What was he...
[Lesser Monster]
[Chaotic Evil]
Those two terms seemed to resonate within Adam.
'"What did this mean..." he would ask himself.'
Was he both a human and a monster at the same time?
Then he thought back to what had just happened.
What he had done to that possum.
He was a monster. Not because of what he did.
Because he loved it.
---
Adam was back in his room, an abode which was more or less tidy.
Sprawled on the bedsheets, Adam stared at the ceiling. It was all he could do.
Stare...
Stare...
Kill...
He kept replaying the events in his mind, the terror within the possum's eyes. The terror gradually twisting into a hatred so foul it would put Shylock to shame. The hatred coursing through the possum's bloodstream, eventually warping it into a fell creature.
The corpse at his feet, soon overlayed with that of a human.
He was thinking too much.
The ugly plastered ceiling of his room became the canvas of his twisted and macabre imagination.
Then, a blue box was painted upon his canvas.
The chat log.
Chat Log
Admin: *Congratulations Users*
Admin: *You constitute among the first Terrans to become part of the 'Interrealm Management System'.*
Admin: *The purpose of this system is to facilitate the growth of a realms populace in order to eventually allow it to join the Multirealm and be amongst other greater realms, such as the forsaken realms or Shadowrealm.*
Admin: *The realm will significantly change with the growth of magical creatures and reagents, along with the introduction of magical disasters.*
Admin: *Furthermore, other realm's factions may impose their influence on the Terran Realm. Be advised that your alignment is representative of your true nature and thus proof of alignment is required to join a faction. Due to conflicting ideals between alignments, factions pertaining to a certain alignment will almost certainly find a certain nemesis. Provided below is an alignment table.*
Lawful Good Neutral Good Chaotic Good Lawful Neutral True Neutral Chaotic Neutral Lawful Evil Neutral Evil
Chaotic Evil
Admin: *That is pretty much it for the introduction, as a gift for being your realms first pioneers to be selected by the system, you will all get a gift. Furthermore, it will be especially suitable for your class.*
Item received: *Class Stone*
Item received: *Twilight Candle*
...
Adam didn't question it anymore.
He who thinks dies a regretful life. Always pondering upon a problem, as soon as they solve one, they will be preoccupied with another that takes its place. A cycle forever repeating until that mans death.
More importantly, why did he get two gifts?
...
So much for not asking questions anymore.
Never mind, this is probably because he technically has two classes, although one of them is called 'not applicable'.
Maybe he ought to thank the [Lesser Monster] inside his body for allowing him, two classes.
The gift notifications disappeared and in their place were now two objects.
A smooth white pearl and a short black candle.
The white pearl was a very peculiar item, it was probably the so-called [Class Stone]. Upon its surface was reflected the moonlight flooding in from his open window.
The black candle, however, was a different story. The design on the candle was intricate and upon the candlestick were figurines of coiled serpents carved. Eerily, the eyes of the serpents seemed to constantly be looking at him wherever he turned the candlestick. This must be the [Twilight Candle].
Having had enough of observing, Adam reached out to touch the [Class Stone]. As soon as his hand touched the stone a blinding light filled the room.
System Log *Calibrating*
*Determining Player... ID: Adam.FreehillTSYD
*Determining Total Class Levels ... Error
*Error override... Authorized
*Determining Stats... Complete
*Listing eligible classes...
- Rogue - Common Grade 2
- Wizard -Common Grade 3
- Cleric -Common Grade 3
- Ranger -Common Grade 2
- Sorcerer -Common Grade 5
- Monk -Common Grade 4
- Dark Monk -Common Grade 4
- Specialised Wizard: Illusionist -Common Grade 4
- Specialised Wizard: Necromancy -Common Grade 5
- Terror Sorcerer - Uncommon Grade 5
- Terror Assassin - Uncommon Grade 4
- Terror Monk - Uncommon Grade 4
- Dark Sorcerer - Uncommon Grade 1
- Assassin - Uncommon Grade 1
*Determining most beneficial class*
Choosing [Terror Sorcerer - Uncommon Grade 5]
*Warning: System Override*
Choosing: [Shadow Monk - Rare Grade 2]
*Level Up*
-Shadow Monk Level I-
*Choose New Feats*
[Shadow Escapade]
- You are being chased, the odds are insurmountable. Your pursuers chase you to a shaded alleyway. It's a dead end. However, they find nothing there.
Profound Shadow Strike
- The symbol of membership to the Order of Shadow Monks, the [Shadow Strike], is renown for its unpredictability and it's versatility in frontal and incognito combat. However, your [Shadow Strike] is different. Whenever you form a fist, the imperceptible power of shadow gathers around it and strengthens it in many covert ways.
