44 44 Decisions

'System what did I just see?'

-You got a choice between two classes Donis. This is a rare event where someone is perfectly suited for two jobs. Your incessant want to become akin to dragons, skill choice and infatuation gave you the Dragonfury Mage. You also perfectly match the aptitude for the second job; The Crowned Void Soul.-

'Okay, what does any of that even mean here,' thought Donis.

-I'm going to create an exception for you. You can either choose one or the other, or I can allow you to choose a main class and a subset - essentially fusing them together.-

'Okay, is it possible to choose this later? I don't want to make this sort of decision right now while I'm trying to escape the potential danger surrounding us,' thought Donis.

-Of course, we can come back to this at a better time.-

After confirming it with the [System] Donis tuned back into what Striga was saying, trying to remain as neutral faced as possible. He didn't know if getting an option between Jobs was normal or not, and he didn't want to give away new info about his personal [System] to his brand new boss.

Looking back at the handiwork they did, Donis was both appalled and amazed at what knowing the topography of an area can do for skills. Donis marveled at the idea of using fire to remove the oxygen from the room to further damage the targets, just in case they somehow survived.

"Lad, help me collect these corpses here so that we can have a bitta barbecue, and some Mana Crystals to sell later," said Striga as she patted Donis's shoulder.

"Sure sure, but you have to let me ask you a few questions while we're busy doing this!" said Donis with a smile on his face.

"Sure, fire away kiddo, we have a few spare minutes, but then we're heading back out, got it?" laughed Striga as she descended down the open, but charred clearing.

"I get getting stronger, and having skills and secrets, but I have to ask, who would we even be fighting that could know of our Combat Jobs?" said Donis as he followed behind Striga making her way towards the charred corpses.

"Boy, I thought you were at the Academy of Vernaic? Didn't they teach you about all of the kingdoms yet?" said Striga as she threw the bodies into a pile.

"Like, they told us we live in Erazar, and that's about it. Mind clearing some stuff up for me?" said Donis as he picked up the leg of a Meckstra.

"So listen up boy, this is Erazar, the largest continent. There are 2 other continents on this little planet, Almousia and Nornaria. Both of 'em don't really like us on the account that the last great war nearly wiped them out. We signed a peace treaty and left them to their own devices for the most part, well, that's what the official records say, but there is far more underneath it all than what we see. I won't get into the logistics of the backstabbings or drama, but basically, they're the people we should watch out for the most," said Striga as she trashed some of the more grotesque looking body parts.

"Sure the roaming bandits, stray mages, renegades, nutters or the coin thirsty mercs who want your Erzi are bad, but they will show mercy if you hand over your money to them for the most part," prattled on Striga as she finished up the collection of corpses.

"There's 3 continents on this planet? H.. how many people are there? Also, what's the last great war? Why wont you te-" asked Donis excitedly.

"Woah, slow down there dragon kiddo, we're done here and I'm too hungry to think too much into it all, lets just wait until we get back and eat something before I answer some of these questions okay?" said Striga as she flashed the entire mound of charred corpses into her dimensional storage ring.

"Fine, but I'm not letting you get away without answering all of my questions," shot back Donis.

"Sure, sure haha," laughed Striga as they made their way out of the tunnels.

***

At the Grimbay [Monster Specialist] headquarters.

"So cap'n does her signature combo, the steamer screamer, and I fucking see Corrul over there getting upset when he saw his traps getting wet hahaha," said Jimmy as he recounted the mission to the rest of the crew.

"Just to clarify, those traps cost almost nothing for the guild, and unfortunately, require almost no paperwork to fill out. Of course I'd be upset, how do I log something if it barely matters?!" beamed back Corrul.

"Mate, you need to calm down about all of this paperwork, lifes more than just pushing those pages! Have a drink!" said Jimmy as he slid over a mug of what seemed to be Ale mixed with something else, or at least it smelled like that to Corrul.

"I guess to you lifes all about getting drunk huh, Jimmy?" said Corrul as he took a dispirited swig of the concoction.

"Aye mate, couldn't give a rats ass about shite when today I can get shitfaced," burped out Jimmy as he finished his entire mug in one swig.

Striga and Donis walked in through the door to only hear the last bit of the conversation. A smile made its way on both of their faces hearing Jimmies nonsensical ramblings once again.

"Lads, who knows how to cook Meckstra? I've got a buncha charred corpses here and I'm feeling like a barbecue," said Striga while taking a seat at one of the still standing tables.

"Aye Striga, I'll cook us up a feast, make that Meckstra into a fine meal," said one of the thicker men who was leaning up against one of the walls near the back.

