Jason dragged his legs up the steps. His feet were as heavy as his eyes. He had no idea what time it was, but he had definitely been up for way too long. Hours, and hours of constant fleeing or fighting. He had also been absorbing wisps non-stop, and it had left his body with a deep chill; one that did not want to leave, no matter how much he warmed himself.

He collapsed onto the staircase. “Mink, I can’t go on. You take watch for a while.”

A tired ‘meep’ sounded from his bag, but his eyes were already closing. He must have fallen asleep, because the next thing he knew, he was being woken up by a light slapping. He blinked and saw the Mink peering down at him. Its hand was raised before slapping him with distorted air again. Jason growled slowly, and stood up. The little animal was already slipping into the pack, and probably snoring softly. He carried on up the stairs, glancing at the moonlit doorway to the outside. They had gotten a lot closer, but he still couldn’t see a path. He had asked the Mink to float them both over or teleport, but it had stated that it didn’t have enough power, or something. I’d love to have its abilities… so damn useful. He had also tried to learn what Class the creature had, but all he could gather was that it wasn’t available to him.

He loosened his sword, ready for any surprise attacks. He had inspected his new weapon, trying to figure out why this one could cut the ghosts. He figured it was enchanted. He paused when he suddenly realised something. “Oh...duh.” He looked down at it and used [Inspect].

‘Ding’ [Silver Sword].

Huh, he thought. I guess it’s like the old stories. Silver is effective against undead. He wondered about it while he walked, but shook his head after pondering it for a few minutes. “It doesn’t matter. It’s a sword that cuts ghosts because magic.” After wearily continuing up and down the steps, he jumped in shock as the wailing started again. Wasting no time, he put the bag on the floor and drew his blade. There were three ghosts, all coming in from different angles. The one to his left, had tattered robes and missing legs, and was going to make it to him first. It launched a huge swipe, leaving a big ripple in the air. He had to throw himself to the floor in order to avoid it, and cleaved upwards; his movements a bit more confident than the first time he had fought. The ghost immediately lost form, but he had to scramble in order to dodge the other two. One of them didn’t have any arms, but that didn’t stop it from leaping, and making a distorted bite at his leg. He smacked it in the head with the pommel, which caused it to float back and release a plaintive whine. Jason turned, and had just enough time to watch the last ghost shred through his chainmail. He cried out in pain, and did a huge slash that went through both of the spectres.

‘Ding’ You have defeated [Phantom Servitor, Lv 5].

‘Ding’ You have defeated [Phantom Servitor, Lv 2].

‘Ding’ You have defeated a [Phantom Biter, Lv 1] Experience will be saved until a Class has been chosen.

The mist slithered into his wound. The cold had now almost spread to cover his entire body. Shivering, he quickly reached into his bag, but the Mink was already offering him the bandages. He nodded gratefully, and took off his gear to apply it. To his shock, the Mink started doing it for him, wrapping it around him and tying it carefully, so it was nice and snug. The animal gave him another pat with its tail.

“Thank yo-”

‘Ding’ You have unlocked the Class-

“YES!”

-[The Illustrious Mink’s pet]

You have been fed, taken care of, and gone for interdimensional walkies, by your beloved mast-

“NO!” His head whipped around to stare at the ‘illustrious’ animal.

It blinked at him.

After a few moments of silence, he began to laugh. “You shit. You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

The Mink just tilted its head, and he put his face in his hands.

“I’ve just been offered a class-”

It perked up.

“-as your pet.”

It froze and its jaw dropped open, before… a high-pitched cackle erupted from it. Jason groaned. The little cretin was rolling with laughter. When it finally managed to calm itself, it stood up and looked at him very seriously, while giving the thumbs up.

“Yeah, not gonna happen.”

It did a pretend sulk while its eyes twinkled with amusement. Jason shook his head and started putting his gear back on. When he was done, he held the bag open.

“After you, oh supreme overlord.” The Mink nodded imperiously, and swam up to slip into the pack. They continued, the Mink now poking out and peering over his shoulder.

Their good mood didn’t last for long though, as they both stared at a very different kind of ghost.

‘Ding’ [Phantom Sworn-Hunter, Lv 15]

Floating under the shadow of a staircase, was a spectre clad in a ghostly leather armour and cloak. What was concerning though, was its bow; images of air distorting arrows flashed in his mind. “Shit,” he whispered, to which the Mink nodded in agreement.

