《The Way of The Silver Sea》 Chapter 1 Somebody is dying soon, and he doesn''t even know it will ruin his normal lifestyle for the rest of his living days. Daniel sat at a round table filled with accomplished entrepreneurs and high-profile individuals from the City of Colemond. They were attending a private dinner at the citys new venue inauguration. One ballroom that held most of the fifty-thousand square feet of space, adding a few thousand more for the hallways and a few office spaces. He only grew to communicate with other people when he was appointed a few years ago as the 1st Chief of Operations by the mayor. He was basically handling all the dirty work of the city and thought being a historical loner would be difficult for him. Today contrasted his prior doubts, and he didnt want any other way and was grateful for the opportunity. The conversation felt swift and focused, as everyone at Daniels table seemed hooked on his interactions and his self-interests. The constant back-and-forth reactions led to being the loudest table of all. With a total capacity of fifty tables, the entire ballroom''s forty-nine tables of attention turned towards them, wondering what the fuss was about. However, they didn''t budge to interrupt. Continuously, they converse until being called out by the mayor and the venues organizer. The mayor headed to the front of the table with his hand on the watch. They don''t seem pleased at his mentioning of the time. But oh well. Daniel felt stuffed as he lifted himself out of his seat. He shook all their hands and sent farewells. They returned their bows. Then Daniel left the table, looking for Ava and the other three of the co-workers who came along. The whole ballroom moved into an after-party as a few groups of guests also prepared to leave. Daniel nudged through the dance floor. He saw Ava standing outside of the ballroom entrance, arms crossed, and eyes staring in one direction as if something were spooking her. He turned to where her eyes focused. There they are, the three co-workers drunk and verbally teasing her. They didnt notice him as he walked out of the ballroom. I knew they shouldnt come here. Why on earth would they invite them? He thought, knowing the three were idiotic people who fabricated their way through the professional hierarchy. His hopes of them behaving went out of the window. He knew he shouldnt have trusted the one who invited them to the event, realizing the optimistic perspective was useless. He went right in front of Ava, blocking her view of the three. Lets go, Daniel muttered to Ava. Her eyes were still locked in the same direction, despite him blocking her view. He glared back at them, who were physically like string puppets. They could not stand upright. Suddenly, the threes knees succumbed, and all collapsed to the floor. Using this opportunity, Daniel grabbed Avas hand and dashed past them. Not looking back, they didn''t dare slow down until they reached the parking lot. Slow down, Ava panted as she and Daniel stepped foot in the wide parking lot. You good? Daniel asked. I justneed a breatherdid they notice us? Daniel viewed back towards the Venues entrance. He faintly saw the three tumbled down the entrances porch stairs. We gotta hurry. They peeked out of the door. Daniels feet started to step back while turning away from their sight. He jolted his hand out, hoping she would immediately grab it. His one eye glanced multiple times when, to his horror, one of them noticed the two and one signaled the other. Hurry, hurry! Ava grabbed his hand, and both sprinted to Daniels Suburban. No time to lose; they hopped into the seats. Daniel reversed out, drifting a J-turn and exchanging awkward stares. He pulled the throttle, stepping on the pedal, vrooming the Suburban out of sight, barely dodging the three as the whiff coming from the force of the SUV left them startled. One hard left turn merged with the light traffic, and both took a deep breath. Ava grabbed a bottle of water from the door cabin and twirled the cap open, waterfalling to her mouth while swallowing the smooth cold flow to her sore chest. Phew, what a close one. Are you okay? No, not really, Ava replied, pinching her two fingers. I was that close to trouble until you came in. Daniel grimaced, feeling disgusted at his action way before the event. Look, I should have revolted the organizers invitation list when it was announced. I" Its ok. Many of us in the department thought the same. Their behavior changed after that incident a month ago, and we thought it was a change, of courseBut man, we are all fooled. Ava lifted her head upright onto the headrest while pushing the button to adjust the seat back on an incline. Stopping at the red streetlight that would lead back to the highway, Daniel turned to her. They were teasing you as I walked out, but why were you staring at their soul like that? Brief silence. Is something wrong? Daniel continuously asked. Suddenly, she broke down. Her tears poured out of her eyelids, wetting her cheeks. She was a silent crier, but this time it was loud as a speaker. Daniel had known her since college, and she rarely outbursts in tears. If she did, it meant something traumatizing. He didnt want to interrupt, but handed her another bottle of water. Ava took another gulp, easing the lump in her throat. The streetlight turned green before she could utter her word. Daniel carefully eased off the brake, slowly speeding past the intersection and going straight to a detour that led to Colemonds main highway. Go on. I got a glimpse of whats below their fa?adeIts evil and crooked, Ava said, then silencing herself as if she had nothing else to blurt out. Ill look into their files tomorrow morning. We will sort all this out then along with the team, Daniel assured. Who the hell hired them? She nodded lightly while closing her eyes again. Daniels Suburban merged into the far left lane, passing under a road sign that led back to Downtown Colemond.

1.2

Ring Something sounded irritating when Daniel immediately awakened in the pitch black of his room. The sound stopped after a few seconds. Ringring. He was slowly drifting, only to return to consciousness. Turning the headlamp on, only to find his smartphone ringing, which jolted him awake. He leaped out from under the blanket, opening his device and finding double missed calls from Avas cellular number. Christ! His heartbeat was rapid, and his mind switched over various scenarios of what could happen. She never called at this hour, ever. Hoping nothing serious, he scrolled through the screen of the call history, clicked Avas number, and proceeded to call her. Come on. Please answer. Ringringring. Beep! Hello? Ava, you there? Whos this? A mature female voice speaking through the call with a brief sound of snuffle in between. Mother Elaine?! Daniel said, recognizing the faint voice. Its Daniel on the phone. Ava called me twice in the middle of the night, and I was wondering if anything was wrong. Another awkward silence. No response or a faint sound. Elaine? - He could hear her snuffling more, evidently followed by a quick response, You need to come over quick Come over? Wait, what is going on?! The call abruptly ended, leaving Daniel in a trance. Unsure of what he just heard through the call, he quickly marched to the bathroom, showering off his body. The tingling sensation on his left shoulder caused him to flex in reactionary to the water flowing over. He slightly massaged it, reaching and rubbing over the rigid area right on the shoulder blade. Around it was where the pain reaction was generated from. He kept his right hand over till he finished and saw blueish water flowing to the drain. He gave one look at his hand, and there was a blend of blue and red liquid stained on his fingers. Daniel left the shower mindfully concerned as he walked to the bathroom mirror. He tilted his back towards the mirror, seeing blue liquid painted around the stitched scar. What on earth is wrong with my blood? Its getting bluer than yesterday. However, he had no time, and within less than two minutes, he was back out with his clothes on, grabbing his device, car keys, and his watch. Its ten past five. He carefully ran downstairs, heading to his Dodge Challenger parked next to his Suburban. He sped out of the garage. Mentally wrenching as he lived in a large, gated community, risking his safety as he went over the thirty speed limit, going fifty miles all the way. Drifting to the gatepost, he halted, waiting for the gate to open. Can this go quicker? Drifting out of the neighborhood, he made a sharp right and drove straight down to the interstate. Eyes sparked left and right, risking the chances of getting pulled over with a few miles left until reaching Ava''s district. With all luck, he finally made it to the exit. Descending, he stepped on the pedal to get to the far-right lane and detoured into the open neighborhood. Going in a maze of uneven directions of the streets, he reached the familiar territory and one left turn, seeing bright blue and red glaring light overwhelming in the distance. Reaching closer, he sees officers standing in the middle of the street, behind the yellow straps midair labeling Crime scene. Parking alongside the curb, he got out of the Challenger, and the two cops ducked under the tape, confronting him at approach. A crime scene? Who are you? Daniel pulled out his ID. Daniel, Chief of Operations. Oh, Chief, sorry, my apologies, the cop said, handing him back his ID, and gesturing to him along the way. What brings you here? I received an urgent phone call. He ducked under the tape, witnessing a convoy of police and paramedics on site. Youre clear to head in. Someone will give you the full details. Arriving at the front of Avas house, Daniel sprinted through the front yard, flying through the opened front entrance. He was met with Mother Elaine, holding a crumpled tissue in her hand. She convened in the living room, leaning near the fireplace and watching silently as the investigators conversed at the dining table. She saw Daniel coming inside, where she succumbed to his arms. He heard the sounds of tears muffled towards his jacket and let her be while he stood. Her ragged husband came out from the kitchen, drinking a bottle of beer. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Wheres Ava? Daniel asked in a concerned tone. Mother Elaine shakes her head, smudging his shirt. She was- Daniels mind went blank while Mother Elaine let herself off of him, pointing upstairs. She led him along the way to the front of the staircase, plowed by the marks of footsteps. He quickly marched up the stairs, meeting a couple of photo investigators taking snapshots outside of Avas room. When you are ready, one of them said in a fatigued voice, tilting his head toward the room. Rotating the doorknob, he slowly pushed inward and barged through the gaseous haze, tampering with the entire room. He unlocked the window, lifted it, and forced all the contained air to circulate outside. His vision regained as the haze dissipated, eventually saw Ava with only her head out from the blanket. The foul smell reached his nostrils while standing by her bedside, directed at the source. He attempted to call her name multiple times without avail. This smells scratchy. Torching my damn nostrils. Daniel looked away and forced himself to contain his running tears and the upcoming hyperventilation, scratching his neck and mouth. Facing her lifeless face, he observed the layer of blankets finding a dark, heavy puddle of stain within under each layer. Oh, my lord! He reacted to her lifeless body before noticing a wide blood trail matching the wooden floor. The trail makes one significant curve when it turns right, passing the front of the bed frame, and going straight to the closed bathroom door. He found a spare napkin on the desk and rubbed it on the surface of the knob, rotating it clockwise. The same haze came rushing out, partially striking Daniels eyes. He kicked the door fully, letting the haze out of the bathroom. He braced against the remaining haze and barged in to find a couple of points of interest. All correlated to the shower with the glass tempered with dark-red color. The color. Could be at most a few hours. Daniel looked through the closet and the bathroom counters, only to find nothing. He then looked into the shower, and all the suspicious items lay scattered on the floor. A freaking belt, white powder, and a mallet. He backed away and jogged out of the room. Two heavily suited individuals came up the stairs with gas masks equipped looking at each other before taking it off, looking confused with thin eyes. Chief? both called. Yes? Were you in there just now? The left, numbered 016 on his chest, asked while pointing back to the room. A couple minutes ago, I was given clearance to enter, but I didnt have any equipment and went in bare-handed. Their eyes widened, and eyebrows raised when the latter turned to focus on Daniel. He pulls out a pocket notepad. Give me your e.t.e. Daniel gave thought, cracking his neck. I was in the room for three minutes. The haze left the room after a few seconds I opened the window. Any symptoms? Daniel shook his head, No. Is this air toxic? We are here to check it out, but it looked clear from here. Then you two better head quickly into the bathroom. Thats the last scent of this suspicious haze left. Immediately, they excused themselves, passing Daniel while reminding him they would continue the questionnaire once completed. Silently furious, Daniel went back inside the room. He returned to Ava''s body, checking the site of the puddle. Not knowing what to expect, he pulled the heavy blanket away from her, to be confronted with such disgust. What in the actual? He dropped the blanket, facing away. Anyone checked the body here! Daniel yelled at the investigators out in the hallway, doing their business. The investigators heavy footsteps tumbled behind him and stood in silence. Daniel actually called the investigator that gave him the clearance, wanting an explanation. Did you know there was toxic gas in here? Yes, the investigator said in a whispering tone. Then why did you give me the clearance to enter?! Daniel asked. I thought- Hmmm. Daniel felt suspicion but switched topics, mentioning the wounds, and glanced back at the body. This must be from the mallet. Silent mumbling turned awkward when he didn''t get a response, angrily irritating him. Unsettling body language. What an unbelievable disgrace for an investigator! Daniel''s mind ranted with all the red flags flying high and told the investigator to get out and not be in his presence. The investigators head went down, moving away without making contact. The two individuals walked out of the bathroom, carrying the items coming from the shower, carefully placing them in specialized garbage bags that appeared sturdier than they looked. You guys haven''t seen this fuckery, Daniel said and showed the two, lifting up the layers of blanket. Especially with all those materials now in your care. However, I had no understanding of the purpose of the gassy haze minutes prior. I want to know some answers as well. This is not just gas. The suspect set off the carbon monoxide in here mixed with an unknown gas, as it doesn''t match with various components you would find in a typical smog hovering in a polluted city. Detective 016 said, bringing out the device. Ten thousand ppm! Sir, are you certain of no symptoms?! Daniel confidently jolted his head up and down. I''m certain. Im very much ok. Lub dub. Arghh. What''s this tightening in my chest? Daniel felt the sharp pain contaminating his upper chest and progressively spread to his biceps. Quickly, he walked out of the room. Oh, by the wayis there a paramedic available downstairs? Two vacant! Detective 018 replied. Thanks, lads, and mention to the officers in charge that the disarray of the earlier detectives has hampered the progress of this case. Daniel concealed his limp as he stepped out of the room and down the stairs. Looking for the blue and red light, he called out to the paramedic. The paramedic yelled back, prompting Daniel to point at himself. Understanding the signal, the paramedic immediately ran to Daniel''s left, assisting him to the ambulance. He sat himself down on the steps while the paramedic pulled out the lead strings with the electrode pad on the ends, placed on his right chest. Any pain? Daniels shallow breathing almost caught his words off guard. Right chest, he muttered. He tried urging more words, but the pain was preventing him from being able to. We''re gonna check your heart, so hang on! Thump!! Ouch! Daniel grunted and clenched his jaws behind his concealed lips. Immediately, he felt the vibration emitting through his chest, mimicking his heart rate. The paramedic watching the monitor device grew alarmed when the number spiked from sixty to two hundred twenty. Sir!? The paramedic grabbed his shoulders, trying to pull him up onto the stretcher. Why are you so heavy? he asked, while Daniel was still holding in his grueling pain and trying to regain focus from his eyes. The ambulance shook violently while the paramedic continued to struggle, lifting him up. Gravity-like pressure came from Daniel, causing the paramedic to be pulled downward and preventing his arms from fully flexing. The road around the vicinity fractured, triggering multiple car alarms in the street. Nigh panicked screams came from within the house where Mother Elaine frantically came through the door, followed by her husband and detectives from the dining room, attempting to subdue her. The remaining personnel outside stampeded through the front yard, calling out and waving to go back inside. Daniels pain tolerance unknowingly grew, enabling him to speak, and he twirled his head to the paramedics miserable face. Let go! Get out of the way! Daniel screamed. Im not! I say, you do! Save yourself! Dont risk yourself further to carelessly die! But- Daniel enraged, Leave me here! He forced the paramedics grip off of him, subconsciously throwing him away from the ambulance to his discovered new strength. Luckily, he landed on the grass and quickly opened the door inside. Angry gusts ram outward, coming from Daniels body as the weight increases rapidly, generating a massive dent and symmetrically bending the ambulance downwards. Screech! The ceiling dented downward, proceeding to shatter into metal bits of shards, leaving a downpour of scratchy rainfall at Daniel. He tries protecting his face with both of his bare arms under a thin jacket. Grunting underneath, he heard the swift noises of slicing like paper while feeling pressure from his forearms. My legs get back to work. He peeked through the spaces of his arm while mentally forcing his energy downward, desiring to regain his paralyzed legs caused by the earlier painful episode. Bang! He collapsed hard on his back to the concrete. Oh, I''m finished. The ambulance tore in half with the roof free falling directly above him including a screeching ringing from the metal. He covered his eyes, bracing for the impact. Clinging pieces of metal ringed his ears while expecting to go out at any moment now. Following the immediate shattered glass and the crumbled concrete, it all went quiet. Is this it? Am I done? He blinked under the darkness, masked by his forearms. Slowly, he moved it away from his face, revealing the clear night sky with the full moon hovering in a beautiful, illuminating circle of light. He lifted his arms up and simultaneously eyed the cuts and scratches prominently on his forearms. His clothes appeared safe from scratches and damage for most of it. Wait. Im alive? Surely that cant be possible. He leaned his head back and observed the pile of powdered rubble lying on the surface of the concrete. He was awestruck and surrounded by a deep crater, led to more questions. In the middle of the wonder, he heard voices from above, also recognizing Mother Elaines. Arms are still good. He self-checked for any lack of movement over his body. The paralysis is gone. To his relief, the pain in his chest was reduced to a minimal soreness. While the external part of his body was soaked with bruises and scrapes. Daniel jerked forward, and concrete debris and glass shards dropped from his shoulders. With his soaked knees, he raised up on both of his feet, sluggishly treading over the uneven floor till arriving at the wall of the crater. That is a tall wall. He studied the height up to the surface and looked back at the rest of the crater. I am causing all of this? He slowly perceived while in denial. I need to get out of here. Daniel faced the wall and took one deep breath before reaching his hand to the first edge he saw. Is that a crater? What in the world? Voices from above while footsteps approached closer to the crater as he climbed, reaching near to the surface. Upon reaching the surface, he was confronted by those who hadn''t noticed him yet, as they were too focused on the center of the crater. Their feet blocked his way out. Therefore, left himself hanging, he raised his right arm and clenched his fist. That was when he mindlessly bangs one of their feet, not caring who. Ow! My damn foot! the voice yelled in a cry. Holy crap, look! Daniel?! Finally, with enough space, he then climbed out of the crater and crawled further until the sole of his shoes touched the concrete again. Phew, Im free, he happily muttered while standing straight once again after the silent fear of not being able to sense his legs earlier. Everyone took a step back with each movement he made. The one whose foot he hammered was sitting flat on the grass with his shoe and sock off, revealing the swollen red behemoth. Daniel walked to the side of him, noticing his name tag. Another paramedic. What an unfortunate job shift. He looked at his foot, and everyone stood silently. Well, what the hell you guys are standing for? Help your fellow, will ya?! Daniel exclaimed. He didnt want to be here any longer, but that moment from the ambulance led to him staying longer. AHH! the paramedic yelled. Its bleeding. Daniel observed the swollen foot spurting blood from the edge of his big toenail. He met with the same paramedic who tried getting Daniel to the ambulance earlier, now attending to his fellow. Daniel stood himself away and strolled back to the house. Heading inside, Mother Elaine drank a heavy load of water while not taking her fixated eyes away. Daniel! She exclaimed oddly, not showing her depression but the usual motherly look. Maybe she was too disturbed in such a short time that she was coping. Daniel went to the couch with Mother Eliane beside him. He wasn''t able to comprehend what quickly changed her tone amid the recent tragedy. Before sitting down, something was pinching him as if there were physically two fingers grabbing the side of his torso. He quickly took off his jacket, finding his shirt to be soaked. What the heck. Daniels heart raced, unsure what it was. He then took off his shirt too, revealing a massive open gap to his right side. Mother Elaine freaked out, as she could see a bit of his lungs behind the ribcage. The wound was like a drooling mouth, leaking and spitting out blue blood. Her outburst caught the attention of everyone. When they came to the living room, they shared the same reaction. Holy shit! Why is it blue? Get the medic! Oh, lord. Daniel thought before putting his left hand and a bit of his forearm over it. Chapter 2 Sometime later Daniels insistence on staying and not going to the hospital blew everyones mind. That was the least of the surprises. It was when he got patched up halfway that the wound stopped hemorrhaging. They witnessed something inhuman when the upper half naturally closed up, healing the skin and any internal damage. They took a step back with hands raised as if he was a monster. We are gonna pretend we didnt see that, and nobody else better mention anything about it. He recalled one of them saying it as he was about to converse with Mother Elaine like nothing had occurred moments ago. After a lengthy conversation to make Mother Elaine feel better, she, with a desired change of setting, stood from the couch and ordered Daniel to follow her through the hallway, passing through the kitchen that led to the back door. She glared back, causing her long hair to flick right into his eyes. The ends of the strands scratched his eyes, knocking him back. Mother Elaine thrusted her arm, grabbing the flap of Daniels jacket. Woah. That was close. Daniel thought, realizing he almost tumbled to the furnished shelf behind him. His eyes were shut from scratch, but he heard the door open and felt her pulling him right outside abruptly. She was firm for handling a 183-pound man like a pillow. He landed down on the lawn of the backyard without falling. He rubbed his eyes and opened them slowly to see Mother Elaine headed down the tiny three-step stairs after closing the door gently. Mother Elaine gestured aggressively while sprinting to the detached garage, almost like she was being watched. Quickly! she loudly whispered. Im coming! Where on earth are you taking me?! Get in, and Ill explain! When Daniel entered the garage, Mother Elaine closed the door and readjusted the door blinds. She turned on the lights in the garage, revealing her Lincoln SUV. The rest of the space was bare, and the walls were uniformed with boring blue paint, making it gloomy. He noticed a bookshelf at the far end corner. Whys there a bookshelf in a garage? Mother Elaine locked the door and walked right to the bookshelf. She leaned her elbow right on its side while staring back at Daniel. You know my marriage with Rake was never real. It was a status quo scenario and throughout the years, friends and such would think we are a loving couple. When in reality behind closed doors, fights would erupt pretty often, she said and paused while taking out her handkerchief to wipe the dripping tears that hung on the edges of her eyelids. She then pushed the button that was hidden behind a stack of books on the shelf, triggering a mechanical conveyor. It opened inward like a door, revealing a stairway that led downwards. So, one day when I had enough, I decided to build a hidden basement of living space for myself. I come here anytime I can, and its been that way for at least a couple of years now. I didnt know you were an engineer, Daniel said in surprise. Walk with me, she muttered. He followed her down the stairs. It was dark, but the hidden lights turned on as further down they went. A sensor lighting system. What a pleasant feature. Daniel thought. Both arrived at the basement floor, and Mother Elaine pulled out her car keys, clicking the fob that shut the door from above the stairway. Therefore, the one at the bottom that Daniel didnt notice subsequently closed too, being a disguised wall. You fascinated me. Did you do all of this yourself? Daniel complimented the technological aspects of the basement. The furnishings made it truly almost like an average apartment space. Mother Elaine thrust her handkerchief away into the pockets of her pants as she adjusted her car keys inside. Most of it. A private designer made vintage furniture. I loved the drafts, so I ordered itplease sit. She gestured to one of the two comfy chairs. Daniel took the one on the right and made himself comfortable. While Mother Elaine went on to the mini kitchen to make some coffee. You want cream and sugar? No, plain is fine, thank you. A moment later, Mother Elaine returned with two cups of coffee, handing one to Daniel. She then sat herself down, placing hers on the table. So, what do you think? she asked. Its very cozy. Im glad to hear. Youre my first guest down here in my secret cave. Daniel took a sip of coffee. Why did you bring me down here? Mother Elaine leaned back in her chair, crossing her left leg over her right. You knew I cared the most for Ava. Rake neglected his daughter for most of her life, leaving me as her only parent. She told you that before. So I dont want him to eavesdrop on us and rambling bullshit. I see. Well, I dont know what the hell happened to her. I cant believe she is gone. Where were you two yesterday? What?! Daniels eyes widened, accidentally gulping another sip of coffee, causing him to cough. She nevertold you? I thought she did. Mother Elaine shook her head. No, she didnt. And I find that odd and was out of her character. Were there any clues or giveaways during that time? No, she bluntly answered, before taking another sip of coffee. Daniel sighed. I can assure you, its not suicide. I found various tools in the bathroom. The amount of damage to her lifeless body and the airborne chemicals was too much to be considered from my observations. But we should be getting information from the detectives soon. The one thing Mother Elaine feared the most was suicide. She worried about her daughter; Ava might have those thoughts because of her upbringing. The earlier discussion on the couch in the living room and now with Daniels observation was a relief. Thank God, I hope you are rightI did my best to raise her to be the best person she could be. She told me a lot about you. You were like a brother to her, and that brought out more of her than I ever thought possible. I hope she can rest in peace. Me too, Daniel said, nodding his head. I wondered if Gary and the two other co-workers were involved in this. The random thought angered him. It got to where, if there was no evidence, he assumed he wouldnt be able to let it go when that time came. He decided not to tell Mother Elaine, keeping that thought to himself. There''s another reason I brought you down here. What? I might be frantic, but I saw what happened out thereEveryone there did. The enormous crater and monstrous winds, and then you came out of that hole with tattered skin on your arms. Nobody dared to ask, but I will. What the hell happened down there? Daniel was quiet. He doesn''t have the words to spill out the beans. Idon''t even know how to put it out. It happened out of the blue after I got out of the room, he answered while rubbing his left shoulder after feeling the pain. I told you about the venue earlier. But I didn''t tell you the part where I got stabbed before the event began. Everyone said it was strange. My blood was not normal, and I thought it was the chemical that made it look like that. However, it all came back to normal. They patched it up at the spot, and the event began like nothing Mother Elaine leaned up from her chair. You think those two are connected? Maybe. I took a quick shower when I woke up and the wound opened, bleeding alien blue. The red is gone. Hmmm, Mother Elaine hummed. She got out of her seat and walked to the row of shelves behind her executive desk. Daniel watched her from his seat as she dug through the shelf. She then brought out a wrapped scroll and walked back to her seat. What is that? Mother Elane sat down with her legs crossed. I have some power myself. At least two decades ago, I felt something awaken inside of me. It happened after I bought this house, and a scroll appeared out of nowhere in the backyard. That might explain her strength. Daniel realized. You think that is going to work on me? She shrugged. It worked for me. Nobody else has tried it since that long ago. Whats the catch? Never had one. The only thing that happened to me was the power felt more stable. Hmm. Daniel saw her hovering over her hand to him with the scroll. He hesitated, unsure about taking the risk, and he saw Mother Elaine casually staring back, patiently waiting. He took the chance and grabbed it off from her palm. Do I open it? Go ahead. Daniel rolled the bottom end towards his chest and the upper to eye level, uncovering a few lines of logographs, aligned at the center even as squares. Looks like Hanzi. Interesting. He glared back at Mother, and she nodded again. Alright. Here goes nothing. He repeated the following as it reads: Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. One Spark, come two. Innocence turns tragic. Dreams become guideswork. Guideswork turns to sweat, and the sweat will never last to our desires. They are put to the test of our deepest site of vulnerability. Keep overcoming it until it ceases to exist. Who the heck wrote this? Daniel reacted with a grimace on his face upon finishing the last word. He thought it was absurd and dumb. After a few seconds, it was silent. Nothing happened. I thought something was supposed to happen, he said and faced back to Mother Elaine. This aint the time for bulls" Mother Elaines face suddenly switched, expressing freight. Immediately, she took out her phone and switched the camera screen to selfie mode, showing it to Daniel. My eyes! He dropped the scroll onto his lap. He was terrified and asked multiple times if this was an editing filter. Mother Elaine continuously shook her head at every doubt he expressed. His eyes glowed elegant gold, progressively illuminating enough to brighten the entire screen of her phone, that he flinched away. Theres no way this is real. Whats happening to me?! I dont know! she exclaimed. Thump! Mother Elaine dropped her phone and leaped right onto Daniels lap, causing the chairs frame to fracture. The two tumbled down to the wooden floor, followed by coffee spills and shattered cups. Daniel grunted as the pain in his left shoulder returned. He saw Mother Elaine had grabbed the scroll and tore it off into shreds as the paper and ink flashed red. In a snap, the red light flashed outward, engulfing the entire basement. What the. He covered his face with his arm as the light was too bright. A sudden force and pressure that came through from it was so violent and abrupt that Daniel felt a punch right into his face. It knocked him cold. He felt the last bit of consciousness when something solid hit the back of his skull, drifting to sleep.

2.2

Ugh, Daniel groaned as he opened his eyes. The basement was partially trashed. The chairs were all in debris, like sand dust. Mother Elaines executive desk was sliced in half. He rubbed the back of his head. It felt a little tender, but it was fine. He got up from his spot, and one turn to the wooden floor where a huge dent was imprinted. Wood is not a soft material, making the dent more bizarre than it came from him. Rotating his body around and wiping the debris off of him, he saw Mother Elaine lying head down. Daniel dragged himself to her and checked her pulse. Phew. What a relief. As he let his finger go, he heard her moaning. He backed away, giving her some space. She slowly raised her torso up from the floor. You alright? he asked. Im fine, I need some breather. The two leaned their backs on the torn executive desk, relaxing themselves. When their minds relaxed, Daniel asked. What the hell was that? Mother Elaine sighed. Ive never experienced anything like this in my life. That did a strain on my jaw. While I got punched hard that it dented the floor, Daniel said, pointing to the spot right to his left. Holy fuck Mother Elaine paused. You know what, go to one of my bookshelves. Theres a hard journal. I want you to take it. Daniel looked at her. Why? It has my experiences with this unknown power of mine. Its something to get the idea of. Now, you have the power too. I think you having my written experience will make things less eerie and more understanding of the foundations, she muttered. Alright, Ill go find it. Daniel stood up and went to the three bookshelves behind the executive desk. He quickly found the hardcover journal with the spine written Qi Manipulation. He headed back to his spot and sat back down. Qi? Mother Elaine bobbed her head. She then lifted her hand and pointed it upwards. A gush of flowing rivers of energy in the shape of steam hovered around her palm. In Chinese philosophy and medicine, qi is the circulating life force in all living entities. The scroll was written in Simplified Chinese characters. So, I figured it was acceptable to be based on its respectful origin as much as possible. Are there any classifications? Yes. Since we can see our energy and produce such an amount, I called it Level One. Everything else in this world is level zero. Level one. Then what could be above that? Daniel wondered. What about beyond level one? Have you found anything revealing? What could it possibly be? Mother Elaine was curious about herself. Ive been wondering about that myself. It has been more than two decades, and I dont think I mentioned in the journal or recalled anything of going beyond that. Daniel then gave a read, beginning flipping multiple pages. While Mother Elaine guided him through. As a considerable amount of time passed, she checked the time on her phone. Oh, crap. It''s already morning. We have to go before it gets suspicious. Shit. Already? Apparently, we were knocked out long enough. And it''s Thursday, so you have work. Get going. I''m thinking of resigning, Daniel said out of the blue. Mother Elaine paused but continued. Then go and resign then. Let''s go. She stood up and grabbed Daniels arm, jolting him up from the ground. Again, he couldn''t fathom how much strength she had. Mother Elaine pushed him like a stroller, heading back to the stairway. When his shoes touched the stairs, a thought came that he almost forgot. Wait, wait! What? You should leave this status quo. Rake doesn''t deserve you. He couldn''t care less about who you are. You are the only sane left in this house. Since you are not legitimately married, you can leave. But this is my house. Is buying another one not an option? Youre an investor and a company executive. Im sure another house is like another toy to spend. Mother Elaine thrust her arms at Daniels back, and the two headed up the stairs. Returning to the garage, Daniel watched her closing the disguised door. Fine, I will, she whispered, grunting her teeth. Call me in a few days or something. Ill start packing soon. Good. Ill be waiting then. You deserve better than this. Ava wouldve said the same thing too, Daniel replied. The two firmly hugged each other once more before departing. Mother Elaine obviously handled the door blinds and made sure the coast was clear. The garage lights went off, and she grabbed Daniel when opening the door. The sunlight hovered in the blue morning sky. Mother Elaine closed it while still holding her grip on his jacket. Can you let me go? Oh, sorry. The two went back up the three-step stairs. She opened the door, urging him to enter inside first. Inside, the house was silent as the detectives and paramedics had already left. Both witnessed the coroners taking the stretcher with the zipped-up body-sized bag out of the door as they came down the stairs. There you are! Where the hell have you been?! Rake yelled while walking out of the hallway. Oh, I didnt expect you to be still here. Daniel shook his head. Ah no, I was just about to leave. Please excuse me. He strode out of the house after the coroners stepped on their feet into the driveway. Therefore, he sprinted out, glaring back to see Mother Elaine closing the door. Relieved, his car was unscathed and far from the concrete crater. The road workers were at the site of the street, studying the phenomenon. Wanting to get out of the neighborhood, Daniel swiftly entered his car and reversed j-turn away, driving back out onto the highway. Damn you all! Daniel ranted. He was still angry about Gary and the other two co-workers despite no proven evidence released yet of their involvement. He almost snapped, pressing harder on the gas as he entered a lane directed to Colemonds City Hall.

2.3

Standing in the elevator, Daniel breathed in and out as he progressively calmed down. He fast walked into the main building from the parking garage. It was relatively early, as it was almost a couple of hours before the shift. Noticing the empty reception desk, Daniel never felt nostalgic. Never had this peace and quiet since being an intern. His sole moment of peace was cut short when he reached the lobby and the mayor pushed through the entrance doors. Im astounded, someone here before me. Hey, you there? The Mayor said, lifting his heavy legs, and raced up to Daniel, as his back was faced directly at him. Oh, come on, tell me who you are? Daniel stopped. Can you not?! Daniel?! What on earth are you doing here this early?! The Mayor was bewildered at his attendance, as it was only twenty past seven. Am I not allowed to? Nono. You''re fine. Its just Ive never seen you early. I need some time in the office alone. Its not like this is the only time my job requires meeting everyone once a day. Daniel leaves.

2.4

Daniel opened the door to his office, locking it. He strolled to his desk, putting the journal next to his computer. He then pulled all the document binders from his drawers. Being the Chief of Operations, he had access to the directory of the workers and members within the city hall and the cities departments. He copied everything to his phone after he connected it through a USB cord. He then began writing his resignation letter. When he finished drafting and editing the letter, he leaned back in his chair while observing the entire stack of documents next to his computer as the sunlight from the window shined through. Suddenly, Daniel heard a knock. He viewed through the cameras on his screen. The Mayors wife was behind that door, waiting. Why is she here? Damn. He glanced at the bottom right corner of the screen, printed eight-thirty. Shoot, thirty minutes left till the shift starts. Hang on a second! Daniel uttered to the door. He then stuffed all the binders and papers back into his desk. He flipped over the resignation letter. Quickly, he proceeded to unlock the door handle. Hey, she greeted soothingly. He tried resisting her calmness and hearty demeanor, but it overwhelmed him. Closing the door, Daniel led her to a seat in front of his desk. First time I saw you here in the city hall. What brings you here today? I''ve heard Avas passing on the news, offering my condolences. Thanks. Has the mayor heard about it? She shook her head. I havent talked to him since Ive woken up. Thats an odd one. Not even a good morning. Oh well. Daniel perceived. You want water? No thanks, but I appreciate it. Daniel took one cold water bottle from his desks mini fridge and handed it to her. To be frank, I think we have never been introduced. Oh, I thought we did. I got stabbed, remember? She blew, Names Helda. Helda Burman. Well, its a pleasure, Mrs. Burman. No, yes. Disregard the formalities, and call me Helda, she insisted. They remained till Daniels shift at nine. He and Helda exchanged words and had some opinions about Mayor Burman. Daniel had known him personally for a little over five years. It was only recently before the day of the venues inauguration that their work relations turned into so-called friendship. Subsequently, he was introduced to Helda and his two sons before the attack. The conversation went into a near debate because of their contrasted self-interests, however; it resulted in an entertaining first interaction. Daniel got a grasp of her, gaining some separation between her and Mayor Burman. He wanted to ask her some more questions, only to be interrupted by the start of the shift. I wish we could talk more, but my shift is starting. Darn, not even half an hour. I hate getting conversations interrupted, Helda said firmly, standing up. We should meet again someday. She intently grabbed Daniels phone on his desk while unlocked and swiftly added her number to his contacts before he could say a word. She ambled out of the office and gave Daniel a smirk before closing the door and tossing back his phone. Daniel caught his phone and sighed heavily. He slumped to his seat, blankly staring up at the ceiling. Also, he is curious about Helda. She came to his office with no prior reason while insisting on meeting him again. He returned to administrative work for the rest of the day. Chapter 3 Do you have a spare briefcase? Daniel asked nicely to one of his interns. The intern walked to his cubicle. Daniel heard the screeching sound of the opening closet door. And an abrupt close with the intern extending out a briefcase in his grip. I have one spare. Ive never used this in a while. Great, thanks. And here. Daniel handed some bonus in cash worth a few twenty-dollar bills. He forced it into his palm when he didnt take the cash. I really mean it. Take it and I wont take a no for an answer. You didnt have to. And I did. Its my sincerity. Thank you, Chief. The intern bowed and shook Daniels hand. Not wanting all his other clerks and interns to feel left out, he had come prepared for them with some cash gifts as well. He had not told them the reason for his day of resignation. Poor them. I do wish them well for all the effort they put themselves through. Daniel remarked that they had all served in his office since the beginning of his term as chief two years ago. Not an ounce of favoritism. With thirty minutes till his shift ended, he was ready to announce it. What?! Youre leaving?! Daniel soothed them down, guaranteeing a promise they could still contact him outside of the office. Therefore, he gave them each his phone number and access to a new group chat. We will keep in touch outside. Thats a promise. You better! Rebecca exclaimed, standing in an erect posture from her seat with her ribbon-length hair flicked mid-air. And partially revealing her dark-tinted strands of violet coloring. Others even dared to hand back the money gift if he couldnt keep the promise, holding their pocket. Again, I promise! They all nodded, letting go of their pockets. Daniel surrendered to his seat, feeling a little heart-ridden from their reaction. A last slurp of water by his desk. He rechecked his resignation letters, glancing through the proper letter and signatures at the end. Beforehand, he had already copied the backup of the list onto his personal account and deleted the file on the work computer. All in his grasp, Daniel grabbed his paper and the briefcase, departing from his desk. The clocks hand reached twelve, ending the days shift. Everyone else in the office immediately packed up, wanting to see Daniel off. He headed off to the hallway first, waiting for them before locking the doors, leaving the key in his hand. Time to go, he muttered, zooming past the sky bridge hallway for the last time. Its gonna be hard not seeing you here anymore. The daily lunches and break hours in the office. Daniel grinned, not trying to be sentimental. Agh, I hope your experience will lead you to your future successful lives. I cant be certain a new chief will come after my vacancyBut I wish you all the best. Hey, its alright. The group chat will keep us companyhere we go, Rebecca said as she clicked the elevator door button. A brief silence as all watched the elevator doors open. More than two years of service, Daniel muttered with a deep sigh. Thank you all. Daniel stood at the center, directly at the door. He leaned against the railing with his head lying on the wall. The woman clerk faced herself at Daniel, extending her clenched fist. He looked at her and she grinned, nodding. He returned with a fist bump. Others, catching the moment, shared theirs too. Ding! Back to the first floor in the lobby. Rebecca exited first, making space for Daniel to walk out. He turned right in the opposite direction of the entrance. In this direction led him to the city council hall, displayed fully on a sign hanging above the pairs of duo doors. As he reached closer to the doors, he glimpsed the ongoing meeting with the mayor through the windows. Ill be out in a moment, he said and thrust the door inward. Sorry to interrupt, but I have a quick statement. Mayor Burman, confused, glanced his eyes into each of the council members present. Daniel mentally counted ten, excluding the mayor. Excuse me for a moment, he uttered through the mic. Most of the audience kept their attention on Daniel. Maybe a few have some ill-intentions, but he couldn''t care less. His intended last day of serving can only come sooner. But he maintained his joy within as much as possible. Yep, todays the business hour of the month. I recognize a few faces from before at the Venue. Including from the papers. The neighboring council member to Mayor Burmans left leaned towards her microphone. Ok, you get two minutes. Everyone present, I have come to you today to share my current status in the desire of change. The desire is my resignation from my position as chief of operations. Commotion triggered in the hall. All the council members were flabbergasted by his declaration. The mayor was silent and couldn''t bring out a single word. Cold and stoned to the point, he can bring up the charismatic smile. While there is ongoing chaos, Daniel continued. Personal unprecedented events and health crises have come to my footing once I stepped out of the venue that night. There will be no further information to be stated. Daniel set the briefcase down and walked around the podium. He handed them the stapled packet, containing all the requirements to demand a resignation. Afterward, he headed back to his podium, waiting for the official answer. I will have to decline, Mayor Burman said, tearing the signature paper. You bastard. Not even you! Daniel clenched all of his fingers on the edge of the podiums countertop. You really want me to stay in the matters of crisis?! Youre supposed to talk to me beforehand. Mayor Burman grunted with a slight drip of sweat. Daniel walked up close to the table. I dont have time. Thats why you received all of your news and daily operations way ahead of the consistent delivery schedule, he whispered to the entire council. Sir, you did your duties before without the office of chief of operations. Theres no need to hold him back when he desires to resign. Please reconsider your interpretation. The latter council member suggested. That doesnt satisfy my reasons. How much damn longer is he holding me here? Daniels torso and chest felt a jolt of heat inside, clashing with the edge of his ribs. Oh no. My qi is gonna go out of control. Sir, please, I need to resign. Let me have the way out. Mayor Burman, unfazed, shook his head. Ok, thats it. Daniel swiftly headed back to the podium, and he had enough, grunting through his jaws as he held his grip hard on the countertop. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Crack! The countertop levitated from the podiums stand as he grabbed it, only to yank it off the podium. His eyes glowed illuminating gold, pushing the demand for him to resign. Now the evidence has been shown in frontwhen will any of you recognize the potential crisis I''m enduring? I can''t be here much longer; otherwise, there will be trouble. Mayor Burman grew conflicted as he witnessed a traumatizing appearance Daniel unintentionally exerted. Everyone in the hall saw his hands fidgeted, and the sweat dripped much more from the temple of his head, flowing down in the path to his facial cheek. Also, the audible tapping echoed from behind the councils roundtable. How much longer are you gonna drag this damn decision? Daniel said. Alright Fine! You may go! Mayor Burman surrendered his opinion. Subsequently, Daniel was removed from the council as a former chief of operations. His golden eyes dissipated and relaxed his hands. He gave one bow to the council and the guests attending. He departed the hall, gripping his briefcase. Oh yeah, I forgot. Heres the key. He set the key on the table and finally left.

3.2

Three Days Later ARGH! Quite an unfortunate morning to start off with a relentless shriek that echoed beyond the walls in his bedroom, seeping through under the thin spaces of the door. Because of living alone, Daniel vividly heard a violent storm rumbling and roaring through the hallway and the rattling of the decor hanging on the wall. Somebody make this stop! Daniel grunted as he held both of his hands tight on his head, feeling he was going to lose it. He grabbed Mother Elaine''s journal and aggressively flung it away. SHATTER! Daniel plunged to the floor from his bed. The one thing he doesnt want to deal with again returned. Everything in his room started to shake. Vast amounts of energy jolted outward from his back, followed by the tension circulating his neck as if he was strangled. Layers of his wall peeled in reaction to the qi. Books free fell from the collapsing shelves. Mindlessly, Daniel rammed towards the partially shattered glass window in front of his bed. He zoomed out midair and immediately dropped down the hill, slamming his nose into the dirt. Grhh. He grunted from the shock after striking his entire nose. Landing on the incline, he rolled downwards continuously, ending with a slam to his back right at the fence. His eyes are completely shut, pitch-black because of the sharp pain coming directly from his nose. He felt it and might not have heard a crack, but the dull pressure was not mistaken. Slight groans came hard when he lifted himself up with his knees as his hands were all focused on his tattered nose. Christ. Daniel reacted when he nudged his finger, feeling a hollow gap in his upper nose of what should''ve been the solid, straight nasal bone. His palms felt wet and cold. He hovered one of his hands right in front of him, revealing the drops of blood. His eyes stared at it, focusing entirely on his hand. Daniels heart skipped a beat when his blood was entirely blue. He wiped the stain onto his face, hovering the other hand away, and prayed it was not blue. Unfortunately, not. Wiping his other hand away, he looked uphill to his house. The entire house was stationed on a hill, and the incline was his backyard. Definitely not for outdoor gatherings. To get back to the house, Daniel has to make a strenuous effort to hike up the steep hill to reach it. Otherwise, he could take a longer route with a path naturally shaped by the elevated hill and take a trip around it with only access back inside at the front. ManWhat a pain- Not wanting to take the latter, he breathed in and conserved his stamina when he stepped his foot onto the hill, beginning hiking upwards. Wait. I dont feel any strain. Daniel noticed the lack of fatigue in his legs. He tested himself by speeding his legs, effectively jolting him at constant speed as the distance of his house rapidly shrunk. What the hell. What kind of power is this? He grew fascinated at the moments surprise. SHATTER! Umph! Daniel grunted after being slammed through an unscathed window, crashing to his bed flat. My freaking nose. Give me a break! He rolled onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. Its bare, and the paint was entirely peeled off. Not a drop of debris laid on the floor, likely to be disintegrated from the exertion of his qi. Something is surely wrong ever since he got stabbed by the masked individuals at the Venue, Ava got killed, resigning the position of Chief of Operations, and reading the scroll. Daniel sat up, collecting his thoughts until he figured he had enough of dealing with the madness. Wondering where the journal went, he glared back outside. He stepped foot outside through the clean frame, peeking from the edge of the hill. Darn it. The journal was partially hidden in the grass on the perimeter of the hill. Daniel grew furious when he sprung out, away from the house. He leaned downward as the elevation dropped and adrenaline overridden his doubts while speedily descended along the hill. Arriving on the surface, he quickly picked it up, brushing dirt off the cover. He went back up the hill, returning to his bedroom, and felt toasted, leaving the journal on the bed. Thus, he headed to the shower first, soaking off all his agony to the drain. I have to figure out what led to all of thisNo news of Avas investigation from the officials. My personal investigation got me able to craft a synopsis. Since then, after two days, lifes been boring. Im really not homey, arent I? Daniel stood for a long while under the heavy showers, soaking all over his head. After eight minutes of self-reflection and loathing, he left the shower and dumped the old clothing into the trash. Thus, he strolled through the closet, scanning through the selections of his outerwear. It doesn''t feel right wearing any of them. He began to remember something and climbed up the ladder until his hand reached the shelf hovering above the hangars. He grabbed the handle, dragging the chest towards his right shoulder. Daniel dropped it onto the carpet, blasting off a thin layer of dust. The chest was designed similarly to a cubicle from the square-shaped structure. He took note it weighed much lighter than when he first received it. He was fairly lean toward his age and profession. Thinking about it, he observed his arms and noticed it was enlarged, realizing what caused it to feel lighter. He unlocked the chest, protected by a pin. The lid opens with an uncomfortable creak. Daniel hovered his arms over his chest, lifting up a black uniform. The white-colored perimeter imprinted on the suit jacket from the lapels all the way to the top button. Good to see you again. Daniel happily gazed. He placed the suit jacket on the bench and took all the contents, also placing it on the bench. He laid out the entire set on the surface of the dresser. A suit jacket. Dressing Shirt. Heavy trousers. A pair of black dress shoes. Two boxes. Check. Dressing up, he saved for the suit jacket last. Daniel chose the smallest box of the two, carefully opening the lid. The bulky and sturdy watch poked out of the bottom of the box, revealing itself for Daniel to visualize. He took it out, throwing away the box and equipped it on. Good as new while hugging his left wrist tightly. Finally, he gave a taste to the suit jacket when putting his arms through the sleeves. Worth the wait for something this cozy. Daniel buttoned up his suit jacket and proceeded to the second box, which was much larger than the former. He nudged it closer towards the center, carefully opening it. A perfume-like smell gushed out through the opening space, leaving a scent grasping his nostrils. Daniel reacted away from it as he coughed and sneezed, feeling the broken bone rattling inside. What world will someone put a damn scent of perfume within this box?! He came back with his nose covered tight and one hand reaching in, pulling out a handcrafted pistol, followed by two ammo cartridges and a tight holster. Daniel slammed the box, shattering the drawers counter, and leaving a wide gap. The perfume smell significantly ceased, but the fume still stimulated coming from the pistol. That infuriated him. And he went to the bathroom with it and placed the pistol directly below the running faucet. He twisted the switch fully while washing his face of any lingering remnants, mainly his nostrils. Not that much trouble after a period of water gushing from the faucet. The perfume finally ceased. He wiped off the pistol with the towel, tossing it to the trash, and Daniel went back to the drawer, equipping his holster. The holster hid under his trousers, leaving a brief poking out above the waistline. With the perfume gone, he observed the pistol and recalled the kind thanks to the grips texture. Very dense and tough feeling, especially when Daniel gave a knock, creating a notable echo. Just like hardwood. He noted. The color theme was ordered to be entirely black, originally the grip was supposed to be left brownish with darker veining. However, he wanted it covered with a darker veining and kept as authentic as possible. Its the first time he ever grasped it. And the only thing in the chest he has never been firsthand witnessed. Delightedness can only last much longer, but he refocused back to checking the functionality coming in check. No ammo and activity, good. He gave a grip on the barrel and thrust back, hearing the recoil. Check. He unloaded the empty cartridge and inserted one of the two loaded spares. Daniel left the closet only carrying the trash out, ignoring the damaged drawer. He tumbled over the wrecked shelves and furniture, grabbed his phone, and headed out to the main hallway. And didnt leave the journal unaccompanied this time. All the decorations supposedly hung on the wall were scattered and shattered all over the floor. Daniel tiptoed across the hallway, dodging every shard and debris. The extent of the damage from his qi reached the end of the hallway. He gave a look and turned to the kitchen, leaving the items on the dining table. Ahwhat should I eat? he muttered to himself while wandering into the kitchen, straight to the fridge. He took two foiled wraps, a Tupperware filled with rice halfway, and a bag containing sliced cucumber. Growl! Daniel held tight on his abdomen. The first time he ever felt insanely hungry or left, it grumbled. Therefore, he began making his first meal of the day with all the ingredients he got out of the fridge. Chapter 4 He hasnt contacted me for the past three days. Mother Elaine realized the time while making lunch. She cut the carrots and broccoli before sending them to the boiling pot. There has been no day where she could have some downtime in peace except three days ago. Or past midnight. She took into account that Rakes verbal conduct had dramatically dropped since Avas death, even though he was already an unbearable individual. Ever since the last interaction with Daniel, her desire to head back to the outside world and away from her house has never been greater. That desire irritated her when he attempted to berate her constantly, without intent. Sometimes it was intentional, depending on the time of day and the reason. Can he shut up for a minute?! Please, for God''s sake. Hey! Wheres my damn lunch?! Just stay quiet. She kept her mind straight, focusing on the pot. Woman! Shut Up! Mother Elaine yelled, staring back at the direction of him. She sneakily held her hand in the grip of the pot. At that moment, she stood her ground. And have thought about her options to end the ferocious relationship. What Daniel had told her that day, she had to admit he was right after he left the house. It took her a day to fully accept the truth, and Ava was the only reason she had held for so long. She could do the traditional way of papers to get the restraining order, but the law, in her opinion, wont do any long-term favor. While with the less moral option, it would be a risky direction. While preparing herself, her phone was muffled in the pocket of her pants. The pot was getting briskly hot. One touch could burn the skin in a few seconds, and the handle should be hot too, as its not made of plastic. She wondered while Rake stood up from the couch and walked towards the kitchen with a frisky face. She gripped harder at the handle while partially glancing back at the pot as if she was still focused on her cooking. Looking back at the entrance to the kitchen, he stepped into the territory and towered over her. This is the last time youll see me. Mother Elaines grip on the pot couldnt come loose. She then swiftly thrust a kick to his abdomen, to his shock. He tumbled back and staggered. With an open flask nearby, she quickly grabbed it with her left and yanked the half boiling pot at him, followed by the cold ice water from the flask. AHH!! He cried, covering his face. Mother Elaine carelessly tossed the pot to the empty hollow sink, rattling the entire kitchen, and spooking him. That should keep him company for now. It landed on his shirt and pants, missing the face. The ice water was more of a pity. She stared momentarily, confirming he was okay, before sprinting through the hallway. She already had her shoes on. Opening the door, she jumped from the doorway, rolling on the lawn. The door that led into the garage was locked. Mother Elaine thrust and kicked the door inward with ease. She ran up to the bookshelf, recklessly demolishing it into pieces. Afterward, she leaped with barely enough space in a free fall. Crashing into the halved executive desk, Mother Elaine got up while rubbing her lower back. Christ, I got too carried away. She performed a last-minute check-around for anything she missed earlier when she was packing her stuff. With nothing else to see after wandering around the room, she yanked a piece of cardboard held by loose screws, revealing a toggle switch that was currently placed downwards with the indication coming from the hand-sized handle. Therefore, she jerked it up. Running like a cheetah, she dashed up the stairs back to the garage. She clicked at the garage door remote anchored on the wall and hopped into her Lincoln Navigator, turning it on. Come onCome on. As the garage door lifted at almost turtle speed, she looked behind her to where the trunk and some of the rear seat spaces were filled with her items. Not wasting more time as the timer was about to go off at any moment, she opened the car door and ran right up to the garage. A whiff of her fist trashed the steel like crumbled paper, blowing it out of the metal tracks. Mother Elaine headed back into her SUV and pulled the gear stick to drive with her foot on the gas pedal. Her Lincoln boosted out of the garage, zooming past the yard and the house. She turned her steering wheel to the left early, going over the neighbors lawn. Once it was back on the road, she took a breather. Boom! Looking towards the side-view mirror, the glass reflected a view of the skinny plume of smoke, reaching as tall as a couple of giraffes if stacked like a tower. Mother Elaine drove off toward the neighborhood, heading to the gas station at the intersection next to the highway. She checked her phones notifications and found two missed calls from Daniel. Oh, man. I need to call again. She saw her fuel gauge line lean towards the low bar. Pulling the gas cap switch, she leaped out and lifted the gas nozzle into the tank, flicking the automatic switch. Tapping through her phone, she clicked on Daniels number in the contacts, sending it to the calling screen. Please pick up, she impatiently mumbled. Click. Hello? Mother Elaine? Daniels deep voice replied at the receivers end. Where are you at right now? Im at home. I was about to call- Ok, perfect. Stay there. Im meeting you in around twenty minutes. See you then He ended the call, and the gas nozzle gave a jolt of click. Mother Elaine grabbed it from the tank, returning it to the pump. She still remembered the directions and drove off the lot, merging back to the road leading straight to the highway. She cant fathom what had just happened in the past hour. Its like a dream on the course and right now was only the beginning. A moment of youth returned to her. Stopping at the intersection, she gave the time to observe her palms, recalling her with a brief frenzy of strength. Could it be that my qi is returning after all this time? How? Or was it The light went green, and she sped up to the entrance to the highway while silently glancing at the rear mirror. Goodbye. My time with you is over. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. The brief view of her suburb went away as the highway directed in the opposite direction, going north.

4.2

Daniel hung up the phone, leaning back after finishing his first meal. The salmon tasted fresh and soft even after a nights worth in the fridge. Add it to the rice. For sure, it satisfied his desired stomach. He was about to call Mother Elaine after finishing his meal. Coincidentally, she called him instead, now coming over to his place. Leaving the thoughts aside, he got up and took the empty Tupperware to the sink, washing it. Once he was done with the housekeeping business, Daniel went to the living room with the journal in his hand. He flipped the book cover open to the title page, filled with mysterious types of vinyl on the corners of the page. Not too erratic, but its definitely hand-drawn with the evidence that the pen scratches were faintly visible on the border. Onto the first page came with a push: Warning: Anyone reading this book other than Mother must have gained her consent to further access the contents described from the beginning to the end. Thanks! He turned the page, arriving at the multiple depictions of sketches and art. Looks beautiful, at least in his eyes. Unless he had an odd taste in certain art, which could be the reason the warning was highlighted at the turn of the cover. The tint of the markers made it stand out, keeping Daniels eyes stuck towards the book. He continued through and remained focused, absorbing the entire contents worth. Ring! Shes here. Daniel left the book on the coffee table on the sixty-seventh page. Coming! He ran to the door and was greeted by Mother Elaine, carrying a few of her luggage. Still the same place as ever, she said. Please, come in. Is this all of your stuff? Mother Elaine placed her luggage next to the couch. Yea, I packed up last night while he was asleep, she muttered. Phew, thank God. Shes free. Daniel gave her a slight grin, feeling relieved. Well, Im delighted. As a matter of calling, I need your help now that youre here. What kind of help? Mother Elaine invited herself into the kitchen, opening the fridge. Also, Im taking this bottle, if I may? Daniel nodded while answering. My qi. I just had it again this morning. Mother Elaine took a gulp of the orange juice, listening to his request. This morning? In what way? Similar to the crater. But a shorter episode and more painful. She finished her orange juice. Hmm, I also regained a sense of mine this morning. By the way, how did you manage to get out of his reach? Daniel asked. Cold and hot water Daniel silently nodded. Mother Elaine asked why he didnt call, to which he replied he didnt know he was supposed to, as he was very busy. It was necessary because of his constant research and contacts that could be correlated to Avas death. To which Mother Elaine felt left out and bantered at him for doing that. They both sat down on the couch, and Daniel pulled the papers out from under the book. I found these texts through her cellular messages. It seemed the three co-workers aint directly involved at all. However, they have bad friends; thats for sure. Mother Elaine lifted the paper close to her, studying every text message that was being shown. Daniel patiently waited for her response as she was too direct towards the paper, excluding any external environments around her. She rubbed her fingers aggressively on the paper while flipping to the back. These crooked bastards! She never told us. Cyberbullying defines her plague on social media. I dont know how I missed the signs. It is not your fault. In fact, thats just Ava. Shes strong-willed but always keeps her internal feelings too deep into her soul. Once its exposed, we would be too late. I guess we are too late. But at least we got to the starting point of the roots of this cyberbullying scheme. Scheme? Daniel picked back up the book, resuming on the sixty-seventh page. A scheme. Likely meaning more than one victim. My God Mother Elaine muttered, sounding a little angst. Not only that. I need to find out the history of this power. I don''t even know the potential and dangers it can bring. However, I feel more energetic and lighter, which I noted this morning after the episode was discarded. Mother Elaine dropped the papers on the coffee table, analyzing the page he was reading in her journal. When did you read? Half an hour ago She sat quietly, stunned at Daniels quick mental absorption of the material. She wondered to herself if he would gain any useful information not only to help him but also her. While reading, he passed her more papers in the stack. Theyre more than the text messages that he found. The two studied for hours till sunset when Mother Elaines stomach growled. By then, Daniel finished past the halfway mark of the journal, stopping at a page hundred fifty-two. He went into the kitchen, curious about what Mother Elaine wanted. Since it was her first time without having to cook, she came up with the idea of food delivery, which Daniel reluctantly accepted. He went back to the couch, opening his phone. Mother Elaine leaned closer to get a better view of Daniel scrolling through various menus of restaurants through the browser. She kept herself quiet until one menu popped up, and she pointed at it, prompting him to click it. Interesting choice, he commented. Hey, I havent got myself loose for ages. Daniel ordered the meal, and he took a break from the reading, leaning his head onto the pillow. So? Anything you gained from the research? Scheme turned operation. The number of individuals leading this massacre is a disgrace. The total number of cyberbullying victims has gone exponentially high. Daniel crossed his arms tightly to his chest. Man, the stakes keep going higher. Speaking of, I''m thinking of going the old-fashioned way of dealing with these evil people. You need their addresses and locations to do that. He smiled at her answer, almost wanting to laugh. Well, you''re in for the treat. You already know my past profession. Daniel stood from the couch, walking up to the storage cabinet next to the wide flat-screen TV. He moved slightly away enough for her to see what was stored inside. The heavy door opened rigidly, revealing the dark-themed hardwood design. Ignoring the spare overcoat, he nudged it over and grabbed the briefcase out. Full Stock, he said, tossing it to his spot on the couch. Mother Elaines confused expression was as if she should be amused by a briefcase. Only until Daniel opened it that changed her mind. He fully revealed to her that this was the source. Being the former chief of operations, he had access to all the various high-profile individuals living in the city or had connections. What was strange is how there were no limitations in the citys ordinance, so he was freed from the restrictions of allowing what files to be in his personal grasp. You are one crazy madlad. How in the world are we gonna catch everyone? First off, no, we are not targeting everyone. Only a few are enough, as they hold the largest role. Second, we should start training tomorrow and learn how to get this qi situation prolonged. Also, find out the origins of this power. Your journal. I know you are curious about it as well. Mother Elaine stood up with her ears tingling, causing her to turn to the door. What is it? Sounds like the footsteps of the delivery, she replied, tiptoeing to the door. Daniel then heard it too, followed by the bell ring. Ding! Mother Elaine yanked the door open and was greeted by the delivery guy. Hello, this is for Dan? Mother Elaine nodded, taking the bags full of tasty cuisine. Daniel walked up to the door with his hand in the back pocket, pulling out his wallet. Here! Take this as a tip. You didnt have to, sir. You better. I might call you again the next round. The delivery man bowed before departing the walkway, and Mother Elaine closed the door. Well, its time to eat. Shall we? Daniel said, pulling up the chair and turning on the lights in the dining room. Chapter 5 Next Day Daniel woke up from a slumber dream; he cant remember what it was, but it was unpleasant. His clock displayed eight past five in the morning. The morning was fairly windy and the lack of windows does no justice. Losing one was already over, but two or more. The sleeping game is torture. Luckily, Daniel is a bit of a heavy sleeper, so the issue was less problematic. Mother Elaine now stays at his residence, taking the spare bedroom next door. She was exhausted before midnight, passing out immediately in bed. While Daniel didnt feel as fazed when normally he was lying in bed at this hour. However, he felt refreshed, wondering if it was another symptom of his containment of qi. He got himself cleaned up and dressed back in his suit, walking to the living room. It has been a while since he went to the gym. According to his physique, his entire torso grew to match the proportion of his arms. The suit adjusted to his increased size, and strength-wise was already noticeable. Today would be perfect for testing it. A tightly wrapped zap pinched his right palm, causing him to stop embracing his wrist and sit down on the couch. While holding his wrist, Daniel saw a sparkle generated from the direct center. Water geyser type of phenomenon. He did not want to get his eyes too close, but enough to where he could see it unleashed from the surface of his skin. Sparkles blasted upward in a straight line before dissipating. Electricity? He continued to observe for the next one. Then the zap feeling was already gone and let his hand go. He felt a little disappointed. Subsequently, that was when he tried grabbing his hand again, only for the sparkles to regenerate. Well, that was new. Suddenly, an idea flowed through his head. This was when he decided to try to test various appliances and items that require electricity as measuring how much power he could generate. Daniel glanced around his house and saw the mini lamp. He reached over to the end table and grabbed the lamp, accidentally yanking the cord from the outlet. Eighty dollars down the drain. Such a cheap wire, he thought, for something worth that much. Pretty wild for a low effort, and he was glad he did not spend on a lamp that was overpriced as this was a gift. However, a perfect opportunity. Making sure, he looked at his hand again, confirming there was nothing. He flexed his right arm, forcing the pressure towards the palm. The sparkling regenerated directly, followed by a crack popping sound. The charge was more vibrant and stronger, and he quickly placed his palm right on the surface of the lamp. An illuminating light glows through the dark color of the lamp where Daniel saw it sped up, similar to a thermometer reading a fever. It flashed right at his eyes, and Daniel immediately dropped the lamp towards the couch. The light bulb dissipates once he has let go of his grip on the lamp. Fascinating, he whispered, taking a minute to collect what had just occurred. Not only that, he has to be aware that pressurizing his wrist and hand will summon a barrage of electric charge. With the lamp test, the light bulbs immediate flash gave the hint of how much he had generated. More tests are needed to bring an accurate verdict. Daniels house has plenty of sources to attempt, which he gave a try, leaving the couch. Doing it outside is probably the safest. Gears humming from the garage opener blended with the silent squeak as the door lifted up. Daniel hiked up on the hilly driveway to the garage, focusing on the right where a couple of steel base cabinets are stationed along with a cabinet shelf. A library-like organized setup. Two base cabinets were straight ahead against the wall. While the right corner is occupied by the sole cabinet shelf. He passed his Mercedes parked on the left and opened the center steel base cabinet. There was an unprecedented interruption where a stampede of chirping and caws far from the garage startled Daniel while he was observing a pile of power banks. A loud boom jerked his head back. He glanced back, unsure of what was going on. Other than the streetlight on the driveway, the rest is pitch black. He stealthily walked to the edge of the garage with his ears hyper-focused on his surroundings. Still, the sounds of birds cawing were at high volume around the vicinity. Downhill of the driveway illuminated by the streetlight, he got a grasp of what was down there. A pool of crows stationed exactly at that spot with a circulation from the air up, similar to a funnel. He proceeded to walk down and began to hear thumping footsteps. However, he couldn''t see who it was, as by the time he turned toward the noise, it was gone. Or if it was already at a different location. Simultaneously, Daniel felt his body boil from the end of his stomach. Adrenaline overwhelmed his body, along with the electric charge from the palm of his hands. However, something is odd. The electricity has spread and filled his entire arms and up to the neck. His eyes glowed gold because of the surge. Crack! Daniel instinctively shoots out a charging beam toward the cracking sound. Not bad for a first-timer, a masculine voice muttered from behind. Daniel jumped away and faced toward the voice. Show yourself! The crows and birds barged into the air, clearing the driveway. The funnel dissipated with the entire fleet of those birds to surge up into the air, flying away in the distance. Once they disappeared, a figure revealed itself and stepped his foot into the driveways pavement from the hidden trees and bushes. It seems I wasn''t mistaken, the figure revealed itself from the darkness despite stepping onto the pavement. Silhouette-like birds soared away from the figure, dispersing the shadowy figure. Underneath the disguise was a young, middle-aged man. His entire outfit is totally out of this world. The whole body is entirely covered by a suit but long as an overcoat, reaching near his ankle. It was wrapped around his body, tightly stretched. A bottom layer covered underneath his entire fit that reached to his footwear which was substituted as boots because of the thick soles exclusively made for one rather than tennis shoes. The sandal clasped his entire foot up toward his shins. Underneath, the suit on his chest was strapped in the shape of a letter X with a black undergarment. What are your intentions? Daniel asked while in a defensive stance, uncertain how the man was going to respond. I was at the venue when you were attacked by those men. Do you know anything about that? Why do you think Im here? What do you want from me? The mans eyes widened and thinner. There''s something I need to do, he responded and flashed. He appeared only a few feet from Daniel with his fist clenched. A whipping pressure struck Daniel''s abdomen, blasting him into the bushes. He stumbled out of the bushes, recovered from the daze during the first second of the impact, and dashed back in front of the man and he deployed another punch in his presence. Daniel picked up the sense. Therefore, he directed the pressure towards his dominant right arm, flexing his forearm and slammed it right at the mans fist. The entire area in the vicinity took the event in a rough turn. Trees began experiencing violent gusts as the wind generated from the qi when the two clashed exerted a swirling pool of contrasting colors. The two grunted, trying to overwhelm the latter with their strength. The man yelled in a roar, subsequently boosting his power, levering pressure on Daniel, and he leaned back. He was holding back this entire time? Daniel glanced below, seeing the circulating pool of qi grew larger with the shadowy white outline coming from the man overwhelming his bright blue, holding only a quarter. Bang! Daniel came with a subsequent hook from his unoccupied left, breaking the balanced clash and the force from the break thrusted the two hard to the pavement. He landed in front of the garages exterior and immediately closed it. Reacting to the footsteps, he sprinted through the shattered pavement and again exchanged a punch. A few tree branches broke off and the concrete wall surrounding the house quickly cracked. The man swiftly nudged Daniels fist away and twirled his body to the left. He jumped, followed by a cycle of roundhouse kicks counter-clockwise, striking him in the face twice. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Daniel braced himself in the ordeal, barely protecting himself by a misjudge of time. His forearm was partially up, effectively blocking his temple, but forced away by a strike to his front jaw and nose. Not letting himself down solely, he subsequently added a downward roundhouse kick. His foot reacted to the surge of qi, enabling the legs strength to overcome the defense of the man. He crashed flat to the floor, painfully grunting from the blow he unexpectedly took. He rolled away as Daniel got up and stood up, confronting him again with a little breather. You are an interesting human. And this is your first time Xavier said with an enthralled tone. His eyes closed shut momentarily with a drip of blood from his eye and nose, interrupting his talk. Huh? Me too. Daniel felt a watery flow gushed out of his nose and mouth, spitting blue onto the pavement and his hand. He tried sniffing the blue blood back in and swallowed it while realizing the confrontation would end soon, no matter if he and the man didnt call the shots. I understand now the man reacted to his blue blood, changing his composure. Lets end this. Yeahlets do it, Daniel said under his breath, giving an internal fatigue between each word. He and the man exerted a deafening boom as they put all their energy into their final confrontation. The man did it smoothly as his flow of qi breezed and sailed around him. He inhaled, summoning the shadowy aura with a white outline, like earlier. Heh, no fair. Sucks that I dont know how to create one. One thing I could do, though, Daniel said with an astonished smile. He gripped his right wrist, forcing all the power to focus within. The man flashed step towards him. Daniels body instinctively flashed. Both deployed their final push, shattering the sound barrier and demolishing the entire region of pavement and anything adjacent to their surroundings. The bright light of blue and shadowy white engulfed them two.

5.2

The semi-sphere of light triggered an earthquake-like rumbling spread across the neighborhood. The surge of qi from both colors erupted upwards, shooting tower height and igniting a blast midair. An orbital ring illuminated around the towering light, and right after an ear-shattering shockwave spread out, pulling a bit of the explosive from the illuminating qi over at least a few miles. As a result, multiple varied rings accumulated in smoke debris hovered in the dark sky, orbiting around the tower. The qi would eventually disintegrate into the air, leaving no trace in sight on the ground or air. What was left behind were the orbiting rings, barely hanging onto its structure as the clouds broke off.

5.3

When the engulfed light vanished, Daniel and the man were at a standstill. Both got their strike in, but refused to stand down. Daniel forced his eyelids open and figured he was struck on the cheek with the mans knuckle striking his nose. In a fair exchange, he gave a hook at the mans jaw, almost dislocating it, much to his surprise. Daniels legs collapsed, sending his body flat onto the floor. He thought the man would walk when he stared at him, showing some commitment. Only for him to fall as well. Its settled. He smiled at the conclusion. His legs were still unfelt, and he crawled back up to the garage. He then gripped the jamb of the garage to lift himself up. He lifted the keypad lid open, pushing a pin. The garage opened, and he tumbled to the floor and dragged through until his hand hovered over his Dodge Charger. He climbed up his body and sat over the hood, letting his body relax and heal. The man, full of energy, jolted off from the floor. He wiped all the rubble off from his suit and his hair. Then he saw Daniel sitting on the cars hood, waiting to have a conversation with him. You arent from here. I can tell from those clothes of yours. Daniel commented. Names Xavier. I hope you didnt mind that it was just a test. Daniel, its a pleasure. Both respectively shook hands and, to Daniels relief, he regained control of his legs. Thats when he stood up from the hood. He swiftly invited Xavier, which he accepted, and both went out of the garage, heading through the main door. Xavier viewed the driveway and the front lot momentarily, I will say, this world is more fantastic than I have ever imagined. World? Want a drink? Sure, I want that brown liquid I see people drink at the restaurant? Ah, thats called Coffee. I can make one if thats what you want. They dont have coffee where you come from? Xavier shook his head. Ill take a cup. Yeah, we dont have that in our cuisine. I mean, for all regions, not one of them has ever had this drink. Daniel turned on the kitchen light, pulling out a small bag of coffee beans. You guys are missing out, then. I have a dark roast. Do you want a small cup or a large one? Xavier heads to an empty seat at the dining table. Ill take a small cup for now. Just need a taste of what makes it so good in this world. The sound of the Burr machine revved up, coming with the cracks of the coffee beans. He observed the house, finding it astonishing. In his eyes, the place is strange from the material it was constructed. The white interior, a large open space with no walls separating sections of the house. The kitchen is also in the open with a bar counter like bordering the dining area where he is currently sitting. Xavier grew curious and asked Daniel about it. Daniel, whats up with your house? The Burr Machine stopped with him looking up, What do you mean? This is how the residence of a well-to-do was set up. Well, to be specific, in this area of the city. The open space type of housing has been around for more than a decade. What about yours? The machine revved as Xavier answered. Ours are much smaller. Wall by wall in every direction. I mean, take your kitchen, the living room, and this dining room towards the main door. Thats our home. Daniel nodded accordingly while pulling out a croissant from the plastic-sealed box and setting it into the oven. That reminded me of when I was young. My family was poor, and it was only by luck when one of my parents contacts went through luck and brought us to this city. What happened then? They died in a freak accident. I was left alone. Your description reminds me of that. I had to live in this tiny home and the Contact had to change offerings in the deal, so I had to endure for five more years. Oh, I''m sorry. Nah, don''t. I guess you can call that reality training. I lived through a struggling life for eighteen years. Looking back, I''m glad I did. You are an odd one. That''s a first. Daniel walked out of the kitchen, bringing a small plate with a croissant and a napkin. Everyone said that. I didn''t- It complements the coffee, Daniel said, returning to the kitchen, taking out the ground coffee, and pouring it into the coffee brewer. He noticed Xavier was staring at the croissant. He figured he had never seen this type of pastry before. The coffee brewer has finished. Daniel took the two filled cups and headed to the table, passing one to him. Xavier took one sip of the hot coffee, and he stopped, glancing at the cup. So? What is this exquisite taste? I added just a bit of cream and sugar. Try it with the croissant. Xavier took a bite of the croissant and he went thrilled, taking another sip of the coffee. Daniel had to ease him as he already drunk half of the cup from those two sips. Xavier lets off his inner joyful self, savoring it. Daniel sat back, relaxed, taking a sip of his cup when a bulb flicked in his mind. Ah, thats right. Why did you come looking for me? Especially, how did you even get here? Xavier placed his coffee on the table. Have you got any updates on those men who attacked you at the venue? There was one update a couple days ago where they have been held with no bond and would be sent to city jail in the coming days once they have recovered from their injuries. Colemonds Detention Center? Daniel nodded. They asked if I wanted to make the following statement and I requested none. That was it. Xavier sat up, changing the situation. Daniel sat up and listened to his insight. During the entire conversation, the two remained focused, not getting distracted by the area of vicinity. By the time both exchanged information to understand the matter, the glare of sunlight already attempted to peek through the window blinds directly into the dining room. Daniel looked through the watch, and the shorthand reached the seventh hour. He then heard the creaking of the door from the hallway. Oh shoot, Mother Elaine is awake. Is that her? Xavier muttered. Yeah. She was asleep, and this is the usual time she wakes up. And shes getting a welcome by a guest, Daniel replied, standing up from his seat and grabbing Xaviers empty cup and plate. He turned on the kitchen sink, swiftly washing the dishes, when Mother Elaine came out from her room, reaching to the end of the hallway. Her hair was all the way down, looking drowsy. This was also the first time he had ever seen her in pajamas. With all that appearance factor in, she looked like a different person. Morning she greeted, not aware Xavier was sitting with his back facing the hallway. You look like crap, Daniel said. Training day is today and we have another guest. Mother Elaines eyes opened when he mentioned another guest. She saw Daniel in the kitchen and he immediately pointed towards the dining room. She turned to her right, seeing Xavier give a slight wave, and her eyelids jolted up and speedily went back to her room. Xavier turned back to Daniel, and both gave a shrug. Chapter 6 Mother Elaine returned to the dining room more purely. Her hair was back up and combed, wearing her white tights with a t-shirt under her brown jacket. She came sitting down in front of Xavier, more energetic than prior. Sorry for the appearance earlier. I just didnt expect to be guests She glared back at Daniel, prompting him to reply it was not his fault. Otherwise, she would have woken up from the notifications and he was busy having a conversation. Xavier smiled. No worries. I was presenting the matters to him. He mentioned you, so Im well aware of who you are. Thats great. Where are you from? Not from here. Mother Elaine caught the details of his outfit. Yeah, no one wears that here, so I figured. Xavier was silent momentarily, tapping his fingers on the table. Before he could speak, Daniel arrived with another cup of coffee for her. Like him, she doesnt eat breakfast unless events vary. To sum it up, Hes from another world and can help us find our answers of where our powers originate. Mother Elaine didnt get the premise at first until Xavier added on to his statement, which is when her mind clicked. The explanation sounded absurd, which is as expected. She then took a whole gulp of her cup, not wanting to be interrupted and demanding more explanation. Cutting all the extras, Xavier just told her all the relevant information from his conversation with Daniel earlier. Eventually, she seemed to absorb all the knowledge well, not going into a tangent. She would look at Daniel, seeing his bruised nose. Xavier assured to her it was all just a test to see what he could be capable of doing. And he was also curious of Mother Elaines powers, to which she shrugged. One moment of the strength she received from grabbing the pot back at her place was the most she could interpret. According to the journal, her powers werent mentioned completely. Xavier demanded the journal, which Daniel gave to him, and he quickly skimmed through the entire journal. He stood from his seat and out of the blue; he tore the journal in half, stunning the two. Mother Elaine vented at him in the expression of a cougar. He then swiftly refuted, calling all the descriptions accurate and gibberish. From the look of his eyes, the pupils glowed like the stars with a backing motivation behind his body language. He considered the training to start immediately. Right now? Daniel asked. Yes! The sooner you two learn, the more verifiable information I can reveal to you all. Mother Elaine calmed herself down, but held some contempt at Xavier for tearing her journal. She displayed her facial expressions when he made eye contact with her. He ignored it and went along with the insistence to train. Unfortunately, Daniels residence lacks a proper backyard because of being on the hill. And to the methods they have to train, it was fairly obvious a significant area of flat land is optimal. Daniel whisperingly rambled, figuring one location in mind. I remember there was an abandoned football field outside, away from the urban area of Colemond. We could start there. It hasnt been monitored for the past years, as it was not in Colemond''s interest. Will anyone be interrupting our fiasco? Not that I know of. Its always the teenagers who wanted to hang out, and it has always been their safe spot. Free from their matters. I couldn''t care less if they take pictures or witness our training. How far is the football field from here? By car? Around twenty minutes at the most. Can you all fly yet? Daniel and Mother Elaine shook their heads, causing Xavier to sigh. However, no big deal for him. He was now certain of what they needed on the first day and walked out to the front door. The two have no choice but to pursue him. He opened the door and Mother Elaine, in front of Daniel, saw the wreckage. Her unscathed Lincoln is parked on a separate pavement, next to the garage and away from the downhill to the gate. As Mother Elaine continued to glance at the damage to the front lot, Xavier gripped firmly onto Daniels shoulder. You direct me to the football field, and Ill glide. Sure. We are in your hands until then. Xavier and Daniel walked right up to Mother Elaine, who was currently bending down, examining the concrete. Daniel slid over to the right of her in parallel, giving Xavier the position to grip both of their shoulders. Daniels eyes took a moment to recalibrate and as his vision went vivid, he was already thousands of feet into the air. This is unreal! He admired the geographical view of Colemond and with his eyes gave off a different vibe compared to on the internet. The central highway he traveled daily, connecting from one end of the region to the interstate. Hello? We cant stay up here forever, Xavier said. Sorry, over there. You can see the raised bleachers facing in our direction. Daniel pointed in front of him. The highway is to its right and a heighten hill to its left, making the relative location easier to comprehend. Got it. Within a flash, they are back on foot, standing on the green grass that is surprisingly fairly maintained despite being abandoned. Xavier stepped away from the two, observing the entire field, satisfied at the size of the lot. This will do! Alright, get yourselves ready! I want you two to stand there! Xavier exclaimed, pointing at the two spots for Daniel and Mother Elaine. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Daniel went to the right spot and noticed her standing, shaking. Is she in a state of shock? Hopefully, Xavier doesn''t take this harshly. He turned to Xavier, glancing his eyes at her and he blasted a qi blast, causing her to jump back. She crashed to the floor with an aura surrounding her. Come on now. You got to get rid of that mindset because Im teaching you two of the properties of flight. And we wont leave until you succeed and grow comfortable with it. Why did you fire that at her?! I want you to look carefully, Xavier said in a serious, instructive tone, pointing back at Mother Elaine. I didnt fire an offensive attack, and Im sharing a portion of my qi. Elaines shaking body soothed, her jaw clattering was progressively reduced, and her tightening muscles around her cheek and neck softened. A couple of seconds after, the aura dissipated and she stood up, feeling more relaxed and stood at her spot. She apologetically murmured. Xavier exerted his black aura with a white outline and told both to try exerting on their own. I can''t seem to get it to work, Mother Elaine grunted. He literally just showed it. Daniel awkwardly watched her struggling to exert her aura. When she could, only a faint cloud-like content of qi hovered around her in a yellowish tint. Daniel, not wanting to hold much longer, flexed both of his arms downward. A vibrating shockwave flowed through the field and his bright blue qi exerted surrounding his entire body. Flex both of your arms and inwardly push out, Daniel said, not having a better explanation. Xavier with his aura came right in front of Mother Elaine, visibly showing her flexing his arms, dissipating his aura. He insisted she keep trying to while telling Daniel to do a rotation until he felt at ease exerting it without concern.

6.2

Glancing at Daniel and Mother Elaine, Xavier paid more attention to Mother Elaines struggle to manage her qi. I can feel her qi but unfortunately not enough can be pressured out. He looked at Daniel, who was consistently going on and off with his aura, and felt the vibrations directed at his legs and feet. He is an interesting kid. Maybe I dont have to worry about my worlds future. Mother Elaine! Xavier called. She stopped at his command. Xaviers hand brightens with a ball-like black, hovering above his palm. Im going to give you more of my qi. Mother Elaines face grew confused, and she waved to not accept, No, please, you dont have to. Ill try more times if I have to. Xavier hesitated while observing her confidence flowing through her eyes. He stepped back and sensed her qi started forming after her confidence was peaked. Also was supplemented by Daniels constant shockwaves. Just like when he felt it, the difference is her body is absorbing it in, effectively fueling her. He called on Daniel to stop, satisfied with his result. This should work. I can feel it. He was determined to see Mother Elaines successful attempt impatiently waiting. Daniel, too, watched from his spot and silently raised motivating gestures. Click! Boom! A pillared size and a couple stories high of lemon-colored qi shoot up into the air above Mother Elaine. Daniel and Xavier felt her shockwave vibrating through the fields. However, Xavier noted the difference between her and Daniels is that she is more of a rhythmic pattern. He could hear the slight harmony and a soothing melody flowing from her. Two unique attributes Ive seen today. More surprises are coming too of a sudden. Ok, thank you! You can simmer down now. Uh, how do I turn it off? Just like how you turn it on. Mother Elaine flexed her arms and well felt like nothing happening as she was still exerting qi. What the- Xavier was ticked, it didnt shut off as it should. Mother Elaine grew concerned as she manically questioned why nothing was happening. He quietly observes her before coming up with an explanation. Wait a minute. She was doing what it was supposed to do. The pillar is descending but slow. HmmI guess that could be the cause. Ill give it a couple of minutes. Just stand there and wait for a couple of minutes.

6.3

Why isnt her qi stopping? Daniel walked off from his spot, heading towards Xavier if he could dissect the matter. Xavier, what is going on? Xavier glanced back at him, returning with his attentive eyes and back to viewing Mother Elaine. Do you see whats going on with her? Daniel looked at her, expecting to have something revealed. And perceived nothing. He shook his head while remaining focused. Look up, and if your observations are keen, what do you see changing? Thats when Daniel finally saw the difference, so he tried glancing away with a wink. Returning, he could grasp that it had changed. The bright lime-colored flashing in the air progressively dissipated and with enough focus, he saw it descending, just like taking apart a tower from up in the air floor by floor. They stood observing her for what felt like hours, but only another minute had gone by. And finally, her aura vanished. Are you gonna make her do multiple attempts? I dont know. You already aced this, but for her, we might have to spread her training out until she can stop it quicker. I guess Ill move on with you first as I understood of your swift adaptation since yesterday. Ill try everything, so both of you will come out complete together, Xavier shared his opinion. He invited her over, discussing what he had told Daniel to her and finishing with his verdict. Overall, he was pleased with the variety that was discovered through their aura. He promised to provide all the knowledge he can for the best and once Daniel finished his flight tutorial, he will expose the first part of history. Can I start now? Daniel asked while feeling pumped to fly. Xavier directed him to the far end of the end zone, pinpointing the corner where he would face at the mark of the number ten or ten yards. Thus, he asked him before starting. Whats your longest running time? Daniel, thinking he meant constant speed, Around five minutes Jesuswell let''s bump that up to ten. Xavier pushed Daniels shoulder, prompting him to sprint across the perimeter of the field. Chapter 7 Three hundred ninety-four yards to fill the entire lap seems daunting, especially running through the entire perimeter for a non-athletic. Xavier has a solution. He and Daniel together jogged and sprinted through the entire field on the first lap. Are you breathing?! Barely! And I''m about to tell you why, look! Xavier pointed at his aura. The aura is like the sun. And I''m the plant. I take the source from the sun and fuel my stamina. Now you try it! Ah well, no harm done! Daniel flexed his arms, summoning his aura. Let your body absorb some of it! Xavier yelled. The two sped up, finishing the second lap in over a minute in advance. Mother Elaine rested at the center of the field, spectating the two. Daniel felt his lungs relaxed and his legs calmed themselves from punching in the outside from the constant footwork. Xavier would fire himself in front of him, forcing Daniel to dodge away from the room. He was about to yell at him for blocking his distance, but figured to do the same. Using the car as a placement, he mimicked the gas pedal with his mind. Subconsciously, he pushed the pedal and applied the pressure to his enlarged thighs. He knows Xavier can feel the surge about to crash his back if he doesn''t move. Here it comes, you bastard. Daniel raged through while grinning. Xavier didn''t move as he sped up from feet''s worth to barely inches away. Hey, I''m about to hit your feet!! You wouldn''t dare! Daniel reacted by attempting a jump with a tip away. He swirled mid-air, passing Xavier, and felt a bit of a pinch coming from his aura striking around the torso. The breeze generated from the leap flowed parallel to his body from the neck down like a massage, canceling out the pinch earlier. Instinctively, he quickly landed hundreds of feet ahead of Xavier, continuing the remaining lap. He glanced back, finding quite a distance away from him, and could hardly believe it. Jumping that high is such a feat. Thus, he changed trajectories by knocking himself up into the air while maintaining constant speed until his feet understood him. I aint stopping now! They went through another lap, and Xavier reached up to his shoulders, signaling he timed out. He detoured before Daniel could react and met up with Mother Elaine, now sitting down on the grass floor. Daniel glanced at her when he turned around the corner. Her back is straight as a ruler with eyes closed in a downward position. Xavier sat directly behind her and performed a sequence of synchronous hand gestures, ending with both palms thrust to her back. Focus, get back to work! Daniel continued through the laps continuously, hopping while sprinting. Gradually, his feet became itchy, and the calves self-tightened where he had to pull the brake, drifting along the path. The soles of the shoes ground through the grass, leaving an unpleasant scratching noise. Turn for the worst, the noise hoarded and the speed from the shoes as he drifted ignited a trail of flames. Watch out! He grunted when he reached the other end of the sidelines. He twisted his knees to the left and articulated the entire body to turn. But significantly more effort and harder. The flames reached up to the hinds of his shoes, setting them on fire. The warmth swirl of heat faintly blew to his back. He still kept going despite the risk of catastrophic damage was rising. And suddenly, by the half of the current lap, hot air ground his entire feet. The dressing shoes'' leather peeled off fast, exposing his entire feet without a remnant of the socks. Quickly, the hot air overwhelmed his entire feet. Similar to having a hair dryer blowing your hair, but pinpointed at both feet. Daniel expected his feet to be toasted by any minute now, only to take a turn. At the next corner, he was about to arrive, the same hot air redirected upwards from the sole of his feet. He jolted upward, followed by a massive force hitting one of the pressure points. It reached to his knees, and he jumped, viewing the neighborhood. Everything stopped. The constant hot air is all he felt only at Daniels feet. It was silent except for a slight wind reaching to his ear. He looked down and saw the entire damaged football field beneath his feet. Holy fuck. I finally did it. Daniels heart pounded with excitement and joy upon realizing he had finished the task. Bamf! Daniel turned around to see Xavier hovering behind him with a smile and a slight cringe. Until you never surprise me again, Ill keep asking the same question. What the hell are you? Hey, you said we cant leave until we can fly. Is that true? Daniel asked and gave a slight grin when Xaviers face grew tender, knowing his mind was conflicting. He offered no words other than pointing back to the field. You left a mess! That could give the owners the attention. I didn''t know you were so disregarding. That''s not important. Daniel relaxes his foot, descending carefully. Bringing back the car analogy, he nudged back briefly before reaching to the ground. He met up with Mother Elaine again, who just opened her eyes. How long did I last? She looked at Xavier. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Around fifteen minutes, uncertain Xavier said. Daniel checked his watch and was grateful for the military-grade design, as he could see the tiny gears continue to operate. Damn. He checked the sky-blue sky, catching the sun nearly directly above the center. It''s about to be noon. Less than an hour left till noon. Be specific. Twenty-five till twelve. Im calling the shots, Mother Elaine said, wanting a break and hungry. Daniel sighed, pleased that he could fly, and asked her if she wanted him to lift her. Don''t kill me. Daniel grinned, I won''t. He told her to hop on and would lead the way, as he needed new footwear before getting lunch. My place has another spare room if you want, Daniel offered the last bedroom in the house. Please, thats too muchIm fine. I insist. And no, cause you trained us, I will give you a place in return. Fair deal? Darn, do I even have a choice? Daniel shook his head, and Mother Elaine climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around his chest. He slightly bent his knees, summoning the hot air, and launched into the air with his feet blasting the air downwards in the fashion of a rocket booster. Xavier followed behind, and Daniel sped up, feeling the swarm of gusts hitting his face. Slowly, he got used to it, and he subsequently raised the speed. Eventually, arriving back home and carefully descending to the driveway. Nice. He muttered, setting Mother Elaine down, and she headed inside first.

7.2

Not only the residents of the city are curious. Also, the consistent training for the past three consecutive weeks triggered the trend of so-called Light Pillars. Day and night, many of the tower-height pillars of qi take place across different time intervals. Mainly during the night when the city doesnt miss. Unprecedented was when Colemond set up tourist sightings across elevated grounds in their borders. The same route, Daniel flew from his house to the field with the hill relatively on its left, geographically southwest of Colemond. From the air, the view is close in between, but the angle up on the hills plateau altered the perceptions of viewers, making the distance of the field where Daniel and the other two stood much more difficult to perceive. According to the news, the overall reaction admired the vivid colors in the sky, ignoring an answer to solve the mysterious phenomenon. Daniel scrambled around the field after finishing a duel with Mother Elaine, unloading his magazine from his custom-made handgun. He stepped across an ankle-height worth of empty cartridges scattered a few feet around. Mother Elaines aura vanished. Was that a draw? No, you made a couple of points higher than I did. Daniel pointed at Xavier, raising two fingers at Mother Elaines side. Three hundred dollars down in the drain today. I think you got a fair grasp of how our perception is, right? Xavier approached the two and summoned paper through his hand. He reviewed their scores that were printed on top of the paper. After three sessions, I got a full summary. Both of you have similar accuracy and precision. The same result for qi boosted. However, she gets the extra points for the blitz shots in the last couple of seconds. Well done. Score! Mother Elaine blurted and jumped in joy. Daniel felt a mix of disappointment and joy that he did well, but missed by a few numbers over her. At least he took the place of martial arts and qi control, which he extremely focused dearly on. Xavier then stared up at Daniel with a few glances before commenting on his new, towering presence. He doesn''t feel that different. Keeping his entire body active during training made the mobility changes unnoticeable. However, daily life was a drastic change. One of them was he had only driven the Dodge Challenger less than five times in the past three weeks. So he had to take one day off of training to buy a Ford pickup, now his daily. Xavier originally was almost equal to him. Then Daniel ascended a significant amount, leaving Xavier aligned to his shoulder. Mother Elaine too transformed. She had constantly eaten various foods rich in packed vitamins and nutrients to normalize her new physical change. Daniel recommended it, and she forced her way to adapt to his cuisine style. Took her a week, and she never ate an average breakfast of toast or only coffee again. All unorthodox styles of food, but it reached the goal of her new intake of two to five thousand calories a day. As a result, her triceps and biceps enlarged, mimicking two solid stones pressured side-by-side. Her bottom down to the calves gained muscularity, making it difficult to wear tights or leggings. Therefore, she switched to green cargo trousers equipped with her boots. She closely took Daniels prior transformed height, nearly gaining a foot. To be fair, nobody might recognize the two. They had not kept contact with close ones or friends, keeping the communication between each other and Xavier. Daniel wondered what his interns and Rebecca were up to and the notifications were entirely disabled. Xavier suggested abstaining from any communication or socializing through mobile devices. The hangover lasted for a day at most, and it slipped away at ease. In fair trade, their minds felt calmer. The three concluded by taking a brief meditation. They channeled qi around their body to catch all the negative ailments and exerted it all out, disposing of the impurities. Once they opened their eyes, the sunset in the horizon. Daniel then remembered, You promised you will tell us the story of your world. Is it now the time? I was getting there. In that case, where are we heading for dinner? Each a two-pound steak with two bowls of sides? Steak Rice Bowl. Mother Elaine desired for one. We have not had one in a long while. Daniel asked Mother Elaine about the amount of servings for dinner, and she lifted three fingers. In addition, Xavier responded three as well. What? When did you even become a glutton?! Hey? I cant miss the opportunity of having the food here. Back home is all scarce and luxurious. Why cant I have the chance?!. Daniel stood, naturally an outcast from the duos constant banter. It was already been almost a month, and it felt like almost nothing had happened. Every noon and before the end of the shift. Its been a wild ride. He looked around himself and immediately came by the negativity sneaking in. Left him irritated, as if it came to taunt him. How can I forget that bastard? Just want this over already. Oi! Mother Elaine yelled from afar. She and Xavier were already waiting for him. She held her stomach as Daniel walked closer after he heard her grumbling stomach quite a distance. The three departed from the football field, mindfully sending farewells before flying away. Chapter 8 One week later Seconds of continuous knocking on the laminated wooden floor brought disturbance to the entire dojo. There were plenty of ragged dummy swords lying alongside Daniel and debris piled across his feet. Are we good now, sensei? The silver-haired man with a long goatee kneeled on the floor, visibly masking his pain while trying to stand up. Sweat poured from his neck down, leaving a boiling puddle. The dojo hasnt seen you in years. You shouldnt have Enough of the bullshit. You really have degraded. I guess you call that karma for ditching me all those youth days, Daniel interrupted. Xavier, standing on the sidelines, tossed an unwieldy katana. He caught it, removing the scabbard and glared at the blade; the katana grew heavier each second Daniel stared at it. Hmm, something is unusual about this katana. Where did you get this? I aint telling you a damn thing! Kenzo blurted through his troubling pain. Daniel quietly turned to Xavier, pointing at one of the shoji. He quickly opened the one in which the panel was entirely darkened by multiple silhouettes. Instead, he tore it apart and lifted the entire frame, throwing it away in a slingshot. The frame went boomerang as Daniel dove his head down. Then, it clashed with the wall shattering the wood that was part of the frame of the dojo. It easily pierced through, and the entire side collapsed on itself, trembling the entire floor. With the side completely exposed, the widened view of the dojos garden leading to the front gates is entirely visible. Since there aren''t any apartments and the walls on the lot are tall enough, no bystanders from the street can see the skirmishes from the dojo. As long as it''s the main floor and not the upper stories. Upon the removal of the shoji, a gathering of practitioners fell to the floor flat, leaving the possibility of being eavesdropped not to be ignored. Daniel asked Kenzo one more time where the origin of the katana was crafted. Holding by his word, he didn''t completely respond, prompting Daniel to knee his jaw as an uppercut, knocking him out cold as he was about to crash to the floor. Followed by the gasping breath and silence. I''m sure I didn''t teach you to do that, Xavier said in a concerned tone through his throat. His hands were crossed and glanced down. Maybe if he hadn''t discriminated against me when I could have got the chance, then yeah, I understand. Unfortunately not, so he is going bye-bye. I don''t understand you sometimes. Yes, you do. You saw my list a couple of days ago. Im just the key and chains required for tightening up a lock to close off a bit of my pastanyway we need to find if there are spares. Xavier flash stepped away, disappearing from the dojo. The practitioners groaned continuously and were about to reorganize themselves, only to face their unfortunate demise. Daniel approached them with the katana drawn, emitting a ghostly vibe through his dilated pupils. His menacing walk was followed by creaking footsteps as the area grew dim, blocking the sunlight from outside. He grunted with his mouth open, showing his angry grin. A couple of practitioners withdrew their training swords idiotically, charging at him. He dodged downward when one of them charged with their sword drawn up in the air, and he bent down a second before his view lined up with the practitioners arm. As a result, Daniel went for the opportunity, positioning in a grappling position and bull-charged toward him. His sword went for the target, swiftly impaling through the abdomen, anchoring the practitioner for heavy lifting. The second practitioner came from the side, and Daniels katana sliced the former in half as he articulated the blade at the latter. Qi rampantly exerted from the blade, striking and disintegrating him to ashes. By this point, all the practitioners present went mindlessly after seeing their two fellows killed. All objectively wanted him gone. Their efforts were futile. Daniel continues the swarm of combat, stabbing them at various lethal points. With his excessive amounts of qi, the katana generated its own aura the longer Daniel was in a conflict. However, he doesnt expect it to be so soon due to not even a minute has passed, and he already annihilated at a minimum of twenty at the current rate. Following the minute mark, only one individual was remaining, who was late to practice and came at the wrong time and day. Daniel kicked the sole practitioner in his chest in the direction back to the hallway he came out from. He grabbed the scabbard and flashed to the hallway with his arm, urging for the kill. As he was about to finish it, the sole practitioner stood up with his face and neck tense up, bracing the pain from the kick. Daniel got a clear view of him, to his horror, and found him to be a younger boy compared to the rest of the practitioners. He eased his katana and asked the boy. How old are you, kid? I''m fourteen he responded with a drool dripping from his mouth caused by the impactful kick to his chest. Fourteen, what a poor young man. Daniel studied the boys form and expressions. Clearly, he lacked the confidence when he sensed he had a trace of qi coming from within his chest. He is like one of us. So it was like what Mother Elaine said, not knowing anybody else before me with the potential of more out in the world. What brings you to the dojo? You look young. Did sensei recruit you recently? The boy nodded as if he had no choice. A couple monthsmy friends recommended it to me here, He mumbled and moved to the wall, leaning his back to keep himself straight. Sounds like you have unfaithful friends to introduce you to here. Wheres sensei? Daniel was silent momentarily and glanced back at the dojos entrance before turning back to the boy. Hes dead, Where do I go? I have nowhere. Oh man, no wonder hes been misguided. Daniel took a deep breath and sheathed his katana. You live alone? If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. He shook his head, mentioning a homeless shelter that was a thirty-minute walk from the dojo. Considering the circumstances, he wouldnt always stay at the shelter and sleep at one of the twenty-four-hour libraries in Colemond. It had a much friendlier environment and made close friends with the staff there. Food wise though was unpredictable. He can go days without a full three meals daily with an average of one meal, usually at dinner. Daniel urged the boy to sit down as he sat next to him, leaning against the wall and willing to listen to his story. Whats your name, kid? Liam- Im sorry what? Liam! Ah, well Daniel, pleasure, Daniel greeted in a friendlier tone, offering a handshake. Liam didnt shake his hand and silently stared at the wall. Daniel partially pulled his katana out of the scabbard. It was rough on his palm, similar to a burned and chipped plank of wood. There were patches of darker tint sparsely all over the scabbard, invading most of the primary silver color. Xavier appeared, gripping two sheathed swords under his shoulders. Hey, I found two. I think we should be good, wait. Whos this? Hes the last practitioner, Liam. Innocent boy working for his life. Xavier stared at Liam momentarily and Daniel stood, pulling back his hair and wiping the blood off his forehead. Xavier showed him the swords, revealing them to be the only ones remaining. He wondered what they should do with it, which Daniel had an idea. He temporarily placed his sheathed katana on his waist. In comparison, out of all the three swords, Daniels katana is the shortest, but not by a wide margin, so the other two are still considered Katanas by appearance. All scabbards are designed differently, with no uniform consistency. Unfair. He noted the two have more polished textures and intricate designs that set each other apart. The top one is crimson-themed with a layer of metallic vinyl where at the front are two rows of triangles with the pinnacle pointed towards the center. Daniel counted sixteen on the first and fourteen on the second row. He flipped it to the back of the scabbard, revealing heterogeneous black stripes covering the entire scabbards rear. That one supposedly represents the tiger, Xavier stated. Have you tried withdrawing it? No, I wanted you to see it firsthand. However, do you sense qi coming from it? Where? I swear its not- A thump struck within his arms as if he got hammered down into a free fall. Just now I did. Xavier blinked. Wow, you really lacked qi awareness at the most random times ever. And it happened again. Im actually serious and not being a dick about it. I swear I only felt the hit after you asked, Daniel replied. Anyway, take the top one then and show me. Before he did, he observed the second one that was below the crimson-themed scabbard. Much simpler design with a few polygon themes set across from the locket downwards to the center. The polygons shape was indented inward with an imprinted leafy green color. And the rest of the scabbard was coated with a gold enamel paint. The texture matched with what was found on a stove pot. Glossy reflection towards the direction of a light source. Daniel gulped, grabbing the crimson-themed scabbard. Just like how he did to his katana, he partially pulled it open and immediately faced a surge of crimson red qi, flowing out the opening of the scabbard. Xavier quickly placed the other sheathed sword down. He then assisted him, closing it back up. The two grunted as if there was no tomorrow. This sword is freaking heavy. Holy mother of god. Daniel clenched his jaws and lifted his head up, anticipating more leverage. What is this treachery?! Xavier said. I dont care if this place collapses. We need to close this, otherwise this area is toast! Both exerted their aura to the brink, vibrating the entire hallway. Swirling gusts encircled them while Daniel braced his arms and core, absorbing more qi directly into the region. Xavier gave a count to three, and he placed his palms on the opposite end. With one at the edge of the hilt and at the end of the scabbard, he saw veins protrude from Daniels forearms, which was when the three seconds were up, prompting a phase of two shockwaves clashing at one another. The aura and vast amount of qi slowly outweighed the natural gravity, forcing the structure to decompose and collapse. In an unintentional surprise, Liam gained his footing and pressured his entire dominant left arm onto the end of the scabbard. Liam, what are you doing?! Get out of here! No way! He forbade to depart and forced himself onto the scabbards chape. Daniel tried to persuade him, but it was too late when the qi grew heavy, taking all of them with it. The dojo collapsed simultaneously as he heard the click coming from the katana connected with the locket. Subsequently, the three fell to the flat ground beyond the dojos foundation. With a momentarily clear view, Daniel let go of the scabbard and thrust his palm up, redirecting his qi outward and creating a cornea-shaped shield. He gazed at his surroundings, ensuring the other two were under it. Xavier was protecting Liam with his back hovering over him, and he summoned his own barrier around him. Daniel boosted his escalating qi to raise the rate of destroying the falling debris. Daniels katana along his scabbard glowed through his suit jacket in pure, white light. What immediately followed was the other two swords glowed within their scabbards and hovered into the air right under the shield. His katana then flew through the suit jacket and out of his waist, and the three sheathed swords lined up in a straight line, hovering in the air high. The three removed themselves from their respective scabbards, and the scabbards glowed as well. That''s when the three swords reorganized themselves and spread out. The scabbards then acted according to their particular Katanas by its side and illuminated in a beam characteristic, shooting upwards beyond Daniel''s shield. The dazzling swarms of three clashing colors crashed onto his shield, shattering it. Daniel glimpsed his katana and the first time witnessed its dominant qi amassed in such moon white that it overrode the other two colors. Xavier and Liam crawled up near Daniel, where they got a clear view of the three swords annihilating the entire rubble and the dojo all around them. Eventually, the assuming task was complete, and the three swords sheathed themselves back into their scabbards. They calmly descended where Daniels katana fled back into his grip. While the crimson-themed and leafy green sword spun in a circle in the air. The chape of the scabbard shot crimson and green light, and the green light hovered over Liam and the former shined on Xavier. The two swords diverged and descended in front of the two, visibly insisting that they should take ownership of it. What is it doing? Liam asked. The sword chooses you. Take it, its yours, Daniel replied, lifting himself up from the dirt. Liam, with his left arm shaken, reached for the hilt. His elbow was gashed open and blood leaked out, leaving a pool of red blood on the floor. Daniel grabbed his hand, assisting him firmly with holding his new primary weapon. Liam, you are wounded. We need to get you to the hospital. I cant go Im not taking a no for an answer. We are going and its on me. He then carefully lifted Liams left arm onto his back. Next with Xavier behind, he launched out into the air and saw through his peripherals the overall lot of the dojos remains, leaving an empty dirt crater. Chapter 9 Xavier and Daniel sat in the waiting room in the lobby while Liam was taken by the medical staff into the emergency room. As they were patiently waiting, Daniel leaned on the couch, intending to get some rest after the dojo ruckus. He doesn''t mind the attention received from the visitors, staff, and patients, but Xavier seemed to take it in a different approach. How are you enduring this attention? We look like outcasts compared to everyone else here. Daniel with eyes closed and his katana laid by his side, extended his legs on the couch. They''re just curious. It is a natural thing, nothing to be worried about. You know, I was a former chief of operations. I deal with society every day. Its just strange. Ive never dealt with such people for this long. So, all these years of your life gaining much power, and you still cant handle a few stares? Come on, get over it. Becoming notable in legacy requires environmental attention in any shape or form. Xavier leaned his head on the adjacent sofa, mumblingly ranting. Man, what a pain.

