"HEY! STOP RIGHT THERE!"
Three men in shining silver armor rushed toward me, spears in hand.
The one in the middle appeared to be the captain.
"Who are you?" he demanded. "And why were you climbing our fruit trees?"
I raised both hands.
"My name is Sam, sir. I came from Forest Base 101 looking to recruit followers."
The captain raised an eyebrow.
"Forest Base 101?"
"Do you have identification?"
"Yes, sir."
Rex had prepared a small wooden identification plaque before I left the base. I handed it to him.
The guard inspected it carefully before nodding.
"So you're one of the forest settlers."
He handed it back.
"Life out there must be rough."
I laughed.
"It has its moments."
"Can you tell me about your town?"
The captain smiled.
"There's an inn straight down the road."
"Cheap rooms cost two copper a night."
"The better rooms cost two silver."
"We also have a blacksmith, magic shop, general store, and a job board outside the inn."
"Thanks."
"That helps a lot."
As I turned to leave—
One of the other guards called out.
"Wait..."
"You said your name was Sam?"
"Yes, sir."
He walked over with tired eyes.
"My name is Ben."
"I have a favor to ask."
DING!
Mission Detected
Save Ben's Son
Find Leon inside the Goblin Forest and return him safely.
Rewards
Ben's Loyalty
Leon's Loyalty
10 Silver
Staff Weapon
Failure
Leon Dies
Accept?
YES
I accepted immediately.
Helping him completed one of my own goals.
Recruiting followers.
"Killing two birds with one stone," I muttered.
Ben smiled with relief.
"Thank you."
"I won't forget this."
As we walked toward the forest, we talked.
"So..."
"Tell me about yourself."
Ben scratched his beard.
"I'm forty-four."
"Retired Dungeon Vanguard."
"I fought on the front lines for years until my son was born."
"My wife, Zora, manages our home."
"She's a Level 25 Butler."
"I'm a Level 30 Tank."
"Ten combat skills."
"My son Leon..."
"...Level 16 Assassin."
"Three combat skills."
The moment he finished speaking—
I smiled.
I've found my captain.
The deeper we traveled...
The stronger the stench became.
Blood.
Rot.
Goblins.
Ben stopped.
"They're close."
Rex scanned the area.
Enemy Fortress Detected
Twenty-five Goblin Soldiers
One Goblin Shaman
One Goblin Chief
Hostage detected.
Ben looked at me.
"So..."
"What's the plan?"
"You take the front."
"I'll rescue Leon."
"You handle the soldiers."
"I'll deal with the Chief."
Ben grinned.
"I like your style."
The fortress doors exploded inward.
"TAUNT!"
Every Goblin turned toward Ben.
He pulled two massive axes from his back.
The first swing cut two Goblins clean in half.
I dashed past him.
"Vertical Slash!"
Three Goblins collapsed.
LEVEL UP!
Level 9
New Skill
Tornado Cut
Spin violently, striking up to five enemies.
Without stopping—
"Tornado Cut!"
The spinning slash ripped through five Goblins at once.
Bodies crashed to the floor.
Blood painted the walls.
LEVEL UP!
Level 10
I raised both fists.
"Fire Punch!"
Five blazing fists shot across the battlefield.
Five more Goblins fell.
The fortress had become a massacre.
Ben laughed.
"You really are a monster!"
"Fifteen down!"
"I'll handle the rest!"
"Go save my son!"
I sprinted deeper into the fortress.
Behind me...
Ben activated another skill.
"BERSERKER!"
His muscles doubled in size.
His battle cry shook the building.
I almost felt sorry for the remaining Goblins.
Almost.
A powerful mana signature stopped me.
The Goblin Shaman.
Before attacking...
An idea crossed my mind.
"Rex."
"Combine Vertical Slash and Instant Slash."
Combining Skills...
...
Success!
Rare Skill Acquired
Vertical Instant Slash
A devastating vertical strike infused with instantaneous acceleration.
Ignores a portion of enemy defenses.
Current Level: 2
The Goblin Shaman noticed me.
He lifted his staff.
"Lightning Ball!"
A bolt of lightning slammed into my chest.
BOOM!
I crashed through a wooden pillar.
Pain shot through my entire body.
"...Damn."
"So this..."
"...is what a real mage feels like."
The Goblin laughed.
Another spell began forming.
If I got hit again...
I'd probably die.
I forced myself back onto my feet.
"This ends now."
I disappeared.
"Vertical..."
"...Instant Slash!"
The blade flashed.
Silence.
The Goblin Shaman stared forward.
A red line appeared across his body.
Then...
He split cleanly in half.
Goblin Shaman Defeated
Level 28
1000 XP Awarded
Golden light surrounded my body.
Power surged through every muscle.
LEVEL UP!
LEVEL 12
The world froze.
Three ancient doors appeared before me.
The first burned with crimson flames.
Fire Swordsman
Master flames through swordsmanship.
The second disappeared into darkness.
Shadow Swordsman
Become an assassin of the shadows.
The third...
Was surrounded by countless wandering souls.
The dead reached toward me.
Necromancer
Command the dead.
Create an army that never tires.
Evolve your undead into terrifying servants.
Rule through death itself.
I smiled.
"There isn't even a choice."
"I choose..."
"Necromancer."
CLASS CONFIRMED
NECROMANCER
New Skills Unlocked
Shadow Step
Move instantly through connected shadows.
Arise
Raise defeated enemies as loyal undead servants.
Soulbound
Bind weaker souls to your service.
+25 Strength
+25 Intelligence
+25 Wisdom
Rex spoke softly.
"You have finally reached your destined Class."
My heart pounded.
"So..."
"This is real."
I walked toward the Goblin Shaman's corpse.
"Let's test it."
"Arise."
Dark blue energy poured from my hands.
The corpse trembled.
A glowing blue soul rose into the air.
Bone.
Shadow.
Mana.
A brand-new body formed before me.
Stronger.
Healthier.
More powerful than it had been in life.
Goblin Shaman
Undead Servant
Level 28
Strength: 500
Dexterity: 1000
Constitution: 1000
Intelligence: 1500
Wisdom: 1500
Skills:
Fire Ball
Lightning Ball
The undead knelt on one knee.
"Master..."
"I await your command."
I looked toward the Chief's chamber.
A slow grin spread across my face.
"Go."
"Kill the Chief."
The Goblin Shaman bowed his head.
"As you command... Master."
The undead disappeared into the darkness.
Moments later...
A horrifying scream echoed throughout the fortress.