With the awakening of a new class, Sakeer found himself staring at its passive abilities, momentarily dazed.
He struggled to put into words what he was seeing.
"This passive skill... I have no idea how to describe it."
It didn't seem particularly useful—at least, not at first glance.
"Maybe it's tied to the system's class structure."
Sakeer shook his head, pushing aside his doubts and shifting his focus to the class skill that truly mattered.
If he hadn't been required to master Shamanic Adept to unlock its skills, he wouldn't have wasted even one level on it.
Skill: Totem PossessionCost: 3 uses/day (No MP required)
Description:
Allows the user to transform the soul of a beast or monster into a totem tattoo, imprinting it onto their legs, back, chest, arms, or head.
Depending on the branded totem, the user gains a basic attribute boost and can choose between two totem abilities:
1. Flesh Enhancement
Activating a totem enhances a chosen basic attribute.
A single totem can be reinforced up to five times per activation.
Uses per day: 3
2. Expertise Acquisition
Grants the user certain innate abilities of the branded creature.
The number of uses depends on the original usage limits of the creature's ability.
Sakeer blinked, his gaze lingering on the skill description.
It was the first time he'd seen a class skill with such an extensive introduction. He had to read through it multiple times just to fully grasp its mechanics.
In most games, the Shaman class was known for its versatility—capable of melee combat, ranged attacks, support, and healing.
However, in practical play, Shamans typically specialized as either mages or healers.
A combat-focused Shaman like Zero, one that fully embraced a fighter's path, was exceedingly rare.
Now, after carefully analyzing "Totem Possession," Sakeer finally understood—
Why had Zero been able to unleash strength far beyond his level after activating all his totems?
This was why.
But—
What truly caught Sakeer off guard was the fact that this skill presented an entirely different way of fighting than he had expected.
Two completely distinct combat systems existed within it:
Flesh EnhancementExpertise Acquisition
"Expertise acquisition..." Sakeer murmured, deep in thought. "So I can train and use the abilities of beasts or monsters?"
There was no need to question the effectiveness of "Flesh Enhancement."
It was already evident in Zero, the "Battle Demon," whose overwhelming strength proved its worth.
But "Expertise Acquisition"?
That was something entirely different.
In the game "YGGDRASIL," such an ability represented an incredibly versatile and unpredictable combat style.
"This feels a lot like the abilities of the forest priests."
Sakeer pondered, his mind racing with possibilities.
His gaze flickered back to the Shamanic Adept class.
The more he studied it, the more convinced he became—
This mid-tier class wasn't just another step in the Shaman system.
It was a core foundation.
And the dual combat styles within "Totem Possession" were likely closely linked to its future evolutions.
At that moment, a realization struck him—
He had lucked out.
Sakeer wasn't sure how high the skill's upper limit could reach, but he knew one thing: its lower limit was already high.
Even without considering its abilities, just the base attribute boosts from the totems were already valuable.
But to fully grasp the potential of "Expertise Acquisition", he needed to test it in battle.
Sakeer pushed aside his wandering thoughts and returned his focus to the status panel.
Before long, his eyes landed on another ability—
Skill: Fly (3rd-Tier Magic)Cost: 15 MP
Description:
Grants the user the ability to fly.
Can also be cast on others.
This magic had been looted from "Undead King" Davernoch.
While Sakeer could already assume the form of flying creatures via "Wild Transformation," the effect wasn't true flight.
Now, however, he had actual aerial mobility.
His gaze shifted to the bottom of the panel.
[Skill Points: 39]
Originally, he had 40 skill points, but learning Shamanic Adept had cost him 3. However, leveling up had granted him 3 more, keeping his total at a comfortable 39.
Sakeer smirked.
With his new class, skills, and magic, things were finally starting to get interesting.
Sakeer cast a brief glance out the window, his gaze flickering with contemplation.
"It's time to leave."
According to his understanding, the "Blue Roses", a renowned adventurer team, had just completed their mission and would return to the royal capital in a few days.
However, Sakeer had no intention of approaching them just yet.
It wasn't that he couldn't wait—rather, something important had just crossed his mind.
Among the known members of "Blue Roses", there was one more individual, aside from those introduced early in the story—
A living legend.
One of the Thirteen Heroes—Controller of the Dead, Rigrit Bers Caurau.
This revelation made Sakeer pause.
The other party can be said to be the first member to join Blue Roses. Sakeer is very suspicious that the reason why Rigrit joined Blue Roses is likely related to Lakyus's family.
In simple terms—
Rigrit had likely joined the adventuring party to protect Lakyus, who had recklessly assembled the team in the first place.
But that wasn't all.
Rigrit wasn't just an adventurer.
She had secret ties to the Platinum Dragon King.
She was one of the few individuals who knew about "players."
In other words—
She was a major threat to Sakeer in his current state.
What Sakeer couldn't determine was whether Rigrit had already left "Blue Roses."
From what he knew, there were two key moments in which she was likely to have withdrawn:
The Fall of the Nation—when the party banded together to defeat the great catastrophe, after which a new member replaced her.
The Origin Ring—which she later passed down to Gazef.
At the moment, Sakeer wasn't sure if the Fall of the Nation event had already played out, but he was certain of one thing—Gazef had not yet received the Origin Ring.
As for the upcoming battle between Leinas and Gazef—Sakeer had little interest in watching it unfold.
Victory or defeat—his objective would be achieved regardless.
Lower Fire Moon—September 14th
Imina stood at the door of Sakeer's room, waiting.
After a moment of silence from within, she hesitated before raising her hand and knocking.
"What's going on?"
Still no response.
Frowning, she cautiously pushed the door open.
The room was empty.
Sakeer—and the little Barghest—were both gone.
"That bastard!"
Imina's expression darkened.
"He just dumped all this responsibility on me and vanished?!"
She stomped her foot in frustration.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
The faint sound of footsteps echoed from the top of the stairs.
Almost instantly, the entire atmosphere of the hotel shifted.
The once-lively space was now eerily silent.
A sense of unease prickled at Imina's skin.
Her expression tensed as she quickly stepped out of the room.
At the top of the stairs, three unfamiliar figures emerged.
Their strange attire and dangerous auras immediately set off alarms in her mind.
And judging by their expressions—
They hadn't expected to run into her either.
For a moment, the air between them was thick with tension.
"Who are you?"
Imina's voice was steady, but she instinctively took a cautious step back.
One of the figures stepped forward—a man with a faint, almost amused smirk.
"Miss 'Thousand Kills', I am Succulent," he said smoothly, a hint of deference in his tone.
"Phantom Devil" Succulent.
A notorious name.
Behind him, the other two figures introduced themselves in turn.
"Peshurian."
"Edström."