Chapter 1: The Old Man

Time left: 00:44:53

This was by far the most difficult decision he had ever faced. Dragonbreath had two skills, psychomancy had five skills and Cloning had three skills. He had to choose one from each Class. He would lose the other skills, maybe they would come back when it was time to choose again, maybe not. He would choose skills that would complement each other. Three out of ten that would give him the best chance of survival and the maximum battle prowess. And he had to do everything in minutes.

Starting with the Dragonbreath, Dimensional Annihilation offered a dimensional skill that could absorb anything into a dimension. Things absorbed would be destroyed and converted to their basic forms. He even had the chance to choose one from any of the elements he stored. This would give him a two-in-one benefit: the dimensional skill and an elemental skill. His eyes lit up at the prospects.

But Open Annihilation was wonderful as well. Almost every skill depended on life energy and it offered a chance to increase life energy as he lost it. It would be a powerful enhancer to all the other skills. This was no easy choice. The only thing that made him shifted towards the Dimensional Annihilation was the additional element in Dimensional Annihilation.

He decided.

You have activated Dimensional Annihilation

+1 intelligence per level

+1 willpower per level

+1 free attribute point per level

Dragonbreath has reached level 1.

He instantly knew how to use it. He extended his hand and focused on converting his life energy to Dragon-essence. A light blue flame-like element coalesced into a small orb. According to the Class description this light blue flame was an 'element of destruction' that could absorb anything it touched into another dimension. As the orb grew larger Edard withdrew his hand, making the flame to disappear. He looked at his hand, checking for any damage but there was none.

He tried again. This time it was faster, the light blue element coalesced on his palm. He knew he could absorb anything he hit with the flame into the dragon dimension and he could choose from one of the elements he absorbed.

One thing that attracted his attention was how the Dragon-essence disappeared when he withdrew his hand. Did that meant he could only use it when it was in contact with his body? This was an important factor that couldn't wait. He created another orb and released it. As soon as it left his hand it dissipated.

Still not a bad choice.

This done he turned to Cloning.

Each of the three clones was amazing. Healing, Speed and Protection. Healing was extremely important because he would definitely be injured. Speed would allow him to escape being injured just like the Clone Protection. There was no easy choice. It was like choosing between a prevention and a cure in a place where you would definitely get sick. Also, increase of 50% in his natural healing wasn't a small amount. It would even upgrade with leveling.

His Dimensional Annihilation would only work when it was in contact with his body which meant he had to be close to a target. Getting close to a target meant getting injured, making Healing a necessary tool. But, he had forty minutes to die. He didn't know how far he would have to travel to meet someone who could help. Without Speed, he would just die before he reached the next mountain.

He still wanted the Healing.

You have activated Clone Acceleration.

Cloning has reached level 1

+1 intelligence per level

+1 vitality per level

+1 agility per level

Edard spent 40 life energy to create the invisible clone and then merged with it. He swiped his hand and the speed was unbelievable. A hundred meter in one second; 1km in ten seconds.

This done he turned to the last but not the least, Psychomancy.

Choosing between Reading someone's thoughts, Intimidating them, slowing them down, speeding up their thoughts or sensing their presence through their minds. If he didn't have Spiritual Sense he would immediately go for the Mind Sense. Imagine being able to sense people through their thoughts. No matter where the target was you could pick them by using their thoughts. Apparently, the brain emitted some kind of energy which would be detected by the user. The range of this skill was also crazy; 15 miles radius. Even with the Spiritual Sense Edard had a difficult time turning away from it. He just reminded himself that he only had one chance and the benefit of joining the Spiritual Sense and the Mind Sense would be lower than gaining an entirely new skill. There was the possibility of the two skills becoming increasingly similar as they levelled up.

The Slow Thinking and Fast Thinking would be quite useful on Earth. Imagine slowing down the astronomy teacher in the middle of a class. He could even use it on anyone threatening him. There was the possibility of using it to study faster and with more effectiveness. But this would be more of a long term thing. With the Cloning and Dragonbreath he would be more of an agile, close-range fighter. The best thing would be something for the long-range which favoured Intimidation.

Intimidation was a powerful skill. Imagine being stunned in the middle of a fight for 2 seconds. Even 1 sec meant death. The only thing preventing him from choosing Intimidation immediately was the Mind Read. It had caught his attention the minute he saw it. Imagine being thrown in an entirely new world where you knew nothing about. The issue of who-to-trust and the lack of knowledge of the surroundings and the etiquette of living would be your worst nightmare. Could you just jumped on the first chance to ask where am I? What country is this? How do I find water? Can I trust you? How many continents and countries are here? Edard contemplated for a long time. All of these questions would be solved if he could just read the person's mind.

Intimidation versus Mind Read. It was proving to be the most difficult decision among the three Classes, whichever he chose, he would lose the other. He considered how the two skills would upgrade. Intimidation could range from Intimidating one person to Intimidating many or may be from 2 seconds duration to 1 minute or an hour. You could Intimidate a person to unconsciousness. Mind Read could range from extracting a small information like name, age, town and marital status to huge information like secret passages, hidden treasures, ancient literature memorized and many more. It could even upgrade to lie detection which would be crucial for survival. So many variables.

