Nervous Wait

I wasn't sure where to focus my thoughts on first. That fucker's unconsentual love bite, the alignment and class warning, or the next floor.

My new dagger was a nice prize at least. It had a black hilt with a jaggad razor look with a slight curve at the blade point. The blade itself was red with golden edging. It had an interesting property. It remained in my grasp even with an open palm, practically a magnet with my hand. Only separating from me by mental command.

A long sigh and a groan exited my mouth. I traced the bite mark with my free hand, a clear dipping of the skin felt by my fingertips. It had healed quickly, magic levels of healing. What was left behind after thirty minutes, an odd tattoo.

Ren had a lot of explaining to do on floor three. The print he left on my neck was I suspected a feline's claw mark. A navy blue, three slashes.

Another sigh leaves my new dagger flopping onto the bed at my thoughts. My body drags itself over to the reception room for lunch. The system was gracious enough to grant me meals until my party finishes floor two.

'…'

It should have only taken two to three hours for the next person in the party to cross the gate. It's been a day. I nibble at my meat with lackluster.

I waste time trying to be efficient. Spending my tickets on rations, a coat, hat, gloves, and a rope. I'm glad the coat was sold as a set. The maze wasn't too cold, but there's no guarantee we won't end up in winter somewhere.

As promised last time, I work out my muscles. Pushups, sit ups, running ish? I'm in a small area. I'm a tad frustrated there are no weights to lift. Unfortunately my current body shockingly has little to no stamina! I have no clue how I survived this far. Now that I think about it on floor two I walked everywhere because of the Forgotten skill…

After the workout, I take a well deserved hot shower. As the water rolls down, I remember Ren's name for me.

Artemis.

It's a nice choice. Definitely a fitting name for…? I blank out for a moment. My mind can't catch up to some foggy memory.

'System Status.'

The window appears as ordered. My finger moves automatically at the name section at the top.

'Please select name! WARNING: Name selection is permanent!'

"Artemis."

'Congratulations! Your first name, 'Artemis', has been selected!'

The name appeared above the status window. My eyes widened in surprise by a second window this one black in color with red text.

'Death offers his name. Take it and grow, my favored. Necrolis.'

My mouth fell agape. There was little mention of last names in the database. They were rare and earned. I couldn't think of any reason to refuse such a possible boon. I accepted without delay.

'WARNING: Name change is permanent! Accept the last name Necrolis?'

"Unless you have a good reason then don't ask." My statement surpriseingly got a reply.

'Last names affect alignment, standing with the other gods, and even possible skills in the future.'

I assume that means my alignment would go to evil? That could unlock my other skills. It is concerning I could inherit Death's relationships with the other gods. I doubt he's that popular. Still temptation is hard to resist. I hard accepted my last name.

'You have inherited the name Necrolis!'

'Calculating changes to the sinner's status!'

'Alignment changed to lawful neutral!'

'Skills unlocked: Dumb Beast!, Predator.'

'Skills Locked: Sacrifice.'

'New alignment is not compatible with class Priest!'

'Skill Baisic Prayer has been lost!'

'Death gives an offering to the god of the tower.'

"?!"

'Death is granted temporary access to the system. A low tier class will be chosen for Artemis Necrolis.'

Several minutes passed before another message popped up.

'Welcome to the family Artemis.'

'You have obtained the Animus class.'

'You have obtained the skills: Sense Intent, Engrave.

'Sense Intent: Type Passive. You can feel another being's intent toward you.'

'Engrave: Type Mental Attack. You can engrave a negative emotion a person feel's toward you.'

It would be impossible to describe the mix of excitement and fear I feel being spoken to by Death. It may just just be messages but still my arms are covered in goosebumps.

"Thank you." I pipe up with a smile and obvious nerves.

I feel like an idiot for not receiving a reply, but oh well. I admired my new additions to my status. A possibly excessive grin on my face.

Anothr day passes by. I work out, I eat, and I wait. Finally a new message from the system.

'You party has finished floor two! You will be given twenty four hours to prepare for floor three! There were no causalities!'

I let out a breathe, before a more surprising message pops up.

"You have a familial relationship with Ren Panthera. You may connect your spaces during intermission.'

'…'

I managed to forget this bastard's expression of love. A twisted expression, and cracked knuckles. He's going to get a beating.

'Connect space to Ren Panthera?'

I press the 'yes' option on the screen as harshly as possible.

The side of the fancy reception room now has a just as fancy door appear. I march on over and twist the door knob. The other side is an identical reception room.

The only difference, a clearly wounded pretty boy. His torso has an bloody opening. His body slumped against the base of the couch. Paling, my body rushed over on its own.

"Ren! What the fuck happened." My hand presses on the wound. I call up the basic prayer skill. Only to remember I lost the skill. "No, no..! What do I do?"

I start to panick. The store doesn't have any healing options.

"Fern, calm down." I glare at him for his raspy words.

"How could I calm down..! You're!" Tears start forming. "If I hadn't accepted that last name!"

'Injured party members detected!'

'Healing in progress..!'