“You doing good? You’ve been going nonstop for a couple hours now,” I said. Gam leaned against a tree, catching her breath. She held her gun in a tight grip as she looked around for more monsters.
“I need to level up quickly,” she replied. “If we want all the Players trapped in this game to escape, we need to get stronger as fast as possible.”
“I understand. But no need to overwork yourself,” I countered. She opened her mouth to reply, but then stopped. She sighed and nodded in agreement.
“Fine. But I’m already Level 9, so let’s keep hunting until I can at least reach Level
10,” she finally said.
“Alright, that’s fine,” I agreed. We then continued hunting until she leveled up again.
“Yes! I’m Level 10! Now I can get my Innate Ability awakened and obtain a Class,” Gam exclaimed. “By the way, Cain, what’s your Innate Ability and Class?”
“Oh, uh, I didn’t know how to do those things, so just kept hunting and doing Quests instead,” I replied.
“What?! You mean you don’t even have your Innate Ability awakened?!” She shouted. I nodded. “But, but, an Innate Ability is something specific to each Player and helps to further determine their playstyle and abilities!”
“Oh. Then I guess I had better get it awakened. How do I do that?” I asked. Gam sighed and shook her head.
“Just follow me. We can both get out Innate Abilities awakened at the same time,” she told me. I agreed and followed after her as she left the forest. The four of us walked back to the village and she led me to a building that looked similar to a church. “The priest here can awaken our Innate Abilities.”
As if he heard our conversation, a wizened old man wearing white and gold robes walked up to us. He was hunched over and clutched a silver and gold cane to support his weight. His long white beard almost dragged on the ground as he walked.
“Hello, my children,” he greeted. “How may this old man be of service?”
“We would like your assistance in awakening the gods’ blessing that resides in both of us,” Gam answered. The old priest nodded and beckoned for us to follow him. He walked up to a statue of a winged figure and stood in front of it. I watched Gam as she knelt in front of the priest and he place his withered hands on her head. There was a flash of light and he removed his hands.
“There you are, my child. Your blessing has been awakened,” he told her.
“Thank you. Would my friend and fellow Adventurer be able to be awakened as well?” She asked.
“Of course. Step forward, young man,” he said. I did the same thing I saw Gam do, kneeling in front of him. I felt his hands on my hand and I the received a system message.
[Your Innate Ability [Sword Prodigy] has been awakened]
[Sword Prodigy]
[Type: Passive]
[Effects:
1. +50% Physical Attack Power when wielding any sword-type weapon
2. +50% Attack Speed when wielding any sword-type weapon
3. +50% Movement Speed when wielding any sword-type weapon
4. -50% MP consumed when using sword-based Skills
5. Learns sword-based Skills 50% faster]
“Thank you very much,” I said to the man, standing up.
“You’re welcome, child. May the gods be with you,” he said. I nodded and turned to Gam.
“Let’s head to the Trade Union,” Gam said. “That’s where we can get Classes.”
“Okay. How exactly does that process work?” I asked.
“Well, it’s somewhat different for every Class, but basically, there’s an Instructor for each Class that tests your qualifications for that Class,” she explained. “And if you pass their test, you gain that Class. If you fail, though, you have to choose a different Class.”
“Got it. Sounds pretty simple. By the way, what’s your Innate Ability?” I asked.
“Oh, it’s [Vital Point Detection],” she replied. “Here, let me share the info with you.”
[Vital Point Detection]
[Type: Passive]
[Effects:
1. Can see the vital points in a creature’s body
2. Increases chance of purposely hitting a vital point by 25%
3. x2 damage dealt against vital points
4. Increases chance of inflicting Hemorrhage status effect when hitting a vital point by 25%]
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“Oh, wow, that’s perfect for a Gunner!”
“Right? I really like my Innate Ability, it makes getting critical hits much easier. What’s yours?”
“Oh, it’s called [Sword Prodigy].” Gam looked at me with an envious expression. “What? What is it?”
“All [Prodigy] Innate Abilities are supposed to be pretty powerful. To the point of putting other similar Innate Abilities, like my [Vital Point Detection], to shame. Why do you keep getting the good stuff?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I’m naturally talented at swordsmanship in real life?”
“Maybe. But either way, I’m kinda jealous.”
“Yeah, but, isn’t your Innate Ability perfect for someone who uses guns?”
“I guess so. Either way, let’s just go get our Classes.”
I nodded in agreement. So Gam led me through the busy village streets. Eventually, we stopped in front of a large building that I was surprised to have never noticed before. It had a large sign over the entrance that said “Trade Union” on it.
“Let’s head in. There’s a lot of Class instructors in here, but there are a few Classes you can’t obtain here,” Gam told me. “But most of the main ones people would want are here. I already know which Class I’m getting, so I’m gonna head on over. You figure out which one you want.”
“Okay. Thanks for your help,” I replied. We then parted ways inside the spacious building. I looked at the different stalls with their respective Instructors. However, none of them really stuck out to me. At least, not until I got to the last stall.
“What’re you lookin’ at, kid?” The Instructor said. He was lean and wiry, with messy shoulder-length hair and a wild, unkempt beard. His clothes were ragged and dirty, giving the impression of a homeless person. However, what caught my attention was his eyes. They were filled with a steely focus that was only matched by the equally fiery determination that lit them up.
“I was just wondering what your stall’s Class is,” I replied, unintimidated.
