When I saw the A-Rank, giant ogre attack, I fell to my knees.
It had dark green skin with visible pulsating, purple veins. Spiked armour that seemed to surround itself in some sort of radiation and droll made of acid.
As I looked, a name tag of red text briefly appeared above the monster's head, displaying the words:
Ulbrok: The Destructive Calamity
Rank A
All nearby buildings became its food which it consumed hungrily.
Any object that came into contact with the monster's weapon or body easily crumbled and transformed into straw. The monster would then grab the straw and devour it. Anything that entered the creatures's mouth would immediately get melted by its acid-like saliva.
It wasn't just buildings and objects. Ulbrok was turning humans & fakes into straw before eating them. The sight of people transforming into straw was a gruesome sight that made me want to vomit. The straw would protrude out of their eyes, face, and all over their body until they eventually became Ulbrok's favourite food.
Of all the days I could've chosen to come visit this town, it had to be today. Am I really that unlucky? Why did I come here- No... I knew exactly why I was here. This was the town where the original Aria grew up. I thought that if I trained here, I would finally understand how to be like the real Aria.
Three soldiers showed up and observed the situation.
"Call the generals. Go. Now." The first solider said to the third with a hint of shakiness in his tone.
The third nodded before a red, flying platform appeared beneath them. He flew away in the opposite direction of the monster as the first and second solider looked at each with hesitant looks.
Were they going to face the monster? Only two of them? They were barely wearing any sort of armour. Just light leather armour from the looks of it. That's suicide.
Both men took in deep breaths before they bolted towards the A-rank monster.
Fast.
So fast that I felt a gust of wind slap me in the face when they took off.
A wooden spear appeared out of nowhere in the first solider's hand while the second solider seemed unarmed. Ulbrok instantly stopped eating as if sensing the incoming soldiers.
The first solider threw his wooden spear with all the might he could. The spear flew like a bullet. Nearing its target, the spear transformed into an electric eel and wrapped around the beast before attacking with a surge of electricity.
The monster roared before the electric eel swiftly turned into straw.
Multiple floating iron shield appeared around the second solider before they were all thrown at the Orge. Two shields managed to hit the monster's head before it swung it's club to deflect the rest, turning them into straw. As for the last incoming shield, Ulbrok caught it with it's teeth and crushed it.
Another wooden spear appeared in the first solider's hand and he threw it into the air. The spear transformed into a large eagle that had the ability to shoot wooden spikes out of its mouth.
Ulbrok ignored both the hawk's attack and the incoming shields since everything that touched the monster would simply turn into straw. It swung its weapon at the first solider.
The first solider jumped an incredible height to evade the attack. The swing of the monster decimated the building behind him. Just when he thought he was safe, the monster spat its saliva at him. The acid burned his skin right to the bone. The ogre swung its weapon again and smashed the first solider with it, sending his body flying across the town.
The flying eagle disappeared not long after that.
The monster swung its weapon again to deflect another barrage of firing shields from the second solider.
It sprinted towards him. It was shockingly fast for it's large size. The second solider barely had time to react. He jumped back to avoid and summoned a wall of iron shields around him.
His wall of floating iron shields might as well have been made out of paper as they did nothing to stop the monster's attack. Ulbrok's weapon was mercilessly. With one destructive swing, it destroyed all the nearby buildings and ripped the solider's lower body off his torso.
The two parts of the solider's body fell to the ground, his lower disembodied half swiftly turned into straw.
I knelt there. Frozen as if a dagger had pierced my chest.
Ulbrok continued destroying and eating the town as if nothing had happened. Everywhere this monster walked, screams of fear and pain followed.
The monster continued spoiling itself with the bloodshed of this town before it randomly halted its rampage... The monster looked up and saw an enormous, iron shield floating directly above it's head.
Despite missing half his body, the second solider was somehow still alive.
With a shaking arm, the solider clenched his fist with all the might he could muster, "Descending Shield!"
The giant shield rapidly descended on the monster, smashing its head and bringing the monster to its knees.
