#34 A new special class?

"Ehm! As you know, all of us are here to attend to the problem of Rebel army's camps near the borders where Northern Tribes live..." The man sitting next to Esdeath cleared his throat to get rid of the awkward atmosphere created by me and Suzuka, then he proceeded to explain the situation.

Esdeath only looked at him with an annoyed expression before looking at me with a helpless smile. I returned the smile but it wasn't because of the same reason as her...

"*Hey handsome! What color is your favorite?" Mez whispered to me with a cheery childish-like tone and a big smile across her face.

...Is she flirting with me so openly?

I thought with a weird expression.

"*...Red*" I replied after a while of thinking because even I was unaware which color I like but I quickly chose the color I see a lot...Being an assassin most of your life makes you appreciate red color after a while. It's quite dangerous because back in my old world, I had times where I literally missed the color of blood but I was able to keep the urge in check. There were also people who weren't able to resist it so we had to kill even our own for the safety of other people. But no one inside that organization was a coward and most of the people who knew that aren't strong enough to resist it came to report it before fully succumbing to the illness.

"*Oh? Why the red of all colors? I mean, I see that you have a lot of in common but is there any specific reason.*" Suzuka immediately joined in our conversation when she heard "red".

...I am not sure if I should answer how I previously wanted but...it could also be used in a good way. There are a lot of bloodthirsty nobles who likes to play around in the arena to look at the fights to the deaths between Danger beasts and sentenced prisoners.

"*Yeah, the color of blood always fascinated me...*" I replied with a small smile when I directed my gaze at Suzuka.

"Oh?!" Suzuka's cheeks immediately flushed when she heard my answer together with a small smile.

...This is still giving me creeps but I will be in contact with those two for some time so I have to endure it, better get used to it very quickly.

"*Akashi, you don't look like regular noble yet it feels like you are trying to play to be like them...*" Mez ignored Suzuka and whispered to me with a curious look.

"*It's so obvious? That's right, I would rather sleep or fight than be here.*" I replied and showed her my regular expression for a swift moment.

---

'Whoa, he really means it, he looks more bored than me. But it's good that he likes fighting! I am slowly getting closer to him, I hope to see his fighting style during this mission.' Mez was slightly surprised by Akashi's regular expression but she quickly recovered and was glad that he wasn't the same as other nobles.

---

"*Then let's have some fun together once this boring meeting is over!*" Mez whispered with a small smile while touching her lower lip with her index finger. She didn't specify the "fun" so she is waiting for my reaction.

"*I don't know if there will be time for that...There is also Esdeath who wants to spar with me too.*" I replied and redirected my attention back to the man who was explaining the plan.

Mez and Suzuka no longer asked me anything but I could feel their gazes on me, especially Suzuka's gaze.

---

Class: Warrior (Lv. 7, +10 Str, +6 Const, +1 Agi, +1 Cha) 210/640 XP

Special Class: Fire Monarch (Lv. 9; +18 Cha, +16 Int, +12 Const, +6 Str) 124/2560 BXP

<Stats>

[Strength: 27 (53)]

[Agility: 33 (49)]

[Intelligence: 32 (57)]

[Constitution: 30 (48)]

[Charisma: 25 (48)]

Free Stat points: 35

Classes: Young Noble (Lv. 4; +5 Cha) 12/80 XP,

Passive Classes: Assassin (Lv. 10; +15 Agi, +9 Int, +6 Str, + 4 Cha)

Special Classes:

---

Hmm, my special class is close to getting to perfection if LVL 10 is maximum for special class. I have been thinking for some time already...what is a condition for unlocking a new special class? The first class was unlocked immediately after I used my fire manipulation to kill my enemy. But how can I unlock a new special class? Is there perhaps a certain number of stats required to unlock it?

Hmm...I already have an assassin class which gave me some good skills for movement but I have yet to obtain any good skills for my power or endurance. I mean, [Overwhelm] I got from warrior class is pretty good but I would like to have something involving tenacity.

Well...let's try it out. I have nothing to lose since I am not even using those free stat points.

