Path To Radiance; First Ascent

I used any prep time and walking time to resolve the prompts I gained due to Diligence's interference. As exciting as leveling up is, the threat of future repayment killed most of it.

Congratulations Player! You have reached Level 5!

As a Human - Dragonkin, you gain 7 Characteristic points per attribute spent. You have unlocked the feature: basic classes. Please see a Tower attendant before climbing. Good Luck and reach for the Heavens!

Placing my points was an easy choice. I didn't want to be too powerful in one area yet, so one point went into spirit and one into civil. The rest was just balancing.

Basic
Name: Jut Kylos Zoak
Title: Leader
Level: 5
Race: Human
Sub-Race: Dragon-Kin
Age: 24
Rank: Basic
Roll: Tank
Class: None
HP: 32
MP: 35
Stamina: 36

Attributes
Free points: 0
Body: 2
Spirit: 2
Civil: 1

Characteristics
(Body)
Strength: 12
Stamina: 11
Agility: 11

(Spirit)
Intellect: 16
Wisdom: 15
IQ: 16

(Civil)
Charisma: 12
Influence: 12
Luck: 13

What excites me is the idea of a class. In most games, classes tailor a player's abilities based on what they choose to advance their fighting styles. The sooner we can find this healer the better so I can learn more about it. I had minimized the notification about it to spend my points.

Upon reaching level 5, Players unlock the ability to select a Basic Class. Classes bestow powerful Skills and Spells as they level up. See a Tower Attendant for more detail.

I am more than a little disappointed by the information, closing the window.

Tella follows me to every tavern within a three or four-block radius from the Southern Comfort. As we speak to barkeeps, waitresses, and other Players, I make sure to mention that the Tower is now open and all Players have to do to enter is clear the Sewer dungeon and obtain the needed skills. Many people shuffle off to look into the dungeon and Tower right away. Some just blow me off and keep on eating or drinking. I am all for having fun and getting tipsy from time to time, but drinking that much before noon is not what I consider fun.

After our third or fourth tavern visit, we still haven't found a suitable candidate. I notice that the already quiet Tella has been taking it to the extreme today. She has not made a single noise since breakfast. Her ears lay flat to her head and her tail is rigged. I slow down enough to be beside her and bump her gently.

"What's gotten into you all of a sudden?" I ask, trying to look her in the face. She looks at me for a moment then her features cloud up in anger again and she looks away. It takes her a block to respond.

"Why'd you give that girl the rapier I won for you? You didn't even try it before just handing it over. She didn't even cast a meaningful healing spell that whole run." Tella crosses her arms and refuses to look at me as she speaks. Her words pouring out all over each other. "I swore fealty to you, she hasn't." She makes a slight humph sound.

I step in front of her and wait until she looks back at me. "Tella. I appreciated your gift, I really did. The thing is, I didn't need the weapon as bad as Aeona. MMORPGs like this one require teamwork. Those who are selfish never really get anything out of the game that truly matters."