Author’s Corner: HELLO HELLO! It’s time for some classy stuff! Oh yeah!

ANYWAY, I’m kind of expecting a lot of people raging about his class, how he should have accepted Arkhoss’ and whatnots. Others will probably complain about him not being a Monster Hunter. For the first, my answer is: He’s wargon. For the other, I say wait a bit, because he WILL get there.

ALSO, last pool was a bit unfair, since Lieutenant had a lot more screen-time (word-time?) than Whisi. I particularly find that they would be even matches if we don’t consider stats and everything else, or that is how I think of them. So this time, let’s make it a bit more fair the duel, shall we?

ALSO(2), I’ll try to work on the things I’ve been procrastinating this weekend, no promises though.

ALSO(3), AND THIS MARKS THE END OF THE THIRD ARC! HOORAY! Next arc: Dungeoning, the classic method (can’t go dragging Yuu to a Collection style right out of the bat. She might get traumatized.)

ALSO(4), for today’s random rant, let’s talk about pets. I kind of planned on him having only one pet, and that would be Cyg in Aura’s body. But I kind of messed up getting attached to Aura, liked too much the idea of Lieutenant and added the idea of a mount, which he will get a bit later (2 or 3 arcs later?)

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“Skirmishes?” I asked confused while looking at the girls. I could see that they were about as lost as I am. It’s not like I don’t know what is a skirmish, I just couldn’t seem to grasp what was her intention on asking that. “Well… Skirmishes is the name given to small battles that happens during a war, right?” I said a bit doubtful.

Evelyn nodded satisfied with my answer, but she still kept going on.

“Very good, then, what about skirmishers?” She asked this time.

“They are… The guys who does the skirmish?” I said a bit at loss and she nodded.

“Correct, but not quite there yet.” She said in a teaching tone. “Let’s be a bit more specific, ok? You see, when it comes to skirmishes in a daily situation, you aren’t wrong, but it is slightly different when it comes to skirmishes in a great battle per-se.”

“During a great battle, some countries employ a tactic that involves sending some small units rushing first and employing harassment tactics against the enemy main’s army. Due to this, They usually had to resort to some really strange ideas if they wanted to survive, so most of the time these units were found using never-seen before tactics. These units are called Skirmishers.” She said and smiled happily. “And that is my class.”

I blinked in surprise as I started to process information. Basically, her class is one that specializes in harassing the opponents when it comes to a large battle? That… doesn’t seem to match my specifications…

“You are probably thinking that it sounds very different from what you expected, right?” She said in a happy mood. I didn’t know she could also read minds. I will be more careful next time. “You are probably thinking that it involves harassing opponents and leaving the final blow to your allies, right? Well, that was true. Once.” She said before taking a break and sipping a bit of tea.

C’mon lady! The suspense is killing me here! Hey, Logan, hurry her up, will you? Wait… Is he sleeping while sitting in the table? Dammit, he’s even snoring! Cygnasdamit.

“As I was saying, the class originated there in the battlefield, but once the wars ended, those who had the class started to find themselves unable to keep up with the others who had the basic classes, so they started experimenting a bit. What was it that the skirmishers were best at? Fighting against stronger armies while using unconventional tactics to defeat them. Couldn’t they apply it to single enemies too?” She once again took a sip of her tea. “Following that, the class started to evolve even further with that single purpose in mind, and it became what it is nowadays.”

“However, many people think that just by getting the class, you can automatically fight against stronger foes on equal footing. But as unique and potentially powerful this class may look, if you don’t have the correct mind-set when tackling your enemies, you will be even weaker than the usual classes. Many people lost their lives due to this. To avoid these pointless deaths, the skirmishers started using these hard tests to decide whom to pass this class upon…”

Wow, really? I stopped to process the information for a bit. So, it’s a class that was created on the battlefield whose main objective was harassing, but now it evolved into a class specialized in fighting stronger enemies? Just what kind of class it is then? I must say that I might just accept this class even if only to see what exactly it does.

But, before that, I need to pass the test from hell that no one else have passed before. Geez, what kind of test is it? I’m kind of getting scared here.

“I think I see where you are going… So… What exactly is this test you are talking about? I must say I’m getting curious…” I said my true thoughts and she smiled a bit sadly in return.

