I sat perched on a table, observing the training session unfolding before me. My rifle leaned against the table’s edge, my silent companion. Jayden’s vigorous sparring with Steve Jr. caught my attention, their swords clashing with determination. Beads of sweat glistened on their faces, evidence of their intense workout. The entire group seemed to have pushed themselves to their limits, their flushed faces and tired expressions speaking volumes.
Wesley approached, his presence breaking my reverie. “Did you enjoy your shooting session?” he asked with a knowing smile. I returned the smile. “Absolutely. I feel like I’ve gained a better understanding of infusing mana into my ammunition. How’s the training been going?”
He wiped the sweat from his brow. “It’s been productive. I’m confident that most of our militia members will be able to unlock a new class by now.”
His words engaged my curiosity, and I raised an eyebrow inquisitively. “Beyond the basic citizen or student classes?” I inquired.
Wesley nodded, his enthusiasm clear. “Exactly. Not everyone needs to be a frontline fighter, but it’s essential that those who stay within the safety of our village can still defend it. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to delve deeper into the classes and skills beyond what I’ve needed to know as a paladin. I thought it would be useful if you could summarize what we know. Would you be up for it?”
His request caught me off guard, and a flicker of alarm danced in my eyes. I mustered my resolve and nodded. Wesley called everyone over to the table, the group gathering eagerly. “While you all take a well-deserved break, Caden will enlighten us on what we’ve learned about the classes and skills.”
Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I stood tall before my comrades, aware of the responsibility bestowed upon me. The knowledge I had gained about the System’s classes and skills was far from comprehensive, but I was determined to share what I knew.
I straightened my posture and took a deep breath. “Alright, so has everyone come across the class screen?” I began, noticing the show of hands in response. “Most of us are familiar with the base classes, like student or citizen.”
I pushed myself off the table and cleared my throat. “Ah, yeah. So how many people have discovered the class screen?”
Everyone’s hand came up. “I guess everyone has probably seen the base class, like student or citizen.”
More nods. I tried to ignore how sweaty my hands were or how often my voice broke, “Beyond those, it looks like the System awards you the opportunity to add a class once you have shown a bit of aptitude in the class, if you’re fourteen and up.”
I nodded toward Jayden, “When we first defended against the goblins the morning the System came, Jay didn’t really know much about swords. Well, other than stick ‘em with the pointy end. But because he used the sword during the fight, the system figured he’d acquired enough familiarity to become a warrior.”
Heads were nodding. Even the adults were listening to me, increasing my confidence. “We’ll circle back to classes in a moment. There seems to be a bit of a connection between the skills you can learn and classes. But, I’m not sure it’s true all the time. Even though the skills or spells that I’ve picked up both seem to tie to my classes, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of you may have skills from before that will make unlocking the skill easier for you, even if it doesn’t tie back to your class.”
There were several people muttering when I finished. Mr. Lowe said, “You have more than one class?”
I shrugged, “Yeah. When I hit level three, the System gave me the opportunity to add a level of sharpshooter or to pick another class from the class menu. That’s how I have a level as a hexslinger, too.”
Someone in the crowd chimed in, unable to contain their curiosity. “What in the hell is a hexslinger? You gonna curse us, Cade?” Their comment sparked laughter throughout the group, some genuine and others perhaps masking their uncertainty. I chuckled along, feeling a twinge of self-consciousness. As the laughter subsided, I took a moment to respond, trying to maintain a lighthearted tone.
“My curses are all four-letter words,” I quipped, drawing another round of laughter from the crowd. Pausing for a beat, I clarified, “No, a hexslinger is a class that grants me a unique spell. I can infuse mana into my weapon, replacing the need for gunpowder as a propellant. It’s more of a magical enhancement than anything else.”
Eager to shift the focus back to the group, I steered the conversation. “Now, let’s see what others have unlocked. Mr. Lowe, while you were practicing with Wesley, did you happen to unlock any new classes?”
The older man’s eyes momentarily glazed over, his eyes reading the screen only he could see. “Yeah, oh, cool. I got an option to pick Sergeant-at-arms,” he replied, a glimmer of excitement in his voice.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the unfamiliar class. Despite my own knowledge as a sharpshooter, I knew the System had countless possibilities. “What does the System say about it?” I probed further, eager to learn more.
Mr. Lowe’s response came swiftly. “It gives me a plus one to strength or constitution,” he explained, a flicker of light enveloping him as he spoke. “I also received a passive ability for leadership, along with a bonus to melee attack. It seemed like a fitting choice, so I went for it.”
