Your class [light warrior] has reached level 20!
Class skill available:
Vital Point Detection (Lesser) – Allows you to identify opponents' vital points with basic accuracy, revealing their main weaknesses. Effectiveness depends on the user's perception level and experience.
Escape (Lesser) – Grants a speed boost for 5 seconds, with an additional increase if used to escape from an enemy. The effect is stronger in immediate danger.
Weakening Poison (Lesser) – Allows the user to produce, via their blood, a poison that gradually weakens the target. Its effect intensifies over time, peaking after one hour.
Sneak Attack (Lesser) – Passive skill that significantly increases the power of surprise attacks, optimizing damage when the enemy is unaware of the assailant.
I set aside the first two skills. I still wasn't interested in them.
That left me with the last two to choose from.
This time, the decision was much harder.
They both had their advantages, depending on the situation.
"Weakening Poison (Lesser)" offered a battle of attrition, a way to neutralize a powerful enemy over time by letting them weaken slowly. A methodical, patient approach.
In contrast, "Sneak Attack (Lesser)" relied on speed and lethality. A single well-placed strike, and the fight could be over before it even began.
After some thought, I decided on "Weakening Poison (Lesser)".
If a person or creature was unable to detect me—which had been the case for most of my enemies so far—I could obviously land a devastating blow at the start of the fight.
But who could guarantee that this first strike would be fatal with "Sneak Attack (Lesser)"?
On the other hand, if I could inflict a serious wound while poisoning my target, condemning them to gradually weaken, that seemed much more advantageous in the long run.
Without further hesitation, I selected "Sneak Attack (Lesser)".
And a new notification appeared:
Your class [light warrior] has reached level 40!
Class skill available:
Vital Point Detection (Lesser) – Allows you to identify opponents' vital points with basic accuracy, revealing their main weaknesses. Effectiveness depends on the user's perception level and experience.
Escape (Lesser) – Grants a speed boost for 5 seconds, with an additional increase if used to escape from an enemy. The effect is stronger in immediate danger.
Sneak Attack (Lesser) – Passive skill that significantly increases the power of surprise attacks, optimizing damage when the enemy is unaware of the assailant.
Blood Manipulation (Lesser) – Allows the user to shape and manipulate their own blood, giving it different forms as needed. However, excessive loss can cause weakness and mortal risks.
— JACKPOOOOOOT!!!
My voice burst into the air, loud and uncontrollable.
Cassandre stared at me, both shocked and amused.
I quickly looked away, a bit embarrassed by my own enthusiasm, and refocused on the lines before me.
"Blood Manipulation (Lesser)."
Aaaah... This was exactly what I'd dreamed of!
This skill had perfect synergy with my poisoned blood. To be able to manipulate it and shape it? It was almost too good to be true.
Of course, excessive use might drain me of my own blood, dangerously weakening me... But the potential it offered far outweighed the risk.
I didn't even need to think any longer. This was THE skill I needed.
Without the slightest hesitation, I selected it.
An intense heat coursed through my body, pulsing in my veins like a burning wave.
Then, before I could even savor the sensation, a new notification appeared, replacing the previous one.
But this time, it was... different.
Your class [Light Warrior] has reached level 50!
Class evolution prerequisites met !
Class evolution available:
Advanced Light Warrior – A master of stealth and speed, striking before the enemy can react. Agile and precise, he moves across the battlefield like an elusive shadow, exploiting every weakness. Wielding daggers, sabers, thrown weapons, and poisons, he eliminates targets with deadly efficiency. His sharpened perception anticipates every enemy movement, rendering any counterattack useless. Stats per level: +3 Speed, +2 Intelligence, +1 Perception, +1 Free Point.
Assassin – Silent and precise killer, he strikes from the shadows with deadly efficiency. Master of infiltration and lethal strikes, he eliminates targets in an instant before disappearing without a trace. Stats per level: +3 Perception, +2 Speed, +1 Intelligence, +1 Free Point.
Blood Warrior – A fighter steeped in the metallic scent of carnage, trailing an aura of death and violence. Wherever he goes, only the scent of blood remains. Wielding his own blood as a weapon, he sacrifices part of himself to spill that of his enemies. Stats per level: +2 Speed, +2 Vitality, +1 Perception, +1 Endurance, +1 Free Point.
Reading the last notification, an uncontrollable laugh escaped me.
So… my premonition was right.
That metallic, heady smell would follow me wherever I went, staining my existence like an indelible curse.
But strangely enough, I liked the idea now.
Without even thinking, I knew which evolution to choose.
I selected "Blood Warrior" without delay.
A searing heat overtook my body, but this time it was accompanied by sharp, overwhelming pain.
One knee hit the ground under the impact, while a crushing pressure gripped my chest, as if something was trying to break free.
— Hey! Are you okay?!
Panicked, Cassandre rushed toward me, worry contorting her features.
I raised a trembling hand to stop her, forcing a smile despite the pain.
