Joe paused at the threshold. He turned back to Master Keeroq, “Is there a way to just look at selections of my Status screen? Every time I open it, I get all of my achievements and titles and stuff. I would like to streamline what I see.”
Master Keeroq smiled his teachers smile, “Of course. Pull up your Status page and simply focus on the information you would like to discard from normal view. There will be an option to hide the information. Please understand that this does not hide the information from others with a high enough Inspect ability. It is simply a means to unclutter your status screen.”
“Thank you.” Joe focused for a moment and cleared his views of both his and Bixby’s screens.
Joe took a quick look at his status screen as he had not truly looked at his gains from the Advanced Class.
Status Screen
Name: Joseph Sherman
Race: Human
Class: Umbral Justiciar
Level: 18 (A)
Statistics
Health: 5180
Stamina: 3880
Mana: 3490
Status Effects: None
Strength 200 (300)*
Constitution 250
Agility 105
Perception 105
Intelligence 105
Willpower 210
Charisma 60
Luck 70
Skills
1 Hand Axe Tier 4
Carving Tier 1
Dual Wield Tier 8
1 Hand Sword Tier 2
Hunting Tier 1
Intimidation Tier 3
Jotun Tier 2
Leatherworking Tier 1
Medic Tier 2
Spear Tier 2
Survival Tier 6
Tanning Tier 1
Tracking Tier 2
Investigator Tier 1
Etiquette Tier 2
Beast Lore Tier 2
Eldaerie Tier 1
Dwarven Tier 1
Abilities:
Bestial Fury
Fireproof
Hard To Kill
Identify – Tier 3
Inspect – Tier 3
Mental Fortress
Physically Fit
Poison Resistance
Rage of the Pack
Soul Barrier
Soulbound Companion
Stealth
Tireless Soul
Tough As Nails
True Grit
Void Walker
Warden’s Instinct
Relentless Hunter
Umbral Sight
Pack Tactics
Use Senses [Bixby}
Frightful Presence
Warden’s Eye
Looked Like it Hurt
Umbral Sustenance
Law of the Land
Stand Against the Tide
Linguist
Justiciar’s Sight
Spells:
Blink Step
Corrosive Claws
Haste
Mantle of the Mountain Guardian
Pass Without Trace
Web
Dragon’s Fire
Umbral Blade
Umbral Shot
Umbral Shackles
Mantle of the Umbral Depths
Umbral Caul
Whispers of the Dead
Umbral Lance
Aura of Judgment
Umbral Tomb
Summon Umbral Beast
Justiciar’s Judgment
Justiciar’s Mercy
Justiciar’s Command
Umbral Blade Storm
Umbral Soul Strike
Shadow Merge
Status Screen
Name: Bixby [Soulbound to Joseph Sherman]
Race: Sapient Canine
Class: Void Stalker
Level: 18 (A)
Statistics
Health: 4210
Stamina: 3920
Mana: 3440
Status Effects: None
Strength 130
Constitution 223
Agility 135
Perception 125
Intelligence 100
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Willpower 210
Charisma 56
Luck 65
Skills
Bite Tier 4
Claw Tier 1
English/Common Tier 8
Jotun Tier 2
Eldaerie Tier 1
Dwarven Tier 1
Stealth Tier 2
Tracking Tier 3
Stalker’s Perception Tier 2
Hunter’s Knowledge Tier 2
Abilities:
Soulbound Companion
Keen Senses
Darkvision
Rend
Apex Predator
Shred
Howl
Leader of the Pack
Natural Linguist
Alert
Menacing
Ambush Predator
Brutal Charge
Void Form
Share the Pain
Void Sight
Soul of the Void
Enduring Bulwark
Relentless Hunter
Unseen Hunter
Elemental Resistance
Nourishment of the Void
Spells:
Corrosive Claws
Blight of the Void
Void Armor
Silence of the Void
Void Tendrils
Call of the Hunt
Howl of the Void
Void Bolt
Shroud of the Void
Pull of the Void
One with the Void
Dreadful Form
Void Fang
Traverse the Abyss
Void Exile
“Shite on a stick!” Joe heard Rory’s voice boom out as Bixby lead the way from the Class Room. Joe stepped out into the hallway of the County Building to see a small crowd of people waiting for him. Among them was Rory, Kier, Iona, Ronald, and a smattering of survivors, including the kid Harrison that had called the Council out to meet the elves. All but Ronald and the dwarves had moved back at Bixby’s entrance.
