Chapter 33: A Matter Of Class
With a deep breath he made his choice.
[Congratulations! You have become a Hexblade!]
[Liberating Hexblade Skill Tree. Awarding 2 Skill Points.]
[Available Skills: ]
[Hexbolt: Cost 1 SP. Description: Cast a black bolt for 10 MP. Causes a curse that reduces enemies HP by 5 per second for 10 seconds. Upgradeable. Level 0/5]
[Silence: Cost 1 SP. Despription: Cast a curse on your enemy for 10 MP. Causes the enemies mana to be locked making magic impossible for 10 seconds. Upgradeable. Level 0/5]
[Cursed Weapon: Cost 1 SP. Description: Curse your weapon for 10 MP. Each strike on an enemy creates a stackable curse. Each curse decreases all attributed by 2 points. Stacks up to 5 times. Stack lasts for 20 seconds. Upgradeable. Level 0/5]
It did not take him long to make his choice. He chose [Silence] and [Cursed Weapon] increasing each level by one. Upon doing so the cost for the next level of both went up two.
He chose [Silence] because he had seen what magic was capable of, if only a little. So he needed a way to defend himself. [Cursed Weapon] would help strengthen his chances of survival in close combat. All in all he felt like he had made the right choice.
"Oh! Here I hoped you'd take the Lurker class... Oh well." Eve said while sounding disappointed.
"Tch, as if." Kace replied.
"Well anyway I'll be keeping an eye on you. One last piece of advice if I may?" she said playfully.
"What?"
"You need to embrace the fact you're not human anymore. Stop feeling conflicted about different things or you'll never reach your potential. I know it's hard but you have to. Just now it's like you have a split personality. Every so often the Monster in you comes out. You need to be that way all the time."
Kace just looked at her blankly. He knew what she was talking about. Though he was reluctant to admit that was his true self he did indeed feel more confident and powerful when he became like that.
"Anyway, off you pop. Can't sleep forever now can you?" she said while giggling.
Kace felt his vision darkening and a sense of vertigo washed over him. He felt like he had suddenly fell from a great height.
*
His eyes flickered open as he felt a sense of stiffness in his muscles. He was back in his bed but something felt off. 'Ah, my arm is warm.'
"Get fucking off me you damn hag!" he roared as he booted a naked Vaskra out from his bed.
She went sprawling across the floor as she looked at him in indignation.
"How could you kick one so charming as myself from your bed?" she asked, "Any goblin would rejoice to find such a beauty beside them when they woke up."
"Beauty my ass!" he quipped, "Anyway I'm not a goblin now am I?"
"Well you can't blame me! I could feel the growth in strength emanating from you from my own room! Just try showing me a woman who is not attracted to power!"
Kace had no response to this. For one thing he was sure in old world that this may not be true but here it could be different. Or Vaskra was just making convenient excuses to make him feel that he was to blame.
"Whatever just get out." He said waving his hand to the exit.
With an embarrassed cough she collected her things and walked out. As her back was to him he slyly checked his notifications. When he had kicked her the [Inspect] function had kicked in.
Name: Vaskra
Class: Shaman
Level: 1
HP: 130/130
AP: 10/10
MP: 110/110
So it had indeed converted their levels. Kace knew that Vaskra's level amongst the goblins was actually higher but now it was compared to his own standing. So even though she was technically a higher level when he arrived her strength was actual roughly equal to his when he first spawned.
This would definitely be helpful in the future. It would be better if it gave him an idea of their skills as well. Unfortunately that was not to be. He did find it interesting though that she had a class. 'I guess what Eve said was true. It should only be heroes that have their class locked unless they reach level 5.'
As he was thinking this a familiar figure strolled in laughing.
"Hah! That little witch trying to ensnare you?" Kharja bellowed.
"I ain't ever letting her get her way." Kace replied with a snort.
"Ah you have no idea do you? For goblins they only care what it looks like. If she's caught leaving your room one more time they'll consider you two to be married." Kharja replied through his laughter.
Kace paled when he heard that. The situation was more dangerous than he thought!
"Anyway I came to give you a gift." Kharja continued, "Here."
