Atlas stared at the black words in front of him. Level up? That was a mechanic that was in most video games, was it now in real life? If so, that was absolutely awesome.
The only problem was, how did he view his character sheet? He really wanted to view his abilities and powers.
Just as he had that thought, another screen appeared in front of him.
Atlas Channing
Level: 5
Class: Choose
Subclass: Reach level 15
Titles: None
Skills: None
Spells: None
Talent: Complete tutorial (Current -Hard-)
Potential: Complete tutorial (Current -Hard-)
Stats:
Endurance: 0
Constitution: 0
Strength: 0
Dexterity: 0
Wisdom: 0
Intelligence: 0
Free points: 5 +5 starter points
Atlas looked over his stat sheet. It was very… lacking. All of his stats were at a flat zero, and he had no skills, spells or titles. Not to mention he didn’t even know what talent and potential did.
He should start with what he could do though, he needed to get a class, and divy up his stat points. For now, he decided just to add 1 to every stat. He felt warmth creep through his body, and he felt stronger, faster, tougher, and his brain felt sharper.
It wasn’t a major change, but it was very noticeable. He had grown about 50% stronger. Which was a very nice improvement.
He had used up 6 stat points, so he had 4 left over. After some deliberation he put them in Endurance, Constitution, Strength and Dexterity. They seemed the most effective for surviving.
His body glowed a soft white light again, and he let out a breath. It was such a calming sensation, and also adrenaline inducing at the same time. He was growing stronger with a thought.
His stat sheet now looked like this.
Atlas Channing
Level: 5
Class: Choose
Subclass: Reach level 15
Titles: None
Skills: None
Spells: None
Talent: Complete tutorial (Current -Hard-)
Potential: Complete tutorial (Current -Hard-)
Stats:
Endurance: 2
Constitution: 2
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 2
Wisdom: 1
Intelligence: 1
Free points: 0
Atlas clicked on the word ‘choose’ and he felt the world vanish around him. Spinning, he found himself back in the void. “What now?” He asked for empty space.
You will now be shown 4 options. Each option will change your abilities and power, so choose wisely.
Champion: You are a master of a chosen discipline. This can be anything; from a weapon, to a skill. This is for someone who doesn't want to think too hard and just be perfect at one, singular 'thing'. Make sure it's something that'll keep you alive! +2 STR, + 2 CON per level.
Glass Cannon: Look at you, choosing the objectively best class. The best defense is a good offense, personified. Can't be hurt if your enemies are wiped from existence! +5 STR, -2 CON per level.
Destroyer: You are the 'edgelord' who wants to be a dark, brooding figure that ruins all they touch. This is certainly for a specific type of personality...I wouldn't choose it, but you do you. +2 STR, +2 DEX per level.
Master Slayer: slay is such a nuanced term, don't you think? This class is all about kill-ahem, 'slaying' your opponents in any way possible. +3 STR, +3 DEX, +1 ALL per level.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
So...yeah...small selection, I know. But hey, there's one objectively correct choice here from a power gaming perspective. Or maybe you don't want to be overpowered. I don't care. Choose quickly so we can get you into the tutorial!
There was no doubt in Atlas’s mind which one to choose. It had a dumb name sure, but the bonuses were far better than anything he could hope for.
So he selected the Master Slayer.
He found himself staring straight at a tree. That was fast.
He glanced around. He would need to kill something to get stronger, now that he had his class, he would rise faster than before.
Congratulations! You got a rare class! Rare classes are stronger and have a special skill to go alongside them.
Skill gained! Weakening Punch: A grade. Your next hit channels the power of weakening. (This power grows alongside your level)
He was excited about his new power. He tried to activate it, thinking of the skills name. Weakening Punch. There was a wave of gray that appeared around him, covering his fists.
Atlas lashed out, slamming his fist into a tree.
It hurt. A lot.
Holding his throbbing hand, he glared at the tree. He watched in shock as it fell to the ground with a *thud*. That was… unexpected, but definitely not an unwelcome event.
