It took a few minutes to dare deign to go forward with the rest of the whole endeavor, but I decided it didn’t make sense to hold off. I’d already shortchanged myself by waiting so long, and delaying it any more would qualified as a kink.

So, with nothing to do for it, I opened my Menu back up and let the prompts hit me.

Congratulations! Having successfully attained Level 10, you can now choose a Subclass!

Bear in mind that your Subclass offerings will be determined by what might best suit you to pursue within the confines of your base Class. Every action you have taken up until this point will have been an influential trigger for these ultimate results. Review them, and choose carefully, because you cannot take it back.

Your list of [3] available Subclasses is ready for review.

Feral Stalker

This subclass is for the Barbarian who wants to trade in their traditional loincloth for some camouflage and a pair of binoculars. These stealthy Barbarians are experts in blending in with the wilderness, using their Sneaking Skill to stalk and ambush their enemies. They gain access to abilities that allow them to move more quietly than a mouse on a yoga mat, hide more effectively than a chameleon in a candy dish, and strike from the shadows like an assassin with a beef jerky addiction.

Class Bonuses

Silent Hunter - The Barbarian gains a bonus to Sneaking and Perception when in natural environments, allowing them to move and spot their enemies more easily. +10% Sneaking when in natural environments +10% Perception when in natural environments +1 to Dexterity +1 to Wisdom Void Strike - The Barbarian can now perform a special attack that deals extra damage and has a chance to stun the target if they are attacking from hiding or stealthy. Wilderness Expert - The Barbarian gains further proficiency in the Survival-aligned Skills such as Tracking, Trapping, and Foraging. Gain Tracking Skill Gain Trapping Skill Gain Foraging Skill

Berserker Juggernaut

This subclass is for the Barbarian who wants to take their anger management issues to the next level. These rage-filled monsters harness their Primal Rage to become a nearly unstoppable force in battle. They gain increased Strength and Constitution, as well as Abilities that allow them to shrug off damage like it's just a pesky fly and continue fighting even when injured, like a zombie with a personal trainer.

Class Bonuses

Unstoppable Force - The Barbarian's Primal Rage further increases their Strength and Constitution, as well as granting them temporary Health and resistance to physical damage. +1 to Strength +1 to Constitution +5% Damage Reduction when under the effects of Primal Rage Gain [50] Additional Health Points when under the effects of Primal Rage. Rage Regeneration - This Ability also grants the user increased regenerative capabilities, allowing them to heal faster during combat. +10% Healing when under the effects of Primal Rage Primal Instigation - The user can now perform a special Ability that enrages nearby enemies, causing them to focus their attacks on the Barbarian and granting them temporary bonuses to attack and defense. +30 to Attack when under the effects of Primal Instigation for [30] seconds +30 to Defense when under the effects of Primal Instigation for [30] seconds.

Savage Beastmaster

This subclass is for the Barbarian who wants to bring their love for animals to the battlefield. These wild barbarians focus on their connection to the wild, allowing them to tame and command beasts to fight alongside them. They gain access to Abilities that allow them to summon and control wild animals, and can even gain bonuses to their attacks when fighting alongside them, like a circus ringmaster with a bloodlust.

Class Bonuses

Wild Companion - You can now tame and command wild animals to fight alongside you in battle. Pack Tactics - You gain bonuses to Attack and Defense when fighting alongside your Wild Companions. +10% Attack effectiveness when Wild Companion is within radius +10% Defense effectiveness when Wild Companion is within radius +1 to Intelligence +1 to Wisdom Call of the Wild - You can now summon different types of wild animals depending on the needed situation, such as a bear for defense, a wolf for tracking, or a bird for scouting.

“Oh mama,” I said with a euphoric quiver. “Daddy likes this set up. Daddy likes this set up a whole mess.”

I read through all the options again, smirking as I did so and daydreaming about how powerful I was about to become, and how messed up everyone else was soon to get. But, as always, the wet blanket parade had to sashay around the corner at some point, and that’s exactly what it did in Rexen.

“Oh!” He said, apparently looking at…exactly what I was looking at. “Not precisely what I had in mind!”

He waved his arms around.

“Allow me to fix this mistake, pupil—as you should be rewarded for your efforts.”

“Wait, what are you—”

However, suddenly, a new option appeared alongside the other three. This one was definitely…different, and seemed more in league with where my specifications had been going. Though it didn’t have the same sort of…je ne sais quoi as the others, I could definitely see what Rexen was referring to.

