Classless Ascension

In a tiny blacksmith workshop, two individuals were lazily lying on beach chairs as they sunbathed. Above them was a miniature sun providing warmth.

Anyone witnessing this scene would have agreed that this sure was one hell of an extravagant way to relax. But, there was more to it. The heat was so intense that it was blistering…or not.

In fact, getting blisters would have been a better outcome. This heat would reach the bones directly and melt them. Yes, freaking melt!

Josh could feel his entire body quivering under stress. This fire was akin to an immortal fire emperor that would burn his enemies at all cost! It was an insidious one that would bypass all defenses.

How was he resisting it then? Well, he wasn't, not one bit. Josh was totally getting cooked. He currently felt akin to fries in boiling hot oil. He felt as if his entire body would shut down any second now.

Yet, he was calmly lying on his chair as if nothing was happening. He could still remember how he had trained to increase his pain resistance in another life.

Back then, he had used drugs to increase his pain sensitivity and had lots of fun with a professional torturer. He could still remember the incredible shock the man had gotten as he had requested his help.

Josh had somehow managed to endure increasingly painful torture method, all until the man had decided to retire mid-process for some reason. Anyway, this experience was now helping him a ton.

That's how his face didn't even show any sign of exertion as patiently endured. He was fortunate that the direct damage of this sun wasn't that high. He wasn't worried in the least, as his regeneration would cover it.

Well, actually, he wouldn't be abler to sustain it too long at this rate. Luckily he had managed to send Markus to grab food for him. This would be his secret weapon!

Next to him was the speedo-wearing blacksmith. The man was stout, muscular and his chest was glistering with pearls of sweat. His arms were big enough to make his head look small.

This sure was a confusing time to analyze one's strength. Before the Tower, there was a limit to how powerful a lean guy could be, even if he was all muscles. Now, humans could showcase the power of tanks. How insane was that?!

The guy suddenly clicked his tongue as he made eye contact with him:

"Are you done gawking at me? I know I'm handsome but just close your eyes or something."

"Oh? Do gazes embarrass you? Perhaps I should keep looking until you give up." Josh playfully retorted.

"Tch— annoying guy!" He grunted.

But as time passed, Josh began to look uncomfortable. He could be seen wriggling very slightly in his chair from time to time. He could feel his regeneration slowing down. At this rate, he would only have a few minutes to live.

He wanted to message Markus to ask him where the heck he was, but his UW was already in safety in a heat-proof container. This was to prevent it from melting in a few seconds. As for the chairs…what the fuck were they made of?!

Time ticked by. Would Josh have to use that one special French tactical move? (Aka surrender) The blacksmith was smirking on the side as he saw his uncomfortable state. This youngster sure had been cocky!

But just as Josh was brooding, his savior finally arrived.

— Clang! —

The clanging of the metallic door was music to his ears. Markus entered, carrying plenty of provisions. He was frowning, slightly displeased at being made an errand boy, but he had brought everything.

"Here you go. Tons of skewers, as you asked. Chicken, beef, pork, horse, there's plenty." He handed it over.

"Thank you! You're a lifesaver!" (Literally)

Josh seemed to come back alive as he began munching madly. After every bite, he would close his eyes in bliss…and blistering heat. He would also down a Piña Colada from time to time.

"Nothing beats food and drinks at a beach party!" He belched in satisfaction.

He could feel his regeneration working at a full rate once again. Everything would be perfect now. He just needed to keep calm, eat and laze around. The blacksmith on the side gasped, stunned.

"What the hell?! How are you fine now?!"

"I was hungry, and I'm better now that I ate." Josh looked at him with a puzzled gaze. Wasn't this obvious?

"This doesn't make any sense! How can one recover from such heat by eating and drinking?! Wait…except if—?!" He suddenly cried out.

"What's up?"

"You, there is healing medicine in that food! I'm right, aren't I?!" The man triumphantly shouted. It was a good guess, but the reality was slightly different than what he thought it to be.

"Not really…I really was hungry." Josh shrugged. He wasn't about to expose his own devouring bloodline.

"Prove it then, let me eat some! Otherwise, you'll be disqualified." The man cackled as he gave an ultimatum.

"Sure, whatever." Josh was so nonchalant that he almost doubted his reasoning. But then he steeled himself to search diligently.

He took a few bites from the skewers, even waiting for a few instants for it to take effect. But no matter how he looked, there didn't seem to be anything medicinal in there. It wasn't even magical food. What was happening?

"See? I told you that it's normal." Josh chimed in.

