"Good thing I ran fast. If I was slower, I would've been lying amidst the bodies..." The ones returning sighed in relief.
Some felt disgusted at the sight of blood but they felt more relieved that they were alive.
Just then, across the vast plain, massive tombstones erupted from the ground. They were covered with glowing blue runes.
[The Appraisal Stones have been prepared]
[You have 30 minutes to receive your Class and Stats. Those who fail to awaken will be purged]
The emotionless voice came from the sky once again.
Still traumatized by the last purge, no one doubted the words anymore. Survivors quickly began to scramble toward the nearest tombstones.
"We have to go."
Leia wiped her face with the back of her sleeve.
She took off her denim jacket, her hands trembling as she tore it into thick strips. "Hold still. I have to bind it to your chest, or it'll swing when we walk."
Ian nodded tightly, biting down on his lower lip until it bled as she tied his ruined right arm against his torso. The makeshift sling was tight and painful, but it stabilized the shattered bones to some extent.
They joined the procession toward the towering tombstones, many gazes falling on Ian.
After all, he was the only one here who had actually taken an attack from the beast and still managed to survive.
Still, they shook his head after a single glance. His current condition made it clear that he was no more than a burden.
Some were even looking at Leia who was never to him, wondering if they should ask her to join them. After all, she was quite pretty. It was a pity for her to die early.
By the time they reached the base of the nearest stone, a crowd had already formed. People were stepping up, placing their hands on the smooth surface.
Flashes of light brightened the surroundings. With every touch, holographic screens materialized before the users.
Similarly, a less detailed status also materialized on the tombstone that was touched.
The status screen that was hovering in the air could only be seen by the user and it was more detailed, but the stats that were visible on the tombstone were limited.
Other than name, class and the stats, nothing else was shown on the tombstone.
Meanwhile, name, age, class, stats, and even secret skills were shown on their private status screens.
....
[Name: Elliot]
[Class: Strategist]
[Class Rank: A]
....
[Name: Fey]
[Class: Scavenger]
[Class Rank: D]
....
[Name: Malkova]
[Class: Lesser Mage]
[ Rank: C]
....
As the crowd watched people awaken one after another and their stats becoming visible on the tombstones, they were starting to realize more and more things.
At this point, almost all of them were certain that they might have actually arrived in another world which had magic, and maybe even game-like settings.
In this world, class, grade and stats were probably the most important things. They were the key to their survival, and the greatest weapon they were going to possess.
What made them bewildered was that this was just the tutorial and the voice in the sky had told them that they would be taken to another world after completing the tutorial.
There were cheers of relief from those who received A or B Ranks, and despair from the C or D Ranks, but everyone was simply glad they hadn't been purged.
As long as they awakened, they could still fight to survive. But if they failed to awaken, it was as good as game over.
"Go," Ian leaned back against a cold boulder, sliding down to a seated position to conserve whatever strength he had left. "You first. I need a minute."
Leia looked at him. "I'll get something good, Ian. If there is a healer class. I might be able to fix your arm."
Although she said that, deep down, she wanted a class stronger than that. She didn't want to be someone who could only help others. She wanted to be strong so that she could survive even if she was all alone.
She stepped away from him, walking toward the towering grey tombstone. The crowd parted slightly, giving the exhausted, blood-stained girl an opportunity to go first.
Leia took a deep breath. She raised her trembling hand, and pressed her palm flat against the glowing runes.
For a second, nothing happened.
Then, the stone suddenly erupted.
A blinding pillar of golden light shot through the crimson clouds, illuminating the entire plain. It was so bright that people had to shield their eyes.
The warmth radiating from the stone spread through the crowd, instantly soothing their fatigue and easing their bruised bodies.
Even Ian felt as if his fatigue was somewhat lessened, and the pain had weakened
Above the tombstone, a massive projection materialized, visible for miles.
[Appraisal Complete]
[Name: Leia]
Class: Radiant Savior (Mythic Variant)]
[Rank: S]
[Stats:]
[ Strength: A]
[Agility: A]
[Vitality: S]
[Mana: S]
[Charisma: S]
Almost everyone looked at the stats visible on the tombstones. Many had their jaws almost dropped to the floor.
So far, the highest they had seen was just an A Grade. And suddenly, an S Grade had appeared.
Even though they didn't exactly know the benefits of these grades, but based on their rough estimates, it was what decided the hierarchy in this world.
Their chances of survival depended on these grades. The stronger one's class grade was, the faster they could grow, and the stronger they could become.
Immediately, Leia had gone on from being a beautiful yet weak girl, to someone that everyone had to look up to.
She also saw everyone's gaze change towards her and a feeling of pride surged in her heart. She was truly the shining star in this world.
With this class, she wouldn't need to depend on anyone to survive. Instead, others would need to rely on her to survive.
If she survived the tutorial and entered that new world, then wouldn't her S Class make her even more important, almost like a queen? At least that's what her brain was thinking as she proudly stood like a savior.