9.2

The patients room was pretty spacious for one. Air circulation was a solid breeze, with no sense of congestion or discomfort in the lungs. One of the rare feats of the City of Colemond was having top-notch hospitals for everyone. To make up for the status, every patient has a doctor available at their convenience. At most, they can handle a ratio of one to five patients at most throughout their current patients'' directory at once. However, not everybody came with the best mindset or mood when stepping foot into the facility. Perfectly matches well with Rebecca as she laid her entire left arm and shoulder directly on her recliners arm base. In her mind, she was irritated and uncomfortable because of the excruciating pain and sharp tenderness coming from her left arm. Not wanting to make eye contact with the nurse who was filing the paperwork in front of her, she turned to the right where along the wall were two seats, primarily for visitors. Helda occupied the first seat. Her eyes were closed, and she wore a ragged jacket and tight jeans with sunglasses hanging onto her inner shirt. You got lucky that the police and medical were available at the site pronto, Helda said with a concerned attitude. At least I saved most of them before the firefighters arrived. So, I dont have any regrets, Rebecca replied in an optimistic tone amid the pain. I''m more like a mother to you than just a best friend. When will you focus more on yourself first before helping others? Accidental death isnt something to take lightly. Is it better to leave them there? Thats not what I meant. I meant if you had taken more precautions, the chances of injury would be less risky. Rebecca, for sure, did not want to admit it to hide her vulnerability, but in the back of her mind, she understood what she had entirely meant. She was still hooked up, so the nurse had to remind her to ease down when her heart rate rose. I hope I get discharged today. Im tired of being in hospitals. Just wanted to get out of here. Knock! Knock! The door opened, and the doctor stepped into the room with the clipboard in her hand. Rebeccas eyes focused deeply on her as she flipped through the papers. Youre not getting discharged. What?! Not another day here. But I have to because you have requested an early discharge. By who?! All in the room asked. The doctor budged from the door and a suited man entered the room, followed by a fairly older guy wearing uncanny clothes. She found it slightly amusing while holding her chuckle inward. They are so fucking tall. Mainly the one in the suit. She found his face familiar, but couldn''t recognize him. She saw the concealed swords in their grip, and the suited man placed one on the vacant bed. I was surprised because I didn''t recognize the man until he presented his ID, the doctor said, pointing to the suited man. You have surprised me again, Daniel. Heh! That tall man is Daniel?! Impossible. It''s only been more than a month. No way, the towering man is the same man I have known for a couple of years. Daniel unbuttoned his suit jacket, revealing a loaded tactical belt on his waist. He pulled out his phone from the suit jackets inner pocket and showed the group message that Rebecca was in. Beep Beep. Ooh. That hurts. Coming from the electrocardiogram machine, the noise escalated as the numbers immediately spiked, going from seventy-five to one hundred twenty. Rebecca jolted up from the seat while feeling the aggressive thumping from her heart towards the edge of her chest, spooking Daniel. He reacted by easing her down quickly back to her seat. Damn it. It really is him. That fiery smell. Rebecca recognized the notable scent. You shouldnt do that. Your body was overacting because of the wound. Relax He said slowly and in a low voice. He went to the empty bed and sat himself on it, which was when Rebeccas numbers started to calm and simmer. The arm needs the whole body to ease, so take it easy for a bit. How? And where were you?! You were offline for more than a month, so you broke the promise! Daniels eyes glowed gold and flexed his eyebrows. Im sorry, but I was too busy. Not even send a hi? Just one word. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. No, sorry, Daniel replied. He then gestured at himself from the shoulder down. This is all why. The clothes and looks. This is what I look like after going off-grid. Clearly, Rebecca, despite being calm, was still angered at Daniel for randomly appearing in the hospital. She and the rest remained silent as the doctor reviewed the papers for any further statements that needed to be said about Rebeccas current health. Before Daniel could mention anything, a rapid knock at the door abruptly opened. There came another nurse who held tight at the door handle and a blooded scrub. Doctor! We have an incoming Code Blue! The doctor sprinted out of the room, following the nurse, leaving Daniel and Xavier in the room with Rebecca and Helda. Daniel glared at the door momentarily. The bed creaked as he stood up and grabbed his katana. Where are you going? Helda said. Daniel stopped, turning his head at her, and stared at Rebecca. And not giving a response, he turns the door handle, exiting the room. Xavier, too, walked up to the door. Apologies for the confusion. Hes in a fatherly mood. Please understand the circumstances. Well talk later. He bowed to the two and departed the room. Helda stood from her seat and walked to the bed, sitting at the spot where Daniel sat earlier. She leaned closer to Rebecca. Is there anything I need to know about him? Huh? What do you mean? I meant anything else you haven''t told me about him? Rebecca wagged her head. Fatherly? Sounds like him at work, but why now? She stared into space, prompting Helda to poke her cheek. Im serious. We converse about this before frequently, remember? Then why didn''t you respond seconds ago? It''s justIm wondering what he is hiding from us. And that middle-aged man who was with him, Rebecca said before switching topics. What did he mean by fatherly? Helda leaned away, sighing. That is what I was wondering. I thought you would know what he meant by fatherly. We are square one, then. Let''s just wait till they come back. The nurse who was with Helda and Rebecca made a final click on her mouse on her laptop. And she removed all the wires from Rebecca. You''re discharged. Rebecca was handed her clothes, and Helda assisted her up from her recliner. She strolled to the rooms bathroom, and Helda closed the door, leaving for her to dress up.

9.3

Rapid pounding on the soles of his feet. Daniel sped up through the hallways, catching up with the doctor, who was heading to the other emergency department across the sky bridge. The bridge led to the second building that was comparatively much grand blue, and the heavy traffic as Daniel saw the parking lot below. Xavier caught up to him and asked what was wrong. Not having much time, Daniel in response gave him a signal, pointing toward the sky bridge. Xavier nodded and his raised eyebrows followed by his eye slant gave the confirmation. Yes, I got it right this time. Daniel turned and ran up beside her while Xavier kept a distance. Daniel?! Why are you following me? The doctor asked. I have nothing to do while Liam is having surgery, so Im joining in. Protocol cant allow you to go beyond the emergency lobby. I suggest you wait. He pressured on, doubling down on the refusal to leave. Im your former student and in your position as the head doctor and the CEO, youll allow me to enter through the forbidden grounds. The doctor slightly returned with a grunt face, only to turn sorrow with the confidence evaporated when Daniel glowed through his eyes again. The two are about to reach the entrance of the end of the sky bridge, arriving at the second building. Fine, we need to talk after this. His eyes and neck simmered. Pleasure. Daniel pleasingly muttered. They abruptly turned right, passing through the occupied rooms. Daniel saw the billboard above, displaying the floor where the emergency was located. There will be a deep dive ahead. The doctor could choose the elevators, but that would have to go through another turn. She kept straight, stampeding through to the stairway. Daniel sped ahead of her, jumping down to the landing, and he ran down one floor and peeked down through the void. Since it was a rectangular staircase, at the bottom of the void was the ground floor and wide enough through the void to leap down. At the corner, he saw the floor number painted on the wall, currently in the eleventh. A crazy idea, but he went over the railing and made the dive. He thrust both of his feet downward, creating the hot air for it to surround his entire boots. A sequence of gasps as he glimpsed a couple of people walking down the stairs. Thump! Next second, Daniel landed down on the hard concrete floor light as an ant. He lifted his boots, discharging a whiff of thin smoke from the heat. Under his boots, the floor lacked visible cracks. Nice. It all worked out. Or he thought it would. He turned left, revealing no doors but a rather wide entryway, making it all pointless. I wasted my qi on this crap. He focused until he could see the doctor sprinting down the few remaining floors, along with Xavier one story above her. For her age, plus not above human levels of qi, she was impressively energetic in a breeze. In the next couple of seconds, she came down to the first floor, tapping his shoulder. He and her entered the emergency department, dodging through multiple working nurses and staff. They arrived at the lobby and the patient on the bed with multiple paramedics came through the doors. Daniels mouth shuttered upon recognizing the patient. Mother Elaine! He ran to the bedside as the paramedics pulled in, and the doctor took the opposite side. Everyone involved with this new code blue case was in a mix of disturbed and traumatized. All sprinted, taking unconscious Mother Elaine down to the operating room. Her wounds are beyond what even Daniel could imagine. The entire right of her shoulder was ruptured like a twig hanging on dearly to a branch. The shoulder bone was visible to the naked eye and torn tissue, spurting gold blood. A dislocated nose with a hemorrhage. The triage nurse arrived from the opposite end and, with a quick glance, he and the doctor gave a level two at the spot. As they turned into the operating room, Xavier made it in seconds, visibly distraught. He spotted the wounds and immediately went up, analyzing them. Daniel let go of the bed, taking Xavier away. The two were directed by nearby staff to head to the viewing room. Once inside, Xavier forced Daniels attention on him. Coming from his face, his eyes were twitching, and the grip he was holding on Daniels arm. He quickly picked up his emotion, knowing it was a major problem. They took their damn time, Xavier uttered in a whispering manner despite the two were the only ones in the viewing room. Daniel sat him down and backed to one of the pillared walls, giving him a view of the operating room while being focused on Xavier. What? Who? Its not safe here, but I cant figure how to go back to my world, Xavier stuttered, stifling his tears. We will find a way, Daniel said. He glanced through the window, getting a slight peek of the torn shoulder. Are you talking about the shadowy color surrounding the wide gash? Xavier, with his head down, while leaning forward, mentioned the color shaped into two pinnacles. They stuck out and pointed toward her corresponding arm. It quickly debunked to be two horns, but the approximate exact size from one another aint no accident. I would have never thought they would follow me back here. Or even dared instigate an attack to gain my attention. Now they nearly killed Mother Elaine. Our presence is known. Daniel slid both of his hands through his pockets. Are we prepared? Maybe- Chapter 10 Maybe, but only if we- A startling interruption when a thundering noise came from the corner of the viewing room. Cumulating misty fog hovered in one part of the area until enough seconds passed when powerful gusts generated from midair only to be sucked into the cloud. The cloud began rotating rapidly clockwise and sparks popped out, breaking the bulb of the ceiling lights and the light cover was stripped, striking the floor and a couple of seats. Is that a door? Daniel asked. He held tight to the hilt, ready to withdraw from the scabbard. Xavier stood, stopping Daniel. Dont. Theyre friends. How are you certain? This is a transporting portal. Fighters from my world take different forms to travel. I think I understand what he meant. Daniel kept his attention on the thundering cloud, easing a little from his hilt. Alright. You got my word. The misty fog dissipated, and the cloud took the shape of a double door, and the spinning wheel flashed reminiscent of sunlight as it brightened the entire room, glaring beyond the one-way glass, interrupting the operation. My eye reflex has definitely changed. Daniels eyes didnt blink, while a gust of yellow light blasted directly at his face. He felt a presence coming from the source of light. It was much heavier and stronger than he or the most he had faced from Xavier. This is taking longer than it should. He exerted his aura, thinking it would disperse most of the beaming light. The yellow light countered back with a silhouette zoomed from the spot. Daniel felt the qi heading in his direction and deployed his katana, striking the silhouette. The strike blew it and him off, and he braced his back when he directed himself away from the relative location of the operation room. Landing on the chair, Daniel was partially out of the range of the light. The door of the viewing room that he could barely see through half of his left eye. With no intention of leaving, he barged back into the light, and his katana escalated in weight, recalling the first time he wielded it. However, the pure white qi burst out from the blade and traces of it reached his hand. His fist reddened before traveling up halfway to his arm. And so the qi gushed out, surrounding and forming a turquoise aura. The aura surprisingly reacted to the light rapidly. The yellow light closest to the aura degraded rapidly. Daniel, observing the effects, moved back towards his earlier spot, intending of striking so-called Friends. Daniel felt a sting up shooting his inner body. He knew it was from the aura, but he couldnt control the urge when subsequently his qi bursted. It felt like a heavy shower constantly pouring above his head, running down his shoulders and tickling his back to keep the sensation on spec. The concrete wall started cracking, and the windows connected to the operation busted vertically. With a quick decision, he swiftly went for the grapple with the sword held tight in his grip. One speed and head butted at the silhouette, hence wrapping his arms around it. With such force, he slammed it down on the floor. He sensed Xaviers feet next to him, thus ending the confrontation. All the yellow light and aura dissipated. Thats enough! Xavier yelled. Daniel rolled out of the way, laying on between what the windows previously stood. He regained his composure, facing the ceiling. Everything seemed to return to normalcy. He turned to the right and saw the surgeons all collapsed along with the doctor. All fainted flat. Daniel rolled again, lifting himself up from the floor. His attention went to the operation bed. Upon his eyes focused on Mother Elaine, something was off. Where are the wounds? He ran up to the bed. Shes all healed?! Seriously?! Xavier asked. Daniel nodded while glancing at the machine. Yeah! Her vitals are supposedly good. But how? "It was you," Mayor Burman said. Having been told that it was a so-called Friend, he heard a unique voice with a melody at the end of each clause or sentence. Excluding the melody, it becomes a blatant Southern accent. For a moment, Daniel stood still. He checked Mother Elaines pulse and returned with a powerful rhythm, communicating with his finger. Are you the one Xavier called friend? He turned around slowly, anticipating chaos. Friend? Thats it?! Facing back in the devastated viewing room, a lady covered in a white cloak, hovering with her dominant presence. Behind her beautiful face was covered by a hoodie that came along with it, and underneath her cloak was black as space. Not a trace of outline or clothing was revealed beyond the darkness, looking like she was floating similar to a ghost. Lowering his eyes, Daniel saw her footwear peeking below the cloak. It was white as paper, but having a direct light at a certain angle turned it into pure snow. Very intriguing and amazing. Daniel was fascinated by it and got a clearer view as he pivoted away from Mother Elaines bed. A toe box of a heel but functioned truly as an ordinary shoe. The lady descended with her feet eased to the floor, opening her cloak outward and leaving it hanging on her shoulders. Body-length cloak shrank into the structure of a cape, falling to her waist. The hoodie dissipated and her long black hair casually fell to her waist. She looked about the same age as him and younger than Xavier. Her complexion is a candle and her facial cheeks shined through the reflection from the ceiling light as she stepped into the operation room. You come here! She instructed, gesturing her finger. Daniel stood there, knowing she would just head up to him. He held his breath when she reached in front of his face. She jolted her hands under his jaw, studying him like he was an image of anatomy in a loaded textbook. He couldnt move as she would just smack his hand out of the way, forcing him to only look at her emerald pupils. My god. My forehead is gonna twitch. The ladys emerald eyes startled Daniels mind and were well aware the longer this lasted, his vulnerability would become abrupt and break. He could not take it anymore, feeling the boiling exhale reach to the edge of the esophagus and triggering his reflexes. The left hand involuntarily grabbed the ladys arm as she was checking his hair. The lady got surprised, like a stressed owl with enormous eyes, and she demanded to let go, trying to remove his grip. Smacking it again, Daniel in response, held tighter and demanded her to quit. I think you have enough of your observations, mam. Darn it, the lady muttered disappointedly, along with a shallow grunt. For a moment, the two had a process through their confident stares, and with Daniel mentioning his problem, the inner effect had ceased. Xavier ran up in between the two. What on earth are you guys up to?! He blurted in a tantrum, suggesting a different time. By then, Daniel and the lady nonverbally called it off as he let go of her arm, and she lifted her fingers from his strands of hair. I reckon you are wasting your focus on us rather than on Mother Elaine! The lady refuted with her palm pointed directly at Mother Elaine, who''s just awakened from her slumber, visibly curious about her surroundings and the wreckage scattered around the bed. Was that you in that sunlight? Daniel asked with his arms crossed. Cause I would have lost if it wasnt for my katana, establishing the qi to counter the effects. Forgive me, but this was all to see how a human could do such tasks according to the reports. She summoned a photograph, showing a blurred image of Daniel running through the perimeter of the football field. This was you, wasn''t it? Daniel held the photograph, focusing closer on the image. I''m well known in this other world, am I? So, I was being watched since that day you stalker. Hey, Temperman. Relax. We were curious as we were looking for the troubled Xavier and only to find y''all at the football field. Whatever. Daniel saw Mother Elaine back at her feet, convening with the two while Xavier assisted her. Her clothes were restructured and reattached, looking as good as new. No more blood stains and the wounds on her shoulder were cleaned. Partially, she was still drugged from the anesthesia. Her eyes are partially opened, clearly the redness hanging below, but she is stable and desires some food. The three began departing the operating room while Daniel stood and stared at the doctor, not knowing what to do with her. She wanted to talk with him later, but he felt could not leave her alone until that matter was settled. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Temperman! Is this what she is gonna call me? What? Daniel turned around and replied, returning to his neutral composure. Come on, we''re gonna go. Daniel directed the attention to the doctor. I cant just leave her here. You cant expect things to go quiet once she wakes up. The lady went back into the operating room, pointing to the one lying on the floor behind him as if it was her. He nodded, unsure what she was going to do. She kneeled and her hand was overwhelmed with green ki all over the palm. She slapped the doctors back, waking her up. Ouch! the doctor grunted, quickly getting up from the debris. That hurt. Careful! For God''s sakes, Daniel berated the lady for being too direct. She blatantly ignored his remarks, insisting again to leave. The doctor got up, a little disturbed by the destructive operating room. She then saw Mother Elaine standing in front of her, causing her to ask questions. We cant do it here. My home would be safer- That wont happen. The place has been wrecked, leaving the garage and a portion of the place remaining. The lady appealed. Which is another reason I came here. To take you to my home. Her home? My home is gone? No, I need to go back now! Daniel barged out of the room, speeding past others. His mind went nuts, uncertain of what had happened. With an upsurge in adrenaline, Daniel sprinted back to the sky bridge and rammed through the glass windows, gliding away back home.

10.2

Arriving back at his home, Daniel remained hovered high enough in the air, remaining unnoticeable by the heavy crew below. Examining below, he could hardly believe the destruction left behind. The garage and what was left of his residence were his bedroom and bathroom, according to the shape of the roof. Frustrated, Daniel stretched his legs and landed at the entrance. The walls were demolished along the gates leading to the driveway. Fire trucks parked across multiple parts of the lot with flashing lights. Detectives and investigators scattered around the lot, and Daniel headed down from the road to his garage. The garage was still structurally intact from afar and the doors were still sturdy. A couple of investigators attempted to crack the pin on the garage keypad. He sprinted to them, demanding to step back. They draw their attention to him, ordering him to not intrude on the property. Daniel wondered, figuring they couldnt recognize him. The beard and height change technically altered his overall persona, leaving him a stranger to their eyes. Are you listening?! He said to get out of the property! One detective demanded. That startling face looked familiar. Sudden remembrance flashed to the moment he yelled at one detective for berating his duty. He for sure had told the two in hazmat suits to report him. Daniel articulated his lips, thinking he would never see that selfish man ever again. Adding the fact he had already forgotten out of his memory. Witnessing the face made all the bristling fire go off. Hey, take this guy out of this area, will you? That detective called a few police on the scene. Fine, all loose. Daniel confronted the detective. I remembered you. That bastard who let me into the contaminated room. Pssh surely, you cant be him-ugh! With his fist thrust directly into his abdomen, Daniel smiled and chastised him while the police swiftly ran with guns drawn. Darn, you make my blood boil. He began beating him further before kicking him in the head, stunning him, and colliding with the cop. They crashed to the pavement, and Daniel drew his pistol from his waist, spooking the police crew to open fire. Swarms of bullets collided with him, reflecting off from his clothes. He had not been given the time to brace the bullets. However, the police ammo was depleted. Daniel, with the pistol still in his hand, directed the barrel to the temple of his head. Bang! Ding ding. The bullet free fell and danced amongst the floor, bringing nothing. It rolled away in a circular motion and clashed with Daniel''s boots resting beside its soles. He put his pistol away back into his holster, and a loud voice ahead along with heavy footsteps ran down. What the fuck was that all about?! Thats freaking Daniel you Christ, Mayor Burman scolded everyone. He panted till he caught his breath. And you! You are a monster! Surprising to see a familiar face. You recognized me somewhat!? The voice is distinct. I knew it was you, no mistake. Brief news told me a story. What the hell happened? Daniel shrugged, unsure of the situation himself. I just got here. Only to be in this chaotic problem. Before getting to business, why on earth is that detective still in his job? Look, I''m sorry! That''s the Colemond PDs responsibilitybut we need to talk. These conversations just keep stacking up, and its wasting my time. Now?! I dont have time, and y''all need to stay away from me. You dont want to get hurt as this house did! Daniel fumed. He turned back to the garage and found the mounted keypad was busted after those detectives sabotaged it. Next, he punched and tore off the wires and the mount, leaving a hollow hole in the garage jamb. Also, the garage door slammed shut and locked from behind, because of setting up custom hinges. Without a proper garage remote, it stays locked. This house is trashed. I guess this would have to do. Daniel kneeled for his palms to touch the door stop and flexed his hardened fingers, causing a wide dent and giving him the grip to hold. Peeking behind, he saw others stupidly standing in place. Did all of you guys hit your damn head?! Step the fuck back or youll get squashed! Daniel berated the entire crew and Mayor Burman. The creaking of the tracks when Daniel pulled it outwards, directed at him and outside. Another exertion for the pull and he felt the ringing of the metal that locked the garage in place. Therefore, he repeatedly yanked until a loud and swift tearing of metal alloy ground his ears. Afterward, the garage door, weakly hanging to the track, came loose, surrendering to Daniels hands. One step at a time. He cautioned while glancing back multiple times to be certain he was clear. He doesnt know why he is like this, worried about the potential harm if he makes one mistake. When it was clear, he placed his footing and gave a spin, tossing the garage door in a swing. Bang! Screech! The door landed on the street, grinding on the concrete till it completely stopped on the empty lawn across his lot. His Ford pickup still looked intact, and he sprinted inside, pulling one drawer open. A toolbox with a pin lock appeared in front of his eyes, and Daniel thrust it out of the drawer. And next, he crushed the lock easily into dust with his bare palm. Opening the toolbox revealed the key fob and a set of keys. Grabbing both, Daniel entered his pickup and drove it out of the space, parking it on the road outside of his lot. He went back down to the lot and dealt with Mayor Burman, who told him to have a private talk. Did you leave work early? What made you come down here? Mayor Burman gave the glare. The city saw the news. It aint like the whole phenomenon was anonymous. Weeks ago, at the Herman Football field, those two Light Pillars struck the day and night sky. That was you, wasnt it? Does it matter to you? Of course it does, Mayor Burman reaffirmed. The entire month of conspiracy theories and the reaction even reached nationwide. My entire office is stacked with questions that I couldnt answer cause I wasnt there. And we need an answer. Daniel bellowed and frustratingly scratched his entire head. No, you dont. I dont even have the explanation myself. Lets not bring myths to the table. Youve changed, and its only been more than a month, Mayor Burman spoke in a low voice while simultaneously rotating his head in despair. Much taller, robust, and different. Im sure you have things to tell me. Even though youre my former boss, safety is still a priority, Daniel muttered. Hence, he gripped Mayor Burmans shoulder. Time tells when it will be told. Today, tomorrow, or the upcoming week is not ittell everyone else to get out of here. One day, all of us will understand. Now go. He tapped his shoulder and turned him around, gesturing him to go. Revealing the stubbornness, Mayor Burman was hesitant and resisted, demanding at least a sentence. Daniel refuted with the safety mindset, refusing any more answers. He stood there, observing all the first responders and detectives, and departed the scene. His eyes stared immensely towards the prior detective he had beaten. You better not come back ever again. The detective was lifted to the ambulance and was the first to leave the scene. Every other first responder returned with a cold eye and feared to speak whenever Daniel was around. A few gave a shallow bow, but once they all were gone, Mayor Burman remained. Are you still- Its final. No. Daniel replied with a disapproving gesture. Mayor Burman sighed and went to his car. He saluted before shutting the door, and his red Cadillac sedan sped off. Daniel then walked uphill to the street. Suddenly, the rubbing vibration shook his leg. He reached down into his right pocket, finding his phone received a call. Heh, Xavier. He grinned and answered the call. Finally, you are using the phone. Whats up? Get back here at the hospital. Liam has gone out of surgery and is heading back to his room. Ok, give me fifteen minutes. Im going by car to get there. Bye! He checked his truck bed to be cleaned before entering the driver''s seat. Opening the sun visor came with sunglasses. Taking it out of the holder, he hovered it over his visual space. Nah, this aint working. He tossed the sunglasses out of the window and revved the truck. Chapter 11 Arriving back at the hospital, Daniel drifted his truck through the second buildings parking lot. Loud screeching from his tires was enough to partially lift the truck upwards as he didnt press the brakes straight away while turning. The Ford pickup drifted into the visitors parking lot and Daniel steered the wheel hard right followed by an abrupt slam to the brakes. The vehicle stopped barely a few inches from the boom barrier. Next, it dropped back down on its four wheels, bouncing on the suspension. Pulling down the window, Daniel clicked the button, printing a paper slip. The boom barrier rose up in the air towards the clear sky, and the truck sped in straight, barging into a vacant parking space to the left. Crowded but more space. Daniel unlocked his seatbelt, exited his pickup, and flash stepped to the emergency room entrance. Good lord! A paramedic startled, almost dropping her pen. Sorry, Daniel replied while jogging into the hospital. He went to the lobbys desk where he saw a clerk sitting behind her computer screen. Xavier appeared behind Daniel tapping his back, prompting him to revolve. This way, he uttered, directing Daniel to his left. He held onto his shoulders for the whole distance. An abrupt left and Xavier pressed the pin numbers on the touchscreen above the door handle. Click. The sound of the gears clicked, and Daniel opened the door handle. Liam leaned up from his pillow, visibly widening his eyes, and rubbed his eyelids. He had a few wires attached to his wrists, and the entire left arm was placed in a metal cast with a tightener a few inches above and below the elbow. Black on the top while red at the bottom. Daniel went to his bedside and patted his shoulders. Good to see you recovering. You did well. Liam nodded, expressing his gratefulness. But, he glanced around his bed and the floor. Wheres my katana? The lady, sitting on the counter, unfolded her arms. She jumped off bringing the leafy green katana towards Liam. Before handing it to Liam, both of her eyebrows raised while simultaneously her eyes widened. Daniel could see her pupils adjusted size in a microscopic or camera lens fashion. A couple blinks focused simultaneously at Liam and the katana. Afterward, she delivered the eyeful look at himself and Xavier the following. She was left stunned, appearing to be captivated by the strong sense of vibe emitted from the three katanas. Those katanas. The lady pointed at all of the three katanas, highlighting their characteristics. Tempermans, Xaviers, and Liams are one of the ten relics that were handcrafted by the Blacksmith God of Yinhai! Yinhainow that she mentioned it. Ive been hearing it chanting when I got some rest in the lobby while Liam was under operation. Ever since the three of us each wielded one of the three chosen katanas, the voices swam around in my mind, humming and chanting. YinhaiYinhai. Temperman! The lady snapped her fingers right at his ear. Oh, jeez. Youre staring into space. When you mentioned Yinhai, I recalled hearing whispering voices residing in my head after I claimed my silver katana, but the sounds were distorted until you stated Yinhai. Thanks for that, now the whole fiasco is clear. The lady gaped upon hearing what he stated.Thats impossible. What does Yinhai want with someone like you? That''s something I want to know too. He paused for a moment and could still hear the chant humming. The voices are quieter as time flies but not entirely gone. But, If this is not being dealt with, it will stay forever. Im assuming that would be the case. Names Alyssa Scarlett, Commander of the Valkchis. And I already know who you are, but I prefer to call you Temperman. Greatgonna have to get used to that, Daniel grunted at the tip of his lips, showing displeasement to the new nickname. Anyway, whats the deal with the ten relics? As a matter of fact, how did the three katanas be placed in my world instead of yours? Alyssa sat down on the front end of Liams bed. Where did you find it? Daniel unsheathed his katana from the scabbard. At a dojo, where I used to train around a decade ago. Mine was found right at the rack mounted at the wall of the stage, and Xavier tossed it to me while I was dealing with the master of the dojo. Heavy qi but adaptable. A nurse responsible for Liam knocked at the door and opened inside. Turning out to be under Alyssa''s suggestion, the nurse announced a discharge as early as a few hours. He had no clue how it was possible to get out early, but the whole staff had to follow the suggestion. Rebecca wanted to know too. Daniel insisted on patiently waiting until they were all out of the hospital. Therefore, the remaining conversation was put on hold until Liam was discharged.

11.2

My left arm. Liam wiggled his fully casted arm while sitting in the back seat. He leaned his face close to the window and observed the view of the sunset while the full moon slowly illuminated the clear sky. You love looking at the sunsets? Xavier asked, curious about what Liam was admiring about. Daily. Every dusk and dawn possible, I took the time to watch the sunrise and the sunset on the horizon. A moment of reflection and Ive made it through for the day. Life must be treating you shit before today has it? The view was obstructed by the upcoming hill en route, and Liams back returned to the seat. He directed his attention at Xavier, finding his curiosity backed by the friendly openness that came from his face and put him at ease. Indeed. But lets not forget there were a few days where I cherished. Times at the library and volunteering were my mindful escape, and the happiness radiated around the campus kept me sane. Things to be considered, living homeless forced my mentality to quickly adapt and age. How does it feel to be with us? Liam paused, articulating his response. What am I gonna tell him? So far, Im grateful but time will only tell. The beginnings are always viewed as plausible only to take the turn when theres enough time for the chance to happen. Compelling with a sense of gratefulnessuhmthats all the words I can come up with right now. Xavier nodded in approval. I understand, but Im serious. Make yourself feel welcome with us. Thanks, I appreciate it. Also, where are we going? Daniels eyes turned to the rear mirror. My place. Aint your place was burned down, Xavier recalled. Alyssa added on to his comment. I meant my second residence. You can say its more in the dirt. Daniel clarified. He exited the highway, passing through a region that was more rural and forested. Approaching the upcoming intersection, he turned left at the stop sign. Liam returned to his window, viewing the wide underpass as the truck dived under the highway. Illuminating yellow lights shine the entire underpass followed by the engine rev, speeding out into the open. The quietness and peace right from his eyes made tonights view of the sunset more memorable. A minute pass came with a roundabout and Liam felt the drag of the turn pushing him towards the center of the truck. Followed by an abrupt force to his left, nearly hitting his upper arm on the door. Liam briefly saw the skyline ahead as he was bracing against Daniels handling on the steering wheel. Is this how driving was supposed to be? He then heard a stomp causing him to jolt forward. Thank god for the seatbelt. Liams heart was beating rapidly and wanted out of the truck. Proceedingly, the truck relaxed and slowed down when Daniel announced the arrival. He aggressively rotated the wheel to the right and Liams inner body bounced when the truck went over the bumper. And here we are, Daniel announced, blinking off his pickups lights and turning off the stereo. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Theres nothing here, Alyssa commented, staring through the windshield. Is this an illusion or are you fooling me? Daniel shook his head. You and Xavier are similar in such ways. He is innocent on food while you are pretty much innocent on everything here. He swiped the infotainment systems touch screen, tapping on an app on the homescreen. Liam lowered his window and peeked out of the pickup, viewing a wide empty asphalt lot. A row of light peeked through the line opening underneath widens. As it further opened, the ground diverged from each other like a sliding door and sources of light came from the metal frame. When the frame opened further, light flashed at the surface, revealing the disguised street lights surrounding the asphalt lot. The pickup truck began moving. Botts dots appeared around and ahead of the truck. Liam saw it illuminated and flashed red, forming a pathway cast by light. It was a one straight, a hundred-eighty forward for quite a distance until a slithering curve, distanced the truck away. Ok, Im gonna sit down. Liam thought, not wanting to get jumped out of the car. He pulled up the window and the roller coaster circus set off. This is gonna hurt. He clenched his jaws as the times turned to the right and braced against the contact to the door, striking his casted arm. After a couple more unintentional beatings to the door until the turn to the left, Liams jaw relaxed, and he let go of his right hand braced against his left. Here we go, the underground opens, Daniel said as he steered in a long-distance curve and the entrance underground fully opened as the truck reached the end of the curve. There wasnt anything else to see at Liams window, so he unbuckled his seatbelt and watched from the center seat where he got a clear view of the front. The truck descended down through the entrance and the road widened as further underground it dived. Passing the entrance deep walls underground, they reached through the abyss and the main part of the faculty. It was all open space laid out to fit excess materials and supplies. Liams mind was blown away by the magnitude of such space underground. Fantastic in my eyes. Magnificent. He had seen existing projects on the internet and books but never in person. Therefore, he could not take his eyes off for the rest of the drive down. Daniel parked next to the black Mercedes sedan to the right. Alright, yall could get off. Liam exited first while in admiration of the underground base. He jolted out of the truck forgetting to close the door and analyzed the structural design. Epic as his imaginative analysis implied and all puzzles came together. The structure of the lighting was well optimized. Everywhere has a shine, not one spot of darkness. The buildup of the frame like the letter K using steel bars, yeah this place is well managed. I wonder how Daniel gets access to this. He turned around, noticing he was far off from the rest of the group. The part where he stood currently was the mass majority of the underground base, emptiness. A sudden gust flowed passed him. Light glitters precipitate around him and some dissipate once they touch the floor. Oi, Liam. You wandered off too far, Alyssa uttered, flash teleporting him back to within the group. We will have time to do some training before departure. Save it for then. Daniel added. He unloaded a bit of the cargo from the truck bed, lifting it to the living area. Liam followed him while assisting with a few packages carrying them to the large sofa. Since the entire base was fully in the open, the divided living spaces were aligned based on the furniture layout or the wooden partition walls. The walls are stationed underground and can be deployed with the switch. Once departed from the conveyor, anyone can set it around in areas they saw fit. They are nearly everywhere around the zone that has been established for living spaces. The only exceptions were the bathrooms and bedrooms where it came with an entire cubicle. Its portable but to a lesser degree due to its heavier weight and having its own roof. Im gonna sit down. Freaking tired. Liam surrendered to one of the recliner seats in the living area. He pulled the lever, lifted his legs, and laid flat on the seat. Yall should sit down. Daniel grinned, waving his head. Im not retired yet. Not until our stomachs are full. What do you want to eat? Oh, Temperman cooks? Have you never seen a guy cook before? Rarely, in the capital, men do the papers while women do the cooking, but everyone was taught the basics of cooking during childhood. Survivor interests. Liam glanced slightly away. When did I even cook? He thought for a moment, recalling none much to his embarrassment. He watched Daniel leave the living room area, walking to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, colorful blossoms shone through with the assistance of the interior white light. He grabbed a couple greeneries out of the upper containment followed by pulling a large handle and lifted a notable package containing piles of boned meat to the counter. Are those beef ribs? Liam pointed indirectly at the kitchen from his seat. Daniel gave a thumbs up. Correct, I got these delivered hours earlier. Fresh from the market with no preservatives or additives. He began preparations while Liam sat back watching the kitchen session.

11.3

The ribs were already sectioned, seasoned, and prepared. Daniel put all the portions into one humongous bowl, filling it up to the top. He went to the stove and pushed the on button. Machines beeped for seconds as he watched the right half of the stove which was entirely flat surface descend in half. In a trapdoor fashion, the flat surface opened in half with it hanging inside and came along the entire grill, levitating up to the surface. The gears blew air, gushing upwards into the air followed by a clank, meaning secured. Daniel heard light footsteps from behind and quickly turned around, seeing Liam. Whats up? Liam gestured to him to descend as he was about to whisper to him something. I cant cook. Are you serious? Not even scrambled eggs or just toast? Daniel muttered in surprise. No. Anyways, ignore it. Liam turned away. Daniel tapped on his shoulder as he was walking away. Uh-uh. Bring a chair. What? He pointed to the bar counter next to the refrigerator where there were a couple high stools. He gestured for Liam to bring one over using the handle, making it easier for him to move it. If you cant cook, at least watch. Cooking is a blessing because it can find your joyfulness or the moment of despair. Makes you more aware. So this is your chance to take it. Observing is always the beginning. Daniel flicked the gas switch, igniting the fire through from the stoves center conveyor. Air blows the previously contained heat through the filters as the temperature escalates. He grabbed the tongs and began sorting the ribs on the cooking grate. 30 minutes later Sizz! Aromatic vapors surged into the air with traces reaching Daniel and Liams nostrils. Trying to limit it from entering, Daniel flicked the air away. He grabbed the tongs and gripped each rib putting on the plates that were set earlier by Liam and Alyssa. Xavier on the other hand, was slacking off on the couch, scrambling through pages of an unmarked book. Dinner lads! Daniel announced. Everyone gathered at the table next to the bar counter and all the dishes were laid out across the table. There were three empty plates and seats as they all sat down. Rebecca taking her time, Alyssa said as she sat down after grabbing a portion of ribs. She should be here now. Daniel took a bite of the rib. I don''t know, but I feel they are too focused on packing up. Xavier munched on the ribs to where others heard a sharp crack. Daniel and Alyssa stared at him, not fond of his table manners. He kept going like a grinder, disintegrating the entire delicacy, and the rib bone shredded to pieces, small enough to be swallowable. Unsure if this was just because the ribs were exquisite and smokey, or Xavier was actually barbarian towards food and today he let it bluntly exposed. Remind me to give you extra napkins in the long run, Daniel commented. I can''t help it. The ribs are too tasty for me to not ignore. What about the steak rice bowls before?!!! Daniel''s eyebrows raised tight, wanting to thrust it out of his head. So my other meals weren''t as good?! He stopped his munching; hands closed with a head turn. I didn''t say that at all. Tell me when did I exactly say the word garbage or horrible. You- Alyssa stood up stomping her head in between the two. Now now, eat your damn food. Also, I''m gonna give him credit. You are still a gluttonous barbarian like nothing has changed. she directed, gesturing Xavier back to his plate. Furthermore, she grabbed another portion and handed a bowl of soup to Daniel. Shall we continue what we left off in the room? Hold- The revving engine roared from above along with the screeching tires sped down through the pathway. Daniel poured a cup of beer all the way to the edge. The carbonated fluff floated up to the brink of overflow. Simultaneously, he drank a large sip while observing the upcoming sedan hopping over the bumper. Huh? Another unorthodox driver. The sedan drifted into the parking area but took over the remaining spots, putting it in parallel. The door opened as the headlights flashed off. Daniel recognized the car from the grille and logo. Wait, wait a damn minute. Thats Mayor Burmans Car! Daniel yelled across the distance, reaching them. Black heels came out of the driver''s seat. Helda?! He dropped his cup, splattering his seat and bits of his plate. Rebecca simultaneously came out of the passenger seat and Mother Elaine opened her rear door, walking with Helda. The expectation was only Rebecca and Mother Elaine would be arriving and to have Helda included in the scenario was not on his bingo card. Helda? What brings you here? I thought you would be home with Mayor Burman and the family by this time of hour. I need a vacation. Interestingdont know how you were able to persuade him, but oh well. Youre here now, so please join us for dinner. Daniel glanced at Mother Elaine and Rebecca. And you two as well. Rebecca muttered and expressed at last as she mentioned her famished stomach and was reminded of the interrupted conversation. Chapter 12 On second thought, Xavier was right. As Daniel absorbed more of the ribs, grinding through his taste buds. Upon observing everyone''s reaction to the meal, easily aligned with his train of thought. This is the dining I would''ve found out downtown, Helda commented, tossing the vacant bone into her mini trash beside the edge of the table, adjacent to Rebecca''s feet. Rebecca drank her cup of soda. I knew you cooked but not what I was expecting. Daniel was about to be replete after devouring twelve heavy ribs. Took me at least six different times to accomplish this dish within three months. First time was as dry as ever. But like the stairs, it slowly gets better each time. Mother Elaine wiped her mouth. I remember you were able to enjoy it despite being insanely dry. You''re a decomposer. Xavier stared back, implying the brief fuss earlier. Maybe it''s not solely me but you too. Uh-uh. You are half misjudged. He''s respectful while you are just barbaric who could care less about common table etiquette, no matter where you go. Alyssa refuted, pointing her fingers at Xaviers face. So, you''re inexcusable. Stomp! Can we move on?! I was looking forward to catching up on things. Save the banter for later! Daniel nodded while pushing his empty plate to the side. Shes right. There will be time for foodie debates and businesses. Since the entire table is present, lets move on. We all now need to figure out what''s next. He gestured to Alyssa. Give me a second, Alyssa replied in a gentle tone, seemingly calmed down. The table turned silent as they patiently waited for her to finish her meal. They continued their meals, and Daniel lingered on his seat, quietly exhaling and inhaling when he sensed discomfort inside beneath his lungs. It was touching his bottom ribs and diaphragm. Blubblubblurp. He placed both hands on his forehead, rubbing to where sweat secreted as his body temperature escalated. Ouch! This is very bad. I dont know if I can hold it much longer. He guided his eyes around the space and gilded upwards like a bird. Flying to the heights near up to the ceiling, he flew to the spot relative to where Liam wandered off. Abrupt descent, landing hard on his boots. The echo within his throat felt pressuring from in his stomach, blowing up to his throat. Daniel was mentally calm with a slight break, but he angled his head a little downward to alleviate the force, and a counter-reaction came out of nowhere gushing into his mouth. He identified the dust-colored strands of air, striking the edges of his lips and the oral cavity right along his facial cheeks. His eyes involuntarily widen comparable to pulling the eyelid, exposing the eyeballs completely. He clenched both of his fists and simultaneously flexed his torso. ROAR!! An upsurge of blue energy departed his mouth blasting right at the concrete floor in front of him at approximately fifty feet. Crumbs of concrete and scraps of steel coming from a layer underneath the concrete floor flew up and hovered over the beam. Daniel couldnt stop it as the action was exactly vomiting but replaced with qi. The discomfort progressively dwindled with time, and Daniel witnessed the crater grow wider and wider to the point beyond his peripherals. Somebody make this stop! Tap. His eyes could only move. It was directed to his left after feeling the tap on his shoulder. Hold still! Alyssa said, summoning her cloak. She deployed her hybrid of a spear and sword. Daniel saw her left arm protrude through the darkness underneath her cloak, commanding her sword. With the spearlike blade, it faced back at Daniel and generated yellow qi, outlining the blade. Woahwoah. Lets not get hasty now. Her sword with yellow energy caused the area to vibrate and shake violently. Before a blink, the sword deployed a slash in the shape of a wide letter C at the swiping gesture of her left index finger. The curve came on a strike, and Daniel mentally braced himself against the attack. The move was not pleasant at all, but his body didn''t crash as when he first got the taste of qi in his body. For that, Daniel was grateful the body paid off from the long physical work. He knew it as he could still process his mind and the immense brightness coming from Alyssas sword started dimming. He felt Alyssas grip eased from his shoulders. Long and behold, what laid upon him was a magnificent measure, accounting for the power he generated. That aint all from me, was it? Daniel puffed all out from the deep ends of his lungs. Was this all me? Alyssa strode back to the table and stopped. Her cloak was dissipating glitter as she turned back at him. Has Xavier trained you anything specific-wise? Was it enough? After two times dealing with me. She firmly responded with a little gesture. Youre one dangerous man Ive ever had to deal with. I assume you arent prepared to deal with cases like this. You know I wasnt in control? Of course, we all have to go through this at least once to get the gist of it. In addition, I was expecting for it to initiate around when we all are already back at my home, Kriegshan. Kriegshan, Ill remember that, Daniel replied in an attentive tone. Come on Temperman, we are already holding back time. She smiled, heading back first followed by the twirling hair flicked as she moved her head. Daniel headshaked after hearing the nickname again. Just let it be. He thought as he began moving away from the fan-shaped crater.

12.2

Wiping the table clean, Daniel waited as Alyssa spewed showering water from her palm. She let it easily sprinkle across the laminated wood surface. Next, she exerted her fingers outward repeatedly, creating a force of air. The air would then spread out, covering the entire table. The water is receding. Daniel leveled his head down right along the table, viewing the layers of water shrinking at each second. She, therefore, gave him the nod, and he wiped it in one sweep, leaving no droplets on the table. He eyed the trash can which was quite a distance, and Xavier was at the spot about to burn up the garbage with his crimson-themed katana. Hence, Daniel went for a jump and crumbled the rag before pitched right at the pile of trash. The throw was enough to inflict fire due to the rapid increase in speed. Hey, Xavier, incoming! Xavier slightly nudged back before the scorching ball of cloth struck the trash in the large bin. In response, he unsheathed his crimson katana and pulled a downward slash with a touch of the flames. The katana ejected a vertical line of fire, enveloping the entire piles of trash. Unintentionally, it took the trash bin with it. In as little as ten seconds, the entire waste disintegrated with no remnants left behind. Ruining my moment, but thanks! Xavier yelled. Daniel descended backward to the living area. My pleasure! He walked to the sofa where others rested. Daniel then sat down with Alyssa beside him. Liam was on the floor lying on the rug with the pillow partially holding his head up. Rebecca was on her armchair with the brace positioning her sore left arm evenly, making her comfortable. Helda, on the other hand, was sitting on a separate sofa, legs crossed, and scrolled through her phone with a grunt on her face as her jaws tensed up. Mother Elaine was partially eyes closed, going through a mild food coma and a slight fatigue from being nearly mortally wounded despite it having healed. Finally, time to explain after hours of constant back and forth. Anyway to note off, what happened to Daniel earlier was earlier than I expected. I would have been more prepared after we arrived at Kriegshan but oh well. Thank goodness that the damage over there wasnt catastrophic. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Daniel has a question in mind. He never really got the premise of the other world before Alyssas arrival. A vague sense of appearance and difference of cuisines. He and Mother Elaine were never told an actual explanation of it. Only when Alyssa mentioned Kriegshan did, the prospect started building up. You know. Ive been thinking. Xavier never told me or Mother Elaine about why you and him are even here. In addition, he recognized those wound marks on her while in the operating room. I need to understand what has happened. What do you have to say? Mother Elaine leaned up, rubbing her eyes to counteract the food coma fatigue. I want to know too. I was caught off guard and with the house burned down, I thought it was over followed by the heavy slash. Alyssa sighed as a sign of knowing what she was referring to. There was an event connected to that, and Im trying to investigate why. To this day, I got no answer. What event? Mother Elaine and Rebecca simultaneously said. Xavier landed on the rug, barely missing Liams leg. For someone who was usually quiet, howled loudly for almost getting his leg crushed. Xavier apologized as he leaned towards the empty side of the couch where Helda was on the opposite side. God damn it, Xavier. As alwaysBack to where I was. Alyssa faced Daniel. Remember during the day you got attacked at the venue? What? Man, what a day that was. Daniel rubbed his left shoulder where the scar was still there. That scar is still there. It doesnt hurt anymore, but its permanent. Why? What do you know about them? Those three men that abruptly attacked you were mind-controlled by one of our enemies. When that failed, that same enemy waited for the right time which was when yall were in the hospital. Unfortunately for me, I wasnt near the area at the time it happened. She looked at Mother Elaine to her left. Im sorry I wasnt there. Mother Elaines right gripped on the arm brace, pushing her upward. She leaned closer to Alyssa and Daniel. Nah, don''t blame yourself, young one. Me being alive is already that bastards failure, She responded optimistically. But, I''m curious. Do you have proof for that? Alyssa opened her left hand flat out. Light encircled the center of her palm, immediately summoning a perfect folded blank paper. Is this the one? She unfolded the paper, revealing it fully right in front of her. Youre ok? Daniel asked, noticing Mother Elaine frozen. Her lower jaw dropped without moving for a moment, and she dropped abruptly to her seat. Initially showing signs of her, her expression completely changed in a flash into more anger and blurting to the person on the paper photo. Mother Elaine pointed aggressively, almost wanting to seize the paper. That bastard! I want a payback by chopping his fucking arms! Alyssa jerked her back towards the seat, not expecting her change of mood. Woah, okay okay. Sorry, I need this for later. The paper disappeared from her hand. Daniel saw a glimpse of it. He got the idea of who might have organized the whole ordeal. He might have failed to reach the outcome but the whole plan was very outlined. I mean I got sidetracked at the venue when Im usually aware, and the man stabbed me in the back. Mother Elaine getting ambushed, costing my primary home. He directed the attention to Mother Elaine. She knew that Im that type of person before, which was at least a couple years ago before accepting the position of Chief. Mother Elaine nodded in reply. Rebecca too, shared the same opinion, revealing her past where she graduated from the same university at the same time as Daniel and was in a Kung Fu sports team. She implied that was likely where he developed his attentiveness to his surroundings. A little shame that Daniel became more loose due to his former job. He originally thought of that for a little while but embraced it at the end. It relieved his mental stress and was internally more adaptable to seek happiness as a result. Is he the reason why we have to come with you back to Kriegshan? Right on. Luckily, you have trained enough based on my personal assessment of you. However, Im concerned about Helda and Rebecca. Have they experienced anything? The two denied ever doing so. Is that a bad thing? Helda asked, putting her phone down. Alyssa faintly sighed. Well. Kriegshan is still under an ongoing war. Our world, Raal to be exact. Kriegshan is just one of the nations involved. Just like Earth has a hundred-ninety-five countries on seven continents, Raal has twenty-three on eight continents and is much more mysterious and curious. While Earth, in my opinion, was very manageable. That sounds totally bizarre and less tamed if putting that into perspective. Thats like comparing us to an ant. Daniel wondered. Alyssa wobbled her head with a head tilt, almost wanting to break a smile. Fair. Fair analogy. But to break it to you, if my math is right the whole surface area of Earth can fit almost fifty-two United States. However, its triple. So that would be around a hundred fifty-six United States. What in the actual fuck. Daniel was baffled, exchanging eyes between Helda, Mother Elaine, Rebecca, and Liam as if it sounded bullshit. In return, Alyssa hands up, doubling down on it. Upon her statement, a barrage of bolts of red lightning summoned next to the area where Xavier burned the trash earlier. One strand each second struck at the same spot left and right. Shes not lying, you know. The reverberation of the voice is across all furniture and surfaces of the underground base. Upon hearing his voice, all of the lights flashed off, pitching blackout. Subsequently, an illuminating red beam of light wider than his own aura Light-Pillars summoned top down. The lights flickered back on, and what appeared to be a brawny man in a silhouette with the presence of a berserker in flames sauntered out of the red beam. Dad?! Alyssa exclaimed. She stood from the sofa, observing her father breaking through his own qi. Daniel saw her breathing rapidly and held her mouth in. Must be a while since they had last seen each other. He reflected on her reaction, not understanding much of the emotions shared between parents and children in terms of during adulthood. Despite being around people often for his former career, he understood that environment but not for himself, so he only relied on the factual experiences of others for better comprehension. Maybe this could be the opportunity where he gains insight on such trivial matters. Thats your father? Mother Elaine said, standing beside Alyssa. Daniel sensed a whiff of movement blowing in his face. Crap, hes coming. He flashed a step away from the sofa, teleporting right near the trash. The red beam dissipated along with bolts of lightning within its vicinity. He was right. The father, now standing beside the sofa supposedly stared at where Daniel should have been, and his silhouette dispersed similar to how Xavier introduced himself on the driveway. His katana was hidden within his overcoat that he had changed right after the damaging mouth blast he unintentionally inflicted. Instead, he has a t-shirt underneath tucked into his pants with the same tactical belt. So, you are that boyalready surprised me. Alyssas father said. He flashed away again, now directly in front of Daniel who was unfazed by the presence. Name kid? DanielVaillant. Daniel replied. He watched carefully as Alyssas father was doing a visual inspection from his eyes observing top and bottom. He looked quite young to be considered Alyssas father, assuming she appeared the same age as Daniel. Almost mistakenly be called a brother rather than a father. But the gray hair at his temples and visible scar as he tilted his head, aged him a bit. Around the scar on the left lateral of his nose, a couple wrinkle lines masked the outline. With those features revealed, Daniel changed perception, thinking he was around his early fifties despite the rest of his appearance being more youthful. Hmm, youre not the zhanshi I would expect. He responded. Im Zhengyu, pleasure meeting you. Nice but intimidating. Daniel quietly nodded, and Alyssa interrupted his train of thought. Dad, why are you here? Zhengyu went up to her. I wish I had time for reunions, but too much time has passed and I went out searching for you. Its been more than half a year, Alyssa. NoIve only been here briefly for more than a month! Alyssa gasped, unfathomed when her father told her. Time dilation. A huge gap if its consistent with the time frame. How much more fantastical can it go? Daniel braced for what was coming forward and overheard the conversation with Zhengyu and Alyssa as he returned to the living area. Alyssa was showing her deep concern through her tone. Hows mother, everyone?! Home? Zhengyu felt down. As of right now, home is being decimated by the Gales. They are trying to take our town, but the frontlines are holding them back when I was about to depart, arriving here. Can we go now?! Alyssa held Zhengyus shoulder like a demanding child. Daniel who was standing silently, listening carefully to the dialogue. He then thought of his truck, flashed to the drivers seat, and checked the mileage remaining. The digital instrument panel flashed a little over eight hundred miles left due to being on the highway. He pulled the door open, exiting out of his Ford pickup. I need confirmation, but does Raal or Kriegshan have gasoline?! The what? Fuel for farming or machines! Oh, yes! Why? Daniel pointed with his thumb at his pickup truck. Because Im bringing my vehicle over. It could bring some use of transport. Thats a vehicle? Zhengyus downed face turned to excitement and flashed a step to the front of the truck. He gave the same attention as he was observing Daniel. We never have this form of transportation. Are those the seats? He glanced through the window. So, they dont have these in Raal. I guess the ones with no such qi if they exist, still go by foot or horses. Yep. Tell me does Raal have ordinary humans with no powerful amounts of qi? If they do, what transport do they operate on? Either strolling or horses on land. I seeAnyway, I dont want to hold back longer. Are we supposed to leave now? Zhengyu gestured to Alyssa and others to get in. He summoned red lightning bolts, shutting off the undergrounds power. The pickup truck automatically switched on its lights, shining around the area enough for the group to see. Daniel realized the lack of seats. There are six of us, so one has to go on the truck bed. Chapter 13 The attention turned to Xavier, who was about to enter the truck first. There goes the answer. Daniel pointed at him. You go on the back. Xavier doesnt sound pleased, but Zhengyu gives him a menacing stare, prompting him to move away from the running board. He leaped up to the truck bed, and everyone else hopped into the truck. Wait, can I sit there? Alyssa asked Zhengyu. Both stood right directly in the front passenger seat. Gosh! Now is definitely not the time. I dont want to hear one bit of arguing whos sitting at this seat. One gets in here and the other goes in the back! Daniel tensely blurted, pointing his thumb. Temperman, this is bet- Daniel holds his index finger up, gesturing to her to be silent. Uh-uh. Your father and you have mentioned an imagery of war. Upon that, he arrived here and mentioned your home getting ransacked. So, this is an emergency. Save those banters for the next time, and therefore one of you will take the vacant seats immediately! Beep! Vroom! The pickup revved its engine. Daniel raised his eyebrows and tapped the steering wheel with his fingers as if the clock was ticking. Alyssas breathing pattern fumed through her nose while Zhengyu just a disappointed head gesture. Fine, Alyssa gruntly replied. She eyed Daniel. You better let me next time. Zhengyu hopped onto the front passenger seat and swiftly closed the door. Daniel pointed to his seatbelt, instructing him to pull it to the seat belt buckle until it gave off one clicky sound. Next, he checked everyone was packed up. Xavier with his back on the backseat window with a flood of luggage beside him. Ok, you can get us back right? Yes, I have one more trip before cooldown. Also, pull down the window. Daniel pulled the gear stick. Zhengyu poked his forearm out through the window, charging it up from his elbow to the tip of his fingers. A red casting arm brightened the right side of the truck. A jerk to his hand followed by a snap of his fingers, summoned a wide opening ahead. Vroooom! The engine rev roared loud as rock and accelerated out from the parking spot, and one counterclockwise motion to the steering wheel. The trucks rear tires screeched loud enough to reach inside. In between each footwork, he pedaled on the gas and brakes until it regained composure. Finally, a hard thrust initiates a powerful acceleration, jerking everyone back in the opposite direction. Their backs are pressed onto the chair cushions followed by their heads onto the headrest. The terrifying abnormalities of swirling colored lights zoomed past along the truck as the speed gauge pushed up where the numbers exponentially passed the recorded top speed. Thumping on the brakes or loosening off the gas pedal did not alter the movement one bit. He focused on the rear mirror, seeing Xavier was in place and not affected by the outside altercation. Hang on for a few more moments! We are almost at the endpoint, Zhengyu reminded. Prepare for the rough part of the show! Zhengyu tapped on Daniels wrist, holding on to the steering wheel. A black warp ahead expanded, indicating this was it. Daniel rearticulated his foot, pressing on the gas pedal. The gauge quickly dwindled, dropping from the technological limit the truck could calculate to the low two hundred. They passed through the black warp, hovering over the truck as it sped through followed by a hard uplift like a ramp. A loud bonk on the roof came from behind the seat. Ow! Rebecca yelped. Ooh, we are going for a dive. Daniels whole body slanted in the direction the gravity was directing as he eased off the gas pedal, giving the entire view of the world through the windshield. The night, gloomy sky illuminated by the scorching blazes ravaging the town. Zhengyu leaned towards the dashboard, pulling the seatbelt. Ive only been away for ten minutes at most. Darn it all! Zhengyu berated, pushing down his window. What are you doing?! Daniel yelled, swiveling at him and the front simultaneously. Getting attention before it''s too late! He summoned the red bolts at a much higher charge, and Daniel felt the sensation from his arm hair and skin react to the upsurge. Direct this thing further! Offed the brakes and heavily on the gas, lifted the truck upwards, and sped through the mountainous landscape. Daniel observed with his left on his side mirror and below the truck as it hovered into the towns imaginary borders. Zhengyus left still inside the truck, he tapped him again, now directing where to go. First pointing west. Daniel twisted counterclockwise without coming to think how that would be possible. The truck easily swayed, breaking the laws of physics with this one. Thats not important. He refocused, checking the truck still en route. There! Zhengyu exclaimed, pointing to the front where a trail of white smoke rose high in a pinnacle. Gonna be an abrupt dive! Daniel responded. Just do it on my command and it should be fine, Zhengyu confidently said, turning to Xavier. Hey! Get a load! We are about to take a drop! He went by the count of three. Daniel gripped hard on the steering wheel to the limit, bracing for the gravitational drag. Now! The trucks engine stopped revving, and everything went quiet except Zhengyu and Xaviers activity. Thunderous gusts swarmed as the truck fell through a vertical trail of clouds and the smoke coming from the town. Alyssa exerted a form of self-defense mechanism when he felt like an encasing wrapping around his arms and other various parts of the body followed by a brief flash of yellow light. A couple more flashes through his peripherals. Daniel turned on the headlights to full blast, penetrating the clouds and smoke. Approximately still over five thousand feet. He gauged the remaining height now that he could see the town as a reference. The vibration clashing with the steel frame hummed along the way. Alright! Punch it! Vroom! Everyone jerked back to their headrest while the truck sped through the remaining smoke in its way. Prepare to drop! Zhengyu exerted, striking the upcoming barrage of firepower from his side. Oh Christ, firepower from below. Daniel didn''t open the window and already felt the fireballs coming right towards the door. Bang! An abrupt pound towards the window. Daniel unbuckled his seatbelt, unequipping his scabbard, and shoved it onto the gas pedal. Alyssa lounged up right next to the driver''s seat. Where the heck are you going?! She concernedly questioned. Daniel pulled down his window, intending to climb onto the roof. Helping your dad is what I''m doing! He replied while his head peeked out of the truck. He tossed the katana onto the roof. Bracing his arms, he grabbed one of the roof rails and swiftly exerted himself off from inside the truck. Despite the boots, his qi exertion from his feet assisted in his heavyweight, manipulating as if he was just a feather lying on the surface. Immense winds gushed past his face with no intent of relaxing. Thank God for the defense shield. Zhengyu noticed him approaching the center of the roof. Kid, get back inside. I''ll deal with it. Daniel shook his head. I can''t sir. This shit can''t be justified as they are attacking my truck. Especially, I need to exert some of my own qi. So please let me offer your assistance. Zhengyu decisively accepted and told him to deal with his left and the front. To Daniel, the town sounds odd for such a civilization. Correlating to Earth and at Raal, a town appeared to be the city back home. Once he figured that, he found the landing spot was further than it was supposed to be. It bought him and Zhengyu gracious time. Picking up his katana, he swiftly slashed on a bursting fireball from behind. Theyre freaking humongous for such firepower to be fired from the land. And another one! He gave a one upward slash, piercing through at ease. However, a trace of the fire lingered on the blade, invading the entire steel in a second. Oh no. This is terrifying. He thought as one breeze of his qi didn''t extinguish the flames. Look out! Xavier screamed. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Shit. Kaboom! Well well. A visitor from the outside. Daniel realized someone had intercepted the attack. He saw Zhengyu turn around and reacted in surprise. Hon?! Daniel peeked behind his shoulder before fully turning around. Shoulder-length red hair flowing among the gusty winds. Similar to Alyssa, her cloak was hanging on the back of her shoulder but without the casting of dark stealth. Underneath her cloak was entirely leather armored, wrapped around her body over the black clothing except for the arm and leg joints. She returned a glare in the direction of Zhengyu and next to Daniel. You Alyssas mother? Daniel muttered through the gusts. And who are you? Related to Alyssas business, got caught in a fiasco and now I''m here from Earth. Hmmalright, and my husband is back. I''ll accept it...Where''s my daughter? Daniel pointed to the roof they stood on. Inside the vehicle. Alyssas mother sprayed a downpour of water from her palm to Daniels scorching blade. The flame sizzled upon the touch of the water. Huh? He felt dumbfounded, unsure of why his qi ain''t effective. You''re welcome. Zhengyu jumped up to the roof too. Kid, we have around two minutes, he told Daniel, analyzing the circumstances. He eyed the entire roof and the truck. I have one idea. I don''t think we could land this smoothly as imagined. I figured. You don''t mean literally- Darn, you''re pretty sharp. Of course, we are. Boom! Daniel backstriked a projectile in a clean cut. Exploded mid-air as it was a second after passing Zhengyu. Matter of fact, I''m surprised this vehicle could withstand all of this. Logically, it should have dented or totaled to trash. Time to play the game of chances. I''ll tell you whatby the time we get very close to the spot all three of us jump. Sounds pretty bizarre but I have no other ideas, so I''ll go with it, Daniel said, sounding a bit reluctant. The truck further descended, reaching to the lowest of the atmosphere where it was visible from the naked eye at ground level. Gusts instantly calmed, and Alyssa mothers hair went stiff, appearing like vines hanging tight onto the tree. She pulled her hair back that was blocking her view, and her hair watered from the hairline down to the distal ends. A sizzling sound withdrew the debris and ailments that gave her the dingy look. I wondered how many times she had to do that from all the piles of firepower. Daniel scratched his head from that thought. He regretted thinking, now that his hair grew an itch. The Adlers are here! Xavier yelled. A series of high-pitched whistles echoed across the entire town. The Adlers resembled an eagle with long beaks and talons. However, underneath the candor-like wings, there were humanoid arms and hands of a greater scale in size compared to humans. Two of them landed on the tailgate, revealing the fibrous humanoid legs with each foot having three toes. Each spread their humongous wings wide enough to cuddle two trucks. Zhengyu and Alyssas mother expressed clear despair at each other, and the two quickly ran to the truck bed, dealing with each of the Adlers on their own as Xavier focused on keeping the truck undeterred from its route. Caw caw! An opposite reaction to the loud whistling resonated from the direction of the landing point. The ample noise and flapping sounds reached Daniel''s ears before a dark breeze swarmed past him. Crows. He remembered those were the exact same swarms of crows gathered at his driveway when he met Xavier. The crows swarmed under the manipulation of Xaviers left hand rapidly moving in various directional gestures. Notably, he pointed right up into the sky where more Adlers were hovering above the clouds, nearly camouflaged with the night sky. The flock of crows gilded exponentially in a curve upward. They cawed extraordinarily loud as their body glowed orangey red, exposing the Adlers disguises. A blind red and white light shone through the sky nearly as bright as the sun in the shape of a wildfire, pounding out hard shockwaves as it expanded. Crows created a nuclear bomb?! Daniel continued to stare at the horrific amount of power, reminding him of the nuclear bombs mushroom cloud. A stack of halo rings around burst out of control, dispersing every cloud in the vicinity. One of the Adlers, from a different direction away from the explosion, sped right in the direction where Daniel stood. Eyes flashed as if they found their prey. His katana reacted to the upcoming presence before he could, blocking the Adler back away as it swarmed through the other two Adlers. Darn, that was close. Daniel stared back at the Adler who attempted to hit him back. Unlike the others where its all dark, black, and gloomy, his opponent was more flamboyant by color once it unconnected its arms from the wings, allowing it to flap while acting like a human. Vibrating green through its body hair from the neck to its torso, the Adler whistled in a pattern that was identical to human language followed by one low-tone grumble. I cant even comprehend what the heck you are saying, alien bird, Daniel said, hovering himself briefly above the truck. He posed his right left in front with the right on the rear and swiped through the blade with the creases of his palm. But, youre in the way. Daniels qi exerted. The Adler pulled a thick pole from its back and transformed it into a spear. Daniel brought out his aura and the two swarmed off in the air, clashing their weapons with intent of destruction as demonstrated through their steel blades.

13.2

Clash! Bang! This Adler is a monster. Daniels mind was puzzling while trying to comprehend what was the purpose of these creatures. His opponent was on par with every movement he tried to input. What was concerning was the seemingly no noticeable flaws at the current stage of the battle. Its torsos and the movement of its legs and arms were beyond durable. Daniel considered himself lucky as he could take the physical blow that he almost blocked mostly from his left forearm. Hmph! Daniel grunted hard in his throat. His field of vision temporarily turned red as if he was already in a horror movie or hell. Quickly eying down, he felt liquid gushing out of his center abdomen. The large grip of the Adler held onto the wide stick of the spear pierced through his inside. He only responded with a breather, mildly desperate for air. How did I let myself fall for this? Daniel madly tried to recall the last half a minute of keeping up with the Alder. Christ, I was slow for a second. He went along the flow of the battle, expecting to break the Adlers defense at any point to the torso. Once he went through another cycle of strike and block, he saw the origin spot of the Adlers flashing green. The drop of his awareness and focus hampered his mind of thought and the one second proved to be dangerous. He thrust the katana at it. Which was when the Adler struck its spear abruptly into his stomach thanks to its right-wing steered away, drifting from the katanas tip. Im such a fool. Daniel criticized himself for falling into such a trap. While in a trance, he heard the sounds of slit both going off simultaneously. Afterward, Zhengyu and Alyssas mother cried his name. He saw them leaping above attempting to strike the Adler on the back. The next second, they were knocked off by the hard surface of its flapping wings. Nono! Daniels blooded hand reached for one of them as they fell downward from the truck. I got you! Alyssa yelled from inside, gripping her mother and father through the window. The feeling of trance transitioned into dizziness with a sense of faintness. However, his right hand, still gripping on the hilt tightly, vibrated aggressively, and the twitching of the fingers revitalized him awake. His right arm began to sizzle. Vapor gas emitted from the ridges of his forearm muscles and stiffened around his elbow. Steel edges of the blade reflected the brightness of white ki, aiming directly at the Adler. Surging ki within his arm reached behind his eyes, grabbing the edges of his corona. The Adler whistled in a low tone, expressing confusion as to why Daniel was still moving. Slap! Daniel went on from the humongous spear and grabbed the Adlers nearest arm. I''m not finished! He grinned, exerting more of his sky-blue aura at a much higher intensity. The Adlers head jerked back a little, attempting to shove in the spear further. Slit! Splatter! A puddle of blue blood splattered from his back, splashing to the windshield. Come on hand, let''s do this. Daniel slowly lifted the stiff arm. Sounds of roar deafened the area around the two. He never thought the animal instinct would come from the blade itself. The roar wasn''t recognizable hence he couldn''t differentiate what his katana represented. The blade volumed up the roaring cry, bumping his arm high with the intent to kill. Rattling turned to a screeching ring, deploying a thumping cycle of air punches. The Adlers strength started to dwindle as it was receiving the effects of the air punch. At the curvature of the blade, the punching pressure was directed at the Adlers feet. Arggh-GAHH! The Adler simultaneously whistled with a painful sorrow. Daniel grunted, grinding his teeth and forcing his legs to hunch forward. He remained focused on the flashing green at its torso. All of a sudden, his right arm relaxed. Finally! Excitedly, Daniel lounged his right arm right over Adler''s captured arm. This is payback for my stomach! He gave a one upward diagonal slash, cleanly cutting its arm. The Adler staggered amid its left hand gracefully holding the spear. How does it feel, you alien bastard? Daniel regained control of the duel. He then cut off the other arm, leaving it armless. The Adler fell onto the truck with its upper back hanging over the truck bed. Daniel, still with the spear impaled to his abdomen, strolled up to it. Using the air punch from his blade, he thrust the kick upward and the pressure sped it up further into the air. Daniel raged, screaming through his voice as the aura shot upward pillar height into the sky. White qi flooded the entire katana, urging it to be released. Blue qi encircled Daniels feet, accumulating the charge as it assisted him move with the heavy weight of the spear. Targeted. He leaned back with the katana hovered over his head. Lifting the left hand, he gripped the hilt right below his right. This magnified the pressure due to more grip, allowing more qi to overflow. One slash attack towards the Adler. Massive loads of qi dashed away from the blade in a wave shape, much wider and bigger than the sword has ever unleashed. Compared to when he was chosen for the katana, the slash of energy it inflicted was minuscule. The Adler screamed to its core as the wave of qi engulfed its body with the flashing green switched off. Its finally over. Daniel looked above before his legs collapsed and dropped to the roof of the truck with the slight sound of a dent. Blood splashed upward, staining his clothes. His attention turned to the spear which was still impaled through his abdomen in a desire to be removed. Chapter 14 That Adler got me good. Daniels throat involuntarily spitted blue blood through his mouth. He took the grip of the polearm, finding it to be as tough as one of those large oak trees. With the remaining strength from the earlier attack, he thrust it out, pouring a pint amount of blood. The splurt painted over the roof, making it blue. He went partially into dyspnea possibly due to the injury to his bottom ribs. Maybe it could be broken, but nothing has collapsed yet. Tap! Daniel! Zhengyu called from behind. He heard the taps of what would be from his hands, and the movement of him climbing up the roof. Eyes up at Zhengyu staring around the roof in absolute shock. He flicked the puddle off of the roof with his shoe and kneeled in front of him. Oh my god Zhengyu muttered, thrusting his arm out as Alyssas mother hovered her hand up. Daniels peripherals saw her grunt through the lift and also gestured to her daughter out of the truck. He turned to face back at Zhengyu who summoned a clear gas bottle filled half with blue liquid. Hold still for a moment. He felt Alyssas hands touch his shoulders and glared at her briefly. Her disheartened face mentally afflicted him as he never took that as a good sign. Until she held his lower face. What the hell were you thinking? My mind was clusteredalmost killed me, Daniel stuttered through the lines while holding off the stung pain from the substance Zhengyu was pouring attentively at the wide opening in his abdomen. Thissaved my life. He turned to his right hand, gripping the hilt like a lock. Underneath the thin spaces of the palm and between the fingers, he knew he busted a vein while performing the attack earlier. Blue blood gushed out, flowing down to the leather hilt. It can''t be Alyssa''s mother muttered with a slight astonishment. She went over to Daniels right side, viewing the katana. Where did you get this? What? Ohon Earth. Earth? It''s the other world, Mom, Alyssa added. Alyssas mother realized the picture, quickly figuring out why Alyssa was gone. Hey?! Don''t want to interrupt but we''re less than a minute away, Xavier said. He went on top of the roof being confronted by Daniel and others. Holy shit. You took a heavy beating. Daniel nodded slowly, feeling more improvement. The open wound began to seal up, and Alyssa peeked at his back where the leaks of his blood were vacuumed back into his body. Blood around his mouth began to dry, staining both sides of his face. Alyssa observed his ongoing facial changes, indicating to Daniel as it occurred. It overlapped partially on the edges of his beard, stopping directly parallel to the center of his cheek, giving it a tint right at the surface of his skin, presumingly all the way down to his hair follicles. And it subsequently painted over the beginning of the hair shaft, composing each strand of hair by one-third. Above the beard line, the stain directed upwards, stopping at the uppermost edge of his cheekbone right below the orbital cavity. That was the only feature applied to the right side of his face. Alyssa nudged his face to her right, finding the lack of altercations compared to the latter. The same altercation at the beard but that was all. Let me move, please, Daniel muttered, prompting Alyssa to nudge briefly away. He hovered his face over the remaining blood puddle on the truck. He gave a feel of his face, and the blood stain painted over parts of his face according to what Alyssa stated was really rough. Roughly similar to an unsanded wood where it would come off a scratching sound on a normal touch. At the same time, there was no sensation of the skin willing to peel off. Next to the blood puddle was the humongous spear. The spearhead was still sharp and soaked with his blue blood. Daniel swiftly wiped it off with his palm, returning to its prior state, and the reflection of the steel-like material rendered it in excellent condition. Using the bottom of the shaft, he carefully lifted himself up from the roof. Zhengyu and Alyssa supported him. Im okay, but thanks, Daniel said, only to find the white trail of smoke was visually only a mile away. You cant get yourself hurt again! Dad go open his door, Alyssa ordered with urgency. Zhengyu slid down right to the driver''s side, hanging his right on the roof. He commanded the force from his qi, opening the door fully. Turning right at Daniel, he redirected his left hand in front of him, levitating him. Daniel flew right into his seat and the door quickly closed. Gosh. He lifted up the scabbard right when the speedometer was at over two hundred. Next, he sheathed the katana back in, causing the scabbard to brighten for a moment and illuminate the insides of the car. Ah, he muttered. The soreness from the wound startled him. Youre alright? Rebecca came up towards his side, discovering the soaked bandage wrapped around his abdomen. What the hell happened out there?! Daniel scooted up a little upwards to have his back fully a hundred-eighty degrees straight. Ill explain later. Right now we are about to land, so buckle up for now. Turning on the windshield wipers, the truck quickly dispersed his blood out of the way and squirted water, cleaning the remaining residue. The long white smoke trail was directly in front center of the windshield, big enough to cover almost the entire thing. Daniel gave a knock on the partially dented roof. Great! Can you hear me? Zhengyus voice replied. Daniel tapped again twice. Once we three began jumping, you thrust hard on the brakes! And no worries, Xavier should balance the gravity out to not wreck your precious vehicle! You got that in mind?! He knocked in response, and the foot movement initiated, thumping along the steel frame. Here we go. Time to arrive. A high-frequency pitching sound reminiscent of the radio waves shoots up his ears. He, Rebecca, and Liam shunned down hard to their seats, clashing with the gravity forced by the vibrations generated from their jumps. It rendered the three immobile, causing more pain to where he could feel it might tear open like an unzip. Moving his eyes toward his scabbard laid on the passenger seat and getting the reflection of the backseat when he touched it, show the troubling Rebecca being absolutely vulnerable to the pressure, about to paralyze her. Liams eyes went through a seizure, blinking roughly. His fingers gripped tightly on the scabbard, enlightening green around his seat. I''m not losing again. After that shit!! Angry, Daniel clenched his jaw, dispersing his multitude of qi to counteract the force that flattened the dent upward, fixing the roof of the truck. He quickly lifted his back up with one hand holding the steering wheel, thrusting his leg hard on the brake. Reopening the window, Daniel thrust the sheathed katana out of the opening, directing to the sky with fury through his veins. The veins ignited the blast through the scabbard firing a refined beam at a much more powerful pressure, prompting the truck to drop at a faster rate. Kid?! What are you doing?! Zhengyu blurted in surprise. Afterward, Daniel could hear a loud thump, indicating the three tripped on themselves to the roof. He saw Xavier react through the side mirrors reflection. Daniel, are you out of your mind?! Xavier added after hearing the commotion. Just focus on getting this shit down safely. Rebecca was about to cease from that plan!! Daniel angrily said, pressuring more power through the scabbard. He heard the back window open, witnessing Liams hand poking out. He too gripped his leafy-green katana and directed away from the truck. Before Daniel could show his verbal concern, Liam would remove the scabbard which his katana reacted upon removal, revealing a dirty and earthy appearance that tainted the entire blade. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. The dirt is sprouting! Daniels intuition took a new approach. With less than approximately half a minute to spare, he rotated his katana clockwise and unintentionally blasted the beam into the front unknown horizon. He rotated until the tip was faced down, now exerting downwards. The truck began to decelerate, buying a few more seconds. He looked back at Liam and the dirt already turned to lengthy branches and pushed itself out, flowing downwards. It was a remarkable feat. Is this new?! Yes, the katana couldn''t help itself when we were getting trampled. I guess yours did too. No doubt, this pain of mine will not end until we are back on the floor! He exerted. Qi from his katana was getting hotter and steamier. The whiteness grew warmer, spitting traces of a mix of red and orange, generating more steam pretty quickly. Glass on the side mirror condensed at sauna similarities. As well as the bits of the windshield. Daniel and Liam glanced down, gaining high visibility of the ground floor and the remaining erect buildings. The truck went off the route of the white smoke. We are taking a detour! Way ahead of you, Liam replied while eyeing Rebecca. Im going here. Its next to the original drop point, so well be ok. Not that much of a distance to walk. Taking the risks, Daniel stepped on the gas pedal. Ahead of him was a stable brick-structured building as tall as a four-story apartment. The roof was flat and plain, appearing even, so hence the landing should be less of a hindrance. However, a miscalculation caused the truck to miss the entire building. The front grille and hood are about to take a hard hit. A whipping sound followed by a flexible wide branch playfully slapped the brick wall. Again another but once the ends touched the surface, the wood expanded, forming irregular shapes that appeared to be a spiderweb from afar. Tap! Bang bang! Maybe a little help here! Liam asked, fuming at the three above who were startled by Daniels adjustments. Were not even until you assist in getting this up to the roof! A loud grumbled sigh from Zhengyu as he leaped onto the hardened tree branch. The branch had already grown under the truck chassis, stabilizing it up mid-air. Normally, it would split and tear apart at the moment the entire chassis landed on the surface. Daniel''s pickup is at least two tons, including the occupants and luggage. Peeking below the window. Can you control its growth? Liam denied. I just discovered this ability. Why? You want to leave? Wanted to help, that''s all. No! You stay there. Alyssa responded. Daniel lifted both of his arms in revolt, slamming the door shut. He banged on the rim of the steering wheel, ringing the entire seat. Nah, I aint being a hassle. Not this time. Refusing her insistence, he opened the door now with the wood fully spread into a platform, granting him the walkability away from his pickup. Alyssa and her mother came up behind him, urging him to return to his truck. As much as they are concerned with his state of health, he stubbornly refuses. Hence, he purposely ignored them. I appreciate it but you are making it worse with all that scolding. He heard a duo gasp with a slight offense. The next second, they ranted while his back turned towards them. The front of the hood was pointed at the building with a few feet in between to spare. A sudden critique peeked through his eyes which made things more interesting about how to proceed with the subsequent step. Xavier, who was still on the truck bed, caught Daniels eye. He gestured to the truck bed. Daniel ambled through the less creaky wood platform. Each footstep the noise progressively canceled per lift. Passing Liam, Xavier leaned down to his ear. They are definitely mad at you right now. Daniel frowned while smearing the blade off of the heat. What on Earth do they expect me to do? One was suffocating to death, He exclaimed, pointing at Rebecca. We have to keep them hidden. Mother Elaine and Helda are alright. They are still napping under the luggage. Unfair, they had it easy. They napped the whole way here. Even so, their first experience will come eventually. This world has already proven to me of disorder all around. I will point something out though. The inconsistencies and our natural reactions are entirely contradictory between all of us. He transitioned the focus to everyone. Can any of yall walk on air or hold yourselves for a longer period because I sure did, when I was dealing against the Adler. Other than aura and qi control, everyone has diverse skills, right? How about thisraise your hands if you can walk on air? No one raised their hands except Zhengyu who partially raised his left up to his ear. That proved my point, Daniel muttered. What are you trying to prove? I just want to make sure, Daniel replied, placing his hand under the truck bed. The cranking of the steel as he lifted up to his waist. Because I realized I couldve saved time after remembering tearing the entire garage door to get inside, so maybe I can lift my vehicle. From the look of it, it is possible to perform the feat. He lowered the back lightly before letting his hand off the grip. The new rear suspension bounced flawlessly on the wooden platform, giving off a clunking sound. Daniel exerted his aura, strolling to the driver side. Thrusting both hands under the footboard until it reached under the undercarriage, he grabbed the metal bar with his hands. Both biceps were tensed up from earlier. It strangled his upper arms until he exerted more of his aura where he felt his ligaments and tendons rubbing around his joints, similar to a cramp. His forearm reacted to the weight, initiating the sting effect around the edges of his elbow. Shocks uplifted his weight, creating a phantom feeling of an exoskeleton as the truck quickly went mid-air. Covering his face, Daniel slowly articulated his feet as he turned around until could see the brick wall of the building. He nudged forward at an angle, and Xavier stood on the frame until the truck was pointed in an incline. After that, he leaped at his grace with a tapping gesture from his foot, boosting up like a breeze, and safely landed on the roof. While Daniel felt the change of weight and quickly bent his back upward, regaining posture. He lowered his entire body, bending his knees near the position of a deadlift. Eyes up high, gauging for a space up on the roof. Naturally, his aura encircled his entire body, aiding against the truck and supporting his entire body from getting crushed. Zhengyu reached behind Alyssa and his wife, pulling them away. Not for long, Daniels face grew calm and his neck temperature dropped to ice cold. In the blink of an eye, he was up in the air viewing the roof of the building below his feet. He saw Xavier focused on his position which he leaped up too, right up to the truck bed and gripped at the frame. Im coming up top! Daniel said, waiting for Xavier to give a signal. Ok, were good! He responded. Daniel swiftly eased off his head while retaining his grip on the surface of the truck, moving up like a swim and positioned in an armstand with his right palm flat on the roof. The aura burst like a rocket, blasting at full speed down. Xavier groaned as they dived. Dude, your qi has evolved too quickly! I cant hear you! Too loud! Daniel responded. He watched Xaviers qi reach the roof of the truck before applying more pressure, exerting a shower all across the vehicle. The entirety was covered in haze and eventually, Daniel had to leap back down to his prior position as both were barely meters above the roof. He rotated as he descended to the undercarriage and brought back his arms underneath. One two three! Qi summoned around his two feet, providing more of a landing gear for the truck and Daniel sensed the solid rock edges around his feet within the boots. Thump! Shatter! Daniels legs felt as if he had a high jump and landed back down roughly on the folding mat. Hazes around the truck sizzled as it dissipated once he and Xavier moved away a few steps. Nice work. Xavier complimented, visually showing he was surprised that such a heavy object was not damaged or disfigured from the constant variants of pressure for the entire trip. Youre definitely the first of the kind to do such a feat. Take it slow with the praises. Being the first of the kind, no way! Daniel disproved the statement. I dont think thats true at all. There has to be more of them before I am. However, I appreciate it. Walking to the edge of the building, Daniel with one knee on the edge of the roof, peered over and saw Zhengyu with the other two still on the wooden platform. Liam exited the truck and stretched his back far upwards, giving out a couple cracks. He eased his shoulders as he wandered around. Come on up. I hope you know how to jump. Daniel said, nudging away and walking to the truck bed. He opened the tailgate and lifted a few pieces of luggage away, revealing Mother Elaine and Helda still fast asleep. Knock! Knock! The two moved quickly and opened their eyes in a flash. Helda accidentally bumped her head onto the shield. Slow down. Let me turn this off real quick, Xavier muttered in a rush. He snapped his fingers high in the air, deactivating it. Upon deactivating, Helda erected from the truck bed with her hands on her forehead followed by a groaned hum. Is she okay? Anyway, now is this the town Alyssa was talking about. The whole scenery and much of the destruction it has dealt with was horrific. The constant fire and scorched rubble around in the distance marked by the black plumes, terrorizing the skyline. Chapter 15 Mother Elaine hopped off the truck bed, rubbing her legs to remove the numbness inflicted on her thighs. She stood at the spot Daniel was in a minute ago, observing the ridden town. Daniel set all the luggage down next to his truck, which was not that many. Only a few where he only has one and the majority are Helda and Rebeccas. And he originally thought it was unnecessary since this was world travel. Frankly, the situation played out well with the extra luggage and saved the two. One of the sudden feats Xavier came up with at the spot was all had to admit was clever. Despite being on the roof, the situation isnt calming down. All around the building, in any direction in view, there are screams from low to high at various corners of the block. Add on the rumbling of collapsed houses and the crumbled bricks and concrete. Pretty ironic when the entire group was relatively safe on the roof of the brick-structured building. In fact, Daniel wondered who deployed the white plume. Other than the rest of the group present, he saw no one else. Who the hell deployed the landing zone? He asked Zhengyu and Alyssas mother. Wheres the one who initiated the landing spot? Zhengyu pointed down repetitively. Crazy as it sounds, we are safer landing on the roof than on the ground. This building has already countered much of the damage that the surroundings surrendered to. Why? Because the ones managing this place are right below us. Is there a spot? Theres no clear area for us to descend. Daniel said nothing to perceive across the entire roof, excluding the frame damage. Youre about to find out, Alyssas mother commented, quietly pacing to a clear spot at the far end of the roof relatively rear of the building. Here! She tapped her foot twice, summoning layers of rings around her. It continued to stack up while encircling her until doubled her height when it stopped. The pure white rings turned flower violet, and water started to drip from the uppermost ring. Its drizzling. Daniel saw multiple droplets precipitating from the rings. Furthermore, an abundance of sharp cracking sounds from the sky followed. Loud enough to bring a slight tremble within. Clouds rapidly formed above the roof amid the hardly visible night sky from all the hovering smoke. Afterward, light flashed through the clouds repeatedly and summoned bolts of lightning down at the rings surface. Daniel was about to run in, but Zhengyu stopped him, insisting she wouldnt be toasted. Youll learn this soon. Dont worry, newcomers always have that reaction. It is understandable as lightning bolts appeared in a direction to strike but look. What do you see? Theyre conductors, arent they? The rings are reacting to it as if organizing the whole charge. Incredible. Zhengyu nodded. It wont take too long. This is a type of teleportation. The drizzles convert to full precipitation, pouring water from underneath the uppermost ring. Pails worth of water was forced downwards to the surface of the roof, putting her behind the waterfall. The water too was violet, matching the rings. Behind where she was standing, turned into a silhouette, depicting she was still there. After a moment of staring, she lifted both of her arms with her hands open, and Daniel saw the tension through her fingers despite all black from the silhouette. White space peeked through the center of the entire rings of the waterfall. The fingers of Alyssas mother exited and held the surface of the water with a tight grip. It was solid. Daniel thought while she pushed through with her arms noted by the motion. Quickly, it pushed away in the direction of her hands like a double sliding door. She panted excessively through her lungs before taking one left out. Were ready Lets go, Zhengyu announced, pulling a couple pieces of luggage inside while giving her water. No harm done, I guess. Daniel moved in. Ah, bring your vehicle too. Daniel paused as if he heard that right. No way, it wont fit. Its fine, I can just enlarge the portal. Daniel unsheathed his katana, knowing that wouldnt happen if she was already going through the fatigue symptoms. He shook his head, lifting his blade high in the air. That''s illogical. I don''t know about you guys, but I''ve too much inside wanting to drip. I can''t run out of qi no matter what I do. Despite the control, it''s only a matter of time once the more involved I am that wouldn''t be the case. There''s this one ability I learned from the time with Xavier and Mother Elaine. The blade emitted white qi around the tip. I named it Teilen. White qi turned into sky-blue, overriding the katanas qi. He leveled it up high with his right and carefully eased it down to his upper chest. Teilenshare?! Alyssas mother replied. I see a German language equivalent. But yes. I could give out a bit of my qi to support teammates or to be determined on what else it could do. Alyssa with her hand up, expressing concern and doubt. But just hold on. If doing it that way is safe. Alyssas mother raised her hand. Its fine. Ill do it. Similar but different. Daniel interpreted before turning his left to the front by moving the left forward with one step. Immediately, he lifted the katana over his shoulders with his right hand tightened on the hilt, charging up. Im thinking yall should receive a bit of my qi. Just as a precaution. Ready?! Alyssas mother nodded. Helda and Rebecca reluctantly agree, not knowing whats going on. Zhengyu stood directly next to Alyssas mother with one arm embracing her. Daniel unleashed one heavy slash aimed at more around the portal. Behind the confidence, Daniels mind was blurred with shallow doubt about whether it would go off route, putting the area outside of the protected building at risk. After launching a huge load of qi, he timed his movements. One, two, threefive. He thrust his palm right to the blade and twisted his body to the right, moving the remaining blast of qi to the right. The palm thrust interrupted it as the ability he inflicted was technically a continuous beam. Any sudden change in direction reduces its power and cools it off. His timing might have saved the group because when a load of qi shot away from the building after a few seconds, possibly some far district, unfortunately, got the taste of it. The bright light of blue rays strived to its destination crashing to a couple clustered buildings in the distance. The speed brought the rubble with it, spewing towards the spot, and continued for a few more seconds where it all stopped. Phew! All of that is over. Daniel was relieved. Smoke remnants lingered around the portal and were gusted away from a popping boom, signifying an increase in energy. Better be good news! His doubts had dwindled almost all with a tiny bit still felt uncertain. Until another burst of gust that swift it away up to the air before it dissipated. Zhengyu stumbled a little out of the portal with his head hovered out of the entrance of the portal. He was looking down and his right hand gripped the opening. His hand quivered and Alyssas mother took notice as she coughed whoppingly, huffing out smoke. Helda and Rebecca appeared fine. Liam removed his cast from his left arm, tearing it to sheds and letting it fall off his arm. Daniel, outside of the portal, heard the popping crackling from his forearms like the playfulness of simultaneously popping all the air pillows after opening multiple packages. Jesus. Daniel cringed till it completely stopped, and he asked a follow-up if Alyssas mother was stable. Finally, she let out her last huff before replying to him. I dont know what that was, but that made me too hot inside and had an itchy throat. Thanks a lot, I feel too tense to pass out now! Alyssas mother bluntly said. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. What a lady response that was. Daniel headed to his truck. Well, try it out, he said to her. Zhengyu stepped back further inside and performed the initiation process once more. Bringing the foot taps, the rings enlarged and widened, covering the entire rear of the roof. The gap between the rings expanded from a few inches to a foot in height, making the whole portal colossal and towering over the area of town. Screech! Zhengyu heard something from a distance. He aint risking the moment, urging Daniel to quickly get inside. Daniel shared the urgency, and he popped into the driver''s seat with the window down as the truck revved. He thrust his arm, yelling at them to move out of the way. For such a long vehicle, he gambled the time and performed the three-point turn. The truck bolted from its spot and turned its wheels as Daniel quickly moved his hands in a rush. Once he made the first point and with the truck facing back out to the city on the edge, a commotion came ahead with multiple lines of armed men withholding the flags high. Are they the ones who annihilated this town? Daniel eyed Zhengyu as he reversed. Hurry spread out; we got company! They spread out of the way, and on the gas, the truck sped right into the roof. Right when the qi reached the top edge of the windshield, Daniel pulled the truck to a complete stop, lifted the parking brake, and exited the vehicle. He viewed the portal where a part of the truck bed peeked out of the portals limits. Frustrated as he was, he reopened the door, disabling the parking brake. All the men in the group went to the front of the truck, each sharing the weight, and dragged further in. No, this way, we are doing it from an angle, Daniel instructed. They turned to the right until it was almost perpendicular to the entrance when it was safe to pull it straight forward. Close it! Xavier said. Mother Elaine went right to the entrance where Alyssa''s mother stood.

15.2

Damn it. Mother Elaine stood beside Alyssas mother, tapping her cause she was standing in space as if something was directly in front of her. She glanced at her face, snapping her fingers. Oi. You saw something? Thump! Mother Elaine turned back outside and immediately got the picture. She palmed briskly on her shoulder, bringing her back to focus, and dispersed her golden aura as a barrier around the entrance. That would buy some time. She lifted both hands, gripping the two sides, and tried to articulately shift it shut. Ah, youre back. Hurry! Mother Elaine said. Alyssas mother stood beside her and gripped the right door with both of her hands. Sorry. The men had finished moving the truck, and Xavier along with Daniel wondered why it wasnt closed. Whats that outside? More Adlers! They are allied with them! Alyssas mother screamed in horror. Daniel, with the katana in his grip, glared at the hilt with a flashlight before he went under Mother Elaines left arm and stood tall in front of the two. Ill be your support. Just keep me in line as you close the doors. Are you nuts?! You got impaled earlier and now you want to risk yourself again with those Adlers? OW! Alyssas mother howled. Mother Elaine stepped on her foot, disapproving of her for it. Be glad he could do this, otherwise we are darn screwed. But- Mother Elaines tongue clicked. I insist. He''s crazier than all of you can imagine if you let him. Daniel exerted his aura, overtaking the golden barrier into his color as if he had full control. His sword went wilder as he lifted it upward. He partially opened the barrier and unleashed an attack, waving off the Adlers and their armored human allies, closing the barrier. He aided Mother Elaine and Alyssas mother in closing the portal and gave them leeway. Mother Elaine stepped back as Alyssas mother retook her position. She saw Daniel blowing bright blue light over her. He glared with one eye to Mother Elaine, raising his left arm right up to her chest. Point your left palm at Helda and Rebecca. Im sending them back up qi. Additional light flowed right at her, and quickly it departed through hers. That felt uncanny. Within a second, she had felt what was like water gushing through her as if it was poured into her. Naturally, it would have soaked, but once the light departed her palm, no more pressure remained. The three with their hairs levitated with a cast of blue light emitted from underneath. Stop giving more! Alyssas mother was shocked by his motive. Mother Elaine sighed as if he would not obey such comments. He was especially willing to help at his own accord and rarely backed down. Reminds me of the old days. He hasnt lost that quirk one bit. However, he has gotten heavier way too quickly. She reflected on his role and analyzed his qi. Compared to his, her qi growth was fairly slow but enough to keep herself from crumbling when dealing with a higher-powered individual like him. The interior of the portal shrunk every couple of seconds as Alyssas mother summoned casting magic shapes around her feet. Purple-colored portal turned whitish-blue, and the lines of purple appeared on the walls surface. It protrudes inwards, revealing violet rings from the outer surface. The shrinkage stopped as it was noted by Liam where the border ended at a few inches from Daniels truck. Helda and Rebecca went closer to the center, all gathered around the area next to Alyssas mother, whose both hands raised with casting spheres displayed and hovered over her fingers. Not finished, she raised it over her head with both palms aligned at each end. A little more, Mother Elaine summoned another barrier for each, and the ceiling of the portal swirled. After, it shot down and weighed on her palms. Her purple eyes flashed, blinding everyone around her, and Mother Elaine felt the light illuminated around her and got heavy. Her eyelids forcibly closed shut, feeling lightheaded before one snap.

