After the harrowing encounter with the Gloom Serpent and the subsequent recovery period, David felt a sense of urgency. He knew he was growing stronger, but the world around him was relentless, filled with dangers that required more than just brute force. The idea of gaining a class had lingered in his mind, and now, after two days of cautious hunting, he was ready to unlock this new aspect of his power.

He sat in the quiet of the mansion, the eerie stillness almost comforting as he accessed the System. The display flickered before his eyes, illuminating the dark room with a soft, ethereal glow. His points had risen significantly after his recent endeavors, and now he had enough to finally purchase the Class Matrix.

SYSTEM MESSAGE:

Class Matrix Available for Purchase: 10,000 Points

David hesitated for a moment, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. This wasn’t just about gaining power; it was about choosing a path, a direction that would define his growth and survival in this unforgiving world.

“I need something that will allow me to adapt,” David thought, considering the dangerous, ever-changing environment around him. He confirmed the purchase, and the Class Matrix opened up before him, revealing a list of potential classes. However, only a few were unlocked, reflecting the actions and choices he had made up to this point.

The available classes were:

* Warrior: Focused on physical combat and weapon mastery, excelling in melee engagements and heavy armor use.

* Mage: Specialized in elemental magic and spellcasting, offering diverse offensive and defensive magical abilities.

* Rogue: Expert in stealth, agility, and critical strikes, perfect for players who prefer cunning and precision.

* Shapeshifter: Capable of altering form, with potential evolutions into more powerful transformations. This class allowed for significant versatility and adaptability.

* Elementalist: Masters of manipulating elemental energies for both offense and defense, harnessing the raw forces of nature.

* Wraithkeeper: The user can transform into a Spectral Blade, allowing for ethereal combat, commanding lesser wraiths, and nullifying physical attacks. Unlocking this class requires the life energy of a wraith general or above, or it can be purchased for 50,000 points.

* Necromancer: Commanders of undead forces, capable of summoning and controlling various types of undead minions.

* Beastmaster: Specializes in taming and commanding beasts, gaining abilities to bond with and enhance the capabilities of various creatures.

David’s mind buzzed as he weighed the options. His experiences thus far had shown him the raw power and allure of each class. The Warrior and Rogue classes promised straightforward combat prowess and agility, but David knew he sought more than just physical or stealth-based abilities. The Mage and Elementalist classes intrigued him with their potential for magical mastery, but he was unsure if they would suit his current needs for adaptability and survival.

The Shapeshifter class caught his eye. It offered the versatility to alter his form and evolve into more powerful transformations. This class seemed to align with his desire for adaptability, especially in a world where encountering various powerful creatures was the norm. However, unlocking the Wraithkeeper class, with its spectral transformations and command over lesser wraiths, was also tempting. But David knew that acquiring the life energy of a wraith general or above would be a monumental task, one he wasn't ready to undertake just yet.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

David also considered the Necromancer class, with its ability to summon and control undead minions. While the class was powerful and offered unique strategic options, it didn’t quite align with his humanity and ideals. The Beastmaster class was another option that intrigued him, providing abilities to bond with and enhance various creatures. However, David felt that the Shapeshifter class would offer him a broader range of abilities and better synergy with his current skills.

He scrolled through the system's descriptions, contemplating his choices. The Shapeshifter class would allow him to transform into various forms, each with unique abilities and potential for growth. It would synergize well with his existing Wraithborne class, enhancing his overall capabilities and offering new ways to approach combat and survival.

As David pondered, he remembered the System's notes on class evolution. The Shapeshifter class would evolve every ten levels, unlocking new forms and abilities. This would provide him with a dynamic edge in battles and exploration. He also noted that class levels contributed to his overall level, enhancing his attributes and skills.

He needed to collect a creature's life energy to proceed with this class. This energy, akin to a creature's DNA, would grant him deeper insights into its characteristics and natural affinities. David realized that being in a forest teeming with powerful creatures was an opportunity he couldn't ignore. He would need to gather parts from these creatures, using their life energy to refine and enhance his shapeshifting abilities.

After much deliberation, David made his choice. He decided to invest in the Shapeshifter class. It offered the adaptability he needed, and he was determined to make the most of his time in the forest, hunting and collecting valuable life energy from the creatures he encountered.

SYSTEM MESSAGE:

Shapeshifter Class Unlocked

Current Points: 2,562

David confirmed his choice and set out on a new mission. He would focus on leveling up the Shapeshifter class by hunting various creatures and collecting their life energy. Each creature would provide unique attributes and abilities, enhancing his transformations and allowing him to adapt to different challenges.

With a renewed sense of purpose, David ventured into the forest, ready to test his new class and abilities. He encountered formidable beasts, using his growing skills to defeat them and extract their life energy. As he collected parts from these creatures, he could feel the Shapeshifter class’s potential unfolding, offering him new forms and capabilities.

David also knew that unlocking the Wraithkeeper class would require significant effort and resources. The life energy of a wraith general or above was not easily obtained, and the alternative of spending 50,000 points was a considerable expense he wasn’t willing to make at this moment. Instead, he decided to accumulate points through his shapeshifting endeavors, aiming to level up his class and prepare for future challenges.

The forest became his training ground, and with each successful hunt, David felt himself growing stronger and more versatile. His newfound abilities as a Shapeshifter allowed him to approach battles with greater flexibility and creativity, transforming into various forms and leveraging their unique attributes.

He decided to hunt a Shadow Wolf first, believing it would make for a good test subject for his transformation. After a quick stealthy strike, he successfully defeated the creature and collected its blood. To his satisfaction, using the Shadow Wolf’s blood proved effective in the process of gathering life energy. As he examined the wolf’s remains, David carefully considered which parts might be valuable for extracting life energy, knowing that information about his abilities would be crucial for his ongoing training and development.