“Joe! What in Mithra’s ball sack didja do to the lad?” Rory had fearlessly approached Bixby and began looking him over. Bixby seemed to preen at the attention, his tail wagging. He cocked his head and looked directly at Rory. “And there’s the look.” Rory chuckled and pulled out a large strip of jerky. He tossed it to Bixby who snatched it out of the air.
“Hey, that wasn’t me. That’s all Bixby’s doing. Although to be fair, neither of us knew he was going to change. Especially not so dramatically.” Joe smiled at his friends.
Iona looked up at him, “You’ve gotten taller.” She felt his arms, “And thicker.” Realizing what she’d just done, she blushed and looked away.
Joe grinned. “Yeah, that was a crazy experience.”
Kier peered at Joe and raised a bushy red eyebrow. “Justiciar? How in Mithra’s name did you manage a Class like that?”
Everyone in the area suddenly Inspected Joe as all their faces went slightly blank staring at him. There were murmurs and more than one, “Holy shit!”
Joe looked at Kier and shrugged, “It was offered, and I took it. There were some more System glitches involved but this one stuck. I’ll tell you more about it later.” He looked around, “Did we miss anything?”
Iona answered, “Nae so much. The City has been reshaped a bit with buildings and fortifications and some other things have been going on with people, but tis nae my place to speak.” She eyed Ronald meaningfully.
Which he took as his cue to step forward, “I uh… Wow, you are a man of mysteries and enigmas. And no offense but I thought you were a bit scary before, now though…” He paused wanting to be diplomatic, “Well, you’re even scarier. It’s like it comes off you in waves.” He gestured to Bixby, “And that transformation does nothing to quell the feeling.” Even through his obvious discomfort, Ronald extended his hand.
Joe shook the man’s hand, “No offense taken. I get it. And I apologize for the scary aura. I didn’t realize I had it active. It’s an ability I gained called Frightful Presence.” Joe focused for a moment, and he could see the relief evident on everyone’s faces, even the dwarves who seemed to have hidden their discomfort well. He glanced around at the small group of people, “Sorry everyone. I’ll be more diligent.” He raised an eyebrow, “Um, why are there so many people out here? Are they all waiting for me?”
Ronald’s gaze glanced over the small group of survivors, and he let out a breath, “It seems since they all got the notification that you were responsible for the Sanctuary Zone, some of them wanted to thank you in person, but most of them, I’m afraid, want to ask favors.” He looked disappointed but resigned.
“Favors? What kind of favors?”
Rory stepped closer to Joe, “We’ve been speaking with some of them and most of them want you to look for their kin.”
Kier added, “There are a few rumors going around that you’re handing out magic items and that you can kill beasties with your, what did that lad call it?” He looked at Iona.
“Laser eyes?” She answered with a slightly confused look.
“Right, laser eyes. Whatever that may be.” Kier shrugged.
“And why are there rumors like that? I mean, who started them?” Joe looked perplexed. “I’ve only been in the Class Room for what six hours?”
Kier spoke, “Nae, more like two. Time flows differently in the Class Room and Shoppe.”
Looking even more confused, Joe asked, “Ok, so how…?”
Joe’s question was cut short by Iona and Kier’s heads turning to look at Rory. Noticing the attention, Rory got defensive, “What? I did nae start nae rumors. I spoke the truth to those what asked me questions about Joe.”
“And you answered them truthfully?” Iona asked. “Without any extra flourishes?”
Chagrined, Rory said, “Oh aye, I may have prettied up my words a bit, but the truth was at the core of the telling.”
Joe shook his head, partially in amusement and partially in frustration. He held up his hands in a placating manner, “Fine. It’s fine.” He eyed Rory, “Maybe don’t embellish so much the next time someone asks about me? Talk up your own achievements instead?”
Iona snorted, “Oh, he did that as well, only too happily.”