With that he handed over a long package that was wrapped in hide. Unwrapping it he revealed a halberd. It had a blue handle and it was a sturdy weapon. The axe like head was sharp and it was complete with the signature spear tip as well.
'This looks nice...' he thought as he admired it.
As he touched it a change came over it. The head of the weapon malformed to look more sinister as the metal dyed itself in black and red hues. The grip changed to a deep crimson colour. The change happened so suddenly and without warning it shocked the pair.
"What was that!" Kharja exclaimed.
"I don't know, probably to do with my class." Kace replied with his best guest.
"Well, I won't pry. It's not polite to ask others. You should probably go and see about some new armour." Kharja advised as he left Kace alone.
When he left Kace pulled up his stats. He found that he could expand his class information. Doing so he discovered the reason behind the halberds change of appearance.
Hexblade: The dark mana that flows through their bodies inherently corrupts their equipment. Forcing them to mimic the dark nature of their master. An oppressive aura leaks from these beings given those that are caught in it a sense of danger.
Kace was happy with the information. At least his suspicions were confirmed. 'Oh right. I got a quest system right?'
As he thought this a panel appeared. Three quests lined themselves up.
World Liberation:
Help the goddess Lyreve liberate her home world from its oppressors. Seal the five gates.
Current progress: 0/5. Rewards: +10 Levels, 2 Unknown Titles.
Seven Pillars:
Gather the other six pillars of life to aid you in turning back the invaders. Current progress: 1/6. Reward: +5 levels, Unknown Title.
Goblin Kings Domain:
Conquer Stonefall Town and aid the growth of the Goblins Kings Domain. Reward: +50% of total experience requires to level up. Title: Goblin Lord.
Kace was in disbelief. He had to capture Stonefall Town. This gave him a headache. He already had to contend with heroes and mercenaries but this would also put him in conflict with the Hunters and Mages Guild.
'I just have to suck it up.' he thought.
Getting himself ready he headed to the forge works. The place would be identical to the one that had been made in the Smalltooth caverns except the tools were far more refined.
"Ah sir." said a young goblin as he trembled. "The Master isn't here right now but you can place an order with me if you require anything."
Thinking about it Kace knew what kind of armour he wanted right now. With a grin he told the goblin exactly what he wanted. Then he removed his coat and left it behind.
'This is going to be epic!' he thought with excitement as he let out an evil laugh. Causing a chill to run down the spines of the goblins working in the forge.
*
Current Stats
Name: Kace
Class: Hexblade
Title: Glutton, Man-Eater, Predator
Level: 5
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Race: Chimera (Monster)
Rank: Captain
Legendary Feats: 2
HP 280/280
AP 230/230
MP 90/90
Exp 0/2400
Strength: 20
Endurance: 14
Intelligence: 17
Willpower: 13
Agility: 19
Speed:17
Charm: 9
Luck: 5
Skills:
Racial: Basic DNA Manipulation (Passive)
Description: Having absorbed enough DNA strands into your own DNA chain has unlocked the Chimeras natural ability to alter themselves. Using accumulated DNA points you may choose only one genetic enhancement or skill from each strand per level of Mastery. Spend DNA points to rank up. Next Level: Apprentice. Current points: 0
Just think 'DNA' to activate.
Racial: Digestion (Passive)
Description: Able to eat the meat of any living thing absorbing a portion of its Experience for your own. Slight chance to trigger Assimilation.
Racial: Assimilation (Passive)
Description: A racial ability of the Chimera. When triggered randomly increases HP, AP or MP as a percentage of subjects Max Value. Slight chance to randomly gain an ability or knowledge possessed by the subject.
Racial: Chameleon (Passive)
Description: Your Chimera bloodline his awakened the ability to give a false reading of your status. Allowing you to "blend" into the world of humans with great ease.
Class Unique Skill: Empower. (New)
Description: At the cost of 20 MP, once per day cast a wide area hex. Those caught in it's area of effect will suffer a 20% decrease in all attributes temporarily transferring these stats to you. Lasts for three minutes.
