A wave of relief struck me as I was finally able to look at my character page again. I was thrilled my gamble paid off; I almost maxed out my Axe proficiency. It was a small reward, but it reminded me that the past two years weren't a complete waste of time.

  "Please select a class."

  I was met with the familiar blue screen.

  "Due to your unique race achieved before race evolution, your basic class options have been upgraded two rarity levels. Please select from the list of options below."

  I was offered four class options. I decided to read each class description so that even if I didn't like the name or stat point distribution, I could make an informed decision; I wasn't someone who could go off vibes alone. It must have been my overthinking nature, but I didn't want to wait until my next race evolution to undo any mistakes. I wouldn't have the security blanket of the elves anymore. I would be branded a runaway slave, and there would be no place safe from their grasp.

  Mining Slave (Epic): The Mining Slave has few things he enjoys more than digging. He cares not for things like prestige, money, or power. Finding solace in the dirt, he strips the earth of her priceless gems.

  The class receives +1 constitution, +1 str, + 2 dex, and +25 unassigned points.

  Absolutely not, fuck that. There is no way I will specialize in digging slave. I'm not eating any onions or dodging yellow spotted lizards.

  Frenzied Axeman (Epic): The Axeman is simple but not bovine. He enjoys swinging and chopping his axe into wood or flesh. This class receives a bonus skill: "May your path always be berserk."

  This class receives +1 str, +1 dex, and +5 unassigned points

  Well, that's better, but the unassigned points aren't that great.

  Magi (Legendary): The Mage is well-versed in the Arcane. Using nothing but their intelligence and willpower, these spellcasters make great scholars and fearsome foes. The Magi, a unique variation, find bliss in the guidance and journey. This class receives 15% loot drops while in a party.

  The class receives +5 Int, +5 willpower, and +5 Unassigned points.

  I have spent my whole life training to wield an ax. If I choose this class, I would have to give up everything I love about combat.

  Big Dick Arcane Warrior of Space and Time (Mythical) - The wand and sword are long and mighty, however they typically end up shaking it too much.

  This class receives -2 Int, -1 Wil, and +25 unassigned points. Choosing this class changes the Character's name to Richard.

  The system could not have given me a Mythical class, which was utter garbage. I had to sit, sulking because I had no choice; I knew what to do.

  "What's wrong, Dane?" Dia said from the recesses of my mind.

  "I have to pick a class now that I have magic, but my best option is a slave class," I said deflatingly after finally telling someone else about my situation. I wasn't sure if this still counted as talking to someone else since we technically became one. Was I just a crazy hobo who spoke to himself now?

  "Well, it's not all bad, you get a class change when you evolve to E rank, so we will just need to get you to level 100 fast so you can choose something else." Dia comforted me.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  I accept the class Mining Slave.

  Are you sure Y/N

  Yes

  Warning: Selecting a class will lock you in until your next class evolution at E rank. Do you still want to continue? Y/N.

  Yes

  Congratulations on your new class, Mining Slave (Epic).

  A red box popped up instead of the familiar blue.

  System Error: Slave classes capped at common rarity. System Error: Contacting administrator.

  Resolution: Mining Slave (Epic) upgraded to Master Prospector (Epic)

  Congratulations on reaching LVL 2 +1 con, +1str, +2dex, +25 unassigned points.

  ...

  "Dane, are we leaving the dungeon?" The spirit asked with a feeling of remorse behind those words.

  "We have to eventually, but I need to start leveling up. The commanders of the mining operations will most likely be in their mid-40s. If I am gonna bust out of here, I need to be able to sneak by or take them out in combat. But the first thing on my list is I need to find water and a place of shelter," Dane said through their bond link.

  I walked the increasingly narrow and winding tunnels, feeling the edge of the smooth stone on the palm of my hand and fingertips. I saw mushrooms that gave off a green bioluminescence, which I promptly picked up as a makeshift torch.

  Status Effect: Paralysis (5mins)

  I could move slightly, but my body was fighting with each motion I tried, like trying to run in water or scream in a dream. My stamina was draining alarmingly, so I stopped fighting it and sat down, trying to conserve my resource pools. While I wait, I might as well distribute my stat points. I figured my best bet was to put all my unassigned points into the Constitution. I wouldn't have access to a medic or health potions unless I learned how to make them. That was a ridiculous thought. Who learns how to be an alchemist in a cave, let alone a dungeon? Of course, I could always pick them up from drops, but health potions were rare. I had killed 37 monsters while surviving in the wilds, and I only saw one during that time. The monsters in this dungeon were most likely much stronger than what I faced back home, and I didn't think I would be farming those elixers of life anytime soon.

  Upgrade constitution from 8 to 33. Y/N

  Yes.

  HP increased from 10 to 42

  I began to hear clacking on the stone floor. It sounded like a dog on a hardwood floor. There were too many distinct clacks; it was either something with many legs or a group of monsters making their way to me. Most monsters down here would have lousy eyesight and utilize their sense of hearing or smell. I knew it was only a matter of time before they discovered me. I was a sitting duck waiting for whatever monster was fumbling around in the dark to come and eat me. I looked at my timer, still waiting for the effects of paralysis to wear off. I still had three and a half minutes until I could move again. I heard the breath of the beasts echoing off the floor. The pack of what looked like blind wolves was finally in range for my identification skill to work.

  Wolf of the Abyss level 42. HP error. MP error. Alert: Threat level Monumental. Recommended course of action: Run.

  "Dane, we can't move, but I prefer not to be puppy food," Dia said

  "I'll think of something, but can you walk me through how to use mana?"

  All at once, everything that Dia had known about magic was flooding into my head. My brain felt like it split in half with the centuries of mana practice that the little spirit went through with Khronos. Then the information stopped, and the pain subsided.

  I drew my hands up with my palms facing the ceiling. Mana manipulation was complicated to describe; it almost felt like the relief a deep breath would cause. I felt the tingling move from my core to my arms and hands. Once the energy was gathered, I was left to shape the power using my will. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to be somewhere safe. The ground beneath me opened up, but instead of crumbling like the cave-in I had witnessed, this was as if the ground just vanished. MP lost 100 points. I fell back on top of the platform where I met Dia, and when I looked up, I saw one of the Abyss wolves leap through the portal that I must have opened up. I stopped channeling my mana and put my hands up to protect my face in anticipation of the blow the savage wolf would land, but it never came.

  Congratulations on defeating an opponent over 30 levels above you; you have gained additional EXP.

  Level 2 changed to Level 10

  Title earned: It's not cheating if it was an accident, right? Willpower +15. May you have better control and not lose your spells in the future.

  I acknowledged the prompt and looked around the scene in the royal purple light from the platform. It dawned on me that the Abyss wolf had been bisected into two parts because I closed the portal on the beast mid-jump.

  "Fuck looks like it might be easier to level up than I thought," I exclaimed with excitement.

  Just then, I began to feel lightheaded, and I fell to the ground lucid and aware but trapped inside of a body that wouldn't move.

  Status effect: Mana Starved (3 days)