Chapter 21: The Class Change Goddess Gana

Ritchie's thought process was unlike that of normal people.

While everyone else was pondering their next steps, he was caught up in thoughts about aliens and movies.

Jeremy didn't engage with him, instead finding Ritchie a room to clean up before returning to his own room.

Emma had gone to another room to cook, conveniently absent.

Jeremy entered his bedroom and sat on the bed. He didn't rush into his class change but first checked the title he had received.

[Title]: Pathfinder

[Type]: Special

[Effect]: All attributes +30, drop rate +10%, experience +10%

[Skill]: Forerunner

[Description]: Upon using the skill, the player's damage increases by 30%, and speed by 50% for a duration of 3 minutes, with a cooldown of 24 hours.

[Note]: Those who step forward first may encounter misfortune. But more often than not, they are also the ones to find good fortune.

Staring at the attributes of "Pathfinder," Jeremy's eyes revealed his surprise.

The title, worthy of its special equipment status, added a total of 120 points to his attributes, along with rare attribute bonuses like drop rate and experience.

What surprised Jeremy the most was that this title also provided a skill.

The "Forerunner" skill could not only increase a player's damage but also significantly boost their speed... Though it lasted only a brief 3 minutes, it was enough to turn the tide in some battles.

After equipping the title, Jeremy opened his panel and found his name now followed by the suffix (Pathfinder), with his total attributes breaking into triple digits at 107 points.

Among novice players, this was undoubtedly astonishing.

Jeremy nodded slightly, guessing he should be able to acquire a decent profession soon.

A player's first profession is determined by their attributes and talents—The higher these are, the better the profession they can obtain.

There are three different ranks of professions: Common, Rare, and Hidden.

There are also three different types: Combat, Support, and Lifestyle.

The gap between different ranks of professions is vast, both in terms of attributes and skills, with higher-ranked professions overwhelmingly dominating the lower-ranked ones.

Hidden professions are exceedingly rare, requiring luck, talent, and strength. Jeremy didn't dare hope for a hidden profession. He would be content with a rare one.

With a thought, Jeremy's hand lit up with a white light from the magic circle.

Gradually, the light enveloped him entirely.

When Jeremy opened his eyes again, he found himself in a square, facing a several-meter-tall statue.

It depicted a woman with wings, breathtakingly beautiful and serene, with her wings folded. She had her eyes closed, hands holding a transparent crystal ball, exuding a comforting presence.

As Jeremy looked at the statue, it, too, slowly opened its eyes.

Her eyes were gentle, as she slowly extended the crystal ball towards him.

Simultaneously, a soft and beautiful voice echoed in Jeremy's ear.

[Dear player, welcome to the realm of class change.]

[Please place your hand on the crystal ball, and I shall select the best profession for you.]

This was Jeremy's first encounter with a talking NPC, but he wasn't overly surprised, having already learned about their existence from the beginner's player manual.

Jeremy didn't step forward immediately but instead looked at the statue with a somewhat strange and conflicted expression.

Just moments ago, a prompt from The Eye of Omniscience had appeared before him.

[Prompt: Slapping the class change statue 99 times will grant you the hidden profession "Blasphemer!"]

Jeremy had to admit, he was tempted.

After all, a hidden profession was incredibly rare, possibly one in a million job holders wouldn't have the chance to obtain one!

Securing this hidden profession, combined with his Eye of Omniscience and combat experience, Jeremy was confident he would be unbeatable among his peers.

But slapping a statue 99 times... Was this some kind of joke?

Jeremy glanced at the statue's panel.

[Name]: Goddess Gana (Statue)

[Level]: 120

[Rank]: Boss

[Health]: ???

[Attack]: ???

[Defense]: ???

[Skills]: ???

[Description]: A statue of the ancient goddess responsible for class changes.

...

Looking at the series of question marks on the panel, Jeremy was filled with question marks of his own.