[Name: Gonra Hanaseer]

[Age: 58]

[Level 44][11% EXP]

[Mana State: Essence]

[Health: 1,350]

[Mana: 3,220]

[Occupation: Chef of Darkwater]

[Strength: 47]

[Perception: 43]

[Agility: 50]

[Intelligence: 44]

[Title: Gourmand of the Poor, Flavour Finesse]

A tall, somewhat brawny but on the fatter side man with a bald head walked a little closer to Striga. He wore an immaculate white apron and had the cleanest hands out of everyone there, which clashed against his incredibly filthy demeanor. He was cleanly shaven, but it didn't help ease the ugly complexion the fat man donned.

"Ah Gonra, I see your hangovers been cured. Did you have some of my coffee this morning?" said Striga as she threw him the dimensional storage ring.

"Yeah, I wanted to kill myself even more after tasting it," said Gonra with a deep and hushed voice.

"Don't worry though, I'll make you a tasty barbecue. These are already pre-charred so half the works already done for me haha," laughed Gonra.

"Aight, I'm taking the lad here to answer him some questions, since he just helped clear half the den of Meckstras, and the supposed Academy hasn't actually taught him about the world," said Striga as she ushered in Donis to her office.

"Sure I can't even read Striga, the lads doing better than me," said Gonra as he waved the two of them off.

After the two situated themselves in the office, Striga pulled out an unlabled bottle filled with a red liquid. She took out two fancy looking glasses and placed them between themselves.

"So, Donis. To answer some of the previous questions, there are a lot of people on this planet. About 78 Billion, actually. Though the number might be higher or lower since the last time they counted, which was about 50 years ago," she said, taking a light but measured sip.

"The last great war saw a battle of about 12 Billion people, of all races, die. Unfortunately the political situation of the great nations really escapes me, since I wasn't born yet and I've never been truly interested in history."

"Though I do know that we weren't the ones who cast the first stone, but we WERE the ones to end it all. Which is where it lands us now. Since we were the ones to end it, the other two nations kinda hate us. Which means we're riddled with spies, and mages, and the like of other countries," said Striga as she swished her drink once again.

"Does this clear everything up?" she said as she looked up at Donis with a mysterious smile.

"What? No, you basically told me nothing, why did I have to wait until we got back here for this garbage?" answered Donis with a confused look on his face.

"Okay, rude lad, I never told you I knew much, this is just how things are. If you wanna know more you're gonna either ask a historian, a book in a library, or some of the royal informants if you can get one to talk to you, and most of all, I ain't any of those kid," spat back Striga, quite clearly a little peeved.

"Sorry, sorry, I know you don't owe me anything, I'm sorry for getting angry with you when you just shared some knowledge with me," said Donis as he sheepishly smiled, trying to look apologetic.

"It's aight lad, just scram alright? Me and this bottle are gonna get real acquainted tonight! Tell Jimmy to come down soon so he can share his secret stash with me," said Striga, gulping down a good quarter of the bottle in one go.

Donis nodded, stood up and left the room, glad to be out of there after kinda insulting the captain. He found Jimmy and after telling him what the captain said, his eyes lit up. Not knowing what to make of that look, Donis moved on and into the town. He still needed some furniture if he wanted to actually be able to possibly live here.

After a minute or two, Donis found himself situated right in the middle of a market square. The people here though, while merchants, lacked the enthusiasm that he saw back in Vernaic, or even Vorinar. They were despondent. Quite possibly because of the moist air, the stank of fish permeating the very fabric of their clothes, or even the gloomy colours that this town chose.

Nonetheless Donis made his way past the dead-inside merchants, and found the single man with carpets, couches, and even fold-able chairs in front of his little kiosk. A warm smile greeted Donis as the two exchanged pleasantries.

"So, you want a single-chair that's both fold-able and also a couch. No. I can offer you a small couch that could potentially fit anywhere. It's also light. You also want a bed, and some blankets, pillows, a desk and a bed side table? Of course, all of it is manageable and I actually have everything here. That'll be 4,330 Erzi please," said the merchant.

After paying his fees, while somewhat hurting on the inside about the exorbitant sum of Erzi, he stored everything within his [Inventory]. It was approaching night and Donis decided to try and find a room or some sort of empty space inside the headquarters.

After about 30 minutes of searching, and moving piles of trash with uncertain origins, Donis found an attic entrance that was sealed off. After speaking to some of the nearby drunks, he figured out that the room is empty, he'd just need to clean it.

Making his way inside, he found lots of wooden boxes with cobwebs covering everything. Sighing, he went back down and found some cloth to cover his face with and some goggles to cover his eyes, what he was about to do was going to suck.

Going back up there, he used his elemental mana to blow all of the dust and cobwebs into a corner. Stirring up the air like crazy, and eventually using [Rework Aura] to create a cube around the dust and webs to contain it. Bringing it outside, he set the dust and webs on fire to get rid of it.

He threw the boxes out of the attic and scaring some of the more awake drunks below. It was a neat space up here, about 10m long and 4m wide, with a 2.2m ceiling. There was even a single window letting in some light.

