Rebirth Online World

Enjoying the air of the stratosphere, I looked down at the forests and and mountains below me.
Area that gave birth to a future legend… or a future utter failure, the Starting Area!

Icicle: Hey Zetra, it seems you have been training, are you really trying to reach what I told you about?

Zetra: Of course Master, which Griffon wouldn’t like to become a Storm Griffon?! Can you even imagine the speed I could move at? Not to mention that attack power… I would feel like a bird transformed into a Phoenix!

Icicle: For now you’re just an overgrown crow, but work hard and we’ll slowly get… somewhere. I’m not so sure what will become of me at the moment…

Zetra: Did something change, Master? You seem… out of it.

Icicle: *sigh* What can I tell you. There was a change of rules for us adventurers, now every single one of us, mages, is bound to the same laws as you guys are.

Zetra: Hahaha, so you’re experiencing the troubles now! I wondered how could you reach that level of power so fast, no wonder. I wish there were no laws to bound me either, but on the other side, if it was like that, creatures that are older and far stronger than me could do whatever they wish. So, with that said, it’s probably better if things stay the way they are. Do not get so down, Master, I’m sure you will regain you strength… someday.

… did that little crow just make fun of me?

Icicle: How about I trim your plumage a little, hm?

Zetra: I was just joking Master, no need to go to such extremities.

Icicle: What, you don’t want to look pretty?

Zetra: L-Look, Master, Mage Guild is in sight!

*whooosh*

Speeding up, Zetra made a nosedive.
Whatever, I enjoy flying like this too much to hold “grudges”.

Landing in front of the white, marble-like building of the Mage Guild, I felt a little tingle.
I haven’t seen these people in quite a while.
Time sure flies when it’s three times slower in your own world.

Opening the door, I was welcomed by the usual greeting.

Cindy: Welcome adventurer. How may I help you?

Icicle: Do you even age, Cindy? You look like an eighteen year old whenever I see you…

Running towards me, my head landed in Cindy’s bountifully endowed bust.

Cindy: You’ve become quite a flatterer since I last saw you, haven’t you, Icicle?

Icicle: Fufufu, who knows.

Releasing the hug, Cindy asked gently.

Cindy: So, what have you come here for? Social visit?

Icicle: Of course, I wanted to visit my house members, but there’s something else.

Cindy: Oh really?

Looking at me with those green eyes, I couldn’t help but get to the point.

Icicle: These two here.

Cindy: W-What the hell are you doing, boy? Just whipping items like these out? Put them back, quick, before someone notices!

Now that’s a reaction.

Icicle: What’s wrong with having these two out in the open? It’s just a black box and a book…

Cindy: I said hide it! Give me a second, I need to have someone take over.

Walking to the underground pompously, Cindy brought some male over.
It was a tall guy with long red hair.

After that guy stood behind the reception desk, I was dragged to the underground by my ear.

Kajiel: Getting punished by the Guildmaster? That’s pretty tough man…

Thanks for the reassurance.

As I was hauled through dark corridors, Cindy didn’t even need any light to move through the underground maze.
I wonder how can she even discern where the hell she’s going…

Stopping in the middle of nowhere… or somewhere, I can’t tell, I was hurled over into a room.

‘Is this what people call a sex dungeon…?’

*swoosh*

All I could see was a sudden flare of the match.
Opening my eyes, I discerned a burning torch.

It was a small brown stoned room, with only one entrance.

Cindy: So, you unruly little mage, where have you found these ridiculous items? Do you even know what they do?!

Icicle: Well, that’s what I came here for… to ask.

Cindy: *sigh* What do I have with you… The first one, Pandora Box, is, of course, a box that contains calamities. There are some people that take a chance to earn something great. However…

Icicle: …?

Cindy: However, almost all of them end up dead or terminally ill. The rest of them is troubled with a disease or mental illness for life, making it an endless suffering.

That sounds like something I would bet my money on.

Icicle: So, to put it bluntly, it’s a box containing 99% bad things, isn’t it?