15.3

Daniel rubbed his eyes after a potent glare of light flashed into his eyes. Letting go of his fingers, he found himself along with everyone in a dark space. Gradually getting back up, he saw everyone standing on patterned concrete. Traces of mythical shapes are engraved on the surface. Before he could peek around, he went to Mother Elaine and Liam first. They were fine, but others took longer to adjust. Alyssas mother, who was still standing lowered her hands down. The violet qi and the white light from the supplemental assistance from him dissipated earlier. She removed herself in a pose and turned to Daniel, visually showing her unanticipated to have someone already on the ground. Youre the first one to endure the effects of the glare so quickly, she pointed out. Really what are you? Daniel shrugged as if he knew. Thats why Im with you all. Find out what''s going on. And this? He questioned, pulling up his katana and sheathed it back to the scabbard. Thatblade, Alyssas mother stammered. I know. One of the Yinhai. And you found that in your world? Me and Xavier did. At a dojo where I used to enroll. Alyssas mother walked right up to him, barely leaving any personal space. She was insanely focused on the katana. In addition, she fondled the hilt. Daniel saw her fingers tremble along the surface, hinting she wanted to grasp the katana. Have you ever grabbed a relic before? No, Ive never. Only heard stories just like everyone elsejust you? She asked. Daniel shook his head and gestured to Liam and Xavier. Make it three. The two regained their sight as they stopped covering their eyes and saw him and Alyssas mother staring at them. What happened? Liam whispered. Nothing, it was just my glare right before we teleported, always temporarily blind others. Xavier stood first. Daniel, what about you? Werent you blinded by the glare? Momentarily, Daniel replied. And you? He viewed others behind him. The effect still lingered which caused their sight recovery to be tedious. Better this time. Ive been through what they are ongoingly enduring. We gonna need an improvement of this move because this is so unconventional and a hindrance to time, Xavier commented. Daniel turned back to Alyssas mother. I agree. But theres a possibility I might adapt to it the next time. Alyssas mother grabbed one of his wrists, demanding to have a feel for the katana. He returned a questionable glare at her and reluctantly gave it to her. Boom! Ba-dump! An echo sounded like a heartbeat echoed across the area, vibrating a few more times onward. Daniel, not wanting more trouble, swiftly took the katana away from her grip, and she tumbled to her knees, kneeling next to him. Thats new Liam muttered. Me too, Ive never known it could do that, Xavier added. I wonder if that would also apply to our own Yinhai relics. Daniel sheathed his katana, adjusting the scabbard back hanging onto his waist. And he offered his hand out. Alyssas mother reacted with a glimpse of gasp. She held his hand and at once lifted her back on her feet. Her hairline was dripping sweat and he wiped it away. Probably a warning for others. Alyssas mother chuckled, emitting a sense of jealousy. Now you made me desire one. Will see, Daniel grinned while patiently waiting for others to recover. The waiting game begins. Chapter 16 Ding! Daniels lower pocket vibrated. He pulled out his mobile phone, surprised that it was still operational. The battery indicator displayed at near full battery was flashing green on his lockscreen. A random notification hovered over the menu bar. Frankly, that was very strange. It was very certain that there was no Wi-Fi or any form of telecommunication network signals to ever exist in the world Raal from the brief descriptions he was aware of. Whats that? Zhengyu asked. He recovered his eyes and found him, which he had no clue what Daniel was doing. Technology, Daniel vaguely said. Save the conversations for later, Alyssas mother mentioned. By the way, names Zarlise. Likewise, but where are we going? Zarlise waited as the remaining behind Daniel and Zhengyu just got up, recovered from the blindness. She finally let out her patience, answering Daniels question. Dont forget your truck. Light flashed from the pickups headlights. Way ahead of you, Daniel responded as the engine revs. He ran to the truck with everyone following behind. All the windows descended, and Alyssa sped past her father, opening the passenger door. She reclaimed the passenger seat. Zhengyu outside, shrugged and went to the truck bed. Xavier followed him along with Mother Elaine and Helda. Liam let Rebecca in first before jumping in. The luggage was also back upon realizing it was a waste of time bringing it out. While Zarlise, in front of the truck, glanced at the dark space momentarily and eventually clocked in at the empty seat right behind Alyssa. Once everyone was stationed in the truck, Daniel pulled the gear stick, driving to the downward incline. He listened to Zarlises instructions and kept the speed low, so it wouldnt tick off where beyond the path is potentially an endless dark space dived down. Was this some underground civilization? Because this looks ginormous.Daniel observed. Zarlise leaned right to the edge of the passenger seat, interrupting a bit of Rebeccas seating space. She pointed at the walls along both sides. Completed a thousand years ago. Every decade comes with a new story from the citizens of Kriegshan prepared to fight as a form of expression within our culture. Right in this arena. But why underground? Pretty complex history but Ill tell you one of the reasonsHave Alyssa told you about Raal? Daniel nodded, This world, right? Raal is here while Earth is where Im from. Zarlise bobbed her head sagely and leaned back in her seat. Yinhai resides many of the gods we prayed to. The Blacksmith god, or Tiemied, crafted the relics way before the construction of the arena. He created it as a gift to the people of Raal scattered across eight continents. Kriegshan has a wisdom of thought where what if we had a place where ancestral warrior blood flows through most of us could gather around and entertain. Hence, we got this and another one that was above the ground. Any difference between the two? Liam curiously asked. Underground is safer as that portal I summoned was a necessity to travel down here. Thats the key to the lock for access. While the former is not so good. Being above ground and the whole world is at war, that structure is not in our grasp. Daniel toggled to a much brighter light, gaining a few tens of feet ahead. So, once we reach down to the main floor, I should expect most of the village to be here. Yes, and any refugees within Kriegshan, Zarlise replied. As a matter of fact, have you thought about your future once this all subsides? Daniel sighed. This question. We can say whatever, so would that make the answer pointless as things could change? No. However, I have one event to close once Im back home. I wont ask anymore if its personal. Anyways back to the topic. Unfortunately, we are about to be at the end of the decade. So, a tournament must be in session soon, despite the ongoing conflict. Huh? Daniel stopped the pickup, turning to her. How soon? He questioned. Uhh, tomorrow, Zarlise said. Greatwhat else is new. Daniel felt reminiscent of something from his past began to leak up his mind. He rubbed his forehead hard. That is not the news I was expecting. But I guess I dont have a choice now, do I? Nope. Everyone is joining except maybe those two ladies. Xavier and Zhengyu should know this too. He turned to Alyssa, anticipating her reaction. She slightly nodded and pointed at her. Looking at Liam, he told him to untwist the toggle that opens the back window panel. Why are we stopped? Zhengyu asked. Sorry, but how am I supposed to be prepared for the upcoming tournament? Zhengyu and Xavier whispered after he asked the question. Theyll tell you once we reach down to the main surface. Just be prepared. You and Mother Elaine have done good, bring that to the table. Xavier answered with a thumbs up. Daniel breathed amid Xaviers emitted confidence. Sometimes it made him feel as if it was na?ve. Alyssa insisted the participants would welcome him. He gave her and Zarlise the benefit of the doubt and pivoted off the brakes, resuming on a decline. Since they are going down at a low speed, two minutes felt like half an hour within a five-mph mark. Saw no end ahead, Daniel aced up the speed passing five, up to fifteen. Zarlise began to verbally show her concern from her quicker breathing through her nose. Hey, slow down. I dont want us to fall through the dark deep end. Im taking the risk. The truck will do the same. She hovered both of her hands on Alyssas shoulder to comfort her progressing anxiety. Daniel noticed through the glare of his rear mirror. Rumble! Faster! Mother Elaine yelled through the back panel, prompting Daniel to nudge down on the gas. His eyes are too focused on any potential caveats ahead, ready to dodge them as they come. Another rumbling noise erupted and all his rear visuals through the mirror vividly revealed the path collapsing to the dark space one by one. Alyssa had to calm her mother down as her hands tremored over her shoulder, and she held it firmly. Slow down! Zarlise yelled repeatedly. Almost there. Daniel was certain they were about to reach their destination. The path widened as he sped further downwards. Behind the truck, the path detached at a higher pace. Bump! I guess I got no choice, going with the wild option, Xavier asserted. He unsheathed his crimson katana, immediately raising its qi. The heat reached into the truck and all the windows must be pulled down. The fire sparked out of the blades tip, engulfing the entire right arm. He walked right towards behind the tailgate and Mother Elaine nudged out of the way. Whoosh! A slash of whiff exerted from his move, bringing the truck at a much higher speed where Daniel cant take his eyes off the wheel and ahead. The speedometer hiked up to highway speeds and that broke Zarlise, losing her mind. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Along the bumpy ride, the assist from Xavier reduced the eta, and the path ended with an upward ramp. Hang on! Daniel yelled, thumping on the gas pedal. The engine roared and the truck sped hard, taking advantage of the leap. Left hand out of the window, Daniel busted out his qi as a supplemental boost. The flat surface appeared ahead of the windshield. Give out more! Daniel shouted to Xavier. To the relief of Zarlise, the truck hovered over the flat surface, and both Xavier and Daniel stopped exerting their qi once it reached the perfect angle for it to descend. Once the conditions are satisfied, headlights and everything off. He swiftly turned the steering wheel at idle, letting it drop, and he gripped the grab handle above the door. Bam! Each seatbelt held everyone firmly to their seats, leaving others on the truck bed in a tantrum. This one was a hard landing compared to when it landed on the roof of a brick building. However, that time had assistance to manage its weight distribution. Now wasnt the case as the predicament was unpredictable, so it felt safer to stay on the truck until it reached the surface at the end of the path. The drop was hard to where he could hear the suspension counteracted with all the wheels as it landed. Luckily, the back wasnt chaotic as it logically would play out. Xavier managed to play with the surroundings on time and others around him got the sense of it. Gravity from the pressure of qi altered its weight, allowing it to stay on safely. Daniel pressed the "ON button again and the vehicle vroomed at the spot. Good as new. Daniel was surprised that the truck took a beating very well. Suddenly, sounds of feet walking echoing throughout the space were directed towards his way. Theyre here, Zarlise muttered, opening her door. Zhengyu in the back jumped out as well, following beside her meeting with the person hidden under the darkness. They stood in front of the truck before the person revealed itself. Daniel turned on the low-beam headlights, revealing a group of three individuals, dressed in a similar outfit to Zarlise. The lady in the center, assumingly the leading, was slender and very attractive. Despite being in a similar outfit, hers has some different characteristics in comparison. Hers was more mimicked like a suited coat and the armor served as her inner layer, substituting a shirt. A peek around her waist and she has a belt like his occupied by arsenals. Melee-oriented weapons are encased alongside it. All that were still in or on the truck, listened carefully to the conversation. Daniels window fully opened, and he leaned his hand out, bracing his tilting head, and watched the interaction. Thora? Zarlise called. You made it alive! What took you so long? The whole family was waiting for you two! Thora replied while subsequently glaring towards the truck, blocking her eyes due to the headlights. The heck is this? Thats a vehicle. Alyssa and Xavier are in there with guests. Zhengyu replied. Thora stood silent, quickly looking away from the truck, and returning to Zhengyu and Zarlises view. Everyone else is here. Youre the last of the batch. Thats why the path went down. And we need to get you ready. About that Zarlise pointed to the truck at Daniel who was paying close attention. He turned off the headlights, allowing them to stare freely. Is that your guest? The guy questioned. He silently analyzed Daniel as he didnt flinch upon the staredown. Daniel gained insight into the guy standing next to Thora. His short hair was all slicked back, revealing the tattooed marks on his upper forehead. Enlightened by the only natural ray spotlight, he saw a wordmark on his head. He seems very well-managed and very dutiful in his job. Naturally, he articulated to the right after having an idea of the guy. Hmm, now who is this lass standing next to Thora. Red-cloaked hair with a tint of orange along her hairline established the flamboyant vibe from the first look. However, she and the guy dont fit the expressive side as of right now. Quieter. Possibly even more than Daniel himself. His eyes itched from observing them without a blink. Zarlise looked at him, gesturing to come down. Yes, come on introduce yourself. Tying the sheathed katana back to his waist, Daniel opened the door, exiting the truck. Closing it, revealing his massive physique. He strolled up to the group. My name is- Oh. He heard a gust blowing to his behind. Things couldnt have gotten worse when he read a qi from behind, lifting his left bicep. Flexing his arms, he lounged at the upcoming individual, blocking the sword attack. One of their friends? Daniel thought, mentally pointing out the exact same clothes as the face-tattooed guy. Daniel! Zhengyu yelled. Ah. So, this is how you greet the polite guests entering their sacred culture Daniel muttered. Youre friends with that guy, lad? He pushed the guy off guard with his arm and thrust-kicked the guys side, directing to the face-tattooed guy next to Thora. The guy flew headfirst in the direction, striking the abdomen before he could react. Both bolted back into the dark, leaving Thora and the red-haired girl, who didnt budge. Darn it, Thora! This is not who we are. Zarlise ranted in a low tone. Maybe if you hadnt walked away all those years ago, I agree. You have lost the path, Thora scolded, with such a negative tone along the fiery eyes demonstrated to Zarlise. Her mood expressions switched when she looked at Daniel for the second time while he walked up next to Zhengyu. Was this a test? Daniel casually asked. He fixed his overcoat and tied up the lower button, leaving the upper hanged. Very bold to assume. But youre unique. Ill give you that. You were introducing yourself earlier, whats your calling? Daniel or Mr. Vaillant. Daniel greeted himself. Alright, Mr. Vaillant you have proved to at least be qualified to attend the Kriegshans Decennial Fighting TournamentTell me, who trained you? Behind me. Daniel revolved his head halfway and had everyone exiting the pickup. The remaining six caused Thoras hands to raise, not expecting the gathering. She immediately recognized Alyssa, happily greeting her. And Xavier. A little bit awkward. He looked away from her, standing behind Daniel with his back leaning on the hood of the truck. Daniel pointed at him with his thumb. I dont know whats up with you two but its him. Oh lord, Thora sighed. For how long? Around a month at mostbut not just me though, Daniel ensured. He went behind Mother Elaine. Mother Elaine, she came at the same time I was, and she has some experience. Thora then pointed out the remaining newcomers to the group. Daniel described it very briefly and straightforwardly and mentioned that Helda and Rebecca are the only duo who has no such qi or power for as all he knew, happening to be guests along the journey. Thoras eye glowed blue, much purer than Daniels as he leaned towards the brighter sky variant. Like a scanner, Thora articulated from the end to the other end of the truck. Is she reading our qi? Daniel curiously wondered before visually seeing blue light emitted from her eyes directed towards him. It hovered over his body for a moment, and a swift gaze at Mother Elaine before it dissipated. Well, the news is that every one of you, including you two, have enough qi to be qualified for the tournament. I will leave those two to their decision while everyone else would have to participate. Sound fair? Everybody nodded minus Xavier who responded with a deep sigh. Thora shook her head, grunting dissonantly. Daniel stared at him, unsure what was his problem. He brushed it off wanting some thinking alone. Alrightwe dont have much time just standing here. Lets prepare, follow me, Thora said with high boldness, twirling her body in the direction of pitch black, strolling inwards. The red-haired lass went along the same pace. Daniel went back to his truck with most decided to walk. Alyssa and Liam were the only ones who came inside with him. Turn on the lighting! Thora exclaimed across the entire space. Whoosh! Candles flickered up high from left to right, revealing the towered columns shaping the open hallway straight ahead. Thora led the way and Daniel waited for others to move before he trailed. The visibility at the farthest ends kept increasing the more they walked almost as if it was infinite with no way out. I knew it was some kind of underground society. Daniel doubled down when Zarlise didnt answer specifically prior. As they reached the first intersection, ahead was a roundabout with a water fountain at the center, monitored by a prominent statue erected on a mount surrounded by vast greenery. How much time it took to make this? Daniel questioned. Mm, I dont know. I would assume a long time as they had to build an entire city underground, replacing the previous arena. Alyssa theorized. You are new here? Alyssa nodded. Yea, I only got the word of the mouth. If everything comes to logic, the entire underground will have to expand to a much significant scale. That was a very interesting interpretation. I wondered how far technology has come despite there being no cars or any locomotives revealed so far. I hope so. That would be more fantastical. Reminds me of your underground place before we came Raal, Liam added, agreeing to the potential fanaticism. If there are maps around here, I wont mind taking a tour once the tournament is over. Great idea. You know what, maybe three of us together, Daniel approved. I dont see the Temperman coming from that. Alyssa stared. Disappointed? Alyssa shook her head. Not yet. Dont make me forget. I dont think you will. Daniel smirked. He focused back ahead, only to find the rest had gone to the first exit which was at two clock. Entering through the exit arrived at what would be the main street with the direction sign on both sides. The entire sign was written in a language that looked familiar. Innenstadt. What does that say? Liam asked. Downtown, Daniel replied. Chapter 17.I Daniel exited his truck with a numb leg, unsure how long it had been since he was sitting still driving behind the group. Liam, on the other hand, was refreshed from the good nap and throbbingly rubbed his eyes. Alyssa directed the two with the rest of the group and all convened at the entrance of a busy building. This is where yall would be residing for the next indefinite period. When you enter, head to the front counter, and they should hand you the information for the rooms, Thora described, gesturing in. Daniel, being the last, followed the group and passed through the heavy double brown doors. He almost stumbled after stepping over the threshold due to the numbness lingering in his thighs. This shit is annoying me. He thought as he went in more with a limp, pacing towards the counter. Dropping his forearms onto the counter, he applied his strength to both of his arms, bracing to the countertop for support. Two clerks, wearing the hotel trademark, stood behind the counter focused on taking the reservations of the cast, ignoring him. Daniel silently exhaled and inhaled to not cause any attention. One of the clerks finally came to him, asking if anything was wrong. Oh wow, they don''t even think I''m part of the group. Uh, hes with us, Thora scolded. The clerk immediately apologized in a panic, and awkwardly, the numbness dissipated, allowing Daniel to get back up straight. His towering height in a more closed space made his presence too attractive and tense within the hotel. What? Why is everyone silent? Daniel casually said, not making a face. He turned away from the counter only to be dealt with more stares from the lounge. Sir, it''s because you are too tall compared to everyone here, the clerk whispered from behind. Oh. I didn''t mean to intrude, one moment, Daniel muttered. He descended enough to fit himself in, using the countertop to position where he didn''t have to go full knee on the floor. Better? Daniel looked back at the lounge where the reception had decreased and the eyes went calmer, resuming their personal business. Resuming at the counter, the clerk slid a paper with the information about his room and the description of the amenities provided by the hotel. Followed with another sheet, providing the basic terms of agreements and required a signature at the empty line below. He grabbed the pen from across the countertop and signed his signature along the line. Sliding the paper to the clerk, she stamped the paper with the Approved ink. Daniel glanced over his paper, reading his room number: -- Room 201 C 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, ***Free Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner*** 1 King Bed Standard Room Appliances: Minifridge, Casting cooker. Qi Weighing scale and a non-Qi Weighing scale. Magie und Energie Reglements: Any form of actions used in the hotels spaces involving qi or any forms of magic is prohibited. Furthermore, consequential actions will be authorized to ensure the safety of our customers. Our rooms are structured to handle and suppress such urges, and each occupant is given a weighing scale that measures the individuals pressure. Please use it to your expertise during your entire stay. -- 201, got it. Daniel folded the paper, placing it in his overcoats inner pockets. Thora checked everyone had their own similar informative paper in hand. To his right was the hallway that led to the rooms. It was brightened by illuminating stick-shaped surfaces hung onto the wall by sconces. Daniel stood up once again, strolling first away from the lobby area before waiting for others, letting Thora take the lead. He curiously asked what types of rooms they had. As figured, everyone received a room on the second floor. Xavier received the end of the bunch where he received room 208, the third to last on the second floor. Heading up the stairs, Daniel was the first to arrive at his front door. Thora told him and everyone to go to their rooms and rest for the remaining night. Thora, acting like a strict tour guide, monitored the hallway until everyone entered their rooms. Alyssa, residing in 203, glared back at Daniels direction before closing her door. Thora saw him still standing outside. The red-haired lass was with her as well. The two walked towards him, wishing to conversate. Daniel, leaning towards the door, nudged his hand to the door and stepped inside. The border was set by the right and upon entering an intersection after a few steps. To the left entered a partially closed room, structured by concrete walls, was the kitchen. A small metallic sink, a casting cooker on the kitchen counter, and the minifridge disguised as a cabinet on the overhead. Continuing walking straight arriving to the bedroom, with the headboard of the bed frame stationed right on the wall. There was no television, instead a large desk with a sturdy rolling chair. There was enough walking space between the bedframes footer and the seat. I like this. He analyzed the items on the desk. What a place to stay, all this potential knowledge hidden in the pages, Daniel uttered. Every reader is a fighter, but not every fighter reads during their free time. Kriegshan specialty. I used to have a library of bookshelves at home, Daniel replied, opening a black hardcover. Ah okay, Im not reading this now. He jolted and closed the book, placing it back on the desk. Not today. Daniel pulled the seat, making himself comfortable. What do you want to talk about? he questioned, thrusting his leg to push himself away from the desk for more open space. Thora and the red-haired lass sat on his bed. So far, the red-haired has been awfully quiet since her first appearance. Daniel sensed the loner vibe coming through her, reminding him of his youth. Quiet, dazed off from the world. Thora on the other hand, her seriousness when directing the entire group and face-to-face with Zarlise switched to a more eased self when interacting with him. Many of us were worried when Alyssa left to find Xavier and the mysterious world. And out of the blue, she came back with him but with an entire group. What do you think? The whole new scenery was remarkable but me having to follow the remainder of y''all at a slow pace dozed Liam and Alyssa. Those lights were very bright, Thora mentioned. And huge. I saw it had wheels but not that design ever. That''s a truck. In our world, it''s one of the main uses of transport for a variety of reasons. To add on, Kriegshan has some interesting contradictions. I mean you have all these appliances, and the civilization has a blend of what is considered modern from where I''m from. Daniel reflected, pulling out his phone from his pocket. This as well. Thoras eyes were directed at the device. That looks like a thin black brick with a glass on top. That''s how we communicate at such long distances, Daniel added. Apparently, it''s not just me interested in you, but everyone after hearing news of your arrival. So, I''ll save my time until then, Thora uttered, standing up from the bed. She confronted Daniel up close. He didnt move his seat. Stand up. What are you going to do? Thora tapped on his shoulders. Please, just do it. Alright Daniel muttered, lifting his tall figure above the seat with the lighting cast his shadow over her and the entire bed. Strip to the minimum, keep your undergarment on. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! No seriously, what are you doing? Daniel contested, unwilling to take it off. Thora sighed. Everyone who participates in the tournament will have to do this tomorrow, but Im giving you a head start. Hence, do it now. Daniel kept his eyes on her and the red-haired lass before removing his overcoat. One at a time. He tossed his overcoat to the bed. All the tactical gear and the katana on his waist were revealed in the open. He clanked the buckle open. Stop! Thora commanded. Is that? I really need to ramp up my efforts to conceal such a katana from view. Man, now another one knows my weapon. Daniel, being a statue with arms and hands in place, didnt budge and Thora came closer once again, eyeing the katana. No, don''t come closer. Zarlises wielding the blade caused a violent boom of an echo. I saved it by taking it away from her. Yeah, not this time. Cant be sure if it wont happen again. Daniel recalled, immediately backed away one step. He held the hilt in his grip like a concealed handgun. Dont touch it. More damage will come if you lay a finger on it! Why? You dont trust me at all? Trust? The last time someone tried to touch this it almost got catastrophic. That was last time, so let me Thora insisted. He refused, not willing to take these risks. Especially in a hotel. Nah, we are not going to instigate a vibrating earthquake from a hotel. Thoras face down from his comment. Argh, fine. She stepped back and Daniel continued. He removed the tactical belt with one hand and let it fall onto the hard carpet. Kneeling fully down, he gently placed the sheathed katana next to his spot. The black t-shirt was untucked, almost tearing around the collar due to the tightness of his enlarged neck traps. He took his boots with socks and pants off, leaving the pants on the bed while the boots were on the floor. The red-haired Lass and Thora were staggered at his entire physique. Thora looked away in the direction of the red-haired, and Daniel could see the gulp swallowing on the surface of her throat. Excuse me, she muttered. Swiftly, she tumbled to the kitchen, followed by a water flow from the kitchen sink. It is what it is. Daniel thought, observing his entire body on what could cause the emotional appeal. Maybe his torso or his arms. Lucky me, I guess. The upper torso, arms, and legs are the only ones that matter to me, nothing else. Feeling he had achieved something; he pivoted away from himself and saw Thora thumping her boots back to her prior spot. She had a personal handkerchief and wiped along her forehead. The red-haired Lass rubbed her face, likely she was flustered while he wasnt looking in her direction. Sorry, you have to be careful, Thora apologized, clearly directing at the definition of his muscularity. Im sure you have seen plenty before? Daniel claimed. Theres a difference in appearance between looks and strength. Many here have the former but not the latter. In your case, its both, and thats a pretty rare high in a good way. However, its dangerous. Violence? That far?! Thora nodded. Adding to that, the reactions at the lobby minutes ago were because of your towering height. Including your physique into the equation; better to be always equipped. The red-haired Lass commented. She talks, finally. Daniels eyebrows raised after hearing a voice. It was like a sense of relief and the quietness gap has been filled. Ill keep that in mind. You know, we have never been introduced. My names Victoria, Victoria Auguste. Well Ms. Auguste, nice to meet you. Call me Victoria, its enough. She replied in a muttering voice. Thora, astoundingly patient, immediately went assertive. Back to where I was. I need to do the physical test on you to gauge your current performance. The Qi weighing scale was in the bathroom. Victoria got up from the bed, sprinting past the door, and came back with a bulky platform. Her rocky-toned forearms were shown through the grip holding the thick sides. She set it down on the floor, and Thora flipped the switch. The light flashed through a wide display with a system boot. Daniel waited until the whirring bootup finished. Beep! Just step on it and pressure your feet downwards until the numbers start rolling, Thora instructed. Daniel lifted his left first before his dominant right. Thora directed where he should stand for future reference when he is alone operating the scale. After he stood on the perfect spot, she clenched her fist, signaling him to stop. Here it goes. Daniel inhaled, focusing on the display. He exhaled slowly while pressuring his legs down as if he were adding more weight to carry on his shoulders each second. Goodness, how far am I going? Daniel grunted hard enough to hear his teeth grind. The numbers rose exponentially, and multiple zeros appeared on the screen within half a minute. Oh my god. Thora loudly baffled, ordering him to stop. I cant. This is something I cant control that came at the wrong time! Daniel yelped. Thora and Victoria, risking the hotel policy, deployed their qi. They flashed their blue eyes and lifted their palms engulfed in blue qi that was as bright as a high-voltage flashlight. Two hard slaps right onto his chest, causing him to tumble and exerting an overload of qi from his back. Now! Thora commanded Victoria, hovering her hand over him. The qi, hovering high up to the ceiling, swirled rapidly in response to Thora and Victorias hand. It flowed right to their fingers like a desperate vacuum. They leaned themselves back until their eyes were focused right on the ceiling. Jerking their hands upwards, the swirling cloud was forced to split as they toggled up the quality of the vacuum. They sucked up everything, leaving nothing remaining in a flash. Daniel wheezed and rolled off the scale, followed by the beeping of the scale. How could this get any worse! God my back is hurting. He rolled around, back-to-back, hastily to thwart the hammering pain over his entire back. Help! He stared at Thora and Victoria in hopes of getting their attention, amidst that they too were having their own ailment to deal with after absorbing his excess qi. Ah! Make it stop! Daniel agonized. His vocal cords felt disconnected, disabling him to talk. He wont allow his mind to concede, and he heard a clear voice while still staring at them with his arm out in desperation. Who the hell is talking to me? << Look down >> Daniel eyed away right to the floor and saw his katanas scabbard flashing white from the rough tints. My katana. << Grab it, and your pain will cease. >> He heard the voice again, thinking he might be delusional. However, the continuous flashing from the scabbard invited him. Slowly, he retained enough grip with his right hand and dragged his entire ridden body right to it. Good lord, Im heavy. He realized the weight he accumulated in literal terms. The pain that riddled his body, gave him the reality check. Im weak, darn it. He repeated the sentence, condemning himself for falling to the shenanigans again. Continuously crawling, his right forearm started to give up as the muscles showed signs of fatigue. At this point, he just ignored body warnings. Spurt! Daniels head promptly dropped down. He barely saved it, thrusting his weakened left arm. With his head cushioned on his arm, the pain spread up to his forehead. Adding on the lightheadedness. <> Shit! Daniel felt nauseated, even though he hadnt eaten anything for at least a while. He persevered amid the stack of ailments. He lifted his head up feeling soaked around his forehead, and his left arm sensed being wet. His eyelids were closed shut when he landed on his arm. Once he forced his eyes open, he slumped again. Thoras voice reached his ear. Thora? Help! Daniel attempted a partial roll with his right arm still reaching out to his katana. Quick, kick the sword to him! Victorias voice yelled to Thora. Stay with me! Thora cried. Daniel heard a clank and a hard surface rubbed underneath his fingers, clashing the edge of his palm. He opened his eyes much to their relief. The door to his room opened, and a gathering of people barged in, including the two clerks. Behind the two was everyone else who seemingly heard a commotion and followed. Stay back! Thora yelled as she took one step back at a time, on guard. Victoria acted as a shield, being the frontman. The lightheadedness was gone, the nausea faded away, and Daniel slowly stood up. His clothes on the bed moved independently like a rolling can budging on the floor randomly of all places. Multiple points of bright light are summoned from the carpet floor, creating a polygon shape. All points traced back to the center where he stood, and it gushed out white qi up to ankle height. The further away and to the perimeter of the entire polygon was when it reached high enough, he was blocked from view of the gathering near the front door. His clothes reacted to the qi reaching over the edge of the bed. The pants, vertically torn in half, flew up and rammed barely above his undergarments waistband. His black t-shirt came next, slamming right to his chest. His opened tactical belt glided to his behind, slowly hovering over his waist before wrapping around closing both ends at the buckle. The overcoat levitated like a cape as the collar reached his neck. The katana went out of his grip, and Daniel put on his overcoat. The katana went underneath his overcoat, returning to its spot with the tactical belt. The qi generated from the floor dissipated into thin air, leaving no trace behind. Clean floor and untainted bed. Ignoring a slight scratch on the desk, nothing worth looking at until Thora and the clerks pointed to a puddle next to him. Daniel looked according to where he pointed. Was I bleeding? Drip. A small droplet dripped and splattered into the puddle, splashing a tiny bit of blue liquid onto his feet. His forehead still felt soaked like drenched in sweat. He throbbed halfway through his hair, returning with his blue blood coating his fingers. Hes one of us, Victoria muttered. My interests are now concerned Thora mused, analyzing the fingers from afar. Chapter 17.II Even though he was excused, Daniel felt the atmosphere was shallow despite everyone having left, leaving him with Thora and Victoria once again. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, bandaging his forehead while Thora was simultaneously measuring his arms. From the circumstances that just happened, the occupants of Raal quickly figured out what happened to him. Disorder was the last word to come to Daniels mind and Thora gave him a debrief. Safe to say, he was the first from Earth to show such symptoms. Not to mention, he was the first with a peak physique. You make it sound as if it was nice and unique because Im different from the previous cases, Daniel said with an eerie tone. When did you last have this? Thora asked, giving the tape measure to Victoria. At least a month ago, Daniel replied. that was my second time experiencing it. Not as bad as the first time but such a miniscule compared to today. One moment, Thora said. She turned to Victoria, explaining to her ear. Upon that, she strolled to the door and then waved before departing off. Daniel rechecked his entire body, making sure nothing felt it was internally damaged or various cosmetic systems. Feeling any better? Thora questioned. Daniel nodded with a nudge. Eighty percent. Thora checked one more time before continuing what she was about to say. She revealed the potential drain of lifespan as all prior cases have been a reduced livelihood due to this disorder. Most still lived longer than half of the average life expectancy. Daniel stood and walked in circles as she continued to elaborate. He ignored her further elaborations without intent. Why are you helping me? Pardon? Daniel stopped, leaning beside the wall which borders the kitchen. First time Ive ever been treated like an unexpected special guest. He paused, rubbing his mouth and chin. And my blood. Yall were concerningly observing it as if it was peculiar. Thora stood up, articulating her cloak as if she was ready to leave. Follow me, She muttered, heading to the door first. Where are we going? Daniel questioned, grabbing his overcoat. Thora turned her face around, nudging the door away. The place where your questions will be answered. He followed her out of the room at a reasonable pace and quickly went down the stairs. As he descended each step, he saw the people downstairs strolling the lobby react back. Their direct eye contact was different. Some would stop and greet him like a celebrity or an acquaintance in part of a town. Thora carefully directed him out of the hotel and did not stop to greet anyone. His truck was piled by a crowd of curious individuals, studying all over the vehicle. A couple of each took spots standing on the running boards, viewing through the window. What are they doing? Daniel jogged at a calm pace, barging through the outskirts of the crowd. Thora broke away from his arm, diverging to his left. The presence naturally made others move for him to pass. It was much bigger than he could picture. Many ordinary pedestrians came through just to view his pickup, much to his annoyance once they dispersed. The strangest thing was they either acted like he was literally not nearby, or they were too attentive, ignoring the surroundings. He thrust his hand into the pocket, reaching for his key fob. Clicking on the engine button, the engine revved signified by the roaring noise. They reacted in startle slightly covering their ears. Finally, they regained their sense of personal space, visibly stricken by his towering presence. He passively gestured to the few remaining on the running board to leap off. Everyone, back up! Thora commanded. Daniel swiftly opened the door wide enough to slide inside. He locked his doors and glaring to the passenger side, Thora had to levitate as masses of the crowd at her side refused to budge. He lowered the passenger window for her just to glide in. Clank! This is nice, Thora commented on the comfy seat. How far is the destination per se? Around twenty minutesBy flying. Jesus, how big is this underground city?!

17.2

Holy crap! Daniels verdict of the civilization underground. He reluctantly admitted that he wasnt even listening while he was in the truck following her after first arriving underground. Having a whole lesson to himself simmered the boredom of going through the heavy foot traffic throughout. The hotel was not even in downtown or the center of Kriegshan city. Kriegshan city still exists and despite being underground there was no reason to alter the name. And the conflict has been around for more than a decade, it was only recently when everyone took refuge underground. Thanks to the Kampfyin system, the entire renovation from a traditional area into a humongous civilization took seven years at most, leaving three years of transition. Kampfyin? Xavier never told me anything about that either. Good gracious. He is always like that. Daniel turned the wheel to the right, arriving at the entrance pathway that led into Kriegshans agora. He abruptly slammed the brakes, stopping right at the gate. Thora grunted angrily at the closed gate, and she opened the door, running up directly at the gate that was locked. Hmm. Theres no keyhole. Daniel exited. He went up to the door, immediately sensing a source of qi when he tapped the metal frame. Touching it again gave off a clunking noise as if there was a glass masking over the entire door. Darn it, Thora mumbled. She thought it was going to be open which is unusual for it to be closed when the entire agora was all day and week operation. Screech! I guess this wouldnt be a problem, will it? What are you doing?! Thora said panickily. She then locked his right arm down. You cant be acting crazy shit around here. Daniel checked around him and behind, finding the coast was clear. No one is here. All are out on the main street. Are we allowed to jump then? The two bickered, contradicting each others points unnecessarily dragged the interaction far from the end. Ahem! Behind the front gate, Victoria stood staring at the two with her arms crossed. How long had she been here? Daniel was astounded, and he forced out right in the middle of a different round of bantering between Thora. She in return took it offensive, mouthing him. You two already know each other in such a short time, makes me envy you a little bit, Victoria directly eyed Thora. He started it! Forget it, who starts who. Its over. Plus, you are authorized to jump over the fence. Motherfucker! Daniel took a couple steps back, irritated, and slammed his hands on the hood. Can you open the door, please? For your sincerity, I will. He hopped back into the truck, honking at Thora to move. She headed in first, lifting her middle finger. Daniel cracked a chuckle and drove the truck in. The clanking of the metal door closed, and Victoria glided along in front of him, directing which building to go. Quickly figured to be on the right, he drove behind her and immediately turned right after passing the gate. While following her, he observed the entire central space. He wondered what the type of architecture they called it here. A true replica of ancient Greek culture. A Greek-like ethnicity? Daniel thought, after recollecting passing through many districts where each has their unique expression of their culture. And from what he was told, it was only a piece of the underground city he traveled through. Using that reference, Underground Kriegshan would need at least four Tokyos to be reasonable. The place where your questions will be answered, Daniel recalled Thoras words, already having a few questions in his subconscious prepared. Reaching to the right side of the central parks perimeter. To his right was a temple. There was a decent number of heavy cloaks doing praying sessions to multiple statues erected behind the lengthy row of pillars that separate the outside from the interior. Daniel leaned back in his seat while maintaining the distance. Ahead with a slight direction detoured to the right, the building stood tall in front of the city hall. The staircase was as wide as a four-lane road and as high as the upper circle in an auditorium. On the opposite side of the temple, across the central park was the library with its name imprinted above on the rectangular roof sat on top. Were almost here, Victoria reminded and took the right detour. Going through the tour revealed the side of the city hall, displaying the grand design with the material of white marble shining through the mimic of the moonlight. This adds another question to the formation of a sky like it never had left the surface. Passing through the alley, the three arrived in a different part of the agora. A three-way intersection straight ahead was blocked by the concrete wall. He turned left, passing through the city signs, and Victoria descended her feet from the air, now pacing through the street. She then pointed to the sole white building towering over a crowd of uniform townhouses. Every townhouse on the street is strictly two stories, and each unit serves as a vendor for various services or sales. The pedestrian traffic began to pick up as the closer they reached the building. The first intersection came up and all immediately turned right, arriving at the wide cul-de-sac. A circular decorative garden was at the center of the dead end, and Victoria directed Daniel to park at the entrance of the building. It was the closest modern building so far, other than the hotel. It even had its own porte-cochere, and Daniel parked directly under it. He exited the truck and walked to the garden as he noticed a tombstone blended behind the vibrant flowers. -- David Bergmann C Owner of the Bergmann KC Est. 567 -- What year is it now? Daniel asked. 1010! Thora responded. Darn, four hundred and forty-three years in the making. Daniel thought. The buildings duo door slides open, revealing a tall frail as if he was malnourished. The clothes he wore gave him a broader shoulder, but the rest of his body wasnt equal in proportion to the shoulders. The man walked out, and Thora greeted him. He noticed Daniel moving away from the garden. Is this the visitor I heard about? The man hoarsely said. Daniel can hear the roughness grinding through the vocal cords that he almost bit his own mouth. Yessir, Daniel muttered, feeling uncomfortable by the voice. He strolled up and offered a handshake. The man grabbed Daniels hand. For a guy like him, his handshake was firm. Good to meet you, my names David Bergmann, David introduced. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Daniel, its a pleasure. David invited all three into the building and followed him all the way in. As they passed through the building, they reached the open elevator. No lobby or anything. An empty wide space to walk with the elevator as the sole end of the floor. Daniel stood the furthest with his back leaning against the wall and saw the elevator buttons. Victoria, who was next to the buttons, pressed the top button of the three available. She exerted her qi blue right onto the buttons surface which initiated a dinging bell sound, automatically closing the door. Daniel heard the metal clanking sound which was directly above him. David turned around, noticing him curiously startled. Ah dont worry about it. Still, a work in progress on the lifting speed of the elevator as its mainly powered by qi. Are you a designer or some sort of a crafter businessman? He turned around facing Daniel, appearing enthusiastic and less dreadful. Engineer to be exact. I got brief information from Victoria about your need to manage the unpredictability of a painful episode. Am I correct? One way of putting it. Daniel silently nodded and he pointed to his headband. It led to this. Unflex your arms out and direct them towards me as if you were going to grab me. And open your hand too, bring the palm right to my view. Daniel slowly straightened his arm out at him, opening his hand upward. David grabbed his palms. He next used his one thumb, pressuring at one of the pressure points. Strictly right between the thumb and the index finger. My hands are cold! Daniel reacted, and his arms began to shiver and shake. Thora and Victoria silently stood, watching as if they knew what was happening. He saw a trace of qi leaving the edges of his fingers, flowing right into Davids wrist. Afterward, he let it go from his grasp and apologized. Ding! That might be a strange first impression, but that was how I was able to read what is entirely going on about your qi handling, David elaborated, turning to the door. Were here. The elevator door opened. He walked out first followed by Thora and Victoria. Daniel went out, keeping the trail as they went through the living space. He eyed the environment it expels. To be frank, it resembled the high-end apartments and hotels in Manhattan. The lack of technology for all he currently knew made this entire building an impressive feat. Unless it had to do something with the Kampfyin system. However, the living space isnt that long of a visual as he reaches into a nearly pitch-black hallway. Once he sauntered in while he could still see them, Daniel heard the ringing of the keys followed by the sound of it inserting into the lock. Immediately, it opened and caused the interior light glare to be expunged out, barely passing the door frame. Probably the most proportionally wide and tall he has ever seen in a private home. Because the door and the frame together looked like a Bank vault, Daniels curiosity went off the roof, wondering what could be built or solved behind those doors. Am I the first guest? David chuckled. No. But you are one of the first ten. Oh, Im honored. Welcome to my workshop! David exclaimed with a more relaxing voice. The hiss from the steam smoke rampaged the ceiling up high, looking like clouds without context or knowledge. Daniel was admired by the flux of contrasted technology operating in such an environment. From the floors to the open wide space without any items, this is just like a warehouse. There were a couple of chair beds scattered across the area. Im intrigued, you have a lot of firepower and arsenal in here. You bet. Before the tour, have a seat, David said, gesturing to the closest one. Now? Daniel was confused by the sudden gesture. Thora came to his side, holding his hand with the intent of pulling him to it. This is the part where you answer the questions. David will answer them as we go. She tugged until near the seat and rotated around, directly facing herself at him. Subsequently, he lay hard on the chair bed, and David tied the belt around his waist, keeping him in place. He went away from his point of view, and Daniel questioned Thora why he was strapped. Uncertain of what might happen the next time, I thought it was the right time to bring you to David. Youre the first to get an entire full technological set to be implemented into your body right at the spot. Daniel doesnt seem to find that pleasant. Right at the spot?! He doesnt have a good sense of feeling right now thanks to her word of explanation. My optimism is right out of the window. What do you mean right at the spot? David returned before Thora could answer, pulling out various items from his chest. Inside were pairs of black tactical gloves and three syringes. The syringes appeared to have the same content: a mix of green and blue substances. He handed one to Victoria, who was sitting on Daniels left, and he gave the second to Thora. Hold still alrightwe are giving you access to a new technology that hopefully will keep you stable in the long run. Your eye might glitch for a bit. Thora was about to prepare when Daniel lifted his right arm up momentarily. You better tell me after this whole thing passes. Trust me, youre going to like it, David muttered. He then ordered Victoria and Thora to begin injecting first, through the back of each of his hands. Daniel braced his neck as he felt the pressure slithering from the end of his hands rubbing all the way up to his jaw. The weird feeling transitioned to an extraordinary amount of pain and screamed from the top of his lungs with no hesitation. Thora tossed the syringe back into the chest and firmly gripped his hand. Victoria placed her needle onto the table, holding his shoulder in a clamping manner. This is the worst Ive ever felt in all my years! Daniel tried his efforts to brush aside the pain that progressively went up when he felt it was like restructuring or adjusting his bones. His head facial features twitched abnormally: around the mouth and the neck region right under his jaw, letting him facially jerk left and right. Heal him! David yelled at a rapid pace. He tried to keep Daniel lying flat without causing any more agony. Thora, with pure blue eyes, went up to the seat and went on top of him, using her entire body to disperse her qi more quickly. Get that needle away from my face! Daniel saw the tip of the needle inches close above his left eye. Thora and Victoria grabbed his arm, embracing him to keep him rendered, and David appeared to not hover the needle away. Only for him to realize he was the last of three injections. No, no, no. Not my fucking eye! Daniel cant blurt a word as if he was experiencing the hotel episode again. Its gonna sting a little, David muttered, staring at him for a moment as if he was gauging where to safely inject it. Frrip! The lengthy thin piece of metal, many feared during hospital visits, exerted the substance through his eye socket. He saw Davids hand hovering over his left eye followed by the surface of his thumb, holding his eyelids back. The substance was directed through the center of his brain as he could vividly feel it flowing down there. Unfairly, it attributed to more pain he had to deal with and triggered an intense headache. David slowly pulled out the needle, and that was it, or so he thought. Daniel''s jaws clenched and biting like a violent beast, spooking the three away from the chair. Help! His mind desperately calls. << Go to sleep. >> He abruptly passed out relieved upon recognizing his katanas voice.

17.3

-- Systems booting -- Ugh, Daniel grumbled. He slowly opened his eyes, staring at the bare metal ceiling. When he tilted his head to the right, a sudden throb rubbed around his forehead triggering a few vertigo side effects. << Youre a crazy man. I even felt the side effects. >> Daniel rubbed his eyes and held both sides of his head as he turned around. No one is here. Wheres the damn three at? He checked again and resulted in an absent room. However, the square door was opened all out as if they departed or left him there. << Hey, you know we can talk, right? >> Uh, how do I even do that? Daniel paused. Telepathy is such a brand-new matter, and he isnt sure how to perform it correctly. < Does this work? I can hear you, but I didnt know how to communicate. >> Daniel replied slowly. << Phew, finally. The first time a wielder and I communicated. >> < One question. > << Sure. >> < Can you read my mind at all? > << Barely. That would depend on the wielder, which is you. Im not even sure. Youre the first on pretty much everything now. It will be a learning experience for me too. >> Daniel was silent for a moment as he got distracted by the words appearing in his point of view. < Ok, but darn. That would mean you cant see what Im seeing. > << Like what? >> The katana questioned. < These words keep hovering in my face as I move my eyes around. > The katanas voice came with a deep sigh. << What the heck did that guy even give you? >> < I dont know anything other than it was technological. I was supposed to ask the questions prior, but you knocked me out of my misery. So, thanks. You saved me twice from the pain.> << Doing whatever I can, and the two of us communicating is a gift of gratitude. >> < Will talk later, these words are still here. > Daniels head was still throbbing like the rocks constantly thrown at it. He waved right where the words hovered. Swiftly, it went past the bolded letters like he was a ghost. -- System booted Successfully -- Willkommen, User! Welcome, User! ӭ ! Initiating body optimizations -- Daniel didnt bother waving his hand further, relaxing back on the seat. -- Body functions normal Life ailments withdrew. -- Ah, gosh damn it. So, they were right about it being a disorder. Daniel reflected, now desiring to get out of the chair bed. The head throbbing dissipated after the sentence. He was still strapped around his waist by the belt. He grabbed the end of the belt and tore it like discarded paper. Daniel stretched his feet before guiding it back to the floor. Gripping the armrest, he braced himself up from the leather and stood amongst the discarded room like surviving alone in the apocalypse. -- Generating stats 0% -> 100% Displaying stats Stamina: 100% Endurance: Level 1 Durability: Level 1 Power: Level 1 Qi containment: Level 1 Electric Charge: Level 1 Class: N/A -- Interesting. Qi containment and electric charge. Daniel was curious about those two, hypothesizing that being the focus to keep his body in control. He observed his hands only to find the right hand being engulfed by black-colored metal. His left hand, unaffected, gave a touch and it reacted like fabric as it could be pulled. The fabric reacted aggressively, returning to its prior spot. This is so weird. I can''t even take it off. He saw the end of his wrist was where the black-colored material stopped. Uncanny, his right-hand looks like the pairs he saw from the chest. He found this bizarre and attempted to poke through it with his pen from his pockets. No effect. Not wasting any more time, he began heading out of the warehouse-themed open space. Before stepping out through the door, a screen like a hologram appeared in front of his face. -- Choose a class listed: ***(Each class has different nutritional and functional requirements.) *** General Blacksmith Librarian Archer Swordsman -- With the five options given, his past life experiences benefited him and allowed him to fit in with any of the classes. In turn, Daniel making the decision wasnt a piece of cake, and his focus should be interpreted based on today and the future ahead. He stood for a moment longer before a final decision had been made. I guess this will do. He went along picking the General class. -- Confirm? -- Yes. General C A class that is a multitude of studies and actions. Hard work, knowledge, and health are the main objectives. The outcome is case by case and will be up to the user to reach that level. ** General is the only class where the user gets no starting bonuses. ** Daily intake: 0/4000 Cal -- As the system continued to scroll, Daniel had no interest whatsoever in this room amid it was now more furnished than when he first arrived. He then departed, passing the square door. While walking out and going through the pitch-black hallway, he heard conversations beyond the hallway. -- (4) skills gained. Translation LV.1 Conductor LV.1 Regeneration LV.1 Qi Control LV.1 -- Chapter 18 Sounds of laughter and long conversations beyond the hallway, coming from the living room area next to the elevator. Daniel thought they had departed the entire building, leaving him alone. Either way, the desperation for answers had not been so high. As he was about to walk out to the living room, another set of visuals popped into his view. -- Reading the users memory for initiations. 0.001% Raal discovered. General Class (LV.1) Meter: [1%] +1% -- Interesting. Daniel thought while theorizing what the meter and the discovery progress could potentially be for in the long run. No human could be able to craft this technology. He doubted David could craft the system software as there was no indication of such devices existing for all he knew upon arriving. However, the mechanical part as evident from his hand was more believable. -- Initiation preparations completed Height: 6.284г, 208.28 cm, 610 Weight: 240.4н, 120.202 kg, 265 lbs. Daily Necessity Calorie Count unchanged: ~4000 Cal required. -- He read the diet and calorie count, finding the recommendations were way beyond his typical diet. 4000 for all of this seems off. I mean would it matter if it goes over? Suddenly, he heard a rumbling noise in his stomach. He held it and another one came immediately. -- Hunger in effect. -- Shit. The third grumbling was more aggressive, signaling Daniel needed to find food. He sprinted out of the hallway and went through the living space, finding the three all sat on the couch conversing with a glass of assumingly wine in their hands. Funny, they didnt notice him walking past, and the kitchen was right on the opposite side, so Daniel had to sprint across the floor. It was only when he reached the end, prompting him to turn left into the kitchen, was when he heard a yelp. He turned around to see Thora stand from her couch, nearly tipping her glass, and looked at him. The hunger prevented him from responding but barging into the kitchen. The kitchen was fairly a mess. Pans and plates are scattered everywhere on the kitchen counter. No decency. Daniel grabbed the large pan on the counter and hovered it right near his face. Perfect. He placed it on the stove. Behind the stove was the refrigerator about the size of two cabinets wide and around at least seven feet tall. He pulled it open, only to be confronted with an absolute mess. Could he at least organize it rather than leaving it like a toy box?! Daniel ranted and was annoyed that he had to organize while finding the right foods to satisfy his hunger. Youre alive! Thora yelled, prompting Daniel to turn behind from the refrigerator. Uh, yeah. I was in pain but nothing else. David appeared beside Thora and Victoria from behind him. How are you feeling? David asked, removing the joyful face he had earlier on the couch. Ok, but you owe me. So, Im taking some of your food stash as payment, Daniel replied. He took out two trays of steak, a plate of cooked rice, and a tray filled with two cuts of fish filet. Any symptoms? Thora asked. Daniel shook his head. He grabbed the bottle of oil, pouring it onto the entire surface of the pan. Im hungry. He tore the wrap around the tray containing two pieces of steak and seasoned it with salt and pepper. Next, he toggled up the stove for the oil to sizzle. He opened the second tray and applied the same seasonings before using the tongs to put all four on the pan. As the four pieces of steak began to feel the heat generated from the stove, the visual system was operating an ongoing programming and luckily the automatic scrolling of multiple lines didnt interfere with his vision and remained on the far edges. Quickly, it reached the end and the few last lines moved right at the direct center. In reaction, Daniel glanced up, blankly staring in the direction of David, Thora, and Victoria. Each letter transformed into a straight line and scattered around the border of his point of view, connecting each other to form a thin frame. This reminds me of a video game I saw one of my interns play on a flat TV screen. The newly established frame went teal blue. -- Created by [Redacted] Loading world clock -- The world clock slid up to the right corner, prompting him to roll his eyes upright. -- 03:15 -- Damn, and Im not even sleepy from all of this. Daniel refocused back at the steak where he could smell the oil flowing up and away from the pan. Using the tongs, he flipped the four pieces to the opposite side, bringing out the whiff of white vapory smoke, exerting from the pan. Now Im hungry all over again, Thora mumbled, disregarding him, and focusing on his culinary performance of the steak. I thought you guys ate, Daniel replied, pointing at all the mess in the sink. There are a couple unwashed plates in here. The smell makes me starve David leaned up to the counter. Are you supposed to ask me questions? Daniel reacted to his random upfront manner, Im cooking, and yes, I will ask you questions. However, not when my whole body is in a state of crisis, demanding food supply. So, please be patient. He knew David or the two would not react well to being patient, but they had to oblige without a choice. You guys have fun back there, Ill come over when Im done. Thora appeared stubborn while Victoria seemed offended because of her. While David let out a deep sigh, heading off first. Is there butter? Of course there is, Victoria nodded, leaving her spot, and tapped on Thoras shoulders for her to leave. Victoria opened the fridge and tossed a thinly sliced butter right into Daniels hand. Ok, now we are good. Thanks. Sizzle! The butter reacted upon contact with the oil and the hot surface of the pan. Once the pan dissolved and seeped into the steak, Daniel turned down the heat to a minimum. -- 03:18 -- Times up! He went for the empty plate in one of the cabinets. Victoria pointed one and he followed her direction, opening the cabinet drawer next to the fridge. He then took it next to the stove, and Daniel poured a bit of the juicy cooked oil onto the plate followed by all four pieces of steak. Taking the knife and fork, he cut up each of the four pieces, checking the color. If the center is warm red, we are set. He turned a piece right to the side and placed it back down. Adding the last bits of butter basting before he took the plate of rice and dumped it into the pan, hiking up the heat. As he let the heat resurface, Daniel turned to the two cuts of fish filet. This one appeared strange as he knew the texture to be a fish but never white with a tint of red stripes. He found Victoria to be the only one at the counter watching him and asked her about the type of fish. Karminlachs. The rice was about to defrost, and the remaining oil seeped and overwhelmed the white rice. That was the time when he went on taking the rice out. It might be just him, but the stoves here seemed much more powerful than back on Earth despite the burner expelling gas just as normal. Karminlachs. Thats new, crimson salmon. I bet it tastes as good as the salmon back on Earth. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Victorias eyes raised. Ooh, you gonna like it then. Its one of those where you must taste it to understand the full picture. The written description is just the persuasive part of the equation. Im about to find out, Daniel mumbled while keeping his mouth closed. He felt his salvia was raised to a near drool. Victoria chuckled as Daniel mixed the rice a little before bringing it to the plate. What? Youre becoming like us. We naturally drool in response to cooking any type of food. Meat makes us the most vulnerable while fruits are the least reactive. Wow, I didnt know gluttonous society was a thing. Once again, Victoria looked offended. Is that a problem? Oh. I didnt know they hold such pride over what food they eat. Daniel shook his head, and he slid the two filets of Karminlachs into the pan, giving it a minute. -- ***Records of Raal created*** Karminlachs discovered. -- (1) skill gained. Cooking LV.1 -- The heck. All that cooking was just level 1. Get the hell out of here. Daniel mentally exclaimed. Not even a full minute and the Karminlachs are already cooked based on the coloring of the meat and Victoria who was watching, telling him about the timing like a timer countdown. On the plate almost entirely filled with the four pieces of steak and a plate of rice, he carefully took the two Karminlachs filets and let them lay on the plate, hearing a slight texture from the crispy skin. Daniel turned off the stove, leaving the pan. He took the plate and went to the couch where Thora and David were conversing and laughing like prior. Victoria walked past him to sit down first. He put his plate down on the glass table. The knife, spoon, and fork were placed beside the plate. Hes really good, Victoria commented on his appetite and the cooking. Time to eat before my stomach kills me. Daniel took the knife and fork, eating the first piece of steak. He then gave a thumbs up. I do say, the taste and texture of the steak. I expected it to exactly be the same as back on Earth, but the outcome revealed it entirely differently. In what relations? David asked, looking happier at finally talking to him. Its softer like I dont get any chewy tender as I would have thought. David nodded. He leaned back on the couch, not insisting on disturbing him savoring the meal. -- 180/4000 Cal (+180) -- God lee. Daniel looked at the visuals, finding half of one steak piece was worth that much. Add the other half and it would be almost four hundred calories ingested. Thats about a breakfast of scrambled eggs with two strips of turkey bacon and a piece of toast patted with butter. I might finish at almost two thousand by the time Im finished with this plate. Daniel predicted as he could only assume without any further information. Empty plate. No crumbs or bits remain on the white canvas of a plate. It was clean as if it had never been used. -- 1956/4000 Cal -- Close enough. Daniel looked right at David, getting right into the subject. It might be strange to see me waking up only to feel angrily hungry. And when I said, Im hungry, I meant it. This was one of the symptoms of the so-called system you injected into me. I see, so thats why you were in that mood, David muttered, holding his chin. You didnt make this, did you? It appeared redacted as the word hovered in my face. Thora seemed curious, wondering what the experience was. How was it, going through it? Horrible, very horrible. The pain was the worst Ive ever had to experience hence Ill never forget it. So, thanks a lot for that. But at least this system is benefiting me currently. Daniel kept his reveal carefully. As he doesnt want to fully tell the truth about his katanas sentience, and how it saved him twice. He can feel it listening to the conversation.

18.2

Umph! Daniel lay down on his bed, staring up high at the ceiling. Today was a chaotic day. Nearly dying, suffering pain twice, receiving his katana, and having such exquisite food. The tournament doesnt start until noon tomorrow. Currently, its already twenty past five, as shown from his heads-up display. Way more than twenty-four hours left. He doesnt want to leave the hotel room until lunchtime. His stomach was still full of the loaded meal of around two thousand calories. Daniel swiftly remembered, almost forgetting. Pulling out his katana from the tactical belt, he let the sheathed blade lay on the remaining open space of the bed. < You up? > Daniel called. << I always am. Sleeping is not a natural activity. >> < Lucky. Well, I might not even sleep that much either today. Having this new unknown system that was supposed to keep me alive, and the power of the Kampfyin made it even more difficult. > << Do you miss it? >> Daniel processed for a moment. << I dont think as much. From a health perspective, probably. Speaking of. How come you and the other two katanas were on earth? And to be in a dojo that I have a bad history with. Do you know yourself what could be the reason for that to happen? >> << I wondered myself, >> His katana paused. << The only thing I could remember was right before it. Only a fragment of it, I was being wielded by the previous owner, and in a flash, I was wielded by you. >> Daniel pulled out his phone, revealing the unmoving battery life. He swiped through to the empty notepad and typed a record of the day. Something he had never done before. Listing the hidden trauma that almost mentally screwed him, and adding the mistrust he slowly develops after going through the injections. Intracerebral injection right from the eye socket was horrific. The conversation with Thora, Victoria, and David does ease some of his doubts and concerns, but the new bags of information only gave him new questions like a word bank constantly expanding. < What did I do to deserve this? >> Daniel said in a questionable tone. << Pardon? >> His katana doesn''t know his time before they met. < Oh right, you don''t know my history. > << Give me a short summary. >> < A party I don''t want to be and being forced to attend led me to get attacked. Hence, I became wild and exerted too much for the next couple of days. Xavier''s arrival proved how much of an interest I am, which made me grow rapidly like a spec of a bacteria. That bacterium so far became an unintentional catalyst for future events to come, and that led to our first encounter and what transpired after. > Daniel''s mind became a little fuzzy after unnecessary trying. << You need to get some rest. Training is tomorrow. >> Daniel sighed loudly as he rolled around the bed with the lights still on. He wanted his mind to be the first to have the proper sleep, but the virtual system in his head is preventing that. Skoltor shows Daniel''s stats under his request: -- Displaying stats Stamina: 92% Endurance: Level 1 Durability: Level 1 Power: Level 1 Qi containment: Level 1 Electric Charge: Level 1 Class: General 0.0015% Raal discovered. General Class (LV.1) Meter: [1.2%] +.2% -- Yeah, ninety-two percent. Daniel, with nothing to do, focused on the desk. Specifically, the book he swiftly closed upon opening the cover. As he lifted his head from the comfy bed, a tingly swoosh of air blew right at his left ear. Jolting his head back down, only to find a big arrow struck on the wall next to the bathroom door. Swoosh! More. Daniel felt company at the door, prompting him to roll off the bed, tumbling to the hard carpet. He jolted his hand up to the bed to grab his katana before crawling to the kitchen wall. Leaning right on the wall, Daniel hovered his head to peek at the door to be bombarded by holes and damage from the barrage of arrows. Paying attention to where the arrows strike, it was almost a completely accurate bullseye. Minus a few outliers, a volley of arrows was enough that if he was still on that bed asleep, it might be the coffin for him. Who on earth is interrupting my peace?! Daniel returned focus to the door, attempting to squint through the hollow parts of the door. The hallway light seeped through but felt movement. He tied back the scabbard to his tactical belt and held the katana by its hilt. < I guess I''m not getting a nap today. > << What a bummer. >> His katana disappointedly grunted. Voices came behind the door: Was that enough? An anonymous male one voice asked. That would teach them, an anonymous male two voice responded. Grhh. You arent getting away! Daniels right knuckle popped as he strengthened the grip around the hilt, pulling it out of the scabbard. He barged from the kitchen wall, twisting one-eighty to the front door with both of his hands on the hilt. An upward lift of the katana with a heavy load of sky-blue qi. Bright blue light exerted from the surface and tip of the blade, striking towards the damaged door. Boom! The havoc reached beyond the walls, leaving a crater hole with a view of the outside. Smoke debris flooded the part of Daniels room, reaching higher than his ankle. He plodded through while on guard, carefully peeking out for any more company. Leaving the door, he heard a thump after hitting something solid on the sole of his boot. He exerted his qi, dispersing the smoke. It revealed a tattered body of two, lying on the floor. Each carried a bow and a sack of arrows which Daniel took one. The arrowhead was the freakiest. The protrusions around the grain made it look jagged and more savage. He decided to grab a couple more and brought it into the room, placing it at the writing desk. Walking back out, and the entire row of rooms doors opened. Mother Elaine and Xavier appeared first before the rest of the group walked out in their sleepwear. Daniel leaned right out over the wall, finding traces of his qi having struck and scarred a couple roofs ahead. Pedestrians and witnesses down below stared back at Daniel, who called out for assistance. I was having some good sleep, what the hell happened?!" Zarlise complained before fully opening her eyes, finding the devastating mess. Daniel pivoted over, revealing the two archers lying on the floor. He took measures around their necks. Still alive, he muttered. Thank god, Xavier breathed. Can you please not cause another havoc for at least a day. Mother Elaine berated. If they only knew. Daniel silently reflected on their vocal statements and stared at them silently. Thump! Thump! He turned to find Thora standing on the opposite side of the site with a few individuals in full uniform like the marines dress blues. All had blue trousers with a black five-button coat and a leather belt fastened around mid-torso. Black campaign hats covered the upper portion of their faces, leaving them mysterious and menacing despite Daniel sensing no qi from them. Daniel stepped aside and they grabbed the two archers away, swiftly departing the hallway in a quiet stealthy manner. -- Der Schurkische Bogenschtze (Villainous/Rouge Archer) discovered. Kriegshan Police discovered. General Class (LV.1) Meter: [1.5%] +.3% 0.0015% -> 0.0017% Raal discovered. -- Chapter 19 The mess at the hotel was unprecedented and disruptive. According to the Kriegshan Police, this was another of their acts of terror within the city. The Schurkische Bogenschtze, or the S.B. for short, was a terrorist group of archers who had former relations with the countrys military, and they went rogue for redacted causes. That was the short gist he got and was told to deal with them in non-lethal methods as possible until they surrendered. Further evidence was the volley of arrows that struck the wall was sent away to the K.P.D. He kept the ones he took from the bag, hidden in the writing desks drawer. Once all of them cleared the scene, the hotel requested extra security from the central government and the K.P.D. The latter accepted while the former hasnt responded. A police unit was gathered at the front, facing directly to the street that directs to the hotel. A few horse carriages were present at the scene. He viewed the front for a little longer before departing to his room. The door wont be fixed until a couple hours later when the assigned door crafters shift begins. Instead, he got a curtain that substituted the door. To be honest, it worked perfectly. Sitting himself down on the chair, he scooted up to the writers desk and took one arrow out, placing it on the table. Finally, that book. Daniel was confronted by the black hardcover, and finding no one in sight, he turned the cover. A story. Flipping more pages. Oh well, rubbish. Daniel closed the book, putting it in the desks other unoccupied drawer to the right. He picked up the arrow again. < Do you sense anything off about this piece of arrow? > << Uh-uh. But did you think its weird they only barged your private space? >> < Fair point. Sounds like the bacterium has already made its mark. The immune system of this world has already begun its procedures. > << Youre gonna relax with those analogies. Its getting out of hand. >> Daniel stopped observing the arrowhead, putting it back down on the desk. < You prefer literal than the latter? > << Yes, and Im not good with non-literal activities or conversations. >> < I thought, you dont remember your past. > << Obviously, but that doesn''t mean I know who I am by nature. >> His katana said bluntly. < OkIll keep that in mind. I won''t take your time too much then. > -- Stamina: 80% Clock: 06:10 -- Im bored, just gonna go to bed with all the lights off. Daniel got up from the chair, shutting off everything, and succumbed to the soft, relaxed pillow. His mind lingered in the dark space with a couple of lackluster thoughts. He again thought of the past day and eventually seized into the morning as the sun set on the underground horizon.

19.2

Knock! Bang! Daniel woke up from the slumber as the noise continued consistently. It was like someone was going with the flow and came with a spike. In this case, it was a loud knock slam. He slid his feet down to the floor and sat on the side of the bed, rubbing his eyes. After getting washed up, he saw the door had been replaced over the curtain. Grabbing his katana, he opened the door and stepped out. The damage was reversed, leaving no wall damage prior except for the dark shadowy tint on the wooden floor. -- Clock: 11:50 Stamina: 100% -- Thats a long nap. Daniel went downstairs after sensing no qi on the upper floor. As he descended the stairs, he eyed left and right only to find no one except the ordinary guests and the same clerks from last night. Oh, you awake, the male clerk announced. Have you seen them? Daniel asked, assuming they knew who he was referring to. He turned to the lady clerk. She gave a nod as if they were told a secret behind his back. The male clerk leaned up close to the counter. Can I ask what the heck happened yesterday? He whispered, gesturing to him to walk to the other side of the counter where the lady clerk was stationed. Is this related to the archers? Yeah. Daniel took a moments processing. For how long? The lady clerk checked the clock, Its been at least three hours since they left the hotel. Not one of them has returned since. Interesting. Not even leaving a note behind. Gas started to boil inside of him. While keeping it in control, he asked one more question. What made you want to tell me if this was a supposed secret? After some thought, we think you are a breath of fresh air. Rare takewhat makes you think so? Even though it hasnt been exactly a full day, your presence alone created the attraction of the people around you. Startling height at first. However, that feeling goes away after a few moments, the male clerk said. He then pointed around the lobby. You see, it was not like yesterday was it. Nobody spooked off anymore. Keep that in mind the more you go out around Kriegshan. Thanks, I will, Daniel expressed with a lower tone. Please dont take this to heart. They had not checked out and taken their luggage, so they should be back soon, The clerk lady added. And one more thing, how long are our rooms booked? The lady clerk lifted six fingers, grinning without revealing her white teeth. Daniel asked her if there was any place to earn some quick income. She told her co-worker to get a map which the male clerk swiftly turned around, opened the bottom shelf, and brought out a long rolled wide sheet. He placed it down on the counter and unrolled the sheet, revealing a huge map. Incredible, so this is what Kriegshan looks like underground. Daniel saw a tiny marker the size of a drop of paint at the bottom corner, indicating the hotel. Good thing you asked, there was a paper earlier this morning advertising a brawl fight. The winner takes six hundred silvers, enough to make you well off for some time. The male clerk said. Hold on, thats near the Agora, Daniel asserted, pointing at the open area which was scaled only to be an inch north away from the tiny marker. Ahh, so thats where you were atbut yeah its there. Daniel recollects the trip, never seeing an attraction for a fighters ground. Both clerks refuted this, stating that the coffee shops most of them have an underground floor where it takes place. It was only recently they started operating again. Well, Daniel paused, feeling his stomach. Im still full, so I guess Ill seek it out then. He expressed his gratitude to the clerks who were not even interested in talking about this to anyone else. They vowed their lips were sealed shut. By this point, he doesnt even care if they tell me because his mood is low and would rather spend some time alone. And being in the room or doing nothing before the official tournament opens is no way in hell. He moves away from the counter and expresses again his gratitude before departing only for them to call him again. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. I forgot to mention, they took your truck too! What the hell! Daniel angrily turned back. Are you serious?! One of the police reported it to us. I''m sorry. So, they went into my room??! Thanks for letting me know. He replied. I''ll be back. He ran out to the edge of the curb where the pavement ends. Viewing out in the open, the police are still on guard, standing in formation with all their attention focused right on the street. To the left directs back to the Agora. The sun in the bright sky was casting over the whole area, making it bright. -- ***Missions menu created*** Missions added (1): Arrive the Agoras Main Street Coffee (62 miles) -- Alright, lets roll, Daniel mumbled, launching himself into the sky. While hovering in the sky, he saw a few flying, but it was scarce compared to the foot traffic below. Following the direction of the lengthy main street, he focused straight ahead and boosted away.

19.3

Around twenty minutes to get to the area of the Agora was bullshit. Skoltors clock counted barely five minutes over a sixty-two-mile trip by air. Which is twelve hundred and forty miles in one hour. So, either they are damn slow or awkward miscalculations because this is a fifteen-minute early drop. Daniel arrived at the place. Like the clerks told him, its just an ordinary coffee shop. Up the stairs, pushing the door inward. Hello? Hi. The male cashier responded upon his arrival. What can I get for you? -- Missions completed: Arrive the Agoras Main Street Coffee (62 miles) Missions added (1): Order a cup. -- Ill have one Caf Crme, Daniel answered, withdrawing three bronze coins. He went to have a seat at one of the empty chairs and table, facing the door. Pulling out one napkin from the container box, he wiped his face from the sandy dust he accumulated from the air. As he waited for his cup of coffee, he noticed a tiny rack holding sheets of cards which were about the size of two business cards each. Next to it were of course the condiments for the coffee. He took one out, flipping it to the front. And there it is. The synopsis of the brawl the clerks told him about. It was a few lines worth of information, and the rest filling the front page were formatted with advertisements. Right at the bottom corner of the card was laminated by a strip of cardstock. Something very common on scratch tickets or some forms of hidden prize bets. Heres your coffee, sir. Thanks, Daniel expressed, taking a sip of the caf crme. Ah, thats refreshing. He took the edge of his fingernail on his thumb and rapidly scratched the gray cardstock off the card. Underneath it revealed the three-letter depicted like a code. Outside of the area of the former cardstock was an arrow pointed directly at it, and behind it was a short statement: Reveal to the nearest register or employee once finished your coffee, thanks. Hmm. Daniel sat back on his chair, taking a few minutes of the soothing hot taste from the cup of coffee. It was relatively early noon hence the place was a little vacant amid the large occupancy it can serve at one sitting. Three bronze coins for a cup of caf crme were worth the value and compared to other beverages it offered, it was the cheapest of the bunch. After finishing the last sip, he turned to the register counter, where the male cash register along with a few other employees were doing their business with new orders. A few customers had arrived, occupying a couple of seats behind him. He stood from his chair and walked to the customer line where around five were in front. While waiting, a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to find a middle-aged man with glasses who seemed to be a regular at this coffee shop. The man wore a tightly wrapped black robe with a silver t-shirt and was about as tall up to Daniels half-upper arm. New face, you must be new here? The man asked. Go with it. Yes, sir. I am. Names Carl. Daniel, nice to meet you. Both firmly shook hands. Well, an unfortunate visitor of Kriegshan right when the barrages drop, so Ive been here recently. I fabricated that one. Well, whatever. Oh jeez. That took a dark turn. Anyway, good meeting you. Hope we see each other here next time one day. Sure, Daniel replied, nodding. Daniel was next as the short interaction came quickly. He met up with the cash register, giving him the three-letter code. The cash register removed the grin fa?ade, calling one of the employees. Hey, Elizabeth! We have one He went ahead, opening the counter door that leads into the area behind the counter. A thin, pale lady with a chef skull cap came out from behind the depths of the kitchen. Daniel was directed through the counter door and followed Elizabeth. Once away from the dining area, they went through a turn to a dead end. A keypad was right at the ladys side which was to Daniels left. She then told him to type the three letters. Rumble! The wall slowly pushed itself back in the deep ends before descending to the empty floor. With the door-disguised wall gone, it revealed a cave-like pathway illuminated by some kind of qi-based skill according to the misty roof. Before he entered, the skull cap lady talked with him. Youre the one-hundredth person about to enter that brawl match, Elizabeth stated. How long have you guys had this restarted? About a few days. Elizabeth pulled out a miniature clamp device like the ones that patients have on their fingers to measure their blood oxygen levels. She lifted his left index finger and put the device over it. After a few seconds, it came back reading HI to which Daniel heard Elizabeth''s sigh as if she was relieved. What does this mean? Out of the hundred, only ten which includes you have a high reading on this devicethis measures your qi composition that most came through here have minimal or lack of. Let me guess, many fatalities? Elizabeth slightly nodded followed by a so-so gesture. Good guess, but not entirely true. Only half didnt last after the first round. The other half sounds intriguing, Daniel muttered. Anything else I need to know before we exchange our farewells? Please make it out alive. I dont want to add another tally after hearing reports of another casualty. If you can break the streak, Ill be grateful. More weight on my shoulders. Daniel thought about it seriously. How many times have I gone through this already? If I come out alive, expect me to try your delicacy. Deal? Elizabeth accepted without hesitation. Big stakes, one hundred. Deal as it is and the meals are in the house. The two exchanged farewell stares, and Elizabeth watched Daniel enter the cave. The wall ascended from below, slowly covering the other side. She swiftly waved back, and he did the same. The wall clanked like a lock in place. She was a breath of fresh air. Daniel was ready despite the lower probability. The mentioning of him with the other nine was more of a confidence booster to set his hidden ego on the line. Turning behind that led to the entrance, he gave one push before walking through the sharp left turn. Skoltor popped up after the turn: -- Missions completed: Arrive the Agoras Main Street Coffee (62 miles) Order a cup. Missions added (1): Initiate the 100th Underground Rumble. The Agoras Main Street Coffee discovered. Main Street Underground Rumble Arena discovered. 0.0017% -> 0.0019% Raal discovered. -- Straight ahead was another door. To be specific, a high-secured steel door. Daniel could hear loud chants and howling behind the steel. An ongoing match sounds fun. Hmm. No button and this shit are sealed shut. He tried knocking on it a few times and nothing in response after he gave a minute. The noise and ongoing hype were still consistent. Leaving no options, he grabbed the lengthy handle with both of his grips. < Oi, you awake? > << Ugh, what happened... Hold on why are we in a cave. >> Bros really sleeping like a luxury. < We are about to have fun in an underground tournament. You interested? > << Finally, something can get me to wake up. Sure, Im all for it. >> Perfect. Daniel articulated his qi to both of his hands, enabling him to easily take over the weight of the steel door. Rocks cracked around the door frame, and the crying shriek of the steel reacted to his pulling force, surrendering after one more exertion. Daniel hovered a couple inches above the ground to give him the space and leverage to change his grip, allowing him to hold the steel with only one hand. He descended back to the floor and absconded through the structured hallway wide and tall enough to fit. Up ahead was another door but with a decent-sized transparent glass panel, allowing him to see through what was happening. To his frustration, this door was also locked. As a result, he backed away from it enough and began exerting his qi around him. He let out a growling rage and proceeded to throw the steel door, shattering the glass panel door. The impact brought the two all the way deep down, crashing to the arena floor and barely missing the fighters below. Hmm. Daniel sensed company and lifted both of his hands, each grabbing a fist from behind the entryway. He took the approach very aggressively and clashed the two mens shoulders together, causing a loud crackling noise that echoed through the entire occupied arena. Unfortunately for those security men, they were both knocked out by the echoing vibrations. Carelessly, Daniel threw them down too. Every chant turned silent as they were purely surprised by the unprecedented twist of events from the outlook of the situation. Daniel walked down the stairs each at a time. He was so heavy from the ongoing exertion of qi that every step caused the arena to echo a loud thump. So, is this where the fun has been hiding? Chapter 20 Twenty bones? More if counting the opponents. For an ordinary human, thats an intermediate death sentence. Both of his arms are cast with thick bandages, and he never dared remove a piece. He lost count of the number of fighters he had crossed in the arena and backstage. Newly developing regenerative healing; his pain tolerance went up rapidly after a couple more beatings before winning. He never lost by a knockout but had a couple losses and draws due to surviving right at the end of every match. Five rounds, each lasting eight minutes. Learning through the experience of his entire time here was that the clerks were right about coffee shops hosting underground arenas. However, the Main Street Underground Rumble Arena is at the top of the hierarchy list, and every other arena around Kriegshan is tied to Main Street. In a way, he skipped the initial building blocks which was a risky move. If it wasnt for his abundance of qi, adaptability, and Skoltor, he would be toast from the get-go. Daniel breathed in as he departed from the training session, sitting in the locker room. He poured an entire water bottle over him, letting it shower his face from the scalp. Hows your jaw? He feels his jawline, feeling the smooth surface of the metal. Been better; the pain is almost gone. And the beard was able to regrow itself, hiding the new cybernetics. What about you, hows your leg, Solomon? A brawny guy sat on the couch with a towel over his face, lying on the side, and lifted his right leg. He gave a couple of up-and-down movements from the knee down. I say the same as you; it took a couple of days to heal around the knee. You got it rough, Daniel muttered. Nah, man. I think you got the worst out of all eight of us. Daniel chuckled. Are you sure? I recovered quickly though. Solomon nodded, taking the towel from his face. You took the chance to join the losing nobody team and take the beating Thats fair. At least yall took the opportunity and grew yourselves. Crazy, that was a long time ago. It has been a year, has it? Suddenly, the door opened, and the remaining team members came in all filled with sweat. They sat scattered within the wide locker room. All quietly relaxed, not ready to utter a word out of their mouth. Cant believe it has been more than a year. Daniels time with the entire team reminded him of the interns. It was a rare moment he would cherish for the rest of his livelihood despite the suffering he had dealt with. The food wasnt that great, or the living conditions. He lost an extravagant amount of weight during the first half year, almost malnourished to the bone like a large twig of a tree branch. Elizabeth had warned him of the probability, and she was right as he was nearly another statistic despite no loss by knockout. By then, he was mentally at his lowest point, almost accepting his death. A sudden intervention by a few fighters made him realize that he really has two true personal lifelong goals, a true sense of friendship and love. The few fighters who saved him are now by his side in the locker room and part of the team. Are you ready for tomorrow? Celeste asked while panting. Daniel sighed, looking at the contented brunette. Maybe. It''s either a yes or a no answer. Yes Why are you down again? Solomon asked. Daniel was puzzled at the feeling. Not as bad as the last couple of times, but it always comes back. It''s almost over. Three more battles are needed to win, and we are free. We get to go home. Shes so optimistic. Daniel couldnt quite understand her lively attitude approach despite all the brutal moments she as well as everyone else in the room went through. He and Solomon stayed quiet as she and others were having their downtime. Since its only three battles left if he makes it through, he needs a plan. No one knew about Skoltor or saw him using Licht; However, the group was aware of his tactical belt. For more than a year, Daniel played by the rules despite the inhumane conditions he had to endure to reach the current point where he got away from it. And the departure was a promotion. The rule-playing was not going to last. Daniel repeatedly thought about tomorrow for the last couple of minutes and Celeste mentioned it was if he had the finger on the trigger, ready to play with the fire. He abruptly stood up, You know what, yes, Im ready! Prepare for tomorrow. Daniel left the locker room, closing the door into the barely lit hallway. He strode away, heading to the cafeteria. -- Daily Calories: 3200/5000 -- 1800 more. Shouldnt be that hard hopefully. Daniel was not expecting a serving of decent food to supplement at this hour despite its 24/7 service. He went into the chow hall as they called it, an open space with ragged walls. Bits tear off from the surface and brown like a wood shack. There were potatoes, milk, and burgers served on the counter. The burgers are one of the most dangerous meals within the underground arena as Skoltor recorded highly inflated calories per serving. With a little time left of the night, Daniel took a burger with one potato and a cup of milk. He carried it to the empty table and looked around the hall, finding no one present. Adding the ceilings for any observation magic as they were usually on during the day and behind the wielder, acted as security for the whole place in tight restrictions and mandates. Finding the area all clear, he gave a bite of the burger. -- Daily Calories: 3680/5000 -- His big jaw took half of the burger, already raising four hundred and eighty calories. To his surprise, the burger tasted palatable and pretty good. He took another bite, ingesting the entire burger, passing the four thousand calorie mark. Shatter! Daniel was provoked, being trapped in an elbow lock. Where the hell do they come from? The arm was tightly wrapped around his neck and chest. His eyes were right at its focus. Torrin, you son of a tin coward. Behind his ear, Go to sleep, Torrins hoarse low voice whispered. His mind was clustered and conflicted about what he should do as this wasnt his first time getting jumped or overwhelmed. Shadows, reflected by the ceiling light, towered over the table. Daniel counted three without including the one grappling his neck. Skoltor immediately woke up spamming pop-up screens at full bright red, demanding a course of action or Daniel would asphyxiate. Fuck it, Im backing away from the rules, Daniel grunted, launching himself into the air with Torrin hanging from behind. He directed right at the ceiling, striking Torrins back towards the ragged roof. With one swirl, he rotated his body mid-air, facing up. Daniel boasted down in a descent right back to the floor. Boom! -- Lack of Oxygen Warning Ceased. Mission Override Warning: Prepare for the first final fight. Kill Torrin and allies. Rewards: -- Daniel rolled briskly away when Torrin lost his grip, barely missing his goons feet as one was standing in the direction he was rolling towards. Bang! Bang! The goon collapsed headfirst to the table, slowly sliding down to the floor. A red puddle slowly flooded the entire rear of his skull. Stolen novel; please report. Oh, look at that, your buddy is dead, Daniel taunted casually. Torrin was still on the floor and clearly in pain, noticeably going into an adrenaline rush when he got up despite his robust physique. His serious look dropped into horror when he saw the blood and the body beside Daniel who was walking up right at him and two remaining buddies of his. You dont have to do thisLook, we all wanted to get out of this place. Daniel stopped, seeing his reflection from the pool of blood right by his feet. A personification of a ghost hovered over his face in the shape of a skull. Theyre here. Thump! Bang! The second goon took the shot to the heart, startling the third and causing both to tumble down in the direction of the floor. Daniel leaped and raised his right leg for a hard thrust to the side of the second goon, mercifully killing him off. The force pressure from the kick reached the third goon. He went paralyzed from the waist down as he was visibly struggling to move other than his head and arms in a panic. Goodbye, Daniel mumbled with a wave. Splat! Like an open bucket of paint, red blood splashed his entire feet with bits of the skull scattered across the floor. You said we all wanted to get out of this place as if everyone is going to. But the price is not everyone will. You taught me one hidden thing that I stubbornly took this long to realize. Bang! Bang! Ahh! God! Torrin cried, tumbling down on his soaked sprouting knees. A couple of empty rounds fell to the floor as the handguns barrel recoiled. Winning always has consequences. Furthermore, it can melt your sanity just like a loser. Daniel placed the end of the barrel right at his forehead. What are you? Thats what I wanted to know. Turns out, you are just one of the catalysts for my discovery, Daniel muttered, pressuring the gun. Torrins back slumped down, furthering Daniels dominance. What do you want?! Spare me! Sure, Ill spare you, but you must answer my questions. Are you and the other two of my opponents working for him? What Answer me damn it! Daniel yelled, pushing the hammer down with his thumb. Yesyes. For what purpose? Its none of your business Bang! Torrins body collapsed, laying flat on the side of his head. Eyes wide open like a staring contest with blood oozing out of the hollow hole caused by the bullet. Daniel silently stood and stared at Torrins lifeless body as if he was in awe. They do say Karma is always influential. Each decision influences your livelihood in the general world, but many here seem to have forgotten. Its eternal; always waiting He picked up every empty cartridge case that lay on the floor; the milk was tainted by the confrontation, leaving the potatoes spared. He shoved the bullets into his pockets. Throwing the plastic plates away in the garbage, he gave a bite to the potato and departed the chow hall where the four bodies lay in a mess. Quickly while the hallway was still dark, he sprinted through the depths of the narrow walkway, arriving back at the front of the locker room. He put all the remaining of the potato into his mouth while it was half-turned in both directions. Finding the area was clear, he pushed down the door handle and hurriedly entered the room. With his behind facing inward of the locker room, Daniel slowly closed the door. Turning right into the room, he stopped. Oh, crap! He glared at the number sign on the wall, realizing he was off by one door, and instead entered a different locker room belonging to The Kneads. -- Mission completed (1): Kill Torrin and his allies. Rewards: Mission added (1): Defeat The Kneads -- Stamina Level up: 2 3 Endurance Level up: 2 3 Durability Level up: 2 3 Power Level up: 2 3 Second Class Slot unlocked: Please choose one: -- Daniel had dealings with them too as a gathering of ten leaped up from the chairs armed with heavy vigorous hands, charging right at him. Grab his arms! All the giants closed the gaps in between, forcing him to call in Licht. His katana summoned around his waist and began to glow; he slightly pulled it from the scabbard, causing the light to leak out and engulf the entire locker room, blinding the Kneads. Taking the opportunity, Daniel flashed a step behind the entire ten and a rough horizontal slash from left to right. Furthermore, another slash from the opposite side. He breathed and returned Licht to the scabbard, dispelling the light. He flashed once more to the door and hurried out of the locker room. Upon closing the door, a loud bang splattered inside like a water balloon explosion. Next, it was followed by multiple sequences of thumps and thuds hitting the floor. Daniel had the door locked from the inside as he went back out to the hallway. He temporarily leaned onto it and took a breather, accumulating all the acts he hadnt done in years. That began to trigger something he never wanted to deal with again, flashing briefly to his eyes. Its coming back His head turned left, leaning back up from the door. He walked to the other locker room and opened its door. Thank goodness. All were confused and startled, which is likely what they heard just a minute ago on the other side of the wall. Celeste saw Daniel come back in, wondering what was going on. You feel bet He sat down, took a towel, and walked to the sink. Im sorry what? Holy shit man. You got blood all over you! Solomon was appalled by the blood stains all around him. Hush! Daniel silenced the entire locker room. Dont make it obvious. Otherwise, everyone would hear what we say. Water exited the faucet, and he wiped off the blood stains from his clothes. Luckily, he wears black clothes so the water would overtake the stained clothes and let his qi do the masking process.

20.2

You what?! Celeste yelped. Shhh, careful. I did kill them all, Daniel whispered to the entire group, and he returned to the same sitting spot. Everybody else sat on the floor, encircling in front of him like a meeting. I was getting a late-night meal to crave off the hunger. Torrin came in from behind as I was eating the only good burger the chow hall had in a damn long time. And I snapped. Killed him and three of his goons. Solomons jaws dropped the entire time since Daniel came back. Then what the heck was that noise over there? He pointed to the wall that was where the Kneads locker room was at. I accidentally went into the wrong room, and they responded with an attack hence I killed them too. Celeste''s happy expression faded away to a more sorrowful look. Torrins dead which means they will find out what happened, and the whole dream of getting out of here is about to be disrupted. Daniel sat silent as they talked and argued about what could be lying ahead. Solomon got up and went grasping his ear, angrily demanding justification. In reaction, Daniels face began to twitch, causing him to abruptly stand from his spot and gently palm Solomons chest. He flew to the couch, reacting as if disturbed. The group separated, quickly backing away, and their body language expressed concern, thinking Solomon screwed up. Celeste attempted to ease Daniels emotions down. He wanted to stand after that, refusing to sit down. But he calmed down enough to regain composure. Never ever do that againespecially as Im preparing to give a proper word to yall, Daniel warned. He half-turned to the rest of the group and moved away until he could see everyone. Now theres a couple things Ive never told you. Ill expose them right here, right now. They gathered right at the couch where Solomon lay, giving Daniel enough view as he returned to the same spot. He rechecked his scabbard before resuming the talk. Ill be honest, I was mentally trapped ever since before I got here. After the intervention, the flashes became more frequent, and each occurrence had an important memory that I wanted to forget. The moment before I left, and after I finished dealing with the Kneads; each a flash of memory and that completed the whole line. Does that justify what you did, though? the green-haired lady asked. No, but yes, Sally. This place reminded me of the near poverty I was raised in during my childhood. Including the lone depression from being alone most of the day. And the other major trauma was a forced relationship during university that I would not talk about. If I hadnt experienced those two things in life, I might have been better and never gone down here. They began to understand him a bit but only left with more questions than answers. Daniel opened his locker behind him, pulling out the overcoat. It was the first time he had ever worn it since he finished the first-ever battle. So, the rumors I heard about the overcoat are true Solomon muttered. Thats the one, Celeste added. Daniel put it on, letting his arms sooth through the sleeves. Oh, you are smiling! Hierax noted with his buffed arm lifting his desperate finger, pointing at Daniels mouth. He sat down and continued, ignoring Hieraxs attempt to compliment him. Second, I could have gotten out by now. You can call me strange, na?ve, or whatever, but I played by the rules every fighter here does rather than take the easy way out. As well, Ive never fully optimized my powers either. Celestes curiosity took over. When I saved you around half a year ago, could you have won that one? Good question. Would I have beaten him? Daniel sat quietly for a moment embracing his thoughts. He sighed, shaking his head. No way, I wouldnt have then, and maybe not even when I walked down here the first time. Hmm, Ill forgive you on that account. But then it got me thinking; assume everything worked well. If that were the case, I would not have met you guys or had the guts to deal with a glimpse of my past. Despite any disagreements we had gone through and my selfless acts, I appreciate yall being at each others side. As well as helping me recover. Ill never forget that. Dude, Im not used to the sentimental side, Elios stated, who sat beside Hierax. Daniel shook his head and found that comment silly as he didnt really care. Its time. He stood from the seat, towering over the group. Yall want to get out here as early as tomorrow morning? And Im going to ask this question as if nothing had happened earlier, are you confident for tomorrow? Not even an exchange of looks or a conversation. They all nodded twice within a snap of their fingers. All right lets get to work, Daniel grinned. -- General Class (LV.1) Meter: [99.5%] -- Chapter 21 This is a bad idea. Mother Elaine repeated. She sat in the back row in the middle of the three seats. Helda was driving Daniels truck like a maniac, and Rebecca, who sat behind the drivers seat, had to consistently warn her of the speed she was traveling, and it was not her vehicle to begin with. Thora sat in the front passenger seat, being the navigator. Mother Elaine doesnt know where they all are heading but is still in a constant state of worry that Daniel will take their sudden disappearance in a different direction. Did you guys leave a note? No, why? Rebecca responded. Oh, Jesus. Mother Elaine mumbled, putting her hands over her head. Will be fine, we should be done by noon and get back before he wakes up, Thora stated. But you ordered Helda to sneak into his room to take the damn keys. Thora then turned to her, Look, its okay. Everything is gonna go to plan. Where are you taking us? Liam asked. One right turn revealed the massive building ahead with large, imprinted characters on its respective corners. And below it was the translation in English, or Englisc as inhabitants of Raal called it. King Martial Arts Center. Straightforward but generic. Helda went on the detour that led to the buildings main entrance. The place was the most modern earth-like structure Mother Elaine had seen so far out of all the other places she passed on the way here. And here we are, Thora announced, first exiting the truck. Helda moved a little over next to the wide entrance before pushing up the trucks gear stick to park, massaging her forearms. Oof, this truck was kind of hard to articulate around. Stiff driving wheel. What did I say of you driving like a maniac, Rebecca mentioned. Oh, please. I''ve driven trucks before. Just not like this one, Helda refuted. She exited the drivers seat, shutting off the Ford pickup. This has to be customed. Rebecca opened her side and Mother Elaine followed her way out. She walked out, closing the door behind her. Zhengyu, Xavier, and Zarlise leaped off the truck bed, and everyone gathered behind Thora as she took them into what turned out to be the training facility. Qi energized doors in action when Thora gracefully walked through the vibrating and transparent shield. She gestured to the rest to come through. Rebecca hesitated. Its okay. They dont slam our heads, she clarified, pointing up where the green light flashes on the outer doors frame. Mother Elaine gripped her shoulder, Then lets go together. She paced through the door with Rebecca in her grip, pulling her in. After passing the doors, they arrived at the lobby, and she let her go. Thanks. No problem. Thora turned to Rebecca, and Helda caught up with her. Lets hope we can find out what you two are really, She commented, flashing her blue eyes. Because your qi is stabilized enough to pass the minimum, you should be able to perform the basics once you are taught the steps. The two breathed and followed her as she directed all up the humongous stairs. Mother Elaine sauntered the way up, being the last arriving on the second floor. They were wondering why she was slogging, and she muttered about Daniel, causing them to be a little fretful. One more word and we are leaving you behind, Thora warned. This is not good. Mother Elaine mentally expressed the doubt, but visibly nodded at her warning. Continuing along the second floor, turning to the left led to the entire main training facility. The windows to the outside were on the right, revealing the direction of the outskirts of Kriegshan where the hotel is also relatively located. The open part of the gym where people can test their qi and perform various simulations is on the right. Trying to cast the negative thoughts away, Mother Elaine was fascinated by the quality it provides, reminding her of a gym facility in downtown Colemond that was opened only a couple years ago. Already the King Martial Arts Center was relatively much bigger than the Colemond gym. She was surprised there were no computers or similar technology despite the feat the world of Raal has shown so far with such buildings and technology operated by qi and magic, that she anticipated learning about soon. Continuing walking behind the group, she overheard there''s one more stair to go up to. All walked up the other set of stairs. The windows on the right haven''t gone away like a long hiking trail. An earthquake vibration abruptly disturbed the walkthrough causing all to stumble and braced the stairs railing. Mother Elaine stared at the window, horrified at the view of Kriegshans outskirts. The Light Pillars! She immediately recognized the sky-blue pillar shooting upwards as tall as a skyscraper. However, a skull mask levitated in the air that was generated from the qi. It roared loudly across the radius of the city, generating another vibrant shake. Mother Elaines horrified expression turned to anger as she knew this was going to happen. Yall said it would be fine! Mother Elaine exclaimed. Are yall excluding him?! Thoras eyes flashed bright blue, casting a magic that locked Mother Elaine to the floor. She landed on her knees with her arms. Everyone beside Thora turned right at Mother Elaine with blue eyes shined through their pupils. Mind control?! When the hell did this happen? Mother Elaine thought. I have to admit, you are hard to get over, Thora commented; almost as if she was complimenting her. But you are just as annoying as the man you came with. Fuck you! Mother Elaine reacted with a fully tightened neck and mouth open, revealing her bleeding white teeth. You wont get away with this! Her anger reached the peak that led to her arms to tender, in reaction to the binding space. The encircled rings revealed themselves encircling the torso and chest. Her golden qi leaked out due to the pressure of the rings that strangled her. Viewing the rings, it moved as if it had its own flow of river in a circular path. Stop resisting, Its futile How the hell am I gonna stop! Mother Elaine couldnt talk but her mind was still ranting like a lions roar. Finding out her legs were still movable, she extended out her ankles to regain footing. Come onmove it. Quickly, she got up on her feet, surprising Thora and prompting her to charge down the stairs. The rest on the stairs went on defense pose in reaction to the scenario taking fold. Mother Elaine growled, continuing to apply more pressure between the chains that locked her. Crack! The rings visibly showed cracks, disrupting the flow and it abruptly stopped. She breathed in and looked up and saw Thora closing the distance. One more! Mother Elaine exerted once more, causing the rings to shatter and spew away from her. Boom! Heavy gusts emitted from her body due to the significant constraint. A golden aura surrounded her, and Thora was blasted away by the initial gust, allowing Mother Elaine to punch. She thrust a downward punch, prompting her to go down on the concrete headfirst. Possessed Helda and Rebecca leaped into the air. I am sorry. Mother Elaine dodged away, and a vortex of qi swirled from her right knuckle, hugging her entire right arm. No hesitation, an uppercut to Heldas busty chest, ending her knuckle to the bottom of the jaw. Levitating her from the air, she redirected the movement right at Rebecca, who was on Mother Elaines right. Effectively, it knocked both out and crashed onto the wall, cracking a bit of the window. Thora lifted her head from the damaged floor, witnessing her head pattern imprinted onto the cracks. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Pew! Gah! Mother Elaine grunted. She felt a sharp sting inflicted on her shoulders. Half-turning to the end of the stairway behind her, a couple of archers were already in position and eyes locked in.

21.2

HRAHHH! Daniel yelled, echoing across the wide parts of Kriegshans outskirts. Celeste, Solomon, and Sally observed the upgraded power he received after leaving the underground Main Street arena. That felt good. He relaxed the muscle tendons around his shoulders, descending back down to the ground. Looking at his entirely new fit, he slowly grew to like the upgrades it received. It was heavy upon first wear but quickly adapted to it. It feels empty, Daniel muttered, referring to the smaller group standing alongside him. Celeste checked her backpack, pulling out three emblems. I know, but we cant let their deaths be in vain. Im sure Hierax, Armando, and Summers sacrifices were their own right decision in the hope we have better lives to look forward to. She handed the three emblems to Daniel. You keep it in the bag for now, I dont have proper pockets at the moment. Whats that? Daniel looked in the direction of the source of qi. Solomon repads his arms, Someone you recognize? ThatsMother Elaines qi, no doubt about it. What are you going to do about it? Sally asked, seemingly concerned that they all might have to assist the ones who left Daniels emotions in shambles. Daniel took a couple steps forward, Im going for the sake of more information. Sounds reasonable? Well lets go then, Solomon urged, leaping his heavyweight up to the air. The three glided into the air to avoid the crater Solomon inflicted and caught up to him. Daniel sped up to lead the way. He traced the qi to the right and did a hard curve; the square white building looked like a convention center. -- Enhancing Visions range -- He saw his truck parked at the front entrance and right above was the window where the qi came from. There she is. Daniel pulled the brakes, stopping mid-air. He summoned Licht without the scabbard within his grasp, now a greatsword with a white hilt and black blade. He flung it like a spear, aiming it right at the window. It sprinted through the high depths in a rapid descent, shattering through the shards of glass and landing on the concrete floor, separating Thora and Mother Elaine. Heavy foggy mist exerted from the blade, blocking views from both sides. Solomon and Sally, you take care of everyone. And dont kill them yet, as well spare Thora, Ill deal with her, Daniel commanded, hand gesturing to the right. He, along with Celeste took the left and sped down through like a projectile. Recognizing the archers with matching outfits as the S.B. who attacked his hotel room, Daniel thrust both of his hands and crashed into the two archers to the floor. Using their bodies as leverage, he flipped away and landed on the floor with his left foot. Furthermore, he thrust his right leg upward before slamming it down so hard that he heard the startling crack coming from the spine. Blood squirted like a balloon pop upon impact and collapsed a part of the floor. The whole place turned into a panic as the confrontation began. He looked in the direction of Mother Elaine, who was staring at the commotion that was occurring behind the foggy mist. He went up beside her and lifted Licht out of the floor, dispersing the mist. Stop Thora Mother Elaine muttered while gripping her bleeding shoulder. What? She controlled them all. Daniel looked at her straight in the eye, I know. I sensed it from outside. But youre hurt! He looked at her shoulder, yanking the arrow off. Those S.B.s has no dignity. I wonder if Thora was the one that sent it to my room. Celeste palmed the gaping hole, closing the wound after a second touch of her palm. Shes clean. Daniel nodded before turning back to Mother Elaine. Mother, this is Celeste. Shell take you back to the hotel and direct her to my truck. What about them, Mother Elaine questioned, pointing at the rest lying on the floor next to Solomon and Sally as they stood tall, watching them. Change of plan! Daniel sighed, calling Solomon and Sally. Take them all and follow Celeste. What about that lady there, Solomon mentioned of Thora. Ill deal with her alone, you guys go first. Hurry, the KPD will be arriving quickly. As they went along, Daniel walked right up to Thora, whose head was traumatized by the punch Mother Elaine inflicted which surprised him. You My god, you got some terrible allies to begin with according to the papers. What in god damns worth do you know?! Thora rambled. Blood rained from the pores of her skin, dangerous as told. Everything he has written, Daniel muttered, grabbing her neck, and lifting her in the air. Victoria is with David, is she? -- Mission Added (1): Take her powers. -- Thora didnt react to his question. Daniel angrily tossed her outside and he hovered above her as she was in the air. Come on, show me what you really are!" He fired a tennis ball blast from the palm of his left hand right above her. Not before getting the chance for her to defend, the tennis ball exploded a few inches away from her. Daniel went through the clusters of smoke, kicking her as if he was doing it to a soccer ball. The force took her to the area where he first arrived at underground Kriegshan. She crashed down to the ground, and Daniel descended on the ground, waiting for her. Buzz! A yellow bolt of lightning flashed from debris. Daniel thrust his left hand out, coming to contact with a fair degree of electricity. Come on, thats lame. He gripped his fingers down as if grabbing the electric charge, quickly dispersing it right in front of Thoras eyes. -- Electric charge: 500,000 V/ 500,000 V Max Limit!!! -- How the hell! Daniel fired back the lightning bolt she charged that shattered a bit of her armored layer, exposing a bit of her skin. Youll pay for this! Thora yelled, deploying her axe midway through the jump. Daniel lifted Licht as she slammed down the axe right onto him. The blade reacted to the clashing with her axe, summoning a high-temperature mist to melt a chip off the axes blade. He thrust it right at her, sending her off guard. Subsequently, he performed one long horizontal slash, creating a pillar summoned that shot up from the ground, blitzing her in the air. << I dont think the lore of notes matched her capabilities.>> Licht commented. < Thats the vibe Im getting. > << Have you realized all that they share? Her, Lord Buhne, David, and so on. >> Daniel was not intrigued by this at all. He immediately rejects the mission Skoltor displayed. < They are so fakes in battle. The mind is their pride. Once thats gone, they are useless > << Bingo. And stop wasting time, just end this, theres nothing else useful from her. We still have that bastard David left to deal with. >> Stabbing a tiny bit down the ground followed by an increased grip at the hilt, a staircase of pillars that progressively grew per level was summoned in a long line. Fast as the speed of light. The last level engulfed her, bringing farewells to the traitor. -- Mission Ongoing (2): Take her powers. Kill Thora Mission removed (1): Take her powers. -- Mission completed (1): Kill Thora. Rewards: General Class Meter Swordsman Class Meter Electric Charge -- General Class (LV.2) Meter: [1%] [1.5%] Swordsman Class (LV.1) Meter: [0%] [5%] -- This was not a warm welcome. What a boring scene. Daniel mumbled to himself. He flew away, heading to the hotel. Arriving back, he found Solomon, Sally, and Celeste had just arrived back at the hotel with the truck back at the spot where it should have been. Wheres Thora? Celeste asked. Dead with Lord Buhne. Two frauds reunite in hell. I told you, Solomon chuckled. Daniel shrugged and walked in first, directing them up the stairs. He was greeted by the clerks. Welcome back, Daniel. Hows the underground rumble, The lady clerk asked, not realizing the appearance changes. The male clerk went out the counter directing Solomon up the stairs and others followed along. Daniel leaned on the counter and lifted his beard, revealing the metal implants under his jaw. Oh my god! What happened to you?! Theres a time distortion underground, so only an hour here which is more than one year below, Daniel answered while gesturing his finger down. Im sorry. I didnt know. Daniel smiled. Its fine. Its painful but it saved me in a way. He nudged away from the counter, heading back upstairs. By the way, call me Julius, and if you want to know the story, come upstairs... Ill invite him as well. Chapter 22.I Earlier -- Mission Added (1): Escape Optional Mission Added (1): Discover the depths of the Main Street. -- Skoltor gave us a free option, which Im definitely doing, Daniel confidently said. Its gonna be bloody. He stood right at the door with his hands on the handle, ready to depart. Ransacking the entire underground, right? I dont mind. They took shit from us for too long, Celeste commented, then turning to Solomon. I remember you used to build a lot of crap for them. You are here with us because they took your workshop. Anything might still be in there since you were booted? Solomon wrapped a bandage, substituting for a cast, tightly around both of his knees. The forge better still be there. Thats one of the relics crafted by the Blacksmith God of Yinhai. I cant afford to lose it to some crook. The fourth relic is down here? How many relics do we know of exist in Raal? I heard rumors of twenty but could be more. What does the quantity of it signify? Daniel asked, upon the thought of never getting the chance to learn the true meaning of the Yinhai relics other than fanatic reasons. WellI dont know about the situation of the ongoing war right now, but one of the other causes was countries and empires going after each other to gain control of most of it as possible. In turn, they rule Raal. Intriguing. And they are all different purposes, like the forge for example, Daniel muttered to himself while piling up with another question. Im thinking maybe in that situation, there could be tons of other relics that have never been mentioned by word of mouth or paper. What if theres something that we could grasp and have a better interpretation to say quality over quantity? Sally, tying her long green hair, turned right when he finished the question. When did you become an articulate rambler? Daniel shrugged in response, rather having those moments and theories than being an outcast. Worth the time as everyone else was finished packing. He pressed on the handle, pushing the door outward. Going left. He pointed to the left and quickly nudged away from the doorway for others to get out. Hierax, being the last in the bunch, closed the door gently. Daniel began to speed up, heading deep down through the hallway. Each footing does no justice as it was loud thanks to the flooring structure established throughout the hallway. Eventually, alerts were dropped. Now, they have got our attention. Daniel grinned in the semi-dark hallway, calling in Licht. They heard us. Lets keep moving. All followed Daniel through the dark hallway with one sharp right leading to a three-way intersection. This is where he had no knowledge of where to go, and Skoltors new map feature recently received was just like a game, only showing the discovered regions. Ive never been up to this point, so we might have to split up, Daniel said. They all exchanged momentarily, gathering in a circle. Daniel, on the other hand, was waiting for their decision after deciding the middle route. Ill go with you, Celeste stated. Solomon raised his hand with Sally trailing behind him. Im taking the middle route, Daniel said, pointing at the straight path. The three of us are going together, we are taking the right, Hierax confirmed, along with Summer and Armando. Alright, well see yall on the other side. They waved and the two groups separated. As Daniel and his group turned around and sprinted through, they saw a stampede mob with flashing red eyes haunting the darkness while turning. Run! Solomon yelled, grabbing Sally. Crap! Daniel deployed a narrow slash out of the blade, exerting a thin white slash towards the stampede. Abolishing one of the rules of the Underground Main Street, he lifted both his feet up in the air and glided right up to the three, boosting them away and longing the distance of the company trailing behind. For more than a year without flying was evident through his directional skills, Daniel misjudged the speed his body could exert. This makes the matter awkward and dangerous as the speeds are not consistent, creating multiple moments of near misses as the hallway went left and right on multiple occasions. Hey, slow down! Celeste cried. Im trying to! Daniel yelled as he applied the opposite force right towards his body, causing an erupting thrust and pushing their upper bodies backward. He descended his feet down to the floor once a dead end appeared far away, appearing to be a door. The concrete disintegrates as Daniels feet cut through the floor, slowing down enough speed. Prepare to land! Way ahead of you! Celeste said, dropping off from his grip. Solomon and Sally do the same, giving Daniel leverage to brace against the door as he is still moving beyond ordinary moving speed. And he wielded Licht in front as a shield. Bang! The heavy structured door popped open like a gust of wind forcing anything in its path to disperse. Daniel pierced Licht into the floor, igniting a hard straight line filled with a hard-ridden trail of flames. He stopped for one shift, prompting him to turn backward and face the entrance. His back struck the brick-pillared column wall, and he witnessed Celeste and the other two sprinting through. More company. Daniel pushed away from the hard surface with a full lift of his katana, generating an index finger-sized twister spinning over the tip of the blade. What is that gonna do with the whole mob? Sally commented, gesturing to Solomon to close the door. Swoosh! A barging whirlpool came out of the gesture, inverted from its characteristics that led to an offensive tactic that escalates more air and capabilities the further away from the blade. The mob decomposes upon contact with the pressurized wind and ignites a heavy blood bath, flowing right towards the entrance. I stand corrected Close it! Daniel yelled, tugging his katana away from its path. Solomon smacked it with no hesitation, instructing the door violently back in place. The gears that were responsible for the lock healed itself, anchoring to the wall all its perimeter and thrust out cylindrical wide bolts subsequently. Followed by multiple clanking clicks, the door settled on what was behind it, stabilizing the workshop and structure. You got to teach me that, Sally continued, the katana is very distinctive with its abilities. Why not just improvise your magnetism abilities. Its just as beneficial as a relic can do. Celeste smirked, Come on, Sally gets bored all the time. Shes been bored of her own ability since a couple of months ago. Thats why I said improvise. She never got the chance to. I just want a wind, Sally self-complained. Daniel shook his head by this point, One more time, improvise. Its not limited by anything unless you force the restriction on yourselfanyways where are we? Solomon walked past the three, rubbing his hands. Welcome to my place. This is where I used to do all the crafting. He pointed to the humongous anvil next to the furnace. Thats the fourth relic, that big black piece of craftsmanship and the iron blood that comes with it. Ive never seen an anvil that big before. Two blacksmiths can do the deed at the same time depending on circumstances. Solomon donned a thick pair of gloves and one heavy touch to the anvil summoned a glowing sledgehammer, positioned flat on the face of the anvil. He grabbed, using both of his hands like wielding a greatsword. He turned to the three, ordering them for preparation. If we want to get out of here, we need to be heavily equipped and upgraded. Being a long-term wielder of the Schwarze Fallhammer and from the knowledge of knowing each of you, we need significant upgrades. What about Summer, Hierax, and Armando? How are they gonna arrive? Celeste mentioned while swirling her head. Solomon pointed to the other door which corresponded to the right of the main entrance. They should come through there. That would also be our exit once we finish our time here. Any more questions before we proceed? What do we start with? Sally asked. Daniel is getting his first, while you two can tour around the whole place. There should be an armory and storage somewhere in the workshop. Make yourselves useful. And take your time, this place is heavily secured and with us in here, everything should go as planned. Solomon dismissed Sally and Celeste. Daniel walked up to the anvil, and Solomon offered him plenty of options to start off with. Give me a minute, Daniel muttered, placing his katana on the anvils face. < Licht? Do you accept upgrades? > << I should be able to. It shouldnt affect my personality. >> < Is that a yes, or no? > << Of course, but please make it worth the trouble. >> Daniel nodded and turned to Solomon. Lets begin with Licht. Why were you staring at it? Telepathy, Licht can talk between the wielders. Wow, alright, Solomon muttered, reviewing Licht. He handed the sledgehammer to Daniel. Hold this for a moment. Daniel grabbed the metal handle and watched Solomons analysis at the katana like it was his own, slowly feeling the finger rubbing on the steel. He put down the sledgehammer and leaned it right at the anvils tall base. Can you get me a rag and those tongs right at the table next to the wall column, please? Sure, Daniel said, striding to the opposite side. How many rags? If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. If theres two, take both, otherwise one is fine. He returned with two rags and metal-coated tongs, and Solomon placed the two rags and the tongs at a table, adjacent to the anvil. Lifting the sledgehammer, he gave Daniel one more notice. Being a wielder of the Schwarze Fallhammer doesnt mean there are no limitations, and Im telling you this is because the upgrades pay off in the end, but the outcome is uncertain upon my limitations. Just a warning. < You heard that? > << Yes, just get it on already. Dont make things wait. >> I understand, do what you will. Once the banging of the sledgehammer began, Daniel backed off and headed to where Celeste was. He strolled around the workshop first, impressed by the brightness despite all closed in without any traces of light amid the two furnaces. Relatively to the right of the entrance from the position where somebody walks in, theres a corner that is like a detached garage where theres a breezeway to walk from the house to the other side. Here, its leveled similarly and narrowly as one but with a thin opening on the ceiling for air to circulate. Passing through a lengthy hallway, the ceiling reopened at such height like the workshop area. He saw Celeste on the second floor. She waved back with a heartfelt smile, eliciting him up the stairs. What did you get? Daniel asked, tugging his shirt. So, much shit up here, look. Celeste handed Daniel a tomahawk. Its just The ringing effect activated, creating a massive dead weight on his forearm. His veins popped right beneath the surface of his skin. Quickly, he turned away from Celeste, dropping the tomahawk to the floor. What on earth is this? Did you use your qi? No. Try it again. Daniel flexed his right forearm, directing the qi to the edges of each fingertip. Hovering the hand underneath the handle lightened the blade and the signs imprinted on the surface of the axe head, blue. Woah, incredible. This better not be another relic. No, its not, Celeste answered. Carefully hand it back. And keep the qi on. He kneeled his tall body to the floor and proceeded to hand it over to her with a heavy grip. Celeste took it out of his hand easily. She overrode the blue color with a mulberry tint of pink, then dropped it on the floor. What else did you get? Behind me were a couple of spare-sheathed swords. Ordinary shortswords. Ive always wanted to try wielding one. Sally would like one too. Maybe Solomon could upgrade them if he has time. Im about to finish. Maybe grab those spare backpacks downstairs. Four of us can each wear one. They are very sturdy on the battlefield and rare to find in city stores, so no harm done if we have it for ourselves. Dont mind if I do, Daniel said, heading down the stairs and walking through the pack of shelves at the bottom level. Sucks, this all has to be destroyed once we leave. Everything has a sacrifice. -- Strapazierf?higer Rucksack Weight limit: 500н, 250.02 kg, 551.2 lbs. Vol: 50L -- Fifty is already a positive and huge for a tactical backpack before becoming a hiking or a duffle bag in terms of size. This material is tough, it cant be fabric. Daniel rubbed along the surface of his thumb before wearing one, grabbing three out of the shelf and walking out of the area. Celeste came down the stairs with a pile of arsenal in her hands, following Daniel out of the armory. Bang! Bang! Sizz! Oh, youre back just in time, Solomon said while holding something through the slack tub. We got some stuff to forge Daniel stopped, seeing Solomon holding something while using his robust body to hide what was behind him. Are you done? About to, Im letting it cool down for a couple more seconds. I got three Rucksacks, and she has a couple of arsenals that might be interesting to forge if you are willing to. Yeah, perfect. However, I have another request. What? Solomon pointed directly at him, Your coat. Why? What are you planning? Over there, theres a bucket filled with bricks of Elefantstahl, he directed over at the second furnace where its at. Strongest metal on Raal. Its a man-made steel divided by a layer of tungsten and masked over with stainless steel followed by a finish of elephant blood on top, giving it a darker tint. Is that what you used for my katana? Mhm, however, its not a katana anymore, Solomon said, lifting a composite sword out of the slack tub. Sizzling steam is emitted from the tank''s worth of water where the surface of the blade is still lingering with burning smoke. Congratulations, Licht has been upgraded. Solomons qi increased through his hands as he took the grip of the hilt, wielding it off the slack tub. The qi acted as the coolant, flowing like air along the surface of the blade and removing all the remaining hotspots. He gave a feel of the hilt before putting it in reverse grip with the blades tip pointing to the floor. As noted, the blood makes the blade pitch black. Daniel walked upright to the blade, May I? Give it a wield. Solomon handed Daniel the upgraded Licht. Like the tomahawk, the blade dropped to the floor, shattering the concrete tiles at the first touch before it fully relaxed to the ground. Woah. Give me a second, Daniel muttered, coordinating his arms around the hard-ridden hilt. << Sorry, I think you need to use actual qi to bring me up. >> < Ah, darn it. Ill never be stealthy anymore. >> Daniel felt disappointed. He finally clutched the lengthy hilt, triggering the engravings hidden in the black blade. It shined bloody red in the shape of a halved dragons head, and both sides of the blade represented the lateral reflection of the head. Daniel leveled the sword outward, pointing the tip right at Solomon. Get that shit away from me! Solomon punched it away. Woah! Daniel howled, wielding off course. Ok, never do that again. Unless its an enemy, Celeste commented. What do you see? You cant see it?! Daniel shook his head. Solomon grasped Licht out of Daniels grasp and pointed the blade at his face, revealing the manifestation of a red, menacing dragon roaring at his face. Thanks for letting me know, Daniel said, unfazed by the appearance. Ill keep it in mind. Now the coat? Solomon demanded.

