The Roach Empress is incredibly excited for this coming fight.
She wasn’t sure if her mind magic was working until the intruder had confirmed it herself. The empress clicks her mandibles in glee as blood spills out of the orifices of the intruder's face.
The empress was greatly impressed by the intruder's performance, despite their level. She suspected the intruder's main ability was the temporary increase of base stats, but she didn’t know if it came with some drawback.
The Roach Empress had taken careful attention to the intruder’s slaughtering of her children to get a read on their abilities. Roaches are far more intelligent than most give them credit for. The empress was not foolish enough to underestimate her opponent. Despite their level difference, the intruder was dangerous, and more importantly-
Creative-
Every kill the intruder performed was executed differently than the last. It is if they are unable to kill in the same way twice. The Roach Empress didn’t think that this was an actual limit to the intruder's abilities, but this represents something else to her.
The intruder is like herself. They love to entertain themselves in the slaughter of their enemies.
Before the empress knew it, she had entered a stare down with the intruder.
(Monk / level 31)
The Roach Empress didn’t know what kind of creature a Monk was, but she was so excited to lock combat with such a dangerous opponent.
The stare down continued as the tension between the two great warriors grew. Eventually the empress's eyes had started to strain and she involuntarily blinked. As soon as she opened her eyes once more, the intruder had disappeared.
The Roach Empress’s danger sense screamed in her head-
---
Toulif flaps the tent open and all the cultists immediately notice the intense screaming happening inside. “Jammie! We need healing now!”
Jammie, a cultist with his cheeks full of food, spits it out “pft- Y- Yes!” He stumbles over himself as he runs into the tent. Inside he finds the vice captain clawing at his mask and screaming.
Jammie is slightly shaken and confused at the sudden state of the vice captain, but steals himself long enough to not let his vice captain die.
“Vitali-!”
Toulif grabs Jammie by the cheeks. “I didn’t ask you to check his condition! I said, heal him!” Toulif throws the cultist in front of Evan. Jammie blinks, why can’t he diagnose what is wrong with the vice captain?
The vice captain's screams stopped him from thinking about it too long though. Jammie pulls out his wand and waves it over the vice captain. “Health Projection!” A large green magic circle appears along the length of Evan.
Jammie instantly picks up that most of the healing magic is being drained into the vice captain's head. He alters the magic, and the magic circle shrinks to Evans head. Jammie feels his mana start to drop rapidly.
The Nav Imp squeaked out. “What’s wrong with her!”
Toulif shakes his head “I don’t know!”
Jammie cuts in “It’s like his brain is being torn apart at a slow constant rate! I’ve actually seen this before!”
Toulif's head snaps to Jammie “You know what this is?!”
Jammie scoffs “Remember when we first entered this dungeon. We immediately encountered a level 58 Roach Empress. Its main attack was mind magic, remember!”
“Then there is a Roach Empress nearby!”
The vice captain grabs the captain's ankle “Toulif!” Evan gasps for air “Herldren, he should have sensed it!”
As soon as the vice captain says this, a large pale blue demon with four arms, pulls open the tent flap and looks inside the crowded space. “Da, fuck.” The demon looks at the vice captain with confusion.
Toulif snaps at the demon and grabs the hilt of his sword. “Demon! Tell me where the Roach Empress is!”
Herldren freezes up at the warrior that's 20 levels above him. He admits that he isn’t the smartest, but he isn't so idiotic to against someone with such a high level difference. “I- uh- Don’t knew! My sense telld me dat diss tent is where da bug is.”
Toulif grips his sword tighter as his face contorts behind his mask.
Eva grunts as she turns towards the Nav Imp “Beatzuly, I’m altering the contract.”
Beatzuly eyes widened “You can only do that once, alright.”
Eva winces “I know, I know! Amendment, the contract shall be completed upon the finding of the Roach Empress that's attacking me.”
“These conditions are acceptable.”
Beatzuly stares into the magic that affects Eva. Her eyes shine with an unknown kind of tracking magic. “I found it!”
Toulif picks up Beatzuly and places her on his shoulder. “Show the way and I’ll kill the empress. The vice captain is in no state to take charge, so Gent will take the lead in my absence!” Toulif looks down at his sister “Don’t you dare die.”
Eva frowns behind her mask as Toulif runs off with the direction of Beatzuly.
---
I stare down the Roach Empress and she stares back. The tension in the air is palpable. We smile at each other. Your hate is showing-
I didn’t notice when I started hearing voices, but they do say some pretty hurtful stuff, don’t they. It kinda reminds me of when I was a kid. How nostalgic!