[Strength: 27 -> 40 (66)]

[Constitution: 30 -> 40 (58)]

[Agility: 33 -> 40 (56)]

Free Stat points: 35 -> 5

[Health: 610/610]

*Ding* [You have been granted permission to unlock a new special class. You must find out how to unlock it on your own]

...Tch, I need to do everything myself but at least it worked as I wanted. Anyway...getting so many points in strength out of nowhere makes me want to punch someone's head off of their shoulders.

This feeling...even though I haven't unlocked it yet, I can feel how bloodthirsty this special class is and how crazy it is. I have urge to attack Esdeath, Suzuka, and Mez due to feeling their strong aura.

I have to keep it in check!

I had to hide my face with my palm due to a wide crazy smile slowly forming itself on my face. Even my eyes started to glow a bit.

Thankfully, no one noticed my change except for the mentioned trio.

Esdeath looked at me with a surprised expression but when she felt my aura getting stronger each second, she also formed a wide smile and excited expression appeared on her face.

---

'Oho?! What a scary expression but he looks even tastier that way!" Mez immediately smiled after seeing Akashi's change and since she was so close to him, she was able to feel his bloodlust that he was trying to keep in check.

As for Suzuka...her entire face was red while she was looking at Akashi with a crazy expression.

'I have to make him torture me with that crazy smile of his!' Suzuka thought while she was having a problem with breathing due to excitement.

---

.

.

.

After a while, I was finally able to calm down.

"Anyway, that's everything. We are expected to move out in 1 hour and the leader of the entire operation will be Esdeath-sama." The man finally finished his explanation and politely pointed at Esdeath with a face filled with respect.

"Everyone can get out, we will meet up right in front of the Capital in 30 minutes. Don't be late!" Esdeath said loudly and everyone politely nodded their heads and quickly got out of the room.

"Akashi, do you need to go somewhere or are you ready to go?" Mez stretched her back and arms and then asked me as she rested her arm over my shoulder with a smile.

"Well, I don't have anything to do for another 30 minutes so I thought of buying a few snacks." I said with a stoic face while looking at her face that was dangerously close.

"Ehm! Can you stop that behavior? If not, I will just send you back to the Kouken temple." Esdeath cleared her throat aloud and threatened Mez while coldly glaring at her.

"...Hmph, fine, let's go, Akashi, Suzuka!" Mez glared for a few seconds at Esdeath before answering and snapping her head to the side and then childishly dragging both of us towards the door.

...When did I become their friend?

I had a confused expression on my face while being dragged away by Mez who changed into childish behavior.

Is this girl really one of the Rakshasa Demons...? I can understand that masochist but Mez is...whatever.

As we were about to leave room...

"Wait! I still have something to discuss with Akashi. You two can go." Esdeath said with a calm expression.

"Hah?! You-" Mez finally lost it and was ready to burst out.

"Mez, let's go." Suzuka sensed the potential danger so she dragged Mez out of the room and before she closed the door, she winked at me.

...I wonder if she was afraid to fight Esdeath or the fact that she can send both of them away...but judging from her personality...I guess it's the latter.

"Is everything alright?" Esdeath asked me while I was still looking at the closed door.

"What do you mean?" I turned at her and asked with a puzzled expression.

"...That change for a few minutes. What was that?" She asked with furrowed brows. She was talking about my change right after I assigned my free stat points.

"It's nothing to worry about. Anyway, I am quite surprised...to think that little girl I have met before is going to become someone feared in the Empire's army..." I said with a small smile to change the subject.

"... a little girl. You better watch your tongue, I am your superior right now plus I am also older than you." She muttered with an absent-minded expression before warning me with narrowed eyes.

"Yeah? And what are you going to do, little girl? Are you going to expel me from this operation? If yes, please do..." I said with a wide smile, trying to provoke her even more.

At least I won't have to spend a few nights around that masochist...Although I am slowly starting to reconsider who is worse, Mez or Suzuka...that's the question.

Mez is quite childish and easygoing but the way she openly flirts with me is kinda weird...Also, there is one thing...she reminds me of someone with her blonde hair and green eyes...I will have to ask her later.

"Oh? You are pretty confident to go so openly against your superior. Maybe a little punishment is needed here!" She replied with a smile and disappeared from her seat, appearing above me ready to thrust her fist at me.

