Chapter 14.

Amber awoke in a coughing fit. The room was almost dark except for the light of the magic torch Liz had given her. Considering there was no more sunlight pouring into the room she figured that it was night-time. For a moment she felt disoriented until she groaned from head pain. 

“What the fuck happened…?” 

She rose from the ground only to freeze. A massive demon was staring at her⁠⁠ and⁠— it was dead. Its skin was now ashen, particles of dust seemed to be floating off the demon, almost as if it was disintegrating. Its expression held nothing but horror. A large hole was carved onto its head. A single look and she remembered. She remembered her anger, her rage, her frustration. She had killed someone. Shaking her head, she decided to go through her notifications. 

 

[Cursed Momentum has ranked up. Cursed Momentum is now 2nd Rank level 1.] 

 

[Cursed Momentum has reached 2nd Rank ⁠— level 1.

You’ve mastered the art of exploiting the skill to your advantage. The longer you fight, the stronger, more durable and agile you become. If you are affected by a curse you will apply it to your target. This skill reaches its peak at fifteen minutes in battle, increasing your stats by 150% (75% before class bonus).

2nd Rank ⁠— Taking damage speeds the momentum build up.]

 

Amber paused. It gives Dexterity now too? Not only that but the stat increase went up by 50%... She gulped. 2nd Rank makes it build up faster? Not like I plan on taking damage on purpose but… She certainly thought it was incredibly useful and also strong. She didn’t expect the skill to reach the 2nd Rank but she wasn’t complaining. Finally, she turned to a different skill that she didn’t expect to see rank up. 

 

[Berserker’s Body has leveled up from level 9 to 10.]

[Berserker’s Body has ranked up. Berserker’s Body is now 2nd Rank level 1.] 

 

[Berserker’s Body has reached 2nd Rank ⁠— level 1.

You’ve embodied what it means to be a Berserker and now you can physically be one too. You feel half of the pain you’re supposed to feel and your body is 50% stronger. (25% before class bonus).

2nd Rank ⁠— By adapting and abusing your body it has gained a unique constitution. Your body is 30% tougher.]

 

It’s just as good… Amber noted that the percentage increase had gone up. It was essentially a fifty percent increase to all her attributes, and the 2nd Rank wasn’t half bad either. Thinking about it for a moment she couldn’t help but smile. I’m becoming so fucking durable. Maybe I should permanently stab the dagger on my body or something. Maybe a cursed thing surgically embedded in me? That way Recovery of Curses will always be active no matter what… 

Of course, she wasn’t a fool. Without having access to her weapons, she was more like an average Berserker. Though, the Berserker class itself was rare too? She wasn’t too sure.

Amber shook her head and observed the rest of her notifications. 

 

[Keen Senses has leveled up from level 8 to 10.]

[Curse Battery has leveled up from level 2 to 4.]

[Recovery of Curses has leveled up from level 8 to 10.]

[Cursed Stomp has leveled up from level 6 to 8.]

[Cursed Fury has leveled up from level 1 to 3.]

[Heavy Swing has leveled up from 2nd Rank level 3 to 2nd Rank level 4.]

 

[You have reached level 49. 5 stat points awarded.] 

…

 

[You have reached level 55. 5 stat points awarded.] 

 

The level ups were disappointing to her, but then again the kill notification had said “considerably less” experience. Of course, there were no Core Skills due to the fact that they were more like pending rather than anything. Taking a very deep breath, Amber turned to the notification she had been looking forward to. 

 

[Class Advancement is now Available!

You may now evolve your class.]

 

Amber didn’t know what to expect, or what she was even expecting. Unlike unlocking the requirements to a new class, this was different. Though, she didn’t see herself switching her class any time soon, or even if ever. She loved everything about being a Cursed Berserker. So, with great anticipation she asked out loud. 

“What are my Class Advancement options, System?” 

In response, a myriad of notifications immediately came. Amber lightly jumped as she began reading. 