“I really don’t like taking people to this test… They always get hurt…” She explained herself, but she finally sighed and looked a bit more serious. “Okay, before that, if I remember, you said that you are level fifteen, right?”

“Me? Well, yes, why?” I said, and she nodded while stopping to think for some time.

“I think I have a good test for you in mind.” She said after a few seconds. I swallowed some of my saliva nervously. “Let me explain this test. I will take you somewhere where there is a strong enemy, and there I will see how you fight against him and decide whether I can give you the class.” She looked towards Logan who was sleeping soundly by now and kicked his leg, waking him up. “Me and Logan will be there to watch your fight and intervene if we deem it necessary.” She said with a slightly annoyed tone aimed to her husband. He simply shrugged and said.

“Hey, it’s not my fault a certain someone didn’t let me sleep this night…” He complained.

Evelyn blushed furiously before barraging him with kicks. Hanbei and me could only smile awkwardly at this while Yuu seemed completely at loss. She’s so innocent that it just feels wrong to try and explain the deep meaning behind his words.

“By stronger enemies… What exactly do you mean?” I said a bit worriedly. I seriously don’t think that I am ready for anything stronger than Aura yet. I mean, she really gave me a hard time!

“Probably something around level twenty two… They are safe enough so we can stop it if things get too dangerous and strong enough so it forces you to fight it seriously.” She said.

For a moment I froze there as I processed her words, trying to think on what she said. Level twenty? Really? That’s kind of… Anticlimactic? I’m kind of at loss here, so I took my time to understand what was happening.

QUEST:

SkirmishingEvelyn Darkheart has given you a test to see whether you have the aptitude to become a skirmisher, and she needs you to fight a stronger enemy in order to gauge your skills.Rewards:

Permission to become a skirmisher

“Does that worries you?” She asked with a slightly hopeful voice. “If you don’t think you can take it, you can refuse, you know?”

I blinked surprised and then shook my head hastily.

“No, no. It’s nothing like that…” I said while trying to gather my thoughts and put it into words. “It’s just that… It’s easier than what I expected?” I said a bit at loss.

Not only Evelyn, but even Logan blinked surprised while looking at me for a few seconds. I looked back at them worried for a moment since I couldn’t quite grasp the reason for their surprise. It was only after a few seconds that someone broke the silence.

“You see, Shishou has a lot of experience when it comes to fighting stronger enemies.” Yuu said in a happy tone. “He even have defeated some blazing tails alone a few days ago!”

“Blazing tails? As in, the alpha of the red-tails?” Logan asked surprised.

Both he and Evelyn looked at Yuu for a moment, then towards me. I nodded, confirming my disciples words, which made both of them stare at me in shock. As a proof, I took out one of the large gems I had in my inventory and showed it to them. Evelyn quickly picked it up and started to examine it, before passing to Logan.

“If you defeated it a few days ago… Does it mean that you had an even lower level?” She asked me a bit surprised. I nodded.

“My first Blazing tail was at level eleven. I hunted them until I got to level fourteen, and then I fought against Aura here. I actually got to level fifteen just a couple minutes ago.”

“You fought against her?” She asked while looking towards Aura, some suspicion clear in her eyes.

I looked at Aura and nodded towards Evelyn, and the little ronin quickly approached the succubus while pulling the straw had backwards, revealing her head.

The succubus looked surprised for a moment, but the one who actually stopped her shock was Logan, who picked up the little fox and looked at her straight in the eyes for a few seconds. After some time his eyes widened and he turned to his wife surprised and said.

“This girl here is a Freezing tail!” He said with clear admiration in his voice. “I never thought I would see the real thing with my own eyes…”

Evelyn looked a bit confused for a moment. It seems that she hadn’t heard about the freezing tails before, so Logan quickly explained what he knew to her. Some times Aura would bark and he would correct himself. Does he understand what she means? It does seem like it…

After a few minutes of explaining, me and the girls had already finished our cups of tea, and my sight started to wander around the house as I began to grow bored. Luckily, it didn’t take much longer for Evelyn to refer to me again.

“So… You are telling me that you fought against such a foe at level fourteen and classless?” She asked me a bit suspicious. I nodded, but she didn’t look very persuaded. “I’m having a bit of a hard time believing that…” She said while gently rubbing her temples. “If you were a couple of levels higher, or had a class, it would be easier to believe in you…” She gave a quick sigh before going on. “Would you mind telling me how this fight went on?”

