Joe tugged on the gray cords of his new hoodie. “Not a lot of time to decide with everything I need to take into account.” Releasing his hold he smoothed out the hood that had scrunched up tight thanks to his fidgeting with the cords. He flipped the end of the cord and stopped himself from chewing on it. An old habit he’d kicked.
With elemental affinities in play that made things very interesting. He knew gaming systems well enough to know that not everything would be explained, sometimes you had to ask.
“Hey Poppy, do races have an elemental affinity assigned like class?”
"Yip-yip, Joe!" Poppy's tail swished, flicking across the screen. "Elf race is Wind. Dark Elf race is Water. Changeling is Wind. Dwarf—"
"Okay, I'm glad to hear that I was on the right track." Joe interrupted, cutting off Poppy's enthusiasm. "I only need to know my race. What element is aligned with the human race?"
Poppy's head bobbed. "Human is Earth."
Joe smiled. Of course, humans would be Earth. He glanced at the timer in the corner; he still had three minutes to decide and consider his options. He rubbed his jaw as his eyes scanned the list.
He was used to wielding the fiery spells of a sorcerer in Isekai Cultivator, mastering in-game elemental forces with ease. Kyle had been their healer, a role crucial to their adventure party’s survival but not the best for direct combat. Opting for a Druid class seemed less than ideal given Joe’s current predicament. He knew little about the challenges ahead and had no allies yet. And really, heading off on his first quest as a Druid or a Fighter, while decked out in a hoodie and cargo pants? It just didn’t fit the part.
Besides, anytime Joe could avoid physical confrontation, he did, unlike his friend Tao, who chose to be an outsider and led the charge through many of their monster surges.
Joe didn't know what was outside these pulsating walls, but whatever he chose, he needed it to be strategic. If this was anything like one of the ‘earth’ games to the Lich-Master, then he had to find allies to fight beside him, like he did with his friends, Tao and Kyle.
He found himself rolling the hoodie’s cord between his thumb and forefinger again. Groaning, he released it and shoved his hands inside the hoodie pocket.
If humans were already Earth-aligned, then choosing an alchemist, druid, or ranger class might enhance his skills quicker, but then he might be shooting himself in the foot. The Fire classes were familiar, but he paused as he noticed the mage class had an affinity for water. It seemed like a one-off as the mages often fell into Fire affinity, at least they did in the games he’d played.
The other options alongside the Water aligned mage class were priest and rogue. The familiar poster of Bruce Lee with the saying ‘be water, my friend’ crept into his mind.
“Yeah, you were also an amazing, trained fighter.” He shrugged off the memory and looked at the remaining choices in the Wind class.
While he considered himself to be generally charismatic, at least with his friends—Samantha, his ex, might disagree. That would come in handy if he chose the bard class but given the uncertainty of his situation it seemed to be the least useful and fairly risky. His grandad was a legend at telling tales and belting out tunes. Joe could spin a good yarn just like his grandad, but sing? If his life depended on his ability to carry a tune he’d better start writing his will now.
“Poppy, do I have any stats available to view right now?”
“Joe say ‘Status.’ See-see what happens.”
Clearing his throat, Joe looked around the induction room. The huge screen where the Lich had appeared and then vanished after his welcome speech, remained dark and lifeless. For now, it seemed he was on his own.
Just because I can’t see him doesn’t mean the creepy bastard isn’t listening in.
Joe kept his voice low. “Status.”
Race: Human - Earth
Class: To Be Selected
Health Points: undetermined
Mana Particles: undetermined
Stamina: undetermined
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 5
Intelligence: 5
Wisdom: 4
Charisma: 4
Constitution: 3
Before Joe knew it, a whole damn minute had ticked by.
"Think, God damn it, think," Joe muttered under his breath.
It was always the same whenever a time crunch loomed; his brain seemed to short-circuit. Luckily, he had plenty of balls-to-the-wall experience to draw from in these situations. He took a deep breath and performed a quick mental recap, mulling over what truly mattered.
At its core, it boiled down to identifying all the things he could control and those he couldn't. Among the controllable factors, what mattered most?
