The valiant individuals who had courageously defended Leaf Village against the horde of Undead that breached their fortifications were honored by the townsfolk, as seven days had transpired since the onset of the Monster Outbreak.
As the Monsters attacked, the Village's Guards bore the brunt of the battle, resulting in significant casualties with only slightly more than fifty surviving.
The Norria Stronghold was asked by Aron, the Guards' Captain, to station thirty Goat Riders in their village to reinforce their defenses.
Aron's plea was granted by the Norrian Commander who sent a troop of dwarven defenders, known as the Black Thorn, to protect Leaf Village temporarily. Comprised of 30 skilled mounted warriors, they held the position of Grade C Apostles (Rank 2 Monster), with their leader Rider Captain Boreas, who was a Grade B Apostle (Rank 3 Monster). The deployment aimed to safeguard the village against potential threats.
Altogether, over eighty defenders remained in Leaf Village to safeguard it.
….
Viel was eating his lunch in the inn. It was super delicious, it seemed that what the Innkeeper said was true. But Viel insisted and paid for his food.
The doorbell sounded, indicating the entrance of a client. Viel turned to look at it and found that the person who entered was his master, Randolph.
"Master! Please sit here, I'll order you a drink. Do you like beer, right?"
Randolph nodded and Viel asked the innkeeper for one. Of course, Viel paid for it. What type of disciple would he be if he didn't do it for his master, who was teaching him for free.
When the beer was served, Randolph gave it a heavy sip.
"Ah! There is nothing like a good cold beer after work." Randolph said.
"What brings you here, Master?" Viel asked.
"I've come here to see you." He said as he pulled a bag from his pocket.
"What is it?"
"The people of the village heard that you were my disciple, and some of them started bringing gifts to repay you for saving them and their families." Randolph explained.
"But Master, I can't accept this. I already received a reward from the Adventurer's Guild."
"That's that and this is this. That was a reward issued by the Adventurer's Guild that most of the participants received according to their contribution to it." Randolph took another ship of his beer. "This is the gratitude of the families of Leaf Village. Also, see it as a form of apology for the treatment you received when you arrived. They saw how you risked your life for them and fought with your life on the line." When he finished talking, he pushed the bag to Viel.
After a moment of thinking, Viel finally gave in and accepted it.
"Fine, I will accept it. But know that I won't turn complacent, I will continue protecting Leaf Village's people."
Randolph and the Innkeeper, who was near them and heard their conversation, smiled when he said that.
Right now Viel didn't know it, but the innkeeper would spread his words to all the clients of his inn. Making him famous through Leaf Village.
….
Viel left the inn and headed to the Adventurer's Guild to get his Job Class change. After all, he already has more than 100 combined Stat Points.
He entered the Guild and approached a Guild Receptionist.
"Hi miss. I would like to get a Job Class change if it's possible." Viel said.
"A Job Class change? Certainly," the guild receptionist said with a smile. "Please follow me, Viel. We need to go to the back of the Guild where the shrine is."
"Ok." Viel replied.
Upon journeying for a brief period, she guided Viel to a tiny sanctuary where a white orb made of crystal, similar in size to a basketball, was situated on top of a stand.
He already knew how the Job Class change worked and knew what to do.
"Viel, please put your hand on the crystal ball," she advised. "Take your time and think carefully before you make your profession selection."
Viel nodded. "I will do so."
Viel placed his palm over the crystal ball.
A few seconds later, it glowed and a projection appeared in front of him.
—--
Name: Viel Von Kaiser
Age: 16
Race: Half-Elf
Rank: (None)
< Compatible Job Classes >
Swordsman
Assassin - (Rare)
Archer
Brawler
Fighter
Hunter - (Rare)
Magic Knight - (Rare)
Magician
Battle Mage - (Rare)
Martial Artist -(Rare)
Summoner - (Unique)
Martial Master - (Unique)
Animancer - (Hidden Class)
—--
Elysium offered various categories of classes for people to opt for, each having its own subcategories.
The primary category comprised Basic Job Classes, which were open to all, and encompassed occupations such as Swordsman, Thief, Brawler, Magician, Archer, Fighter, and Healer.
The Rare Job Classes were also present, which tended to be a combination of the Basic Job Classes. For instance, those who possessed proficient skills in many types of fighting could become a Martial Artist.
Similarly, those who chose to acquire proficiency in both hand-to-hand combat and magical spells, like magicians, would have the opportunity to become a Battle Mage.
As for Unique Classes, these were professions that were relatively hard to find. Just like the Hidden Class, Unique Classes could only be obtained through fortuitous encounters. These rare events, which would only happen out of the blue, usually blessed people learn Job Classes that were not available to everyone.
Hidden Classes were similar to Unique Classes. Only lucky or very unlucky people could bump into professions that no one usually had access to.