Fair enough. I started telling her of the our duel, the attacks and skills that Aura used, and my tactics against her. She seemed especially interested in my roll skill and I had to tell her how I obtained it and how it works. She and Logan were also a bit suspicious when I told them about the recklessness skill, but after showing them Evelyn could only smile wryly.

After all the explanations were done, the two turned towards Aura who was sitting on the table at my arms reach, receiving her hourly dose of petting. She simply nodded lazily confirming my story.

Evelyn sighed loudly before giggling, it sounded a bit dry, but was still a pleasant sound. Before I could even appreciate the sound, pointy, stabby and cold things assaulted my feet once again. I turned towards Yuu and said in an angry whisper.

“What exactly do you have against my feet?”

“Shishou was getting affecter by her charm. I’m only helping Shishou.” She said in a humph before suddenly blinking. “Feet? I’m only attacking one though?”

I became shocked for a moment. If it’s not Yuu, then who’s is it? I turned back to Aura who was receiving my petting. She looked defiantly at me for a brief moment before laying down once again. She’s not even trying to hide it!

Hanbei laughed heartily at our exchange, making our two hosts look at us confused for a moment. I simply shook my head telling them it was nothing before moving on to the matter at hand.

“So… When do we start the test?” I asked.

“You aren’t taking any test.” My eyes widened when I heard those words. Does that means that I’m not getting my class after all? NOOOO! AND I WAS SO CLOSE! “Even if it sounds ridiculous, you do have enough proof of your feats. And if what you said about your battles is true… Then no wonder Guild-master sent you to me.”

QUEST COMPLETE:

SkirmishingEvelyn Darkheart has heard of your stories and has deemed you more than capable of receiving the class of skirmisher.Rewards:

Permission to become a skirmisher

FASTEST QUEST EVER!

I mean, really? That’s it? No epic fight against an overpowered monster nor anything?

“Then… I can become a Skirmisher already? Just like that?” I asked a bit confused, not sure on how to take this. She simply nodded in response.

“Yes. Usually, the people who come here think that becoming a Skirmisher earns you a single powerful skill that makes you strong and greatly neglect the strategic thinking needed when fighting an enemy. That is what I usually look for in the test, but even from your story alone I can see that you don’t go charging blindly towards your enemy, like most others do.”

Well… It’s not like I actually stop to thinking something either, I mostly go with the flow charge as soon as I see an opening. But I guess that is a start, right?

“So, ready to earn your class?” She asked me with a smile.

I nodded in response and she guided us outside of the house towards the backyard. With no place in particular, she asked me to stand in front of her and asked one last time.

“Gondorrer, are you sure you want to take skirmisher as your class?” She asked me with a serious tone, different from her usual gentle one.

You have proven yourself capable of effectively tackling stronger enemies using your wits and tactics, now Evelyn Darkheard is offering you the class: SkirmisherSkirmisher: Soldiers who are sent off on the most dangerous missions for the army. Tackling on stronger opponents with nothing but their own wits, they are experts in adapting to every situation and harassing their enemies with varied plans and skills.As a Skirmisher you have access to the unique skill: Adaptability. Your need for the use of unique tactics make so consumable items become a invaluable part of your arsenal, and with your new-found knowledge, you are capable of improving their effects.

Positioning is also a critical point in any plan, so you will also earn some extra mobility for when the situation calls for it.

You are granted a small resistance to any kind of abnormal status and most terrain disadvantages will not affect you.

Wow, not half bad. This almost seems like it was made for me!

“Yes. I wish to become a Skirmisher myself”

Evelyn nodded, and as if following a cue, she put one hand above her heart and put another one on my shoulders.

“Oh, Orfeon, Great god of war. I, Evelyn Darkheart asks for you to lay your blessing upon this unguided wanderer, who seeks his destiny on the same road of the Skirmisher as the one I thread upon. I beseech thee to grant him your might, your strength and your wisdom as one who will, from now on, thread on the path of the warriors.”

She said in a solemn prayer. Soon after, a great pilar of red light fell upon me, and I felt as my body was filled with energy for a moment before it all began to slowly disappear in a calming feeling.

