Calamity
The word they use to call monsters appearing from portal like entrance or simply put, gates. On the other side of gates, lies another dimension where calamities reside. They were called dungeons.
Calamities have different classification. There are humanoids, beasts, insects, and many more. The ones near the hospital has orcs, goblins and other humanoid creatures. Then it's classified as humanoid calamity type.
Their strength varies depending on what level of dungeon they emerge from. With F rank as the lowest, weakest and S-rank as the highest, most dangerous dungeon.
Dungeon ranks can only be measured accurately by a certain device called a manameter. A manameter can tell the degree of mana emitting from a dungeon. Based on the mana level, the Hunters Unity— the official association from the government, will sort them into ranks from F to S.
Andrius can absorb those knowledge in an instant. However, he failed to fathom why gates that just appeared suddenly result in dungeon break.
A dungeon break is when calamities that reside at the other end of gates break free and let loose on our world. It only happens if hunters are unable to clear dungeons that already appeared in the span of 2 weeks.
'Was it set to be a dungeon break from the beginning?' Andrius speculated while scrolling on his new phone frantically.
As orcs began to wreck havoc of the hospital and nearby buildings. Another pop-up screen appeared. His attention immediately shifted to the peculiar floating screen.
[You have fulfilled the condition of awakening]
[Choose a skill from your previous enemies and companions]
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1. Relentless courage of invisible authority - A grade
2. Abysmal darkness of the shadows - S grade
3. Psychological interference - A grade
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"I get to...steal other skills from my previous life?" Andrius eyes widened reading the pop-up screen.
"Rius, what are you doing?! Let's run away!" Estela opened the door rashly. "The building might crash if we stall any longer."
"Is there a way out though?"
The hall ends is blocked by ruins. Elevator stopped functioning due to blackout. Apparently the hospital management is prepared to make sacrifices. People who suffers from never-ending slumber will never woke up. They are as good as dead. Patients with chronic illnesses or mobility problems were left behind too.
'Those bastards...' Andrius hated the fact that he agreed with their strategy. It's impossible to save everyone because orcs are intelligent. They are capable of trapping prey and smell their presence. The worse possible opponent in a closed space.
"Why orcs of all things?" Estela dropped to her knees hopelessly.
"Mom, do you trust me?"
"This isn't the time for that, dear-"
"Just answer. Do you trust me?"
Andrius pointed the bathroom. If his memory serves, the only ventilation available is an exhaust fan. There are no windows or breakable entrance.
"What are you doing?! Get in!" Estela turned her back after getting inside the bathroom. Her motherly intuition played a role in noticing a rather serious and pained look on her son. "Rius...what are you-"
"Mom, I have awakened...just now. So, trust me, will you?" Andrius faked a smile as he closed the door.
"I'm sorry mom. Please be quiet until I'm done."
"Rius! Don't! You can't do it! Just wait for the Hunters Unity or other guilds to take care of this!" Estela banged the bathroom door.
Ignoring his mother, Andrius revert his focus back to the selection screen. The pop-up screen stayed, waiting for him to make a decision.
In a glance, he felt tempted to choose the Abysmal darkness of the shadows. It's an S grade skill, who wouldn't want it? The only problem with it is the skill's owner.
'That's the damned Crown Prince's skill!'
No sane person would be just fine using the exact same skill as their murderer. It would be a lie if Andrius say he didn't hold some grudge.
His attention shifted to Relentless courage of invisible authority. A skill owned by the sword master Rae Elixis, Franc Elixis's younger sister.
"The skill that made my sister an imperial knight...why isn't this S grade?"
From all people, Franc Elixis knows his sister like the back of his palm. He watched her practice with envy for her prowess in mana control and swordsmanship. He used to ponder whether he can seize the entire Kingdom if he had such power. That wish finally came true. Better yet, that skill is used to save people in another dimension.
Andrius observed his surroundings. Rubbles and Ruins of building everywhere? Check. Large area to work with? Check. People scattered around? Check.
"Perfect. I'll choose slot number 1. The Relentless courage of invisible authority."
An unfamiliar mana entered his body. Andrius felt immense energy gathered near his heart. Eventually forming a force field of mana. Mana field acts as a vessel. A contrainer that mage type use to store mana and dispose at any given time. The moment someone formed a mana field inside their body, their fate as a mage is sealed.