Turning my attention to Mr. Lowe’s son, I couldn’t help but smile. “And what about you, Steve Jr.? Any exciting discoveries?”
His grin widened, mirroring my enthusiasm. “I decided to take the warrior class when Jayden and I were practicing,” he answered proudly, eager to showcase his newfound class.
I glanced around the group, my eyes scanning the faces, eager to uncover more discoveries. When my gaze landed on Jennifer Carson, I felt a flicker of curiosity. “Uh, Ms. Carson, have you come across any new classes?” I asked, hoping to unveil another hidden gem.
Standing next to her husband, Jennifer’s expression turned distant for a moment as she viewed her screen. “I got an option for a utility mage. I think it came from when Sarah was showing me how she cast her fireball spell,” she responded, a hint of excitement in her voice.
Without any prompting, Jennifer’s husband, Jeff, chimed in. “I spent an hour practicing archery, and it unlocked the archer class for me,” he added, a sense of pride clear in his words.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn’t help but inquire further. “Did you not have any guns?” I asked, my curiosity piqued by their choices.
If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
Jeff nodded, a hint of regret in his eyes. “Yeah, I had a couple of hunting rifles, but I used up all my ammo during the night the, um, kobolds attacked. Figured it would be easier to maintain a steady supply of arrows. They’re offered at the store for a couple of silver per quiver,” he explained, showcasing his practical thinking.
I silently acknowledged my own fortune, having an abundance of incorporated ammo at my disposal. I had infused mana into the cartridges and even put some on the auction house, which made me wonder if my ammunition problem was overstated. As long as I could source lead and learn the art of cartridge reloading, I felt confident about my preparedness. I hoped I wasn’t setting myself for failure.
Satisfied with their responses, I shifted my attention to the rest of the group. Another father and son duo caught my eye, standing at the edge of the gathering. It took me a moment to recall their names. “Mr. Ballard, have you discovered any new classes?” I inquired, hoping to uncover more fascinating options.
Mr. Ballard paused briefly, consulting his class list. “Yeah, I have the option to become a guard or a warrior. But even before that, there’s a class option I haven’t heard you mention yet. I can pick the blacksmith class,” he revealed, his words carrying a sense of pride.
My eyebrows raised in genuine intrigue. “Really? That’s pretty cool,” I responded, genuinely impressed by that option.
The notion of choosing a class that resonated with one’s past experiences intrigued me. I couldn’t help but inquire further, wanting to understand Mr. Ballard’s connection to blacksmithing. “Did you have any prior experience with blacksmithing, maybe as a hobby?” I asked.
Shaking his head, Mr. Ballard clarified, “No, my work was at the Ford dealership as a mechanic.”
Though I couldn’t grasp the immediate connection, I knew that there was much about the intricate workings of the system that eluded me. “Are you considering taking blacksmithing as a class then?” I asked, genuinely interested in his choice.
His eyes scanned the gathered crowd, contemplating the possibilities. “Seems like something I’d enjoy. And if I have the chance for a second class, I could always go for the warrior class,” he replied, his words filled with a sense of practicality.
The idea struck a chord within me. Perhaps blacksmithing could solve my ongoing bullet predicament. However, a hint of guilt tinged my thoughts. I had been fortunate with my own choices, but I understood that the village’s destiny wasn’t solely mine to shape. I glanced at Wesley, seeking his guidance and approval.
Wesley showed why the rest of us tended to defer to him, offered his insight. “We’ll need a diverse array of skills for our village. If blacksmithing matches your interests, I say go for it.”
Feeling a sense of relief and reassurance, I nodded, grateful for Wesley’s support. The village’s future depended on everyone working together.
Relieved to have that monkey off my back, I shifted my attention to Aiden Ballard, who was my age. Curiosity tinged my voice as I inquired, “And what about you, Aiden? Did you discover any intriguing class options?”
His face took on a strange look, and he paused before saying, “Yeah, it’s kind of weird, but I can be a combat illusionist. Not exactly what I expected from swinging swords.”
Surprised by his unexpected choice, I couldn’t help but show it on my face. A burst of laughter erupted from his father, breaking the momentary silence. “Ha! It seems like the system is rewarding you for all those magic tricks and pranks you used to pull,” he exclaimed, amusement in his voice.
Embarrassment flushed Aiden’s cheeks, and he muttered, “Geez, Dad.”
With a genuine curiosity, I delved into the class options others had unlocked. Among the responses, one particular revelation captured my attention—the path of an alchemist. The idea of harnessing the power of potions and concoctions to aid our village fueled my imagination.