I stood there surprised for a moment, trying to understand what happened, and soon I received my answers.

Congratulations, you just received your first class: Skirmisher! This class is found on the Warrior/rogue skill tree, and so you may now acquire some basic skills from both trees.

You have also earned access to this class’ unique skills.Warning, resetting your class will send you back to level 10, remove all of your class skills and remove all of your status points allocated after level 10.

Non-class skills that aren’t related to the class tree will be kept at half their current levels.

Non-class skills that are related to the class trees will be locked at half of their current levels until you acquire said class tree again.

For acquiring the Skirmisher Class, you have earned the Class Skill: Consumables mastery.Skill: Consumables mastery [lvl1]

0%Due to your class need of exotic tactics, resorting to consumables is almost a must for you, so your mastery of these weapons is inevitable, making you instinctively know how to better use them, increasing their effects.

Increase offensive consumable items effects by 20%Passive

For acquiring the Skirmisher Class, you have earned the Class Skill: Tactical charge.Skill: Tactical charge [lvl1]

0%Some plans require a fast acting as soon as the opportunity presents itself, and this requires a quick repositioning of yourself or your part, and a quickly positioned ally may greatly increase the effects of their intervention.

Applies a charge effect to the next melee skill used by the target. Said skill can be targeted towards an enemy or a point in space.

The skill affected will deal up to 20% extra damage according to the time from the effect being applied and the skill being used.

Maximun skill range: 10 meters. Maximum charge distance: 8 meters.Cost: 10 energy

Cool down: 10 seconds

For acquiring the Skirmisher Class, you have earned the Class Skill: Retreat.Skill: Retreat [lvl1]

0%Some times your plans don’t work as well as they should. Choosing to retreat isn’t an incorrect choice when your life is at stake.

Increase movement speed by 20%. If your enemy lose sight of you during retreat, you are more likely to lose your combat status. Duration: 20 seconds.

WARNING: Using Retreat locks all of your skills for up to 10 seconds after its duration has finished.

Can only be used during combat.Cost: 0 energy

Cool down: 10 minutes

For acquiring the Skirmisher Class, you have earned the Class Skill: Ready for anything.Skill: Ready for anything [lvl1]

0%Thanks to your class, you are always ready for whatever it is that will be thrown at you. Be it through your enemies or the very nature.

Abnormal status resistance increased by 10%

Immunity to mild terrain disadvantages.Passive

For acquiring the Skirmisher Class, you have earned the Class Unique Skill: Adaptability.Unique Skill: Adaptability [lvl1]

0%Sometimes, a fight can develop into hundreds of different scenarios. These times, having a single weapon may not be enough. You can now equip any weapon on your auxiliary weapon slot.

WARNING: Equipping normal weapons on the slot will reduce weapon’s mastery skills effectivity by 50%.

Only the weapon(s) currently in use will contribute to your status.Passive

For acquiring the Adaptability skill, you have earned the Sub-skill: Cycle weapons.Sub-skill: Cycle weapons [lvl1]

(level increases with Adaptability)Having two weapons some times may be cumbersome, and a little help from other less usual methods may be needed. This skill allows you to change your currently equipped weapon instantly.Cost: 0 energy

Cooldown: 30 seconds

Wow. Just, wow.

I mean, really. All I needed was for me to get a class and a whole load of windows popped up, blocking my vision.

I slowly took my time to scroll through them, reading what each and every one of them does. And I must say, this really is one strange class. In fact, if Evelyn hadn’t told me of what is the idea behind this class, I probably would be lost behind the meaning of all these skills that simply don’t seem to have a solid meaning behind them.

Different from if I had gotten myself the Chaos knight class, as Arkhoss had offered me, I didn’t exactly get any hard-hitting direct skills, most of these had subtle meanings behind them. Consumable mastery pretty much made so that, whatever kind of item I used would have a stronger effect than usual. For most, this would seem useless, but I heavily rely on my crystal thingies, and they are all considered consumables.

Tactical charge is more of a positioning skill than an offensive one, if I were to think about it. Although the damage bonus is a nice thing, being able to charge towards any location I want can be the difference between life and death in a serious fight. And the fact that I can apply it to allies is another very nice boon.

