Bacon Macleod
patreon
Chapter 119: Long Awaited Destiny pt. 2
🕑 Added 2024-11-23 20:30:02 +0000 UTCKaius stared at the aged clone across from him in bald faced shock. It wanted him to do what?! It couldn’t seriously be asking him to cull all classes lower than Heroic could it? That was utter insanity. While the rarity of your starting class was not the be all and end all, having a higher rarity class did drastically increase your chances of pursuing the sort of feats that were required to evolve them further as you developed through the tiers.
Heroic… That would mean eleven stats per level, and class skills of a minimum of fucking Unusual! That was the main reason starting off with a class higher than Rare was considered so much of a boost over the lower ones, you removed your chance of getting offered Common skills.
It couldn’t be right. Surely. He gulped, dry tongue catching in his mouth, like he had been chewing on cotton.
“You can’t be serious.” He whispered.
Kaius the Elder showed him his teeth. “Try me.”
He breathed out long and slow, his ears ringing as the ground started to pull away from him. Shooting out one hand, he caught a tree and leaned bodily into it. “That’s it right? I can’t have possibly gotten anything higher than Heroic, can I?”
The construct laughed. “Unfortunately not. It's not even possible to get higher than Heroic for your first class. That said, you have done well enough that you have a couple to pick from. We both know that anything else isn’t worth your time. Though, if you wish, I would be happy to go through them with you.”
Kaius narrowed his eyes. “How many Unique classes do I have available that fit the criteria?”
The construct's green-gold eyes bore into his own. “Thirty-Seven.”
His knees gave out, and he was forced to clutch the tree tight before he could straighten himself. “And Heroic?” he asked in a small voice.
“Three.”
Kaius shuddered, taking in a deep breath. “What about without any criteria?”
“Seventeen.” the construct replied, slow and serious.
“Fuck.” Kaius whispered. That was… too much. Far too much. His aged clone had the right of it. No matter how unnatural it felt, he had to cull.
Swallowing again, Kaius forced the words out. “Cull everything that isn’t a class focused on swordplay and glyph-binding, and is of a rarity lower than Heroic.”
Kaius the Elder gave him a deep and satisfied smile, his grey streaked hair shining in haloed light that filtered through the canopy above. “Good shit.” Then the construct spun, striding off into the forest. “Follow.” he said, turning back for just a moment to focus a proud look on him.
Kaius gulped, hurrying after the Elder. They weaved through the undergrowth, working their way over densely knotted roots through tangled brambles. For anyone else, it would have been a treacherous hike through hellish terrain.
For Kaius it felt like being welcomed home. He danced through the underbrush, easily keeping pace with the construct, who themselves walked through the Sea like they had been born in it.
Eventually they stopped, a grand clearing opening up before them. Lush grasses drenched in sunlight covered the open space, a riot of wildflowers washing the green in sprays of purple, yellow, and red.
There, at the centre of the meadow, a trio of venerable ash trees stood. Each was massive, larger than anything he had seen in the outskirts of the Sea before. Heavy and aged limbs sprouted from their trunks, layered in calloused bark.
“Almost there, let's head to the trees.” Kaius the Elder said, striding into the waist high grass. Kaius hurried after the construct, watching the trio of trunks with curiosity. It was obvious they would have something to do with his class options, but for the life of him he couldn’t figure out what.
The construct ahead of him kept a leisurely pace, apparently in no rush to cross the open field.
“So, before we get to your selections, there’s a few things you should know. Context about classes, and other such things. First, you won’t be able to talk about your experience here to people who have not gone through the selection themselves, except in the broadest sense.” The Elder said without looking back.
“Wait what? Why not?” Kaius asked, confused. While that might have explained why despite his begging Father had not once slip what class selection was actually like, he still struggled to understand the reasoning. Why on earth would the system want to give them less ability to prepare for the most important moment of their lives?
“To prevent influence. In aeons past there was something of a problem with impressionable youngsters trying to emulate ‘perfect’ builds. It invariably led to substandard performance.” Kaius the Elder responded. “Considering that I am here, you have all the advice you need. On that topic, I need to make you aware of certain aspects of the selection.”
“Such as?” Kaius asked curiously.