This was his first time encountering a level 120 entity. A being of such power could probably turn him to ash with a mere breath, yet The Eye of Omniscience wanted him to slap it 99 times?

Perhaps The Eye of Omniscience was malfunctioning.

With a sigh, even though he was reluctant, Jeremy concluded that his life was more important.

He wasn't willing to risk his life for a chance at obtaining a hidden profession and decided to give up on the opportunity.

At that moment, the statue's voice once again whispered in Jeremy's ear.

[Please place your hand on the crystal ball, and I shall select the best profession for you.]

The voice of the statue was as soft and lovely as before.

But this time it made Jeremy feel a sense of mechanical repetition, similar to a looped recording.

Noticing this detail, a thought crossed Jeremy's mind, and his eyes gradually brightened.

After all, this was just a statue responsible for class changes, not a real deity.

Despite its high level, it lacked a real soul and consciousness and couldn't feel what was done to it.

Perhaps... he really could give it a try?

With this thought, Jeremy felt a surge of daring enthusiasm.

However, to be safe, he decided to test the waters first.

Jeremy stepped forward and waved his hand in front of the statue, noting that it remained completely still.

Growing bolder, he pinched its face.

The statue remained unchanged. Its smile still as sweet as ever.

Jeremy blinked, then stretched out his hand and, with a smack, slapped the beautiful face of the statue.

[Please place your hand on the crystal ball, and I shall select the best profession for you.]

The sudden voice startled Jeremy.

It took him a moment to realize that the statue was still operating in its previous mode.

This reassured Jeremy.

In that case, he thought, let's have the goddess make a little sacrifice.

With that thought, Jeremy began slapping the face of the class change statue left and right.

"Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!..." The crisp sounds of his slaps echoed endlessly across the empty class change square.

It wasn't long before Jeremy had delivered dozens of slaps. But then he suddenly noticed something odd.

Were the statue's eyelids moving?

Just as Jeremy thought he was seeing things, the statue suddenly turned its head towards him and shouted angrily, "Have you had enough?!"

"Holy shit!" Jeremy's heart stopped in that instant.

The statue was alive?!

At the same time, Jeremy noticed that the information panel for the statue had changed.

[Name]: Goddess Gana (Incarnated)

[Level]: 120

[Rank]: Deity

[Health]: ???

[Attack]: ???

[Defense]: ???

[Skills]: ???

[Description]: The ancient goddess responsible for class changes.

...

Jeremy gasped.

This was the first time he realized that there was a rank beyond boss, that of a deity.

This was never mentioned in the beginner's player manual!

"You despicable huan, daring to insult my statue. I shall throw you into the Prison of Spirits, where you will remain for eternity, never to be reborn!" The gritted voice of the woman in Jeremy's ear sounded identical to the one before.But now it clearly carried a slight emotional charge.

Jeremy's hand paused mid-air, unable to continue its motion.

A bitter smile appeared on his lips.

He really was done in by The Eye of Omniscience this time!

Although he didn't know what the Prison of Spirits was, Jeremy didn't need to think twice to know it wasn't anywhere pleasant.

Noticing Jeremy's expression, Goddess Gana snorted coldly, "Scared now? Kneel before my statue and slap yourself back, and I might just spare your life."

However, to Goddess Gana's surprise, Jeremy did not comply. Instead, he laughed.

He patted the stone face of Goddess Gana and said with a smile, "You probably can't really incarnate, or even if you can, you can't take action. Otherwise you would have killed me by now. Why else would you bother talking to me like this."

Jeremy was perceptive, and the unusual behavior of Goddess Gana alerted him that something was amiss.

"I...I'm just being kind. If you continue to be stubborn, believe it or not, I can smite you with divine punishment right now!" Goddess Gana's face stiffened, clearly hit by Jeremy's guess. But she still tried to intimidate Jeremy.

Jeremy laughed and slapped the statue's face again.

Goddess Gana fell silent.