After a fruitful hour of negotiations and a satisfying dinner at the Keg and Meat tavern, Ryou found himself strolling alone through the quaint cobblestone streets, heading towards his inn where he had secured accommodations for a two-day stay.

During this business deal, when Namika brought the part of the Dungeon run, Elsa, who had been swayed by an uncharacteristic impulse, had asked to accompany Namika for this Dungeon run, an unexpected turn of events that left Ryou somewhat surprised.

Namika too, uncharacteristically was quick to accept Elsa's proposal and that had sparked a momentary concern in Ryou's mind when he saw the intensity in Namika's eyes as she gazed at Elsa, making him question on whether she swung that way, but Ryou swiftly quelled it, reminding himself of Namika's past romantic relationship with Hirosaki in his previous life.

Ryou harbored no reservations about letting Elsa depart with Namika. He rationalized that besides aiding her in leveling up, this opportunity would undoubtedly foster new connections and friendships with Requiem of the Light's members.

As he ambled down the cobblestone thoroughfare, the surroundings exuding a more damp smell and foggy touch than hours ago, he arrived at his designated inn before he knew it. Although the hour was not overly late, the discerning NPC clerk, armed with some wit, permitted Ryou entry, albeit accompanied by some sardonic remarks.

In his earnest desire to avoid the clerk, Ryou initially entertained the thought of logging out in an alley, then he would take a train to go to Sapporo to meet with his sister and mother. However, the pressing matter and practical necessity of selecting his subclass prompted him to reconsider, leading him to the quiet confines of his inn's bedroom where he could deliberate over the crucial decision of Ascension.

Reclining on his bed, Ryou accessed the system panel and directed his attention to the conspicuous bright red bell icon. Clicking it, a window unfolded, revealing an array of 20+ subclass names accompanied by their pertinent details. Arranged in a descending order, the subclasses were categorized from Highest to the lowest rank. Subclass’ hierarchy ranks were similar to skills—Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Great, Ultimate, and Holy.

Ryou's discerning gaze scrutinized each subclass and its description, ultimately zeroing in on a select seven.

1. [Shadow God Follower] (Great): Unleash 5 times the damage from all shadow-related abilities for a day upon completing the daily ritual.

2. [Bloodsucker] (Advanced): Amplify buffs on all attributes by 1.1-3 times, correlating with the quantity and quality of blood consumed by your body.

3. [Powerhouse] (Advanced): Permanently boost all attributes by 1.5 times, maximizing your overall strength.

4. [Accelerator] (Advanced): Bestow a 2 times buff on Agility Attributes, enhancing your speed and reflexes.

5. [Fighting Disaster] (Advanced): Activate a 2 times attribute buff during battle, ensuring heightened performance in combat scenarios.

6. [Sword Virtuoso] (Advanced): Inflict 2 times the damage with your swords, showcasing mastery in swordsmanship.

7. [Doppelganger Dynamo] (Intermediate): Elevate your Doppelganger's attributes by 1.4 times, enhancing its capabilities in tandem with your own.

These subclasses, meticulously curated by the system, were based on his pre-level 10 achievements and performances, and they complements or augments his inherent abilities. While they might provide small buffs, their inherent efficacy was not to be underestimated, because as he progressed in levels and gained additional attributes, these subclasses would hold the key to unlocking formidable capabilities in the future.

The subclasses bestowed upon a player during their first Ascension were akin to getting a chance of excavating the profound depths of space to lay a foundational pillar that would intricately support and shape a player's future evolution.

Ryou's astonishment was palpable when he first discovered the 'Shadow God Follower' subclass. Drawing from his past knowledge, he recalled that God’s Follower subclasses were typically granted at higher levels, specifically at levels 20 or 40. This anomaly, Ryou surmised, was likely attributed to his distinction as the first player to achieve level 10. Notably, this subclass not only boasted the highest buffs but also held the rank of (Great), hinting at its potential to yield even greater benefits in subsequent Ascensions. Ryou was aware of the transformative power inherent in God's devoting subclasses, and they have the prospect of catapulting a player to the pinnacle of Rankings in New World.

BUT

A discordant note resonated within Ryou as he grappled with conflicting emotions. In his past life, maybe even now, he held disdain for anything related to God. The losses and hardships he endured led him to reject belief in higher beings. If divine entities truly existed, Ryou questioned why his mother and sister had suffered in abject misery. And why the subsequent spiral of misfortune with Aoi further continued.

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Whether his magical reincarnation was a role played by divine intervention or not, Ryou steadfastly refused to entrust his development to any divine entity, even one within a virtual game. His aversion to the 'Shadow God Follower' subclass stemmed not only from its association with daily temple rituals but also from his deep-seated disdain for relying on gods, whether real or imaginary.

After an extensive and wavering deliberation, Ryou, fueled by a cascade of uncertainties, opted for the Accelerator subclass. While lingering doubts about the choice between Sword Virtuoso and Accelerator persisted, he ultimately succumbed to the pressure and, with a trembling and perspiring finger, pressed the green 'Ascend' button on ‘Doppelganger Dynamo’.