Viel's Animancer Class serves as a perfect illustration. Without obtaining the Animancer Skill Book through his Gacha Pull, he would have been unable to gain immediate access to the Summoner and Animancer Job Classes.
If someone were to change their Job Classes because they stumbled upon a better class, they could change it. Thankfully, however, only the skills of the previous Job Class would be erased from the person's Soul Book. Their stat points would remain the same.
Immediately, Viel chose the Animancer Job Class. He already knew the potential its abilities had.
—--
< You have chosen the Animancer Job Class >
< Is this your final answer? >
< Yes / No >
—-
Viel chose yes.
Upon selecting his option, a radiant light emanated from the crystal ball, surrounding Viel in a luminous aura. Though the occurrence lasted only momentarily, Viel sensed an unfamiliar power flowing through his very being.
—--
< Animancer >
"I can see your Soul as well as I know it will be mine."
– Animancers specialize in the manipulation and animation of souls, bending them to their whim and infusing them into different things to create powerful servants. They are also capable of strengthening themselves using souls as well as healing.
< You already have learned the Animacer Skills for this Job Class >
< Calculating Job Class Change Bonus as compensation >
< Job Class Change Bonus >
200% Mana Regeneration
+800 to Health
+1 to all Stats
+2 to all Summoning Skills
—--
'This is very good. It should be better than Lux rewards were as my Animancy is of a higher grade than Necromancy.' Viel thought.
"Have you already chosen a Job Class?" The guild receptionist asked.
Viel nodded as he presented his Guild Card.
"We will proceed to update your current information."
"Ah! I almost forgot."
The receptionist asked Viel for a drop of his blood in order to upgrade his current information.
He did as said and the details on his guild card were updated.
—--
< Guild Card >
Name: Viel Von Kaizer
Age: 16
Race: Half-Elf
Rank: (None)
Job Class: Animancer
Registered in Leaf Village
—--
"Animancer?!" The guild receptionist asked in surprise after seeing Viel's current Job Class. "I have never heard of it…It should be a Hidden Class! How did you get this?!"
Before it could escalate, Viel snatched his Guild Card out of the receptionist's hand and said goodbye while he ran out from the Guild.
….
Viel summoned his Soul Book to check his skills as the bonuses he received upgraded all his summoning skills by two. He also took out some of the Rank 1 and Rank 2 Beast Cores that he was gifted and consumed them to create souls to use as an aid in battle and to upgrade his stat points. Now he had left 5 Rank 2 Beast Cores and 8 Rank 1 Beast Cores as he used 7 Rank 1 to create souls and 5 Rank 2 to upgrade his Stats.
—--
Obtained 50 Free Stats Points
Obtained 100 Body Constitution Points
—--
Name: Viel Von Kaizer
Age: 16
Race: Half-Elf
Rank: (None)
Sub Class: Blacksmith
Health: 750 / 750 → 1550 / 1550(!)
Mana: 400 / 400
Strength: 40 → 41 → 50(!)(+3)
Intelligence: 40 → 41(!)
Vitality: 30 → 31(!)
Agility: 30 → 31(!) (+23)
Dexterity: 25 → 26(!) (+3)
〚 Luck: 9998〛
Soul: 365 → 366(!)
Free Stat Points Available: 41
Defense: 86 (55+31)
Special Abilities: Jack-of-All-Trades [EX] Blessing of the OGU [???] [Absorb (4/5) Devour (Unused) Copy (3/4) Steal (3/3)] Blessing of the OGH [???] Gaming Energy-Ticket of Eriol [Divine] (250/5000)
Animancer Skills: Soul Creation [Ex] (7/366) Animating Touch [Ex] Soul Familiar [Ex] Soul Order
Sub Class Skills: Master of Metals [Ex] Heat Resistance [Ex]
Skills: Fury Slash Dark Arrow
Blood Tattoos(0/1): (None)
—--
Special Body Constitution: Crimson Canvas' Legacy (21/300)(!)
Title: Apprentice Blacksmith, Fearless
—--
Elysium Copper Coins: 145
Elysium Silver Coins: 22
Elysium Gold Coins: 0
—--
< Ferto has reached the requirement for a Job Change >
< Please Choose your named Creature's Job Class wisely >
< Compatible Job Classes >
< Arcane Protector >
– A guardian that specializes in using its mana to create magical shields and barriers to protect its allies from harm. The Arcane Protector can also use its powers to heal and restore mana to those in need.
(Job Class Bonus)
+10 Strength
+20 Vitality
+1000 Health Points
Passive Skill: Reflect Damage
Active Skill: Arcane Barrier, Mana Heal
< Arcane Avenger >
– An offensive Job Class that focuses on dealing high amounts of Arcane damage to enemies. The Arcane Avenger can manipulate its mana to imbue its attacks with powerful Arcane energy, making them even more deadly.