 

[You have met the requirements for Class Advancement: Cursed Berserker will become Cursed Barbarian ⁠⁠— You have used pure raw strength to fight your foes, have one Core Skill at Second Rank and have reached level 50 as a Cursed Berserker. 

The Cursed Barbarian has followed in the steps of the Cursed Berserker but with greater efficiency and brutality. They have paved the path to greater efficiency and brutal killing while fighting the Supernatural. 

You may change class if requirements for a better class are met. 

Would you like to acquire this class? Bonuses to stats will be applied, Cursed Barbarian skills will become available on future level ups. Current Skills may see change. Class Advancement paths may be lost.]

 

[You have met the requirements for Class Advancement: Cursed Berserker will become Cursed Demon Hunter ⁠— You have killed hundreds of demonic beings, you have killed a pure-blooded demon, have two Core Skills at Second Rank and have reached level 50 as a Cursed Berserker.

The Cursed Demon Hunter is someone who has bowed to protect the world of Vir from the darkness. They believe that demons do not belong in this realm and strive to slay them from this land. A Cursed Demon Hunter is someone who travels alone, their immunity to the Supernatural sending them to fight the worst of all demonkind.

You may change class if requirements for a better class are met. 

Would you like to acquire this class? Bonuses to stats will be applied, Cursed Demon Hunter skills will become available on future level ups. Current Skills may see change. Class Advancement paths may be lost.]

 

[You have met the requirements for Class Advancement: Cursed Berserker will become Cursed ⁠Juggernaut — You have wiped an entire dungeon by yourself, have three Core Skills at Second Rank, have cleared at least ten groups of enemies alone and have reached level 50 as a Cursed Berserker.

The Cursed Juggernaut is a better Berserker, an almost unstoppable force that instills fears upon their enemies. They rely on Strength to never be stopped. Their path is one paved with destruction and unparalleled resolve. A Cursed Juggernaut is someone that fights with the Supernatural. They do not stop. 

You may change class if requirements for a better class are met. 

Would you like to acquire this class? Bonuses to stats will be applied, Cursed Juggernaut skills will become available on future level ups. Current Skills may see change. Class Advancement paths may be lost.]

 

[You have met the requirements for Class Advancement: Cursed Berserker will become Cursed Chosen Berserker  ⁠— You have fought for more than a day straight, you have five Core Skills at Second Rank, have attained the blessing of a Primordial Spirit, defeated an enemy thirty levels above you and have reached level 50 as a Cursed Berserker. 

The Cursed Chosen Berserker is a Cursed Berserker that has been chosen by the gods themselves. Not only do they hold immense potential, the stars themselves favor them. Anything they set their mind to is but a matter of time before it is completed. A Cursed Chosen Berserker is unrelenting, ruthless but also kind, powerful but also humble. They do not get drunk in their own power but instead are in total control of it.

You may change class if requirements for a better class are met. 

Would you like to acquire this class? Bonuses to stats will be applied, Cursed Chosen Berserker skills will become available on future level ups. Current Skills may see change. Class Advancement paths may be lost.]

 

That’s a lot… 

Amber carefully read through all of them and immediately discarded Cursed Barbarian which seemed like the most basic and Cursed Demon Hunter. She didn’t even know where to find demons, and the class sounded so niche that it would probably ruin her life. So those were gone without a second thought. Which left her with two choices.

Cursed Juggernaut or Cursed Chosen Berserker. 

She had carefully read through their descriptions, deciding to not let the requirements influence her, and one of the things that caught her attention was the emphasis on control that Cursed Chosen Berserker had, whereas Cursed Juggernaut was much more about being a force of nature. And if she was honest, she liked the idea. She liked bulldozing into a dungeon and clearing it on her own, she liked losing herself in fighting, she liked the rush of adrenaline. 

Except. 