22.2

Skoltors world clock didnt work but the stopwatch remained functional. -- 32:01.67 Stop! -- Daniel took a breather. I think I got it. Celeste threw him a water pour, almost choking him from replenishment. You can never give up, do you? Nope, I never will. Am I the only one you have done this to? Daniel asked, coughing the remaining water stuck at the back of his throat. No, you are the second. Daniel paused, unsure what she meant by that. It sure does sound freaky, and a wild thing to double down on. He didn''t ask further. Skoltor and Licht had been concentrating for the entire run of the stopwatch by Daniel''s side. A progressive lesson in handling the new upgraded Licht was brutal to his biceps, as he could feel the soreness through the deep interior of his muscle fibers. Like a darn rag being pulled from both ends simultaneously at a long tension waiting for the leak to break it loose. Celeste served as his watcher with Sally being the damage control while Solomon continued his blacksmith forging. Daniel lifted Licht, letting it rest on his right shoulder. Back to where I was, was it better now? Celeste stood still, glaring directly at him. Your qi is stable. What does Skoltor say? -- Stamina: 89% -- 32-minute activity evaluation: ongoing. -- Stamina is stable at 89% and an Ongoing evaluation to determine that. As we wait, my viewpoint is that your movement is still not returning to the same speed as before Lichts upgrade. However, by the half mark, it was close. Better than nothing Luckily, Skoltor and Licht also assisted you in reinterpreting your qi control otherwise the damage would have been evident, Sally added while observing the furniture around Daniels vicinity. He headed to a spare table, placing Licht on it. He then stretched his upper back and shoulders followed by a manic push-up, boosting his blood flow according to the increasing heat circulating around his body. Looking at Solomon, Hows he doing? Almost done, hes doing all of our stuff at once, so its less wasting time. Ill be praying for the success, Daniel muttered with confidence. And a sudden realization flocked within the edge of his head. Hold on, I havent anything from the other three. Maybe we should have all went together Celeste mumbled. Daniel refuted it, viewing it from a different perspective. All go together, close together. Separating gives a higher chance of survivability. Thank the Yinhai we made it at least, but I pray for them to be in hiding. Your emotions are so all over the place. Sometimes I cant even be sure if you are serious. Harsh. -- 32-minute activity evaluation Completed: Stamina ; Endurance ; Durability ; Power ; Qi Containment Stamina Level up: 3 4 Endurance Level up: 3 4 Durability Level up: 3 4 Power Level up: 3 4 Qi containment Level up: Level 2 4 Reminder: Please choose one: o Blacksmith o Librarian o Archer o Swordsman -- God damn, yeah massive increase in performance, Daniel concluded from the evaluation. Oh shoot, I forgot to choose my second class. Oh my gosh, Celeste muttered, facepalming herself. Now you see why I cant take you seriously. Ok, ok. Im sorry. -- Swordsman Confirm Selection: Yes! Swordsman - A class that is focused on honing and improvising the arts of swordsmanship. Movement, speed, combat, and reflexes are the main objectives. The outcome is case by case and will be up to the user to reach that level. +10% Stamina Recovery; +15% Endurance when wielding a weapon that is a [Sword] or has a [blade] (No Cooldown) -- Daniel waved the flag, feeling dumbfounded. Darn me, I should have picked the swordsman class before I even started. My life would have been so much easier with the benefits it gives me. Celeste broke into a chuckle, losing it. Come on Cele, thats not funny, Sally said, showing no amusement. Nothing ever gets through your skin does it. Perhaps you really do need some fresh air the most once we get out of here. Piss off, Sally blurted. Your optimism is annoying to me. Alright, alright! Thats enough! The two of you get bored too quick right now. Luckily, I just finished the last touches, Solomon expressed highly. You three, come here and observe. Daniel went first. He glared at the anvil and his newly established coat flattened evenly on the table behind it. Oh wow! He was amused by Sally and Celeste''s short conflict and is now in the happiest mood after witnessing his fresh coat. Lifting the coat, the Elefantstahl had taken over the material. The blending between the smooth and rough texture by touch was impressive. He put his arms through the sleeves and articulated his shoulders. How does it feel? Its like an armored car. You dont feel a thing inside but absolutely on the outside. Thanks, Daniel commented approvingly. Did you use the same process as you created Licht? No, I had to use a liquid form of Elefantstahl at two temperatures. Hotter liquid for the interior while slightly cooler on the exterior. The difference between the two isnt wide, but the physical characteristics are drastically different. So much for Chemistry, he muttered, again thanks. I appreciate your efforts. Happy customer is good enough for me. Nah, once we get out of here. You all are getting free meals. Free meals? Celeste excitedly asked. I made a promise to someone that if I make it out, free meals are promised. Darn, I cant believe that was a year ago. We are looking forward to it, Solomon said, going along with Celestes expressive desire for free food. Chapter 22.II It felt like an armored gear suit-up. Solomon constantly checks each of everyones outfits and new gear for any potential fallouts. He went as far as doing the footwear and various other additions within a shorter time as he regained the time efficiencies he once had. Thank the Yinhai for how it turned out, Solomon said, viewing everyones new look. You all look good as new. This should get us out quicker. Daniel could hear the clunking sound as if he was wearing a heavy metal armored suit. He gave a feel of his feet, moving a couple of spaces around the workshop. Wow, thanks a lot; somehow, the boots feel more comfortable around the edges of the foot despite nothing having changed with the sole. How common is Elefantstahl? Not that much, Solomon replied, rubbing his chin. Thats due to the lack of knowledge and the lacking number of blacksmiths who know how to properly create and optimize it. But if there were, there would be huge supply and demand, yes. Ill keep that in mind. Celeste isnt a fan of overcoats for daily use like Daniel would wear, but she opted for a regular jacket. Sally, being the simplicity type, opted out of the extra wear. Instead, she received arm bands like Solomons. Are we ready to go? Yeah, Im ready to leave this hellhole. Too much torture down here. Just a moment, Solomon said, strolling back to the anvil. Daniel and the other two watched as they saw his hand illuminating dark orange in a flash and dissipated. The anvil and sledgehammer were gone from the site, and Solomon returned. Ok, we are good to go. Wheres the anvil? Daniel asked. Solomon raised his hand, Remember, I got my blacksmith abilities back hence I can summon it on my own will. He snapped his fingers, and the heavy metal dropped straight to the floor. Convenient Celeste sprinted right to the door, and they followed right behind her. -- Swordsman Class In effect: +10% Stamina Recovery; +15% Endurance -- Daniel wielded Licht, a greatsword, across his arm, and Celeste nudged away, almost tripping Sally. Licht spewed white qi of energy from the tip of the blade like an extension. White light extended the length of the blade by half of its original size, forcing Daniel to leap further away to give some distance. He danced with his sword while carefully not carelessly pointing it across multiple points of altitude until he could feel the urge reach his wrists. Mimicking Solomons hammering of the sledgehammer, he went for it hard slam, creating a wide slash of qi that broke the door in half and shooting tsunamis worth into the depths of the hallway. What was left was a roaring echo down in the dark abyss of a hallway. Qi dissipated from his blade, reverting to its original appearance. Celeste, Sally, and Solomon went up and peeked over the entryway, viewing the bare darkness. Daniel flashed a step right to the entryway and released a trail of qi for lighting. He turned to them, Shall we? Wait, I almost forgot, Solomon said, quickly pulling something out of his backpack. He took out two thin plates of metal about the size of his palms, holding one of each. Walking up to Daniel, he urged him to lift his chin. You need this. Alright Solomon slid the two plates underneath Daniels jawline, placing them at the spot where he had metal cybernetics to fix his jaw. A mechanical click followed by a push right on the spot and Solomon backed away. What felt like water flowed along his face and rubbed his beard like a massage only for it to harden both of his facial cheeks. For a moment, it tightens as if someone pinched his face. Next, something formed in front of his mouth and covered it up to the center of his nasal bone. A mask? Daniel questioned, finding it extra. I havent told you this, but your flow of breathing needs some work. Sometimes you grunted too much after a battle, wasting your stamina. How do I take this off? Solomons reaction turned priceless, almost reluctant to tell him. I think youll know immediately after a couple of minutes. No, Im serious! Celeste had to disagree with this one, siding with Solomon. Keep it on, it looks good on you. Fine! Daniel grunted, Can we now leave?! Yeah, yeah. After you, Sally replied. The hallway now brightened; Daniel strolled in until the three entered the hallway, which was when he began sprinting through. Solomon sped up like a flying boulder and passed him to the left and took over the lead. Light up, Solomon yelled, prompting Daniel to jump midair, disrupting his momentum. Daniel fired a tennis ball-sized blast and swung his sword like a baseball bat, speeding it right back at the workshop. He swirled and thrust his legs, summoning a flickering blue flame around his feet. The pressure momentarily gave him leverage to speed up, passing Solomons running speed briefly. Boom! Celeste cast a barrier, towering over Daniel which crashed into the ceiling. Dan, lower yourself down! Yikes! Daniel went for an abrupt descent as he got bombarded by rain debris, dodging a few instances. He went low enough to almost touch the floor with his chest. The loud explosion brightened the hallway and he could see his peripherals flashing from the bright light. Celestes barrier obstructed the gusts from pursuing further, effectively reflecting the air pressure. Any time now! Daniel, raising his altitude, desperately waited for a turn as he kept his distance in line with Solomons. Prepare for a right! Solomon announced, speeding up and drifting away along the flow of the path. The path progressively curves until a full one-eighty straight, and the gust stops following the group. Celestes shield dissipated, and she summoned a flying platform. She leaped on, grabbing Sallys arm with no resistance. The flying platform generated a wall-like around the perimeter, giving more leeway for the two to relax and comfort themselves without risking falling off. The flying platform went by Daniels side, and Celeste stared briefly at him when he glared back. Right by you. I forgot you can cheat like this, fair play to you. Its not cheating, bastard. Bet I can run faster in a track match. And Ill win because I will take your platform. Oh, so you are admitting you need assistance? Daniel shook his head, Like I said, Cheats. Come on, you cant beat a guy who evolved from running to flight. Wanna bet on it? Celeste offered. Lets. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Solomon, too focused, saw a dead end. Quickly, Daniel cut his palm and allowed it to bleed his entire palm. Celeste does the same, revealing her purple hand. The two grabbed each other by the wrist, soaking their blood all over their skin until a bright light flashed through the thin spaces between their fingers. Daniel lowered his legs, slowing down the platform as he was still holding onto Celestes wrist. His feet reunited with the floor, returning to sprinting. He let go of her and both revealed a hand mark all over flashing bright colors. That was the first time he saw her purple blood, meaning her qi was purple. Purple light engulfed his wrist, removing the mark, while blue light did for Celestes wrist. Solomon did a one glare back, coming to a drifting stop. The friction through the floor strained his thighs while also bracing against Celestes platform to slow down. Daniel saw the dead-end brick wall, and he used Licht to break his speed. The outsole of his boots barely touched the wall, and he stumbled back, realizing there was no other way out. Solomon took a breather while Sally and Celeste were unfazed by the sudden stop, sitting on the platform and glancing around as if there were other directions to go. << So, this is what an upgrade feels like. >> Licht commented on his new change. < You learned something new already when I loaded off the qi to break that door. > << Its like a lock thats preventing me from doing everything new all at once. I think that will depend on how you control and unlock it from my understanding. >> < Well, I better. Since there is a possibility that there are more than twenty relics, we have a lot of damn work to do. > << Dont put all the pressure now. >> < Anyway. Im thinking of punching one of these walls. Unless you have better ideas.> Daniel looked around in the same manner as Celeste and Sally. He randomly backstepped from the dead end while keeping his eyes focused on it. And he stopped when he got behind the flying platform. Wait a minute. Somethings off. < They try to fool us. Clever bastards. > Daniel told Licht about debunking whats got his attention. << Woah, slow down! I dont even know how much power I can control in this thing. >> < Thats why we are doing it. > Daniel wielded Licht in a double-handed fashion. Hey, guys. Move a little over, He gestured, telling them to move left. Rasing overhead, he followed with one heavy slash, shattering the dead end. He then leaned to the left, directing the qi attack more to the right. I see an opening! Celeste yelled, pointing to the right corner curve. She summoned a barrier for Solomon and the rest to pass the loaded flood of qi. Daniel slapped the spine of his sword, nudging it away. He dashed through the puddles of qi, arriving in the new hallway. -- Suspicion nearby! -- Somethings coming, Daniel muttered. Any clues of what it might be? Solomon asked. Daniel shook his head, only wishing for the best in both worlds; only hoping to be disposable goons. He had Licht out ready to go as he took the guard on the rear while Solomon took the front. Solomons fist raised, Hold! It was empty in Daniels hand, thus turned around. A silhouette blended behind a fog of smoke, and the lighting from the smoke reflected from the background as if there was lighting from behind. Reminding him of those live shows where the performer steps onto the stage in pitch black, and the lanterns are directed at its back putting a mysterious vibe to it. I wondered where the rest of the group was. And here we are Lord Buhne! Daniel angrily recognized the voice. His right hand began to sweat from the constant grip holding the hilt. How did you get through this hall? Lord Buhne continued, questioning the arrival. Daniel stared at everyone in his sight, wondering how they would react. -- Lord Buhne HP: 99% -- < How much can you inflict on this bastard? > << Is it fake?! >> Daniel hasn''t thought about that part. < I see a shadow, reflecting through the light from the smoke. Does that count as realistic? > << I don''t mean fake as in illusion. I mean is this a body double, or is it the real him? >> < A checklist then. Bald from that head shape, but I can''t see the rest as he is still covered. > << You don''t have night vision? >> < Heck no. I didn''t even train enough in the dark without assistance way long ago during Earth days.> << Do your thing then. >> Daniel''s qi exerted from his feet, dispersing all the cover-up. Leaving the silhouette identity exposed. Yep, that''s him. He flashed a step right beside Lord Buhne from behind and shoved the hilt right into his neck. Followed by a twirl and returning to the front of him to see his startled face, Daniel right side-kicked his lower abdomen. The foot struck vertically bringing the infliction all the way down to the groin. -- Lord Buhne HP: 50% -- It sent him away into the depths of darkness. Daniel wasn''t going to lose him, so he flew, and the others trailed behind. << Hurry and throw me right at him! >> < If you say so! > Daniel boosted close enough and positioned midair, collecting a boost of kinetic energy through the end of the hilt. Thanks to Skoltor''s level 4 qi containment, provided him with more control and was able to perform various unattempted activities. He glided above Lord Buhne, maintaining his speed to keep up. Bending his knees down a bit, he rose up to barely touch the ceiling and angled his arm to where he could get the best shot. << Now! >> He breathed through his mouth, throwing Licht right at Lord Buhne. Lord Buhne gasped as the blade pierced through his chest, thrusting to the back of his shoulders. Daniel then leaped right on top of him and saw the hallway was about to open to an entryway with light peeking in. He yanked the sword out of his chest and pursued with a push kick, dashing him past the entryway. -- Lord Buhne HP: 0% -- He observed his face collapsing from the impact, lowering his eyelids as the light from behind engulfed him before disappearing. << You did it! >> Licht cheered. Smiling was inevitable as Daniel descended back to the floor, mask open, and a breath of joy. He stopped, hearing the crowd noise behind the brightened light. Turning back into the hallway, Celeste and Sally were walking as they joined him, listening to the noise. Solomon was strolling along, appearing to be thinking about something as expressed by a slight frown. You good? Im fine, just processing, Solomon muttered. Celeste stared at the light, What happens now? Do we care enough about them or not? Daniel asked in a serious tone. And I mean that by recruitment. I dont think that would be the wise decision to focus on, Solomon denied, thinking its not wise to recruit anybody from the audience. He recounted more than a year of experience in the arena, pointing out they only have one eye. Their surroundings and personalities were shut off, leaving the desperation of violence visible through their attention. I agree with him but for a different reason. I dont want any reminders related to any of this. Most of whats in the arena stays down here. It isnt made to thrive in the open environment. They have no dignity to be integrated into society, right? Celeste closed her opinion. Seems we all are on the same page. Daniel reflected on their important verdicts. He turned around back to the entryway. Then its a yes, he paused, We should annihilate the whole arena. Thats my call. However, one more thing. Do you guys know where Lord Buhnes office or residence is? Its one floor above the chow hall, Sally answered. I know it because I peeked. Destroying the arena first should be fine thenwell lets go, Daniel said, sprinting out. Passing the entryway, he leaped up into the high air. The audiences attention turned to him, receiving a mix of boos and cheers. Paying attention down at the center of the arena from up high, he saw Lord Buhnes dead body lying on the hard tiles with a cracked head aligned with his pool of blood. No! Daniels mind turned into horror when he descended immediately, finding Hierax shallowly breathing as he bled out from his back. He was in pain but not for much longer. Daniel tried to call Celeste to heal him only for Hierax, with his last strength, to shake his head. Im sorry. Get out of here. Youre free. Heal your mind and cherish what you have Hey! Wake up! Daniel yelled as his mouthplate opened. Hierax drifted off with a closed smile and his head faced Armando and Summer laying in peace. Splat! -- Optional Mission Added (1): Underground Bloodbath Derby -- Daniel wiped dirty shit off his face, growing belligerent to the point of losing his mind. Screw you all!! His mouthplate closed aggressively, leaving only his fiery eyes and furrow eyebrows like a mindless beast. To be Continued in III. Chapter 22.III The mindless beast has unlocked its binding chains, setting itself free from the metal cage. What was holding it back has disappeared without a trace and offered nothing in return. Blood cry howled across the stage as the screams of the audience grew. Daniel wielding Licht, sliced through multiple people in one swing. Celeste, standing at the center of the arena, was keeping an eye on him while she finished her area on the opposite side by controlling her flying platform and rammed it up on the uppermost row of stone seatings, decapitating all the heads like a flying slice of cards. She redirected it back to her, quickly vanishing by the time it reached closer to her fingers. Celeste held her left hand out in the open, and the platform dispersed once it touched her palm. Her eyes turned to Daniel and saw him vividly traveling through the splashing bloodbath. Before she could react, he barged right at her with his fixated inhuman eyes and wielded Licht, about to strike a slash at her. She resummoned her platform, knocking Daniel off missing a few inches of his sword from striking her head. Leaping into the air, Celeste called for Solomon. He flew at tremendous speed, swarming past her. The sledgehammer grew beyond the height of the wielder, extending beyond the stages circumference. Daniel! Relax! Solomon yelled, twisting the handle of the sledgehammer. Celestes led platform traveled around the arena, picking up its speed and swirling around the surface of the walls. The appearance became blurred, and within a blink she couldnt see it anymore, relying on her qi control and sensation. Stay with me. She deeply exhaled through her thin mouth while coordinating her fingers to keep in contact with her flying platform. Three. Her eyes watched when the face of the sledgehammer was heading for the strike. Two. Celeste bends her fingers, feeling the abruption from the platform beginning to slow down. The face of Solomons sledgehammer generated sparks and fiery flames around it as it reached Daniels arm. One. The eyelids were forced back, and her vision went hyper followed up with one hand-slashing gesture, bringing the platform right aligned with the center of the sledgehammer. It clashed with the opposite face of the sledgehammer, providing the extra force accumulated from the speed. Wake the hell up! Solomon yelled, and his hand jerked to the left along with the movement, bringing it right at Daniels arm and igniting the entire area. The contact caused an abrupt burst of light to spew out of the zone. Solomon and Celeste were blasted away from the shockwaves, regaining their composure midair. They descended back to the floor and were met up by Sally who was returning from the hallway that led back to the chow hall and their locker rooms. Is he out of control? Sally asked. Celeste sighed. Yeah. What a poor guy, very emotional behind the fa?ade Sallys head wobbled. No, its not a fa?ade. All of his expressions were real and not acted. However, Im curious about his longer backstory as he never told us any of the specifics. Eventually, we will. His night and day will take effort to understand. I dont care how long it takes, but as long as our relationship gets stronger, so be it. Dont we all. We got a man to take care of. Solomon turned around as if he was eavesdropping and heard something odd. What are you guys talking about? NothingAnyways, Daniel is coming down now. Celeste said, hand gesturing to her platform carefully with him on top. They saw him sitting flat with his one knee up, holding his right elbow. He rubbed his head and appeared bewildered at what had happened. The platform descended, hovering around knee height. Daniel turned around, looking at Celeste first. His mouthplate slid open. Did I screw up? You almost did. Well, you tried to attack her, Solomon bluntly said, pointing at Licht, who was lying by Daniels side. Please tell me I didnt hit you. Daniel anxiously asked. His furrowed eyebrows raised as if he was in distress partially opening his mouth, and he subsequently raised his finger. Im serious. This better not be a joke. You stormed right at me, she replied, pointing at the platform. If I didnt summon it again to nudge you off. I would have been toast. He didnt say a word, rubbing his face despairingly. Who stopped me? I took you down with the sledgehammer and she did the rest, Solomon said, moving away. Now, thats enough rambling. Sally, what did you find? Its all clear. We pretty much vacated the whole place. She whirled her fingers, illustrating the entire arenas seating. Only four of us remain. Well, what a relief for us then. Come on, we got one last job to do. Solomon exclaimed, running up the stairs to the hallway. Sally sprinted behind. As Celeste was about to leave, she sensed Daniel hadnt moved. Once she turned, he suddenly rose from the platform. Excuse me, he muttered, going up the stairs. Oh, Daniel dont tell me you are acting what I think you are. Celeste took his action out of curiosity as his movement went past by the side, not returning eye exchange. Quickly picking up the premises, she followed up, and the platform returned to her.

22.2

The metal door flew and crashed onto the wooden floor and screeched along the surface, sounding like a whistling scream. Solomon, being the current lead, stepped inside what was Lord Buhnes office. Quite spacious. His first reaction was while glancing around the fairly organized room. Only until Sally opened one of the drawer cabinets, causing an entire mountain''s worth of paper to tumble down. Whoops, she said, kicking it carelessly. One of the papers slid right to Solomons foot. At first, it appeared to be scrambles of written work, and as he lifted his foot, he saw the small picture of his face enclosed in a format box as it captivated him, taking the paper to an empty table. Thrusting one of the chairs for him to sit, he analyzed one of the papers. He completely ignored the commotion around him as Daniel, Sally, and Celeste ransacked the entire office, wreaking havoc among the furniture. His eyes zoomed on a few paragraphs, describing the vicious plans they were going to carry out under him. Under the orders of Thora, Solomon mumbled. Whose Thora and what is horseshit they are using us for?... Oi, what on earth, overthrowing figures of power. There were a couple of writing utensils lying on the table. Solomon took a mechanical pencil and began underlining lines that were considered bizarre and maliciously motivating. One underline turned to three and went to double digits. Continuous underlines took him under disarray and startled him more when there was a back page. Its like a stack of dominoes. The beginning seemed bearable and then further down it escalated on privacy, and the intentions became so absurd that it started to connect to the main purpose behind the scenes. Which was right at the bottom of the back page where the corner was written: Continues on articles D-1, C-1, and S-1. Oi! Solomon called the three, who were exhausted and lay on the floor with piles of papers on top of them. Good gracious. Argh, fine I guess Ill look for them myself. Is this Lord Buhnes desk? The desk doesnt appear to be lavish and further behind the office appears to be a section cut off from the rest of the room with windows as the wall, permitting Solomon to see the sections interior. From the scene around him, neither Daniel, Sally, nor Celeste went further into depth. Not missing the opportunity before they carelessly ransack it, he lifted his stout body from the chair and sauntered into a passageway that led to the door opening into the office. The chocolate-colored theme painted everything that''s based within the enclosure. Smells like one too. Solomon summoned the anvil and created a charcoal smell to disable the whiff of lingering chocolate. Much better. He headed over to the table, finding the nameplate with Lord Buhnes name engraved in Englisc. Heavy slump on the seat, the desk revealed four even drawers with two at each side. Solomon dragged on his left first. The upper drawer revealed an entire stash of flashing gold. Like a kid desperate for sweet food, he took his backpack and stuffed a hoard of gold in. He knocked on the glass to signal the three awake. Like a flock of birds, they ran all at once to the office. Yeah? Sally yawned. You three went too crazy. Office isnt the same as fighting. Back on topic, I found something for you all, Solomon stated, yanking the entire drawer out of the table, and throwing it on the carpet. Heavyweight. What the hell, thats too much value within this! Celeste tumbled violently to the floor, observing the stash. Daniel, on the other hand, stood silently in a gaze and took a couple bars and one ingot to put in his backpack. He then walked away, touring the entire room unfazed by the charcoal smell. You dont seem into it, Solomon noted. Im not fully settled yet, so two bars should be enough for me. However, the space here is what interests me more, and Im sure youre not calling me for just the gold, right? Which brings me to my second point, Solomon said, pulling all the drawers out and spreading each across the table. The document I was reading earlier had all my information and some of the things written there are written as if I was a test subject. Daniels eyes squinter. Test subject?! What would they even test about? Thats some twisted mindfuckery Ive ever heard. I dont understand what you mean Its slang, another way of expressing confusion. Do you know the purpose and how many were involved in this? Solomon took out a hardcover folder that appeared like a big book. Thats why Im in here and I think I found the treasure. He placed the folder flat on the tables surface, right on page D-1. Oh, heres you, Solomon said, taking it out and handing it to him. Daniel took the paper, blurting his thoughts aloud. Hmmsubject to berserk manipulation, including leading an army of overthrowing the allies of Raal, he looked at Solomon with a confused shrug. I dont understand one bit what they mean by allies of Raal. Werent they all fighting against Kriegshan or somethinglike a global war? Allies of Raal term has been overused to the point where theres no legitimacy as not one nation has proven themselves at all. Either a civil war or just escalation of whats been damaged. Gosh, even more problematicwait a minute I should be used for Lord Buhne and Thora to take over the leadership, Daniel muttered in disbelief. He went to Solomon, wondering if there were any more documents related to the rules. Thats gonna take a bit Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Whatever you got, find it. Ill look around the shelves and anything in here needs to be studied.

22.3

Theres no process of time when scavenging for something that could hold significance. Daniels mind was congested with a river of words, and he had a pile of papers stacked from the floor up scrambling through thousands of words per couple of pages each minute. -- Stamina: 67% -> 78% -- Anything useless worth of words was thrown out to the other side of the floor. It was a costly time of measure. Celeste and Sally could not have been any more careless after witnessing the bars of gold. The two slumped to the floor and slept again. Solomons face palmed, having enough of their troubles, and ignored them. I was asleep like that? Solomon nodded. You never did that before until today. Maybe I was relaxed for the first time. At least Im excused. Oh, youre self-excusing now?... Alright, well youre doing your part, so I excused youWhat you got for me then? Daniel tossed another paper to the floor and pulled an entire table right closer. He grabbed a few that were neatly placed on the table and handed them right to Solomon. Heres the situation of how Thora and Buhne are using the global war as an opportunity to fulfill their own selfish deeds. So, this underground arena was just a scam by creating an entire hidden simulation when in reality the whole thing has been defunct ever since the last one, Solomon muttered his thoughts upon reading before jolting from his seat, angrily tearing the paper. Shame on those bastards! Which was how long ago? Daniel asked. Before Kriegshan was destroyed, we were stillwell up there. And I told yall how now its underground ground when I first arrived. This is ridiculous, and I think Thora and Lord Buhne are taking advantage of this with all of these secret profits. Daniel pointed to the gold in the drawer. Otherwise, how the hell did they receive this many reserves? After all the expenses of establishing this entire trap. Solomon coughed, handing him another sheet of paper from the folder. I found the answer to that. Another hit? Daniel read what Solomon highlighted. David? You mean the engineering guy? Thats what they called him? WowI knew this guy before reading the couple of paragraphs that were written on that paper. That bastard was no engineer. He is just a money-focused businessman who used engineer as a title. The money comes from himRead the last line. A yearly gift for your cooperation and the satisfaction where the numbers have been proven gave the confidence to grant you a gift of monetary value. In this chest are twenty gold bars worth around Eight Billion Thalers. I thought Gold, Silver, and bronze coins were the main currency. Solomon shook his head. Technically it is but its an outdated form of currency. The transition is too sluggish. Bastards!! Woah, hes not in the mood. In the grand scheme of things, Kriegshan was able to mask so successfully that the troubles are for the keen eye. Thats fucking sneaky Daniel commented. He decided to grab the rest of the documents he had placed on the table and slammed them down on Solomons table. Do you think all of the government is involved in this too? And how much is eight billion Thalers worth? Three hundred thousand is retirement for ten years at most in a budgetI have no doubt the government could have some involvement, but I recommend keeping that thought behind for now. Damn, way less than back at Colemond. Thirty thousand compared to fifty or eighty thousand per year is a huge difference. Four of us share a portion of the worlds economy with those piles of gold bars. Eight Billion is like an entire community. Solomon pondered. Only a fragment to break the truth. Speaking of what are you planning to do with yours? Daniel pulled the chair right up next to the desk, UhmIm not sure, maybe build an organization, he paused, thinking about the wealth. Before I do though, I want to get back to David. We need to get all of his connections and where the gold bars originate. Solomon smirked. No worries. Its on that paper too if you glance down further. Ah. The bank is involved in this, and the assets of Elefantstahl. Then a bunch of redacted mentions. Well, thats a start. Can we agree that they should be eliminated? Solomon stood, packing up his bag. But we need information from them though, right? What does Thora even have to say? Davids more concrete and economical role is more significant. Lord Buhne is dead, and Skoltor was inserted into my eye socket because of David. Hence, I want him alive. Then thats settledTime to go, Solomon agreed, tightening up his backpack with various folders and papers away. Daniel went to the snoozing pair with a bottle of water and poured a drop over them, startling them awake. Celestes eyes flickered and jolted up from the floor with her head spinning around momentarily like a bird. Im up! Pack up, we are leaving. How long was I out? Sally asked while appearing a little drowsy. Not that long, now hurry we gotta go. The two quickly packed their gold bars into their bags while Daniel and Solomon examined the remaining papers at the last minute. Not long after, Daniel swirled all the items away from the desk like the party was over, shattering multiple pieces of furniture. The three departed the room and office as he self-took the role of the bulldozer. He summoned Licht and unleashed barrages of slashes across the entire space. He rejoined the three as they were back at the arena. That stairway, run! -- Stamina: 78% 100% Mission completed (2): Discover the depths of the Main Street. Underground Bloodbath Derby Rewards are listed on a separate window -- As they returned to the entryway, Daniel stood halfway up the stairs viewing the vacated arena. He inhaled all the air until his chest bloated like a balloon, and the strands of swirling winds generated mid-air flowed into his mouth. The pressure forced his eyelids back open like they were clamped. To his surprise in thought, it wasnt irritating. In a flash, he felt a surge from the center of his chest and quickly it spewed past his esophagus. Daniel partially bent his back downward, firing a heat ray from his mouth. Debris and rocks ascended from the floor according to the force of the blast. Shortly with enough firing, a bright blue light flashed in the distance. He swiftly turned and accelerated up the stairway and zoomed through the hallway, grasping all three like an eagle hunting its prey of fish in a body of water. He didnt slow down, tore the cave walls, and went for a hard landing in order to not crash into the rocky dead end. The three felt the impact in a slim and got back on their feet. Celeste, if you would put a barrier, please, Daniel requested. Celeste inclined. Piece of cake. She did a slamming gesture, summoning it in a flash of light. Wheres the door? Sally asked, staring at the dead end. Daniel tapped it as if there was a door. Should be right here The rumbling noise only just reached into the cave followed by the vibrations throughout the cave walls behind the barrier. Certainly, the shockwave smoke from the blast had overtaken the hallway connecting to the cave. The gasses rubbed along the barriers surface giving a peculiar view while Daniel repeatedly aggressively tapped the caves dead end. Elizabeth, where are you now? Finally, the scraping of the bricks reached into his ears, prompting him to move away. He pulled Sally back as she was leaning her back on it. And everyone stared as it then descended down to the depths beneath the floor. At last, Im free. Daniel saw Elizabeth standing behind the disguised door, standing looking bewildered like a child. Behind her was someone who stood at the spot just like he was before entering the cave. He took note of the slip the young lad was holding in his grip. You guys go, Ill deal with this mess behind, Daniel told the three and turned around. Auf Wiedersehen he mumbled beneath his lips. That led to Elizabeth crying out, grabbing his shoulders. What are you doing?! Yinhai! Daniel restrained from launching Licht in a nick of a second. No, more like what are you doing?! You could have got yourself hurt! He forcibly removed her grip, revealing to her the lingering smoke behind the barrier. Have a look. Its just smoke. Elizabeth turned to the young lad. But You know what, stay back. No ones coming in here anymore. He returned next to the barrier, thrusting the blade into the cave wall in a shank manner. Twisting the hilt generated the force that flowed right back to his right arm from the inside. Subsequently, he let the blade go from the cave and the sword dissipated into his hands. Heaps of rocks crumbled from the wall and collapsed onto the floor, forming a wall-like structure adjacent to the barrier. Daniel shooed the two still standing right on the entryway as he sprinted and went for the button, pushing it hard. He kept it on hold until the wall door closed. -- Danger incoming -- Daniel smoothly dodged his head to the right barely hovering over Elizabeth''s chest. He doesn''t know. He jerked the left side of his head right at the young lads clenched fist, shattering his masked ego covering his entire body. The headbutt to the side did the trick, and Daniel scooted away, letting out a sigh. I was gonna give you money worth more than that fraud advertisement. And you ruined that chance, Daniel disappointedly said. The young lad howled in cry while Daniel turned to Elizabeth, opening her hand, and giving her 3 gold coins. He whispered, Have this. I can''t take this. No, it''s the least I can do. Elizabeth grimaced. Why are you looking worn out? She viewed his face like a concerned nurse, wondering what happened to his face. Ive only been away for almost half an hour, and you came back with terror. Huh? Half an hour?! Yes, did you watch the time? Uhhhow do I tell you this? It''s been more than a year, Daniel awkwardly said. Unsure if she would understand. I''m not understanding Im being literal. Time here doesn''t matter what''s in there. It''s very fucking weird. Elizabeth nodded, kind of getting the picture. She quickly moved to the next topic. You are back, so deal still suffice. Finally, I''m free, Daniel muttered. He then folded Elizabeth''s filled hand. Don''t try handing me back the coins. It''s extra. Are you sure? I''m certain. Daniel''s stomach gurgled. Ooh, sorry. The smell here has seeped into my ruined stomach. Elizabeth directed him out of the kitchen where the group was waiting. She made all of them convene at the sole large table. -- Mission completed (3): Discover the depths of the Main Street. Underground Bloodbath Derby Escape Rewards are listed below: General Class Meter Translation Conductor Regeneration Qi Control Daily Calories limit raise: 5000 ->7000 Level UP! General Class (LV.1) Meter: [99.5%] -> General Class (LV.2) Meter: [1%] Class Bonus created: +5% Stamina; +5% Durability; +5% Endurance; +15% Power Translation LV.1 -> LV.2 Conductor LV.2 -> LV.3 Regeneration LV.2 -> LV.4 Qi Control LV.2 -> LV.4 -- Chapter 22.IV The time discrepancies took a little to get used to. Skoltor''s menu screen had to take a reboot to recalibrate with the world''s time, disabling certain perks that benefited his body briefly. He had grown adapted to Skoltor, often saving him from insanity during the earlier days underground. For the first time not having Skoltor in his vision was a strange feeling, the organized menu screen along with the circular hovering map in the corner not visible was at odds. The mystery still stands. Who created Skoltor and why does someone like David have it to begin with? Daniel and the entire group relaxed on their seats like a bed as their backs relaxed and softened on the surface. Elizabeth had the shop closed temporarily for them and grabbed an extra seat for herself. Before she got the chance to sit down, she began the ordering. What drinks can I get for the four of you? Ill just have a Cola, Daniel answered. The three of us want cold water and beer, Solomon said. Elizabeth departed to the kitchen, leaving the four. Beer? You dont drink? Daniel slightly grimaced, shaking his head. No, not that often. I rarely cherished any. Soda is my limit. That sounds boring and diminishing, Sally commented at Daniels lack of enthusiasm for socializing activities. Hey, who knows. I might one day, and Ive never experienced the art of youthSo, Im a late bloomer on this, Daniel said while shrugging. Swoosh! Five large glass mugs clinked along the tables, dancing to each corresponding seating spot on the table. All four sat still, watching it settle within the next couple of seconds. Impressive. No drop of the drink spilled from the mug. Did you throw all five mugs? Daniel asked, turning to Elizabeth who was exiting the counter area. Dang right, I did. Life is hard being a normal person, suppressing your soul. Hmm? Whats your skill? Elizabeth sat herself down on her chair. As a Seeleknstler, I can handle anything with food and the kitchen, she said, taking a sip of beer. Seeleknstler? Is that the general term? Explains the customer turnout. And your caf crme was excellent. Not a problem, just doing my job. The five all then stood, clinking their drinks happily before one big chug. They gulped all their drinks down to their throats and sat back down on their chairs, each exhaling and inhaling the air to settle the lingering drinks in their mouths. All rested for a minute before Elizabeth began taking entre orders. Using her hand, she thrust it out in the direction of the counter. Air dispersed from her palm and went into the stack of menus and gestured towards the table in a commanding fashion. She leaned back on her chair, keeping a close eye on all four as they searched and read the entire menu. This reminds me of home on Earth. It would be cool to find out who created these, and if its a similar historical event compared to us. Daniel closed his, turning to her. Her green eyes reacted and glared back. Ill take two plates of butter noodles & rice with Char siu and roasted pork belly. And one plate of uhm K?sesp?tzlethat would be it, he ordered, handing her his menu. Celeste raised one finger. Ill have one plate full of Rinderbrust and crispy fried chicken. To finish it off, four slices of K?sekuchen at the end. Her sweetness comes from her taste in sweets. Now I understand. Daniel listened before it was Solomons turn. He also noticed Elizabeth didnt have a notepad or something to write down. She takes all the orders down through her mind and listens to them. Ill take what Daniel had. But only the roasted pork belly. Elizabeth took that by surprise, briefly her green eyes flickered away. Thats it? Solomon decisively nodded. Yes, maybe with some sauce separately but yeah Im sure thats enough. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Ill just have a large bowl of beef noodle soup. Alright. Sit tight for around twenty minutesAnd you guys want refills? The four simultaneously nodded. Elizabeth took all the mugs away and got them back on the table in the next ten seconds. Knowing she has the usage of qi; the swift glide of the mugs made a lot more sense. Whats the plan after this? Celeste curiously asked. Swoosh! Daniel grabbed his mug in a swift grab, taking a sip of cola. Well, we deal with Thora and David. As Ive mentioned before, its less likely any more new information can be obtained from Thora as all the documents within Solomons possessions stated it all. Ill give her the fate so she wouldnt bring more indirect harm to all these people. Sally grimaced. How about the ones who left you at the hotel? Dont tell me we have to deal with them too? Unfortunately, we might. Ill let the situation play out and see how it unfolds, Daniel said, leaning up on the table. However, Mother Elaine and Liam might be easier to reconcile compared to the others. Solomon pondered. Mother Elaineyou did tell us about her more than a brief number of times. Its the first time Ive heard of Liam. Does he hold the same significance to you as her? Hes a suffering boy just like me, Daniel muttered, still havent revealed the Earth story since. Sallys eyebrow raised and briefly turned to Celeste. Just like you? I think you need to be more specific than that. Your emotions are too sophisticated at random times. Concerningly more often. Can you elaborate more? Celeste, who is pinned and focused on Daniel, notices the sudden change of expression. Dan, is there something you havent told any of us? Shit! I looked away for a moment. Daniel took another sip of cola. Darn. I guess they deserved it, being with me for that long. Im an alien. Alien?! Sally exclaimed. Celeste cleared her throat, Come again? You heard me clearly. I was never born in Kriegshan. Solomon jumped in. Then what about the stories of your life you have told us so far? Nowall the stuff I said before was legitimate. The thing is the stuff I told you was worded in a way that never revealed location, so it wasnt questionable. Sally slumped to her chair, taking all that in. She turned to Celeste, mentioning how it started to add up. The differences in body language and lack of knowledge of Kriegshans culture became clear. Sally returned with a question. It doesnt make sense. You sounded fluent. I mean Im not insane, right? We together have spoken not just Kriegyu but also Englisc. Unless you somehow picked it all up in some qi ability, then wow. Daniel unintentionally chuckled. Not quitemy world has pretty much almost the same languages compared to cultures and communities in Raal. We called Kriegyu German; and Englisc; English. Are you getting the picture? Celeste fluttered, almost as if she heard something beyond believable. My ears and mind are blown. Youre gonna have to tell all of us about your world sometime. Sure, I mean one day when I go back, Im taking yall to see it one day, Daniel said, causing Celestes eyes to blossom with anticipation of excitement. Sally stayed silent, observing Celestes reaction prompted her to go along with it. On the other hand, Solomon was uncertain about this other world phenomenon as he called it. In rebuttal, Daniel pulled his phone from his overcoats inner pockets. His pulling out of the phone felt so alien to the three, all deadlocked at a black thin brick with a glass on one side. Is that glass? Solomon asked with his peaked blacksmith curiosity. Daniel continuously tapped the screen with the edge of his fingernails, giving a sharp and clicking sound. Mhm. And click this button on the side. The screen brightens, flashing Solomons eyes causing him to jerk back. Theres light too?! Yinhai, this shit burns. I hope you are joking; this shit is not even that bright than the fires in the furnace. Forgive my eyes hypocrisy. Not a damn joke, Solomon responded with his hand hovering over his eyes. Hes gonna have a fun time with the idea of computers, tablets, gadgets, and such usage of screens on Earth. Daniel was dismayed at it before turning back to Celeste and Sally. They arent affected by the brightness of the screen or show a reaction to it. To be frank, the screens brightness wasnt halfway adjusted; it was only barely a fourth of the scrolling bar. He searched for some pictures in his gallery to show the setting of Colemond, eventually finding one with the view from his former office and showing it to them. That looks marvelous, Celeste responded, pointing to the high-rise buildings for Sally. Solomon eventually saw it too with his doubts cleared. Thump. Now thats enough of my world. The foods here early, Daniel said, turning to the direction of the essence of the smoke where Elizabeth along with the staff and the cashier he ordered for the caf crme all carried the meals to serve. -- System Reboot Success! Initiating protocol -- Chapter 22 concludes. Chapter 23 The female clerk sighed, leaning on the chair. I see, so thats what happened. A mimic of the round table was created in Juliuss room with his chair directly towards the bed and a few more encircled to create a full perfect circle. There were six stationed with Solomon, Celeste, Sally, the two clerks, and Mother Elaine. Mother Elaine was still healing from the wound and Celestes assistance helped her recover a lot quicker, regaining her strength. She has been quiet since arriving at the hotel, barely making any noise or words. Everyone who was taken by Solomon and Sally back here at the hotel was knocked out and hadnt woken up from the knockout moves by the two. Many planks scattered around the room and the floor as he didnt allow anyone on the bed except Alyssa or Zarlise. Were sorry, the male clerk said. Both clerks bowed their heads. Julius shook both of his palms out. No, no, no. Dont be. Im not blaming any of you for this. The ones that made the advertisement are at fault and already dead. And please lift your head, thats making me uncomfortable. Solomon sighed, looking at the rest on the floor. You think they would be the same as before? Julius felt tense. The only way to find out is when they wake up. Thoras dead and logically the effect should cease. All of a sudden, he heard a groaning noise coming from behind and turned to the bed. Alyssa, slowly opening her eyes, appeared to be in discomfort. She reduced to moaning as her hand held on against her forehead, lifting up from the bed. Juliuss mask reformed as she turned to him. He saw a shade of the reddish bruise behind her fairly wide palms. Sally must have made a mark. Everyone who got caught under Lichts foggy trap received a sole blow either around the head, neck, or torso. Who are you guys? Mother Elaine Finally, youre up, Mother Elaine mumbled. Where am I? Juliuss mask opened. My room of course. Temper man?! Her voice raised as if his face brought her strength back. Why are you looking like a maniac? Juliuss eyes widened, not understanding the maniacal part of his appearance. He turned to Alyssa, and she pointed to the edges of the mask opening at his facial cheeks. Oh, that was the food I ate earlier. Darn, it got stuck within my cheeks near my mouth. He tried poking his pinky fingernail to scrape it off. Subsequently took a napkin and slowly shoved the napkin beneath the thin hollow space. There we go. The sauce from the Char Siu and roasted pork belly stained the napkin. Subsequently, it disintegrated into bits of white particles and vanished from his hands. What happened? Alyssa asked, not showing memory of the past two hours. Long story-- Tell me the short version, Alyssa insisted. Yall left me in the hotel. I got mad, and I went to an underground tournament and got stuck in a time dilation of a year within half an hour here, Julius said, turning to the three beside Mother Elaine. This is Celeste, Sally, and Solomon. My companions. All raised hands in greetings. Sally was reluctant but budged. Temper man. That''s an odd nickname, but it can''t topple Julius, Celeste said, almost chuckling. Julius? His name is Daniel. I used to be him; It''s Julius now. The former died after a heavy lunch with a determination that I have to lead and capable of committing that he cant, Julius said, gazing over the others as he heard them simultaneously waking up from slumber as if all were inflicted by an effect at once and just ceases. Once we are all done talking, the new chapter awaits. -- New Mission (2) Added: Confront David Leave Kriegshan and enter the world of Raal. -- Its time, isnt it? Julius felt the time ticking virtually in his mind. Xavier, Liam, Zarlise, Zhengyu, Rebecca, and Helda braced their own bruises and turned right at Julius, along with new strangers that left them with perplexed expressions. Julius grimaced. Well, Im not repeating it again, so if any of yall want to fill in the matter; go ahead. He stood from the bed, heading to the kitchen to wash any remnants on his face. Furthermore, Skoltors visual framework had changed following a reboot. The frame design was gone. No more vibrant or sense of color. It felt like a downgrade on the cosmetics but in return, it was more cooperative and more transparent. Julius doesnt quite understand why it came to such a decision from a reboot. Afterward, Skoltor added extra features including more numerical statistics rather than just percentages. As well as a series of lines organized like an update page found on a video game developer news site. He slid over to the side after finishing cleaning his face, reviewing the entire thing. -- Underground Main Street Arena Post-Departure Update: -- Who created this thing? Julius wondered. He hadnt thought about it as much at times before but now started to trigger from the back of his mind. It cant be a human created this. Has to be a phenomenon or something supernatural. -- Update Outline: System Improvements New Contents (Applied once have left Underground Kriegshan) -- Woah, tons of stuff to review. Yeah, no way. Julius grew more persuaded that it was probably a supernatural creation to achieve such a system. As he was about to leave, Celeste came up right at him, nudging himself back into the kitchen. Dont taunt me like that, he said with a startle underneath his vocals. Just wondering what holds you so long in here, Celeste said, gazing at the kitchen sink. Skoltors update has finished and its listing the information. Many updates have to be read, and Im about to do that now. Celeste went to the sink, washing her hands. Do they know about Skoltor? Julius shook his head while departing the kitchen. No, they dont. But this update gives me the feeling that Skoltor must be some gods creation. With how much potential it could possibly reach. Sounds intriguingshall we review them? Probably not all in a gathering. I''m not in the mood for explanations, Julius said, unsure to trust them despite being manipulated and controlled by Thora. Once we''re done with David, we''re out of here. I want out. Celeste nodded. The underground city is just baffling. Anything underground sounds eerie. If we can get out within the next couple of hours, Ill do it today, Julius muttered and left, heading back to his seat. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. -- Descriptive Information in the next window. -- He raised two fingers to Solomon and Sally. Celeste came last, returning to her seat. Two hours? Sally whispered. Yeah, I want to finish everything down here and leave quickly. Solomons eyes viewed others in the back. What are we going to do with them? He leaned up to them, keeping his voice away from others behind. The Official Tournament still stands tomorrow. They were already enrolled into the roster, so they have to stay behind while we have already departed to the real world. Solomon mentioned to the clerks that Julius did not process earlier. However, he decided it was up to their own judgment. The hotel has plenty of clerical staff to accommodate their roles. To finish up, they all stood from their seats with Julius announcing for the ones on the floor to depart back to their rooms. Before they do, Julius goes up to Helda, demanding the trucks key fob back. She forced her hand into her pockets, thrusting out the key fob onto his hand. He then moved out of the way for them to leave. He, the clerks, Solomon, Celeste, and Sally see them off. While Xavier and Alyssa stopped in an attempt to seek more of his sudden expression changes. Were they not listening to the premise? Julius winced. Ask Mother Elaine, shell tell younow off you go. For a moment, they are like immature teenagers which was what irritated Julius. The sentence saved him trouble as their eyes were very attentive. He breathed when the doors closed. Good gracious, Ive had enough with them. Julius paused for a moment, laying back on the bed flat. Have you two decided? He turned to the two clerks who were exchanging. How long have we worked here or at least the first day we knew each other with everyone else? The male clerk asked. I think two years. Before that, it was one year at the old place that doesnt exist anymore. So, threedamn that long, and we never had a holiday break other than the weekends. Even Im a little lucky; at least I have holidays despite multiple overtimes in the past. Julius rolled out of the bed, tumbling down to the floor where his couple pieces of luggage were at. He opened the main one, revealing his clothes. Do I really need these anymore? He turned to Solomon. Hey, you want some extra clothing? Theres a decent amount I forgot that was brought with me. Solomon sprinted to the spot. Lets see what you got. He pushed the luggage to him. You guys can have it too if you are into any form of coats. Continuing with the backpack, he unzipped it open, finding an entire stash of weapons. A couple of handguns and an assault rifle inside with loads of ammo cartridges contained in closed boxes. Standing up, he placed the backpack on the bed, pouring all the weapons out. What is that? The Male clerk asked. Julius withdrew his handgun from his belt holster. Its a weapon. Capable of shooting tiny projectiles at speeds where if somebody was directly in front of it, they would deal heavier damage than an arrow. Can you demonstrate? In here?! Julius blurted, shaking his head. Youll be deaf from the release. The two clerks raised their hands over their ears. Yes, in here. Julius smirked. You guys are crazy, he muttered, lifting up his right arm with the pistol in his grip. Boom! The muzzle flashed a burst of bright yellow light, exerting a tiny bullet that sped through the wall that bordered the kitchen. Besides, the bullet didnt stop there as Julius could hear a glass shattering. Not this mess again. Momentarily, the loud bang rang his eardrums but quickly went away as he went up to the kitchen, gesturing to the clerks it was finished. He viewed the wall as presenting a small hollow hole at head level with visible cracks branching out from the center. He turned to the door, following the path trajectory the bullet took. Opening it out, he saw the front glass cracked. Not willing to present himself in the hallway again, Julius swiftly reentered inside, locking the door. What an eventual circus for the last day here. I hope that doesnt affect the business here in the long term. The female clerk lowered her hands first, visibly shaken by the loud burst. The male clerk held her arm to stop her from trembling. Which was when she queried about the weapons on the bed. What are you going to do with those on the bed? Before I say, you two want to leave the underground right? The two nodded, prompting him to continue. I was going to give each of you these handguns, he said, pointing to the two Beretta 92s. He saw the female clerk visibly uncomfortable. And no worries, these two are unloaded. I kept them empty until there was a need to use it. No wonder Torrin died, Celeste muttered. I blinked when it fired, and it was gone. Julius returned his P210 back into his holster before grabbing the two Beretta 92s. He handed one to each of the clerks. Just a reminder, dont point this at anybody, he said, moving away. Go ahead and get a feel for it. Solomon, Sally, and Celeste resumed their business reviewing Juliuss main luggage. Julius sat down on the floor, leaning up against the wall with his other backpack, observing any other items inside. He reviewed the assault rifle that he had forgotten and was surprised to fit in it, considering this specific backpack was much smaller than what he got from the forges armory in Underground Main Street. He realized he needed to go over the descriptive update Skoltor put out. -- Listing descriptive information of the update: -- Ah, so we are having an economy maker. Julius thought about the gold bars, wondering if it could translate into the TPNBS. He would rather have some use with it than leave it stacked up to be stolen. He recalled the conversation with Mother Elaine in her secret room, mentioning Level One being him and her while everything else is Level Zero. What if what Mother Elaine provided in her journal was more accurate compared to Xaviers teachings. Nevertheless, the exact cant be proven just now and Raal being a much bigger world than Earth, it would take effort of exploration to find out the reality of such power. In turn, he felt grateful for her the more he thought about it. Taking a break from reading the update, Julius saw Solomon and Sally already checking out the fits. I thought you were more simplistic? Oh, shut up. This time its excluded, Sally replied. Julius chucked, Always something new every day. Solomon was adjusting his newly claimed blazer jacket. With the constant rub of his smoke engulfed hands around the arms, the blazer jacket fitted his body in the right proportion. Blacksmith and a tailor. Such luck. I saw you sitting there staring into space; Anything with Skoltor? Have you ever been to multiple countries in your life before? Solomon took a moment and shook his head. Others did the same, denying leaving Kriegshan ever in their lives. No, why? Solomon asked. Just curious. Ill explain it later, but its related, Julius answered, returning to the updated descriptions. -- -- Im satisfied. Julius felt fulfilled, and he stood from his spot. And he checked its functionality. M4 Carbine at best. Nice. The carbine as from the backpack came with a close combat optic with a foregrip and a belt strap. One trip to the bathroom and back out all geared up, Julius has the M4 Carbine hanging around his side underneath the overcoat, appearing invisible from the outside. The backpack he got from the armory was renamed from Strapazierf?higer Rucksack to S.F. bag to make things easier to remember. He had all the contents organized within the virtual inventory along with the S.F bag. His other backpack was handed to the clerks which the lady took. Before leaving the room, Julius fixed the rumpled bed, and the two clerks organized the blankets. He glanced at the two of them, not seeing their name tags. What are your names? We three encountered enough times and Ive never got yours. The female clerk playfully waved. Call me Lu Yi. Thereafter, she pointed to the male clerk, who nodded lazily. My name is Ritter. No surname. I look forward to our time together Lu Yi and Ritter. Me too, Lu Yi said. I think we are all done here. Lets leave, shall we? Julius, being the nearest to the door, pulled the door handle and found the hallway to be shockingly quiet. Afterward, with one glare into the room with everyone ready, he swiftly sprinted out of the room and headed down the stairs leading the trail. Other clerks have taken over Lu Yi and Ritters positions and were focused on the other customers. Julius boosted much faster out and went right up to his Ford pickup. He hopped into the drivers seat. Solomon went and stood right to the drivers side after Julius closed the door. Lu Yi and Ritter took the rear two seats with Sally, and Celeste, on the passenger seat, buckled her seatbelt. Julius with a thumbs up to Solomon. Ready to go! Skoltor missions menu popped up, reminding the current missions as if it knew that Julius was about to initiate. -- Ongoing Missions: Confront David Leave Kriegshan and enter the world of Raal. -- Chapter 24 62+ miles to reach Elizabeth''s coffee & food shop with another few to reach back to the Agora. Julius remembered it lasted a minute at most in his flight speed to reach the spot. With a few extra miles on the clock and an entire load of a pickup truck, Solomons demonstration took half a minute to reach and was already hovering over the agoras central park. Julius jolted his head out of the window. Solomon, let me take over! he ordered, opening his door. Can you lift? Julius insisted. I sure can. Let me. Solomon forced the drag to slow down as Julius glided out of the truck. He held a grip at the bottom of the tailgate like a deadlift. With one jerk back, the truck came to a complete stop. Julius eyed around the scene and Davids building was right ahead of him. To not attract attention early, he flew in a quick descent passing by the uniform houses in the area. Using his legs like a birds tail, he articulated his lower half and feet upwards, and the truck rapidly descended giving a rough landing on the intersection. Oh shit. Lu Yi nearly tipped off from the truck bed upon the suspension reacting to the concrete. He hovered his left hand right below her, nudging her back in. You alright? Im fine, thanksgot a little off balance. She has some faint traces of qi, which might be a good sign. Same with Ritter too. Their qi isnt easily sensed at blank notice due to quantity still significantly low. Better than nothing. Julius went back to the drivers seat and drove it right to the front door. He exited, looking back up at the building. Last time, he didnt pay attention to the number of floors it had but glancing at it today, its fairly tall. However, the uniformity of the color white made it bland. The windows didnt help either. For what he remembered, Davids place of residence was on the top floor. A penthouse that doesnt feel like one. Im not sure if we are being watched from inside the entrance, so I think we should just fly up. Then we barged in through the windows. Solomon raised his head up high. Not badLet me get this straight, he lives inside that building, oversees suspicious payloads worth billions of thalers, and he said he was an engineer. Am I missing anything else? Thats it. Luckily that fraudster didnt ruin my damn brain. I guess I lucked out really much. Well, are we ready then? I want to break his skull. Celeste and Sally left the truck, and both glared up at the building. Julius smirked. Only if he has nothing left. He then turned to Ritter and Lu Yi, You guys stay here. Well be back in a bit. Lu Yi nodded. Okay, well sit tight. -- Confront David Rewards: General Class Meter -- Julius leaped into the air and went right on the wall of the building and went up gradually like a crawling insect. The buildings layout was simple to decipher, and the windows were structured to identify as a separate floor. When Julius landed and gripped the wall, there was one row of windows above. Hence, he ordered others to stay in place as he climbed up, peeking over. Viewing the entire row of the living space, he saw nobody within the living space. Unless he could be any story below the penthouse, its not even sunset at this point. Left-to-right appeared to be nobody. One check after another revealed no traces of activity. No sense of qi either from this floor. Nor Victorias either. Do you guys sense anything around? I did, two below, Celeste said. How many rows down? At first it was six. Now its five as I speak. The Elevator. Julius realized they were going up. Theyre on the elevator, heading up here. His mouthplate closed up as he unleashed a thrust right onto the window, shattering it into pieces. The moment triggered a blaring alarm throughout the floor. He quickly leaped inside, thumping on the couch. Solomon went for an aggressive headbutt crashing inside like a ferocious bull and rammed into the dining table. While quickly gesturing Sally and Celeste up, Julius sensed Victorias qi quickly coming up and saw the indicator at the elevator brightening the upper arrow. He grabbed both and lifted them through the penthouse right in the direction leading to the hallway he remembered getting Skoltor. Solomon sprinted along, and with his fists, he punched through the vault door revealing the big warehouse-like room. Celeste and Sally leaped off from Juliuss grip as he slid on the floor, generating a scratchy noise from the friction of his boots. Before he could ease off, he went back to the entryway and lifted the vault door, hammering it right at the opening. Shit, theres still open space above. Around him were the tall racks filled with closed crates. Julius, with a chaotic idea, ran up to one of the upright columns and gave a tight grip. Ding! Screw it! Julius yelled, thrusting his grip downward like a swift removal of the tablecloth from a dinner table. The upright column immediately bent. He rolled away as he heard the sliding of screeching wood platforms, holding the crates up high. One boost from his palm jolted Julius away from the collapsing rack. He along with the other three watched as the potential valuables were being recklessly destroyed. It was heavy enough to rumble the entire floor and the bangs of metal as it slammed the surface. That was partially deafening. Hurts me a bit watching all the possible treasures being wrecked like that, Celeste muttered. Its Davids content. No harm done and it is a perfect barrier to the entrance. Bang! Juliuss tongue clicked. I stand correctedCeleste, your barrier! Celeste held her right arm and pointed straight ahead, firing a cubic blast at the rubble. A barrier that was much different than prior with the silver color and a polygon shape towering over the site, leaving no open spaces to cross through. Julius sighed and went along the place to find any valuable information. Based on the time frame here, it hasnt been that long since he left the place and already a load of batches filled with racks of crates were organized around the entire warehouse space. Sally, alone, saw the reclining chair. Which was the exact one he lied on. This time he went with Celeste, and both went into one of the five aisles. The distance to the end was quite a walk. Fortunately, they didnt need to walk quite far as each of the crates stacked on the racks were imprinted with names and markings on the wood surface. Aint that the number of the gold bars? she asked, pointing at one of the crates. Julius went through the virtual inventory. -- Deploy (1) Gold bar? Yes -- A gold bar summoned, prompting his hand to instinctively grip it. He turned right at the crates while reading the number that was indented onto the gold bar. All the exact same except the last two letters after the dash. Im taking this crate down, Julius said, dismissing the gold bar back to his inventory. One lift and brought it down in a forklift manner. As Julius lowered it to the floor, he heard rattling from inside, hitting the wooden frame of the crate. It was loose. Open it! he told Celeste. She yanked the lid off, revealing another pile of gold. Or was it really gold? Solomon must have heard or something as he sped from his aisle right up to the crate. Why are there darker shades? Solomon pointed out the impurities. Julius grimaced followed by a shake of disappointment. Looks tarnishedwe got lucky from back there at Buhnes office. This aint worth that much anymore No, I could use it for crafting items that are worth more rather than wasting it. Ah, I forgot. The blacksmith skill Solomon has. Good point; In that case, you gauge how much you need, Julius said, returning to his virtual inventory. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. -- Slots remaining: 97/100 Gold Bar (2) Quantity max: 100 -- Ok, good to go then. Julius saw Solomon taking out fifteen gold bars already out of the crate. He was going to put in his S.F. backpack when Julius quickly suggested, letting him handle the matter. You dont have your backpack, Solomon said. Julius took one from the crate. -- Put in inventory? Yes -- The tarnished gold bar disappeared from his hands, withering away like dust with a trace blueish light dispersed. -- Tarnished Gold Bar (1) Quantity max: 100 Slots remaining: 96/100 -- Nice, Julius muttered. What did you do with it? Solomon asked with an expression of distraught. Julius pointed at his head. Skoltor. The reboot update gave me a virtual inventory that can fit up to a hundred gold bars at once per slot. And how many slots do you have? Currentlya hundred. Solomon stood silent before peeking into the crate, counting how many more tarnished gold bars remained inside. Theres forty more. Are you I knew you were gonna risk taking it all. Uhm no, Ill take half from the crate along with the ones that are already out of the crate. Other than that, it is no deal. Celeste barged in with her suggestion. How about we take all of this and dont add any further requests until all the tarnished gold is cleared from his inventory? TskI dont have a choice, do I? Nope. For the sake of us carrying other stuff instead of you, this is it, Celeste responded in a firm and direct tone. Then bring it all out together, Julius said. He took a step back and waited for them to complete. By the time they finished, he checked inside the crate before everyone was clear from the spot and kicked the crate out of the way. All better now. He felt a relief from his shoulders and chest after the kick. Solomon called out unnecessarily, and Julius, partially kneeling on the floor, ignored his comment and hovered his hand right on top of the stack. Then a touch around his palm triggered the menu, counting the amount of tarnished gold bars. -- Counting Tarnished Gold Bar (65) Add into inventory? Yes -- The entire stack vanished in an instant followed by Skoltors confirmation. Now thats over with. Julius took a breath and stood once more, only to realize Solomon wasnt done with exploring his aisle. Are you finished with your aisle? Uhhno. Then go! You want to take David into a pulp, right? Ok, ok! Solomon reassured him and headed off back to his aisle. Julius went off separately from Celeste, going to the other side. Observing anything else useful or worthwhile for the travels until he reached the end with nothing more in hand. He turned around and began heading off. As he walked past a couple racks, Licht became alert, prompting Julius to come to an abrupt stop. < When did you start making piercing noises?! That hurt my head you know! > << I cant help it because I recognize the faint smell, back up >> Julius took one step back slowly. < How far? > << Keep going. >> He continued until Licht made a noise as if he was clearing his throat. Strange sword. Like a human. Julius turned right at the spot, finding an ordinary crate. < I dont see anything odd with this one. Are you sure its something suspicious worth looking at or you are just randomly seeking some random attention? > << For somebody who is very attentive to things, Im surprised that you didnt notice the bottom of the crate. Look. >> Julius zoomed around the crate, finding the silver painting along the entire bottom perimeter as he glanced at both sides. < Its just the painting. Nothing worth looking at. > << Promise me, just lift that down and open it. >> The crate, despite being the same size, was much lighter than expected. Almost as comparable to holding a book. With one hand, he thrust it off the rack and dropped it gently onto the floor. This better be worth it. He hand-chopped the wood paneling off in a touch. What was in the crate took Julius a minute to realize. This actually smells. How the heck. He wondered how Licht was able to deceive it while flicking the wood dust off and grabbed a tube of silverish liquid filled up to three-fourths. The scent only became prominent when he had the crate opened. He moved it around in an articulating motion, finding the silverish liquid to be slowly reacting to the change of direction. Such high viscosity. < Whats this about? > << You dont remember. Thats the shit that gave you Skoltor! >> < What?! > Julius checked the contents of the substance again, doubting it was what it was. < Thats not possibleyou are telling me theres more!! > Hovering his head to view the inside, his heart almost dropped. < Good Yinhai! You are not shitting me. > Another observational check. Visual interpretation came back with the same outcome. Not some illusion trick. << I didnt count but how many you saw in there? >> Licht asked. < It was six. Only six in the crate, including the one Im holding. > << Should you let them know? >>Licht wondered, referencing the three. < I dont know if I should. But what am I gonna do with this? The fact that you found this crate could potentially mean more somewhere in these racks. > << Should we just take all of them six? What about giving it to them? Maybe Ritter and Lu Yi can receive it too, leaving with one extra in your grasp. >> The potential of what Skoltor has under my league. What about if they controlled their own form of Skoltor? Julius thought while glancing over the remaining five inside and looked up with Celeste already existing in the aisle. When she turned back about to call him, he hurriedly popped back down thrust his grip, and took all of it out. -- ?? Mainframe Liquid Substance (6) added! Remaining Inventory Slots: 95/100 -- Leaping up into the air, he slammed the crate frame apart and ran out, catching up to Celeste. Ive finished, nothing else for me to take, Celeste reported. Alright, Im done with mine. But what about Solomon? Is he done? Julius asked, urgently looking around. Hes still in thereJulius, what happened? You look like youre sweating. Shatter! Celeste turned, finding her barrier broken. Julius, in a swift, nudged her out of the way. David hopped in like a frog with a weapon in his hand. < Licht! > The greatsword was summoned at Juliuss command and in one swirl, he launched an uplift attack bringing the waves of qi into direct contact with David. Boom! Break! Light engulfed David in midair, and he immediately fell flat onto the floor, cracking the concrete from his back. Such control of resources but also a fraud fighter. Julius walked up only to be deterred by a shallow blast. Glaring at the direction of the blasts origin, he saw Victoria at the spot. Feeling the boiling urge, he lifted the greatsword in the air. Dont! Sally yelled from afar, running up to his side and missile him away to detract the slash, missing Victoria by a couple feet. Julius regained footing, demanding to know why she did that. I hope you can understand my point. I heard her talking in a fight with David over what to proceed Celestes barrier was soundproof, so how can you justify that being the case? Out of the way! Sally remained on her ground, not permitting him to cross. Why are you protecting a traitor?! Julius yelled. You didnt let me finish! A voice of groaning in the distance stopped the argument. Do it, you must David choked in his own blood while giving a voice of desperation in an attempt to lure Victoria. Remember what me and Thora taught you Victoria appeared visibly distraught, gaining the understanding that she could almost have gotten caught under the slash attack that would likely have wounded her to oblivion. She breathed harshly with her eyes widened as she gripped the hilt of her short sword. I ordered you toblah! Solomon punched his wounded gut, ending his soul. << Good job. Now you traumatized her. >> < Are you trying to intentionally mock me in a condemning manner? > Julius fumed at Licht. << Hey! Im just commenting. But you now understand, right? Look at her and what David was trying to do. She still has that of hers remaining trying to prevent her from going with the blade. Sally was right if that was what she was trying to tell you. >> < Ok, thats enough babbling. I get it. > Julius went past Sally, putting his greatsword away. He went and stood next to Davids decapitated body. Looking at the site, Solomons punch was enough to cut through like a knifes blade on paper. Ignoring the bloody mess, the line was clean. What a shame, I had one question that I wanted to ask from the aisleoh well. -- Mission completed (1): Confront David Rewards: General Class Meter General Class (LV.2) Meter: [1.5%] [5%] -- What question? Solomon asked. Julius summoned one tube of the substance. This. I found it in one of the crates. Theres enough for all of you to receive a system like Skoltor. A flight of expressions came across everyone around him after hearing like Skoltor leave his lips. Chapter 25 The inclining chair was still on the spot as if it was ready to be used again. Solomon, Celeste, Sally, and Victoria were standing scattered around the area within the visibility of Davids dead body lying on the floor. Julius randomly chooses one of them, Solomon; he goes off from the site and exits the warehouse space. Who wants to go first? Julius asked. He strolled to the inclining chair, intending to find a spare jet injector or a syringe. Theres a drawer next to the chair that he remembered wasnt there at the time he got injected. Pulling open one of the three drawers revealed an entire stash of unopened syringes wrapped in plastic paper and material. He put the tube on top of the drawer and took one wrapped syringe out of the paper wrap. Yep, just about right. He checked the length of the needle as he remembered the exact experience of getting it shoved inside through the eye socket. It has to be correct with little margins due to intracerebral injection being an insanely risky procedure if performed wrongfully. Carefully, Julius opened the seal cap of the tube and eased the syringe into the tube. For a liquid with high viscosity, it reacted to the syringe pretty quickly as it rose up along the syringes gradations. Once filled up, he gave a look at it one more time. Then one odd thing clicked. << Hang on. No wonder I didnt recognize it at first. The one I got was a mix of green and blue. >> < And I was there the whole procedure, recognizing the smell. Both have the same smell, and the properties are the exact amid different colors. Its the real deal. > << Hmm. I mean... I trust you, but I just wanted to point it out. >> < I understand. But remember I saved your agony when you got the shot. I even got the effects from it to decipher what it was or not. So, youre safe. Maybe this time it wont be as painful if you do it. > << Thats too nice of you to be optimistic. >> Julius felt a little uncomfortable from Lichts positive maneuver. < Just doing the best I can with my known expertise. > << Well, only one way to find out. >> Perfect timing as Solomon arrived back with Ritter and Lu Yi, walking in. As Julius waited patiently, he watched them non-verbally decide who to go first. Solomon seemed to have told Ritter and Lu Yi the premise as they too, were going back and forth. Seconds turned into minutes as Julius gently placed it on the tiny table next to the drawer. Celeste immediately went up from the crowd, insisting she would take the first. Let me, she muttered, prompting Julius to pick up the syringe. Everyone else gathered around, curious about the procedure. Have you ever done this before? Sally asked. When I was used to being in the military. I had to save one of my comrades, and it was an experimental drug. Chances were low, but it did the job, thank goodness. Any other times? No, but I was well aware of the procedures. I had a time of studying medicine and the anatomy was very important if you want to save or eliminate somebody, Julius answered. He then ordered everyone to cluster around and suggested Celeste hold her grip on the reclining chairs armrest. Julius looked around her eyes to find the safe spot, and Victoria, sitting on the floor, slid herself up directly by Celestes feet. Being her second time having to deal with such a situation like this, instead of Thora it was her as she lifted her whole light body from the floor. She proceeded to climb and lay herself on top of her. Get off of me, Celeste said, not comfortable with someone on her. Thora did it like this to Daniel. No one else knows how to and Im the only one left, Victoria replied in a near-whispering voice. Julius grimaced, gently placing his hand on Celestes left shoulder. I dont know what Victorias skills are to be exact, but she was by my hand trying to ease my pain when I was receiving Skoltor. His mind was startled by the pain and seizure-like symptoms experienced on the exact reclining chair. Give me a minute. Putting the syringe on the table, Julius contacted Licht. << Will this work on anyone other than the wielder? >> < I think so. If you are willing to allow it, it should come into effect with my qi by touch. > << Then I allow it to happen. >> Licht summoned from Juliuss grip, placing it on Celestes side. Licht? Celeste muttered. Licht will be the emergency button for all of yall when getting this procedure. If you experience any temporary symptoms following the injection. He will knock you out, so you wont have to experience that. By the time you wake up, it will be a little head-heavy. Lets get this over with, Celeste urged, taking Juliuss right arm by surprise. He quickly countered with his forearm, calling her crazy. He stood up from the edges of the reclining chair and found the safe zone. Over prioritizing safety, Julius controlled his qi directly to his whole right arm and the syringe. He thrust it into her right eye socket causing her to silently both grip the armrests. He pushed the plunger down through the barrel as quickly as he could while keeping the flow stable. It took eight seconds for all the silverish substance to go inside through. As he took the syringe out and put it to decommission, Celeste grabbed his arm again in a spasm. Oi, relaxrelax. Victorias eyes shined blue as she thrust her palms on Celestes torso, seemingly calming her nerves down. Continuously, Celeste panted and uttered a few words. Im goodjust a little more grrggaah. And it went south as she grunted with her teeth clattering like a starving wolf. No more time to waste. Julius forced Celestes grip open as the reactions caused her hands to intently resist. He shoved the hilt right into her, and a faint sense of pressure erupted, knocking her out on a whim. I don''t want to go through what she just did, Sally commented. Licht got your back. Celeste woke up in bliss. Julius guided her up from the reclining seat. She grabbed his hand as she lifted herself and brought her feet back to the surface. Julius? Whats all this flickering Im seeing? she lethargically asked. Its the Skoltor activating through your visuals. It will take a moment to optimize, and you should be able to fully understand once you witness it, Julius said, subsequently asking Solomon to create a chair for her to comfortably sit on. A few sounds of clanging. Here, bring her here, Solomon muttered while constructing more chairs in the blink of an eye. A few clangs from the sledgehammer generated a chair consecutively. Julius brought her to a seat. Relax here for a moment; what do you see now? Im seeing a wide rectangle. And its getting filled with purple colors moving from left to rightnumbers too. Phew, its working. Julius breathed in relief. Thank the Yinhai. That means its working as it shouldnow rest until the system visuals of yours are finished setting up. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. He went back to the reclining seat area, preparing the next syringe. The successful injection for Celeste eased the doubt of others as Julius saw more enthusiasm through their eyes. Sally raised her hand while speedily marching to the reclining chair. Solomon urged to be next in line while keeping Celeste in watch for any other problems, so Julius could focus.

25.2

The entire timing process regresses as each subsequent person goes through. There was no certain reason for that to happen. But it possibly could be the expectations set from Celeses trial, leading them to endure it more effectively. Julius threw all the used syringes in the drawer before kicking it hard from the soles of his boots. He flickered the flames all over the drawer as it rolled away, signaling its time to leave. Victoria, getting out of her lethargic phase, was lifted up by Julius before she picked up the pace leaving with others through the entryway. Julius, being the last to leave, made sure no one was left behind before dashing out and flash stepped to the living area at the window opening where he came from. Finally, time to get out of here, Celeste said. Julius does one verbal check. How is yalls system going? Sally said: My eyes are getting used to it. Im okay, Solomon confirmed, gesturing over to Victoria who silently gave a humming thumbs up. Celeste didnt give a direct answer but rather jumped off first. See you guys down below! This woman is crazy. Julius reacted to her jumping off. He went for a dive down from the high up, speeding up to her. Too slow! Hey! Thats unfair! she exclaimed, boosting her qi enough for Julius to see her while looking straight. She went from a ball-like pose with her back pointing towards the ground and flipped into a glider position. The two heard the howling yells from above. Julius swiftly dashed upward and did a free fall the remaining altitude, crashing the pavement of the roundabout. Leaving the entire road smooshed into bits. Celeste landed on top of the edge of the buildings porte-cochre. Aw shucks. You wrecked the entire way. Solomon, Victoria, and Sally dropped down joining Celeste, staring down at Julius. Not a problem for my truck! Julius asserted, dashing to his truck. He drove it out of the porte-cochres shade. The tires and suspension reacted to the irregular pavement and easily climbed and towered over the messy fragments of concrete. Come on, enough of the power egos. We have to go! They leaped off and ran up to the truck like groups of mice, entering inside. Victoria joined in while Ritter and Lu Yi have not changed their minds of sitting on the truck bed. With the push of pedal, the truck crawled over the concrete chunks, and Julius turned left at the intersection, heading back to the Agora with the city hall and the temple-like structures in the distance. -- New Feature Unlocked. Team Party Level 1 -- Level one team party, hmm. Sounds like a convenient communicative feature. Julius gained the impression of more capabilities due to more than just him having a Skoltor-like system. The menu extended below as the visuals automatically scrolled as the words appeared one by one like it was being typed. -- Team Party Level 1 In order to establish such networks between individuals that have access to their virtual system, the feature Team Party will become existent when more than one person other than the sole individual gains access and adapted to it. The Team Party was improvised by a ten-level optimization. The individual started the team party will hold all management and various buffs given. The members within the group have access to invitations and the benefits received according to the ten-level optimization. Level 1 to 5 Optimization Buffs: Level 1: HP: +5%; Stamina: +9%; Attack +1% Level 2: HP: +8%; Stamina: +9.5%; Attack +1.5% Level 3: HP: +11%; Stamina: +12%; Attack +3% Level 4: HP: +14%; Stamina: +14%; Attack +5% Level 5: HP: +20%; Stamina: +18%; Attack +10%. (+5 Members to the total Team Party limit. 8 13) Level 1 Buff Applied Team Party Name: --_____ -- What name should we call ourselves? Julius asked as the trucks street speed quickly led to the end of the neighborhood. Celeste hummed. How about Seeleknstler? Elizabeth mentioned how she was described by someone with the use of qi. Seeleknstler is the generalized term though. Our party needs another word or something to make it stand out from the rest of all of them in this world, Solomon suggested, offering a few words. How about the eighth or The Ritter von Seeleknstler? Julius gave a slight nod. Give me more ideas. The Ritter one sounds interesting. He turned the steering wheel, directing the truck back parallel to the central park. Being in the afternoon there were plenty of visitors, workers, and pedestrians sparsely standing across the vicinity. Most eyes could not escape the alien-like appearance of a moving platform with walls that currently moves as fast as a horse pulling a carriage. Ritter and Lu Yi eavesdropped as the conversation inside the truck grew louder, adding to their input as Julius lowered the windows. They suggested the name of the hotel. Vroom! The truck sped through the entrance gates at the behest of the pressed gas pedal, encountering multiple near misses. Skolritter Victoria mumbled. That was when everyone stopped talking, bringing the truck to complete silence. What? Victoria looked up from her quietness. Skolritter? I think thats a decent name, borrowing words from Skoltor and combining it with ritter. Skolritter. HuhIve never even thought about that. Settled. Thats it?! Celeste blurted. Julius nodded. Oh, yes. Not that complicated and we could use Skolritter as the generalized term and the formality is the entire title printed Skolritter von Seeleknstler. Im in! Ok, as long as we used more of only Skolritter, I accepted it, Sally said, putting more of her simplicity into the picture. Ritter just realized his name was being used as the term is being formed, leaning more to agree with Skolritter. While he still held some preference to rather using the hotel name. Lu Yi also preferred the latter. After a few minutes of last-minute thoughts, all came to agreement with it. Julius would then mentally type out the name through the visuals. -- Team Party Name: --Skolritter von Seeleknstler Are you sure? Yes | No Team Party name confirmed. Ongoing Missions (1): Leave Kriegshan and enter the world of Raal (Pinpoint added 150 Miles) -- You guys got that? Julius asked, referring to the distance pinpoint. Thats a damn long way, Solomon said, leaning back his head on the headrest. Celeste turned back in reaction to Solomons laziness. Is he seriously out? Sally looked right at him and gave a thrusting fist to his arm. Her eyes rolled followed by a nod. Im sorry, I guess youre doing the rest, Celeste muttered, sitting herself back down on the passenger seat. Julius slightly grimaced. As much as I dont like this, hes earned it. My job is not finished for the day. Yall get some rest. By the time we reach halfway, we will go in-flight. He leaned out of the window. You guys too. Get some rest for a while. Except for him, the rest of the Skolritters took the opportunity to take a rest. They concede to the hidden fatigue, bringing the vibe of a cozy room putting the essence of relaxation that Julius never had felt in a long time into his restless mind, calming him along the drive. Chapter 26.I Rattle! Woah, how long was I out? Solomon asked. Celeste rubbed her eyes after an eruptive disturbance to their nap. She didnt know how long time had passed, but Julius was nowhere to be found in the truck. Wheres he? she muttered. What? Sally moaned from the subsiding fatigue. What do you mean he should beoh crap. Sally unplugged her seatbelt, jumping up from the rear causing Celeste to nudge her head away as she reached the front. Good Yinhai! That was close, Celeste exclaimed, surprised by Sallys sudden movement. Be careful! I cant help it. We need to find himwait. Look out at the window, Sally said with her face pressed on the window as she kneeled over the driver''s seat. Hovering to her window, Celeste saw it was pitch black below. Empty as a hollow space in the depths. Following the darkness appears a flash of bright blue, flickering like a candle. A trace flew right up like a projectile into her face, sending it back in and spitting air from her mouth violently. My mouth burns! Her lips and tongue vibrated in pain similar to numbness adding with a throbbing grip as if someone grabbed it. Exerting his qi within the tight interior space was a risk that she was mindfully aware of. Hence, she thrust her arm out the window, summoning her healing mechanism. Water-like liquid soaked her entire arm like it was being downpoured from above. With a slight lift, the water flowed like a river coming from the waterfall, heading directly towards her shoulders. Celeste jolted her elbows to bend her arm right back at her, bringing the liquid to spew right to her face. Letting it drip along her facial cheeks and nasal bone while mentally gripping against her throbbing mouth. Crack! The sounds of popping and cracking bones can be heard through the edges of her lips that were felt all the way to her inner mouth. The pain soothed away as she regained her lip movement and talked again. She tapped Sally and pointed down at the truck, indicating Julius was right below. His aura tasted like hell! And well. Sally grimaced, appearing to be tampered by the thought qi could be tasted. I thought scent or smell was one thing. But taste?! Ugh. So, he is down there? She leaned her back right at the side of the seat, facing her body right at Celeste. Celeste nodded, noting his blue aura. How long were we out? -- Ongoing Missions (1): Leave Kriegshan and enter the world of Raal Pinpoint (8 Miles Remaining) ETA ~1 Minute. -- Saves me the trouble. Celeste blinked, bringing the virtual screen menu away. Now fully aware of the dangers of getting her face close, she summoned a barrier below, big enough to cover her face as her head slowly hovered out of the window. Juliuss blue aura spewed again, clashing with her barrier. Celeste then viewed the area the truck was flying over, witnessing the dark shades of the empty plains with sparse trees, standing tall across the vicinity. The gusts from behind swirled her hair. She turned around, finding Sally peeking out at the driver''s window. Undergroundyou think they could have other plans, don''t they? Sally questioned. Hearing as she was talking to her, If Kriegshan was really destroyed, would we have known the matter amid the sides we take? That''s up to each perspective. Many like us don''t know the true purpose. Like the blind puppets in a large cluster following the lead, the puppeteer directs us. Celeste, having enough of the air, slithered back inside and rolled up the window. Would you think it wouldn''t be for Julius, we might be lost in this place? Sally eventually rolled in too and nodded. I think so. Solomon yawned unintentionally while opening the storage drawer, revealing a stash of water bottles. Celeste sighed. Are you fully up yet? He nodded while taking a gulp of water. You guys want a bottle of water? If you insist, Sally said. What about you? I''m not thirsty right now but fine, Celeste said, taking one off of Sally''s hand. Victoria, unfazed by the earlier jolt, woke up from her seat, lifting her head from the side of the headrest as she was slightly leaning towards the window. How far are we? She asked. Alrosa told me we have around a minute left till we arrive, Celeste muttered while putting back her seatbelt. You have a name already, lucky you, Victoria commented. Celeste turned back to the front, leaning back to her seat. We are almost there, sit back for the remainder and also, she said, turning to Sally. you better get back to your seat. He might come out of nowhere up to the door. Sally didnt flinch and rolled herself like a ball back to her seat in the rear. Coincidentally, Julius popped his head up to the door with a quick swirl, and the door heaved open. He jumped in and focused on the wheel in a blink with both of his hands parallel to each other, proceeding to the nine to three oclock position. She saw his eyes flash gold, immediately followed by a thrust back hard as a head pounding. Ouch, Celeste mumbled, gripping her abdomen. I better not puke. -- ETA 15 Seconds. -- Were about to dropnow! The lingering quiet sound amped up to a loud growling noise as Celeste observed the moment when the entire truck began to direct downwards. The headlights flickered into a high beam, and she saw much farther from where they were, about to ram to the floor. Pull up! Way ahead of you, dear, Julius replied, throttling the gear stick and the dull thump sounded like he slammed the hard carpet floor. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. It was a much more sudden movement compared to her flight platform that she called Vesper. The seatbelt did the job for everyone in the truck. Sudden realization about Ritter and Lu Yi in the back only to be met with a forceful jump upwards as the thud sound reacts aggressively to the flat ground coming from the tires. About Ritter and Lu Yi Theyre fine, I shared my spare qi with them for protection, Julius said. He glared at the rear-view mirror. In fact, they are doing business fending off these beasts as we speak. What?! Celestes jaw dropped at the news of wild animals trailing behind the truck. Alrosa too, popped a purplish virtual menu screen with a new mission. -- New mission Added (1): Assist fellow Ritter and Lu Yi against the Nocturnal Tigers Rewards: ?? Class Meter -> Choose a class as soon as possible. Stamina Endurance -- Did you receive this? Celeste asked. Julius immediately shook his head, having nothing from Skoltor. Tilting her head to the back followed nothing either, giving her no other choice but to pull down the window. She braced both of her hands on the roof with one look at Julius. See you in a moment, she said before swiftly leaping into the air. Clashing with the feisty gusts generated by the speed coming from the truck, Celeste landed on the roof, facing what turned out to be a stampede of raven-like tigers marching through the dust. Their mouths drooled during the sprint with the lights coming from the backend of the truck flashed at them revealing the mugged faces like the mindless bugs furious eyes that also wanted to sleep. Celeste saw Ritter and Lu Yi trying to fend off in defense from the truck bed as they partially stood while bracing the edges. Hey! She waved. Need some help? She jumped onto the truck bed, bouncing it up slightly nudging the two up in the air briefly. Lu Yi glared at her while biting her teeth where Celeste could hear it grinding. They were slow as turtles only to pace up where one almost reached the door, she said, pointing to the tailgate where theres a minuscule dent that anyone with sharp eyes could see vividly. Im here to kill. If youre willing to help and I assist, this should be a little easier experience for you all, Celeste said. Come out, Vesper! Her mind voiced it out, flashing the platform from mid-air and self-enlarged to a size large enough to cover the truck bed from above. A dark color almost matching with the chasing tigers enlightened upon her finger movement as she observed the stampede. What can you do? Im sorry? Ritter was confused. I mean do you two have any fighting experience? A little reluctance to answer wasted time as one of the nocturnal tigers leaped into the air right above her, Ritter, and Lu Yi. Almost snatching Celeste off guard from the beast when Vesper speedily dashed into the air, striking it on the abdomen and causing flashing light to emit from the skin of contact. Boom! Ah! Celeste summoned a shield over the truck bed while covering her eyes from a sun-like flash of light dilated in the night sky, momentarily brightening the area. Hovering her arm down, the nocturnal tigers within the stampede were unfazed by the blast and continued sprinting right in the direction of the truck. Darn, those foul beasts! Celeste turned her attention to Lu Yi, asking a very important question. Have you or Ritter not used what Julius gave you? Lu Yi shook her head, visibly showing the shakiness of her fingers as it was anywhere near close to what was right in her pocket. Ritter, on the other hand, took it out after hearing Celeste asking her. He passed the first step by withdrawing the handgun but went dead after holding it within his palm. Did you two really forget how to hold a damn handgun?! Celeste said in a high voice almost like a whistle right into someones ear. I dont know how! Lu Yi yelled. Celeste looked at the distance, pacing the time before grabbing the handgun from Lu Yis pocket. Ive never tried it and already know how to use it, she muttered, unloading the magazine. Should be enough. Afterward, she showed the magazine to Lu Yi and urged Ritter to watch as well. Always make sure youre loaded in situations like this. The magazine loaded into the handgun came with a ticking sound. Celeste cocked the gun before pointing at one of the nocturnal tigers. She pulled the trigger and could see the tiny projectile leave a trail of smoke that came from the blast. It spewed away and a loud splatter followed a tumble like a pile of dominoes fell. Slam! Damn! Thats some nice bathwell thats how you do it. Just like an archer, you use the bow to shoot an arrow. Celeste, with one of her hands, gripped Lu Yis wrist which forced it open flat. Then, she returned the gun, placing it on her palm. While this shoots metal projectiles with similar principles but stronger and faster. My ears hurt, Lu Yi said. Celeste did not take any of her excuses and assisted Lu Yis arm up. Youll be fine. Eventually, you have to deal with things louder than this, and the blast from earlier in the long runnow fire them. She walked forward in between the two, and Vesper swirled in the air quickly hovering right behind the truck bed at the tailgate. With no hesitation, one foot on the edge of the tailgate and Celeste leaped into the air, landing on Vesper. She sat herself down, strangely feeling more comfortable than any prior times riding on it. Where are you going? Ritter asked. To fight them, obviously. Attempting to shoot at them as much as you can is a start. Be good for a bit, Celeste said before flying up high away. Vesper flew her way high to see the entire area like a map. Gazing along the pathway the truck took, the stampede was maliciously wide and moved like ants escaping their colony, spurting out of the hill and running in as many directions as possible. Viewing behind the front row, the nocturnal tigers are disordered. Many were following while the others were going off the trails. They gave the vibe due to the way some stood still after moving away from the main line. Celeste directed Vesper to move far enough to face directly at the front rather than being on the side. What am I gonna do with all these behemoths? Celeste seemed to be more conflicted on how to deal with them as an abundant amount of ideas flowed around her head, and she couldnt seem to get a hook on one of them. Fuck it. She grabbed part of the platform and went for a dive. This was the fastest experience ever in her life, dropping and moving at such a rate that breezed her hair back like a massage. She never took her eyes away as Celeste remained focused on the stampede. The purple aura enveloped the entire platform as she reached closer to the ground right in the direction of the front row coming at her. The aura raised high and shaped above her, giving the curvature in front of the platform like the windshield in Juliuss truck. Splatter! Celeste could hear the bones breaking while flinching at first as Vesper crashed through a line of nocturnal tigers in the way. A bunch of red bars flickered and spammed at the bottom right of her visuals. It kept on going while Vesper aint slowing down going through the charging stampede. The aura would disintegrate any blood staining the barrier. -- Ongoing Missions (2): Leave Kriegshan and enter the world of Raal Assist fellow Ritter and Lu Yi against the Nocturnal Tigers 58/??? -- Good gracious. Thats a hell of a pile. It was very fast, definitely not a minute had passed upon the first crash. Celeste glanced at the trail of blood she left behind her. She hovered up high enough to be unreachable by the nocturnal tigers. The entire thing was ironic as she did a minor carnage and didnt deter the entire crowd from the truck. In a way, it grew concerning as their speed amped up. Celeste not taking the chances, zooming past the remaining clusters within the stampede. She reached right parallel to Julius who was patiently driving. He took notice of her subsequently rolling down the window. How many are the hell are there?! Bang! Celeste half-turned to find Ritters side leaning at the edge with his upper body poking out, shooting the nocturnal tigers. Uhh, many by a wide difference. At least in the hundreds. Julius grimaced. Always trying to ruin the moment. Go back to them, Ill come out in a minuteSolomon, guys, prepare to defend! Im on it! Solomon replied, hopping out of the door. Sally open the door, will you please? Celeste detoured back to the stampede and switched tactics, going defense. She leaped off the platform, took a few steps forward, and kneeled on the patchy grass floor. One deep breath and hard slammed right on the dirt through the grass. A loud rumble was enough to vibrate around her feet. She felt the pressure blow away from her the more contact her hands had with the ground. Then it started to shake in front of her and a purplish transparent barrier shot up from below, reaching high in the sky. It would spread out horizontally to contain the stampede as Celeste stares dead in the eye to one of nocturnal tigers spewing smoke from their nostrils. Chapter 26.II Solomon! Take the wheel and park it right there next to the statue on the hill, Julius ordered, popping his door open. I dont know how to drive, though. Ah, shit. Julius looked at him as if he felt dead inside. You saw me briefly doing the work right? Well down here are two-foot pedals. The one on the left is your brake to stop, and the one on the right makes this truck move. Got it? Yes, I understand. Julius then pointed to the gear stick. And here is what will settle the other part. You see this letter P; Thats for parking the truck to not keep it moving. R is for reverse while D is obviously driving. And thats it. You catch it all? I think soits simpler than I anticipated, Solomon muttered. He lifted over to the drivers seat as Julius glided off from his truck up into the air. He roundhouse kicked the drivers door for it to close and flew away. A brief glare at his truck and saw Ritter and Lu Yi constantly shooting bullets out of their guns. He stopped and hovered midair, staring back at them. Gesturing his index finger up, two human-sized beams of blue light came up, engulfed halfway from behind, and towered over them by a margin. Julius subsequently lifted his middle finger right up to level with his index finger before giving another upward gesture with his entire hand. The blue light generated a huge burst of air, blowing Ritter and Lu Yis hair straight up. You two are doing great! I gave yall more of my qi. You two learn how to use it so it can be directed at your gun. I promise; it will save you a bunch of time! Julius praised from up high in the sky with a speaker voice but smooth as a flowing river. Thank you! Lu Yi replied while maintaining eye contact with the stampede. Julius turned around to find a building-sized barrier generating from underneath the wide hollow cracks. Its not enough time or fast enough. He noted that the barrier was slow to expand to contain them as many were already going through the unreinforced side of it. Which was what Lu Yi and Ritter were shooting at. -- New mission Added (1): Demolition Derby against the Nocturnal Tigers until theres nothing left remaining. Rewards: General Class Meter Swordsman Class Meter Stamina Endurance -- Ah, great now Im part of this. Julius reflected with a slight annoyance down his throat. It was only a matter of time before it gave him something to do despite no reporting from Skoltor earlier. This brings a question of whether individuals could have varied missions and goals to the point where the system could interact and interpret them. He went down landing on the sandy terrain, catching Celestes attention from behind. He walked up to view the stampede. I didnt think there were this many of these nocturnal tigers. It almost sounded like an exaggeration at first, Julius muttered Bang! Bang! Would you mind helping? Celeste asked, dodging his remarks. Julius half-turned to view the hill and saw the flashes of light coming from the guns. Im gonna cover the opening. What? Your barrier is great, but the generation is remarkably slow for them to be contained for this grand size. So, Im taking that side, Julius commented, summoning Licht in his grip. Just keep doing the shield, it might buy me some time. Celeste stood from her knees. How much time and what for? Youll see. It might make it quicker. Julius leaped up into the air, leaving Celeste to her shield duty. << Im pretty sure we are dealing with more than four hundred. >> Julius analyzed further of the stampede. Licht awakens with a spewing barrage of qi across the area below like a meteor storm. < Excuse me from the slumber thats a huge number. Have you gathered how capable they are in terms of strength? > Licht groaned like a sleeping pig. Julius flew right to the edges of the furthermost the stampede had spread out. A couple of large trees resided in this part of the terrain, separating most of the deserted area they had driven by. The trees closest to Julius blocked most of the conflict down on the ground, leaving the moment anticipated. << No need, I already spotted dead bodies from Celeste and the two clerks gunshots struck a few. I already got the premise of this situation as I flew here. Hence, Im just gonna do some damage control. >> < As you wish. > He swirled his hilt to trigger enough qi to flow and overload his entire blade. Afterward, Julius triggered its weight to rise up until the limit Licht could hold peaked. One horizontal motion like swiping the credit card, shooting shards of qi across the length of a football field from the ground up. He saw the pack of nocturnal tigers flying high in the air. They took a huge laceration leaving a downpour of blood rain across the terrain. < Hey! Watch out! > Licht alarmed. Woah! Julius spun away, finding two nocturnal tigers attempting to go for a bite. They have stripes as anyone would find back on Earth. The nocturnal tigers are like the opposite of Earth tigers where their stripes are more silverish with a black body to blend much more efficiently in the dark. However, these two specifically were separated from the rest of the stampede in terms of appearance and tactic alone. Julius, with one eye to his peripherals, fired from the tip of Lichts blade as he let the greatsword rest on his right shoulder. It felt like having shoved down rice bags, pressuring his right traps. He jerked the hilt upward causing the beam to widen, striking the entire side of the stampede. His ears heard the crying howls and screams broke far enough to be considered really high in the sky. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. His other eye still remained focused on the two nocturnal tigers. Julius returned fully to view. Those two are intimidated by the blast, evident by their one jolting step back. Are they gonna fight me right now? Julius studied the two who were about to get out of the intimidating phase. Their groaning noise went abruptly quiet, switching to revealing their sharp and furious jaw. Yes, they are. He brought his sword back down, bringing remnants of the qi with it. The tip of the blade touched the ground slightly causing the ground between him and the two nocturnal tigers to crack apart. What boring rubbish! Julius pressured the sword to enter through the cracks followed up by one upward slash, sending a wave of qi that lifted them into the air and shoved them into the distance. That went well but was a waste of time as traces of them were gone into dust. It just makes him even more annoyed at the fact the entire stampede could have been annihilated then. Nothing to lose anymore, Julius flew up directly above the highest Celestes shield could reach. He put one foot on the edge while the other foot on the back and used his qi to manipulate as if he was standing and brought up another load into the blade. With one grunt through the stiff arms and tightened thighs, Julius released a beam that transformed into a square shape for unknown reasons he could not explain. Next, it expanded rapidly to where it clashed with Celestes shield. Its moving. He noticed the effect caused the entire surroundings to be manipulated, forcing parts of the shield to begin curving along the sides of the squarish beam. Unfortunately, he could not stay and watch for long as his foot felt loose on the platform. Julius jumped away, and the shield shattered like glass, collapsing from the top down. At first, it seemed like it was but while gliding away from the event, the shards were altered and turned into fierce projectiles that were contaminated by his qi. Celeste! He began diving down like a falcon on a hunt. < Are you doing what Im thinking? > << Yes, and I think the time is up from here. We are leaving as your qi is going to bomb off the entire area here! >> Julius brought out his left hand with his palm wide open. He howled her name. Grab it! Celeste turned with a nearly growling face, expressing a near mood of not wanting to leave yet. Too late to react when he grabbed her by the collar of her coat, pulling her away from the site. Boom! A shockwave acted as a thrust and pushed Julius closer to the hill ahead where Solomon and the two clerks were already having their own problem dealing with the remaining nocturnal tigers. He then safely dropped Celeste off a few feet above the ground and detoured back into the air. Viewing the beam that has turned into a mushroom cloud. To add up, the speed he was going in flight was at his highest to get back. This blast was bigger than all he had ever inflicted. Adding the shards of the shield somehow getting manipulated by the qi which might have caused a rise in the blast yield. < All of that was from me and you?> Licht asked as if he didn''t believe it. Julius could picture his face would be in horror just from the sight. << Yeah, I can''t deny it. It happened and for some reason, my qi reacted to her shield. It was a strange phenomenon. That was never anticipated in my mind. The fact thats now possible is a huge benefit and concern. >> < I might need some help at one point. Somebody who can figure out what kind of shit I can do. Skoltor is not a fully dependent system. We need people and masters. > << I think we all do. Come on, we have to finish the job and get out of here. >> Right. Julius flew right back at the crowd, taking the last blood with a forceful swipe of the blade through the nocturnal tiger that was about to sprint right at Ritter. Hey! That was mine! Ritter yelled, sounding unpleased. Well, Im sorry, you were about to get yourself chopped if it wasnt for that intervention, Julius refuted, landing on the edges of the hill perpendicular to his parked truck. I commended you both for doing what you could. You two survived. Thats an achievement more important than just killing. Ritter wanted to argue but couldnt when it was true. Lu Yi scolded him for an attempt. She then walked right up to Julius, wondering about the pistol. They used up all the supplemental qi. Julius noted. Keep it. I gave it to you two for a reason. Use it as you see fit in battle. -- Mission completed (1): Demolition Derby against the Nocturnal Tigers until theres nothing left remaining. Rewards: General Class (LV.2) Meter: [5%] [10%] Swordsman Class (LV.1) Meter: [5%] [45%] Stamina Endurance -- Pinpoint 35 feet -- Julius walked around the truck, following the pinpoint on Skoltors map. It was a statue. To be specific, it was mysterious. There was no face. Just a headless, masculine figure fitted in an overcoat, a mask covering only the jawline and the temples, and inner robes with a partially muscular chest exposed. While disregarding it, a coloring change came from the statues chest. A black thick line perpendicular to the body came straight down as if it got cut in one slash. It appeared like the statue was cut in half beneath its head until it went past the waist and free-fell to the podium. Afterward, the thick line opened like a curtain, revealing a huge opening. Its sparking white with strands of electricity zapping out of the opening. Nothing to reveal what is behind it. Julius nodded, ready to go. Everyone, head back to the truck. We are going in. He went right to the tailgate of the truck as Ritter and Lu Yi climbed back to the truck bed. He lifted up the truck similar to the atlas stone lift and braced it right to his chest which is insane to a normal human. Eyeing at the new portal, Julius began airlifting it to fifteen feet and gave enough distance away from the statue before letting his aura substitute the weight and fly right under the chassis. Time for a new journey, Julius muttered. A roaring noise generated from his feet and Juliuss speed started picking up. By the next two seconds, he was already going beyond his prior top speed with weight on his shoulders. Like an airplane going through the tropospheric clouds to reach the stratosphere, Julius and the truck went through the portal with ease. The portal would close.

