Daniel didn't hesitate. Kneeling beside the pile of bones that had been the terrifying Blue-flame Skeleton Wolf, he initiated [Soul Assimilation].
He still had one charge left before the mass assimilation earlier, and killing the boss surely warranted using it.
[Soul Assimilation successful on Creature: Blue-flame Skeleton Wolf (Level 5 - Demonized Elite).]
[Gain: Strength +15]
[Gain: Agility +12]
[Gain: Spirit +20]
[Gain: Vitality +8 (Undead Resilience Fragment)]
[New Skill Acquired: Soulfire Resistance (D-Grade - Passive resistance to soul-based/cold-fire attacks)]
[Assimilation Charge Consumed (0/15 Remaining).]
[Assimilation Charges Regenerating: 1 Charge per 60 Minutes. Next charge in: 58 minutes.]
The influx of power was immense, especially the huge boost to Spirit, pushing it well past 35.
The other attributes climbed significantly too, further solidifying his monstrous stats. Strength hit 83.1, Agility reached 110.3, Vitality touched 79, and Spirit soared to 36.2.
The new passive resistance skill was situational but potentially very useful against certain Verge entities or Talents.
His charges were completely empty now, but the timer was ticking.
With the immediate spoils secured, he turned his attention back to the golden-glowing Class Certificate resting in his hand.
How did this work? He focused his intent on the book, willing it to activate.
The Nexus Interface responded instantly, displaying a new menu overlaying his vision.
[Class Certificate Detected. User meets prerequisites for multiple Class Transitions.]
[Analyzing User Attributes, Skills, and Combat Data...]
[Recommended Classes based on High Agility, Strength, Vitality, Perception Skills, and Mixed Combat Style:]
1. Hunter (Composite - Archery/Traps/Familiar Focus)
2. Shadow Stalker (Assassin - Stealth/Agility/Critical Strike Focus)
3. Kinetic Brawler (Warrior - Strength/Vitality/Kinetic Skill Focus)
4. Battle Mage (Hybrid - Spirit/Physical Attribute/Spell Combat Focus)
[Please select desired First Transition Class. Note: Choice locks this certificate's potential.]
Hunter. It aligned perfectly with his high Agility, his reliance on [Aura Sense+], his use of the bow (even if it needed upgrading), and his growing collection of utility skills.
The Familiar aspect intrigued him too; having backup seemed useful. Shadow Stalker was tempting due to [Ghoststeps+], but felt too specialized.
Brawler focused too much on Strength, neglecting his speed. Battle Mage might fit his [Mana Bolt+] and [Kinetic Hammer], but Hunter felt more… complete, more synergistic with his overall approach.
"Hunter," Daniel declared mentally, focusing on the first option.
The golden light from the certificate intensified, flowing up his arm and into his chest.
It wasn't painful; it felt like liquid warmth spreading through his veins, unlocking something deep within his potential.
His body seemed to subtly realign, muscles tightening, senses sharpening even further. The process lasted only a few seconds.
[Class Transition Successful!]
[You are now a Hunter (First Transition)!]
[Base Attributes Significantly Increased! (All Core Attributes +5)]
[Hunter Class Template Unlocked:]
- Archery Proficiency (Basic): Unlocked. (Provides access to basic Archery skills tree)
- Trap Mastery (Basic): Unlocked. (Provides access to basic Trap skills tree)
- Familiar Bond (Basic): Unlocked. (Allows bonding with one Level 1 Familiar)
[Further Class Skills and advancements require EXP allocation to Class Template or specialized training/items.]
Another wave of power washed through him as his base attributes jumped by 5 points each before factoring in his assimilated gains.
Strength: 88.1. Vitality: 84. Agility: 115.3. Spirit: 41.2. Adaptability: 28. He felt incredibly potent.
The Hunter class wasn't just a title; it was a fundamental upgrade to his being.
The Class Template was the real prize. It opened pathways for dedicated skill trees, Archery, Traps, Familiars.
He didn't have specific skills in them yet, beyond his basic bow usage, but the potential was there.
He could now learn specialized arrow techniques, complex traps, and form bonds with companion creatures.
This synergized perfectly with [Soul Assimilation]; he could potentially absorb beast skills and grant them to his familiar, or learn trap techniques from fallen engineers or saboteurs.
He grinned. This SSS-Talent combined with a flexible Class path… the possibilities were intoxicating.
Feeling energized, he scanned the chamber again. The coffin was just an empty bronze box now, the energy gone.
