As Raymond maneuvered through the crowded streets towards the martial quarter clutching a letter in her hands, she heard only one topic of conversation that was being repeated everywhere.

“New Overseer…. a new Tether… Evelyn Raymond… Legion… monster god…”

The predominant question on everyone's mind, including Raymond’s, was:

What does this mean?

Raymond turned her attention away from the conversations as she pondered about her next class. She already had much more information than the masses did about the recent development so she figured there wasn’t much more to learn by listening in.

Eileen had told her the details about each of the five available classes. As interesting as Dragoon and Samurai sounded, the Empire of the Dragon King was hundreds of miles away and she didn’t want to wait that long to start progressing again.

Warrior was a kind of jack-of-all-trades martial fighter. They were pretty much a better version of the Fighter class that specializes in using all kinds of weapons.

Berserker sounded incredibly appealing. A raging storm that cleaves through the enemy. An all offensive class with little defense. At first, Raymond had been leaning towards that idea because of her already maxed defensive stats.

But then she learned about the Guardian class.

Guardians were referred to as ‘tanks’ in this world. They protected allies from damage by absorbing it. Naturally, since people in this world were not as durable as Raymond was the class came with some hefty defensive skills.

First, it came with a new defensive stat. This was extremely appealing because it should be auto-maxed when Raymond acquired it.

Additionally, there were two skills in particular that Raymond was extremely interested in… Steel Skin and Tide Shift. The first one would make her defense ability go through the roof. The second would allow her to turn her defensive stats into offensive power. She would be able to get Steel Skin at Guardian level 18 and Tide Shift at level 30. Simultaneously, at level 30 she would unlock her first multiclass slot.

Basically, Berserker could come later but she really wanted those two abilities as soon as possible.

Finally, she suspected that Guardian would be the best way to capitalize on her defensive stats. She could simply be a more durable Berserker… or she could be an unstoppable force and an immovable object.

Needless to say, words such as 'unstoppable' and 'immovable' moved her to choose the final option.

She turned the corner and walked through an archway into the martial quarter. The Guardian trainer was supposed to be in the fields at this time of day. The sun was firmly in the sky and the steady clanging of clashing swords reached Raymond’s ears as she walked into the quarter.

She followed the sound to a large open field where men and women in armor were facing off against each other, dueling. Notably, she saw none of the colored lights indicating the usage of spells… they were all fighting with their raw ability and nothing else.

A whistle sounded from the side and Raymond followed the sound to see three previously unnoticed figures observing the duelists. The one in the center towered over the other two.

“Break for lunch!” the one in the center shouted. All the of duelists immediately stopped fighting. Many fell back onto the ground in relief and exhaustion while others simply stared around as if dazed.

A handful of people moved towards a large pavilion that emitted a strange, unappetizing smell.

Raymond approached the three observers, assuming them to be the trainers.

“What’s a little girl doin' wanderin’ round these parts?” the man on the right said, giving her a pointed glare.

The other two focused their eyes on Raymond as well, confusion evident in their gazes.

Raymond gave them a half smile as she held up the letter she’d received from Eileen. “I’m looking for Siegfried, the Guardian trainer. I’ve got a letter of recommendation from Eileen.”

All three trainers froze. The giant in the center stepped away from the other two and reached for the letter.

“I’m Siegfried.” he said. His voice was a low rumble. Observing him from up close, she saw that he had blue eyes and dark hair. A thick scar ran from his chin to his left ear. He wore heavy plate armor and had a huge shield draped across his back.

Raymond gave him the letter and waited patiently as he opened and read it.

A minute later, he grunted as he tore the letter into small pieces.

“She wants me to advance your class without a status appraisal? I admit, it’s not the strangest request I’ve received from her but it’s still difficult.”

“How so?” Raymond asked.

“If I advance your Guardian class, my name will be attached to yours. If you use your new abilities in an evil or oppressive way, I will lose just as much face as you do. Asking me to take that risk without knowing anything about you…”

Raymond grimaced. Without a doubt, her path was bound to put her at odds with the human race as things currently stood. In other words, granting her this class would probably ruin this man’s life.

Oh well.

“So if I promise to only use it for good and to protect people then there’s no problem right?” she asked sweetly.

Siegfried frowned. “I have a better idea. Duel me.”

“...”

Siegfried walked across the field, moving his hand through the air in front of him. His plate armor disappeared, as did the shield on his back.

Raymond hesitantly moved to stand across from him. Facing him, she felt very small. He had nearly four feet on her in height and a lot more rippling muscle on his arms and legs.

She had no idea how she was supposed to beat him… but she would be damned if she didn’t try. She bent her knees slightly, preparing to leap forward.

Siegfried saw her movement and smiled.

“Begin.” he rumbled.

Raymond leaped forward like an arrow, her fist already raised to strike. Siegfried stood unwavering as the small girl approached. He raised an arm and took her punch in the palm of his hand, feeling out the force.

He grunted in surprise. This little girl was definitely not normal. He estimated her strength to be around 23 to 25… a value no mere human fighter could reach if this were her first class. Her speed was also incredible… she was moving as fast as a rogue or a ranger.

Raymond spun, whipping her left fist in a backhand towards Siegfried’s face. He caught her arm with his other hand and spun. The world spun as Raymond sailed through the air before crashing into the ground. She pushed herself to her feet, feeling for any serious injuries. Her wrist was bruised and her side hurt, but she was okay.

She turned and faced Siegfried warily. He hadn’t moved from his original standing position.

Raymond growled slightly as she ran forward. This time instead of leaping she went for a low strike. She punched out with her right arm and smiled as he raised his left arm to block. She grabbed the arm and jumped slightly. She swung under his arm and up the other side, releasing her grip as she reached the peak of the arc, her body perpendicular to his arm and her feet aimed towards the sky.

