Odd System
The stink of rust and mildew filled my nose as I pressed my back against the damp wall of the service tunnel. My breath was still ragged from the chase, but I forced myself to stay quiet. Every second counted. I didn't know if Kalos's men were still searching for me, but I couldn't afford to take chances.
I needed to figure out what the hell was happening to me.
The System had saved my life—twice now—but I had barely scratched the surface of what it could do. Closing my eyes, I focused on the strange presence humming beneath my skin. A moment later, a translucent screen flickered into view before me.
[Apex System Interface]
User: Ash Renford
Level: 2
Class: Unassigned
Experience: 15/50
Health: 79/100
Mana: 20/20
Stamina: 38/50
Attributes:
• Strength: 9
• Dexterity: 11
• Endurance: 10
• Intelligence: 8
• Willpower: 9
• Perception: 11
• Luck: 6
A mana stat? My brow furrowed. That meant magic—at least, in some form. It wasn't just some enhancement system. This was structured like a full RPG.
I scrolled down.
[Abilities Unlocked]
• Survivor's Edge (Lv.1): Increases reaction speed and reduces pain perception.
• Adaptation Protocol (Lv.1): Slightly boosts experience gained from life-threatening situations.
[System Functions]
• Status Screen: Displays personal stats. (Unlocked.)
• Combat Log: Tracks battles and experience gains. (Unlocked.)
• Skill Tree: Manage and develop new abilities. (Locked – Requires Class Selection.)
• Inventory: Grants access to a digital storage space. (Locked – Requires Level 5.)
• Shop: Exchange system currency for upgrades. (Locked – Requires Synchronization.)
• Dungeons: Unique system-generated battlefields for accelerated growth. (Locked – Requires Level 10.)
I clenched my fist. There was a lot still hidden from me. If I wanted to unlock everything this system had to offer, I needed to level up fast.
One option stood out immediately.
[Class: Unassigned]
Right below it, a prompt flickered.
[Select a Class? Y/N]
I hesitated. The recommended level for a class selection was 5, but the fact that it wasn't locked meant I could access it early. That might give me an edge in combat.
I tapped "Yes."
A wave of information surged through my mind as a new screen unfolded before me.
[Class Selection]
1. Warrior – A master of close-quarters combat, wielding weapons with raw strength and skill.
• Stat Focus: Strength, Endurance
• Starting Ability: Power Strike – A devastating melee attack that deals bonus damage based on Strength.
2. Rogue – A nimble fighter who relies on speed, stealth, and deadly precision.
• Stat Focus: Dexterity, Perception
• Starting Ability: Shadowstep – Dash a short distance in an instant, leaving no sound behind.
3. Mage – A scholar of arcane arts, capable of bending reality with powerful spells.
• Stat Focus: Intelligence, Willpower
• Starting Ability: Mana Bolt – Fires a concentrated blast of magical energy.
4. Hunter – A survivalist who thrives in battle at range, using bows or firearms.
• Stat Focus: Dexterity, Perception
• Starting Ability: Eagle Eye – Temporarily enhances vision, increasing ranged accuracy.
5. Brawler – A fighter who relies on sheer physical ability, using fists and raw power.
• Stat Focus: Strength, Dexterity
• Starting Ability: Adrenaline Surge – Briefly increases Strength and Endurance.
6. Cyberknight – A fusion of man and machine, wielding advanced technology and close-combat expertise.
• Stat Focus: Strength, Intelligence
• Starting Ability: Overclock – Enhances speed and reaction time for ten seconds.
7. Spellblade – A warrior who fuses magic with swordsmanship, balancing melee and arcane arts.
• Stat Focus: Strength, Intelligence, Dexterity
• Starting Ability: Arcane Edge – Temporarily coats a weapon in magical energy.
8. Necroengineer – A forbidden class that blends dark magic with cybernetic constructs.
• Stat Focus: Intelligence, Willpower
• Starting Ability: Reanimate Drone – Summons a mechanical construct from fallen enemies.
Notice: More classes can be unlocked as the user levels up!
My eyes darted across the list. Some of these classes leaned toward traditional fantasy, while others had a clear sci-fi twist.
I exhaled, rubbing my temple.
Each class had its advantages. If I went with Warrior, I'd have raw power. Mage gave me ranged magic, but I wasn't sure how deep the spell system went yet. Cyberknight intrigued me—did that mean cybernetics were an option?
Then there was Necroengineer.
That one felt… different. It wasn't just magic or tech—it was both, fused into something sinister. And if it had "forbidden" elements, that probably meant power with a cost.
I shook my head. I wasn't ready to make this decision yet. I still didn't know enough about the system.
I exited the class screen, shifting my focus.
What else could I unlock?
I scrolled through the system functions again. The Shop caught my eye, but it was locked behind "System Synchronization."
Curious, I tapped on it anyway.
A warning flashed.
[Warning: System Synchronization Requires First Class Awakening.]
My frown deepened. Did that mean once I picked a class, the system would fully integrate? That could unlock a lot of new options.
I leaned my head back against the tunnel wall, exhaling.
This wasn't just some passive enhancement system. It was an RPG in real life. A system designed for battle, growth, and survival.
And that meant the world around me was about to get a whole lot more dangerous.
An Unseen Enemy
A faint noise echoed down the tunnel.
I froze.
Footsteps.
I immediately shut down the interface, pressing myself deeper into the shadows. Someone was in here with me.
For a long moment, I didn't move. My breath was slow, controlled. The footsteps continued, slow and measured, like they were searching for something.
Or someone.
I tightened my grip on the knife I had taken from the alley. I still wasn't strong enough to fight an elite squad—but if they found me, I wouldn't go down without a fight.
The steps stopped.
Silence.
Then—
A voice. Low, mechanical. Modulated through a voice scrambler.
"He's here."
My pulse spiked.
Fuck.
I had two choices: fight or run. And judging by the way my body still ached, I only had one real option.
I turned, moving deeper into the tunnel.
A new notification flickered in my vision.
[Mission Activated: The Hunted]
Survive the next 12 hours without being captured.
I didn't have time to curse.
I ran.