As Jae-Ho's fingers made contact with the middle card, an intense, otherworldly light erupted from its surface. The initial golden sheen gradually gave way to a deep, swirling darkness that pulsated with an ominous energy. As the light slowly faded, the card's secret was finally revealed: Shadowknight.
Jae-Ho's eyes widened, a complex mixture of awe, uncertainty, and a hint of trepidation filling his gaze. Shadowknights, he knew from the lore he had studied, were formidable warriors who walked a precarious line between light and darkness, harnessing the power of fear, pain, and disease to combat greater evils. They were primarily a melee class, their prowess on the battlefield enhanced by their ability to don plate armor and wield an impressive array of weapons. But what truly set them apart was their capacity to channel dark magic, casting malevolent spells that could slow, weaken, and utterly decimate their enemies.
A tumultuous wave of conflicting emotions washed over Jae-Ho as he contemplated the implications of his newfound class. On one hand, the Shadowknight represented an undeniably powerful archetype, offering a versatile and potent combination of martial skill and arcane might. The potential to become a force to be reckoned with, a warrior capable of standing toe-to-toe with the most fearsome monsters while wielding devastating magic, was undeniably alluring.
On the other hand, Jae-Ho couldn't suppress a twinge of concern that threatened to dampen his excitement. The path of the Shadowknight was notorious for its difficulty, requiring an intricate balance and mastery of both physical combat and spellcasting. It was a hybrid class that demanded dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to face challenges that other, more specialized classes might not encounter.
As he delved deeper into his knowledge of the class, Jae-Ho recalled a crucial detail that gave him pause. Shadowknights, due to their hybrid nature, often faced significant delays in acquiring certain spells compared to pure spellcasting classes like Necromancers. The disparity in spell acquisition could be staggering, sometimes spanning as much as 25-30 levels. He grimaced slightly as he considered a particularly stark example: a spell that a Necromancer might learn at the tender level of 4 could remain frustratingly out of reach for a Shadowknight until they had struggled their way to level 34.
Taking a deep, centering breath, Jae-Ho steeled himself for the arduous journey that lay ahead. While the road to mastering his newfound abilities as a Shadowknight would undoubtedly be fraught with challenges and setbacks, he couldn't deny the allure of the immense power it promised. With determination blazing in his eyes, he made a silent vow to embrace his chosen class wholeheartedly, to overcome every obstacle that dared to stand in his path.
"A Shadowknight," he murmured, his voice a complex tapestry of emotions - reverence for the power he now possessed, resolve to face the challenges ahead, and a hint of apprehension at the difficult path he had chosen. "It won't be an easy road, that's for certain. But I'll pour every ounce of my being into making it work. I have to. There's no other choice now."
As Jae-Ho's introspection concluded, the card in his grasp suddenly began to disintegrate, its physical form dissolving into a shimmering mist of golden particles. These luminous specks danced around him in an intricate, mesmerizing pattern before gradually converging towards his body. As they made contact with his skin, each particle seemed to melt into his very being, suffusing him with an indescribable warmth that radiated from his core to the tips of his fingers and toes. This sensation was more than mere physical comfort; it was as if every cell in his body was awakening to a new reality, pulsing with an energy that spoke of untapped potential and newfound strength.
In the wake of this ethereal display, Jae-Ho's senses were suddenly overwhelmed by an unexpected phenomenon. A translucent, azure-hued window materialized before his eyes, hovering in the air with an otherworldly presence. He blinked rapidly, his mind struggling to process this new development. As realization dawned, a mixture of awe and excitement coursed through him - this, he understood, was his status panel, a tangible manifestation of his abilities and progress as a newly awakened Hunter. With a combination of trepidation and eagerness, Jae-Ho's eyes darted across the floating display, drinking in every detail, every statistic, every piece of information that could offer insight into his newfound powers and the journey that lay ahead.
As his gaze settled on the crucial indicator of his current standing, Jae-Ho couldn't suppress a wry chuckle, tinged with a hint of self-deprecation. "F-rank," he murmured, the words barely audible as he shook his head, a rueful smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Well, I suppose that's to be expected. I'm at the very beginning of this journey, after all." Despite the humbling nature of his initial ranking, Jae-Ho felt an unexpected surge of determination well up within him, a fire igniting in his chest that threatened to consume any doubts or hesitations. "This is merely the starting point," he declared, his voice gaining strength and resolve with each word. "From here, there's nowhere to go but up. I'll pour every ounce of my being into this, pushing myself beyond my limits, honing my skills day and night if that's what it takes. I'll ascend through these ranks, no matter the obstacles that stand in my way."
With a newfound sense of purpose coursing through his veins, Jae-Ho dismissed the status window with a determined gesture. His mind was already racing, formulating strategies for training, envisioning the grueling sessions and countless hours of practice that lay ahead. The path before him was fraught with challenges, each more daunting than the last, but Jae-Ho found himself welcoming the prospect with open arms. As a Shadowknight, he understood that true strength was forged in the crucible of adversity. Every trial overcome, every obstacle surmounted, would serve to temper his resolve and sharpen his abilities. With unwavering determination, Jae-Ho set his sights on the horizon, ready to embrace the arduous journey that would transform him from a fledgling F-rank into the formidable Hunter he was destined to become.
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Sorry for not posting these days. I was really busy and didn't have much time, i'll try to post extra chapters next week.