Novels2Search

Chapter 2: Initiation

"Congratulations players! As you have shown remarkable prowess in Eden Online you have been selected to be among the first to be invited to Demons Descent. A brand new journey with total immersion with a new world bound for destruction that calls for the descent of noble spirits to help tide the invasion of a Demons and their spawn. Beware that this experience is fraught with danger and immense opportunity, however by joining Demons Descent you will forfeit your ability to play Eden Online. Would you like to play? Y/N"

As the notification popped up in front of them, Zack, Luke, and Cyrus exchanged puzzled glances, their brows furrowed in contemplation. The prospect of embarking on a new adventure in Demons Descent intrigued them, but they knew that such a decision required careful consideration. They had been playing Eden Online for a while and were a respectable team and were quite far in the game. On the other hand, being the first in a new game could lead to the road of being famous players if they did well enough in the beginning.

Zack was the first to break the silence, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I mean, this sounds pretty exciting and all, but... are we really ready to dive into another game so soon? Especially one that sounds as intense as this?"

Cyrus nodded in agreement, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "Yeah, I hear you. I mean, we have found our rhythm in Eden Online and it's unknown if this next game will be popular. Do we really want to risk jumping into something and give up what we have built here?"

Luke, ever the optimist, chimed in with a shrug. "Come on, guys, where's your sense of adventure? Sure, there might be risks involved, but think of the rewards! Plus, we're a pretty solid team—I'm sure we can handle whatever this new game throws at us."

Zack sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he weighed their options. "I guess you have a point, Cyrus. And it's not like we don't have experience dealing with tough challenges. But still, I think we should at least consider the potential drawbacks before making a decision."

With a collective nod of agreement, the three friends settled into a heated discussion, weighing the pros and cons of joining Demons Descent. They debated the thrill of exploring a new world against the risks of changing games, the promise of fame against the risk of losing everything.

In the end, after much deliberation, they reached a consensus: they would accept the invitation to play Demons Descent, ready to take the chance on the new experience. With a shared sense of excitement and anticipation, they selected "Y" and prepared themselves for the next chapter in their gaming journey.

Suddenly, their characters began to disintegrate before their eyes. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Zack, Luke, and Cyrus exchanged excited glances, their anticipation palpable as they realized they were about to embark on a new adventure.

In the blink of an eye, Zack found himself standing in a pristine white room, a mysterious blue orb hovering in front of him. Instinctively, he understood that this was the beginning of the character creation process, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement coursing through him.

As he glanced around the room, searching for any clues or prompts, a notification suddenly popped up before him, breaking the silence of the empty space.

Welcome to Demons Descent. You are about to embark into the world of Auroria that's amidst a crisis as the Demons and their spawn have descended upon the world. With your fellow noble spirits please seek to defend the world and usher it into a new era of peace. Upon unlocking your soul crystal and initial class you will be transported to a random village in the world. All soul crystals carry their own powers that should be considered when developing your class and abilities. Your actions will directly influence the world as your personal power develops. Beware of death as each death will weaken your character and cause a 24 hour sign out restriction.

After reading the notification Zack understood that this would be a challenging experience as he called up his status sheet.

Name: Zack Ashcroft

Age: 18

Class: None

Race: Human (+2 Distributable points per level)

LVL: 0

Mana: 160

Health: 180

Strength: 10

Dexterity: 11

Vitality:8

Perception: 5

Agility: 7

Intelligence: 12

Will Power: 10

Abilities: None

Zack noticed that his stats were not uniformed like in other games he started and that they were quite high. Happily accepting that he had a high starting status he wondered what his unique ability would be.

Zack approached the ethereal blue orb with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, his heart pounding with anticipation. As his fingertips made contact with its shimmering surface, a surge of energy coursed through his veins, enveloping him in a cocoon of raw power.

With each passing moment, the energy intensified, weaving its way through his body like a torrential river seeking its course. Zack felt the electric thrum of it pulsating around him, swirling and coalescing until it converged at the center of his chest.

Then, without warning, a searing wave of agony tore through him, ripping a guttural scream from his lips. He writhed in anguish, his muscles contorting with the intensity of the pain as something unseen began to take shape within him.

For what felt like an eternity, Zack endured the torment, his senses overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of it all. But just as suddenly as it had begun, the pain ebbed away, leaving behind a lingering sensation of power simmering beneath his skin.

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With the pain ebbing away a screen popped up in front of Zack.

Congratulations on forming your Soul Gem and unlocking the boundless potential that lies within you. The path to greatness stretches out before you, waiting to be forged with each step you take. Now, please select your class from the menu below.

Given your exceptional starting stats, exceeding 10 in multiple attributes, you have unlocked access to some additional classes to begin your journey with.

Additionally you have now unlocked your soul skill:

Beast Aspect Incorporation (1 Star) Level 1: Embodying the essence of a relentless hunter, you possess the unique ability to extract the defining aspects of vanquished adversaries. Through this power, you can absorb and integrate the strengths and characteristics of defeated foes into your own being. As you continue to engage in combat and defeat enemies of the same type, these aspects can be further refined and strengthened, granting you access to enhanced abilities and traits. Your capacity to store these extracted aspects expands alongside your mastery of this skill, allowing you to accumulate a formidable arsenal of acquired powers.

Current Aspect Storage: 0/1

Zack examined his newly unlocked soul ability with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. It appeared to align perfectly with his combat style, promising strength that would evolve alongside his own prowess. Yet, amidst the initial excitement, a veil of uncertainty draped over him. Questions lingered, casting doubt on the true extent of this power. How deeply would these aspects impact his abilities? Would he have the flexibility to switch them out as needed? What additional bonuses could he expect to gain? And perhaps most importantly, how would this newfound talent measure up against the myriad of other abilities possessed by the other players?

