Chapter 10: Cast Out

[Regional Chat (#058-34)

CryMorePls: "You all wailing about awakening low-grade classes, while some of us out here dying from success. "

SirCumAlot: "@CryMorePls, you boast too much, gang. What class grade did you even awaken?"

RosesAreBlue: "@CryMorePls, yeah, tell us!. For someone so annoying, you aren’t even on any of the rankings."

CryMorePls: "Not that I care either way, but since you pansies are so eager, I’ll tell you. I am of the warrior class— Epic grade. But it’s whatever; who cares."

RosesAreBlue: "What ?!."

SirCumAlot: "Epic ?!"

OrcMan: "Don’t allow yourself to be fooled, guys. what? Epic ?!. Even our Newhaven senior @RainbowJubilee is only Top-grade. Crymore is clearly lying."]

Class Awakening and its subsequent grades—

The new trend spreading through the chat channels, and the most optimal means of survival for those lucky enough to not only meet the requirements for awakening but also possess the innate predisposition for it.

What is currently publicly known is that there are three base class groups.

The first class group is the Esper class group.

This class group allows the awakened to gain elemental control for dealing long-range damage depending on the individual’s awakened aspect, offering a copious boost to their mentality stat, as well as moderate physical strengthening.

The second class group is the warrior class group.

This class group provides the awakener with specialized fighting and weapon skills, as well as greatly boosting their physical stats.

The third and final class group known to the public at the moment—

Is the Unique class group.

The Unique classes are any classes that do not categorically fall under the umbrella of the Esper or warrior class.

This does not make them stronger than the other two class groups. Just more rare. At least that’s what’s known at the moment.

These three class groups are subsequently divided into five known class grades.

These are the Low-grade class, the middle class grade, the High class grade, the Top class grade, and finally— the Epic grade class

These class grades determine the initial boost to an awakener’s physical or mental stats upon awakening, as well as the effectiveness of their class-related skills.

These awakened individuals have been granted a strong edge in this Trial, and though there must surely be restrictions to such gifts, it is still a massive edge nonetheless, placing awakeners far above ’regulars’, the term now colloquially being used to describe the unawakened.

Regulars were now vacating their safety to go find and join strong awakener-led groups. Even other awakeners are being pulled under the banner of stronger ones.

Even the military-led groups and shelters were relying on the strong awakeners in their armies, especially those on the rankings, to rally survivors into shelters as well as persuade other awakeners to join the cause. The world seems to move fast when survival is at stake.

Information spreads like wildfire, especially in times of distress. With people looking to share knowledge on the chat channels so they can, in turn, receive beneficial information that just might save their lives.

Damon had previously been informed by Harvey and Mildred that Brad and some of his friends had awakened classes. He had no good reference to base his expectations upon—

But now, seeing his cousin’s arms erupt in flames, seeing the power and lethality he was exuding—

Damon knew instinctively— this was no longer the Brad from his memories. This person was dangerous. And just as the Origin had turned the inhabitants of this world into monstrous zombies, it had also ushered the world into an era of superhuman beings.

"Lets see which is faster—your flames, master Brad— or my bullet."

The atmosphere inside the room was tense. Brad’s hands were outstretched to both Harvey and Mildred, burning with crimson flames that were starting to form a vortex— his expression stern but a bit hesitant as he gazed cautiously at Harvey’s gun.

Harvey’s finger was on the trigger, specks of sweat lingering on his brow from the rising heat, Mildred brandishing large knives, her stance resolute even though she recognized the difference in their strength.

Brad’s two cohorts appeared relaxed, confident that Brad could handle these regulars, but still in a ready stance to jump in.

Damon did a quick calculation in his mind amidst the growing tension.

There were only two bullets left in Harvey’s gun, and though he was a good shot, the chances of missing on these Superhumans were massive, especially when there was a fireball flying at one’s face.

Harvey was already in a bad state, and Mildred wasn’t doing too well, whereas these other three looked in tip-top shape; he wondered if it had something to do with the fact that all three of them were newly awakened.

Still, this wasn’t a fight they could win.

At least not without suffering some irreparable losses.

Damon also wasn’t keen on threatening life or death with his cousin for something as simple as his comfy accommodations.

Though Damon loved his room and a part of him didn’t want to let this ungrateful cousin have his way—

He also knew just how valuable his two attendants were.

"Stop."

Damon’s mellow voice came from the bed, drawing everyone’s attention and slicing through the room’s tension.

"Master Damon?" Harvey muttered as he turned to Damon; his eyes seemed to be asking if the young man was sure of his decision.

"You want my room, right, cousin?"

"You can have it."

"But, master Damon, you are in no condition to—"

"It’s okay, Mildred, I can still move around just fine—It’s not worth it."

Damon said to Mildred; he could see the worry and hesitation in her expression.

Having Damon move around in his current state would just worsen his injuries, but seeing Damon’s stance was set, Mildred slowly dropped her knives, and so too did Harvey with his gun, as well as Brad with his flaming hands. Each one followed the other’s action in case of any sudden surprise.

"Wow, cousin—"

"I have to say, you made a really smart choice."

"A waste. But at least you turn out to be a smart waste. Hehe"

Brad intoned, smiling, as the flames on his hands slowly died out. Mildred gritted her teeth from Brad’s incessant ridicule of Damon, while Damon’s reaction remained completely blank. However, his gaze now held something when he looked at Brad.

"Don’t worry. I will allow you to remain in my living room—"

"So long as you pay me rent, of course. Hehe."

"Hahaha."

"Master Brad is wise, hehehehe."

Brad announced, with his cohorts snickering and laughing while simultaneously inflating his ego with praise.

One of Brad’s two cohorts began to look at Mildred in a way that even Damon noticed as Harvey and Mildred gently helped him out of his bed at his request.

"Hurry up now, chop chop, white prince"

"Now that I see you in real life, you ain’t that much, pretty boy. hahahaha"

The other Brad’s friends urged from the side, snickering and compelling Damon to be moved out at a hastened pace, yet they were careful not to venture any physical harm on Damon, as the deadly glare from Mildred was more than enough deterrence.

Mildred might not be able to do much to these awakened— but Harvey still had a gun.

As Damon came out of his room(now his former room), being guided as he trudged weakly from either side by Mildred and Harvey, Leo followed along, after causing Brad and his cohorts a jump scare by his sudden appearance.

Damon finally came face to face with the remaining group of students now trapped in this penthouse with him. Their reactions to his appearance varied, but no doubt pronounced.

Yet, Damon’s thoughts were elsewhere in the moment.

From Damon’s understanding, he had awakened.

He was also an awakened like Brad and his friends. Yet, he didn’t feel any different.

He felt just as weak as he had always been. Now more so because of his injuries.

’What in the world is going on ?’