This caused Joe to smile, and he turned to raise an eyebrow at Ronald who also smirked but quickly regained his composure. Joe turned to the waiting crowd that seemed to have gotten bigger. Probably because word of his return was being passed around. He strode towards them, and a few took some steps back, however the kid from earlier, Harrison stood his ground. The look on his face was not one of fear, but excitement tinged with hope. Joe addressed the small crowd. “Ahem, look, I’m not sure what you all want from me, but I’m just one guy. I’m willing to help where I can, but I’m not some superhero that’s come to save the day, despite what the rumors may say.” He gave Rory a raised eyebrow.
“Is it true you survived without the tutorial for a month in a level one hundred zone by yourself?” A voice from the pack.
“Well, not totally by myself, I had Bixby…” He gestured to Bixby, but his answer was cut off by another voice.
“So, it’s true? You managed to stay alive without the tutorial or a Class until now?”
“I had help, but technically, yes.” Joe could see a fervor in people’s eyes that he did not like. Almost like a religious fawning.
Someone else yelled, “Can you find my son?” and another called out, “Can you resurrect the dead?” Then suddenly a cacophony of voices, all calling out for aid and the crowd surged forward. The dwarves instantly formed a line in front of Joe, but it was unnecessary as a wave of menace surged from Bixby who pushed his way between Rory and Kier. His red eyes flashed, and a low growl reverberated through the hall. Everyone stopped cold in their tracks then scrambled back to put as much distance between themselves and Bixby as they could.
Joe stepped forward, patting Rory on the shoulder to make room. Rory stepped aside as Joe placed a hand on Bixby’s ruff. Softly he said, “That’s enough Bix.” The foreboding aura receded. Joe scanned the crowd. Everyone was cowed, even Harrison, but he managed to remain in the front. It seemed that even faced with Bixby’s Menace ability, the kid placed himself between the perceived danger and the other survivors. Joe’s estimation of the kid went up, then he narrowed his eyes and spoke loudly, “NO!” He let the word penetrate the crowd’s general anxiety. “I’m not a God. I’m not a savior and I’m not some fantasy hero. I’m a human being that has survived something insane. Just as all of you have. I am still trying to understand this new reality we face. And just like you, I am at a loss. However, I am willing to put in the work and effort to help as many survivors as I can.” He shook his head, “I can’t raise the dead or instantly find your loved ones. I cannot give you power. The System can if you use it, but the price for some of you, I feel, is too high. I encourage those of you that have not chosen a Class or have not leveled in the Class you have, to reconsider.” He stepped forward, trailing his hand on Bixby’s head, the course black fur giving him a feeling of connection and strength. “This System rewards those that face adversity. The new world is full of dangers and pain. There is no getting around that.” He sighed. “I can’t change that, no one can. So, each of you needs to look within yourself and find the strength and courage to do what you can to help each other survive. If we can all come together, then I truly believe that we can not only survive, but really thrive.”
He paused to see if his words had any effect and he was happy to see that faces were looking more introspective and several people were nodding, some crying. Harrison had a huge grin on his face. Joe finished with, “I plan on going out and looking for more survivors. If you have loved ones that you would like me to look for, then gather here in two hours and I will speak with you. If you are here for anything else, I most likely cannot help you, but I am willing to listen.” He then stood there staring at the crowd.
A notification popped up in front of Joe.
Open Quest! In Search of… [Step 1 of 4] Your heartfelt offer of aid and succor has been heard. Find fifty survivors and bring them safely to [New Santa Cruz]. Step 1 Reward; 10,000 EXP and 2,500 Gold. This Quest is sharable.
Do you wish to accept the Quest? Y/N
Do you wish to share the Quest? Y/N
Joe quickly chose Yes and got a glance and a nod from Bixby. He then created a Party and invited his friends and his sister. When he received the confirmation that they had joined his party, he shared the Quest as well.
Finally, Ronald spoke up, his deep voice booming in the hallway, “You heard the man. Give him some space and those of you with search requests, come back here in two hours.” This got the people moving and slowly they trickled away.
All except Harrison. He tentatively stepped up to Joe and help out a slightly trembling hand. Amused Joe shook the boys hand. “Um, you said you were willing to listen?”
Joe nodded, “Yes. But if this is about looking for someone, you’ll have to come back with everyone else.”
