could slowly whittle down his enemies. This would be the direction he began to lean towards, as he stood up and practiced a skill everyone thought was useless.
[Dagger Throw - F Rank] and [Needle Throw - F Rank], were skills most people avoided as they did little damage while also being extremely hard to become proficient in. However Xeon was feeling a sense of enlightenment, so he began practicing while feeling the groove.
After an hour of practicing the two skills, he finally was rewarded with the acquisition of both, while also receiving two additional boons.
[Enlightened Trance - F Rank] was a skill that had a random chance of activating, and it would put him into a flow state, allowing him to grasp things much faster while also increasing his instincts. He felt that with this skill, and his [Accelerate Thoughts] skill he would be able to adapt to fights faster than anyone else on the planet.
The second skill he gained was [Find Weakness - F Rank] which allowed him to see any obvious weaknesses. They would be highlighted in his vision, allowing him to take advantage of them. This must have come from his concentrated efforts to attack things like joints and vital points.
One passive skills and one skill that had a chance of activating. He was happy with learning six skills in one day.
"Actually... Isn't learning six skills in one day a little high?" Xeon then realized, that it was indeed very high. He found it odd that he was able to learn so fast, and wondered if it was something specific to him.
However after he left the gym and washed up, he got on the computer to investigate, and found that he was not special.
Rogues had an insanely high chance of learning skills on their own, as their class was meant to be flexible. It was a classic situation of Jack of All, Master of None, making people believe the class was too weak.
However, Xeon thoughts drifted more towards the idea that they were insanely weak until they got a ton of passives and then ranked them up to the level of being useful. Xeon ordered dinner and watched the news while he waited for his food.
He had been keeping up with all of the latest news, ever since he was a kid, because that could be the difference between life and death for a player. He also did extensive research on monsters, and their weaknesses, along with the well known Dungeon layouts and the general strategies of clearing Gates.
Xeon was the top student at his High School, in theoretical studies. His only shortcoming was that all the other students were stronger and faster than him. While some even knew spells. So there was no way Xeon could do well with his little daggers and needles.
Xeon's dinner arrived, and after eating, he did his daily stretching routine. He always spent a good hour stretching before bed, to make sure his body was incredibly limber. He knew he had to put more effort into dodging attacks, so he never neglected his daily stretches.
After doing all that, he sat on his couch feeling exhausted. As he spread out on the couch, he began to think about the helplessness he experienced earlier, when he was getting beat up. He had gotten used to it, but the feeling that his life was so insignificant hurt.
As he laid on his couch, he eventually felt the drowsiness from fatigue set in, and he surrendered himself to sleep. Tomorrow would be a day that forever changed the world, even more so than the system.