As soon as Justin felt the first bit of consciousness, words entered his mind.

You have reached Level Two. A new day has dawned, and despite the challenges you have thus far faced, you feel hopeful for the new day ahead.

Much to Justin’s surprise, he actually did feel hopeful, though he had no real reason to, given the circumstances. As when he reached Level 1, the feeling seemed to enter from outside himself.

As a Level Two Socialite, you have unlocked your third class skill and you have one attribute point to distribute.

Justin summoned his character sheet:

Justin Talemaker

Class: Socialite (Level 2)

Experience to Level 3: 404/250(Level-up available!)

Attributes

Power: 10

Coordination: 10

Endurance: 10

Intellect: 10

Perception: 10

Charisma: 11

First, he had to decide what to do with his attribute point. Justin considered whether it might be beneficial to put it in Endurance, to increase his survivability and perhaps even help with the long marches ahead.

In the end, he heaved a sigh and locked his point into Charisma.

Might as well go all in, right?

Your Charisma is now: 12.

Almost instantly, he felt a lightening in his spirit that was hard to quantify. In a burst of clarity, he reflected on past social interactions and understood them with a new perspective. Missed opportunities. Misread facial expressions. Obvious social blunders that could have been averted.

It was almost enough to make him puke.

Please select your Level 2 class skill. Choose wisely!

Justin looked through both of the skills presented to him.

Dazzling Display: Once a day, strike a pose or make a gesture that immediately captures the attention of those nearby, momentarily distracting or captivating them. The strength of this skill scales with your Charisma Level.

Justin thought it over. Dazzling Display could be useful if he needed others in his party to sneak past a group of guards or something, or quickly gain a crowd’s attention. The fact that it could only be used once a day told Justin the System—or gods—didn’t want it to be abused too often. So, it was probably powerful. As exhausted as he was, it was difficult to imagine the implications, but in the right circumstances, it could be good. And it would also get more powerful the higher his level.

He examined his other option:

Engaging Banter: When you engage in a conversation with another character outside your party, there is a percentage chance, based on your Charisma stat, that you proc Engaging Banter, with a maximum chance of 25%. You’ll be “on,” knowing just the right things to say, increasing your Charisma stat between 5 and 10 points for the duration of the conversation, unless resisted by their Charisma Level. Engaging Banter may only be attempted on one character per day.

Again, like last time, one skill was active, the other more passive. As the morning light filtered through the dense canopy, Justin mulled over each skill with a quiet intensity. The air was crisp, a gentle reminder of the night’s harrowing escape and the new day’s promise of challenges yet to be faced.

Dazzling Display and Engaging Banter—each skill whispered potential, each a tool that could shape his path in this world. Dazzling Display seemed like a beacon in the chaos, a flare shot into the sky to momentarily steer attention away from the shadows. Its once-a-day limit underscored its potency. In a world where swords and spells decided fates, could a mere gesture sway the balance? Distraction could mean the difference between safety and peril. A sudden, captivating gesture could provide the critical seconds needed for escape or to turn the tide of a negotiation.

Then, there was Engaging Banter. The skill’s subtlety appealed to Justin’s newfound appreciation for the nuances of interaction. It promised a chance to shine in conversation, to be the person who always knew what to say. True, the percentage chance of it proccing was quite low at his level. With twelve points in his charisma stat, it had a 12% chance of triggering per character, as long as it wasn't resisted. And it could only proc once per character per day, preventing abuse by simply starting the conversation over and over until it triggered. Plus, when procced, the effects were somewhat random: a respectable 5 points, all the way up to a very nice 10 point bonus. The sheer randomness of it was almost enough to deter him completely.

And yet when he thought about the sheer number of conversations he had every day with different people, he was nearly guaranteed to proc Engaging Banter at least once a day, even at his low level. A 12% chance per character and interaction was actually not bad, and in theory, it could happen multiple times a day.

But there was a fly in the proverbial ointment, and the fly was big and nasty. Inevitably, he couldn't count on Engaging Banter to proc when he needed it most, and it was likely to proc for a random conversation that might not matter in the grand scheme of things. If there was a certain person he had to sway, he was just going to end up disappointed if it didn't proc properly.