— I'm fine… I'm fine… I rasped.
And then, as suddenly as it had come, the pain vanished.
Straightening slowly, I saw that no new notification appeared.
Finally... It was over.
Excitement surged in me as I thought about my status.
Immediately, it appeared before my eyes.
[Status]
Name: Anthony Paine
Race: Human (Lesser)
Class: Blood Warrior (52)
Profession: --
[Stats]
Strength: 7
Speed: 180 (+127)
Perception: 59 (+43)
Vitality: 10 (+4)
Intelligence: 111 (+82)
Mana: 0
Mental: 4
Endurance: 8 (+2)
Free Points: 43
[Skills]
Universal Language (Mythic) – Ability to understand and read the language of all races, except divine and ancient tongues.
Identification (Lesser) – Allows brief analysis of an object or ability, revealing basic information such as name, quality, and general use.
Dual Dagger Style Mastery (Novice) – Enables the use of two daggers with improved coordination, enhancing the flow of combos and attack speed. Movements become more precise, reducing errors and making strikes more effective. Though finesse is still imperfect, opportunities for critical hits become more frequent.
Stealth (Expert) – Grants near sensory invisibility, drastically reducing the chances of being perceived, even by highly perceptive enemies. Muffles movement sounds, partially erases visual presence, and reduces body odor, making detection extremely difficult. Effectiveness is maximized in shadows and stealth-friendly environments.
Intimidation (Master) – You radiate such a threatening aura that it pierces the mind and body of those who see you as a threat. Its effect can range from complete fainting to mere murderous intent with no further alteration, depending on the opponent's strength.
Claw (Lesser) – Strengthens and elongates fingernails, turning them into natural weapons capable of inflicting wounds.
Weakening Poison (Lesser) – Allows the user to produce, via their blood, a poison that gradually weakens the target. Its effect intensifies over time, peaking after one hour.
Blood Manipulation (Lesser) – Allows the user to shape and manipulate their own blood, giving it different forms as needed. However, excessive loss can cause weakness and mortal risks.
[Titles]
Contender for the Title of the Twelve Chosen – One of the 7,777 individuals selected by the Twelve Ancient Gods, thus having a chance to join the elite circle of the Twelve Chosen. Grants +12 free stat points.
Tutorial Forerunner – Member of the first batch to defeat an evolved-ranked entity. Grants +10 free stat points.
Tutorial Monstrosity – Beasts and humans agree on one thing: you are the entity to avoid at all costs. Your very presence inspires instinctive terror, a warning etched into the flesh and mind of those who've heard of you. In this tutorial, you are not just a predator… You are the most feared creature, a living horror legend. Grants the skill "Intimidation (Master)".
I was shocked.
Had I really become this strong?
Of course I had. There was no doubt about it. But seeing the numbers in black and white was still unsettling. In one year, my stats had reached a level I never imagined I'd achieve.
My newly acquired title left me with a strange feeling... Part of me felt uneasy reading it, but the reward that came with it—that master-rank skill—was well worth the price.
It was time now to assign my 43 free points.
I took a moment to think. My raw strength was at 7, which, compared to the rest, was pitiful. But did I really need more physical power? Not really. With my speed and combat style, it wasn't a priority.
Three other stats seemed far more essential:
Vitality, essential to endure my new blood-related skills, improve regeneration and resistance.
Endurance, for the same reasons, allowing me to last longer in combat.
Mental strength, a weakness that haunted me long before even arriving here... This time, I wouldn't neglect it.
My decision was made.
I assigned 20 points to Mental, 13 to Vitality, and 10 to Endurance.
Now it was good.
All that was left was to practice blood manipulation on the road, test its range, precision, and see how far I could go with this new skill.
I closed the status window and turned my gaze to Cassandre. She was watching me, impatient, a mischievous smile on her lips.
A bit embarrassed, I finally told her:
— I'm level 52.
Her eyes widened before a wide smile spread across her face.
— Really?? Wow… you're amazing! I'm only level 29… You must have fought tons of creatures…
Cassandre looked at me with admiration, her eyes sparkling with amazement. But suddenly, her expression changed. Her smile slowly faded, replaced by a more serious shadow.
She lowered her voice slightly, as if weighing her words carefully before speaking them.
— … And humans too.
Her gaze locked onto mine, more intense, almost probing. For the first time, Cassandre no longer had that carefree air that always seemed to surround her. No more laughter, no more lightness. Just a gravity I didn't know she had.
A heavy silence settled.
I held her gaze without saying anything. What could I have answered?
Yes. I had fought monsters. But also humans. Too many humans.
To break the heavy silence, I spoke up, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere that had settled.
— Well… now that I've done what I needed, let's get back on the road.
Cassandre looked at me for another moment, as if trying to read something in me, then nodded. Her smile returned, a little more subdued this time.
Without another word, we set off.
And so began our journey to the edge of the forest.