Chapter 19 - A stroke of luck or coincidence?
Primordial Calendar 097, Summer Season 8, and 23rd day, City: Ravelin, Continent Truven, World Javelin
Neither of them recalled this from the books or the game. How aggravating. It did make sense. No one wanted further loss of life in the various difficult stages that came with the higher levels.
Conroy and Kenneth grunted. "We need to check our status right now." They mentioned simultaneously.
Amused at their synchronization, Oljan shrugged. "It would be a good idea." His relaxed demeanor reassured them that they weren't going to be hassled over doing anything unusual. "What you find for stats and another window will show career options and classifications." He rubbed his jaw when he thought of what else to tell them.
"Make sure that you have both windows side by side." Oljan further suggested. "That could guide your choice of what job class you want to register as." He advised with some discomfort of one who hadn't looked at all possibilities and regretted that he hadn't done so correctly.
Kenneth and Conroy listened to him politely.
Realizing that they wouldn't ignore him out of hand, Oljan rubbed his jaw. "I can tell you right now, more change has come than anyone was prepared for." He sighed heavily. "Even I had to alter my class category to remain eligible as both artisan and warrior."
It hadn't gone over well with him and others, as indicated when Oljan grimaced. "Though now, I'm wondering if I should've gone for a different classification, such as warrior mage, and skipped a secondary title." He shrugged. "Well, this will be your opportunity to start anew, that much I can tell you."
Conroy nodded. "So, where should we go to register?" They'd better not waste further time in that case.
"Uh," Oljan looked around and shook his head. "It would be easier just to lead you there." He was uneasy. "The mood has turned hostile toward newcomers with that footage you two observed earlier." He looked around. "Shall we head off then?"
Mmm, that made sense. Conroy grimaced in frustration. "Yes, I think that would be wise." He agreed.
Kenneth nodded. "Please lead the way. Maybe there, we can check our status without others trying to find our origins." He'd noticed they were drawing attention.
Lancer Oljan nodded in approval. "You two seem to have a better grasp on the situation." He clearly liked that they wanted to avoid lingering when work was to be done.
With Lancer leading the way, it took little time for them to easily reach the area that would allow them to register. Conroy studied all the options available to him since he was one of his kind's lowest status and stats. There were some obstacles against him advancing any time soon.
On the other hand, Kenneth could register as a warrior and smith. He chose both of those classifications because they actually allowed him more flexibility. True, he could've gone with being a mage, but Kenneth declined that designation.
When Conroy inquired as to why, Kenneth shrugged. "That limited me in what I could do for conjuration." He motioned to the descriptions. "At least with Warrior and Smith, I can add other titles and advance through various missions." He pointed to the small asterisks neatly placed on his information.
"Huh, I didn't see that on mine at all." Conroy was baffled. However, when he investigated further, he found what could allow him to advance rapidly. "Interesting, cooks, as are scholars, are a rarity in this world." Now, that looked promising. "To think those would come under the heading that my species is proficient in."
Conroy also had the real-world skills to back up his advancement. That would come in handy.
"There are other things that you can tack onto as supplementary." Oljan had been watching them as they debated their selections. "If you can do cross-training in several classes and even artisanry," he gestured to a smaller, unnoticeable window they'd ignored. "Take a look at this," Oljan suggested. "I almost ignored it as well, to my sorrow." He shook his head. "Only when I went back to it. Did I realize what a loss I suffered?" He made a face. "It is why I'm stuck where I'm at now." A sigh escaped Oljan. "Had I made better choices, even my spouse and children might've been able to leave this place." He shook his head. "Unfortunately, I'm not able to do that now." He glanced at Kenneth and Conroy. "This is why I'm helping you now. I don't wish for you to suffer the same consequences I inflicted on my spouse and children." His voice cracked when he acknowledged awareness of potential death in his future happening sooner than he wanted to admit.
When they checked out the smaller window, they were startled. "As you can see, there are bonus stats that'll make your advancement become something legendary." Oljan scratched his head. "I discovered that'll cut through some of the levels you'd typically get stuck in." He shrugged. "The only reason I didn't go for it was because I'd started a family, and none of them qualify for any of the skills needed to leave this level."
Something occurred, Conroy belatedly. What a stumbling block no one envisioned happening. He remembered those creatures circling them while they were adrift on that precarious raft. What made the difference between them as prey and those idiots on the isle they'd left behind? However, in their case, it probably had to do with their appearances as one of the Noctu-Shydon and Serpentina Regalas rather than as quote-in-quote aliens. Good thing they'd found Innkeeper Trubin. It was a stroke of luck that they hadn't wound up in Ravelin from the beginning of this new scenario.
To reach the Waystation of Purgatory, there had to be a group of at least six couples. Conroy recalled the potential for an additional seven single men and women individuals. They were only there to replace partial couples killed in the highest-difficulty dungeon, the last gate to the Purgatory Waystation. He didn't see the necessity, but whatever.
The problem was with how the story was written, though now, with it being a free-for-all, anything goes. Conroy was relieved when he realized that there was no reason to worry. If something happened to him, there would be someone Kenneth could get along with.
That made him more inclined to find alternatives as soon as possible.