But near where the Skeleton Wolf had fallen, his [Aura Sense+] detected a faint, lingering pool of the cold Soulfire energy, slowly dissipating into the pulsing vines on the floor. Waste not, want not.
He still had zero charges, but maybe one had regenerated while he was dealing with the class transition? He checked. Yes! 1/15 charges available.
He focused on the dissipating energy pool.
A tiny trickle of cold fire flowed into him.
[Soul Assimilation successful on Residual Soulfire Energy.]
[Gain: Spirit +0.3]
[Gain: Minor attunement to Death Energy.]
[Assimilation Charge Consumed (0/15 Remaining).]
A small gain, but the "attunement to Death Energy" was interesting.
Maybe it would help with his Soulfire Resistance skill or allow interaction with other undead elements later. Every little bit added to his versatility.
His enhanced senses then picked up something else. Not energy, but life. A tiny, flickering signature from a dark corner of the chamber, hidden behind some fallen rocks near the coffin alcove. It felt weak, scared, and… canine?
He approached cautiously, activating [Ghoststeps+] purely for silence. Peering around the rocks, he saw it.
Curled into a trembling ball was a small wolf cub, no bigger than a house cat. Its fur was the colour of midnight shadows, and its eyes, wide with fear, shimmered with a faint, deep blue light, reminiscent of the Skeleton Wolf's flames but softer, nascent.
It whimpered softly, likely terrified by the earlier battle and the lingering scent of death.
This must be the Skeleton Wolf's kid. Left behind, orphaned in this cold, dark cave. It didn't radiate the same malice as its parent, just fear and loneliness.
Daniel felt an unexpected pang of… not quite sympathy, but perhaps recognition. Alone, in a dangerous new world.
How to approach? He didn't have [Animal Affinity]. But he was a Hunter now, with a basic [Familiar Bond] slot waiting.
And maybe… maybe the lingering Death Energy attunement or the sheer power radiating from him felt less threatening to the cub than the emptiness of the cave?
He crouched down slowly, making no sudden moves. He didn't offer food (he had none suitable) or try to speak.
He simply projected calmness, letting his [Aura Sense+] gently brush against the cub's frightened signature without intrusion.
The cub trembled, watching him with those wide, luminous blue eyes. After a long moment, hesitantly, it uncurled slightly. It took a tentative sniff of the air.
Then, to Daniel's surprise, it let out another tiny whimper and took a shaky step towards him, nudging its head against his offered, still-gloved hand.
It wasn't aggression; it felt like seeking comfort, perhaps drawn to the familiar (though now assimilated) energy of its parent clinging faintly to Daniel.
"Well, hello there," Daniel murmured softly. An opportunity. He focused on the connection, activating the dormant [Familiar Bond] ability granted by his Hunter class. He projected the intent: Safety. Partnership. Not alone.
A faint pulse of understanding seemed to pass between them. The cub looked up at him, then nudged his hand again, a silent acceptance.
A soft blue light enveloped them both for a second, sealing the bond.
[Familiar Bond Established!]
[New Familiar Acquired: Shadow Wolf Pup!]
[Please Assign Name.]
Daniel examined his new companion mentally through the bond.
[Familiar: Shadow Wolf Pup (Unnamed)]
Level: 1
Potential: B-Grade (Can be increased through specific resources/evolution)
Attributes: (Currently Low - Typical Level 1 Pup)
Talent: Latent Shadow Affinity (Unawakened)
Skills: None
Loyalty: 85/100 (Imprinted)
Weak now, yes, but B-grade potential was solid. Higher than its Level 5 parent, interestingly.
Maybe the demonization process limited the parent's potential? And that potential could be increased. Another avenue for his SSS-Talent later, perhaps?
"A name..." Daniel mused, looking at the small, shadowy creature now tentatively sitting at his feet, looking up expectantly.
"You came from the shadows, born in a place of death… How about… Nyx?" It felt fitting.
[Familiar Name Assigned: Nyx.]
[Nyx - Level 1 Shadow Wolf Pup]
Nyx seemed to understand, letting out a soft yip and rubbing against his leg.
Daniel stood up, feeling a sense of completion. Level 2. Hunter Class. A powerful arsenal of fused and enhanced skills.
Monstrous attributes. And now, a familiar with potential. He scooped up the small wolf pup, who settled comfortably in the crook of his arm, surprisingly light.
He took one last look around the Ossuary, the cave of the fallen that had become his crucible and his treasure trove.
It was time to leave this place of death and step back into the chaotic, living world of the Astral Verge.
The real assessment, the real hunt, was far from over. And Daniel Vance, Hunter of the Verge, was ready for it.