I take note of all the notifications I received since I last checked.
You have slain a (Roach Legion / level 0)
-
Very little experience rewarded
---
You have slain a (Roach Brood Queen / level 29)
-
Moderate experience rewarded
You have leveled up! (30 → 31)
-
You have earned (5) stat points
(Magical Aura Manipulation) has leveled up! (9 → 10)
(Aura of Strength) has leveled up! (9 → 10)
(Aura of Durability) has leveled up! (9 → 10)
(Aura of Vitality) has leveled up! (9 → 10)
(SoulFire) has leveled up! (9 → 10)
(Pain Tolerance) has leveled up! (7 → 8)
(Mana Cycling) has leveled up! (4 → 5)
Something felt final about those level ups, but I can't really place my finger on it. Maybe class skills can't pass level 10? Well, whatever. I’m too focused to care anyway.
I’m pushing everything-
I use Aura of Vitality on my brain to counteract the Roach Empress’s magic. Aura of Strength coats my legs as the tip of my foot digs into the rock. Aura of Durability is fully manifested across my entire body. My SoulFire instantly incinerates any legions that get too close.
Mana Cycling and Magical Aura Manipulation are working together to increase the flow of mana as much as possible. My body and soul strain from the sheer force of the skills at play.
I stare at the Roach Empress as giddiness fills my body. You're going to die from this. I’m probably going to die from this, but I don’t care. This excitement, it’s intoxicating.
I keep watching, waiting for the perfect moment. My face strains from my ear to ear grin and I hold back a chuckle.
The empress blinks-
NOW! I hear a deafening shattering noise.
My mana spikes and the world darkens and slows.
Pain fills every inch of my body as fragments of my soul fly out in every direction.
Oh no, I’m going to die.
I see a notification as the world goes black-
[Starting Class Advancement]
---
I wake up in a shallow pool of black water. Water splashes everywhere as I sit up at inhuman speeds. I’m inside a massive black void with the only light source sitting in my blind spot.
I snap my head towards it and-
“What the fuck?”
A massive glowing golden statue of a muscular man sits to my left. If it were standing it would easily be over 30 feet tall. It’s wearing a sleeveless tunic made of a white silk material. Its hair is pure white and its eyes are emeralds. Not as in they are green, but actual emerald jewels for eyes. A massive bright white halo floats behind its head.
The statue blinks at me and frowns. “Watch your language, my child.”
His voice booms with authority. He wasn’t loud, but firm. Like it was the most sure thing he had said in his entire life. It was how a father would talk to a child if they had done something wrong. It filled me with an overwhelming sense of-
Submission-
“Okay.” I say it in almost a whimper.
The massive gold man nods affirmatively. “Good, now. Do you know who I am? Child.”
I try to parse for an answer, any answer other than ‘I don’t know.’ I think of his cadence and recognize it. It was him! “No but, you were the one that left those helpful notes, right?”
He nods, evidently pleased with my answer. “Yes, my child. That was me. And it seems that you have stumbled upon the Monk class without any guidance, since you don’t recognize me.”
I blink as the golden man shifts his seated position from cross legged to resting the side of his head on his knee. He stares at me for a moment with a lite smile. “My name is Bogodhan. The first Monk and the God of Patience. And this, my child.” he pauses for dramatic effect and waves his massive arm around him “Is your first class advancement.”
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(??? / ???)
“I have to say that I’m glad you’re still alive, child. When you appeared, your soul was in the midst of disintegrating!”
It’s like each thing he says causes me more panic than the last! I look down to see nothing there. “Ahh F- I mean, h- how am I not dead? Where is it?”
Bogodhan chuckles and raises his head. He extends his left hand and opens his fist revealing a small black flame “Worry not, child. I took the liberty of reconstructing your soul while you were asleep.”
I sigh in relief as my soul floats back to me. The reunion is short lived as I recall what he just said. Asleep? “How long have I been asleep? No, what happened to the Roach Empress?”
“Ah. You were in a battle when the advancement started? Be at ease, child. Class advancements are instantaneous. Well, so fast that they might as well be instant.”
“But, this is a critical moment. How fast is Instant?”
Bogodhan smirks, “Unless the opponent is a god, child, it won’t matter.”
I furrow my brows, but I nod at that. I guess if a god says it’s okay, then it’s okay. “So, what now?”
“We will take a look at the possible paths that have opened up to you. I will offer advice, but the choice is ultimately yours. Before we begin, may you introduce yourself, child.”