“Um, no. It’s not. Well, it’s kind of related, but…um, not.” He said clumsily.
Rory snorted, “Ye may as well hear the lad out. He’s been waiting here the longest.”
Intrigued, Joe smiled, “Okay, I’ll bite. How can I help you?”
“Well... um, when you go out next, I’d like to, um, you know, like… join your Party?” He ended the awkward sentence as a question, his voice rising in tone as he asked.
It took Joe by surprise. With raised eyebrows, he asked, “Why?”
“I want to help. And the only way is to, um, you know, get experience.” His voice took on an almost pleading tone and his words spilled out faster as if Joe was going to say no at any moment. “I’m level twenty-two already and I hunted monsters with a group in the tutorial. I’m not scared to go out and I know the dangers and can pull my own weight and besides…” Here he faltered, looking kind of sad.
“Besides?” Joe urged.
“Well, um, you see, it’s like, uh, no one else wants me in their Party.” He seemed to deflate.
“Why not? If you got to level twenty-two with a previous group, that shows that you’re willing and able to do it. I don’t understand.”
Kier spoke softly, “Tis because of your Class, isn’t it?”
Harrison nodded meekly. “Yeah. People think it’s too… creepy.”
“Nonsense.” Iona strode over to the boy and put a comforting arm around his shoulders. “These people just donnae have it in them yet to understand the versatility that the System Classes can provide.” Harrison perked up a bit and gave a half smile.
Joe Inspected Harrison again. Arachnomancer. A thought occurred to Joe, “Say, kid, your Class. Does it by any chance have something to do with summoning and controlling spiders?”
Harrison looked up sharply at Joe, an expected disappointment written on his features, “Yes sir.”
“Cool.” Joe smiled. He casually looked among his friends and they all seemed to have come to the same conclusion. Here was another orphan of sorts. He saw the shocked look on Harrison’s face and smiled wider. “No promises, but I’ll talk it over with my crew. Maybe we can take you out on a small excursion to see how well you do.”
Harrison’s face lit up like a bonfire exploding into flames, “You will? That’s… Dude! That’s awesome! Thank you!” His thanks continued as he included the dwarves in his gratitude and he impulsively hugged Iona who smiled and gave him a rather hearty pat on the back, staggering him.
Joe laughed as the dwarves chuckled and Bixby wagged his tail in amusement. Even Ronald cracked a grin. “Come back in two hours with the rest of the people. We’ll talk then.”
“Yes sir! You got it! And thank you! Thank you so much!” He scampered off and out the main doors.
Joe shook his head at the retreating boy, then sighed, “I really don’t like spiders.”
As Harrison departed, Joe received another notification.
Personal Quest! Under Your Wing! Your heartfelt offer of aid and succor has been heard. Find fifty survivors and bring them safely to [New Santa Cruz]. Step 1 Reward; 10,000 EXP and 2,500 Gold. This Quest is sharable.
Do you wish to accept the Quest? Y/N
Do you wish to share the Quest? Y/N
Joe chose yes and shared this one out to the Party as well.
Ronald watched the boy leave and turned back to Joe, “You certainly have an interesting way with people.”
Joe smiled, “I think I can probably attribute it to a higher Intelligence and Willpower score. And maybe a new Skill or two.”
“Be that as it may, when you have some time, the Council would like to meet with you about moving forward from here. There’s not a massive rush as there are still some things we need to settle amongst ourselves, but in the next day or two if you don’t mind?”
“Of course. I’ll be happy to.”
Ronald shook Joe’s hand once more, warily eyed Bixby and departed with nods to the dwarves.
“Twas a kind thing to do for the lad.” Iona beamed up at Joe.
Rory clapped his hands together, “Right!” He looked up at Joe with a huge smile bisecting his beard and moustache. “Time to go shopping, laddie.”
Joe nodded, “Yeah, I’ve been wanting to see what I can get my hands on, and I have a load of questions I’m hoping there are answers to.” He turned towards the Shoppe door when a loud church bell sound reverberated through the hallway.
Rory, exasperated, shouted, “Truly? Now?”
“What is it? What’s going on?” Joe called out as he and Bixby began running with the others towards the main doors.
“We’re being attacked!” Kier called out.