The system promptly responded with a congratulatory message:

System: Congratulations Player Rem, you have Ascended, and gained the subclass 'Doppelganger Dynamo’.

A sudden wave of regret and frustration engulfed Ryou, prompting an anguished exclamation in the dim confines of the inn's room. "Ahhh no, Fuck, What have I done? System, cancel it! I want Accelerator, nooo…" His desperate cries reverberated in the darkness.

Ryou grappled with a perplexing sense of detachment from the choice he had made. It wasn't a case of external control or an inadvertent twitch of his finger; rather, it stemmed from a gamble. The allure of maximizing the potential of his [Shadow Doppelganger], a (Rank 6 Intermediate) skill, fueled the impulsive selection of the 'Doppelganger Dynamo' subclass.

Shadow Doppelganger: (Rank 6 Intermediate skill)

Summoned one Shadow, the shadow would have 55% attributes and equipment's data according to the summoner. Last for 30 seconds. Cooldown: 3 minutes.

Level 2: Proficiency: 8%

In his past life, even a Rank 1 Intermediate skill, let alone a Rank 6 at this early stage, was extremely rare. Ryou wanted this remarkable skill to advance so he could be far stronger than his peers. However, at this moment, a tinge of regret permeated his thoughts, lamenting whether Sword Virtuoso was better.

Ryou moaned, "I should not have gambled; I should have chosen that Sword Virtuoso," he muttered to himself.

Ryou realized he had opted for an Intermediate Subclass, amidst the allure of five Advanced and one Great Subclass, this decision left him feeling less than satisfied. Calling himself an idiot, Ryou sighed and opened his window for a profile check.

________________

Name: Rem

Race: Human

Class: Swordsman

Rank: Foundation Swordsman

Level: 10 (Next level +20000 Exp)

Title: (Explorer) (Master) (Dark Magician)

Sub class:

Foundation: Doppelganger Dynamo

________________

Sighing once more, Ryou closed the profile window and navigated to the settings. With a reluctant acceptance of the choices made, he pressed the log-out button.

“..."

In a hurried pace, Ryou exited the gaming cafe and made his way toward the Gliding Cube stations, a twinge of guilt gnawing at him. His promise to be at Sapporo Hospital with his sister at 8:00 am now seemed like a distant dream as he glanced at his phone, revealing the disheartening time of 10:21, making him egregiously behind schedule.

Opting for expediency, Ryou forwent the train route, choosing instead to rent a Gliding Cube for swifter transportation. While it entailed a higher cost compared to the train, financial concerns took a back seat in light of his substantial net-account balance of 10,000 Goldits and a personal account brimming with 5 million yen from his recent business dealings with Namika.

The Gliding Cube Stations was three city blocks away from the gaming cafe. His urgency transformed his walk into a near-run, covering the distance in five minutes.

Upon arrival at the station, the designated administrator inquired about his departure and arrival points before guiding him to a designated Gliding Cube parking space. The Cube, equipped with an AI for long-distance driving, traversed along a one-way cable line. With the AI at the helm, even if there were some circumstances upfront, the prospect of accidents during this swift mode of travel would be considerably minimized.

Once inside the Gliding Cube, Ryou called his mother. After just two rings, Miyako's panicked voice resonated from the other end of the line.

"Son, you're still not here. Oka-san needs your help," she implored, her tone fraught with anxiety. "The doctors and nurses are asking for money for diagnostic tests and to purchase medications and equipment. Oka-san doesn't understand most of what they're saying, but they mentioned they need more than 500,000 yen for a brain scan," she added, her voice trembling with concern.

Apologizing sincerely, Ryou assured his mother, "Oka-san, I'm on my way now. I apologize for not coming sooner. I was busy with a business deal in the game with a rich person, and I've just gained 5 million yen. Don't worry; I'll send you 2 million first. Follow the doctors' instructions, and everything will be okay."

In an effort to provide a semblance of security, Ryou chose to divulge some partial truth, by conveying the business deal with a rich person and not with the Koyoma family that hold many multi-billion companies.

After conveying his reassurance, he promptly transferred 2 million yen to his mother's account. Seeking confirmation, he added, "Oka-san, I've just transferred the money. Can you check if it entered your account?”

A brief pause lingered in the conversation, and then Miyako's voice, filled with bewilderment, returned, "It just entered, and it's 2 million, Ryou-kun-"

"Oka-san, I understand it may be hard to believe, but right now, Nee-san needs you. Can we discuss this further after I arrive?" Ryou interjected gently.

"I'm saddened that you think I don't believe in you, Ryou-kun. I trust you, son," she reassured him with a sweet sincerity, adding, "Now, I need to tend to Remi. At what time will you be here?”

"I estimate it will take about 2 hours for me to reach Sapporo. I'll call you as soon as I get there," Ryou assured her.

"Alright, son. I'll end the call now."

Slipping the old phone into his tracksuit pocket, Ryou shifted his attention to the scenery outside. Elevated above ground, the Gliding Cube offered a view of the rapidly changing modern cityscape. Fatigue began to weigh on him, and soon, he succumbed to a peaceful sleep, the stationary state of the Cube lulling him into a restful state.