Chapter 53: The Serpent's Den-II

Saad nodded in understanding, his focus unwavering. Under the Ashen Witch's guidance, he began to assist with the potion-making process. His hands trembled at first, but as he continued to mix the ingredients, he found a rhythm and confidence he hadn't known before. The herbs seemed to respond to his touch, blending harmoniously.

[Your herbal mastery increases.]

The message window kept on popping up every few minutes, and Saad finally felt satisfied. As they worked together, the Ashen Witch shared stories about the origins of various herbs, their unique properties, and the secrets of their cultivation. Saad's Herbal Mastery skill kept increasing, and he also learned the recipe for a low-rank health potion.

[HP Potion]

Rank: Common

Description: It increases HP by 10 points upon consumption.

Ingredients: Milky thistle, Murky Usnea

Hours passed, but to Saad, it felt like mere moments. He was entranced by the art of potion-making and the wisdom of his master. The sun cast long shadows through the windows of the cottage as their work continued.

At last, they finished crafting a batch of low-rank health potions. The Ashen Witch inspected their work with a satisfied nod. "Good. Now that we are done, get going." She was already ushering him to leave and Saad had no complains. As he left her house, there were still almost few hours left until his defense mastery and whip mastery class so Saad decided to go back to Serpent's Den. If he needed to earn the money faster and get powerful, he needed to officially have his class. He had made up his mind!

The Serpent's Den stood as majestic as ever, but this time, Saad didn't stop to admire the view. He headed straight for the NPC. The pink-haired NPC from last time, Blossom, was there again. He glanced at her name, but he couldn't help but think that "Fresh up Strawberry" would be a more fitting name. It suited her perfectly, reminding him of bubblegum.

Saad approached Blossom, the pink-haired NPC, with a sense of determination. Her bright appearance was hard to forget, and Saad couldn't help but notice how her hair seemed as vibrant as ever.

"Welcome to the Class Acquisition Chambers," Blossom greeted with a friendly smile. "How can I assist you today, adventurer?"

Saad cleared his throat, his excitement mingling with a hint of nervousness. "I'm here to proceed with the class acquisition. Do I have to fill up the registration from again?"

Blossom's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she examined Saad. "Registration, you say? Ah- I remember, you are from the other day. The kid who had the fastest entrance and exit." She giggled, remembering him and Saad wasn't sure how to feel about that but could only politely smile.

"Yes, there were some issues," Saad replied, offering a polite answer since there was no need to piss off any NPC. He did however felt a bit bitter. If she had inform him that the tests would be long, he wouldn't have waster precious spheres.

Blossom quickly registered his name in the system once more, her fingers dancing gracefully over a holographic display. "Ok, Kael. You're all set for class acquisition. You must already know by now but just step into the cubicle on the right, and it will take you to the Class Tower. Good luck!"

Saad thanked her and made his way to the designated cubicle. As he stepped inside, he couldn't help but wonder about the how the NPC from the last time had acted. He was unsure if the NPC was acting with 'Kael' like that because he was linked with Kael's story somehow or perhaps he was just designed like that.

The cube erupted in light and energy as the teleportation circle activated, and Saad found himself transported back to the serene forest. It felt as if time had stood still in this place. The man he had met before was there, fishing. Today, the man wore a black shirt and trousers, a stark contrast to the colors from their previous encounter, making him appear a bit older.

However, the man's aura remained the same, and he greeted Saad with a generous smile. "I'm glad to see you again," he said in his serene manner. "Today is the best day."

Saad couldn't help but feel a bit weirded out by the man's cryptic statements. He was certain that this man was part of some hidden element in the game. He also wondered why the man's name wasn't displayed above his head like other NPCs. With curiosity piqued, Saad asked, "May I know your name?"

The man looked amused and replied, "I'll tell you my name if you can successfully clear the Class Tower."

Saad frowned, feeling a bit frustrated by the man's enigmatic responses. "Where is the Class Tower?" he asked, looking around.