However he cast those thoughts aside as he analyzed the class selection he was given.

Bladesman (Normal): The swordsman embodies the epitome of martial prowess, wielding their blades with grace, precision, and deadly intent. They are masters of the art of weaponry, honing their skills through rigorous training and discipline.

Per level: +2 Strength, + 2 Dexterity, + 1 Agility, +1 Distributable point

Warrior (Normal): The stalwart warriors are the frontline defenders, wielding heavy weapons, swords and shields, or other strength based weaponry. They excel in close-quarters combat, relying on their strength and endurance to withstand enemy attacks while delivering powerful blows to their foes. With their unwavering courage and steadfast resolve, warriors are the backbone of any adventuring party.

Per level: +3 Strength, +2 Vitality, +1 Distributable point

Archer (Normal): Masters of ranged combat, archers are deadly marksman who excel at picking off enemies from a distance with their bows and arrows. They possess keen eyesight and steady hands, allowing them to strike with pinpoint accuracy even in the midst of battle. With their agility and precision, archers can control the battlefield from afar, raining down arrows upon their foes with lethal efficiency.

Per level: +2 Strength, +1 Agility, + 1 Dexterity, +1 Perception, +1 Distributable point

Martial Artist (Normal Class): Embodying the essence of agility and precision, the martial artist is a master of hand-to-hand, small weapon, and unarmed technique combat. Focused on swift movements and lightning-fast strikes, martial artists eschew heavy armor and cumbersome weapons in favor of agility and dexterity. Agile and versatile, they are adept at adapting to any situation, making them formidable opponents in any battle.

Per Level: +2 Agility, +2 Dexterity, +1 Perception, +1 Distributable point

Mage (Normal): Arcane spellcasters who harness the raw power of magic to unleash devastating spells upon their enemies. Mages are versatile spellcasters, capable of wielding a wide variety of spells to utilize mana. With their vast knowledge of the arcane arts, mages are indispensable members of any adventuring party, capable of turning the tide of battle with a single incantation.

Per level: + 2 Intelligence, +2 Willpower, +1 Perception, +1 Distributable point

Healer (Normal): Compassionate and nurturing, healers are the caretakers of the group, using their magic to mend wounds and restore vitality to their allies. They specialize in restorative magic, capable of healing injuries and curing ailments.

Per level: + 2 Intelligence, +2 Willpower, +1 Perception, +1 Distributable point

Berserker (Uncommon): Ferocious and relentless, berserkers are warriors who tap into a primal rage to unleash devastating attacks upon their enemies. They eschew traditional defense in favor of raw, unbridled offense, relying on their sheer strength and fury to overpower their foes.

Per Level: +4 Strength, +3 Vitality, +1 Dexterity, +1 Distributable point

Elementalist (Uncommon): Masters of elemental magic, elementalists wield the power of fire, ice, lightning, and earth to devastating effect. With their command over the elements, elementalists are capable of unleashing incredible destruction upon their foes, leaving nothing but devastation in their wake.

Per Level: + 4 Intelligence, +3 WIllpower, +1 Perception, +1 Distributable point

Magic Swordsman (Uncommon): Blending martial prowess with arcane magic, magic swordsmen are skilled warriors who imbue their weapons with magical energy to enhance their combat abilities. They can channel elemental magic through their swords to unleash devastating attacks upon their enemies. With their mastery of both swordplay and spellcasting, magic swordsmen are formidable adversaries on the battlefield, capable of cutting down foes with both steel and sorcery.

Per Level: +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, +2 Willpower, +1 Agility

As Zack surveyed his available options, he couldn't help but notice the significant gap between the common and uncommon classes. With a discerning eye, he swiftly dismissed the common classes, recognizing the potential for greater specialization and power offered by the uncommon ones. Among them, the berserker class immediately caught his attention, its reputation as a relentless damage dealer resonating with his penchant for offense. However, he hesitated, uncertain if such a straightforward approach would truly align with his unique soul ability.

Turning his gaze to the elementalist, Zack weighed the allure of devastating magical prowess against his preference for more direct engagement in combat. Concerns arose regarding how the elemental aspects would interact with his own soul ability, prompting further hesitation. Finally, his eyes settled upon the magic swordsman class, a synthesis of his favored swordplay and the mystic arts. Intrigued by the prospect of melding magic into his combat style, Zack saw in the magic swordsman a well-rounded path forward that harmonized with his soul ability.

After careful consideration, Zack made his decision, selecting the magic swordsman class as his path forward. A gust of mana seemed to swirl around him as his choice was finalized, integrating into soul gem.

As the mana finished entering his soul gem he got two additional notifications that made him smile.

Congratulations on becoming a Magic Swordsman. With your sword and magic you blaze a path forward through your enemies. You have unlocked the following class skills:

Basic Swordsmanship (Level 1): With your sword as your trusted companion, you charge into battle with confidence. Harnessing the fundamentals of swordsmanship, you deliver precise strikes and formidable blows to your foes. With each swing of your blade, you unleash the full force of your training, dealing 2% increased damage with increased damage modifiers the higher the level.

Wind Empowerment (Level 1): Channeling the power of the winds, you infuse your blade with a razor-sharp edge of swirling air. This gust of wind enhances the sharpness and speed of your sword strikes by 10%, allowing you to cut through your enemies with unparalleled efficiency. Requires 5 mana to cast and an additional 1 mana per second to maintain.

Fire Arrow (Level 1): Harnessing the elemental fury of fire, you conjure a blazing arrow and unleash it upon your enemies with deadly accuracyRequires 5 mana to cast.

Happy with his skills and ready to embark on his adventure Zack looked forward, seeing a twirling silver portal. With a bout of confidence he stepped forward into the portal ready to go.

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