Floating Islands: SSS Gacha System

Chapter 103 - Shadow Sentinel

Atlas sat in a room with Edrik, Kurogasa, and Karian. Without wasting any time, he opened the class advancement menu, and shared the screen with the others.

Five classes were listed before them.

[1. Warlord (Support + Offensive Leader)]

[2. Shadow Sentinel (Agility + Stealth-Based Fighter)]

[3. Arcane Vanguard (Magic + Spear Hybrid)]

[4. Eclipse Spear Master (Stealth + Vampiric Combat)]

[5. Tempest Warden (Elemental Combat Specialist)]

Atlas glanced at the three people in the room, noting their subtle nods as they studied the options presented by the system.

While the class names alone offered little insight, Atlas knew he could delve into their detailed descriptions to analyze each class further and gain a clearer understanding of their strengths and potential.

"Should we go through them one by one?" Atlas asked.

"Yes, I think that's necessary," Edrik replied.

[1. Warlord (Support + Offensive Leader)]

[A commanding leader who bolsters allies while engaging enemies with powerful spear attacks. Excels in frontline support and coordination.]

[Elements: Water (flexibility in group buffs), Shadow (enhanced ally offense).]

[Skills: Battle Cry (Active), Spear Rush (Active), Dominating Presence (Passive), War Banner (Active)]

[Scores:]

[Single Target: ?????]

[AoE: ?????]

[Support: ?????]

[Survivability: ?????]

[Versatility: ?????]

From the detailed descriptions of the classes, each one featured a short summary, the elements it synergized with, and a partial list of its skills. Naturally, it was clear that these classes had far more than just four skills to explore.

However, there were no in-depth explanations for each skill provided. This left them relying on guesses based on the skill names or drawing from the experience and insight of Atlas's elite subordinates.

The Warlord class stood out as a strong candidate, clearly designed to complement Atlas's role as a leader. It focused on the use of Water and Shadow elements, both of which he had a high affinity for.

This class seemed particularly promising, especially given Atlas's Wavebreaker Spear and Zefyros, both of which would synergize powerfully with water-based abilities. Additionally, the incorporation of shadow made it even more appealing as a choice.

[2. Shadow Sentinel (Agility + Stealth-Based Fighter)]

[A deadly assassin who utilizes speed, evasion, and stealth to eliminate enemies with precision. Ideal for single-target eliminations and guerrilla tactics.]

[Elements: Shadow (speed and evasion), Dark (critical strike boosts).]

[Abilities: Shadowstep (Active), Piercing Darkness (Active), Shadow Cloak (Active), Phantom Spear (Active)]

[Scores:]

[Single Target: ?????]

[AoE: ?????]

[Support: ?????]

[Survivability: ?????]

[Versatility: ?????]

The second class was an Assassin-type class, which was quite unexpected for Atlas to have as an option. It was likely offered due to his high affinity with Dark and Shadow elements.

This class clearly excelled in single-target damage, but it was already shaping up to be the least likely choice. He had no intention of taking on the role of an assassin—especially since there were already two skilled individuals in that category: Kurogasa and Edrik.

[3. Arcane Vanguard (Magic + Spear Hybrid)]

[A versatile warrior who blends elemental magic and spear combat to dominate the battlefield. Excels in both single-target and AoE damage.]

[Elements: Water (defensive versatility), Shadow (enhanced offense).]

[Abilities: Tide Surge (Active), Spear Torrent (Active), Flow State (Passive), Hydro-Shield (Active)]

[Scores:]

[Single Target: ?????]

[AoE: ?????]

[Support: ?????]

[Survivability: ?????]

[Versatility: ?????]

Interesting... very interesting.

This class boasted exceptionally high single-target and AoE damage, making it incredibly versatile—a fact reflected in its impressive scores across various aspects.

Considering its heavy utilization of elemental magic, Atlas couldn't help but wonder if this class was influenced by his bond with Lyrassa. Once again, it made use of two elements with which Atlas had a high affinity.

Could this class now take precedence over the Warlord class?

Setting the thought aside for now, he moved on to the fourth class.

[4. Eclipse Spear Master (Stealth + Vampiric Combat)]

[A vampiric warrior who thrives in the shadows, specializing in high burst damage and lifesteal mechanics. Excels in nighttime or dimly lit battles.]

[Elements: Primary: Shadow (critical damage and stealth), Dark (lifesteal).]

[Abilities: Eclipsed Fury (Active), Crimson Spear Dance (Active), Bloodbound Pact (Passive), Midnight Rend (Ultimate)]

[Scores:]

[Single Target: ?????]

[AoE: ?????]

[Support: ?????]

[Survivability: ?????]

[Versatility: ?????]

Vampiric Combat!

If the previous class seemed influenced by his bond with Lyrassa, this one was unmistakably tied to his connection with Morganna.

