(Author: Hello! Aeron and Junghwa have escaped Los Angeles and had to make two choices. The first choice was easy, but the second choice made Aeron remember what he had to go through to get this far. How much had happened and how much he had changed. Choosing to fight with the dwarves, he accepts Duba's proposal and joins the dwarven kingdom. He rides with them, Junghwa and his blood golem taking along. He had succeeded in escaping. Now he must choose his class and meet the king who would decide his path. Enjoy.)
---------Chapter 7: Choosing a Class-------------
"Ah, good Old Reliable," Duba said as he and the others approached two large, stone doors about two hundred feet high and eighty feet wide.
"Old Reliable?" Aeron asked.
"Let's just saw three dragons tried to attack my father's city over the course of the city's history and none were able to break it. The snow mountain is made out of very special rock that cannot be broken, even by a dragon's might. Of the three dwarven cities, this city is the most secure as Old Reliable is the only way. There are secret escape routes, but that is going out. You can't enter the city from that way. It's been tested by all our ancestors," Duba said with pride. "Even the underground rocks are made of the weird rock. Needless to say, the discovery of this place brought great honor to House Augor. Of course, we couldn't move the capital as it is close to the surface and most dwarves love to live underground. My father, and the dwarves of the city, are responsible for interacting with the species that live topside."
"Impressive," Aeron nodded as they got off their ponies and walked through the large doors. "So this is White Hammer City."
Junghwa and Aeron couldn't help but sigh in admiration, the dwarves grinning as they were proud to see the heroes react that way. The city was way different than they suspected. Several houses surrounded a beautiful lake about two miles wide. At the center of the lake was a huge, two-sided hammer about one thousand feet above the lake's surface. It was made out of ice that never seemed to melt. Even the lake gave out a slight mist around the hammer. A large palace made of black and silver stone lay behind the lake. It was like Junghwa and Aeron had entered a city straight out of a fantasy book.
"It's so beautiful," Junghwa said as Aeron held her from behind, her arms resting on his as he wrapped them around her waist.
"Aye, she is a beauty," Duba said. "Other cities are mostly stone and metal, but ours has a small luxury you can only see topside. Only the House of Augor stays here. The nine other dwarven houses prefer living in the other two cities. Most dwarves don't like the surface as they believe the trouble of those topside is not worth diverting their attention from our troubles beneath the mountains. Most dwarves here are warriors who aim to take back the lost mountain cities while the other cities focus on the ones lost even deeper. Many dwarven merchants also live here so we have many delicacies and antiques from all over the land."
"Do you buy them with this?" Aeron asked, holding out a black dragon coin.
"That's right. It is the currency," the dwarf nodded. "They are very difficult to make and are the universal currency of most nations. We usually find them in the pockets and bags of the enemy as they also use the currency. However, most don't carry more than a few coins."
"Different than our loot drops," Junghwa said silently as Aeron let go of her as they followed the dwarf around the lake, his men leaving for their homes.
"I only came with a few of my men to get you," Duba said as if he could read Aeron's mind as they walked. "Whenever there's a battle, we only bring about three hundred dwarves for private matters. Most of us are in charge of storming the enemy strongholds or escorting merchant caravans. We knew there would be elves so three hundred would suffice as a small army.
"You called us heroes. Is it because we came from another dimension?" Aeron asked.
"Precisely. Smart lad ye are," the dwarf laughed as he stroke his tongue. "Most humans never reached our exit area. They appear in one hundred and eight known locations all over the world. About a fourth of those locations mean certain death while another fourth is in enemy territory. Heroes, like you two, are abnormally strong and classify us with levels. I don't know how that works but you guys level very quickly while we spend years of training and research. The humans that do appear where you did usually side with the elves. There should be a bunch living over there now."
"How long are the intervals between the appearance of cities? What of the age range?" Aeron asked.
"Hmmm. It should be about every two years? Yes, that's sounds about right. As far as age, sometimes there is a small age difference while other times it is completely random," Duba frowned. "I don't know why that happens but many heroes die before the two years are up. It's like the gods play a game and their pawn died or something. That's what one of my ancestors, who married a female hero, wrote in his journal. Of course, the hero's weapon, armor, and items are all destroyed when they die. Don't know why, but I believe it is so we do not become as powerful as them. Otherwise, the world would be thrown into chaos. Some capture and experiment on heroes, but to no avail. It is just something we can't understand."
"Thank you," Aeron said as they approached the steps of the palace.