“Buzz off. A novice punk like you would never be able to learn what I have to teach,” he said with a snort. But I remained resolute and continued to stand there, staring him down. I saw the Instructor’s eyes narrow and it almost felt like his gaze was piercing into me like the blade of a sword, cutting into my soul. However, despite the pain and discomfort, I still stood unmoving and unwavering. Finally, he sighed and scratched his beard. “Fine. This stall is for those who wish to walk the path of the [Sword Master]. But it’s not a path for the weak willed or faint hearted. Though I suppose you just proved that you’re neither.”
“Then can I take the test to become a [Sword Master]?” I asked. He snorted again.
“You just did,” he replied. He continued explaining when he saw the confused look on my face. “The test was my glare just then. You see, once someone has mastered their use of the sword, they can turn anything into a blade. Even their gaze.”
He then pointed at me. Glancing at my HP bar, I realized that I was down to 10%. I just didn’t realize it because it had happened so quickly because [Determination I] had triggered, which blocked out the pain.
“See? I did that just by looking at you. And you withstood it. That was your test,” he said. “So, you’re now walking the path of the [Sword Master].”
[You have obtained Class [Sword Master]]
[Str and Agi have permanently increased by 5]
[Vit and Int have permanently increased by 2]
“Thank you very much,” I replied.
“You’re welcome. Thought I will tell ya, I do things a bit differently than the other Instructors,” he began saying. “They just give you your Class and toss you out to learn for yourself. I ain’t like that. Every person who passes my test becomes my disciple. Which means I’m your teacher who’s gonna train ya from now on.”
“Oh, cool. By the way, how many people have passed your test before?” I asked.
“Including you, it’s been three. Though you’re the first Adventurer to do so,” he answered.
[You are now the first Player disciple of Sword Master Jax]
[You have obtained Title [First Disciple]]
[First Disciple]
[Requirements: become the first Player chosen by Sword Master Jax to be his disciple]
[Effects:
1. +100% Str and Agi
2. +100 all main stats when wielding a sword-type weapon
3. +100 all main stats when facing an enemy wielding a sword-type weapon]
“What in the world is this Title?!” I exclaimed.
“So, my little disciple, you ready for your first lesson?” Jax asked.
“Sure, I guess,” I answered.
“Good. The first lesson shall be on walking the path of the sword,” Jax replied. “Follow me.”
“Where are we going?”
“We are going to a location more suitable for training. This place is too cramped and crowded.”
Without another word, the man stood up and walked off. Following him, we ended up walking to a large open field. Removing the tattered cloak he was wearing, I saw a one-handed longsword sheathed in a scabbard at his waist. Drawing the weapon, I noted that it was an elegant and beautiful weapon.
“Draw your weapon,” Jax commanded. I did as he instructed and drew my greatsword. “Such a large weapon, how fast can you swing it?”
“It’s lighter than it looks, so it’s pretty easy to swing,” I replied.
“Show me. Before I teach you the lesson, I would like to gauge the skill of your swordsmanship,” he said. “Attack me any way you’d like and with whatever abilities you may possess. I, however, will only use my basic swordsmanship to defend myself. The test ends when you manage to land a single hit on me.”
“Alright, sounds good. I’ll do my best,” I replied.
“Good. Because that’s what I expect at all times: your very best,” was his only response. He then shifted into a defensive stance, his sword held out to parry or block any incoming attacks.
[Sword Master Jax would like to test your skills before training you]
[Landed 0/1 hits on Sword Master Jax]
[Rewards: +Relationship with Sword Master Jax]
[Failure Penalty: no longer able to be his disciple, lose [Sword Master] Class, -Relationship with Sword Master Jax]
[Accept? Y/N]
“Alright. I’m ready,” I replied. Shifting my weight, I dashed forward, using an overhead chop. The large blade of my sword came crashing down on Jax, but he effortlessly deflected my attack. Swinging again, I attacked with my full strength, speed, and skill, raining down blows. However, the sword master effortlessly parried and deflected all of my attacks.
“You certainly have more skill than the average Adventurer, but you still have a very, very long way to go,” Jax told me. “Now, stop holding back. I can feel that you have a lot more power than this.”
Agreeing in my mind that I needed to not hold back, I began activating Skills. At the same time, I received a system message.
[Sword Master Jax recognized as hostile enemy]
[Sword Master Jax recognized as Quest Boss]
[Skill [Giant Killing] has been activated]
[Title [First Solo Raider] has been activated]
[You have activated Skill [Spectral Summon - Zak]]
[Ghost Boy Zak will temporarily fight alongside you]
[You have activated Skill [Berserk]]
[Stats have been temporarily increased]
[Defense has been temporarily decreased]
[You have activated Skill [Ogre’s Strength]]
[Str has been temporarily increased]
[You have activated Skill [Rapid Strikes]]
[Attack Speed has been temporarily increased]
[You have activated Skill [White Wolf’s Howl I]]
[Stats have been temporarily increased]
[Allies’ stats have been temporarily increased]
[Enemies’ stats have been temporarily decreased]
[You have activated Skill [Black Wolf King’s Howl I]]
[Allies have been temporarily Encouraged]
[Enemies have been temporarily Terrified]
[You have activated Skill [Physical Enhancement I]]
[Str, Vit, and Agi have been temporarily increased]
[You have activated Skill [Moonlight’s Blessing]]
[Stats have been temporarily increased]
[Attack Power has been temporarily increased]
[Defense has been temporarily increased]
[HP and MP are temporarily recovering]
[You have activated Skill [Draconic Transformation]]
[Stats have been temporarily increased]
[Max MP has been temporarily increased]
[Physical Attack Power has been temporarily increased]
[Flight is temporarily possible]
“You ready? Because the real fight starts now,” I said, reptilian scales slowly covering my body and large bat-like wings sprouting from my back.