The voice came out like a rumble, a sound that bypassed John's ears and vibrated directly against the very bedrock of his being. It emanated from the undulating form before him, a vast, amorphous entity that pulsed with an internal, ethereal light, its single luminescent eye blinking with a deliberate, almost mocking slowness. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Mr. Ice Cool and Collected," the baritone echoed, resonating through the formless void that had become John's temporary reality. "You're handling this with far more composure than I anticipated. Not precisely the profile I'd predict for someone choosing my particular class. But then again, it's not chosen as much as I'd like."
John met the colossal eye's gaze, his own unwavering. The chaos that truly reigned within him – the desperate scramble for answers, the terror of the unknown, the sheer, mind-bending impossibility of his situation was meticulously contained, a performance honed by countless hours spent immersed in the fictional crises of others. "It felt like the most logical choice for me." he replied, his voice a steady, deliberately devoid of the fear that threatened to crack it. "Unassuming, versatile, easily underestimated yet potentially formidable in the right hands. Now, if you'd be so kind, perhaps you could elaborate on the specifics of this 'class' and more importantly, what exactly is happening to my world? I believe I've earned a small explanation at the very least." He hoped his calm exterior masked the maelstrom of questions churning within, a torrent threatening to breach the dam of his carefully constructed composure.
A sound like gravel shifting under immense pressure emanated from the blob, a deep, guttural chuckle that seemed to vibrate the very fabric of the void. "Impressive. A sharp mind tethered to an uncommon calm, despite... well, your rather robust physique. One might almost call it a striking contrast. Perhaps it's a trade-off? Brawn over… Agility and mobility?" It seemed to be deliberately stalling, its gelatinous form subtly expanding and contracting, a silent assertion of its unhurried authority, testing the limits of John's patience.
John's composure, however, was thinning like ice under a summer sun. He'd navigated enough office politics and family squabbles to recognize a patronizing delay tactic when he saw one. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Spare me the thinly veiled observations about my physical attributes. I understand I'm not the archetype hero from your preferred genre of fantasy, nor do I aspire to be. I am a thirty-one-year-old man who's, as you so delicately put it, 'robust,' and has read far too many novels for his own good to fall for such transparent diversions. My mind and even body I can assure you, is quite capable despite the additional padding. Now, do you intend to answer my questions with the courtesy befitting a participant in this... game? Or shall we continue this delightful banter until the universe as I knew utterly collapses? My patience, like my waistline, has its limits." His tone was edged with a demand, a sharp, almost aggressive cutting off of the blob's attempts to delay further.
The blob blinked, its enormous eye widening in genuine surprise before it erupted into a cacophony of mirth. "Hahahaha! Oh, that was brilliant! Truly, genuinely brilliant! My apologies, human, but that hit me right in the... well, wherever it is I store amusement! I haven't guffawed like that since... well, since the last sentient being tried to negotiate for a 'Supreme Being' class and then promptly exploded from too much power flooding them!" It writhed on the floor of the void, its gelatinous form shaking with unbridled amusement, tears visibly welling in its large eye, a grotesque yet strangely endearing spectacle. John merely sighed, a quiet exhalation that conveyed a profound weariness with this seemingly frivolous, yet immensely powerful, entity. He wasn't entirely convinced the 'exploding sentient being' story wasn't a warning tailored just for him.
Finally, the blob composed itself, levitating back to John's eye level with a few lingering wheezes and a final, shuddering ripple. "Alright, alright, you're a real gem of amusement human. A truly unexpected delight. I genuinely hope you make it. So, 'Forever Second,' and the name itself is already a nice deterrent, isn't it? A psychological barrier to keep sane people from it. Who, in their grand ambition, willingly chooses to be perpetually second? A person's base desires push us to strive for the pinnacle, to be the undisputed best. Yet, that's precisely what this class does: it anchors you just below the absolute best, in any given discipline you choose to master. The world's finest swordsman? Train diligently and you will achieve mastery just shy of his, forever his shadow, a perfectly honed blade lacking only that final, singular edge. This applies to everything, from arcane magic to mundane carpentry, from martial prowess to the delicate art of brewing tea."
It continued, its tone shifting to a more informative, if still playfully cryptic, cadence. "In theory, its growth potential is immense, far exceeding what most 'first' classes offer in sheer versatility and range. But reaching that potential has conditions and limitations, for nothing so powerful comes without a price, or at least, a few inconvenient caveats. First, you need a fundamental understanding or inherent skill in the discipline you wish to be 'second' in. You can't just wish for every class and instantly become a prodigy; you must put in a modicum of effort, enough to achieve at least one 'level' in it, to establish a connection. Don't expect to pick up a bow for the first time and instantly become the world's second-greatest archer. You still need to learn how to string it, how to aim, how to shoot an arrow without hitting your own foot. Think of it as needing a foundational blueprint before the architect can magically fill in the rest of the structure." It began.
"Second, to maintain your 'second-best' status, you must periodically refresh it through practice or active use. This isn't a passive gift; it's a commitment. The precise interval between these refresh cycles? Ah, now that's for you to discover; I'm not giving away all the secrets but know understanding the basics tends to help you keep them longer 'wink wink'. Some lessons though are best learned through experience, preferably painful experience for maximum retention.
"Third, some 'special' classes simply can't be followed, due to their esoteric nature or the sheer lack of a standardized ranking system along with how speaking good wont automatically make you some kind of casanova. A necromancer would be another example. While there might be many necromancers around, the class itself often lacks a clear, universal hierarchy of 'best' or 'second best.' It's too subjective and far too niche. So, no 'second-best necromancer' for you. A bit illogical perhaps, considering the breadth of the universe, but that's how the rules are set. However, most combat classes – swordsmanship, archery, spearmanship – and many magic disciplines, as well as production skills like alchemy or blacksmithing or even obscure arts like arcane calligraphy, fit perfectly within the ranking system though. Again, you need to earn at least a single raw level in them, then keep them active through the aforementioned refresher training and even then, due to no visible level system for you it would be a matter of feeling it out to make it so much more interesting." It told him with a laugh.
"Even though your level will automatically rise to ensure you remain second well not knowing the level itself, always remember this critical warning though: if you slip, if your practice falters and you lose your second-place standing due to neglect, regaining it becomes ten times harder. This system demands dedication and it punishes complacency with a vengeance, making you truly earn back what you let lapse." It taunted.
"And here's the kicker, the truly fascinating part that makes your choice less madman and more genius strategy from my part due to difficulty and complexity. It doesn't add, it multiplies. Meaning, if you develop a second skill, the synergy isn't merely additive; their combined potency becomes exponentially greater. Think of it less as 3 + 3 = 6 and more like their interaction, their complementary nature, results in a power level closer to 9, or even beyond depending on the harmonious blend of the skills. A second-best swordsman and a second-best tactician don't just become a slightly better fighter; they become a force far more potent than the sum of their individual parts as the tactician part would allow him to understand how best to use the swordsman skills, on when and where to strike with better though, persion and care than the number one swordsman. This, my dear human, is where the true power of 'Forever Second' lies."
John absorbed the torrent of information, his mind a whirring engine of calculation. A flicker of profound strategy bloomed in his eyes, chasing away the last vestiges of fear. He nodded slowly, already mentally sifting through potential paths, evaluating which skills would offer the greatest utility, practicability and crucially, ease of maintenance within the unique confines of his newfound 'Forever Second' class. The game, it seemed, was far more intricate than he could have ever imagined and his choice that would no doubt be considered by others to be a curse, might just be the most potent weapon of all if used right.