For a short moment, there was hope that ignited in my heart... and that hope was immediately shattered when the giant shield turned to straw.
Now angered, the ogre looked towards the second solider laying on the ground and leaped towards him. The solider closed his eyes as his dying body was smashed by the ogre's foot.
The ground shook when the second solider died. I fell backwards as my legs became numb.
There were other soldiers there but from the look on their faces, the two soldiers who were just killed were probably the strongest amoung them. They begun to flee in fear.
I didn't move. I couldn't. After seeing such gruesome sights, my body acted as if it was already dead. I was doomed and it was all my fault. All because I wanted to be like the original Aria. I was foolish and now that foolishness was going to be the end of me.
More screams followed the monster's banquet. I could not even defeat E-rank rats so charging in to save those people would only add one more body to the pile.
Forget flying away, the two tiny wings on my lower back couldn't even move. They might as well be there for decoration.
The sound of another person's scream made my body shiver.
I could no longer bare the gruesome sight so I looked up at the sky. The sky I so desperately wanted to reach, just like the real Aria. So desperate that I committed all my life to it.
I kneeled there, crying as I waited until it was my turn. The sound of crumbling buildings grew closer and closer to me.
I could smell the monster's breath now. There was no scent of blood which somehow made it even more horrifying.
I couldn't see the sky anymore. I now only saw Ulbrok. reaching for me with it's large hand. I didn't scream for help. I just cried. My heart seemed long dead already. I could only stare, unblinking.
My death was inevitable. At least, it should've been.
Just when the tip of its finger was about to touch my head, the strangest thing happened.
Ulbrok... was now covered in several, small gaping holes that I could look straight through.
There was no movement. No sound. No fancy colourful beam. No flesh that landed on the ground. The holes were just there now. As if they were placed onto it after a single frame of a film. Whatever flesh or parts of organs that used to be in those holes had just vanished.
The A-rank Ogre stopped and looked at itself as if it too had just realised that something had pierced his body not once but multiple times all over its body. In fact, only a split second later did its green blood begin to pour out like a fountain. It was as if... as if the blood itself hadn't realised that it now had a new exit.
Out of reflex, I shifted and backed away from the pool of green blood that was slowly getting bigger and bigger. You would think the blood would've burst out rapidly but for some unknown reason, it didn't.
The sky grew brighter.
It was morning, yet the light in the sky somehow grew brighter.
It blinded me but I could feel it. A powerful presence had arrived.
Once the bright light had faded, I looked up and what I saw instantly grab all my attention. The gruesome sights, the A-rank monster screaming in pain, the blood, the destruction... all of that left my mind when I saw who had arrived.
There she was, descending from the sky as if she was from the heavens.
It was the first time I had ever seen her.
The original Aria.
I had the same long silver hair yet hers shined brighter.
I owned the same face yet hers was more elegant.
I wore the same clothes yet hers were more beautiful.
I saw her calm, blank expression. The same expression I had been trying to mimic and maintain for years.
Filth. I was as filthy as the dirtiest of garbage compared to the single sight of her entrance.
My tiny wings were pathetic compared to her wings that looked as if they could touch the sun.
But she usually had four wings. Where were the two upper wings on her back that I usually see in the paintings?
Ahh, there they were.
I didn't think the sight could get any more beautiful but when those two upper wings protruded from her back like a gift from heaven, my soul almost left my body. Her two upper wings were larger and it was like they had their own special shine.
Her sword looked like it was made from the rays of the sun. Ulbrok being instantly sliced in half didn't even catch my attention. I simply continued to stare at her.
The spot I initially knelt at was almost deserted. However, as soon as she appeared, they showed up.
They came in hordes and each one of them... looked exactly like me. They looked exactly like the original Aria. They all had the same identical voice as each other. The same voice as me. They same voice as her.
We were created to look and sound exactly like her. But now that she was actually here. The difference between her and us couldn't be any more different.
They called us "Aria Fakes".
They pushed and shoved me as they went past.
The fake Arias. They all stared in admiration, frantically waving their arms and cheering for her. We were like a nest of rats trying to reach a piece of flying cheese that we'll never, ever be able to reach.