The man gestured towards a nearby stream, saying, "The entrance is right here. You need to jump right in."

Saad, although still puzzled by the NPC's mysterious demeanor, decided to go along with the instructions. He approached the stream, its crystal-clear waters shimmering in the dappled sunlight. The serene surroundings made him hesitate for a moment.

He turned back to the man, who was still fishing with a calm expression, and asked, "Jump into the stream, you say? What's inside?"

The man chuckled softly. "Inside, you'll find the Class Tower. It's a place where you'll face challenges, tests, and learn skills unique to your chosen class. Think of it as a rite of passage, a step towards becoming a true adventurer."

Saad nodded, but he still felt skeptical. The stream was so shallow that he felt like the man was just making fun of him. But he knew that he had to do it and so decided to just do it without thinking much, his curiosity overcoming his hesitation. "Alright, then. Here goes nothing." With a deep breath, he took a step back, then ran and leaped into the stream.

As soon as he entered the water, a sensation of weightlessness overtook him. It was as if he was being pulled into a different dimension. The world around him blurred and shifted, and he felt like he was floating through a vortex of colors and light.

As Saad stepped into the cubicle, he felt a peculiar sensation, like being pulled into a whirlpool. The world around him blurred and twisted, and suddenly, he was submerged in water. Panic surged through him as he realized he couldn't breathe, and he expected his head to slam into the mud and sand below.

But to his surprise, that moment never came. Instead, as he cautiously opened his eyes underwater, he found himself in a surreal world. The water was crystal clear, and rays of light pierced through from above. He felt weightless and buoyant, the serene sensation contrasting sharply with his initial fear.

Saad swam upward, breaking the surface of the water. As he looked around, he found himself in a strange ruin. The place resembled a salt mine, with towering, crystalline structures that glistened in the soft light. The only sounds were the occasional pitter-patter of water droplets echoing in the cavernous space. He was alone.

Panic seized Saad as he realized something even more unsettling. His armor was gone, along with his access to his inventory and his array of skills and titles. Even his level had been reset to 1, and all he had with him was a basic whip. It was as though he had been stripped of everything he had worked so hard to achieve in the game.

Character Window - ID: 1221

==============================

Name: Kael Emberflame

Age: 15

Race: Human

Main Class: Whip Master (In Progress)

Main Weapon: Basic Whip

Level: 1 (0/50)

HP: 30/30

Wealth: 0

Attributes:

----------------

Stamina: 7 Strength: 7

Agility: 7 Intelligence: 7

Charm: 7 Dexterity: 7

Vitality: 7 Arcane Points: 7

Status point: 0

Skill points: 0

Just as Saad was about to unleash a torrent of curses, a quest window popped up before him, illuminating the dim surroundings.

[Class Acquisition - Whip Master]

Welcome, adventurer! You have chosen to undertake the class acquisition for the Whip Master class. You have three options:

Whip Master Test

Difficulty: Easy

[Select]

Whip Master Test

Difficulty: Moderate

[Select]

Whip Master Test

Difficulty: Hard

[Select]

Please choose the level of difficulty you wish to undertake. Your choice may impact your growth and the abilities of your class.

Saad's mind raced as he considered his options. Should he play it safe and go for the normal test? Or should he take a risk and aim for a higher mastery level? The game within him was curious, and he knew this decision could shape his virtual destiny.

After a moment of contemplation, Saad made up his mind. With a determined glint in his eye, he selected the dark, murky purple button labeled "Hard."

As Saad selected the dark, murky purple button labeled "Hard" for the Whip Master test, the quest window before him shimmered and then disappeared, leaving him with an overwhelming sense of anticipation. It was as if the game itself was holding its breath, waiting to see how he would fare.

In the silence of the surreal salt mine, a soft, radiant message appeared before him. [Good luck, adventurer]

He had no idea, just how much he was going to need luck.