Shadow Meditation
- Exceptional Shadow Monks may meditate on the path of Shadow. They can understand a few of the profound concepts related to shadows such as covertness, lethality and insubstantiality. Through meditation, they can gain some modicum of control over the shadows. The power of a Shadow Monk always depends on how much of their environment is composed of Shadows. However, for [Shadow Monk]'s that have this trait, the environmental advantage is magnified many times over.
Well...
At least he now had a class.
Not even getting into this weird system override business, it turned out he really was some kind of Dark Monk.
This is fine, totally fine.
Monks are a really exotic class to play because of their inability to use armour or weapons. A monk would require a really high agility in order to make up for their lost AC from being unable to wear armour. Moreover, as a melee class, they would also need a high strength ability score in order to survive melee combat. However, this shortcoming was made up for in their special abilities which would cover many miscellaneous needs. Normal monks would often have abilities to stun their opponent and overwhelm their opponent in melee combat with minimal risk of taking damage. There were also [Monk Orders] which would grant differing abilities at a certain cost or requirement such as being unable to multi-class or being locked at a certain alignment.
At least this was how it worked in a certain game Adam used to play before he was 'kidnapped'.
Well, if there's doubt, the blue box is always there to help.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
*Class: Shadow Monk* Description: The Order of Shadow Monk is a reclusive organization within the vestiges of the civilized realms. The profoundness of the law of shadows, the main tenet of the order, only allows those of the [Chaotic Evil] alignment to train under it. The origins of the organization first began from the thirteenth disciple of [The God of Shadows], Thollius Sableskin the Drow. His devotion towards the dark goddess allowed him to found a new class. However, [The God of Shadows] betrayal towards the [Divinity] cursed herself, her Disciples and all militant, monastic and priestly orders in service to her to the Abyss. Henceforth, all members of her Church were confined to the abyss. This made all classes in relation to [The God of Shadows] be abyssal in nature, thus allowing them access to the abyssal skill tree and evolution option, however forever confining them to the abyss and be hunted by the [Divinity] whenever they set foot on the mortal plane.
The Abyssal Nature of [Shadow Monk] has corrupted all the divine abilities of the class, thus making them infinitely more evil in nature. Moreover, the class evolution has been cut off from the previous ones and instead branches into the [Abyssal], [Astral] and [Demonic] trees.
Feat Selection: X
I: Hidden
II: Shadow Meditation
III: Hidden
IV: Hidden
V: Hidden
VI: Hidden
VII: Hidden
VIII: Profound Shadow Fist
IX: Hidden
X: Shadow Escapade
Class Advancement:
Level I: +2d4 HP + 2, + 1 feat from a selection of 1d4, +4d10 Mana.
Level II: +2d4 HP, +2d4 Mana
Level III: +2d4 HP, + 1 feat from a selection of 1d4, +2d4 Mana
Level IV: +2d4 HP, +2d4 Mana
Level V: +2d4 HP, +2d4 Mana
Level VI: +2d4 HP, + 1 feat from a selection of 1d4, +2d4 Mana
Level VII: +2d4 HP, +2d4 Mana
Level VIII: +2d4 HP, +2d4 Mana
Level IX: +2d4 HP, + 1 feat from a selection of 1d4, +2d4 Mana
Level X: +2d4 HP, + 1 feat from a selection of 1d4, +2d4 Mana
Note: Lv 10 is the lv cap, after which you can choose to undertake an advancement quest.
Skills:
Shadow Strike I
A gathering of the power of shadow within your clenched fist, increasing the overall power of the attack in the lower levels and increasing the unpredictability of the attack with Mastery. Abyssal corruption seeps from this ability.
Shadow Footwork I
A special movement technique unique which utilises shadows in the environment to silently move without breaking the shadow pattern of an area, thus allowing the individual to be concealed from large to mid-distance observation in the early levels. Mastery allows the user to form an optical illusion when moving, seeming to be one with the Shadow and making optical and audial detection impossible. Abyssal corruption seeps from this ability.
Shadow Concentration I
When casting [Shadow] spells, the concentration of the individual becomes nigh unbreakable, and the only way an opponent can stop you from casting a spell is by disabling your voice box or inflicting [Silence] upon you. Abyssal corruption gradually builds up in your body as this skill is used.
Spells:
Shadow Bolt I
A concentration of the pure power of Shadow. Similar to other [Bolt] spells, however, this one has the added bonus of being composed of the insubstantial shadow, and thus being impossible to block through physical means. Abyssal corruption composes part of the bolt, significantly increasing damage.
'Now this was helpful.'