First, his race was Earth-aligned, so if he chose a class that was Earth aligned too, it would make easing into his new skills easier in the beginning. But over time, being risk-averse would make him predictable, and in a world where magic and death were commonplace, being predictable got you killed.
That made him think it would be worth the risk to choose a class that was either Wind or Water-aligned. His thoughts turned to the elemental cycle, and while this was not exactly the same, the impact Earth had on those two elements could be a boon. If he chose the Fire aligned sorcerer class, he'd be walking a well-worn path. He had the niggling feeling that choosing the Water aligned rogue class suited his real-world experience better.
In the end, this wasn't a game, even if it played out like one. Here, dying had consequences. He’d died once before, the memory of it alone, iced him to his core.
Hell can freeze over before I let that happen to me again.
Joe pushed away the thought, he had to focus on surviving and right now that meant choosing the right class. There were a few classes still in the running. His mind spun with too many questions he needed answers to. Rogue was a good choice but in his experience it was better suited to urban settings. Right now he didn't know enough about the natural environments of each floor. He turned to Poppy. "So when we enter the first floor, what's our goal?"
"Kill the boss."
Joe knew there had to be more to it than that. "Okay, so that's the end goal, but are there other side quests, or is it all hack and slash, kill all monsters, loot and level up?" He suspected he already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear Poppy say it.
"So many choices! Fight-fight, if you like, kill-kill monsters. Poppy likes to play, you can play too."
"I like games and puzzles." He tapped his temple. "Are there puzzles to solve on each floor?"
"Yes, Joe! So much fun. Kill-kill monsters gets boring. So many things to do. So many things to see. Big-big jungles, stinky wastelands. Yuck! Cool robots and shiny lights. So pretty but no touch! Ouch! Master Lich lets Poppy play, if Poppy is good."
That was all he needed to know. Hack and slash would only get them so far; And with multiple environments he’d have to navigate, from jungles to futuristic worlds, there would be a need for strategy too. Joe had made up his mind.
His eyes landed back on the rogue class. They had at least some fighting skills and were typically quick. Earth and Water affinity, he nodded. "That could work, my friend."
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
With twenty-two seconds left, he scanned the entire list before focusing on the one that suited him best.
Joe hoped to hell he was right.
"I choose rogue class." As it lit up the other classes in the list faded away.
A prompt appeared in his vision.
[Rogue class selected.
Rogue—The ultimate shadow lurker. This class is all about stealth, quick strikes with daggers, and a knack for throwing knives. Ideal for those who prefer cunning over brute force, Rogues excel in agility and sharp senses. They're the fantasy equivalent of a surprise party nobody asked for, minus the cake and balloons. Stat boosts per level: +2 Dexterity for nimble moves, +1 Intelligence for clever tactics, +1 Charisma to charm their way out of (or into) trouble, and +1 Flex Point for a bit of rogue-ish customization. "Go Rogue: Why muscle through when you can ghost through?"]
"Fun choice, Joe!" Poppy did an impressive little somersault to celebrate. Her untamed joy all because he chose the rogue class, really raised his spirits.
It seemed like his past self had unwittingly stacked the deck in his favor, favoring intelligence, dexterity, and charisma. Guess those years spent talking his way out of trouble were finally paying off.
As for strength and wisdom? Well, some ascenders might think of them as dump stats for his chosen class. But Joe wasn't one to blindly follow the crowd. Who's to say what he might need down the line? Maybe wisdom would come in handy later when dealing with the Titan tower’s shenanigans. Or maybe he'd just get by on his street smarts and quick reflexes. Time would tell.
Being a rogue certainly had its perks. The class handed him some sweet bonuses: a generous boost of plus two to dexterity, plus one to intelligence and charisma, and a bonus ‘Flex’ point to splurge however he pleased. With these added on top of his natural talents, Joe felt like the ultimate smooth operator, ready to talk his way out of trouble or slip past obstacles with ease.