Rae Elixis is born a mage. Yet decided to wield sword alongside her magic. Truly exceptional and one of a kind knight who has little to no weaknesses. Fighting both long ranged and melee is a piece of cake.
[You have created a 'Mana Field']
After successfully internalizing the flow of mana, Andrius vision turned white for a moment. He saw a girl stabbing twin headed dragon. The blonde girl turned into him in a displeased expression.
"What do you want from my power, Franc?"
Andrius fell quiet for a moment before coming up with a fitting answer "...Redemption."
The girl smiled, basking in satisfaction. "Having a self-introspection these day? Very well."
[You have learned Relentless courage of invisible authority]
[You have successfully awakened]
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Profile
Andrius Viator
Rank: A
Current job class : Mage of Invisible Authority
Class related stats : MP, Intelligence
Skills :
1. Relentless courage of invisible authority lv. 1
2. Interpretation lv.1
3. Interrogation lv. 1
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"What a grand name..." Andrius mumbled. Invisible Authority is just another name of for telekinesis abilities. He had complaints with the mouthful name.
Crash!
Orcs have trespassed through the windows. Awakening as a mage increased Andrius's perception. He can sense how many orcs have welcomed themselves to the hall.
"The unwanted guests have arrived. Let's warm up a bit."
[Andrius used Relentless courage of invisible authority lv. 1]
Pebbles from ruins flew at the orcs direction and accelerated to cut them from different angles. Apparently it only grazed the thick green skin. Andrius figured as much. Since he is only gauging his opponent's strength.
"Yeah, fair enough. I'll get something sharper for you." he breaks in cold sweat while pointing at the cutlery set near his bed. A plate that served him toasted bread with sunny side up, a fork and a knife he use to cut it, and a glass that host his matcha latte.
Prang!
Shattered pieces of cutlery rose up from the ground and flung into the orcs at greater speed. Cutting hard on the neck and tendons. An orc screamed in pain and attempted to attack Andrius with a mace. It is guaranteed a direct hit considering time and position.
That is, if Andrius hasn't inherited his battle experience from Franc Elixis.
[Andrius used Relentless courage of invisible authority lv. 1]
Thud!
Andrius used the skill to lift himself up from the ground. He straightened his arm and the cutlery knife went into his grasp. As if a magnet is attached between his hand. In a blink of an eye, he strikes the orc multiple times while hovering in the air with the speed uncaught by sight. Causing the orc to collapse in their own pool of blood.
Orcs behind it trembled in fear watching Andrius ended their kind. They backed off a few steps. Prepared to flee the hall.
[Relentless courage of invisible authority has reached lv. 2]
Grin formed in Andrius's complexion when the notification appeared. He pointed the knife in his hand towards the group of orcs.
"Don't be shy. First come, first served!"
***
"Hmm..." Andrius rested himself in a pile of dead orcs as if they are dirty clothes waiting in line for laundry.
Despite being level 1, Andrius didn't have a hard time killing those orcs. Meaning they are few ranks lower than him. He glared at the floating screen showing his stats.
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Profile
Andrius Viator
Rank: A
Current job class : Mage of Invisible Authority
Class related stats : MP, Intelligence
Skills :
1. Relentless courage of invisible authority lv. 13
2. Interpretation lv.3
3. Interrogation lv. 1
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"I leveled up 13 times from orcs...and my mana is replenished when I leveled up."
Andrius felt gratitude to whoever created the system. He doesn't need to perform awfully boring mediation to refill mana points. Other mage hunters would be jealous of him.
"Most calamities gave some loot droppings when they are defeated..." Andrius read an article in his phone. "Wonder what these ugly guys gonna give me-"
Boom!
An explosion went off from the hall's end. Boulders previously blocking the entrance are blowed into smithereens. A man in suit took up the lead on groups of healers. He has long hair in one tail french braid that reached the ground. A blade is attached at the end of his braid.
"Commence health procedures towards survivors! We are running out of time! Huh?"
The man noticed Andrius. He strode closer to him and raised his face to see the boy better. He took out a card casing and showed the plaque behind it.
"Hunter's Unity officer Abyasa Reinhard speaking. Are you the one who defeated these orcs?"