Calculating Possible Classes
Among the innumerable mysteries unsolved by the forms of existence that inhabit the universe, I could not help but remember the one that had not affected me for a long time. Why was it so difficult to try to understand women?
Especially this particular half-specimen that walked with me. She was more stubborn than the death of the stubborn. In fact, the more I spent time with her, the more I thought there would be a contest to see which reaper would take her to eternal slumber.
Gwen talked one way, but wanted another. More and more, despite her age, she looked like a tantrum child. After a long time of discussing what our first quest would be, 'we' decided to go after three wolves that were tormenting a nearby farm. It would be a good test of my skills, according to her.
So here we were. Walking towards a small farm a few hours away from Stoneshard. We had barely arrived and were already leaving.
Gwen, having calmed down from the discussions we had, seemed to find no other way to pass the time than by asking me questions. "So, you don't remember what you were before you were a reaper?"
There was no reason to lie. "I don't have a clue. All I know is that I was born with my design."
"But you never thought about doing other things? Picking a class you really liked, living your adventures?"
"Actually, no. Life as a reaper has always been good. I had time to do what I wanted, and I didn't have to live in fear." Reapers were beings to exist at level 101. Since the highest level obtained by normal means was 100, there was nothing to fear.
I couldn't, however, help but feel a slight adventurous feeling. Perhaps it was the decrease in my attributes, but I was indeed curious to see what it would be like to level up.
"Having power without freedom is the same as having no power at all," Gwen replied. Stubborn as a mule.
I was already tired of this. It wasn't even half a day and my head was already hurting. I hoped I wouldn't regret accepting this mission so much. Well, it wasn't as if I could take it back.
"Let's focus on the goal, shall we?"
I took the sheet of paper they had handed us in the guild.
Mission: Kill three wolves that are harassing Nana's farm
Reward: 50 gold and 100 XP
Since our sharing options were on, our XP would be doubled. Gwen was already at level 7, while I was still at level 1. Until now, I had only one skill. Every level a new skill was offered by the system. This new skill could either be an actual new skill, or an improvement to an old skill.
This made specialization of builds common. Some focused on improving only a few skills, while others sought a larger skill range, sacrificing potential for versatility. I had not yet decided which way to go.
I motioned for Gwen to stop. Besides resting, it was time to test my first skill.
When we found a place with no curious people around, I reread the requirements of my skill and prepared myself for what needed to be done. With one hand, I pointed to the side and intoned the name of the spell. Whether this was really necessary, I did not know. But it was the right thing. A death would never take someone to the afterlife with a teddy bear, after all.
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A blue stream, representing my mana, came out of my hand and began to wrap itself in the air. Slowly the stream took shape, so that soon a small green being appeared in front of me.
Simple Goblin (Bonny)
Level: 1
Combat Attributes: Awful
Intelligence Attributes: Awful
Manual attributes: Awful
I could say that I expected something better, but I would be lying. All the years in the profession had made me less than optimistic about the little creatures. The little goblin with disfigured ears and nose in front of me was not the exception, but the rule.
"What a cute thing. What can you do?" asked Gwen, as she looked at the newly arrived creature. I couldn't help but notice that as she looked at the goblin, she was also looking at her own skin, as if comparing the two.
It was obvious that the recent transformation was bothering her. I still didn't quite understand what had happened. After we were able to continue our evolution, it would be a priority to find out.
I knew that the attempt at conversation was futile. In response to the question, the goblin only made guttural sounds, unrecognizable to a sane mind. "It's useless. Goblins are the creatures with the worst basic attributes in existence. We won't be able to extract anything from it."
"Huh?" said the goblin.
I turned my head quickly, surprised. That shouldn't be possible. Even a monosyllabic formation was totally alien to the ability of most goblins. To check what was happening, I scanned him with the system.
When I noticed no difference, I remembered that I had hidden all the details of the notifications. Taking souls to the afterlife was tiring. I didn't need to know in detail the characteristics of all the goblins I had harvested.
After changing the settings with a flick of the mind, I ordered the words to appear again.
Goblin (Bonny)
Level: 1
Passive activated: This goblin has all its attributes increased by 10. This goblin can evolve. This goblin can learn skills.
I quickly closed the menu and opened my own configurations. Damn, how much pertinent information I would have missed had I not reverted the settings now. I looked carefully at the active passives, so that I wouldn't miss anything this time.
Goblin expertise: From your advanced knowledge of goblins, your summoned ones will have increased attributes.
Goblin love: For your sympathy with thousands of goblins, they will do anything for you.
Death Likes You: You have a 0.1% chance of causing permanent death with any skill. Applies to your summons.
Well, at least that would help me. I was hoping that my next abilities would be from some relevant summons. But, knowing the system, the best chance was that they would again be some useless stuff. At least, if they were still goblins, I now had a better chance of finding some use for the creatures.
"I wonder if you've ever been able to read the abilities for real?" asked Gwen, impatiently. She had tried to hit me with some rocks when I explained the situation to her. Besides being stubborn, she was ungrateful.
"One day you will understand."
"The hell I will. Just drop it and let's get on with it!"
Before we left, I found a small fox and tested my commands on the goblin. Like a good minion, he obeyed my orders diligently, going after the animal as instructed.
However, despite his good will and improving attributes, the goblin still ran sloppily, and did not possess enough physical strength to restrain the animal. I supposed the cause of this was that, despite the improved attributes, the goblin was still a goblin. The margin for progression existed, but it was smaller.
The system gave everyone attributes. Animals, and even insects, had attributes. However, the attributes came from a base, variable for each species. This made sure that a lion didn't accidentally gain sentience, as well as making sure that a literate goblin still had the intelligence of a goblin.
When we started walking again, I decided to check the part of my profile that I had not seen before.
Abilities:
Vitality: 04
Strength: 05
Intelligence: 12
Agility: 03
Spirituality: 07
My skills were typical of a magic user. I would have to find some way to have offensive power and be able to defend myself. I could trust Gwen, but I knew she was still inexperienced.
I needed to find a new scythe.