About the retreat skill, I won’t comment much about how undignified it sounds. However, for me it will be an indispensable skill, since it gives me a chance to run away from a fight I may notice I’m on the verge of losing. This will allow me to get a good grasp on my opponents’ strengths before going to fight them for real. I will be using this one a lot.

Now, the ready for anything? That is damned sweet! If I understood it right, it pretty much gives me some resistance to stun, poison, paralyze, charm and everything else, as well as making so that slippery terrains, hot weather or rain will not affect me on my fights! This one, as I would say, is VERY SHINY!

Now, let’s go for the cream of the cake! Adaptability and cycle weapon. These skills are probably the true selling point of this class. Being able to use two different weapons makes it so I can abruptly change my tactics right in the middle of the fight, and this can buy me precious seconds if used right. But this isn’t all sweets, and might just as well be a double edged sword. If I understood it right, if I equip myself with two weapons, even if I will only use one, my weapon mastery skill will have only half of its passive effect. Although for now, this isn’t much of a problem since the bonus isn’t all that high, but if I were to put these skills on the max and have, say, 30% of extra damage, the effect would be much more noticeable. I would also lose the bonus stats from my secondary weapons, since only the current weapon would be considered for the status.

This makes it a much more preparative skill than a in-battle skill, since I would need to decided whether to take both weapons with me or not beforehand to either take advantage of flexibility, or brute damage. And fifteen percent damage is a LOT when you get to higher levels, believe me, I know. How many times do you think I died for a boss because I could not do five percent more damage on the other RPGs I played?

All in all, it seems a pretty complex class, but that can pretty much work under any situation.

ME LIKEY!

“Seems like you are going to enjoy this class.” Evelyn said with a smile.

“What makes you think that?” I asked confused.

“Well… You have been grinning this whole time, actually.” She said before changing her smile into a slightly wry one. “It’s actually a bit disturbing, to tell the truth…”

Huh? Come on, there was no need to add that last part, right? But well, to tell the truth, I’m kind of wanting to dart out of here and immediately start some kind of big fight just to test out the new skills.

“Hmm… So this is the class you picked up when you refused my offer.” A sudden voice came from behind me, surprising all of us. “It is a bit disheartening, but entertaining nonetheless. It does suits you.”

When I turned back I saw a handsome man with sharp features and wearing a suit behind me. I blinked surprised then smiled as I recognized him.

“Arkhoss! Did you miss-me already?” I said playfully, and these words make the two hosts cringe for a moment.

“Not exactly. As I said, I have been following you, so I’ve been keeping track of your movements.” He said before turning towards Evelyn and Logan. “And please, rise yourselves. You are going to dirty your knees that way.”

The couple looked at each other surprised for a moment, then nodded while hesitantly rising themselves from their kneeling position. Arkhoss nodded satisfied then waved his hand quickly, launching the same spell he had used when we first met. I also felt the spell affecting me, and the girls probably also did, since they looked surprised for a moment.

Hey! It also repaired my equipment! Nifty!

“So, what brings the god of Chaos to these lands? Is it something serious or are you’re here for a visit?” I asked him playfully. He chuckled slightly before answering.

“I just came to check on the person who managed to gather my attention. Is that bad?”

“No idea. I have no idea on what gods think, so I’m just playing it safe. Not sure if I want to become an unknowing pawn in one of your crazy machinations and whatnots.” I said while shrugging.

Both Evelyn and Logan cringed at my blatant suspicious words, while the two girls were only staring at me in awe. Arkhoss, however, simply chuckled and said jokingly.

“Then, if I explained you my plans you would join me?”

“Maybe? Could happen.”

“I see… Wait, what?” He turned to me surprised once again, before frowning and asking. “Then, if I said that I want you to go somewhere, get a crystal for me so I could use it in one of my plans, you would do it?” He asked suspicious.

“Do I get to fight some kind of strong beast?”

“Well, yes. There is this large wolf with a very peculiar condition that habits the area around the crystal. I did think that he would be of your liking…”

“Well, then count me in!” I said excitedly. I’m not sure what kind of condition that wolf may have, but if I work it just right, I might be able to craft something really interesting with it.

Arkhoss blinked surprised at my response, and I could only smile excitedly.

“I… Expected that you would need some more convincing…” He said a bit shocked.

But I was too excited to hear it, I didn’t exactly expect my chance to test this new class would come so soon!