The warm morning sun bathed Nexus Haven in a golden glow as Lucas and Kael made their way down the cobblestone streets toward the Quest Shop.
The town was alive with activity, bustling NPC merchants shouting their wares, and players chatting in clusters, exchanging strategies or boasting about their loot.
Kael walked slightly ahead, his black armor catching glints of sunlight, his posture relaxed but commanding.
Lucas trailed beside him, keeping up while glancing around at the vibrant world around them.
"Alright, rookie," Kael said, breaking the silence. "Before we get too deep into this game, you should know something about the classes. If you're serious about climbing the ranks, you need to understand what everyone's working with. You're not planning to be a clueless scrub forever, right?"
Lucas smirked faintly. "Not the plan, no."
Kael chuckled. "Good. Listen up, then. Classes are the backbone of Ethereal Nexus Online. They're what define your playstyle, your abilities, and honestly, how far you can go in this world. You screw up your class choice, you'll be grinding forever trying to fix it."
Lucas nodded, absorbing the words.
"There are three main categories of classes," Kael continued, holding up three fingers. "Combat, Support, and Hybrid. Each has its own tree of subclasses, branching out into more specialized roles as you level up."
Kael gestured toward a group of players nearby, each wearing distinct armor. "Take those guys, for example. You see the one in heavy plate, carrying the big hammer?"
Lucas followed Kael's gaze to a player towering over the others, his gleaming armor looking impenetrable.
"That's a Vanguard," Kael explained. "Pure Combat class. They're tanks — frontline fighters who soak up damage while the rest of the team deals with enemies. You want someone like that in your party if you're taking on dungeons or bosses."
Lucas studied the Vanguard, impressed by the imposing presence.
"Next to him," Kael continued, nodding toward a woman in flowing robes and carrying a staff, "that's an Elementalist. Another Combat class, but all about dealing massive damage from a distance. Fireballs, ice storms, lightning — you name it. They're glass cannons, though, so keep them protected."
Kael shifted his attention to a quieter player who was casting healing magic on an injured NPC. "Now that guy? He's a Cleric. Support class. Probably the most valued class in any serious team. Healers, buffers, debuffers. You keep your Cleric alive, and they'll keep your entire party alive."
Lucas nodded again, fascinated.
"Then there are the Hybrids," Kael said, his tone taking on a note of admiration. "These are the classes that blend Combat and Support roles. You've got Battle Mages, who mix magic and melee, or Shadow Dancers, who can fight and scout with equal skill. Hybrids are versatile, but they're tricky to master."
Kael's gaze flicked to Lucas, as if sizing him up. "I'm guessing you're still a Rogue. That's a good starter Combat class — fast, sneaky, and lethal in the right hands. But eventually, you'll want to evolve it. Maybe a Duelist for close combat finesse or an Assassin if you want to focus on critical strikes."
Lucas's heart raced slightly, he remembered… he already had the Monarch Class but the class seemed important, he wasn't ready to divulge it yet.
They turned a corner and Kael's expression darkened slightly.
"And then there's the Monarch class," he said, his voice dropping.
Lucas tensed but forced himself to appear neutral. "Monarch? What's that?"
Kael hesitated, his usual confidence faltering for the first time. "It's... complicated. Monarch isn't available to regular players. It's a unique class — one of a kind, as far as I know. It was active during the Beta, held by one of the top testers. The guy was a legend, but after the full launch, the class vanished. No one knows who has it now."
Lucas swallowed hard, his face carefully blank.
Kael glanced at him, frowning slightly. "Not that it matters to us. Monarch's way beyond what we're dealing with. Think of it like a wildcard — nobody really knows what it's capable of, but it's probably broken as hell."
"Sounds intense," Lucas managed, his voice steady.
Kael shrugged. "Yeah, but whatever. It's not like we're going to see a Monarch walking around Nexus Haven anytime soon."
Lucas said nothing, focusing instead on the road ahead.
They arrived at the Quest Shop, its sign swinging gently in the breeze. The familiar scent of parchment and leather greeted them as they stepped inside.
The shop was busier than usual, with players crowded around the glowing boards. Conversations hummed in the air, a mix of excitement and strategy.
"Alright," Kael said, nodding toward the boards. "Let's pick something good. Something that'll get you some levels and maybe a bit of cash while we're at it."
Lucas scanned the quests, his eyes lingering on one in particular.
[Quest: Secure the Silver Mines
Description: Reports of corrupted miners attacking travelers have come from the Silver Mines to the west. Investigate the cause and eliminate the threat.
Reward: 100 EXP, 7 Nexus Coins, Miner's Pack.]
"This one," Lucas said, tapping the glowing ACCEPT button. A confirmation pinged in his interface, marking the quest on his map.
Kael peered over his shoulder, grinning. "Not bad. A little ambitious for your level, but that's why I'm here."
Lucas couldn't help but smile, feeling a surge of confidence.
As they left the Quest Shop, Kael clapped Lucas on the shoulder. "One more thing, rookie. Never get too comfortable. The second you think you've got this game figured out, it'll throw something at you that'll knock you flat."
Lucas nodded, the words sinking in.
"Now let's see if you're ready to handle the mines," Kael said, his smirk returning.
Lucas grinned back. "Lead the way."