Cindy: Exactly that.

Icicle: Why do people even make them then?

Cindy: They’re not made by humans. Deities, Gods and all the other powerful creatures can create such a thing.

Huh?

Icicle: Why would they do it? Unless people open it, it’s completely useless!

Cindy: From what I’ve learned through countless years, these mythical creatures do so to cleanse their souls. Removing the bad parts of themselves, often changing their original, godly selfs forever. It goes without saying that most of these creatures are forced to do it by the other ones. No one would really go to such lengths to change himself. There’s always some kind of a rebel.
Then, when it comes to people, you should have realized by now, that we are greedy and curious creatures. Even if the chance is slim or just to check if it’s actually true, we are willing to open not only such boxes, but even the gate to hell itself.

Okay, that makes sense.

Icicle: I see. This Pandora Box is useless then…

Cindy: Unless you have the devil’s luck itself, then yeah, pretty much.

Devil’s luck, huh.
This update fucked me so severely that it doesn’t matter if I get wrecked even more.
It’s time to shine…!
Time’s up, let’s do this!

Cindy: Oi, what are you doing boy? Don’t tell me…!

[Open]

Blinding light came pouring out, making me turn my eyes away.
When the radiance toned down a little, I saw something similar to Death itself.

Skeleton.
Red light came out of this wraith’s eyes.
Its attire was a brownish-black robe that was ragged to the point of no return.
Seeing this spectrum in front of me, I was wondering if ghosts really do exist…

I didn’t have much time to ponder on this, as this chill inducing creature let out an otherwordly shriek.

Cindy: I told you not to do it…!

What the hell, is it a banshee or something?
Right when I thought that, something cold entered my body.

[System message]
You’re in the process of being eternally cursed.
Description: Those who dare open Pandora Boxes, are ones who dare to challenge the gods themselves! Only these mighty beings can open artifacts like Pandora Box that contain a part of their kind’s soul! Mere mortals should not cross the border between mortal and gods’ realm!
Current stage: 15%

That sounds like fun.

[System message]
You’ve been branded as one who dares to challenge the rulers of all!
-90% to all stats and skill effectiveness.

Well, this isn’t as funny anymore…
In fact, it’s devastating.
Still, I would regret it if I didn’t try my chances with this accursed box!

[System message]
[Luck of the devil] activated.

Oh right, I had that title…
Totally forgot about it…
Can I be redeemed?!

[System message]
Your [Enhanced light’s baptism] used its holy power to clear the curses!
All curse effects have been lifted!
[Enhanced light’s baptism] has been absorbed!

Cindy: H-Huh? You’re turning back…?!

Damn, there were still some stats to be had…

[System message]
Your whole body has been perpetually imbued with light element!
[Water manipulator] class has undergone a change into [Holy water manipulator]!

Did I just become a priest…?!
Rest in peace women and wild fantasies…

Cindy: W-What happened to you?!

Icicle: Not much, just a curse that has been lifted.

[System message]
One of the goddesses isn’t content with how the things have progressed.
Permanent -100% resist against dark element has been allocated to the user.
This stat cannot be voided nor reduced by any means, including equipment.

Seems like I spoke too soon.
Who could it be… yeah right.
There’s only one open enough goddess to do so.

Likaan: *Have some freebie, my treat, petty human.*

Speak of the devil.
For some reason Likaan sounds too calm.
Does she have anything in her sex store for me…?
I may not be in the best shape, but I’ll welcome any challenge!

*slap*

Cindy: Do you realize how worried I was?! You stupid student, why the hell did you open it?!

Icicle: I’m not expecting you to understand, but it’s just that… I like to gamble.

Cindy: You do like to do what?! Gamble?! Gamble with your very own life?! Goddamn addict, I’ll beat some sense into you!

Icicle: Please, before you do, oh pretty blond goddess, tell me, what is this book all about?

