---
> SOUL INTEGRITY: APPROVED
> GENERATING CLASS OPTIONS BASED ON ANALYSED PARAMETERS...
3 OPTIONS AVAILABLE (Choose 1):
1. Class: Iron Warrior (A Rank)
A stalwart defender trained to endure overwhelming force. Iron Warriors are walking fortresses, standing firm where others fall.
Skills:
• Iron Guard (A): Activates an iron-based hardened aura that greatly boosts defense and negates knockback, turning the user into an immovable shield for a short time.
Stat Boosts: STR ×3, AGI ×3, INT ×2
2. Class: Elite Merchant (A Rank)
A sharp-minded trader with privileged access to system-backed commerce. Elite Merchants profit in any situation, often outwitting warriors with words alone.
Skills:
• System Store Access (Lv.0): Grants access to a basic system shop for essential items.
• Player Market Access (Lv.0): Enables trade with other players through a global system interface.
• Elite Contract (A): Forms magically enforced contracts, from trades to oaths.
• Calculative Mind (A): Boosts analysis and mental processing during deals, trades, and negotiations.
Stat Boosts: STR ×2, AGI ×2, INT ×3
3. Class: Berserker (AAA Rank)
A relentless warrior who thrives in chaos. Berserkers embrace fury, growing stronger the longer they fight.
Skills:
• Berserk Rage (S): Triggers a savage state that boosts power and speed but reduces defense and control.
• Taunt Enemy (A): Forces nearby enemies to target the user, disrupting enemy focus and protecting allies.
Stat Boosts: STR ×5, AGI ×5, INT ×2, Luck +50%
---
"Berserker" was the highest-ranked and the coolest one by far — but fighting mindlessly for a lifetime? Not my style.
Then there was the "Elite Merchant." I'd already tried being an honest commerce student in my previous life, and that ended so well… yeah, no thanks.
That left the "Iron Warrior."
Alright, I can work with that.
I mentally selected the Iron Warrior.
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> CLASS SELECTION COMPLETE
INITIATING SYSTEM SKILLS SELECTION
GENERATING SKILL OPTIONS BASED ON ANALYSED PARAMETERS
6 OPTIONS AVAILABLE (Choose 3):
1. Soul's Fury (SSS) {FORBIDDEN}
???
> This skill is forbidden for a reason. Don't overestimate yourself just because you have it.
2. Higher Appraisal (SS)
Reveals advanced data on targets, items, or environments. Can bypass concealment effects and identify hidden stats, growth potential, and system anomalies. Accuracy scales with INT.
> Knowledge isn't just power—it's leverage.
3. Analytical Mind (A)
Enhances cognitive processing during high-pressure scenarios. Boosts tactical awareness, decision clarity, and pattern recognition in combat, trade, or social exchanges.
> Think fast. Think sharp.
4. Survival Instinct (A)
Automatically heightens awareness and reflexes when life-threatening danger is detected. Temporarily increases evasion, perception, and reaction time.
> When death closes in, instinct takes over.
5. Precision Recall (C)
Enables perfect recall of any system window, appraisal result, or critical event previously seen. Accessed through the system interface, even in combat.
> Forget nothing. Miss nothing.
6. Instinctive Counter (C)
When ambushed or attacked from a blind spot, the body reacts before the mind. Triggers a single dodge, block, or recoil maneuver per encounter.
> Not fast enough? The system is.
---
Hell! A forbidden skill? Those things were practically myths — classified by the system itself for being too dangerous or too unreasonable. Which, of course, made me really want it.
They usually cost World Credits to activate… and I currently had a grand total of zero. Afterall it takes system missions to get them, and I just started. Still, having one meant potential. Huge Potential, even though father said don't take by rank, loosing this will be too much of a lose.
The other choices weren't bad either. "Higher Appraisal" screamed utility — knowing more about the other guy or object always gives you the edge. "Analytical Mind" was tempting, but "Survival Instinct"? That one sounded like something I'd actually need. And in my life, things always go sideways.
I made my selections.
---
> SKILLS SELECTION COMPLETE
ANALYZING ACQUIRED SKILLS...
SELECT THE ONES YOU WANT TO REGISTER
AVAILABLE SKILLS:
Martial Arts (C)
Blade Mastery (D)
Noble Etiquette (D)
Dancing (D)
Pain Tolerance (D)
Cold Resistance (D)
Ritual Magic (E)
Reading (E)
Shock Resistance (E)
Poison Resistance (E)
Polearm Mastery (F)
Cooking (F)
Fire Resistance (F)
---
Acquired skills, huh...
Resilience types were obvious picks. "Martial Arts" covered basic combat techniques, and "Blade Mastery" was a given — even though I'd trained with both blades type and polearms type weapons, I was just better with blades.
"Ritual Magic" was tempting. I'd practiced it before awakening since it could draw on external mana sources. Dangerous stuff — powerful, but risky. Still, I knew better than to grab skills I couldn't maintain. And if I don't maintain them, I'll have trouble during advancements Dropping them later would cost me.
So, I locked in my choices.
---
> REGISTERING SELECTED SKILLS...
PROCESSING...
ACQUIRED SKILL 'Blade Mastery (D)' IS COMPATIBLE WITH USER'S CLASS >> SKILL ADDED TO CLASS SKILLS
SUCCESS.
> FINALIZING STATUS INTERFACE...
ALLOCATING AUTHORITY BASED ON ANALYSED DATA...
AUTHORITY ACQUIRED: 5 POINTS
SYNCHRONIZING PHYSICAL, METAPHYSICAL, BLOODLINE AND SYSTEM DATA...
---
My vision flickered again — not from pain this time, but from clarity. It felt like someone had wiped the fog off a mirror I hadn't realized existed. Every heartbeat pulsed with a metallic echo, every breath carried the scent of iron and ozone.
Then the system displayed my new profile — my real one.
---
NAME: Augustus Ironcreed (August)
LEVEL: 0
CLASS: Iron Warrior, A
SYSTEM STATUS (1):
1. Soul One's Edict:
• Soul Obscurity
• Amplified Soulforce
• Enhanced Intelligence
STATS:
Authority – 5
STR – 21
AGI – 15
INT – 30
Charm – 30
Luck – 8
World Credit – 0
CLASS SKILLS:
Iron Guard, A
Blade Mastery, D
SYSTEM SKILLS:
Soul's Fury, SSS {Forbidden}
Higher Appraisal, SS
Survival Instinct, A
ACQUIRED SKILLS:
Martial Arts, C
Pain Tolerance, D
Cold Resistance, D
Shock Resistance, E
Poison Resistance, E
Fire Resistance, F
BLOODLINE:
Iron Stallion, A (UNAWAKENED)
ELEMENTAL AFFINITY: Metal
EQUIPMENT (0/5): //
---
I opened my eyes. Around me, others were already done — some laughing, some crying, a few lying unnervingly still. The awakening hall shimmered with faint runes as the artifact dimmed to silence.