Demigod Class Acension Chapter 3: Kill Or Be Killed

Listen While Reading: Qintessential
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“Well damn, you sure eat a lot…”

“I was hungry.”

“I can tell…”

She glanced at Will finishing the plate of boiled rice she had offered, feeling satisfied. The girl he’d saved was kind enough to share half the bag with him—a three-hundred-gram bag of rice, enough to feed a family for weeks if rationed well.

But Will devoured half of it in an hour. His huge body and newfound strength had sharpened his hunger even more, and he’d rather avoid eating another disgusting piece of hobgoblin meat if he could. For now, those were emergency rations—only for desperate situations when he needed Mana fast.

Luckily, looters had mostly targeted expensive tech and food stores. Places selling tableware or pots were less touched, letting the two grab a pot, find drinkable water in the mall’s bathrooms, and boil rice using the fast-food kitchens.

There wasn’t much food there, but they got lucky with some frozen burgers—ones dropped on the floor—and a bag of frozen fries, a rare find in this world.

“What are we going to do with this food? Um, you’re keeping it?”

“…You can keep some.”

“Thanks. Um, what’s your name?”

The girl glanced at Will with concern. She clearly felt safer with him but was still nervous, trying to break the awkward silence with small talk.

“Will.”

“Like William?”

“No, just Will.”

“Oh… That’s a nice… name.”

Will stretched his arms, sipping more water from the bottle he’d secured earlier, and looked at the girl.

He’d saved her by chance while heading here, so he hadn’t paid her much mind, focusing instead on filling up to stay strong.

Now he noticed she had long black hair, brown skin, and green eyes. Her pretty, round face and slightly overweight frame were framed by blue jeans, black sneakers, a white blouse, and an oversized black hoodie.

“What’s yours?”

Will meet her gaze, trying to be friendlier. This world was harsh enough, and the apocalypse only made it worse. He figured she might be struggling, so keeping a conversation going could help them both stay sane and avoid dark thoughts.

“I’m… Evelyn.”

She looked at the floor, dispirited, fidgeting with her hair nervously. Her hands trembled.

“That’s a pretty name.”

Will stood slowly, scanning the mall. The lights and water were still on for some reason—maybe the Ward of Protection, making this place a shelter where humans could access water and use tech, if they had any.

“T-Thanks…”

Evelyn didn’t seem flattered; she was scared—not of Will, but of everything else. Will could tell. Not everyone adapted as fast as he did. Hell, he didn’t even know why he’d adjusted so quickly—it felt instinctive, maybe tied to his divine origins.

“Alright, do you know a place to sleep?”

“Huh? You want to sleep?”

“I’m tired. I need to regain energy. Tomorrow, I’m heading back to the highway. There’s a goblin nest I want to destroy.”

“W-What? You want to face those monsters again? Aren’t you afraid? I saw… so many people run out of the mall and get torn to shreds… Honestly, I would’ve too if I wasn’t paralyzed by fear… And you want to go back?! Please stay here…!”

“I can’t.”

Will walked off, exploring the mall’s areas. He saw workers camped near their shops and staff chatting. Since he’d arrived, the chaos had settled, giving people time to regroup, talk, and figure out what was happening.

“There’s a lot of people here, thankfully…”

He felt some relief that not everyone had died horribly and that there were decent survivors. If they worked together, they might survive the tutorial at least.

“Uh, yeah, an hour ago everyone was fighting, though… But since you got here, it quieted down. It’s crazy. Just how strong are you, Will? How’d you get this strong?”

“You don’t know? There was a message saying you have to kill a monster. Once you do, you awaken a class, gain skills, and get stronger.”

“What kind of bullshit is that?!”

“You don’t believe me?”

Will opened his right palm, manifesting water. Evelyn’s eyes widened. Then he turned it into ice, then mist.

“This is magic.”

“Magic?!”

“You could wield it too. Just kill a goblin.”

“By goblin… you mean those green things?”

