I selected the Class. Let the world burn.
> WARNING: This Class is restricted.
>
> An administrator has been notified.
>
> Please stand by.
>
> - Wyxnos, God of Logic, wishes to talk before he can confirm your selection.
And there He was, His Armani-clad ass tighter than Scalia's rulings in a human rights case.
"Wyxsssnosss," I hissed, drawing the S'. I could totally speak normally, but where was the fun in that?
"Ah. Welcome back to the land of the living. What's your name now?"
I frowned and shook my head, "I have none, for my birth mother was murdered by Bundeus' fanatics before she could name me. As were the other fifteen before this one." I shouted and jumped half the distance to him.
"What the fuck, Wyxnos! Wasn't I supposed to be born without being tracked?" I pressed on with the verbal attack. I didn't get any closer. "Now tell me, how did Bundeus know where and when I would be born?"
Wyxnos froze. His head craned to the side and I could see lights flashing reflected in his eyes. "The {Human Royalty} Perk," He answered confirming my suspicion.
I wanted nothing more than burning this world down. "You gods broke our agreement," I shouted. "Fifteen lives wasted, along with a bunch of innocents that did nothing wrong."
"I see it now."
"What the fuck are you going to do about that? That's what he wanted all the time!"
"Yes, he fooled us. But doing something about it? I think not," He said coldly. "He's one of us, you are a parasite. An intruder. I'm sorry but that's the truth. He's already been punished by what he did."
I took a deep breath and yelled to the top of my lungs, "SYSTEM CONFIRM SELECTION OF THE [CALAMITY] CLASS!" My rattle shook with my anger. It was something I needed to learn to control.
"Denied," Wyxnos said mechanically. "I cannot remove that Class from the list, but I can put a check on the selection. Nobody will ever pick that Class."
After a pause, he added, "Especially you."
It took every ounce of my willpower to not jump at the throat of the haughty god.
"Don't misunderstand me," He continued. "You can imagine what this Class offers, and I'd rather not put myself in a position to be beholden to a third party. I hope we can cooperate, but you are an invader."
"The power to kill gods," I said.
"The power to kill gods, indeed," he confirmed. "If we were back in New York, and you asked the president for a nuke, would he give it to you? It is the same thing here. This is my world. My rules. [Calamity] will be forever denied."
I clicked my tongue in annoyance.
"Besides," Wixnos smiled, "Now that you know the cause of your problems, the solution is simple. Get rid of the perk, lift a curse. Bundeus won't be able to track you any longer."
"Or I can destroy Bundeus' power base," I threatened back.
"That would mean killing all humans in the world. You just said how the women that bore you were innocent. Would you stoop down to the same level as Bundeus?" Wyxnos taunted. "That meant you are including Rosewise's wife, Queen Lorna. She's still alive if you want to know."
Like a ballon hugging a cactus, I lost all my impetus. The "moral higher ground" was a fallacy, but one we clung to make us feel good. I slumped down and hugged my tail. Since I only whimpered, Wixnos filled the silence.
"There's no intentional delay between your incarnations now. I estimate about five or six years since it is the minimum time the System needs to process your soul and find a suitable random host. There's a queue. Queen Lorna bought some perks to extend her lifespan. Windemere is a prosperous nation. You should visit before it is too late."
I covered my face with my hands and wept. I felt a hand on my shoulder but no divinity. Looking up, I saw a material illusion of Wyxnos.
"I shouldn't do this. But you have a unique perk to chose, don't you? Why don't you pick a perk to block Bundeus from learning your location?"
I sighed. It wouldn't be the most stupid perk selection in the "anything you can pick" category.
I thought about the perk I wanted. The System gave it to me.
> Shrouded from Divine Eyes (unique): Gods and System Administrators cannot learn your location, Status, existence, activation, or any other information by any magical or System means. Traits with hidden reporting functions have those functions disabled.
Wyxnos's eyes were unfocused. He clicked his tongue, "Congratulations. You've just disabled all logging features. You've become a ghost in the System. Nobody will be able to see anything about you. Neither Bundeus nor anyone else, including me."
I could swear he had a few veins popping off his head.
"Does it mean I can pick [Calamity] now without your interference?"
He blew a huge sigh. "No. Because if you try, the System will call me and tell him where you are. I won't learn your location, just that the System requested my presence here. And I'll deny it again."
I giggled, "So it's become a {Summon Wyxnos} spell."
"Please don't," he said dryly. "Changing subjects, There's an achievement for you. I've been holding onto it to bestow it to you personally. Here you go."
> For adding three new species to the world, you received an achievement.
>
> You gained this perk: Progenitor (unique): Improve the reaction of members from all species you created by two steps. You can purchase species perks from their lists. Currently: [were-kin], [beast-kin], and [silk-folk].