“Classes unlock a few additional facets of the system. Namely skill Affinity and Type. All skills have them, and most classes will provide a bonus to Type. Only some will provide a broader bonus to Affinity. It is a good thing to pay attention to. You should also be aware that once you gain your class, your Honours will gain a small percentage bonus to your stats. Finally, there will be skill resonance, which is incredibly important during your first class. It will show which general skills are aligned with your class, and the stronger the resonance, the more likely that that skill will evolve to align. This chance is greater when the skills are capped, which is why it is so important. Though it is worth noting that if a skill is already closely aligned to the class, it will likely have a weaker chance of evolving.”
Kaius’s mind raced. It was a lot of information, and he was thankful it had been shared openly. The part about the Honours did not surprise him, frankly their stat boost had always seemed a little lacklustre for something that was the stuff of myth. A percentage boost was different, that would scale with him as he grew, giving him a permanent edge. As for the types, affinities, and resonance, he supposed he would have to wait to see what his potential options were before he could really contextualise it. He just had one question.
“What of class skills? Is capping them just as important? I’ll get my final class skill only twenty levels before I tier up, right? That seems like a bit of a squeeze.” Kaius asked, brushing aside a particularly stubborn bush that blocked his path.
The construct chuckled. “No, thankfully not. In the second tier, the levels you would have gained a skill is instead the level where it evolves to the next tier. You’ll want to reach the tier cap for that skill by then to maximise the options available.”
Kaius sighed in relief. That was much more manageable.
They reached the trio of ash trees, each one looming far overhead, shading them with their wide and low canopies. Taking a single step forwards, Kaius crossed an invisible line. The air took on a strange, charged quality, haze settling across his vision. He could taste it. The magic. Pure distilled potential radiating off the trunks, wafting promises of power, responsibility, and purpose. He gasped, arcane force tingling as it flooded his lungs.
“Quite something isn’t it? Thankfully you culled quite a few options, otherwise we would have had to wait quite a while for you to acclimate. That, and it would have taken days for you to deliberate.” The construct teased, hitting him with an easy smile. The same one that crossed his face whenever he bullied Porkchop.
Seeing his own face, weathered and venerable, was still weird. Still, the comment did its job. Kaius shook off his fugue, breathing slowly as he adjusted to the weight of the moment. His final action as a boy, his first decision as a man.
“Come along then! Your first option awaits.” The construct beckoned to him, waving at him to follow as it circled around the first trunk.
As they reached the side that reached the centre, the tree’s bark pulled back, revealing a rich and intricate carving set deep in the wood. It seemed to pulse, shifting with vivid lifelike motion before his very eyes.
It depicted…him. Shirtless, covered in light wounds that writhed, sealing themselves closed in moments. Kaius knew he was heavily muscled, even as tall as he was, he’d always had a thick physique, one that had only bulked up further in his time in the Depths. The carving took it to another level. He looked like he could bend an iron bar in his hands.
The carved depiction held a longsword in both of its hands, focused and intent on some far off foe. Every inch of its exposed skin was covered in thick, angular, runes. They burned, bolstering the carving with powerful magics.
More than anything, he could feel the feral ferocity that rolled off the carving in waves. Promising a future of blight and slaughter, one where all who stood before him fell, crushed and dismembered. Yet there was wisdom and intelligence there. Even devoted to the hot rush of war, it was one that understood the world for what it was. A trial, where one should live their life to the fullest extent.
Staring agog at the carving, Kaius looked over to his guide in confusion.
“Just focus on it. A status page will pop up.” The construct explained patiently.
Kaius frowned, but did as was suggested. He focused on the eyes of the carving, feeling them drill into him. A system description flickered into view:
Warsworn Rune-Acolyte:
Class - Tier I
Heroic
Relevant Feats:
Has slain at least 4000 foes of at least level 15 while unclassed. Has slain at least three Champions in single combat while unclassed. Has slain at least 100 foes with glyph-binding while Unclassed. Has slain a foe of at least level 30 while unclassed. Has obtained at least three Honours while unclassed. Has a complete set of legacy skills. Has capped all base stats at 20. Has a weapon mastery skill of at least Unique rarity. Has a self healing skill of at least Unusual rarity. Has at least one Heroic skill. Has a rune mastery skill of at least Unusual rarity. Has survived multiple mortal wounds. Has fallen to fury in battle. Has disregarded injury with fatalistic regularity.
