Days had come and gone.
Word on the street was that one of the Twins of Hell was cooperating with the Blood Fiend.
Some players speculated that Genesis had hired the Fiend, while others assumed that the Fiend was after clout by recruiting the weakest twin.
Nico and Lindsey stayed true to their real objectives.
True strength over vocal acclimating, more power over their enemies, and more money than reputation.
Nico's influence on grinding and being goal driven rubbed off on Lindsey.
She became more strategic, managed funds better, utilized her 3-Section Nunchaku like a pro, and loved the hunt.
In addition to that, she had finally done it.
She had reached level 30 while Nico was only 2 levels behind her.
"I'm so nervous!" she screamed with a smile on her face as she used the triple impact to decapitate a horned wolf.
"I didn't think I was going to reach level 30 this quickly!" she added as she chuckled, jumping over another wolf and landing on its back, using her weight to crush it beneath her feet.
She gasped. "What if I get a shitty class, like Healer?!"
"You can't be that stupid to think that you'd be a healer. My guess is that you're going to be a fighter, if not an assassin," Nico commented as he cut down a wolf with his new and improved longsword.
「Enchanted Longsword[Rare]- Weeping Wing:
- Enchanted with the Grim Reaper shard, your longsword now weeps with each enemy cut down. Each cry is a soul the Grim Reaper claimed and each swing is enhanced with precise and deathly control.
- Effect: Grim Reaper's Maw: Creates a vision of the Grim Reaper devouring your opponent
- Durability: 1,874 / 2,000」
'Durability is still shit, but enchantments can be stacked, along with a weapon's durability,' Nico mused as he cut down the last wolf, decapitating it.
"So, when will you cover this quest?"
Lindsey pondered and wore a smug expression afterwards. "I'll rest up and go first thing in the morning!"
"In that case, let's head back early. We've already completed a decent amount of quests, afterall."
Lindsey cheered and nodded. A couple hours later, they arrived at the Adventurer's Guild.
Melissa waved at Nico and he waved back, walking towards the receptionist's desk.
As always, Lindsey stood far away. Her relationship with Melissa was as realistic as a unicorn.
She felt awkward being around her, and rightfully so.
She insulted her, beat her up, and extorted money from her like it was another Tuesday in Pyrros.
Nico hadn't forced her to make amends. In his eyes, she was old enough to make amends on her own.
If she wanted to be a child, that was up to her.
But strength doesn't just come with great physical prowess; it also comes from discipline and respect.
Lindsey began thinking about her class selection quest and her heart twisted.
A whole wave of anxiety washed over her.
The idea of not returning made her heart ache, mostly because of the people she would be leaving behind.
'What if I don't come back...? Will Nico get worried? Will he cry for me...?' she wondered, glancing at him, clutching her heart as she did.
'And Melissa... She's so nice. Its no wonder why Nico likes her. Even though I treated her like crap, she still talks to me calmly.'
Melissa was a true grown up, unlike Lindsey, and she knew this.
She took a deep breath, walked towards the receptionist's desk and slammed the table, spooking Melissa and Nico.
Silence enveloped the area as the other players looked in their direction, giving them bombastic side eyes. Lindsey was as red as a tomato.
"Um... Melissa..." Lindsey began.
"...Yes?" Melissa paused before responding.
"I'm sorry. I acted like an asshole, treated you like a bitch, all because I'm not like you," Lindsey confessed.
"You're beautiful, kind, and you draw people in like the Sun... Hopefully, if I come back alive, I'll learn to become more ladylike, just like you," she wrapped up.
Melissa was taken aback. She looked at Nico, who shrugged and looked at Lindsey again.
Ultimately, Melissa smiled softly. "You were just scared of what Genesis could've done to you if you didn't treat others like this. Just be sure to remember what it's like on this side, kay?"
Nico snickered. 'That was mean.'
Lindsey nodded. "You're a good person, so I'll be sure to live in your image! Except for... um..."
Melissa chuckled. "Yeah, I get it. It'll take a while, but I know I have it in me to forgive you. So, when you return tomorrow, tell me all about your class."
