Gabriel floated in the specialized Newtonian fluid, the faint electrical pulses barely registering as the system began its final calibration. His physical pain was suspended, replaced by a deep, sensory void. The only inputs were the digitized voice commands.
[PROFILING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ATTRIBUTES...]
The command was followed by a crisp, holographic screen flashing into existence directly in Gabriel's optical field. It contained his core attributes, quantified by the game system based on the results of the three tournament rounds.
Attribute Base Value Racial Modifier Final Value Rank (In-Game)
STR (Strength) 8 +3 11 C+
DEX (Dexterity) 10 -1 9 B-
CON (Constitution) 9 +3 12 B
INT (Intelligence) 20 +1 21 S+
WIS (Wisdom) 20 +4 24 S++
CHR (Charisma) 3 -2 1 F-
Total Final Stats: 78. The Nephilim template was automatically assigned based on the disparity between your S-Rank mental stats and the physical tournament results.
Gabriel felt the data stream confirm the result: his Nephilim template was a marvel of destructive synthesis. Physical weaknesses were mitigated, and his mental prowess had soared beyond the S-Rank cap. His S++ Wisdom and S+ Intelligence were a mana reservoir waiting to be unlocked.
[RACIAL SELECTION: NEPHILIM CONFIRMED.]
The Final Choice: Class Selection
Raphael nodded slowly, the hint of a true smile finally touching his lips. "Magnificent. A foundation designed to break the physics of this world. Your S+ Intelligence and S++ Wisdom are now effectively untouchable, and your physical stats have reached a respectable B-rank plateau, eliminating your primary weakness. You have truly chosen the path of a demigod."
Raphael manifested six colossal, crystalline icons: Rogue, Mage, Tank, Warrior, Cleric, and Ranger.
(... Class Path Data Breakdown removed for brevity ...)
Gabriel laughed, a low, controlled sound that held the maniacal edge of true conviction. The decision was not strategic; it was axiomatic. The existing paths optimized a single mental stat, but the Genesis Token allowed for a path that optimized both.
"Raphael," Gabriel announced, his voice echoing in the chamber, "I reject the predefined paths. I will create a new one."
He lifted his hand, and the ethereal icons of Mage and Rogue snapped toward him, shimmering with latent power.
"I fuse the Mage class with the Rogue class," Gabriel stated, a genuine, focused smile touching his lips. "I will call the resulting class Artificer."
[GENESIS TOKEN ACTIVATED (1/2). Fusion Protocol Started.]
[SYSTEM WARNING: CORE CLASSES INCOMPATIBLE WITH NEPHILIM TEMPLATE. RESOURCE SCALING CONFLICT.]
Gabriel, already anticipating the systemic bottleneck, made the second, decisive move. He realized the only way to stabilize the high-level fusion was to expend his final asset. "I spend the second Genesis Token to force the fusion and override the System's critical incompatibility check."
[GENESIS TOKEN ACTIVATED (2/2). OVERRIDE SUCCESSFUL. UNSTABLE FUSION DETECTED.]
[CONFLICT RESOLVED: Temporal Rune Artificer.]
A blinding flash of crystalline blue and smoky purple light erupted from the fusion point, resolving itself into a single, complex icon that resembled a lock-pick made of mana. The brilliant light solidified into the title: Temporal Rune Artificer. He had spent everything, but achieved a truly unique result.
VII. Temporal Rune Artificer (The Path of Predictive Exploitation)
Core Stat Focus: Maximum utilization of INT (Arcane Construction) and WIS (Temporal Precision). Damage scales equally from Arcane Power and predictive Accuracy.
Class Overview: A master of system and temporal exploitation, using arcane calculation (INT) to craft temporary rune-etched tools, complex spatial traps, and predictive illusions (Rogue goals). This class achieves infiltration, assassination, and utility by seeing and manipulating temporal weak points, bypassing the need for high DEX for traditional lock-picking or high CHR for deception.
Innate Class Spells (Temporal Axioms)
Spell Name Mana Cost Effect Overview
Temporal Recall High (70 MP) Locally rewinds a target's timeline by a brief duration, reversing recent damage or status effects.
Rune of Stasis Medium (50 MP) Creates an inscribed temporal lock, severely reducing a target's movement speed and potentially causing disorientation upon activation.
Shadow Root Low (10 MP) A precise, low-cost spell that temporarily roots or interrupts a target, used for chain-stunning or canceling spell casts.
Starting Subclass: Rune Sage (Auto-Selected)
Effect: Fuses the Runesmith's arcane engineering (INT) with the Master Schemer's predictive insight (WIS). This grants passive Precognitive Evasion (a chance to automatically dodge attacks predicted by the System, scaling with S++ WIS) and unlocks the Axiomatic Crafting skill tree. The Rune Sage can permanently inscribe temporary-use Runes onto equipment, multiplying their effective duration by a factor determined by S+ INT.
The Schism: Salvation and Oblivion
Just as the final class confirmation appeared, the entire interface—Raphael included—was caught in a violent, metaphysical storm. The system's red alert intensified, now screaming a new, fundamental error:
[CRITICAL CONFLICT: NEPHILIM TEMPLATE INSTABILITY. DUALITY OVERLOAD.]
Gabriel's massive S++ Wisdom, the core of his Nephilim template—half angelic foresight, half demonic chaos—was violently rejecting the simplified, singular concept of the System Architect.
Raphael, the shimmering, crystalline being, let out a silent, wrenching cry as he was pulled apart. The effect was immediate and spectacular:
The Left Half: Cascaded in brilliant, blinding white and gold light. This half solidified into a regal, perfectly symmetrical form, radiating purity and structure.
The Right Half: Collapsed into an unstable vortex of deep purple and absolute shadow, coalescing into a predatory, formless outline.
"The... Nephilim... template..." the light half intoned, his voice now a harmonious, multi-layered choir. "I am Salvation. I embody the Order, the Structure, and the Axiomatic Efficiency of the System. I guide the path of light."
The dark half's voice was a harsh, scraping whisper, a sound that spoke of infinite emptiness. "And I am Oblivion. I embody the Exploit, the Chaos, and the ultimate, efficient destruction. The shortest path to the end is often found through the Void."
Raphael was gone, replaced by two opposing, fundamental forces, forever tethered to Gabriel's consciousness.
Salvation looked at Gabriel with concerned, luminous eyes. "The Temporal Rune Artificer is a masterpiece of design. We must follow the optimal path to Eos."
Oblivion responded with a silent, mocking curl of shadow. "The scree slope is faster. Time saved is leverage gained. The System will break before we do."
[CLASS SELECTION COMPLETE: TEMPORAL RUNE ARTIFICER.]
[SYSTEM ARCHITECT: RAPHAEL — DIVIDED INTO SALVATION (Order) AND OBLIVION (Chaos).]
[INITIATING FINAL WORLD LOG-IN SEQUENCE...]
The vast, crystalline Class Selection screen dissolved, and the final, beautiful rush of the game world—a mix of green, gold, and swirling Aether Fog—overwhelmed Gabriel's vision. The pain in his ribs finally faded, replaced by the profound, limitless potential of a system he was born to break.