Cindy: Hmph, changing the subject won’t do anything for you! *sigh* … Whatever, it’s your life you gamble with… For some reason, I think you already have an inkling of what this book can do for you.

Icicle: I’ve learned some things, it’s a ritual book or something. Capable of changing the laws of the world!

Cindy: Buahahahahaha!

…what?
Don’t you dare tell me this old man tricked me!

Icicle: What’s so funny?

Cindy: This isn’t a ritual book, boy. It’s a spellbook! S-p-e-l-l-b-o-o-k! To be exact, an ancient subclass spellbook!

A spellbook?
That old man wanted such a hefty price for a mere…!
Wait, ancient class spellbook?
It ceirtainly can be capable of changing the world.
I have no idea about changing its laws, but hell, if it ends up in some competent hands, it can surely be useful!

Icicle: Hmm, that sounds even better than the ritual. Any catches?

Cindy: As far as I know, the subclass you’re assigned with is random, although some say it’s best suited for the user. The thing is, most of us don’t know “what we were made for”. There were warriors that used such books and ended up being legendary…

Icicle: Legendary what?

Cindy: Farmers.

… wow.
That’s a sudden twist.

Icicle: I see. So, Guildmaster, are you ready to have a first Legendary Farmer in your guild’s ranks?

Cindy: Are you really going to use it? Isn’t it better to just find a subclass that suits you on your own? I don’t see a reason why you’re in such a rush…

Does Cindy not know about adventurers…?

Icicle: Alright, before I use this ancient abstract of farming skills, I’ll tell you what happened…

Cindy: Why do you suddenly sound so secretive? Just spit it out before I get mad!

Icicle: This will be far easier to convey, share [Status] with Cindy.

Cindy: W-What?! How the hell do you have so much mana?! Are you a magical beast or something…? Wait, what does it mean “[Unavailable]”? It’s the first time I’ve seen something like this!

Icicle: To put it simply, us, mage adventurers, have become subjects of the same laws as you, natives. That’s why, without understanding of the shown skills, I do not have the “right” to wield them… or something like that. It wasn’t explicitly explained to us either.

Cindy: You’re trying to tell me that my S rank Mage has become a beginner? A cripple so to speak? No wonder you’ve opened that Pandora box so casually…

Icicle: Does that save me from the beating?

Cindy: Do you really think I would hit a weakling like you, now that I know of it? Pffft!

I guess that’s a way to rub it in NPC style…

Cindy: What are you looking at me for with these puppy eyes? Just open the goddamn book! I wanted to have a gardener anyways…

Wow, thanks for having such high expectations of me, Cindy!
You’re very kind!
Such a… gentlewoman!

Icicle: Well then, here goes nothing!

[Open]

[System message]
You’ve used an ancient spellbook!
Assigning suitable subclass… please wait.

Please, for the love of God almighty, don’t give me anything from the clergy…
Even a Farmer is better, I can always plant weed…

[System message]
You’ve been assigned with a new subclass, [Mastermind].

Show [Mastermind]

[Mastermind] [Special]

Okay, this one definitely suits me, it’s special, just like me!

[Mastermind] [Special]
Description: Masterminds are people who have gone past the level of ordinary schemers. Not only can they work from the shadows, but also openly deceive their prey without leaving a hint of their actions. It’s a perfect subclass for daredevil individuals who like to use their brain a lot.

Stats: ???
Unique abilities: ???

Notice: If you’re truly a [Mastermind], why don’t you find it out yourself?

Am I being toyed with by the devs again?
First of all, they disclose my information, then they go live with this ridiculous update, and now this shit!

Cindy: How did it go? Have you gotten anything decent?

Not even turning to Cindy, mainly because of utter sense of shame and embarassment, I took the book in my hands.

Icicle: Yes, it’s a really useful subclass I have no idea how to use! Basically, it’s useless! To hell with this book!

*whoosh* *bang* *thud*

Something on the book’s cover cracked.
There was an oval item that started shining blue.