I tilt my head in confusion “You don’t know who I am? What about those notes?”
Bogodhan shakes his head “I could go through your status and find out myself, but I find it more enjoyable to have my children introduce themselves. As for the notes, as you call them, they are for anyone with the Monk class and not tailored to you specifically.”
I think back on those notes. I guess they were just vague warnings and never directly spoke to me. “So, are you just some sort of guide then?”
“Yes, I guide all my children. At least until their first class advancement. It’s my responsibility as a god, after all. Now then, your name?”
I nod as I take in his confirmation. “Alright, my name is Tiffany Day.”
Bogodhan’s jewel eyes widen and then his face softens “A human with a soul of a demon and the name of an angel. You are truly a remarkable individual.”
“I have the name of an angel?”
“And ignorant to the world around them, despite what you might think of someone with a surname. Tell me, who are you, Tiffany Day?” Bogodhan scratches his chin and tilts his head in thought.
Who am I? I find the question more disturbing than anything. I’m a musician, an engineer. I’m a hunter and a cook! And I’ve done-
I’m a-
My soul goes cold.
Bogodhan stares at me with concern in his sparkling eyes. “I apologize for upsetting you Tiffany. Shall we begin your advancement?”
I nod my head gratefully “Yes please.”
Bogodhan smiles and he snaps his massive fingers. A massive crackling sound reverberates throughout the void as a rocky golden obelisk rises out of the water to my right. Once it finishes rising, a golden system screen appears in front of it with glowing white letters.
[The Way of The Unbroken]
(Time and time again, you have weathered against any challenge that has befallen you with great enthusiasm. You have taken your enemies' attacks with stride and they have broken their frail bodies on your unbreakable form. The Way of The Unbroken is a pledge, I shall hone my body to become unceasing and undamaged. The world shall break before my body.)
Every Level /
Strength (+2)
Durability (+3)
Agility (+1)
Endurance (+1)
Intellect (+1)
Soul (+2)
“This is…” I don’t know what to say. It looks good and the stat increases every level is insane. If the Roach Empress had something like this, and assuming that there is another stat bump at level 50 as there was one for level 25. This fight is going to be dangerous.
“A common path, but this is not your only option. For your accomplishments are wide, child.”
He snaps his fingers once again and a golden flame appears next to the monolith. The gold fire expands to a monolith of its own and a new system screen appears.
[The Way of The FrostFire]
(Time and time again, you have manifested and manipulated your own soul to fit your needs. Whether your enemies are turned to ash or frozen solid, you have found that they all die the same. You have changed your soul to create magic with pride. The Way of The FrostFire is an idea, the world and its ways are all to blame, I shall burn it away with frozen flames.)
Every Level /
Strength (+2)
Durability (+2)
Agility (+1)
Endurance (+1)
Intellect (+1)
Soul (+3)
I feel power emanates from this option. It feels strong. “Woah.”
“Ah, quite the uncommon path. A FrostFire Monk comes around about once a decade, and to think you have two more options to go. It will only get better from here, my child.”
Bogodhan snaps his fingers once more and suddenly and without warning, I hear a loud pop and splashing water. I turn to see a perfectly smooth and shiny gold obelisk with sharp right angles. It seems slightly bigger than the others.
[The Way of The Space]
(Although it was for a short time, you have gained the ability to move through space unimpeded. Despite your short experience, you have killed hundreds with your unpredictable movements through space. The Way of The Space is a theory. If I control the space between myself and my opponents, Would I need to fight to begin with?)
Every Level /
Strength (+1)
Durability (+1)
Agility (+2)
Endurance (+1)
Intellect (+2)
Soul (+3)
“Huh.” Like the way of frostfire, this seems powerful, but at the same time, it feels weak?
“Ha! A truly rare advancement indeed, but be warned, child. If you’re not confident in your ability to manipulate space. This path could end up making you weaker in the end.”
I furrow my brows as I look at Bogodhan. “An advancement can make me weaker?”
He nods affirmatively “Hm, how many skills do you have related to space magic and what are their levels?”
I frown at his point “I only have one, and it’s only level 5.”
“Yes, I would advise against taking this path then. No worries, you still have one more.”
Bogodhan snaps his fingers for the final time and it is met with silence. After a moment I hear a slight whistling. I raise an eyebrow as I look up.
A star? My one eye widens as I notice the star gets slightly bigger and the whistling gets louder. I throw myself out of the way as an object slams into the ground sending a tidal wave of water splashing everywhere. Bogodhan lets out an amused ‘Oh my!’
