Chapter 45 | The Third Vessel, Platinum Tank
"Do I want another class?" Viktor asked back with his eyebrows raised, genuine surprise flickering across his scarred face. "This is... quite a question to spring on someone you just met."
Viktor’s class was [Shadow Assassin], a powerful variant of the base [Assassin] class that some awakeners received upon their initial awakening ceremony.
With this class he had two skills that worked in perfect harmony: [Stalk], which allowed him to seep into the shadows perfectly to attack unsuspecting foes from any angle.
And the other skill was [Backstab], massively increasing the damage of foes he attacked from behind, often killing them before they even realized what had happened.
The combination made him incredibly deadly in combat, as he could still use [Stalk] even when facing you directly, creating an aura of unpredictability.
This made Viktor one of the strongest in the First Layer, a feared name among both monsters and rival awakeners, and though he could earn enough to live well thanks to that, he still wanted to move to the Second Layer.
"Well," Viktor replied calmly, his voice measured and thoughtful. "I would indeed love another class, though I can manage just well with mine for now."
At that moment, the strings appeared around Viktor’s body and began to bind themselves to him, glowing faintly in the afternoon light.
Ding!
[The vessel needs to approve of the contract.]
’I don’t know if doing it here is smart, but Viktor doesn’t seem that bad, and I really need that right now,’ Alicar thought, his mind already calculating the risks.
As for Viktor, the panel appeared before him, its letters glowing with an ethereal light that seemed to pulse with power.
Ding!
[Do you wish to sign Soulless’ contract?]
[Yes] [No]
"The hell is that?" he asked as he extended his arm, which passed right through the panel like it was made of mist. "What the..."
"Click [Yes] if you want another class, you won’t lose your current one," Alicar replied with a neutral expression, his voice calm and reassuring. "I have no idea what your advancement task is or why you’re struggling so much, but I’m sure this will help."
Viktor stared directly into the panel, confusion written on his face, his brow furrowed with skepticism. "You can do that?"
"Yeah."
"Did you do it before?!"
"Yeah."
Viktor looked at the panel for a few more seconds, weighing his options carefully, then with a heavy sigh, he actually clicked on [Yes], with the logic of ’what do I have to lose anyway’.
It’s not like a random panel could do anything to him, right? He had been stuck for two years, what was one more risk?
Ding!
["Viktor Draven" has accepted the "Contract" and will receive a new class.]
Viktor didn’t even believe anything would happen, he had just met Alicar after all, and frankly, he didn’t look that strong at all.
BOOM!
Before he could finish his thoughts, Viktor felt something swell inside of him, a surge of power that made his entire body tremble, and instantly dropped to his knees, feeling the power course through his veins like liquid fire.
Some nearby awakeners turned to look at him as he was glowing, but they didn’t react much more than that.
In Alicar’s vision, the strings began to glow brilliantly, gifting their power over to Viktor, until they eventually seeped into him completely.
Ding!
["Viktor Draven" has obtained the "Platinum Tank" class.]
"Oh?" Alicar’s eyes glinted with interest, his eyebrows rising. "A tank class!"
Alicar hadn’t expected something like this from Viktor, who seemed more suited to stealth and agility, but still, any class from a Supreme potential vessel was likely to be incredible, so he didn’t mind.
[Skill: Platinum Body]
"Damn, only one skill again," Alicar muttered, though there was no disappointment in his voice.
Unlike the first time though, Alicar didn’t feel disappointed, in fact he was extremely excited to see what this legendary skill could do.
---
[Skill: Platinum Body]
[Rank: Legendary]
[Level: 1 (+)]
[Description: The user’s body becomes incredibly resilient to any sort of damage. Normal weapons cannot harm his skin, and he will not shed blood easily. The body becomes as tough as forged platinum, capable of withstanding devastating blows that would kill lesser awakeners. +50% Physical Defense. +50% Magical Resistance.]
---
"Holy shit, that’s insane," Alicar breathed, his eyes widening at the sheer power of the skill.
Alicar gazed at his own skin, and though it didn’t seem any different than before, he could indeed feel that he was much more durable, a subtle strength coursing through his flesh.
Even an attack from the Sun Beast would likely not directly injure him much anymore, though he’d still need to be careful, as the beast’s claws were legendary in their own right.
As for Viktor, he simply gazed at the new skill in his status panel, his eyes hollow as he understood what had just happened to him.
"You..." he looked at Alicar, his voice barely above a whisper. "What ARE you?"
"Just don’t tell anybody," Alicar smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "It benefits both of us if nobody but the people I recruit know, don’t you think?"
"...Yeah," Viktor couldn’t help but agree, because even though he was loyal to the Awakener Association, such an ability couldn’t be known by anybody. "But with this... I might actually be able to do it."
"So what’s your Advancement Task?" Alicar asked, his voice filled with genuine curiosity. "We just met and things went fast, but I believe that we can—"
"I’ll tell you later!" Viktor cut him off before immediately rushing toward one of the First Layer gates, his form disappearing into the crowd. "I’ll be in touch!"
"...Sure," Alicar sighed as he watched the man leave, a faint smile on his face.
Their encounter and the events had happened very quickly, but still, Alicar left extremely satisfied with his new class and ability, another step closer to his goal.
And more than anything, a notification appeared that confirmed his progress.
Ding!
[Have 3 Vessels: 3/3]
With that completed, all three of his advancement tasks were done, and though it had taken longer than any other awakener, nearly a month of grinding, Alicar couldn’t help but feel excited about what lay ahead.
Ding!
[You have completed all of your advancement tasks and have officially advanced to Tier-1.]
[Congratulations, Soulless One, the true start of your journey lies ahead.]
[Reward: +5 Points to each stat.]
Alicar felt the power surge through him, his stats increasing across the board, his body growing stronger and more resilient with each passing moment.
He had done it, he had finally completed his advancement tasks and was ready to enter the First Layer.