“We should stay away right?”

The Mink shook its head and pointed beyond the hunter. He followed it and saw what it meant. The exit. They had finally found the way to the door, and of course the hunter was right in a position to ambush them. He quietly groaned. “Clever ghost…” He looked at the Mink. “Can you teleport us past it?”

The animal nodded, and held up one finger; It then made some more gestures.

“You can only do it once? And you can’t help much with the fight afterwards? Damn.” He rubbed his jaw; he felt a few scruffy hairs that he hadn’t bothered to shave before he’d come here. “I think we’ll just have to fight him…” The Mink nodded, easily.

“We should try and ambush it with your ability. I’ll try to rush it, so it doesn’t focus on you, and we’ll ‘hunt’ it down.” Jason exhaled. “Alright, you ready?”

The Mink of the Multiverses bared its teeth ferociously.

“Uh… alright then, I guess you are,” he said awkwardly. They began to sneak forward. The Mink eventually began swimming through the air, to get a better position, while he kept going along the stairs. Finally, the Sworn-Hunter spotted him and, without any hesitation, silently nocked an arrow. Maybe this was a mis- It tore at him and he had to leap forward, the projectile blasting past, before it hit another staircase some distance away, leaving a big pockmark. The blood drained from his face, and he heard the whistle of another arrow. He started sprinting. “MINk!” he roared, but there was no sign of its help.

He ducked around a turn, and peered to see where the little cretin was. He sharply inhaled. He saw it being chased by four other ghosts; he had somehow missed their screams. The Mink was taking care of them, but was wasting its Mana, and if the Sworn-Hunter saw it, it would be doomed. He needed to keep the phantom distracted. He spotted some more cover to run to, and sped off in its direction. He heard the whistle again, but this time much louder. Jason glanced and swore. Somehow, five arrows were all shooting at him, in a wide-spread area. He wasn’t going to make it in time. He ducked, but got brushed by the distortion, causing him to spin wildly. Flailing, he managed to balance himself, but could hear another volley approaching. He ran, dove and slid behind cover, panting frantically. He was not going to try that again; the Mink was on its own. He waited there, listening carefully. The faint wails of the other ghosts were still going, so he peeked around the corner and- an arrow was nocked right in his face. He yelped and jumped back, somehow making it just in time, as it blasted where his head had been. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my- The Sworn-hunter nocked another arrow, and floated around the corner. It raised its bow again, and this time, there was no way for it to miss. As if in slow motion, its fingers began to release- before being struck by a line of distorted air. It staggered onto the steps, right in front of Jason. Realising this was his only chance, he drew his sword, and it blurred with his desperation. He sliced through it, but instead of immediately dispersing like others, it merely staggered back. With fear pounding in his veins, Jason kept up the offence, but the Sworn-Hunter was graceful. It sidestepped his blow, counterattacking by using its arrows as daggers. He didn’t know what he was doing. But, somehow, when the arrow came arching upwards towards his breast, he deflected. The hunter's arms were knocked aside leaving his heart open, and Jason lunged his blade sinking into its heart, and he swore he could hear a faint gasp. He stared into its shadowed hood, milky eyes watching him. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, it nodded and then blew apart into mist… no, fog. He drowned in it, as it filled every nook and cranny of his body. Finally, it was finished, and he stood there with his teeth chattering. His body felt… strange.

‘Ding’ You have defeated a [Phantom Sworn-Hunter Lv 15]

‘Ding’ You have unlocked the Class [Phantom Swordsman]

You have survived the subjugation of the Phantom Core, where so many others did not. You have made its power your own, by slaying your way through the Core’s minions with your swordsmanship. You have sensed the truth of Phantoms – Space magic. Wield this power now and take it beyond the walls of the Core’s castle. Spacial or Death magic costs [10%] less mana to use. Swordsmanship abilities are [20%] more effective

He stood there, sweating buckets. The words of the new Class echoing in his brain. “Well… obviously yes please” He chuckled, but was cut off as he was struck by something. He staggered back, searching for threats. Yet, he was hit again. He glanced down at the horrible sensation that swirled in his chest. My heart. Its rhythm was completely off, each pump stirring the cold inside him. Faster and faster, it went. His body beginning to feel like a blizzard. Until, it suddenly settled. His breath was misty.

