In the world of Liurza, everyone had a 'class'. Some innate, inborn talent which determined your destiny.
A man could be born a warrior, free to wield great strength as either a champion or a corruptor, while others could become scholars and sorcerers who used their arcane affinity for order or chaos. More commonly, most were born with classes that suited a simple existence as tradespeople and commoners, granted meaningful lives as the building blocks of society. But of course, there were those with seemingly useless classes, abilities and traits positioned on the fringes of society. The only question was where you fell on the spectrum – were you at the top of the pile? Or the bottom of the heap?
***
*Mopping: failed*
An hour of my efforts slapping about a sludge, slopped mop ended in failure despite my best efforts. My 'Cleaning' skill was laughably low. 5/100, in fact. So low, in fact, that it seemed almost impossible to raise.
*Mopping: failed*
The message repeated in my mind and was accompanied by a rising sense of frustration. I'd already earned the ire of the innkeeper for my inability to get anything done; it was by a wavering sense of pity that he'd even allowed me to work here. Of course I'd lied, told him that I was just a low-level commoner, lacking any substantial XP in the major, mundane skills; cooking, cleaning, commerce, etc. etc. All 10s or below. As I failed yet another simple task, I contemplated the sorry state of my life. Of the dark truth I concealed.
I possessed skill-trees passive abilities that shouldn't have existed. That had no right to exist. There'd have been plenty of time to wallow in my self-pity had it not been for the slight clatter of goods, followed by a whispering curse.
"Hello?" I inquired into the darkness, receiving no response. "Who's there?!"
Silence.
I called out again, more loudly, and began to search the cellar for the source of the noise. A chuckle came from behind, "You 'Commoner' classes are pathetic." The tone was impish, mocking, and unmistakably belonging to a little girl.
With a clumsy spin of the heels I turned to face the mocking voice, and due to a sub-average dexterity stat, nearly fell flat on my ass.
The child, garbed in tight, leather spats and slim black fittings, mocked me with a smirk; twin daggers clung to her narrow hips. "Sheesh, I thought this place was empty. A good spot to farm some Thieving XP, didn't know there would be a useless 'Commoner' class around."
"You're a thief?" I asked, trying to hide my shock. "Aren't you a little young?"
The girl shrugged, and flicked the tip of one dagger at me. "Heh, what does it matter to you?" Her eyes were emerald, narrowed into condescending slits that bellied a sense of superiority and smugness; despite her age, the child thief knew that her class had far more utility than the average layman's.
"Nothing," I replied, as I quickly backed away, keeping my hands raised in the air. "Just making conversation."
The girl huffed, and snorted, "Well, damn. Can't have a nobody like you running your mouth about me being here; I wouldn't be a good thief if I did, right? Guess I'll have to be quick." The little thief gave the straightened locks of her raven bob a nonchalant flip, "I've been looking for someone to practice my combat skills on, anyways."
Combat skills? This brat was half my height and a fraction of my size, but I needed to err on the side of caution, nevertheless. In Liurza, everything was about skill level and stats; size and age was often a non-factor. I took a deep breath, and swallowed the lump in my throat. "I don't want any trouble, honestly!" The floors, slick from my failed attempts at mopping, offered little purchase as I attempted to make for the cellar stairway.
"Oh, but you do." The girl smiled, her voice sounding like a mocking whisper. "You just don't know it yet." Lantern light glinted against the edge of her curved blade, mimicking the curve of the child-thief's sadistic grin.
The dagger tip drew nearer, and I froze in place, my eyes wide, mouth agape. "Why are you doing this?" I asked, in a pathetic attempt to stall for time.
"I'm not," she replied, and brought the dagger down towards me.
*Active skill: Basic Stab*
The girl's dagger flashed forward, followed by a trail of reddish light. 'Basic Stab' was just as it's name implied, but to a commoner like me, it was a dangerous attack. One that I had very little analogue to, or so I thought.
*Passive skill: Loli Grappler*
A surge of energy swelled from within, granting reflexes that far outshone my assailant's. I sidestepped the 'Basic Stab', closing the short distance and locking the young girl in a constrictive hold; we both reeled in confusion.
"What?" The girl demanded, as her arms were pinned to her sides and she struggled to break free.
'What' indeed. I read the description for the 'Loli Grappler' passive in my mind's eye.
*Loli Grappler: Activates in 2m proximity of those with the 'Loli' subtype. Boost STR stat by %500 and 'Grappling' skill by %300 when facing 'Loli' subtype enemies.*
"Let me go!" The thief snarled. I'd have been gutted had it not been for my detestable class. Was this the power of the 'Loli Tamer' class? Of my denied potential? I struggled to keep my composure in heated embrace, "I'd let you go if you weren't trying to kill me!"
The lissome little assassin maintained her fury, "You're lucky, perv! Just wait until I break free! You're dead!" It was a petulant, almost endearing protest from my raven-haired assailant, but the threat was all too real.
*Passive skill: Subduing Kiss*
My lips touched hers, as my mind reeled. *Subduing Kiss* was an ability exclusive to the 'Loli Tamer' class. It was a kiss that granted the kisser the ability to subdue any opponent in its vicinity. My lips pressed against hers, and my mind felt as though it was going to burst from the force of the sensation.
The girl tried to pull back, but my hands held firm. Our faces were mere centimeters apart, and her body trembled. I heard her muffled gasp, and the sound of our mingling breaths.
"Wha…what did you just do?" she asked, in a trembling voice.
"I need to calm you down somehow." It was a half-truth. Ever since I'd learned what I was, I shunned it. Being a Loli-Tamer would earn me nothing but ire and disgust in a world ruled my might and magic. It was about time I discovered the extent of my abilities; who better to test them on than a haughty brat with a penchant for stealing, and one who'd almost killed me, at that. "Let me apologize in advance..." I mumbled; the thief girl's face contorted from anger and disgust to burgeoning curiosity and confusion. "...what's your name?
She puffed, "Maya! And I'll be the last person you ever see-"
*Active skill: Arousal Amplification*
Maya's eyelids