The original Aria floated in the sky, staring down at us with an unreadable expression.
The Heavenly Angel: Aria.
One of the 9 Original Heroes who slayed the demon king.
Their cheers slowly shifted into cries of delusion. Many were claiming to be her twin sister while others were claiming that they too were also the real Aria but from another world. Some claimed to be her daughter. They began jumping towards her, trying to grab her leg. They genuinely believed that Aria's presence alone could help them fly for the first time.
Obviously none of them flew. Only the original has been able to achieve flight with this "skill tree."
We all had wings but the original, pure, white colour of them had long been covered by dirt and filth. Each of us only had two on our lower backs. Tiny and pathetic compared to the original who had four majestic ones.
The horde of Aria fakes grew larger and more delirious, their eyes unblinking and locked onto Aria. Then there was me. I would've done the same, however, this time I...
Surrounded by her face, I stood up... and then took a step back. Then another.
Step by step, I backed away, my eyes filling with a sudden dread of realisation.
"No way...There's no way..."
I backed away, further and further, staring at Aria and all the fakes trying to touch her. I reached the back of the crowd but I did not stop there. I kept backing away, my eyes still staring until my foot tripped and fell backwards.
My hands landed roughly onto the rocky ground.
It hurt. That really hurt. Pathetic.
I shakily got back to my feet which took way longer than it should've. I shook my hand, hoping to relieve the pain. Without even looking back this time, I started running away. I don't know why, I just ran. Past the buildings, past the mourning humans, past the-
I suddenly felt sick.
I collapsed near the side of the road and vomited. After I did, I couldn't find the strength to get back up. So I fell to the side, right next to the puddle of filth that had come out of my mouth before passing out completely.
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
I was hungry but for the first time in a while, it wasn't the worst feeling I was experiencing.
At the side of the road, resting against some debris was me. I was just sitting there, my arms hugging my knees.
The original Aria. I had never seen her in action before. Seeing the real deal made everything look like a dream. The rumours did her no justice. She took all my expectations and exceeded them tenfold.
Everyone knew she was powerful. But today I realised that not everyone knew exactly how powerful she is.
The other Aria fakes... they didn't see it. But I did. I was right there, staring at the monster when it occurred. The multiple gaping hole that appeared all over Ogre's body before Aria had even made her entrance. How did she do that? What kind of skill was that?
Projectiles? No it can't be. The holes were everywhere on its body as if the attack came from every direction. If it went straight through the Ogre's body, it would've hit the ground or the surrounding area. But there was no signs of that.
Was she just that fast? Maybe, but that didn't seem right.
Whatever it was. It happened within a single instance of a moment.
I remembered it quite vividly. The single thought of it sent shivers down my spine. I didn't see what attached she used, that's what so scary about it because when I was staring straight at the monster, I didn't blink once... yet somehow I still missed it.
Also, the two upper wings that protruded from her back. Why weren't they already equipped? She must've had to use them to fly here so why did she unequip it upon arriving?
Too many blurry question but one thing remained clear. The Original Aria had a skill that could clearly transcend pure, plain speed.
To think... that all my life... I had the audacity to think I could reach her level. That alone must be an insult to the original.
I clutched my head, almost wanting to crush it myself.
I was pathetic. I was weak. I wasn't a fool for coming here to Aria's hometown. I was a fool for even thinking I could become like her, all because I have the same face and voice as her.
All this time, I had been building a flat bridge, hoping it would one day reach the sky.
I was like a person's shadow, destined to always follow but never become the original. That's what I was, just one of the many shadows who were all desperately trying to reach her.
How long have I been doing this? Months? No... Years most likely. I didn't know exactly how long but what I did know now... was that all that time I spent trying to follow her were for nothing. A long wasted lifetime of nothing.
I wanted to cry but at the same time I wanted to hit myself out of frustration.
"I'm such a fool."
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
I stood there. Staring silently at the rising new sun.
The other townspeople also begun waking up. I could almost feel their cold glares but my mind was focusing elsewhere.