Eclipse Spear Master stood out with its well-balanced value in both single-target and AoE damage, paired with exceptional survivability.

Judging by its list of skills, the class seemed to mirror Morganna's fighting style—lethal, precise single-target strikes, coupled with devastating AoE attacks that could dominate the battlefield.

What made it even more appealing was its lifesteal abilities, enabling Atlas to sustain himself in prolonged combat, making him a durable force in any fight.

However, the drawback was clear: the class only utilized the Dark and Shadow elements. While these aligned well with his affinities, choosing this path would mean neglecting the potential of his affinity with other elements, making it a less efficient choice overall.

[5. Tempest Warden (Elemental Combat Specialist)]

[A dynamic spear fighter specializing in water and lightning, excelling in AoE and crowd control. Perfect for frontline dominance and elemental synergy.]

[Elements: Water (fluid AoE control), Lightning (burst damage and critical enhancements).]

[Abilities: Aqua Thunderburst (Active), Maelstrom Surge (Active), Lightning Step (Active), Tempest Requiem (Ultimate)]

[Scores:]

[Single Target: ?????]

[AoE: ?????]

[Support: ?????]

[Survivability: ?????]

[Versatility: ?????]

And then, the fifth class...

Atlas narrowed his eyes slightly, studying the details.

Wasn't the overall score for this one a little too perfect compared to the others?

This class utilized Water and Lightning, which immediately caught his attention. These elements perfectly aligned with his Wavebreaker Spear and Zefyros, both of which could harness the power of those elements with remarkable efficiency.

Something about this option stirred a sense of intrigue in Atlas—it felt like a strong contender, perhaps even a top priority.

He paused for a moment, turning his attention to the others in the room to open the floor for discussion.

Edrik was the first to speak. "Before the three of us share our thoughts, I believe you should clarify what kind of fighting style you want to focus on and the role you aim to take in battles, Atlas."

Atlas raised an eyebrow. "Even though you're the ones helping to build my training regimen, you're still asking me this?" he said, a faint smirk on his lips. "But I suppose the answer is clear, and I'm sure you already know my intentions."

Edrik nodded. "If I may summarize, then. You still want to fight on the frontline, correct? Which means having strong survivability is key. You'll also need lethal single-target damage to face enemy Lords effectively. And after that, prioritizing AoE skills would be wise, allowing you to deal significant damage to larger groups of opponents."

"Correct," Atlas confirmed.

Kurogasa then spoke. "My Lord, I'm sure you already have your own priorities for the five available classes, based on whatever reasoning you've considered. I'd like to hear your decision."

"Sure," Atlas replied, nodding. "I'll rank them based on my preferences, and then I'd like to hear your thoughts on whether my choices make sense."

He paused briefly before starting.

"First, Tempest Warden. This one perfectly aligns with my affinity for water and lightning, offering exceptional AoE, crowd control, and strong synergy with my talents. Plus, it complements Zefyros's abilities perfectly. Since Zefyros will always fight alongside me in battle, this class would work seamlessly with my Wavebreaker Spear as well."

He glanced at the group, then continued. "Second, Arcane Vanguard. The reason? It combines elemental magic with spear combat, which enhances both my versatility and my mastery of elements."

"Third, Warlord. While it provides leadership and team buffs—important assets for any group—it feels like it might be a bit dull for my playstyle. That said, its use of water and shadow elements is a good fit overall."

"Fourth, Eclipse Spear Master. I feel like Morganna already covers this role on the battlefield, and if I were to pick this class, it would underutilize the potential of both the Wavebreaker Spear and Zefyros."

"And last, Shadow Sentinel. Simply put, I don't see the need to add another assassin to our team."

Atlas finished with a smile, leaning back slightly after laying out his reasoning. "That's how I see it. What do you think?"

Edrik was the first to speak. "From my perspective, it's simple. Choosing a class that aligns with your fighting style is always a strong move. You wield a spear, and all the available classes seem to pair well with that. On top of that, you have a Legendary-grade spear, which has practically become your signature weapon, Atlas. Plus, your spirit beast's elemental synergy with you further reinforces that your choices are solid."

Karian chimed in next. "For me, well... I'm not really a fan of versatile roles," he admitted with a grin. "But surprisingly, the options available here seem almost too good. Honestly, I don't think this is even a question to debate—the answer is obvious, haha."

Atlas turned to Kurogasa. "What about you?"

"My Lord," Kurogasa began, "my concern is similar to Karian's. Versatile roles in battle can be a risky choice. While they offer adaptability, there are inherent weaknesses to such a role as well."

"Go on, Kurogasa," Atlas said. "I want to hear your analysis of the potential weaknesses in the options available."

Kurogasa nodded, gathering his thoughts before continuing.