[Mission Complete – The First Battle: You have taken the lives of your enemies, survived amidst the chaos, and will live to see another day.]
I heard the system's voice with empty eyes.
I was going to die anyway, just like everyone else.
Maybe in a different place, but it made no difference; just like them, I was going to die.
So the system's voice was more of a nuisance than anything else.
"At least it will be peaceful," I murmured softly as I closed my eyes, peacefully awaiting my end.
But the system voice completely ignored that.
[The reward for completing the mission will be a Rank Up.]
[Upon Ranking Up, the player's physical capabilities will increase slightly.]
[All non-permanent injuries will also be restored, and your physical condition will be stabilized.]
"Hmm?" The system's last comment made me open my eyes immediately in surprise.
"Will it... heal me?" I asked quietly.
But no voice came in return. Instead, a powerful drowsiness washed over me. My eyelids grew heavy, and consciousness began to blur. It didn't even take a minute for me to fall unconscious.
As I lost consciousness, a warm, golden light enveloped my body. It was a warm sensation, as if submerged in soft, warm water.
The golden light embedded itself into the wounds. Fractured bones were restored, lacerations closed from the inside out, and the sharp pain dissipated as if it had never existed. However, the process wasn't perfect: where the skin had been torn, visible scars remained.
Once all internal and external wounds were repaired, the golden light began to fuse with my entire body. From the smallest parts to the largest, every corner of my being was flooded by this energy.
Muscles strengthened, bone structure became more resilient, and my entire organism underwent a transformation.
When the light finally dissipated, I had gained a few centimeters in height, my muscles were more defined, and I had lost body fat. The golden light, as if its work was finished, faded without a trace.
As I lay unconscious, a group of goblins passed by the area, following the trail of blood. They were from the same group that had attacked us moments before, and it was obvious they were looking for survivors. But, as if they couldn't see me, they passed by without a second glance.
An indefinite amount of time passed, and I finally regained consciousness.
"Where am I?" I wondered, looking around dazedly.
My memories were jumbled, and I didn't fully understand the situation, but suddenly, as if a floodgate had opened, everything that happened came rushing back. My eyes clouded over as I looked down.
Beneath me, a large stain of dried blood spread out. Not only that: my clothes were torn and stained with blood, clearly in an unusable state.
"So... it was real," I murmured with a shiver, recalling the sensation of loss. But my negative thoughts were dispelled by a familiar voice I deeply detested.
[Rank Up Complete]
[As a consequence of the Rank increase, you may select one of the following classes compatible with your latent potential.]
[1. Alchemist] [2. Mage] [3. Rogue] [4. Mercenary] [5. Sorcerer] [6. Warlock]...
[The further from the top of the list, the less talent you will have in that class.]
A long list of names unfolded before me. They were all fantasy class names, some conventional, others somewhat exotic.
I could count at least twenty different classes.
"This is... like an RPG?" I wondered confusedly, observing the interface.
There were so many names that just looking at them was starting to give me a headache.
"I can more or less guess what each class does by its name... but, what should I choose?"
Although I had played many role-playing video games, this time was different. I didn't know if the choice was final or if there would be a chance to change later, so I had to think seriously about which path to take.
"According to the system, the higher the number, the less talent I have in that class. So it would be best to ignore any option above the fifth position," I murmured to myself.
There were many classes, but since I didn't understand how much weight "talent" really carried in this world, the most sensible thing was simply to choose the class for which I had the greatest aptitude. "Alchemist, then?"
Alchemy was the class with the highest talent, but, to be honest, I didn't view it favorably. In most RPGs, Alchemists were a support class rather than direct attackers. Furthermore, the need for reagents and materials to function seemed inconvenient, especially without knowing how to obtain them in this place. So it would be best to discard it.
"Then, Mage it is," I finally decided.
In most games, Mages might not be the most powerful class, but they were always a solid and versatile option. It shouldn't be a bad decision.
As if the system had heard me, a voice appeared.
[You have selected the Class: Mage]
[Acquiring basic magical knowledge.]
[Distributing basic Class equipment.]
No sooner had I heard that voice, my eyes widened.
"Aaahhk!" I screamed, as I felt something pierce my brain.
The sensation was indescribable, but it was as if someone had opened my skull and tried to cram an entire book inside.
The worst part was that, besides the pain, I also felt how the information not only entered my mind but integrated into my very being.
I gritted my teeth, trying to endure the headache, and my brain, like a sponge, absorbed all the information.
Fortunately, the pain wasn't lasting, as it gradually decreased until it disappeared, as if it had never existed.
"Haaah... haaah..." Slowly I sat up, leaning against a tree with my clothes drenched in sweat.
"That was... horrible," I said between long breaths.
Before me appeared a mage's robe, a staff, and a sort of book, suddenly emerging from a small flash of light.
I sat still, looking at them for a moment, before sighing.
"I hope my screams didn't attract anything," I murmured, though I knew that was anything but impossible.