26.2

Mam! A howling yell came from behind the grand door. Let him in, The soothing voice ordered, gesturing to her two butler-like guards by the door. A man, wearing a black jacket with buttons down the front, entered the room and bowed while panting excessively. What is it? We got an unexpected visitor in the sky, descending down to the capital! My senses were true seconds ago. Someone that I dont recognize at all. Who does this massive qi belong to? The lady felt a little concerned while maintaining such curiosity. Have you got the look of what this visitor looks like? I dont know. The man doesnt look like he belongs to any of the countries. The lady grabbed her white gloves, lying on her desk before standing from her chair. Be more specific. Spit out the details! The man was startled by her raising voice but continued. Sorryhe appeared to be at least six shichi[6 ''6.7]. Huge arms, a neatly cut hair, and I dont know what he was lifting, but it had four wheels with black wraps around it. And no, its not a carriage, he muttered. The clothes, I am out of this The lady sighed. Enough, thank you. I think I got the idea of what we could be dealing with. If he appears to be a friendly visitor, invite him here. And make it as smooth as possible. I dont want any further reckless incidents recorded in my journal and documents! She sat back down in her chair, dismissing him. Once the man left and the doors were closed, she spun her chair towards the window. An entire view of downtown, illuminated by the beautiful sunlight. Gods of Yinhai, please give us luck. The lady breathed once more, praying for positivity to come in the capitals footsteps. Chapter 27 -- Skoltors system features successfully implemented -- Staying true to the HUD overlay of Skoltor, the entire updates are organized to the bottom right corner of his visual, keeping the view a minimum of distractions. That was the least important part as of right now when Julius is rapidly descending through the clouds as for some reason the portal opened to the sky at such a high altitude where in relation to earths atmosphere, he and the rest of the Skolritters are at beyond the troposphere. It was a little cold as the breeze was very pushy and vigilant as if there was a separate gravity directed horizontally forming a perpendicular force, pushing Julius and the truck straight downwards. It led to an increase in terminal velocity. The pressure was strong enough that the mouthplate abruptly took over, protecting his mouth and the jawline. Being underneath the truck, he couldnt see what was going on with Ritter and Lu Yi as they were totally exposed being on the truck bed. Still there. Their qi still exists as before. He offered more qi, enhancing the aura around the truck. They passed through the contents of the cumulus clouds while free-falling. Juliuss ears heard the truck rattle a little as the remaining bits of aluminum reacted to the inconsistent change. This is odd because he hadnt heard that before during the first arrival in Raal and the entire time it was in the air during and leaving Underground Kriegshan. The gravity was much different by more than a margin, even with an increase in significant strength, Julius could feel the transition within the edges of his shoulders and upper back. Temperatures started to warm up when Julius and the truck passed the stratosphere heights, diving midway through the troposphere. The view of the ground appeared as the clouds dissipated followed by another exertion of his qi. Beneath him was the glorious greenery vibrating from the ground up. The trees opening up like a gate slowly depart inward, inviting the visitors into the wondrous place. His inner soul felt welcome into the scene. No words. No music. Just an interpretation of Raals mother nature. His lips under the mouthplate wanted to smile at the scenery. The air eased and the perpendicular gravity phenomenon fleshed out. Maintaining altitude, he moved forward into the depths of the beautiful landscape. If this was the first impression, it would be unbelievable that such a world was in a dangerous war. Multiple windows above hummed as it rolled down. Julius heard Celeste and Sallys breathing whispers followed by a thumping movement, indicating they were viewing with their heads poking through the open. Are you seeing this?! Celeste asked. It sounded like a surprise as Raal is a much bigger world than Earth, so traveling seemed more hectic. I know! Its so magnificent! The greenery and the pure clear blueness of the rivers flowing right along with us! Sally replied, prompting Julius to look down away from the greenery. The three separate rivers flowed parallel to each other straight ahead in the direction he was flying. Its just like those stories I read back in the day, she continued. Oh really? Do you read those too? Thats news to me because you dont sound like a reading type, Celeste said. That was what I also thought! I guess I got a new book friend to share with. Julius was astonished. While also confirming this is their first time in this area. Victoria became very talkative which added a lot of implications. Rarely has she talked since the first time he met her. Unless it was food when he was cooking after experiencing hunger following the acquisition of Skoltor. Another soothing air freshened his brain the more she became vocal. Hearing Ritter and Lu Yi talking with them reduced his stress; he was worried they might have gotten through a terrifying danger during the descent. The scenery got him out of his sentimental thoughts, refocusing on the area. Its been almost a minute since they have flown by. Ahead were mountainous landforms covered with strands of thick rectangular clouds, hovering from left to right like a border wall. Julius upscaled his speed, going half faster for some time until there was no other way out. A dead-end cliff wall, leaving only one sole option. The three rivers also succumbed to a dead end with a lake that borders it. He assumed floods would occasionally happen from the observation of the lake with the consistent overflow, affecting the grass and its surrounding shore. His legs, with his feet angled downwards, leaped upwards, going over the cliff. The clouds swiftly opened through and dissipated wide enough for him and others to pass. Julius sped through before it closed in a whiff. That''s some mother natures security if I had a word for one. He turned his head back to find the manifestation of a closed double swing gate that many of the wealthier neighborhoods cherish on their driveway. Hey, Look! Julius hastily turned and what beholds was a whopping metropolis that blended between the identity of multiple cultures in more clusters than Underground Kriegshan. He felt a wind of qi thrusting at him, and when he turned around again, the gate and bordering clouds were all gone. It was a continuous land filled with civilizations suburbs overtaking the greenery. The gate? Was that supposed to be a special entrance? He then rolled his head like a fixed motion camera, moving from half-turned to the left back to the front. ---- ̳ (West Cai Dynasty)Discovered West Cai Dynastys capital: Longyue () region discovered Data (New Entry +2) + $150 Thalers Electric Charge Electric Charge Level UP! Level 1 2 (Max Voltage Increased: 500,000 750,000) General Class (LV.2) Meter: [10%] [10.4%] -- Longyue. Enriching name to be the capital. Julius made a slow descent as he and the truck passed the suburbs, arriving at what appeared to be Longyue''s Central district. Its an extraordinary engineering of civilization as well as the rest of the city on the horizon. The central district, which was a palace complex, sat on top of what was like a raised plateau with one end like a stairway leading up from the other districts below surrounding it. The stairway was built like a highway, and despite the angularity, all the foot traffic and pedestrians traveled as if the risk was non-existent. It has to be at least a mile from up to down. Julius has a weird inner reaction from the start of the stairway, maybe the stairway''s angularity of the majority of its path ticked him a bit. He immediately took back the thought of being a mile and raised the number to over two. As he flew closer, the plateaus height became vivid, and more relative pinpoints were nearby. Beneath him was enough to almost match the perspective of being at the pinnacle of the Burj Khalifa and just looking down. Back on Earth, the idea of something like traveling by the stairway that was as wide as a highway sounded absurd and delusional. -- 2890 feet -- If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. I freaking knew it. Julius saw Skoltors altitude gauge. The view and the extraordinary civil engineering were already enough to catch his eye. It was probably for the best as an underground city or ecosystem was something Julius would not want to experience ever again, in terms of residing. Now a landing spot. He glanced around while descending past the entrance of the palace, technically intruding into the space. Julius disarmed his mouthplate and took casual breaths of the fresh air. Ahead there was the main palace within the complex that was surrounded by neighboring two-story buildings across the block from left to right. It had its own enclosure, marking each buildings territory. He decided the main pathway was the safest to land. Wide as a six-lane avenue and almost as long as lower Manhattan, referencing from the time Julius stood at the Batter Park facing West Street leading into the depths beyond the lower Manhattan. He pulled the brakes at his speed as the trucks wheel was close to the tiled pavement. One! Julius timed and quickly let go of his arms and thrust himself upward, jumping right in through the drivers window. The windows stayed open as he directed others to use their qi to make this truck in the hope of reducing the roughness of the landing. His attention focused on both what was ahead and the speedometer, still above a hundred miles an hour. Everyone who was walking abruptly dodged as they saw the truck with despairing expressions on their faces. Ninety. Everyone felt a slight nudge. The tires touched the ground slightly before they partially bounced up. Seventy-five. Bump! A loud thud from the wheels was followed by a metallic pinging from the compression of the springs on the suspension. Julius slowly pressured his foot on the brake pedal. Thanks, we are clear now. He gestured to others to relieve the qi before closing the windows. His eyes also checked the rear mirror. I have to stop worrying about them. Theyre fine. Julius reminded himself. He relaxed on his back to the seat as the truck settled. With speed down to forty at max, he drove down across the main pavement. Street stores along the way on both sides of the pavement, and the food displayed along the storefront was reminiscent of oriental culture. The tables and seats outside were so relatable. The overload of visible fumes to where it formed a low-level haze at a few outdoor restaurants was remarkable. This whole district is pretty different and unexpected. Surely, it has to be a palace complex as the stairway leading to the entrance and this pavement was a wall, bordering the edges of the plateau. The shooting gust of smoke marked the halfway point from reaching the main palace. From up in the air, everyone saw the plumes of white smoke bursting out left and right correspondingly. Julius saw a glimpse of machinery in direct contact with the plumes. Its definitely water. But like a rocket booster too. He noted after the windows condensed from a second passing by. The view of the plumes of white smoke for a second at a closer distance got a part of his mind that loves those sorts of technological discoveries into the deep end. Additionally, maybe it was the machinery, but it was quiet. He will have to find some free time to observe it. Is that where we are heading? Celeste asked, pointing to the humongous building ahead. Seems only reasonable. This entire plateau appeared to be the main complex that governs the entire capital. Skoltors map counted this entire region to be part of the capital Longyue of The West Cai Dynasty. Did you get those updates on your visuals? Celeste shook her head momentarily. Oh, never mind. It just came up. Are they gonna even sync? Julius muttered followed by a deep sigh. Anyway, we head there first and go from there. Sally leaned up right beside Celeste and Julius, mentioning the tower behind the palace. This is my first time seeing that tower in person. I have to say; the tower is so grand and huge. Maybe this could be where all the leaders or important guests reside, she theorized while showing fascination. I didnt expect the people here to be considerate or appear to be. They are moving away from the truck as I drive past. Or if they are freaked out by this behemoth with four wheels, Celeste inferred. Thats why I said, or appeared to be. We are pretty close now. The Fords mileage was counting as they traveled right before the halfway point, about to reach the two-mile mark. Thunderclap! Julius felt a huge pressure of punch that jolted down from his skull right to the neck in an instant. His foot slammed the brake with a drifting turn, stopping hard at the middle of the intersection, and in front of the main palace. This qi is absolutely rocking my damn brains. Juliuss mind was in disarray, pushing the gear stick into park before thrusting his door open only to be surrounded by people. He tumbled to the floor where the palm of his hands touched a vacuum-like pressure but inverted and exerted such an amount of energy. A harmonious but also screeching sound of a lady calling reached his ears as if it was trying to command him. Get out of my damn head! Julius grunted through his soulless breath. He then moved on his own accord until he was faced at the main palace. All the people around stood still as statues, not moving an inch. His eyes were heavily down, making his vision''s only lower half visible. Despite the ailment, he persisted and crawled around the trucks front until a pair of black heels was in sight when he stopped. Still maintaining his peripherals, Celeste to his right was slumping. Solomon, being bulkier, kept up more resistance but not as much different. Lu Yi and Ritter got knocked out flat. Where are you guys from?! the lady asked in a commanding tone. Huh? I said where?! the lady demanded, exerting more energy. Julius progressively lifted his head up, realizing she was speaking the Chinese language equivalent. Definitely Standard Mandarin. As he lifted his head, he heard shallow gasps from the people around him; as if it was blasphemy or an absolute twist. The gasps grew louder when his mouthplate came out, shutting his mouth. The heavy pressure grew less of a hindrance as he let go of his suppression, followed by the summoning of his greatsword, Licht. Grabbing on its hilt, shockwaves of qi were exerted by Julius and Licht. It was enough to nudge everyone back, surprising the one in black heels. General! One of the men next to the lady yelled. Im fine, who is this man, the lady muttered. Julius stood up while focusing on Celeste and others around him before the lady in black heels. He thrust the grip to the right, hovering the entire blade over Celeste and Solomon. A popping sound came through from the depths of the blade, effectively healing them from their slumber. Lu Yi and Ritter were still out cold. < Theyre still alive. Just need to get used to this, > Licht said. << Thanks. I appreciate it. >> < No worries, just doing my role. As long as we depend more on each other, we all can make it. To start off, I like that lady. Respond to her, > Licht said, with a little insistent tone. << Hmmalright then. >> Julius replied with a little lack of confidence in the back of his mind. Julius turned right to the lady. Oh wow. Damn, ok then. Before he could speak a word, he heard a yelling in the distance, reaching right at him from behind her. How dare you disrespect the Empress! A random soldier in black metallic armor yelled. Is this guy nuts?! Julius gave a partial whirl from the hilt of his greatsword, swiping the soldier off. Thats what I wanted to know; we are just unfortunate visitors who escaped from Underground Kriegshan. Somehow, that mysterious portal got us here. Does that answer your question, mam? The man that yelled earlier in concern, blurted through his mouth behind the ladys shoulder. Its Empress Cai, peasant! Did you just call me a peasant, ignorant soldier?! Julius angrily asked followed by the mouthplate opening. Yeah, what are you going to do about it? Julius huffed. Bang! The surrounding crowd ran away in a panic. When they dispersed, it revealed the man who was berating Julius now lay hard on his back next to the stairway in dull agony. He held his leg in such desperation as a tiny hole spurted red blood, staining his leg fittings. The empress shook her head, Guards! Take him away to medical. Yes, mam! The guards responded. They quickly took that man away while Julius shoved his gun back into his holster. The Empress sighed, almost showing the urge to apologize, trying to hold it in. Her red hair was very blossoming. A partially tied hair behind her head with a dragon-themed hairpin led into a long loose ponytail, reaching down to her waist. If Julius is like a towering building with a spire, the empress doesnt have a spire. Wearing flat heels, she is very tall, almost reaching eye-to-eye. The West Cai Dynasty must be dragon spirited as The Empresss clothing was all filled with multiple dragon vinyl, customizing her black and white dress. She has a long white cape that fits around her shoulders like a jacket as it additionally covers her arms. Both of her hands are equipped with white leather gloves; the only spot where it has no vinyl. Her facial complexion is almost like during the peak of when the cherry blossoms bloom. The Empresss beauty silently calmed him down, removing the pressure from the earlier huffing. You said you were from Kriegshan? she asked in a manner as if nothing just happened. Julius gestured to every Skolritter. We Skolritters escaped from Underground Kriegshan through a mysterious portal. Then we arrive here. The Empress sighed with a relief. Someone came out of the main palaces door. Ah Daiyu! She raised her hands with a wave. My lady? Take the rest to the guest rooms inside. Ill take him, she said, turning to Julius. Ah, My names Julius. Daiyu bowed. She snapped her fingers, summoning a group of maidservants. As they all are doing the cleanup, Julius suggested the truck as well, introducing the new word to them. The Empress shoved her sheath right underneath Juliuss chin. Now please follow me in. Im currently free, so lets not waste time to converse. Chapter 28 -- Mission Completed(1): Leave Kriegshan and enter the world of Raal. Rewards: + $204 Thalers General Class (LV.2) Meter: [10.4%] [10.8%] Swordsman Class (LV.1) Meter: [45%] [85%] -- Julius already has three hundred and fifty-nine Thalers in his pocket just from two finished missions as Skoltor was calculating the other reward statistics. He sat at one of the six chairs in a humongous hall, illuminated by the pine trees that were set up at the entrance to the hall and each corner. The dynastys display of color was displayed according to the maroon columns with the bright red overtaking the ceiling and walls of the hall. It was unique in that it acted like caffeine, as he felt more energetic from briefly viewing it. Earlier At first, before he sat down, Julius encountered two bodyguards suited up like the bar butlers. On the one hand, security protocols were in place. He speculated they have not got the premise of him being a very important guest as Empress Cai stated. Unfortunately, it got ugly between the three as the two bodyguards took offense to the sight with their eyes sharp like a tiger, eyeing Julius. A short temper fused with Julius tossed away the two bodyguards outside with the grasp of their suit, each taking the fold. Julius handled them like large packets of oranges with the whiff of movement as he braced his knees followed by a twist of his torso to generate torque. He threw one at a time when his arm felt fired up, sending them crashing along the door frame. Ironically, it was right at their postage spots. The door frame left two heavily dented marks at the left and right jamb. The damage spread to the walls. Luckily, after being told it was a double-layered wall, only the interior side was affected. Initiative wise they did their job, but the rest was poor for somebody like him to knock them out with a throw. That was when Empress Cai came back opening the door before being confronted by her two knocked-out bodyguards at her footsteps. He could tell she almost lost her spark with all these unfortunate conflicts shoved into her face one after the other. Daiyu was behind her and with her notable strength, dragged the two away from sight. The door abruptly shut as Julius watched in confusion. When he sat down, he could hear muffled screaming and yells. Lucky me. Julius thought, sighing and slumping on his back onto the chair. The next minute, Daiyu came back with a tray of two cups and a teapot. She placed it on his table to the left of the chairs armrest. Her attention turned to Julius, looking directly at him. He got an impression from her pure brown eyes. The mysterious scent that his smell caught through his nose. His hatred for perfumes still went strong, but this scent made him want to contradict his belief. Very earthy. Aromatic. Not artificial. Julius noticed his head didnt get strained which was surprising. Tea? She asked. Thanks, Julius replied. The two turned to the tray. He watched her grasp the handle of the teapot and poured out the green liquid into a ceramic cup. Green tea, perfect. They must have the same preferences as I do. He silently gazed at Daiyus fit. Compared to Empress Cai who was more flamboyant in her choice of colors, Daiyu was more towards darker colors. Her formal dress also has dragon vinyl but to a lesser degree. So far, she was the first one to wear high boots with leggings, all laced up. She caught his attention, prompting him to look back at her. No response or reactionary expressions came from Daiyu related to it. The Empress will be coming shortly. Enjoy the tea, Mr. Julius. Julius grabbed it and took a sip. He let the boiling liquid ooze his taste buds before swallowing it down. He hadnt realized till taking the first sip, how cool of a climate Longyue was. No sweat or heat sensitivity with his heavy clothes. In turn, he continued to enjoy the fresh green tea. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

28.2

Five Minutes later. The Empress returned to the hall, pacing along the walkway. Daiyu came back once again, closing the door and bringing herself inside. Empress Cai headed to her throne seat behind the grand table. She walked up the elevated platform, climbing the little stairs on the side. Sitting herself down, Empress Cai scooted her seat up closer to the table. Daiyu then sat down right across from Julius, and the two exchanged stares once more. Lets get started, Empress Cai muttered, pulling out a folder and opening it flat on the table. She turned to Julius. We have an hour at most to ourselves, so I wanted to get this out of the way before the next meeting. In the meantime, Julius, I appointed you as a representative for the Cai Family and my disciple at this time. Julius breaks off the quiet stare with Daiyu, turning right at Empress Cai expressing his sudden role. Hold on, weve only just met moments ago. Yes, but the encounter outside when you arrived cant go unnoticed. Especially the stress I had to deal with certain people who I dont have good work relations with. Too much talk to handle. Julius sighed. Typical politics. Nothing new. Ive been there before. HmmThat is the other reason. Your unknown history, powerful qi, and escaping Underground Kriegshan. Its enough for me to make this decision. I hope in the end our interactions will give us some information and understanding of each other. In exchange, Ill tell you the premises, fair? She was nice enough to give him the basic hospitality. Daiyu offered him green tea before her arrival and Empress Cais coordinating attitude brought him in. Licht got a good impression of her hence he trusted her enough to move forward. While the rest was a disorder and messy. The tempered individuals within her group of guards that he had to put two down and the bodyguards incident brought up different questions. The Chief of Operations experience piqued his interest in the dynasty''s governence, and the desire to know about the world of Raal in order to search for the relics and his culprit. Julius then nodded, accepting the exchange. What do you want to know? Who trained you? Empress Cai asked bluntly. Would Xavier count? It was only around a month. I dont think that counts for how far I am now. Julius shook his head. Its me alone. I dont have any proper experience from someone whos experienced this. Then how did you obtain such high qi? Nobody ever had that at such a rank with no master training. Specifically, rank two. Well, Underground Kriegshan has another layer beneath where an illegal tournament takes place. Putting it in simple terms, I got trapped under there in a time distortion for one year which was only thirty minutes out here. Julius paused. The ones that came along with me are who I met who wanted to leave underground Kriegshan and decided to follow with me. Empress Cai took out a paper from the folder, appearing to read off from it. I dont know if you are well aware that this planet has been under an entire conflict for a long while now with no progress. Many nationalities put the blame on Kriegshan for instigating this. When you brought up Underground Kriegshan, I need to know. Julius grimaced, recalling those documents from Lord Buhnes office. Oh, I know. Before I blew up the illegal tournament, there was an office of the one who led the entire fiasco. Me and the others got a full picture of the situation despite the heavy redaction. Somebody from your empire has been illegally barging secret intel in exchange for money. Slam! What?! Empress Cai yelled, jolting up from her seat. My lady, Daiyu muttered, trying to calm her down. Julius scratched his head. You have to ask Solomon later; we have the documents packed up in the bags. As I mentioned, most of it is redacted, so I dont know what other information you can gather. Unless the empire has a team of analysts, then my bets are off. Im going to request to receive them before the end of the day. Effective immediatelyWho else has read those papers other than you and your friend Solomon. Me and Solomon were the only ones to fully read the entire thing. Anyone else only got a brief were the ones that came along, Julius replied. Empress Cai slowly sat down, taking a sip of her water. She was clearly upset; Only to figure out why the drop in reserves made sense, much to her frustration. The conversation switched, moving on to Julius new role. Ok, so youve people that dont work well. In turn, stuff doesnt get done. From the sound of it, The Empress doesnt have every single authority or am I missing something? She remained quiet upon Juliuss question. Hmm, this is getting interesting. Julius thought, realizing the behind-the-scenes seemed more layered and complicated. You know what, forget that part. What about explaining about me being your disciple first? Long story, Empress Cai said. Julius poured another cup of green tea, taking a mild sip. Cant be when we have the timethis tea is superb. No worries, short or not, Ill listen. Fine I guess Ill tell you. Chapter 29 Julius breathed heavily as if he finished a satisfying workout. I understand. Alright, I accept. What a big risk you are taking. Daiyu stood from her seat, unzipping one of her dress pockets. She pulled out what appeared to be a red wallet with the ¡ imprinted on the flaps. Longyue. Julius wondered why the capitals name was on the wallet as Daiyu walked up to him, handing him the red wallet. He took it and opened the wallet, revealing a stash of cards filling up all the left card slots and various monetary assets hidden behind the two main compartments. Partially lifting one banknote out of the compartment, he saw a picture portrait with a thousand-dollar number printed on the two right corners. If I called it Thalers, what would I call your currency? Caibi, Daiyu said. All of the officials get those wallets. Even after resignation or not in duty, its permanently yours, Empress Cai added. Thank you. And do I get a picture or some kind of identification? Julius asked, tapping his finger on the flap. Once the upcoming meeting is over, Daiyu will take you to the Department of Staff photo ops You are coming along? Julius asked. Empress Cai leaned her head back a bit with a couple eye blinks. Oh, you are inviting me? Julius shrugged with a smile. I dont see the problem for a walk. If you want my experience, then it just started. You are an interesting man. I cant say no then. Great! Julius replied as the door abruptly opened. A flash of daylight shone through the entrance. Here they come. Juliuss attention turned to the incoming masses of silhouettes from the heavy brightness of sunlight. Once they stepped forward, all the appearance became apparent, revealing the multiple old men in traditional clothing and long goatees. Dirty white hair like dust long past their shoulders. Daiyu stood straight and bowed to them. Julius still remained in his seat, analyzing if they had any qi in their bodies. Especially in a large crowd, it can be detected if traced carefully in a focused manner. Looking around the hall, other than those six chairs occupied by him and Daiyu, there were not enough to suffice the entire crowd of at least ten. Because he was sitting down about to be towered by these old individuals, he couldnt see the others behind them. The old goatee men added up to be around six, matching the amount of seats in the hall. They were focusing on interacting with Daiyu and each other. Julius, not keeping his eyes away from them, had to decide before the hall settled into the next meeting. < Were you listening? > Julius asked. << Most of it. Have you decided on your options? >> Licht affirmed, questioning Julius. < Either option, theres no way out of it. The journey over the course so far pulled us into this. However, I cant wait any longer. Playing the rules is why I got stuck and weakened in that damn tournament for the first half of the year. I dont like saying this, but I have to thank that bastard. > << Sounds like you are leaning toward the second one. >> < Mm-hmm, > Julius mentally hummed in agreement. < This way I dont have to deal with these anticipated conversations filled with old close-minded people who obviously dont know the shit they are doing. Like outdated. No wonder Lord Buhne, David, and Thora existed to seek control of Kriegshan. The endless desire to obtain most of the relics as one of the causes of this war is an end deal. We need to bring back the military into governance. > << Youll think there will be hope in sight? >> < I mean Im still here. The rest of the Skolritters too. I survived the torture and loss of weight. What else have I got to lose? > << Point taken. However, it must be clear that no one just entered leaves this hall alive and uttering words. >> < So thats at least ten bodies to be dealt with. Well, whatever, this will trigger chaos within the entire dynastyTheres this one saying I had back at home. > << Whats that? >> Julius stood from his chair as one of the goateed men turned his attention to him. << Peace through strength. >> Whos this stranger peasant in the hall? The old man commented in a ridiculous manner. Julius with the fist and palm salute. My names General Julius. Unfortunately, all of you are fired under the Empresss orders. Humph, rubbish language, he commented, turning to the Empress. My lady, allow us to escort Slash! I said you all are fired. What is so hard to not understand, Julius muttered, while being covered in red blood. He turned to the other part of the group. Daiyus snapping fingers ringed his ears, summoning an entire group of maids like earlier, surrounding the entire startled group. My lady, you are making a mistake! one of them yelled in a weathered voice. Empress Cai hurdle jumped from behind her table, leaping to the floor. She sprinted upright to that man who dared question her. Julius nudged away as she thrust her hand out, grabbing the mans neck. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. A mistake? The mistake was my father recruiting any of you, in an attempt to keep me in line before he passed. All of you can reunite with my father in hell, Empress Cai scolded while tightening her grip on the mans neck. Julius stood there silent as he watched the suffocation of one of the remaining old men. The next second, a sequence of sounds forced into the air of the hall followed by a thumping of the knees. Daiyus summoned maids each thrust their feet into each of the groups popliteal Fossa in the open. When they dropped to the floor with their knees crashed down, they couldnt move as Julius quickly perceived their legs were completely paralyzed. If it wasntfor your father, you wouldnt behere, the old man grunted as Empress Cais neck grab caused the man to bleed through his mouth. What a shame being your last words, Empress Cai mumbled before turning to Julius, giving him a nod of approval. Thump! A pile of lifeless bodies lay on the walkway carpet, staining the floor with a puddle of blood. The maids dissipated from the scene except two as they took a step back when Daiyu came back from the door after locking it with a heavy wood plank that Julius doesnt know where she randomly got it from. So now what? Empress Cai sighed. It already started, Julius replied before looking up at the ceiling. Tell meis there anything above this ceiling? Empress Cai shook her head. No, theres no upper floor. Only separate buildings and the tower have anything beyond the ground floor. Julius smiled. Perfect, bring the bodies over there. He pointed to the empty area of the hall to his right. What are you planning? Im gonna burn it obviously. It might cost the roof a little, but we have to clear these bodies somehow, Julius said, grabbing one of the bodies and throwing it to the spot. Then what about the roof. I can ask Solomon to fix it. He handles the blacksmith and construction work. Empress Cai scratched her face before fully trusting him to do the burning of the bodies. Daiyu and her two summoned maids each lifted at least three bodies over and tossed them to the body Julius had thrown earlier. Wielding Licht, Julius gave a one, thrusting motion upwards, initiating his blue qi to engulf the blade. He took a step back while gesturing to others to do the same. Daiyu snapped her fingers, and the two maids disappeared. She stayed close but with a few nudges away, watching him doing the process. Her eyes are like a video cam recording a scene. Julius knew she was staring, which he began to find a little uncomfortable. He lifted the greatsword right up to his chest and rubbed his left palm on the blades spine once. Subsequently, he gave a slamming gesture right to the pile like a sledgehammer, inflicting a pool of qi hovering over it. He nudged away, and the pool of qi exploded straight into the air in the shape of a beam, crashing the ceiling. Daiyu leaped backward, landing right next to Empress Cai. Julius stood solid, watching the bodies begin to disintegrate within the blue beam. The skin and blood immediately evaporated. Then the clothes and skeletons. Afterward, Julius dashed right at the beam, giving a clean cut in half. The beam dissipated without causing any potential damage, leaving Empress Cai relieved. Julius was right, proving her further trust with the only hole in the ceiling of the hall. See, only the roof, nothing else. The flooring wasnt damaged either. A first-time case, possibly by luck because the obvious magnitudes were enough to hit the roof and leave a mark. Alright. I believe youBy the way, whats that move? I dont have a name. None?! Julius shook his head. All of what I can do has no names. Empress Cai smirked. Oh, my Yinhai. That means more time to learn how to make one. Does that make a difference? Her face turned to dismay with her eyes widened. Of course it does! Knowing the name of your moves by head like a person amplifies its power. That sounds like a cheat code. How much can it even go? What could that mean for Licht himself? Will he get it too? Julius mentally comprehended her statement. Additionally, no one has mentioned his greatsword or taken a hint of his weapon being a relic. Daiyu slowly placed her finger on his greatsword while Juliuss attention was still on Empress Cai. I forgot did you mention something about rank Zap! Gyah. Daiyu whispery yelped I stand corrected. Julius took the thought back when Daiyu turned right to Empress Cai, urging her to feel the greatsword. When she touched it, she got the same reaction but more nonverbally expressive. Before I answerIs that a relic? Uh, yes? And how can you tell because some have already had a similar reaction when they see this a while ago when its still a katana. You two are the first to notice the upgrade. Empress Cai stayed silent as she was picking up words. You know that jolting feeling when you first wield or touch one? Julius took a moment and ultimately shook his head. No. It felt like multiple weights slowly stacking on my hands a minute after wielding it the first time. No vibration sensation in my body in any way. Empress Cai began walking to the entrance after grabbing her folder at her desk. Sometimes being different can be so difficult. We have to leave now; answering your question, you are rank two without any training is bizarrely impressive. Then what are your two ranks? What is the highest so far? -- Hunger in effect. 0/7000 Calories daily limit warning -- Im at rank fifteen. While Daiyu is eight. Only one reached up to twenty as far as I know. A hundred eighty apart from the Skoltors max of two hundred. I see, well good to know. Now lets get out of here. Get my identification registered and have something to eat cause Im starving. You are lucky it is almost lunchtime, Daiyu commented before shoving the heavy plank away and opening the door. Empress Cai stepped out first, relieved no one was nearby. Julius quickly closes the door. Daiyu then twisted the door handle to the point it looked dented and distorted, making it impossible to open. The Empress would head off, directing Julius to the Department of Staff through the lengthy grand hallway. Along the way, there was a handprinted or drawn map of the palace complex with various named buildings listed in the legend. Julius didnt expect it to need an entire wall to map out the entire place. He stopped for a moment, viewing it in awe. Empress Cais finger tapped at the small building labeled "Ա" (Department of Staff). The dot beside it is where he and the two are currently at. He turned to Empress Cai. Once we leave the hallway it leads to a long breezeway. The first building to the right while going straight is the Department of StaffTrust me, you will like the view of our place from the outside, Empress Cai ensured before departing. Take me away, Julius muttered, getting intrigued. Chapter 30 Having a park in the complex would be an understatement. Almost every considerate species of greenery presented itself in its fullest glory. Trees, bamboo, and plants thrive under this huge area between the buildings. It would be a perfect place for art and camera scenery where Julius pulled his phone out from his overcoats inner pockets and took a picture. He captured the Department of Staff Building with the sunlight reflecting the greenery that surrounded the building and the fencing of a walking intersection with a little sunburst seeping under the roof of the breezeway. What is that?! Empress Cai asked, who stopped midway before reaching the pathway leading to the buildings entrance. She strolled back with her eyes staring right at Juliuss smartphone. Its a smartphone, Julius replied, hovering down his device. He revealed the screen to her and Daiyu. I heard a snapping sound. Was that from here? Julius nodded. Correct. Its the camera. Its like our eyes when we see something in the world, and this stores those moments you cherish or want a memory of. From this piece of brick? I know what cameras are but not something that can be this thin and small Her knowledge of cameras was enough for Julius to react, unexpected as that was more of the advanced technology, he had heard existed in Raal so far. Julius remembered from the conversation with Alyssa before departing for Raal and the stuff he saw, such technology didnt exist. Those modern buildings by Earths standards arent the same. Additionally, they are not built the same way despite both being similar, so cranes assumingly arent a thing either. She continued further mentioning how much aspect ratio and megapixels were when Julius blurted and continued walking. Tell me, whats your most advanced technology? We have jsunj (), Daiyu muttered from behind. Oddly, they have computers. If thats the case, why are they falling behind or in a stagnant position? How about phones? Any form of communication? The two nodded with a hum. Julius then turned to the pathway leading to the Department of Staff Buildings entrance. Are there any other countries in Raal that have technology at a similar level as yours? Julius continued. Empress Cai was silent. The three reached the door and were met by one of the staff who opened the door for them. Julius was waiting for her response as he was greeted by another who had already heard the orders. She directed him to the elevator which was much more functional than the one at Davids building. It opened and he went to the side where the buttons were. Empress Cai and Daiyu went in. --- New Data Entry added! Department of Staff -- Click number three, and someone there will direct you to the photo ops. Julius nodded with a sincere smile, before clicking, . Thank you. The elevator door quickly closed and went up, leaving the three silently together. So far, the West Cai Dynasty seemed to embrace all Hanzi (Chinese Characters) logographic-like systems. Not a trace of a Latin script or any alphabet system anywhere. When he saw Celeste confused during her brief confrontation with Empress Cai, he couldnt keep them off of his mind. Julius decided to keep things quiet until they left the elevator. When the door opened, he swiftly turned to the left. Another lady staff was waiting for him as she happily waved. All the staff he came through in the building wore long white tunics. Along their right arm would have a black badge on their upper sleeves. On the badge was ˡ imprinted with white ink. The variation came to light when this lady who waved at him, Empress Cai, and Daiyu had another character written below: (Photographer). Shes the one. Julius comprehended, moving at a quicker pace to the waving lady. Empress Cai sped past him like a race, and she waved at the lady. She reached her first, greeting her like best friends. The lady gestured all inside. Hello, General. Its good to meet you, The lady greeted. Oh, please. You can call me Julius. I dont feel qualified. The lady shook her head. No, sir. I will not. Julius smiled. I admire your loyalty. Then just call me General. What do I call you? Call me Lin. Nice to meet you. She gestured her hand out. Julius grabbed and shook her palm. Likewise. Empress Cai and Daiyu went in first with Julius following Lin into an open space room crowded with tons of machinery and a spot where there were seats and a wide whiteboard on the wall, facing back to the seats. Lin went to her desk where there was a computer. There was a modified camera at the table, and she directed Julius to sit down in the comfy chair. Once he sat down, he eyed around the distinctive camera. Thats a strange structural design. He reached down his belt, pulling out his pistol from his holster. Empress Cai was frightened when she saw a glimpse of Julius pulling out. Julius turned right at her gasping face. Oh, nono. Its not what it looks like, he uttered, unloading the revolver from his black SIG P210 pistol. Afterward, he placed the magazine on the table and cock the barrel to remove the sole bullet inside. I brought it out because this cameras design reminded me of this, so I just wanted to compare. Lin turned her attention from the computer to Juliuss unloaded gun. What is this thing? Thats his weapon! And dont touch it! I dont want people getting hurt! Empress Cai exclaimed, asserting to not have anyone touching his pistol. How dangerous is it? Well, this trigger, he said, pointing at it. a push of our finger will ignite a blast as loud as a bomb and faster than any archer can fire an arrow. Sounds tempting. Anyway, the camera is ready, so move back to its focus. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Julius sat straight up high enough for his eyes to remain in line with the camera lens. Lin vocally commanded him to adjust until she could see the perfect image of his face on her computer screen. When it was perfect, she slammed her palm hard on the table, triggering the camera flash. A printer across from her turned on with the machinery whirl sound and gears running. Even though I got your information, I need you to confirm it vocally when we get to the process of the identification. Is that clear? Julius nodded. Ok, perfect. So, here we go, she pleasingly muttered, hovering her fingers on the keyboard. The whole process was like a quick interview. Lin was an evident multi-tasker and an excellent computer typer. She remained in eye contact with Julius and the other two as if having a conversation while continuously typing. When he looked at the keyboard, it was just flat like a tablet. No screens or tactile keys, but rather an empty black canvas like a drawing board. When it was all completed, Lin ended with a heavy quick tap from her index finger like clicking on the enter button. Subsequently, the printer began printing. She stood from her seat, walking to the printer which was on the wall behind Juliuss right since Lins spot was at the corner of the entire crowded space. Within ten seconds, a card-sized with his face on it came out. Lin grabbed it and did a careful check before tearing off the rough edges of the plastic, then handing it to Julius. He gave a look around it. Perfect, thank you. My pleasure, General. Growl! Oh, shoot. Well, I havent eaten anything for the day, and Im constantly trying to hold the hunger in. I cannot blame you as lunch is right around the corner, Lin commented, pointing at the antique clock mounted on the wall with the shorthand pointing between one and two oclock. And we are starting your training after lunchtime, Empress Cai added. Julius stood from his seat, reloaded his pistol, and re-equipped it back into his holster. He took out his red wallet and inserted his new identification card into the transparent flap. How could I forget things when you are around, he bantered, ending with a smirk before heading out to the door. You have one fancy mouth to be talking, Empress Cai reacted to his remark. It is a gift of hard work. I wouldnt be here without it, now come on. We have stomachs to feed. Julius strolled away from their view, prompting them to move. Hey! Wait for us! she yelled back. Julius didnt flinch as he continuously walked back to the elevator while hearing their heavy footsteps sprinting.

30.2

Ten Minutes Later. Julius, Empress Cai, and Daiyu were walking through a separate breezeway as they finally reached to the ¥ (Cafeteria Building). Being three stories high, Julius saw the windows open from the left and right sides of the entrance. Each level was divided based on a red stripe painted over the row of bricks, and each side had two tall Lattice windows (Ӵ) per level, opened like a casement. Turning to the entrance the breezeway turned into a bridge, overarching a lengthy stream of water flowing parallel to the buildings front. The water was clean and well maintained while appearing to flow from left to right continuously as if it had a directional path like a river. Julius heard his name called while he was watching the water stream, finding a couple fishes that looked like Koi. He turned right at the bridge leading to the entrance. There was Celeste waving along with Solomon and Sally who were observing the fishes. So, hows Longyue? Julius asked, anticipating their perspective rating. Our rooms are so grand. Ive never experienced it before. Its like a home where each of us is in the same room with our own beds and spaces, Celeste said, indicating her praise for the residence that was provided. Her smiling response was obvious. Sally leaned up from the railing. Wheres your stuff? There was still one more bed vacant. Ah, they dont know. Change of plans for me. Im the new General representing the Empress. The prior General had disappeared for more than a month. Ill be residing at a different building within the complex. Thats sudden news, Sally disappointedly replied. How long do you think we are going to stay here? A long whileLets talk the rest inside, Julius said, gesturing. Julius opened the double door, revealing the crowded cafeteria. The entire first floor was all open space that was filled with tables, open kitchens with vast serving stations, and a lot of smoke with the charcoal smell that hovered around the area. Those windows save the place from overheating. Everyone at the site immediately reacted to him entering the cafeteria and quickly stopped before bowing to Empress Cai and Julius. Everyone here must have received the news. But out of all places, a loyalty greeting from the entire kitchen is insane. Can you all not bow or do any of the formalities when we are in the Kitchen! Julius yelled for the entire floor and above to hear. I will not accept any rejections to my statement! The next second it reverted back to normal operations, and the group went to look for a spare round table. Daiyu went ahead first and swiftly took claim for a spare table. A waiter came once everyone arrived at their own seats. What drinks can I get for you all? The male waiter asked, first to Empress Cai. The usual tea, Empress Cai answered with a nod, then gestured to Julius. Ill take cold water and a bottle of baijiu (׾). Julius then turned to the three Skolritters, who had no idea what the waiter was asking but grasped the idea he was getting their drink orders when Celeste requested orange juice. Solomon wanted a cold lime juice, leaving Sally desiring some ice and cold sugary water. Daiyu and Lin both shared a love of black tea due to the stronger taste in their mouths. Alright, it shall be out shortly, The male waiter said. He bowed at Empress Cai and Julius before departing. Impressive. No notepads. All mentality power. Julius was impressed at the waiters process of information. Empress Cai went by Juliuss shoulder, whispering to follow her. He went along with her to the serving stations. Daiyu and Lin followed too, leaving the three Skolritters at the table. The four grabbed a plate from one of the carts and entered the first section, meat. Its a free-for-all layout, meaning there are no long lines as it follows a system of serve and go. No need to wait unless the desired cuisine needs to be on the grill as requested or if its a soup dish. Welcome to our cuisines. This cafeteria represents our entire culture and love of our food. The ingredients and sources are all local, so its all fresh from nature, Empress Cai presented as if it was another tour. She went to the large spoon, taking two servings of what she called everyones favorite food. Cai Diced Chicken (̼), Julius muttered. Almost exactly looks like Kung Pao Chicken. He noted the significant similarities between the two. The amount of chili peppers, cubes of chicken, and peanuts mixed in with the green onions scattered around the dish. Empress Cai took two servings hence he went with four. The next five along the way were either beef or pork. He wasnt interested until the last two serving stations caught his eye. No way. Char siu ( ) and Siu yuk ( ). Im taking that all the way. He got two servings of each before going through the other sections of the buffet. Empress Cai and Julius returned to the table with their filled plates. Julius was amazed by the serving size of the plate because this large plate would serve for a table at most three. He assumed this one big plate would likely take half of Skoltors recommended daily calorie intake, making only two meals needed a day. His seat was next to Empress Cai. Being the new general representing the Empress and a disciple, sitting with each other at events is expected. Julius glared over her plate, finding it to be heavy meat with minuscule amounts of vegetables. We both are meat eaters. Thats impressive. Unfortunately, we dont agree with fruits and vegetables, Empress Cai said, glaring at his dish. However, at least you can eatI hope. Julius shrugged his shoulders. I can. Otherwise, I look too skinny if I dont eat. The male waiter and two more that followed him came with the drinks, placing them carefully on the round table. One poured baijiu for Julius into a glass while the other handled the teapot, pouring it into Empress Cais ceramic cup. Afterward, they carefully back away and leave the area. We got to eat first. The training is waiting for us, Empress Cai suggested, lifting her chopsticks and spoon. Way ahead of you, my lady, Julius responded, already holding his chopsticks while bracing a fight against his hungry stomachs growling. Chapter 31.I One Hour Later -- 4160/7000 Calories -- What a fascinating meal. Julius had cherished the entire plate until there was nothing left. It was worth it as he felt an upsurge in energy massaging up to his brain. The Skolritters were caught up with a summarized premise of the situation as some stuff he converses with Empress Cai and Daiyu are self-claimed confidential and legitimate secrets. Empress Cai, Julius, and Daiyu switched back and forth to answer the questions they might have. While Lin sat silently, savoring her noodle soup, and asked one question during the entire lunch. Before leaving the cafeteria with Daiyu, Empress Cai, and Lin, he suggested the Skolritters to learn the Moon Language ().

31.2

Fifteen minutes later. Welcome, General, weve been waiting for you. Ah, you must be my new Operator. Chun, right? Chun nodded and sprinted from the stage over to the bench area where Julius arrived with Empress Cai and Daiyu. He was an extremely broad individual, definitely almost the same height as Julius. Wide shoulders with tanned skin. His entire forehead was tied by a black headband with three maroon diagonal stripes. A lengthy beard but a clean trim. He looks tough but very communicative. Julius concluded, greeting Chun with a fist bump. Is this where Ill hang out with all of you for who knows how long? Julius asked. Yes, sir. We have approved a quick plan to supply for us while we assist with your training, Chun said, directing the three onto the field. When I heard the news about your qi power, many couldnt believe it. Right when entering the field, there was a pulsar device. Chun would describe it to him as a combination of a pulsar and a vacuum used to measure a persons current qi capacity. Its like a registry to put it simply as everyone who went through training had to do it. The vacuum is on the left, and the pulsar is on the right. Having the ambidexterity was a blessing as he was instructed not to move his legs or jump as this is more of a ranged qi measuring device. Chun added it was best to be stationary when performing. Julius isnt sure if that was true, but went along with it. -- Generating New Missions New Mission Added (1): Leave the Qi Pulsar measuring machine unscathed after an attack. -- Very funny, thinking Im going to destroy the machine. Julius summoned Licht to his left grip. Lifting its hilt upwards, he went for a downward slash right at the dead center of the vacuum. The qi purged its path, striking right at the metal material of the device, and he could hear the machine rattling the longer the qi came into contact with the vacuum machinery. The pulsar is shaking. This was not supposed to happen! Chun exclaimed, witnessing a first. Empress Cai tried to motion for Julius to calm his gushing qi because his qi hadnt stopped after finishing a slashing move. Oh crap! Julius nudged his blade up from the floor, dissipating it. And to his little na?ve confidence, the machine shattered followed by a tiny explosion with enough strength to thrust others away. Julius stood in front to take in all the force as his back braced against the three, putting all on hold. --- Mission Failed Leave the Qi Pulsar measuring machine unscathed after an attack. -- Only to find this was not the strongest blast this building has endured but enough to give Chun an idea of how Julius will proceed. It takes a rank five to cause damage to the device as it was limited to three. The open space in front of the pulsar where it releases the qi would gauge the contents within it, Chun commented and turned to Empress Cai. You sent to us that he was a rank two with no prior experience. But now the machine is destroyed. Would that technically put him at the minimum of rank six? Julius nudged away to regain some space. Empress Cai wasnt sure. He saw her appear to be perplexed. I dont understand Daiyu, and I when we gauged him through our usual optical observation that all of us learned. He was at rank two. We can agree with that, right? Before you directed him to the machine, did you get a look yourself? Chun rubbed his chin. When you put it that way, yes. I agree. He went to the now damaged machine. Julius silently watched him kneeling on the floor and touching the machine''s scattered debris. General. How much information can you retain in terms of the amount of time? If Im into it then pretty quick. Then the basics will be the slightest. Afterward, you are immediately put into experiencing all the specialties, Chun said. He stood and paced away from the site. Empress Cai detested the idea, grabbing his shoulder. Hang on, you arent putting an entire pace onto my disciple! Do it again, and Ill have you ousted. One attempt in the past caused a casualty. Chun lifted his finger and removed her grip. That was damn ten years ago! It was only an experimental stage when that happened. Adding on, the individual agreed despite knowing what risk and how capable he was. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. I will not allow it. Hes the last we have to end this global war! What a bummer. Julius sighed. Suddenly, he felt a strong pressure reach his body from the direction that led further into the field. What was strange was beyond the entrance into the building and the site of the machine, the rest was covered in a heavy fog. He could see the bleachers, but the field remained a mystery. Logically, anyone who sat on the seats would see nothing except a misty region. Giving some thought, having a stadium setup was a strange coincidence. Xavier had trained Julius and Mother Elaine on an abandoned track. However, it did help with speed adaptability. Come here! A motherly voice echoed into his ears. Julius turned back, and the three were not deterred by it. The two continued to argue with Daiyu in between to stop them from going further. < I dont have a good feeling about this. Dont be fooled! > Licht expressed. He exerted qi on Juliuss legs and arms to slow him down. << Thanks for the help. This voice is attracting me to it. >> Julius grunted. -- New Mission Added. Enter the Realm of Blue River () -- << You got to let me go, Licht! >> < No, that voice- > << Licht! Skoltor just made a new mission. I have to go! >> The silent response only agonized Juliuss internals. He exerted his qi removed all locks and sprinted to the misty clouds. Julius! Hearing Empress Cais sincere yell was too late when Julius blasted through, ceasing all prior noises from the field. The foggy scene dissipated like an opening door, revealing a massive ecosystem. -- Realm of Blue River Discovered New Data Entry Added Team Party disabled -- From his eyes, the area is way too vivid almost as if it was a game with amplified graphics modifications applied to the software. It did stay to its name as there was a river stream right ahead. Grass and flowers bloomed in the entire region. When he began walking in the direction of the stream, a heavy chest dropped in front of him out of nowhere. Wielding Licht, he slowly reached into the bulky chest. A pop-up virtual screen appeared from behind the chest, flying up high before swiftly expanding as big as a living room flat-screen TV. A t-chart flashed, and various characters appeared simultaneously on each side. Skoltor also updated its missions and opened up a new feature as depicted in a few seconds. -- Mission Completed (1): Enter the Realm of The Blue River () New Mission Added (2): Choose one of the two perks from the chest Survive -- What do you mean survive?! Julius thought upon finishing reading the last line of the missions menu. Before he could have the chance to give more process, the virtual screen with the t-chart had finished typing. -- To start off, the Realm of The Blue River is the first level of the Merit Universe. Every end or beginning of the level will come with a buffing or rewards to suffice for the subsequent level. Every reward obtained is permanent and can be used outside of the Merit Universe once successfully completed the required levels.
Flames of Wrath (ŭ) Level 0 Flames of Azure (ε) Level 0
Merger of Flames of Wrath into the individuals soul. Heavily focused on power, qi, and durability. Rewards and abilities vary throughout every experience. Merger of Flames of Azure into the individuals soul. Heavily focused on power, qi, and stamina. Rewards and abilities vary throughout every experience.
-- Wrath or Azure? Julius didnt hesitate and immediately opened the chest. Inside were two orb-like balls with illuminating colors, and the one to the left was bloody red with shadows of moving fires. While the right was ice blue with water filled halfway. He could only choose one and observed for a moment before tossing the ice-blue orb back into the chest. It abruptly closes in response and the visual screen changes with an agreement. -- Are you sure about choosing the Flames of Wrath? Yes No -- Upon clicking yes, an abrupt and violent urge overwhelmed his body. He sped right up to the chest with his left palm holding the bloody red orb. His body went into the pose as if preparing to attack it. The buffed left arm thrust towards the chest, shattering the orb. Subsequently, the flames invaded and engulfed his fingers. Julius regained his body back, mentally claiming that was a strange occurrence before something from the sky-blue river emerged beneath. The colorful flowers then withered away. Quickly the beautiful sky was overwhelmed by the dark, thundering sky. A part of the smoky cloud reformed into the level opener with the number one and a three-second timer, indicating the match was about to begin. When he looked back to the exact spot of the river, a humongous creature that was soaked like a damp towel dead stared at Julius. Due to its black fur and yellow eyes, it appeared to be a black panther. Until it turned partially where the nine tails emerged from behind. A nine tailed fox. May they help us all. Julius reacted with extreme concern, hearing stories of how nine tailed foxes capabilities and manipulative tactics could perform. Now things are starting to escalate as the timer turned zero. -- Mission Completed (2): Enter the Realm of The Blue River () Choose one of the two perks from the chest Ongoing Mission (1): Survive Defeat the Black Nine Tail Fox. (ھβ -- A thundering lightning bolt struck the ground, and the two initiated a fury standoff. Chapter 31.II -- Black Nine Tail Fox HP: 100% -- The first clash was inflicted, and Julius already got hit with a weird sensation in his abdomen. He thrust and kicked the fox away far enough to regain composure. The flower fields, now an empty sandy plain desert, are puddled with the blue blood, slowly drizzling out from the small but enlarging pores of his skin. It felt a little cold around there. The foxs claws shined blue. Its deceiving smile was taunting. Julius doesnt understand why it was able to take the first blood despite the clash with his greatsword having enough range to block it from reaching. The next second, a transparent health bar percentage overtook the direct center of Juliuss visuals with a bluish look. -- Julius HP: 89% -- Holy hell! Julius reacted, resuming focus on the fox who immediately dashed right to his face. Narrowly, he bent his knees to drop and slid away from the flashing claws. The nine tails smacked his face when he thought he made it out from underneath. He flew across hard through the plains, creating an entire hole that passed through an elevated hill. -- Julius HP: 80% -- Better, but no damn progress! Julius got lucky as at the last second an edge of his greatsword absorbed the impact enough to neutralize further damage. Boom! The top of the hill was sliced, cut, and exploded into bits in the sky, coming back down with a menacing rain of black qi. Julius couldnt dodge it entirely, forcing him to cut through a couple raining bits of black dirt. Darkness overwhelmed his entire area of vision, restricting himself to only a few feet from his footsteps. No, I didnt get hit! He was certain nothing touched him. Swoosh! Urgh! Julius grunted in pain after being inflicted on his back. Lichts body wounds became blistering pain as the drizzling blood stopped from exiting. Black smoke whiffed out from his abdomen wounds as if he had a second mouth and blew it out from within. While feeling the purging force from down below, his brain ticked. His right arm felt an upswing as Licht took command and brought Juliuss arm right to his behind, hearing the clanging sound. Ah, so this againHe internally mumbled. That save triggered a numbing experience when he first fought against the Adler only to be impaled right through the chest. The second time to be saved. Licht did it again. The fact it was almost a second experience infuriated Julius. His brain ticked again but much more aggressively to where he could hear the clicking within his inner ear. -- Julius HP: 55% -- Why is it still decreasing?! Julius was fathomed by the numbers dropping before another slash inflicted his upper thighs. He doesn''t know what to do. His body turned frightened enough to experience fear. This is the first time to be reduced to such emotion. The heart can feel the legs'' cowardly lock still. Subsequently, his mind recognized the signal that even Licht flashed; he received it as well, prompting him to communicate. < Julius? What''s gotten into you? > << I don''t know. I can''t comprehend this feeling I''m going through. Like I''m literally stuck! >> < That feeling hurt my damn soul. What the hell is this?! > Licht sounded personal, before trying to control the blade again. Julius''s arm reacted to the hilt, clashing right at the foxs subsequent attack. < Come on, Julius. You have to get moving! > Juliuss knees unlocked, causing him to tumble down hard to the floor in a kneeling position. << I can''t>> < Are you just going to give up now?! > Clash! < I might be able to protect you, but this method will only kill you. It''s a damn suicide! > Clash! Clang! Splat! Juliuss right arm was gashed at his triceps, spitting out a continuous amount of blood despite Licht being able to counteract most of the combo attack from the fox. < Julius, wake up! Don''t sleep on me now otherwise, you will perish. > Licht pleaded. -- Julius HP: 15% Warning!! Danger: Blood Loss!! -- Juliuss eyes grew heavy. He could still process what was happening but only as a passenger, feeling the paralysis beyond his thinking neurons. It began closing down slowly in a garage door fashion. Darker and darker as the seconds felt like hours went by. Is this it? So, unfair! Did I do all of this for nothing? Seeking redemption for the one who halted my career? Seeking answers for who I am? And hunting the mastermind behind the venue attack? Is that too much to ask for?! Julius angrily ranted, which was enough to emit a voice through his partially opened mouth. He heard the sound of the black fox coming back to his surroundings while being stuck in place. Licht continued to plead, not giving up his cry. Juliuss eyelids stopped when his health indicator displayed the percentage dropped to dangerously critical. At this point, a nudge and hes toasted like an ant getting squished by the gesture of a human finger. His brain ticked once more. What followed was a hammer throb to his head that somehow jolted him awake with his eyelids back up. Somehow, it led to an end of his paralysis. He dropped Licht to the floor and vomited more blue blood from the cluster buildup in his esophagus. -- Julius HP: 0% !!!!! -- Julius gave himself a punch to the face, feeling the cracking of his jaw. Ouch! His body felt in between cold to freeze and hot to scorch in sweat. When he adjusted back his jaw, he saw his body wounds still exist with the black smoke. What happened to me? How am I still alive? Julius wondered, staring at the black smoke that was becoming more vibrant and traces of pure white brightness forced to blend in with the darkness. Then an upsurge erupted from his abdomen, shooting out a shotguns worth of smoke. And the other route through his mouth. Something was not right. He felt something was reenergizing within his body amid the vomiting notion. Next second, a recognizable sensation around his eyes forced it wide open. This is Julius regained his stance and went up fully straight. He did a partial squat until his knees bent. Furthermore, one hard arc backward before slinging forward. A flash of white light exerted out from the floor reached up to his lower peripherals as slinged forward. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. He purged through his esophagus. His neck veins bulge underneath his skin around his jaws and traps. A cloud of smoke, near plume amounts, exhaled from his mouth as Julius forced the cervical muscles to steer his head with the weight of the pressurizing smoke. The form switches after a couple of seconds, condensing into the beam similar to his two prior times firing one. The pure blueness is now tainted with the darkness wrapping around the color like a spiral, forming an outline and stripe layer of color that overlaps the blue. When he lifted his head up, the beam rapidly widened and fired around the vicinity causing a small glass crack. A glimpse of light from the Realm of Blue River was sought inside, and it gave Julius a relative position upon comprehending the dark area he got trapped in was much larger than what he originally perceived. Juliuss mouth beam was a very loudspeaker; concert-wise for all he knew. Amid the volume, he finally recognized the fox was still around hidden in the majority of darkness lingering around. The dark smoke in his abdomen transitioned into a dark qi and sent a pulse into his brain, triggering another surrounding sense. Hes there! Juliuss eye turned to his right, certain that the fox was hidden at that side. His despaired mind has been healed to his commitment with the newly added anger as he felt his energy has been restored. Uh, no you are not getting a slice of me this time! Juliuss eyes raged. After a stare into the darkness, he maintained his eye contact while thrusting his right palm downwards to the ground, hovering right where Licht was. Come on, Licht! Its time to get out of here. -- Julius HP: 0% 85% Warning Alert Ceased! Danger Alert Ceased! -- The strain of pain in his knees ceased. He attempted to do telekinesis again for his greatsword to come to his palm and failed. As a result, Julius was forced to summon again right in his grip. The fox began to move to which he jerked his face away from the light, sending the beam to fire from within. -- Black Nine Tail Fox HP: 85% -- Yes! Finally! Julius wanted to shout in relief but couldnt do it while the beam continuously firing from his mouth. Afterwards, he tried something cynical and redirected the beam right to the floor. He gave a one swing downward with his greatsword, striking at the mouth beam. The whole area ignited in a detonating blast, shattering the entire darkness and bringing the trap to cease. -- Black Nine Tail Fox HP: 55% -- Finally, light once again. Julius took a couple deep inhales and exhaled while staring at the black fox, showing significant lacerations. Serves you right. He grinned at the black foxs struggle. It didnt limp but was startled enough to where its two front legs looked weakened. The nine tails are all ragged, each varied by the damage. The dominant tail appeared to be scorched and severely trimmed, leaving the grass pile of black fur scattered on the ground. The black foxs growl turned into a roaring of vicious anger and pain, releasing all the sound waves that were strong enough to alter the nearby landscape. The same hill has been wiped from existence, leaving a plain plateau-like landform spared. The topsoil eroded away, slithering all the uppermost layer that reached a mile radius. Reluctantly, Julius acknowledged the black foxs strength. Viewing the landforms erosion, he would think the clothes were torn up which would leave him exposed. Glaring down at himself, a thin layer of black qi surrounded his body from the neck down. What is this? Julius touched it, and the spot vibrated upon contact. I dont know what all of this was, but Ill take the chance. He braced both his legs down to the ground, squatting halfway to create tension in his calves and thighs. The black fox hadnt given up, flashing away. Not this time. Juliuss eyes grunted, nudging a step at a whirl. He saw a shadow vivid enough of the black fox attempting to strike him similar to the first part of the encounter. Quickly, his left hand gripped below his right on the hilt followed by a plunging strike right on target. What followed was a loud bang subsequently with the sound of a breaking tree branch. A light generated from the strike engulfed the area. In reaction, Julius dashed and leaped away from the light, standing afar on the plains with enough view to witness the motion. As he stood, the health percentages of the black fox rapidly decreased, causing Skoltor to almost glitch on the left side when it sent notifications of the matter. -- Black Nine Tail Fox HP: 55% 42% 21% 12% 1% -- No, you are not! Julius leaped in the air, summoning a load of qi to engulf the entire blade. Say, Goodbye! he yelled, deploying the load of qi. The blade unleashed a modified wave of qi, and the weight was significantly heavier making the slashing gesture more straining to his triceps. It formed a ridge-like earthquake as the ground was lifted and broke apart from the excess energy. Julius skewed away enough to watch the damage the black fox was inflicted with. The ridge quickly turned lengthy, reaching a minimum of a mile at each side. At each end of the ridge, any leftovers deposited into the air and ceased. At the center of the impact, there was a wide crater and deeper than an average swimming pool. The black fox lay directly at the spot, tattered and lacerated beyond repair. Nothing Julius could do other than descend slowly while maintaining his new shielded black qi. --- Black Nine Tail Fox HP: 0% Julius HP: 85% 91% Mission Completed (3): Enter the Realm of The Blue River () Choose one of the two perks from the chest Survive Defeat the Black Nine Tail Fox. (ھβ Rewards: + $2019 Thalers General Class (LV.2) Meter: [10.8%] [19.6%] Swordsman Class (LV.1) Meter: [85%] [100%] Swordsman Level Up! [Level 1 Level 2.] Swordsman Class (LV.2) Meter: [0%] [54%] Class Bonus created: +15% Power; +9% Durability; +12% Endurance; +5% Qi containment. Realm of The Blue River () Cleared! Granted indefinite access to level one. Merit Universe Unlocked. -- A short gust blasted from Juliuss feet, uplifting his entire body like a breeze and shooting his hair up before it calmed. He strolled to the dead black Foxs body. No movement. He perceived. Afterward, he read for any qi remaining, only to find nothing. With his greatsword still drawn, he reached next to the body of the black Fox with four tails being decapitated, scattered into the dirt of the crater. Julius saw two sticking up like a spear from underneath. Upon noticing, he sliced it, dripping the black blood and chunks of the vertebrae bone off. Eventually, he curiously cut off the remaining five to be certain. Definitely dead. Julius dashed with his back turned while still facing the fox. He then gave another slash followed by another in a flurry, striking down. Something wrong immediately came when he recognized it exploded, provoking him into the air and landing on a roll on the ground outside of the crater. What? How is it not dead?! Julius lifted his head up and turned to the scene, witnessing the massive dark pillar illuminating high into the sky. It clashed with the dark clouds, evaporating it altogether. The wildlife returned as the surviving withered flowers returned into blossoms. Sandy terrain too disappeared, removing the desert-like conditions. The dark pillar formed a spiral around it like a wheel. Quickly, it dissipated peacefully, dispersing everything it caused and subdued to dust. However, it revealed an additional aspect. A beautiful lady emerged from the pillar in the sky before plummeting down to the ground, causing a slight rumble. A shield of dust and debris surrounded the landing site. Julius ascended from the floor, blocking the gust of qi from her with his greatsword. Give me a break! He ranted. Relax, Julius. Put your weapon down. A slightly raspy, low-pitched female voice telepathically communicated. Julius reacted with a minor strain on his head. He momentarily rubbed his forehead aggressively. Great a second telepathWhat business do you have right now?! Julius angrily demanded. The cloud of dust surrounding the ladys landing dispersed, revealing her tall, slanderous figure, walking up to Julius with a straight face. Hello, Julius, she greeted, flashing a glimpse of her white pupils. How do you know my name? Julius wondered. The lady pointed to her temple. That thing in your head, its connected to the world of Merit. Or Merit Universe. It revealed a bit of your identity. Skoltor? Julius lowered his greatsword. Whats your name? he asked in a grumbling tone. For ripping my nine tails off, you can call me Hu (), she answered. Chapter 32 Hu ()? Hang on, you are that nine-tailed fox! Julius blurted, gripping hard on the hilt. Hu with her left arm raised and palm open. Relax, I know you just went through hell. That was all purposeful for this first level. What do you mean purposeful? I almost died in that trap of darkness, going through a brief mental turmoil! But you were angry, right? Where do you think all this black smoke that has blended into your qi turned into? Hu questioned with her eyebrows raised. Adding on, you chose the Flames of Wrath (ŭ), so surely it fits the criteria that anger was the primary component by name. Julius blinked in thought, relaxing his grip. What if I chose the opposite, Flames of Azure(ε)? Does that change a darn thing? Hu shook her head as gusts picked up again around the area, and a table summoned right upon the elevated flat surface. She invited Julius to the table. I have tea. Why not join me, and we will continue the conversation? Julius huffed with a deep sigh, nodding. She went first and pulled both chairs before the two sat down. Julius leaned Licht to the table and watched her pour the green tea from her black teapot into the black and yellow vinyl ceramic cups. She pushed one to Julius and exchanged drinks before the two took a sip. How is it? she firmly asked. Soothing, at least Choosing the Flame of Azure wouldnt bring any difference because its not likely you would even bring the chance of choosing it, Hu muttered. Julius took another sip before putting the cup down. What do you even know about my decision-making? Not only did I get brief information about you through the system in your head, but you might not realize your body is dispersing a lot of hidden qi that you dont even realize when you arrived. A glimpse of it was enough to get a sense of who you are. Julius looked around himself in response. Hidden qiJust how much do I have? Could that be the darkness that was waiting to be summoned? Was this darkness formed based on the hidden qi I generated? Great thinkingyes. Naturally and logically, for other cultivators, hidden qi is just a rare phenomenon due to being hidden and true proof other than a smaller group of individuals that can sense them. Hu lifted two fingers. Gods and innate-talented individuals. Im experiencing a lot of being the first timer on things to where I feel like cant there be anything at least others have done rather just being alone. You have to start somewhere, right? I mean being the one who came from an entirely different world into one of ours with such vengeance and through torture only to naturally be pulled into our affairs. I understand. However, your new experience here is a stepping stone. Julius poured another half of green tea, taking one gulp. A bit of my identityyou already know more than a bit. Especially knowing I have Skoltor in my head. Just get to the bottom line, what is this place for and how do you know Skoltor? Hu smiled at his straight-forwarded mutter. Very bluntFine. Despite how much I want to linger on conversations you are the first to arrive here in a long time. Ill explain then. A pulling force suddenly appeared around Juliuss head as if someone was gripping both sides of the temple. Slam! His eyes focused on both elbows landed hard on the table to cause a dent, spilling all the tea and tipping off the teapot from the table. My head. Is she pulling me? Hu still sat as if nothing had happened and slowly leaned up closer, keeping eye-to-eye contact. Your system is a mess, distorted, and too wordy that lacks the numbers, she muttered, hovering her right palm and pressing it onto Juliuss forehead. Your hands are cold, Julius mumbled. Would you rather it be burning? No thanks. Then hold yourself shut for a moment, Hu said before applying more pressure. Juliuss visuals began to turn static. A flickering moment before it completely disappeared. The next second, a small bar appeared at the center of his vision, describing another reboot but forced. -- Hu: Authorizing reorganization of the system mainframe. Maintain original points? Yes. Complete Modernize and update protocols with Merit Universe Yes. Updating: Skoltors Monetary System, Kampfrang System, Revamped Stats Menu, Expeditions, Virtual Inventory, Data. Removing qualitative majority. Institutionalize quantitative properties! Initiating: 0% 25% 60% 90% 100% Operation Completed. Reactivating Skoltor. -- The whole process of reorganizing Skoltor took a minute. It didnt feel as long as Julius would have expected. However, he was quietly impressed by how techy it can achieve. Hu let go of her palm, and the pulling pressure ceased causing Julius to slumber back down to his seat. How is it? Hu asked, rubbing the palms of her hands before summoning another teapot set. She poured another batch of green tea. She must be a tea enjoyer, desperate for a replacement. Julius took his new cup and half-gulped the green tea. Other than staring at you, thanks. How do you know about the Skoltor System? Traces of the Merit Universe can be found outside of this place, like Raal. It could be an everyday item, scrolls, and various other findings. Anyone who originated from the Merit Universe like me, can depict and connect with anything that is linked back to here. Your System turned out to be one of them. In fact, its a much stronger resemblance. Do you know who created this? Hu shook her head followed by a shrug. I wished I did. Nobody in the levels beyond me can figure out the origins of this place. We tried to come up with theorizing conclusions, but it came out nothing other than just accepting we just exist. And all the items like Skoltor just happen. So, Im sorry if thats what you are asking. Hmmwhat a bummer. More questions than answers Julius muttered before pausing. He gulped the last half of the green tea and pushed his cup away, not needing seconds. What did you change with the system? Julius asked, gesturing his hand over his face. Actually a lot of things, Hu replied, summoning a flying screen next to the table. Stolen novel; please report. Julius leaned to the right, facing the left where the screen transitioned to a display for information with various pictures in the form of a presentation.

32.2

I see what you mean now. Skoltor is really connected to the merit universe, Julius commented, offering the approval verdict of the overhaul. Hu suggested that he try opening Skoltors interface. He leaned his back to the chair, opening the list of the menu. -- Skoltors Monetary System Kampfrang System Cultivation (Kultivierung. ) System. Revamped Stats Menu Stats Menu V2 Expeditions Virtual Inventory Data -- These word changes are fucking up my head. Julius clicked on the stats menu to find an entire overhaul. Hu stayed true to her words, with all the numbers as listed out. -- Stats Menu V2 Flames of Wrath (ŭ) Level: 0 +15% to Qi Cultivation System Level: Rank 6 +6% to all stats after calculations.
Stamina (LV 4) HP (LV 4) 225 75,600 256.5 (+31.5) 79380 (+3780) 271.89 (+15.39) 84142.8 (+4762.8)
Endurance (LV 4) 186 217.62 (+31.62) 230.68 (+13.06)
Durability (LV 4) 210 239.4 (+29.4) 253.76 (+14.36)
Power (LV 4) Attack (LV 4) 1,560 4,560 2028 (+468) 4,605.6 (+45.6) 2,149.68 (+121.68) 4,881.94 (+276.34)
Qi (LV 4) 10,405 10,925.25 (+520.25) 13,219.55 (+2,294.30)
Total Score 88,186 95,683.87 105,150.3
-- White, red, and blue. Got it. Julius showed a nodding gesture to Hu, prompting her to ask if there were any difficulties. In response, he denied any due to the color coding helped decipher it more efficiently. The numbers might not matter all the time outside of Merit Universe, however; Skoltors purpose of being supplemental can be beneficial for dangerous situations like being trapped or in a moment of turmoil. Hu added that it will take a bit to get used to as now Skoltor is officially how it is supposed to function. There are various parts within the expedition features that need to be reached at a minimum total score. The white numbers are the base with no modifications or any added bonuses. Red is where it includes any Skoltors provided bonuses like team party buff and individuals class. At the end, the blue number is if any external factors are part of the equation. For example, equipment. Which he has nothing to do with currently as he has to go through a certain level of merit to unlock that feature. Hu proceeded with a repeat inspection to be certain it would do as it operates. She had Julius check the economic aspects of the system and the inventory and retest the user-friendly interface. Julius gave a confident thumbs up after the inspection while standing on the ridges and viewing the far horizon of the realm. Hu stood from the table, disappearing all the tables and chairs. She joined him viewing the beautiful landscape. You might need this, Hu muttered, handing Julius a bulky hardcover about the size of a textbook. Whats this for? Julius asked, opening the front cover. Its all empty blank pages. Hu brought Julius back to the first page and pressed her index finger on the corner of the page. A green light flashed through the entire page, illuminating Julius and Hus eyes. What appeared was Juliuss imprinted name with the date. Come on, you dont need to do that, Julius said. Just something to remind yourself, keep this for your own personal sake. Dont share this with anybody unless you want to. Something on your mind, write it down. That will do, thank you. Julius smiled, feeling calmer after the conversation. Hu smiled back. Were even now. Are we? Maybe for me. But what about you? Julius asked. She hummed for a moment, signaling she was trying to come up with something on her mind. Hu lifted one finger. I have one. Julius sent his new writing textbook into his inventory before turning directly at her. Say it. She gestured her right hand out, summoning a transparent nine-tail fox. All of a sudden, a thrusting punch from her right to his chest, created a portal with her same right hand deep inside. After a concerning amount of seconds, she pulled out empty handed followed by the portals closure. What did you put inside of me? Julius grunted. A fragment of myself. Its a link for me to see the outside world as Im interested in your journey. As well as how the world of Raal is doing. And before you ask, I can communicate through thanks to that. Is this permanent? Julius asked. Yes, it cant be removed without my will. Why? Just want to be certain as Ive already been impaled enough to be concerned about it. -- New Mission Added (1): Leave the Realm of The Blue River () -- Julius and Hu stared at a grand door ascending from the spot where Julius had first arrived. They took a moment watching until God Rays flashed behind it. Afterward, the door opens. Julius turned to Hu, exchanging farewells. The two shook hands before he descended down the elevated plains, walking right up to the door. I forgot to ask one thing. There are four of my friends that I know who have the system too. Would they do the same trials as I?! he yelled from afar. Hu nodded aggressively. Of course! Now go! Julius departed the realm, sprinting through the door. Suddenly, he was welcomed with a threatening crackling, and the roaring noises all amped up in his ears. An unpleasant odor crashed to his nose and his eyes reacted shut. Giving a second, he recognized the strong smell, indicating danger. Fire. I smell the unpleasant flames and hear the angry bursts all around me. Julius exerted his qi, dispersing all the dust around him. Opening his eyes revealed another event. Looking around, he was in the same field as before. But something was off with the destruction all around. He tilted his head up to find the roof was entirely scrapped off, revealing the night sky that was masked by the heavy clustered clouds. -- Mission Completed (1): Leave the Realm of The Blue River () New Mission Added (1): Defend Longyue. -- I could never get a break at all, do I? Julius whispered to himself in complaint. He launched to the sky, only to find a war-like battlefield within the city. Tons of illuminating plumes of smoke on the night horizon. Julius decided to head to the tower behind the main hall, anticipating some company. Chapter 33.I -- Ongoing Mission (1): Defend Longyue -- Its a whole mess. I wasnt even in the realm for that long! Julius went into denial from the destruction around him that keeps growing in numbers. He landed on the roof of the main hall, viewing right at the tower. It appeared to be fine and stable. No sense of the Skolritters or Empress Cai around. < What happened? > Licht awakened from the slumber. Julius turned confused after hearing his voice. << Were you sleeping this whole time? >> < What did I miss? > << A lot, and I dont have time right now as Longyue is under attack. Talk later. >> Julius rapidly articulated. He scanned around the area from the roof, hearing the panicking footsteps sprinting across all directions within the palace complex. Even the inside isnt safe. Julius jumped down through one of the large gaping holes of the breezeway. A screeching cry came from one of the buildings above. Get the hell out of here! Julius traced the hearing back to the Department of Staff building. Lifting his knees up from the ground from the landing, he dashed right into one of the windows and entered into the main hallway of the ground floor. He coughed continuously from the heavy smoke lingering on the ceiling to where it was visible all the way to the end of the hallway for all he could see. Next to his boots, there were decapitated limbs laid in a pool of blood and scorched torn clothes. An entire bloodbath enraged Julius before hearing the same screams right above him. There were thumping noises above, and he carefully pinned and listened until the noises brought a silent gap. Almost there. A rumbling interval of footsteps he subsequently heard. Somebody up there was running pretty fast from something. All of you! Get the hell away! A high cry at something. What followed was a loud tumble that rammed the floor like loaded shelves. The footsteps continued of the person who yelled, sprinting away from Julius. There was silence in the opposite direction, prompting him to dash through the roof, tearing the entire wood paneling with his head. The debris blasted at pursuers, and Julius did a backflip to the safe spot on the second floor. --- Ongoing Mission (1): Defend Longyue New Mission Added (1): Eliminate all the intruders within the Department of Staff Building. Rewards: Cultivation Level General Class Swordsman Class -- Time for a derby. Julius breathed, dispersing the flying debris and revealing a group of armed soldiers that were definitely not from the same group as when he first confronted them when meeting Empress Cai. They appeared more carnage and animal-like with no sense of dignity just from their dominant body language. One of them rage breathed, gesturing at Julius. In turn, he launched a vertical slash, generating a cannon slash that ripped the floor up into bare bones of the floor. The first batch was easily cleared, scorched into thin dust. Julius turned around and went looking for the lady that was being pursued by them seconds ago. He dashed right to a corner and expectedly found her, braced right against the wall and shook. You, okay?! She continued pointing back in the direction he came from. He noticed her hands were going through a series of traumatic tremors. Subsequently, Julius, kneeling down, placed both of his hands on her shoulders, meeting with resistance as she cried and tried to counteract it. He took a step back, giving her some personal space while eyeing the hallway. Another glance at her if she was okay only to be confronted by another group of mobsters. They came through the intersection that was on Juliuss right when he sprinted past while looking for the lady. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Her fears amplified again when she peeked out of the wall. Julius told her to stay there while not moving an inch before firing a tennis-sized blast across multiple meters, striking the entire mob. We got to go, otherwise you will get stuck here, Julius muttered through the roaring explosion that was tearing the outer walls. The lady raised both of her arms over her face, screaming in a panic. Mentally frustrated, Julius remained calm, switching words. Is Lady Lin safe? Fortunately, the lady lowered her guard, and the tremors relaxed. He could see she was still in the moment but was able to mumble her words. Julius leaned closer with his ear in her direction. Idont knowwhere she could be. I was the last one out, she answered. Julius leaned away, nodding. Okay, Im going to get you out of here now with the rest of the crew. Can you trust me? he asked, offering her a hand. Slowly, she raised her right hand and eventually allowed him to grab her palm, lifting her up from the corner. When he took her hand, it was cold and pale. The feat must have put her entire body under such stress it has weakened. Unsure how many she was sprinting away from, Julius understood. The lady has no qi which she cant fight back with projectiles. And her reaction meant a no-fighter by heart. With the opportunity, he transferred a trace of his qi to her through the hand grip. Immediately, the hand returned to normal temperature, feeling the strength returning. Better? She nodded before another explosion around in the same spot. Leaving no choice and to reduce the ladys anxiety, Julius turned right at the dead-end wall that connected to the corner. He thrust and kicked the entire bricks and wood panels out of sight, leaving an opening for the two to depart. Hey, we got survivors here! Julius looked at the spot of the call to find one of the familiar maids followed by a crowd of civilians in traditional robes and jackets. He turned to the lady. Youre safe now, Julius muttered, summoning a whiff of qi that descends her down safely. She was greeted by compassionate people who took her away to safety. The maid stood by, watching them leave as Julius leaped down to the floor, not without shattering the ground. I didnt expect to see you here, Daiyus summoner. Whats the premise? Julius asked. The maid in the black dress handed him a scroll. He unrolled it and read each line, leaving him in shambles. Why do I always get the problems?! Julius asked himself, tearing up the scroll. He tossed up the scraps, blasting them in the air. Is there anything else I need to know before I depart? She shook her head, You are best to go now. They dont know you are alive, but they are waiting for your need of help. Hold on, what do you mean alive? How long has it been? Two weeks?! Oh, my Yinhai! Two fucking weeks!? Im sorry, sir. Its been a while. In fact, the scroll was meant for somebody else; but I recognized you. So, I gave you back the claim. Julius nodded. Youre a good Daiyu. Remember that Boom! He flew right up high in the sky, booming through the heavy dark clouds. Angrily, Julius exerted his qi and allowed it to burst throughout his entire body, shooting it all through the vicinity. The smoke had no choice but to wipe itself away. The effort cleared at least two miles worth of toxic air, bringing the bright moonlight back to the surface. Julius observed, finding everything in a disarray. The spot where the entrance to the Department of Staff was faced in relation to the main palaces entrance. Quickly, he took notice of it as the east. Skoltor confirmed it from its displaying compass. As a result, he turned to his left, now observing the West where the moon was hovering. The two moons showing their prominent luminescence was all he needed. He then took off in that direction. There should be that tower here somewhere. Julius scanned around. The scroll described it as a pinnacle with a circular platform, confidently revealing its drums with the intent to be rang heard. A lightning bolt from the bottom struck upwards like a spike trap, forcing him to detour. Funny enough, more lightning came abruptly and aggressively in response. Julius dodged it many times, going through a phantom maze of them. Before long, he made it out. Bang! Juliuss face crashed into something very solid like rock, enough to hurt his jaw. He tumbled down crashing down hard on his back. Why do I always get hit in the back! The mind rocked but resisted the pain and refocused to where he realized his body was on a flat surface. Oh, shit, he muttered when he was right at the edge of the surface, viewing all the clouds below. He speedily rolled back in and laid flat where he saw the gigantic circular surface towering above him. The huge art of a dragons head was on it too. Julius stood to get a closer look. Upon viewing, Skoltor updated. -- Mission Completed (1): Eliminate all the intruders within the Department of Staff Building. Ongoing Mission (1): Defend Longyue New Mission Added (1): Bang the drum till it cries. -- Out of nowhere, Julius heard a piece of epic music despite no one being in sight or appearing obvious. The horns followed in synchronously as he ignited both his hands in hot blue qi. Clenching his fist, he stared immensely at the drum and the vicious dragons head. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom boomboom! Bang, bang, bang. Bang! A thunderous roar in the distance can be heard. Clouds began to stack like a pack of playing cards while spitting bursts of lightning in between red and yellow. Within it, a manifestation of a dragons face blew hurricane-like gusts, leading Julius to brace his weight on the platform. Holy shit. This is it! -- Mission Completed (2): Eliminate all the intruders within the Department of Staff Building. Bang the drum till it cries. -- ??(Chapter 32-) Base Stats Leveling Page (LV.1-10) ??
Cultivation System Level (1-10)
Level Total % Base Stats Buff
1 1%
2 2%
3 3%
4 4%
5 5%
6 6%
7 7%
8 8%
9 9%
10 10%
??The Cultivation System Level''s buffs on the base stats only calculated after the first adjustments which is demonstrated down below. ??
Base Stats (White) First Adjustments (Red) Final Adjustments (Blue)
Stamina (LV _ ) HP (LV _ ) Base Stats Go Here Base Stats Go Here (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.)
Endurance (LV _ ) Base Stats Go Here (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.)
Durability (LV _ ) Base Stats Go Here (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.)
Power (LV _ ) Attack (LV _ ) Base Stats Go Here Base Stats Go Here (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.)
Qi (LV _ ) Base Stats Go Here (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.)
Total Score Base Total Score Go Here First Adjustments Total Score Final Adjustments Total Score
??The following numbers below are only for the base number stats. (No buffs or additionals) ?? Base HP Level (1-10) The formulas for calculating HP are as follows:
Level HP Total Increase (+)
1 40,000 0
2 51,000 11000
3 63,044 12044
4 75,600 12556
5 81,504 5904
6 89,605 8101
7 96,000 6395
8 101,540 5540
9 110,535 8995
10 150,000 39465
Base Stamina Level (1-10) The formulas for calculating Stamina are as follows:
Level Stamina Total Increase (+)
1 150 0
2 175 25
3 200 25
4 225 25
5 250 25
6 275 25
7 300 25
8 325 25
9 350 25
10 375 25
Base Endurance Level (1-10)The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. The formulas for calculating Endurance are as follows:
Level Endurance Total Increase (+)
1 147 0
2 160 13
3 173 13
4 186 13
5 199 13
6 212 13
7 225 13
8 238 13
9 251 13
10 264 13
Base Durability Level (1-10) The formulas for calculating Durability are as follows:
Level Durability Total Increase(+)
1 180 0
2 190 10
3 200 10
4 210 10
5 220 10
6 230 10
7 240 10
8 250 10
9 260 10
10 270 10
Base Power Level (1-10) The formulas for calculating Power are as follows:
Level Power Total Increase (+)
1 1,110 0
2 1,260 150
3 1,410 150
4 1,560 150
5 1,710 150
6 1,860 150
7 2,010 150
8 2,160 150
9 2,225 65
10 2,292 67
Base Attack Level (1-10) The formulas for calculating Attack are as follows:
Level Attack Total Increase (+)
1 3,060 0
2 3,560 500
3 4,060 500
4 4,560 500
5 5,060 500
6 5,560 500
7 6,060 500
8 6,560 500
9 7,060 500
10 7,560 500
Base Qi Level (1-10) The formulas for calculating Qi are as follows:
Level Qi Total Increase (+)
1 7,405 0
2 8,405 1,000
3 9,405 1,000
4 10,405 1,000
5 11,405 1,000
6 12,405 1,000
7 13,405 1,000
8 14,405 1,000
9 15,405 1,000
10 16,405 1,000
Chapter 33.II -- Rewards: Cultivation Level General Class Swordsman Class $2278 $4567 Thalers General Class (LV.2) Meter: [19.6%] [24%] Swordsman Class (LV.2) Meter: [54%] [59%] Cultivation Rank 6 Meter: [0%] [21%] -- The manifestation from the clouds and thunderous weather with the glowing beastly red eyes transformed into physical form the closer and visible Julius could see it. As it approaches, sparks are generated around its nose and mouth, also breathing out electricity enough to summon its own thunderstorms within its personal space. A ring encircled clockwise, hovering directly above the dragons head and spewing waves of fire cleaning the airs potential dirtiness. It longed and breathed as the black scaly skin formed above the flesh, completing the transition into the physical world. Please, dont tell me I have to fight that humongous dragon. Julius reacted when staring at it flying towards him. No way, are there two? He saw another manifestation underneath, flying in the distance at a much brighter color. It too had flashing eyes, but yellow in difference. -- New Mission Added (1): Confront the two Heavenly Dragon ( ) -- Julius braced himself when he got overwhelmed by the menacing choir chants seemingly following the path of the two dragons, making it louder in volume as they reached closer to him. Unfortunately, Juliuss inner gut knew these two could take him out in one shot if they ever got the opportunity to raise a notch. The only thing he could do was brace for any impact or hope for no legitimate battle confrontation. Who is this person that heeds the call?! The black dragon roared. With no time spared, he blasted a thunderous breath, strangling Julius to a standstill. The second dragon whooshed through the clouds and revealed developing flesh, outlining the head. Its mouth all opened and too fired a heavy breath at Julius. He reacted with his eyes closed, creating a tiny barrier around his neck. His mouthpiece reacted hastily and masked up in a spare second before the smoke from the second dragon blew all over his face and body. The strangle was insanely uncomfortable and painful probably due to the nerves it triggered around his entire body. Adding on to the smoke storm that fogged his entire point of view when opened them after his qi shield made enough to block his eyes from any further contact. Julius moaned while enduring the pain, not anticipating it would end soon. His brain ticked, triggering his eyes, forcing it open all the way and numbing his eyelids. That particular feeling reminded him of being trapped under the dark set by Hu; a memory that would haunt him for the rest of his life. Furthermore, another tick accompanied by the sharp sound like a bell when the clocks long hand reached a certain minute. The blend of cold and hot feelings returned within his body, overriding his pain receptors. The knees that were tumbling to the strangle regained their strength, pushing Julius back up straight. I knew you had it in you Hus voice said, came uninvited into his head. You gave me horror in the dark. But only you. Nobody else can perform ill with it. Not even the friendliest at the slightest. Julius responded, proceeding to break the electrifying rings. The black qi departed out of his body, constructing a layer over his appearance. The second dragons smoke caused a chain reaction, generating a lightful of energy as it radiated. The energy ignited, releasing a ball of sunlight into the air. The release spread out, hovering over the entire sky and distant enough with enough force to push the two dragons back. Julius summoned Licht and performed a revolving slash, dissipating the qi-filled smoke that was blocking his view. Two mythical creatures. I hope youre not crazy to face them, Hu said. Me too. But my body filled with qi is telling otherwise. Julius hovered in the air as the tower holding the tower had collapsed, far gone. All around him are unnatural black clouds, taking the lower levels of the sky. And a few clusters of fire clouds with blazes of flames all around it. He skewed away from the stem, lifting his head up and witnessing the underneath of a mushroom cloud that had penetrated a part of the atmosphere. It looked like it might have reached into space, but he didnt want to find out and refocused back to the two dragons. They were bewildered, giving their eye and eyebrow facial expressions. Breaking free from the struggle had already caused enough damage to the atmosphere from the looks of it. -- Black Heavenly Dragon (ɫ ) HP: 98% Yellow Heavenly Dragon (ɫ ) HP: 98% Julius HP: 85% 79% -- That sounded as miserable and fascinating as igniting an explosion with firepower strong enough to spread at least tens of miles apart. Only to take two percent of their health down. Skoltor has a scanning feature to measure world things at your own will. Try it. Hu mentioned.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. --- Total distance: 61 Miles -- What an abomination. Bigger than the theorized radius of the largest nuclear bomb built on Earth. Julius was shocked by the given number; he blurted out at the two dragons. What the hell are you two doing?! This is what I get when I call for help?! Julius yelled in the speakers voice. Am I an enemy to you when I banged the drums?! No, every drummer who heeds the call withstood the process to prove their worthiness of our help. The Black Heavenly Dragon replied while its sclera was bleeding red like a waterfall. Seriously? Juliuss mind went blank, not comprehending completely what it meant. So, every drummer went through what I just experienced?! That sounded ridiculous, he answered and looked down at the damage. Not only now the drums are gone, but your test of worthiness also annihilated a part of the country! Empress Cai needs your help as the whole dynasty is under attack. I know you two can put this to the end because I read your historiesotherwise, if you are not willing to put yourself on the line, somebody will do the damn job. And you dont want that right?! Julius lifted his greatsword into the air, with a residue of the dark qi at the tip. The yellow and Black dragon quieted with non-verbal exchanges and glared around the scene of the damage in the air now that almost a minute had passed, the air grew tense and suffocating. Alright, we accept! The Yellow Heavenly Dragon replied, bowing its head multiple times. They accepted. Relax Licht. Hu said to Julius. I swear these tests at the moment of emergency almost put me at the brink of lines being crossed. Grhh! Julius grunted. He relaxed his greatsword, letting them lead the way as they are supposed to know any direction of the problem takes place. The two dashed away using lightning and electricity as a form of traveling at high speeds. Julius flew at their same speed without much effort while keeping himself hovering above and watching them like a disappointed parent. Hu telepathically suggested he relax which Julius politely refused to do as his faith in the two dragons is at time low. -- Mission Completed (1): Confront the two Heavenly Dragon ( ) New Mission Added (1): Stay on the path. (620 miles) -- Good lord, how far did they travel to defend. This is devastating. Julius felt disheartened as the Empress and Daiyu were multiple states worth of distance away from Longyue. In fact, everyone is as Solomon, Celeste, Sally, and Victoria arent in their usual rooms in the tower. He still remembered the distance he traveled from the hotel to the coffee shop back in Underground Kriegshan before his one-year demise. At that speed was almost twenty-one miles in a minute. The current improvement was impressively high and obvious as his new odometer was reading at a whooping thirty-eight thousand miles per hour. And by the time he looked away from it, he was already half a minutes distance traveled. < Hey, are you alright? > Licht asked. You must be Licht? Hu responded, confirming that a multitude of telepathy does exist. < Woah. Yes, you must be the lady from earlier. Well, nice to meet you. > Its a pleasure. A party for sure. Im sorry I didnt mean to interrupt, continue. << No, Im not really fine, mentally. Immediately getting pulled into a fiasco after an unexpected time dilation is making my head sick. Im trying not to think about it, but that anger is straining my head. >> Julius replied to Lichts concern. < This dark qi you obtained back at the Blue River. I feel dangerous. As in fact, we are. For me, I feel an indescribable drive of energy the more I suck up the qi. Maybe that anger could be the result of it escalating your past personality. > << Thats a mix of rubbish. Im not in that state of mind. No way that could happen. >> I cant say from my experience, but you had faced me once as a full nine-tailed fox. That dark qi could turn your instincts into such aggression or amplify your worst colors if you let it take over. Hu added, supporting Lichts curious feeling of the uncertainty of the dark qi. < I dont want to talk about this, please. I just need this battle to finish at our victory and give Longyue a damn break and temporary peace whenever possible. > Boom! The two dragons pulled their brakes at their speed, triggering an inverted supersonic. Julius does the same with more ease probably due to his weight. And therefore, the three take a nosedive down. Tonight was cloudy pretty much everywhere. Even at the spot near the target as Skoltor indicated only twenty miles left to arrive. Ill turn this on for you, Hu said. Skoltor opened up an altimeter and dragged it onto the corner next to the speed meter. -- 5680 mi/hr. 300,000 ft -- Thanks, Julius said. Quickly, they passed through the entire rows and columns of clouds. In the next couple of seconds, it revealed an entire dirty and ridden battlefield. From high in the sky, it looked like a world war of ants, adding the flashing lights and explosions everywhere. This isnt good. All of a mess, Julius muttered, as rain poured the further the descent. He glided as Skoltor guided the last bit of the spot, and the two dragons deviated. One hard landing, crashing into a mud pile and letting the dark qi and his black overcoat do the job, hiding the stains. -- Mission Completed (2): Confront the two Heavenly Dragon ( ) Stay on the path. (620 miles) New Mission Added (1): End the Rain Swamp War ( ս ) -- As the rain poured everywhere while the background was bombarded by bombs and explosions like a horrific party, he glared around the shallow swamps. Thousands of howling soldiers of diverse identifications clashed their swords and martial arts to death, flooding the swamp with pure red blood. With Licht in his grip, he had to begin fighting to get through the stampede. Right now, he couldnt sense any traces of qi nearby. < Im ready > Licht insisted, with a voice of desperation to draw blood. Julius leaped up high in the sky, performing his ordinary slashing move on the upcoming stampede. He went on a full deployment, annihilating them with ease. About to continue, he felt a familiar qi coming right towards him. Reacting to it, Julius turned abruptly to the left and dashed right to the source. He found Daiyu below on foot, bloodied and breathing. Daiyu! Julius yelled, landing on a sturdier ground. General! Youre alive! she yelled in relief, partially tipping right to Juliuss chest. Whats happening?! Daiyu pointed to behind her. Empress Cai. Shes in trouble. You can heal right?! Just enough. Whats going on?! Julius grew concerned. Daiyu didnt respond but pulled his hand and took him to where after a few hundred feet, he saw her. All lay in the grass with both eyes bloodied and soaked like having a cover over it. Empress Cai sustained multiple slashes and wounds. Her warrior clothes were torn, her right leg fractured, and losing two fingers on her left hand. Luckily, she was right-handed, and other than major injuries she was breathing normally. Julius tumbled down to his knees violently and began the life-saving procedure. Chapter 34 Splat! After healing her eyes, Empress Cai puked her blood on Juliuss lap as he wrapped a piece of his cloth around her arm and leg like a tourniquet. That woke her up, and she was surprised to see somebody helping her. She doesnt recognize me? That hurt. Julius kept his thoughts quiet, feeling a little saddened. Do we know who he is? Empress Cai mumbled, facing Daiyu. Daiyu nodded. You dont recognize him? Look again. Julius, with his mouthpiece still on, looked at Empress Cai while his hands instinctively tightened her arm and leg from bleeding any further. She turned back, and his mouthpiece opened, revealing the lower half of his face. That took her out in a beat. A resurgence of energy got to her because she swiftly lifted herself from the ground, sitting up. Woah, you shouldnt do that. Otherwise, your wounds Julius suggested before getting interrupted by a hug. Uhh, mam? Empress Cai wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him towards her. He felt a hard slam right on his left trap and upper chest coming from her face pressuring it. The sounds of sniffles muffled onto his overcoat. His hands were free, soaked in her blood. He doesnt know what to do. He turned his attention to Daiyu who was silently gesturing to him to embrace her right now, before she let go. A silent sighing expression and finally wrapped his arms around her shoulders. The sniffling stopped when he embraced her. Empress Cai let go and stared back at him for a moment. Julius felt calm rather than intimidated when both exchanged eye contact. It went on long enough, that Daiyu had to cut in. She lost the duel by a couple margins between one of the head captains that led the attack on our soil. Julius laid Empress Cai back down gently before continuing. Have any of you figured out his weakness? Hes pure of light and very agile. Empress Cai was fast but couldnt keep up with the consistent dodging as his swings have a very wide range of effect. Julius held his chin, trying to come up with an idea to fight the captain. Pure of light, agile, and necessary dodging. Can he fly? What about flying? Daiyu shook her head. No, but he has dirty methods to keep the flying opponents back to the ground. Hmmdo you have anything useful? Wait. You said pure of light. So, is he a light ailment? Good catch, yes. Why? You got a counter? Julius nodded, pressuring the Empresss wrist as if taking a pulse. Damn, no dark qi. He then turned to Daiyu, asking for her hand. Ooh. Wait. Oh, that''s it. She has the quality of it. Maybe the black dress and her also black battlefield clothing were an indication. Can you teach me something dark? Dark, do you actually meanHold on you have dark qi too?! Daiyu exclaimed in a surprise. Julius summoned a trace of dark qi over his palms. Yeah, this is what I gained from being in the Realm of The Blue River. You said I was gone and dead, that was two weeks. For me, it was three hours. This was my reward. If you can teach me something useful, I accept and don''t mind going right to the start. I''ll adapt. Daiyu, biting around her lips, glared at Empress Cai, sadly resting on the grass, returning to sleep. Daiyu nodded. I''ll do it. And please listen carefully as we don''t have time to spare, she warned. Julius moved in closer and convened for the knowledge. -- All stats leveled up: Level 4 -> Level 5. Cultivation Level 6 -> 7 Total % Base Stats Buff 6% to 7%
Base Stats w/o adj.
Stamina (LV 4) 5 HP (LV 4) 5 225 250 75,600 81,504
Endurance (LV 4) 5 186 199
Durability (LV 4) 5 210 220
Power (LV 4) 5 Attack (LV 4) 5 1,560 1,710 4,560 5,060
Qi (LV 4) 5 10,405 11,405
Total Score 88,186 100,348
--

