Endless Leveling Done Right!

Chapter 56: Rise Of The Oathkeeper [Part 1]

Seeing Alex unable to answer his question, Leo smiled faintly.

”Think about it,” Leo said. ”But do not think for long. A day has already passed, and you are left with only one more day to decide about your choice.”

The old Catkin then raised a finger.

”The first choice is to stay here where it is safe and wait until the domain expels you after ten days.” The Catkin then raised another finger. ”The second choice is to return to the first floor and face that monster alongside the members of the Clawford Tribe.

”There is also a third choice, but that choice is yours to make. I do not have the power nor intention to tell you otherwise.

”I am only a Will left behind by my original body before I passed away. My purpose is to wait until my successor appears before I, too, vanish, from the face of this world.”

The old Catkin then waved his hand, and the world around them started to crack.

”It’s time to return to reality, Alex,” he said. ”You can’t sleep forever because you have promises to keep.”

With a snap of Leo’s fingers, Alex found himself being pulled back by an invisible force.

When he regained his bearings, he found himself floating in what seemed to be a pool of water, with Dim Dim perched on his chest and nibbling on some beef jerky.

”Dim Dim!” Dim Dim went to hug Alex’s neck as soon as it noticed that the young man was finally conscious again.

”Did I make you worry, Dim Dim?” Alex asked as he lightly patted the Dim Sum God. ”I’m sorry, and thank you for taking care of me while I was unconscious. But where are we?”

”Dim Dim.”

”We’re back in the temple? But how? Did you carry me?”

”Dim Dim.”

”The guardian golems did? But how? Why did they carry me?”

”Dim Dim.”

”As expected. Dim Dim is really capable.”

”Ahem!”

After hearing Dim Dim’s explanation, Alex finally understood what happened.

Because the little one couldn’t carry him back, it had hurried back to the Temple to ask for help.

It then convinced the guardian golems to come and bring him back to the temple. When they arrived at where Alex collapsed, they realized a group of ash hounds had found him first.

Fortunately, the golems immediately treated the monsters as a threat and attacked them from a distance, saving Alex from being mauled to death.

After taking him to the temple, the golems placed him in the temple’s inner pool, which had healing, restorative, and regeneration properties.

Unfortunately, the golem had placed Alex in the pool while he was still clothed, so his clothes were now soaking wet.

But that was the last of his worries.

He remembered Leo’s warning and immediately thought about the seal on the first floor that would only last for one more day.

Still, there was some good news.

Alex felt refreshed. Soaking in the pool for a couple of hours had effectively cured his injuries. It was as if he had woken up from a good night’s sleep.

The young man then understood that time was of the essence, so he left the pool and took off his wet clothes.

He had bought a lot of clothes, so it wasn’t a problem.

When he was done changing, Alex and Dim Dim went back to the Appraisal Orb, where the Job Change would be done.

Without any hesitation, the young man placed his hand on top of the orb and checked the Job Classes available to him.

And just as he had expected, the Oathkeeper Job Class was now available, and all he needed was to make an Oath to complete the process.

Taking a deep breath, he no longer hesitated and chose the Oathkeeper profession.

Immediately, Alex found himself kneeling in the same place where Leo had been blessed by The Lovers.

A quiet meadow under a sky of stars that did not move.

The soft wind that blew on his body carried the scent of lavender, ash, and hope.

Suddenly, an angelic voice that seemed to belong to a man reached his ears.

”The stars wheel ever onward, and the fate of men is written in their turning. I shall divine the road that lies ahead. Answer me true.”

A blue window screen appeared in front of the young man, and a series of questions and answers appeared before him.

”A stranger arrives, injured and asking for aid. Though tending to them may endanger your kin, would you offer shelter?”

Yes. To turn them away would be inhuman.

I would offer aid, but keep them at arm’s length.

No. My family comes first.

”I would offer aid, but keep them at arm’s length,” Alex answered.

He wasn’t a Saint, but helping people was a very human thing to do. However, for the sake of safety, he would not trust them completely.