Junghwa held Aeron's hand as they walked into the palace. Guards streamed the always, two on either side of the wall every twenty feet. Security was extremely tight as they could see merchants walking about as well as some dwarven nobles who had come to visit from the other two cities. They entered a throne room fit to host giants more than eight hundred feet high. It was abnormally gigantic. Dwarf guards all wore shining gold armor as a middle-aged dwarf with long red hair and a long beard stared at them. He wore shining white silver armor that seemed incomparably more luxurious than the golden armor of the royal guards.
"May I present my father, Prince Dugar of House Augor and City Lord of White hammer City," Duba bowed, his father grinning as he saw his son. "Father, may I present these two heroes. The lad is Aeron and the lass is his girlfriend, Junghwa. These are the two heroes, out of six, who chose to side with us. None of the six heroes, the first to appear in six years, chose to side with the orcs and goblins."
"Good. Very good. Well done, my son," the city lord nodded. "I am Prince Dugar. You must have many questions. First, allow me to answer some that you might have contemplated beforehand. I know much about heroes and their classes. You might have met a creature far more powerful than others, wondering how it could destroy the environment so easily. Allow me to tell you that gravity in that city is ten times weaker than the gravity of the real Alternate Earth, the outside world you just escaped to. I know of four false gods that guard the four most obvious escape routes. The races are always a griffon, a dragon, a hydra, and a chimera. The dragon is impossible to kill and the chimera is the easiest."
"I killed the griffon. So you're saying that it should not normally have such power?" Aeron frowned.
"Precisely. Besides the dragon, none of them should have the level of a god as it is far too difficult. Once you choose the race you fight with, and your class; you're body will adjust to the change. It has always been this way. For choosing the more violent of the two races of the side you chose, you get +50 for all your stats and an increase of 1000HP. I believe that amounts to 100 vitality as each vitality point increases HP by +10. If you picked the elves, you would get +30 for all stats and 500MP and 500SP. I believe that is 100 spirit and 100 stamina as each point increases stamina and spirit by +5. Even if all the stats are less than yours, there is no doubt they have a better reward as MP and SP is very important for heroes," the city lord said.
"He's right. Stamina increases recovery rate and the amount of SP needed for physical skills while spirit dictates mana recovery rate, how much spells you can cast, and magic offense and defense," Aeron brooded. "+50 is good and vitality also increases our physical defense a little, but the reward is less valuable."
"Indeed. Also, the class you pick increases two stats. The most important stat increases by 20, and when you level, 2 of your awarded 6 stats automatically go into it. The next important stat increases by 10 and 1 of your stat points automatically goes into it. If you have an unused skill point, which you both should as you reached 10 and would be a fool to use it before picking a class; then you can increase the skill level of one of your class skills," Prince Dugar nodded. "Classes are decided by the god who chose you and the race you chose to live among and fight with. As we are a warrior race first and a rogue race second, we can offer no mage class for you. However, the gods allow you to learn a magic but it will be of a closer range than most magic. As you can guess, the difference between Divisions is like heaven and earth. Heroes who can kill enemies above their Division are nothing short of monsters. As for us, we don't know those things as we cannot see the world as you do."
"Once the class is chosen, we give you the armor the gods told us to give you and the stats are awarded. From there, you go into the north wing of the palace, forbidden to all but heroes, where you walk through a barrier. Inside are places called item shops, weapon shops, and other shops normally found in what you heroes called, video games," Duba continued. "You pay for those with black dragon coins. Heroes are naturally richer so expect the price to be equally as expensive. Getting a class is free but you must find your trainer and pay for the skills. I also understand there is something called class advancements. Those happen as you reach level 40."
"By then you will no longer be able to accept loot-drop abilities. Heroes in the past resented not adding them before reaching level 40. Once you pick your class, I suggest choosing loot-drop abilities that your class does not teach, but would benefit you regardless. Hero named Junghwa. You will be first. As is tradition, Aeron will wait outside until it is his turn to choose. You will see her in the north wing once you have chosen your own class. When you are both done, return here so that we may see your stats and allow you your stats and proceed with our discussion. Aeron, please wait outside the throne room. My son will fetch you shortly."
"I'll see you soon," Aeron said, kissing her lightly.
"Okay. Try not to pick an evil class. I do like bad boys but not evil ones," Junghwa teased as she put her hand on his cheek before he left.
Twenty minutes later, Aeron was called into the room as Duba opened the golden doors. Duba nodded at Aeron and they stood twenty feet before the city lord who sat on his white stone throne. Aeron's eyes narrowed as ten priests appeared from the door to the right of the throne, each of them carrying a box. As they opened them, each one contained chest armor and a single item.
