The skeleton examined its surroundings. His eye socket is shaped like an upside-down crescent moon, and green retina glows dimly in the dark room. The Entram did not show any sign of nervousness even as the surrounding humans stared at the creature, that no doubt most just seen for the first time.

  Spears snapped down, aimed at the skeleton. And mages whirled, aiming their outstretched palm at the watcher. The mages heaved in unison, a dozen of fire mages all tired, it took their everything against the Plague Doctor. But now another mysterious creature appeared. And worst of all…

  (Entram. Lvl ?)

  Rue made out how each of their shoulder shook, doubt creeping into their whole body.

  He looked at Mey and Lars. Neither did they have the urgency like the others; they knew the Entram was no enemy.

  “Mey!” Rue called. He does not want to see any fight started again, especially against the watcher.

  The woman heaved a breath, ashes went out of her mouth just like cold vapor leaving Rue’s mouth. The charred body of the Doctor sent an unpleasant odor of burnt flesh. He reeked under the smell, but he had to brave it; he had to prevent any misunderstanding.

  “Lower your weapon!” Mey shouted. She pushed aside a woman mage and stood shielding the Entram from the humans, who had all lowered their hands, looking at each other in confusion.

  Rue ran forward, toward where the spear wielders were. There were probably two dozen of them, making a wall of spears below the hug,e gaping archway.

  “He is friendly, down your weapon!”

  “He?” The foremost man with an aged look asked.

  Beside him is a bunch of youthful warriors, and to Rue's dismay, each holding an expectant look.

  “Down, that’s an order,” Mey said slowly, word veiled with threat. A whisker of ember appeared in her hand, and lashes of fire manifested.

  “Yes, Ma'am!” the youths snap in unison, and drop their spear, clanging against the floor. Rue did not miss how they sheepishly went behind with hurried steps. He breathes out a vapor of breath. His body is burning, but a cold sensation starts to soothe him. Being in this tower where flame is still dancing is bad for him; his regeneration will be stilted. But, Rue wanted to know the situation; he’s willing to face discomfort for a bit.

  “I thought a watcher would only come when the phase has started.” Mey turned her head, regarding the skeleton like they were acquaintance.

  “There’s some interference. The phase has hastened, I will be honest. We did not know what was happening to the system. This… hasn’t happened before. Mey Skyveth, may I request a private audience with you? After, we can gather assembly to keep things more…” The Entram looked around, brandishing his hand in a flourish toward the gawking humans from the Archway to drive his point. “Proper”

  “There are still other enemies.”

  “They have not been seen; none of the party met them,” The Entram said.

  Mey nodded, “Ephey, gather everyone in the courtyard…” She looked up at the spawning countdown. “We should have enough time. Inform everyone, their new room assignment has been made and will be given in an hour or less.”

  “Me?” Ephey said, her eyes widened. “I can come with yo—”

  “Do it, please,” Mey cut her off.

  “Yes, Mey,” She hung her head down. And Rue winced, it's like seeing someone got rejected in their confession. Well, Ephey made it look that way. “Of course”.

  Mey went and talked to Loran. The old man's eyes are gaunt, he stands, his body looks frail like he just aged two times faster. The man stood over Linda flayed bodies, crushed from the height. Mey claps Loran’s hand, whispering something. The old man hung his head close to her as they traded words.

  “Rue?” Mey called his real name. “Would you mean help Loren here?”

  “Help?” Rue asked. “Help with wha—” He did not finish that sentence as a group went in with white cloaks to cover the dead bodies. “Yes, yes.. I will” He said solemnly.

  “Thanks,” She turned toward Lars. “And you too Loner”

  Lars did not offer a response; he just stood and summoned a white cloth.

  Mey and the Entram climbed up the stairs. If Rue could use any spell that would eavesdrop on their conversation, he would do so. And he had a strange feeling that Mey would understand. Shoving the thought away, he went to Loran—who was bringing his hand in a clasp, holding them together in prayer. When he was done, two man has brough a makeshift stretcher made of wood.

  “We dug a grave already,” A man with graying brown hair said.

  “That was fast,” Rue commented, as he picked up a part of Linda’s flesh that was covered by the cloth thankfully, but still this felt disrespectful to do.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “We did not just build it, Eur. Or whatever your name is,” A gangly fat man who wore eyeglasses too small for his face said. “We dug them days ago, in anticipation of death.”

  “And that is wise,” Loran said, lifting the last part of Linda’s body. “As proven by now, and soon in the future”

  Rue looked around; the rot of burning flesh wafted. Fire flickered in the dark tower, eerily mocking them with its shadow. “Yes,” Rue muttered. “That is wise.”

  —----------------

  Plague Doctor Cane (Mystic) – The plague doctor has caused endless tragedy, far too many to be counted by a hundred hands. His experiment is relentless; anything his eye lies upon is another source of his never-ending curiosity. This cane possesses the Plague Doctor's endless fascination with poison. At first, it's merely a tool for him to stand straight as an unfortunate experiment goes bad, leaving him having to search for magic to move, but this trusty cane was there for him. The Doctor has found it lying in a gutter, and he benevolently picked it up! The cane fascinated the Doctor, and it started to learn, especially as the Doctor wondered about the art of poison. In time, the cane has took in Poison Affinity and even become very proficient with Magic casting, it has become an important companion for the Doctor Mind + 50, Arcana + 100.