(Job Class Bonus)
+15 Intelligence
+10 Dexterity
Active Skill: Arcane Strike, Arcane Charge
< Arcane Ranger >
– The Arcane Ranger is a skilled hunter, specializing in ranged combat and tracking down enemies. They can strike from afar with deadly precision and are also adept at avoiding incoming attacks. This Job Class is a good choice for those who prefer a more strategic approach to combat.
(Job Class Bonus)
+10 Agility
+15 Dexterity
Active Skill: Arcane Shot, Camouflage
Passive Skill: Precision, Evasion
—-
Viel didn't bat an eye and immediately selected the first option. Ferto's role was decided even before his creation by Viel and he would make everything he could to make it happen.
—-
< Due to the skill Arcane Barrier already existing, it will evolve to the best of its capabilities. >
< Arcane Barrier [Ex] >
– Mana: 35
– Create a potent magical barrier around the user, reducing all incoming damage by 95% for 8 minutes
– While the barrier is active, the user can move at full speed without any negative effects.
– Skill Cooldown: 5 minutes.
—-
< Ferto>
"I will protect what needs to be protected"
– Named Arcane Sentinel
– Arcane Protector
– Rating: C+
– Mana: 50
– Progress (10/1000)
Health: 16000/ 16000
Mana: 2000 / 2000
Attack: 85 - 100 (+35 damage from Blade of the Sentient Shield )
Attack Type: Arcane Damage
Strength: 70 → 80(!)
Intelligence: 90
Vitality: 66 → 86(!)
Agility: 62
Dexterity: 60
Defense: 500
Active Skills: Arcane Barrier [Ex](!), Arcane Nova, Arcane Blast, Mana Heal(!)
Passive Skills: Blessing of Fire, Blessing of Mana, Intimidating Presence, Reflect Damage(!)
Title: First Guardian, Knight of Valor
—-
< Jörmungander >
"My venom will rot the world, hiss."
– Named Soul Familiar
– Rating: D
– Rank: Demigod
– Energy: 30
– Progress (0/2000)
Health: 600 / 600
Mana: 600 / 600
Strength: 50
Intelligence: 63
Vitality: 45
Agility: 65
Dexterity: 55
Active Skills: Poison Shot, Bite, Mana Devour, Venomous Cloud(!)
Passive Skills: Soul Venom, Poison Immunity, Poison Healing
Title: World's Venom
—-
< Animating Touch >
Rating: E
Energy: 5/soul imbued
Progress: (0/200)
– You can increase the Progression Rating when you use Beast Cores to upgrade this skill.
– Infuse 8 inanimate objects with the essence of a soul.
– The strength of the object will depend on the strength of the soul used and the object.
– Infuse duration 24 hours
– Skill Cooldown: 20 minutes
—--
< Ding! >
< Congratulations! Your Body Constitution has been upgraded! >
< Choose one from among these three options as your bonus reward! >
(Option 1) – + 100 permanent points to Vitality
(Options 2) – A Blood Magic grimoire
(Options 3) – Blood Brush
– Summon a brush from your own blood to create your own Crimson Canvas.
"Again I am in the same situation." Viel said. After all, he couldn't get the Vitality points and the Blood Magic could be taught to him, so the only option left was the Blood Brush skill.
But the problem was that he didn't know what it was, and the skill description doesn't help at all.
In the end, he chose the Blood Brush skill. What could go wrong?... Right?
< Skill Evolution [EX] detected a new Skill. >
< Since the Skill is learned from your Body Constitution Upgrade and not from a Beast Core, evolution requirements will be waived. >
< Blood Brush [Ex] >
– Summon a brush from your own blood to create your own Crimson Canvas. Each time you summon it, you will lose 20% of your health.
– The user of this skill channels their own life force to imbue their art with magical energy, which can be used for various purposes depending on the user's intent.
– The user can create illusions or phantasms by painting them with the blood of their enemies, imbuing them with the essence of those they have slain.
– The more powerful the being whose blood is used, the stronger the effects of the creation will be.
– Overuse of this skill can lead to extreme exhaustion or even death, as the user channels their own life force into their creations.
< Crimson Canvas' Legacy >
Rating: E
Progress: 21/300
The Crimson Canvas is not just about tattooing, but about channeling the essence of your victims into art. It is a testament to the power of the human spirit, allowing its wielder to draw upon their own life force to imbue their creations with raw magical energy.
Upgrade Rewards: +2000 Health Points, Blood Brush [EX]
Bonus Reward: +1 Animating Touch Skill
– You will be able to infuse 2 more inanimate objects with the essence of a soul. (10 in total)
Note: Upgrading your special constitution will allow you to unlock its abilities.
"Ok, this is going in a very good direction. At this rate, I would be able to slay every Alpha-monster in Leaf Village."
"Also, I must check the Blood Brush thing with the woman that Grandma spoke about."