On the other hand, Dazzling Display might get the job done effectively.

Engaging Banter also wouldn’t apply to anyone in his party, but that was of little concern to Justin. Like Dazzling Display, the skill became more useful as he leveled up, becoming likely to trigger.

In a land governed by alliances and enmities, words could be as sharp as any blade. The Engaging Banter skill offered not just influence but the opportunity to forge connections, to unravel intentions, and perhaps even to unveil secrets hidden behind layers of diplomacy or deceit. He could imagine himself in a social situation with a lot of people, like a party, where this skill would be incredibly useful.

Justin pondered his past, his life on Earth, filled with missed cues and misunderstood intentions. He thought about the loneliness that had gnawed at him, the isolation of not quite fitting in. Here, in Eyrth, was a chance to rewrite that narrative.

To be someone who not only belonged but thrived.

He considered the future, too. Encounters with bandits, negotiations with potential allies, and perhaps even audiences with royalty lay ahead. The path of a Socialite was not to overpower but to weave through society's fabric, influencing threads one conversation at a time. Words could topple kingdoms, or build them, more surely than a single sword.

Engaging Banter felt like the right choice. However, Dazzling Display felt like the more interesting choice, and also more of a sure thing.

Finally, he grinned as his choice crystallized.

With a decisive mental click, Justin selected Dazzling Display. At first, he didn't think he was going to choose it, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. In addition to Poison Barb, he now had two active skills in his arsenal.

The System acknowledged his choice, and a warmth spread through him, a subtle shift that felt like the final piece of a puzzle sliding into place.

Dazzling Display selected. Remember: The Path of the Socialite unfolds with every word spoken...

As he stood, stretching muscles sore from the night’s exertions, Justin felt a newfound confidence. He was still a Socialite, yes, but increasingly he was becoming one well-equipped to navigate the complex tapestry of Eyrthian society. Or was it Earythi society?

Assuming he ever made it back to society.

With a nod to himself, he turned to face the day, ready to engage with the world in ways he never could before.

“You too, huh?” Lila asked with a smile.

Justin turned, surprised to see that not only Lila was awake, but that Eldrin and Alistair were breaking camp.

“Yeah!" Justin said. "I’m Level 2 now!”

“Score!” Lila said, beaming. “Me, too!”

“I have enough XP to be Level 3, so why am I not?”

“You’ll have to sleep again, and it needs to be real sleep, not just a nap. You can't do two level ups in one night.”

“What defines real sleep?”

“The gods, of course! Now, what skill did you get?”

Justin told her his decision, and she watched in amazement.

“Dazzling Display! That sounds pretty useful.”

“What’s your skill?”

“Rhythmic Attack: Unleash a flurry of knife throws in a precise rhythmic sequence, with each successive hit increasing damage based on a percentage of your Coordination stat, up to six hits.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“That sounds like could be powerful!”

“That’s why I picked it! Could’ve come in handy last night. Now I've just got to get me some more knives to throw...”

By now, Eldrin and Alistair were putting out the night’s fire. With practiced efficiency, the entire camp was picked up. Shadowflight was nowhere to be seen, and was likely scouting behind them for signs of pursuit.

“What about breakfast?” Lila asked. “Leveling makes me hungry.”

“Enjoy those early levels,” Eldrin said, with a wink. “Progression takes longer the higher you go.”

“What do you mean?” Justin asked.

“Levels start off unlocking quite quickly,” Alistair explained. “For example, it takes but one point to go from 0 to 1, and only 200 points to go from 1 to 2. After that, the experience requirement for each level increases roughly by a factor of 1.3. So, in practice, it’s quite easy to reach Level 10, but beyond that it gets progressively tougher. Which is why you won’t find very many people who are Level 20 and beyond.”

“How many levels are there?” Justin asked.

“Most say 40 is the limit, but if there are any of those, there aren’t many.”

“We should get moving,” Eldrin said, passing around some sandwiches. “We eat on the trail.”