The sky. One of my dreams was always to touch the sky. But now I know... that... was never my dream. It was Aria's.
Something has to change.
No more copying. No more chasing after what I cannot reach. I was going to become strong through my own way.
I was going to change.
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
After the Ogre's defeat, several groups of soldiers from the main city arrived to clean up the mess.
I gathered what little stuff I had into a medium sized sack and went on my way. The first thing I wanted to do was leave this town and hopefully never come back.
As I walked, my ears picked up loud clamouring. I looked to see another horde of Aria fakes, all trying to get into a certain building with multiple soldiers holding them back. For humans, seeing an entire horde of people who all had the exact same face would've looked very creepy. To me, however, it was a normal sight. I was one of them after all.
The original Aria did not have any parents or family. This building that the Aria fakes were trying to invade was the same orphanage where the original Aria grew up in.
After slaying the A-rank monster, it seemed the original Aria went to stay at that orphanage, which naturally attracted hordes of fake Arias to that exact place.
"LET ME IN!" Cried one of the fakes.
"I HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HERE!" Yelled another.
"I ALSO HAVE MEMORIES OF GROWING UP HERE!" That was half the truth, half a lie.
Even though there was a countless number of fake Arias, they stood no chance against the trained soldiers from the city.
I turned away and walked towards the town exit, wanting to leave it all behind me.
As I walked, I heard the townspeople gossip and whisper to each other.
"Look. They're like a flock of hungry birds."
"Do they have no shame?"
"Disgusting."
I walked faster.
"They won't even let us mourn in peace, how utterly shameful."
"Mummy, why don't the soldiers make them go away?"
"Look at them: fools, every one of them."
I broke into a sprint and ran out of the town.
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
I followed the road as I could not afford even the cheapest of carriages.
I did not mind walking though.
To make use of this time, I looked up as words, text boxes and symbols which were only visible to me, appeared in front of my sight.
Skill trees:
No one knows their origins or where they came from but every person has a skill tree "inside of them". Skill Trees are what grant people supernatural abilities to fight monsters. It also recorded and kept tract of every skill you have.
Each skill does something different. They even come with brief descriptions of what they do. Although the descriptions are infamously known to be very vague.
The idea is that you start with a few weak skills but unlock more stronger ones as you continue your life.
But that is by far the biggest challenge of every single skill tree.
The humans called it "roadblocks." The first few skills are usually easy to unlock, however, eventually everyone reaches a point in their tree where they can't seem to progress at all.
To put it simply, there's no consistent method that can unlock skills. Each skill has its own specific condition that must be met in order to be unlocked. To make it worst, it isn't specified in the skill tree so most people tend to unlock skills without even knowing how. Many more have trained for years without unlocking a single skill. For humans, the duration of these roadblocks can vary but for fakes, they are basically guaranteed to last forever.
Many have tried to mimic another person's experience in order to unlock the same skills. That is essentially what every fake has been doing their whole lives including me. But as far as I know, it has never worked.
I stopped walking as something slowly dawned on me.
"I...I really am a fool." The more I thought about it, the more blatantly obvious it became.
I was so clouded by my desire that once I began contemplating the concept of skill tress and refreshing what I already knew... the answer as to why Aria fakes will never reach the original became so much clearer.
I was so occupied by my own thoughts that before I knew it, the sun was slowly setting into its slumber.
I had a cheap low quality tent with me so I began setting that up as soon as possible besides the road. This was a very occupied and common road so it was safe...well, usually it was safe. But what other choice did I have?
The tent could barely fit one person but it served its purpose. I opened my sack to find my half eaten loaf of bread. I took a small piece of it and ate it.
My stomach still yearned for more but I resisted the urge and went to sleep.
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
I continued my journey. Luckily the main town was not that far by foot and there weren't any forest or monster infested areas along the way. I rarely took breaks and continued forward until it turned to night again.
On the third night og my trip, I came across a tiny camp of fake Arias who were on their way to the town I was just in. Like me, they too also assumed that maybe the secret to unlocking Aria's skills could be found in the original Aria's hometown. There were about four of them.
