Neon stood motionless as the blue screen hovered before his eyes.
Five stat points.
In the game, this was a simple decision. Dump points into Intelligence if you wanted magic. Strength and Agility for melee. Efficiency mattered more than experimentation.
But this wasn't a game anymore.
"This body…" Neon muttered, clenching his hand. "It's real."
He could still feel the recoil from the wolf's claws, the resistance of flesh against his blade. He knew one thing clearly—if he made a wrong choice here, the consequences wouldn't be a restart button.
Neon exhaled slowly.
"I won't min-max blindly."
He distributed the points carefully.
Strength +2
Intelligence +2
Vitality +1
The screen shimmered.
[Stats Updated Successfully]
A strange warmth spread through his body—part of it grounding, part of it sharp and electric. Neon felt steadier on his feet, but at the same time, something deeper stirred inside him, like shadows gathering behind his thoughts.
He frowned.
"…That feeling."
It was familiar.
The same sensation he felt in the game whenever he stepped into a forbidden skill tree.
Before he could think further, the screen pulsed violently.
[Main Quest Progressed]
Objective Completed: First Battle Survived
[Class Awakening Initiated]
The forest fell silent.
No wind.
No insects.
No sound at all.
Neon's heart slammed against his chest.
"Now…?"
Darkness crept in from the edges of his vision, swallowing the forest whole. The world dissolved, replaced by an endless void—black as ink, heavy as despair.
Neon stood alone.
Then—
Two figures appeared before him.
One stood tall and rigid, clad in battered armor, a sword resting against his shoulder. His presence was solid, unyielding, like iron that refused to bend.
The other was cloaked in shadows. His face was hidden, but his eyes glowed faint violet. Dark mist coiled around his fingers, whispering softly, hungrily.
Steel and shadow.
Strength and magic.
The sword-bearing figure spoke first.
"Will you walk the path of discipline?"
"Through blood, sweat, and steel?"
The cloaked figure followed.
"Or will you embrace the abyss?"
"Commanding power feared and forbidden?"
Neon felt his chest tighten.
In the academy, he had been weak.
In life, he had escaped instead of fighting.
In death, he had chosen to run.
But now—
Neon raised his head.
"Why," he said slowly, "do I have to choose?"
The void trembled.
The two figures turned toward him.
Neon continued, voice growing steadier.
"I survived by escaping into games. I destroyed myself by avoiding reality. If I walk only one path again… I'll repeat the same mistake."
He stepped forward.
"I'll fight with my hands," Neon said, gripping an invisible sword.
"And I'll fight with my mind," he added, shadows stirring at his feet.
"I choose both."
For a moment, the void was silent.
Then—
It shattered.
[Warning!]
[Dual-Class Selection Detected]
[Compatibility: Extremely Rare]
[Class Confirmed:]
→ Dark Magician
→ Swordsman
[Unique Condition Met]
[Dual Core Awakening Successful]
Pain exploded through Neon's body.
He screamed.
Mana surged violently through his veins while his muscles tightened, reforged by invisible force. Shadow wrapped around his heart, cold and suffocating—then stabilized, pulsing like a second core.
Neon collapsed to his knees.
Blood dripped from his nose.
But he was smiling.
The world snapped back into place.
The forest returned—wind rustling leaves, insects chirping as if nothing had happened.
Neon lay on the ground, breathing heavily.
A new screen hovered before him.
[Class Details Unlocked]
Primary Class: Dark Magician
Secondary Class: Swordsman
Dark Magician Traits:
High mana affinity
Shadow-element spells
Enhanced spell efficiency in darkness
Swordsman Traits:
Weapon mastery (Blades)
Improved physical growth
Combat instinct enhancement
Passive Skill Unlocked:
[Shadow Blade Synchronization]
→ Allows mana infusion into melee weapons
→ Shadow magic enhances sword attacks
Neon's eyes widened.
"…Shadow Blade."
That skill didn't exist in the base game.
His heart began to race.
"Not just dual-class," he whispered. "A modified one."
He slowly stood up, drawing his sword.
Without thinking, he focused.
Dark mana flowed.
The blade shuddered—then black mist wrapped around it, forming jagged runes along the edge. The air itself felt heavier.
Neon swung once.
The tree in front of him split cleanly in half.
Neon stared.
"…I'm strong."
Not overpowered.
Not invincible.
But strong enough to survive.
Strong enough to fight.
He looked at his trembling hands.
In his old life, they had held cigarettes and a mouse, wasting time while everything fell apart.
Now—
They held a sword wrapped in darkness.
Neon took a deep breath.
"This time," he said quietly, "I'll move forward."
From the shadows of the forest, something watched him.
Something older.
Stronger.
Interested.
Neon didn't notice.