Picking it up, I realized that it’s a necklace, with a black, donut like thing on its end.
For some reason I wore it, before even inspecting it.

Blue image popped up before me.

Stranger: Fufufu, welcome, dear successor. I have no idea if you’re that smart to discover me, or was simply lucky enough to somehow break the seal placed on the book, but… here we are! Consider this message as one only a clever and devious or really lucky person can find!

Being indirectly called dumb… great.
Special>commoner>special>dumb.
That’s quite a cycle I’ve been through.

Stranger: Oh right, I haven’t introduced myself. Not like it matters, I’m most likely dead when you see this message anyways. You can call me…Retian. Maybe someday, you’ll learn my real name. To the point now, the class you’re presented with is really powerful, indeed it is. However, for as long as I lived, I studied it. [Mastermind] subclass comes with certain… prerequisites.

Let me guess, being a special kind of a retard like I am…?

Retian: These requirements include being weak, but knowing what it’s like to be strong. This is to ascertain that the person who was chosen knows how to outsmart a stronger opponent.

Even the guy I never met just tells me I’m a weakling. Superb.

Cindy: Oi, what’s going on, you’ve been staring at nothingness for a while…?

Icicle: Could you give me a moment, Cindy? I’m listening to my predecessor in trade. I need to talk to you about something later. It’s concerning Mage Guild stuff.

Cindy: It’s okay… I guess. You know where to find me.

*click-clack*

Retian: Second one is to remain anonymous. No one can know what subclass you do possess, otherwise it becomes not only useless, but also a hinder to your day to day life. People will think of you as of a common thief, your relationships will go sour before they even begin… Just do not do that, okay?

Not as colorful as it seemed, huh.

Retian: Your [Mastermind] subclass won’t show in your status, so no one will be able to see it. Make sure you’re not babbling about it either.
You can’t work in the shadows when you’ve been seen through…
Third requirement is guts.
Not literal ones of course, as we, men, most likely all know how crafty women can be, and how well they suit this job.
It takes courage to constantly develop new abilities, challenge whoever stands in your way, learn, and what’s most important – survive!

Why do I suddenly feel like these are thirteen districts…

Retian: Like every class, your path will be littered with dead bodies, either of your comrades or your enemies, depending on how well you do. Many of the [Schemer] profession will fall for one to reach the highest level of skill!
As a gambler, you should know one thing…

Fufufu, trust me, I know.

There is no thing such as cheating!

Retian: There is no thing such as cheating!
This is basically it.
There are other things you should know about this class, but let’s cover the basics for now.
Unless you learn of something this class can do, you won’t be able to use it!

Main stat for your skills to activate is intelligence!
First one starts at 100 points!
It is called “Garner”.
You’ll see what it does soon.
Now, fufufu, for the second thing!

Every point in intelligence will now be 5 times harder to get!
Hahaha, I’m sure you’re cussing me right now!
If you didn’t know it, you could progress normally!

You little piece of shit!
Cussing you?
I so want to murder you, but if I let out even a tiny bit of killing aura, Cindy will probably kill me… so, yeah.
Hold it in, Icicle, hold it in!
Just like a poo…

Retian: How’s your holding out going? Did you manage to not release even a tiny bit of killing intent?
If you did, congratulations. You’re elegible to become a powerful [Mastermind]!
Oh, by the way, about this Intelligence stat, I was just kidding.

No, you fucking weren’t!

Retian: Hahaha, no I wasn’t! HA! Got ya!

… I feel like I’ll do a great job at it already.

Retian: See you when you get to the 200 intelligence points gap. Until then.

Tipping his magician hat, Retian’s hologram image turned off and my black donut necklace stopped shining.

[Observe]

[Mysterious black necklace]
???

Seems like what Retian has been talking about is true.
Can’t see what it does, even though it’s mine now…

This class seems powerful, but for some reason, I feel like it’s totally anti-mage.
Is it one that should be used by assassins and the like?