“Yeah.”

“No way I can do that! They’re too strong!”

“Not really.”

“C-Can you help me kill one then?”

“…No. I’m going to sleep now.”

“Then tomorrow?!”

“I’ll think about it.”

Will’s large body needed not just food but rest. He trudged to an Ikea shop, found a big enough bed, and flopped onto it, sleeping like a bear…

“What’s wrong with this guy?”

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. She couldn’t figure Will out. Talking to him felt like she wasn’t speaking to a real human, but… something else.

Still, fearing revenge on the thugs, she stayed near him—not too close—sleeping by a small piece of furniture, waking up occasionally.

.

.

.

“He’s here, right?”

“Yeah, I saw him come in…”

“Hey, lower your voice.”

“It’s all dark in here—where the hell is he?”

“Over there…!”

“Alright, slowly cover his mouth and eyes…”

Will’s eyes snapped open at the whispers. Something—maybe his high Sense Stat—alerted him to danger.

He stayed still, pretending to sleep. In the dark, they couldn’t see his eyes.

“A group?”

He clocked six people, their voices young—early twenties or late teens. He recognized one of them.

As they got closer, he saw knives and white ropes. They planned to tie and torture him.

“He’s huge!”

“The bastard’s sleeping like a damn bear.”

“Can we really tie him up with this shit?”

“Well, if it doesn’t work, we’ll stab his eyes—at least that’ll—”

Will struck. His fists flew, blue eyes piercing the dark—a talent he’d had even before Awakening.

BAAM!

“Uagh?!”

A thug’s scream echoed as Will’s fist smashed their face, shattering teeth, nose, and upper jaw, bursting their eyes.

The body crashed into furniture, toppling it and causing a commotion. Blood splattered the bed and floor.

“The fuck?!”

“Shit!”

“He’s awake?!”

The others screamed, stepping back as Will rose, towering over them. His bloodied hands aimed at them.

“Hey, man, we didn’t—”

One’s words cut off as Will slapped their face with his huge hand, sending them crashing through a window.

CRASH!

Furious, Will grabbed another, crushing their neck like he did goblins. A loud “crack!” rang out, chilling the remaining three, who bolted.

“Running away now?”

Will didn’t move. His hands summoned water tendrils, stretching dozens of meters to wrap around their legs and drag them back.

“Please forgive me! Please!”

“We’re sorry, man!”

“You don’t have to do this! We’re all people here! We aren’t monsters!”

“You.”

Will glared at the blonde among them, fist tightening as he pointed.

“What did I tell you before? That I’d crush your skull if you started shit, right?”

“P-Please forgive me, man, I won’t do it again! I’m going to remake my whole life—”

CRASH!

Will swung his fist down, crushing the skull as promised until it was an unrecognizable mess.

“A-Aaaah! Help! HE’S A MONSTER!”

“Aaaaaagggh! Help! Someone help me!”

The last two screamed, begging for aid. But the mall’s survivors, watching from afar in the dark, knew what was happening.

The thugs realized no one was coming. Their past beatings and killings had made the survivors hate them.

Until Will arrived, no one had been strong or brave enough to face them.

“You reap what you sow.”

Will’s bloodied hands glowed blue as water forced its way into their mouths, drowning them in agony until they stopped moving, lungs full.

“So I can kill like this too. I should test it on goblins later.”

Will sighed in relief, sitting after the slaughter. He felt odd—he hadn’t hesitated, seeing them as goblins.

If they came for his life, he couldn’t forgive them. He’d given one a second chance, and this was the result.

He had to take them out, or they’d keep trying.

In this forever-changed world, he knew he had to be ruthless.

And yet…

“I killed people…”

As adrenaline faded, depression hit. Looking at his hands, he felt colder.

“Fuck… I didn’t want to do this… I…”

He clutched his head. Memories of those he’d unintentionally hurt flooded back—their cold stares, their fear…

“No, no, no, calm down, calm down…”

He closed his eyes, rationalizing it before emotions took over. Cube wasn’t active—needing sleep like him—and was currently offline.

