Dream asked Luna about the results from her evolution and class change.
"Well, the [Familiar] class allows me to better act as a supporter. An ability called [Bestow] lets me use my restore ability on people even at a distance, though it would be a bit weaker. I think it also might be able to give people boosts. But I'm not sure how much."
"Boosts? Like more strength?" (Dream)
"Strength, Agility, and Restore can heal. I'm not sure about transferring mana to other people, but basically I can boost the attributes. It likely isn't much though." (Luna)
"Well, something is better than nothing. And that's only for now. Who knows how far this ability can go in another 100 levels. Anyway, was there anything else? I'm sure you got better attributes, but were there any other abilities?" (Dream)
Dream was happy about the fact that Luna could boost at all. Her being able to use restore could also bring huge application to their battles. Their survivability would be much higher as well as their fighting stamina. Needless to say, she was now an essential part of their team.
But other than boosts, it would be nice for her to be able to fight for herself. He didn't want her to have to rely on others.
"I didn't get any other direct skills, but I might be able to develop one. My ability to communicate with others over thoughts has been increased. Since I will be a supporter in the future, then It would also be good for me to be able to guide everyone during battles. I'll be able to get a big picture and communicate it to you guys and increase coordination. Though I would need lots of practice, I have time since we're still low level." (Luna)
Luna smiled as she seemed proud to be able to do more, even if she wasn't given another skill. Dream also believed that it was something good to have.
Many teams have issues with coordinating their fights, especially when they don't know each other. It's tough for people who haven't learned each other's styles and habits to fight with each other. But if someone could give everyone a situational perspective, then there would be fewer mistakes and less people getting blindsided. This would be Luna's role. Since she would be in the best position to do so.
Dream wouldn't really need it for himself because he has good awareness. His stealth also gives him a different fighting style and he's usually in an archer's position where he can see mostly everything. But if they ever brought new people into their group, then Luna would be a crucial intermediary for cooperation.
"That really would be amazing. Something like that will be crucial in the future. So I agree that you work on it. Especially while communicating with multiple people." (Dream)
Dream gave his praise while standing up. Luna and Iris also got up and transformed back into humans.
*Psh*
"...Huh?"
Dream looked at the girls after they transformed in a cloud of smoke. They weren't the same. They had something on their heads.
"Are those...Masks?" (Dream)
"They are." (Riddick)
Riddick answered Dream's question as if he were expecting it. It seemed like he knew what that was.
"They never had masks like that before." (Dream)
"It a part of their evolution and most foxes that can transform get one after first or second class. You see, foxes tend to have a 'trickster' sort of nature. They are mischievous little things. Cunning, deceptive, a bit secretive, but kind and caring to those who matter. These aspects are what created the mask. Though the mask is mainly cosmetic, its significance is that it's derived and created from their soul. Humanoid foxes cherish this mask as a symbol of themselves. Each one is unique and many will often wear it while in their humanoid forms as they don't prefer to put their true self on display." (Riddick)
Riddick explained the backstory of the mask that the girls now had.
Iris and Luna took theirs off and inspected it closely as their dad spoke. They were intrigued, and happy. They didn't completely know why they liked the mask so much, but it made sense after Riddick explained it. It was made from their soul, of course they would feel attached. Each of the girls now also had their own symbol. A fingerprint if you will.
Dream also felt it was nice. It would be something special they could always keep with them. Though he was also worried and spoke up.
"Although I understand its significance, but it's because of how special it is that they might now want to wear it. It could get damaged and it doesn't look so easily repairable." (Dream)
"There's no need to worry about that. They can summon and unsummon the mask at will as it is still made from their soul. It also isn't exactly a physical object. More spiritual than anything. So it won't get damaged in any normal situation." (Riddick)
"Oh. Then nevermind." (Dream)
Dream nodded and put away his worries. He also took a look at the mask. He didn't want to ask for it from the girls since it wasn't his place to, but he was still curious.
Although Riddick said that the masks were all unique, the girls' masks didn't look all that different. The only real difference was the colors.
The masks were basically the upper half of a fox head. A long nose at the front, and ears on top. The eyes sockets also looked like it allowed them to see perfectly fine, so they could probably wear it in combat.
The design consisted of the whiskers on the sides similar to the drawings on the girls' fox furs, as well as symbols on their foreheads. Luna's symbol was a blue swirl with flowing blue waves going past it to the ears. Iris had a fiery design on hers with a flickering flame going up to her ears.
The colors of the masks were also respective to their own. Lunas was totally white like snow with blue drawings, and Iris' was Black as ink with red drawings.
Dream admired the masks and how exquisite they looked. He also wondered what they felt like, but he soon remembered that he still needed to do something. He got ready to take his leave.
"Alright, you guys can fiddle with your new abilities some more. I still have to get my class and I already have some prey, so I'll get going." (Dream)
"Oh! We can go too. We were just taking a look and got sidetracked." (Luna)
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
"No that's alright. I'll just go myself. It won't take me long either." (Dream)
After he said that, Dream activated his stealth and dashed off into the distance. Luan stood there, about to insist but not given the chance. Iris spoke after a moment.
"I guess he must be eager to get his class after seeing ours." (Iris)
"He also gave us most of the experience. I'm sure he's only a tiny bit away from getting there. Maybe a couple kills is all he needs." (Luna)
The girls shrugged it off and got back to inspecting their skills and masks. They knew he could handle himself and weren't worried.
............
Meanwhile, Dream was coming up on his prey.
He didn't really need to plan much before attacking, but he had something to test first.
He was wondering my his aura had been leaking out during their battles. Dream thought that everything was sealed with his [Erase Presence] and that there would be no way to detect him. But as the girls noticed at their first battle, his enemies would be scared by the atmosphere when he was around.
He went to Sophia first.
'Do you have any idea what that is Sophia? I thought this issue was solved when I maxed out the level.'
[I'm not totally sure. I have a feeling though that because you've been getting stronger, your soul is growing in power and influence. Your desire to kill could be being transmitted by your soul instead of mana or emotions. Monsters with weak souls like the bears wouldn't be able to resist.]
'Hmm. It's possible. We should test a bit.'
And so he did. When Dream came near the prey, he didn't take out any weapons. He just observed. Watching the bears from about 40 meters away.
It was then that he saw the bears react. Though they weren't as frantic as before. They just glanced around them, trying to find the source of unease.
He stayed like that for nearly 15 minutes. He just watched as the bears got more and more uncomfortable. They eventually started moving away from their spot to get away from whatever was watching them.
Dream followed them as they kept moving. And the bears kept looking around them.
'I can imagine it's like when you feel like someone's stalking you. That uneasiness from knowing there's possible trouble but not finding it. But since I'm not trying to kill them, they aren't freaked out.'
[I still can't identify any leakage. All I know is that they aren't capable of tracing it back to you. [Erase Presence] likely still works fine. But what's going on is beyond what [Erase Presence] covers. The skill will need to be evolved.]
'Even more reason to get a class. We'll have our chance soon.'
Ending there, he put away his other thoughts and took out a weapon. It was finally time to get his class.
..............
30 minutes later...
*Dsh*
*Thud*
After shooting and killing the last bear in a group, he finally got the notifications he was looking for.
"Sweet! Alright, let's get this going."
Dream had a burst of excitement before finding a rock nearby and settling down. This would be an important choice. When he situated himself, more notifications popped up.