Hours later, Aya awoke to darkness. She waved a hand right in front of her eyes to check that yes, it was actually just that dark. She burrowed back into her blankets, willing to forget the world for a few more hours. But alas, that was not meant to be. Her stomach growled angrily, reminding her that she had only eaten an apple since she got up this morning. Or was it yesterday already? She keenly missed her cell phone. With great reluctance, she pried herself from her warm bed and dove into a thick pair of socks and her bathrobe. Next, she proceeded to do her business in the bathroom, forgetting that the toilet wouldn’t have any water in it to flush. ‘That’s going to smell.’ she muttered to herself. She walked back to the kitchen, only stubbing a toe and ramming her shoulder into a doorpost. ‘How do blind people even manage to live like this?’ she wondered, half in awe and half annoyed.

She quickly fumbled around from some candles and her match sticks. Finally able to see, she set about reheating some half-frozen spaghetti. During these chores, she kept her mind carefully blank. Only when she finished eating and went back to sit on her bed with a blanket wrapped around her, did she let herself think and feel. She still felt depressed about what happened so far, but she was also kind of disgusted with herself. Everything she had done so far was half hearted at best. She hadn’t taken things seriously. And the moment something went wrong, she had ended up hiding from the world under her blanket. A small flame of determination and defiance sparked inside her chest. Is this the best I can do? Is this who I am when the times get tough? Or will I get back up and show myself and the world what a member of the Woodstone family is capable of?! With newfound energy, she decided to first see what her notifications had to say.

Skill acquired.

For sneaking up on an enemy, you acquired the skill stealth.

This skill passively boosts your stealth attempts. This skill is currently at level 1. You receive 10 exp.

Aya frowned when she finished reading the message. ‘I would expect this kind of skill to be an active one. Eh, what do I know?’. She dismissed the thought. It’s not like anything about this situation was logical. Hell, she realised that while some plastic items had disappeared, the plastic water bottles, and her gaming chair didn’t. She found it best to not dwell on such things, otherwise she would go crazy. She went on to the next message.

Ding!

You have slain the [Mutated Chihuahua, level 2], Fluffy. You receive 150 exp.

‘Mutated Chihuahuas… I’ve always thought they were devil spawn.’ Aya commented with forced cheer.

Ding!

You have gained a level. You are now level 1. You have gained two free attribute points.

Before she could react, trumpets sounded inside her mind.

Ding!

For reaching level 1, you must choose one of the 5 basic classes. Choose wisely, for you can only change your class at level 20.

Aya ran a hand through her hair. ‘Seriously, what is up with this game like setting? Whatever, let’s see what we got.’.

Warrior

The warrior is primarily focused on brawl over brain. She will be the first on the frontline smashing into their enemy. Bonuses related to the warrior class:

Adds +1 to strength per level up, on top of the +1 free attribute point Offers a one-time choice of system upgraded melee weaponry. The choice is between a sword, a spear or a mace. Unlocks the skill melee weapon proficiency at level 1 without previous knowledge of the skill.

She wrinkled her nose. ‘No, just… no. This one is NOT for me. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty, but I am so not a frontliner. I bet Jay is going to choose this one though.’. Her brother loved to run headfirst into trouble. The family guessed he got dropped too many times on the head when he was younger. Personally, I think they let him get away with too much shit since he was the youngest, she thought. She chuckled at the memories of some of the antics Jay got into.

Archer

The archer is primarily focused on dealing supportive damage from a distance. She will snipe any enemy foolish enough to leave its body and head unprotected.

Adds +1 to agility per level up on top of the +1 free attribute point Offers a one-time choice of system-upgraded long distances weaponry. The choice is between a short bow, a long bow, or a crossbow. Note that modern weaponry such as rifles do not fall under this category. Unlocks the skill archery at level 1 without previous knowledge of the skill.

‘Hm, this sounds more fitting for me. I wouldn’t mind standing far away from my enemy and sniping them.’ she contemplated. ‘Plus, it’s supposed to be a supporting role… Although, it would be pretty useless in close combat. Let’s put it on the maybe list. Next.’.

Rogue

The rogue is primarily focused on dealing damage to unsuspecting enemies. She will sneak up on any enemy foolish enough not to invest in perception.

Adds +1 to agility per level up on top of the +1 free attribute point Offers a one-time choice of system-upgraded daggers (2) or a set of throwing knives Unlocks the skill knife proficiency or knife throwing.

‘That… sounds suspiciously like an assassin. I don’t like the fact I need to get up and close to an enemy. Although the sneaking around part sounds cool. No, I think I would rather be an archer than a rogue. I can always sneak around from a distance, regardless of the class. I got the skill for it, after all!’.

Healer

The healer is primarily focused on supporting allies. She will be the difference between life and death in a fight.

Adds +1 to willpower per level up on top of the +1 free attribute point Unlocks the spell minor heal and Heal bones

Aya’s heart beat faster as she read the class description. ‘Oh my god! You could actually just… do some magic mumbo jumbo and heal someone?! That sounds amazing!’. She almost chose the class there and then. ‘Be reasonable Aya, you haven’t read the last class yet. Besides, healing is awesome, but it doesn’t give any attack or defend options. Still…’. She quickly checked the next class, lest she gave in to temptation.

Mage

The mage is primarily focused on dealing supportive damage from a distance. She will be the bane of every warrior foolish enough to approach its allies.

Adds +1 to willpower per level up on top of the +1 free attribute point Offers a one-time choice of a system-upgraded wooden staff Unlocks the spell minor control in either fire, water, air or earth.

She grinned. ‘I could be an air or fire bender! Maybe even the Avatar eventually?!’. She loved that show. The class sounded good, but her heart was still making grabby motions towards the healer class. She mentally dismissed the archer option though. While not bad, it just didn’t speak to her the way healer or even mage did. Besides, where would I get arrows from? And I can just imagine tripping and breaking my bow. No thank you.

But that still left her with a difficult choice. Would she go for her passion, magically healing people, or would she go for the somewhat smarter choice, combat wise, and go for mage? Assuming she could use it that way. She hemmed and hawed some more, but in the end, she had already made her decision the moment she laid eyes on the class. Feeling giddy – I mean, when do you get the chance to possible fulfill your dream by magic? – she selected the healer class. Again, trumpets sounded in her mind.

Ding!

You have chosen the healer class, congratulations. Smart people are less likely to die with you around.

You will receive +1 to Willpower per level and one free attribute point, instead of two free attribute points.

Spell acquired

You have been given your first spell Minor heal. Minor heal mends bruises and cuts. Consumption of mana is based on area, effect, and Willpower.

Spell acquired

You have been granted the spell Heal bone. Heal bone fuses bone together as if it was as good as new. Consumption of mana is based on area, effect, and Willpower.

Aya blinked as a flood of information poured into her mind. She somehow knew how to cast her newly acquired spells. It felt like it had always been a part of herself. ‘Minor heal’ she whispered excitedly. She felt a small warm glow permeating the toe she stubbed earlier. It disappeared as quickly as it came, probably because her toe wasn’t all that bruised. Nonetheless, Aya was overjoyed. Magic is real! I can fix people with just a few words and intent. Aya quickly fell into dreams of a world where things like sickness and diseases no longer exist, and people could live forever. After all, natural death was just a degradation of cells over time.