Not a few seconds later, he was blazing a rapid trail through the bush.

The morning sun cast long shadows through the trees as Eldrin led them deeper into the wilderness. The air was cool and crisp, filled with the scent of pine and damp earth. Birds chirped their morning songs, providing a soundtrack to their journey. It seemed they were well into the mountains now, though Justin supposed they might fairly be called tall hills. So far, there was no sign of the Baron and his minions. Justin hoped it stayed that way.

Eldrin’s Pathfinder’s Pace was nothing short of miraculous. Despite the uneven terrain and dense underbrush, they moved quickly and efficiently. Justin marveled at how effortlessly Eldrin navigated the forest, avoiding obstacles and finding the best paths with ease. Every so often, Eldrin would stop, raising a hand to signal them to listen or observe a particular detail—a broken branch, a footprint, or the distant call of an animal.

Justin and Lila kept close behind, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. Justin wasn’t sure how much good he was doing, but he figured it was better to look busy.

As they walked, he couldn’t get rid of the sinking feeling in his stomach. Just the idea that the Baron had marked him for death made him feel a sense of dread, even if nothing was different physically. Alistair brought up the rear, his presence a reassuring anchor amidst the uncertainty of the wild. From time to time, he’d call out the general direction for Eldrin to go, and the Ranger would dutifully find the most efficient path there.

As the hours passed, they encountered various wildlife—deer grazing in a clearing, a family of rabbits darting into their burrows, and even a majestic stag that watched them curiously from a distance. Justin felt a sense of wonder at the natural beauty around him, a stark contrast to the dangers and uncertainties they faced. This reality was just as real as his own, almost to the point where he was wondering if his world was the dream. Thoughts of his old life still came to the fore, but as the days passed, as this world took hold, it was starting to feel more distant.

Occasionally, they would come across strange runes etched into the bark of trees or carved into broken masonry along their path. Clearly, this area had once hosted buildings, or even entire cities, now reclaimed by nature. Eldrin would pause to examine these markings, his brow furrowed in concentration.

“What are those?” Justin asked.

“Old magic,” Eldrin replied. “Markers left by ancient travelers. They often denote areas of significance or hidden dangers.”

“Hidden dangers?” Lila asked. “Like what?”

“That remains to be seen.”

“I think we must have taken a wrong turn,” Alistair said. “I’ve traveled these lands before, and have never run across these markings.”

“The Umber Range has many hidden pockets and secrets,” Eldrin said, somewhat mysteriously. “One could spend years here and not uncover a quarter of it.”

"You've led us astray, Ranger?"

"Nay. This is a faster way to the Guardian Pass. Much safer."

Alistair gave a grunt. "I hope so. Lead on."

As they continued, the forest began to change subtly. The trees grew taller and denser, their branches forming a thick canopy that filtered the sunlight into dappled patches on the forest floor. The air grew cooler, and a strange tension seemed to permeate their surroundings. Justin almost wanted to describe it as like electricity, but it wasn’t that. It was some form of energy. Magic, maybe.

All he knew was, he didn’t really like it. It felt like someone, or something, was watching him.

By late afternoon, they reached a small stream, its clear water bubbling over smooth stones. They paused to refill their canteens and rest for a moment.

“Are you sure we’re going the right way?” Alistair asked, his voice pressing.

“Yes,” Eldrin confirmed. “I’ve been in this forest before. It's called the Ethereal Wood, and its magic will make anything undead think twice before crossing through it.”

“It feels...weird,” Justin said. “I hope we pass it soon.”

“It shouldn't be long,” Eldrin said. “We’re making good time.” He glanced up at the sky. “If we keep this pace, we should reach the outskirts of the valley by nightfall.”

“Good,” Alistair said, his eyes scanning the horizon. “The further we get from Silverton, the better.”

They moved on, the land sloping upward slightly. No one spoke, and an hour later, the silence was broken.

“The pass to the Aranthian Plain beyond should be coming up shortly,” Eldrin said. “We can make camp on the other side.”