The angelic voice spoke once more and asked him another question.

”A ruler you serve orders you to carry out a cruel act. Do you obey?”

No. I would rather die than stain my soul.

I obey, but question my place in their service.

Yes. The burden of command is not mine to judge.

”No. I would rather die than stain my soul,” Alex replied.

He believed he was capable of doing cruel things, but he also firmly believed that there should be a limit to everything.

The angelic voice didn’t ridicule or praise his answer. It simply asked him another question.

”You are offered power in exchange for a vow–one that may force you to betray your own ideals. What do you do?”

Refuse. No power is worth the price of my soul.

Accept. I will find a way to twist it toward good.

Accept. Power is the only path to change.

”I will refuse that power,” Alex answered. ”I don’t need a power that will force me to betray my ideals.”

Just like the previous times, the angel simply listened to his answer before asking another question.

”Love and duty come into conflict. One must be abandoned. Which do you choose?”

Love. Without it, what am I fighting for?

Duty. My path must serve the greater good.

Neither. I will defy fate and choose both.

”Neither, I will defy fate and choose both,” Alex answered firmly.

The angel once again spoke, and this time, there was a finality to his tone.

”This is my last question, answer only with the truth.”

”In a time of war, truth becomes a weapon. Do you speak it or bury it for the sake of peace?”

I speak it. Truth is sacred.

I bury it. Peace must be preserved.

I weigh the moment. Sometimes silence saves more lives.

”I weigh the moment. Sometimes, silence saves more lives,” Alex replied.

Suddenly, the sound of pealing bells echoed in the surroundings.

< Final Alignment: Chaotic Good (with Neutral Leanings) >

You’re someone who follows their heart and personal code even when it clashes with authority or conventional morality.

You’re not reckless. You weigh decisions carefully (neutral influence), but when it comes down to it, you’ll defy fate, protect what matters, and stand for what you believe is right, even if the world stands against you.

You’re the type to become an Oathkeeper by choice, not by destiny, and you’ll do it, knowing full well the cost.

< Your Status Page is updated to include your Alignment. >

< Since you have chosen to become an Oathkeeper without any oaths to pledge, I will generate some Oaths for you to choose from. Make sure to choose wisely, for once chosen, you will be bound by this Oath for life. >

Alex felt relieved because this was truly his problem.

He didn’t know what kind of Oath to make, so having some options to choose from would give him a better idea on what kind of oath he wanted to fulfill.

Rows upon rows of text appeared before him, and the first oath at the very top of it made the young man scratch his head.

*****

< Oath to Protect the Clawford Tribe >

”The Oathkeeper was made to protect the Clawford Tribe. If you chose this Oath, you would be duty-bound to protect them when they face a danger that they alone cannot overcome.”

Choosing this Oath will give you the following benefits.

— The Clawford Tribe will treat you as their Guardian and support you in any way possible.

— You will gain +40 Stats to Strength, Intelligence, Agility, Dexterity, and Constitution.

— When defending any member of the Clawford Tribe, your defense will increase by 500%

— You will automatically learn the skills, Shield Throw, Shield Bash, and Shield Charge.

— You will be rewarded with three High Grade Magic Crystals, which will unlock your Magic Stat.

— The Patriarch of the Hartwell Clan will allow you to become the fiancé of his granddaughter.

Note: Wealth, influence, and a beautiful wife. What more can you ask for?

P.S. This is not a bribe, but this offer isn’t bad, no?

*****

It was very obvious that the option to choose an Oath to protect the Clawford Tribe was prioritized.

Not only did it give a whopping +40 to all stats, it also offered skills and Magic Crystals, as well as Lavinia, as a complete package.

Alex would be lying if he said that he wasn’t tempted, especially since Lavinia was beautiful and was also his Master’s sister.

Becoming the future Heaven Sword’s brother-in-law wasn’t a bad thing.

But Alex knew in his heart that this vow wasn’t the one he wanted.

As such, he checked the other Oaths because he believed that the one he wanted would be somewhere in the list of choices that was presented to him.