He couldn't decide even after five-minutes of debating. He would leave it for some time to think again or at least until his first encounter.

He followed the snakes into a narrow passage between two giant mountains. The passage kept on narrowing as he went until it culminated into a cul-de-sac. The prints of the snakes passed into a small tunnel laying beneath rocks.

Edard thought for a moment before he decided to open a path with his Dimensional Annihilation. He extended his hand and focused the Dragon-essence on his palm, then he transformed it into a small dagger, nine-inches long. Gauging its size, Edard felt even ten of them wouldn't be enough to create a path out of the giant rocks. But he stabbed them anyway.

As soon as the Dragon-essence made contact all the rocks blocking the path disappeared instantly. The Dragon-essence dagger also disappeared with them. There was no explosion or any sound that could show destruction. It was as if the rocks had just vanished. Edard blinked several times, scratching his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He put his hands on the created path to further confirm it.

Incredible! He exclaimed. But just when he couldn't digest the mystery of the Dragon-essence a new screen popped up.

Dragon-essence has stored earth element in the dragon dimension.

Choose element:

Earth (lava)Y/N?

As the screen disappeared, Edard saw a small window leading to a dark void. He could make out rock fragments inside the dark void supposed to be the dragon dimension. Of all the elements he knew none had the explosive destruction of lava. It could even burn fire. With little hesitation he chose lava.

You can take a unit of stored lava from the dragon dimension for 30 life energy.

Edard smiled as he touched his red hair. The lack of any sound during the impact was the most benefit, he couldn't afford to cause a ruckus and alert the snakes. Who knew what would hide inside the cave.

His eyes constantly darted over the watch.

00:31:55

He walked into the cave, no longer able to hide his fear as he realized he could no longer sense the snakes. He created another Dragon-essence in his left hand to serve as a lamp. But that was when his heart pounded as if it would break out of his chest. In front of him laid the two giant snakes he was following, together with a small fox and a lion. These monsters were bowing to a hairy old man.

Edard's first instinct was to run out of the cave but the door was no longer there. He was trapped with five monsters, guarding a dying old man. A small, blank notification appeared beside the old man's face. He tried to read it but instead he got a new notification.

Skill gained : Status-key level 1

The ability to identify your opponent's strength and Class and the nature of weapons and artifacts.

Activate skill? Y/N?

NB: You have one slot remaining. Choose wisely.

He could wait to gain more Acquired skills so he could choose comfortably but this was another survival skill. It could be the difference between life and death for someone who had thirty-minutes left. The skills wouldn't be any good if he was dead.

You have activated the Acquired skill Status-key.

Status-key has reached level 1

The blank notification by the old man's face filled with information.

Arch Conqueror, level????

"Sit." The old man commanded him with a raspy voice. "Of all the dragons I have summoned only the elf came. Dragonelves are unique but I have expected something better."

Edard shook from the intense cold, as if a large ice block was buried in his stomach. But instead of panicking, Edard had an entirely different response. "If this is real then I was right all along, there is another habitable world besides Earth." He said, looking from the old man to the five monsters.

The old man nodded and looked at Edard's wrist watch. "You and I have little time. I want to give you a gift. Give me your hand."

Instead of giving his hand his curiosity got the better of him and he asked another question. "Why me? Why did you summon me? It seems this world has magical powers, does that has anything to do with my abilities? Perhaps, this is where I was born and someone took me to Earth after I was born. Or maybe you are looking for recruits from another world and you found out I have abilities?" Imagine waking up everyday for the past fifteen years and asking yourself similar questions. Edard felt this was something only the old man could answer. An opportunity he couldn't waste.

The old man looked at Edard critically for several seconds before he sighed. "Your curiosity may be your undoing."

Edard fidgeted at the thought of missing the opportunity. "Please, I deserve to know. My parents, are they... were they here?"

"You have never been the target of my Summonings." The old man said with a calm yet imposing voice. He halted for a second as Edard focused Dragon-essence in his palm. Edard had kept the flame very low, invisible even, but the old man still detected it.

"My gift if free of any charges. It's up to you how you use it, but since I'm the one who brought you into this world I have to give something." The old man added, pointing a finger at Edard.

Edard's little, blue orb disappeared and an unbelievable force pulled him toward the old man. The old man held his hands out and he showed several screens to him. Each explaining a specific gift.

Gift of the Immortal: Immortal cultivation manual (the only copy in existence)

Gift of the Renaissance: Renaissance soul that allows you to create multiple clones and conquer several dungeons at the same time.

Gift of the Demon: Demonic soul that allows instant transformation that will enable the user to exercise a full range of his racial abilities.

Gift of the dead: a reincarnation to your previous life.

Gift of the dungeon: instant promotion from an Armed Conqueror to a Renaissance Conqueror.

Gift of the fallen: requirements for a Classification from a fallen Immortal Conqueror.