34.2

It''s time. Julius lifted himself up from the crisscross position, raising his tightened legs up. He felt a little heavier, and his mouthpiece closed back up. He stood within a tiny realm, turning to Daiyu, who was still sitting in a crisscross, opened her eyes and appeared pleased with the little smirk. How do you feel? A little intimidated and heavy in a good way, Julius replied. You are a different man, Julius. No one was able to give me such a surprise as you have ever done. Maybe Empress Cai was right in choosing you. Thanks for the compliment, but I will only accept it once this battle concludes, Julius said. He turned right to the circular border, cutting it right open. Be safe. He climbed out of the spherical realm, leaving Empress Cai and Daiyu inside. When he exited the black revolving sphere, it closed and locked him outside. -- Ongoing Mission Update (1): End the Rain Swamp War ( ս ) Fight Adalberht the Bright Giant. -- The Bright Giant. I guess we are about to find out, Hu said. Julius silently nodded and didnt telepathically reply back. He kneeled until his fingers partially touched the ground. The ground around him started to break apart and float upwards. Subsequently, the debris orbited around him when the dispersing energy escalated. The ground progressively seeped down as he burst dark qi around the entire crater, shooting it like a water fountain. He then lifted the index and middle finger gently up followed by a jerk down as if he was pushing something. The fountain of qi that shot to the sky slowed down and stopped in midair. Furthermore, all were redirected back to Julius, simulating an event similar to the regenerative brake of an electric car. His body flashed black and blue light simultaneously, spotlighting across the battlefield at a risk of getting the attention. Julius felt a surge of energy going up in his body forcing him to stand up. Licht dissipated from his grip, returning to his skin to charge up the last bits. He focused on the sky where the clouds encircled into a spiral, summoning a white beam and striking right on top of him. He couldnt feel any damage or infliction as he deeply exhaled and inhaled air of energy. < Lets do it. > Licht telepathically whispered. Boom! Julius supersonic out into the air, leaving a deafening noise across the vicinity. The shockwave decapitated plenty of numbers on the field. -- 920 Casualties -- Whoops! Julius remained focused on the hunt. He flew up until enough to the stratosphere. A beam of light with a manifestation of an eagle flashed in the distance. That must be it. Directing right to the summoning beam of white light, he summoned Licht. < Bring the darkness! > Licht commanded. Julius redirected his wrist to bring a portion of his dark qi right through every single space of the blade. He let it heat up and pulled the brake midair, positioning his legs into a sumo-stance squat. Both of his hands were on the grip with his eyes attentive to the white beam of light. Having the name of a move makes it powerful, right? Hmm. He thought of Empress Cais comment back at the palace. The dark qi did a shock burst at the tip and edge of the blade. Yuqihixio! (Х!) Julius screamed through his vocal cords, performing a heavy slash that required his whole torso to move. An enormous black wave of qi in a prominent and defined shape of a tsunami swarmed through endless amounts of clouds, brawling right at the white beam of light. Immediately, a pile of darkness overwhelmed the night sky, unleashing a volcanic mushroom cloud and a shockwave that cleaned off every obstacle in the sky, including the prior clouds. Despite the darkness, the sky-blue color shone from within the darkness and raised the brightness of near sun-like luminosity. Darkness at its performance. Bravo, if thats what you call it! Hu said in admiration. You could read my mind? EhStolen novel; please report. Privacy, please, Julius grunted. -- Adalberht the Bright Giant HP: 100% 68% -- Here he comes, Julius muttered while noticing a silhouette flying up to his level with the sky-blue showing off the pinpoint. Adalberht exerted his energy, removing the entire mushroom cloud of darkness. The unprotected parts of his body were hemorrhaging but not enough to finalize him. Mute? Julius thought before dodging away from the sudden swing from Adalberht who was appearing silent without any noise, at most maybe a casual runts breathing through the facial mask. Watch out! Hu said. Clash! Julius braced against a humongous metal spear that clashed against his blade as his qi-loaded feet attempted to counteract the pressure. The effort was short as the former performed a phantom slam using his qi to bang on the spear, breaking Juliuss balance and going into a free fall. -- Julius HP: 95% 90% -- He braced himself as Adalberhts qi prevented him from moving away from the path, putting him in a strangled situation. The controlled breeze and gusts while dropping thousands of feet per second dispersed all his exterior qi and any chance to bring in the aura. Realizing this, his varied defenses are near zero. The brain going nuts and wild was expected and his heart should react too in a rapid heartbeat but that just stopped. Instead, it was a calm pulse with confidence. Not a uniform reaction, leaving his mind the sole panic of the event. Subsequently, he sensed Adalberht coming down flying right above and one head jerk upwards; there he was coming down like a rocket with another move he was about to perform. Julius was angry while mentally fearful of the upcoming misery. The dead white eyes from Adalberht were intimidating as they flashed when he reached down only tens of feet apart. He gripped the metallic silver shaft and swirled overhead. -- 1065 mi/hr. 86,000 ft -- Damn you! Julius grunted, flinching his eyes. Swoosh! He opened his eyes expecting to be back on the ground. Grhh! Adalberht yelled; the first time he broke out of silence. What happened?! Hu wondered. < We are saved! > Licht replied. << By whom? >> Julius asked, partially turning around. No way. Solomon! Where the hell have you been?! Solomon yelled from a mile away, descending down along with Julius. A part of his face was blocked by the flashing light of his qi. What followed was a quick spew of a fly, striking Adalberhts qi strangle, shattering it apart revealing the formerly individual strands of strings. Solomon dashed right next to Julius, summoning his sledgehammer and crashing him down to the ground. Julius, finally free from the strangling, exerted his energy back up, bringing back the dark qi. He slowed himself down and was able to land safely while destroying a piece of the ground. Mud, water, and various wildlife that depended on the swamp ecosystem were splashed away. The shallow crater generated from Juliuss landing brought the heat and dried up the premise, leaving the mud to stack up on the non-affected swamp. Where the hell have you been?! Solomon asked again, standing outside of the crater likely watching Adalberhts next move. He joined the fight uninvited, which nothing Julius could counter. As long as they dont win, that is what matters. Has it been two weeks? Julius asked, wiping his hair back from the mess. His mouthpiece opened and dried his mouth before hiking up to the edge of the crater, reuniting with Solomon. Because it was only a few hours in there. Solomon, to his right, turned partially right back at him. Another time distortion? Julius grimaced with the mouthpiece closing up. Your face. Who did this to you? Solomon gazed shifted to his right, directing right at Adalberht. What makes you think you can beat him? You really have changed, Julius muttered, pausing for a moment. He caught on his stare. It was him, was he? Those wounds are fairly recent, at least a day. How long was the war on the swamp? Five days. About to be six. Adalberht was hard to beat. Hell, he even took out Empress Cai. Did you know that?! Julius nodded. I did. I gave her a tourniquet. That stopped the bleeding, he said, holding up his empty left hand, filled with dark qi. So, what makes you think you can beat him? We have to work together. Me beating him alone will be a suicide as I found out his ability to strangle me in place. You can prevent that from happening. While I received dark energy that appeared to counter his power of lightThirty-two percent of his health went down before he pulled that move. Solomon hummed briefly while turning back to Adalberht who was getting back up after crashing to the ground. He also has regeneration. -- Adalberht the Bright Giant HP: 68% 85% -- We have to keep him fairly on foot as much as possible, leaving no barrier for him to fly off in escape, Solomon continued, restructuring his sledgehammer in a blink. He directed the hammer right up close to Julius. Maybe if we both have a trace of the dark qi, it could end quicker. And hurry, pass it over. He is about to rise up and attack at any moment. Juliuss left hand gripped tightly on the hammer, creating a flow of his dark qi right on the hammers surface. Once he let go, Solomons right wrist and arm flexed upon letting go. He muttered that it was much heavier. Heavier than an entire anvil, and Solomon wanted to question it but held it back, gulping it down his throat. Rumble! Adalberht rose up mighty with all the God Rays flashing from above, illuminating behind him. It brightened the area momentarily. Julius struck it off, bringing the gloomy and dark weather back to the moment, initiating the second phase of the battle. Clash! Juliuss eyes glowed gold from the reflection of the metallic spear and the greatsword in a clash. Watch out! Solomon yelled and launched the sledgehammer that smacked Adalberht hard, putting him in a trance. Furthermore, he swung it like a bat that struck the spearhead. It cracked like a drought, leaving it vulnerable. He saved him in a nick of time as Adalberht had something behind his sleeves that Julius couldnt see. In reaction, Julius went underneath the giant, rolling through between the legs. Subsequently, he went for an upward swing diagonally that struck the back, piercing through the armor from the tip of the blade. -- Adalberht the Bright Giant HP: 85% 79% -- The circumference of qi appeared out of nowhere when Julius noticed a vacuum of pressure directing towards a one-kneed Adalberht at the center. When the latters head brightened, Julius took it as danger and ran up on him like a wall and used leverage to leap up in the air, thrusting his speed right at Solomon, taking him away from the zone. Both crashed down to a bare spot, rolling face down. A loud rumbling that shook the floor the following. That was a close one. Julius lifted his head to find a pyramid-shaped beam shooting upwards with Adalberht being the central structural support as a manifestation of the pyramid tower building up. He saw Solomon getting up, regaining his composure. His face looked rough and irritated to the core. The burnt scars arent helping a bit, making him look freakier and hollower. Now! Julius yelled, running right at the spot and deploying an aggressive slash. Solomon followed up with a slam right on the top pinnacle. That was where the abundance of bright qi was attracted to. The striking slam sounded like the forging of the blade. Constant ringing from the steel in reaction to the sledgehammer. Solomon continued slamming like there was no tomorrow until there was a crack, and the two backed away. While in the air, Juliuss esophagus began to heat up. Quickly, he temporarily let Licht hang on his back, using the hilt as the placeholder. This is going to hurt, looking at your body statistics, Hu said in concern. If it is effective, so be it, Julius replied. His focus went into a targeting mode as his eyes twitched and became a radar focusing on the distorted enemy. The peripherals could see a change of light underneath as his mouth filled up, forcing the mouthpiece to open and bringing the flashlight generated from inside. Julius directed his head until it could calibrate at the specific point. Perfect. Julius kept his head still with his eyes capturing the progressive decomposition of the bright qi pyramid paradox. Right underneath the spot where Solomon was when striking down his sledgehammer was Adalberhts head, glancing down. This is for Empress Cai and Solomon. Warg! Boom! Julius blasted a humongous beam of black and blue; subsequently, he felt a force that signaled back to his mouth. In a couple of seconds, the beam ceased revealing the damaged pyramid with the top shattered and exposed. Thats it? Whys nothing Boom! Shatter! In a blink of light, an explosion beyond the size of the pyramid was released into the sky, sending a transforming dome of smoke with it. A ring of shockwaves developed at the speed of a sports car, reaching Julius and Solomon that blasted them away for a few miles. The two crashed to the floor but swiftly regained their position and observed the scenery where the blackness continued the theme of the dark world at the swamps. Theres no more water escaping the sky. Only gusts of heat. Dangerous enough to burn the skin amid being the night. A shield was involuntarily summoned from his body using the dark qi. The shield centered with Juliuss point of view in a similar fashion to Celestes barrier, surrounding and encircling the individual. Dust, dirt, and bits from the swamp could be seen colliding with it when the remnants of the blast reached along the path. He continued to watch while not seeing Solomon anywhere nearby. Where the hell is he? Julius wondered. In the meantime, the explosion along with the clouds started to dissipate, and no more shape of the mushroom cloud came from the dome. Everything disintegrated within a hands worth of minutes quicker than the prior blast in the air. -- Adalberht the Bright Giant HP: 79% 1% -- Oh! Come on, man! He ranted, forcing the shield open and dashing right back to the spot. Surprised to find Solomon already at the spot, waiting for anything to happen as Adalberhts silhouette was still visible within the remnants of the smoke. As it clears, the silhouette has shortened like losing height. The towering individual that Julius could slide underneath only to reveal Adalberht to be even shorter than himself. Julius and Solomon slowly walked up to the site, concurrently pressing their thighs and legs to increase their weight. More steps and Julius stopped, gesturing Solomon to the same. Slump! The opponent collapsed onto its knees with eyes staring directly at the sky. Bloody red and white liquid water fell from his mouth. Not for long, more came out sprinkling from the scorched abrasions, eyes, and nasal linings. A brutal sendoff ended with a heavy slam, cracking the spine after crashing to the floor. -- Adalberht the Bright Giant HP: 1% 0% -- < Do you feel that? > Licht asked. << Of course, a relic, isnt it? >> Julius telepathically replied, lowering his arm before walking right up next to Adalberht. His metallic spear lay adjacent to his dead body. However, only the metallic shaft remained. Solomon wiped out the entire arrowhead with no hesitation. He was really angry, angry. As he went down grabbing the shaft, a jolt went up his arm, and dropped it. << Is that the feeling >> Yes. You finally got it. And get that in our hands before some random enemy grabs it from our hold, Hu said. Julius grabbed it again at ease, giving a little swirl of the shaft. Very sturdy. His hand articulated for it to rotate, bringing a vibrant echo and soundwaves flowed out around the vicinity. Incredible relic. He stopped, feeling the grip once more and confirmed it as a relic and must be protected until he can find somebody to wield it. Already Julius has one in mind. Before leaving, he fired a qi blast from his palm, triggering a blaze of blue flames that enveloped Adalberhts body. He walked away as the flames decomposed it, reuniting with Solomon. Finally, its over, Solomon muttered. He then tilted his body and looked at the metal shaft that Julius was wielding. Is that another relic? Yeah, from him. It feels more like a vibration upon first contact. Which is interesting as if it is a different weapon after you decimated the arrowhead. Solomon nodded, satisfied from viewing it and lifting his upper body back up. He was about to do it again. The dark qi you lent was an insane upgrade for that battle. Decimating it at the first shot wasnt how it went the first time I fought him. Thanks for saving me from getting strangled. Otherwise, I would explode again. Solomon grimaced, lifting his index finger. Good thing you told me that because I sense your difference in power was much more than ever before. And that dark qi of yours is powerfully questionable. We have to be careful more often. Julius shook his head, disagreeing with the act of consistent carefulness. I dont believe so confidently. Being more careful can be too redundant. How much can we possibly go before all hell breaks loose? Chains shattered. The war has already begun...Majority of Longyue was decimated to ashes. Which Ive only realized there wasnt enough defense at all to protect the capital. And yall are out in the swamps to fend off against the enemy. At this point, we have nothing to lose. So, whats your plan? Solomon asked, eager to hear Juliuss idea. Every citizen that is alive shall be trained. If we need manpower, all of us need to train. We could refine our potential with anything that existed in civilization, but without some form of qi training, it is a dangerous loss. Alright. I get the picture. We should talk more when the rest of the battle finishes. Julius nodded, and the two flew off at the direction back to the ongoing battlefield as the clouds started to disperse, bringing the moonlight back to the ground. -- Mission Completed (3): Confront the two Heavenly Dragon () Stay on the path. (620 miles) Fight Adalberht the Bright Giant. Ongoing Mission (1): End the Rain Swamp War (ս ) -- Interlude One - The Doctor (1) Colemond Earth Can you read this? The doctor nodded. Yeah, I can. Nothing blurry. She handed back to her co-doctor the tablet. "Annia, your brain in the MRI Scan revealed a heavy trauma on your cerebellum, where it was the most damaged. And the extensive damage reached up to your parietal lobe. Normally, any patient with such a percentage of brain damage would be significantly less mobile and suffer a lot of disabilities, not live as long despite having additional care. However, for you, it is a miracle. The entire team can''t comprehend the lack of disruption to your brain activity, according to the EEG...Are you comprehending all of this?" Annia nodded again. "I was perplexed when I first received the news of the extensive injuries I suffered. The entire medical team is increasingly interested in this case, so I recommend keeping this private from the public and beyond the medical staff, respectively." The co-doctor pulled out an empty sheet of paper and wrote down what Dr. Annia ordered. "A repeat question. What do you remember before the check-up?" he asked. A little hazy. A dull pain. Can still talk. "A massive headache. But I can still communicate. Daniel and a few others that were with him are there." The co-doctor nodded, finishing writing the last sentence. He suggested she take paid leave, as the hospital will remain operational and active amid her temporary absence. Annia was reluctant since she was used to going to work six days a week for years. "Give me a moment," Annia muttered, taking her phone out. She received a few message notifications. "Daughter" appeared in all three. Opening the app and clicking it revealed a few distressed messages. "Mother; if you are okay, please respond!" 50 minutes ago. "I''m coming to the hospital now!" 23 minutes ago. "Please respond!" 21 minutes ago. Annia sighed, placing her phone on the table. "Have you made your decision?" the co-doctor asked. Annia shrugged, unsure of herself, as she was still competent to continue her duties. "This is difficult. One side wanted me to continue while the other insisted on being with my daughter." "I recommend the latter. Seriously, take your time off. Maybe this way, you could recover much quicker while making time with your daughter." Annia took a few more moments until she finally nodded, agreeing to the temporary paid leave of twelve thousand dollars a week at notice. Following a couple more official documents to be reviewed before she stood up, took her leave, and wished her co-doctor well. She opened the door, exiting the office, and slowly closed it from the outside until she clicked through the latch. With no one in sight in the hallway, she heaved a sigh of relief while strolling through, heading to the elevator. Clicking the elevator button, the ding sound rang, followed by the immediate opening of the door. "Jesus!" Annia blurted. "Mother! You didn''t respond to my messages!" Her daughter said in distress. "Sorry, I was doing some final papers. I''m taking temporary paid leave." Her daughter, sitting in her wheelchair, reacted like it was good news. "For how long?" Annia turned to her as the elevator door closed, descending from the fifteenth floor. "I don''t know, Gretel. But, since the hospital is doing well for the fiscal year, I could take off for the rest of the year." "We have a lot of catching up to do," Gretel muttered, drinking a flask''s worth of water. Annia took out her handkerchief, wiping the sweat off Gretel''s forehead. It''s been a while since she had paid attention to her daughter, only to find out how toned she is. Her arm was so solid as a boulder to where her jacket sleeves were tightened smoothly. I knew she went to the gym every other day, but good god I need to get back to weightlifting. Gretel grabbed the handkerchief. "I''m okay, but thanks though," she responded, wiping the rest of her face and pouring a little of the water from her flask over her head. "...did a two-hour workout before receiving the news you were in trouble, so I had to drive all the way here...wait. What happened to your head?" Annia gently touched her forehead, covered in bandages. "I fell," she said, without explaining it further. "Are you hiding something from me?" Gretel said in a low tone. Christ, should I tell her? Annia''s mind became conflicted because of the incident when treating Elaine. Daniel was somebody the two knew very well, in fact maybe more to Gretel. Not wanting a poor impression, she took the risk.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. "Daniel was here hours ago," Annia muttered. Ding! Gretel grabbed both of her wheels, rolling out of the elevator and waiting for her mother. The two walked out to the parking garage. "Did you two reconcile?" "Didn''t get the time to. It was an emergency. Do you remember Mother Elaine? She was here too with a near-torn arm." "Oh, man! My missed opportunity for a reunion," Gretel ranted. "When will we ever meet them again?" she asked so eagerly. Annia could only shrug, unsure of it, and only mentioned that they left a few hours ago, causing Gretel to question as it sounded odd for Mother Elaine to have her discharged when her arm was nearly decapitated from her body. Annia knows Gretel ain''t gullible and has an attentive personality, so that was no surprise for her to recognize that. In the end, before the two had to diverge to their vehicles, Annia told her the conversation would continue at home. Gretel then responded that their maid had arrived home as Gretel left the gym, and she was making dinner. The two diverged at the intersection within the parking garage. Coincidently, their vehicles are only a walk''s distance away. Annia headed into her customed deep royal blue Silverado 2500, climbing up on the sidebar. She then sat inside, watching her daughter climb into her maroon Camaro. Almost eight years. Man. Annia wiped her little dripping tears from her eyes, feeling sentimental and recalling earlier memories of hours ago.
Gretel and her twins experienced a catastrophic event that Annia had suppressed with a mask to never recall again. Being away from her career until her health recovered and reuniting with Gretel''s life broke the mask, causing Annia to experience a sorrowful episode. Gretel, being strong-willed, disconnected from her two legs that day. Her younger twin brother unfortunately sent his farewell, despite her best efforts to protect him. She was alone other than her overworked single mother being by her side. Being both a doctor and a professor, one of her students came into her personal life and sacrificed their free time to be the father figure for Gretel. The intellect, life lessons, and experiences he went through were passed down to her. It saved her and Annia''s livelihood at the cost of putting him in agony. He removed every contact with them after feeling he raised Gretel into a capable and independent character of her own. By then was also his university graduation. He entered the military and ceased all his social circles within the class Annia taught. It was only today, while doing patient work at her counter office for Rebecca, that the two men who dressed uniquely differently met her carrying Katanas and came to the counter asking the clerk for Liam. She stopped and, more observantly, rolled to her seat next to the clerk. "Who do we get?" Annia asked. The lady clerk opened the tab on her computer, pointing to it. "Liam." "Oh, Liam. He has just finished his surgery. Give us a moment," Annia said. The bearded man silently thanked the two and strolled back to the lounge right across. "How''s the situation with Rebecca?" The clerk asked, viewing her doing the last pages. Annia signed her signature at the bottom of the stapled document before putting it in a spare tab file folder. "She''s going to get discharged tomorrow. Her left arm is still in absolute pain. The pharmacy will" "Rebecca?" The bearded man said in a shocking tone, returning to the counter. He glared at the front page of the stapled documents, seeing the picture. "Can I see her then?" The clerk nodded, mentioning the room number. Annia asked her for the man''s identification as she was also a close friend of Rebecca and Helda, who was with her when arriving at the hospital. "You know him, right?" she muttered. "You mentioned to us about him before. He was here like a student many years ago." Annia''s eyes widened. Subsequently, she looked at the bearded man and the picture simultaneously. That''s not him. They don''t look alike. She turned to the lady clerk and followed with a denying head gesture. The clerk nodded and brought up the bearded man''s voice. "Do I know you?" the bearded man asked. "You don''t remember the medical society nine years ago?! Me, you, and fifteen other students in one organization at the University of Colemond," Annia exclaimed, leaping from her seat. The bearded man turned to the side and leaned at the counter while his attention kept on pace with Annia. He raised his finger with one comment, followed by a slight tension in his eyebrows. "I can''t believe you did that. A forgotten memory that I wanted to get rid of has returned, filling everything in my head...Damn it, Doctor Valor, but never mind that. Where''s Rebecca''s room?" Annia walked off from behind the counter with the file folder, and the bearded man and his friend, she assumed, trailed behind her. It is him. Why is this happening to me? Her mind felt pain and throttle that reached the end of her spine, causing her skin to feel like bees stung her all across. She silently breathed to ease all the stress inhibitors within her body until reaching Rebecca''s door was when it all unexplainably settled, and the environment felt a lot more comfortable.
The recall was rapid, similar to watching a lengthy video at multiple times the speed. After entering the room, her recollection went blank until she had to run with Daniel and Xavier to treat Mother Elaine. It all went black after she saw a glimpse of yellow light gusting from the operating room''s watching compartment. She wiped her eyes again, regretting not being able to apologize to Daniel on the spot before the Mother Elaine situation. Gretel wanted to reunite with Daniel again and to get along with him again in the aspect of friendship rather than being estranged. Since she failed to apologize, that would internally tumble her until the next time. Once Annia calmed down, Gretel''s Camaro headlights turned on, followed by an engine rev. She saw her from across and gave a waving gesture, signaling to go. Annia turned on her Silverado, drove off from her parking lot, and tagged behind Gretel. The two exited the hospital''s premises and headed to the highway, driving back home. How did I survive? The one question that lingered. No sadness, only curiosity. Maybe a miracle, or was it something more concrete that she might have missed? Before entering her gated neighborhood, Annia felt a tingling sensation around her fingerprints and nails. Electrocuted or zapped was one way to describe it. She aggressively scratched the rims of the steering wheel and gripped hard from the edge of her fingernails while driving the last few hundred meters to reach the neighborhood''s gate. When Gretel turned right and passed through the checkpoint, Annia hurriedly pulled the gear stick to the park. Her entire hand trembled beyond her control while pulling out her card from her wallet. Gosh damn it, I need you to stop shaking! Her left hand gripped the card, but the tremors set her arm into a near-vibrating gridlock. Move! Annia''s mind grew annoyed. For God''s sake, move! Getting berated, she used her strength and punched her left arm, putting her hand right on the scanner, and opening the gate. The tremor abruptly stopped with her arms suddenly relaxing, regaining voluntary movement. What the hell? The only reaction came through her mind. She noticed the machine was destroyed and static while pulling her hand in. The heck. Afterward, Annia glared down at her left knuckle, coming across it to be charred. Looking around to see if there were any witnesses before punching the gas pedal and entering inside. Chapter 35 A hundred and thirty. Julius headcounted how many bodies he annihilated as the whole Rain Swamp War took a shift. Maybe the motivation for his and Solomons victory toward the Adalberht had changed the attitude of the soldiers, bringing more efficient results. Upon recognizing that during the final chapters, Julius was not only disappointed but piqued at the sudden change. While focusing on leading the onslaught, his multitasking at work was processing the future of management. Without one, he for sure certain no answers about him would progress and come to a complete halt. The two hated dragons, to Juliuss surprise, did their duty and assisted in wiping half of the percentage of enemy soldiers on the line. Because of that, Julius did not dismiss them and eventually sent them off once the results were satisfied. Move out of the way! Julius yelled, throwing his greatsword into a frisbee. While letting it revolve around at eminent power, he went maniac and grappled with one of the armored soldiers as his meat shield. He pressured his thighs and went on in an offensive tactic, tackling everyone in sight. The one unfortunate soldier who was being used didnt die immediately until around the tenth, when Julius killed him from the inside, using dark qi to purge everything from within. The act left no blood on his penetrating right hand. His mouthpiece closed up in reaction and once everything dried up, he began dashing right into the crowded clusters. The kill count went above the average per minute. The entire part of the swamp turned into raspberry juice, smelling pungent and dreadful. It was nose-damaging, but had to endure the splashes from the footwork to keep up with the battle. Julius, stop! Solomon commanded. What now?! Julius said, leveling down his shield. The war is over. Renos admitted defeat and surrendered. Take that corpse shield off your damn hand, for Yinhais sakes. Julius grimaced, followed by a grunting huff. Darn it, you saying we have to care for these war criminals?! There are trials to be made. Trials?! At this time?! What are the rules here in war?! Julius demanded an answer. Solomon raised his hand to his shoulder, realizing Julius was not pleased. Dont blame me. All of us received the protocol. One of them was that the winner of battle should take the enemy as prisoner as much as possible. What a damn waste of resources. We should only take the ones who we find to be innocent and only join for the sake of fear or any ailment rather than the desire to kill us with no strings attached, Julius suggested. Now that is a difficult and multi-step process. We have to Julius angrily walked off, ordering Solomon to follow. Enough! I dont have time for debates. We either save the dynasty or let it fall because we allow our enemies into our wrecked capital! And dont think dragging them all at least two thousand shl () back. He cut off any potential counter or rebuttal, heading back to the solid ground. Over there across, the black spherical qi dispersed once Julius stepped foot close to it. Daiyu, in a crisscross, opened her eyes again in relief as everything had calmed down, prompting her to get up from the ground. Empress Cai, adjacent to her, appeared to be weakened but in good spirits. Daiyu had to support her. Julius dashed right next to Empress Cai, holding to her left. Can you walk? he asked. I think so, Empress Cai mumbled. She gestured to him and Daiyu to let go as she slowly nudged her foot. He watched her movement. If she attempts to cross over the solid ground, he will prevent her from doing so. I have to get yall back one way or the other, Julius muttered before hearing flying footsteps arriving. Perfect timing. Break! Shatter! A metal bat. Julius saw the bat break in half, revealing the fractured metal alloy spitting remnants of blue qi. Like a textbook, he immediately recognized it. Victoria. He mentally muttered her name. One more turn to find her standing there with a little grumpy face. Where the hell have you been? Victoria yelled like a younger sister, screeching while holding her tears back. The sudden emotional change was not on Juliuss trail of thought. She was really crying out, dismissing the silent and quiet character that he had known since the first interaction. Julius looked at the metallic shaft before handing it to her. Hovering it right in front of her face stopped Victorias crying. From the look of the fractured bat, it cant be reformed. Solomon shook his head, mentioning no more of it. Elefantstahls supply in West Cai Dynasty was shockingly low. Their resources differ completely from Kriegshan, as Elefantstahls equivalent might be impossible to mimic. Solomon could continue what he usually does, but the inaccuracies are significantly high. Hearing it briefly initiated Julius further to pass on the metallic shaft to Victoria. Us alone, youll be the third person to wield a relic. And as for the victory of the Rain Swamp War, you could be the reminder of it, Julius said, gesturing it more assertively. Victoria, hesitant and trembling from her outburst, held her hand out before grabbing the metallic shaft. Her arm flexed upon the longer she wielded it for the first time. She directed the metal shaft to the floor like a cane, refusing to let her grip go until it adapted. Created pressuring waves pushed from the metal shaft that came out from the sight of her grip. Almost like turning up the volume of the speaker as it was loud and clear into Juliuss eardrums. He maintained composure when his eyes were focused on the adapting phenomenon. Victoria progressively returned to her quiet and stoic self. The tears evaporated from her eyes, and the rain clouds dispersed, revealing the massive moonlight illuminating the event. Sizz! The burnt smell was almost like a steak on the grill. The first stage was pretty nice and immediately turned pungent, so Julius had to walk away from it, dispersing his qi to deter it. He sensed Victorias qi had merged with the metallic shaft and witnessed her lifting up at ease up to her shoulders, confirming the adaptation had succeeded. -- Mission Completed (4): Confront the two Heavenly Dragon () Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Stay on the path. (620 miles) Fight Adalberht the Bright Giant. End the Rain Swamp War (ս) Rewards: $4567 $6103 Thalers General Class (LV.2) Meter: [24%] [30%] Swordsman Class (LV.2) Meter: [59%] [98%] Cultivation Rank 7 Meter: [0%] [34%] -- Ill be damned. Finally. Julius drank a bottle of water, giving a couple more bottles for others to hydrate. We are flying back. What about the soldiers? Solomon asked, mentioning the remaining who were alive. Julius strolled to the edge of the solid ground, viewing the swamp. Skoltor counted to be barely twenty. He then turned to him, questioning their capability. How did they get here? As a matter of fact, how did yall get here in the first place? We flew, Solomon replied. Then Im certain they can too, right? Or did they go on the usual horseback? Solomon nodded, meaning all who survived were capable of a lengthy flight. That partially lifted the weight off Juliuss shoulders, and in response, he turned away, heading to Empress Cai and Daiyu. Its time. We have to go now. If they can fly, I trust they will follow along. Boom! He lifted Daiyu and Empress Cai up into the air and took the route back, heading straight towards Longyue. Despite not living here long enough and reviewing the map, he recognized the air like driving around the streets in Colemond. Photographic memory to the advantage and finally has some use. -- 7672.69 mi/hr. -- Boom! A record achieved as Julius broke into the Mach ten record in a flash. For maintaining a constant rate of speed, this was an impressive record, along with lifting two cultivators each in his grip, adding the pressure and drag. Empress Cai suddenly dropped in her qi, which Julius and Daiyu both simultaneously reacted in disbelief. My lady?! Daiyu gripped her arm before she slumped down. No, Julius muttered anxiously, turning to Daiyu. You think you can hold against the speed? he asked. Yes? What are you thinking? Julius bit his lip. Im going to raise it, so hang tight. Swoosh! His qi overwhelmed his entire feet before bursting like switching on the rocket boosters before liftoff. The sound of blazes soundproofing the air surroundings was convenient, and, in a few seconds, a forceful push launched him right off, pushing beyond his record-boosting speed. -- 647 miles traveled. -- Less than a minute he arrived back at Longyues capital territory, appearing from up in the air quieter and less orange. From the exact spot he left and now returned, the complex and the palace survived and remained intact for most of it. Unfortunately, the Department of Staff building had collapsed. Julius descended into the complex, passing by the tower, and landed on the roof of the main hall. He let Daiyu go, and she stretched her legs swiftly before turning to Empress Cai, who was on the brink of a health crisis. Carefully, Julius let Empress Cai go into Daiyus hands and arms. Empress Cai instinctively wrapped her arms around Daiyus shoulders while eyes closed. Julius hoped it aint a disease or anything life-threatening. Daiyu, with her right arm around Empress Cais waist and holding her, turned to Julius. She lifted her left, summoning a scroll that appeared exactly as the clone given to him a couple of hours ago. Her eyes were on his hands unrolling the scroll, and he read each line from the top to bottom. Is she serious? A risky decision, to be frank. Julius reacted with a deep breath, doesnt even need to reread the scroll. Are you certain this is the right call? Other than an indescribable growth rate of yours on the battlefield and as long you dont leave unexpectedly like what happened two weeks ago for us, Im confident that this is the right call. HmmIm grateful for your reflection. In that case, Julius muttered while hovering his hand over the bottom of the scroll. He flicked his fingernail from his thumb over the surface of his index finger, letting blue blood leak out. Not for long. He would pinch until it was a couple of inks'' worth of drops, creating a teeny puddle. Writing out with the same finger, Julius wrote his entire name in characters.
Upon reading this scroll, the individual has been chosen to immediately hold the office containing all authority of the Imperial Majesty and ruling of its sovereignty. The Imperial Majesty is expected to preserve the unity and the states health until its dying breath. Receiving the position has rarely occurred in history and comes with a prime responsibility, especially for a non-royal proclaiming the role. Below are listed the decrees the preceding Imperial Majesty has written: Section 1 The next wielder of the throne shall be revealed to the secrets of the sacred relics that established the West Cai Dynasty. They shall be honored to keep the secrecy for the stability of the nation. Any wrongdoing that leads it into the enemys hands shall bring instability and potential collapse of the state and the unity of the people. Section 2 A personal note to you, Julius. I might have known you for at least two weeks, while you only recognized us for less than a day. I am sure Daiyu has gained the newfound confidence of you from the Rain Swamp War, and my trust in her was rarely mistaken. Today was the seal for me to put my trust in you. If I dont last, bring me to the ancestral sites at the High Cai Plateau (̸߲ԭ). If I survive, I hope you can still continue to be my disciple. Section 3 My second and final personal note to you, Julius. You might have become aware of the situation with how my relations with officials have brought some level of uncooperativeness and tension. That moment where we killed the closed-minded officials was one of the initiations of another war. The Rain Swamp War was only the beginning and our first victory after the horrific defeats of the past week. We might have won, but that would bring the attention of neighboring countries, domestic sects and houses, and the common people. It might be a lot to ask, but a suggestion is to try to reach their hearts and bring any doubters and enemies to our side peacefully. As a closure, I wish you the best in ruling this great Motherland the gods of Yinhai had gifted us. All our ancestors will be watching your progress. Your Imperial Majesty, Empress Cai Mei. Ůʲ Julius ˹
Thank you, Julius said to both Daiyu and Empress Cai. Im honored. Daiyu nodded before leaping away into the distance as Julius watched her away. As the pleasant winds returned a breeze of cold air, he turned around and viewed the rest of Longyue, formerly a beautiful skyline accompanied by the greenery landscape and the blue water, now virtually ground zero. For the rest of the night, he stood by and viewed the scenery with the moonlight, taking a breather and stress relief before committing to his new role. Chapter 36.I Thump. Thump. Julius ran smoothly along the stairs. He put on a new dragon-vinyl overcoat over his shoulders that he requested Solomon to make. The entire overcoat was black, but the vinyl was a shade of black. However, it was visible to separate itself from the primary color. The shoulders were thin plated with an Elefantstahl equivalent, which has no name because of being entirely new. Solomon developed it from the spot with the only materials available. He was unexpectedly an excellent tailor. He doesn''t outright admit it, keeping the skill quiet. Multidisciplinary at its finest. That is some insight, as Julius considered himself as one too. Maybe in that regard, he had something worth the time to add in. His new residence was in conjunction with the bridge leading to the tower and the main palace. The general room was originally the resting place and was empty and reconstructed into Empress Cais permanent place. It was across the hallway, opposite Juliuss room. The entire first floor was as big as his prior house back in Colemond. There were fewer dividers or walls as the most used space was libraries, the kitchen, and the dining room. What was remaining was a gathering living space that connected in a relative location to the entrance of the residence. Walking down the stairs as the sun slowly rises on the horizon through one of the upper windows, Julius prepares for the upcoming guests at any moment now. He ran aggressively into the kitchen, setting up the ceramic cups on the coffee table directed at the center of the couch set. Even though the transition process has been temporarily halted, the entire residence was still stocked with all the necessities. It was when Julius opened one of the cabinets in the kitchen, revealing the full inventory of alcoholic drinks in fresh containers and ceramic bottles. What a surprise, I didnt know she was a drinker. Along the entire cabinet, most are baijiu and a few distilleries. He took two bottles of baijiu and placed them on each side of the table, one facing the other. Knock! He heard the door knock from the entrance. Julius used minor telekinesis with his qi, opening the door from afar. A gathering was waiting patiently outside, seeing the door open. He called them in, followed by a wave. Gesturing to the living spaces, they all went to sit down. Six individuals came. All wore battlefield outfits with black coats over their shielded torsos. Similar to Juliuss, each has their own vinyl respect for mythological creatures or animals that define them and potentially their roles. A few familiar faces with new ones sitting on the couch. Then Daiyu dashed through the door, appearing next to the table and serving the drinks before Julius could utter a word. So, he sat down in his chair, facing right at the three, who were sitting on the couch. Lets get started. I hope we all can understand the quick adjustments based on the ongoing situation. And it might break some precedents that have been set before me. As long as we all can understand that, I appreciate it, he stated, turning his attention to the first of the two lady twins, who were sitting on the further left. Feng, I heard the House of Kang is further embracing their support to me, partially because of the victory, and expressed collaboration to bring this dynasty back together. I accepted the final decision sincerely. Feng was around average height, fairly brunette with long hair down past her shoulders, and a resting serious face that could be misinterpreted if she was in a bad mood. If he recalled from brief information, she was the oldest, and a brief glance to the right was where her younger sister, Ying, sat. Her display of appeal was entirely the opposite. Calmer, relaxed, and friendlier by body language, but very attentive. Feng held the ceramic cup with both of the palms of her hands, taking a sip of the baijiu. You really are different, seeing you in person. Other than my younger sister and my parents, the whole associates and other members of the family tried to dissuade us from proceeding with this meeting or even accepting your appointment for me and Ying to be in your cabinet. Your first impressions relieved my concerns.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. I appreciate the compliments. I chose all of you as my cabinet members because I have received all the records and decided pretty quickly according to your histories and services while under Empress Cais rule. A couple of you have been around since her father, but we dont talk about himAnyway, its nice to meet you all, and I anticipate our work relations will strengthen throughout until the end. To start off, how much of Longyue has been decimated from the raid attacks? Around five hundred thousand civilians at a minimum, Solomon replied. He sat on the armchair across from the couch at Julius''s direct right. Once more reports are carefully read, it should be significantly higher than most of the capitals working districts are destroyed. Motherfucker! Julius rubbed his head before resting it on his right hand. That leaves our complex and potentially nearest districts around here surviving? Very likely, Yin responded, taking her first sip of baijiu. House of Kang was lucky to survive the blitz. In particular, we have a couple of cultivators at our side. What about the other sects residing in the capital? Yin shrugged. Others have no answer either. Three sects and two-family houses, including the House of Kang, are spread out throughout the capital. The five have control of various parts of the city, acting like a local government of the region they claim. In that structure, they would report to the palace on variant issues and desires they proclaimed each week or month. It was more of a free-for-all during Empress Cai fathers reign. When she took over, she attempted a change for more accountability. Being in the aspects of West Cai Dynastys politics, the massive corruption as shown through the old male officials during that day when Julius killed them was only the moment needed to break the lock. Now with the attack of the capital, assumingly they were destroyed or in hiding. Julius brought up one of his first acts as the emperor was to carry out an investigation to find all of them. Any evidence or, if anybody survived, gather all of it to the capital. It doesnt make sense if they were completely demolished, as the House of Kang survived with only a few cultivators on duty, protecting their property. On the map that Ying brought out on the table, they revealed they were landlocked at the center by the other four. In retrospect, the palace complex on a high plateau was right in the north, near the edge of the paper. Looking south were many districts filling the geopolitical map of Longyue. The five controlling regions were color-coded. House of Kang is insignificant compared to the other four. Following the color of silver, Julius scanned the map, leaning forward. A city this large...how can they fuck up this horrendously? Something doesn''t add up with having five ruling groups and leaving only one. I dont believe that at all, Julius commented with a sense of denial. He doesnt buy the picture where they had all this land, and the general overview of the four groups all shared the higher enrollment and enlistment. Added to all that together, Longyue shouldnt have been decimated. Where was everybody during this time of protection? Solomon, rubbing his chin, brought up the theory. This might sound silly, but since I was at the Rain Swamp War from the beginning; what if those soldiers are in uniformed clothing where we cant depict who they are? With the possible poor management, they deployed most of their arsenal here, leaving the capital exposed he paused, turning to one of the Kang twin sisters and bringing up a question. Did the House of Kang deploy any of their units down to the swamps? I Feng interrupted Yang with her arm out, insisting she should talk about this one. At most it was half. My father, being the head leader, announced on the day he would only go up to the half limit at the anger of his associates and other members of the family. He refused, knowing that would be suicide. And by the end of it, that refusal saved us as the result. Funny enough, the associates havent shown gratefulness for this matter, keeping it quiet. Yang followed up her statement while glaring an eye a little back at Feng, appearing not pleased at getting cut off before turning back to Julius. As I was sayingI was going to mention my father, but also what my sister forgot to mention was how much disaster the leadership was all around us. Broken, corrupted, and hell. Most people dont know that from the outside. Always thinking they are operating well. They lived all their lives, only to be killed by this raid. Julius leaned back in his seat, scooting down with his head lying on the back of the armchair. He took a moment to digest all the info as it was processing through the depths of his mind like a computer server gathering data, increasing the usage of the storage space. The entire meeting continued for the next half an hour as he got introduced to the other three individuals that he invited over. Chapter 36.II OK, thanks for our first-ever group meeting. The next time should be more detailed or, if any emergencies require it, Julius concluded, standing up from his armchair. He shook hands with them, getting their names as a tradition to get their names frequently on the first day to memorize it. Solomon handed him a note before departing his residence, leaving first. The Kang Twin sisters stood by watching the other three strolling out of the living area with their face down, not even a polite farewell. Julius turned to the Kang Twins, expecting an answer. It seems only Solomon and you two, right? Daiyu closed the doors, and the four sat back on the couch, each refilling their ceramic cups with more baijiu. You mean us four, Feng corrected, mentioning Daiyu. Right, then thats four. That could work. We dont need those worthless brats anymore. Julius, disappointed, didn''t anticipate the sudden refusal happening so early during the conclusion of the first meeting. In that regard, Solomon only left for personal reasons he had to fulfill that were specified in the note. He will return once it is completed. But it cant be said the same for the other two that departed the residence after him. They didnt believe in his method of rule and almost berated Julius for suggesting that. It was too rational or destructive. Julius recalled their words. He didnt take offense at their comments, as it was partially true. However, following this unfortunate confrontation, he decided to reduce any potential outliers and trivial debates, refusing any more ministers for his team. Additionally, the two specifically ranted while offering no rebuttal other than emotions. That was what mentally threw him off. The Twin Kang sisters maintained their support, further boasting about their commitment to rebuilding Longyue. They insisted on taking further action by taking the responsibilities of the vacancy. Daiyu took the military department, leaving the Department of state in a hang. At first, Julius was hesitant to give them more jobs as he had a goal of reducing heavy workload across the entire rule of government with the intent of testing efficiency. Despite the concerns, the two, with high-held confidence, urged giving it to him. He did, on one condition where they would be the first reported to him in advance if any situation desired his attention before any other issues in place. Julius took a sip of the baijiu from the ceramic cup, initiating a new meeting. Im starting to get sick of formal meetings. They are too long and can be disorientating, especially the formalities. Starting today, all our meetings will be professional but casual unless situations require different standards, he declared before taking another sip. So, I can go straight with itThe budget that was mentioned minutes ago, I recalled that the reserves were only at twenty percent at most, is that right? Daiyu placed down her ceramic cup. Shockingly, yes, it isI have Empress Cais last financial report, she said, pulling a stack of papers out of thin air as if taking out of a folder. Putting it on her lap, she glimpsed over and took four pages out of the stack and placed them on the table. The top line on the first page displayed the current amount. As for the rest of the charts, it is all the expenses. How long ago was this? Julius asked, not seeing the dates or day it was recorded. About a month ago, Daiyu replied. Julius grimaced upon seeing the amount spent in ratio to the remaining reserves. Good lord. That is millions of Thalers being wasted. He was mind-blown at the overly expenditures, and the lack of consistent revenue sources to maintain above the borderline. He let Skoltor record the data provided on the first page, and after reading it through, he handed it to Feng. Yang handed the last three pages in exchange, listing more behemoths of careless spending. If there had been no war, it would have been almost impossible to cancel all these debts and such malicious owing to the corruption that is feeding above Empress Cais shoulders, who was trying to deter and hunt it down. All four papers blatantly expressed deficits and debts all over the place from top to bottom with no surplus. To keep up, the taxes were high on the unfortunate workers. While the corrupt officials that he, her, and Daiyu killed paid nothing in return. This ongoing war was like a reset, crashing every worth of monetary value and technically putting everyone in an equal spot. Excluding our palace, how much material do we have for the rebuild? Do we have enough for at least one district? I dont think so. At most it is half if things go as planned and on time, Yang replied. She pointed at the map, intending to start from the closest to the palace complex before going outwards to the farther regions. Even in a compromise, I think we can only do half. And how many builders will that take for it to be possible? Include the approximated time to refill half the district. Julius asked, scratching his fingers. His mind began to grow weary of it as the optimism went short. Twenty is possible. Fifty is the safe zone within the three-day workload. Thats not bad. Pretty quick for a rebuild in a large city. So, are we going to rely on our builders, or do the whole five ruling groups each have their own groups of construction workers?If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. We have our own, Feng said, offering a thirty immediately to the recommended district. In exchange, I can offer a raised salary for the duration of the reconstruction in my account. All will be fed and have proper bedding to rest. Feng and Yangs eyes widened, appearing to be taken by the possibility of Julius having money. "Your own?! Of coursebut its paper money, not gold coins or any coins made of metal, Julius said, summoning a small handful of it after he exchanged a portion of the gold bars in his inventory into paper bills. I have got a couple hundred Thalers, sitting here. Its definitely worth more than a hundred gold coins. Surprised, Daiyu and the twin sisters observed the stash of paper bills, viewing the entire front and back. For their ease, it also has numbers imprinted on it in a large font. The whole stack was worth around two hundred, which was divided evenly into fifty as the three held one of each, leaving one remaining on the table. How much do you have? Daiyu asked. How many people live in Longyue? I need an estimate. Julius drank the entire remaining baijiu in his ceramic cup, finishing and calling it done for the day. Around three hundred thousand, Yang replied, placing the money bill down. Hmm. That could work. Julius calculated the value of one gold bar. Skoltor showed the maximum value below the info box. -- Tarnished Gold Bar (1/65) Monetary Value: ~$2,690,413.60 -- Not even the highest quality is worth that muchRaal, what an interesting world you are. Julius decided to take two tarnished gold bars, putting a whole cash stack on the floor with portions on the table. Feng jolted up in shock after witnessing a stash of paper money appear out of thin air, overtaking the parts of the table and the floor that flooded the entire rug. Are you kidding me?! she yelled, pointing her index finger at it. This cant be real! Theres no way someone can generate this much! You want more? Julius muttered. She swiftly waved both of her palms, urging him not to. Julius almost chuckled, as she was the most reactive compared to the other two, which he mentally noted. When she calmed herself down from the blend of shock and excitement, Julius continued. He announced that the entire stack is the foundation to reset the national economy. Since the purchasing power of the gold coins is significantly lower than the Thalers of his from the paper money, the recovery should be much quicker, too. He guaranteed the money today to the builders if they agreed to begin the reconstruction as soon as possible. The twin sisters stood from their seats and Julius gave them some cash for themselves. They were going to leave right away to tell the entire house and the potential builders. The three shook hands before leaving, as Julius and Daiyu watched them off before closing the door. Well, thats a start, he commented. Its somewhere, Daiyu replied while cleaning up the baijiu from the table. Julius took all the paper money at the scene, returning it back to his inventory, and assisted her with the ceramic cups.

36.2

Empress Cai evaded death, as told by Daiyu. She was experiencing a rare condition called hypoqi fatigue, with one cause being heavy injury, leading to a fluctuation in qi, putting the individual at a life-threatening complication. The chances of lethality were around eighty percent, taking the other twenty by luck. Julius was relieved when he heard the news, but was not allowed to see her at the moment. The only news he could rely on was from Daiyu, who also had proper medical experience, which gave her access to the visit. She wasnt the only one recently diagnosed from hypoqi fatigue as a couple others are facing the same dilemma but with worse results, with the least being in a critical condition. The hospital is across from the palace complex, a few blocks away from the main palaces entrance. And the entire street leading to the entrance is packed with concerned individuals and injured patients, clustering the doorways. A couple of cultivators had to go through the roof to enter inside. Which was how Daiyu did when taking Empress Cai into the emergency room. Julius also sent a couple thousand Thalers to reduce potential budget strains the hospital might experience in the distant future. It had been a couple of hours since the meeting had ended, and Julius was setting up his room. He got all his luggage opened out and organized around the given shelves and drawers available. It was a very open space with a section for the bathroom. The remaining had no walls, and the furniture made up the rest of the room. Once finished, he leaped with his back lying on the bed, staring into space. You were awfully busy, Hu said, already sounding bored. Its nostalgic, per se. It has been more than a year since going through that experience underground and now back to politics. I dont know if I can speak the same. I get tired from sitting around. No kidding, you put me in the darkness for a while. Being a tough boss yourself, inactivity does make you toasted, aint it? Hu sounded not fazed by his comment. She continued talking in a rugged voice that agonized Julius. Are you messing with me? No. Im not Hu muttered before ending with a whining noise. Oh, stop it. Yes, you are! Imnot. Well, whatever. He let her be, continuing to stare up at the screen. As he gazes, his eyes feel a little tired. The eyelids grew heavier every minute. Man, I havent even slept in a long while. I hate to admit it, but I''m missing it. Julius thought. The next minute, both of his eyelids descended, removing all light from view like a garage door closing down. Hello, sleep. It has been a while. Chapter 37 A one light power nap was all he needed as Julius awakened from his new mattress, followed by a knock on the door. He recognized the gusty qi flowing through it, reaching for his arm that tingled his spine. Come in, he called. The door gestured open with Daiyu standing with a couple of letter envelopes in her hand. After dealing with so many papers in his life, the one vibe returned to him from his days as the Chief of Operations, where it could mean bad or good news, usually the former. Julius took one deep breath as she walked further into the room, swiftly lifting her hand and passing on to his grip. From Feng. He peeled open the glued flap of the envelope, revealing a folded paper inside. Slowly lifting it out from the envelope in a couple of seconds felt like minutes as the jolt of stress boosted into his stomach. Julius breathed deeply while unfolding the paper and reading the letter Feng wrote. For once in a few, he got the good news. While sighing in relief, he asked, Whats the other envelope for? The envelope was blank, with no sender written or any sign. Let me open it, Daiyu said. She faced away to open the letter. Julius watched her sitting in silence. Is something wrong? She slightly nodded, turning back and directing his attention to the last sentence. Renos, those bastards! He read the entire letter from the end to the beginning. This time he tried blocking the bad news from overwhelming his mind, returning the focus to Fengs letter. He tore Renos letter, startling Daiyu, who wanted to take the paper away. We are too late to deal with them now. They are way too far down at the edges of the border in the southwest. Likely, this is just an attempt to distract us from our recovery and put us into further shambles if we get involved now. But thats one of your dynasties coastal fishing spotsIf they Thats just one of them though, it doesnt mean that all our coasts are invaded and barricaded. Besides, without a functioning capital with its foundations, theres no country or empire. So, if they are legitimately taking over thatwe just have to take the loss for now and bring the fury back at a later date. Julius stated in a calming voice that his mind was running overheated. Daiyu nodded, calming herself down. After a slight pause of silence, she muttered, Ok, I trust your judgmentThen, in that case, we gotta go. She stood up from the bed, and he quickly trailed along down the stairs. They are heading out to the first district. From the letter Julius read, thirty builders have begun the reconstruction. It took seconds of flight to reach as the first district entrance border was sufficiently distant to see a bit of the palace complex and downtown district up high on the plateau. Julius went up in the high blue sky, boosting away from downtown. One supersonic hovered him above the beginning of the reconstruction site. Then, he descended right down to spare rubble, landing at the wooden debris, and piles of dirty particles swarm around his feet and briefly into the air. Swiping the dust away, he walked out of the rubble and was met by the gathering of builders already at work. They all stopped when he came two feet away from the site and went to greet him. Upon handshakes, Julius sensed a high concentration of qi flowing in between all of them. He could detect movement similar to neurons transmitting electrical signals all over. The handshakes triggered an awakening in his brain like a caffeine boost. After greeting the builders, one of them gestured to the location where they had started. Witnessing it from the spot was baffling. He saw the damage from the high-up and now being on the ground where ahead of him was all empty rubble, dust, and a dead ecosystem. It only reminded him of the times he entered various abandoned towns and cities during his marine service years ago. The vibe was irritating and haunting so much that he didnt want to stare much longer, turning back to the builders. You dont mind me joining to help? Julius asked the middle-aged man, who was described in the letter, to be the project manager leading the reconstruction of the first district. Well sir, assisting with the lifting is truly appreciated, the project manager said while rubbing his bearded chin. He turned around and strolled to the specific site. He groaned as he partially lifted a metallic alloy-like a pillar in the air. As I have discussed with the team, we are going for a type of hardwood. Thanks to your promised funding in a new economy, it allowed us to afford such material. Julius walked up to the hardwood as the project manager partially lifted, viewing the lengthy beam in large stacks. He went underneath and offered to lift it. The project manager carefully walked out of the range while keeping his hand supporting the plank until he was out. The hardwood plank switched all the weight right on Juliuss shoulders. His knees were partially bent but not enough to strain or pressure them compared to what everybody expected in a manner like a back squat of doing around a few reps of two hundred pounds in one set. Fairly light. Julius thought, pushing himself up straight at ease. He saw the builders reaction, who took it literally as they exclaimed over the heaviness of this specific stack of hardwood. Not only being expensive to ordinary wood and having characteristics similar to metallic alloy, it needed at least two or three builders to carry one of each. He asked the builders how much it weighs while also having Skoltor do the analysis to satisfy his love of numbers. About a hundred and five jins, one of them howled. -- Voice transcription received: 105н 52.5 kg. (115.7 lbs.) Calculating holding weight Volume: 15 feet x 2.5 feet x 0.1667 feet = 6.25125 cu ft Weight: 6.25125 cu ft x 73 lbs./cu ft = 456.34125 lbs. (414 н; 207 kg) Weight not matched. -- Holy shit. That explains a lot. Julius refuted the weight, telling the builders of the actual number. Whoever provided the wood needs to get their numbers checked because this is way off! Sir, Im sure its a hundred and five jins.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Julius grimaced. You really think so? In that case, each one of you would have taken each plank by now. In reality, this one plank was actually four hundred-fourteen jins. No wonder when I was briefly in the air, and I saw up to three you have to take one plank at a timeanyway, I be glad to help out. He relieved his facial expressions and thrust the entire plank of hardwood on his back. Lets start with this. Direct me where to put it. With that, the builders began working alongside Julius, showing him the way. The team of thirty builders increased to hundreds as the whole family within the House of Kang went out of their way to help. Many refugees and survivors heard the news and generously went out to assist in rehabilitating the city. It lasted past the night, lasting to the morning and eventually noon. Successfully, the first district could get the lights back on, as well as the water services and other utilities in check. By the afternoon, the first district went from a ground-zero mess into a repopulated community. Roads and walkability returned with the harmonious smell of food and sounds of traffic can be recognized at any spot. Not fully one hundred percent yet, but close as the renaming of the first district and a new voting of leadership of statesmen are underway. Julius had met with the father of the Twin Kang sisters, who was a robust figure and quickly gained the respect of the whole house as they all witnessed him doing what was a breath of fresh air where the ruler of a dynasty joined with the ordinary people rebuilding a part of the capital. The phrase Cai Returns took the spotlight by word of mouth. The whole revived first district issued an invitation to him for a celebratory dinner, which he couldnt refuse.

37.2

Daiyu, in a unique pair of a black warrior outfit, walked along with Julius down the street. She suggested to him if they should walk down the entire way from the palace all the way down through the stairways. Without hesitation, he accepted, as he wanted to experience how the ordinary residents of Longyue dealt with daily ordinarily. No sprinting. Only strolling the entire way. No cheating either, as anybody with qi has more enhanced strength than the average human. No use until we finish the entire walk off the stairs. She recalled his response before he began heading down first. In fairness, it was a while after she had gone through the miles-worth of stairs. Daiyu told Julius the whole legend of how it was established where the founding ruler had these constructed with his own power to create the birthplace of the dynasty. He believed the plateau was a suitable place to rule the entire empire. That was thousands of years ago and still proved justifiable where it was the least damaged in the entirety of Longyue. It must have been motivating for him to create this pathway to the holy ground of the empire, Julius told her along the way. Yes, theres a memorial to the end of the staircase to commemorate the time it was erected. Great Father Cai holstered a large gathering of people back when the continent of Dong Luse was only resided by nomad tribes. I have a lot of stories to catch up with, Julius replied. Daiyu chuckled. Youll have a lot of fun reading it, and people here will love to tell you all about it. Daiyu led the way, arriving at the roundabout with Julius following her. She went counterclockwise by going to the right and immediately exited at the first detour. Ahead is the new headquarters of the House of Kang, which was moved from a southern region. From the outside, the roofs shape almost looked precisely like the complexs main palace hall. The strong black curvature with red trimmings. The rest was when the similarities diverged, with the entire interior being unique by the introduction of a man-made pond encircled by the cobblestone pathway. Whats interesting is there is no wall perimeter, making the place open. There was no reason Leader Kang wanted an open, property-like establishment. Only one way to find out, Daiyu and Julius cross the invisible transparent barrier, reacting to their movement as they two-step their feet into the House of Kangs limit. It felt wet as it opened an enough space for them to cross. Thats cold. Daiyu reacted. Once entered inside, she could see the barrier that wasnt visible from the outside. Like a bubble. She thought while touching her shoulder, finding it to be dry. Incredible. I knew they were talented builders and fighters, but I did not expect them to also be civil engineering geniuses, Julius commented while observing the barrier. This has to be some sort of qi application gone well in civilization. Not the first time they have done something of a project like this scale. Julius turned to her with a questionable expression written all over his face. Are they really that nuts? Man, I wonder what other puzzles they can randomly discover to solve. Hell, if they can build that, they could build anything, he praised. Now thats a stretch. Im not sure anything sounds possible. Daiyu and Julius continued walking around the lake on the cobblestone path, returning to the conversation. Aint thats what engineers are supposed to do? Solving problems and restrictions that hold everyone back from getting to the finish line. Keep in mind that the smallest thing in the question of someones curiosity about an idea could go many ways. It could turn for the better, worse, or at a dead end. Or we can give something for them to do, and there will always be an outcome. Your insights make me question how much your head can hold, Daiyu commented in a complementary tone. I disagree. I dont believe that Im the smartest person at allbecause there are a few who have a much better perception of how society functions completely differently that I might not comprehend. Which is why I take engineers very seriously in what they interpret. Even the smallest comments could be significant. Julius, I swear where is this man from? He doesnt look like him from anywhere around the Dong Luse (ɫ) (East Green). Daiyu thought, hungrily curious of his past. She literally felt her mind opened the longer she interacted with him, expanding empty space for new information to fulfill. This dinner gathering might not be boring after all, she muttered. Ah, theres no need for compliments. My priority is to save this empire. You both had given me the confidence to lead your home, entrusting a stranger. So far, I havent been disappointed yet, I hope. Will see, Daiyu said. She and Julius arrived at the main entrance, greeted by Yang, who was stoically leaning at one of the pillars along the entry. I assume everyone is inside? Julius asked, greeting her. Yang nodded. You took your time all too well. Come on in. Everyone is waiting for you.

37.3

-- 9204/7000 Calories (+2204) -- The dinner was the most Julius ever consumed in his life. What was more bizarre was how his entire body reacted to the surge in food intake within a couple of hours. His stomach usually felt full around at least three or four thousand calories in one sitting. Tonight was an astonishing record, leaving his body noting the fast metabolism. Being one of the strongest at the dinner made the event marginally awkward, as he was the last to finish the main course. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do, as his stomach would prolong the rumbling sounds if he had waited longer. Julius loved the dinner meetup, but was originally worried about not being able to communicate with everyone who participated. Luckily, everyone shook his hand at least once by the time the party ended. Skoltor tallied his total interactions to be over two hundred within the five-hour dinner event. With the illuminating full moon hovering ahead of him in the night sky, one light bulb switched as he exited the House of Kais palace. While everyone was departing, he remained outside next to the lake, standing by to watch the full moon. It was massive and relatively almost the size of Jupiter, bringing up the circumference and unordinary orbit. He had thought of building a conglomerate or corporation since his youth, but never came to fruition. His mind was blurry, forgetting what got him intrigued. Probably now, he has one. Julius looked around at the departing crowd. Solomon?! he called. Julius?! he replied from behind, tapping his shoulder. What is it? Im thinking of a new top priority that could innovate our ideas into motivation. What kind? A corporation. Solomon holding his chin. What are you calling it? MoonMoon Corporation. Chapter 38 The name Moon, being the emphasis of his new company, received mixed reactions from the public. One side considered it bland and nothing spectacular, contrasting with the other side of the demographic, who understood what Julius meant. A couple of days after the dinner party, he got a new senate established and gathered at what used to be the throne room under Empress Cai in the main palace hall. Many newly elected senators are mainly around Juliuss age, with a couple outliers being much older at around the age of his mother if she was still alive. The senate majority was represented by the first district, now called Xia. Its the largest district in Longyue because of the reconstruction efforts that led to the expansion of its borders, overlapping the prior ones down the south and the east. Adding all occupied totaled eighty seats. Julius sat at the same spot where Empress Cai had her desk. The desk was sent to the reserves hidden for the sake of historical protection. He raised the platform to have two rows of lengthy counters, adding up for the six seats and dividing with three seats per row. Each row was elevated high enough to require the stairs to go up. Above the second row was the rostrum, encircled around the emperors chair. The first session was about to occur, with Julius climbing the stairs and heading to his chair. He sat himself down, witnessing all the premises of the hall. The seating was soaring, like sitting on the roof of a one-story house, looking down at the street and the neighbors. Julius watched the door as elected individuals entered the hall. The Main Palace Halls seating capacity held approximately five hundred seats upon observation of the empty spaces. From Juliuss view, most of the seats started from the left and covered enough to be one-fifth of the building. He saw Solomon walking in from within the crowd, going up to the first row on the platform, sitting in one of the three seats. Celeste and Sally came in together; the first time Julius saw them in person for a while. He waved at the two, prompting their eyes at him, and waved back. They speedily walked up to the second row, where it was enough to reach, and grabbed Juliuss hand. Sally, on the one hand, gripped firmly for a momentarily while noting he was still the same as ever. Celeste, on the other hand, held longer, as if she experienced a misunderstanding that she needed to recover. He saw her face nonverbally expressing through her eyes, almost in frustration. Youre mad at me, are you? Julius muttered. Im not, Celeste denied. Your eyes are telling the truth. It''s alright, I understand. There was another time distortion, making my experience only a few hours when two weeks had passed. You better not leave us unannounced. Julius clanked his mouth. I hope so he replied. Say yes, she muttered while holding his grip tighter. yes. Fine! Julius said, jolting his hand with his qi to force his hand away from her. The meeting is about to begin. Go to your seats. The two leave, returning to the first row, and greeting Solomon before sitting down. Daiyu sat herself down in the second row to Juliuss left. The entire Kang Family would soon arrive at the hall, with Feng and Yang leading. Leader Kang and his wife sat in their respective seats after winning their own votes. The twin sisters went up the second row on the platform, shaking Juliuss hand before sitting at the two remaining seats next to Daiyu, greeting her as well. A few of the relatives also claimed the remaining four seats, filling up the tally of eighty. Julius sat down in his chair as the hall''s double door closed. After a quick scan of the premises, he began the session, slamming on the hardwood with the gavel. Everyones attention focused on him as he sat down, issuing various statements which didnt take that long as he wanted to move on to the issues in a paced manner. With the formalities out of the way, there are a couple of objectives we have to find the solutions for, he said through the echoes of the hall. No papers on his arsenal but pure vocal and mentality. The first thing I want all of us to consider is the vacant claim on the dungeon about a few hundred shl down southwest. There had been a few undisclosed senders of these messages that I received on my desk. I could figure out what the dungeon could be. But what about you? You mean the Lake of Towering Greens? Julius raised his finger, pointing at the senator. Thats right. After today, I want a final decision on whether we should take our own top warriors and cultivators to fight for our claim. The other option is to back out. A commotion arose between each senator, leading to a strict debate between them as Julius leaned on his chair, watching them as if he was doing a report card at the end of the first term. Everyone else on the elevated platform sitting behind the counter tables on their seats too listened.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Feng turned around, whispering. We might take the latter option. Julius, with his elbow on the chairs armrest and covering his mouth, nodded. Im well aware. Not enough to be concerned yet. In fact, he was concerned. It was only a couple of minutes and there was already a dispute to trigger an opposition decision. He didnt agitate but rocked his chair back and forth while deciphering the progressively tense debate. For now, the level of respect remained to his relief. It dragged on for another twenty minutes when Daiyu took the initiative, telling Julius to call it an end. She passed. He thought as he had chosen her to be the Senate President before the session, sure that she could take the job after witnessing her being the closest ally and loyal to Empress Cai. Having the satisfaction overwhelming the doubts in his mind, he lifted the gravel, slamming it on the hardwood to end the arena-like debate. The President has called to end the debate. Ill begin the final vote, Julius announced, standing up from his seat. He raised his index finger. For the ones who choose the former: we should take our forces down to the Lake of Towering Greens and naturally accept the competition of power against the notable national family groups. Then raise your index finger, he paused, then raised his second, or middle, finger. or the latter where we ignore and refuse the chance to get involved with the Lake of Towering Greens, potentially changing the course of this divided dynastythat maybe could screw us over, raise your palm. Daiyu stood first, bringing her index finger into the air along with the entire platform. Before the senators was a unanimous decision from the executives and Julius. Once he counted, he whispered to them to lower their fingers. My vote included then that is seven at the approval. After lowering his finger, the senate finalized their vote. No dispute?! They shook their heads, showing their confidence. Julius nodded before sitting back down in his chair. A seventy-nine to seven vote. Majority agreed to the former of initiating to take the lead down to the Lake of Towering Greens. A seventy-nine to seven, so the law has passed! Clap! He got a straightforward round of applause from the seventy-three senators. While the seven didnt clap along and sat themselves down in their seats. Daiyu and Feng glared their eyes at Julius, wondering what should proceed because of that behavior. Julius shook his head, denying any action necessary, as it was the first day. He eased the entire hall with a lowering hand gesture. Confined to his seat, Julius continued and moved on to the discussion after the vote. To make this certain, I will be heading down there when the day comes. More specifically, as the role of the upper ticket. Are you serious? Senator forty revoltingly asked. Longyue is recovering with a new leader and now you are ditching us?! Ditching?! Julius grimaced, challenging the senator. When there was a time distortion, trapping me for a few hours that translated into two weeks out here, Longyue was decimated. All vivid through my lenses. Calling it ditching is absurd when all the time before this, all the groups could have been managed more properly and with decent training, much of Longyue would have been saved. So, I suggest you sit downYou are one of the seven that voted not to move forward. He pointed right in line to his face until the senator sat down silently. We wont be having a lot of sessions under my leadership unless its necessary to have everyone on the line. Today will be the only time for a while until the next. As you have heard the protocol, any of your post-session concerns will be addressed to my office. Now lets continue with the next objective The remainder of the senate session lasted for another half an hour, leaving an equitably received opinion within the consensus of all present. The currency underwent an official name change to more simplicity and shifting to communication. All the gold and silver coins, including other rarer minerals, are allowed to be converted into fiat currency. The Thaler-equivalent currency imprinted as the principal under the Moon Scale Dollar. The West Cai Dynasty had a bank, but with minimal authority, which in response to the unanimous decision, removed restrictions from many prior rulers verdicts on a sole vault bank. With Celeste and Solomons opinion, the bank will turn into a truer central bank for the empire. Julius formally signed a few more million deposits to have it operating full time. Another better communication mandate was the renaming of the main palace. Rather than making it general, Longyue Senate is the official name of the legislature. Military-focused training was the hardest topic, and Julius decided to keep brief, more of an initiative rather than policymaking. As the claim of the Lake at Towering Greens is in a couple of days, persuasion of the available cultivators and fighters is the suitable option. The more he can get, the better the chances. Its a little infuriating to him as they have to follow the rules. To keep things predictable at first sight, he will play by the rules until the string was allowed to be cut. By then, everyone, including himself, would have to anticipate the unknown of a chaotic outcome from his developing sinister idea. Julius thought that it was best to not reveal it even when his idea became established. That would have to do. He thought after finding the idea insightful. Julius slammed the gavel onto the hardwood, ending the session and wanting everyone to depart except the six still sitting on the platform. He had made their roles formally official on the Senate floor within the last half an hour of the session. Feng is the secretary of defense, and Yang is the Secretary of State, handling state affairs; Daiyu has two roles of her own choosing, wanting to take care of the finances outside of being the Senate President. Leaving the three left, which were the rest of the Skolritters except Victoria, who wanted to stay away from political positions from what Celeste told him. In the first row where the three Skolritters sat, their positions were more lenient and laid-back to a certain extent. Solomon might be the busiest of the three, where he not only does blacksmithing but takes the responsibility as the Secretary of Technology & Innovation. Julius thought that the place under his role would be extraordinary and unpredictable. Lastly, Celeste and Sally, with the former being the Secretary of Education, leaving the latter as Chief of Staff. When Julius stood from his seat and walked down, they immediately trailed behind, and all walked out of the senate. With only a couple days until leaving Longyue to head to the Lake of Towering Greens, he was nearly bombarded with comments and questions, clustering his head. That was when he ran to his residence, inviting them to a comfortable gathering in the living room. Chapter 39 The forest was freaky to pass through as a good deal of wildlife intervened across multiple spaces. On the ground or in the air, it can''t be deterred unless going offensive while playing as the defense. It was enough to trigger Julius''s flashback of dealing with the Adlers. Even now, he might be way above them; there are new creatures that are almost on par to give the return sense of the dread vibe. The gathering of the forces headed down to the Lake of Towering Green was around in the hundreds. Many were hidden and blended with the civilian population during the recovery, only revealing themselves on the day of departure. Very reserved, to say the least, and hard to come across for new leadership, as most were from the former four houses in Longyue. These bullets of air raids from these aerial creatures werent a joke. Julius wasnt prepared for the continuous barrage when he ignored one senator, warning him about the route earlier. The other person who shared the same sentiment was Celeste. She knew he wouldnt want a compromise to find a different path, as his reasoning was the lack of time to make up for it. Additionally, going fast, like when he carried Empress Cai and Daiyu back home, isnt suitable. Nobody else can match his flying speed in constant air and there was no training time to reach that point. From Skoltors map, the scale of the forest in relation was huge, with a two-to-one ratio. The barrage of aerial creatures was only halfway through the forest. According to locals and everyone else he seeks advice from, there was no official name of the region. Nobody can name it properly, as Feng and others mentioned again during the flight. I told you this was a dangerous course, Feng said. Julius glared back at her, revealing the serious eyes in her like she wanted to punch him for also ignoring her suggestion. It was the only way. We dont want to be late, especially when the historical records of the former four houses in Longyue had a poor reputation for the national families in the Dynasty. You know this. Everyone who reads the records in the archives knows this was all because of many rulers ago. Its their fault we are doing this. And nobody ever dared cross this space hovering over the Illusion Green Forest. Especially, you are breaking the tradition of lower altitude and longer routes. Its been a day since we debated about this. Can you give me a break?! Julius grunted. He wasnt having any conversation relating to the route planning. Subsequently, his body exerted an excess of dark qi to deter away the blockades the trees were generating from beneath. He wiped the sticky blood from the aerial creatures, tainting on his forehead. Hella disgusting motherfuckers. He silently chastised them in complete prejudice, using his qi like a hairdryer to blow them out of his fingers. The rest of the trip was silent as the uncertainty was subdued by the dark qi, allowing the traveling over the last half of the forest quiet. When he saw the irregular border of the forest ahead, he boosted his flight speed until he made it over. He soared into the air to monitor all of them that were trailing behind him, making sure they were safe. The most he could do was manipulate the dark qi to keep a pool-like underneath them, traveling parallel. His forearms started to tighten from fatigue as he was controlling it with his palms. He rested his left while forcing all his telekinesis to his dominant side. Its like the blood flow could be felt, surging and flowing in the direction where it needed to be. Julius summoned a platform right underneath his tumbling feet. His knees collapsed on it. Not now. I cant be lacking energy. He breathed like a tired athlete after going a heavy run. Keeping his right palm out, he noticed the distortion began to abrupt from behind the last row of cultivators, not aware something was wrong happening right behind them. He summoned Licht and performed a swirl, igniting the monstrous tree creatures behind them. They were huge for only two. It took that long for everyone still flying through the path to notice the abnormality and begin speeding away. Licht recharged Juliuss stamina, allowing him to get back up.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. < Better than the last time you almost dropped. > Licht commented. << As long as I can get all the hundreds of them out of the forest. Thats the self-progress Im looking for. >> Julius replied. The two wrecked tree monsters reformed their upper bodies and grew larger than the prior. Emitting anger through their tiny pores through the stone shoulders, they noticed Julius in the air. He saw their blank stone faces as they refined themselves, showing the development of eyes resembling human features. Suddenly, more trees erupted from beneath the crowd, prompting Julius to yell. Celeste, reaching to her left end, grabbed Sallys arm and steered away, using Vesper. She used a vacuum ability from beneath the platform to push others who were near the edge of the border. They boosted out of the scene, steering back and simultaneously watching the ongoing event. Julius descended from the air. While on the course, one of the two towering tree monsters blasted a barrage of stones, infested with green flames and transforming into projectile arrows. He cut them down like Swiss cheese, leaving the wide arrows appearing with multiple hollow openings as his qi burned through the stone. He then barged right underneath the crotch of one of the tree monsters. With no time to spare in a tight space, he landed right on a canopy of a redwood-like tree. Crazily sturdy, for one. Julius confidently shanked down through the concrete, solid canopy before bursting a load of qi downwards. The tree monster noticed him underneath its crotch, between its legs. It began to move right onto Julius, hopefully, to deter him away into vulnerability. Skoltor''s health bar indicator displayed the uncertainty of the monsters health. This makes the thing useless. Useless invaded the entire system, glitching out like a buzzed TV screen. Julius mentally clicked the emergency office switch, shutting it all down. The interface went bye-bye, losing contact with Hu and the virtual inventory. Back to the old ways from the look of it. Julius pulled Licht out from under the canopy, leaving an opening. He back-flipped away from underneath the monster''s crotch with half a second to space as the legs wall-like structures smashed along each other. That was close. He thought until the moment triggered. Boom! A bright swish of a beam struck through the stones and wood of the towering creature. It grunted a noise causing the other monster, or friend one, to turn around, staring and expressing a human-like concern. It can''t talk but can make noise as language when it roars like a lion while maintaining a face. The focus turned to its friend two, away from the cultivators. As friend-one ran with an earthquake-like shakiness using a form of tree manipulation to create a hard surface, friend-two fell victim to Julius''s play. Cracks appeared through its entire body like damaged glass dented inward at the last straw. Before Friend-one could save its friend, a towering beam of blue launched through the openings, putting the final touches as it exited through the head. Friend-two monster stopped and stood still in silence. Taking the chances, Julius saw the group of cultivators dealing with the Friend-one now go on strike. Friend-one collapsed onto the hard canopies with its arm reaching out to Friend-two only to witness it crumble before collapsing into a pile of rubble. Julius did the final finish, one punching it down to the dust. Slam! Julius flinched away when Vesper cut through Friend-ones head, following with an explosion to bits, sending a brutal farewell. He covered his eyes as the debris blew away into the distance. Incredible. He thought as he felt the strength coming from the blast. It quickly subsided, and once he lowered his arm, revealing a deforestation that not even the uncertainty nature can fix. It smelled of crispy, fire-like charcoal. Not great, as there was no food on the grill. He wanted to get out of here, so he turned to the cultivators hovering in the vicinity. Lets get out of here before shit goes awake again! They nodded at his command, and all took the leave. Julius grabbed the empty plank from the site before joining with the rest of the team, only for it to disintegrate, much to his disappointment. He flanked it off from his hand while flying away from the forest''s reach. Reuniting with them as they were outside of the forest, Julius took a breather and hung Licht on his back this time. Finally, Skoltor rebooted as the menu screen returned, loading everything back up before Julius pulled the emergency switch. Shall we? Celeste said, hovering right behind Julius. Lets go. We are not that far anymore, Julius muttered. He then pointed at the grand lake on the horizon. Chapter 40 Julius was right. They arrived at Lake Towering Greens with half an hour to spare as there was a carnival-like setup placed around the part of the grand-sized lake to the south. It could be luck or an inherently relaxed moment, but the team arrived with no casualties, which was what mattered the most. With him in the lead, they went past the security, protruding the barrier similar to the perimeter surrounding the new House of Kang near downtown. It was a town-sized crowd spread out through the various venues and stations set up around the south circumference of the lake. Julius doesn''t understand why this is happening when the Lake of Towering Greens is a dungeon. It was not supposed to be a place of entertainment. He landed at the empty spot on the main pathway from the entrance to the lake, surrounded by a couple of food shops. The arbors structured across the entire path were filled with red, blue, yellow, white, and black spectrum flags. Each has a variant of one of the prior five colors at a minimum. It was different, to say the least. The vibe was friendly to get some relaxation before the objective of the job being here was to claim the dungeon. More so for the interest in power. As the group scouted around the area and toured themselves, leaving Julius alone with the Skolritters. You guys still have missions? Julius whispered to the Skolritters. They all nodded while confused on why he asked them. You dont? Solomon asked. Julius shook his head, biting his lips. No, I dont. Ever since I went in there and returned from the war at the swamp, it has dissipated slowly. Celeste, catching the premise, continued the conversation with her question. Where were you for the past two weeks? Cutting to the chase, what happened to that tanned guy with a black headbandI forgot his name, but he was there at the time with me and Empress Cai before I went into the foggy entrance within the arena that got me to that place. He''s dead Pardon me? He was executed because they couldn''t find a way to get inside after a few days. Julius grimaced. On whose orders? Empress Cai? Yes, but under when the five ruling families in the capital still exist. They hated him for past failures in technology, and she became the repeat, ending the cycle and his life. Darn, miss the opportunity. Julius grew disappointed. He had one more question before continuing to the lake. Do we still have his records of anything left behind? It''s an ongoing investigation. We probably won''t get results until we get back, Solomon answered. Julius nodded. Ok, that worksWe have to get to the lake. The fun here can wait. They headed further in through and past the main billboard sign that was hung on one of the ardors, confirming it was a festival. The Skolritters reached the end of the intersection, revealing the fencing that borders a portion of the lakes circumference. Each leaned right onto the railing, viewing the lake. It was much more beautiful and purer in person compared to from the sky and book records where the scene was greener and mustier, like an algae infestation. When in reality, it was a friendlier part of the ecosystem as the playful dolphin-like creatures breached out into the air before diving back into the lake, around fifteen feet long, equal to an average earth Great White Shark. Still twenty minutes left of free time, Julius used Skoltors capture feature, taking a photo of the dolphin and saving it in his virtual memory. As he was about to take another, something tingled behind his back. Being like a spider, goosebumps triggered his mental alertness. The Skolritters, all four of them, were to his right. He gave a quick look at the pathway space behind them. Unfortunately, being at the time less than half an hour from the first battle, the traffic was packed. A mix of cultivators and ordinary citizens with no sense of qi traceable, walking amongst the path it will take them. Out of all times, in this damn crowd. Julius thought before he could feel directly from behind, prompting him to roll away, thrusting a gust of air that blew the Skolritters away. A pile of dominoes from them being pushed and crashed into a cluster of foot traffic, disrupting the flow, and all went to a stop. Julius straightened his back and saw two individuals standing in the crowd. Their flamboyant characteristics over ordinary traditional garments and clothing made it easier for him to detect. The crowd disperses away, leaving an opening between them and Julius. How rude for a stranger to interrupt my moment of peace, Julius said as his mouthplate closed. in a crowd like this? You are much taller than I thought, the right individual said with a rough and hoarse, masculine voice. Excuse me?! Who the hell are you?! Julius exclaimed through his mouthplate, sensing a threatening vibe from the two. They were all cloaked up to the head, leaving no physical distinction behind the clothing except the voice. The conflict began when both of them flashed away from his point of view. Swoosh! The sounds of swift movements similar to whistles swarmed past Julius in multiple directions, almost deterring him from focusing. And one took advantage of the brief second, arm locking around his neck. The other, Julius called it, Mask-one, attempted to anchor him from his calf to force him to kneel. But what they didnt understand was when Juliuss legs didnt faze and succumbed to their commands. Mask-one was thrusting it hard right on his calf with the soles of its combat sandals. Julius could hear their confused expression. Again, he is a hefty guy, and Xaviers training with Mother Elaine began to pay off, as what they were unaware of at first was the flow of qi from his feet. It reached up to Juliuss legs after getting an arm locked around his neck from Mask-two. Mask-two, with one hand to spare, tried to take off Licht off his back. He thought that was the problem. Much to their dismay, Licht came off with loads of dead weight, turning the sword into a deadlifts worth of mass collapsing on Mask-two. Julius heard the groaning noise coming right behind his ear. He then reacted by shocking right at the latters forearm, sending a massive load of electricity where the radius bone was located. Mask-two yelped in pain, surrendering to the attack, causing him to let go. Lichts weight slammed Mask-two down, causing him to hit Mask-one, putting the two down on the concrete floor. Crack! A breeze blew his back, and Julius turned around, finding the two lying on the floor, struggling to lift themselves up from Lichts deadweight. Have enough with this? he muttered. Pleaseget this off of me, Mask-two begged. Julius walked right up, parallel to the hilt of his greatsword. He gripped but did not lift it up. He has questions for them, mainly from Mask-two, who commented on his height as if they were acquainted with him. Only if you tell me who the hell are you? Then Ill let you go. He let go of the hilt and instead used his index finger to push onto the blade, adding more weight onto Mask-twos chest when he refused to answer. I didnt hear anything coming from you. Are you refusing me? You and your partner didnt come here for the fight with no intentions, right? Julius, let him go, Celeste said, walking right up closer to the scene. He looked up at her, shaking his head. She continued to display empathy to them, attempting to persuade Julius. He completely ignored her, returning his eyes back to Mask-two, only to hear a crack like a tree branch tore off from the trunk. Mask-two horrendously cried, gaining more attention all around the festival. Most around the scene cant do anything but watch, waiting for the outcome to unfold. That was when a minority of the bunch foolishly launched an attack from the air.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Julius, feeling berated by his heart, violently twisted his torso and fired a spherical blast. A couple of inches away from his palm, the sphere turned into a beam, putting the attackers move into childs play. They turned up fuel in reverse as the blast unintentionally redirected their attack right back to them, igniting a flashing circus light in the air. The shockwave dispelled from the blast''s center, blowing through parts of the lake and the festival. He turned away, protecting himself from the explosion. Celeste summoned her barrier, covering the portion of the pathway to prevent any fire or debris from coming in Juliuss direction. The explosion roared through for seconds, screaming through Juliuss ears. With his arm still up above his head, he saw both Mask-one and Mask-twos cloaks unmasked slowly. Their eyes flinched tightly as the winds seeped through the unbarred spots that the barrier didnt reach. It unmasked further off the cloak that covered their face, revealing Mask-one to be a beautifully complex lady. Gradually shaped nose and naturally red lips. Thats pretty common for the West Cai Dynasty from his recent attendance at social gatherings. It started to get a little strange as the further he went down where the jaw was recognizable. Mask-one also had the same jawline and overall facial shape. Are you okay?! Victoria asked, running right under Celestes barrier. She kneeled next to Julius, checking him while having bloody hands. Im okay Julius paused, looking at Victorias hands. What did you do? Youre bloody! She pointed to the spot, prompting Julius to lift his head. He witnessed the fire frenzy and throbbing noises from fistfights in the air. Is this what the festival really is about? Julius wondered, turning back to her. I should be the one asking you, are you ok? Victoria raised her hands right in front of her as if she had nothing else to say. I mean, Im not injured. However, I think because of this; the fights have begun, and we need to go to the arena now! Wheres Solomon? Hes still over there, dealing with the troublemakers. Hell explain more to you later. Right now, we need to go. Julius lowered his left arm as he felt the blast had cleared from behind. Hang on, theres something wrong with these two that I need answers for, he said, pointing to their facial features. Nobody other than me and the family has a deformity right at the end of the jaw below the ear. Who the hell are you?! Mask-two appeared in so much pain, as Julius didnt lift the greatsword off of him yet. He broke the toughness, surrendering to talk. We are testing youafter hearing about a new guy entering the Martial Arts Annual event. Now, can you please liftthat sword upfrom my chest, he muttered, struggling to finish the sentence because of Licht. Victoria nudged Juliuss shoulder, to which he finally lifted the blade, allowing Mask-two and Mask-one to cough out loud. Julius stood up from his spot, helping Victoria up. He pointed the blade right at the rear of Mask-twos back, not satisfied yet. That doesnt get me anywhere, but thats a starting point. Whos your father and mother? Tell me about them. Mask-two got up while hoarsely breathing because of the rib Juliuss greatsword broke from the weight, evident from Mask-twos hand holding tight at his right side. What do you need to know? Everything. If you tell me, we will heal your ribs. Is that fair? Mask-two nodded. Therefore, Julius eye-signaled Celeste to summon Vesper to hover him along as he and the Skolritters headed to the arena. Solomon returned quickly, joining the conversation. He, too, was soaked in a load of blood. Julius grimaced at their appearance, insisting on cleaning themselves up as they walked. Mask-one sat beside Mask-two on the widened Vesper with higher walls that surrounded the platform. They cant get out of that spot, putting them in a position requiring them to talk. Your answer earlier was vaguetell me more about why you are here. Surely, you cant be testing me as the key priority, Julius said, still gripping the hilt of his greatsword that was resting on his shoulder. Like I saidwe were actually testing you. Specifically, under the orders of my mother, who is leading our family team in the arena. She knew you were coming, so she sent us. If we had won, nothing else would have happened. However, we lost. Which means Mean what? Youll be fighting her head-on at one spot in the arena. Final and set. Whos this lady''s mother we are talking about? Julius grew curious about the mysterious family. He tried to go further, detouring to a different related topic. Lets head back to the question earlier. His mouthplate opened, and he pointed, with his index finger through the beard, to the end of his left jawbone under his left ear, showing right to Mask-two. Other than me, you two have a deformed shape at the angle of your lower jaw. Does anybody else have this unique physical characteristic? Everyone in the family doeswait, no Mask-two suddenly went bombastic, realizing what Julius meant. He turned back at Mask-one for a moment and swiftly back to Julius, staring right in the eye. I want to confirm this. Describe your father. No fabrications, Mask-two demanded as he gripped his left rib when the pain progressively got worse, causing him to spit blood. Brother! Mask-one cried, attempting to relax his pain. She carefully eased her palm right onto it before he spit more, splattering onto her hand. Mask- two turned right at her. I went overboarddamn itand got too emotional for a moment; Ill be fine, he said, then resuming the conversation with Julius as he began describing. There were already halfway walked a quarter of the lakes circumference, and as Julius began to talk, his multitasking eyes noticed the open arena across the other side. He muttered as he paid attention to it. My father, hes a typical tall man, no beard, same jaw as a square, and a typical dickhead when I was in my early teenage years. Good Yinhai, Ive never heard anyone speaking about their parents so vulgarly. Because he was vulgar all the way to the grave. Unfortunately, that day was when my mother was also out with him. The two had a fatal accident, killing them on the spot. They left me alone for four years until I was damn eighteen. Since then, I have never gained value from them as I was an adult. Mask-two was visibly showing some discontent at the brief description of his parents with a loathing attitude. I dont know if I will ever get used to thisanyway, what else could describe your father? Did he tell you any stories about his life that you remember? Julius stopped, thinking deeply through his mindful brain. What moments? Do I have any? Come oncome on. He stressed his mind, further diving into the depths, hunting for the mysterious treasure chest hidden on the ocean floors. It took a considerable amount of time to remember something and only one key came through. I never met any relatives for all I remember. Im supposed to have like six uncles and ten aunts. Never believed that because I never met them. They never proved it to me. No photos, no records, none. So, at least twenty-eight years of my life, Ive met none of my family tree at all. Paternal and Maternal. Empty. He saw Mask-two counting with his fingers following with a nod. One more questiondid your father ever bring up his rivalry with my dad? And what was his name> Mask-two asked, while having six fingers out. Oh yeah, yes. He did, vaguely. His name was Yijun. Julius affirmed. In the blink of a light bulb, he blinked his eyes as if his mind were blown. Wait a minute, both of you are he immediately turned fully, facing them with his index finger pointing at the two. my fucking cousins?! Mask-two and Mask-one stared at each other, and everyone stopped. Celeste, Solomon, Sally, and Victorias ears are like magnets. They eased themselves into the conversation, wanting to be sure what Julius had blurted. Oh my, imagine mother being cured from wrath, Mask-one said to Mask-two, as she let her palm go from her brothers side and pulled the rest of her cloak around her head off. As she fixed her hair, Julius eyed Celeste and the other three, giving them a nod. He rested his grip on the hilt, dissipating the greatsword, and rested down his right arm. Celeste went right to Mask-twos wounded rib at the left side of his chest. She thrust her qi-engulfed palm to his chest like a hard slap, causing him to jolt upwards and back straight ninety degrees. Quickly within five seconds, he relaxed and eased the tension around under his face. One breathing cycle and thanked Celeste, feeling better. Mask-two walked the remaining distance. He walked right up next to Julius, only to be standing right up to his neck despite being a tall individual himself. Same with Mask-one where she was almost equal to his. My paternal family really are tall trees. Good to know. Julius thought, recalling his father being a tall, skinny guy. And his newly met cousins appeared to take that physique partially. Julius was more balanced with his torso and legs, while his two cousins shared longer leg lengths with a short torso and long arms, matching his fathers outline. The family vibe overrode his violent mind, introducing himself to his cousins. My name is Julius Vaillant, Emperor of the West Cai Dynasty. Mask-two went first, replying: Emperor?! You cant be seriousIm Tang Cheng. Im Tang Li-Mei. You can call me Li-Mei, or any of the two. Julius chuckled. Alright, well, nice to meet youawkwardly. Lets head to the arena, shall we? Chapter 41 -- New Mission Added (1): Register for the Lake of Towering Greens Arena and participate. -- When the last few hundred yards were some peace and quiet as the entire group braced themselves before the arena began, only for a mission popped up right within Juliuss visuals nearly triggered him. It has been days since the first ever mission appeared and was about figuring out the problem only for it to come up. He felt disappointed with it since the world had changed quickly in the past few days, despite working on a lot of paperwork and official acts. Hu came through the telepath, the first in a long while. At least she is doing well. Julius bluntly thought. Whats with the silent treatment? Hu said. Juliuss eyebrows twitched. I didnt even say anything. Also, youve been dead silent for the past few days. Not even a hello? Im busy. I have my reasons. BusyOk, then. So, what were you doing this past week? I was working on the time distortion problem. I knew you had a two-week gap at that moment, so I went to work. It was only until recently during this week I might have a lead. The solution I crafted will be applied tomorrow if it goes to plan. Julius stopped and went looking for a spot, as he was right outside of the arenas premises. Where are you going? Celeste asked, catching up to him from behind. I need a moment, Julius replied, pointing to his head before turning away. He found an empty bench right at the concrete fence, bordering a part of the lake that connects to the arenas walls. He sat down on the bench, continuing the conversation with Hu. Is it not two weeks anymore? I expected it to be a days margin of error. Wish it could have been less, but that will have to do. One more thing before I go in there, about the missions. Why only appears now? There was a brief silence. During the moment, Julius stared back at the group, appearing impatient. Did I not tell you? Shoot, alright. Ill make it short. The whole update changed the distribution of the missions outside of the Merit Universe. It becomes more focused on it rather than the world of Raal. Only a few would matter, but thats the easiest way to say it, as it is a kind of complicated and unpredictable. Julius sighed, sharing no sense of enthrallment. Complicated. Geez, thanks for telling me. Let me interpret this. So, missions are more for the Merit Universe. Got it. While every other feature or the system capabilities remained the same but better, right? Yes, that I can guarantee. All the primary functions are more updated to supplement your journey and adapt to this world fairer squarely. By the time you are certain you are ready, should I bring the others in? If you can, yes. They needed to be updated, too. Thats all I neededthanks. Are you mad at me? Hu asked. Julius ignored her comment, standing up from the benches. He walked up to Celeste and his two cousins, nodding and ready to enter the arena. Others impatiently waited and walked in circles, feeling thrilled, and sped through the crowd, leaving Julius and the three staring at them marching right in. Tang Cheng turned back right to Julius, wanting to blurt out as he was holding it in behind his bloated mouth. Be careful going in there. Our family has some of the most menacing and cruel relatives around. If you have to, do what you have to and help our mother too; your aunt. Ill try. But we only met for nearly half an hour. Why are you trusting me? Remember when I said, testing you, thats literally what I meant. I had noted you didnt budge to fight, and we were both still lost. That alone is enough for me and Tang Li-Mei to make that decision. Anything else you need to tell me? Julius muttered while noticing the attention from the entrance right at him. Tang Cheng saw Juliuss attention focused away, and he turned right at the entrance, noticing a few cultivators began to look away when he saw them. It seems you have made some potential enemies. To be expected, when our fight drew wide attention. Enemies are always certain. It''s only a matter of time before they give up being the enemy, Julius said, sensing multiple traces of relics. More relics, I sensed, over there. Hmmm. He strolled right to the entrance, picking up the pace. The rest sprinted along. He swiftly passed through the open spaces of the crowded traffic, dashing through the entrance to find a long line. Julius scanned the premises, realizing that he and others had to cross through to the right side of the columns of lines. Written in characters right on the board high up in the air like a menu display, the left was for the customers, which was where he is currently at. On the opposite side was where the register for contestants took place. Bizarrely, that side was slow. This section of the arena was enveloped, as Julius felt the lack of air circulation. The lack of proper lighting was also tedious. A minute of standing in a line was all the time needed to give a shower feeling, soaking sweaty amounts of water. He had to wipe around his eyes as it was disturbing.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. It was dangerously quiet. Everyone in front of the line looked dreaded. They were more suffering with the aliment than Julius was. He glared back at his group. Tang Li-Mei started to breathe hard, appearing in desperate need of oxygen. She got the worst of the symptoms from the ailment, whereas others only experienced sweating. Juliuss heart was racing, not from conditions but from stress. His eyes constantly staring and pinpointing everywhere he could see. Nobody is moving. Far ahead, where he could barely see the first person of each line, the staff at the counters looked robotic. Not appear as one but acted like a textbook, following directions one by one as if it was programmed to do the duty. He doesnt even need to zoom his optics. He has had enough, not wanting his cousin to be feeling sleepy. He slid his hand to his hidden holster, underneath the flap of his dragon-vinyl overcoat. As he was about to grab the hilt, the line began to move. A couple of people came out from their prior lines, and all walked through the center hallway that was directed inward, dividing the two counters. Screw this. Bang! The entire line startled and leaped down a second after the first few bullets fired from Juliuss SIG P210. He shot at a couple of walls; two directly above the entrance and one above the counter. The sound of air came swirling inside, loud as an AC. Cool air came in and quickly healed the suffering lines. The synergy of the crowd immediately increased, the robotic workers became human again, and normalcy returned to talking abruptly throughout the lobby. What the fuck is going on?! a loud voice echoed from the hallway, followed by rapid thumping along the tiled floors. He looks pretty mean. Julius thought after a few moments of staring at the man, who was dressed in more elegant clothing. A ragged beard and a bull-punching face, if that is the nicest Julius could think of. Julius gave Tang Li-Mei a water bottle. As she grabbed it, Tang Cheng told him about the man. It turned out he was one of the managers that hosted this years annual fight at the arena. His reputation was historical in the worst ways. Nobody liked him and regular viewers tended to freak out if he blurted out in rage at their faces, similar to the ones reaction who have a phobia towards insects. While listening, he felt a tap on his shoulders, and he turned back. There he was, standing at almost eye level with Julius, and everyone in their lines turned their eyes right at the two. Julius was unfazed by the supposedly fearful presence this manager emitted to others. It went tranquil again. Julius and the manager didnt let their eyes go away an inch. No blinking or a single flinch. Nobody knew for sure what was going to happen next. Not to mention, the vibe was so eerie that Juliuss mind became dangerously impatient. He was certain his neurons were gonna trigger any moment, and his right hand was still holding onto the grip with the index finger tickling the trigger. Bang! Bang! Grhh! The managers beer body tumbled rock hard to the floor. He gasped from the pain at the wound inflicted by the preciseness Juliuss pistol shot through. Julius went up right at the spot he fired, witnessing the bloody dripping squirts of a jug. The managers scream was unique, not as a compliment but as pretty insulting. All it took was two bullets, ending his role in this mysterious society. Julius analyzed the infliction, quickly concluding to be fatal. So, he casually shot him in the head, splattering the brain and entire skull. He left the headless body lying on the floor, moving away from the spot. The vibe switched again, a few jumping out from the crowd and went for the shot at Julius. He danced through the empty space, pumping out his qi before firing the remaining rounds of his magazine. The qi traced bullets strike at their arms, near the shoulder. At the moment of being struck, they were knocked out cold, followed by a dashing speed that spewed them right to the entrance doors, shattering the wood into shards and crashing hard on the concrete. Dude! That was unnecessary! Tang Cheng yelled in distraught. Oh, please. Dont tell me you have morals when you are about to get attacked? I need you to relax. We havent got through the registry of the arena, and you are putting yourself in the spotlight too much right now! I dont want to hear you saying that when you and Tang Li-Mei tested me back near the intersection leading back outside. Hey! Dont bring this into Thats enough, another voice coming from the hallway. The echoing of feet tapping among the tile floors was calmer and at a consistent pace. From the darkness void of the hallway, an hourglass silhouette appeared. The lighting from outside dispersed the dark, revealing a lady with her prominent oval-shaped face and a unique type of flawed beauty. She wore the exact cloak Tang Cheng and Li-Mei had but did not cover her head like a hoodie. Her sense of fashion was also her notable feature. A few back on earth would call it strange. They called it strange only because she wore a long turquoise dress with a navy-blue coat. Adding along with ankle-high black boots. Mother, Tang Cheng muttered and bowed. So, this is my aunt? Julius gauged her of any other facial features for similarities. Tang Cheng wasnt lying. She had a deformity spot at the back of her right jaw. It was wider and hollower to see a darker shade in contrast to her complex olive skin. She purposely showed it to Julius when she caught his eye, analyzing her. Julius nodded, prompting her to pull the neck part of the cloak back up to that side of her face. Hello, Aunt, Julius greeted while placing his pistol back into his holster. So, you are his boy, she muttered in a motherly tone similar to Mother Elaine. She positioned her entire hand under his jaw, touching his neck. Like how he analyzed her face, she did the same thing. You surely are him. Got the strong jaw and mouth. However, you got the eyes and nose of your mother. Juliuss aunt suddenly gripped hard like wanting to hold him by the neck, triggering Julius by thrusting his arm and grabbing her wrist tight like a clamp. Whats wrong with me? You look disappointed. Is it because Im his son? he questioned while raising his qis pressure. She suddenly let her grip go while Julius refused to let himself depart from her wrist. You wouldnt know a damn thing about what your father has done, she grunted through her motherly tone of voice. Of course, it has been more than fifteen years since he died. What do you expect from a young teenage child who never got the opportunity to bond with his parents in desperate times? He had been living alone ever since without any hidden family secrets and thought a large family of relatives was a lie. Either accept it or Ill make you and the whole family will. Ill give you credit. Now let me go, she insisted. Julius held it for a little longer before a tap from Tang Cheng, which was when he finally let go. My name is Tang Yifei, she added and twirled away, inviting Julius and others to join for a walk. What about Yifei glared at Cheng. Son, dont worry about it. I already put your names and others in. Julius followed right behind her as she took the group into the dark void of a hallway. ??Character Infoboxes (Progressively Updates)?? Notable Measurements: 1 cm = 0.03 г (Chi) 1 cm = ~0.3937 inches 1 kg = 2 н (Jin) 1 kg = ~2.205 lbs.
Julius Vaillant
Born: January 14, 1992 Englewood, Chicago, US Age: 27; 28 (Post-Underground Tournament) (Time distortion)
Gender: Height: Weight: Hair Color: Eye Color: Male 185.42 cm (61) (5.5626 г) Formerly 208.28 cm (610) (6.284г) Current ~83 kg (183 lbs.) (166н) Formerly 120.202 kg (265 lbs.) (240.4н) Current Black Brown (Normal); Gold or Blue (Vary)
CelesteYou might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Born: Year 986 ??, Kriegshan Age: 24; 25 (Post-Underground Tournament) (Time distortion)
Gender: Height: Weight: Hair Color: Eye Color: Female 180.3 cm (511) (5.409г) 74.84 kg (165 lbs.) (149.68н) Brown (Brunette) Brown (Normal); Violet (boosted, enraged)
Solomon
Born: Year 981 ??, Kriegshan Age: 29; 30 (Post-Underground Tournament) (Time distortion)
Gender: Height: Weight: Hair Color: Eye Color: Male 193 cm (64) (5.79г) 97.52 kg (215 lbs.) (195.04н) Black Brown (Normal); Orange (boosted, enraged)
Sally
Born: Year 987 ??, Kriegshan Age: 23; 24 (Post-Underground Tournament) (Time distortion)
Gender: Height: Weight: Hair Color: Eye Color: Female 180.3 cm (511) (5.409г) 74.84 kg (165 lbs.) (149.68н) Green Brown (Normal); Green (boosted, enraged)
Chapter 42 -- Mission Completed (1): Register for the Lake of Towering Greens Arena and participate. -- Julius had to accept that the admitting process was easier and straightforward compared to the guy with the black headband back at Longyue. It was like a doctors appointment where they did their physicals and recorded the following measurements. He hated it because of being time-consuming, leaving the moment of today and the time with Lin as the exception. After completing the admission process, he met with Solomon in a large room, which appeared similar to a team locker room. Since it was a large open space, the vibe contrasted with the one back at the Underground tournament. The lockers at one end of the space were mentally startling and uncomfortable. What kept him from staring at it in turmoil was a wall-sized chart. Its handwritten all over in an organized fashion. But it cant be altered. Not even a board marker would interfere. Another original engineering design, as the handwriting would change every minute. Julius quickly understood how it works as when the update happens, a whiff of qi overwhelms a space, filling it up with ink. Pretty convenient in practice without having to waste pens, pencils, or erasers. Noting the other contestants that participated, there was a chart on full display, listing all the individuals in the game. Solomon also shared the same interest in other people, joining Julius to review the list. While Celeste, Victoria, and Sally are probably doing last-minute corrections or some personal business. He looked at the names, along with their nationalities and physical descriptions. A few more empty rows and the total number of contestants will be a hundred. The rules were not announced yet until all contestants had convened. I''ll be honest; everyone is pretty tall. You don''t see that on Earth all the time, Julius commented. Solomons eyes remain focused on the list. He then pointed at one of the contestants rows. Thats the average, he muttered, directing Julius''s attention to the one being around 511. If you go down a bit by the length of a forehead, you are now in a below-average range. And I''m talking about both men and women. Wow, that''s literally impressive. There''s always a gap on Earth between the two. Solomon shook his head. That''s a shame. Well, for us, being tall is essential for qi control as there is more surface area around our spine. Im sure you noticed in the fights and battles you went through that there was a layer covering the entire spine. Julius scratched his head as if he should have noticed it. Other than decapitating enemies, he doesn''t recall. I think you lost me there. I never paid attention to that. Especially, the types of attacks I don''t involve me being like a scientist observing an enemys back. That''s not what I meant, but a fair point. What I meant was how our bodies are technically structured differently. You are from Earth, so I don''t know if your body has adapted to fit like ours. However, here, in Raal; the taller height tends to be rewarded. We went through a couple of centuries of rapid evolution to sustain and contain such power in our bodies. Juliuss arm crossed. If that''s true, then why do people react like I''m a monster back at Underground Kriegshan? At that hotel. I''ll be frank with you. Lu Yi and Ritter. To meet them in person, they are the nicest people I''ve seen from Kriegshan in many years. And it is rare, which says a lot for someone like me, Celeste, Sally, and Victoria, who were born there. Hmm, that''s interesting. Ill take you up on that. Back to that spine statement. Do you think I''ve one? Solomon then leaned backward, viewing Julius''s rear upper torso and neck. I could find out now. Julius felt something hit his neck, prompting him to swirl away from his spot. I thought you were trying to figure out if I had one, not punching it, he yelled. He then saw Solomon with his two fingers up, appearing confused. I mean yes, you do. But it was not fully developed, so you felt that is understandable. Still impressive though, because that is a weak point, and you dont have a fully developed layer yet as I could still feel the tip of your bone. No marks, right? Solomon shook his head. Nope. Youre good. Celeste will check on all of us once she is done to get us ready. Yeah, that would be great, Julius answered, rubbing his neck with his palm. He felt the heat on the surface of his skin. It was hot that mimicked the pain reliever gels that were sold in the over-the-counter drugs section. He got a brief understanding of Solomons strength. That was only a gentle tap that felt like a thrusting punch from the ends of the knucklebone. He then realized he might have gotten his weakness exposed to Solomon. Which would mean the rest of the Skolritters would know in the next couple of minutes. A part of his mind went wild, figuring out a plan to not get his neck in a vulnerable situation. Solomon went out to check on the others, leaving him alone. Turning back to the wall-sized chart with his palm covering his neck and a bit of his head, Julius continued to analyze it. A spill of qi flickered from the chart, dropping to the floor. Ah, Yinhai. The final few rows of the chart are now filled with the last contestants participating, totaling one hundred. He then heard Celestes footsteps coming in, notable with the echoing thump per step. That was when he let his hand go, and the palm of her hand touched right on his neck. It made it cold as ice. It took five seconds, and she let go. He turned right to her, finding the Skolritters had all convened. Julius flash stepped toward the lockers, blocking the view from others. Lu Yi and Ritter also arrived. Its been a while since he last saw them up close and eye-to-eye. He sensed their qi had developed. They havent grown taller yet, but noticeably broader.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. You gained in size? He asked Ritter. I haven''t seen you two in a while. But you both looked well. Ritter nodded, scratching his new thin beard. Things happened fast in the two weeks you were gone. All of us learned the language as fast as we could and trained. Then the war began and conflict in the swamp. It was a hell of a ride, he said, greeting Julius back with a tap on his arm. Yinhai, you are swole. Julius grinned, turning to Lu Yi. She appeared to have lost the smiling expression, only for it to return when he switched attention to her. You''ve changed more than I thought. Oh, I did. I guess what Ritter said was true, Lu Yi muttered, glaring one eye at Ritter. Anyway, it is good to see you two. I cant wait to see what you have in store for this tournament. He then refocused on the entire group. Have we got anything since the whole chart on the wall is filled? Im actually here with an update, Celeste said. Let us sit down and talk about it before they call everyone out to the arena.