As soon as the words scrolled across his vision, a tingling sensation swept over his body, like a rush of blood to his head but without feeling faint or dizzy. After the warm glow faded, new items appeared before him, and more notifications popped up demanding his attention.
[Status update]
Race: Human - Earth
Class: Rogue - Water
Health Points: 30/30
Mana Particles: 98/98
Stamina: 30/30
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 7
Intelligence: 6
Wisdom: 4
Charisma: 5
Constitution: 3
Flex Point: 1
[New Skill - Quick Wit- Level 1
The mind is as sharp a weapon as any blade. Quick Wit is the art of using intelligence and dexterity in perfect harmony. This skill unlocks basic proficiency in rapidly analyzing combat situations and reacting with precision. It provides a slight boost to evasion and critical thinking, leveraging a rogue’s agility and intellect. With Quick Wit, rogues can better anticipate enemy movements and find creative solutions in sticky situations, making a rogue not just a fighter, but a strategist.]
As Joe read through the notifications, he felt more confident in his choice of class and that he'd made the right decision with the little information he had available. His own experiences in the real world and playing TTRPGs, a "waste of time" his high school teacher used to say, were paying off.
Who’s a slacker now, Mr. Strickland.
Joe almost laughed at himself. His granddad never thought he was a slacker, though. He'd taught Joe everything he knew about table-top role-playing games. And right now, he needed that and more to survive. He had a sneaking suspicion that Poppy's idea of "play" and his were two completely different things. Hers, fueled by the power of a Titan avatar, was likely far deadlier. Perhaps now would be a good time to test his abilities.
Joe took a deep breath, centering himself as he prepared to tap into Quick Wit for the first time. He tried to clear his mind, focusing on merging his sharp intellect with his agile reflexes. As he concentrated, he felt a subtle shift in perception, like the gears in his mind aligning perfectly with the rhythm of his body.
Suddenly, the world around him seemed to slow down, details sharpening as if he had just adjusted a mental lens to bring everything into acute focus. It was as if he had been looking at life through a foggy window and someone had just wiped it clean. Every sound, movement, and shadow became an open book, revealing secrets and patterns he hadn't noticed before.
As Joe relaxed his concentration, letting the skill fade, he felt a slight drain on his energy but nothing too taxing. His stamina had dipped slightly, from 30 to 27, a small price for the significant edge Quick Wit provided. Health Points and Mana Particles remained the same, a testament to the skill's reliance more on mental acuity and physical finesse than magical prowess.
He shook his head, almost in disbelief, and turned his attention back to the items scattered on the table before him, now viewing them with a renewed sense of clarity and potential.
A five minute timer flashed in the corner of his HUD, followed by a shriek from Poppy. “Must hurry, Joe!”
Joe grumbled, pocketing his seaweed snack. "You really do love all these countdown timers, don't you?" No point wasting any more time complaining. "Where do we go from here?"
Tiny arrows lit up on the floor, rippling like a moving carpet.
"Follow the arrows," Poppy instructed. "Don't forget, Joe must take-take all items. Before they go Poof!"
Joe tensed. He barely had any time to look the items over. He stole a moment to read the notifications that identified each one.
[Butterfly Knives: Not your average butterfly knives, these are ingeniously crafted to serve a dual purpose. Alongside their conventional use in close combat, where their foldable design allows for discreet carry and rapid deployment, these knives are balanced and aerodynamically shaped to be thrown with precision. Ideal for a rogue, they can be flicked open for a silent takedown or hurled as flying daggers to strike from a distance. Their versatility makes them indispensable for stealth missions, allowing for both silent eliminations and unexpected ranged attacks.
Paracord: This is a lightweight nylon rope, originally used in parachutes, known for its incredible strength and versatility. For a rogue, it's an essential survival tool. It can be used for climbing, setting traps, or even as an improvised weapon in a pinch. Compact and easy to carry, it's a must-have in any rogue's toolkit.
Smoke Pellets: These small, round devices are designed to create a thick cloud of smoke when activated. They are perfect for making quick escapes, distractions, or for hiding movements during combat. A rogue can use them to vanish from sight in an instant, leaving pursuers baffled and buying precious time to regroup or strike back.]