No, there definitely was something! He remembered that the youngster's skin had been redder at some point than it was now. This meant that he was healing!

Ah, what if there were only a few skewers that had something extra in them?! This would explain how he could so confidently share them with him. Talk about sneaky! But there was an easy solution to that:

"The next time you want to eat a skewer, let me get it for you." The blacksmith ordered.

"You want to… feed me?" Josh remained shocked for a second. It was one thing for him to swing that way, but why was he so bold all of a sudden?

"What the hell are you picturing?! I want to make sure you aren't cheating in this contest!" He snorted.

"Oh, alright then."

The thing was, he was cheating, very brazenly and openly at that. Luckily for him, gluttony bloodlines were rare, it seemed. Or was it that they usually didn't have healing abilities? Josh had no clue.

He complied with that farce to the stupefaction of the blackmisth­. Why was he cooperating so easily?! Wasn't worried to be busted? Then again, if he had lots of money, he probably wouldn't care about it much.

But as he slowly fed Josh, he came to realize the sad truth. This was truly 100% everyday food that he was feeding his enemy.

But how was this possible? Even in such a destructive environment, he had the mood to eat? He was like a man on his deathbed, about to kick the bucket any second, calling for a prostitute.

How did he even have the energy?! This was being nonsensical! As he felt at a loss, the man was even gently pouring him a drink.

"Here you go." Josh generously got the man something to drink.

Had he suddenly become kind? He was just enjoying seeing the completely flabbergasted expression the man was adorning. The easier he made the whole thing seem, the crazier the guy found it.

It didn't help that the blacksmith's body was beginning to fume. It had already been more than 37 minutes, and his limit was 1 hour.

He would usually be very careful at this time, conserving his energy to resist the training better. Yet there he was, now accepting a drink with his eyes bulging. This was kind of hilarious.

It was time to add a nail to the man's coffin. Josh comfortably laid back down as he contentedly smiled.

"Ah, this is the best! I could stay here all day and enjoy the sun!" Hew happily muttered.

Upon hearing this, the blacksmith almost lost his mind. This madman wanted to stay all day?! Was he trying to commit suicide?! No, this was all a carefully planned move.

Was it possible that he had an item to resist the heat? That was it! He turned to the youngster.

"You, what is that medallion exactly?" He pointed at the AT.

"It's a gift from a friend. He tersely replied."

"Is that your secret? Are you surviving because of it? It ahs toe be it, right?!"

But the youngster just widely smiled as he removed it from his neck, putting it in his inventory. The man was running out of ideas. If it wasn't equipment or consumables, it had to be the skills.

But there was only so long that a level 25 could survive here, no matter what skill he had! Why was he so convinced that that info was true? Simply because Markus hadn't even batted an eye when he had proposed it.

But quickly, he realized how mistaken he had been. The longer it went and the worst he became. This didn't make sense. The guy was still perfectly fine! How was this guy so OP?!

"Goddammit! The blacksmith couldn't help but curse as he felt his body gradually shut down. If he stayed there longer, he would suffer from organ failure."

At this rate, he would end up in the hospital, rushed out in an emergency. But as long as he didn't die, he was ready to keep pushing through! His pride was on the line!

His whole body was shaking, drenched in sweat, and he exhaled literal flames from time to time. Markus glanced his way with concern. "You shouldn't overdo it."

How was he the one getting looked down on?! This was so annoying! At this point, all the water had left his body, his throat was too parched to speak, he could barely move, and all he did was glare at his opponent.

But just as he was holding on for dear life, the door was slammed open. A young man rushed inside, appearing stressed.

"Master! What happened to you?! Did you forget to put a timer or something?!"

The youngster then charged straight at the blacksmith, forcefully grabbing him in a princess carry. He was hurrying because he had no interest in being barbecued, fleeing as fast as possible.

The man had never felt so outraged! What the hell was his disciple doing?! He was fighting for his honor right now! Sadly for him, the young man didn't understand his signs at all. He just rushed outside, bringing his master to safety.

Josh couldn't help but chuckle as he saw that happen. He could see how unreconciled his opponent was with that ending. This was his win, right? So what if there had been outside interference?

Josh happily rose and followed as it was now time for his request. Perhaps the blacksmith would regret not perishing to the heat…

Creator's Thought

The youngster was obviously well-intentioned. The blacksmith was lucky to have someone who cared about him. As for me being overlooked, this is easy to explain. It's easy to get tunnel-vision, especially in a moment of intense stress.