Chương 23: Chapter 22: Shadows and Choices (Part 2)

[Now, Julian Winters, which path will you take?]

"A path…I just want to be a blacksmith."

[Perhaps. But these are the choices I have laid out for you:]

1. Blacksmith

2. Warrior

3. Bladedancer

4. Radiant Blacksmith

"There's… four?" The list appeared before him, each option glowing faintly as the information slowly entered his mind.

And as a matter of course, his fingers instinctively twitched toward the first choice—Blacksmith. The natural option, the one he had spent his life dedicated to.

"Hm…?" But then his gaze lingered on the last choice, seemingly more pronounced than the others… and even glowing.

Radiant Blacksmith.

"What's… a Radiant Blacksmith?" Julian asked quietly.

[Radiant Blacksmith: A blacksmith of the divine light—the very essence that runs the magic of Artemia itself. As a Radiant Blacksmith, you are capable of imbuing weapons and armor with the very essence of light, making them stronger and unmatched. Would you like more information on this class?]

"That's…" Julian hesitated, intrigued by the idea. The thought of combining his craft with magic—it stirred something in him, a curiosity that tugged at his mind. "...Okay, tell me more about it."

[Of course, Julian Winters.]

As a Radiant Blacksmith, your body itself will be reforged in the heart of the divine flames. You will be a conduit of pure radiant energy, capable of imbuing weapons and armor with the very essence of light.

You will grant weapons and armors the divine ability to banish darkness and evil from the world.

Your weapons will be capable of healing allies, and burning enemies into ashes. You will guide the way for those who are blind, Julian Winters.

"...Wow." A rush of excitement crawled through Julian's entire body as all the information entered his mind. "Can you… show me the Skills I'll receive?"

[Here are the skills and abilities that would be initially available to you, Julian Winters.]

Sun Forge: Manipulate the raw power of the sun itself into your craftsmanship. You are no longer in need of fire, Artemia and the divine light itself will be your forge.

Divine Weaponry: All your weapons deal increased damage against creatures of darkness. These weapons also radiate light in a radius, illuminating even the darkest areas.

Many more will become available to you, Julian Winters.

"Wow…" Julian's excitement continued to grow, "...Isn't this too strong?"

Julian may be completely unaware and ignorant about video games and their elements, but even he noticed just how strong the Class was.

"...What's the catch?" Julian narrowed his eyes.

[The skills and abilities will not take effect when crafting in the dark, Julian Winters. You will still be able to craft during the night and the dark.]

"Of course…" Julian sighed. Of course, something as strong as this would also have a drawback, "...You should have told me that in the start, MEG—I mean, Guidance. But if I'm still able to craft during the night without any changes… then I don't really see why I shouldn't pick this instead. Okay, Let's go with the Radiant Blacksmith."

[I have detected that you have an ongoing quest for a Unique Class: Master of Shadows. A penalty may be imposed upon you if you proceed with this choice, Julian Winters.]

"...Right. That was a class… change quest," Julian almost completely forgot all about that—this was the quest that absorbed all of the weapons he crafted. He does, remember, skipping the information about it.

"Guidance, can you tell me more about the quest or what class I will get?"

[The Master of Shadows is a unique Class Change quest.]

The Master of Shadows has taken a liking to you, Julian Winters and has bestowed upon you the privilege to become a Shadow Blacksmith. Like the Radiant Blacksmith, the Shadow Blacksmith is a very powerful class.

"Hm. I suppose it makes sense that it's also a blacksmith class," Julian let out a small hum as the information entered his mind. But after a few seconds had passed, he realized the [Guidance] was no longer giving him any information.

"Wait... that's it? Do you have any more information?"

[The Master of Shadows has restricted further information about the class.]

"What…?" Julian's eyebrows started to lower, "What about the skills and abilities I will get?"

[The Master of Shadows has restricted further information about the class.]

"O…kay?" Julian's shoulders shifted, "Which one is… stronger?"

[...]

"No…? Nothing?" Julian sighed, "Can you at least tell me what the penalty would be?"

[...]

"Really…?" Julian was completely lost. Was there any merit in choosing something that he doesn't know about?

The only thing that was making him hesitate choosing Radiant Blacksmith here and now was the fact that the [Guidance] told him that the Shadow Blacksmith was also a very powerful class.

But, then again—shadows.

"No…" Julian made his decision there and then, "...I am tired of living in shadows and darkness. Never again. I choose the Radiant Blacksmith class—let me take on the penalty, no matter what it is…

…I can take it."

[You made the right choice, Julian Winters. As the Radiant Blacksmith, you will personally be under my protection.]

"Oh…" Julian almost gasped upon the information entering his mind, "...Your protection? Like… Artemis herself…? The main god of this world?"

[A Radiant Blacksmith is unparalleled—]

[How dare you choose another, Julian Winters?]

"W…what?" Julian flinched as the calm floating words vanished, replaced by violent, jagged letters that filled his vision. They blazed across his sight, almost suffocating his untrained eyes, "Is that… the Master Of Shadows?"

[You will regret this decision, Julian Winters.]

And very soon, shadows crept in from every direction… completely swallowing the white space around him. A chill crawled up his spine, prickling his skin as the words grew larger, almost pressing in on him with an oppressive weight.

And then, finally, the violent set of words in front of him disappeared and the calm [Guidance of Artemis] returned.

[The young and petty Master of Shadows himself has chosen the penalty for abandoning his quest.]

"Young and petty...?" Why does it feel like there was something else going on between the two?

[If you succeed through the penalty of the Master of Shadows, the class, Radiant Blacksmith, will be granted to you. But if you fail, the quest: Master of Shadows will remain. No other class will be available to you anymore, your path to becoming the Shadow Blacksmith will be forever cemented, and the Master of Shadows will also impose a punishment upon you.]

"Okay..." Julian breathed out as he started shaking his hands, "Let's just do this."

[Defeat the enemy in front of you.]

"Defeat..." Julian stopped moving for a moment, "Uh... I don't have a weapon?"

The floor beneath Julian's feet trembled, and before he could make sense of the situation, something began to stir within the shadows. A shape slowly crawled out from the blackness, its form twisting and writhing as it rose, towering over him.

Julian's breath caught in his throat as he watched the creature take shape, its body made of swirling shadows, tendrils of darkness lashing out like a storm. Its eyes—if they could even be called that—burned with a malevolent, sinister light, fixed squarely on him. It looked…

…like a daemon, but also something else entirely.

[Warning: If you die during the penalty… your real body back on your own planet also dies with you, Julian Winters.]

"Wait… what!?"