CHAPTER 7: A New Classification
The Gift of the Dungeon was a title that, in truth, rolled beautifully off the tongue. It sounded prestigious and ancient. However, much like the others, it suffered from a lack of clarity. Edard reasoned that if he truly understood the mechanical difference between being a Conqueror and an Archaic Conqueror, he might have reached for it instantly. But in this world of mysteries, he could not afford to bet his life on a title he didn't understand.
Then, there was the final choice: The Gift of the Fallen.
On the surface, it too was shrouded in vagueness. Yet, in another sense, it needed no explanation at all. If we look back at Edard's journey so far, he had already acquired four Major Classifications. He had tasted their power; even the two minor skills he had unlocked beneath them had elevated his status, filling him with a fierce confidence and a sense that he could achieve things he once wouldn't have dared to dream of, even in his sleep.
Therefore, this gift commanded his full attention. If it meant gaining another Major Classification of that caliber, he had to have it. Furthermore, choosing a Major Classification meant he would eventually unlock a minor technique beneath it. He imagined a power on the same tier as Dimensional Annihilation.
The system called it Kinetomancy.
Drawing from the education he had received at Bayero University—specifically his studies in astronomy and the physical sciences—Edard knew that "Kinetic" and "Kineto" were inextricably linked to force and motion. In the world of astronomers, this was the realm of Gravity.
Could this be a power that allows me to manipulate gravity itself? The thought sent a jolt through him. Imagine the sheer dominance: the ability to control objects from a distance without ever laying a finger on them. A deep, hungry desire for this Classification took root in his heart.
Edard looked over the gifts one last time. He opened his mouth to ask the elder for one more clarification, but the old man cut him off before a single word could escape.
"You will receive no further explanations," the elder rasped. "Your time is up."
Caught in the vice of the ticking clock, Edard could no longer delay. He closed his eyes tight and made his choice: The Gift of the Immortal and The Gift of the Fallen. He prayed silently that he would live long enough to see these gifts bear fruit—that his minutes wouldn't run out before he even had the chance to activate them.
Before he could even process his choices, the glowing boxes at the edge of his vision—the ones that had been flickering like lightning—demanded his attention.
The first box informed him that he had acquired a new gift: he had learned a language known as the Immortal Tongue. This was not merely a new way to speak; it was a catalyst. The acquisition of this language caused his Interracial Communication ability to improve.
Edard let out a slow breath of realization. He was beginning to see the pattern: whenever he utilized a skill—or encountered something related to them—their capability improved. This new language had pushed his communication abilities to a level where his understanding of this world's mechanics was becoming even sharper.
Then, the Immortal Dais flickered with a congratulatory message:
Edard's mind whirled. Steal anything? Does that mean their skills? Their life force? Their very possessions? He didn't have time to ponder the morality of it. Beneath that box, another appeared:
Edard didn't waste a heartbeat. He slammed "Yes" for both the siphoning technique and the Classification. The power of the Violet Rose, the art of Kinetomancy, began to manifest before his eyes.
Immortal Dais informed him that to reach Level 2, he would need to sacrifice one hour of his longevity. Edard almost laughed at the irony. He didn't have an hour. He had mere minutes. If he had an extra hour, he wouldn't waste it on a skill upgrade; he would use it to keep his heart beating.
However, one detail brought him immense joy: this new Classification provided him with a new skill slot.
When he had first seen his Lightning Elementalist classification, he had been frustrated by the "locked" status and the requirement to seek a contract from a Master of Lightning. But Kinetomancy was different. It was ready. It was active. And it gave him a fresh slot to fill, even though his previous acquired skill slots (Spiritual Sense and Status Key) were already full.
As Edard was reviewing these notifications, he suddenly realized the air in the cave had changed. He looked up, and his blood ran cold.
The cave was empty.
The ancient man was gone. The massive serpents, the white fox, and the giant lion—all had vanished as if they were ghosts dissolved by the morning sun. He was entirely alone in the silence of the mountain.
"Thank you, old man," Edard whispered, though there was no one to hear him. He quickly turned his attention to the minor skills available under the Violet Rose classification. He knew the rule: he could choose only one, and once chosen, there was no turning back.
Edard didn't hesitate as much this time. For a fighter who used Dimensional Annihilation—a skill that required him to get dangerously close to his enemies—Violet Barrier seemed like the logical choice. He needed a shield.
But then, he paused. If he only focused on close-range combat, he would be helpless against a long-range master. He imagined the experts who kept their enemies at a distance, picking them off with spells while staying perfectly safe. If he couldn't close the gap, he would die.
He pushed Violet Barrier aside. This left Violet Crush and Violet Float.
Making an enemy float so they couldn't balance was a good trick, but it felt like a roundabout way to win—like a "cheat" that didn't guarantee a kill. Why play games when you can simply crush them? If he could pin an enemy to the earth with the weight of the world, he wouldn't need to chase them.
Edard made his choice: Violet Crush.
<+1 Strength>
<+1 Intelligence>
<+1 slot for acquired skills>
Edard had one Attribute Point remaining from his Dragon Breath classification. He looked at his stats.
He had speed, and his "Clone Acceleration" helped there. He had mental prowess and physical strength, both of which were bolstered by his Classifications. But there was one stat that none of his major powers seemed to touch: Resistance.
Resistance was his physical durability—his ability to take a hit and keep moving, to reduce the damage his body suffered in the heat of battle. He knew that in this dangerous world, he couldn't dodge every blow. He placed the point into Resistance. Immediately, a warm, soothing heat spread through his limbs before settling into his skin.
Edard stood in the empty cave, finally beginning to understand the truth of his situation. This world was a world of magic, the very thing he had searched for his entire life. He felt, for the first time, that he truly had a chance to demand the truth about his existence.
He now understood that skills came in different forms:
Major Classifications: Inherited through blood or gifted by legends.
Minor Techniques: Skills unlocked beneath each Classification.
Acquired Skills: Skills triggered by actions or events, like his sensing and analysis abilities.