I asked if I could set up my tent next to theirs since its safer and they said yes. As expected, they did question me since I came from the very direction they were heading towards.
The first thing I did was warn them about the recent appearance of an A-rank monster. Naturally, they were concerned, however-
"How did you survive?" One of them asked.
My mouth moved faster than my head as I told them about seeing the original Aria. I should've lied. I should've told them it was a Generals who killed it. Because the moment I mentioned the original Aria, they all went ecstatic. Leaping towards the sky and screaming joy.
They immediately crowded around me, holding onto my hand while bombarding me with questions.
"What was she like?"
"Did she say anything?"
"How big were her wings?"
"Did you unlock anything?"
"Any sort of awakening?"
"Did you get to talk to her?"
"What did it feel like to look at her?"
The look on their eyes. They were happy. This seemed like the peak of their joy. It was like they genuinely believed that their harsh life had finally paid off and they were finally going to achieve their dreams. The more happier they grew, the more guilty I felt.
Initially, I wanted to tell them about my recent revelation. About how it's impossible for any fake to reach the original.
You see... Everyone is born with a distinct skill tree. They may share the same name and have similar skills but ultimately, every skill tree is completely unique to the person who owns is...
Unless you are a fake like us.
We fakes were one of the few exceptions to that rule. Instead of getting our own skill tree, we came into the world with the exact same skill tree that Aria had which is simply named "Angel". The only difference is that all fakes start from the very bottom of that tree with the weakest skills.
If we apply the same logic of skills requiring specific conditions in order to be unlocked then... since Aria fakes share the exact same skill tree as Aria, it would make sense that in order to unlock more skills, we would have to unlock those skills the exact same way the original Aria did. Basically, we would have to re-live her entire life to become as powerful as her. Which is obviously impossible.
For starters, none of us grew up in that orphanage. We never went to the school she went to. We never went on the adventures she did and we obviously weren't there during the demon lord's final moments. It would explain why fakes in particular find it incredibly difficult to even unlock to the first few skills.
It also must be why fakes are so drawn to places like the original heroes' origin places. But even so, it's downright impossible.
Our whole lives, the obstacle in our path was not a roadblock. Roadblocks can be overcome. To describe it more accurately, fakes are up against a giant, endless chasm.
I... I could not find the courage to tell them.
Instead, I gave them vague answers and wished them good luck like the coward I was.
It rained that night. But it did little to quell the excitement of the four Aria fakes as they giggled and whispered about what they were going to do once they meet the original. Shivering and cold, I hugged my knees in hope that it will generate any sort of heat.
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
The next day, I checked my small bag. The half eaten loaf of bread was soaked and soggy now. I still wasn't going to throw it away obviously. I broke a piece of it and ate it for my breakfast. My clothes were also wet but the sun was my only towel.
It wasn't long till we had to split ways. I watched the four Aria fakes as they bid farewell and headed towards Aria's hometown. I did not move as if, at any moment, I was going to sprint towards them and tell them the truth. Seeing them leave with such fragile hope caused an emotional aching in my heart. It wasn't until they eventually left my sight that I finally turned away and continued my journey.
My mind kept contemplating about the gap between us fakes and the originals.
I once heard that one of the nine heroes unlocked one of their most powerful skills after becoming closer with all 5 of their siblings. Naturally, not everyone has five siblings.
Aria's wings are also another example. Currently, no one besides Aria herself knows how to obtain all four of her large angelic wings. There is a skill in Aria's skill tree that gives your back two small lower wings but the description itself states that they have "no actual use." I couldn't even move it. Despite this, most believe that there is a secret behind this, so thousands of fake Arias spend their entire life trying to figure it out...including me.
This is why every Aria fake only has two wings while the original has four.
To unlock flight, something major must've happened to the original Aria that triggered that ability. There's no way any Aria fake could ever fly with this skill tree.