A buzz of excitement surged through Joe as he picked up each new item. He had never used any of these things before. The closest he got was watching his grandad use paracord in the garden for his prized sweet pea plants. But in movies, he saw ninjas look really cool using flying daggers and smoke bombs. Holding these items now, Joe grinned, imagining himself being just as cool and skilled as those movie ninjas.
His grin faded as soon as he realized something vital to his survival was missing. "Poppy, how come there's no armor available?"
Poppy stopped prancing around. "Open sub-menu and look-look! Alterations you get for rogue class. Like leather armor you can’t see."
He opened his eyes wide and did as she said. Suddenly, he saw what she meant. Defensive Weave. His hoodie and its sheen now took on a new meaning as he finally realized it. The hoodie, cargo pants, and boots he wore were fully upgradable, and he could access their stats through his menu.
"So awesome!" Joe couldn't contain his excitement until he read further. "5% damage resistance and Silent Step Enchantment." He shouldn't be surprised; he was a rogue after all, not a heavily armored warrior class. He knew choosing a heavily armored class with his low strength stats would only slow him down. Going forward, he'd need to keep his focus on agility and intelligence, not to mention charisma for that roguish charm. Strength would be lower on his list until he knew more about the nature of each floor and the dreaded bosses he’d have to defeat to ascend the tower.
And it seemed like faction forming was encouraged, so he definitely needed a damage dealer and a tank to help round out his team. Having a healer would be important too. Now all he had to do was make friends. How difficult could that be?
A final set of items appeared in the tray: a basic school-sized backpack and a black ring.
“Pick-pick your storage unit.” Poppy spun in a circle as new text appeared in his vision.
[Bottomless Backpack: extra-dimensional storage unit. If you can lift an object, it will fit—no other weight limits apply. You won’t even break a sweat with this haul.]
[Ring of Abyss: extra-dimensional storage unit. If it’s something fresh you wish to keep, this is the place to stow it without worry of spoilage. That mandarin you forgot about will be as juicy as the day you packed it and won’t leave a stench.]
Joe glanced from one item to the other as Poppy paced back and forth. He didn’t have much more time to linger on a decision. No weight limits versus keeping fruit fresh? He puffed air into his cheeks. The countdown blinked more rapidly as it closed in on one minute. His decision set, he let out a quick breath and chose the one thing he used every day—a simple backpack.
Unzipping the bag, he shoved his newly acquired items inside and a new set of items appeared in their place.
“Last items. Very-very important.” Poppy flicked her tail as he reached for the coin and multi-sided polygon the size of a cantaloupe. “All ascenders get this.”
[Respawn Token: Allows user to respawn inside the tower.]
[Battlebox Decagon: Stores volatile MadOrbz until summoned.]
“Huh?” Joe narrowed his eyes.
What the heck’s the Battlebox…?
That sounded really dangerous.
Holy Shit!
He didn’t recall seeing any healing pills or powders. A closer look told him there were no health potions in his inventory either. He gasped. A single white token with a blue phoenix on it truly caught his eye. "Hey, Poppy, tell me more about this token. Is it a single use for respawn?"
"You die, use token, age one year." Her tone was matter-of-fact and direct. It was just another run-of-the-mill day in the Titan Tower talking about death.
[Time is up!]
Arrows on the ground flashed red and a door clicked, inching open at the far end of the pulsating wall. He still had questions as he snagged the decagon and tossed the backpack over his shoulders. “What’s a MadOrbz?”
“Yip-yip! Joe must leave now. Not nice being ejected. No-no! ” Poppy’s eyes widened. “Go-go!”
Joe was bursting at the seams to know all about the Battlebox and MadOrbz but he’d have to wait a little longer to find out. No way he was risking being ‘ejected’. Nope!
It was time to make a quick exit and make his way to the tutorial.
Striding to the exit, Joe looked back at the mini Kaiju avatar and grinned. “Well, Poppy, I guess I'm off to start some grand big adventure!” With a playful salute, he pushed the door open, stepping into the brightness of a new challenge.