"Based on the message we received from the true gods, one of them has stepped forth to claim you as his champion. We do not know who it is, as they never reveal themselves to all but the champion. However, ten classes have been proposed and the ten boxes containing a single Division 2 armor and an item essential for the class have been given for you to select. Upon choosing one, the other nine vanish and the stats will be awarded," the prince said as the priests laid the armor and items on ten, white stone pedestals. In front of the item and armor was a gold plaque which described the class.
"The ten classes are, from left to right, all warrior classes. Some have magic and others have some degree of rogue class references. Choose wisely, Aeron, as all choices are final. The choice of a side was final. The choice to stick with us was final. This choice, and many more, are final. Even in battle, the choices you make decide who lives and who dies," Duba warned. "Very rarely is there a way for you to make a third choice. However, those who can are those with power. If you want the choice to make your own options, you must become more powerful than your enemies. Choose wisely."
"Did Junghwa have ten choices as well?" Aeron asked.
"To answer that is permissible. Yes, she and all others have ten class selections. However, sometimes the race you chose force you to choose among fewer classes or force you to pick the one they want. That would have been your future if you picked the murderous and lustful race, known as the orcs. Either them or the lustful and greedy race, known as goblins. Thank you priests. You may return to pay heed to the messages of the true gods," the city lord said, the ten priests bowing as they left.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
"Dwarves believe in gods?" Aeron asked.
"No, we believe them to be a race beyond or power and understanding. We call them gods but most dwarves only honor our ancestors who rest in the stone. We call the true gods, gods, as that is what we must call them," Duba answered. "Oh, and you gain two skills that come for free. The rest, as stated before, must be bought from the class trainer. As for the item, they are used by the class and for class specific quests."
Aeron browsed over the ten statues as he read the names of the classes and their descriptions. The names of the ten classes were Dark Knight, Blight Tyrant, Tremor Fiend, Dragon Warrior, Demon Hunter, Dread Scourge, Sun Breaker, Astral Guardian, Tremor Fiend, Beast Tamer. All ten classes had combinations of all three types of fighting classes, but were mostly warriors as Aeron sided with the dwarves. Of all the ten classes, three of them were warriors with magic support and two of them are warriors with rogue aspects.
In video games, he had seen about four of the classes and thought other heroes would pick them. He did not want a class others would choose as they will know his strengths and weaknesses. Thus, he did not consider Dark Knight, Demon Hunter, Dragon Warrior, and Beast Tamer. He had no interest in defense as his axe had major offensive capabilities. Thus, he did not consider Astral Guardian. Now, he was left with four classes. Those classes were Blight Tyrant, Tremor Fiend, Dread Scourge, and Sun Conqueror.
Class: Blight TyrantClass Details
For centuries, knights have followed the orders of kings and used holy magic to bring justice to their foes. Unsatisfied with following the incompetent, knights have taken their rightful place as rulers of nations. Churches? Kings? Why did the knights have to limit themselves to the light?
Ruling with an iron fist, Blight Tyrants wield the powers of angels and demons to crush their enemies? Devils? Gods? He will kill them both and let the sky rain with their blood. Light is in his grasp. Darkness embraces him. Light and dark are two sides of the same existence. There cannot be one without the other. Good? Evil? They are the same and he will rule with both.
Class Awards
+20 Stamina
+10 Spirit
Division 2 Armor: Armor of the Tyrant
Class Specific Item: Leech Scepter
Gained Skill: Night Vision and Fear Field.
Aeron looked over the skill details. Night Vision was a passive skill that allowed one to see in darkness and detect live forms hiding in it. No stealth of any kind could deceive the skill. Fear Field was an active skill that paralyzed all foes within fifty feet with fear for ten seconds. An added effect of skill canceling was added that lasted five seconds after the target recovered from fear. Truly a cheat skill worthy of a class with tyrant included in its name.
Class: Tremor FiendClass Details
In ages long past, fiends used to roam the land and challenged the gods and devils. No matter what their enemies threw at them, the Tremor Fiend laughed and retaliated with power the shook the earth beneath them. Cities were leveled and not those who lived in the oceans escape their wrath.
Fiends are both powerful and mysterious. When it comes to hunting on land, there is no better assassin. The very earth is their weapon and even the darkness of the earth bends to their will. Even the fastest of creatures cannot escape them. With speed, overwhelming strength, and magic; Tremor Fiends cannot be escaped or defeated.
Class Awards
+20 strength
+10 spirit
Division 2 Armor: Fiend's Raiment
Class Specific Item: Shadow Diamond
Gained Skills: Fiend Slash and Rock Burst
Fiend Slash was an active skill that required a weapon with an edge. With non-elemental magic bonus damage, the user slashes the opponent and ignores all magical defense. Rock Burst was a short range teleportation ability that allowed the user to teleport within fifteen yards. Skill required a hard surface to appear to and from. Truly a class that dominates on land. Perhaps appearing on the bottom of the ocean was how the skill could be used. However, he would have to learn how to breathe underwater for that.
