CHAPTER 45: A NEW CLASS!

He gestured toward the back of the shop, where Jack could now see several glass display cases. Each case was warded with magic so powerful it made the air itself shimmer, and the weapons within seemed to exist in their own pocket dimensions.

"Mythical-rank artifacts," he explained, his voice taking on a reverent tone. "These aren’t just weapons. They’re legends crafted by Gods. Each one has shaped the course of history at least once."

Jack approached the cases slowly, feeling like he was walking into a museum of impossible things. The first case contained a sword that seemed to be forged from pure sunlight, its blade so brilliant it was almost painful to look at directly.

[??? Sword]

[Rank: Mythical]

[Unable to analyze]

[Price: ??? Death Tokens]

The next case held what appeared to be a simple wooden staff, but Jack could sense the barely contained power within it. Ancient runes covered the shaft, glowing faintly as the God of Death approached.

[??? Staff]

[Rank: Mythical]

[Unable to analyze]

[Price: ??? Death Tokens]

Jack turned and saw a fancy cloak.

"That’s a marvel," the God of Death said casually, pointing to what Jack had initially thought was just a luxurious cloak. "Grants immortality to the wearer. Well, practical immortality. You can still be killed, but you won’t age and most poisons become mildly irritating at worst."

Jack’s mouth went dry. These weren’t just powerful weapons. They were artifacts from legend, items that mortals had started wars over.

’How much?’ he asked quietly.

The God chuckled. "More than you could earn in several lifetimes, I’m afraid. The cloak alone would cost you 100 million death tokens. These aren’t meant for beginners. Come back when you’ve cleared fifty floors or so."

Jack nodded, understanding, but still feeling the sharp pain of disappointment. Still, just knowing that such power existed gave him something to aspire to.

He was about to turn away from the cases when something caught his eye. In the corner, almost hidden behind the more dramatic displays, sat a simple black mask. It wasn’t ornate like the other artifacts, didn’t glow with inner power or radiate magical energy. But something about it called to him.

Without really thinking about it, Jack reached out and touched the glass case.

The moment his fingers made contact, the system erupted with notifications:

[Artifact Detected: Mask of the Soul Warden]

[Rank: Legendary]

[Special Property: Class Unlock Item]

[New Class Available: Soul Warden]

Jack’s heart nearly stopped. A new class meant new power and abilities. He spun around to face him, who was watching him with obvious amusement.

"You have a good eye," the god said with a grin that somehow came through despite his lack of actual facial features. "Most people go straight for flashy weapons. Takes real insight to spot the truly valuable items."

’How much?’ Jack asked. ’For the mask, I mean.’

He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, considering its incredible rarity, its unique properties, and the fact that it’s one of only three Soul Warden class items in existence..." He paused dramatically. "I’d say one million death tokens is a reasonable price."

Jack’s face fell. One million tokens was forty times what he currently had. It might as well have been a trillion.

But then he continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "However, I’m feeling generous today. You did clear my first floor rather impressively, and you showed proper respect for the old jailer’s final words. That counts for something in my book."

The god leaned against the counter, his glowing eyes fixed on Jack. "Tell you what. I’ll let you have it for 10,000 death tokens. But," he held up a skeletal finger, "this squares my debt to Draven. Next time you talk to that storm-addled fool, you let him know we’re even. Understood?"

Jack could barely contain his excitement. Ten thousand tokens was still a significant chunk of his fortune, but it was manageable. And with it a new class could be learned.

’What exactly does the Soul Warden class do?’ he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

The God of Death’s grin widened. "Oh, you’re going to love this. Soul Warden lets you bind the souls of defeated enemies to your service. Instead of just killing them, you can make them your permanent companions. Build yourself a little army of the damned or blessed depending on your taste."

The God chuckled as he stared down Jack.

Jack’s mind raced with the implications. An army of bound creatures, growing stronger alongside him as he descended deeper into the Spire. The possibilities were staggering and endless.