But the commotion woke Cube, who reappeared, seeing his master had killed humans and was conflicted.

“Master? Are you okay?”

“Cube? Where were you?!”

“I was sleeping…”

“…”

“Master, calm down. It’s alright—this is what you had to do! Were they coming for your life?”

“Yeah…”

“Then there’s nothing to feel sorry about. Please calm down.”

“Cube, am I a monster?”

“…No, of course not. You’re a Demigod, master.”

“Cut it out with that crap!”

“But…”

As Will argued with Cube—an entity only he could see or hear—Evelyn approached, horrified by the scene, finding Will on the floor, talking to himself.

“W-Will? Are you okay?”

“Ah… Yeah.”

“What happened?!”

“They came to kill me… So I… killed them.”

“That’s…”

Evelyn stepped back, terrified, stirring Will’s past traumas. He stood, heading to the bathroom as people edged away.

He heard her talking with others but didn’t bother listening. He didn’t care anymore.

“Haaa… Haaa…”

Will washed his face repeatedly with cold sink water until the blood was gone from his hands and face. His shirt was ruined, so he tossed it in the trash.

“I need a new shirt…”

Closing his eyes to sleep in the bathroom, he heard footsteps.

“Will? Are you here?”

It was Evelyn’s voice.

“Go away.”

“But… Are you really okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“You killed…”

“I know what I did.”

“Look, I’m sorry if I looked at you weirdly… I was just shocked. Those bastards were known criminals who haunted this mall! They even killed a granny before you got here! You did everyone a favor. The place will be safer now, you know?”

“…”

“Will…?”

“I want to be alone. Leave.”

“…Um, listen, some people outside said they know you.”

“What?”

“It’s a guy named Ralph and a girl without arms—she’s called Vivian.”

“They’re alive?”

“So you know them?”

“Yeah.”

“They wanted to talk with you. They were happy you’re here.”

“…”

Will closed his eyes.

“I want to sleep. Tell them we can talk tomorrow.”

“Oh… Okay.”

As Will tried to sleep, Cube stayed active, floating near him, scanning to ensure uninterrupted rest.

“Master… you were just a human a day ago… I suppose you’ve gone through a lot.”

Cube glanced at the floor briefly before resuming his duty.

…

Morning came, and Will woke to knocking on the locked bathroom door.

“Hey, Will! Are you there? Can you let us in? We need the bathroom, man.”

It was an unfamiliar voice—probably a few people needing it.

“You can use another place, right? You don’t have to use this damn bathroom, bro…”

“W-We can pay you! We’ve got food too! Just let us in, please!”

“Ah…”

Will yawned, washed his face, and ignored them for ten minutes before stepping out. Four men stood there.

“You got food?”

“Y-Yeah…”

They offered a bag of chips, a warm can of soda, and two chocolate bars.

“Thanks.”

Will let them in and walk off. He hadn’t meant to hog the bathroom, but the free food was welcome, so he took it.

If he’d “done everyone a favor,” as Evelyn said, he felt okay taking a little—not that he’d abuse it; that didn’t sit right with him.

Using magic, he cooled the soda and chugged it, the cold, sugary drink jolting his senses awake.

“Phew…”

As he sighed in relief, Cube appeared beside him.

“Master, you’ve completed some tutorial objectives. Rewards are waiting.”

“Really?”

“Yes, please check!”

“Alright.”

But then he paused.

“I didn’t gain any EXP from those thugs?”

“No, killing non-awakened humans doesn’t give rewards. But once they awaken, you can take their Tutorial Points and some EXP.”

“Hm… I bet a lot of bastards will abuse that later.”

“I wouldn’t call them that! Everyone will find their own way to survive in this new world, master. Not everyone’s as gifted as you.”

“Right… I suppose you’re not wrong.”

Will looked for Evelyn but didn’t see her. He headed to the convenience store, scavenging for food while checking the system windows.