42.2

The tournament regulators lacked the time to state its rules because of the large amounts of participants. That''s what Celeste and Victoria were told while they were still getting last-minute checks. Additionally, this is the largest tournament ever held in history, so the contestants could get a little feisty and demanding. There were a couple of reasonable rules that supposedly kept things in order, but the whole Skolritters knew each other that might not last. Have there been any deaths reported in the prior years? Julius asked in a grave tone. The longer we go back, the counts are much higher. Only the last two tournaments were at its lowest ever reported. That''s what I''m worried about. I''m here with you all, along with the House of Kang, to represent the government team. We are only here to claim the entire stage. Not to be a sports player. Actually, this is not a team game. It''s a free-for-all sole match of everybody right on stage. What? Julius and Solomon both simultaneously asked. One match, a hundred and twenty minutes. However, we can have our own declared teams, and we don''t have to tell anyone, Victoria said, sending a communication to everyone''s systems. The House of Kang is not in this room but across from us. I hope they figured stuff out of their own accord. Julius thought, reflecting on the potential consequences. He will make sure at least a couple survives this match. House of Kang and maybe potential allies were included. As well as his recently discovered family. Tang Cheng and Tang Li Mei are the bridges that lead Julius to the other side. His mind was being an architect, pacing to find new possibilities to add to the constructed scenario. Then, Julius felt burning like a rash coming from within his head. You alright? Victoria asked. What the heck? Julius didnt realize his head was down. Whoops, my mind got carried away. Did I miss anything? You missed the final rewards. Also, you were a little startled. I saw it through your dilated eyes. Victoria then summoned a water bottle from her virtual inventory and poured a gulp, waterfalling all over Juliuss head. You okay now? Julius washed his face before slicking his hair back. Yeah, thanks. I feel better nowI got carried away thinking about whom to not kill. If everybody dies except us, itll be all done for, he said in a stressed tone that he felt his neck muscles tightened. Celeste reached out and held his knee as she noticed his legs tremored. Relax. You need to relax. Dont put so much crap all in your mind or you will lose it. It was one of those moments Julius had hidden from the public for most of his life. A continued bad habit of holding stress rather than venting it out in the open. For many, that was considered dangerous and heart-threatening. He had never had that problem until now, sensing a throbbing in his chest. I sensed something bad was happening in your body. Are you alright? Hu asked. Can Skoltor or you check if something is up? Give me a moment. Julius looked directly at Celeste while physically lethargic on a whim. Skoltor is in a crisis mode, after possibly detecting some health problems. I might need some Skoltor and I have detected the same result. You are definitely experiencing a significant anxiety attack. How? Im not a hundred percent certain, but have you ever gone through a traumatic experience before? yes. Julius doesnt want to emphasize much further. He ignored any Skoltor warnings, redirecting back to Celeste. can you ease stress? He asked her. She eyed everyone else, telling them to scatter. They stood from their seats and left her and Julius with a decent amount of space. Julius followed her directions by lying on her lap, receiving no reactions from others watching. Feeling more lethargic, Celeste moved and nudged Julius with both of her hands until his face was directly perpendicular to her torso. I want you to lie still, and dont move, Celeste directed. AlrightIm too tired to move, anyway. I will warn you that it might sting, she said while hovering her hands right to both sides of his head with around an inch of space in between. Sting? You mean GRAHHHHH! Juliuss jolting scream roared out from his mouth. The vocals were loud like stereo speakers, vibrating the cubic shield. It was like getting pinned right up to the skull as the earlier rash spread down to all the pressure points on his face. His nose tendered with a sensation of a violent squeeze of a pinch. He felt his lungs slowly surrender because of the consistent yells of pain. As pain reached around his eyes and nose, Julius saw his surroundings getting darker. Ease yourself, JuliusDont try to fight itYou are bringing more than your body could contain. Make your body relaxTry, try, Celeste whispered, a breath of cold and purifying scent of lavender that countered Juliuss tendered nose. Julius couldnt think because of the overload of pain all around his body. However, he paid attention to Celestes dewy skin, and she returned his attention with a vibrant smile. She continued to whisper repeatedly: Ease yourself. The floral aroma that soothed his nasal pain was followed by a spicy scent that was sharp but counteractive to his inner headaches. Celestes continuous repeated phrase by her breath generated a load of positives almost to a waterfall of mist. Julius cant help it. Her smile was nearly contagious, which was enough to sabotage his perception of pain. As a result, his view became dimmer. With a reduction of sensing pain, he regained some of his thoughts and realized his eyelids were fatigued. He then drifted to sleep, removing himself from any more pain. Chapter 43 – First Blood (初血) -- Lake of Towering Greens Arena Min Merit Universe Total Score: 40,000 -- The Skolritters exited their room after the shrieking bell rang throughout the entire space. Julius received a notification from Skoltor, identifying the dungeon. He was way above the minimum total score, but only interpreted it as a suggestion. Excluding it from his visuals, he led the group down the lengthy hall. Every two steps were encounters of multiple doors and artistic walls. A second example of strange architecture that couldnt be possible without the involvement of qi manipulation. From the exterior at any point within the festival, the arena was as it was named. A circular shape, and a form that diverged from the characteristics of an amphitheater. Four towers have their own space, demonstrating the holy mightiness with the support of luminous sunlight in the shape of God''s rays. The details that were improvised were well thought out, except the large room earlier, and the entrance. Julius assumed it would be treated and built the same way that Underground Kriegshan was, in terms of magnitude and consistency. Having two areas that were the outliers of the bunch, he couldnt comprehend what was permitted intent of suffering. And why was the large room where the Skolritters waited, only a modern-like open lobby if the existing furniture were discarded? That was sensitively infuriating. There were no windows in this part of the building. None were in the hallway, or the lobbies that were intertwined with unique detours. The path was a complicated maze and without Skoltor or any of the others in the group having a virtual system implanted, all would immediately fall victim to unorthodox directions. Julius was told of that beforehand. He experienced it once. Thus, he is going through another one while strolling down. Being the driver, he followed the path the map had recorded, and it was a mind fest. After going through one detour, the visual surroundings became distorted, manipulating the sense of gravity and placement. The abundance of lavender mist that came from Celestes mouth lingered on his body and it seeped underneath his skin, massaging his insides. Weird as it sounded, the lethargic symptoms were masked and sailed away far into the abyss. He had heartily thanked Celeste for easing his abrupt mental pain. It was not a time to worry about it now. The lavender worked well even after waking up, effects were still vibrant. His mind remained calm, sticking to a more straightforward mindset. He cant fight it. He wanted to, but he couldnt. An imaginary feeling of a wall stopped him. Slap! The force of a palm struck his temple. Julius stopped and turned around. Everyone else was around an inch apart from him. They glared at each other at why he suddenly jolted back. You, okay? I thought somebody slapped the side of my face, Julius muttered. When he tried to think, another round hit him again. There were fire particles sizzled down from his skin. It rained down to the floor, phasing out into the thin air. The hallways shape began to distort into irregular polygons. An art dream. The brown and white color of the walls manifested various lines and shapes that werent decipherable. We have to keep moving! Celeste exclaimed, pushing and directing Julius through the developing paradox. She turned her head to the back, ordering everyone to line up. Julius was at the front end of the single-file line, and Solomon accepted the tail end. Julius felt a grip on his right soldier, followed by sounds of dull palms slapping down the line. Celeste whispered into his ear, prompting him to move. He summoned Licht, who, of course, was asleep. This time was an exception, and Julius didnt wake him up. The colorful distortion was disturbing his eyes, making him as sensitive as a fleeing bird. He kept himself on the line, dependent on Celestes grip. Skoltor''s map was distorted too, making the pathway nearly impossible to ease through. The whole thing became wicked when Julius, directing the team through the caveats and unexpected corners, suddenly got another slap on his face. He innately grunted, grinding his teeth, and unleashed a screeching sound that spooked him because that was a massive clash and grind. He found out it wasn''t only him, others got their faces attacked. He couldn''t see what it looked like on his face but after seeing their inflicted burn, holy smokes. Julius switched hands to hold Licht, then touched his temple, finding hells of rough, scratchy patches that were too deep in this lengthy hair. The mushy sounds of flesh were so startling. This was a stronger punch, but he didn''t expect it to inflict a burn that quick. Letting go of his hand from the spot, it brought blue blood and thin slices of dead, scorched flesh lying on his palm. Julius, disgusted, flicked it off from his grip. Articulating his hand again, he reached a bit of his palm right into his mouth while watching others dealing with the burning pain. He felt particles on his fingers and he asked any of them to observe his mouth for any damages. Give me a count of one to five. How bad is it? Celeste and Solomon, with eyes widened, gave a three. While the others give a four. Then Victoria, being the fourth in the line, nudged through. She insisted on moving his hand while observing way too close. Her eyes readjusted after acting as a microscope when she leaned back, nearly making Julius uncomfortable. I take back the four. Your teeth are healing as I''m talking, Victoria muttered, pointing at the lower front teeth. Look, it''s growing back. Ok, you guys can stop looking. It''s freaking me out. Julius said as his mouthplate closed up. Whoosh! Ow! Julius screamed from the depths inside his neck that the grunts could be heard through the mouthplate. He had his hand held right on the back of his head the second after getting blasted by the same fire projectile. He thrust the end of his greatswords hilt, slamming his forehead into it maniacally. Celeste and others tried to grab Licht away from Juliuss grip. That awkwardly failed as he yanked it away from them and accidentally burst a load of qi like some broken force field. They landed on their backs a few feet away from him. The wall in Juliuss head became literal, and he could interpret it tactically. He heard sounds of water in the strength of a landslide roaring in his ears. He dropped Licht to the floor, shattering the irregular distortions. Sand particles flew in the air following the drop and landed on the greatsword. It was so heavy that it left a dent, and there was a solid wood surface below it. The roaring sounds of the water were so immense, not in the mood to slow down. And the clinging mess of a ding that came from steel as if it were banged at each other ranged from his brain. Julius continued to scream that his mouthplate was automatically forced open. His eyes were sensitive to colorful lights and the distorted surroundings. The lavender effects have ceased, returning to himself quickly and radically dangerously. His vision was flashing foggy suddenly, and he pleaded for help. Through the loud water landslide, Julius could hear a faint voice. He couldnt differentiate, but knew it was one of them. Before he could do anything, he felt the urge deep within his stomach. A throbbing push from his abdomen. Something was punching from the inside with the desire for the exit. Oh, Yinhai! Ow! Please get this off! Without hesitation, Julius pushed the arm of the person away. He raised his left leg and did a one-eighty swirl, using his right foot to pivot. He closed his briefly opened eyes and then stomped down hard, so gruellingly that his femur shook, vibrating the entire left legs muscular system. His entire torso ballooned, and in a phantom hit, he vomited out a beam full of energy. While letting it all out of his mouth, he could smell the crispy smoke that gave a whiff of his nostrils. Naturally, it cranked his eyebrows downward. He braced up his back, arching it to steer the weight upward.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Screech! It screamed in his eardrums, but he couldn''t care less. He wanted all his mental restraints to be let out. Damage or whatnot to the building, the battle has already begun before the stage. Julius relaxed his eyelids and the pressure slowly lifting it up. The vision was still foggy, but tolerable. The energy inside of him was still abnormal in a constant burn. His mental awareness smoothly sailed to shore. By the border of the sand, the angry waves and intensity drastically subsided. He blinked his eyes a couple of times when it finally recalibrated. The beam dispersed, leaving behind a breath of black smoke. His mouth breathed and got rid of the heat temperature, sizzling it out through his lips. Splat! Julius flinched at the sudden burst of liquid covering his eyes and soaking his face. What the hell?! he yelled. Followed by multiple loads of spit, he wiped his eyes, revealing an open arena and structure in the daylight sky above. A massive crowd sat in the circumference elevated and up high. Multiple rows with the circumference that surrounded the arena. At least fifteen to forty thousand spectators fit the entire seating capacity. He looked down and saw the blood puddles across the vicinity of where he stood. His hand was soaked. The hard sandy floor was stained with a dried dark shade of red, turning black. A loud thud arrived the next second, revealing a decapitated body that was empty and hollowed inside. It sizzled like it was grilled. He gave a stare for a moment and turned around to see all the Skolritters were half laid on the arena floor. Solomon was very close. Julius realized that the arm was from him. Oh, my Yinhai! Did you know what you just did?! Hu yelled through the Skoltor system. Murderer!! yelled the crowd. Julius looked back to the scolding crowd while his neck grew tense. The term echoed across every part of the arena. Ahead on the other side were all the remaining contestants. From the bodies around the vicinity and the clothes, three casualties had already been tallied. A so-called regulator from the appearance of a long white cloak and a hardcover book in his hand, teleported in between Julius and the contestants. Celeste, Solomon, and Victoria stood from the floor. Lu Yi and Ritter got up, wiping off the sand dust. Celeste nudged Juliuss shoulder. He turned, seeing her holding the grip of Licht. Her first time. In response, he grabbed the empty part of the hilt and jerked his head back in response to the regulator. His voice was annoying. Literally, it was down to the well, where it can still be heard and inescapable. He called an abrupt halt to the tournament because of Juliuss actions of killing the three. His mind was back on track, but he was confused. What the fuck did I do? The crowd responded with a deep sigh. Julius shrugged his shoulder with a scorned face. The regulators hidden eyes behind the dark lenses were aimed at Julius. You are an animal. You were recklessly murdering these fair contestants." How was that my fault?! I was in damn pain and distortion! Julius responded, then paused. He looked back in the opposite direction, realizing it was a closed wall. Celeste, too, simultaneously glared. You set us up, didnt you? Celeste muttered. Julius grimaced, glaring right back at the regulator. I did not do such a foolish thing. Oh, really. Then why do you have that in your hand? I have nothing! Bang! The regulator yelled as he collapsed headfirst onto the stage. Julius, keeping his eyes on him, hovered his hand to his side and found it to be hollow. My gun! He half-turned to the right, where he saw Celeste gripping the SIG P210. Her hand was blood-boiled, veins popped around the knuckles of her thumb and the lateral of her wrist. Julius saw her eyes were dead, targeting the regulator. Both of her pupils were as small as a dot of ink. He grasped his pistol out of her hands. You are god damn crazy, Julius whispered to her before the mouthplate closed up. Too damn soon. He jogged like a rushed salaryman on the street, with his left hand up, gripping at his pistol. The regulators glasses were shattered, revealing a death reckoned look. The dark circles on him were miserable, agonizing, and sickly. While maintaining eye contact, Julius hovered his pistol right aligned to his head. On behalf of Longyue and the government of the West Cai Dynasty, youre executed at the hands of the emperor. Emperor Bang! He pulled the trigger on hold, firing pinpoint bullets. The qi ragged up the regulators white cloak, sending bits of cloth scattered everywhere like dirty dust. Without any further, the body was engulfed in his sky-blue qi, and a charcoal pungent smell enveloped in the vicinity. Boom! A circus frenzy occurred outside of the arena. Everyone paused at what happened and tried to make sense of what was happening outside of the arena. Julius eyed Celeste, and she immediately nodded. While they were distracted, he thrust the side of his boot right at the burning body, directing it at the contestants. Pew! Pew! The burning body was barely inches from reaching the group when it was barraged into bits of nothing, fizzling out the flames with it. Does anybody know there are guns in this world at all? Juliuss eyebrows raised as he was astonished that somebody else had guns from the evidence of the bullets rained to the floor. Through the slight whiff of smoke appeared a western-clothed feminine fatale. The lady got everything from the cowboy hat, a black button-down shirt with four snap buttons lined up from north to south covered by a lengthy jacket, and a similar tactical belt embraced by an emblem-like buckle. When she landed, she fired another round from her dual revolvers. Clank! Now, now. You cant be doing that and leave us all behind, Mr. Kang muttered after blocking the two bullets with his bare veins and large forearms. Forget the one hundred contestants. Anybody who enters this stage is considered a player and fighter. Multiple cultivators from the House of Kang arrived at the scene. Some took standing on the edge of the open arena, using their feet and legs like birds hanging on the tree. You took your timerightly, Julius said. Dont worry, there were no innocent casualties outside. They were moved by our team before the security ambush. The rest should go as we all plan. Be prepared for uncertainty coming during this entire matchBy the way, where are Feng and Yang? Mr. Kang pointed to the wall at the side of the contestant; hidden behind it were the two waving back before a rumbling earthquake motion erupted. They were shaken and altered by their balance, collapsing their bottoms to the floor. Afterward, the specific wall started unfolding outward like the locks in a waterway or canal, revealing the lake. The ones who sat specifically within those walls now have to deal with it. Time to fly! Mr. Kang said, initiating the fight. He swarmed away along with the rest of the cultivators nearby. Celeste and the rest of the Skolritters also departed to hunt for their first opponent. Juliuss opponent''s hunt was already decided. He kept his focus on the cowgirl with the dual revolvers. She stood within the stampede of fighters brawling, too, returned the glares. She then put both of her revolvers back into her holster, and Julius did the same. He and her didnt move an inch. They dont let anybody disturb their silent stare exchange. It lasted for a minute. One then dared cross into Juliuss eyes, prompting him to shoot him at the kneecap, ending his run in the arena. What kind of relic you got over there? the lady asked with a slight grin. Her one eye was admiring Juliuss SIG P210. Its not a relic. Its handmade and modified. And faster. But is it effective? she asked with a slanted face. That would depend on you. Then would you demonstrate? Julius and the cowgirl went into a stance without deterring their stares. Bang! They dashed in a flash, leaving behind trails of burning friction all over the floor. With a couple of inches in between each other, Julius pulled out his SIG P210. She pulled out her revolver, and the two slammed each others forearms like swords. The shockwave dispersed waves of energy at the speed of a sports car, reaching gusts up to the uppermost row of seats. Through the reflections of her eyes, Julius saw his eyes glow gold before her leafy green eyes shined back. Whats your name, cowgirl? Julius asked while simultaneously observing the back of the ladys jacket grow longer as a cape in reaction to the clash. On it was what appeared to be a family seal. A red eagles head with golden eyes towered above the two revolvers. Im Qiang Zhao, head of the Zhao clan. Chapter 44 - Western Cai Cowgirl (西蔡女牛仔) As the arena floors rumble, a marksman and markswoman clash with each other like magnets, anticipating a competition to find who will stand at the end of their duel. An unknown beast facing an experienced bull was a probable risk. They havent pulled off a move yet, but their staring has. A testament to their will. The will manifested in the translation of their powers. It was enough for Julius to bring out his sky-blue aura; the last time being a fight against Adalberht and the swamps. While his opponent brought out her leafy greenery to the table. Two auras illuminated over their respective owners only forced them to break off from the clash. It jolted them apart at a reasonable distance. They reacted with tough feet, craving the hard layer of sand from the arenas floor. The friction and pressure raised a load of sand like a water geyser, forming a towering wall that stood briefly high in the air. The next second, it all came down to heavyweight. Julius felt a slight breeze after the effect. Once it all rained down, he exerted his qi pressure to trigger a sound bomb, startling the audiences ears to where they broke into a howling cry of agony. That was rude, Qiang Zhao said. She then crouched and exerted all the debris out of her way before launching herself. Julius danced his right foot, nudging away by a few inches to spare. He unloaded a hook through with his forearm head on. Boom! She blew my punch! Julius flipped away from a jab to the face despite having a full mouthplate. He could feel the slight pressure right onto the surface of his cheek as the metal deflected off most of the force. Amid the deflection, he flew. She took after. Both crashed down on their backs, feeling the heavy scrape could come at any moment. Instinctively, they fired a fair share of qi bullets at each other while sliding their remaining distances across the arena. Carelessly not paying attention behind him, he struck through a group of fighters in their own match. They reacted like bowling pins, collapsing wildly and scattered from each other at a considerable reach. Pew! Umph, Julius grunted all the letters and held the right side of his chest. He swiftly got up from the floor, ignoring the head bump. He could feel a leak squirting right into his left hand. Im her first blood, he mumbled. She was still in his view, standing with one hand in her pocket. He was unsure of what her plan was because goddamn, she was a beauty. That was the one thing he noticed the longer he lived in Raal. All the women are as attractive as diamonds. A rarity on earth. So far, all could share similar traits, but what separated them from each were their masked character and interactive efforts. Her trails of black hair danced amongst the winds, vibrating off its vividness and display of a silklike surface. It vibed well with her black cowboy hat. Reigniting the confrontation, he was getting distracted by the bowling pins behind him. He head-down dodged away as one swirled their arm over, aiming for Juliuss head. He skidded in the distance, witnessing them. With such malice, he eyed Qiang and back at them, who were totally not having it. A loud bang rammed his ears when Qiang appeared right next to him, firing out her bullets. Julius leaped away to regain his personal space; he too fired at the bowling pins. There were at least six. He could only get three, as Qiang already put them on statistics. When he landed back on his feet, he then looked back at Qiang. Her facial expressions weren''t pleasing, and she grimaced with a heavy green aura swarming all around her. Ah, fuck. She''s not in the mood. Julius grew a little disturbed as he could feel the gust reach him. That was when he got a brief intrusive moment, and he fired again at the injured three, effectively killing them. Her devilish grin returned, and Julius fired another round at her to return to the momentum of their duel. I''m tired of being down here. Let''s head up, she said before leaping high into the air, leaving behind a massive crater that caused a few matches to collapse. Even the lake got a glimpse of the change in the flow of water. A couple of gallons worth splashed onto the original stage of the arena and spread out across the space, ruining various brawls. Julius, without hesitation, jumped into the air like he was on a trampoline. The after-effect came upon after lifting himself upwards, bringing another round of crackling and banging noises. While speeding through layers of high clouds, he saw her trying to intercept his path, forcing him to fire a bullet. It missed terribly. He continued again and again. Still missed. Shes hella fast. Why are my bullets aint reaching her? Screech! Licht blocked his back, but he felt it. However, it had more power deflecting it off compared to his mouthplate. Unlike the punch of a knuckle that sounded like a thump, this was scratching metal to cause ear torture. After the shot, Julius glared back at her, and she teleported. He realized his marksman capabilities were slim compared to her, prompting him to change the scenario and holster the pistol away. Barehanded, he went on hyper sensation and traced back her flight path, intercepting her right when she was going near light speed. He performed a swirl kick, striking her at her head. The sole of his boot was right on the top of her cowboy hat. Yes. Finally. Julius was excited that he had got a hit. It created a shocking echo in the air that dissipated through the high clouds in the vicinity. Bang! His eyes then flashed after immediate contact. He fell midair while having the view of the entire lake and the festival surrounding it. A small puddle of blue blood splattered on the invisible surface. Julius braced himself up in denial that he got shot again, but right outside of his orbital bone. He kept his frustration inside, not exposing it to her or any of his opponents this soon. Qiang then dashed right behind him with one hand holding the top of her head. Juliuss eyes moved like a tracker, as if he had already pinpointed her. His left eyes vision was a little foggy, but the latter eye caught her, and he took the least of a second to hit her again. He instead went for a double-two combo. First, he went for an impaling gesture with his tightened fist right into her abdomen. Making use of his right hands metallic capabilities, Julius conducted the electricity through it. His qi shared with metallic black, raising the voltage and potency of the charge. That was when he led the final push from it, boosting it through his forearm muscles. Qiang got knocked back in a blink. He didnt let her off before blasting a cylindrical beam as wide as an intercontinental ballistic missile. Qiang spitted green blood from the vessels in her mouth. It splattered right at Juliuss face as he flew towards her. I keep getting splattered, for Yinhais sake. Some internal irritation brought enough energy to reload his SIG P210. He reloaded quickly for one and fired a jolting beam, striking her head. The cowboy hat flew off of her head, revealing a bloody scrape soaking her forehead. Shit. Julius has no time to spare, going in a detour down below as the hat descended faster than an elephant dropped from midair. He boosted his feet, going beyond Mach two, and reached his hand out. Pop! Ow! Son of a bitch! Julius yelled after he felt a muscle tear around underneath his armpit; the pain reached down to his ribs. He gripped the cowboy hat in time and jolted his left arm back. Afterward, he did an arc like a backflip, steering him back up high in the stratosphere. There were miles'' worth of contrails left behind from the beam that phased out. Thus, with the hat on, Julius sped at an overload passing Mach four. When he arrived at arm''s reach, Qiang was still conscious but unable to escape the remaining force that sent her flying. He grappled her from the back and zoomed, breaking the force.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. What are you doing?! Qiang asked. Were too damn far away from the arena, Julius said while swarming in a breeze. Where the fuck is my hat?! I have it on me! Hey, give it back! Nobody outside of my family can wear that!! This woman is so feisty. I dont even know if I can hold it much longer! Julius wanted to rant. He doesnt know if it is joyful or pure anger. But it was a strange feeling and only showed up inside his chest. He and Qiang began fighting over the damn hat. She moved her arms unpredictably, like a spider. Predictable, but then not. The cowboy hat was really that important, a familys worth of generations. The unpredictability struck Juliuss nose at least twice, putting him in a nosebleed. Her accuracy was insanely terrifying because, keep in mind, Julius had his mouthplate on the entire time. However, it only protected the bottom half of his nasal bridge. Now, aint that a painful mother. This duel had to end somewhat, otherwise it dragged on to boredom. Slam! Stop hitting me! Julius said, with a progressively decent blindness in his left eye after taking a blow from Qiangs elbow. To his joy, the arena was right ahead and below. Much more progress for sure and more fights have scattered out, using the lake to advantage. Not even wanting to be blind in both eyes, he went for an even higher speed, spraining his calves. He almost went into a state of prayer when he went in a dive, prompting Qiang to yell. She urged him to stop. Julius ignored her demands, steering away from the arena floor and heading right to the lake for a less rough landing. He doesnt care if fighters are doing their thing. They only have to deal with an upcoming mimic of a meteorite. Julius closed his eyes shut while Qiang continued to scream, now in agony, with only less than ten seconds left to crash into the lake. He let his sky-blue aura envelop, taking over both of them. Here goes nothing, he muttered. Splash! Boom! The crash in the lake may be catastrophic. This might become a war crime since the West Cai Dynasty was already in a state of war. However, the problem was Julius was being advised before going to the tournament was behind the name of the dynasty. The division was so uncanny it reminded him of a confederation type of government. Like how Longyue used to have multiple families and sects having shared parts of the capital, the same applies here. The factions, families, and the alike are so disunity with the central government that news was blocked off or unreachable. But its whatever. If the tournament doesnt get their attention, then option B might be feasible. Definitely a mental hell; most probably dont even know who Julius is despite being the emperor for at least a week. The damage has been done. The crash site erupted a towering pillar of boiling water that exerted a mist ring with a heat of at least 160F (71.12C). Perfect in a sauna, but not for anything else. The ring of mist turned into clouds and rained, probably the hottest water Julius ever experienced. He had made it through the crash with the hat on. However, he couldnt stay in the area for long as the precipitation escalated within a certain radius. Opening his mouthplate, he then swam back to the arena. He came across Qiang, who was distorted, and took a breather. He went for a full grapple, attempting to go for swimming records as he had never done that before. You want the hat back, take it! Julius said in a raised voice, despite half of his face being submerged under the water. Qiang finally took it off of his head. She was furious with the thrilling stares combined with the dried green blood masking her forehead and bits of her hair. When he saw Qiang lift one of her arms, he gave a glare to the right behind her. Luckily, getting back on the arena stage should be an ease because of a setup similar to a boat ramp that reaches from the depths to land. Subsequently, Julius shoved her right back to the arenas floor, preventing himself from getting slammed by her. Julius leaped out of the water, landing back on the arenas surface with a blind left eye. Coincidentally, Solomon and Celeste were on a tag team nearby, finishing their battle against a group of opponents. Then he tumbled down to his knees and puked a puddle of blue blood. His nostrils also spit out as the vessels within the naval cavity erupted again, leaking out more. Darn, not now! Julius wanted it to end, but couldnt. Being the unknown emperor, he has to prove he can survive the entire show, so he isnt satisfied personally. Oh, my Yinhai! Celeste yelled, probably noticing Julius in a troubling state. He turned right to where her voice was. The right eye revealed her bursting in enrage, sending her opponents into the abyss. She then grabbed Solomons shoulder, teleporting them right next to him. Julius spats again, to Celestes despair. What the hell happened to you? Celeste asked. DuelI need a healplease, Julius mumbled with a drool of blood lingering loosely behind his lips. Ill see what I can do. Celeste summoned a barrier and a form of healing spell directly around his head. After a few seconds, his left eye''s foggy vision progressively dissipates. As it healed, he spat and blew out any last of the lingering blood as the healing took over. Solomon acted as the shield while also the monitor of his condition. Uh, Julius. We got trouble. Julius looked up and saw Qiang get herself out of the rubble and healed, loading her dual revolvers. No, only me, he responded. Celeste attempted to persuade him not to and let Solomon take a bit of his time for the healing process to be complete. Julius, in response, shook his head. He doesnt want to break the momentum and desires to settle this as this is it. He then grabbed his greatswords hilt. < Its time, Licht. > Julius telepathically said. << I was waiting for your call. You are madlad. That crash almost took you off the hook. >> Licht said with an intent of concern. < No time for that right now. Im at the last moments, and if I dont give it all, its over. > << How much do you want to go against a markswoman.? >> < Only enough. I cant calculate this one but try not to make it too hard. I need her alive. > << As you wish >> Julius firmly gripped the hilt, lifting the greatsword out of his back. While Celeste moved out of the way and went to his left, she hadnt let off her healing spell. Despite being much farther this time, Julius and Qiang stared at each other immensely with more intent and direction. Like the start of the duel, now this is the finale. Let it go, Julius said to Celeste, insisting he was fine now while not forgetting to thank her. He gestured to them to back away while maintaining focus on Qiang. Boom! A shockwave from his exertion of energy reigniting his sky-blue aura. Qiang, correspondingly, brought out hers. The two simultaneously charged themselves up. Pools of heat waves generated and encircled around them, triggering a full rumble. The vibration went beyond the arenas borders, spreading through various parts of the ongoing festival. The rest of the ongoing fights and brawls were put to a halt. A few more irritations and threats came and went, all on Julius. He responded with a menacing glare, resulting in a fragment of his energy surging at their faces and knocking them out of the blue. Damn them. They have fucking done it. Julius grew angrier, unintentionally triggering a hidden trump card. As he grunted, smoke exhaled from his mouth and nose. The whole finale turned into a potential death spree, and the smoke went darker by the second. He wasnt affected health-wise, as it appeared like being shoved in a plume of burning smoke. His mind became less complicated, desiring a confrontation to the fullest. It felt manic good! Bang! Julius launched from his spot and sped right at Qiang. Her feet glowed leafy green and launched like a rocket booster as the ends of her feet exerted green-colored emission. Juliuss greatsword aura turned black, with white outlines; a symptom of darkness. The smoke wrapped around his body and formed a layer of armor as he sped up closer and closer. Qiangs revolvers glowed at the ends of the barrel, ready to blast at its target. Face yourself! Julius roared, echoing the guttering and a shudder of a lions scream. YUEQIU HAIXIAO! He twirled his torso and right arm in one-eighty, unleashing all the potential energy out from the entire surface of the blade. Youre insane! Qiang yelled. She fired her dual revolvers and combined the two blasts together into a humongous beam, clashing with Juliuss tsunami wave of dark qi. Both exerted their energy into the clash. The moment leaves their fates to be decided as a fragment of qi from the two was enough to ignite the strength of a nuclear bomb explosion at a minimum. Therefore, the debris and smoke enveloped the entire arena and swiftly expanded its radius beyond. Chapter 45 – Arena Disaster: 1 (竞技场灾难: 一) Many minutes passed, and everywhere was still smoked gray and black, no color. It was silent. If there were anyone or creature in the air viewing below, it would appear as if there were a storm. And it left a heavy residue. The entire festival and the lake were all covered, like they were masked over, and the layers of fog generated from the impact were heavily thick. Spew! Boom! A vertical beam of green qi penetrated through the thick space. It flashed in the air like a sword and sprinkled out rain of qi at a wide radius. The rain lasted for an hour according to the position of the sun. By the time the rain subsided, it was well into mid-afternoon. The white sun hovering in the sky was at an angle with its rays shining over the bare grounds where the arena previously stood. Most of the walls were trashed and destroyed. Only an arc remained. The surviving contestants lay on the arena floor, where it was the most intact. Unfortunately, the lake had withstood heavy damage from the explosion, ending up with only fifty percent of the original volume of water, and half of the lake was eradicated. Approximately, thirty lay unconscious on the arena floor. -- Record speeds and numbers recorded. -- Julius felt lightheaded when he woke up. His greatsword, Licht, lay flat across from his reach. He coughed out a whiff of smoke and dust that clobbered his esophagus. He was in pain after he lifted his eyes open. His head tightened and throbbed for a minute, but it was bearable. The right arm felt a little loose as he slowly got up from the rubble floor. Crack! He wiggled his arm, finding a disruption around his shoulder. The motion of a lever switch jammed was the way he thought about it. Julius redirected to his left arm and legs and lifted up from the rubble. Around the rubble were fogged. The grayish flow of misty gas lingered, making the spot humid. That was the least of his worries as he minimally sweated around his hair and neck. Standing up straight, his back also felt odd. Nothing broken. He quickly concluded. Right at the center of his upper torso at the spine, he felt more space as it got extended. That led to another motion where his chest felt wider. Eventually, he looked down and found his dragon vinyl overcoats end, now stopped above his waist, and turned into a standard jacket by length. His boots were torn into scraps, revealing larger feet coming out from ragged socks. Going back up, he glanced through the ripped pants from his ankle up to his shins, leaving the tactical belt untattered. That was when he immediately picked up what happened. His loose right arm made a lot more sense. He had his left hand held onto his right shoulder and jerked it back and forth until a cracking sound followed. Julius rolled around his shoulder joint and his strength ran back up to pace. With the headache ceased Julius strolled down from the pile of rubble. He then grabbed Licht from the ground and saw the size difference that put the greatsword to a super long katana. The moment was still weird, and Julius comprehended the lighter weight from the grip. He put Licht on his back and effectively felt nothing related to the heaviness that he was used to. He reached right up to the fog barrier. Upon touching it, the fog dispersed after it contacted Juliuss finger. It swept clean and sprinted away until it faded into the abyss. Ahead revealed Qiang fatigued. She laid her back right on a wreckage pile. Julius walked to her, and she heard his footsteps and turned her face over right at him. You alivegood, Qiang muttered. I was about to say the same thingbut the whole arena is goneWhat the hell did we do? Qiang tirelessly shrugged, unsure of it herself. I can only assume when we both clashed it must have exploded and we got knocked out. Julius summoned two water bottles from his virtual inventory and handed one to Qiang. Here, hydrate yourself, he said. She quickly grabbed it, and her paced breathing eased after she ingested half a bottle of water. After a brief break, she drank the last half of the water and crumbled the plastic into bits. Qiang then stood and felt refreshed. Her hat was nearly a clean cut in half, and Julius saw her brushing off the dust from her cowboy hat, revealing the wide gap that was hung on by the remaining threads. That was a comfortable hat, Julius commented. And you broke the rule! Qiang blurted. If anybody in the Zhao clan finds out, Im in trouble as well! Arent you the head of the Zhao Clan? Surely, you have some exclusive immunities, Julius responded, remembering her title. Qiang paused. She turned herself away, and Julius didnt budge of her private space. Before he could utter a word, he was met by Celeste who looked roasted alive. She ran through a small cluster of cloud dust nearby. Her entire clothing was charred, and her face darkened from the burns. The rest of the Skolritters came along through and followed out. They had the worst as all went out in a limp. All of them had one of their legs that appeared to be broken. Julius at once summoned more water bottles from his inventory and gave one to Celeste before meeting up with the rest. Upon closer look, Julius handed each water and analyzed their injuries. Celeste arrived from behind and felt better from the water. She then directed everyone to an empty spot. Julius let them off. They are terrible. It reminded me of the underground tournament. He reflected and followed them. As he headed to an empty space within the group, he heard sprinting footsteps from behind. Recognizing Qiangs footsteps, she came up. Celeste, after she directed everyone to sit down, turned around and saw Qiang, giving her a quick glare. It wasnt the nicest as her eyes bulged. However, Julius gave her a denying gesture, and she then broke it off and offered her to sit down. Qiang didnt hesitate to and did. You too, Celeste said. Im okay. You go ahead and" I insist! Celeste distinctly replied. Julius grunted but sat himself down. He turned to where he was still within the vicinity until he saw as much of the arena as possible. Granted, some parts were still covered in clusters of cloud dust. So far, no signs of where the rest are at. There were traces of qi but too thin to differentiate and identify. In a way, which made the whole matter a dead end. The whole competition pretty much ended. High casualties were the audience, and the attendees of the festival made up the majority percentage. A fair interpretation. However, Julius isnt counting the Tang Family or the House of Kang as the little traces of qi around the vicinity were indecipherable. So, theres still a chance they are still knocked out. Going clockwise, Celeste does the healing process individually rather than as a whole group due to not being at full strength, affecting the distribution, so she had to focus on one-to-one for the sake of efficiency. While sitting on the floor, Julius embraced the boredom and relaxed until Solomon commented on his physical changes while Celeste checked on him. Do I look strange to you? Maybe. Your torso looked like a giant bull, Solomon noted. Not only you but the cowgirl next to me. She too is a giant. Qiang didnt take that as a compliment and pulled her revolver out of her holster. She then pushed down the hammer, giving it a click. Julius, forcing himself out of boredom, held his hand in the grip of his SIG P210 while staring at her. If you shoot, Zhao Clan wont have a cent left. Why? Are you mocking me? Yes. You took an offense to a compliment, Julius stated. And I offered to get your wounds healed. At least accept the friendly gesture, not many opponents get the opportunity. He still kept his grip on the pistol as she hadnt resolved to surrender. Im warning you. She didnt back down as he felt her qi rise through the ceiling. Julius realized her craziness was incomprehensible. The calmness and lack of emotion before dueling might be a fa?ade as this wasnt the same person he endured from the minutes of fighting. The Skolritters went full alert despite injury, and Solomon was not in the mood for jokes when his eyes glowed red. Celeste finished healing him and her eyes too triggered, releasing flashing purple. Victoria, despite a broken leg and a tattered chest with an open mouth gape, lounged herself in front of Julius, blocking half of his body. Everyone was in a deadlock, unsure who would pull the motive. Julius wanted her alive which others appeared to not share. This is batshit crazy.
The jolting flashes straightly impaled the eyes as if sunlight was given the moment of surprise. That was the last recollection before Feng experienced a forceful swirl of her body that knocked her out cold before even certain coming down crashing to the floor. She awakened with nothing unordinary that would cause her concern. Her limbs articulated fine with no gaps in between each gesture. No symptoms of blindness as her vision was vivid as day. Feng rubbed her eyes, removing remnants of dust and debris underneath her eyelids. She rolled to her back and lifted her torso upwards, revealing a result of destruction across all space. Everything was in shambles that reminded her of the Fall of Longyue. Nothing to obtain or sense with. Bewildered as she was, she quickly regained composure and found that she was way farther than expected. These werent the sandy hard floors from the arena. Feng thought. With one finger touch that prompted her to leap back up to her feet, she quickly calculated that the whole festival was decimated. She leaned at the sturdy rails and viewed how significantly the lake was drained, barely enough water for the water wildlife to survive, but there was no sign of them since the battle expanded to the lake. Pinpointing her relative location, the intersections to the right guided her position. She articulated her view to the left where the arena was located, now ground zero. Thus, Feng got off the rail and strolled right back to the arena through a clustered and rocky path. Multiple dusted bodies, each with various degrees of amputation, lay as ragdolls amongst the rubble. Feng didnt sensitively react as she passed through. Additionally, she went to a couple partially buried bodies for identification. Nope, blue robe, and a sword sheath. She concluded and checked one more time for any vinyl or seal emblem imprinted. Neither came out with anything and that eased a little bit of her concerns. Thus, she continued to go through the disorderly path and the space widened, allowing her to walk freely from the obstacles. As her foot stepped into the arenas original circumference, she felt a dull thump followed by a grunting moan. Whats that? Her ears heightened. Lifting her feet, Feng did a dull slam from the bottom of her boots, causing another moan. Her eyebrows cocked up, and she nudged herself away from her prior spot and thrust her hands into the pile of wood and concrete. Got you! She felt the individuals shoulder and lifted it out of the rubble, revealing a black overcoat with a Cai Tigers face vinyl and orange double-plated shoulders. Dad?! Feng yelled as her expression dropped. Father Kang looked absolutely terrible. His scraped face as if a creature performed a direct quick, heavy slash. He had opened his eyes upon hearing her call him, but he was too weak and couldnt utter words through his mouth other than agonized moans. His qi is still there but wont for long. Feng looked around while both of her hands gripped the flaps of her fathers overcoat. Boom! A bright towering sky-blue light of qi glowed in the bright daylight. She glared at it momentarily before turning back to her father, Im gonna get you help! Feng exclaimed.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Quickly, she went underneath Father Kangs left arm and let it over her shoulder. Fengs mind was distraught; she had never seen her father in such bad shape. While she picked up the pace, her father continued to moan. Feng grimaced as it progressed swiftly. She heard his esophagus and the trachea grinded his voice. His grip on her shoulder fluctuated and surged unpredictably, signaling he was fighting for his consciousness. Feng continued until she reached the spot where she saw Julius and the Skolritters, expecting them to notice her. Much to her dismay, she saw them in the middle of a conflict and did not appear to take notice of her presence. Their eyes flashed glaring colors. They were all inside a barrier cube, recognizing it to be from Celestes qi. Damn it, she angrily grunted. There was one spot with enough supported height. Feng took her father and laid his back on the wreckage pile. Here take this, she muttered and transferred a trace of her qi to him. It would only be temporary because her qi isnt the healing type. Unfortunately, it only acted as a boost, so if the time ran out, Father Kang would be in a trance and dependent. He woke up from his troubling eyes. What happened? he asked as if nothing happened. Im gonna get Celeste to help you. I just transferred a bit of my qi to keep you awake so dont move. Otherwise, youll drain it and be in trouble. Do you understand father? Father Kang nodded and gestured for her to go. Hurry or Ill move. No, you better stay. Im right across from here, Feng replied and pointed her finger to where Celeste and the others were, having a conflict. The situation escalated when Feng ran in the direction of the Skolritters and noticed the cowgirl from earlier had her hand on her weapon. Feng, in a squatted stance, jolted her right arm out and exerted flames, engulfing it up to her shoulder. As the ordinary flames ate it up, the crispy color of fire transformed into bloody red, and her fist doubled in size while she clenched her jaw, flashing red pupils. She hissed through her mouth and nostrils, exerting red-smoldered gas. This ends now! she exclaimed while holding the end of her right wrist. The grip sent the strength all directly to her enlarged fist. She articulated her dominant leg to the rear while nudging her torso to where her left side was at the front. Once at the right place, Feng started flexing both of her thighs, triggering an upsurge of maroon and blood vividness that surrounded her. With one second time, she dashed right up to the cubic barrier, thrusting a punch right to the surface. Enough!! she yelled, bringing the extra rage of weight to her punch. Crack! As her knuckles felt the loosening of the barrier, it was enough to disrupt the momentum inside. Celeste, formerly flashing purple eyes, directed her attention to Feng. The whole mood in there began to switch, and before they could react, Feng broke through the barrier, sending her punch right down to the floor in between everyone and triggering a massive explosion. The red qi erupted from beneath the floor where Feng delivered the punch. It spat up high and overwhelmed the view with purgatory, thunderous red that terrorized the sky. The whistling steel followed after a few seconds Feng threw the punch and before the qi completely engulfed everyone. What is this? Feng felt something hard that slid underneath and rubbed both the ridges and the flat surface of her clenched fist. < That was very reckless of you > Who said that? Feng was certain she heard someone talking to her. A deep man''s voice that lay in between friendly and menacing. She rapidly turned her head around and saw no one while noticing things around her slowed down. < First time? I understand. This is your first time experiencing someone communicating through your head, so I took a minute out of the time to slow things down. > << This cant be real. Where are you? >> Feng asked, attempting her first telepathic communication. < Let go of your fist. > The voice replied. Feng took her right fist back as the flames dispersed. After she took it back, the red qi was sucked into what was clashing against her knuckles. It vacuumed like a monster. Within a few seconds, the area cleaned itself and reverted away from potential destruction at a massive scale, cutting off the source from bringing more qi into the air. Feng followed where the qi was sucked into. It was revealed to be Juliuss large sword. Immediately, she felt a jolting tick down her spine. << Youre a relic, arent you? >> < Yes, the strongest of all so far in close proximity. > << You dont feel like a typical one. Ive never seen or read any relic on record that capable. >> Feng was intrigued. Ironically, the fascination calmed her bodys upsurge in qi, and she took a couple steps back. < Its like a game. I dont even know why I exist. Julius knows that. Eventually, Ill get answers, but it will be a long-term process. Hence, I dont know how much farther my capabilities can go. > << Thats fair. But I think I had enough for the day. My mind isnt used to this. >> Feng rubbed her head, feeling tense around her temple. < Well, my name is Licht. Its nice to meet you Feng, and thanks for the qi. I dont know what Im going to do with it, but itll be fun. > Licht greeted, and his voice faded from within Fengs mind. The slowdown of her surroundings was switched off after Lichts voice sent farewells. A vibrating ring hummed, and the flow of time recalibrated, leaving the Skolritters unfazed by what happened in between. Feng then walked up to them, berating their feuds. Are you all awake now?! No more careless confrontations? Julius shook his head, indicating that it was over. However, he didnt stop fully when he brought out one more sentence from his angry mouth right at the cowgirl. I swear, dont you ever do that again! He yelled with his finger pointed right at her. Lifting himself up from the floor, he then walked away for some private space. "What the hell is wrong with you all? You all almost got into a fight because of these two. And at the wrong time, when the whole festival is destroyed, so we should be focusing on looking for survivors over this damn fiasco, Feng reprimanded. Why is your hand still on your weapon? She noticed the cowgirls hand was still gripping the weapon that was held by the holder on her belt. Not holding back, Feng swiftly barged right up next to her and kicked out of her grip, using the outsole of her boot. The thrusting motion pushed the weapon out, prompting her and Feng to leap right to the weapon. However, Feng was decisive, boosting to account for speed before performing a full-body twirl that gave her leverage through her legs. She performed a swirl kick and struck her head, flicking off her cowboy hat. As she tumbled down, Feng gave her a slam kick onto her shoulder from the heel. The pressure shocked the cowgirl as her grimace face turned dull and blank before free-falling to the ground. Celeste barely caught her under her full grip. The cowgirl landed on her arms, and Celeste took her back to the spot and laid her on the floor getting her to be healed. Feng, on the other hand, dropped down and went to her father. Luckily, he was still stable enough for her to lift him up without worry. Father Kang limbed along the way to Celeste while she watched and guided his movements. Solomon got up from his spot, feeling the need to stretch for a few moments. He helped Father Kang get him down to sit, and Celeste finished fixing up the Cowgirl. Feng then transferred a trace of her qi into Celeste. Why? Doing all of that must cost a lot of qi, so Ill give you some boost. Consider it as a friendly courtesy. Celeste nodded with a slight smile and turned to work on healing Father Kang. Feng went right to the unconscious cowgirl. She held no ill will and placed her weapon right in her hand before walking away, viewing her fathers face healing from the heavy scrapes. Victoria appeared normal, tied up her coat, hiding the large wide scar on her abdomen that reached up to her chest. She noticed Feng was eyeing her. You were staring? It was too big Had to take it for the team. That opponent is probably dead now, so it was worth it, Victoria bluntly said, not giving a crap about the wound. Afterward, she looked up, finding the sky was red and cloudy. Why is the sky red? My qi can turn into clouds if enough was unleashed into the air. No wonder why my vision around me appeared a little darker. Feng too looked up, It should be clearer by any moment now, she said. The sunlight rays penetrated the purgatory red clouds. While she watched, it cleaned itself up from the sky until an eruption occurred behind the remaining clouds of qi. The gusts dashed down to the surface, inflicting immense blows. Julius teleported right in front of the group, blocking the wind with Lichts recently acquired vacuum ability. Feng leaped up in the air and gave a punching gesture to blend in her arm with the gusts. Effectively, it pushed back a few as her qi reflected like a mirror. We got company, Julius said, exerting his qi to form his sky-blue aura. Shit, out of all times Feng muttered while her arms were heated. From the source, the clouds disintegrated, revealing four masked individuals. Their appearance would mask the sky again as clouds formed out of thin air from afar and flowed right over. In the next few blinks, everywhere went nearly dark as if a rainstorm was coming. The four wore uniform outfits, and from their body outlines, Feng counted three females and one brawny male. Their uniforms were all black vests with long flaps at the front and rear, and they were strapped by a gray belt over a lighter shade of black long-sleeved shirt and baggy pants. The boots and gloves were the only brightest, sharing the gray color of the belt. The hairs were unique to each person, making the identification more recognizable. Additionally, the four wore facial masks, and each had a different expression as they were artistic. They shared dragon head models for their masks, and the three ladies had brighter colors: green, orange, and violet. While the man embraced a full black and white uniform, leaving the dragon mask pure white. Swoosh! Shit, Feng muttered as they flashed really close to her and Julius. Slash! Bang! Feng flew back from the sudden explosion, crashing into a small pile of wreckage. She then leaped out of it, arriving back only to be confronted by a cloaked individual. The individual stood in front of Julius and appeared to have clashed back with the four dragon-masked cultivators. A fire barrier in the shape of a crescent was what separated Julius and the latter from continuing. Hence, the whole battle went to a standstill before it even began. Who is she? she whispered. Julius shrugged while observing the cloaked individual. I dont know. The qi was untraceable. Not even a tiny whiff could do the work. We hope the person is on our side, he answered. Who are you? Is he better already? Feng heard that her father asked from behind as he stood. His qi was back on full fuel. Hence, he walked up to the individual. In return, the person didnt respond other than a slight nod. It then looked in both directions; first him and then back to Feng and Julius, revealing a black void as if there was no face or anything to glare through. Shatter! Clang! Swish! The individual deflected off an attack from the green-masked dragon cultivator. She flew back as the latter unleashed a swarm of qi in the shape of a cross right back at her. All four masked dragons dodged from it with an arms distance away as it flew faster than an Adler. Boom! Everyone who stood behind the shattered barrier stared silently as the winds from the blast blew right at their faces. The cloaked individual then took off what held the hoodie portion of the cloak. Swirls of red hair unleashed from the dark void as the individuals head reappeared. Long hair. A lady?! Feng was fascinated with the cloak as it concealed everything from top to bottom, leaving the individual undetected. The hair smelled like roses as the hair rolled down past the shoulders, reaching mid back and right at the waistline. Because the lady took the hoodie off and a bit untied at the torso, the ladys voluptuous figure became more visible. Hang on, I know this fragrant smell. Fengs mind in the back awoke after smelling the flowery smell of the red hair. She glared at her father momentarily before walking right up behind the lady, palm tapping her shoulder. Empress Cai? Feng muttered. What? Julius immediately turned, expressing his baffled face after a second of looking at the lady. I havent heard any updates about your hypoqi fatigue, and your qi is back! Does that mean youre healed and cured? Zwoop! Everyone reacted to the teleportation sound. The four masked dragon cultivators were all on the ground from the way Feng entered back into the arena with her father. As much as I missed youand everyone, we have old enemies to deal with first, Empress Cai muttered, eyeing them four. Old enemies huh? Julius wondered then revolved his head to his left. Do you have a plan or whos taking the shots? Empress Cai sighed deeply. My strength might not be fully a hundred percent, so we all probably have to share, she said. Or cheat our way out. I dont mind as long as I can get loose, Feng said before unleashing her bloody red aura. Father Kang popped his knuckles and exerted his darkness which caught the attention of Julius, who was surprised by it. Solomon, along with the rest of the Skolritters, will stay at their spot. He assured them it would all be fine and be reserved for backups. Julius nodded at Solomons statement and went all out with his sky-blue aura, brightening the area. Finally, he and Empress Cai initiated the clash with an upward slash. Thus, the four dashed to the masked dragon cultivators head-on. Chapter 46 – Arena Disaster: 2 (竞技场灾难：二) Clash! Julius might not have felt it earlier, but Skoltors system indicated a fatigue effect hidden in his body. And it started to activate right during a clash with a cultivator that wore a purple dragon mask. He and she had fought one-to-one for the past ten minutes. He doesnt know if he should take it into account when the two had no indication of overplaying the other. It was like an endless marathon with no breaks in between. His body reacted to events with no consistency. There are times when nothing has happened. His battle with Qiang or during the Swamp War had no moments of symptomatic fatigue anywhere in his body. The wrong timing irritated him as it appeared the cultivator was having a good time in this fight. Julius had never met this group of dragon-masked cultivators before. Only a brief comment from Empress Cai that it was her old enemies was intriguing. Similar to Qiangs confrontation at the beginning, he wanted them alive if possible. The purple-masked cultivator suddenly switched her movesets, moving on to a hybrid of martial arts and swordsmanship. Oomph! Julius felt the thrust right into his abdomen, followed by a bone-shattering noise right from his chest; not a good moment for him. He violently vomited blood right to the cultivator while being rapidly pushed back midair. It worked as he took the chance to head back to the ground, leaving her attempting to clean the bloody residue that tampered with her mask. Juliuss boots created a trail track as he landed hard while pulling the brakes. The pressure roasted the sandy layer of the floor, exposing the hard wooden base. Flames ignited from underneath. He wiped his mouth and spat the bloody residue that lingered behind his mouth. Funny that it tasted like a sweet drink. Hence, he was a little strained having to spit it out. His mouthpiece closed up when the purple-masked landed in front of Julius at the end of the blazed trail. One of her hands was soaked with dried blue blood. Her mask was tainted with blue spots, ruining the homogenous purple. The eyes of her mask flashed yellow, summoning a manifestation that was also her aura. The gusts generated from the sudden outburst blew out all the flames of the trail, dissipating it without a second thought. Wow. A powerful display. Julius squinted his eyes after he witnessed the vibrant yellow aura of a roaring dragon beast. He had never heard a roaring aura before until now. He wasnt terrified, but his spine shook, forcing him to exert his aura as a defense. Not giving him time to exhale, the purple-mask cultivator zoomed right up front and palmed right to his chest. A hollow crater erupted behind him in an instant. The rumbling from the impact of her palm massaged his entire body. It became painful when he flew right to the center of the crater. When Julius crashed down, he lost his grip on Licht and was pinned down. My arms! Damn it, I cant move! He watched when he saw her standing at the edge. She then leaped right into the sky and dropped directly in line above Julius. Ah no, not again! Julius grunted, forcing his mouthplate to open. Thump! Boom! The crater walls widened as Julius hunched over, reaching up closer to the cultivator. He spat blue blood again, but she dodged from getting splashed again. However, a drop painted her left glove. She got triggered as Julius heard her grunting. She then delivered a heavy blow right to his jaw. Juliuss head jerked back, finding it hanging itself on the edge. His neck was holding him from falling off down further into the rabbit hole. The impact was such an impressive demonstration of the cultivators strength that at least ten feet were dug. Juliuss eyes could still move, and he eyed his troubling surroundings. His greatsword, Licht, was halfway over. One sudden movement and it will fall off the edge. He was aware of the situation as his mouth bled. Then his eyes and nose. Come on, Licht! His mind attempted to communicate from afar. Poor boy. Things were starting to get interesting, the purple-masked cultivator said. Her voice was disappointed. Additionally, it was her first time uttering words since the battle began. I wished the duel would last longer. Juliuss situation compromised him. He had nowhere to escape and witnessed the cultivators hands gripping her katana-length sword. She was about to make an execution move as the tip of the blade was directly above his abdomen. The sharpness preyed on his skin when she shoved it down. Grhh! He couldnt emit a voice, leaving his mentality the sole commitment to this sharp pain. Because of the bodys paralysis, the infliction was torture and not immediate, making the experience more grinding. Skoltors system went into a panic, spamming red HUDs and alerting Hu, who came to the call. What the hell did you get yourself into? Hu distraughtly said. Long story short, Im fucked. Ok, I got something. Hang on for a moment, Hu said, and then her voice connection got cut off by a beeping sound. Im not leaving it off only because I got fucking stabbed. That would be the lamest way to lose. Julius angrily ranted. It was like him being trapped in the darkness void on the Merit Universes first floor. The only difference was this was irritating desperation rather than traumatizing. There was one thing that popped into his sprinted mind. If this doesnt work, Im done for. As the cultivator continued to dive her sword deeper into his body, his back felt a protrusion. Julius flexed his neck, causing blood to splash out of his mouth. His throat screamed as the heat boiled his esophagus from the wounds internal bleeding that reached up to the edge. Thin smoke emitted from his mouth and a whiff went into his nose. He aggressively sneezed, startling the cultivator. Somehow, it worked as she tumbled back from the smoke. Bang! She fell to the ground after a massive boulder hit her head before crashing on top of her. Julius turned to the right and above he saw Solomon. He emotionally expressed dismay, as his face was very readable. His ragged upper clothing hung on by his belt, revealing the wide scraps that mimicked a 2nd degree burn. He threw the boulder earlier from his right, and Julius could see the rocky crumbs fall from his fingers. That wasnt the important part. His left hand held a transparent glass bottle filled with a blueish liquid with purple stripes swirled within the mixture. Some lady called through my system. In fact, our whole team. She told me she knew you, and I got this to bring! Solomon said from above, and he threw the bottle. The smoke within Juliuss body nullified the paralysis after he lifted his back upwards. He jerked his hand outward and grabbed the upcoming bottle. He yanked the bottle cap out and quickly chugged the bottles contents as the purple-masked cultivator annihilated the fifteen-foot boulder on top of her. Hurry, throat. The substance had a high viscosity, which made it very slow and stuck along the linings in his esophagus. Julius felt the urge to gag. Before he could do anything, the cultivator broke off and dashed right to him, prompting Solomon to grab another boulder he had prepared for. Solomon came flying down with it in his grip. She was faster than him, missing the moment of impact. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Julius then threw the empty glass bottle while struggling to swallow the substance. The glass bottle shattered right into her mask, and he followed with a horizontal slashing motion, striking her back. The boulder smashed right on her, giving Julius more time to remove the katana from his abdomen. Slit! He thrust it out, not even caring if his linings leaked out. Opening the virtual inventory, Julius poured two bottles of water into his mouth and gargled the back of his throat until the substance lost its resistance. As he felt the bits drop down into the depths of his esophagus, the internal force that caused the blood to leak out from his exposed wound progressively decreased. He finally stood, and the fatigue in his legs wiped away. A bit of the intestines and other lengthy organs that he had never seen or studied before. He glared down and saw it for the first time. What the heck is that? It is not his stomach, or any known organ, within the abdominal region. Solomon stood in front of Julius while also staring at his open stomach. I bet youre staring at the cylindrical-shaped organ above your intestines. Yeah. What is this? Julius asked as the organs reinserted themselves back in. He coughed bits of smoke while his abdomen healed and exerted any remaining lingering smoke in that area. Its very big and strange looking like I have a whole rod inside, he added. Thats a Chugan. Take good care of it. Its what supplies your body of qiAnd also, can you please not joke around and be a fool that almost gets you killed? You dont want an emperor like that in his record, do you? Seems so, Julius mumbled, not wanting anything related to it. He stood with his greatsword in his grip. His mouthplate closed back up when his mouth was clean. The combo attacks he and Solomon did have caused some serious damage to the Purple-masked cultivator. Before the two attacks, Julius had one thing to utter out of his mouth. What happened to the rest? Oh, Empress Cai has been assisting others since she defeated her opponent. She was ruthless. Stronger than you or not, it all matters is to be direct. Theres no time for fun. Leave that for practice, Solomon answered. He then nodded as the Purple-masked cultivator got back up. All that fun, and look where that got you. To me, it was reminiscent of your first six months in the underground tournament. God damn it. Julius wasnt happy about being at the low end. However, Solomon was right, and the underground tournament comment was harsh but legitimate. There was nothing he could counter other than accept it as a haunting reminder. A minute later, Solomon and Julius restructured themselves after the latter confirmed he had swallowed all the substances and that his whole body had healed. They exerted their auras high. In reaction, the purple-masked cultivator did the same. The crater continued to get wider and beyond that; it reached the lakes borders, pouring many bathtubs worth into the depths. Solomon dashed right to her first. Julius followed, directing his qi into the blade of his greatsword. As he lifted upwards with his left grabbing on the hilt, his abdominal region flashed sky-blue colors and glowed through his clothing. Aware of his new organ, Chugan, he could feel a circulation at that spot. Coincidentally, his power felt a surge. His sword enlarged, using the excess quantity of qi. And the blade extended by at least a foot. A blow from Solomons axe put him and the cultivator at a standstill. Julius took the chance as he unleashed a heavy swirl, letting out a beautiful, illuminating slash attack in the shape of a crescent. Solomon thrust his power to give him a little nudge over before plunging away as the crescent wave struck her. To Juliuss frustration, she stopped it from getting closer with her bare hand. She was definitely ambidextrous where her left was gripping the hilt of the sword. Julius used his left forearm and pushed right on the spine of the blade, forcing the greatsword downwards. Out of the blue, he smelled something burning similar to the charcoal briquettes used for grilling barbeque. A whiff of red qi exerted from between the cross guard and the blade. It mixed into his sky-blue qi, and he heard coughs from the cultivator. Using the opportunity, he roared and thrust the blade down further. Purple blood splattered his face and, to his annoyance, Julius drank it as bits hung next to his mouth. Solomon orchestrated his part and chaotically hammered down on the handle of his double-bladed axe. For a regular human, that would break their bones to bits. The aggression caused the Purple-masked cultivator to kneel, crushing the ground with her kneecaps. When she didnt give up, Solomon continued further, raising the speed of his hammering action. << Let me take over. >> Licht said. << Uh, what? >> Before he could do anything, Licht forced Julius closer to the impact in a one-jerked motion. Therefore, the red qi poured all over and ignited a heavy bomb explosion. Solomon then grabbed Julius and teleported out from its radius; the two witnessed the spherical bright light overwhelming the deep crater and bits of the lake. See, just like that, Solomon said. Like how we handled Adalberht and your aggression during the Swamp war, it will be less of a waste of time. This arena festival shit doesnt work, and today has proved it. Too many careless casualties. Any survivor outside of our allies will take it to heart. I dont know how to feel about the possible upcoming consequences, Julius said in a pessimistic tone. As one of your key advisors, I say strike them back before they could. Force a unity of the West Cai Dynasty. End the division of multiple families ruling over territories and bring back one powerful government. Do it for Empress Cai. It was one thing she wished she had done...Knowing her for those two weeks, she told us enough to get the picture. If she hadnt got wounded, she would have done it her way with your sincere help. Now its youIm sure everybody else close would say the same thing. Julius cocked his head and observed the explosion. Whoosh! He looked to the right where Solomon was. Next to him, everyone was there. The Tang Family all stood energized as he recognized their cloaks. Empress Cai held his left shoulder amid her soaked face, dripping droplets of blood onto his shoulder. Behind him was the Kang Family. Mr. Kang made it out unscathed and relieved it was over. Feng and Ying shared the same sentiments with their mother and sat down in the air to relax. Not to forget the remaining unaffiliated contestants that survived were also within the crowd. Hes right, one of them said. I noticed something. Since my journey began, there was always a tournament nearby or something related. Is it part of the culture that you all like combat games? If it does, then I have one idea of a solution. But I wont say until we return to the capital. That left a mixed reception. The nonverbal expressions were straightforward. It really was a significance to their livelihoods. A few, notably the Tang Family, aggressively reacted and demanded Julius to say at least one sentence. The Skolritters and the Kang Family took that a little warning, gesturing to them to not infuriate the emperor. That was news to them and the unaffiliated contestants. Empress Cai had to give a confirmed nod. Eventually, the tension eased, leaving Julius mentally occupied as he turned back to the arena, staring at the phased-out light from the explosion. I see, so its really that importantI apologize for my naivety and for not asking earlier. HmmI will tell you five words. Julius lifted his right closed fist. Subsequently, he thrust his thumb. World. Then he raised his index, War. Afterward, his middle finger, Humanity. Second to last, his ring finger, Championships. Finally, his pinky, Campaign. He finished by repeating the completed phrase and ended with the acronyms. WWHCC? Solomon asked, wondering about the intentions. A competition for the Western Cai Dynasty to build itself while also reevaluating who lives and leads humanity, Julius said and paused momentarily. That will be all. No more words, only silence as everyone joined Julius, watching ground zero of the festival and the Lake of Towering Greens. Chapter 47– Awkward Confrontations (尴尬的对峙) Days Later A discussion that Julius promised that afternoon proceeded after a big lunch. He gathered everyone in the main hall. The senators convened, and the vacant open spaces were free for the public to sit. Chairs or not, Julius doesnt care as long as they could listen. How the people back home believed the outcome was a tragedy and failure of the events at The Lake of Towering Greens was up to their opinion. Julius didnt mind the conversations and opinions while the press reopened their operations. However, one thing didnt stick with Julius. He didnt win that day; it was a mixed debate between various families and groups. Some shared the same sentiment: Solomon, Empress Cai, and Feng. The three had different reasons that led to the same verdict. Empress Cai for the sake of wanting to train Julius. As of today, she hasnt reached a full one hundred percent but is back in shape to instruct him about everything needed to have a successful reign. Nobody, not even Julius himself, understood her intentions for this. Daiyu came at the last minute, joining with the threes opinions. She stated that victory can only be true if they werent holding back. Solomon was more from a critical perspective. He witnessed Julius during the battle against the Purple-masked cultivator and was well aware of his weakness of tending to hold back for a lengthy battle in a one-to-one confrontation. Ironically, in large clusters, it was the opposite. Feng was more personal, and that she would not state to the rest, but she nodded at the latters comment. The rest felt more blindly supported. Julius thought it that way. They didnt give at least a sentences worth of their reasoning other than a yes or no answer. Of course, having an enormous support was great. But with a blindfold isn''t his cup of tea. He will try to articulate where they could be more expressive rather than being too docile. After all the citizens entered to fill the main hall along with the senators present, Julius began. World War Humanity Championships CampaignI know some of you were waiting to hear what this is about. Especially the people. So, todayIll add various points and key objectives for us to discuss, he stated, then directed to Feng. The Secretary of State shall begin the details. Feng replied with a hand gesture and spoke through her microphone. Thank you, Emperor. Now, as my leader has said, the World War Humanity Championships Campaign was a direct result of the catastrophic event that occurred at the Lake of Towering Greens. There was a festival that took place along with an annual battle arena tournament. Yes, it is ground zero with nothing other than rubble in every footstep. Somehow, this year was disorganized, and a total shock to the fans who were there. The innocent casualties were detrimental. Thats not the only reason this campaign was considered. The main reason was the Four Dragon Masks'' arrival. The crowd looked at each other and concerningly muttered. The senators appeared baffled by it. One of them raised their hands up high. Feng glared at Julius, where he gave them the go. Senator thirty-two was recognized. Go ahead, Feng said. Madam Secretary and Emperor, was there any proof of their presence? Im sure the announcement of their recent appearance shocked many of us. However, it has been many years since the last, and they have been silent since. So why now? Beneath his podium, Julius grabbed the purple dragon mask. He grabbed it with both of his arms, revealed it to the hall, and raised it high for them all to see. She was my opponent. Empress Cai, Secretary Solomon, Secretary Feng, and Senator Kang fought against them, too. In the end, we all defeated them and put them in our custody. As of this session, Senator thirty-two, we havent received answers from them at this time, he answered. Secretary Feng, you may continue. Julius sat down as she resumed. Feng nodded and announced the written words on her paper''s few pages. Our intention of participating in the Lake of Towering Greens was a strategic tactic intended to unite and bring in new alliances from various territorial families throughout these lands beyond the capital or government control. However, our emperor had an altercation before the match started, leading to an uncontrollable attack. As a result, the battles began earlier than the preferred time. Adding more issues to it, many casualties happened because of unexpected differences in power, causing a complete disasterI hate to say that we lost at least an estimate of thirty thousand at the minimum. Julius silently breathed, despite his podium not having a mic. Before the meeting, he wanted to hide what had happened in the distorted room. Feng fabricated it into a more neutral approach since there was an altercation. There were no official witnesses, so they brought this statement. Feng would continue for another minute before concluding the statement in the paper reports. Julius announced an intermission, leaving the senators and the people to chat. Empress Cai, who sat beside him, leaned right to his ear. Did you do all of this? Do what? The whole thing here? Yeah, the senators and this setup. Me, Daiyu, and others here on this platform. Also, the Kang Family assisted. Together, we managed a functioning senate in less than a day. Just be careful not to rely on them too much. My time dealing with the officials was evident. Ill keep myself noted, Julius muttered. The two then watched with their backs leaning to their seats. As he was about to reconvene, a scuffle broke out from within the audience. What are they arguing about? Julius raised his eyebrows before standing up from his chair. He summoned his greatsword, Licht, behind the podium. And therefore, Empress Cai stood too. She leaned halfway from behind, curious about the matter. The scuffle was getting hot as fire. The audience broke away, giving the conflict some space. Julius sensed qi involved. He then saw the two raise their fists. In response, he raised his greatsword and launched a small qi crescent attack and flew right at the center of the conflict when the two were still angered and got themselves back up. They were going at it since they were not undistracted from their surroundings, appearing to nullify the pain. Julius dropped the greatsword and went for hard fists, punching both of their rocky jaws. One tooth dropped to the floor. The conflict settled, and Julius ordered them to be escorted out of the hall for initiating reckless behavior. He then demanded an explanation later of what caused the confrontation. He went back to his podium, and the session continued for the next hour.
Sometime later Julius slumped on the couch in his residences living room, piecing out all the important parts of the gathering that came upon the floor. He was indeed the only one who entered the Merit Universe and survived to level one. The realization that he wasnt supposed to be there alone. He made it out because of luck. Upon acknowledging the fact, the thought of inviting many citizens or non-cultivators who have the foundation of qi hidden inside of them to the Merit Universe as a training site. However, many dont trust the creations of Chun. His reputation was so dreaded that his execution ordered by Empress Cai received much praise. That got Julius thinking how so far the engineers he met through this journey were all dead. They were found malicious or had hidden intentions. They might be good people, but their fates have ended in death. Its true for David and Chun. Julius doesnt believe that Chun created the Merit Universe but built an access bridge to enter its premises. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. The citizens could trust Julius if he suggested certain ideas. But following his belief, he would rather have them construct one and wait for the definitive answer after a differentiable time had passed. He was going to talk to Hu soon as another update on the time distortions was needed to confirm. The last time was when she said that she could bring it down to an hour difference. That was during the maintenance process. Its been days since that time, so he hoped she had finished. Empress Cai sat beside him, feeling nostalgic about the residence. A little annoyed at some of the changed placement of the furniture. When she learned she had a room, that eased her. Daiyu, on the other hand, was in the kitchen doing culinary improvements. All of Juliuss key advisors were in the living room, relaxing their backs on the couchs firm and soothing cushions. Feng was tired from her statements, rather than having physical action than sedentary activities in a vast crowd for more than an hour. Solomon was reading up pages'' worth of comments and finding out if there was anything concerning technology or innovations. Hence, he was busy organizing into two stacks, one that required his attention, and the other was not. The rest of the Skolritters were in a separate room in the residence, hanging out and resting. They arent interested in national politics or such duties as where they reject any offer of a role. Julius doesnt mind their choice. Julius sighed, rubbing his head. Im moving forward with inviting people to train in the Merit Universe, he said and took a sip of green tea. What was it like there? Empress Cai asked. It was awkward for my first experience, and I found out it was supposed to be for at least a minimum of three people to participate in a fight against such bosses. I got lucky and made it out because of my darkness. Empress Cai grimaced with her widened eyes. Your darkness? Let me feel your qi, she demanded before placing her palm directly on Juliuss chest. Swoosh! A whiff of black qi flashed in a blink at a strength that pushed Empress Cais hand away. That prompted her to ask more questions. Have you used it? Yesmore than once. Good god of Yinhai, she mumbled as if it was bad. It saved me when I was almost about to die on the first level, Julius proclaimed. But the cost could have been severe if you werent careful. Not every historical cultivator succeeded and managed the darkness attribute. You meant the inability to control it? She nodded, confirming it as the major disadvantage of the darkness attribute. She is right. Julius thought. The couple of times he used it was not entirely in his control. His mind was there, but not entirely. He felt like a semi-passenger, which could explain why he could still talk. In a way, it was in between. But he won every time he was under its influence, so that was the positive. Adding Empress Cais comment only pushed his silent desire to take full ownership. The only way to progress with it was definitely the Merit Universe. For the past couple of days, he had wanted to train again after the humiliating battle. To not make others deal with the same mistake he made, he willed to bring a committed crowd as of today. Immediately after a thought, a sense of qi reached the residences entrance. Julius leaned up from the couch and voiced to the entrance guards outside to open the door. The slammed vibration from the two guards arms opened the door, revealing the female silhouette underneath her ragged black robe standing at the entrance. Julius sighed and his mood soured. It went down even lower when he heard a second pair of foot thumps from the sole of the boots behind the silhouette. The outline of the cowboy hat vividly appeared from behind and his back succumbed to the couch. Empress Cais neutral face was hilarious. He could read her body language, that she wanted nothing to do with her. He grabbed a handkerchief from his overcoats inner pockets and wiped the back of her soaked neck filled with cold sweat, distracting him several times. Youre here, Julius said after wiping off Empress Cais cold sweat. He didnt think the Purple-Masked Dragon cultivator would come with Qiang, who was behind her. Thanks for going through the entrance rather than barging in through the walls. You think Im barbaric? the cultivator asked as she entered the residence, revealing her unmasked appearance. Julius had seen her unmasked once before today when he briefly witnessed her interrogation without her mask before he left, as he was busy. It left him with an impression that freaked him out while leaving the military base. She had the same almond eyes as Annia, the doctor. Long brunette, shallow but dark eyebrows, natural red and thin lips, and oval-shaped face with a prominent jawline. Even her lip movement and the hidden smile were exact. A true doppelg?nger. A little deeper voice and concealed aggression behind the facial doppelg?nger saved the confusion, adding to the physique differences. The colossal-sized height, broad shoulders, and wide legs were the distinctions that separated her from Dr. Annia. No Zhou, but you dont realize Julius stood from the couch and shoved his handkerchief back into his overcoats left inner pocket. I was looking at a perspective of potential revenge attacks that could happen at any moment since the day at the Lake of Towering Greens screwed many. A lot have died and going through that humiliating defeat, I was cautious for the past few days without a break. Are you really that concerned? Zhou asked while feeling disheartened. Did Empress Cai put me in a negative light in your head? Julius shook his head with a slight grin. No, no. I dont even know anything about you yet other than knowing you and her have an awkward history. However, that wasnt my problem. It was my battle with you, and Im humiliated by you. That took Zhou to heart when her face turned into a bombshell. I did what I had to do, she combatively responded. Qiang slowly cocked her head and walked to her seat, not wanting to get involved in a heat buildup. Do you love fights? Because I doBecause I do, and I think that fight was an embarrassment to where I wished it never existed. Eventually, one day we have to settle the score. Days ago, was a draw. No winOnly jokes. Everything there at the arena was a joke. Zhou sighed. She then shrugged, revealing her sluggish face. Thats the first thing I could agree with, she said, grabbing a spare bottle of baijiu from the coffee table. She chugged at least half of the bottle, which was nuts, and enjoyed it going down her throat. Everyone else stood and stared at her until she finished refreshing herself. Once she was done, the bottle was empty, and she dropped it on the table, surprisingly not shattering when the bottom hit the table. That was a little unnecessary, Zhou Bingbing, Empress Cai muttered. Zhou grimaced, taking offense when she said her full name. I dont need to hear from you, Empress. In fact, how are you here when he is our ruling monarch? You are not the one in charge! she angrily replied and directly pointed at Empress Cai. The latter stood from her couch, prompting Julius to go right in between the two. His mouthplate is closed in case he gets punched right in the face. Now, now; we might have our differences, but this is damn not okay, he said and summoned Licht in his grip. Empress Cais stabbing eyes clashed with Zhous electrifying purple, and Julius felt the sensation slightly rubbing the side of his face. Are we gonna have a talk as a team, or do you two have to be dismissed? Licht was the only barrier that separated the two from engaging in a physical fight. Julius knew if he let it go, it would turn into a chaotic mess. A twist when a glimpse of dark smoke exited from its blade. Oh no. He looked at it, and before anything else, he knocked the two out of their confrontation stance, sending them immediately to the couch. Afterward, he flicked off the greatswords blade of the dark qi. Luckily, it receded, and no more action needed to be taken. Phew, that was close. He unsummoned Licht and sat back down at his spot on the couch. Can we please at least talk about the plans in a more fashioned manner instead of fighting? he said as his mouthplate opened. Everyone at the spot nodded, and it proceeded from there. Chapter 48 - Level One (级一) Part I An hour later The peaceful harmony has come to an end. Julius, along with Empress Cai, Zhou, and the rest of the Skolritters, all arrived at what used to be a stadium. Now, it appeared like open plains with green grasses occupying the flat space. He stood with them at the spot relative to the direction he entered when it remained surrounded by a wide building. Ahead was still the same misty white condensed air occupying the space. They waited for the rest of the committed cultivators to attend, including the rest of the Kang family. Julius told them to ease themselves before their arrival, and he walked to his F-150 pickup, where it had been a long while since driven it. There was a plan. He wanted to make use of his truck rather than leave it parked for an uncertain amount of time. Nobody used it, which he was grateful for. He had an idea where he would use the truck as a temporary resting place, limited to a few occupants at once. Additionally, the time limit will be initiated when they are fully seated. Thirty seconds was the fairest he thought of based on the number of participants. Julius climbed up to his truck, leaving his driver''s door open. He sat down and received a call pop-up from Hu. Hello, Im ready, and the time distortion differences reduced to one hour. There shouldnt be any major distortion once you depart from here. I appreciate that. However, you might expect at least thirty people today, Julius said while leaning right onto the seats headrest. Not a problem. I mean the difficulty rose to accommodate the load of participants. You could join again or stay out until level two. My first time was awkward and traumatizing because I was alone and got persuaded by a soothing voice to get inside, Julius thought. I hope that wasnt you doing that intentionally because that hurt my mental capacity. It went quiet for a moment. Then she responded with a hummed no. Strange, Im not even sure. I didnt even know you were in the Merit Universe realm until you had already set foot in. The battle began right after you picked your wrath from the chest. And my nine-tail fox form came in, starting the battle. But wow. Sorry to hear. Its fine. At least you gave me the moment of achieving a sense of darkness attribute. When others found out, I got into a bit of trouble. Which was also why Im here. Ill be waiting for everyone. Will talk later when this is over, Hu ended the connection, shutting off the pop-up in the HUD. -- Optimizing Skoltors system mainframe Completed. All systems normal Ready to enter the Merit Universe. Team Partys status: Normal. -- The rest of the participants arrived at the site, and Julius leaped off from his seat, closing the drivers door. Mr. Kang walked up with his own group of participants tailing behind. The stakes were high on his end. The entire house came to the site instead of his family, and a few trusted cultivators served under him, bringing the total count to a minimum of fifty. Julius, impressed with the attendance, met with Mr. Kang, who appeared not in high spirits. You don''t look pleased, Julius muttered after he saw his downed face. I have bad news, sir. I received an anonymous letter that foretold that the territory of Taocun was ransackedby the Renos. The refugees and survivors that escaped are heading to the capital. Daiyus news about them. Shit. Julius recalled when she told him while he was in the bedroom. That was days ago, making the situation regrettable of not taking action earlier. He didnt tell that to Mr. Kang. However, there were no other options he could have done as the army hadnt reached its prior status, so he had to take the risk of not going in person. His mind became an hourglass, drizzling the sand into the opposite attraction filled with consequences, waiting to be unfolded. In that case, we need to begin quickly, Julius responded. Therefore, he directed everyone to the white mist. Its open, and we are ready to go now. Mr. Kang nodded and turned to his crowd. Alright! You heard the emperor lead in! Julius directed the Skolritters to enter while he went to his truck. After pulling the drivers stick and pushing on the gas pedal, he heard the passenger door open. He turned the steering wheel, and Empress Cai hopped on. She landed hard on the seat, closing the door. Like everyone else who had witnessed the vehicle, she admired the technological transportation. Although it wasnt hers, she treated it like an important treasure, almost a sacred matter. Julius found out that during those two weeks, it was she who kept it safe and hidden in one of the basement levels directly underneath the main palace hall. Additionally, nobody could come across and touch it. That was out of her decision amid not knowing if Julius would ever return from a lengthy disappearance. You cant get your eyes off it, huh? I cant let it go since the first day it landed with its four wheels, heading to the palace. It was too strange that I had to protect it. Well, I appreciate it. Maybe one day, you can obtain one of these. I think you will like it; driving the truck around in the open is a blessing, Julius said as a light shone through the condensed clouds. Empress Cai smiled slightly, without opening her lips. Her neck tightened as if she wanted to hold back her verbal thoughts. Julius found that briefly to be amusing. He turned away, viewing the misty clouds. After the light penetrated through the low visibility, the condensation then manifested into a grand gate, removing all the illumination. The white colors of the mist that vibrated a reflection as strong as gold structured the dual doors. Mr. Kang was at the front of the truck as it moved. When he got closer to the grand gate, a confronted sound erupted, followed by the revving gears and locks from inside the wide keyhole. Then, the gate opened inward, swirling the mist inward as it moved. The prior rays of light that penetrated the fog were revealed as one big spot of light after the gate opened. What a contrast, this is like heaven. Julius recalled. However, something came through his experienced mind. The double door. That was not the first time he felt a high surge. To be more specific, it was almost dj vu. Another second passed, and the thought clicked like a switch flipped into positive. The only thing missing was the thunderous summons and swirling vacuum, which came from Alyssas arrival during Mother Elaines operation in the emergency room. In contrast, the gate to the Merit Universe was quiet. It maintained its prestige. Julius lowered both front windows to get a clear view. He and Empress Cai both glared at the colossal height of an entrance. Having the size of a five-story apartment as the gate entrance was a magnificent experience to witness functioning. The panels had to be made from a variant of aluminum or silver to have that vivid reflection. This gateincredible, Empress Cai said. I know. Ive never seen anything like this before, Julius said as he moved his head back into the truck, closing both windows. Youll like the training environment. Im intriguedAre you joining us? she asked. Julius nodded. Yes, I am. I heard its more difficult as if it was training all of us, it should accommodate everyone with new standards. Im excited and worried at once, not sure if I will go through another traumatic experience. Just remember what Solomon and I have told you the past couple of days since the botched tournament. If you take our advice, youll be fine, Empress Cai said in her soothing voice. I hope soand I hope the training will pay off for everybody, Julius said with sincerity. He calmed his doubts away after her comment. The truck passed the gates, and with Mr. Kang remaining at the front lines, a bright light flashed at the front and illuminated the entire windshield. Julius didnt flinch, proving his eyes had adapted to the brightness. He saw Mr. Kangs left arm raised right above him as he picked up the pace. Lets run! he yelled in command, initiating everyone on foot to sprint right directly to the source of light. Julius pushed the gas pedal, revving the speed up to thirty miles per hour. Afterward, Mr. Kang dissipated, and then a batch of cultivators who were close to him in the distance. A distinct sound effect followed it. It swam through his eardrums in a second. Immediately, the light engulfed his surroundings. The next second, he arrived at the Realm of The Blue River (). -- Arrived at the Realm of The Blue River () Level One -- From his first time arriving, it remained the same. The pure blue and transparent river flowed along the plains. Julius directed the truck away from the spot he last remembered where the chest appeared, where he picked up the Flames of Wrath (ŭ). Driving up the hill, he parked the truck at the spot where he and Hu had a table talk, where she updated his Skoltor system. So, this is it, Empress Cai muttered. Yep, it has been a while since, and the same as ever, Julius said. He opened the door, exiting the F-150. A light beam summoned from the sky shot down right down to the spot. Many cultivators around the region barely missed the area by a couple of feet. There is the chest. Empress Cai got out and stood next to Julius, witnessing the summons. Julius turned to her. You should go. Everybody has to get one before the training starts, he said. What about you? I already have one. Now go. Ill join yall when everyone makes their decision. Empress Cai flew from the hill downwards to the scene, leaving him on the hill. Hu appeared from behind. Julius felt the chilly breeze along with the slithering traces of dark qi flowing around his feet and the rest of the hill. Youre confiding in me at the last minute? Well, Im gonna make sure you are stable. Remember, you almost died, and luck saved you with the darknessWith everyone here, I think you will have fun instead of being in agony of facing the edges of death, Hu said while firmly gripping his right shoulder. How much more menacing can you be? Julius asked, turning his red right to her. Youll find out, Hu replied, followed by a mysterious grin. She twirled away, facing her back towards Julius before dissipating out of sight. Hey! Julius heard a loud call from the crowd. He turned back to the view in reaction to the call. Down there were Celeste and Empress Cai waved their hands. Therefore, he leaped from the hill at lightning speed, which tore layers of dirt from the soles of his boots. The crowd noticed him descending from the air and hurried away. He gave one swirl of his legs, articulating a straight landing. It wasnt soft like a birds feather. Unintentionally, a shallow crater erupted and spread across the flowering plains. The eruption screwed the blossomed flowers, withering and decimating them from existence. Not a deep crater but wide enough to fit an average home, adding the smokey heat enveloped from the bottom of it. Whoops, Julius said and walked up from the shallow depths. -As Julius turned around to where everyone gathered, his visuals went hot. It highlighted everyone within his vision, differentiating between red and blue. On the one hand, the Flames of Wrath (ŭ) represented the former, while the Flames of Azure (ε) possessed the latter. Fast as a calculator, Skoltor organized a tally chart in the corner. The data revealed a significant majority grasped the Flames of Azure (ε). It was around sixty-five percent compared to the latters thirty-five percent. The feeling of inferiority by number count on the team hasnt come yet to him, and the battle hasnt started. He looked around, certain everyone should have got their first flame by now. Confused, Julius ran right to the chest and inside were two pairs of flame, spherical orbs left. If there are two of you present that havent got their desired flame, raise your hands now!! he yelled directly and clearly across the realm.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Two hands raised from afar within the crowd. Simultaneously, the number count finalized to ninety-eight, excluding the two. Either one chooses Wrath or Azure or both could pick the same flame. Julius, restraining his impatience, gestured for them to sprint quickly to the chest. Strangely, the crowd refused or slightly moved away from them, cramping the twos path from reaching closer to the chest. Julius lost it and pulled out his SIG P210. He then pointed it at the specific part of the crowd where he could see the two stuck behind the two towering cultivators. Im going to shoot if you dont fucking move away! Julius yelled. Bang! Bang! Are you done? he added. The two blocking cultivators collapsed on their knees after blood leaked out of their dominant shoulder, soaking their robes. They tumbled down and cried as their heads crashed to the ground floor, revealing the two youngsters who raised their hands earlier. What the heck? What are the two young boys doing here on the training grounds? Their appearance left Julius perplexed. They had to be at least fourteen, which was troubling, given the circumstances the training would provide. Julius lowered his pistol and deeply sighed in distress. However, he then instructed the two teenage boys to grab a flame of their choosing from the chest. From their faces, their eyes appeared a signal of dread and suffering seconds ago turned to optimism when he let them to the chest. The tally went up to a hundred once the two teenage boys took their desired flame, resulting in a one-to-one. What are your names, kiddo? Julius asked while looking at the two fallen cultivators, who somehow hadnt got up. Especially, others are around trying to help them get healed. Why are they overreacting? I didnt even fire a qi bullet. That should be only a little over a flesh wound. My names Shu (), the one who took the Flames of Azure replied. He looked more lenient than the other who was with him. The way his voice came out was more relaxed and had no grunt underneath. In response, Julius nodded with a smile and directed his attention to the other, who took the Flame of Wrath. And you are? Im Sang (ɤ), he replied. Sang, in contrast, has a naturally tough face defined by his jawline. A square-shaped head accompanied by narrowed eyes, a rough and ragged beard, and unorganized long hair that appeared dusty. It smelled like a burning tree during a wildfire, very pungent. Good to meet you both. I wont ask why you are here at this age, but off you go, Julius said, dismissing them back to the crowd. And what the hell is this trivial matter with those two on the ground? We are about to start this damn thing, and you have fallen from a tiny piece of metal that penetrated your shoulder?! You cultivators can handle a blast or a sword but not a tiny metalwhat an embarrassmentFor wasting our time, Im excluding you two from the first training session. They reacted with wide eyes in shock, jolting themselves upward at the surprise of the crowd. Oh, now you want to get up? That wont change my mind. Exclude these two! Send them back! They desperately pleaded while Julius refused their complaints. The portal of the entrance reappeared and warped itself open wide in white brightness, waiting for them to enter. The desperation continued and turned into cries until the end, where the closed warp silenced and dissipated them from sight. Finally, the beautiful blue sky of the realm darkened. Black clouds generated out of nowhere, overwhelming the view above. Flowers withered away, and the chest disappeared. The gusts grew angry, blasting forceful winds right on many of the faces. Julius looked around in the air and around the realm. Its time. This is it. His last thoughts before going deep into the training. The realm switched into a desert, with the horizon illuminated by a gloomy orange gaze. -- Julius Basic Stats Profile: Cultivation Level 7 Total % Base Stats Buff: 7%
Base Stats w/o Adjustments
Stamina (LV 5) HP (LV 5) 250 81,504
Endurance ((LV 5) 199
Durability (LV 5) 220
Power (LV 5) Attack (LV 5) 1,710 5,060
Qi (LV 5) 11,405
Total Score 100,348
Level One (һ) initiated Missions Overall completed Listing Survive in any manner. Defeat the Boss of the Black Nine Tail Fox. (ھβ Kill the Black Nine Tail Fox. (ھβ (0/1000) -- Here we go. Julius gave one breath as the realm summoned packs of the Black Nine Tail Fox from underneath and the sky.
Blood splattered everywhere, flooding the desert and sandy floor. Most of the realms landscape, excluding the river, turned into a swamp. Uncanny at its best, given how Julius remembered his brief war experience and dealt against many Renos cultivators. The difference in difficulty was astronomical. They were on par with his level of qi, forcing him to raise his level to the imaginary ceiling. It was pretty uncomfortable because it tensed his upper torso, mainly the biceps, as he was a swordsman wielding Licht. Multiple times, he was on the brink, triggering his darkness attribute. Empress Cai, Solomon, or Celeste had to intervene amidst their battles, suppressing his qi. No second to be wasted. These Black Nine Tail Foxes are absolutely abysmal and sprint gods. Some cultivators on the battlefield got their first consequence. Their exact size to a regular fox was a test of their arrogance. Julius witnessed their demise a couple of times as they left themselves open, revealing their vulnerability to the Black Nine Tail Foxes. No casualties yet. Empress Cai never felt this lingering pressure on a fight before. Not in her life. The Four Dragon Masked Cultivators, her old enemies, compared to the Black Nine Tail Foxes, was like stepping on an anthill, revealing a hell of a circus. It recalled her time with her master constantly brutalizing her with various qi-based attacks. Fire hurt the most. Ice and the cold she could bear. She mentally counted her kills since the foxes entered the realm. Each kill took a lot of effort. She had to go beyond her swordsmanship and pierce the blade at the precise weak points of the foxs body. Whenever one kill added to her count, it saved her an inch from frustration and briefly overwhelmed her with a manifestation of dopamine. Slit! With her long katana pierced right underneath the pit of the foxs upper right leg, Empress Cais both hands gripped the hilt and thrust the blade upwards, slicing the fox into two. Fifty. She counted as the foxs body dropped to the floor. She couldnt comprehend how much blood came from a decapitated head. It has to be three shengs (Liters). Empress Cai estimated. She then breathed as her heartbeat rapidly thumped her heavy chest. Her eyes scanned around, looking for Julius. As she silently stood in the middle of a battlefield, a reflective shield summoned around her. That gave her a little spare time to compose herself. Empress Cais body ached from the chest down. She kneeled flat on the sandy floor and observed the sight of battle. The fiftieth fox she killed lay a couple meters away, continuously pouring rains worth. The puddle spread throughout the spot, reaching to the edge of her shield. Despite being protected by it, the pungent scent somehow seeped through to her nostrils, sending her up from the ground. Her master had taught her the optimization of the five senses, and how it was essentially crucial. The dead foxs pungent scent was gripping and bold. Unknowingly, it revived her out of the fatigue. That darkness scratched my nose. Empress Cai noted. She rubbed her nose before dry sneezing, disabling the shield. Im sure this was the darkness. But it is not the same as Julius. She contrasted. From the beginning of level one, she had to subdue Juliuss desperate darkness twice. His darkness had no smell. It emphasized only touch and sight. The first time while at the residence gave a fistful knockback, but it only now massaged her palm. A pity that it was comfortable, much to her dismay and unexpectedness. Her master never told anything about the perks of the darkness attribute. It was almost as if there was a hidden reason, and she carried that to the grave. As she was mentally clashing with her doubts, Julius flashed stepped right next to her, followed by a loud splat behind her. She felt the droplets from the blood tickled at the back of her neck. Her neck cringed after it touched. The jaws wanted to clench as she braced her nose from getting a whiff. Oh, sorry, Julius said, rubbing the drops of blood off. Their blood smells of burned sewage, and I cant care about it anymore. Empress Cai nudged back a little, facing Julius. And you dont. All that whiff of darkness of yours has nothing to smell. Ill take that as a complimentoh. I think they are done, Julius said while observing the battlefield. Yep, Skoltor counted a thousand dead. The cultivators all tumbled their knees and bottoms to the floor, relaxing themselves. They carelessly breathed simultaneously, making it nearly as loud as a dragons roar. The Skolritters came right up, and Celeste summoned a barrier, suppressing most of the noise. Let them be. We were fighting straight for more than three hours, Julius added. WHAT?! Empress Cai looked up, only to find a dark sky. Excuse me? Are you serious? she asked highly. Yeah, weve been fighting that long. He wasnt kidding, Solomon said. How many kills did all of you get? I didnt have time to read our partys kill count. Empress Cai doesnt want to get closer to him or Celeste. Those two were soaked in Black Nine-Tailed Foxs blood. The dark tinted red painted over their hair and bits of black flesh dried along their faces. I did seventy-two. And thats a lot of effort compared to the swamps, Julius answered and turned to Empress Cai. What about you? She breathed, and then uttered: Fifty. Wow. The family members of the House of Kang added up to sixty-two, Julius said, impressed. They are basically second place, and we are first place if we count by alliance or teamThat would befour hundred and thirty-two. Holy of Yinhai! Us? The seven of us combined?! Empress Cai asked. Daiyu, uncharacteristically energetic, arrived with a couple of bottles in her hand. Yes, my lady. All of us together, she said. Unbelievable. She then handed one to Empress Cai, and the other to Victoria, who grasped it from her grip in a blink. The latter chugged a whole gulp of the water bottle. Hence, she raised her right arm high in the sky with a closed fist, holding the empty bottle. Crumble! A lower layer of white clouds hovered above them all. Next, it rained all over them, replenishing their hydration. That caught the attention of the rest of the cultivators. Victoria performed a light variant of hydrokinesis, directing the clouds over the rest of the fatigued crowd. Any of the water droplets in midair were sent to them to not waste anything. That should do it, Victoria said. They should be hydrated after a minute, and after the break, we have the finale. Sally groaned in agony; even though she was well aware of the training regimen. Solomon moved a couple of steps back, dropping his black dual-bladed axe to the floor. He went through a few sets of stretches from his legs and up to his upper torso. The three ladies chatted with each other, leaving Julius standing silent, viewing the rest of the cultivators. Empress Cai joined him, analyzing their recovery. She stood next to him, only a few feet apart. Theyre committed. Julius slightly bobbed his head in agreement. Yeah. Finally, something to give them the time to utilize what theyve gained through this realm. If any recovered quickly, that cultivator shall have a bright future. I wished I had that, Empress Cai said with a hint of jealousy. You are lucky. At least you have them now, Julius said. The West Cai Dynasty has them now. Once this Rumble A low cry from underneath the grounds vibrated the entire realm. Empress Cai and Julius teleported away from where they stood as the spot cracked open, forming a rift. The two dashed right to the Skolritters and Daiyu, pushing them away as the cracks headed in their direction. A loud and angry, raspy bark echoed from the depths of the rift. Julius ordered everyone to move back to near the entrance spot of the realm with a waving gesture. Responding to his command, they all stampeded rapidly to the area. Ok, stop! Julius yelled. Empress Cai pulled the brakes at her ankles while holding Daiyu and Victoria in her arms like a hug. Putting her speed into an abrupt stop pulled Daiyu and Victorias face right towards her. In an unexpected panic, she let go quickly, accidentally tripping them. Consequently, Empress Cai tripped herself from Daiyus leg and crashed down to the blossoming ground. Her arm cushioned her head from being slammed head-on. She felt the petals of the flowers scratching her face. Hence, she rolled to her and lifted her back up. Daiyu and Victoria were lying on the floor, rubbing their foreheads. Im sorry. You two, okay? Victoria raised a thumbs up. Another loud boom triggered her attention right to the rift. Volcanic lava gushed out from underneath. The river, flowed by the beautiful and transparent water, disintegrated upon the first lava surge that arrived on the surface. A giant black paw, about half the size of the grand gate, reached out from the rifts depths. Empress Cai couldnt believe it. She watched in horror as the beast lifted itself out, revealing it to be another Black Nine-Tailed Fox. I dont want to fight this monster. She thought as her heartbeat escalated by fear. Julius stood tall and almightily spoke with his greatsword in his grip. Ladies and gentlemen, this is it. Youll have made it this far. If the bloody mess was the hardest, I hate to break it to youthats our ticket out of here, and Im not letting any of you excuse yourselves! We all will beat this thing, and we will be an example for our future! Is that clear?! Their heads rose up and quickly responded confidently. Yes, EMPEROR! Screw you, Father; you ruined my reign. Empress Cais anger at her father and jealousy overrode her fear after listening to Juliuss direct dialogue with the cultivators. They listened with no hesitation, something she wished to have. Chapter 49 - Level One (级一) Part II -- Level UP! Cultivation Level 7 8 Total % Base Stats Buff: 7% 8%
Base Stats w/o adjustments
Stamina (LV 5 6) HP (LV 5 6) 250 275 81,504 89,605
Endurance (LV 5 6) 199 212
Durability (LV 5 6) 220 230
Power (LV 5 6) Attack (LV 5 6) 1,710 1,860 5,060 5,560
Qi (LV 5 6) 11,405 12,405
Total Score 100,348 110,147
Black Nine-Tailed Fox (Boss) HP: ~5B -- Oh, my Yinhai. Hu, what was up with your mind? Julius stared at the towering Black Nine-Tailed Fox. An absolute unit for a boss. This was a massive upgrade for Hu. Her indicated health numbers are astronomically high. His seventy-two kills werent effortless. It all relied on the constant slashes and beatings without giving away a time gap. And now, for the final round, he expected everyone to provide a sense of teamwork to the level one boss. Phew" Julius exhaled, getting ready to face the ultimate boss. He attempted a reboot of his qi supply to supplement his energy. From others perspective, Julius didnt appear to be phased out when mentally and his inner body were desperate to shut down. Skoltors system saved him in that regard, which he tried not to take for granted. It also benefited the Skolritters. So, they stood first with Julius and watched the ultimate boss preparing herself. As he watched the stamina bar being refilled, Empress Cais footsteps came from the right side, reaching for his corresponding eardrums. Are you ready? she asked, while rubbing her sore forearms. Yes, I am. Nothing more other than surviving to the end. With that tone of yours, I sometimes can''t understand, Empress Cai said, mentioning his unintentional tone of ambiguity. Oh, nono. I don''t mean it that way. I hope I didn''t utter it in that manner. Well, try to keep your mind cool during this, and don''t overthink. It will come to you in sync, Empress Cai advised. I''ll try. Julius began to move downhill as Solomon led the way. He remained on his tail, and the cultivators followed with. Subsequently, all ditched the walk and paced themselves right toward the Level One Boss, who noticed them coming. Black, vibrant waves of energy were summoned on both of her front paws. In a blink of an eye followed by a thumped echo, the bosss left paw is up in the air. Solomon! he yelled at him to dodge. Boom! The shockwave generated from the paws swipe sent them rolling down to the floor. His ears rang, similar to when he got flash-banged by a bomb on his active-duty years ago. The shock must have been insanely loud because he had blasted unprecedented amounts of qi, forming a mushroom cloud greater than the height of a commercial airplane flight. The reaction of the cultivators was more severe. Literal hot sauce bottles. Eardrums squirted consecutively of bright red and poured onto the tainted desert sands, wetting it again over the dried dirty dust. The next second, they crashed down flat, and their howling cries symbolized the unbearable pain. Celeste, with her right half paralyzed, jolted a gesture from her index finger. One yank upwards summoned a barrier a second ahead of the Level One bosss subsequent swipe that could have decimated them further. A cringy and scratching motion left a set of wide and lengthy claw marks on it. Five parallel lines seeped halfway through the layers of it; the distorted and irregular pattern. Julius rolled a little away in his spare time as the boss focused on demolishing the shield. He flicked his greatsword away by a couple meters and grabbed Celeste; thus, rolling away with her in his arms. Following the direction of Licht landed was where Solomon lay, lifting his monstrous body and raining dust from his clothes. Julius caught his attention as headed in his direction. Dont, he muttered with a slow raise of his palm. Julius came to a sudden stop. The sudden realization resulted in him silently grunting, and while not looking to his left, he whispered to Celestes ear while tapping her. Dont look to our leftsummon the barrier. Swoosh! The two looked immediately after the immediate slide up, witnessing the face of a phantom fox staring through the transparent barrier. Lazer struck, and red eyes flashed behind the shields thin layer. Hold on, Julius said, and then speedily rolled to Solomon. He has an abundance of qi, willing to be shared. His right abdominal region began to heat up. Here, he said, tapping right onto Solomons shoulder, boosting him up. Following, he gripped Celestes paralyzed right arm which felt like hanging branches desperate to be snapped off. He quickly exerted a defibrillating motion, triggering a spark, and his fingerprints shot sparks. Celeste reacted with an expressive groan, jerking her body upward. Julius let his arms go, and both rolled away from each other. Both stood up from the sandy floor and wiped them off from their clothes. Empress Cai came from near the entrance area. She and Victoria were the last ones to depart from the spot, which was probably a smart decision by them. Thrusting Licht to his chest, she immediately pulled out her katana and insisted on going to deal with the ultimate boss. Are we ready? Yeah, definitely, Julius responded on the Skolritters behalf. Unfortunately, as of right now, there are no healer-based cultivators in this match. A whole jeopardy of an operation. Nonetheless, Julius followed Empress Cai with others trailing. They headed back to the wounded cultivators. Within the crowd, Feng stood erect from the many on the ground. Share any excess energy if you have some! Empress Cai yelled, pointing at the crowd while speeding at near light speed to the scene. According to Skoltors system, only one second has passed. Feng appeared stable amid the dried blood trail conquering her left side. The Skolritters landed hard on the floor in the middle of fallen cultivators, pinpointing their excess energy through their feet and hands. The boss reacted by jumping to the scene as she followed their movement. A red bloodied pillar of an aura leaped into the sky, striking the border of the level as the vibration reflected on the ceiling. An echo manifested because of the center of the clash filled with overloaded qi. The reflection reflected and redirected the bloody red qi back to the surface, raining lethality. A couple struck the boss in a nick of time, prompting her to fly back as the force of the qi was visibly punching. It hit her stomach and pushed her flat to the sandy ground, sending all the contents into the air. Julius was next. He triggered his sky-blue aura and followed with a pillar, or so he thought. Celeste, Empress Cai, Solomon, and others put out theirs on display. Julius overwhelmed them so much that the force pushed him a couple of inches off the floor. That was when he turned around and witnessed an absolute behemoth. Instead of a beam, his qi has widened from a pillar into an entire wall structure. Julius was baffled at the mega, and it revitalized every fallen cultivator in an instant. Everyone stood and felt motivated by the surge of the unexpected evolution of qi. Their eyes flashed either blue, red, or green. After the awareness of the change, Julius turned back and faced the Black Nine-Tailed Fox, who lifted itself back up to its four paws. It howled; hence, everybody followed his command of embrace and subjugated the qi for defense. Breathe and exhale. He mindfully mumbled the word as he did. A gust of qi touched his back and lingered like during a cold shower. His upper back flexed in response as he reabsorbed it into his body. The qi filled his back, and it was cold that reached up the edge of his head and neck, while down to the sole edge of his feet. That made him more alert than he ever felt before, indescribable at best. Once fully absorbed, the surge spread to his entire abdomen, and quickly he fired one beam through his mouth, right at the boss. Finally, it felt like he finally had control as he attempted to move one leg at a time. Everyone now! Empress Cai yelled from the side. Julius moved faster toward the boss, while blasts of qi were fired and swarmed past his peripherals right at the foxs many vital points on her body. -- Black Nine-Tailed Fox (Boss) HP: ~5B 3.5B -- The organ Chugan, he only now started to feel it operated underneath his skin the longer he continued emitting the beam. Skoltors numbers indicated the rapid plunge of the foxs health. In half a minute, everyones effort took one and a half billion away from her health percentage. A thirty-percentage drop was massive progress. Julius hadnt asked for the rest of the Skolritters'' visual systems performance; even though it was only one level up. The effects were massive. It seemed others have a similar cause and effect despite not getting theirs updated. Empress Cai, her performance was unprecedented and incalculable. Her prior experience with her master was one factor for her unpredictability. The day of the botched tournament revealed her strength. Today was interesting. He learned she did fifty kills, and the only buff was the flame of wrath. However, the buffs dont apply until level one is a hundred percent completed. Which could only mean one thing: she was restraining herself? Otherwise, how she could look fairly clean after having a high kill count? She was sitting down for the last few minutes before the one thousand total kills mission reached completion. Empress Cai launched herself, followed by a shockwave emitted from her boots. She brought out her katana from her sheath, preparing to put out a slash. Julius immediately dashed right behind her, too, with his greatsword drawn. He watched the tip of her katana blade face up high in the sky. With one glare, the dark clouds in the air began to disperse. The sun''s rays ran through the open space and struck right to her blade like a source. It triggered a scarlet red burst of qi and sprinkled from the tip of the blade. As a result, the qi watered her blade, revealing the disordered hamon and hidden imprints from the tip of the blade to the forte. The hidden imprints shone flashing white light, and the characters vibrated echoes of sound waves. It had a form of a paralysis effect, and Julius sensed something was off and pulled his brakes, landing hard on the ground. His landing stopped with a few inches to bear. Some cultivators who were following his movement crashed down to the ground, face flat. Julius half turned to the back and yelled at the rest of the stampede to stop. Stop!! Don''t go past me!! Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Shit. With no other choice, he fired a small orb right at the ground to avoid a direct shot at the upcoming. The blast shot up bags worth of sand right to them, prompting a sudden stop. And they fell on top of each other, forming a small pile. Feng and Mr. Kang, who were right behind the pile, took them off and gave each space. Solomon and Daiyu were nearby and maintained their blasts, continuing to take a portion of the fox''s health. Julius went back to preparing to unleash the contents of his greatsword, and he kept his eyes remain at the boss as she was faced with a couple various forms of attacks while he and Empress Cai were preparing their signature moves. The echoing grunt came from the fox, reminding it had enough of being barraged. It raised its mouth and came off with a loud roar that deterred Solomon and Daiyu. Daiyu lost control of her blast as it came from her palm, went off of her alignment, and the black beam went right to Empress Cais source. It struck through the sun''s rays, disrupting the surge of her scarlet red qi. She quickly turned right to Daiyu distraught. What the hell are you doing?! she yelled, breaking her voice. She had to launch her failed signature move, which appeared no different than an ordinary slash similar to Juliuss Lunar Tsunami (Yueqiu Haixiao/Х), but thinner and more regular in a crescent shape. The fox summoned its shield as it headed to her. Oh, its over. God damn it. Julius thought. To the surprise of everyone, the thin crescent slashed through the shield and lacerated the foxs neck and arm. It tumbled partially to the right and moaned upon bracing a limp. Julius didnt expect that at all, and it almost disturbed him from focusing, maxing out his qi through the blade. He felt it was close. One eye glared up at the tip of the greatswords blade, Licht began to leak out sky-blue qi all over and reached down to his white hilt. When it touched his palms, he received a telepathic call. < Hey, I know what we can do to defeat this. > Licht came on out of the blue. << You really have a stock of ideas comingas if you knew what you could do. >> < And I still dont. Ive been awake the whole time. Plus, I was also thinking. And it got me one idea that I forgot about. > << Tell me then. What do you have in mind? >> An invisible force thrust downwards to his arms, a heavy push down. Afterward, the yanking motion triggered a bloody misty red out of the blades tip. Instinctively, he articulated the greatsword in a swaying motion. A couple right to left, back-to-back, and followed with an upward and downward motion. Therefore, the mist overtook the blade, extending a foot long and wide as hell. It became so unimaginable that even physics cant describe the possibility of it happening. << Licht. Why is this so big? And where did you even get that red qi?! >> < I have no words for it; we only have to find out what it leads to. Also, its the person behind you at your rightshe could answer you the question. > Julius turned and saw Feng, who was cast in a bloody red aura all over her body. She came up with an electrifying look. A wide grunting smile with a horrific dragons breath as she breathed. He stared momentarily as she received from his eyes observing her. You are the bloody redhuh, what a twist, he said before turning back, getting ready to push forward. The paralysis effect from Empress Cai subsided pretty quickly after Daiyus black beam of death accidentally struck her source. With his grip holding Licht in front of him, Julius pulled it back and exerted himself, triggering a violated boom followed by one more from Feng, who was pretty angry through to her soul. < Were ready. > Licht said. << Alright. >> Julius replied without patience. He then gave one look to his left, and Daiyu fired another black beam of death. The black qi shot at the fox, not giving her a chance to summon another defense mechanism. Empress Cais slashing move gave it a hard time to properly defend herself. The former gave her a massive load of barrage as her screams of despair reached back down to the surface. After it was certain Daiyu was good, Solomon, with his axe, sprinted off to the fox, and therefore, Julius did the same. He steered up into the air while directing his eyes at level one bosss head, pinpointing at the crown. Once he reached the right position, he flipped his body where his feet faced up to the sky. Thus, he boosted from there, generating a shockwave that destroyed more of the unpleasant clouds. The sky got brighter as he sped down. He went all out: aura, everything. Julius saw Solomon, with electrifying eyes and a flaming aura, hover near ground height and utilize more of a low targeting strategy. Feng followed him and sequentially the rest of the cultivators followed fully drawn. Like raging ants, they paced up and sped right to the compromised boss. Finally, Julius drew Licht right to the top of the bosss head. BOOM! The blade sent a town-sized demonstration. One shockwave from the strike was all it needed to turn the tide around. Therefore, every single dark cloud that remained in the Realm of Blue River was forcefully wiped from the map. Not a trace of it left. The air was clean, wiped like a breeze. It gusted the ground from its stability as every grace of sand particles whooshed in the air and sent away in one direction. The entire ground went all gray and black like rock solid, as if the floor had burned. Unexpectedly, an eruption occurred. A tsunami developed from the spot of the strike. The swirling wide hole generated a wave of qi, mimicking the pattern of the flow of water. Red and blue fought each other as the waves spread until they reached the realms borders. Within that swirling hole was hollow and dark. At that deep point, the darkness turned bright; something of orange and yellow colors shot itself out. Explode! The second eruption specifically brought the remaining heat left that the waves masked earlier. It didnt do a good job holding it, so all hell breaks loose. The last of everything out into the air. A disordered mushroom cloud took the sky in a glimpse. Circular orange rings hovered and encircled the stem. More updraft from the force within the stem pushed it further until it flattened the roof as it reached the realms ceiling. It disrupted the force from the updraft, creating a plus sign pattern in the sky. And that was it. Its over. Its done. -- Black Nine-Tailed Fox (Boss) HP: 0 --
