Outpost Base, Diagnostic Center.
Tianyang lay on an automated examination bed as a pure-white medical scanner, guided by a mechanical arm, performed a full examination of his body.
The examination took fifteen minutes. When it was over, the scanner retracted into the ceiling and transmitted its data to the attending physician's personal control panel.
The panel looked like a sheet of silver foil, with Tianyang's physical information displayed on its surface. After reviewing it, the attending physician folded it up.
Once she had folded it down to the size of a card, she slipped it casually into her pocket. The female doctor, whose black hair was soft and smooth, gave him a gentle smile. "All your readings are normal. There are no signs of contamination by the Black Fog. However, the vitreous body in your left eye has been completely destroyed. I'll need to perform an operation to remove the eye shortly."
Tianyang covered his left cheek. "Can't it be repaired?"
The physician looked apologetic. "More than seventy percent of it is damaged, and many of the nerves have been injured. The damage is irreversible. Of course, you could get a brand-new eyeball from a Medical 3D Printer, but that can only be done at the Fortress's Medical Center, and it's expensive."
"Alternatively, you can apply to your department to have this recognized as a work-related injury. That would qualify you for a subsidy. At the very least, an Electronic Prosthetic Eye should be no problem."
An Electronic Prosthetic Eye? At least it would be better than being blind.
Tianyang figured that once his contribution points came through, he should have no trouble redeeming a fully functional Tactical Electronic Eye.
Whoosh-
With a soft sound, the Diagnostic Center's automatic door opened, and someone walked in.
His tousled flaxen hair took on a tea-colored sheen under the lights. A barely perceptible weariness lingered on his young, sharply defined face.
A pair of simple, nonprescription glasses rested on his straight nose. Even so, the eyes behind those lenses still gleamed with an edge as sharp as a blade.
He wore a dark officer's uniform, with a silver insignia pinned to his chest. Its design featured a crescent moon and a traveler-the emblem of the Nightwalker Exploration Corps!
"Oh, Chief of Staff Ling! What brings you here?"
The doctor's face lit up with delighted surprise, undisguised adoration in her eyes.
The young man gave a slight nod. "Sorry, doctor. Could you let me speak with him alone for a moment?"
Naturally, the doctor did not refuse. After stealing a few more reluctant glances at him, she left the Diagnostic Center.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Ling Feng, chief of staff of the Nightwalkers."
Tianyang hurriedly jumped off the bed and pressed a clenched fist to his chest. "Collection team soldier Tianyang, reporting, sir!"
Ling Feng's gaze settled on the class insignia on the back of the boy's hand. His expression remained unchanged. "The commander isn't at Lighthouse Base, so I've come to see you in his place. You said you awakened a new class?"
"Yes, sir! The class I awakened is called [Avenger]!"
Tianyang answered loudly.
Ling Feng raised a hand and lightly adjusted his glasses. "The Avenger class? I've certainly never heard of that. Can you channel Star Essence?"
Star Essence was a form of energy within Ascenders, an essential resource for using their abilities.
"I'm not very good at it yet. I might need a little time." The boy was somewhat tense.
Ling Feng stepped back twice. "Show me."
Tianyang nodded, closed his eyes, and focused on sensing the power within him.
A moment later, a faint glimmer drifted from his hair like stardust.
On the back of his hand, the dark-flamed hand gripping a scythe began to stir, its flames slowly wavering as though alive.
A strange aura emerged around the boy, unlike anything Ling Feng had ever sensed from other Ascenders.
And he had never seen that insignia before. Since Star Essence could activate it, that proved it was not a forgery!
The chief of staff said quietly, "That's enough. I believe you've awakened an entirely new class. Now, tell me. Why did you want to see the commander?"
Tianyang opened his eyes and answered with utter seriousness. "I want to join the Nightwalkers."
Ling Feng replied without hesitation. "No problem. We Nightwalkers welcome every Ascender. I'll have my adjutant handle your enlistment paperwork shortly. You'll receive your notice in forty-eight hours."
"No, sir. I want to become a member of the Nightwalkers right now, and receive all the rights of an Ascender. Upper Citizen status, for example."
Ling Feng's expression chilled. "I can grant everything you've mentioned. But processing the paperwork takes time!"
Tianyang refused to yield an inch. "Perhaps this new Avenger class could shorten that time. If the Nightwalkers can't manage it, perhaps the Storm Corps, the Ironwall City Guard, or the Church of the Lord of War could."
Ling Feng narrowed his eyes, a piercing glint flashing in his pupils. "Soldier, are you threatening me?"
Tianyang gritted his teeth, enduring the young man's almost tangible killing intent. "I'm merely stating a fact, sir. An entirely new class, complete rank information, and ability matrices. With those, the Nightwalkers could easily apply for more funding."
"Compared with all that, what does this little request of mine amount to?"
Ling Feng gave no response.
Tianyang stood ramrod straight.
An oppressive atmosphere filled the Diagnostic Center.
Several breaths passed before Ling Feng spoke. "Why? Why are you in such a hurry to get these things?"
Tianyang clenched his fists, a trace of hatred flashing through his eyes. "I have my reasons, sir."
This was the groundwork for his revenge, but there was no need to report that. Besides, the fewer people who knew, the better.
Ling Feng offered no endorsement of that, either. "All right. As of now, you're a member of the Nightwalkers, with Upper Citizen status and all the associated rights. I personally guarantee all of it."
Tianyang saluted. "Thank you, sir!"
Ling Feng nodded. "I'll give you your specific assignments later. Rest for now. One more thing: don't mention your new class to anyone else. You'd best find something to cover that insignia on your hand."
After leaving the Diagnostic Center, Ling Feng glanced back at the boy inside.
"An entirely new class. Once word gets out, the Golden Council and the Four Great Churches will probably be in an uproar. You still underestimate your own worth. You could have asked for much more..."
A thousand years had passed since the first Ascender appeared. Over that millennium, nine classes had emerged. Countless past battles had already demonstrated that certain classes countered others.
Because of resource constraints, each fortress city focused on developing different classes.
As a result, a fortress's diplomatic priorities and strategic plans were often adjusted according to the Ascender classes at its disposal.
The appearance of a new class would have an enormous impact on the existing order.
There had been several precedents throughout history in which the emergence of a new class reshuffled the world order.
Now, a tenth class had appeared.
By studying and observing it, and obtaining its rank information and ability matrices, they could learn which classes it countered.
If employed properly, an Ascender who had awakened a new class would become a powerful deterrent.
That would serve as a vital bargaining chip in the Fortress's diplomacy.
But Tianyang had only just awakened. This young seedling urgently needed protection and nurturing if he was to grow into a towering giant!
After returning to his office, Ling Feng sent an encrypted message to his superior. Then he arranged meetings with those who had been in contact with Tianyang and ordered them to keep silent.
The fewer people who knew about the new class, the better. Especially the Church of the Lord of War-Ling Feng did not want the boy getting involved with that church.
After all, that church had an enormous interest in Ascenders and all manner of mysterious phenomena within the Inverse Realm!
Before you continue