But as they made a final bend around a cliff, Justin didn’t see a pass at all. A narrow canyon greeted them, at the end of which stood the entrance to a cave. A barrier of light covered the cave’s entrance, affixed with runes that glowed faintly, their light pulsating with a gentle, rhythmic glow.

Justin and Lila gasped at the sight, while Eldrin and Alistair only looked grim.

“Is this some trick, Ranger?” Alistair said. “You had better take care in how you answer!”

“This is no trick,” Eldrin answered. “This is the pass. I know these lands like the back of my hand. This is surely no cave.”

"What are you talking about?" Justin asked nervously.

Alistair heaved a sigh. “Alas. It would seem, for better or worse, that we have stumbled upon a Vault.”

The party stood for a moment, considering. When Alistair had talked about Vaults, this wasn't what Justin had in mind. He'd imagined decrepit castles, ancient ruins, temples inside a volcano. Standard RPG fare.

This cave—or Vault—looked perfectly ordinary, aside from the barrier of light covering it.

Justin cleared his throat. “Didn’t you say Vaults were highly dangerous, Eldrin?”

"Very much so."

“We should turn back,” Lila said, her face pale. “This is far too dangerous for people like me and Justin.”

“I concur,” Alistair said. “What’s the fastest path around?”

“We’d have to do a fair bit of backtracking, since we’ve already come so far up the slope,” Eldrin said. “But to go back would also be risky.”

“Risky, how?” Justin said. “More risky than this Vault? That's hard to believe.”

At this moment, there was a dark flutter of movement that fell from the sky as Shadowflight perched on Eldrin’s shoulder. The Ranger communed with the bird for a moment, his expression grave.

"They're getting closer," the Ranger said ominously. “Fifteen undead men, a mix of necro-soldiers and necro-mages."

"Arion above," Alistair said. "It's worse than I thought."

"We have to remember that every step backwards is a step closer to them. Despite the failing light, we were quite exposed going up the mountain here. If any member of their group has a class that grants enhanced sight, they might have been able to see us up here, though I’ve done my utmost to cover our tracks. So, the question becomes, is there time to choose another way?”

“Is there another way?” Alistair asked. “If this Vault has sprung up on the pass, then the pass is closed to us, anyway. We have no choice but to turn back, no?”

“Not necessarily,” Eldrin said. “Hypothetically speaking, if we were to clear this Vault, it would disappear, allowing us to continue on our journey through the pass.”

“I know how Vaults work,” Alistair said, almost grumbling. “However, clearing the Vault would take time. Assuming we were successful, the Baron’s minions might be awaiting our exit.”

“The pass itself is quite long,” Eldrin said. “About three miles. Worse case, assuming the Vault takes up most of the space on the path, we would have a three-mile head start on our pursuers, assuming we can come out the other side. My guess is, given the Vault's location, that option will be open to us. And once we enter the Vault, its magic will prevent anyone else from following after us. That should give us enough time to make it to Highcliff. From there, we can push on, picking up the Queensroad to the Gulfway, and then north to Mont Elon.”

“I say it’s too much of a risk,” Alistair said. “And yet, going back could be even worse if your falcon has the right of it. The soldiers I can handle, but even a mage or two could tip the scales.”

“The longer we talk here, the more we're trapped.” Lila said. She glanced at Justin. “What do you think? Should we give it a go?”

Justin hesitated, weighing their options. The Vault could be a faster route, but it was also filled with unknown dangers. Plus, at least in the games he was used to, dungeons were cleared by damage-dealing characters, tanks, and healers, and most assuredly not Socialites. What good would he be? Alistair and Eldrin would be carrying them all, most likely. Even Lila had the benefit of her knife-throwing skills.

What was he supposed to do, dazzle his enemies with small talk and charm them into submission?

He glanced at Alistair and Lila, seeing the concern etched on their faces.

“I don’t know,” Justin admitted. “It’s risky. What if we run into something I can’t handle?”

Alistair nodded in agreement. “It’s true. Vaults are unpredictable. We could find ourselves in more trouble than we bargained for. And once we enter, there are two ways out. Clearing it, or dying.”

