Marcus stood still, staring at the twin runes glowing before him. He ran a hand down his face, then let out a low, humorless laugh that slowly built into something fuller—half-relief, half disbelief.
"The system has to be kidding me… right?"
His voice echoed faintly off the scorched stone around him.
"Took me way too long to think about this."
He spoke through a crooked smile, already tapping the glowing panel without hesitation. The moment his finger connected with the screen, he selected the 'Arcane Gifted Rune', the decision firm in his mind.
[Rune Creation Update]
[Currently Learned]:
Mana Efficiency Rune (Created) (B+) (Passive)
Fire Rune (Learned) (C)
Combustion Rune (Created) (A+)
Advanced Healing Rune (Created) (A-)
Arcane Gifted Rune (Created) (SSS) (Passive)
The screen pulsed and dimmed, folding itself into the ether like burning parchment. Marcus exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as his body adjusted to the new power humming within him. His breath steadied as he focused inward, senses re-centering.
"A choice between a spellblade and having gifts for the arcane…?"
He tilted his head, the faint flicker of mana dancing along his fingertips.
"What an obvious choice."
It wasn't arrogance—just clarity. Marcus had fought with assassin instincts up until now: tight counters, minimal movements, reading an enemy's breath before they struck. Boxing, weaving, precision over power. But even he could see the trap this time.
Spellblade? Sure, it implied synergy between weapons and magic. Useful. Stylish, even. But predictable.
Arcane Gifted, on the other hand… That was vague. Dangerous. And full of potential.
And who's to say he couldn't still use it on weapons?
"I'm not sure if it's a coincidence either, but the system's been nudging me toward spellcasting from the start…"
His voice trailed off as he recalled how every single physical enhancement rune had been locked out—only for the mana efficiency rune to be conveniently available.
He chuckled under his breath, flexing his fingers. They tingled with residual heat and pain, but the Advanced Healing Rune was doing its job well. Scorched skin peeled away, replaced by fresh tissue, seamless as a thread being pulled tight.
"I have no idea what this new SSS rune's gonna do," he muttered, glancing toward the darkened hall ahead, "but I sure hope it's good enough."
Then came the chime.
[Notice: Synergy with Rune and Class Detected]
[Synergizing]
Marcus froze mid-step as the air shimmered again, this time with force. The system's voice echoed like a choir of whispering circuits.
[Class Update:]
[Graveweaver]
[Stats Updated]
The change hit like a surge beneath his skin. Not pain—but potential. His grin grew wider, his breath catching as the thrill of power coiled deep in his chest.
That choice was better than I thought.
[Updated Character Profile]
[User: Marcus Ravenfield]
[Class: Necromancer]
[Skills]:
Rune Creation (SSS)
Assassin Training (SS+)
Mastery of Death (S+)
-Death Echo (Passive)
-Soul Loom (Passive)
-Weavebound Construct (Ability)
[Stats]:
Strength: 15 (C)
Dexterity: 48 (A) (+5 Boost from Necklace)
Intelligence: 70 (S+)
Endurance: 23 (C+)
Wisdom: 56 (A+)
Mana: 62 (S) (50% Less Mana Usage) (2x Mana Pool and Regeneration)
Marcus stared at the new profile, eyes flicking across the digits and descriptions. His fingers twitched. The glow of the panel painted him in silver-blue light as he traced the contours of his ridiculous, ascendant stats.
And this wasn't even his cap. He still had EXP banked from defeating the figure.
"This is way too much."
He grinned—cocky now, confident and utterly unapologetic.
"But I'm not complaining."
With a thought, he allocated every unspent point straight into mana. The number rose only slightly, but even a small increase in a stat like that was a quantum leap.
Mana: 64 (S) (50% Less Mana Usage) (2x Mana Pool and Regeneration)
"Only two points?" he said with a smirk. "Well, whatever. I already got fed with a gold spoon as it is."
He closed the system panel with a flick, feeling his mana churn wildly, like an underground river finally unblocked. Energy pulsed beneath his skin, rising fast and steady, like he could cast for days and still have enough left to destroy a small nation.
His eyes gleamed, sharp and focused as he looked deeper into the scorched corridor ahead—dungeon air thick with ash and ozone.
"Let's see if this makes the rest of this dungeon a breeze."