Kael strained his ears, his gaze darting between the shifting silhouettes of the woods. The voice that had sounded earlier was gone, leaving an unsettling silence.
Frustration bubbled beneath his skin. Whatever—or whoever—had spoken had vanished without a trace. He clenched his fists and turned inward, addressing the entity that lurked in the recesses of his mind.
"What was that?" he demanded. "Do you know who or what that voice was?"
The entity's response was a hesitant silence, uncharacteristic of its usual sharp demeanor. Finally, it spoke, its tone laden with discomfort.
"You don't need to concern yourself with that voice. It's not an enemy—just a warning to not be complacent. In time, when you're stronger, you'll understand."
Kael's scowl deepened. He was familiar with vague answers, and he hated them as much now as he had in his previous life. Surprises and ambiguity had no place in the life he once led—a life of control and calculated precision.
Now, reborn into this unpredictable existence, he found the lack of clarity grating. His memories of death were already fragmented and vague, shrouded in the same kind of mystery.
"Fine," he muttered, brushing off the lingering unease. "I'll deal with it later. Right now, I've got herbs to deliver. The sooner I finish this tutorial, the better."
Kael turned and began the trek back to the village. The familiar path through the woods felt oddly calming, despite the tension in the air.
Upon reaching the village, he handed over the bundle of herbs to the town elder. The system chimed, marking the completion of the task.
[Quest Completed: Herb Gathering]
[Tutorial Quest Progress: 2/5]
Satisfied but eager to progress, Kael pulled up his system interface. The next quest—the final task of this tutorial phase—flashed onto the translucent screen before him.
[Tutorial Quest: Darkspawn Elimination]
[Objective: Defeat Level 4 Darkspawn]
[Progress: Levels 1-3 completed. Level 4 remaining]
A map materialized in his view, highlighting the location of the target with a glowing red marker. The system's interface helpfully provided a GPS-like guide, a welcome tool in the labyrinthine wilderness.
The system chimed again, delivering an enticing notification.
[Quest Reward: Class Awakening Available Upon Completion]
Kael's heart quickened.
The promise of a class was more than just a reward; it was the key to his future in this world. Every Ascension System awakener in Erendath, as depicted by the system, was destined to unlock a class, a pivotal step in their journey.
The thought made Kael's anticipation grow. "A class," he murmured. "Finally, something concrete to build on."
He couldn't help but wonder what kind of class awaited him. Would it be one of the combatant types?
A warrior, mage, or perhaps a beastmster?
Or would the system pigeonhole him into a support role? The uncertainty gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside. For now, he had a task to complete, and the promise of power lay just ahead.
Without hesitation, he tapped the glowing map icon. A waypoint flared to life, leading him deep into the forest's heart.
As he shouldered his pack and set off, the entity stirred, its voice a low murmur. "You're eager for this class, aren't you?"
Kael snorted. "Obviously. Isn't that the whole point? Classes make you stronger."
"Stronger, yes. But what you'll awaken is… lacking."
Kael's stride faltered. "Lacking? What's that supposed to mean?"
"The Ascension classes are inferior for someone like you," the entity said, a trace of disdain coloring its tone. "Your talent lies in your Rebirth Core."
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Kael's grip tightened on the hilt of his rusty sword. "Rebirth Core? You keep mentioning it, but you've yet to explain what it actually is."
"It is your potential, your destiny," the entity replied, cryptic as ever. "If you reach Level 10, you will awaken a class far beyond what this system offers."
"Level 10, huh? And what makes you so sure it'll be worth it?"
The entity's answer was immediate. "Because you awakened me."
Kael's chest tightened. He wanted to press further, to pry loose more of the entity's secrets, but the waypoint pulsed insistently in his vision. The Level 4 Darkspawn awaited.
********
The clearing was suffused with an eerie glow, the air humming with malevolent energy. The Darkspawn stood at the center, its form a twisted amalgamation of sinew and shadow. Its eyes glowed a sickly green, and its claws dripped with venomous ichor.
Kael gritted his teeth. His heart pounded as the system displayed the creature's stats:
[Darkspawn - Level 4]
[HP: 500]
[Abilities: Shadow Slash, Venom Strike]
He adjusted his grip on the rusty sword, the blade's edge nicked and dull. It wasn't much, but it would have to do. The entity's voice cut through his focus, sharp and clear.
"Be patient. Study its movements."
The Darkspawn moved first, a blur of shadow and claws. Kael sidestepped, barely avoiding the swipe that gouged deep furrows into the ground.
He countered with a clumsy slash, the blade grazing the creature's side. It hissed, more irritated than wounded.
The fight was a brutal dance. The Darkspawn's attacks were relentless, forcing Kael to rely on every ounce of his agility. His strikes were calculated, each one aimed at exploiting the creature's fleeting vulnerabilities.
Sweat dripped down his brow as he ducked and rolled, his stamina draining with every passing second.
"You should stay focus!" the entity barked as Kael's foot slipped on loose soil. The Darkspawn lunged, claws aimed for his throat.
Desperation fueled his movements as he twisted away, his sword arcing upward in a wild slash. The blade struck true, biting deep into the creature's neck.
The Darkspawn shrieked, its form unraveling into wisps of shadow. The system chimed, the sound like music to Kael's ears.
[Darkspawn Defeated]
[All stats increase by 1]
[Rewards: 250 XP, 250 coins, SP +1, Dark Essence x 4]
Kael dropped to his knees, chest heaving. Victory tasted sweet, but exhaustion dulled its edge. The system's voice returned, calm and emotionless:
Class Awakening Available. Proceed?
He hesitated. The entity's warning about inferior classes lingered, but… he needed strength. Now. With a deep breath, he confirmed.
Pain lanced through him, sharp and searing. His vision blurred as his Rebirth Core hummed to life, its resonance drowning out everything else. The agony faded as quickly as it came, replaced by a surge of power unlike anything he'd felt before.
[Class Awakened: Nightshade]
[Role: Stealth Assassin, Poison Mastery]
[Description:
Class: Nightshade – Stealth Specialist, Poison Expert
Nightshades are shadowy assassins who thrive in darkness, using stealth, burst damage, and poisons to disable and eliminate enemies. Mastering the art of stealth, Nightshades manipulate the battlefield with debilitating poisons, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.
Unique Ability:
Nightshades harness "Shadow Energy," a resource built through stealthy actions or critical strikes. This energy can be expended to amplify abilities or trigger devastating poison effects, giving Nightshades unparalleled control over their enemies]
Kael's lips curled into a grin. The system's description scrolled before him, detailing his newfound abilities. He felt the shift in his body, the way the shadows seemed to cling to him, waiting for his command.
The entity chuckled, a sound rich with approval. "Not bad. For now."
Kael rose, the weight of the rusty sword replaced by the promise of something far sharper. This was just the beginning.
The path to Level 10 loomed ahead, fraught with danger and uncertainty. But for the first time, Kael felt ready.
"Let's see what this Nightshade can do," he said, stepping into the shadows.