"The best part," He continued, "is that it doesn’t require any specific elemental affinity!"

’How many creatures can I bind?’ Jack asked.

"Starts at three, but the capacity grows as you advance in the class. And here’s the really fun part. You can spend death tokens to upgrade your bound creatures. Make them stronger, teach them new abilities, even evolve them into higher-rank monsters."

Jack was practically vibrating with excitement. This was exactly the kind of power he needed to survive the deeper floors of the Spire. With bound creatures fighting alongside him, he’d have the flexibility to handle any situation.

’I’ll take it,’ he said without hesitation.

"Excellent!" He clapped his hands together, the sound echoing through the shop like thunder. "One Soul Warden class, coming right up. That’ll be 10,000 death tokens, please."

Jack mentally confirmed the transaction, watching as a significant portion of his hard-earned tokens disappeared. But the moment the payment was processed, the mask case opened with a soft chime.

[Purchase confirmed: 10,000 Death Tokens spent]

[Soul Warden Class available for learning]

[Current Death Tokens: 12,200]

Jack reached for the mask with trembling hands. The moment his fingers touched the ancient artifact, knowledge flooded his mind. It was like remembering something he’d always known.

[Soul Warden Class learned]

[New skills available for purchase.]

[Soul Capacity: 3 creatures]

[Binding cost: Pest | 2,500 Tokens]

[Binding cost: Wretch | 5,000 Tokens]

[Binding cost: Vile | 10,000 Tokens]

[Binding cost: Terror | 25,000 Tokens]

[Binding cost: Dread | 50,000 Tokens]

The mask dissolved in his hands, its essence merging with his consciousness. Jack could feel the new power settling into his mind like a key finding its lock.

"Congratulations," The God of Death said with genuine warmth. "You’re now officially a dual-class warrior. Lightning Mage and Soul Warden."

Jack grinned, feeling more powerful than he ever had before. With his lightning magic and his new ability to build an army of bound creatures, he was ready for whatever the deeper floors could throw at him.

’Thank you,’ he said sincerely. ’This is... incredible.’

"Don’t thank me yet," Hades replied with a chuckle.

"Wait until you see what’s waiting for you on the next floor. But speaking of which, you should probably head back to your little palace soon. Don’t want them to start wondering where their prize chosen one has wandered off to."

Jack blinked. In all the excitement of clearing the floor and discovering the shop, he’d completely forgotten about his situation in the palace. ’How do I get back? Is there another key, or...’

"Same way you came. You’ve got that key I gave you, right? Just use it on any door down here. The magic is tied to you. It’ll take you back to exactly where you need to be."

Jack pulled the dark key from his system storage. It was hard to believe that this simple artifact had opened the door to so much power and possibility.

"One more thing," He said as Jack headed for the shop door. "Time moves differently in the Spire compared to your world. You’ve been down here for about twelve hours, but only thirty minutes or so have passed up there."

Jack’s eyes widened. ’Twelve hours felt like twelve hours to me.’

"That’s because you’re actually here, not just visiting in spirit. But the temporal differential holds."

As Jack reached the door, he called out one last time. "Oh, and Jack? Good luck with whatever’s in that black box. I have a feeling you’re going to need every advantage you can get."

Jack paused with his hand on the door handle. ’You know about the box?’

His laugh followed him out of the shop. "Kid, I’m the god of death. I know about everything that matters down here."

Jack used the key on the shop’s door, watching as reality twisted around him once again. The sensation of interdimensional travel was becoming familiar, though no less disorienting.

When the world solidified, he found himself back in his luxurious prison in the Tower of Chosen Ones.

The crystal windows showed the same afternoon light as when he’d left, confirming his words about the time differential.

Jack remembered the black box waiting for him. He’d been so focused on survival and the shop that he’d completely forgotten about his reward for slaying Spiralus.

He pulled the box from his system storage.

The box definitely contained something powerful.

Jack lifted the lid carefully, and immediately understood why it had been such a significant reward.

[Congratulations, you have obtained...]