Class: Demi-God
You sexy looking human, you’ll be a demi-god. Smart, strong, handsome. What more could you want?
Class Abilities: +100 to all Attributes
All Greater Affinities Gained
Super Sexiness Trait
“That’s not a thing.”
“It really ain’t,” smirking, Ali waves and the last screen dismisses. “You wanted a class that helps you survive? That means mental resistances. Otherwise, you’ll be pissing those pretty little Pac-Man boxers the moment you see a Level 50 monster. You wanted an end-game? The Honor Guard are some mean motherfuckers. They combine magic and tech making them one of the most versatile groups around, and their Master class advancements are truly scary. The Dragon Knights fight Dragons. One on one and they sometimes even win. Oh, and neither, and I quote ‘makes me into a monster’.
“If these are Advanced Classes, what other classes are there?” I prod at Ali, still hesitating. This seems like a big choice.
“Basic, Advance, Master, Grandmaster, Heroic, Legendary,” lists Ali and he shrugs. “I could get you a Master Class with your perk, but you’d be locked out of your Class Skills forever. You’d also take forever to level because of the higher minimum experience level gains. Instead, I’ve got you a rare Advanced Class - it’ll give you a better base stat gain per level and you won’t have to wait forever to gain access to your Class Skills. Getting a Basic Class, even a rarer Basic Class would be a waste of the Greater Perk. So, what’s it going to be?”
As cool as punching a dragon in the face would be, I know which way I’m going the moment he called it up. I mentally select the Guard and light fills me. At first, it just forces me to squint but it begins to dig in, pushing into my body and mind, sending electric, hot claws into my cells. The pain is worse than anything I’ve felt and I’ve broken bones, shattered ribs and even managed to electrocute myself before. I know I’m screaming but the pain keeps coming, swarming over me and tearing at my mind, my control. Luckily, darkness claims me before my mind shatters.
Continue reading the Life in the North
[1] Half a kilometer or roughly a third of a mile
[2] A measurement of weight. Roughly 37.5 grams
[3] Weight measurement. One cattie is roughly equivalent to one and a half pounds or 604 grams. A tael is 1/16th of a catty
[4] Length measurement. Three chi is equivalent to one meter. Slightly over a foot
[5] Fairy is an unofficial title given to women of exceptional beauty. Mostly as a form of respect to indicate the level of beauty and grace – akin to a fairy / goddess.
[6] Big Brother. Often used as a term of respect and also to denote a subordinate relationship.
[7] Traditional Chinese medicine pericardium meridian is different from the Western anatomical pericardium
[8] 20 jin = 10 kg = 22 lbs
[9] The full saying is “The carp has leaped over the dragon gate” and is an old Chinese saying. The image of a carp jumping over the Dragon’s Gate (atop a mythical waterfall to become a dragon) symbolizes courage, perseverance, and accomplishment. In this case, it’s the cultural equivalent of “sprout wings and fly to the heavens.”
[10] Also known as the dagger halberd. It’s a weapon with a spear tip and a spike-axe-like protrusion traditionally. The Song dynasty version actually added a more axe-like head to the weapon
[11] Dao—Chinese sabre. Single-edged sword, often with a slight curve.
[12] The exact list is contentious, with varying sources. I’m using a mix of the Wuzazu and Water Margin listing.
[13] Jian—double-edged sword. Shorter, thinner, and lighter than the European longsword. Meant for single-handed use normally, though two-handed jian exist
[14] Traditionally, students were not allowed to teach other students until they received permission from their original Master.
[15] Traditional Chinese culture has five elements instead of four—Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Metal
[16] Literally, mixed egg but used pretty much as “bastard”—except worse than modern day usage. Think 1960s context of calling someone a bastard.
[17] In China, wine was traditionally stored in crockery jars
[18] While traditionally there are numerous ways of addressing someone, for ease of reading and use, I’m going to use the more modern equivalent of Uncle / Auntie. This is generally used for strangers who are not related but older than you as a respectful form of address.
[19] The four books and five classics were the required reading (and quoting) material for the Chinese imperial examinations and are such, considered “must reads.”
[20] Traditionally, Chinese cities were built with four main gates along the compass points and the city lord’s mansion situated in the center. Cities were generally walled as well to increase security.
[21] Literally “light skill.” Comes from baguazhang and is basically wire-fu—running on water, climbing trees, gliding along bamboo, etc.
[22] Traditionally, Chinese families use a much more exact form of address which would immediately denote an individual’s relation to another. For example, this would be “Oldest uncle on my father’s side.” For ease of reading and familiarity, I’m going to stick to “Western” denotations when something like this comes up.
[23] Mount Tai is the eastern mountain of the Five Great Mountains of China and one of (if not the) most famous.
[24] It’s a swear word. Starts with an F. Yes, I even added the intonation here. ??
[25] For those curious, prior to the start of the Ming dynasty, homosexuality in ancient China was not considered wrong, and most religions and philosophies were “neutral”on the matter. It is only in the Ming dynasty onward that opposition to homosexuality increased.
[26] Basically “holy shit”
[27] A very mild curse. Literally “bad egg” or “wicked.” Yes, I’m having fun adding Chinese curses.
[28] Traditional method of bowing where one gets on their knees then places their head against the ground. It’s a very subservient form of obeisance.
[29] The three-ringed dao is a sabre with three iron rings set in the back. This adds to the weight of the weapon and allows blocking and locking of weapons, but it is generally considered a brutal weapon.