Primitive Underminer

For the Barbarian who wants to add a little bit of finesse to their usual brute force approach. Think of it as a way to sneak up on your enemies, give them a little tap on the shoulder and say "Boo!" while they're not looking. These deadly pranksters are experts in infiltration, sabotage, hit-and-run tactics, and demolition, using their skills to weaken the enemy's defenses and create opportunities for their allies to strike. They can infiltrate enemy camps undetected, dismantle their structures and equipment, and make their fortress walls crumble like cookies. They are the ultimate magicians, striking fast and hard, then disappearing into the wilderness. Outsmart your enemies and leave them scratching their heads…if they still have them!

Class Bonuses

Infiltration - The Barbarian gains Ranks in Infiltration and Deception Skills, allowing them to impregnate enemy camps and strongholds undetected. +1 to Intelligence +1 to Dexterity Gain Knowledge [Infiltration] Skill Gain Deception Skill Sabotage - The barbarian can now understand how to perform tasks that can weaken or disable enemy structures and equipment, such as cutting rope bridges, damaging siege engines, or poisoning water supplies. Gain Knowledge [Sabotage] Skill Sneaking Skill increased by [5] Level Ranks Demolitions - Gain Knowledge in the use of explosives and can now use them to create powerful explosions and destroy enemy fortifications. Gain Knowledge [Ignition] Skill

I frowned.

“I mean…yeah, it’s alright—but some of those other features were way more badass than these ones. I like the idea of being the thing in the night people fear, but also, I want to rage, goddammit. If you’re so special and greasy on the system, can’t you…I dunno, like, combine some of these for a custom Subclass or something?”

Rexen stared at me.

“Ah, man, did I say something stupid again?”

He slowly shook his head, never taking his eyes off of me.

“Just the opposite of, my gorgeous, brilliant disciple!” Rexen beamed. “I like that big brain of yours. Can I smell it sometime?”

“How about you just be satisfied with explaining why I’m such a sexy genius?” I offered.

“Yes, okay, that is fair,” Rexen said, waving his arms again.

“I think I can do that—though I haven’t done anything of this level in a while. It’ll be fun practice for parties!”

I shrugged. I never knew what this deranged psychopath was talking about. But, just a flea’s dick of time later, I had an answer.

“Behold!” Rexen exclaimed, sending the new prompt my way. “A masterpiece is born! Crafted from the esteemed expertise of one Rexen Tulip Tulip Tulip Gravetongue—”

I scoffed. He’d changed his middle name again.

“ —I present to you, my darling pupil: the perfect Subclass.”

I read it over. Then I did it again. I could stop myself from smiling, even though I fought it from creeping across my face.

Goddamn, you really did do it, Rex.

Frenzied Saboteur

Boy, oh boy, what a regular old Subclass this happens to be! Yep! Just one to ignore, in fact, almost no one would ever think of picking this one because it’s so…ordinary. I suppose if you had to describe it, you might consider referring to it as the perfect fit for a wonderfully scheming student of the greatest Arcane master of all time. However, you could also most pointedly not do that and just skip right over it.

Class Bonuses

Inciter- Time to be one with the riot. Weird how these seem to be so lame. Yep! Wow! Nothing at all to write home about here! +1 to Intelligence +1 to Dexterity Gain Knowledge [Infiltration] Skill Gain Deception Skill Gain Knowledge [Ignition] Skill Gain Knowledge [Sabotage] Skill Sneaking Skill increased by [5] Level Ranks Super Berserking - Your Primal Rage is a shroud of unstoppable madness. +1 to Strength +1 to Constitution +5% Damage Reduction when under the effects of Primal Rage Gain [50] Additional Health Points when under the effects of Primal Rage. +10% Healing when under the effects of Primal Rage +30 to Attack when under the effects of Primal Instigation for [30] seconds +30 to Defense when under the effects of Primal Instigation for [30] seconds. Friendship Strategy - Friends are wonderful! Non-Humanoid Companions are even better. +11% Attack effectiveness when Non-Human Companion is within radius +11% Defense effectiveness when Non-Human Companion is within radius +1 to Intelligence +1 to Wisdom Gain Nightfall Strike Ability

I gawked.

“Uh…Arjee?”

“Yes, pupil?”

“First of all: nice fucking work. But second—you can’t really think this will fool the system, do you? I mean, it’s broken as fuck and screams foul play. You’re comfortable with that?”

Rexen shrugged.

“Iunno,” he said. “I’m a notorious cheat. Let’s see what we can get away with, disciple!”