Putting it in such a way made Justin feel a cold dread.

“There are different types of Vaults,” Eldrin said. “Some are static. The dangers and challenges within are the same, no matter the composition of the party. Some, however, are dynamic. That means they are calibrated for the levels and classes of the people who enter. They will be a challenge, but are set up to be achievable.”

“The trick is, how can we tell which one is which?" Lila asked.

"That's the thing," Alistair said. "We can't really. If we were to go closer, we'd get a sense of what to expect inside from the Vault Description, but that's hardly a guarantee."

“I imagine there would be treasure,” Justin said. "Right?"

“Assuredly,” Eldrin said. “Given the danger pursuing us, I say we press on. It's the most direct route, and something tells me that this Vault may have formed for a reason. It's entirely too coincidental.”

“That's speculation!” Lila said. “If there's another option, what is it? Justin and I especially are incredibly vulnerable. To go in would be irresponsible!"

The Ranger shrugged. “We would need to backtrack about an hour and then head north. In another week, there will be another pass, harder to cross. We will be greatly slowed since our supplies won’t stretch so far. While we need to stop and eat, the undead have less need for sustenance. Their progress will be slowed in the daytime, true, but at night, they can travel faster than even us. Seven days would be enough, perhaps, for them to catch up entirely.”

Eldrin paused for a moment, seeming to sense something the others could not. Lila opened her mouth, but Eldrin held up a hand, pointing his ear down the mountainside.

“They’re close, now,” he whispered after a moment. “Maybe a mile behind us. It seems the decision has been made for us.”

Justin swallowed and felt his heart miss a beat. He reached for Eldrin’s dagger at his belt, though he supposed the dagger was his now.

Alistair’s face was grim. “Well, I am a Level 25 Paladin, and one would think that counts for something. Eldrin, though you are Level 10, you fight well beyond your abilities. Between the two of us, we should have no trouble clearing this Vault’s trials. Indeed, as you said, we have little choice.” He turned to face Lila and Justin. “Stay close, and no harm will befall you.”

Justin and Lila both nodded shakily. Reluctantly, the party moved toward the cave entrance. The ancient runes flared to life as they approached, casting an eerie glow on everyone’s faces.

Vault Discovered: The Guardian's Pass'

Recommended Party Level: 12

Average Party Level: 9.75

Risk Level: Highly Dangerous! Your party is beneath the recommended level. Disaster, dismemberment, or death is likely. Proceed with utmost care!

Description: The Guardians’ Pass is a mysterious Vault shaped by the ancient magic of the Ethereal Wood. This pass once bore witness to a great battle, between the Guardian Force of the Ancient Kingdom of Valoria and the Shadow Empire. This Vault presents challenges both physical and mental, demanding a keen mind and a strong spirit. Within its depths, your party will face trials designed to test your resolve, unity, and courage.

Rewards Upon Completion:

* Experience: Scaled to party member level and individual contribution.

* Guaranteed Bronze-Level Item: For each party member.

* Chance for a Silver-Level Weapon: For one party member.

Do you accept the Vault’s challenge?

Despite the danger of the situation, Justin couldn’t help but feel anything but a strange thrill. It almost felt like he was playing a game in his mom’s basement again. Almost.

"We’ll let Alistair lead," Eldrin said.

“Stay close to me,” Alistair said. “I should vastly out-level everything here, so as long as you are near, we’ll make it out in one piece.”

Justin surely hoped so. “Lead the way.”

Alistair gave a firm nod.

Justin felt a mental push to accept the Vault's challenge. He knew everyone else was receiving the same prod, and the challenge would only begin once everything had confirmed their willingness to undergo it.

Lila sighed. "Well, here goes nothing."

Your Party has accepted the Challenge of The Guardians’ Pass. May your courage be your guide and resolve your shield, and remember, don’t discount the power of a single whisper. Good luck, brave adventurers.

Justin felt something like a mental click in his head.

In tandem, the four party members passed the threshold of light and into the Vault.