Show [Mastermind]

[Mastermind] [Special]
Description: Masterminds are people who have gone past the level of ordinary schemers. Not only can they work from the shadows, but also openly deceive their prey without leaving a hint of their actions. It’s a perfect subclass for daredevil individuals who like to use their brain a lot.

Stats: ???
Unique abilities: [Garner] (always toggled)
Side effects: Intelligence points are gained five times slower than normal.

*sigh* Nothing I can about it right now.
We’ll see how it goes, let’s go and have a chat with Cindy.

Oh right… where the fuck am I?!

*beep*

Blue map appeared in front of me, there I was, shown with a big red dot, Cindy was marked with yellow one and there were many, many people in other rooms I had no idea even existed.

Is this my new subclass?!
Holy shit!
That’s bloody amazing!

Walking out of the underground maze as if it was playing Pacman, I appeared in the upper floor.
Heading to the reception room, I saw Cindy, brooding.

Icicle: Ekhm, may I have your attention, Guildmaster?

Cindy: Icicle, welcome back! Wait, how in the world did you manage to come back so quickly…?

What the hell is this?

Name: Cindy Woodhulk
Health: 52380/52380 Mana: 12050/12050
Level: 985
Age: 784
Race: Human
Class: Earth Shaper
Subclass: ???
Alignment: Vilen Town’s Mage Guild
Titles: ???
Stats:
Strength: ???
Agility: ???
Dexterity: ???
Vitality: ???
Intelligence: ???
Wisdom: ???
Luck: ???

Age… 784?!
She’s a museum piece!
Breathe, nice and slow, BREATHE!

Giving me a suspicious look, Cindy gestured me to sit on one of the available chairs.
Are these here in case of a line of people gathering?
Medieval looking game with modern way of service… jeez.

Icicle: That was nothing much, just following your lovely smell, fufu~.

…was the best lie I could come up with.

Cindy: Y-You’re weird… perverted even. *sigh* How’s your subclass?

Icicle: I’m working on it…

Cindy: Good. What did you want to discuss, Icicle?

Icicle: I wanted to talk about the whole Mage Guild thing. I don’t know how it works, so I’ll be straightforward with this. I want to join old man Hylzar’s academy to regain my strength. However, as I’m not oblivious to politics and such, I came to ask for a permission. If it’s possible, I would like to stay as a member of your guild, Cindy, and somehow be able to attend the Hylzar’s academy in the same time. Is such a thing possible?

Cindy: *sigh* You’re making me sigh way too much today, boy. Do you want me to have a faster death or something…?
No, it is not possible, Icicle. You can only choose one. But don’t you worry, I’m sure old man Hylzar will understand…

Is it a gentle way of telling me “stay here, mongrel!”?

Icicle: Do you want me to stay?

Cindy: I do want you to stay, but I want you to go as well. So you’ll tell Hylzar exactly that. And if he objects… fufufufufufufu~. Just tell him I said hi, okay?

Wait… they do know each other?!
That devilish laugh… it doesn’t seem like just “knowing” anyways…
Do I have the balls to ask…?!
I do!

Icicle: Umm, Cindy, just how old are you exactly?

Cindy: That’s rude! Eighteen and counting of course~!

Icicle: And how many eighteens are you really?

Cindy’s right palm landed on my shoulder.

Cindy: Do you have a death wish, young one? Ehhh?!

Imagine my killing aura that made the earth shake as a tennis ball.
Now imagine Cindy’s killing intent as a 10m in diameter black metal sphere…

Yup, that’s the difference in our power levels…

Icicle: Don’t worry I would just give you.. eighteen times four-

Right when I was about to say eighteen times fourty, I bit my tongue.
Cindy’s lived long enough to know that subclass like mine exists.
I don’t need another hindrance to my already miserable state right now.

Cindy: You think I’m over 70?! How rude! Shoo, shoo! Before I beat you up!

I had to run before this powerful Earth Mage decides to do something… not so unreasonable.

It was high time to look for my ex-master, beautiful raven-haired Vilenne.