As if for dramatic effect, the space once more fell to total darkness, the roots losing their light. I could hardly ponder it, my panic currently focused on the still quite visible square. Its localized glow provided a reassuring anchor in the oppressive blackness that enveloped me.

  I was at a loss as I stared at the screen, rereading my options. "I… Have to pick one of these? Now? Can I delay it?" Speaking quickly, I realized just how important of a choice this was. The descriptions of each class were tantalizing and intimidating in their own ways, and I had to make a decision, even if it filled me with uncertainty.

  "Yes. How much can I get? In either gold or EXP." I nodded at the screen, leaning forward in sudden determination. Of course, the square just moved backwards to maintain the same distance.

  "Is that a lot? In gold or EXP?"

  I frowned, realizing I was going to have to figure this part out myself. It does seem like a lot, but it was the exchange of my life's effort, after all… The guide had said that it's important to have lots of gold, but it didn't seem too important at the moment. Ranks on the other hand... "I want to exchange 300 EXP worth for my Mental. Another 50 EXP for my Physical."

  I waited for something to happen following the announcements, but at most there was only a small tickle at the back of my skull. Did it actually work? Would the rank up in Mental help me choose a class?

  "...Status?" The same status screen quickly reappeared with only minute changes.

  Along with the two ranks, my fatigue limit had increased. I caught myself grinning at the numbers for a good moment before reigning myself in and leaning back. It was only natural to feel good about it… "Ahem… Please show me the classes again."

  Once the guide obliged and the previous screen returned to the forefront, I took in the information once more, wondering if I'd even notice the extra rank in Mental. The aforementioned bonuses were pretty vague…

  "First is Thief. It doesn't sound great." I started, frowning. Sure, I have experience in the act… I'd gotten quite a few of my spells that way. I would have never been able to afford a proper scroll, otherwise– I'd have been stuck with all the baby stuff that everyone knew.

  "The description also implies shadow-related stealth skills, but… What would I even be stealing? Who from? Monsters, maybe? I don't really want to go around making enemies of other… 'Selected,' as this thing puts it. A thief without thievery is just an assassin. No, let's skip that one." It was an easy conclusion, cemented by a nod of my head.

  "Next is Fire Mage. It sounds impressive, sure, but… I don't know. All the fire specialists that I knew were also the biggest jerks. You have to be a hothead to get the most out of a class like that. Plus, what if all of the Labyrinth is as cramped as this? Playing around with fire would be an awful idea in a case like that." I sighed. It's actually helping a lot to talk about it out loud. At least there's no one else around to judge me.

  "Okay, no, I'm going to ignore that. Smart-ass." I glared at the screen for a moment before it closed itself. "Next is Spellblade." I paused, my attention drawn by a streak of light returning to the various roots. It seemed there would be a recurring pattern in that. Patterns are always nice…

  "Hm… Spellblade seems like an obvious choice compared to the others. There's no obvious restriction on spell type or morality that I can see. I've never used a sword before, but I might have to. Maybe I've got a hidden talent for it? The three class choices did seem tailored towards me after all." I hesitated to commit, still somehow unconvinced. It just didn't feel right.

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  "I… No. Just give me a minute." I shook my head again. "Tell me about the other option. Just how randomized is it if I let you choose something for me?"

  I winced, my left eye twitching. "Those are awful odds. You realize that, right? I would have to be crazy to choose that."

  I groaned, bringing a hand to my face. For some reason, I just couldn't dismiss the idea. I'd never considered myself a gambling man, and yet… "Come on, you have such a clear choice with Spellblade… It sounds nice and powerful, right? Swing around a sharp stick and blow up some baddies… Oh man…" Both hands slid into my hair, clutching at ginger locks as I failed entirely in talking myself out of it.

  "Okay. Use one of my obsolete spells and randomize it. I'm going to let you have fun, so please get me something nice. Please."

  Oh, no, that was way too quick. A feeling of unease seeping into the core of my very being, I tried to ignore it and used a mental command to open my status. My gaze fell to my new class and the unease that had originally reflected in the light gray hues immediately cycled to horror and then rage.

  "You're shitting me! This isn't random at all, you lousy blue bastard, this is a direct offense! What is wrong with you– I even said please! Twice! I hope you cut yourself on your own four corners!"

  "You tell me! You tell me right now, what in the hell kind of class… Is Gambler?!"

  I was still fuming when I began reading, but I was gradually losing steam. It actually… Didn't sound that bad? The whole luck-centric thing is a bit iffy, but even just the General Skill sounded pretty good, though not entirely reliable… Well, I can't just admit it, now. "...I suppose I can forgive you for now. You just watch yourself going forward, got it?"

  I only grumbled in response, crossing my arms over my chest. "Sure, sure, whatever. My spells were way better. Way cooler, too."

  I rolled my eyes, not buying into the guide's bias for even a moment. My spells were awesome. That aside… It seemed each point of EXP was equal to about 207 gold? Around that. Well, that was something to know. "I'll… Go all in on gold." A smirk took over my expression as I spoke, as I was feeling rather proud of my own pun.

  "Okay… This doesn't seem too bad. What now..?" The loaded question of the day. Uncertainty was clear on my face as I hyper-focused on my status. This venture hadn't been too bad so far, but I had a feeling that there wasn't much fun left to be had.

  I pondered the new information, though unfamiliar with a few words the guide was using, such as 'font' and 'opacity'. I realized that despite having never seen such words before, I had a pretty good inkling of what they referred to. Perhaps this was the new Mental ranking coming into play?

  I decided to try it out, closing my eyes and picturing the 'interface', mostly the same, only a bit more see-through and further from my face. By the time I opened my eyes, the screen had shifted to match exactly as I'd wanted. This bit of control was a small comfort in a world full of unknowns.

  "That's… Useful. Why is this the last thing you're telling me about?" Huffing, I moved to stand for the first time since waking up. Looking up, there was about two feet of space above my head, confirming my estimate of the cube being about two and a half meters high and across. "Integrate, huh? Does that mean you'll finally shut up?"

  "Oh, well, that's foreboding. Then, what about my next steps? When will I be let out of this thing?"

  I nodded at that, feeling a bit awkward. It suddenly seemed so melancholy, didn't it? Unsure what else to do, I stood with my arms crossed and waited as I was asked.

  I'm not sure how much time passed from then. Enough for the root lights to cease and then return once more. I was startled as the prompt finally returned, as it was accompanied by sound. Something like a short trumpet fanfare.