Chapter 2: The Forbidden Class
"The most powerful class I have ever witnessed."
The words echoed through the Hall of Champions.
The young man—Jack—felt his heartbeat quicken.
"…what is it?" he asked.
The guide studied him for a long moment.
As if weighing something unseen.
Then he turned.
"Follow me."
They walked.
Past towering statues of warriors frozen mid-strike.
Past mages holding eternal spells in their palms.
Past assassins cloaked in shadows that seemed to move on their own.
Each step deeper into the hall made the air heavier.
Denser.
More… alive.
Jack swallowed.
"…why does it feel like everything here is watching me?"
The guide didn't look back.
"Because they are."
Jack blinked.
"…I'm sorry—what?"
"Every class here holds will. Legacy. Power. They are not just abilities…"
The guide paused.
"They are choices that shape destiny."
Jack looked around again.
This time—
He believed it.
Eventually, they reached the end of the hall.
Or what seemed like the end.
There were no statues here.
No glowing pedestals.
No power radiating.
Just…
Darkness.
A single, empty chamber.
At its center—
Hovered an orb.
Black.
Cracked.
Like something barely being contained.
Jack frowned.
"…that's it?"
The moment the words left his mouth—
The orb pulsed.
A low, violent hum filled the air.
The ground trembled.
Jack instinctively took a step back.
"…yeah… that don't look normal."
The guide finally turned to face him.
His expression was different now.
Serious.
Heavy.
"That…"
He gestured toward the orb.
"…is not a class meant to be chosen."
Jack raised a brow.
"Then why bring me here?"
Silence.
The guide exhaled slowly.
"Because you asked for power strong enough to survive the Demon Realm."
His eyes locked onto Jack's.
"This… is beyond that."
Jack stared at the orb.
Something about it felt wrong.
Not evil…
But overwhelming.
Like standing too close to a storm.
"…so what is it?" he asked.
The guide's voice lowered.
"A thousand years ago…"
The lights in the chamber dimmed.
"…there was a god."
Jack smirked slightly.
"Let me guess… not the friendly type."
The guide ignored the comment.
"He was known as a Mad God. A creator… obsessed with perfection."
The orb pulsed again.
Stronger this time.
"He believed all classes were flawed."
Images flickered faintly across the surface of the orb.
Warriors falling.
Mages collapsing.
Summoners overwhelmed.
"Each class had limits. Weaknesses. Boundaries."
The guide stepped closer to the orb.
"And so… he sought to create one without any."
Jack's eyes narrowed.
"…a perfect class."
The guide nodded.
"Yes."
The air grew heavier.
"He began experimenting… combining aspects of every powerful class in existence."
Jack's interest spiked.
"…like what?"
The guide raised a hand.
"Berserker—unmatched strength and rage."
A faint red glow flickered inside the orb.
"Summoner—command over powerful beings."
Shadows twisted within it.
"Mage—limitless mana manipulation."
Blue energy crackled.
"Assassin—speed beyond perception."
The orb flickered like a disappearing shadow.
"Sword Saint—absolute mastery of combat."
A sharp, cutting aura burst outward.
Jack's eyes widened.
"…all of that… in one class?"
The guide's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Yes."
The chamber trembled.
"He called it…"
A pause.
As if even saying the name carried weight.
"…The Juggernaut Class."
Silence.
Jack let out a slow breath.
"…that sounds insane."
The guide looked at him.
"It is."
Jack smirked.
"…I like it."
The guide didn't smile.
"Do not misunderstand."
His tone sharpened.
"This class was never completed."
Jack's expression shifted.
"…what do you mean?"
The guide turned back to the orb.
"The power… was too much."
The orb cracked slightly—
A thin line of light escaping from within.
"The Mad God discovered something too late."
Jack stepped closer.
"What?"
The guide spoke clearly.
"To wield all powers… you must have a body and soul strong enough to endure them."
The air went still.
"Every being he tested…"
The orb pulsed violently.
"…died."
Jack's smirk faded.
"Died… how?"
The guide answered without hesitation.
"Destroyed from within."
A heavy silence filled the chamber.
"Their bodies collapsed. Their souls shattered. Their existence erased."
Jack stared at the orb.
For the first time—
He hesitated.
"…so why is it still here?"
The guide's eyes darkened.
"Because the Mad God refused to destroy it."
He stepped back.
"Instead… he sealed it."
The orb flickered again.
"A prison. A container. A warning."
Jack crossed his arms.
"…and nobody's tried it since?"
The guide shook his head.
"No one has been foolish enough."
Jack walked closer.
Each step made his body feel heavier.
Like the orb was testing him.
Judging him.
"…you said something earlier," Jack muttered.
The guide looked at him.
"What?"
Jack's eyes locked onto the orb.
"You said it needs a strong body and soul."
The guide nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Jack smirked again.
"…what if I can handle it?"
The chamber went silent.
The orb pulsed—
Harder.
Louder.
As if reacting to his words.
The guide's voice turned serious.
"This is not a game."
Jack chuckled.
"I know."
He stepped closer.
Now standing just a few feet away.
"But let me ask you something…"
He looked over his shoulder.
"What kind of class do you think someone needs…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…to walk into the Demon Realm at Level One and not die?"
Silence.
The guide didn't answer.
Because he already knew.
Jack turned back to the orb.
"…yeah," he said quietly.
"This is the one."
The guide closed his eyes for a moment.
"…then hear me carefully."
Jack didn't look away.
"I'm listening."
The guide spoke slowly.
"As it stands, your body will not survive the transformation."
Jack frowned slightly.
"…then how do I fix that?"
The guide hesitated.
Then said—
"You would need something that continuously restores you."
Jack's eyes narrowed.
"…like what?"
The guide answered:
"A regeneration core."
The words hit differently.
"Something powerful enough to heal you faster than the class can destroy you."
Jack let out a breath.
"…so I need to out-heal the damage."
The guide nodded.
"Yes."
Jack grinned.
"…that sounds awesome."
The guide stared at him.
"…you truly don't understand the risk."
Jack finally turned.
His expression calm.
Focused.
"I do."
A pause.
Then—
"I just don't care."
Silence.
The orb pulsed again.
Stronger than ever.
As if it had made its decision.
Jack stepped forward.
"…I've never heard of the Juggernaut Class," he said.
His hand slowly rising toward the orb.
"…but I think it's been waiting for me."