>
>
>
> Progenitor has been combined with Were-kin Matriarch (unique). You gained a new Perk:
>
>
>
> Progenitor Matriarch (unique): Improve by two steps the reaction toward you of creatures from races you create. All your Skills are considered one category above when interacting with them. Those you personally create are stronger, smarter, and gain a loyalty boost toward you. You gain a 1% tithe from the Exp gains of these creatures in a range of Soul x 100 meters around you. You can purchase species perks from their lists. Currently: [were-kin], [beast-kin], and [silk-folk].
While one percent might not seem too much, it was free Exp and it would use my multipliers. If I ever visited a bustling metropolis, it might be enough to level up the Luigi way. There was one thing that bothered me.
"Silk Folk?" I asked.
"Yes. People, made of your living silk. Capable of growing and reproducing. I was amazed. I believe we can work together. I would shake your hand if you wouldn't drain my power."
"Fine, Wyxnos. You win. This achievement gave me an ultra-rare Class. I'm picking it."
He bowed slightly, "Glad you could see my point of view. See you around."
He was vanishing when I taunted, "I'm still destroying Bundeus' church."
I could swear I saw a sinister smile in the God of Logic's lips.
----------------------------------------
After he was physically gone, I fell on my coils. He wouldn't grant me the power to kill his buddy gods, surprise! I needed to talk to someone. "Nenandil!"
The fairy remained dormant in me until I first summoned her. She woke up but didn't come out.
I laughed.
Thirteen years (That's seventeen Earth ones - I was a late bloomer) passed without nobody reaching this deep in the ruins. It was safe to assume they wouldn't come now. Time to farm the ruins' undead for myself.
It seems that Lamias were physically-focused. I sought the undead in the deep catacombs. To them, I was an undead too but now that I had my System, there was no need to keep them around. I activated my Manastorm Wellspring. All the undead in the ruins rushed to attack as they literally burned under the cleansing power. The weaker ones died before reaching me.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
> You killed level 17 zombie. You gained 667,257,650 Exp. (base 2,890 x 10,000 Fast Learner x 3,05 Exp Bonus x 7,57 Favored Enemy)
>
> ...
>
> You killed level 23 skeleton. You gained 1,221,381,650 Exp. (base 5,290 x 10,000 Fast Learner x 3,05 Exp Bonus x 7,57 Favored Enemy)
Yes. That happened. A zombie that any teenager throwing rocks could kill gave me enough exp to rank up. By the time the ruins were cleansed, I had to fight only one revenant in hand-to-hand combat. The "boss" of these ruins.
> You killed level 47 revenant. You gained 5,100,249,650 Exp. (base 22,090 x 10,000 Fast Learner x 3,05 Exp Bonus x 7,57 Favored Enemy)
In less than an hour since my inception to the System, I'd looted the whole place and slithered to the edge of the blighted area. The Manastorm needed more time to clear the deep blight.
The water fairy came out of my chest, as usual. I relished at the fact I could see her.
"Hello, Baldie!" She chirped happily.
"I don't know what is worst. if it is being bald or being blind," I told the fairy. "Anyway, we should be going. We need to cross into Auvanini if we want to see Lorna again."
"That's... weird," she said, drawing out 'weird' and making a whistling noise. "To think one of the short-lived races would be alive to meet you across the veil of death."
"I did pick a perk to reincarnate faster. If Bundeus hadn't messed up with that."
"Right."
I shifted into an arrow-tail swift. Nenandil started to laugh so hard she stopped flying and fell to the ground. I flapped my wings and saw them with my sideways-mounted eyes.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu...
I had no feathers.
I pulled my full ability sheet and searched for what the random disability roulette graced me with this time.
> Absolutely Bald (rare): Your body can't create any structures covering your skin.
Not even the pseudopods, I found out after trying. Which meant that my majestic were-jaguar form was...
> ERROR: Transformation incompatible with base form.
inaccessible. Better than seeing a shaved cat. Oww. I shivered as I remembered an image I saw online.
"I think I'm going to snake out of this island by myself," I told Nenandil.
"I think you should put your Exp on automatic this time. And pick a Class before you're level forty," Nenandil shot back. "It's okay to go see Rosewise's wife. It's not okay to keep being a forgetful airhead like her. By the way, what's your name this time?"
"I don't have one. Nobody bothered to give me a name. I grow in a freaking mass grave feeding off the power of undeath."
At least for that, my duel with Bundeus served. Stay on my own for thirteen years? Easy.
"I believe that's also the reason you didn't bother with clothes, right?" She snarked. "I mean, it might be hard to fight to swing these jugs out there. If only someone could make magical silk to weave into, you know, clothes!"
"Hey, I got the System not an hour ago."
"Yeah. Exhibitionist. At least I can't see your crotch. It seems you don't have one, snake lady. Not even a butt cheek. Only a smooth round snake tail"
"Yeah, no butts. That's one thing the artists that portray Lamias got wrong." I chuckled, "But I have all the equipment. It's hidden. Wanna see it?"
