The Awakening of Something New

Akiol raised an eyebrow, a hero's chosen legacy item? The last person he remembered with such a class was Stabbed. However the name was different. So he did the first thing that came to mind.

Akiol: Kan'na, you're familiar with the games story line aren't you?

Kan'na: A little more than the average person, why?

Akiol: Who is Ginale?

Kan'na: Ginale? She was one of the past heroes.

Akiol: Any more information?

Kan'na: Well as the stories tell, there were nine heroes, one for every class. Their quest seems to change slightly with every region, but it usually remains the same. They were tasked to defeat or save something. Ginale was the priest of the group.

Yielya: Ayy

Akiol: Nine? Why such an odd number?

Yielya: I found a few books that mentioned a tenth, but the information is so vague I wrote it down as a rumor.

Akiol: Well tossing that aside I want to host a meeting. Is everyone free?

Kan'na: Yeah. . .

Tilia: I will be in a few minutes!

Yielya: Finally! Something to do!

Jarvis: I don't know when I will be free, it should be within the next few hours. If it's not super important do it without me.

Wrock: I am!

Akiol looked up from the group chat and stared at Wrock.

"What?" Wrock lifted his hands in an innocent gesture.

. . .

Five of the six party members sat around a table. Akiol personally assumed Jarvis was searching or making friends with some monster.

Akiol rapped the table with his knuckle to gather attention, "I have a little something, Yielya this probably suits you best. I do ask you share with everyone though."

He handed her the pink lotus. Upon inspecting the lotus her eyes widened, "Wait, what?! How did you even obtain this?"

"Trade secret." Wrock joked.

"I'll explain it later, though I should mention that everyone is waiting."

Yielya sent a screenshot in the group chat. Everyone read it, their eyes similarly widened. Tilia leaned over to Akiol and spoke silently, "Do you know how valuable this is?"

Akiol made a so-so gesture, "I have seen someone else with a similar class."

Tilia sighed and sat down, her party members were crazy! While it was always the case before, she didn't expect it to carry on!

Akiol was about to say something when a thought struck him, "Wrock, we are still in that area from the guilds aren't we."

Wrock smile dropped, "We left too."

The two sighed, "You guys have fun with that. We have something to deal with."

They quickly bade farewell and logged off. It was a little embarrassing, the two escaped the scene and left the guilds to clean up. When the two took the helmets off and walked back into the lounge they noticed it was empty.

"They might still be fighting." Wrock mentioned.

"Or they're outside."

They left the lounge and saw the main room with a lack of people. There was a few people watching some of the TVs. Upon closer inspection it was someone's viewpoint of the fighting.

"Still fighting."

"Yep."

"Should we leave?"

"That might be for the best."

The two left the building, no one stopped them. The receptionist simply unlocked the doors and bade farewell. As soon as the two were a good distance away Akiol took a deep breath, "We escaped. The awkwardness after the battles would've been painful."

"It didn't help you were on the verge of collapsing."

"That's true, I didn't expect a self destruct."

"How did you manage to survive that by the way?"

Akiol told Wrock his experiences. Wrock had forgotten the scarf. It became a part of Akiol's character, something that would be overlooked.

The two made it to the spot they originally met up at. They went their own directions, back to their homes.

. . .

Yielya used the legacy item. Her class changed and with it she gained a few unique abilities and stat bonuses. First of all was [Hero's Spirit]

[Hero's Spirit: Ginale

The spirit of the hero aids you.]

The skill description was vague, but truthful. After experimenting Yielya found out the spirit would appear to mimic her every other action. Meaning when she uses a healing skill twice, the spirit would heal a third time.

Additionally it would heal Yielya if her health reached critical, occasionally ridding of debuffs as well.

The spirit itself looked like a beautiful girl, an air of grace and gentleness followed her actions. Dressed in white priest clothing. However her face was covered by a blank mask.

Next was a priest type Berserk Skill, [God's Priest]. A priest type Berserk Skill was much different from the others. Unlike most, all Priest Berserk Skills have no backlash. In exchange the only attributes that get increased are the Prayer and Intellect stats, along with their cooldown being a longer time.

[God's Priest

Chosen by the goddess of healing you gain a strong holy power.

Cost:

None

Effects:

x3 buff to Prayer and Intellect

+80% to healing values

Time limit: 3 minutes

Extra Skill:

{The Chosen Priest Ginale: Mimics your every skill used. When nearing death gain a further boost of x2 to Prayer and Intellect.}

After effects:

None]

Yielya was especially pleased with this skill, it was a massive increase to healing after all!

Aside from these two she obtained a few healing skills and an increase to all stats, roughly an 80% increase. Her stats skyrocketed and she was most likely the strongest healer.