To think it took me this long to realise something so simple. Maybe deep down, I always knew but never wanted to admit it. Either way, it was still incredibly disheartening knowing that I truly did waste my entire life for absolutely nothing. I felt like I wasn't even worthy enough to live next to garbage but I could not let this emotion consume me.
I needed to change and to do that, there was only one method I could think of.
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
Along the way, I walked past a carriage. The people of the carriage gave me "that look". A look that I was very familiar with so I ignored it.
I managed to get through by joining other camps of fake Arias whenever I could. Since it was a common desire amoung Aria fakes to travel to Aria's hometown, they weren't hard to come by.
I cleared my throat and stood up amoung a group of 10 or so Aria fakes, all sharing the same tiny camp fire. They were all equally as dirty as me.
They all looked at me.
I opened my mouth yet no words came out. "I... umm... sorry, never mind."
I sat back down, ashamed. Fortunately the rest didn't think much of it and continued discussing with each other.
I thought it was just because the previous four Aria fakes were so happy that I didn't want to ruin it. But as I went from camp to camp, I soon realised that no matter how much I wanted to, I never told any one of them about what I has discovered.
By the time I reached the main city, I was probably still the only Aria fake who knew the truth.
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
...
Bostina
The Capital City of Elacia
...
I walked through the street market, trying my best to ignore all of the food.
One of the merchants roughly grabbed me by the arm.
"Greetings, Ma'am!" He greeted with a smile that spoke of coins, "Would you be interested in buying one of these bracelets?"
I shook my head.
"Oh come on, look, just for you, I'll sell it to you for half price," He said with an even wider smile, a very common luring trick used in the markets, "Oh and did you know...it's the same type of bracelet the real Aria would wear."
I gulped upon hearing that. I shook my head again and swiftly walked away.
That was a very common occurrence. Knowing full well about the fake's unending desire to be like the original, it didn't take long for merchants to exploit that. "Buy this to become more like the original." They would say.
Unfortunately, it was a marketing trick that, to this day, many fakes still fall for thanks to their desperation.
I made haste to the church.
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
I could practically feel the intense amount of stares that fell upon me when I entered the 'holy' building.
For obvious reasons, fakes usually don't visit the church.
"Is she lost?"
"How dare she set foot on holy ground."
"Can someone kick her out? She'll taint this whole place."
Ignoring them all, I walked in.
Although, as expected, someone was there to stop me. They looked like a priest.
"You have no right to be here. Leave." He said sternly.
'Anyone is welcomed to the church', the humans would often say. I guess they didn't actually mean 'anyone'.
My hand shook a little, "I-I...I..."
"What was that? You dare talk back to me!?"
"...umm, I-"
"Acting cocky just because you have the same face as her. When will you filthy fakes realise that you will be nothing like-"
"Silence!"
We both looked over to see another older man approaching.
He seemed like someone with high authority considering the priest's reaction.
"F-father, this fake had the audacity to disrespect-"
"Silence boy. Let me talk to her."
"O-of course, father." The priest stepped aside to let the other man through. Although, the priest continued to remain close, probably so he intimidate me with a cold glare.
The so called father was incredibly old. He was not smiling nor did he give me the same cold look that the others were giving me. It was hard to read his expression.
"How may I help you miss?" He asked.
"I want to reset my skill tree."
Those words hit both men like a fireball.
The arrogant priest was the first to speak, "HA! You fakes really are all idiots! Don't you know that Aria's skill tree is the only good thing that you fakes hav-"
The father gave the priest a look, causing him to fall silent. He then looked back and stared directly into my eyes. I almost felt like I could collapse just from his blank, gaze.
"Are you sure miss?"
"Yes."
"Very well."
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
We walked slowly through the hallways that were made of white bricks. The walls were covered in expensive looking paintings of characters from the holy book. Considering his visible age, the slow pace that we walked made sense. Neither of us said a single word along the way.
Eventually we arrived at a room.
It was quite spacious and incredibly clean. It was almost empty if it weren't for the large, magic, glass ball that stood in the middle.
"Touch it."
"That's it?" I asked.
