Chapter 99: Choosing The Tier 3 Classes!

Samurai felt like a tempting option. It was a Class centered exclusively on wielding the sword. For someone like me who had barely ever wielded blades and had mostly concentrated on the Axe as my innate talent, this choice seemed a little too far outside my comfort zone. Still, it could help me accustom myself to wielding swords as well, which might come with all kinds of unique powers and techniques.

The skills offered by the Samurai Class were great. I thought that they might technically be merged with the Axe Style I was currently learning, as long as I modified them slightly or learned how to channel their power into any blade, not just swords.

“Hmm...”

I exhaled slowly while staring at the long list of available choices.

“So many strong choices… Oracle or Prophet for better future-sight, Berserker or Champion for raw power, Werebeast or Stalker for hunting, Seraph or Miracle for holy power, and then Kage no Oni or Samurai…”

I rubbed my temples carefully. The decision was not going to be easy. Each path would heavily shape how I fought in the upcoming conflicts.

“Alright… time to think carefully about what I need most right now,” I sighed. “First things first, let’s see this.”

[Vitality]: [49,365]

[Mana]: [49,595]

[Strength]: [38,345]

[Endurance]: [37,545]

[Spirit]: [26,815]

[Resistance]: [34,885]

[Agility]: [36,515]

[Luck]: [35,000]

[Charm]: [35,625]

I looked back at my status carefully and then started thinking about my weaknesses. I recalled my two major battles prior to this against the Sorrowful Frost King Ezekiel and the Pure-Blooded Alistair.

I was tough enough to take their blows. My strength did not lack either. But if there was something they were clearly superior in, it was pure power and speed. I also knew I still lacked the speed needed to catch up with these kinds of monsters.

I needed to be faster.

And although my defenses were fine, I wanted more of that as well. My offense was already solid, but more never hurt.

My family had to be considered too. They were an extension of my power. The more they fought, the more they grew. Abilities that could empower them should be prioritized, since they could also help me overcome foes I could not defeat alone.

Instead of thinking only about overcoming things by myself, I had to start thinking about doing it together with my family, fighting as one united force.

“I guess I’ve already made up my mind.”

Ding!

[You have chosen the [Prophet – Tier 3] Class! Mana +5000, Spirit +5000, Luck +3000.]

[You have learned the Skill: [Prophecy – Tier 3: Level 1/10]!]

[The Skill [Future Sight – Tier 2: Level 8/10] has gained 2 Bonus Levels and has Leveled Up to Level 10/10!]

[The Skill [Future Sight – Tier 2: Level 8/10] has automatically evolved thanks to the effects of the [Prophet – Tier 3] Class!]

[The Skill: [Future Sight – Tier 2: Level 10/10] has Evolved into [Oracular Pronouncement – Tier 3: Level 1/10]

[By channeling a large quantity of Mana and Spirit, you can read the stars with the power of an Oracle and a Prophet combined, witnessing threads of possible futures and temporarily bring them closer to you, predicting danger or opportunities and accurately acting on them.]

Prophecy was the Skill I had expected to appear. So this could help me receive clearer and longer visions. It could also let me invoke Prophecies that subtly bent reality toward desired outcomes, right? Among those effects there were things like weakening enemies, strengthening allies, or altering small events in their favor, I believed.

The Class description had said something about “Their words carry weight, often becoming self-fulfilling.”

It also mentioned that at higher levels they may even deliver Oracular Pronouncements that can temporarily rewrite minor aspects of destiny. That sounded great. I only hoped it would work as intended.

I guessed that was exactly what had manifested in this new evolved Skill. Awesome.

Ding!

[You have chosen the [Champion – Tier 3] Class! Strength +4500, Endurance +4500, Charm +3500, Resistance +3000.]

[You have learned the Skill: [Champion’s Authority – Tier 3: Level 1/10]!]

[The Skill [Guts – Tier 2: Level 8/10] has gained 2 Bonus Levels and has Leveled Up to Level 10/10!]

[The Skill [Guts – Tier 2: Level 8/10] has automatically evolved thanks to the effects of the [Champion – Tier 3] Class!]

[The Skill: [Guts – Tier 2: Level 10/10] has Evolved into [Last Stand – Tier 3: Level 1/10]

[Your Guts has evolved into Last Stand. Whenever your HP reaches below 20%, you enter into a Last Stand State, where your Senses will be enhanced and you will be able to precisely recall your memories to apply them in combat. Your fighting style may evolve while doing so as you feel like you’re “possessed” by your desire to survive no matter the cost. If you’re protecting someone or there’s fallen comrades around you (unconscious, not necessarily dead), you gain a tenth of their Stats and may be able to temporarily imitate one of their strongest techniques or skills as long as you keep them within your heart.]

Fuck, that was strong! Last Stand! I had not thought this would appear so soon. One of the main reasons Guts had been so important was this ridiculous skill… It was usually learned only once a Hero reached something like Level 500!

In the end I had fallen for Champion and picked this Class. The Skill I obtained seemed to embody all of its core abilities, I believed.

As a glorious warrior who stands as a beacon on the battlefield, I was fairly sure Champions gained powerful defensive auras that bolstered allies while weakening foes, along with the ability to issue Challenges that forced enemies into honorable single combat.

I supposed that all came packaged within the Skill, right? It did sound like it could do exactly that.

Aside from those points, a Champion’s presence inspired courage and loyalty. They were masterful at both leading charges and dueling the strongest opponents. With their strength and abilities they could turn the tide of entire battles.

Unlike in the original game, I only seemed to gain one Skill per Class instead of two or three. This was likely because I possessed five classes instead of just one. So I could not completely get the full package of a Class’s Skills, but I could still combine what I obtained from each one.

And Champion’s Authority seemed to encompass the most important aspects of the Champion Class, so I was glad I had received that.

-----