The world system's announcement echoed like thunder through the broken school. The last goblin corpse hadn't even stopped smoking when the three reincarnators felt it—
A surge of power that shook them from the inside out.
> [Level Up!]
Current Level: 20
Rank: C
Class Advancement Available
[Reincarnation System Bonus: 2x Exp | Unique Class Path | Stat Boost]
Arin, Kael, and Liora exchanged glances. There was no need for words. They knew this feeling from their past lives. The first Class Change. The real beginning of their climb.
A black and purple interface appeared before Arin's eyes, swirling like ink in water.
> [Class Evolution Detected]
Current Class: Shadow Reaver
Available Paths:
— Shadow Reaver (Advanced) – Specializes in assassination and stealth.
— Void Walker (Unique) – Allows manipulation of shadow space and enhanced battlefield control.
— Shadow Monarch (Locked) – Requirements not met.
> [Reincarnator Bonus: Unique Class Path Unlocked]
Selected: Void Walker
The shadow around him pulsed, then wrapped him in a swirling vortex of darkness. The air grew colder, heavier.
When it faded, Arin's presence felt… deeper. Like the night itself was breathing with him.
---
Kael's screen erupted in a crimson flash.
> [Class Evolution Detected]
Current Class: Crimson Brawler
Available Paths:
— Blood Berserker (Offensive, raw power)
— Blood Gladiator (Balanced offense/defense)
— Blood Warlord (Locked)
> [Reincarnator Bonus: Unique Trait Fusion – Berserker's Core]
Selected: Blood Berserker
Kael's veins glowed red for a second, like molten metal. His aura grew heavier, burning hot. A crimson mark pulsed faintly on his chest like a beating heart.
---
Liora's interface shimmered green-white.
> [Class Evolution Detected]
Current Class: Bone Warden
Available Paths:
— Bone Warden (Advanced)
— Bone Queen (Unique) – Control bone structures and skeletal armies.
— Necrolord (Locked)
> [Reincarnator Bonus: Unique Skill Integration – Living Bone Control]
Selected: Bone Queen
The floor cracked slightly beneath her feet as bone constructs emerged more refined and human-shaped. Her green aura pulsed rhythmically like breathing.
---
> [Class Advancement Complete]
+100 Stat Points Distributed
+2 Skill Unlock Slots
Bonus: [Title: Early Evolver] – Stat growth +5% permanently
---
Kael flexed his arm and grinned. "I feel like I could punch through a tank."
"You already did," Liora said dryly, dusting bone fragments off her shoulder.
Arin exhaled slowly. His aura faded, but anyone looking would feel the shift. A hunter. A commander of shadows.
They weren't the same as they were just hours ago.
They were evolving ahead of time.
---
They decided to move. The others would be gathering in the hallways.
But before they could reach the broken front doors—
> [World System Notice]
[Area Lockdown Initiated]
[Reason: Early Mutation Detection – Zone Not Cleared]
[Exit Denied for 12 Hours]
Note: Special information shared with [Reincarnators].
— Mutated Boss still hidden inside the school.
Arin's jaw tightened. "So that's why."
Kael let out a groan. "Great. Trapped. Again."
Liora crossed her arms. "We'll deal with it."
---
The hallway was crowded when they arrived. Students huddled together, whispering in panic. Some had makeshift weapons; others just stared blankly. Blood stains marked the floor, and the shattered windows let in cold air.
> "Why can't we leave?"
"My mom's out there!"
"The gate won't open!"
"I wanna go home!"
Their panic was a reminder of how unprepared the world still was.
A group of familiar faces turned when they entered — Elias among them.
The reincarnators opened their world system scan casually.
---
📜 [STATUS SCAN – Student Group]
Average Level: 9
Lowest: 8
Highest: 12 (Elias)
Common Classes: Basic Swordsman, Firestarter, Minor Healer, Shield Guard, etc.
Combat Readiness: Low
Emotional Stability: Unstable
---
Liora sighed softly. Weak. Just like before.
Kael muttered under his breath. "Half of them can't even swing a stick straight."
Elias, their former friend — not yet their enemy — stepped forward. His face was flushed with exhaustion but also… suspicion.
"Hey," he said, forcing a smile. "You guys have been… acting weird lately. Since when are you this strong?"
Arin didn't flinch. His tone was smooth, practiced. "We trained. While everyone panicked, we prepared."
Elias frowned. "That doesn't explain how you're at a higher level than anyone else."
"Luck," Kael replied flatly, hands behind his head. "And good looks."
Liora gave him a sharp side-eye. "You're neither."
The students around gave weak chuckles — just enough to ease the tension.
But Elias's eyes lingered on them longer than necessary. There was something calculating in his gaze.
Not hatred yet. Just the seed of it.
---
> "We need to get out of here," a girl sobbed.
"The system won't let us," someone answered.
"What does that mean?!"
"Why us? Why this school?!"
Arin raised his head, pretending to listen like everyone else. But inside, he was already scanning for any abnormal mana signatures within the building.
Kael muttered, "History's repeating."
Liora's voice was a whisper. "Not this time."
---
The three stood slightly apart from the others. Not because they wanted to… but because they no longer belonged in the same way.
Stronger. Sharper. Marked by destiny and betrayal.
> [World System Alert]
[Mutated Entity Detected]
[Location: Basement – Boiler Room]
[Threat Level: C+]
[Time Before Manifestation: 02:00:00]
Their real battle hadn't even started.