  Rue laid his thumbs around the cool silver inlaid through the cane; the silver formed a sort of mace end where you can thump people to death with it; in fact, the Doctor has tried the very thing on Rue. On the other end is merely a round, blackened wood. The cane is half as tall as Rue. At first glance, there’s nothing special about it. But its description strongly implies it is anything but weak.

  He even wondered if it was safe to use. Rue made sure to prod it with his lion mane cloak–not willing to touch it with his bare hand. Perhaps, if he is willing to change class to this Plague Doctor class, this would be safe to use. But, for now, he will try to find a buyer who would buy the class change scroll as well.

  But, this mask… This one he will use.

  Plague Doctor Beaked Mask (Mystic) – To achieve the horror the Plague Doctor achieves, one cannot just rely on poison resistance skill. No, no, that will never be enough. The Doctor has traveled far and wide through the multiverse to gather material suitable to combat the deadliest poison there’s to exists. He had killed Morgan, the great smith, who was forced to make this mask. He released poison venom through the city of Blumbarg, killing all inhabitants, and he is the sole living person, thanks to this mask. The Doctor had especially requested a beak to shape his voice into a terrifying echo that would reverberate in the surrounding air. Strength + 50, Mind+ 50, Arcana + 50.

  It's decided then, he will keep the mask. There’s no reason not to. Although the description is indeed horrifying, it is still something that will serve him well into the future.

  Rue was about to don the mask, before he spotted Linda body being carried down into her grave.

  This is not the time.

  He tapped his spatial ring and stored both the mask and the cane. He eyed the scroll, wondering if anyone would even buy it. He stored the scroll as well, deciding to try his luck later. It would be too horrifying if he started to try and sell this the moment after the Doctor had killed a dozen.

  Wait… Maybe that would make people want to buy it?

  Then again, there’s no item in the shop he's interested in except the spatial ring. Maybe he will go for a trade, would Mey or Lars have something good they don’t want to keep? Lars looked like someone who had a sword collection. He should ask him later. Mey, on the other hand, might be interested in his Lion mane Cloak, or the Lion class chance for her comrade.

  People had streamed in from around them, and some stayed to curiously look at the funeral. A dozen people had asked Rue what happened. He was taken aback at first, but as more people streamed in, it dawn on him there's really about a hundred thousand people here. And the word of the battle hasn't spread.

  After half an hour or so, most made their way toward the courtyard, their earlier curiosity replaced by a grim realization as a group that had been assigned as some sort of enforcer led all of them to the courtyard in an orderly manner.

  The black castle gleamed strangely under the darkness; they overlooked the gathering below, all shoved into the huge courtyard beneath it.

  A huddle of bodies kept bumping at Rue; they formed ten lines to receive room assignment. Rue already received one, so he tried to find a free space; he shouldn't have followed the crowd here.

  “Excuse me,” Rue grunted, wading through a big man and a woman. He breathed a lungful of breath as he was free of the crowd.

  “Eur!” Soma called. The man was holding a paper, motioning for him to come close. He and the fat guard were there, leaning against a stone seat nestled against the corner of the courtyard's brick wall.

  As Rue got close, Junior suddenly fell on his face. “What the hell is happening?” He demanded. “We were both assigned to the western wall, and our room also moved to the very top.”

  “Are you saying you’re moved because of me?”

  “Well, it's probably because we're high level,” Junior said cockily. “Level ten above is much higher than most here,” he pointed out.

  That's problematic to hear.

  “Anyway! I heard a skeleton appear? And protected by the boss lady?”

  “Relax,” Rue said, “they will explain everything soon”

  Above the brick wall of the castle, two figures walked, one is lustrous white hair and the other is a skeleton covered in a dark robe. They pass over a group of archer that had their eyes trained on the crowd. Mey released a burst of flame to the sky, drawing the attention of every living human. A hundred thousand eyes on her. Beside her is a tall blonde man with hair so long that Rue almost mistook him for another woman. He had been waiting for Mey and The Entram.

  The man weaved his hand, casting a spell unseen by Rue , then Mey spoke, her voice amplified through the whole courtyard.

  “5000 left until the last spawn, and the phase will start in earnest..” She paused, letting her word sink in. “This is Semis, an Entram. A race the system has chosen to lead the tutorial. I’m sure everyone had questions, as I did too. But for now, he will explain this phase in detail, and how he will be of service and fight alongside us.”

  The Entram will fight with them?

  Something uncomfortable rattled inside of Rue. For the watcher to help them. What kind of trial is waiting? He looked at his Plague Doctor skill choices and decided to examine them, wanting every last bit of advantage he could get.

  And his eye summoned a key, a golden key that was cold to touch. He can go anytime to his class quest with this. Would that be wise? Maybe he should score goals as fast as possible; the fastest he clear it, the better he will be able to contribute. Earlier fights have proven there’s many enemies he will be too weak to fight alone.

  Mage Knight Class Key (Legendary) – Open gate, only you can go through, toward the destination of your quest.