[Congratulations, you have completed Phase 1 Tutorial Objective 3: Slay 10 Tier 1 or above Lifeforms: 10/10!]

[Please choose your Reward.]

[+3 Strength.]

[+3 Vitality.]

[+3 Magic Power.]

[+New Tier 1 Skill.]

“Hm?”

Four golden cards floated before him, each showing a reward he could pick.

“I can get a new skill just like that? Doesn’t it seem better than just two stats?” Will wondered.

“Stats are important. Sometimes getting stronger beats a new skill that might just drain more Mana, master,” Cube said.

“Hmm… Whatever.” Will shrugged, grabbing the New Skill Card.

It glowed brightly, turning into blue flames that enveloped his hand and flowed into his chest.

“Ugh?!”

A throbbing pain hit his chest, dropping him to his knees as he clutched it. The pain came from deep within his soul, like when he’d awakened his Demigod Class.

Then he saw it—inside him, power leaking from five sealed chains. An ethereal force flowed into his hand.

From his Divinity.

“What is this?”

Will gasped, seeing small will-o’-wisps flicker from his hand.

“Fire?!”

Cube was shocked too. He’d assumed Will’s parents were Sea Gods.

But this was fire!

Not ordinary fire but will-o’-wisps—flames of death, wielded only by beings tied to the Element of Death: liches, ghosts, skeletons, warlocks, and… Death Gods.

“Could one of your parents have been a God of Death, master? And a Sea God too… I see! A rare union—maybe why they feared persecution.”

“What?”

Will didn’t know what to think, staring at his hands as the cold flames faded.

[You have acquired the Skill: [Will-o’-Wisp (Tier 1)]: Manifest your Inner Divine Power and Mana, summoning will-o’-wisps for battle. These spiritual flames burn the soul of any living being they touch, draining their Lifeforce and Mana and transferring it to you. The more they burn, the better. However, without life force to burn, they vanish quickly. They cannot harm objects or undead.]

“I can use this to fight longer… Perfect.”

“Indeed! But be careful—they use a lot of Mana, master. Don’t waste them on small monsters. Target groups to drain them in masse or use them on big foes.”

“Good enough.”

[Congratulations, you have completed Phase 1 Tutorial Objective 4: Slay 2 Tier 2 or above Lifeforms: 2/2!]

[Please choose your Reward.]

[+3 Agility.]

[+3 Senses.]

[+3 Magic Power.]

[+1 Reinforced Equipment Piece.]

“Now it’s offering equipment…”

“Yes, all part of the tutorial! See? The System cares about your survival.”

“A reinforced piece is tempting, but…”

Will grabbed his chosen card. He felt a boost in magical ability and an increase in his Mana reserves.

[You have gained +3 Magic Power.]

[Your Mana reserves have increased.]

[The damage your Magic can deal has increased.]

[Your mastery over Magic manipulation has increased.]

“Now that I’ve got Will-o’-Wisp, I need more Magic Power.”

“Right! Good choice, master.”

“That’s it, right?”

“No, there’s one more!”

“What?”

[Congratulations, you have completed Phase 1 Tutorial Objective 5: Slay 1 Tier 3 or above Lifeform: 1/1!]

[Please choose your Reward.]

[+4 Strength.]

[+4 Dexterity.]

[+4 Magic Defense.]

[+1 Reinforced Weapon For Your Class.]

[+1 Magic Accessory With Great Utility.]

[+80% Skill Mastery of Choice.]

“Huh, that hobgoblin paid off more than I thought…” Will nodded. “What’s the last reward, though?”

“It means one skill of your choice gains 80% mastery! At 100%, skills can rank up with the right materials.”

“Interesting… I could tier up Aqua Hand with that… or take a weapon or accessory? Strength isn’t bad either.”

Will felt torn—too many good options!

“Hm, Cube, what do you suggest?”