I pull myself out of the water to look at the monolith. The gold monolith is rough and ragged, with spikes jutting out everywhere. The obelisk is covered in mud and blood.
[The Way of The Excessive]
(Time and time again you have pushed your body, mind, and soul far past than was considered possible or reasonable. Through a mixture of creativity and cruelty, you have dismantled your opponents for none other than your own amusement. For the first time in history, this new path for Monks has been forged by you. The Way of The Excessive is a promise, I shall take delight in whatever I do, to be the death of boredom itself.)
Every Level /
Strength (+3)
Durability (+2)
Agility (+1)
Endurance (+1)
Intellect (+1)
Soul (+3)
I blink at the system screen. It radiates with a power that has never been felt before, but I recognize it, because It is my power.
Bogodhan grins at the monolith. “A new path has been forged. Congratulations Tiffany Day, my child. You were unique enough to create something new. If you select this path you will expand on what it means to be a Monk in this world. However, this comes with risk. The power you receive from this path shall be determined from your own potential.”
I stare at the god. A unique path made just for me? “How is this even an option anymore?”
Bogodhan breaks into a belly laugh “You’re right, child! When something as special as this presents itself, it doesn’t even become a decision, does it!?”
I scoff, but soon break into a grin of my own. The Way of The Excessive, huh. It really is made just for me.
The god breathes a sigh of relief “So, I take it you have made your decision?”
I nod with a wide smile “Yes, but before I go, can I ask you a question?”
“Of course, my child.”
“Do you know who Ydri is?”
Bogodhan pauses, all amusement slips away from his face. “What did you say?”
Seeing the jovial god suddenly get serious unnerves me slightly. “Um, Ydri? Are they a god too or something? I thought you might know something since you were a god.”
Bogodhan frowns as he stares at me for an uncomfortable amount of time. “I can’t see two of your traits. Have you met Ydri itself, child? Is one of those traits Ydri’s Jester?”
I frown at the surprising amount of concern in Bogodhans voice. What about Ydri that makes him so worried. “What if I do have that trait?”
“Then I can’t speak of it. It’s rude to speak of someone whilst they are listening. However, if you do have said trait, child.” He leans in, “Good luck.”
He snaps his fingers once more and vanishes from the void. The only light left comes from the four obelisks. A chill goes down my spine as silence fills the space.
What the fuck is Ydri? Why was the actual god worried?
I shake my head. The stress of everything is starting to get to my head. I look over to the bloody and spikey monolith. Why does my path have to look so savage? I remember everything I did to the monsters I killed.
“Ah, that’d do it.”
I walk over to the The Way of The Excessive monolith and place my hand on it. I feel power rush into me as my aura fully manifests and starts glowing gold. A large notification appears in front of me.
Class [Monk] becomes [Excessive Monk]
-
Class skills (Aura of Strength) (Aura of Durability) (Aura of Vitality) consolidates and becomes (Aura of Constitution)
-
Class skill (SoulFire) evolves and becomes (Soul Conjuration)
-
Every Level /
Strength (+3)
Durability (+2)
Agility (+1)
Endurance (+1)
Intellect (+1)
Soul (+3)
Congratulations, you have unlocked a class skill
-
(Excessive Momentum)
Alert / (2) Class Skill slots remaining
I blink as the world slowly starts to return around me. My face explodes with sadistic glee. I feel stronger. I am stronger!
I use Instant Position as soon as I’m able and appear behind the Roach Empress. A massive two handed sledgehammer made of black flame forms in my hands. Where did you go?
I playfully whisper “Right behind you.” And I swing.
Name (Tiffany Day) / Age (23) / Race (Human)
Alignment (Chaotic Neutral)
Class (Excessive Monk) / Level (31)
Stats / Stat Points (5)
Strength (75)
Durability (100)
Agility (31)
Endurance (40)
Intellect (39)
Soul (75)
Intrinsic Status
Vitality (100%)
Stamina (100%)
Sanity (85%)
Mana (99%)
Traits
(Interloper)
(Serial Killer)
(Ydri’s Jester)
(Sadistic)
Skills
(Quick Thinking) level 9
(Pain Tolerance) level 8
(Observe) level 3
(Mana Cycling) level 5
Class Skills
(Obscene Presence) level 2
(Magical Aura Perception) level 8
(Magical Aura Manipulation) level 10
(Frost Breath) level 9
(Instant Position) level 5
(Aura of Constitution) level 1
(Soul Conjuration) level 1
(Excessive Momentum) level 1