Honestly, I hoped it hurt the system. Fuck that thing, thinking it was so cool…and stuff. It wasn’t. In fact, it was the exact opposite of cool. It was dorky. And I didn’t care if it was busted all up and down Over-Powered Boulevard—I wanted a win. For once in my fucking life I wanted to grab the world by the stubbies and yank it into submission. It seemed like Rexen was aiming to be my ticket to the stars.

I clicked yes on the Frenzied Saboteur and watched the screen fill with all of my illegal mods.

Congratulations! You have selected a Subclass!

Frenzied Saboteur (Barbarian Path)

Then another notification rolled in on that one’s heels.

Congratulations! You have reached LEVEL TWELVE.

You grow stronger and receive the benefit of [6] additional Attribute Points. 20% Health and Arcana restored. Combat conditions healed.

Well, well, well. Look who’s back on the top of his game? It’s me. I am the big dog.

I quickly allocated my Points. Two more in Strength and Dexterity each to make them fifteen, as well as one in Constitution to drop it at a beautiful forty—with the Ring of Redoubt helping, of course—and another single Point in Charisma which became eleven. Then I looked upon my character sheet with awe. I was really doin’ this shit, weren’t I?

Loon

Race: Orc*

Class: Frenzied Saboteur (Barbarian Path)

Level: 12

Profession: Unassigned

Health: 550 / 550

Arcana: 115 / 115

Max Stamina: 233

Reputation: Untested

*Current Settlement Reputation:

Tallrock [Neutral]

Sodality

Assignment: Cult of the Capricious

Cult Rank: Initiate

Pacts

Rexen Gravetongue

Attributes

Remaining Points to Allocate: None

Strength: 15 Constitution: 40 (+3 Ring of Redoubt) Dexterity: 15 Wisdom: 11 Intelligence: 12 Charisma: 11 Luck: 15*

Skills

Acrobat (E-Rank Level 3) Camp (F-Rank Level 1) Deception (F-Rank Level 1) Hunting (F-Rank Level 1) Improvised Weapon (E-Rank Level 3) Improvised Shield (F-Rank Level 3) Insight (E-Rank Level 5) Intimidate (F-Rank Level 2) Knowledge [Nature] (F-Rank Level 1) Knowledge [Infiltration] (F-Rank Level 1) Knowledge [Ignition] (F-Rank Level 1) Knowledge [Sabotage] (F-Rank Level 1) Leadership (F-Rank Level 3) One-Handed Weapons (F-Rank Level 3) Perception (F-Rank Level 4) Simple Weapon Proficiency (F-Rank Level 6) Simple Armor Proficiency (F-Rank Level 1) Sneaking (B-Rank Level 9) Survival (F-Rank Level 1) Swimming (F-Rank Level 1) Two-Handed Weapons (F-Rank Level 6) Throwing Weapons (E-Rank Level 1) Unarmed Fighting (E-Rank Level 5)

Active Abilities

Armorless Defense (E-Rank Level 9) Battle Born I Darkvision I Enduring Perch II Eye of the Saboteur I Primal Rage (E-Rank Level 2) Pernicious Volley I Natural Resilience (F-Rank Level 2) Nightfall Strike I Super Berserking I Uncommon Consumption (F-Rank Level 1) Warchant I Blackout Warchant

Passive Abilities

Friendship Strategy Inciter Outsider Unfaltering Wildling

Perks

Adventurous Tastes (First Perk Bonus) Aegis Synthesis

Aegis

Calden’s Hang Time Loon’s Bombastic Beatdown

Boons

Bone Warrior Imprint

Esper Nodes

Emerald: 3 Sapphire: 2 Topaz: 1

I gave Rexen a thumbs-up motion and settled back into my bed. I couldn’t lie, it felt good to see those stats. I sort of understood the allure of a place like this now. Having valuable information at your beck and call—beckon call? Having info at your command to sort through and improve, with quantitative calculations behind it was absolutely a blast. Especially when you had an ancient spirit sorcerer looking under the table at the cards. I gotta say, despite everything that had gone down in the last handful of days, I was feeling particularly gucci about the whole thing.

“Hey Arjee,” I said, suddenly curious as to something that had been itching at the back of my mind.

“Yes, pupil?”

“Why are you called the Dreadnaught Lord? I mean, yeah, you’re pretty cool, I’ll admit—for an annoying ghost, anyway—but that is like…a name with some oomph, you know?”

“Ah, disciple,” Rexen stated serenely. “It is simple. I call myself that because it is meant to inspire fear, but it is a private joke. I designed the nickname myself as a way of secretly relaying to others that, should one encounter me, I am naught to dread.”

I groaned.