“I’d go for Skill Mastery! Weapons change, and the Pseudo Divine Weapon Skill is fine for now, but tutorial weapons breakfast. The accessory’s tempting, but ‘useful’ could mean anything—even a ring that makes water, useless for you, master.”

“Right… Tiering up Aqua Hand, my most useful skill so far, matters more…”

Will took the card, assigning the mastery to Aqua Hand.

[Your Skill [Aqua Hand (Tier 1: 21%)] has gained +80% Skill Mastery!]

[The Skill has reached 100% Skill Mastery. You can now Tier Up your Skill.]

[Necessary Ingredients for Tier Up]:

[One Tier 2 Monster Core: 1/1]

[Ten Tier 1 Monster Cores: 10/10]

[One Water Spirit Stone: 0/1]

“Water Spirit Stone? That’s all I’m missing. Where do I get that?”

“Ahhh, tricky… Spirit Stones only spawn in areas with high Mana and Spirit Energy… Maybe near the goblin nest.”

“Alright, that’s reason enough to move.”

Will found some goodies under the counter—chocolate bars, caramel bars, and colorful candy bags.

Precious sugar and calories to keep going. He stashed them and, finding nothing else, left the store. Evelyn approached him.

“Ah! Will! Good morning, how are you?”

“Hm? Ah, I’m fine.”

“Ralph and Vivian are at the fast-food area! They’re waiting for you!”

Will considered ditching them—they were just spur-of-the-moment rescues.

But deep down, he felt it was wrong. Maybe he was pushing himself to be sociable, but he knew even he might need help in this world.

People weren’t just people anymore—they could awaken classes, wield magic, heal, and more.

“Alright.”

As they headed there, Evelyn glanced at Will’s bare, muscular chest.

“Uh, don’t you need a new shirt?”

“If it’ll just get ruined or break, I’ll go like this for now. It’s not like it was protecting me anyway.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong?”

“…Nothing.”

On the way, Will checked the Awakening Tutorial Objectives.

There hadn’t been this many before.

[Awakening Tutorial: Phase 1 Objectives.]

[Objective 1: Survive for 7 Days.]

[Objective 2: Slay a Tier 1 or above Lifeform: 1/1] (Complete!)

[Objective 3: Slay 10 Tier 1 or above Lifeforms: 10/10] (Complete!)

[Objective 4: Slay 2 Tier 2 or above Lifeforms: 2/2] (Complete!)

[Objective 5: Slay 1 Tier 3 or above Lifeform: 1/1] (Complete!)

[Objective 6: Slay 10 Tier 2 or above Lifeforms: 0/10] (In Progress…)

[Objective 7: ???]

[Objective 8: ???]

[Objective 9: ???]

[Objective 10: ???]

[New Objectives are revealed once you complete the previous one. Tutorial Phase 1 has ten objectives to turn any ordinary human into a formidable warrior capable of surviving Phase 2.]

“So they unlock as you go. Kind of annoying.”

He wished he could see them all—hiding them felt pointless—but it was likely just the System’s rules.

“Will! You came!”

Ralph’s voice greeted him. The young man sat in a plastic chair, with short brown hair, clear blue eyes, and pale skin.

His sister Vivian, beside him, had long red hair and the same eyes. She was taller and slimmer than Ralph’s stocky build.

“Yeah. I see you know my name now.” Will gave a faint smile.

“We heard about you once rumors spread—everyone’s talking about you,” Ralph laughed.

“Though they’re scared to even look at you… Sorry,” Vivian sighed.

“We’ve tried telling them you’re a good guy, but people still avoid you if they can…” Ralph added.

“It’s fine. Don’t bother. I don’t care. Have you awakened yet?” Will asked.

“N-No, since getting here, we haven’t done much…” Ralph sighed. “We’re… still processing everything.”

“Hm…” Vivian nodded. “We’re worried about Mom and Dad. We were on a trip home when this mess hit. The highway’s unusable now.”