Everything was more or less how he expected it, except for his so-called ability to cast spells, which monks couldn't do in games he played. Then again, this wasn't a game.
The knowledge of the skills became natural to him immediately after getting the class. Adam understood the theory behind executing each of the techniques.
Spells, however...
Spells were, different.
They were composed of a [Magical Formula], not a mathematical formula, but rather a poetic one. It was composed of some sort of enlightenment, or understanding of a concept. As soon as he gained the class when he thought about the [Shadow Bolt], he instantly saw the lack of matter it held. The inconsequentiality of shade, the slowly creeping shadow constantly avoiding the rays of light.
Then an individual gave vocal, or visual, representation of the [Magical Formula] for the spell. This would often be through some sort of chant or magic circle. Since the method would be representative of the magic formula, [Demonic] magic would often have an insidious looking magic circle that radiates blood-red radiance, or an extremely wicked chant. Whereas [Light] magic would have a comforting feeling within its magic circles and chants.
This new discovery gave something to take his mind away from the late possum.
Firstly he got up from his bed, it was no easy task mind you considering how messy his sheets were.
He was about to try out [Shadow Footwork I] in his room, however, the amount of clothes and miscellaneous items on his floor made him rethink whether or not this would be a wise idea. Those eleven points on [Wisdom] were paying off after all. He was going to bend down in order to pick up a pile of clothes when he realised something. It was sometime around five in the morning right now, sunrise was still a long way out and his blinds were tightly shut. What Adam was trying to say, was that there was no light in his room whatsoever. Yet, he could clearly feel the outline of shapes within the darkness, the position of everything. This amount of cognitive perception went beyond mere [Awareness]. It was almost as if he had become one with the shadows, and thus knew everything about them.
The peaceful harmony within this darkness of his.
The unknown suddenly became his familiar friend whom he met back in primary school.
It welcomed him, it embraced him.
This eternal harmony, it was a peaceful atmosphere, all by himself.
Were someone to disrupt this newfound friend, he would only feel slightly murderous.
Adam was entranced in his epiphany, subconsciously he started exercising [Shadow Footwork I] around his room, his feet were seemingly a slow movement, but, his movement speed was moderately fast. His movements were shaky and stiff in the beginning, however, as time passed his stiff limbs became more fluid and his jerky movements became more imperceptible to the human eye.
...
Adam was in marvel at his wonderful room, it had gone from being the place he slept to becoming his home. Something he never felt too strongly before, however, he now knew that this was a home.
His home.
Then it shattered.
An intruder subtly destroyed his shadowy haven.
From within a gap in the blinds, an elusive ray of light sneaked it's way through.
A single ray within the darkness, some may have found solace within it. But not Adam.
Adam felt resentful, this ray of light dared to intrude upon his domain of solitude and darkness.
Then something living came, a brusque hand brazenly opened the near-forgotten door to his room.
His mother entered the room, sporting a scowling face, almost as if she already knew what he had done wrong, judging his every sin and dismissing his every good deed.
Her mouth opened and started speaking whatever nonsense she always spoke whenever she addressed him.
Adam couldn't care less. That scowling face became the object of his resentful wrath.
The scornful words coming out of her mouth her dimmed to Adam's ears, becoming unintelligible words.
No, that's not right, he could make them out.
"I hate you! How could you have done this to me!"
"Jess, please understand, it hurts me too, but you don't respect other's feeling."
Adam's room was overlayed by an image a middle-aged man and his mother arguing.
The middle-aged man held a striking resemblance to Adam.
This scene was strangely familiar, so damnably familiar!
'Isn't this scene ever so familiar, Adam'
Adam appeared next to Adam. Well, he wasn't Adam, It was Adam.
It didn't look at all like Adam. White hair, featureless face and body, all in a sickening white shade.
It may not have looked like Adam at all. However, he knew. In essence, it was Adam.
No question needed to be held between them, they both just looked upon the scene before them.
Adam's father stormed out of the house, he later flung himself in front of the train that Adam usually takes to and fro work.
Adam's mother stops crying immediately after he leaves the house, she takes the handkerchief that she always carries with her, the very same one she used to dry her tears in the police station hours prior, and did the very same.
Then she calmly walked over to the phone, just like it was any other day, without any sign of trepidation whatsoever. She picked it up and dialled a number, then placed the phone on her left ear and sported the most lustful smile Adam had ever seen.
"Hello, sugar."
Adam turned to see his other Adam. It was looking at him, he couldn't see it from its featureless face, but he could feel it, its smile, that damnably wrathful smile. Then it's voice echoed in his mind, it wasn't the first time it had spoken to him he realised, he just didn't notice before.
'Kill her, Adam'