And so, time traveled by. The party got together every now and then to level, but besides that their in-game lives remained somewhat uneventful.

~ ~ ~

After two weeks...

Travis clenched his sword, he was nervous. The two weeks had flown past. He spent the entire time focusing on improving himself. Only stopping to take care of his living needs.

He felt like he improved, he knew that he improved. He could feel it. His sword's movements were sharper, more clear. He found it easier to determine his opponents movements. Even in real life he noticed that he was eliminating unnecessary movement.

He faced Dimitrin, "No matter the result, I truly thank you for this."

Dimitrin snorted, "Then prove to me it wasn't a waste of my time."

"Yes!"

Flinnder appeared through the black square, he surveyed the area and smiled. It was the first time Travis had seen him these past few weeks. Travis grip grew tighter. This was it, if he didn't show good results his hard work would disappear.

Flinnder walked over, "It has been the agreed time. . . are you ready candidate?"

Travis grit his teeth, "As I'll ever be."

Flinnder grinned, "Good! Good. Now of course you must be wondering, how am I going to test you."

Flinnder gave a wicked smile, "You're going to fight me of course!"

Travis heart dropped, he only improved his skill over two weeks of time. His EXP remained stagnant, he grew no stronger in terms of stats.

Flinnder waved a finger, "Ah but wait, with a snap of my fingers you would be as good as dust! So I will of course hold back, I do hope your ready. . ."

Travis' eyes narrowed, he relaxed his grip slightly to get comfortable.

"Because the test begins. . . now!"

Flinnder moved at far greater speeds than Travis had seen. He saw a hand move towards his head and jerked his head to the side. Flinnder's hand left a deep gash on his mask, even though he dodged the attack.

"Excellent! The you from before would have died. Now how long do you think you can keep going?"

Flinnder continued attacking, his hands were extremely quick. Travis had an extremely hard time dodging.

Seeing an opening Travis swung his sword. Only to see it stopped between two fingers. Flinnder grinned, "Not bad not bad! However you're still a bit naive."

Travis forced the blade to move down slightly and used [Abyssal Shift] releasing it from Flinnder's grasp. Once it was free he placed a [Mark of Return] behind Flinnder.

Flinnder began another flurry of attacks, this time it was faster. Since he was unable to dodge fully Travis used his sword to block the attacks he couldn't dodge.

Travis knew that if he didn't switch to offensive he would be unable to pass. Triggering the [Mark of Return] he began his own flurry of attacks immediately.

Flinnder used a single hand to block the attacks. Flinnder then caught the sword with his fingers. Pushing the air with extreme strength Travis was sent flying back.

"Ah that's a bit disappointing. I must say I expected more."

Travis stood back up, his fighting spirit ignited further.

"You failed to land a hit on me. How am I supposed to give you a passing grade with these poor results?"

Travis clenched his jaw, he wouldn't lose here. His everything, the suffering he dealt with in his past lifetime. The betrayal. He wouldn't let it just die here, he wouldn't let everything he built up be demolished in front of him!

A dark mist surrounded him, it was none other than [Abyss Release]. He charged forward unleashing [Abyssal Domain]. With his improved stats he fought even fiercer.

His sword swung through the air. His attacks carrying more purpose, his blood sweat and tears he spilled to build his skill to this point. His sword showed it all.

Flinnder's eyes narrowed, he was actually quite pleased with the improvement. It was the fastest he had seen anyone improve. However it wasn't enough compared to the other candidates.

Flinnder continued to block, however this time he used two hands. This gave Travis a boost of adrenaline, he was doing it.

However four minutes of straight combat passed and Travis failed to dent Flinnder's clothing. Travis was beginning to fill with despair. It seemed like nothing would work.

Flinnder noticed this and became disappointed, with more force he pushed away the sword and gave a sharp jab into Travis' stomach.

Travis was sent crashing into a wall. Flinnder dusted his hands off and spoke disapprovingly, "That's it? Your increase of strength? Your determination? Where'd it all go?"

Travis' heart clenched, he had spent all this effort. For what?

He freed himself from the rubble, bleeding. A chunk of his mask broke off from the fight. In the missing spot Travis' eye could be seen. A fire burning brighter than ever before.

All the effort? It was for him, for his future. He wouldn't let it go to waste, he swore to change his future. He sword to never be pushed around! He wouldn't let it be taken from him, not again!

Woooom~

A pressure began to release from Travis. Flinnder noticed this and looked at it astonishingly, "He's. . . weakening me?"

Travis dashed forward, he was going to put all he had in this last strike. He sword slashed through the air silently. A dark line following its path.

Woooosh-!

The line thinned out and the air reacted violently, knocking over several objects. Travis was behind Flinnder, he sword gripped in his hand.

Flinnder gave a grin, for on his collar. . .

There was a small tear.