Kael froze mid-step.
The forest was too quiet. Shadows twisted between gnarled trunks, curling like smoke. His ears picked up the faintest rustle of leaves.
The voice from before—gone. Only emptiness lingered.
Frustration tightened in his chest. Whoever—or whatever—it had been left no trace. He clenched his fists for a moment, then loosened them. Tilted his head. Listened. Held his breath.
"…What was that?" he muttered under his breath. Teeth pressed together. "Do you know who—or what—that was?"
The Entity hesitated, which was unusual. When it finally spoke, its voice was soft, uneasy—like smoke slipping through the leaves.
"You need not concern yourself. It is no enemy. Only a warning. Complacency is dangerous. When you grow stronger… you will understand."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"…Right," he murmured, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll figure it out later. Herbs first."
He stepped forward again. Boots crunching over moss and fallen leaves. Sunlight fractured through the canopy, flickering over the forest floor.
Shadows pooled in unnatural corners. The air smelled damp, earthy, with a faint metallic tang. A chill brushed his neck.
The forest hummed around him—quiet, alive. A prickle ran along his spine. Fingers itched. Eyes flicked, scanning, measuring each movement. Every step careful. Every breath steady.
********
The village appeared in amber light. Cottages huddled together, smoke curling from chimneys. Kael handed the bundle of herbs to the Town Elder.
A gentle chime rang in his ears.
[Quest Complete: Herb Gathering]
Relief touched his chest, but anticipation pricked sharper. He tapped the floating interface. The next tutorial quest blinked to life, glowing insistently.
[Tutorial Quest: Darkspawn Elimination]
[Objective: Defeat Level 4 Darkspawn]
[Progress: Levels 1–3 Completed | Level 4 Remaining]
The map pulsed red like a heartbeat. A thin, guiding path wound through the forest.
Another chime followed.
[Quest Reward: Class Awakening Available Upon Completion]
Kael's chest tightened. A class. Not just a reward—a foothold, a way forward in this uncertain world.
"A class…" he muttered under his breath. "…Finally."
He squinted at the floating interface.
Glowing paths, blinking icons, shifting markers—like a living map.
He leaned back slightly, eyes darting between points, fingers twitching against his thighs.
Warrior? Mage? Beastmaster? Or… a support class?
His chest tightened, a restless current crawling under his ribs. He tapped a finger against the edge of the hologram, then drew it back, hesitating.
A slow breath. Shoulders tense, jaw tight.
Focus. Task first. Power later.
Tapping the glowing waypoint, it flared bright, lighting a path deep into the forest.
"You're eager for this class, aren't you?" the entity murmured, its tone curling through his thoughts.
Kael smirked faintly. "…Yeah. Isn't that the whole point? Classes make you stronger."
"Yes," it replied, a hint of disapproval in its whisper. "Stronger… but what you awaken will be lacking."
Kael froze. "…Lacking? What does that mean?"
"The Ascension classes… they are beneath someone like you," the entity said, the faintest edge of disdain threading its voice. "Your talent lies in your Rebirth Core."
Kael's fingers tightened on the hilt of his rusty short sword. "…Rebirth Core?" His voice dropped to a near-whisper. "You keep talking about it… but you never explained what it actually is."
"It is your potential. Your path," the entity replied, cryptic as ever. "Reach level fifteen, and you will awaken something far beyond this system."
Kael exhaled slowly. "…Level fifteen, huh? And why should I believe it's worth the wait?"
"Because you awakened me," the entity answered immediately.
The words lingered in his mind. He wanted to press, to pry secrets loose—but the waypoint pulsed, insistent. Level 4 Darkspawn awaited.
********
The clearing came into view. Green light suffused the space, painting the twisted trees in eerie shadows. Malevolent energy hummed beneath his skin, prickling every nerve.
The Darkspawn stood at the center—a tangled amalgam of black sinew and shadow. Its eyes glowed sickly green. Claws dripped black ichor.
Kael's pulse raced as the interface flickered to life:
[Darkspawn – Level 4]
[HP: 500]
[Abilities: Shadow Slash, Venom Strike]
He gripped his rusty sword. Nicked, dull, and laughably inadequate—but it would have to do.
"Be patient. Study its movements," the entity instructed.
The creature struck first—a blur of shadow and claws. Kael rolled, dirt spraying beneath him as air sliced past. His first swing grazed the creature's side. It hissed, more irritated than harmed.
Sweat dripped into his eyes. Every breath burned. Every muscle screamed. He calculated, timed, measured each dodge and strike, every movement a negotiation with death.
"You need to stay focused!" the entity barked.
Kael's foot slipped. Claws raked inches from his throat. Desperation sharpened his reflexes. Twist, roll, strike—the rusty blade sank deep into the Darkspawn's neck.
It shrieked, shadows unraveling into drifting motes of darkness.
[Darkspawn Defeated]
[All stats increase by 1]
[Rewards: 250 XP, 250 Coins, SP +2, Dark Essence x4]
Kael sank to his knees, chest heaving. Victory tasted sweet, but exhaustion pulled at his bones.
A soft chime echoed.
[Class Awakening Available. Proceed?]
The entity's warning echoed: inferior classes. But Kael's resolve hardened. Strength was no longer optional.
He inhaled slowly. Confirmation.
Pain lanced through his body, white-hot and sharp. Vision blurred. Deep within, his Rebirth Core thrummed, pulsing through every nerve. Agony flared, then passed. A surge of power unlike anything before filled him.
Shadows clung to him, bending, waiting.
[Class Awakened: Nightshade]
[Role: Stealth Assassin, Poison Mastery]
[Description: Shadowy assassins who thrive in darkness, using stealth, burst damage, and poisons. Unique "Shadow Energy" resource amplifies abilities.]
Kael grinned. The rusty sword felt like a relic of the past. The shadows were alive now, ready to obey his will.
The entity chuckled, low and approving. "Not bad. For now."
He rose, muscles still shaking from exertion. The path to level fifteen stretched ahead—perilous and uncertain. But for the first time, Kael felt ready.
The interface floated in front of him. Dimmed icons formed a branching skill tree, each line connecting to another, each node a promise of a skill waiting to be unlocked.
He leaned in. Fingers hovered. Eyes scanning, tracing paths he hadn't touched.
A quiet thrill pressed at his chest. Heart steady. Senses sharp. Every node seemed to be waiting.
Then one branch flared. A single icon blazed brighter than the rest, pulsing, as if it had noticed him.
For the first time, Kael felt something he couldn't push aside.
A flicker of thought.
A name whispered itself into his mind.
"…Nightshade Archetypes," he murmured.