"I don't think this is a good place for a fight but I won't pay for anything broken here so whatever." I said with a smile, shrugging my shoulders and then I proceed to block her punch with my right hand and thrust my own left hand at her face.

She easily dodged my punch by tilting her head to the side with a small smile and then she kicked out her leg towards my head. I ducked to dodged her kick and immediately tried to trip with my own leg.

She jumped up and kicked towards my face once again. I dodged by rolling backward, therefore her leg met only air.

"You are good but not good enough to be able to call me little girl" She said with a provoking smile.

I smiled a little after seeing her obvious provocation.

"Yeah? Then get ready!" I shouted at her with and draw my fist, ready to punch.

This greatly confused her since the distance between us was too great for me to punch her from such distance.

I threw a punch and at the same time...[Phantom Strike]

[Energy: 1095/1115]

I appeared in front of Esdeath with my fist already coming towards her stomach.

"?! Tch!" Her eyes opened wide in shock when she saw my speed and with no time to dodge, she crossed her arms in front of her to block the incoming fist.

When my fist connected...

"Guh." She lowly groaned and was sent sliding on the floor a few meters away from me.

---

'I didn't expect that he would have such strength...I blocked his punch only half-heartedly, resulting in my arms going numb.' Esdeath looked at her arms that were hanging from her body like she was unable to move them.

'Despite his reflexes and speed, he is also extremely strong and I underestimated him due to his age.' Esdeath directed her gaze at Akashi who was calmly standing still with his hands behind his back.

---

"It seems that I was underestimated" I saw through it because her defense was really lacking for someone of her strength.

"I guess I should apologize for this, no one likes to be underestimated." She said with a small smile.

*Creak!* Someone opened the door and peeked inside.

"Esdeath-sama is everything alright?!" It was the guard who was responsible for guarding this room.

"Yes, leave us alone!" Esdeath's arms already recovered so she gestured for the guard to leave.

"No problem, I am already used to it." I said with a smile and closed eyes when the guard left.

"I guess a lot of people met their misery due to that mistake, right?" She asked with a wide smile.

"Well, a fair amount of them, hehe" I replied with a creepy laugh.

-----END-----

[Name: Akashi Phoenix (Age: 12)

Title: King of Sloth

Class: Warrior (Lv. 7, +10 Str, +6 Const, +1 Agi, +1 Cha) 210/640 XP

Special Class: Fire Monarch (Lv. 9; +18 Cha, +16 Int, +12 Const, +6 Str) 124/2560 BXP

[Health: 610/610]

[Energy: 1095/1115]

<Stats>

[Strength: 40 (66)]

[Agility: 40 (56)]

[Intelligence: 32 (57)]

[Constitution: 40 (58)]

[Charisma: 25 (48)]

Free Stat points: 5

Classes: Young Noble (Lv. 4; +5 Cha) 12/80 XP,

Passive Classes: Assassin (Lv. 10; +15 Agi, +9 Int, +6 Str, + 4 Cha)

Special Classes:

ACTIVE SKILLS:

[Absolute Dominance - When facing the formidable foe, show no fear, instead show your arrogance. + 55% to every stat, fire intensity, and explosiveness]

[Phantom Strike - Blink towards your enemy, the maximum distance is decided by your Agility (20 energy)] (Assassin)

[Sun's judgment - Summon smaller sphere from the sky in the form of a meteor, scorching anything in its path. (150 Energy)]

[Overwhelm - Strengthens the power of your next attack by 40% (30 Energy)] (Warrior)

PASSIVE SKILLS:

[Child of Fire - Flames love you as its own child. You are protected by the fire itself, whenever someone uses long-ranged attacks, flames will protect your body from projectiles even without your consciousness but you can still stop them if you want. This isn't ultimate defense!]

[Contempt for the Weak - Whenever you kill a human, your intimidating aura strengthens. Making possible for your aura alone to change the temperature and gravity around you. With enough deaths, it's possible to even extend the range of your aura, crushing bones of the entire army just by your aura. 34/? (As the name suggests, works only on weak)]

GOLD: 6710

SILVER: 214