The Temple of Ish’tar is a desolate place. Penitents and would-be Acolytes must make pilgrimage through deserts of bone and lakes of fire. Even when they arrive at the steps of the monastery, the adherents of divine combat are not so easily impressed. Only if they survive the trial of blades will they have the opportunity to attempt being anointed with sacred glyphs of healing and fury.
The lowest of the adherents of Ish’tar, the Warsworn Rune-Acolyte is a being of anger and fury. Focusing on savagery and persistence in battle, they are adept close-quarters combatants. Differences abound between Acolytes, but they have one commonality. A sacred glyph of rage is burnt into their flesh during initiation, subsidiary workings empowering them with persistent spell effects when they tap into its vigour.
All Body Reinforcement, Self Healing, and Self Enhancement type skills are improved by 60%
Stats:
+3 Vitality, + 3 Strength, +2 Intelligence, +1 Endurance, +1 Will, +1 Free Stats per level
Skill Resonance:
Warforged - Moderate
Adamant Body - Strong
Runic Lexicon - Strong
Mana Manipulation - Moderate
Lesser Regeneration - Strong
Kaius gulped.
A/N: Peace offering emerges from beneath the fireproof blanket
Comments
Eldar Zecore
I might be the weird one out, but this one doesn’t really seem like a cliff. It seems like he’s trying to given the proper gravitas to something which would be extremely life changing and proper context.
WickedlyDesigned
For one. I am also missing the chance to compare classes with lower rarities, to see how much the heroic ones compare. One chapter that condenses the lower ranked ones to build the suspension, and another to give us the actual options would have been much better pacing in my opinion.
Bob
It's also unfortunate the guide doesn't give a summary of the culled heroic class. It could give useful information on what is possible to do. Gliffcooking?!
Mimic
This style of cliffhangers does not lend itself well to people who pay their money to read ahead
Pozvizd
I agree with the previous comments; reading with so many cliffhangers in ongoing chapters can be a bit frustrating. That said, I can already imagine how much I would enjoy these chapters in a printed or audiobook version. You're the author—write the way you feel is right. Don’t get too caught up in critical comments. You're doing great.
Dash Marley
Thank you so much, I didn’t get that at all from the chapter so maybe worth rewarding it
Robin Richards
You'd think so but take another look. Rapid Adaptation, Adamant body and Brotherhood of Ichor and Animus are all probably Body Reinforcement skills Lesser Regeneration is a Self Heal That's at least 4 of his General Skills getting a 60% bonus which I bet is more skills and a higher bonus than an Unusual Class is getting. If Adamant Body evolves, which is likely, that's a third Heroic Skill, Lesser Regeneration probably also evolves to straight up Regeneration and if Runic Lexicon evolves and picks up a Self Enhancement Tag that's a fifth skill gaining the 60% bonus. If Warforged or Mana Manipulation also evolves then that's just gravy. The stats aren't great, I don't like the small health pool high regeneration build but if he hits the right evolutions, it could very well just take your best shots and heal them faster than you can deal damage and then beat you into the ground.
IdolTrust
Also for an heroic class it’s kind of lackluster.
IdolTrust
Dude I’m going to wait for a week or two. The cliff is crazy. All this chapter to show one freaking class.
Tim Judge
Love the style. Keep those suspensophobes hanging.......is that a word?
Andres Ceva
Its daily chapters, what do you expect?
Robin Richards
General skills are capped to Heroic rarity until tier 3. Resonance with either skill would be wasted since they are already Heroic
The Lost Pages
Hmmm... not sure a mindless rage zerker would ever be my first choice. But dang is it powerful....
Tommy
Oh it’s definitely noticeable in book format. It’s watering down what should be a punchy payoff experience after the long slog through multiple chapter long battles. If I was reading this in book format I’d have skipped ahead, checked the classes offered, then gone back and read at leisure 😂
Connor Hartmann
Seems like this one doesn't have any resonance with rapid adaptation or his bond with Porkchop, and for those reasons alone I likely wouldn't take it.
Kyle Cunnane
Yea, its hard decision for me but I’m gonna drop this story for now, I’ll be back for sure. I really really like the writing (r especially the world building for items and classes) and don’t hate the pacing but the cliffs just feel insulting at this point
luxrus
Errr… semi-cliff? Im moderately satisfied
Leander
Looks like I‘m not the only one getting absolutely sick of the cliffs.
yohan gu
So, class skills are offered every 20 levels at tier one, at levels l = (n-1)*20+1 with n being the class skill number, from 1 to 10. Basically, first skill at level 1 and 10th at level 181. Kaius’ question is if he will have to cap (at level 200, the cap for tier 1) his class skills before changing tier (which happens at level 200). This would leave only 20 levels of time to cap the 10th skill. The Elder reassures him: at the second tier he will receive the evolution for the nth class skill at level l = (n-1)*20+201, so he will have 200 levels of time to cap each class skill.
