Herald of death

Ethan opens his eyes. His senses spin as he's suddenly standing up. His feet rest on black marble flooring, lit by bright light-green wall torches. A figure passes him – a humanoid shadow he had not noticed. Another appears in his peripheral vision. Soon, the room fills with them, wandering aimlessly.

Ethan raises his sight to a staircase crowned by a throne. A woman sits immobile on it, wearing a veil-like dress. A porcelain mask hides her features, even her eyes.

Ethan moves through the shadows. Every step is sluggish, reminding him of walking in a dream despite the realism of the situation.

"Am I dead?" Ethan asks, his throat tightening at the thought.

The porcelain face turns to Ethan. "Your life hasn't reached its end. I summoned your soul, but it is still bound to your sleeping vessel." Her voice is soft, gentle, and carries an etheric echo.

"Who are they?" Ethan asks as a shadow crosses him.

"Souls holding regrets halting them from crossing to their next destination," she explains. "You attracted many eyes to yourself by being the first to cross the frontier between our worlds."

"The dungeon. … Should I be honored or worried?" Ethan asks.

She rises from her seat, descending the stairs to join Ethan. Her proximity electrifies Ethan's skin. "I act as the Goddess of death. I care not for morals, desires, pasts, actions, or your humanity. My sole purpose is to guide souls through their last voyage. … Many others see your being as opposed to all they represent and despise you."

"Other gods? I have a feeling our religions do not correspond to your pantheon," Ethan asks.

"There is much your world will learn in the coming era," she answers.

'She doesn't want to tell me too much,' Ethan thinks. "What is the purpose of summoning me to your domain?"

"You will always be surrounded by death; you are drawn to it. And I wish to be the one to guide their soul, using you as my vessel to your world," she says.

Ethan swallows painfully. He struggles to come up with an answer. "There is no reward you could offer me for which I'd consider selling my soul to a … goddess," he finally says.

"I understand," she says.

Incomprehension strikes Ethan, as he expected her to threaten or coerce him. "I thought you would be more inquisitive."

"Our paths will cross again; this was but an early introduction. I shall warn you; the agents of others may hunt you for it. And for that, I apologize and shall grant you gifts free of allegiance."

Ethan begins another sentence, but his senses fade once more. He opens his eyes to find himself on his couch with Russ by his side.

Two leather-covered books rest on his table, alongside a crystal vial of translucent blue liquid. The covers read 'Identification' and 'Anonymity'.

Ethan grabs the first and opens it. The pages flip on their own. Its content of strange writings escapes its pages and flies into Ethan's head. "You obtained the Identification ability," the voice announces. The book disintegrates into nothingness.

He picks up the vial and thinks, 'Identification'. A window appears above it.

Potion of Ether (A)

Restores a vast quantity of Ether. Surpassing your body's ability to store Ether will cause devastating side effects.

"Numbers would have been sweeter," Ethan mocks. He grabs an old-fashioned glass from the open kitchen and pours a drop of the potion. The smell is sweet, reminiscent of mead.

He drinks it while sitting and closes his eyes. Threads of ether form in his body, moving toward his heart. Seconds later, his heart hurts, as if it tried to expand for an instant. "A single drop is already too much. The good part is that I have enough potion to use predator's sight thousands of times," he concludes.

"Ether Manipulation leveled up."

He picks up the second book and thinks, 'Identification.'

Ability book: Anonymity (F)

Whoever reads the content of this book will learn the Anonymity (F) ability.

Anonymity: You may choose to present an altered version of your status to those who would use Insight against you. It will not work if the rank of Insight surpasses your rank of Anonymity.

Ethan flips the pages. "You obtained the Anonymity ability," the voice announces. A blank status window appears with input fields waiting to be filled. Ethan doctors a level one warrior status with the name James Ward, the same as his fake passport.

He pulls out his loot from the dungeon and identifies it.

Ability book: Piercing shot (F)

Whoever reads the content of this book will learn the Piercing shot (F) ability.

Piercing shot: Enhances a projectile as the user shoots it. It hardens it and eases its path through the air.

Ability book: Silent steps (F)

Whoever reads the content of this book will learn the Silent steps (F) ability.

Silent steps: Reduces the sound generated by your steps when active.

Ring of protection (E)

Slightly enhances the toughness of the wearer's skin, clothes, and armor.

He reads both books and places the ring on his left index. "You obtained the Piercing shot ability. You obtained the Silent steps ability," the voice follows.

"The only thing left is our classes," Ethan says, looking at Russ. "Russ's class change." The two options appear once more. "I … I don't know what those classes will do to us. But if what she said is true. If someone like a Warrior can suddenly become twice as strong as a man. And with those monsters able to stop bullets, we need to get better."

"Woof," Russ says, tilting his head at Ethan's words.

"I chose Ambush predator," Ethan says. The cards disappear, and Russ' status changes.

Russ

Lv.0/20 (Ambush predator) Dog

Bonded: Ethan Reed (Obedience 91)

Strength: 10 + Charisma: 6 +

Dexterity: 16 + Perception: 22 +

Constitution: 8 + Willpower: 14 +

Intelligence: 6 +

Available characteristic points: 2

Abilities

Bond telepathy

Silent steps (F)

Russ stands up, shaking his head and body.

Ethan says, "And now for me, class change." The various cards appear once more, but to his surprise, a new one floats among them. Its silver edge shines brighter than any other's.

Harbinger

Harbingers sacrifice early abilities to grow stronger and reach pinnacles others cannot dream of. Reaching level ten as a Harbinger will grant you a class change.

Every two levels in the Harbinger class will grant you a characteristic point. Every four levels in the Harbinger class will grant you a characteristic point.

"Is this one of her gifts? I should take it and find out as soon as possible how to level up," Ethan begins. "I choose Harbinger."

Ethan Reed

Lv.0 (Harbinger) Human

Strength: 16 + Charisma: 12 +

Dexterity: 16 + Perception: 16 +

Constitution: 15 + Willpower: 18 +

Intelligence: 18 +

Available characteristic points: 3

Titles

Dungeon conqueror (F)

First dungeon conqueror (F)

First hunter

Slayer of the first incursion

Kin slayer

Kobold hunter

Abilities

Anonymity (F)

Identification (F)

Piercing shot (F)

Predator's sight (F)

Silent steps (F)