She frowned and blew a raspberry, "Eww. Gross! Get clothed and get going."
I took a fae silk bra and a linen shirt with a leather belt. After cinching the shirt at my waist where my snake tail started, Nenandil gave me an approving look. I put a brigandine vest and pauldrons over the shirt.
"I think I'm going with a combat Class this time," I told her.
"Have fun. It is not like you can't use your other powers anyway," The fairy shrugged.
> You became a Royal Lamia Honor Guard (ultra-rare). You gain:
>
> 1 Attribute point every level.
>
> 1 Strength every even level.
>
> 1 Endurance every odd level.
>
> Nothing, then 1 Agility, Willpower, Charisma, Magic every five levels.
>
> 8 (+3) HP per level.
>
> 2 (+3) MP per level.
>
> 1 (+2) SP per level.
>
> 7 (+3) Skill Points per level.
>
> 1 perk every 2 levels.
I spent one hundred and five million Exp to cap my Species and Class levels. Time for the first Rank up.
> You reached Blue Lamia level 20.
>
> You gained 12 human perks.
>
> You reached Royal Lamia Honor Guard level 20.
>
> You gained 10 perks.
>
> You gained 400 Skill Points.
>
> Attributes above the cap were automatically assigned.
>
> You gained the perk: Surpasser IV (ultra-rare): Increase all your Attribute caps by 40.
>
> You gained the perk: Speedrunner I (ultra-rare): You were the fastest member of your species to reach the first rank up. Skill growth increased by 10%.
I had one ultra-rare rank up for my species, and two for my Class.
> You ranked up into a Water Lamia (ultra-rare).
>
> 1 Attribute point every level.
>
> 1 Dexterity every odd level.
>
> 1 Endurance every even level.
>
> 1 Magic every four levels.
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> 1 Mind, Charisma, Strength, Willpower rotating every four levels.
>
> Attributes above the cap were redistributed.
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> 7 (+3) HP per level.
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> 5 (+3) MP per level.
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> 1 (+2) SP per level.
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> 7 (+3) Skill Points per level.
>
> 1 perk every 2 levels.
>
> You gained the Perk: Water Breathing (uncommon): You can breathe in fluids as well as air so long it has enough oxygen dissolved.
> You became a Royal Lamia Guard Captain (ultra-rare). You gain:
>
> 1 Attribute point every level.
>
> 1 Strength every even level.
>
> 1 Endurance every odd level.
>
> 1 Agility every four levels.
>
> 1 Agility, Willpower, Charisma, Magic every four levels.
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> 9 (+3) HP per level.
>
> 3 (+3) MP per level.
>
> 1 (+2) SP per level.
>
> 7 (+3) Skill Points per level.
>
> 1 perk every 2 levels.
>
> You gained the perk: Captain's Armor (rare): Your protective gear takes 75% less damage from attacks that are not intended to damage them directly. This does not change the damage you take.
Then apply the twelve billion I obtained from killing the undead.
> You reached Water Lamia level 16.
>
> You gained 9 human perks.
>
> You reached Royal Lamia Honor Guard level 17.
>
> You gained 8 perks.
>
> You gained 330 Skill Points.
>
> Attributes above the cap were automatically assigned.
>
> 100 / 100 points withheld.
>
> You gained the perk: Surpasser V (ultra-rare): Increase all your Attribute caps by 50.
>
> You have 3 Attribute Points to distribute.
I put the 3 points in Ego.
I went with the same professions as before. That netted me another five hundred Skill Points. I suppressed the {Unskilled} curse and rose seventeen professional Skills to the maximum Journeyman rank.
> Level 73
>
> Strength 54 / 61 - Dexterity 55 / 62 - Endurance 55 / 62
>
> Mind 50 / 60 - Willpower 50 / 60 - Charisma 50 / 60
>
> Magic 140 / 150
>
> Ego 143 / 150 - Luck 140 / 150 - Soul 140 / 150
>
>
>
> HP 22,265,100
>
> MP 7,624,724
>
> SP 2,871,618
The perk I got from eating black dragon raised my HP by 50% on top of the other multipliers. Now, that's a tough snake. Colonel Roy Campbell can finally ease his Codec anxiety syndrome.
And it is only getting tougher. I had forty-one perks to pick. Eighteen Class Perks first. Some racial perks overlapped with the Class ones. It meant I could pick them using Class Perks, leaving the racial ones free to pick other things. There were some other offensive tail perks, like one to add cutting damage to my scales, but I didn't want those. If I had to kill someone, it would be with a quick, clean, and painless strike.
> You obtained the following perks:
>
>
>
> Tough Scales V (uncommon): Reduce all damage to the scaled parts of your body by 80%. <------------ This is the last of a series of five Perks. And open up other scale perks.