Class available: Violet Rose (Kinetomancy)

The old man sighed as he observed the gifts. "These are the gifts available for your race. You can choose only two."

Edard narrowed his eyes as he thought about it. He ignored the new notifications blinking at the corner of his eyes. The old man said he was the one who summoned him, that much was acceptable since people didn't just transport themselves from world to world by accident. He had refused to answer any of his questions but something told Edard he knew the answers.

Accepting the gifts won't add to my misfortunes. Edard thought. Besides, the old man looked monstrously powerful and he could kill him anytime if he wanted.

Looking at the gifts made it difficult to choose.

"Don't you have gift of longevity? I have few minutes to live in case you haven't noticed."

The old man shook his head. "Only you can get longevity."

Edard sighed and focused on the gifts. The [gift of the immortal] was different. There was only one copy in existence which made it unexpendable.

The [gift of the renaissance] wasn't clear enough, and it sounded like a cheat.

The [gift of the demon] could be all that great but only if he knew the full range of his racial capabilities.

The [gift of the dead] was the least palatable one. Edard's life on earth was satisfying. Even though, he didn't know his parents and he had no known blood relatives, he had attended one of the best universities and he even had a job, at the zoo. He had the ability to speak to animals and even see through walls but that was exactly what made him curious. Why him? If he had known any of his parents or had at least seen them in pictures he wouldn't be so curious. But no parents at all, not like they'd died or something, nobody had any information on them. His first memories were from an orphanage, then he won the scholarship and finally made it to a college. He'd already made it his life dream to find his origin. He couldn't help feeling this was a chance. If he went back to Earth it would all be back to square one.

The [gift of the dungeon] was also not clear. If he knew the exact difference between an Armed Conqueror and a Renaissance Conqueror he could consider it.

The [gift of the fallen] was not clear but an additional Class sounded great. A Class would also mean an additional skill like the [Dimensional-Annihilation]. Kinetomancy? Maybe it would be gravity-related or some kind of telekinesis. Imagine how cool it would be to control the flow of objects, he felt a strong urge to get the Class.

Edard looked at the gifts repeatedly, he opened his mouth to ask the old man a question but he was interrupted.

"You can't have any more details." The old man said. "Your time is up."

At the end he couldn't decide. He closed his eyes and chose the [gift of the immortal] and the [gift of the fallen]. Hoping he would live long enough to see the benefit of his decision.

Before he checked out the gifts he opened the window that had been blinking.

You have learned Immortal Tongue.

Interracial Communication has reached level 3

He went back to the gifts.

Congratulations. Two gifts have been added.

Immortal Dragon

This allows you to steal fortune from the living and from nature (What's once theirs shall be yours for you are the only immortal).

Rank: Unknown

Cultivate? Y/N?

You have reached the requirements for the Class Violet Rose, activate Class? Y/N?

He pressed yes and another window opened.

Class: Violet Rose (Kinetomancy)

Ability to manipulate gravity with your eyes.

Status: active

Level: 1/10 (1 hour)

Bottlenecks: an obstacle that must be overcome before crossing a level. No bottleneck at this level

Choose a Primary Awakening skill? Y/N?

One extra slot for Acquired skills!

As he checked the gifts he suddenly realized he was the only one left in the cave.

"Thank you, whoever you are." He said before he turned to the Violet Rose skills.

Skills available for Violet Rose.

Choose one skill

•Violet Crush: ability to increase the force of gravity on anything other than your body.

Range: 3 meter away, 1 meter square surface area

Gravity effect: 1.5x (upgrades with leveling up)

Life energy cost: up to 10

Choose skill?

•Violet Float: ability to reduce the force of gravity on anything other than your body, making it lose balance or float

Range: 3 meter away, 1 meter square surface area

Gravity effect: 1.5x

Life energy cost: up to 10

Choose skill?

•Violet Barrier: ability to create a gravity wall that repel attacks, assailant would receive a part damage of his attack.

•Range: 0.5 meter wide

•Cost: 10/second

•Gravity effect: 2x

Choose skill?

The easiest choice would be Barrier. It had a lower cost and it had a survival benefit. Also as a close-range fighter he would need to block attacks often. But if he chose it then all his attacks would be close-range, in a fight against a mage or any other long-range fighter he would be helpless. Most of them wouldn't even let him got close. The only choice would be to play their game and beat them in it. This left the race between Crush and Float.

Making something lose balance and then using the opportunity to strike sounded like a typical roundabout method when you could just crush something out of existence.

You have activated Violet Crush.

Violet Rose has reached level 1

+1 strength per level

+1 willpower per level

After everything, he had one free point from Dragonbreath. He considered the literal meaning of the attributes. Agility mostly affected speed but he already had the Clone Acceleration which counted it out. Intelligence, willpower and vitality are important in prevention but they had Classes that affected them directly. Resistance was the only attribute not affected by any Class. It would make him tougher and since he had no healing skill he needed it. He put it to resistance.

00:23:02! Dammit!

Beads of sweat ran down his face as he looked at the time. He could die without testing any of the skills.