Tracking (Active)
Cost: (None)
Description: Heightens users sense of hearing and smell allowing them to 'see' recent paths of passing lives.
Night Eye (Active)
Cost: (None)
Description: Allows user to see in the dark.
Kinetic Vision (Active)
Cost: (1 AP/ per Second)
Description: Heightens the users ability to track fast movements resulting in faster reaction speeds.
Stampede (Active)
Cost: 5 AP
Description: A skill allowing the user to rush forward at extreme speed for up to 10 metres ignoring all incoming damage in the process.
Instinct (Passive)
Cost (None)
Description: 70% chance to detect a stealth attack aimed at the user. 30% chance to automatically react to what would be a lethal blow preventing a killing strike.
Spider Thread (Active)
Cost: (3 MP)
Description: This is the innate skill of soldier level spider monsters. Able to secrete a mana enriched spider thread. Can be made tough like steel or extremely sticky. Highly versatile.
Flame Spit (Active)
Cost: (5 MP)
Description: This is an innate skill of the Salamander. Using magic you turn air into flammable liquid in your left lung. The right lung sets natural gases on fire. When you breathe out the two mix in your throat to create a high temperature flame. As you breathe out magic power mixes in to greatly increase the propulsion rate. Please note that while magic will keep you from harming yourself internally a serious case of dry mouth may be inevitable.
Silence (Active) (New)
Despription: Cast a curse on your enemy for 10 MP. Causes the enemies mana to be locked making magic impossible for 10 seconds. Upgradeable. Level 1/5
Cursed Weapon (Active) (New)
Description: Curse your weapon for 10 MP. Each strike on an enemy creates a stackable curse. Each curse decreases all attributed by 2 points. Stacks up to 5 times. Stack lasts for 20 seconds. Upgradeable. Level 1/5]
[DNA] [Padded Feet] [Passive]
Increases Agilility by 5.
[DNA] [Fangs and Claws] [Passive]
Increases Strength by 5. Elongates and hardens hosts nails and grows fangs.
[DNA] [Swift Foot] [Passive]
Increases Speed by 5.
[DNA] [Mind Numb] [Active] Cost: 3 MP
Magic that causes opponents thoughts to be slightly clouded. Occasionally causing slower thought processes.
[DNA] [Curtain of Night] [Passive]
Passive ability that greatly enhances the hosts natural stealth. Without great perception the host may as well be invisible to their surroundings.
[DNA] [Rocksteady] [Passive]
Passive that increases hosts Endurance by 5 points.
[DNA] [Natures Pact] [Passive]
Passive granting immunity from poisons possessed by plants.
HUNTER STATS
Name: Kace
Class: Hexblade
Rank: F
Level: 3
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Race: Human
HP 220/220
AP 190/190
MP 50/50
Exp 215/400
Strength: 12
Endurance: 6
Intelligence: 11
Willpower: 6
Agility: 10
Speed: 11
Charm: 4
Luck: 4
Skills:
Tracking (Active)
Cost: (None)
Description: Heightens users sense of hearing and smell allowing them to 'see' recent paths of passing lives.
Instinct (Passive)
Cost (None)
Description: 70% chance to detect a stealth attack aimed at the user. 30% chance to automatically react to what would be a lethal blow preventing a killing strike.
Class Unique Skill: Empower. (New)
Description: At the cost of 20 MP, once per day cast a wide area hex. Those caught in it's area of effect will suffer a 20% decrease in all attributes temporarily transferring these stats to you. Lasts for three minutes.
Silence (Active) (New)
Despription: Cast a curse on your enemy for 10 MP. Causes the enemies mana to be locked making magic impossible for 10 seconds. Upgradeable. Level 1/5
Cursed Weapon (Active)(New)
Description: Curse your weapon for 10 MP. Each strike on an enemy creates a stackable curse. Each curse decreases all attributed by 2 points. Stacks up to 5 times. Stack lasts for 20 seconds. Upgradeable. Level 1/5]
Stampede (Active)
Cost: 5 AP
Description: A skill allowing the user to rush forward at extreme speed for up to 10 metres ignoring all incoming damage in the process.