Dual System: Ascension of A Nameless Nobody

"Sub-class?" He quietly asked.

Though he found that he didn't have the opportunity to look into it any further as another scream echoed out from the depths of the dungeon. This time, it was accompanied by what sounded like a battle-cry from a different, feminine voice, and a series of clinks and clangs from blades clashing.

Crap, I almost forgot…! I have to find the people who are in here! He thought.

Bringing himself to his feet, he felt a new vigor as he ventured deeper into the dungeon as his level was raised to a considerable new height.

He was faster; that much he could tangible feel as he sprinted through the sleek, black corridors of the dungeon. Each stride he took allowed him to feel the wind brush against him as his peripherals were almost a blur.

It was clear that he was getting closer to the players he was seeking to help, being led by a trail of fallen Defects that were laid out in the halls.

They must be pretty capable if they've wiped this many enemies out. It sounds like there are two players down here, at least, he thought.

Blocking his path after turning down the corridor he knew was close to the source of the yells, a dark-skinned Defect stood in the hall, possessing four arms that each wielded a blade.

It was definitely smaller than the Fallen Vanguard, and by admission, weaker.

That was important; it was a confidence booster for the player that had just overcome an arduous RFB.

[Enemy Class: Fallen Soldier – [Level 10].]

I can do this. This is a good chance to try out my new skill, he thought.

Opening the encounter with a [Blink Step] that was now amplified by the two additional points he put into it, its distance was increased, allowing him to nearly close the gap entirely between him and the enemy.

"Blink Step" is the foundation of the assassin-class, in my experience. It's the only spirit-free active skill I've seen, and it doesn't need to be said out loud to be cast, he thought.

As he was instantaneously brought before the four-armed, lanky foe, it reared back all four of its arms in an uncanny, mechanical way as if churning gears like an ancient machine.

"Flinch–!"

[Spirit: -20. Remaining Spirit: 2480/2500.]

Snapping his fingers, he activated a skill with a "half-cast"--as in, he only had to invoke the name of the spell, rather than begin with "Cast".

The snap of his fingers conjured a powerful, resounding shock wave that wasn't intended to inflict damage on his opponent, but rather caused the four-armed foe to recoil back and cancel their attack halfway through.

[Flinch] left the Fallen Soldier momentarily stunned, giving him the opportunity to draw his sword and run the tip of finger over its flat surface swiftly.

"Cast: Dark Edge!"

Trailing his fingertip, he left a coating of swaying darkness to cover the steel of his longsword before spinning around and delivering a large, powerful slash diagonally across the enemy's chest like a crescent strike.

It was a spirit-free spell, however, the price came in the toll on stamina it took.

"Raaargh–!"

A mechanical howl left the bowels of the humanoid Defect as it parted its square mouth, rearing back as the dark slash left a sizable amount of damage on its form.

"And…!"

Following up, he used another [Blink Step] to get behind the stunned enemy, position his hand close to its back.

"Cast: Flame Lance!"

[Spirit: -150. Remaining Spirit: 2330/2500.]

Gathering at his palm, flames coalesced into the shape of a loose, formless lance that instantly pierced into the back of the Fallen Soldier.

Another inhuman, screeching howl left the lips of the black-skinned Defect as it dropped its minimalist blades while flames filled its body. Within moments, the flames completely swallowed the dark Defect, reducing it to dust as its essence flowed into him.

["Fallen Soldier" Defeated. EXP+50. Current EXP: 100/1750. [Angel Coins] x3 Acquired.]

"Phew…" He let out as he allowed the flames to dissipate.

Again, he found himself relaxing too quickly as he remembered his entire reason for being there, sprinting down the corridor as he reached another, large chamber of the Obsidian Dungeon.

It was a domal room, filled with cube-like structures of black steel and distorted, angelic statues that protruded from the ceiling with mighty weapons in hand.

Hovering in the middle of the room with a slight hum, defying gravity, were diamond-shaped structures of the same black steel that made up most of the dungeon, filling the room with an eerie, divine ambience.

Is this the final room of the dungeon? He thought.

"AAAA–!"

A girly scream suddenly filled his ears, nearly making his glasses fall from his face as he jumped, looking around to try and find its source as it was definitely within the same chamber.

"Cast: Recon!"

[Spirit: -50. Remaining Spirit: 2280/2500.]

Using the translucent, scouting wave, he sensed the location of the enemies, along with two players surrounded by those very enemies.

Crap…! He thought.

It was after sprinting through the maze-like structure of the chamber with utmost speed that he found himself at the location.

Cling. Clang.

"Hyaah–!"

–A tall, short-haired woman could be seen swinging a large claymore against a group of Defects, repelling them but not ultimately doing much in the way of damaging them. She wore light, ivory armor over a snow-white, sleeveless uniform that showed off her rather defined, toned arms as she swung her blade around desperately to keep the Defects away.

He was perplexed why she would back herself into a corner like that, but he saw why: sitting against the ground, panting, was an exhausted, injured young woman with long, silver hair.

She's protecting her, he thought.

Without wasting any more time, he flipped his grip of his sword, bringing it into a reverse hold.

"Cast: Conceal," he said.

[Spirit: -50. Remaining Spirit: 2230/2500.]

The assassin-class spell activated, turning him mostly invisible as even his steps became silent, though it would only last as long as he didn't attack an enemy.

Using his concealed presence, he snuck up on one of the Defects before plunging his blade into its neck–removing the sword caused blood to spurt from the black-skinned Defect's neck like a fountain.

"Huh–?" The short-haired woman looked in that direction, confused.

After launching that attack, [Conceal] wore off, revealing himself to the muscular woman's gaze as he kept his blue hood over his head, focusing on the other Defects.

["Fallen Walker" Defeated. EXP+25. Current EXP: 120/1750.]

"Who are…?" The woman began to ask, but stopped as she realized he was there to help.

Using [Blink Step] consecutively, he managed to draw the attention of the half-dozen Defects his way, keeping himself on his toes as he constantly avoided their reach.

There's a lot of them…he thought.

Looking at the claymore-wielding woman with short, black-hair, he noticed she wasn't exactly sitting pretty either; cuts were etched onto her body as blood leaked, though not fatally, it was enough to worsen the situation.

After briefly adjusting his glasses whilst the ravenous, lanky Defects lunged towards him with thin, stygian spears held in hand, he breathed out.

"Get your friend and get out of here–!" He yelled out while the Defects were drawn on him.

"Huh?"

"I can handle this!" He shouted out.

Crap, what am I doing…? He questioned himself.