Chapter 5: Tutorial Complete
It was coming straight for him.
The Graveborn Alpha's limbs stretched unnaturally, claws dragging sparks across the tile as it lunged with a shriek that fractured every inch of silence. Its entire body distorted mid-charge, glitching with static like the system itself could barely render its berserk form.
Kael braced for impact.
Then—he moved.
One breath. One step sideways.
The monster clipped his shoulder, spinning him, tearing blood from skin—but not breaking him. He rolled, hit the ground, and came up behind it, blade in hand.
He slashed.
The Cleaver Saber carved deep between the Alpha's spine plates. It howled and twisted, backhanding him into a wall—but its movements were slower now. Its blood spilled in corrupted arcs that hissed and sizzled on tile.
> [Boss HP: 43%]
Kael dragged himself upright. Pain bloomed behind his ribs. He ducked under another wild swing—sloppy, desperate. The Alpha's precision was gone. It was glitching with rage now.
He could use that.
The Graveborn roared and charged blindly.
Kael waited.
At the last second, he kicked off the wall and twisted mid-air, blade flashing. The saber sliced across the monster's right arm, severing cords, muscle, bone.
The Alpha staggered.
Kael didn't stop.
He rushed in low and jammed the blade into its exposed hip joint. Flesh split. Bone cracked. The monster screamed—not in fury this time, but pain.
> [Weak Spot Hit – Massive Damage]
[Boss HP: 18%]
"Just die already," Kael growled.
The Graveborn lashed out in desperation. Its claw smashed into Kael's chest and flung him backward like a doll.
> [HP: 11 / 170]
[Status: BLEEDING]
Kael landed hard, darkness ringing the edge of his vision. His lungs burned. But his fingers never let go of the weapon.
He forced himself up.
The Alpha limped forward, dragging its foot, exhaling sharp, broken breaths like a corrupted engine running on fumes.
One shot left.
Kael reached into his inventory and pulled a single bone shard—the last.
He jammed it into the side of the Cleaver Saber.
The blade sparked, glowing faintly. Last mod. Last chance.
He charged.
The Graveborn lunged, jaws wide, claws ready to crush.
Kael slid low beneath it—straight toward the exposed core under its ribs.
And drove the blade straight up.
> [CRITICAL HIT – FATAL STRIKE CONFIRMED]
[Boss HP: 0%]
The Graveborn Alpha froze.
Then exploded—light and black smoke burst from its chest, red and static spiraling outward as its body disintegrated into corrupted dust.
Silence followed.
No music. No fanfare.
Just the soft static of a broken world settling.
> [Boss Defeated: Graveborn Alpha – Lv. 6]
[EXP +320]
[Level Up: Lv. 4 → Lv. 5 → Lv. 6]
[Tutorial Phase: COMPLETE]
[Respawn Beacon Activated]
Kael dropped to one knee.
The system flickered into view.
> [CLASS SELECTION UNLOCKED]
Choose a path based on actions, performance, and combat profile.
🟢 Fighter
Balanced melee user.
+5% melee damage
+5% HP
Passive: Adrenaline Surge — Bonus damage below 30% HP
🟢 Scout
Speed and mobility focus.
+10% movement speed
+3% dodge timing
Active: Quickstep — Short-range dash
🟢 Survivor
Endurance-based.
+15% HP regen (out of combat)
Resistance to Bleed/Poison
Passive: Last Stand — 10% chance to ignore a lethal hit
Kael stared at the choices.
Good options. Clean. Logical.
Ordinary.
Then the screen flickered.
Panels glitched—twitching off sync—until a fourth shimmer slid in below them. Red-lined. Dimly rendered. Not part of the main set.
> [System Notice: Unique Class Unlocked]
Conditions Met: Solo Boss Clear | No Assistance Used | Tactical Efficiency Evaluated
A final option appeared—outlined in rusted steel and quiet defiance.
---
🔴 Ronin
A forgotten warrior. No banner. No master.
Adaptive. Unpredictable.
+10% blade weapon proficiency
+5% counter window after dodging
Passive: Draw Cut — First unsheathed strike is always a critical
Trait: Unbound — Immune to guild/faction binding
Progression Path: Unknown
---
No mention of past deaths. No pity. Just merit.
Kael locked eyes with the word.
Ronin.
Not a hero. Not a chosen one.
Just a man who fought and bled alone.
He selected it.
> [Class Selected: RONIN]
Welcome, Ashwalker.
"Ashwalker…?" he murmured.
It didn't sound like a title. It sounded like something earned.
Or something endured.
---
The system shifted again.
> [RONIN Initiation Complete]
[Skill Acquired: Draw Cut – Lv. 1]
[Trait Activated: Unbound]
[New Stat Field: Mental Clarity]
(Increased reaction & awareness in prolonged combat)
[Armor Proficiency: Light / Medium]
Before he could study it further, the screen faded out.
The beacon behind him pulsed to life. Soft blue fire.
The room was quiet.
He was still kneeling, blade across his lap, arms shaking—not from fear… but because they weren't shaking.
This was the first time he'd survived everything.
---
> [Sector Cleared: Sector 10]
[Map Update: Zones 11–15 Now Available]
[Objective: Reach Nearest Settlement]
Distance: 4.2 km
Threat Rating: Moderate to High
Note: Tutorial Buffs Removed. You are now unassisted.
Kael rose.
The Cleaver Saber felt heavier in his hand. Or maybe that was just the weight of choice.
Far above, thunder rumbled.
He pulled his hood up.
No more checkpoints. No more safety nets. Only forward.
> "Ronin, huh..." he muttered. "Let's see how far that gets me."
He didn't feel strong.
But for the first time—
He didn't feel like prey.
---
📊 Kael Draven — Status (End of Chapter 5)
> Level: 6
Class: Ronin (Unique)
EXP: 110 / 1000
HP: 170 / 170
Stamina: 100 / 100
Location: Sector 10 — Nest Cleared
Checkpoint: Core Beacon
Weapon: Cleaver Saber (Piercing Mod)
Armor: Reinforced Tattered Cloak
Skills:
Draw Cut Lv. 1 — Guaranteed critical after unsheathing
Reflex Trace Lv. 1 — +5% reaction, +0.2s dodge window
Traits:
Unbound — Not tied to any faction or path
Tactical Learner — Bonus EXP vs known enemies
Stat:
Mental Clarity: 3