She saw his free hand moving towards her and she pushed up, righting her body in midair as she fell towards his face.

“Devastate!” she snarled, hooking her left hand forward.

Just before her hand made contact with his face, she felt the air around them harden slightly. His face went stiff and her eyes widened as she realized what skill he had just used.

Her fist contacted the hardened surface of Steel Skin, shattering every bone in her left hand and wrist. Raymond grimaced as she kicked off of the man and leaped back to a safe distance.

“Damn…” she attempted to use her Body Shifter trait to move the bone fragments back together, but no dice. She probably needed higher ranks in the trait for something of that level.

She returned her attention to Siegfried. He had a contemplative look as he observed Raymond, his eyes flashing between her clearly damaged armor and her face.

“Are you done?” he rumbled.

Raymond laughed. “Of course not.” She ran forward, ignoring the flaring pain in her arm. She punched out with her right arm.

“Power Strike!” she shouted. Her fist glowed purple and Siegfried raised a single hand to block the blow. She reached out, but instead of punching his hand she grabbed his left wrist. Siegfried grunted in surprise as she jumped and released the power strike, launching her around him.

She felt the bones in her arm crack with the force, but she held on until she was behind Siegfried. Then she hooked her left foot around. “Devastate!”

Her foot took Siegfried in the side, causing him to stumble. He fell to one knee. Unfortunately, she was finding it difficult to follow up. Her foot broke from the impact and she fell to the ground.

Indomitable will was great and all but without functioning limbs it was still pretty hard to move.

Devastate is now level 2! Damage increased by 5%

Siegfried rose back to his feet and looked down at Raymond’s crumpled form. His eyes showed both confusion and intrigue as he reached down and picked up Raymond. He started moving back towards the other trainers. One of them had already produced a pair of red potions.

“Little girl, color me impressed. This has to be what, your third class? Obviously, you’re not a Monk or your bones wouldn’t have shattered. With your strength and dexterity, maybe a high-level Berserker and Rogue or Ranger?”

Raymond grunted in response. Now that she wasn’t fighting, the pain in her arms and legs was starting to bother her. It wasn’t unmanageable but it was annoying.

“What’s your Endurance…” she muttered, “That Steel Skin was hard.”

Siegfried chuckled. “My Endurance is unnaturally high. It’s in the low thirties. That’s why my Steel Skin is the hardest on this side of the continent.”

Raymond snickered. Not for long.

“With your skill set, I admit I am confused as to why you want to be a Guardian. Your Endurance can’t be high enough if your other stats are so inflated.”

Raymond shrugged. “My Endurance is pretty high.” she replied nonchalantly.

“Oh? Well, aren’t you a bundle of surprises then. I have no idea how you got so strong as such a young age but I suppose it’s not really all that special.”

“What do you mean?” Raymond asked curiously.

“Well, ‘cause of Prince Doug, of course. 14-years old, a Tether and already in his 2nd tier class.”

Raymond nodded as if she knew what he was talking about.

They reached the other trainers and Siegfried gently set Raymond down on the ground. They poured the red potions into her mouth and she swallowed. Her arms and leg itched as they started putting themselves back together.

A moment later, she was fully healed.

“Thanks…” she mumbled as she sat up, looking at the circle of intrigued faces.

Siegfried reached a hand out. She accepted it and he helped her to her feet.

“I’ve always found that fighting is the best way to get the measure of a person. You have conviction and I have a feeling that you will be very strong one day. With Eileen’s recommendation, I would be honored to have my name attached to the deeds you will undoubtedly accomplish in the name of righteousness.”

Raymond smiled.

Siegfried paused for a moment, looking at some invisible screens. Then a notification appeared in front of Raymond.

Siegfried the Grandmaster Guardian has offered you the Tier 1 Guardian class.

Accept? Y/N

Raymond selected ‘yes’. She felt a surge of power run through her body, warming her insides for a moment as something changed within her.

A new series of blue screens appeared.

Guardian class unlocked!

Fighter class has been replaced.

Congratulations, you are now a level 10 Guardian!

Guardian skills: Shield Slam and Provoke have been unlocked!

Shield Slam is now level 1!

Provoke is now level 1!

New defensive stat ‘Magic Resistance’ has been unlocked!

Requirements: Hold a Tier 1 defensive class.

Raymond smiled. This stat was the reason Siegfried had been able to tank her skills with his bare hands. It was also the biggest reason she’d wanted the Guardian class. Power Strike and Devastate were physical abilities but the amplified damage was all magical. Though it had other, more obvious uses, with this new stat her arms and legs should stop breaking every time she hit something. She didn’t know how humans fought without breaking their arms and legs but she suspected it was one of the reasons they fought with weapons instead of their fists.

Raymond opened her status.

Status

Name:

Evelyn Raymond

Offensive:

Defensive:

Mental:

Age:

7602

Str - 15 (+9)

End - 99,999

Int - 18

Race:

True Vampire

Dex - 15

MR - 99,999

Spirit - 15

Sex:

Female

Abstract:

Class:

Level

Health:

997,547/999,999

Cha - 45

Guardian

10

Mana:

150/150

XXXXX

XXXXX

XXXXX

Magic System:

Kravelozonian

Secondary System: N/A

Available Class Slots:

(0)

Inwardly, Raymond was deciding on what she should do next. Logically, her next step as a Tether would be to gather supporters for Legion and herself. She had two, maybe three days left until the four idiot adventurers respawned. She needed to make contact with other monsters and the best way she knew to find them was to join the people hunting for them. Raymond looked up at the three people still staring at her. She grinned widely, her face taking on a radiant joy that softened their warrior hearts.

“Where’s the Adventurer’s Guild?” she asked, “I have something I want to take care of.”