"We can resurrect?" Aeron frowned.
"That's right. Since you allied yourself with us, your spawn point is beneath the White Hammer of the Lake. You guys are really lucky. The rest of us have only one life and raising the dead is taboo," Duba said.
"Quiet! He is making his decision. Sorry, Aeron. He will not interrupt again," Dugar said while eyeing his son while Aeron nodded and kept browsing.
Class: Dread ScourgeClass Details
Death only marks the beginning of a new life. However, souls are the most powerful energy force in existence. Thus, why not harness the power of souls? Knowing it's sacrilegious does not make them waver. Dread Scourges kill others and ensnare their souls. What greater evil is there than to control the dead and make them serve you for eternity? The answer is none and the Dread Scourge does just that.
Do you think death spares you his wrath? It is only the beginning! Like a plague, he raises his army of souls and raids the land. Night is his might and day, his bane. Heroes are an existence that can revive. However, the Dread Scourges can ensnare their souls. Even if he cannot use them, the hero can only expect eternal imprisonment until the Dread Scourge is killed. There is no greater power, to kill a god, than to use souls against them.
Class Awards
+20 Vitality
+10 Spirit
Division 2 Armor: Armor of the Damned.
Class Specific Item: Orb of Souls.
Gained Skills: Soul Capture. Soul Puppet.
Soul Capture was a passive skill that captured the soul of all the kills of the Dread Scourge and stores their souls in the Orb of Souls. Souls could be used for certain class abilities or to replenish lost HP, MP, and SP. Soul Puppet was an active skill that uses a quarter of Dread Scourge's max MP in order to create a puppet using a captured soul. Puppets are counted as equipment and have no emotions. Heroes cannot be made into puppets. Souls used to make puppets cannot be retrieved and used to resurrect the dead.
Class: Sun ConquerorClass Details
The galaxy starts with the creation of the sun. Light sustains life and life thrives and is vibrant beneath it. It is the strongest element and the most destructive element. What better power, for a warrior, than absorbing the very power of the sun and use it to slay his enemies? A Sun Conqueror is a warrior of the sun. It heals and empowers him. Under it, he is nearly invincible. Magic cannot bind him. Darkness cannot affect him.
Fire and light are his weapons. They wrap around his limbs and blades as he slays all in his path. The world is his, as a Child of the Sun. No foe can hide where there is light. No ocean can stop him, his fire hotter than the very magma that rolls beneath the ocean floor. All will burn and bow down to his light, his radiance undying and undeniable. He is the sun. He is the ruler of all that bask in it.
Class Awards
+20 strength
+10 stamina
Division 2 Armor: Sun Stone Armor.
Class Specific Item: Radiant Medallion.
Gained Skills: Solar Chains and Flare Barrier.
Solar Chains was an active skill that chained enemies to the ground, immobilizing and canceling all skills for twenty seconds. No matter the level, the effect's duration of skill cancelation cannot be decreased. Skill cannot be blocked but can be broken. Flare Barrier is a counter skill that automatically effects if Sun Conqueror's life is endangered. Absolute immunity to damage and effects for ten seconds. Only activates on skills that take over 25% of Sun Conqueror's max HP.
"These classes are too overpowered!" Aeron shouted. "I can kind of understand why Tulaga was so strong."
"Tulaga? He killed the false god, Tulaga? I thought he just escaped and did not fight the hidden guardian. Wait, those are marks of a god slayer. He really killed the mutant variant griffon!" Dugar thought as Aeron pondered his choices.
".....I pick the class: Tremor Fiend," Aeron said after ten minutes. He weighed the pros and cons and decided it was the class for him.
System AnnouncementAeron Ao gained Class: Tremor Fiend
After escaping the city and choosing to fight with dwarves, you finally obtained your class. Class advancement is at level 40. Loot-drop abilities cannot be added from level 40 onward. 2 stats to strength and 1 stat to spirit will automatically be awarded per level. 3 other stats are up to Aeron's discretion. Stat numbers and distribution will not change upon reaching higher levels. +2 skill points every five levels from level 15.
+50 to all stats.
+100 vitality.
+2 strength and +1 spirit due to class.
Gained all class awards specified in description.
Access to Hero Market unlocked.
Unused skill points: 1
Status Display will now change.
-------------------
(Author: And so the MC gets his class. Tables will not appear for status display as they are too tedious and I can never get them to display as I envision in my head. Well, hope you enjoyed the chapter.)