Setting up the entire kit he bought from the merchant, Donis finally felt like he was done for the day. Like he'll be able to sleep peacefully tonight. Though he's dozing off, Donis knew he had an incredibly important matter to attend to right now. His Combat Job.

'System, can you show me both classes?'

-Of course Donis, take your time.-

-Dragonfury Mage-

Applied upon choosing: +200 Health(+50/level), +6 Intelligence(+5/level), +4 Strength(+3/level).

Traits gained: Draconic Blood, Ancient, Unyielding.

-[Draconic Blood]- [Allows the [User] to learn Draconic spells. Increases Fire Resistance to 60%. Increases regeneration speed of HP/MP 2x.]

-[Ancient]- [Increases Lifespan by 10x.]

-[Unyielding]- [The more damage the [User] takes gain +2 to all stats (Up to +20 to all).]

Titles gained: Inhuman, The Will of Dragons.

[Inhuman: Draconic Blood allows the [User] to surpass the limitations of humans. +10 to the max level of all skills.]

[The Will of Dragons: Following your will and ambition, unfettered by outcomes or rules – Like a dragon. The [Users] Will shall have some influence on others around them. The [System] will turn any ambition, or wilful action into a quest.]

Draconic Skills gained:

-[Immolate I]-

[Draconic]

[Damage: 20]

[Cost: 50HP]

[Level: /]

Immolate the target as a sacrifice to the Dragons Will. Each time Immolate kills a target, the damage it does increases by +10 and strengthens the [Users] Will. Every 50 kills the skill evolves.

-[Dragonfury I]-

[Draconic]

[Damage: 150]

[Cost: 200HP]

[Level: /]

Don the Draconic mantle, and let the rage flow from within. Unleash a white-hot flame condensed into a beam for 3s. Every time you kill more than 1 being with Dragonfury, the skill gains +15 damage. Every 100 multi-kills the skill evolves.

-The Crowned Void Soul-

Applied upon choosing: +120HP, +10 Intelligence(+6/level), +6 Perception(+3/level).

Traits gained:

Blessed Void, Soul Cairn, Crowned.

-[Blessed Void]- [The [User] cannot hurt themselves using their own Void Charged Mana skills.]

-[Soul Cairn]-[The [User] stores the souls of the killed. The souls stored can be used to heal any damage done to the soul. After 1,000 souls are stored, can be used to revive the [User] upon death.]

-[Crowned]-[Destiny guides in the [Users] favour.]

Titles gained:

Relentless Pursuit, Mental Acumen, Empty Cross.

[Relentless Pursuit: The relentless search for knowledge and practice of magic that dominates your life. [EXP] gained from magic related skills and actions is tripled.]

[Mental Acumen: Always approaching each situation with a methodical mindset has given you unprecedented clarity. Speeds up your calculation and mental abilities by 30%. Can resist mental influence skills more easily.]

[Empty Cross: Burdened with a universal secret since birth has strengthened your resolve and ability to withstand life's crosses. Gain 10% to all stats per mental strain currently taking toll on the [Users] mind.]

Skills Gained:

-[Rift]-

[Combat Job Skill]

[Damage: /]

[Cost: 600MP]

[Level: 1/5]

Open a rift in space with an exit point which can be traversed instantaneously. Levels decrease limitations. Exits can only be made to where the [User] can see.

-[Gravity Prison]-

[Combat Job Skill]

[Damage: 0]

[Cost: 0]

[Level: 1/10]

Creates a pulse in the surroundings to strip the Void Charged Mana from everything, coalescing it all into a point. The point in space creates a gravitation well based on the amount of Void Charged Mana the [User] inputs into it, sucking everything into it. At the center of the point, the targets are under no pressure unless they attempt to leave. -

-Donis, every 20 levels, you will also be able to regain a previous Combat Job as either a subclass, or you can fuse both of them now – with a primary and a secondary. The secondary will act as a supporting subset of the initial class, while the primary will stay intact. Through fusion, you will potentially lose on certain aspects of a Combat Job. Forever losing them.-

'They both look amazing, and while fusion seems like an interesting choice right now, I don't think it's something I want to do. If I'm going to lose anything from either Combat Job, it's going to be a failure of a Combat Job,' thought Donis getting comfortable under his brand new sheets.

'The Crowned Void Soul sounds amazing, especially with the whole aspect of saving damage done to my soul, even reviving myself, or even the Gravity Prison skill. Yet the potential of becoming a slightly different race, and unlocking a whole breed of new spells right away calls to me. This world has given me the chance to become akin to a draconic being, and a deep emotion stirs within when I hear of it. I wonder if it's another corrupted memory trying to make it's way to the surface.'

'My longing has reached a peak that I never thought possible, and while it pains me to make a choice in either direction, I want to become a Dragonfury Mage. I know I'll still be able to gain the other Combat Job later, so I'm not too upset or worried.'

'System, lock it in please,' thought Donis resolutely.

'Combat Job Selected: Dragonfury Mage'