Following the logic, the assassin would probably be the most appealing class for me. After all, even without a party, I’d still be able to manage—so long as I could stay hidden well enough. Plus, I could avoid unnecessary fights if it came down to it.
Of course, I could hardly picture myself in a situation like that, since I'm not the type to dive headfirst into anything without carefully analyzing it first. Regardless, the class I would choose was already set in stone. None of the other options made as much sense.
*Do you wish to proceed with the Assassin class?*
A wry smile curled on my lips—both my feminine and masculine ones—as the security confirmation screen appeared in front of me. Pure irony—apparently even the system, or whatever this thing was, needed a confirmation window. Without hesitation, I accepted the class, already imagining what might come next.
*You have chosen the Assassin class*
The moment I made my selection, both of my bodies began to glow with a soft, hazy light that seemed to come from nowhere. I didn’t know exactly what it was, but I could feel—faintly yet clearly—that something fundamental had changed within me.
Still, the transformation was subtle, almost imperceptible—like a tiny adjustment had been made without drawing attention. I didn’t notice any real difference, but there was a vague sense that something important was shifting beneath the surface. Soon after, new system messages began to appear, one after another, floating before me with pinpoint synchronization.
*Skill Acquired* [Silent Steps (Common)] – Muffles the sound of your footsteps, making you nearly inaudible while moving. While sneaking or moving slowly, you become much harder to detect.
*Skill Acquired* [Precise Strike (Common)] – Attacks against unsuspecting enemies deal triple damage. Enemies up to 3 levels above the user have their physical defenses completely ignored and are instantly killed if struck in a vital spot, provided the attack is executed undetectably. For enemies up to 4 levels above, defenses are still ignored, but the strike instead deals double critical damage to vital points rather than instant death.
*Skill Acquired* [Presence Detection (Common)] – Sharpens your instincts, allowing you to sense the presence of living beings nearby. Even without seeing them directly, you can detect subtle changes in the air or vibrations on the ground.
I felt momentarily overwhelmed by the sudden flood of information invading my mind, like something had clicked inside me all at once. I knew—clearly and instinctively—what each skill did. Strangely enough, I also knew exactly how to use them. It was as if that knowledge had been etched into my very being, as natural as breathing.
It’s a weird feeling, hard to describe. The best way to put it is that I didn’t “learn” these skills—it was more like they’d always been there, lying dormant, waiting for the right moment to awaken. Discover more novels at novel·fire.net
Of course, knowing how to use them and what they do doesn’t necessarily mean I know everything about them. In the end, what really matters is practice. It’s like having all the theoretical knowledge, but no idea how it plays out in real life.
"I see you’ve finally unlocked your class’s starting abilities. By the way, it’s good to know that every five levels the system will let you choose new class skills, further expanding your potential. But don’t rush—before we move on, I’ve got two more gifts for you. Nothing extraordinary, of course, just something every participant in the tutorial receives. Think of it as a small welcome treat" my male clone said, flashing a crooked, almost ironic smile at the corner of his lips.
As soon as he spoke, his words materialized, and two new windows popped up in front of me, filling the space with information.
*Skill Acquired* [Identify (Common)] – A basic information skill that allows you to view the name and level of a target.
Honestly, even if it was labeled a common skill, I found it incredibly useful. Considering I’d probably rely heavily on [Precise Strike] when facing enemies or in similar situations, it would be essential for making my attacks as effective as possible.
*Skill Acquired* [Multiracial Language (Unique)] – A universal unification of all languages. Speak with any race across the universe.
As for the second skill... well, the name said it all. No need for a long explanation. Still, while I was distracted by the ability panels, something else caught my attention: the table in front of me began to glow as well.
This time, the light was a bit stronger than what had come from my body, causing both of my selves to turn their heads, momentarily blinded by the flash. Once the light settled, I turned my gaze back to the table.
There, two outfits were laid out neatly. Next to them were what looked like two daggers—or maybe short swords? I wasn’t sure what to call them, but there were two of them, resting delicately atop the garments.
The outfit itself is a dark, elegant, and functional ensemble, featuring a long cloak made of thick fabric with sharply defined triangular edges that ripple slightly with movement. The wide, semi-structured hood is embroidered with a silver-threaded arcane symbol, giving the garment an air of mystery.
The torso is shaped by a fitted corset, highlighted with symmetrical red cutouts that accentuate the silhouette, while the short sleeves leave part of the arms exposed, favoring freedom of movement.
The waist is accentuated by dark leather belts, adorned with utility pouches and polished metal buckles that catch the light in subtle tones. The lower part of the outfit features a short pleated skirt, adding a sense of lightness to every movement, layered over long reinforced stockings, held firmly in place by garters decorated with finely crafted metal studs.
The black boots, sleek yet sturdy, rise just below the knees, showcasing vibrant purple bands that stand out against the restraint of the leather. Along the sides, ankle plates resemble small pieces of armor, suggesting both protection and authority. The heel is low and steady, designed for stability, while the adjustable buckles strike a perfect balance between elegance and practicality.
The male version of the costume maintained almost the same design, with the only differences being the replacement of the skirt with tight black trousers and the tight black boots, reaching below the knees, with mid-calf men's boots — equally reinforced and decorated with buckles.
No matter how you looked at it, these were clearly starter outfits—the kind you’d receive at the beginning of a journey, before heading out into the unknown.
“These clothes and daggers—are they part of the starter set or something?” I asked cautiously, watching my clones closely to catch any reaction in their expressions.
“Exactly. These are the starting gear for your class. Every other tutorial participant will receive something similar. After all, we can’t have the unpolished gems of the next generation getting wiped out just because they weren’t given proper weapons” replied my female clone, her gentle smile reflecting confidence and understanding.
Even though the clone in front of me looked exactly like my female self, I occasionally found myself admiring her. Which, honestly, is kind of weird—considering that, in a way, I’m admiring myself... Even weirder is how calm I’ve been through this whole situation. How do I even explain it? Maybe it’s just that none of it feels real yet, or something along those lines.
It’s like being in a dream—you know you’re dreaming, but you just go along with it, and sometimes even convince yourself it’s reality. I think I’m stuck somewhere between those states, caught in this strange in-between.
And one question has been on my mind since the moment I arrived here: who exactly is orchestrating all of this? Of course, I didn’t really expect that question to be answered so easily.