“I see.” Will nodded. For a moment, he thought about leaving—they seemed useless. But part of him wanted them around, for some reason. “So you’re just going to stay here doing nothing? The world’s only getting worse. If you want to survive and find your family, you’ve got to fight back. This shelter won’t last either—six more days, then the Ward of Protection drops, and we’re all exposed again.”

“…Really?” Ralph asked. “Shit…”

“W-We thought it was a safe zone?” Vivian said.

“Forever?” Will raised an eyebrow. “Don’t be delusional… Nothing’s eternal here. Everything changes—for better or worse. If you won’t fight, I’ve got no use for you. Goodbye.”

Will didn’t want to waste time on people without the will to fight. He itched to hunt goblins and grow stronger.

His goals were survival, strength, and finding his parents—everything else was secondary.

“W-Wait!” Ralph stopped him. “Will, please wait…”

“What?” Will glanced back.

“We want to fight!” Vivian nodded. “W-We don’t have a choice, like you said…”

“Really? You could die,” Will said. “Your lives… aren’t my responsibility.”

“We know, but… please, can we go with you? If we just catch one of those bastards… maybe we can get stronger and help you?” Ralph asked.

“I mean, it’s better than waiting to die here… Stick with… the strong guy,” Vivian sighed, embarrassed to admit it.

They weren’t hiding their plan to survive by sticking close.

Will liked their honesty.

“Alright, but if you die, don’t blame me. Let’s go.”

“Wait, right now?!” Ralph asked.

“I’m leaving,” Will walked off.

“Shit! Okay, okay!” Ralph ran after him with Vivian, who shot him an annoyed look.

Evelyn watched silently.

She’d seen those green things tear people apart and was terrified of going outside.

But would she get another chance like this?

“Will, please let me join! I’ll fight! I’ve got this metal bat too!”

Evelyn ran up, and Will nodded, letting her tag along.

“Keep in mind,” he said as they reached the mall’s doors, “I don’t want burdens. I want competent fighters who can complement each other and survive with me. I’m not here to save you—we’ll help each other survive. Understood?”

“Y-Yeah!” Ralph nodded, clutching a knife.

“How do I even fight, though?” Vivian sighed. “Ugh.”

“Goblins are soft. Kick their heads till they die,” Will said. “I’ll help you get one. You kill it together and Awaken. That’s all I’ll do for free.”

“T-Thanks!” Ralph beamed. “You’re amazing, Will!”

“We don’t know what we’d do without you…” Vivian nodded, a small tear escaping.

“Y-Yeah?” Evelyn nodded, feeling out of place.

“Hm, just stay focused,” Will grumbled. “Some are lurking behind that car. Let’s go.”

Thanks to Cube, he pinpointed a trio of goblins scouting nearby.

They approached the car, but Will knew he’d scare them off…

They needed bait—someone defenseless-looking.

“I-I’ll go…” Vivian muttered.

“What?! But…!” Ralph cried.

“I’ve got no arms—how much more defenseless can I look? I-I can do it… as long as Will’s got my back,” Vivian said, showing bravery.

“Yeah, don’t worry,” Will nodded.

“Okay,” Vivian nodded, walking nervously and crying out.

“Aaaah! S-Someone… help… me?”

The goblins’ heads popped up from behind the car, then charged at her with shrieks.

“Gryaheheh!”

They laughed wickedly, brandishing knives as Vivian ran back to the group.

“T-They’re coming!”

As she passed them, the goblins’ eyes widened.

A hulking man emerged from behind a crashed car.

As they regretted their choices, Will’s hands conjured a water net, splashing over them.

“Gryyarrr!”

They thrashed, trying to break free as the water bound their limbs.

“H-He captured them so easily?!” Ralph gasped.

“Wow…” Evelyn muttered.

“Now’s our chance!” Vivian ran up and kicked a goblin’s head, crushing it with fury. “Die, you fucking piece of shit! You took my fucking arms!”

She unleashed her stress and anger, kicking until its face was mush and it stopped breathing.

