As Luther came back from the brink of consciousness, he reached for the side of his head with his right arm. Stroking his temple as he tried to sooth the numbing pain in his head. He sat up as he tried to move his arms. Dismayed at how his left arm laid motionless by his side. He looked to the ground as he swore. Bashing his right arm into the ground as it caved to his will.

‘This is fucking bad…’

Luther sat there as he took in the fact that he likely lost his left arm as it laid immobile. He stood up minutes later as he supported himself with his only good arm. Grimacing as he looked at the Orc’s body beneath him. Even after death, Luther glared at it with malice as he continued to move towards his small encampment. Upon arrival, he sat down on the ground near a small campfire made of the few sticks and vines found on the caves walls. Summoning his status as he prepared himself for what he feared to be the worst.

Name: Luther Starr

Race: ???

Titles: The One Born from the Stars

Class: Healer

Purified Mana: 132/132

Unpurified Mana: 132/132

Mana Regen. Rate: 1 per minute

Attributes

Strength 12 (+1.2)

Agility 16 (+1.6)

Intelligence 12 (+1.2)

Constitution 14 (+1.4)

Vitality 11 (+1.1)

Skills

Lesser Healing (Active)

Shop

Unspent Mana: 10

‘A healer…. Well, fuck I guess…’

Luther looked over his status as he tried to think on how he could fix this predicament he had gotten into. But nothing came to mind. A class defined someone’s combat style, and a healer was not exactly a class related to combat. Something that Luther specialised in. He originally planned to become a ‘Thief’ and take advantage of it’s skills and bonuses. Later evolving his class to become a ‘Speed Demon’, one of the highly regarded classes of Asteria. But as of now, it looked like that was not going to be possible.

‘What am I supposed to do with this? Well, I guess I could try to make it work…’

Luther clicked the class as a screen appeared before him. It asked him to choose a passive and active skill within the set price of 500 mana. He scrolled through the various choices as he went deep into detail regarding each choice.

Skill: Lesser Healer’s Aura (passive)

Description: After using heal on oneself or another. The person healed will be given a %5 increase in attributes.

Mana required for use: 0

Mana required for purchase: 500

Requirements: 12 Intelligence

Skill: Lesser Divine Health (active)

Description: Gives oneself or another an increase of +5 to constitution and vitality for 3 minutes.

Mana required for use: 40

Mana required for purchase: 500

Requirements: 13 Intelligence

Luther purchased the two skills as he looked over his status screen again.

‘Wait, what the fuck is this?’

He glossed over the two values ‘Purified Mana’ and Unpurified Mana’ as he tried to understand as to why he had two pools of mana. Well, he would look into it later he thought. Instead he would focus on his build. First he thought of becoming an agility based build. But then he thought about his class in more depth. What about one that complemented his ability to restore his health and buff himself? What if he went for a build based around constitution, intelligence, wisdom, strength, and vitality. He could be a living fortress he thought. But he wasn’t really used to their slow and long battles. Well nevermind, he would make do.

Luther now needed to think about what to prioritise. Either regeneration or the pure increase in strength, constitution, or his mana pool. He stretched as he went over the thought. Glancing over more his left arm. He dismissed his thoughts as he casted heal, futilely completing nothing. Luther sighed as he moved towards a small rockpool near the corner of the encampment. He washed the darkened blood from his body as he observed the ripples in the water. Mirroring him was a large bipedal monster. It’s veins pumped underneath it’s crimson and dark blue glossy skin. It had defined muscles and broad shoulders. Two horns protruded from it’s head as it looked through Luther with it’s two narrow blue eyes. A slightly sunken jaw and deathly gaze accompanying it.

Luther looked back to his cleansed arm as he stood up. Observing it from several angles.

‘I’m not a monster… I am me… I am Luther...’

He grasped a dagger from the small pile nearby as he prepared himself for hunting. He couldn’t waste his time needlessly with a broken arm. He needed to become something that monsters would fear and be terrorised from. He needed to be able to thrive where others would likely fail. He moved the vines from his path as he looked deep into the cave. Returning his vision back to his frail arm.

‘I can do this…’

He took his first steps into the dim lit cavern as the sounds of Goblins roaring with laughter echoed throughout the halls. Inviting him to their location as he distanced himself from the Goblins among the shadows. The abrupt halt of their laughter marked the night of the Dungeon’s inevitable slaughter.

****

“What?! What do you mean there is an overload of unpurified mana? How’s that supposed to be possible?”, an aged man worn by time shouted. His face expressed confusion and fear as he motioned for the knight before him to reply.

“Oh great king, Dungeons, sources of unpurified mana usually convert that mana into a more stable source. Purified mana, but due to something unforeseen, the balance between purified and unpurified mana has been broken. Monsters have been sighted appearing from thin air more than usual. Dungeons have begun to grow or release the monsters within. I believe we are at the brink of this world’s destruction.”

“Oh dear god…. And the good news?”

“Purified Mana has entered a more condensed form, resulting in the people growing stronger. Some rumors have spread that children have had growth in their attributes unparalleled to those seen before at a wild pace. And a rare few have been said to have classes at their young age.”

The man pondered over this news as he stood up from his throne. Striding to the window as he placed his palm against its surface.

“This peaceful land… will soon be ridden with bloodshed and death…. Won’t it?”, he turned towards the knight as he spoke to him in a serious and calm manner.

“Recruit soldiers from the townsfolk and warn the other countries. Although some have prepared for war against us, there may be some use for them and their soldiers even after centuries of conflict… We need to prepare greatly…”, the king gestured for the knight to leave as he left through the two towering doors of the chamber. It’s rich wood like structure lined along stone like walls as the deep historic paintings that adorned it accompanied the king and his thoughts. He mumbled to himself about the future dangers that he and his kingdom may come across. Fearing that his kingdom was but one of the few that would be lost in this danger. A sigh released itself from his lips as he said one last prayer. Hoping to be guided in the many decisions he would be faced to confront.

“May the Cobalt Star light I and my kingdom’s path...”