After a few moments of taking in what he had just done, Atlas grinned. This would be a fun skill to test.
He heard a gurgle and turned. Behind him were 5 more of those slime creatures.
Atlas’s grin faded a little bit. Why did he keep tempting fate?
***
Atlas’s fist crashed through the slime, sending its goo splattering all over him. He didn’t have time to care, as another slime lunged at him. “WEAKENING PUNCH!” Atlas yelled, slamming his fist into the slime's head. Its upper body turned to paste.
Just 10 minutes ago, he had killed his first slime. Now he was killing them like it was nothing, but there were just so many of them!
He activated his skill again, swiping his leg through two slimes in a row, covering his leg in their sticky fluid. Swinging his fist, he sent a slime flying. It was more akin to splattering in a certain direction but… it got the job done.
He took a deep breath, glancing around to make sure none of them snuck up on him. When his heart beat had slowed, he was hit with a flood of messages.
LEVEL UP!!! X7
You have leveled up your skill Weakening Punch(A) to level 2!
He allocated his seven points into each of his stats equally, adding the last point into endurance. He was starting to get tired, and the monsters were endless. His body glowed again, and this time, it hurt a little bit, probably because of just how much his stats had jumped up.
He checked his stat sheet again, smiling at the increase in stats. “Not bad for what? A couple minutes work? Something like that” he muttered to himself, still entranced with the fact that he could see a physical representation of how much he was growing from every fight he had.
Atlas Channing
Level: 12
Class: Master Slayer
Subclass: Reach level 15
Titles: None
Skills: Weakening Punch: 2 (A)
Spells: None
Talent: Complete tutorial
Potential: Complete tutorial
Stats:
Endurance: 11
Constitution: 10
Strength: 24
Dexterity: 24
Wisdom: 9
Intelligence: 9
Free points: 0
His body was far stronger than any human should be able to be, he could run faster than an Olympian, along with a whole slew of other upgrades overall.
Atlas threw a couple of punches, his fists shot out like bullets, and the air hummed with the power of his punches.
This was more like it.
He put his hands on his hips. Now he could handle pretty much anything the system threw at him. And this was only after killing a bunch of slimes! Just thinking about how strong he would be able to get made Atlas grin like a maniac.
Of course, that's when the system decided he was getting too cocky and threw a monster at him.
There was a loud roar and Atlas whipped his head around looking for the source of the sound, he saw trees crashing in the distance, and fear crept through him, before he shook it off.
He could take whatever it was, he was a different person than he was before. He could kill whatever came at him.
Atlas had never been more wrong in his life.
He saw what was coming after him, and he paled.
Demonic Dino: Tyrant-o-saurus Rex
Level: ???
You have encountered the boss of Impossible difficulty! When you kill it, you are allowed to leave, and collect your rewards. Be wary though, as the final boss is no weakling, it is a foe that you can’t face with your current powers. You may want to consider leveling up a bit before fighting it.
“No kidding…” Atlas mumbled, staring at the titanic creature. It was easily the size of a house, and then some. Just looking at it made him weak in the knees.
So he did what any man would do in this situation.
He ran. He tripped, fell over and got back up again. He would NOT die here, no matter what happened, he was getting out of this tutorial alive.
Which, of course, is when the tutorial decided to be an even greater jerk. Atlas was starting to wonder if he was just ridiculously unlucky and lucky at the same time. Or maybe the system just hated him for some bizarre reason that Atlas couldn’t comprehend.
He heard another crash, and a large boar charged out of the trees in front of him, almost hitting him as it ran by.
Atlas cursed, leaping to the side and looking at the boar's nameplate.
Dread Boar, Level 30
Yeah, Atlas didn’t think he would do so well against that. The level gap was a little too large for his liking.
Was this how the rest of the tutorial was going to go? Encountering monsters that were so much more powerful than him that he was forced to flee?
Atlas steeled himself. He wouldn’t let that happen. Even if it killed him, he would try to kill whatever crossed his path. …besides that giant t-rex.
Clenching his fists, he turned to face the boar.