“Huh?!”

Messages appeared, and a class list materialized.

“It’s true?! I can choose a class!”

“Really?!”

Ralph and Evelyn rushed in with their weapons, killing the other two goblins without hesitation. The creatures were so ugly and monstrous, they felt no guilt.

The same messages popped up for them, offering class choices.

“Alright, now pick your classes… Vivian, I’d recommend something to fight without arms or regain them,” Will said.

“Healer?” she asked.

“No…” Will said. “If I couldn’t regrow your limbs, you won’t either.”

He glanced at Cube, asking silently if there was a suitable class.

“The first magic you get shapes to your deepest needs or desires,” Cube explained. “If she picks magic and wants her arms back badly enough, she might get something to help… like makeshift arms.”

“Choose Magician,” Will said.

“Yep, figured as much…” Vivian nodded.

FLASH!

Red and golden light enveloped her, and a pointy hat appeared on her head.

“I get a hat?!”

Checking it, she saw stats and skills appear.

Two skills.

One manifested as a small, hand-shaped blue tattoo on her forehead.

“Rune of Casting? It was supposed to go on my right hand, but I’ve got none… so it’s on my head?!” Vivian wondered. “And… Spell Creation.”

“Well, there you go,” Will said. “Try something with it… And you two, what’ll you choose?”

“I-I think I’ll go healer, man. I don’t wanna die…” Ralph muttered. “A healer’s always useful, right?”

“Hm.” Will eyed Ralph, seeing a walking healing potion. A healer could save him Mana on self-healing, though he’d handle severe injuries himself. “A secondary healer’s not bad. And Evelyn?”

“I-I’ll go for… Uh, I’ve got a bat, so Warrior, I guess? But… I’m scared…” Evelyn muttered.

“Are you good at aiming?” Will asked.

“…No,” Evelyn sighed.

“Even so, go Archer—better than a shaky warrior who won’t act,” Will shrugged.

“Okay, boss, if you say so…” Evelyn nodded, unbothered by his bluntness—he wasn’t wrong.

In the end, Vivian chose Magician, Ralph chose Healer, and Evelyn picked Archer. Will liked support classes that’d complement his fighting style without needing frontline protection—hopefully.

“Arms, magic arms… Magic arms, magic arms… Come on.”

Vivian closed her eyes. Mana flowed from her, forming two long, noodle-like blue tendrils from her shoulders.

“Shit, these don’t look like arms! They’re tentacles?!” Vivian groaned, the tendrils flailing as she grumbled.

“Better than nothing.” Will chuckled.

“I got this bow… and arrows…” Evelyn said. “They just appeared out of nowhere…”

“What skills?” Will asked.

“Um, something called [Arrow Creation] and [Novice Archery],” Evelyn replied.

“I got nothing…” Ralph said, staring at his empty hands. “But there’s white light in them now… Hope it’s useful.”

“Evelyn, give the bat to Ralph,” Will said. “We’re testing your abilities now. Follow me.”

With Cube’s scans and his Sense Skill, Will found another group of five scouting goblins—plus…

“What’s that thing?!” Evelyn’s eyes widened.

“That’s a hobgoblin. Looks like they’re hunting humans,” Will said. “I’ll handle it. You three can take the five goblins easily.”

“Can we?!” Ralph asked. “Look, I’m a healer, so I can just… stay back and heal you guys later, right?”

“No, you’re fighting,” Will said, as Vivian nodded. “You’ve got the bat and healing magic. If you get stabbed, heal yourself and keep going.”

“T-That’s not how I imagined a healer works…” Ralph gulped.

“Alright, Ralph, we’re counting on you,” Evelyn teased with a smile.

“…Fucking hell.”

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Author's Note: Yeah I was able to somehow write a third chapter! This only happens when I am very inspired. I like this setting and there's a lot of great things coming. Though I might only be able to provide only one chapter weekly or none, so please don't expect a release schedule.