"Yes, you will know what to do from there." He answered, "I would also like to remind you that while the first reset for everyone is free, you will be charged a fee if you wish to reset again. Understand?"
"Y-yeah, I know."
I gulped. To be honest, I didn't think it would be that easy. Half of me was expecting to get kicked out at the front door. Maybe I was just lucky.
I stared at the magic glass ball as I walked closer. In the glass, i could see my reflection.
I looked like a mess. My hair was disarranged and dirty, same with my clothes. I looked at the faded numbers "0217" imprinted across my neck, a constant reminder of what I was. It was then I also noticed that I still had the two mini wings on my back. I stared at them. I still remember the day another Aria fake taught me how to unlock this skill. It was one of the happiest days of my life. It felt like I was so close to reaching the original.
If only I knew just how delusional I was back then.
I now realise that these wings provided nothing but fake happiness. It'll feel incredible strange not to have these on my back anymore but as much as I was going to miss them...
This was goodbye.
With a clenched fist, I reached for what I hoped would be a better future ahead of me.
Upon touching it, I blacked out.
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
Resets.
For anyone who is dissatisfied with their current skill tree for any reason, they can choose to go through a reset.
It gave you the choice to switch your skill tree for a completely different one.
To overcome roadblocks. Some have resorted to resetting and seeing if they have a better chance with another skill tree. Although, every skill tree is known to have moments of roadblocks so most people find that pointless, especially since it comes with massive downsides.
The person who chooses to reset will have all their current progress deleted and they'll basically start from the very beginning. I heard your "stats" also go down drastically. Although, "stats" are not visible to you unless you have a specific item or skill that can see them hence most people gloss over that fact.
Essentially, going through a reset makes you the weakest person in the world.
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
So there I was, floating in a pitch black space.
The only sense that was working seemed to be just my sight as I could not feel, hear, smell or taste anything, not even my own saliva. I wasn't sure if I even had a body in this place.
Above me, there were several floating words.
I guess these were my choices.
Including the "Angel" class, I saw a total of 14 options above me. Apparently the amount of options you get varies from person to person.
When choosing, there is no description provided, you simply must choose based on the name.
Even though I had 14, some of them shared the same name. For example, there were two options that were both named "healer".
That didn't mean they were the same. There are many people with a skill tree named "Healer" but each one of them will have a different method of healing and certainly had different ways of unlocking certain skills.
I laid there, floating in complete darkness. I started pondering about how the flow of time worked in this dimension. Does time move at all?
I wondered: have people ever just decided to remain here forever? I mean, here you don't need to worry about food or anything. You could use this place as a convenient escape from reality. I wouldn't be surprised if people resorted to that. Both humans and fakes.
But I had no plan on doing so. Staying here in this empty place would be incredibly lonely for me.
I varied and compared my options. Reseting a third or fourth time due to indecisiveness would not be favourable so I had to make sure I made the right choice. My gut kept telling me not to be too hasty and that I should think through each option throughly. But no matter how much I looked at it, amoung the 12 choices that I had... only one stood out to me.
I'm not sure how exactly I selected it but I did.
A bright, blinding light began illuminating the endless dark void.
I'm not entirely sure why I picked this role.
Maybe it was because of my loneliness. My desire to belong somewhere. To be accepted by someone or something.
Yeah...that was probably the reason. At the end of the day, that might have been the main reason why so many other fakes and I wanted to be like the original, not to take her place... but so we could just be accepted.
...
-I-I-I-I-
...
"Congratulations, you are now a summoner."
...
...
End Chapter.
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Author's Note (A/N): This chapter was finished on 10/01/2022
However, (I'll eventually delete this in the future)
On the 20th of March 2023, I rewrote this chapter and made a lot of changes. I tried to fix the initial info dumping issue and fix typos in the process. I have a goal to somehow go back to all my previous chapters and go through them for changes and to fix typos because as of now, future chapters have a lot of typos so be warned. I'll leave A/N to keep you updated on my progress and which chapters have had changes made to them. Which I will later remove once I finally go through all of them. All while writing new chapters.
Thanks for reading this far! :D