Defiance of the Fall

These two being valued at S-grade meant there were absolutely no problems taking his core all the way to Monarchy . Zac was the least surprised over the S-grade Innovation evaluation . His core was unique and unprecedented . If his core didn’t warrant S-grade , none did . However , that particular evaluation was more for the System than himself .

The line reminded Zac of his time in the Technocrat Research Base , where getting the Pathstrider-title marked him for further training . S-grade Innovation was like being branded an excellent experimental subject , which probably meant the System would throw more trouble your way to nurture you . Then again , that wasn’t anything new , so Zac didn’t mind too much .

The System seemed to be tabulating the results before showing his class options . Each second crawled by , and Zac breathed in relief when the screen finally updated . It was official . He wasn’t one of the unlucky few . Zac hadn’t been worried his Daos or accomplishments would be insufficient , but rather that his odd core would make it difficult for the System to generate suitable classes .

He’d been tormenting himself for nothing . There was not one , but three choices available to him .

Base Attributes Per Level :

Epic : 100 / 150 / 200 .

Arcane : 115 / 170 / 225 .

Option 1]

Name : D-Epic] Arcadia’s Champion .

Fixed Attributes : Strength +300 / 450 / 600 , Vitality : +150 / 225 / 300 .

Free Attributes : +100 / 150 / 200 .

Even Paradise needs a champion , an unrelenting storm of violence .

Name : D-Epic] Desolation’s Warden .

Fixed Attributes : Strength +250 / 375 / 500 , Endurance +150 / 225 / 300 , Wisdom +75 / 100 / 150 .

Free Attributes : +75 / 125 / 150 .

Bind them to your calamity . Pave your path with blood and bones . Emerge stronger .

Option 2]

Name : D-Epic] Primeval Edge .

Fixed Attributes : Strength +250 / 375 / 500 , Dexterity +75 / 100 / 150 , Vitality +200 / 300 / 400 .

Free Attributes : +50 / 75 / 100 .

As Life was born , so was struggle . Become the primeval blade , reborn through battle .

Name : D-Epic] Predestination’s Judge .

Fixed Attributes : Strength +275 / 400 / 550 , Dexterity +50 / 75 / 100 , Endurance +200 / 300 / 400 .

Free Attributes : +50 / 75 / 100 .

As Death was born , so was struggle . Become the judge’s blade , the cessation of all .

Option 3]

Name : D-Arcane] Evolutionary Precursor

Fixed Attributes : Strength +300 / 450 / 600 , Dexterity +100 / 150 / 200 , Vitality +150 / 225 / 300

Free Attributes : +100 / 150 / 200

Progress through struggle , future seized , not given .

Name : D-Arcane] Inexorable Apostle

Fixed Attributes : Strength +325 / 475 / 650 , Dexterity +75 / 125 / 150 , Endurance +150 / 225 / 300 .

Free Attributes : 100 / 150 / 200

Explosive stillness , fate become nourishment to your ascent .

The churning vortices around him were a reminder his time was limited , but Zac still went over his options word by word . Only being presented with three options was a step down from his previous breakthrough when he got the full set of five . Of course , it made sense .

Back in the F-grade , he’d still been finding his way . His power came from a mottled assortment of opportunities that had yet to crystallize into a cohesive system , let alone a path . Today , his understanding of cultivation was leagues ahead . There was no confusion , no hesitation—only faith and determination .

What would be the point of the System offering a bunch of classes that would diverge from his path? In reality , the screen presented Zac with a different choice . Did he want to confirm his path , or did he want to keep his options open?

Confirming his path meant getting the Arcane classes , which came with higher attributes and more advanced forms of nurturing . But it also meant his future would grow narrow . It would be almost impossible for him to change course like he had multiple times in the E-grade . He would instead enter the refinement stage of his cultivation , where he removed imperfections while moving toward the peak of his path .

The Arcane classes , Evolutionary Precursor and Inexorable Apostle , were clearly modeled after his stances , which were the truest expression of his path . The flavor text reflected his understanding of Life and Death , where Life represented possibility and Death represented dominion . One broke the chains of fate , while the other took control over fate .

The Epic classes represented freedom . Who knew what the future held? Perhaps there would be something inside Ultom that completely threw his path on its head , making him strive for something greater . It would mean a smaller boost of attributes , but that wasn’t that big of a deal . He was already getting far more attributes than anyone else by having two classes .