‘Ding’ You have levelled up. The [Phantom Swordsman Lv 1 – Lv 13]

65 Stat points gained.

He looked up, and saw the Mink had arrived. He smiled weakly. “I- ju-just go-ot a Cl-as-s.”

The Mink hesitantly applauded. “Yo-our a Space mage right?”

It nodded.

“Does Space magic normally feel so cold?”

It quickly shook its head.

“Fig-ures.” He sighed.

‘Ding’ You have unlocked the Class Ability [Spacial Strike Lv 1].

Use any edge to disrupt the fabric of space. Requires Mana.

‘Ding’ You have unlocked the Class Ability [Phantom State Lv 1]

Phase your body partially out of reality, allowing strikes to pass through, and cause less damage than they would. Requires Mana and Stamina.

‘Ding You have unlocked the Class Skill [Ghostly Swordsmanship Lv 1]

Draw upon the knowledge of the Phantom Core’s converted. Allow their experience to help guide your attacks, and boost your power. Damage from sword strikes can be increased by [20% – 40%], using Stamina.

‘Ding’ You have unlocked the General Skill [Space Magic Resistance Lv 1]

Through your own connection to the fabric of the universe, you have become more resistant to its harmful side.

‘Ding’ You have unlocked the General Skill [Death Magic Resistance Lv 1]

Through your own connection to the Ethereal, you have become more resistant to its harmful side.

He waited a bit more, just to see if anything else would come. “I guess that's it then.” He stood up straight, and glanced at his partner. It looked very ruffled, and was smoothing its fur with its paws, but otherwise unharmed. Jason turned, the glowing entrance of the complex was so close now, he swore he could smell the fresh air. Without speaking, both of them began to climb the steps.

With a few leaps and some tired stumbles, they gradually got closer. Until, they finally arrived. Jason practically threw himself out of the doorway, bursting from the water that covered it. For the first time in days, he felt the wind again, and it was warm. The deep-rooted cold that he had grown so used to, abated. He fell to his knees, as tears tried to spill from his eyes. He choked a little, and sniffled while staring across the sun-soaked fields of wheat. Rising from the pool of water he was in, he paced over to some strands and plucked one, twirling it in his fingers. He glanced back to see the Mink emerging from a stone archway; It blinked at the light.

“We made it.” He said. It looked at him, and then swum up into the air to look over the fields. It made a noise that was like a sigh of relief. “Where to now?” The Mink turned and stared at him, its bright eyes duller than he’d ever seen them. Quietly, it swam over to him, and slipped into the bag. He twisted his head so his ear was closer, and could hear steady breathing from inside. He growled softly. “Fuck sake,” he whispered. He looked back at the watery entrance to the complex, one last time, before walking into the fields. He didn’t know where he was going, but it didn’t matter to him right now.

It took no time at all to escape the fields, and he was soon stepping out onto an open road, but could see no other sign of people. He didn’t mind; he needed the time to think. A lot had happened to him in the past few days: He had been dragged to another world, by a magical cretin; he had nearly died, and become a mindless minion to some core; he had… gained magic… He stopped. He had gained magic, and he hadn’t used it yet?!

Quickly, yet gently, he place his bag down and drew his sword. Immediately he noticed a difference. The blade smoothly slid out of its sheath, and rested in an instinctive grip that gave him control. Experimentally, he lifted it and slashed it down. A distorted streak of air trailed from its edge, and he struggled to contain his excitement. He swung it again, this time drawing upon some internal source, which he assumed was his Stamina, and the strike became heavier and faster. He nodded. Both abilities were [Spacial Strike] and [Ghostly Swordsmanship]. He could feel his Stamina and Mana being used, but it wasn’t very noticeable. Finally, he readied himself to use his last power, [Phantom State]. He took a deep breath, and flooded his body with cold. A burning sensation immediately came from his hand, along with a cascade of clinks. His eyes widened and he dropped his sword, causing the pain to go away. He stared at his chainmail rumpled underneath him, and his sword on the floor. Slowly, he reached down and tried to pick it up. It burned. He cancelled the state, and lifted it, this time with no trouble. He activated it one last time, drawing upon his Mana and Stamina; His sword was hurting him.

He nearly cried again.