>
> Hardened Scales (rare): You have a 15% chance (modified by Luck) to avoid all damage from an attack that hit your scales. <--- I bet all dragons have this one for free.
>
> Improved Tail Slap (uncommon): Attacks made with your tail deal 100% extra damage and knock the target 200% further. <---- Ditto
>
> Prehensile Tail (uncommon): You can perform fine manipulations with your tail. <------ Monkey see...
>
> Polyphonic Rattle (rare): You can create musical chords with your rattle. <---- Cute but that's a requirement for the next one.
>
> Ultrasonic Rattle (very rare): Your rattle can create ultrasonic frequencies. You can use sound-based attacks with your rattle rather than your voice. <---- Echolocation, Banshee's rattle, etc.
>
> Snake Fortress (rare): You can coil your snake tail around you, creating a defensive position. Until you move from your spot or unfold your tail, you take 25% less damage from all sources.
>
> Constrictor (uncommon): You can wrap a creature your size in your snake tail without losing mobility. You may cause constriction damage every 5 seconds and the target has all Skills lowered by one category. If you move, you drag your victim with you.
>
> Enhanced Slither (uncommon): Increase your slithering speed by (50 + Dexterity)%.
>
> Tail Bodyguard (rare): You can use your snake tail to protect a creature or object adjacent to you, including yourself. Attacks that target your ward hit your tail instead.
>
> Reflexive Scales (rare): Projectiles that strike your scales have a 15% chance (modified by Luck) to bounce off harmlessly.
>
> Elongate Tail (uncommon): You can stretch your tail by 50% of its length. The girth is reduced proportionately.
>
> Heat Sight (rare): You can sense heat, superimposing the perception over your visual senses. This causes no distraction.
>
> Squirt Venom (uncommon): You can spit your venom at a distance of Endurance meters.
The twenty-one racial perks could be purchased from either the Lamia, Human, Fairy (six varieties), Silk-Folk, Beast-Kin, or Were-Kin's shops. Humans could get any of the perks but there was a chance of failure for higher-rarity perks. Picking straight from one of the other races circumvented that problem.
I chose were-kin perks to enhance my regeneration, beast-kin perks to improve my reflexes and perceptions, and another failed attempt at obtaining {Vorpal Claws} again.
> Shapeless Moonbound Regeneration (rare): Your Moonbound HP regeneration now works regardless of the form you're in.
>
> Limb Regrowth (very rare): Severed limbs regrow at four times the normal speed.
>
> Improved Regeneration (very rare): Add 25% of your base HP to Endurance to determine your Regeneration rate.
These two end my regeneration worries. I have 800 base HP right now and it means I got 200 Endurance in one fell swoop at my current level! That's a 5x boost. YMMV, however.
> Frenzied Barrage [Claws] (very rare): Spend MP to Increase the attack rate of your claws by 50%.
>
> Improved Maim [Claws} (very rare): Limbs maimed by your claws only regain their function after 24 hours or when healing is applied. Even so, they are disabled for at least 1 minute.
These two came from two failed attempts at getting {Vorpal Claws} - one for each rank tier. I spent the next Perk on the lamia list. It was a gross one but it would allow me to bite from a smaller shape.
> Dislocate Jaw (rare): You can unhinge your jaw, allowing you to deal bite damage as if you were one size bigger.
Then I got some new perks in the silkie list and finally recovered Apricot's ability to isolate her thoughts.
> Thread Control (very rare): When throwing your threads, you have some control over their movement.
>
> Fine Thread Control (very rare): You can manipulate your threads at a distance of Agility meters as deftly as your hands.
>
> Compartmentalized Mind (very rare): You can separate and hold threads of thoughts and feelings in your mind, allowing you to dedicate your full mental power to one task.
>
> Agile Reactions (rare): Add your Dexterity to Mind to perceive Threats.
>
> Double-Jointed (uncommon): Increase the range of movement of your joints by 25%.
>
> Improved Curse-Breaking (very-rare): Half all costs to break curses.
>
> Treeshaper (rare): When you use magic to shape living plants, double the shaping speed and quality of details.
The last eight perks I spent on some resistances.
> Corrosion Resistance V (very rare). Reduce all corrosion damage suffered and the duration of corrosion-related debuffs by 97%. <--- 3 perks. I had level 2.
>
> Cold Resistance V (very rare): Reduce all cold damage suffered and the duration of cold-related debuffs by 97%. <----- 4 perks. i had level 1
>
> Light Resistance I (very rare): Reduce all light-based damage suffered and the duration of light-related debuffs by 50%.
{Light Resistance} protected against blindness caused by flashes, glare, etc.
With the ridiculous upkeep of getting seventy levels in one sitting, I departed the ruins that sheltered me for all these years. It was time to rejoin civilization.