She could do all of that without a class forcing her to. And given the description, she didn’t put it behind the System to influence her actions in some way after obtaining the class given the description. She was in a strange world that she barely comprehended, and if she hadn’t met Ax’thra when she did, she would’ve been infinitely more lost. While she didn’t know exactly what she was doing, she had a feeling that her best choice was the rarest class.

Cursed Chosen Berserker.

It had the steepest requirements out of the four classes, and she had barely just met them after fighting a level 102 demon. Granted, its level had been adjusted to 82, but it did have the skill levels of a level 100. Amber was quite certain about that. Also, the class didn’t seem to raise any immediate red-flags to her like Cursed Juggernaut did. 

Finally, after taking a deep breath, Amber chose her class. 

 

[ You have gained the class: Cursed Chosen Berserker

Vitality +25

Strength +15

Dexterity +15

Endurance +5

Intelligence +10

Wisdom +10

Natural recovery has increased by 60%.

Body enhancements are 150% more effective.

Wounds heal three times faster out of battle. ]

 

She smiled and a moment later more notifications came. 

 

[Keen Senses ⁠— level 10, becomes Sharp Instincts ⁠— level 10] 

[New General Skill! You have learned Sharp Instincts — level 10 

You’ve barely survived, whether you can actually tell whether something is dangerous or not is unknown. This is an upgraded version of Keen Senses. You are now more aware of potential dangers and attacks, now it's on an instinctual level.] 

 

[Heavy Swing ⁠— 2nd Rank Level 4, becomes Cursed Cleave ⁠— 2nd Rank Level 4] 

[New Core Skill! You have learned Cursed Cleave — 2nd Rank Level 4

You’ve swung your sword so many times that perhaps you treat it more like a cleaver. This is an upgraded version of Heavy Swing. If you are bearing a curse it will apply when using the skill.

2nd Rank ⁠— Cooldown is halved and the swing strikes 30% harder, the curse is 50% stronger.] 

 

Two skills had changed. 

 

[Core Skill was delayed due to pending Class.]

[New Core Skill! For reaching level 50 as a Cursed Chosen Berserker you have learned ⁠Curse Detection — level 1. 

You can sense curses from ten meters away and if they are visible you can see them. Range increases per skill level.]

 

“Not what I expected.”

And another notification came offering a new skill. 

 

[New Core Skill! For reaching level 55 as a Cursed Chosen Berserker you have been offered Curse Aura ⁠— level 1. 

You have become the curse. While fighting you unleash a weak aura of the curses you are bearing towards your foes. The strength depends on the skill level. 

Do you wish to replace one existing Core Skill for this? If the replaced Core Skill holds levels, all levels will be transferred to the new skill at the cost of losing one level on it.]

 

Well that is new. Amber wondered if the skill was that good, but it didn’t matter as she immediately replaced Curse Detection for it, which didn’t seem that useful to her at the moment. And she was sure she was bound to get a better version of Curse Detection down the line eventually. 

Finally, Amber took in all her notifications and couldn’t help but think how much strength she had gained from her Class Advancement. It was exciting⁠. No⁠— it was incredibly exciting. For a moment she felt like she was invincible but thinking about the demon fight ground her back to reality. 

Killing it wouldn’t be any less of a struggle even after all of this. 

She shook her head, still incredibly happy. She was just wary of growing overconfident. Finally, after reveling in the moment she turned to the room where the man still lay dead. Her mood got a bit worse, but she walked towards the man to see if he had anything of value. The demon’s corpse was now completely dry and almost made out of dust. 

She went up the steps of the platform and paused when she saw the man’s staff. It resembled a thorn more than anything and had an almost red-metallic glint to it. Slightly confused, she used Identify on it.  

 

[Relic Grade ⁠— Staff of Demons ⁠— High Quality 

This staff bears the Curse of Demonic Blood, any being that it injures will have its blood thinned, any being wielding the staff will suffer a slow demonification process, ultimately turning them into a demon. 

Ability: Summon Server of Chaos. This Ability has decayed and can no longer be used.] 