Lindsey's cheeks turned red, her eyebrows rose and her lips tugged into a wide, bright smile.
She nodded constantly. "I will!"
Nico smiled and pat Lindsey's head. "Also, let's drink lots when you come back."
Lindsey beamed and felt more confident.
'She swallowed her pride and apologized. That's quite mature of her. Making amends in case you die...' Nico noted as he smiled at Lindsey.
He felt like a proud father watching their daughter stepping into the real world.
He had faith in Lindsey. She had grown faster than he could, showing her potential and intension to become stronger.
Slowly but surely, she was starting to become the woman she aimed to be.
***
6 o'clock in the morning.
Lindsey was already up. Nico went to the training quarters to keep himself occupied, like he always did on their days off.
She took a deep breath and opened her status screen.
「PLAYER STATUS – [P-956 (TreeHart)]」
◆ Level: 30
◆ Race: Human
◆ Class: [Locked] (Complete Class Selection)
◆ HP: 570 / 570
◆ MP: 700 / 700
◆ Aestrol Coins: æ450,000
— ATTRIBUTES —
◆ Strength (STR): 84
◆ Endurance (END): 92
◆ Dexterity (DEX): 85
◆ Luck (LUK): [★★☆☆☆] (Doomed Gambler)
— RANKINGS —
◆ Overall Value: #1,543rd Place
◆ Location: Pyrros
◆ Allies:
– L3XI
– Ash_NotATrainer
– Vortex_7
— ABILITIES —
Mantis Stance (Lvl.15)[Active]
Taunt (Lvl.12) [Active]
Chronos Step (Lvl.7) [Passive]
Speed Dash (Lvl.7)[Active]
— INVENTORY —
16 / 30 Slots Used
She had bought tons of food, potions, a basic katana, and a new set of invisible armour.
As scared as she was, she was prepared for the challenge ahead.
She couldn't just allow herself to stay scared forever afterall.
She pulled out a key from her inventory with 3 joints, a long, awkward handle and star shaped emblem.
Then, she jammed the key into the air, causing lightning to brew and a whirlpool to appear in the room.
Curiously enough, nothing happened to the room as the whirlpool turned into a huge portal.
The world was completely still as Lindsey stared into the blue portal, ushering a new sense of urgency and responsibility.
She had to complete this quest. Only 78% of players actually complete their class quests. Although this number was high, it wasn't perfect.
"You've got this. You are beautiful, smart, strong, and all those basic bitches wanna be like you," she whispered to herself.
Then, she smiled confidently and stepped into the portal, the blue energy closing behind her.
She emerged on the other side of the portal and was greeted by a throne room with no roof.
High in the red sky, pink birds with fluffy wings flew over her. They cawed as they soared, their wings releasing small clouds in their stead.
"Are those, cloud jays from my dreams as a kid?" Lindsey pondered.
This system had done a deep dive on her past, which meant it knew more than it let on.
She glanced at her surroundings.
The area had a thick scent of lavender, mostly because there were a bunch of lavender plants growing on the flood and the standing wall.
The floor was made of redwood and had a burnt red carpet leading to the small staircase of the throne.
On the throne sat a young woman.
Long black hair, as silky as a panthers, a small but lean body, and blood red eyes with a sinister smirk on her face.
Lindsey's heart pounded as she stared at the woman, who was the spitting image of her.
Their only key difference? The clone was grey skinned, like a monster of some kind.
"Lindsey McCarthy, welcome," the clone called out, her voice thick with venom and sarcasm.
"Who... are you...?" Lindsey queried, her voice low but sharp.
"I am your full potential, your right to strength and your will to live. But, if you want my power, you'll need to prove yourself."
The clone slowly raised her arm and swiftly snapped her fingers, causing a trap door to open below Lindsey's feet.
She felt her heart skip a beat.
In that one second, she saw her life flash vecore her eyes.
Regret, love, joy, sadness, anger, grief.
All those emotions flooded into her mind.
Then, a blood curdling scream followed as she sunk into the darkness of the trap.
"Fight for your true name, Lindsey. Show me that you are worthy of my true strength."