Rick
I agree ...your fine ..just keep doing you
torrey deloach
Don't listen to them. It's a book and we are getting to read as you write it. Preciat the chapter part
Kevin Jalop
Yea. I think so too. He needs to be more mage-y
Sami
thank you for the chapter! I wonder what classes are next. I bet at least one of them will mention defeating the guardian while unclassed (and will probably be the best)
yohan gu
Yeah, doesn’t seem to use runes for anything than body empowerment. It’s not Kaius’ style. Plus what the hell is this stat distribution? Even for the objective it has, 3 to vitality and 1 to endurance is ridiculous.
yohan gu
I personally like the fact it is not rushed and time is taken to build an ambiance and give good explanations. Makes everything more vivid for the reader.
yohan gu
This section is going to take over a week to complete, you can bank the chapters and have it all in one go in 10 days, if you want to be able to have the full section complete when reading.
Robin Richards
So he gets a class skill every 20 levels starting with his first when he classes. His skill cap fir those skills is 200. 200 levels after he received the skill he gets an opportunity to evolve it. The evolution choice is better if he has reached the skill cap by the tome he is ready to evolve it. After evolving it the skill cap goes up by 200 and he has to wait 200 lvls before he can evolve it again
BearerOfDoom
I'm unsubbing after the class selection. Gonna Let it rest for 2 months, then sub again.... for a day. Because that's how long it will take me to read 60 short af chapters.
Gerald Monroe
Yeah very annoying. Choices are meaningless if you don't know what the other viable options are. So 60 percent healing and melee boost, good but nothing game changing.
yohan gu
Hard pass on this class, no?
Kyle Cunnane
Yea I’m out ✌️
BerciTheBeast
Not rushing through important stuff is not a bad thing smh. If you have discord connected there is information on there letting you know that this segment is goint to take quite a few chapters. Important decisions like this have weight and deserve enough time to leave their impact.
Bob Saget
It’s blatantly not going to be this one. Permanent rage enhancement when he’s bonded to Porkchop is obvious no go.
EsZeus
Wanted to comment sth similar to this, too. It's getting too much, too often. This is not good story telling, but I think it sounds "good" in an authors head, while for readers its just annoying the more often it happens
WickedlyDesigned
This is starting to feel petty: dragging out class choices over multiple chapters? Unnecessary and needless padding, trying to build up excitement, but only managing to frustrate readers and break immersion. This has just managed to solidify my thoughts from the previous few chapters: I'm off to unsubscribe from here. Bye.
Kooooomakimi
I agree it's just a little ridiculous
Zion Davis
I repeat if I could get my hands on you I would strangle you just like the last fucking chapter. Keep writing tho
Dylan Alexander
I highly doubt that’s the class he’d choose anyway. I’m assuming they’ll save the best class for last.
Tyler Thompson
Yeah this story has now dropped way down in my personal ranking. 2 chapters in to class choice and we've seen one class option. Just dragging it out to keep people paying I guess
Tommy
““What of class skills? Is capping them just as important? I’ll get my final class skill only twenty levels before I tier up, right? That seems like a bit of a squeeze.” Kaius asked, brushing aside a particularly stubborn bush that blocked his path. The construct chuckled. “No, thankfully not. In the second tier, the levels you would have gained a skill is instead the level where it evolves to the next tier. You’ll want to reach the tier cap for that skill by then to maximise the options available.”” I’m confused by this. What does it mean? Kaius has to cap his skills before tier 2? Not a fan of the class offered. Kaius becoming a rage monster occasionally when fighting is fine, but it being a core part of him? In fights and out? No thanks! TFTC!
seth dauer
🤣🤣🤣 time for some tea ☕
M van Dongen
"You can do better...try again" /e Push Author-san closer to the edge of the cliff.
Eric Sweeney
Sigh. At this rate, it will still be two chapters before we’ve seen all of his choices and Kaius finally makes his decision. It’s not noticeable in a full book format. But dang is it annoying in a chapter serial format.