 

“So an Enchanted Grade staff, got it.” Amber grabbed it without any care in the world. 

She figured that it was a good add on to her arsenal provided she didn’t let anyone else touch it⁠— much like all her other weapons. Amber then looked at the man he didn’t have anything on his person. However she paused seeing his arm, it was red and resembled the claw of a monster. 

“I suppose that’s the Curse of Demonic Blood?” she asked, wondering about it before turning to the man, seeing the horns. “You know, I really wish things could’ve gone differently. I can’t tell if this is guilt or not, but I’m sorry for what I did.”

She closed her eyes. I did what I had to do. At least, that’s what she believed. After taking a breath, she closed the man’s eyes with her hand. 

“I don’t understand why you did all of this, why you wanted to summon a demon or destroy the City of Laria. I guess I don’t see the point in doing all of that.” She stood up, her voice coming to a whisper. “In being evil.”

Perhaps the man was doing it for power, but she truly did wonder if there was no other way to go about things. Shaking her head, she gave the man’s arm a look before going down the steps. 

“If the demon escaped this place and attacked the city, thousands of people would’ve died,” she sighed. 

That notion helped her thoughts a bit. She however, still wondered why she didn’t hesitate more in killing the man. Maybe it had to do with him not being fully human. She wasn’t particularly sure.

Now, more than ever, she felt thankful that she was immune to curses and anything that the System considered Supernatural; she could, after all, safeguard the staff. Maybe the man had been influenced by the staff’s curse? Ultimately, she didn’t know, but decided to stop thinking about it. 

She went to find her dagger and also picked up the torch she had been carrying. Thankfully, it seemed to have survived all of the battles with only minor scratches. 

So I won’t need to pay Liz back. She smiled. She was completely broke so that would’ve been troublesome. 

Finally, she headed towards the exit, but  paused when she saw a glinting object inside of the demon’s head. What is that? Amber cautiously approached it only to see a small bead. It was a deep crimson and sparkled under the little light available, as if it was holding a galaxy inside, shimmering with hundreds of sparkling colors. She used Identify.

 

[Demonic Mana Stone ⁠— Superb Quality.]

 

Demonic Mana Stone? What even is that? 

Amber didn’t know what to use it for, or what it even did but she grabbed it and stored it into her back pocket. She didn’t plan on leaving loot behind. Maybe she could sell it. Her armor was in desperate need of repair, after all, and she was quite broke all things considered. However, all of those worries disappeared as she looked at her status, having distributed her attribute points already. 

 

[Name: Amber | Level: 55 

Class: Cursed Chosen Berserker | Unspent Stat Points: 0   

Stats: 

Vitality: 160

Strength: 120

Dexterity: 101

Endurance: 51

Intelligence: 32

Wisdom: 32

Free Core Skill Slots: 0 | Core Skills: 

[Cursed Cleave - 2nd Rank Lvl. 3], [Quick Dash - 2nd Lvl. 1], [General Weapon Mastery - 2nd Rank Lvl. 2], [Cursed Momentum - 2nd Rank Lvl. 1], [Berserker’s Body - Lvl. 2nd Rank Lvl. 1], [Cursed Stomp. - Lvl. 8], [Curse Battery - Lvl. 4], [Recovery of Curses - Lvl. 10], [Cursed Fury - Lvl. 3], [Curse Aura - Lvl. 1] 

General Skills: 

[Supernatural Nullification], [Identify. Lvl. 2], [Toxin Resistance ⁠- 2nd Rank Lvl. 1], [Elemental Resistance - Lvl. 3], [Physical Resistance - Lvl. 5], [Sharp Instincts - Lvl. 10], [Quick Recovery - Lvl. 8].] 

 

She was awed by her own progress, and a smile settled on her lips. She felt fucking amazing. However, it was time for her to return and report her own findings. 

Hopefully the exploration party isn’t assembled yet. 

With a smile, Amber ran out of the dungeon at full speed, leaving nothing but a cloud of dust behind.