As the group gradually dispersed, I found myself back at my spot on the table, surrounded by the comforting presence of Jayden, Hanna, and Sarah. Our camaraderie was palpable, a united front in the face of uncertainty. Meanwhile, Wesley, ever astute in his leadership, observed the departing figures of our fellow villagers with a pensive gaze. “You know, it never occurred to me before, but encouraging our people to pursue crafts and skills that benefit the entire village is a brilliant notion,” he mused, his voice laced with contemplation.
Hanna’s hand rested on one of her knives, like it belonged there. “We should probably look at getting a blacksmith building soon.”
[https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0f/4e/ff/0f4eff84d946f90575e6b4138efc4b00.gif]
My eyes felt heavy, strained from the long guard shift I had just finished. Despite the weariness, I was too excited to go to bed just yet. An alert from the System auction house had arrived, notifying me that my auctions had ended, and I was eager to see how much I had earned from them.
Under the illumination of the high moon, Jayden and I made our way towards the gatehouse. A flickering candle cast a warm glow in the guardroom that led to the second-floor store. Mr. Lowe, leaning over a table covered in sheets of paper with names scrawled on them, looked up as we entered. A chuckle escaped his lips as he remarked, “Looks like I might need to move my office to the other side of the gate. Didn’t realize the amount of traffic that would pass through to the store. Steve is up there; let him know he’s late for his watch.”
Sure enough, Steve Jr. stood near a kiosk, waving at us with a wry smile. “Let me guess. Dad says I’m late for my shift?” he quipped.
Jayden nodded, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Yeah, and if you don’t hurry down there right now, he might just put his boot up your ass.”
The other teenager snorted in response. “Yeah, not my dad’s style. Still, I’d rather avoid a lecture.”
As he disappeared into the darkened stairwell, he turned back and shared, “By the way, I saw an auction for a System Store numbered over eight thousand. Seems like there are still plenty of villages being set up.”
Once he’d gone, I accessed the store interface, anticipation building within me. Three hundred ninety-two auctions awaited my attention. With a smile, I selected the option that opened them all, eagerly awaiting the outcome. As the results flashed before my eyes, a sense of satisfaction washed over me. I had earned ten gold, thirty-eight silver, and a handful of copper. Even without being a math whiz, I could easily deduce that the auctions had closed at an average of two and a half silver each.
Jayden shook his head in disbelief. “I should have you buy me something nice with all that money. Planning to put more items up for auction tonight?”
A pang of internal conflict tugged at my thoughts. The initial auctions had garnered a solid five silver each, but the later ones had struggled to reach the five gold buyout. I shrugged, my voice tinged with uncertainty. “I think I may have flooded the auction house a bit. I’ll hold off for now. Maybe I’ll try infusing some of the two-two-seven cartridges with mana and see if they sell better.”
The feeling of having twenty gold burning a hole in my pocket was undeniably exhilarating. And as I glanced at Jayden’s envious expression, a sense of guilt crept over me. After all, he was my best friend. We both wielded weapons with pluses, and our leather jackets shared the same enhancement. However, his jeans, like mine, remained devoid of any stats, plain and common. “What about a pair of armor leggings for you? My treat,” I offered.
The look of envy on Jayden’s face transformed into pure joy, resembling the excitement I experienced on Christmas morning. He scanned through the store’s offerings, searching for suitable leggings. We could buy basic leggings for just a few silver from the System Store, but a plus one plate mail leggings cost a hefty sum of one gold and fifty silver.
The grateful look Jayden gave me confirmed I had made the right decision. After all, what good is money if we don’t use it to do good?
A yawn escaped me, a reminder that we had already lost an hour engrossed in our auction endeavors. While there was no set schedule for the following day, I doubted the rest of our party would allow us to sleep the day away. Turning to go, I saw the darkness of the stairwell, reminding me to look for light sources beyond expensive candles.
Yawning once more, I stumbled upon a mana bulb listed in the store for a single gold coin. As I read the details, a pang of reluctance washed over me at the thought of parting with such a precious gold coin for a temporary source of light that would last only two hours. It seemed too extravagant for the short duration.
However, the auction house held more promise. Several mages had listed mana bulbs for a fraction of the System store’s price. After careful consideration, I purchased three mana bulbs for a mere ten silver each. Though they might offer an hour of illumination each, the savings were substantial.
Descending the stairs became a far easier feat with the light of the mana bulb leading the way. With each step, it appeared Jayden and I were slowly adapting to this crazy Systemized world.