-- Level UP! Cultivation Level 8 9 Total % Base Stats Buff: 8% 9%
Base Stats w/o adjustments
Stamina (LV 6 7) HP (LV 6 7) 275 300 89,605 96,000
Endurance (LV 6 7) 212 225
Durability LV 6 7) 230 240
Power (LV 6 7) Attack (LV 6 7) 1,860 2,010 5,560 6,060
Qi (LV 6 7) 12,405 13,405
Total Score 110,147 118,240
Mission Completed!! Survive in any manner. Defeat the Boss of the Black Nine Tail Fox. (ھβ Kill the Black Nine Tail Fox. (ھβ (1000/1000) -- That was rude of you. When did you have the guts to unload all of that? We all could have been killed, Hu said, appearing trashed, and all fucked up. What are you expecting from us, fighting tirelessly for at least three hours to survive? And then you came up with such a large health number. So, I took the risk from Licht, Julius said in response while wiping his blue blood that continued hemorrhaging from a gape on his forehead. He then glanced at everyone who all had at least one would in a range from a minor to near threatening. But the fight paid off. Everyone is alive. They passed. They understood their assignment and stuck with it. I meanI cant deny that. However, Im warning you to try constrain yourself from going through with these reckless decisionsLuckily, this realm has no significant environmental impact and is more open. But I cant say the same for higher levels from here now on, she then directed her advice to everyone. You have to rely more on anything wise to succeed, like pure swordsmanship with the blade and a restrained form of strength. That doesnt mean Im saying not to be reckless, but only to do it when it is certain there are no options. Restrained form of strength? Julius questioned while holding his forehead from the gape. It didnt heal immediately. Enlighten me on it. Empress Cai lay on the grass with her eyes closed and turned right to Julius. Youll be interested. For someone like you, I think you will like it more than mushroom clouds. Julius sighed and lay down on the edge of the hill. His eyes viewed the realm from the spot and it looked trashed. At least it recovered quickly compared to minutes ago, when the entire ground was rocky and exposed. Am I insane? He asked himself the question. He doesnt think so, but something to ask once in a while. Have you experienced it too?" Yes, of course. While Im not a master at it, I had a medium degree in it, and that was already high for the time. When I finished my qi arts and academics, the rest of the hours remaining were on studying restrained strength. I think that if you can go through restrained strength training, you will be doing wonders and not having to rely on explosives. Anybody else had restrained strength training? Julius asked. Only around half of the crowd had their hands raised. Solomon had his hand half raised. The rest of the Skolritters were hands down. Qiang, all the House of Kang, and his two cousins were the half he saw raising their hands. Ah, no wonder. Qiang. She was a menace as a markswoman without ever using a sword. So, when are we starting? he continued with another question. One day Empress Cai muttered. One day. I will teach you once we have the time. Julius nodded and slightly coughed. Thank you While keeping his eyes open, he relaxed amongst the flowering blossoms. He kept staring at the scenery. The grass has all returned, and the river flows are back to normalcy. It was back to the natural beauty it was before like nothing happened. His lungs were healing as he breathed better. Skoltor and Hu found his lungs were smoked from the impact. It wasnt the qi move that got his breathing in a crisis, but the second stage with the igniting of a magnitude that was larger than a nuclear bomb or any of his experiences in history. Hence, she offered a gradual healing potion for the lingering effectiveness. Julius continued to lie there while others were doing their own business. A couple minutes passed, and the bleeding stopped when he felt nothing leaking to the skin of his palm. When his health got better, he lifted his upper torso up from the hill. Next, he came to the team. The Skolritters had convened in a circle with Hu sitting in the center. Empress Cai stood nearby, slightly watching the moment before noticing Julius coming up. I didnt accept. You didnt? I dont think it would matter. It''s not for everybody. Why did you have it? It saved my life. If I never got it, my progress would stagnate. Empress Cais eyes turned questionable as she grew curious. You had a condition? Julius bobbed his eyes. Yeah, my natural body at one point cant contain when the qi reaches out of control. However, ever since I got Skoltor, those moments have not happened. Im grateful for that. I sometimes get a thought about what if Im removed from this system. Will I experience it again? Or because its a optimized supplement for me to improve that taking it out in the future, I would never have to deal with it again. You describe yourself more only means the method of Restrained Strength is the safest best for you in the long run, Empress Cai said with a stare, expressing happiness and excitement at his words. She then turned to the Skolritters. It seems theyre done. Qiang walked up to the scene and lifted her cowboy hat off of her head. Restrained Strength? What more can you have? Empress Cai turned to her. Ah, you are that cowgirl who was with Zhou at the residence earlier. Finally, hearing you talkingand I have to say, Im not disappointed. You look vibrating. And I didnt know until a couple of days ago that there was a lady ruler before him, Qiang muttered, gaining a nod from Empress Cai, who then turned to Julius. Im unlucky for my nearly decade-long reign, but maybe he could turn things around and unite everyone under one flag. We fought in that arena. He is the first Ive ever seen to hold such aggression. I dont have a firm knowledge of Restrained Strength, but I think if he embraces itit will be a change in this world, Qiang concluded. Julius listened while watching them talk about him. Kind wordsI think I got a brief outlook of what to expect from Restrained Strength. But I have one question. Is it varied or unified? Its varied, Hu responded. She stood from the circle as the Skolritters simultaneously stood. However, the foundation stage is exact for everyone, like a textbook study session. Once you pass that stage, how you will utilize it will be an open book. You are lucky that I can read. Some could find that first part boring. Hu shrugged as there was nothing that could be different. One way or the other, studying is crucial because lacking the knowledge is pretty dangerous. Fair point. Julius nodded. So, whats next? We completed this level. Here it is, Hu said and pointed to the visual pop-up summoned from the sky. It appeared wide and with clear written words. Everybody watched as the words were typed at the speed of a typewriter. It was lengthy, but descriptive and straightforward. Julius took a minute to comprehend all the information. By the end of the last sentence, he turned to everyone. Good, he said in one word. Nothing else needed to be said further. ??Character Infoboxes 1.1 ?? Notable Measurements: 1 cm = 0.03 г (Chi) 1 cm = ~0.3937 inches 1 in = 2.54 cm 1 kg = 2 н (Jin) 1 kg = ~2.205 lbs. 1 lb = 0.453592 kg
Current Year: Year 1010
Julius Vaillant (M) Born: January 14, 1992 Englewood, Chicago, US Age: 27; 28 (Post-Underground Tournament) (Time distortion) Height: 185.42 cm (61) (5.5626 г) Formerly 208.28 cm (610) (6.284 г) Formerly 220.98 cm (7''3") (6.629 г) Current Weight: ~83 kg (183 lbs.) (166н) Formerly 120.202 kg (265 lbs.) (240.4н) Formerly 145.15 kg (320 lbs.) (290.3 н) Current Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown (Normal), Gold or Blue (Vary), Red (Darkness) Aura: Sky-Blue (Default), Black (Darkness), Red (Unknown) Restrained Strength (Y/N): N Celeste (F) Born: Year 986 ??, Kriegshan Age: 24; 25 (Post-Underground Tournament) (Time distortion) Height: 180.3 cm (511) (5.409г) Weight: 74.84 kg (165 lbs.) (149.68 н) Hair Color: Brown (Brunette) Eye Color: Brown (Normal), Violet (boosted, enraged) Aura: Violet Restrained Strength (Y/N): N
Solomon (M) Born: Year 981 ??, Kriegshan Age: 29; 30 (Post-Underground Tournament) (Time distortion) Height: 193 cm (64) (5.79 г) Weight: 97.52 kg (215 lbs.) (195.04 н) Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown (Normal), Orange (boosted, enraged) Aura: Orange. Restrained Strength (Y/N): N Sally (F) Born: Year 987 ??, Kriegshan Age: 23; 24 (Post-Underground Tournament) (Time distortion) Height: 180.3 cm (511) (5.409 г) Weight: 74.84 kg (165 lbs.) (149.68 н) Hair Color: Green Eye Color: Brown (Normal), Green (boosted, enraged) Aura: Green. Restrained Strength (Y/N): N
Qiang Zhao (F) Born: Year 983? ??? Age: 27? Height: 185.42 cm (61) (5.563 г) Formerly 210.82 cm (6''11") (6.325 г) Current Weight: 65.7709 kg (145lbs.) (131.542 н) Formerly 85.729 kg (189 lbs.) (171.458 н) Current Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Green Aura: Green. Restrained Strength (Y/N): Y Empress Cai (F) Born: Year 968 - Year 973? Longyue, West Cai Dynasty Age: 37-42? Height: 190.5 cm (6''3") (5.715 г) Weight: 69.4 kg (153 lbs.) (138.8 н) Hair Color: Red Eye Color: Red Aura: Red Restrained Strength (Y/N): Y
Feng (F) Born: Year 984 Longyue, West Cai Dynasty Age: 26 Height: 182.88 cm (6''0") (5.486 г) Weight: 68.04 kg (150 lbs.) (136.08 н) Hair Color: Brown (Brunette) Eye Color: Brown, Red & Green (Enraged) Aura: Bloody Red Restrained Strength (Y/N): Y Victoria (F) Born: Year 986 ??, Kriegshan Age: 24 Height: 175.26 cm (5''9") (5.26 г) Weight: 58.06 kg (128 lbs.) (116.12 н) Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown Aura: Blue like water. Restrained Strength (Y/N): N
Chapter 50 - What the hell does Renos want?! (Was zur H?lle Renos wollen?!) The damaged F-150 revved its engine as the warp opened, flashing illuminating light from within. A brief gust dispersed from the warp, cleaning any debris or particles as bits of dirt spit out of the warp back into the realm. Everyone waited until the gust ceased, and Julius pulled down the gear stick to drive, moving the pickup truck. Empress Cai, Solomon, and Celeste were inside the truck. They succumbed to the seats comfort, with most of their bodies appearing to fall asleep. Here we go, Julius muttered, pressing on the gas pedal after Mr. Kang gave a thumbs up. Back home, Empress Cai whispered in a tired voice. The truck sped through the bright light, overwhelming the windshield. In a blink, they arrived back on the plains with the palace in sight. Finally, its done. Julius thought and breathed. He felt accomplished as everyone had made it through the first level of the Merit Universe. Giving a little space, he then pushed the brake as the front wheel turned right. Why are we stopping? Solomon asked. Waitingwaitingfor them, Julius replied in a mumbling tone while staring at the Merit Universes Grand Dual Gate entrance. He actually waited until everyone had made it out of the realm, returning to Longyue. Sniff. What the heck is that smell? His nose started to get ticklish after a pungent scent sprinted right into his nostrils. He went off, grabbing the water bottle from the center consoles cup holder. The trashed and half-cut bottle held in the last gulp of clear water; he poured it all over his face while leaving some into his mouth to quench the dryness of his throat as the symptoms spread downward from the nasal cavity. Awkwardly, he felt an internal punch up, causing him to pull the gear to park and thrust his door open. An expulsion of air left his mouth and nose that expelled a bang of an echo. The unintended spot of grass got shunned off from the ground, exposing empty brown dirt. The high decibels from the echo rang in everyones ears. Possibly a region of Longyue simultaneously heard it. Excuse me, Julius said and wiped his nose of blue blood. Please tell me thats not how you sneeze, Solomon commented, cringing from the sting in his ears. No, this is a first. I guess there was some blood residue needed to depart. That smokey smell was all it needed. Julius stared at his wrist where the spots of dark blue blood lay. He wiped it away, and the grand dual gate closed. Everybody made it out of the realm and safely stood, breathing the fresh air of Raals atmosphere. Mr. Kang, who was clenching his teeth from the bang sneeze, went right up to the truck. Im leaving first with Feng, Yin, and the rest of the house. Theres another message I had to risk waiting until after, so I will send an update if anything urgent, Mr. Kang said quickly before giving a hand wave. He paced out with a hand gesture to his house of cultivators. Thus, they departed from the hill pretty fast, leaving the rest watching them descend. What kind of message does the House of Kang have? And why are they having it first? Empress Cai wondered. Thats because Feng being in the Secretary of Defense position, it would make sense for the House of Kang to be involved in numerous international and information management policies. So, I put them with Mr. Kang in charge of interpretation and interception of any incoming deliveries into our territory. Anything else you should be telling me? Julius shook his head. No. But youre welcome to all my meetings unless I say otherwise... This whole dynasty is so broken. Therefore, everything is progressively developing and takes a discovery route to understand the situationGoing back to that message, the House of Kang left to go review, I hope its not another bad news. The F-150 went back into drive while the source of the smokey smell revealed itself from the hood, blocking all the view provided by the windshield. Julius hopped out while jerking his head away from getting another whiff. He placed his forearms under the trucks chassis, lifting it into the air, and nudged his body under. His shoulders braced like stones before two tons landed on his newly massive wide hands that he gained after his height increased following his duel against Qiang. Julius ascended into the air and ordered everyone to head back. The grand dual gates dissipated from the scenery, reverting back to the clusters of fog lingering on the greenery hill. He flew away with the truck on his shoulders as the crowd departed.
Holy hell. I had a gist of what budget mismanagement could be for some time. But this? This is a travesty for how much it went off. In fact, how the dynasty survived for this past century is baffling and unbelievable! Julius ranted, before looking at Empress Cai. Additionally, now that I think about it, your time as reign was only ceremonial by name. Multiple sects and families, along with the old men officials by your side that we killed, controlled Longyue. In reality, you never had experienced true power until they were incinerated. Empress Cai, who sat to Julius'' left, was stunned despite she should have been aware of that before long for his arrival. Bizarrely, her obvious body language with her head down and sighs sent the message to him. That got him riled. He rotated his chair to the wide bulletin board, where a scarred map hung on display. What drew on the surface were impressively massive and diverse landforms scattered across one continent. The land and bodies of water took up nearly a hundred percent of the map. Anybody who can''t read characters would assume multiple countries shared the continent. He turned back to the table with his finger pointed directly at the map. This is what I can''t stand. So many fragments and disunity because all these individual families have the freedom of their own land. They don''t even have to listen to their lead. This isn''t a dynasty. This isn''t a country or an empire. It''s only groups who can give less crap about anybody else other than themselves who unfortunately share the same history with us. There might be exceptions like my discovered paternal family. But we have to hell force them one day at our demands, he added and lifted his upper body back up after slumping on his chair. Among the present ones at the meeting, at least twenty attended; a room where it was before used rarely, now has a new purpose, because the residence seemed too small and unwise to hold such a meeting. Dark colors overtook this room without fault. Whoever designed the interior must have loved the gothic or separated themselves from the rest of society and appeared to be illuminated by color. Julius asked Empress Cai about the origins of this room at the beginning of the meeting, and she responded with her naivety about it. At least an opinion, but she was quiet. Solomon, of course, very vocal himself, thought of the place to be homey; likely connected with his blacksmith''s history, and tended to confide in and embrace the darkness. Others added their opinions, one word at the minimum after Solomon finished his. In turn, that was embarrassing for Empress Cai. The realization she never really connected with things in a tiny detail or with many people that Julius himself felt her pity. He had acknowledged and appreciated her battle wits and personal advice to individuality. Her first impressions when he arrived at Longyue for the first time were impressive as he got shunned down by her aura of display. It was disappointing to find out that wasnt the case with other expertise like academics, history, and social constructs which Julius had more performance. His few years of tenure experience as the Chief of Operations in Colemond kicked in the moment he gained any authority in the West Cai Dynasty, and only grew since he became the authority figure. The table was lengthy, as long as a couple of planks of wood tied together at the butt end. The space provided wasnt quite expansive enough to where it kept all the attendees spaced apart from each other. It had an occupancy of fifteen, which were all taken. Beyond the fifteenth had to figure out their ability to last the whole meeting, already gone past an hour. Julius wanted to give them seating, but a couple of them denied his offer. Many remained stood, leaving a few who had prominent knowledge in qi that they summoned seats for themselves. The theory of manipulating and forming items like furniture by using qi remained in his thoughts.
Everybody, excluding Julius, was in heavy distress, as the constant reactions from Julius in the meeting, until now, were negative and critical. This was the first time they heard him with such words and actions verbalized through an open space. He was right to be this infuriated. The budget mismanagement wasnt the only issue. It was the letter that Mr. Kang, Feng, and Yin received that enraged him the most. When they rapidly departed, Julius hoped for nothing serious bad news, only to be confronted minutes later. Feng came with a torn envelope with the paper hung by the grip of her angsty fingers. She had no emotion in her appearance, making it odd for someone to be at a level of extrovert. Feng wanted to confirm the written intentions. He took the envelope from her and began reading it. Having it straight to the point was probably a big mistake because the intentions were clear. Funny enough, since it was from Renos, the primary language was Kriegyu. He then read from top to bottom: Unter der Herrschaft von K?nigin Gertrud, wir drangen Sdcaifischerdorf ein. Wir wollten Sdcaifischerdorf nicht aufgeben, weil wir Fische aus Golf von Kaltstrudel () liebten. Das Dorf ist unser Kontrollieren. Nein Wettbewerb! Einen sch?nen Tag noch! K?nigin Gertrud K?nigreich RenosDid you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. [Under the orders of Queen Gertrud, we invaded South Cai Fishing Village. We didnt want to give up South Cai Fishing Village because we loved the fishes from the Gulf of Cold-Vortex (). The village is our control. No contest! Have a nice day! Queen Gertrud Kingdom of Renos] After Julius read the letter, he placed it on the table, followed by a nod to Feng, who went and called all who held formidable power to attend. All the prominent senators that were voted into position weeks ago; The House of Kang members, academics, polymaths, a couple journalists, and opponents of Empress Cais father who was still alive today and escaped prison during the Raid of Longyue. In reality, the room could probably be almost as much as the senate session in the Main Palace given by the area. When she left, Julius turned the torn envelope, revealing Kaiserin Cai written in ink on the front space; indicating the letter was supposed to be sent long ago, at least before the raid. That could have been any time. The suspicion and his rant began after placing down the envelope.
The disunity between all regions within the West Cai Dynasty had proven to bring an intended consequence that led to reigniting conflicts. If it was intended to be a dynasty by definition, the southern and southwest areas should have been able to deter them back. So, it was a geopolitical failure. Another awkward embarrassment piled up in the pile of unfortunate mistakes. How do you anticipate a successful campaign to get back the South Cai Fishing Village? Many of the fish in our food come from the Gulf of Cold-Vortex. Since we lost it and under Renos rule, chances are all the way where the supply will be low, and prices will spike off the roof. Can you share your potential plans that might be in your cup of tea? The male journalist asked with an empty page in one hand while the other gripping the pen. Julius sighed, leaning right on the chair. He revolved halfway repetitively and glared at the map multiple times before he stopped, facing back at the journalist. Im aware, and my diet is pretty heavy. At least two dishes per meal. The average nutrients in Longyue at least are still less than mine. The issue is that wont be for long as the enlistments and number of cultivators will increase. Consequently, more knowledge of qi means higher necessity intake. The other issue is I dont think the supply will recover quickly. South Cai Fishing Village is far down in the Southwest. We have to figure out the backup plan to keep the efficient number at equilibrium as possible. Have you considered the chicken as a substitute? The journalist asked the next question. Which kind of chicken? Julius asked, leaning his head on his hand. The one senator at one of the fifteen seats raised his hand. I think he meant the brown striped. The giant ones. Thats an odd request, Senator Cheng. I know because the Tang familys region lived far out in the West Cai Dynasty, we depended a lot on that kind of diet. Its nutritious, quickly filling, and economically efficient. No, I know. But its an odd request because I heard these are from those prideful farmers who are insanely hard-headed and not that open. Maybe with you guys aint a problem, but as an entire nation. Thats gonna be some trouble based on how I interpret thisCan we invade it? Senator Tang Chengs lips closed, followed by a deep breath. He wanted to say something, but it was almost like he had to restrain himself. Julius pulled an empty sheet of paper out. Is my family that dependent? How about the neighboring regions? Do they have a dependence on the Brown-Striped Chickens? A moment before he nodded, letting out a breath out of his mouth. Im making a sacrifice. I see. Well, we will figure out to keep the supply maintained between you and the neighboring regions before pushing to that planned objective, Julius said, writing something down on the paper in hard ink from his pen. When you have to go back, take this note and give it to my aunt. I hope she understands. If you can bring a response back as quickly as possible, I would appreciate that. He folded the paper and handed it to him. Also, welcome to the senate. Thanks. He took the note, putting it in his inner pockets. Youre allowed to leave at any time. Senator Tang Cheng stood from his seat. Ill go now. He departed from the room along with Tang Li Mei, who was present too. She wasnt as interested in politics as her brother Tang. Are we going to wait for him? Solomon asked. Mhm. I dont want careless mistakes that put us into shamblesReturning to the village problem, anybody here got further intel beyond this letter and the territory the Kingdom of Renos stole? The journalist and Mr. Kang raised their hands. Julius prompted Mr. Kang to share first. Since the village has barely two thousand residents, the enemy overwhelmed them by an advantageous four thousand, doubling the amount. Additionally, a rarity for any town or city, there are no cultivators or minimal defense setup. The Journalist has nothing to say since he got the same intel. Qiang leaned on her chair, moving to the topic of training measures. After this meeting, you should start restrained strength training as soon as possible. As we dont want any unintentional damages because you got an overflow. Julius rubbed his chin while thinking about what to do next. Should I call it? He wondered while Qiang stated her point on the topic. Environmental scenarios He thought about it until Qiang finished after the period. South Cai Fishing Village is dependent on water, which is blankly obvious. I was thinkingmaybe I cant go down there in secret yet, he said while glaring around the scene if that one specific person was present. YeahYou Victoria. I think you should go. Not alone, but you are fit for this mission. Victoria broke off her emotionless expression, startled by her sudden assignment. Woah. Why me? I dont think Im ready. Id rather have at least a small group to head down. The reason I chose you is that you are a water-based cultivator. The issue is that the amount who had experienced water is relatively low. What is your plan? Take the chance. The goal is to gather intel about the situation, so you have to sneak in. Anybody willing to volunteer, you may do so; for the sake of your country and food you love. A couple of cultivators stepped forward, offering to join. Theyre not the ones wearing black robes with custom plates, so they are not from the House of Kang and are very independent of any house. As Julius accepted their considerations, an idea came to his head. Another realization of how bad it sounded was that there was no national military. Things started to make sense. Too much independence within the capital which logically caused this raid to progress. Many individuals seemed to not agree or cooperate was one theory he could think of. Unfortunately, there wasnt a conclusive answer, as most of the written records or evidence of their livelihoods were charred and burned with the raid. For now, only opinions, reactions, and theories could potentially lead somewhere. So, he wrote some more on a separate sheet of paper, now handing it to Feng. Create the national armed forces, he said to her. You have that authority to call it under my will. We dont have enough men, she said upon grabbing the paper. She saw his signature of approval with a couple of short sentences written above. I understand. A progressive method. Julius nodded. The more territories we unite. We will force it somewhatDrain them of the ones that wanted to break away from their superiors and join us because this whole autonomy of cultivators is absolutely ridiculous. Feng agreed, and Julius asked for the numbers. The former doesnt have the exact meaning except for Longyue. The ones that came to train at Level One of the Merit Universe added to more than fifty percent of the total forces, while the rest were ordinary citizens. Hence, the surviving population added up to around sixty thousand. It estimated that before the raid, there were around four hundred thousand, an eighty-five percent drop. The journalist noted that many survivors are still in their youth, as he interviewed a couple and brought it to the headlines in the latest release of the bi-weekly newspaper series. Julius pulled it out from the stack of papers on the table. Two interviews and a story could only fit on the given spot on the page. Darn. I cant imagine the pain. He reflected back on his youth alone, starting from the ground up after his parents were gone. I can relate to these two unfortunate teenagers. I have lived solely since I was thirteen. It was a struggle, but Im not going to take any of it away because it showed me the reality of unpredictable outcomesWhere are these two now? The journalist flipped a couple pages of his notebook, looking down between the lines. I interviewed them two days ago. They were in their homes, doing their chores. Alone? The girl was reading, and the boy was cooking. The two had a job to make amends. Both recalled it aint that much, but it was enough to get through five meals. Almost two days? Julus thought, rubbing his forehead. Arrange a time for them to meet me. Schedule a time for the two to arrive at he turned to Empress Cai. Where do you want me to train? At Longyue Central Park, its open all and every day of the week. Then have them meet me there. Youre free to go as you wish, Julius said, then turning to Solomon for any last information. Anything else before this session concludes? When are we drafting the bill? As soon as possible. I want each of you to write the stuff deemed necessary and hand it to me when its finished. At my residence, at best. Anything else? Julius asked, standing up from his seat. The partner journalist, who was quiet until now, had one and raised her hand. When are you planning to expand beyond the fifty cultivators? Once I receive all drafts for the bill and review, Ill have the senate convene and as long as it passes the fifty percent mark of approval, the process will proceed. Thats all I have. Thanks for attending, and all of you may leave. The rooms dual black doors opened, barging the daylight into the confined darknesss space. Julius cleaned up part of his seating space, hauling all the junk to one side of the table and sliding it off into the trash can below. Empress Cai, Qiang, and Solomon stayed behind at their spots, while Victoria stood by Juliuss side with the two volunteer cultivators next to her. He questioned what she needed to ask. In response, she demanded to join him at the park. Confused, he looked at her and the rest of the room. Her tone made it appear as if he didnt allow her to go. Subsequently, he quickly deterred her thoughts away, inviting her and others to follow to the central park as he didnt recall anything preventing them from going. Chapter 51 – Restrained towards Raw! (被限制在Raw!) Holy shit, she really wasnt joking. Julius stepped foot into the area of Longyue Central Park. It has to be lucky for it to survive, barely visualizing any wear or damage. Maybe a few people were at the site doing their outdoor activities; however, they vacated at the arrival. He stood with Empress Cai, Victoria & her two fellow cultivators, Solomon, and Qiang as they viewed the perfect spot. Where they stood was directly perpendicular to other parts of the park to their right. It was the northernmost region if drawn on the map. The left view pointed back towards the high plateau where the palace stood high with the towering structure accompanied by multiple roofs and walls surrounding it. Victoria strolled freely and viewed to the right. A few sprints away was the lake. It was small and half-drained, leaving the edges and part of the depth exposed to the air. Victoria summoned the energy source to the edges of her index and middle fingernails. She made a finger gun gesture and jerked it upwards to disperse the gallons worth of water. Others watched the direction of the water headed. The splash to the surface shook around the lake as the accuracy was there but not quite the bullseye, leaving portions to pour outside. Empress Cai went right towards Victorias right hand and smacked it off track, forcing it to stop dispersing water. What resulted was a refilled lake and flooded shorelines. Maybe you, coming along was the right decision, Empress Cai said before turning around to see the results. Which is why Im here. I need more focus, otherwise I could accidentally destroy the entire village because of an unintentional accuracy mishap, Victoria stated, flicking off her hand of remaining droplets. No kidding, you almost flooded the entire battlefield of level one. Hands raised, I dont know how I got this much water in my hands and body, but if I can control it fully with the help of restrained strength, Ill take a moment whatever I can get, Victoria said. Empress Cai summoned a book and had it flipped to a certain page. She glanced through a specific page while Julius waited for what was going to happen next. The book was a brown hardcover, with no rust, and trimmed with metal frames at the face of the front and rear cover. Its size has to be at least six hundred pages, which is wild to think about because the potential things described were a missed opportunity beforehand. The two weeks Julius missed because of an awkward time distortion before the Merit Universe stabilized were one of them. He then thought if that hadnt happened, Longyue wouldve likely not been destroyed from the raid. It could be a comparative advantage because the capital getting wrecked was a bad sign for a country. Then again, that would mean he wouldnt be at the top of the line, and Empress Cai would remain at the pinnacle. Probably for the best that the current events have led to now was for the better because its his control, and the levels of corruption with regional controls annihilated gave the ease of potential influence. Of course, he never told that to anyone. By the end of the rambling throughs, he would brainstorm for his parts of the bill draft while waiting for Empress Cai to finish what she was reading in the book. But she finished. Ok, do you know how to suppress your qi? she asked a general question. Somewhat, Julius answered, counting a couple of his fingers. Victoria then answered. A bit. Im decent, Solomon answered. Swoosh! I cant miss this opportunity to say yes, Feng replied. I too will be participating. Juliuss eyebrows raised upon hearing her. That was quick. I have a team putting the drafts down, so we already got to work. The instructions were explicit, so I dont have to be around all the time. Julius gestured, bringing her into the group while Empress Cai continued: Ok, that would be it. She ordered everyone to stay still as she took a couple of steps back. Her rear feet stopped once the distance was preferable. Keep in mind that the distance to the lake was pretty far. It is not an average block in New York City from one end to the other. Its at least two times more, which was longer than one football field. Also, the direction down to the lake was on an incline downward, with the northernmost spot of the park at the highest elevation. He saw her mumble something with her eyes glaring at the book. The next second, she turned to her left, extending her left arm right into the open space. The ground began rumbling as cracks appeared at the surface of the green plains. A shallow crater generated around her, tearing up chunks of dirt. The dirt flew right in the direction back up on the incline to the rest who were watching. Julius and Feng summoned a faint aura, which was enough to stop it from passing them. Others behind the two want to see what''s happening below. You better get yourself useful to witness it, Feng said. The dirt continued to barge right at them, despite the sudden change of the ground wasnt that much. The problem was it kept getting worse. Between the tiny openings, Empress Cai remained standing at the same spot, doing whatever she did. Solomon and the two cultivators went up right behind Julius with their arms above their heads. Eventually, Solomon let his orange aura out. The first time he saw his face up close under a thunderous aura with staggering, flashing eyes. Any of them would think that would counter the barge of dirt. The gusts became so strong that it was like a sandstorm. The aura progressively became worthless. Julius tried to amp it up. He made some effort to resist the dust, only for it to overwhelm him. He flexed the calves of his legs and forced both of his arms up. His sky-blue aura dissipated from his body. A dirt storm swirled upon the moment directed right at the open and blew towards him. The arms directed it away, passing his peripherals. In response, the rest of the group broke off in the cluster as bits of the dirt struck them. Julius remained in place with both of his arms blocking his face like an X-cross. Jolts of solid dirt clashed right on his forearms. He felt the solid bullets hitting right at it, and the muscularity braced against further punches. The pain stung his nerves. What kind of rock is this? He wondered while the barrage of rocks continuously slammed right into his arms, expelling raining dust all over his face. Instinctively, his mouth spat out the rocky brown dust and punched right at the upcoming wave, glaring a second at what turned out to be a manipulative tactic. The barrage wasted no time and struck his forehead, lacerating a tiny cut. He punched again right on it, splitting the wave into a v shape. Therefore, he rolled down the incline with an inch to spare. Continue, continue down. His mind repeated as he rolled. He didnt stop until he was out of the fairly steep decline. With one turn to the left, he saw Feng running through it. One arm covered her face, and the other wielded her katana, striking back at the stampede of dirt projectiles. Julius got himself up from the spare grass and ran back to the scene. Even outside of the range, he cant trigger his qi or aura. Feng doesnt have her bloody red aura around her either; she goes in raw. Julius sprinted and lifted both of his arms, ramming through the dirt stampede. Feng swarmed past his view in a second. He twisted his feet to the left and tailed behind her while withdrawing Licht in his grip. While running, a motivated grunt came from behind. Solomon, with glowing orange eyes, dashed out of the barrage, thrusting the two cultivators out of the way. The three followed behind him. Feng led the way downwards. Empress Cai appeared to notice them closing the distances; the path of the dirt rocks steered right to them from the left. Duck! Feng yelled. She gave a tiny lift for her back to steer downwards parallel to the ground, and therefore, she landed flat on her back, rolling down the steep elevation. Here it goes. Julius jerked his feet upwards almost for a jump, slamming down. The impactful landing boosted his speed as he got a couple of inches ahead of Feng. She then sent a physical message of jealousy by grabbing his arm as leverage, thrusting herself down further and closer to the curve. He didnt react to her gesture other than maintaining focus on the barrage of dirt that was now a couple of inches above everyone. All brown and black obstructed the view of the sky, followed by a sharp, gritty noise amplified in the vicinity. Its like dumping a bag of grains down into a pot or any container. A couple of seconds passed. Julius and Feng clearly saw Empress Cais feet about five hundred yards away. The former looked at his forearms where the rocks of dirt punched. It tore bits of his dragon-vinyl black overcoat. There were bits of vinyl design shredded from the overcoat''s forearm, exposing his bare skin. Surprisingly, no scrapes as he wouldve expected. A moment of recognition swarmed his mind, prompting him to thrust his left in the opposite direction. It was mad. He continuously punched the open space behind him until it clicked through his knuckles, generating a shockwave boost. Immediately, he sped down fast, like he was driving down the passing lane on the highway. He swarmed past Feng in a blink while eyeing Empress Cais feet. When it got closer, his right grip clutched on the hilt of Licht, and Julius stabbed through the swarming dirt, breaking its momentum. He bent his knees and thrust his body upwards with the blade directed right in front.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. He brought the force to the greatsword and deterred all the projectiles, clearing the way for him. Pressuring his shins and thighs, he came to an abrupt stop and struck Empress Cai with an upward swing of his greatsword. Sunlight reflected off the blade before the sharpness hit right at her stomach; too late for her to deflect anything. A flash of light emitted from the impact. It swam past his pupils as his light resistance took over, witnessing through the void of light. He indeed got her. The blade forced her book to loosen from her grip, giving the opening. A vibrated echo inflicted from the clash. Empress Cai silently turned her head to Julius, appearing surprised because her eyes widened full circle and eyebrows raised. The next second, the impact sent her away from the spot. She zoomed like a missile with her back facing the lake. Quickly, she crashed right into the lake. The lake reacted negatively, following the colossus splash of water up into the air. The crash generated immense heat, causing the vapors to emit around the lake''s circumference. Each vapor swirled up to the illuminating sun. The temperature rose as the heatwave generated around the scene, visualizing through his eyes a certain view. Julius looked at the lake, concerned that Empress Cai got the worst of it, despite knowing she had unpredictable strength. Eventually, he ran right to the edge of the lake. Approaching further to get a better view, the water had drained to near-nothingness. The drainage exposed the lake''s ridges; it was like being intensely scratched that the chunks were discarded and scattered around the plains above because of the force coming from the splash. Feng and Solomon came from behind, viewing the lakes damage. Julius saw Empress Cai soaked. He leaped into the lakes depth, sliding down the ridges; the only smoothest left his back felt as he sped down. Both of his legs thumped down the bottom, followed by a splash of the remaining inches of water, stopping him right at Empress Cais side. No scratches or signs of wounds on her abdomen. The impact tore off both layers of her robe, which was how he confirmed her situation. The robes belt was the last thing that held her robe from being completely open, exposing all underneath. You good? Im fine, Empress Cai said, without a hint of annoyance, and lifted her book up where water dripped from the pages. The She placed her palm right above the page before jerking her fingers upward. This is fixable. The gushing blow departed from her fingers, then her hand, overwhelming the soaked pages. A couple of seconds of a human hair drier wiped out the wetness of the book and dried as if nothing had happened. When she showed him the results, the softness of the paper impressed Julius. No wrinkles or stiff and undamaged ink that did not bleed through the other pages. He got a glimpse of the book on the page Empress Cai focused on. The written words were formatted to the center, and to realize it was a poem with each cut at the end was a stanza. He handed the book back and helped her up. That was a moment of restrained strength you just performed. How does it feel? she asked. Not bad, but it felt like a workoutSo, thats how it is? No qi, nothing? Solomon, Feng, and the rest arrived soon after. Exactly, Empress Cai excitedly said. If you could let your body embrace the excess of qi and turn it into raw power, thats restrained strength. For now, its a little rough, but you will get the tick after a couple of attempts. Julius walked away, following Empress Cai up to the surface. How long do you think Ill succeed? They stopped after departing from the depths of the lake. Empress Cai turned directly to Julius, eyes directly at each other. You made the right choice of not going to the fishing village, as restrained strength requires significant patience for the long term. Victoria thought she could go through the basics today and proceed with the mission once the bill successfully passes. Victoria, who heard what she said, came up right next to her and curiously asked. What led you to that judgment? Its fairly obvious. You are a water element cultivatorThe fishing village is right next to the Gulf of Cold-Swirl. And your qi magnitude isn''t as on level with his or dangerous if left unchecked. Everyone has a different time to take with restricted strength. After the basics, it only comes with the individual being committed to take the mantle. What should the result be? Solomon asked. Whatever you want, as long as the results satisfy your milestone. Empress Cai then flipped to another page in the book before adding it, pointing at Julius. I almost forgot to mention about dealing with K?nigin (Queen) Gertrud. You cant introduce yourself with a sword. Renos doesnt respect that in battle. You have to go with your body. You mean martial arts? Can you wrestle? Julius nodded quickly. I can. Show mumph! Thump! Empress Cai crashed to the floor, with Julius on top of her. Like that? he asked. Julius immediately rolled away and hopped off from the floor. He held out his hand, waiting for her. She nodded, then gripped him. Thats a start. I guess we can move ahead a bit with you. " Ill help you out, Qiang said, insisting on providing her input to others. should make things more efficient since I have some knowledge of restrained strength from training to be a marksman. Julius snuck his words. You better go easy on me. I dont intend to. That moment aint the last. I better not get elbowed in the eyes again. Being half blind wasnt fun, you know. By the time you have maintained a consistent, restrained strength, thats the least of your worriesYoull be fine, Qiang said with an optimistic tone underneath. She pulled her dual revolvers out from her holsters. ButIll try not to.
Despite being a fast learner, Julius didnt finish the basics until the sun descended on the horizon. The planet-sized moon levitated into the night sky, illuminating the vicinity. Ironically, he struggled and was the last of everyone present to understand how to control it. He ended with a thrusting punch, generating a shockwave in the shape of a beam right to the concrete pillar. It shattered into table-sized chunks as the constant thumps hit the grass floor. Empress Cai, from a distance, performed an upward hand gesture, summoning another pillar. Julius leaped up in the air right when the pillar peaked. He went for the pinnacle and the axe kicked straight down from up high. He free fell as the soles of his boots gave a clean, wide cut. Before reaching the floor, he bolted his foot away with half a foot remaining. Afterward, he dashed out backward, using his right foot that was nearly tiptoeing to the ground. He landed steady; both feet were on the ground and brought friction to the surface. He flexed his thighs to come to an abrupt stop, and subsequently, he lifted his right leg with his knee up parallel to his torso. Eying at the concrete pillar, Julius turned his body to get the ankle as the weight shifted to his back and left leg. One. He quietly rehearsed, and after one refilling breath, his whole body moved, finally striking the remaining half foot of concrete that held the two halves of the concrete pillar. The two halves collapsed while breaking into chunks. The cracks emitted dust from the particles. He rolled away from the scene, rejoining Empress Cai and Qiang, who stood at one spot watching Juliuss performance. Empress Cai sighed in relief. Finally, after fifteen times. I didnt see that coming. You have too much qi. Unfortunately for meat least I finally did it, Julius said, feeling proud. It sucks that others have left. They finished quicker than I did. Qiang randomly fired one Qi blast into the night sky before putting her revolver away. What matters is that you passed after five hours. But remember, your style was off the book, so we three had to improvise. Julius agreed. Thats true. Gotta give credit where its due. That battle was wild enough. He wiped off the dried, crusty blood that was stuck in the scalp. He summoned a couple of drops of water to let it all out. You two are okay, right? Im ok, Qiang replied, not minding the open gap at her right temple. It was vivid inside, which was a little gross. A part of her skull was exposed vividly and flooded with green blood. She turned to Empress Cai where she burned the book, dissipating it from her hands. Im fine. We three need a loaded dinner and some rest. My back is sore. Grumble! Oh, crap. Yeah, I need some food. I havent reached the minimum of seven thousand caloriesshoot I didnt eat today! The realization forced him to save the conversation until back at the cafeteria hall. Lets go. Otherwise, Skoltor will be screaming my head out to fucking eat. The three boosted into the air, heading back to the palace. They left behind the trashed park. No more of a lake except a dirt graveyard; the disruption of the greenery, and the entrance region, was a mess. Skoltors visual flagged warnings as Julius flew with them two. His stomach grumbled. -- Daily Calories: 0/7000 Warning! Warning! -- He let his left hand hold his abdomen while Empress Cai and Qiang sped up. Consequently, that made Juliuss stomach grumble louder, enough to hear through the wind rush. Qiang turned to the sound where she commented. Oh my, hang on! Chapter 52: Moving Forward. (Gehen vorw?rts.) Julius didnt get any sleep, feeling energetic throughout the night. While everybody was snoozing in their resting spots, he sat in the living room of his residence, reading a stack of hardcover books. The record of Raals history was fascinating. In his remembrance of the first meeting with Empress Cai and Daiyu, he was told more of the present scenarios and contemporary events. What he didnt know was that every century there will always be a world-changing or an evolution of unprecedented events occurring, while every quincentennial number of years (500) was more of a revolutionary. The story of the stairway to the high plateau was four quincentennial years ago. Before Empress Cais father was her grandfather, who was the patriarch of a new era within the Cai family. His sons corruptive greed ambushed and fractured his long-term goal after his death. Prosperity and an era of peace were wiped out by his sons first orders at his first moments of bonding with the throne. Surprisingly, the short, near-decade reign of Empress Cai wasnt recorded as much in quantity compared to her father and grandfathers roles. Only when Julius took over the mantle when freedom of expression was granted, following a mass load of truth from their perspectives, revealed a unanimous agreement of how shit of a person the father was. The decades of his reign were blasphemy and criminal. There were a couple of stacks of books on each side of the table, left and right. They were taken from the residences library. Between the two sides were empty sheets of paper with a few writing utensils. The right stack was where the books he had finished reading since the meal. There were four, all related to the history of the West Cai Dynasty and its historical figures. Skoltors capabilities assisted him in gaining information quickly. For a long while, Julius used his smartphone. It was at a low battery this time, so he used his generative electricity and recharged it through a slight touch near the cable socket. Living in Raal for a while made him independent of using phones. He finally used it because all the exclusive blueprints and public patents were stored in a folder. The opportunity to review them now was the right time. He left the phone idle while finishing the last ten pages of the fifth book. On the last page, he closed the brown hardcover and put it in the right stack. Glaring on the blank pieces of paper, Julius took the pen and began writing it down. The left stack of books remained seven thick, hardcovers, and the fifth book he finished was the last historical book. The rest are general subjective topics and policies that have passed since its founding two thousand years ago. Once a third of the first sheet of paper was filled, Julius stopped for a moment and glared at anything awkward. After a couple of edits and marks, he set the paper down and prepared to read the sixth book, Cais Monetary Policies in The Last Two Hundred Years. A more recent approach. He opened the first page while the idled phone turned silent. When he opened it, there was a knock on the door, interrupting his focus. At this hour? Thats weird. He thought after hearing the sound. Then again, but continuously pounding noises that rumbled the door. A little annoyed, he got up and placed his book down. Getting closer to the entrance, Julius sensed no strong qi outside. The pounding suddenly stopped. His greatsword summoned to his right hand while facing the left door. Quietly, one hand on the doorknob while the other gripping the hilt. Someone was still out there because the door pounding returned, prompting Julius to violently open the door. Woah! a surprised yell from outside. Good lord. What the hell are you doing here at this hour? Its way past midnight, Julius said. The door swung fully outward, revealing the journalist and Senator Tang Cheng, the former being the one who banged on the door. I cant sleep. Also, Senator Tang Cheng is back in the capital, so he called me. I rarely sleep. Most of the family doesnt sleep. Your body heals twenty-four-seven, Senator Tang Cheng said. My god, I guess restrained strength flows through every one the more I realize, Julius muttered, glaring at the journalist to be certain. Unless, Rui, you arent a cultivator? He shook his head. Im barely to be even called one. My qi count is too weak. Darn, sorry to hearBut please come in. No use of staying outside. Julius invited the two in. He grabbed the door and gave a one-eighty swing, slamming the door back and locking it. You two want something to drink? I have water, baijiu, and tea. Water is fine. What about you Tang? Same as him. Julius summoned two water bottles from his virtual inventory, inviting them to sit down. He returned to his prior spot while the two took a spot on the couch. Rui saw all the books and papers on the table. He got curious. Whats all of this you are doing? KnowledgeResearching more of the issues as I draft my ideas for the bill. Perfect, and Senator Tang Cheng came for something related to our meeting hours ago. Rui turned to the latter. You have a message from home to him in response, right? Senator Tang went to his pockets, pulled out a folded paper, and handed it to Julius. He opened it and gave it a read. Afterward, he flicked it to the table. Those were some pleasant words from your mother. I might have to schedule a day to head down south to meet her and everyone. How soon? Probably in two to three days. I hope we can get the bill stuff sorted today. Will it be open? Julius nodded. That''s the plan. I''ll be attending alone. My co-journalist won''t be around for the session if it''s today. I don''t mind. Since you are consistent, your presence is welcome. But I''ll ask you a question twice. Now and then. Julius leaned up from the couch. Should we release this beyond our territory? Yes, Rui said confidently. I don''t want too many details on the paperonly a summary. Rui slanted his head upwards, thinking. That shouldn''t be too much ink. How long do you think this bill would be? Maybe at least ten pages, Julius presumed. That would also depend on how much I have on my draft. He slid the paper where he had written a third of it. Rui went closer to the table, reviewing the paper. I''ve never even heard of this. Julius blinked a couple times, not understanding what he meant. Rui asked as if it was an alien; clearly, he had never heard it before. He watched him, confusingly rereading the paper. The back-and-forth eye movement was evident that Julius couldnt help but ask. What are you lost on? The highway part? Yeah, what is that? OhI forgot to realize, Julius mumbled. The realization was that there were no highways or anything similar within the continent of Dong Luse, possibly the entire planet of Raal. He did analyze the map from the recent meeting but forgot that he had paid attention to the logistics of it. No highways or lengthy pavement that is not dirt. The most concrete or stone pavement he ever saw was in the capital and the tournament region. That wont sustain for much longer if the future relies on a constant load of foot traffic from cultivators. that this is a new concept for you guys. Think of it like an advanced pavement. Rui leaned his back on the couch, putting the paper down on the table. Tell us, Rui replied, followed by Senator Tang Chengs anticipation. Ok, well, tell me one thing. What are the common resources or products often transported to Longyue? The fishes, Senator Tang Cheng guessed. Correct. Any food that our local farmers couldnt grow. The key problem is we lost the fish supply because of the Reno invasion, and the majority of Longyues farmers died, leaving behind their unattended farms and fields. From the message my aunt gave me, they are likely to send some of their resources back. Logistically, we need a stable network because dirt is pretty unstable. Thats a lot of pavement to work on. I know. However, if the workers can be cultivators, not only do they have stamina improvements while also achieving the objective faster and efficiently, no?This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. I dont know if our family would want that? Why just our family? Anybody volunteering is accepted to assist. This dilemma of workers being at the bottom of the social hierarchy is absolutely ridiculous. Without them, there wouldnt be houses, palaces, or anything. Now that I mentioned that, Im writing that down. He jotted one line about social hierarchy. The statement went beyond one and ended with four. Julius then underlined the statement before putting his pen down. How will you end this standard in our society? It is not that simple," Rui asked. Julius eyes remained on the paper. To establish a prosperous society, every citizen of the Dynasty must be united and together on the frontiers, striving for innovation and righteousness. Bad actors or ones who defy this proposition will be subject to punishment for going against humanitys wishesThats a brief idea of what I will do. Soforceful. Thats rough, sir. Rui, the formalities are unnecessary; I find it pretty uncomfortable. Alright, not a problem. Now where was I? What other choices do we have? The West Cai Dynasty is in desperate need of a boost. Im willing to put myself on the line, so why not anybody else? If they want peace, they are going to have to obey, as we are in a war against humanitys enemy. We will set the example for Raal. Not Kriegshan, not Renos, or any other nations. How long do you think this will be possible? I dont knowwe are not supposed to know. Its supposed to be a flowing process. The worst could be more than a decade while the hopeful expectations are much less than that. The quicker we unite all the regions, the better it will be. Rui opened his notebook, and he flipped through towards the bookmark, flattening the page. It was quotes he received hours ago. Have you got a treasury department? Julius shook his head. No, I was surprised there were none. Did you get some input about it? I was thinking about including it on the bill and maybe the upcoming senate session will add it. I know you wanted to meet those two teenagers from the recent newspaper. But of course, they didnt come. Afterward, I got a separate contact from another local. Shes around twenty years old, lost her family during the Raid, and trained to become the next store owner if it hadnt been for that day. Her information to reach her is here. If you want it, I can give it to you. A new one? Better than nothing. Im gonna hear what he has in store. Julius thought while his attention was away from Rui and Senator Tang Cheng. He turned back, bobbing his head down. Tell me. Her name is Mngyu. She randomly came across me while I was walking through the first district. The note she handed me before departing was what I wrote down on this page. She was mad, grunting like an animal. Mouth covered by a cloak. The eyes were visibly distraught and burning projectiles of vengeance. In a blink, she was off, probably back to her place of rest. The note read the directions on how to get back to her. The best time is in the day I got it. Thanks, Julius interrupted, offering his hand for the note. Hand me the original note. Rui took the folded piece of paper off from the gutter. Julius grabbed and opened it, reading the contents. He had one more question. Is she really that mad? Yes, she is, Rui said. Senator Tang Cheng leaned up from the couch. You are thinking of making her join the government? Julius gave a closed smile. Yes. I think she should be the first Chief of Treasury. She was trained to be a store owner, so she should have more experience of the economy here than I do. Additionally, she would be another advisor like Solomon, Feng, and Yang. However, Ill hold my comments on anything related to policy until the session. Unless you have more urgent news, wait until the session. Senators one finger up. One more thing, the family will be here visiting Longyue later today. Great. Tell them theyre invited, and Ill have more chairs set up for the session. If thats all, you two are free to go. I still have some work to do until morning. Well, we will leave you be, Senator Tang Cheng said, lifting himself up from the couch. Ill take my leaveRui? Rui, jotting something in his journal, stood up and put it away in his carry bag. Nice to know that you dont sleep. And I didnt know my family doesnt sleep that much either. I guess I figured out why. Julius grinned and stood up from his spot, shaking Ruis hand before they departed. The living room returned to serenity, and he sat down, returning to the sixth book before noticing the time, concluding to have plenty of time before sunrise.
Three hours after sunrise, a fully occupied session in the main palace hall reached to its conclusion, in a break before the final vote. The one hundred senators attended, occupying Juliuss view of the left side of the senate. The ordinary citizens and a portion of Juliuss paternal family filled up the formerly empty right side. The impressive thing was each senator had at least a page of their ideas, which was all reviewed during the session. The anticipation of ten pages went through the roof, to Juliuss surprise. Feng, Yang, Solomon, and Daiyu reviewed the pages like an assembly line. Each goes through a page, flowing through before passing to him for final review and consideration. Empress Cai, who had sat at the designated spot since the last meeting, joined for review too. Before discarding any that was inefficient or not worth adding on the finalized bill, there were a hundred and twenty pages worth of suggestions. After everything was read, he discarded forty-six pages. The process only took almost an hour, which was shocking to the crowd as they never saw someone reading that quickly and coming off with a verdict. Afterward, he would read out the brief summary of each approved suggestion, mandated by him during the meeting in the dark large room where all summaries must be written. The mandate saved time, and it informed all the attendees of the policies in thirty minutes. There was a free-for-all debate with the senators and guests during the review and was paused during Juliuss reading. It resumed when Julius took a break from speaking. He sat down back on the chair, chugging a bottle of water. Feng stood and stretched her arms upward. Empress Cai leaned right in Juliuss chair. Is that why you still call me Empress? Empress Cai asked. Julius swallowed the last gulp of water and crumbled the bottle. No. Even if I didnt reinstate you officially in the bill, I will still call you Empress. Im more used to it than solely calling you by your first or last name. Thats nice of you. Dont mention it. That would also mean you get some of your power of authority back. How do you feel about having your own military division under your command? New opportunities to embrace your perks, right? Ill be honored to she whispered. After a few more minutes, he ended the debate and ordered the senators opinions to be settled by the manner of a vote. As long as it can get past 50 with a minimum of 51 votes or above fifty percent, the bill will be passed. He went with the roll call, going from one to a hundred. With a yay or a nay, it was straightforward. On all counts Julius looked around the space. seventy-eight voted for yes, and twenty-two voted no. By the minimum of the fifty percent majority, the requirement has been achieved. The bill has passed! All the supporting senators and the guests stood with howling cheers, while the ones against the bill sat in silence. They appeared neutral, not mad. What happened today in the room will mark history and a new perception of thought within the recovering society. The guests will remember this moment. Id never imagined a working senate in my lifetime, Feng muttered, turning to Julius. Incredible work of what you did. Dont take me for all the credit. Its Longyue and everybody here today in the Senate. I should be thanking yall. For once, Raal has a functioning form of democracy. He clapped along with the crowd, returning smiles and gestures. Only then did he see Rui in the crowd, continuously pointing to the person beside him. Julius stopped clapping and pulled out the note. Thats her. He tore the note, no longer needing it. His eyes returned to Mngyu, who was standing next to Rui in a dark cloak. She did pull hers down, only revealing her face before being noticed by him. A few more seconds gave him a confirmation. That was when he vocalized to the whole hall. Before we depart, I want to confirm to you my nomination for the Chief of Treasury, Mngyu! All the clapping stopped, and simultaneously, the crowd followed the direction of Juliuss hand pointing at her. Julius continued. Twenty years old, but she received training from her mother in business and economics ever since she was thirteen. If the raid never happened, she would have been a well-off store owner. With that experience, she will be our first Chief of Treasury! The supporting senators cheered at her nomination for the position, along with the guests. Rui was right. Mngyu had a mad face, but Julius found her more stoic. It receded a moment, and the claps went to her. She partially bowed, with the muscles around her face eased from tension before it returned to her prior expression. After the announcement, the hall began to depart, with the hundred senators leaving first. Next, the guests, and Julius. He walked down the stairs from the senate dais while holding an executive folder that he used during the session on the lectern. As he walked out, his family and others who remained and waited for him met him. His aunt, Tang Yifei, was the one that came out of the crowd. Congratulations, she said, while trying not to break a smile. He hugged her instinctively. Thanks for comingall of you. Wed welcome you back home, Tang Li-Mei said. The bill has passed, and since you guys are here willingly, at least accept my invitation to lunch at the chow hall. Additionally, I would like to offer you training through level one at the Merit Universe. Its the least I can do. That would be wonderful, Tang Yifei accepted, finally smiling. Behind her and next to Tang Li-Mei and Senator Tang Cheng, a bearded man came through. He verbalized in a clear, low voice. At least you are not like my older brother. You look almost like him, Julius replied. Uncle? Yes, kid. Unfortunately. Thank Yinhai I have a beard. He raised his stoned arm. Finally meeting you in person. Julius raised his arm, bro handshaking him. He never told me anything about any of yall. What a prick. I can agree. Chapter 53 - Level One, again!? (一级，再次！?) -- Tarnished Gold Bar (64) -20 (44) - $53,808,272 Thalers -- They wanted the training first; the complete opposite of what Julius expected. Its probably desperation because they were curious about what it was like. Unfortunately, Tang Cheng left right before it. Since Level One had successfully finished once, the direction and control of the realm turned to the participants. For that reason, Julius decided to join with fifty Tang Family members, marking his third time going back to Level One Merit Universe. Empress Cai had put herself in as well, since she wanted to observe if they had changed at all since. She and he wont try anything to interfere with their raw performance, maintaining the originality of the stage. The two stood and waited as the fog manifested into the grand dual gates. The Tang Family was behind them, patiently waiting for anything. Julius heard a sigh from behind, nearly provoking a chuckle. Holy shit, they are really that bored. By the time the gate appears, their boredom better go bye-bye. He thought while half turned to the rear. Immediately, the sound of the clanks and gears erupted. He turned back, glaring at the crowd. It heightened a bored few, and their eyes ceased their fatigue. When it opened, he and Empress Cai paced through while the former raised his arm, signaling to follow. Arriving back at the Realm of the Blue River, Hu was already there at the same spot on the hill where Julius had some tea talk with her. The chest was summoned out of nowhere and he told the fifty to go to it, while he and Empress Cai went up the hill. You look the same as ever, he greeted. Not for you. Youre too big, Hu said, arched her neck up, and leaned her torso backward to keep in contact with his face. The same table was summoned next to the three, now with another chair. Julius could see Hu breathing in relief as she quickly sat down first, appearing more comfortable and less stressed around her face. They convened while the fifty Tang members were at the bottom of the hill, scavenging the chest. Hu summoned her tea set with three black and yellow vinyl ceramic cups and poured it for Julius and Empress Cai. This tea is lovely, Empress Cai said while blowing the drink''s surface. Where did you make this? Its a secretthink of it like green tea, Hu said. Empress Cai was being desperate. Darn, I wanted to know! Sorry, now it is not the time to reveal the true source. Hu glanced at Julius. Even he doesnt know. One day, mam. One day. I will learn the secret. Julius silently chuckled, almost choking on the hot green tea. He found it absurd, since the taste was not really that distinctively different. Its still the same green tea. I dont think theres anything different. Its a motivating green tea. You must have some odd taste. Theres a difference. We can talk about tea all day, but thats not why you are here, right? Yeah. Im not here for that. This is about your new guests. He directed to the crowd below, still around the chest. My paternal family is herefifty of them, to be exact, which is a hell of a lot to even imagine. Theyll be the participants for this, and I want no changes to this realm. Hu nodded with a shrug. I mean, you have full control of this. She then summoned a virtual screen, about the size of a tablet, on the table. Do what you gotta do before it begins. Julius observed all the features it provided. After glancing through, there wasn''t anything spectacular. It''s a semi-simulation. Nothing else worth mentioning. He quickly gained the aspects of it and dragged multiple toggle scrolls displayed on the screen. His finger pressed on the screen and dragged it left to right. Observing the surroundings as it changed upon the movement of his fingers. It was more of environmental changes like the air quality, natures contents, and the presence of elemental ailments. Playing a little of God mode, but eventually returned it back to default. Then one tap on the exit button for the virtual screen to disappear. You dont like it? Hu curiously asked. Nothing impressive. Its only an environment. Nothing technical or any numbers to be altered, so why not leave it as it is? Sounds fine to me. Hu drank her hot tea before pouring another cup. Julius, too, finished his but not requesting seconds. Empress Cai, silently harmonizing her green tea to almost a level of obsession, had one thought in mind. Are you joining? Julius looked at her, followed by a hollow sigh. No, I will not. Too much hell going on for me to care even further. I preferred to go to level two instead of going through this again. He turned to Hu. No offense, though. What if something is in trouble? I will not try to do anything unless theyre about to die. Thats the fine line between me having to get involved. One thing or the other. Julius answered while staring into the distance. Empress Cai noticed his attention focused on something down the hill. What are you looking at?" That lady, Mngyu. Are you attracted to her? Empress Cai asked as she leaned her back in the chair. No, not that way. Theres something I cant really describe. Its a parental feeling, Julius said while feeling nervous that came from his guts. I dont know. You have a kid? Hu asked with a high pitch at the end.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. No, I was forced to raise one for three years. The first few months were really tough, but I grew a bond with her. Especially being nineteen, it took a bit. Then I graduated at twenty-two and have never seen them since. Wow, thats terrible. You better see her again. I will, no doubt. Once its safe to go back to EarthNow that you mention it, I dont even know how to fucking go back. So, Im stuck here. I dont think I need to worry too much, as it takes a week here to be barely a day over there. He said, amid the back of his mind; he had wondered what his place of birth was like. Suddenly, his mind went blank, triggering his head. Being underground for one year only to find out it was only half an hour above was disturbing and did some damage. Additionally, the unfortunate mishap of five hours in the Merit Universe before reform that resulted in two weeks outside cost some permanent brain damage. Julius probably only realized that after saying his point, regretting it after. And his head felt like it was going to explode. Trying to ignore the incoming horror, he violently went after the teapot and poured it heavily into his ceramic cup. A gulp of hot liquid into his mouth and the lower half dumped like a load of water from a pail on his head, soaking his thick hair with hot shower tea. Empress Cai and Hu lounged away from the table. Oh Yinhai, its hotwoo! Why the hell did you do that? Empress Cai questioned. As he fought against the burns from the green tea, the inside of his head reversed itself, removing the developing symptoms. He finally calmed down, taking multiple breaths of air. I think its best to not ask me questions related to time comparisons. My mind probably got toasted after experiencing the distortions twice. Alright. Ill end it there. I have one more Hu stood from her chair. Its time. Ill see you two when all this is finished. She dispersed like dust from her spot, flowing in the air until the particles vanished into emptiness. The sky changed after she vanished. Julius and Empress Cai sat and observed the place changing into the usual setup before the stage began. Oh, they finished choosing. The latter thought. A transparent glass-like barrier appeared and encircled around the hill while the two sat still. The barrier was elevated into the air, forming a roof while maintaining transparency. Pretty much, the two were inside a casing. The ground of the hill changed into a solid and smooth surface made from brown hardwood. While all of this was going on, a virtual screen appeared again on the table, attracting Juliuss attention. As he looked at it, Empress Cai stood up with her arm, reached across the table, and grabbed the teapot. The screen Julius stared at showed the list of all the contestants. What was currently on the display was a leaderboard, listing the names and kill count. Since nothing in the realm was changed, the first round should still be a thousand Black Nine-Tailed foxes. A notification popped above the screen: All Participants have chosen their Spherical Flame! One tap summoned a blue or a red dot by their names on the leaderboard. Julius learned something new. The whole family took the Flames of Wrath (ŭ) to the surprise of him and Empress Cai, who both are users of Flames of Wrath. She looked at him after. You might be different, but your blood has a history of violence, and every once in a while through generations, somebody will be an immense force to be reckoned with. Have they reached that cycle yet? Nope. A natural prophecy of three candidates will rise every half a century. The one remaining standing will be the true representative of the Tang Family. Woahwoah. Are you trying to say Im part of this? Ill be honest; I would be shocked if you werent. Nobody who is inexperienced like you at the beginning could survive with such qi. And Im very serious about that. Thanks for adding another pressure onto my shoulders, Julius said while being annoyed. Don''t look at me like that. I didn''t know you were that emotional. It just makes sense why they would pick the Flames of Wrath. Then why did you pick it? Because my natural state of power works well with it. I have a different reason for it. Boom! The rumbling explosion broke off their conversation, prompting both to focus on the battlefield. Up ahead were consistent bombings like a geyser, shooting ground dirt from underneath. Very effective measure. It was small, targeted, and less widespread compared to Juliuss moments of explosive qi. He witnessed a couple of minutes that revitalized his interest in bringing more movesets or abilities related to deafening explosives because it was really loud amid the barrier. What was more captivating was the fact most of the time when one of them triggered an explosive, the blast blew at the right time and struck a pack of vicious black foxes. Great work! Julius would mentally repeat each successful time the blast ignited. Beep! Julius looked at the screen, finding the mission had been completed. A thousand black nine-tailed foxes are eliminated. What the hell? He stood from his seat and watched the scene. There were only a couple of spots where the bodies remained. The explosions unleashed so much heat that the blood and gushy bits evaporated, leaving steamy vapors around the vicinity for many death spots. Unbelievable. It''s only been five minutes. Julius''s mind was baffled at the result. He then sat back down, taking in the results. How did it take us hours to finish? Empress Cai wondered with a slight tone of embarrassment uttered through the tip of the tongue. I rememberwe did three hours. We need to ask them once they finish the boss fightHang on. Julius turned back to the screen and scrolled down. He didn''t have to scroll for long when it stopped at one name. She did ten. Who? Empress Cai leaned up to the screen. Holy crap, she''s feisty. Mngyu only started. Thats hella fast for He stopped and focused on the scene where she stood. Mngyus blonde hair surrendered as most of it turned into white. When she walked around the area, her height changed and grew. The whole body gained weight, mainly the arms and her legs. The cloak had to be untightened. Otherwise, she would suffocate. Parts of her clothes were shredded and burned from the nearby infliction of bombs. Like every average citizen and cultivator, she wore robes, long pants, and a belt tied around her waist with her black cloak over it. After the cloak untightened around her chest, Mngyu pulled the hoodie part off from her head and let it hang on her back before she stopped. That was all Julius needed to see. Mngyu became a cultivator, but the fastest transition he had ever seen. Rumble The ground rocked, and the barrier did its job to deter the vibration away from the hilltop. But Julius and Empress Cai felt a negligible force reach up to their legs from the bottom of their feet. They sat down and watched toward the same spot where the earthquake erupted like last time. The loud howl cried from the depths of the ridges. Here we go. Julius thought, bracing for the moment. Dark hollow openings between the ridges widened at a fast rate. It got so wide, doubling in width. And the divergence came to a complete stop, followed by the earthquake. It was silent. Crack! Boom! Slam! A violent tremor shook the entire realm that even the barricaded hilltops surface was not immune. Julius held his chair up, maintaining its balance. He saw Empress Cai gripped on the table while holding her ground. His peripherals remained focused on the ridges and there was Hu in her boss form. She was jumpier and swifter than ever. The leap reached near the ceiling of the realm. The health percentage bar appeared on the screen: -- Black Nine-Tailed Fox (Boss) HP: 15B -- Even higher. Julius noticed. He showed Empress Cai a three hundred percent increase in Hus health. Hu already knew, and she came prepared. Shes one step ahead since the beginning. Empress Cai analyzed. Maybe thats why theres a barrier. Good pointOh, look, her boss form is bigger. Julius pointed out her arms and legs. There were more defined muscles enlarged underneath all the fur. Even the dark color cant remove the definition and the presence of her updated physique. Her height also increased with her head casually reaching above the roof of the barrier. Julius had to lift his head nearly ninety degrees to see her total height. It was an unbelievable sight. Now, he wondered if they would last against it. Hence, he stood, went right to the barrier, and watched the scene as the battle commenced. The timer clock beeped from zero, and the Tang Family moved without hesitation. Chapter 54 - Ice. (冰) Holy Yinhai! What is this? Tang Yifei reacted to the humongous fox that could stand on two legs. It wasnt the nine tails that took her mind in bliss; it was the menacing aura of such a tall figure that it felt like a deity had summoned. Whatever it was, she swallowed her thoughts and charged, igniting everyone in the field to do the same. While sprinting, Tang Yifei lifted her both arms high and crossed them into an X above her head, then abruptly brought it down into a T-pose. Break UP! she ordered. Leaving a few trailing behind her, the rest separated to either left or right. Once that was done, she summoned her frozen katana. One turn back to her left and right, there was the new lady from the senate session, sprinting next to her right shoulder. The silky white hair and sudden height change produced a new interest in her. Tang Yifei knew nothing about her and had not witnessed what she did during the first round. She could only assume that her change did well for her because of surviving it. Youre going through with this? A mans voice asked from her left. Yes, second brother. Its the only way. The second brother unleashed a layer of volcanic rock, covering his whole body. Alright. Then go all in. Dont hold back like I get it! You dont have to remind me of that time. And you lady, stay close to me! Mngyu broke off from her attentive expression and quietly nodded at her command. The second brother sped ahead while the volcanic rock formed around his head, forming a demon-like helmet. The formation was complete once the forward-pointing horns developed at his left and right side. What the hell is that? Mngyu asked, breaking her quietness. Youll see, Tang Yifei muttered. Follow me. She steered a little to the right while remaining in front of the boss. A pop-up was summoned above, showing its health percentage and numbers. The number fifteen billion appeared alongside it. Can you jump? I canon the arm? Good, Tang Yifei said and sprinted right to the arm, giving a whooping leap. Landing right on the hand, she pierced her blade into the skin, giving her stability to stand. Next, she turned with her hand out towards Mngyu. Grab my hand! The Nine-Tailed noticed the motion on its right arm. It switched its attention to them. Tang Yifei noticed the sudden change and yelled again to her as she struggled to pick up the speed. The right hand hovered above her, forcing her to change plans. Shit. She pulled her katana and descended and grabbed Mngyus grip, pulling her onto the surface. Hold your grip on the fur. When she did as she was told, water exerted underneath Tang Yifeis boots, wetting the vicinity and reaching around Mngyu. Afterward, she walked upward, generating a non-transparent white and blue ice. Watch out! Mngyu yelled. Enemy spawns summoned ahead. One came from nowhere in the air with its sharpened claws. Slam! In response, a tight elbow right into the creatures abdomen. It didn''t end there until a freeze effect summoned onto the skin. At that moment, Tang Yifei got a clear view of the creature, revealing it to be a humanoid. A head like a fox, paw-like hands, and stood on two legs. The elbow strike triggered a chain reaction of bone fractures. The humanoid fox reacted to it in agony as the sounds of cracking and the involuntary force broke it in front of her. Only to be disrupted by a stampede of them. A couple even had melee weapons that looked like a brush because there were countless strands of hair. Tang Yifei angrily swirled her katana in a one-eighty. The blade, facing the stampede, dispersed triangular projectiles that were shaped like the spear of an arrow towards the crowd. The splatter of blackness existed from their bodies upon infliction. Yifei swiftly delivered a slashing motion vertically, deploying an icy wave. The strike resulted in cluttered noises, meaning a brutal impact as the humanoid beasts didnt even get a chance to react verbally to their horrific despair. That''s enough, Mngyu said after she gained a grip on her feet, climbing up the arm and stopping right behind Yifei. Stay back! Can you sense it? Theyre still coming after us. She pointed ahead. You hear that? That means theyre still there. There''s too much blocking our way to move forward, so I suggest you breathe in and out slowly to regenerate your stamina right now. But I feel fine. Do you want to struggle like a minute ago when you almost couldnt reach up here? I dont think soBreathe. Once Mngyu breathed calmly, Tang Yifei turned back and slowly lifted her foot up forward, one at a time. The cluttered sounds behind the tremendous wave simmered. She amped up her pace, and Mngyu stopped her breathing and trailed behind her before Yifei verbally permitted her to. That displeased her a bit, but she gave her a pass. Continuing to the freezing wave, Tang Yifei walked right up to it, and the wave dissipated and opened the path for her to walk through. Hurry Mngyu, she said with urgency. Mngyu rushed up, leaving a few feet in between each other. The tip of Yifeis katana remained pointing towards the surface, and Yifei stopped right at the ice wall, letting the blade touch the ice. Afterward, she turned right to Mngyu while the ice rebuilt and closed up the entrance behind her. Julius chose you, and I respect my nephew, even if I might not agree with everything he decided earlier today. But so far today, you''re an interesting thing, he decidedso tell me. Whats your goal? Mngyu tilted her head. My goal? Yes. And I want to hear it from youPurely right now, Tang Yifei requested with a commanding voice. Mngyu ticked her tongue, giving a moment. Come on, say it. Say it! Tang Yifei became impatient. To fight against Renos and any of the enemies of the dynasty. Fulfill my vengeance because I lost everything. My life, my two brothers, a younger sister, my parents, and not to forget my five-year-old moon cat. All were gone during the night, leaving me alone in a dusty rubble. I will not stop my vengeance path until I get my hands on them. Thats all. Tang Yifeis ears soothed throughout. She nodded at her statement. Ok, your burning eyes are telling me all despite your beautiful white hair. Half turning back, she lifted her blade. Ok, youre in. Once this ice shatters, prove to me your infant vengeanceMake your eyes worth it. Understood? I understand. Mngyu breathed deeply. SHATTER! Tang Yifei turned right to the upcoming enemies and gave an upward slash before moving up. Mngyu leaped above her and thrust her leg at a row of enemies in the air. Yifei watched her while dealing with hers, slicing their heads off. After a clean cut, the decapitated head and body froze the second the sharp blade leaves. Thump! Thump! A couple bodies dropped in front of her dropped violently from the air. The blood splattered from the nostrils and eyes popped out from the humanoid foxs head. Puddles were everywhere on the icy surface. Looking up, Mngyu landed down from above and sprinted up. Yifei, impressed, ran up as she led up the way. The path that led to the upper arm of the boss was spare and open. Therefore, she picked up the pace, catching up to Mngyu. Nice work! We need to get to the shoulder! Way ahead of you. Move left. Tang Yifei, being at her left, steered from the center. Boom! The explosion to the left spared a couple of seconds as the two went on an enormous boost, running right up the biceps. The ice effect from the blade and she acted as a scissor. Coming through the fur, it cuts clean their surroundings, opening the space. This is like running through the fields, Mngyu ranted. Oh boy, you should see mine. It aint like Longyues farms. Are you kidding? I dont believe that.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Well, youre invited, only if you do well. Gosh damn it, Mngyu grunted. Her eyes unintentionally gleamed white, accidentally blinding Yifei. Ow! What the hell?! she cried, stopping herself. It was sharp, which hurt like a hammer pounding on a nail. It hammered her head, forcing her eyes shut. Her left hand gripped so tightly over her eyes, refusing to let it go. Where did you go?! Over here! Fuck! This pain hurts. Yifeis throbbing pain that generated like a heartbeat vibrated in her palm. Her ears heard the call loud and clear. In response, she didnt walk but ran. Which was crazy since this was on the bosss arm; the possibility of falling from the air was high. Lucky for her, she maintained her ground, and by the time she could open her eyes, she stood on the solid shoulders. Mngyu, with bloody hands and boots, headed up from the rear. What the hell happened? Irritated, Tang Yifei slowly turned. Your eyes flashed to me! That freaking hurt! Oh, Im sorry. I didnt know, she apologized. That might explain why my eyes were itchy. As long as you dont do that again, Ill let this slide, Tang Yifei warned with one finger up. But Im warning you. Mngyus eyes then looked to her left before running right up to Yifei, taking her down to the ground. Dont move, she whispered and covered the latters mouth. Above the two was the bosss hand hovered over them after a flicking motion. It was only a couple of inches up, which darkened the whole vicinity. Slowly, Mngyu moved her hand away from Yifeis mouth while keeping her eyes up. She slowly rolled over, which put herself in the same position as Yifei, laying on her back and looking up into the darkness. Out of nowhere, she then grabbed Yifeis katana and shanked to the humongous arm. Ice exerted from the tip of the blade and a loud howl followed, ringing the ears of the two. Are you insane?! Yifei yelled. I saved your ass, ok?! The brightness took over as the boss removed its hand and assessed the wound, buying the two a little time. Mngyu lifted Yifei up and gave her katana back. Nows your chance! Youre right, Yifei mumbled and ran right to the bosss head. Because of that attack earlier, Yifei noticed her katana was getting colder. The ice overwhelmed the blade and reached the triangular crossguard. A light flashed from the flat cross guard, revealing an imprint of a tortoise with a (Ice) on its shell. It continued to flash the whole figure, prompting Yifei to grip tightly on the hilt. Her left hand clenched on her right wrist to further the grip of the hilt. An upsurge in qi blasted through from the blade''s tip and engulfed the whole katana. She knew she had to do it. Before she could, another group of humanoid beasts summoned from the thin air ahead of her. Crap! Go! Yifei half-turned but quickly turned back. Mngyu came sprinting with her eyes, turning white again. Ill hold them back. You go! When the latter gave a bloody punch to one humanoid beast, the former leaped into the air. It was all open. The bosss head was the most vulnerable. With no hesitation, the katanas weight ballooned. Yifei finally lifted her katana over her. Her aura triggered, revealing a white color with a blue outline. She let her left hand off the grip of her right wrist and moved it to the bottom of the hilt. Finally, she free-fell and went for a downward thrust, intending to stab the fucking head. ThreeTwoOne! Boom! A thunderous shockwave spread upon impact, igniting an aggressive flood of water. It poured out from the site. The damage got worse because of the magnitude of qi contained in the katana. The shockwave was only the first stage of this attack, and the next couple of seconds transitioned into the second. As the water poured like a waterfall, the boss painfully howled and screeched with its legs collapsed to the floor, hammering its knees to the floor. Tang Yifei braced herself as she flew away. Mngyu was about to trip because of the shockwave. She noticed her and grabbed her hand, lifting her away. The two crashed headfirst near the safe zone of the Realm of Blue River. You, okay?! Mngyu coughed. Im good She rolled onto her back. My back hurts. I think Im good laying here for a bit. Boom! The second stage revealed itself. A mushroom cloud appeared and shot up high in the clouded sky; Yifeis qi maintained the cloud''s shape, adding water and ice. It got so dangerous that the waterfall from the first stage turned into ice once it hit the ground floor. The large puddle of water froze, turning into an ice trap with spikes generated everywhere in its vicinity. First in a while. Yifei thought. She reacted surprisingly because it had been a long time performed this move. The magnitude had never reached this level ever in her life. It was always a smaller scale, never this wild. Mngyu lay silent, not wanting to move after spraining her back. She calmly breathed, indicating to Yifei that she was currently in pain. The spot the two laid was elevated and distant enough away from the battle site of the realm. The damage brought up Yifeis feared concern about everyone else because everyone else was close to the exploding radius. She wanted to help, but she couldn''t. The danger wasn''t specific. Anyone who is within the range of her ice qis residue will be affected. I can''t leave them, Yifei muttered, lifting herself from the ground. A sudden grab of her arm. No, Mngyu said. She held Yifei. They''ll be fine. I can''t sit here and watch. That''s how I lost my crew in the pastI swore to never do that again. Yifei yanked her grip away. Stay here. I''ll be back. Mngyu couldn''t talk anymore but expressed her grunt. Eventually, she sighed. Yifei, who sucked at long-range flight, leaped into the air while simultaneously monitoring the ground below. The dust from the qi mushroom cloud dispersed the closer she reached. Her aura returned as she descended. Oh, my Yinhai. This is unbelievable. Where did I get all of this power from? She thought of a curious and good question while unfathomed by the damage she caused. The battle was already bright, but the sky disintegrated the dark clouds of the realm. Sunlight flashed and illuminated the scene once again, followed by a humongous text appearing above. -- Black Nine-Tailed Fox (Boss) HP: 0! End of battle. -- Its over. No way. Tang Yifei doubted. If thats all it took, why now? After all these years. She continued mind-boggling. Eventually, she saw the dead body of the boss lying on the ground and rapidly decomposed, revealing wide and thick skeletal bones. Underneath it was a black pond, reflecting the sunlight. There was her second brother, walking on it like nothing. She steered to the right with a quick drop and landed away from the pond of black blood. Are you okay?! The second brother strolled, appearing traumatized based on the eye expressions. He was silent but turned towards her when she asked. Yifei nudged her foot over the shallow black pond. To be safe, ice was generated around the high black boots. And once it was solid, she walked right up to him. The second brother was distant, but he didnt move. She didnt catch that strangeness, as he was always different. When the two are only a yard apart, the moment clicked. His expression was dull and emotionless. Brother? Are you alright? Thud! A shock overwhelmed Yifeis body. Her mind burned behind her eyes. She looked at her second brothers inhuman grin. Glaring down, she found his axe inserted into her abdomen. The thoughts panicked after she got impaled by her brother. No words could fill her pain; to the best of her ability, she tried holding her cry. Being impaled only wanted her to twitch or move her torso. But that would be a bad idea, as she doesnt want to burst out and leak everywhere. The most she could move were her face and arms. Aunt!! She heard a loud cry from far behind, only to black out. Yifeis eyes open abruptly, finding herself lying somewhere else and surrounded by many white figures. While her mind still burned, she thought she was dead. Once she calmed down, the surroundings dissipated. In fact, she was hallucinating. The illuminating white figures didnt exist. In reality, the somewhere else revealed that she was still in the Realm of the Blue River. There was a twitching in her abdomen, prompting her to lift her head up. She saw Julius at her left and the lady, who injured the regulator at the arena, to her right. Julius saw her lifting her head up, and his worried face reduced to gratefulness and relief. Aunt, lay down. Dont move as Im patching you up. Both of his hands were soaked in her white blood. He didnt even look to mind all of that which sounded like a psychopath. Yifei woke up right when the procedure was only halfway through. Julius does the dirty work while the lady, who introduced herself again as Celeste, does the rest to ensure that her severe wounds heal properly. It felt long because there was nothing Yifei could do, and she breathed heavily when Celeste announced that it was finished. Feeling a little happy that it was done, Julius and Celeste each held out their hand to her. She gripped their hands, lifting her up from the ground. Thank goodness, Julius said with his towering figure, despite bending his legs. Behind him was the battle site being cleaned up. He and Celeste let go of her grip, letting her walk a little again. Yifei turned around to find the entrance portal warp opened. Near it were many of the family members resting on the comfortable greenery. Everyone is fine? she asked. Yes, thanks to Celeste and some of your healers. They worked together to get them back on their feet. And I worked on you for fifteen minutes getting your organs stitched up again. She came by and helped youThen you woke up. What about my second brother? Your brother? Well, my unclethat wasnt him. How?! I saw him clearly with my eyes. The looks were him! Tang Yifei thought, turning back. What do you mean? My eyes were clear. I thought he was insane after I got impaled. Tang Cheng told me something about you before when we first met. He said, ''Help our mother; your aunt. He never told me why, but I see now. You experienced hallucinations at that moment. That wasnt your brother. It was another humanoid beastYou didnt get impaled. The beast lacerated you. He walked toward her. Uncle actually passed out after that move you did. Everybody did. Mngyu told you not to go, did she? Yifei doesn''t want to admit it, lamenting her decision-making. Shedid. Im sorry. I wish I had recognized it sooner that you have this problemLets not talk about this anymore. Everyones hungry for lunch. Afterward, Julius, with his bare hands, handed her a frozen katana. But you passed. Everyone passed Level One. Yifei only nodded while her mind was fogged by her mistake. Celeste went up to her. Hey, dont think about it too much, she said, wrapping her arm to the side from the left. Lets walk The second brother was up ahead, waiting for them. Julius stood next to the warp and directed everyone until the warp was cleared. Yifei grabbed her second brothers grip before exiting the realm. The three flashed through the warps brightness, returning to Longyue. 📃West Cai Dynasty Public Budget 1 (From Chapter 52) 📃 1st Moon National Congress Public Budget Law 1-1 Y1010 05 15 (5 / 15 / Y1010) Act: A spending initiative to reform the national structure of the West Cai Dynasty and solve a variety of issues on behalf of Emperor Julius. This act will resuscitate and recover the dynasty from the dooms and failures correlated with the policies enacted before the Year 1000. Attendance: Senator 1-100; Royal Cabinet of Advisors (4); Empress Cai; Emperor Julius. Senate Vote: 78-22 Total Budget Enacted: $53,808,272 Thalers ($86,093,235.20 USD)
Expenses:
Purpose: Costs (Thaler):
Establish the Office of the President of the West Cai Dynasty, and the position. $480,607
Abolish Twenty laws under Emperor Cai V. $57,310
Moon Reform $14,615,621
Establish the Department of Defense, the Department of Technology and Innovation, the Department of State, and the Department of Treasury $1,960,510
The Book of Future Inventions (B.F.I)If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. $5,600
Interstate Foot-Highway System. $476,510
Nine-Year Mandatory Education $45,126
Cultivator Research, Improvements, and Training. $3,436,701
World War Humanity Championships Campaign (WWHCC) Fund $5,102,651
Longyue Reconstruction $2,091,567
Longyue Central Park Cultivation Training Site $670,219
Stimulus Package for Longyues workforce $12,501,869
Stimulus for the primary sector $4,210,466
West Cai Dynasty Palace maintenance & renaming. (Ex: Longyue Senate Moon Senate) $1,009,156
Implementation of the Central Banking System under the Department of Treasury $ 2,448,120
Formation of the Longyue Stock Exchange (LSE) $3,670,501
Income Tax Reduction $1,025,378
Total: $53,808,272
Revenue:
Purpose: Expected Annual Revenue (Thaler):
Imperial Tariffs (4% 20%) ~ +$681,230
Mineral Profit shares (0 15%) ~ +$4,960,324
Free Economic Zone Proposals ~ +$12,041,266
National Consumption Tax Proposal (0 5%) w/ abolishment of local sales tax percentages. ~ +$14,560,111 (NS1) - $40,120,519 (NS2)
Total: $32,242,931 (NS1) - $72,363,450 (NS2)
Net Income Scenario 1 (NS1): -$21,565,341
Net Income Scenario 2 (NS2): $18,555,178
Chapter 55 - The Second District. (第二区) It was nice seeing the city going back to work again with clear criteria. The refugees and survivors regained their motivation after the first public budget bill went public. It had been a couple of hours after a fulfilling lunch. Julius had walked down the stairway, arriving in district one. As part of the Moon Reforms initiatives, the stairway was renamed the Moon Plateau Stairway. Many of the government and national locations are under the renaming process. And it would take at least a week for all to be official. He continued down through the busy main street. The vibe he felt was like back at his home and the suburban neighborhood, walking anywhere without having to be bombarded by the hyper-fixated or any cameras. In an influential position, Julius felt agitated. He never made peace with the inferior emotions, but masked it. To his surprise, the environment here was more respectful. Somehow, being in a prominent position gave him some personal space. In perspective, the main street was about as wide as a two-lane, and all buildings occupied the sides of the street. Julius continued downward, passing the roundabout and intersection leading to the House of Kang. Instead of going counterclockwise, he went clockwise to the first detour on the left and entered a different region of Longyue. A sign stood up high, written as the entrance to the second district. The traffic eased as he walked further into the region. The pathways are much wider and the lack of high-rise buildings. From the first street were all the vendors with up to four stories of residential above per building, providing the shade from the glazing sun above on a clear blue sky. Hence, the sunlight shone through the second district. Most of the places here are like apartment buildings. It was more spaced out between each block and had fewer interactions on the street compared to the first district. All the sounds of movement simmered as most of the noise came from behind. Almost there. Julius thought. He pulled out a piece of paper from his inner pockets. The last two lines directed him to the second district. Before arriving at the destination, he detoured from the street and took a break. There was a wooden pole at the spot where he leaned his back while facing back to the street. < Can you hear me, Licht? > << Of course, Im always with you. I heard about the letterDont you think its safe to bring some company? >> < If hell breaks loose, having you around is enough to deal with this. My restrained strength might have been learned, but it is not enough if I have to trigger my darkness. > << I could try>> < What? > << Since you did the restrained strength training with Empress Cai and Qiang, I felt I gained some benefits from it. >> < So, we are linked? > Juliuss mood raised. << It appears to be. I feel better after that day, so Im sure I could control more of it. Butonly one way to find out, though. >> < Oh, not now. Wait until an emergency. Plus, I got my own restrained strength to test out first. > Juliuss mouth dried up. Winds picked up, dragging the hot air with it. As a result, he summoned a bottle of water with only five left in his virtual inventory. -- Beep! -- Out of the blue, Skoltor sent a verbal warning. Woah! Julius didnt expect that alarmed noise, as if it was that bad. For a moment, it did. A tiny red logo appeared on his side, demanding liquid. Thats very weird. Im suddenly thirsty. He reacted before twisting the cap from the bottle. The alarm quieted when all the water entered his mouth. Very odd, considering he never had a moment of dehydration or to the extreme. Today was extreme. He wasnt sure if it was an error or if there was something wrong. The gut feeling came terribly, and Julius leaned up from the wooden pole. The rest of the distance was only a couple more blocks away. Having the directions memorized, he continued looking around, making sure he was not followed. Licht also offered his help, dispersing a bloody red aura around the greatsword. Finally, he saw the spot. There was a tall brown-themed flag fluttered in the warm wind. The streets concrete ended. This is probably the original second district. Julius looked down as his feet touched the end of the street. Looking back up and far ahead in the distance, there was a wide dirt cul-de-sac. To his left was the brown flag. It was in an enclosed lot, where a house-like structure stood within. The lot was the only structure beyond the concrete street. On the opposite side was an open plain. Nothing to be focused on. He continued to walk, and somebody came outside from within the enclosed lot. The entrance walking space where the flag was located had no enclosure or walls. Therefore, that person went from within the enclosure to witness him coming to their property. As he reached closer, that person, Mngyu, surprisingly expressed an attempting smile, waving from a distance. Julius paced towards the property while looking to his left and right until his foot finally stepped on the stone tile perimeter. Her smile faded away, but she was grateful that he had come. You read the letter? Of course I did. I heard there''s a lot of company there? Many people are in that house. And please, no violence as much as possible. They don''t trust any royalty, but they trust me, and I know them. If you can do anything to subdue them, that would be the best for everyone. Ill try, but remember this is a risky offer, so I cant promise a peaceful interaction, Julius said while looking at the entrance of the house. I beg you. At least please understand. Julius turned to her. He wasnt pleased at her begging for it. His mind juggled all the possible bad outcomes that could happen in the house. For now, hell play it out. Finefine. Happy? Mngyus begged expression turned. Her sense of worry was overridden, and she breathed consistently before walking Julius into the house. He observed the houses exterior features. The first non-oriental architecture in Longyue. The tall and wide pillars surround the whole two-story house, giving a balcony. Another balcony was on the second floor. And a lady sat above on a rocking chair, viewing the entrance. She saw him and Mngyu walking right to the entrance. When she called up to her, the lady happily waved. While Julius didnt return the wave, rightfully he didnt. A tiny glare to him was enough to goosebumps his insides. He wanted to fist his hands. < Dont do it. > Licht said. << Im trying to. >> Julius shallowly breathed until his boot touched the stairs. Mngyu heard his last breath, which sounded like a gasp. Her face then grimaced. When the two reached the door, she told him one more thing. Once we get in there, follow my lead and dont get lost. Her voice was direct and clear. Yinhai, how many people are there? It sounded like a tavern would be, Julius said while his ear picked up the inside noise. If they seek your attention, dont make any suggestions and remain focused on me. Julius nodded many times, expressing his annoyance. I get it, okay? Ill follow. She pushed the door handle, followed by a slight thrust inward. The door creaked with a dull humming. Her boots thumped on the wooden floor as she walked into the house. Julius went in, revealing his tree-like height. His head was barely a few inches from the ceiling, and that wasnt the awkward part of it. Every living space was occupied by at least two to three people holding their brewery in a hand-sized glass. The whole place, as the further he walked in, smelled bits of earthy and comfortable smell that soothed a bit of his worries. Strangely, it was relaxing. Nobody looked at him strangely yet. Julius walked through the hallway that led to the open kitchen. Arriving, Mngyu cheerfully greeted a group of three at the scene. They reacted to her presence like a family reunion of sorts. All hugged and exchanged a pattern of hand gestures, one at a time. While Julius stood silently and stared at them. Okay. This might not be bad after all. A little observation only to find all three arent human. They are by facial and humanoid body, but each has animalistic physical characteristics that the standard robe cant hide completely. The reunion gestures continued and dragged, and all four were going in circles. Julius didnt bother and continued observing. Going around the circles gave him a clear view of each of the three, and that made them recognizable. Moving counterclockwise, two ladies with phantom-like wings presented and hovered on each of their backs. A glare caused Juliuss eyes to twitch. A dried allergic reaction was immediately blocked by Skoltor, overriding the effects. There was one thing that left him hanging off the rails, which hell come back to. The third person was fine. Her fit was slimmer, but the wide, rocky thighs amplified her leg strength as Juliuss ears heard the heavy thumping on the wooden floor. It all seemed normal until the kitchen area shook. Julius wasnt fazed by it, but everything around him was a little abnormal. < UhLicht? > << You gotta stop this. >> Licht took control of Juliuss hand and summoned the greatsword. The blades tip pierced and cut the wooden floor, exerting bloody red qi. The qi generated its own vibration to counter the earthquake-like pressure from the four. Julius isnt in control right now, but he noted the bloody red qi as it wasnt his. Licht took a piece of Fengs power, and this was the result. How grateful I am. He remained still and towered over the four, who suddenly stopped and collapsed on their knees to the wooden floor. Their attention turned toward him, realizing they screwed up. Mngyus face was in absolute horror despite what she had told him before entering the house. Who the fuck are you?! The vibration from the blade stopped, and Licht returned control to Julius, who nudged back. There was a bearded man wielding an enlarged hammer and aimed at him from the hallway that led into the kitchen. The hammers sole face partially struck the hilt of his greatsword, shattering the metallic part. Dont kill them. Julius reminded himself and grabbed the hilt, lifting the greatsword out of the floor. He then went for a forceful push with his hilt, slamming it right into the guy at his chest. An audible injury echoed in the hallway as Julius watched him fly upward before collapsing on the floor.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Julius put his greatsword on his back and went right up to him, checking his vitals. Not dead. Good. Stop! Mngyu yelled from the kitchen. Unfortunately, she was late as more from upstairs sprinted down, alerted and armed with their weapons. I knew this was going to happen. Julius had a bad feeling about this. His quiet assumption was correct when one of them yelled, Krieg! He didnt go for his greatsword and switched to the melee. The first one came down the stairs. Julius smacked him at the temple, swirled him over the stair rail, and crashed on top of the bearded man headfirst. The attention got worse when more showed up from the second floor and the ground floor other than the kitchen. Julius remembered the one move from the park. Immediately, he boosted himself right on the other guy, performing a speeding front kick right to the abdomen, causing a domino effect up to the second floor. Restrained strength. Cool shit. Bang! Have enough?! Julius asked after shooting a big guy in a robe, who screamed like a maniac. The bullet struck the center of his right shoulder, disabling his right arm. Julius descended the stairs while maintaining his pistol at the big guy. Others who were behind him that came from the other part of the first floor stood like a twig, expressing their embarrassing fear that they could be next. Sit down! He ordered. If you are alive, sit the fuck down on the floor! With his head nearly touching the ceiling, he walked right to the ones that sat on the floor in the living room. He glared at the kitchen, also ordering the four to sit down; Mngyu wasnt free from his orders either. Counting everyone present like a teacher, the whole first floor was packed. More and more came from the other regions of the first floor. Julius had to shoot at another one for being aggressively disruptive. When it was certain, he strolled back to the entrance part of the house. Im not impressed. I dont know what Mngyu tried to point out to me here, but the fact this man attacked me only because I was stopping this house from collapsing is fucking barbaric. If I have to come back here one more time, Im destroying this place! Do you understand?! Julius expressed his anger with his handgun drawn. Nobody responded, enraging him further. I heard nobody answering! Yes, they all said. Julius rambled and swore in English, suddenly confused by everyone, as they looked terrified, not knowing his mind could go on an insanity tangent. Once his handgun was shoved back into his holster, things calmed down. A near bloody introduction, especially for someone who took the appearance of his mother, who has a Kriegshan heritage, entering a hostile zone. You are lucky that this wasnt Emperor Cai V. He would have all of yall executed since you attacked the royalty. You are royalty?! One spoke. Who said that? Julius asked, looking around. Show yourself. The person raised his hand, and Julius took a moment to make sure who he was. Yes. Empress Cai handed me the ascension almost three weeks ago, he said while shaking his head in disappointment, interpreting the naivety among the house except Mngyu. After today, Im not even certain I want to recruit you. Please do! Julius turned to the kitchen and saw Mngyu standing at her spot. What do they have to prove?! Theyre rebels. No! They are not, but my friends. Ive known them for years, and we hang out almost every night doing drinks and storytellingLook, Ive never seen them fight like this, ever! You know what? To prove your worthiness, all of you who live or hang out here will have to try out Level One in the Merit Universe. Ill have somebody to monitor the entire session. If at least a few of you made it through, Ill ignore and discard everything that happened today. Mngyu grimaced, almost like she was about to experience a meltdown. Are you insane? They wont make it. You and the Tang Family werent the first ones that came in. Me, the House of Kang, and others from the palace all did a session before you guys did it. We had a harder time. We got three hours, while you did five to ten minutes with a harder setup, Julius said. He wasnt buying her comment. So, I dont believe that none will pass. Smack! What the heck? Julius felt lost for a moment. His mind fazed out momentarily. He knew something impactful struck him but on the jaw. It was unprecedented that he didnt even sense it coming. In fact, he was shocked because his mouthplate formed, covering his mouth. Skoltor didnt even read any danger at an immediate alert, now beeping red. Hey, I got a full bleeping red alert. What the hell is going on? Hu asked in a rare, treble voice. Can yougive me asecond. My mind is notat the rightshape, Julius telepathically stuttered. He doesnt feel safe in the house, prompting him to release his aura. The sudden release opened cracks and peeled the walls like paper. His vision fogged, and instead of standing there, Julius went for the squared pattern, blurred by his distorted eyesight. He boosted his left leg and gave a back right kick, resulting in a loud wood-like crack when a bit of force reacted to his foot. The bright light overwhelmed his sight as he lifted his eyelids. Both of his feet landed safely on the ground. Hence, he rubbed his eyes and luckily regained some of his vision. Julius strolled to a pole at the houses front patio. He leaned on it and resumed telepathic conversation with Hu. Call everyoneto the second district. Im sorry? Sorry, call the Skolritters to meet me as soon as possible. Its an emergency. Alright, give me a second Juliuss head throbbed as he waited. It felt like hammers were constantly pounding his head, being the latter like a hanging nail struggling to get in place. Both of his hands massaged his forehead while he hyperventilated. The pain reminded him of the first six months in the underground tournament. A bad time of the day for its recollection. It returned with no mercy and haunted him as he underwent distress. I need help now. He went crazy as the patio fence broke when he lunged back, moving away from the house. Im sorry! He heard the phrase repeatedly while jogging backward, further away from the lot. The aura volcano erupted from his back, forcing his body straight and arched back with a screeching yell.
Celeste bolted out of her room, sprinting to Julius''s residence within the palace complex. She jumped up onto the roof and knocked on the closed window. Empress!! Are you in there?! she yelled. A loud thud came from inside. Celeste nudged a little away when she heard the toggle of the lock from inside. Whats the matter? Empress Cai, with her messy red hair hung over her face, appeared through the window. We got an emergency. Its Julius. How bad is it? Red. Very red. Empress Cai grimaced aggressively and pulled her hair all the way back. Oh shit. Call everybody! Lets go. She then leaped out of the window, barefoot while still in a casual white shirt and black pants. I called. They are running to the second district. The two leaped off from the roof and flew into the sky, unloading a trail of colored qi in the air. Second district?! Oh my god! Why is he there?! Empress Cai asked. Her aura overwhelmed her body, changing her casual clothes into her battle fit. Nothing?! It must be something personal, Celeste guessed. A swarm of cultivators appeared in the air ahead and from behind. Solomon ascended from below, along with Feng. I heard the alert from Hu. Something happened? Solomon questioned. We are heading to the second district. Julius is currently there right now, and I can feel his qi getting stronger as we get closer, Celeste said with a hint of pessimism. Damn it, why didnt you tell us? Please be okay. She prayed; a rare act for her. Everyone was on high alert as they descended into the sole wide street of the second district, not that far from the roundabout. Mr. Kang arrived at the scene on foot and wondered what was going on after Yang gave the information. He walked up to Empress Cai and demanded answers. I received some bad news. What the hell happened? Empress Cai shrugged, turning to Celeste. Im here to find out, too. Celeste told us about the emergency And were in the second districtGosh, its that time again, is it? Mr. Kang aggressively rubbed his scalp, expressing his anger. We shouldve got rid of them years ago! I regret not doing it in my time, Empress Cai said. But enough of that. We do it now. Boom! Celeste turned to the source of the rumbling. Theres his qi pillar. Lets go! It took them only a couple of sprints to witness Julius out of control, screaming in agony as tremendous bursts of sky-blue qi left his body. Celeste knew what to do and saw Mngyu to her left, standing at some lot in front of a large white house. You guys handle her and that place. Ill deal with him. Go! Everyone went with their task as Celeste departed from the rest, running to Julius. She summoned shield protection all over the surface of her body. As she reached closer and before grabbing Julius, a thin layer of violet qi generated above the shields surface. She entered through the qi pillar like passing through a waterfall. The heavy pressure altered the gravitational force within the limited space. Im here! Celeste called, going for his arm, and subsequently hugged him from behind. Relax, she whispered repeatedly. Vesper, the name of her platform and also her Skoltor system, alerted the dangers of strong qi. Celeste exhaled slowly of her breath, releasing her internal qi. The violet color turned colorless, like water, cooling her throat. Her lungs expanded, which allowed her whole body to release gallons worth of liquid for a long period. She watched as the top of the liquid blast transformed into a mist. The pressure from her mouth accumulated the mist in the air and hovered above the two momentarily before descending. When the droplets reached Julius and Celeste, the damp and cold sensation masked the formers face. His screams and pain slightly simmered, but it wasnt enough. Celeste didnt expect that outcome as it worked before. That brought the realization that he was significantly more powerful than ever before, which technically made him more resistant because of the sudden release of qi. Rumble! Celeste had to think quickly because Julius was still out of his mind. The drowsy and relaxing effect of her healing mist was no use. Vesper alerted her again, signaling the dangerous pressure from his qi. It whiffed away the violet layer of qi from her, leaving only the shield left to protect herself. She let go of her arms around him, leaping away from him. With her one hand up high in the air, she summoned her platform Vesper, and her palm folded, leaving her middle and index finger pointing in the air. An abrupt articulation of her hand then pointed at Julius, prompted Vesper to speed upwards to generate all potential energy. Celeste would leap out of the zone of Juliuss qi and watch the bright platform going for the strike. A circle of light flashed from the site, cutting off the source of energy, which disabled the rest of the pillar. All the sky-blue qi in the air faded into nothing. The flash resulted in a thunderous shockwave spreading through the entire second district. All the buildings that stood ended in rubble. One blink of an eye and they were all gone. It should be over by now. She waited, and a blare of explosions summoned a shielded tower containing all the energy released within. Celeste covered her eyes as it got too bright. Once it dimmed, she lowered her arm, and the shield tower slowly dimmed from the top, layer by layer as it was structured like blocks. Celeste descended while looking at her arms and legs. She got lucky because her body shield nearly shattered as fractures were everywhere. If she stayed within the qi pillar seconds more, it would have inflicted damage on her. Tens of feet in the air, she exerted her aura, wiping out the hot smoke. To her shock, Julius stood and didnt tumble to the ground. Julius? she called. Ugh he let out a voice before he tumbled towards her. Celestes arms reached under his arm, grabbing his body and lifting him right up to her chest. Oomph. You are really a bulky man. Good for you. Turning right to the spot of the large white house, there was Empress Cai, unfazed with her eyes expressed frustration. Next to her was Mngyu, lying on the floor with a bloodied head. Solomon walked out of the house, also bloodied. His entire clothes were soaked and too, his battleaxe. Is he safe? Yeah, hes asleep, Celeste said while holding him. In reaction, Solomon pointed to an empty spot and helped her pull Julius to the flat lawn of the house. They laid him on it, and Celeste quickly went to work, healing him back up. He looked charred in a layer of burns with the mouthplate intact. Solomon forced it open, revealing no wounds and being the cleanest spot on Juliuss body. Chapter 56 - The Second District Part 2 A little earlier Empress Cai, with Mr. Kang and Solomon behind her, ran left, which led to the lot of the house, while Celeste departed to her right. Ahead was Mngyu. She looked horrified, assumingly not realizing what she had done. Empress Cai assumed the worst and gestured for the rest to enter the house. Boiled in her head, she ran right up to her, grabbing her robe. When she lifted her up, she angrily spurted. Did you do this?! NoI didnt, Mngyu muttered. Her eyes didnt focus directly back at her, always leaning to the left or right. Stop lying! Look at me when Im talking to you! Empress Cai yelled, screeching her throat. She gripped her robe harder. Did you do any of this? Even a little. I didnt mean I dont want to hear any excuses. Say it out loud. Word by word. What the hell happened here? And why is he with you in the Second District? I want to introduce him to my friends. Theyre worth recruiting. People from the second district? Theres no chance that will happen. Empress Cai thought and looked at Julius within his pillar of qi while Celeste, on his back, assisted him. I hope he didnt buy her reasons for recruiting these people. Why the Second District of all places?! You know damn well the reputation here. The risks are too damn high to take the damn chances! I know! Mngyu glared at the houses entrance. But these are my friends for years! I hung out with them for as long as I can remember! It was a hangout spot whenever I had free time! Empress Cai gave a deep sigh. Clearly, she was frustrated but worse off. She was disappointed in Mngyu. You were given an opportunity to assist Emperor Julius and me to rebuild this nation. He heard your story from Journalist Rui. He interviewed you, and he conversed with him about you! Now, you are just going to take the opportunity away?! This was your damn chance to get revenge on Renos and Kriegshan, the ones that killed your family. And now, looking at you, Im not sure you are worthy of that position anymore! Slam! Drip. White blood had soaked Empress Cais fist while she looked at Mngyu after being knocked out cold. Her nose spat all the ruptures, painting her face in a puddle of white. Empress Cai let her down to the ground, and the latter thumped her head to the floor with her partially leaned unconscious face pointed towards her. I trusted him, so I trust you. You have betrayed all of us and, like everybody else, youll get some judgment. Empress Cai mumbled in her head. A bright light flashed from the right. She partially turned and an explosive light flashed again, instinctively blocking her eyes from being blinded. What followed was a deafening explosion that erupted. And she couldnt cover her ears. Therefore, she braced herself against the loud volume. Noises swarmed past her like gusts of wind, roaring to her eardrums. It rang, throbbing her head. Her knees flexed, and the weight pressured to the ground, cracking the cobblestone. Suddenly, the noise screeched like someone struggling to breathe. Winds faded away and pressures around her body dissipated, allowing her to stand upright again. Her knees relaxed, and the brightness dimmed. She slowly lowered her arm only to find her blood dried on her forearm. In front of her, there was a yellowish transparent barrier shaped like a cylinder. Ahead and above revealed a colossal structure. All the smoke was trapped inside it, causing the interior to darken. Black smoke with traces of blue and purple qi became compact, and the towering shield suppressed itself inward. Bang! Empress Cai jolted from her foot up to her spine. What the hell? she mumbled. Bang! The second time, the width of the shield decreased drastically. Her whole body shook again, taking no breaks from the first rumbling. Bang! Boom! Her legs felt loopy, resulting in her falling to the floor. She grunted after her bottom struck the floor. Focused at Mngyu to her left, she remained head down and not awakened since getting punched. There was a little relief when Empress Cai observed her, seeing her unconscious body still breathing. Phew. She cant die. Empress Cai carefully stood from the ground while still viewing the sky. And then the tower withered away from the top. A swift motion made it as if a hand was right next to it, forcefully pushing it out of the stack. Refocused at Mngyu again, her head hemorrhaged from the back of her skull, probably from the blast before the shield took over. From her eyes, it looked like white paint, which made it more vivid, flowing down on silky white hair. Juliuss chaotic burst ended. Celeste descended from the air down. Empress Cais attention returned to wide focus, finding every building except the large white house destroyed. Rubble everywhere. The effects from Celestes shield and methods prevented any of the flying debris, which makes the whole setting a lot more realizable. Her power has grown beyond being a supportive healer. Maybe she is next. She thought about Celeste taking next to learning restrained strength. But she proved a form thanks to her shields capability. Or was it actually something else that was not related at all? Shatter! Empress Cai half turned around to the house, witnessing people from inside being tossed out through the shattered windows. A lot came from the second floor and fell like a heavy bag, thumping on the flat lawn. Multiple ladies screamed from inside, and the commotion got so loud that even from where Empress Cai stood was enough to hear. She wanted to find out what was happening inside but couldnt. Not until Julius and Mngyu are taken care of.
I didnt know there was a house in a spot like this, Solomon said. Father Kang nodded. Even I didn''t know there was one in the Second district. He and Solomon ran up to the dual door of the large, two-story white house. As they headed up the little stairs, Father Kang heard the thumps even while the doors were closed. He held his hand up. Hold on, he whispered while walking up to the right of the door frame. Wait until they are clear. His finger pointed to the opposite side of the door frame, directing Solomon to position himself there. Solomon leaned his ear right against the wall. A lot of panicking in there. Whats your plan? Are we taking them alive? Feng and a few other cultivators met up with the two. Whats your plan? she asked. Anybody hostile, we kill. No questionsAnyone who surrendered will be taken for questioning on behalf of Emperor Julius. Is that clear? They nodded while Solomon, hand raised, had one more question. Dirty hands? Father Kang nodded. Yes, we clear. He then hammered the door once with his forearm and fist, forcing it open inward. Slam! The right door tore from the hinges, and the qi pressure generated brought the other door down with it. The dual doors dropped to the floor, breaking the wooden panels and spurting bits across the space like arrows. Father Kang entered first, with Solomon watching his back. It smelled pungent and heavy, almost as if there should have been smoke clouds lingering around. Im going up the stairs. Solomon decided to follow him while Feng and the others separated, going through different parts of the house. The two went up the stairs, anticipating the company above. About halfway up, Father Kang grabbed Solomons upper robe, and the two jumped upwards, hitting the ceiling. They looked down as they descended. In a flash, a long and heavy dresser slid down the stairs as fast as a bird. Solomon, anticipating chaos, kicked it with the sole of his boot. He knocked the dresser out of its course, and it flew to the living room, striking the furniture. And the loud echo rang the entire first floor. Father Kang dropped down first, letting Solomon off his grip and nearly tipping off the stairs. He galloped up the last half. Solomon followed, summoning his battleaxe. As the two went up, they noticed silhouettes running past them in the dark hallway. On the entrance to the second floor, the hallway was from left to right. However, the left side only led to one room with the now-closed door. Hence, the focus went on the latter. Father Kang leaned to the side for Solomon to head up first. The two each took one side of the hallway, with the former taking the right side while the latter monitored the left. A tang dao sheathed in an ordinary black scabbard summoned beside Father Kangs waist. He drew his blade with his right hand, resulting in the dark hallway brightening as he unsuppresses his qi. The specks of black and white levitated around him like fireflies, and everywhere was bright, as if the lights were on. The hallway had five doors. Two on each side and one at the direct center as the dead end. Solomon gripped hard on his battleaxe, wanting to go loud. Father Kang had to remind him that its not the time yet. One mistake and the house is trashed in rubble with nothing worth taking.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Thump! Father Kangs attention turned to the door next to Solomon. He pointed to the door gap, where multiple shadows from the footwork traveled frantically. You got the gold, he whispered. You ready? Solomon asked, lifting up his battleaxe. Hell yeahI am! Father Kang ran right up to the door, kicking it off from its hinges. He immediately sprinted in to find booby traps set in place all around him. With no time, he plunged himself into the air and spun his entire body into a swirl, shooting out beams from the tip of his blade. Being a tang dao sword, the single-edged blade allowed the beam attack to be more direct and focused, making effectiveness deadlier than a katana. The move caused wreckage and havoc, prompting Solomon to enter fully in an orange aura to block off any of the beam attacks. Solomon subsequently leaped inward into a cluster of the ones hiding in this specific part of the room. Father Kang stopped exerting the beam from his sword and dropped down into the same crowd as Solomon barged in. Being the same weight as Solomon or even more, he was like a bag of boulders, which weighed heavily on the entire crowd. Everyone collapsed to the floor. Next, he rolled away to regain footing first. Laying in front of him were eight individuals, excluding Solomon. He pulled him by his leg away from them. Pew. Father Kangs head turned back to a loaded man with a bow in his grip. His stoic expression shook when he gave the glare. In response, Father Kang fired back with the prior beam striking through the chest. But he wasn''t satisfied. Hence, he articulated his tang dao sword downward, creating a vertical opening. All the blood in that spot disintegrated, and he could see the organs lose their structure, cluttering to the opening. How unfortunate. You shouldnt have been here, he said, making an abrupt gesture. Spat! The body turned pale and red. Lifeless has overridden the bodys skin. Subsequently, the redness came from the heat generated by Father Kangs beam. Vapors seeped from inside through the skin as if he was being boiled from the inside. Not a liter or a gallon of blood exited the opening. Only a drip came out. Father Kang looked at the guy without moving an inch away from focus. He wanted to smile, growing satisfied. The guy couldnt even react anymore other than giving a horrified face with his lower jaw fully down. A locked jaw while alive is horrific. However, as an example of this guy, his life slowly faded into existence, being facially stuck. When his eyes ceased to exist, the guy finally collapsed. Thump! Father Kang turned back to the enemy crowd. They thought they were safe, but then quickly disintegrated. Sir, that was brutal, Solomon commented. They got a quick one compared to that guy. After all the booby traps, they got lucky they received my mercy instead of being chopped like beasts. I don''t want to imagine that if that was Julius. He might be that type to bring trouble if the terrible actors kept provoking him. His eyes expressed it very well. I doubt he would do such a thing. Trust me, past emperors have that characteristic. But they are bad people. Cai the Fifth had that too. Emperor Julius might be the first well in a while to have such characteristics. If I''m wrong, I''ll be damned. Well, I''ll be damned if he had it. Father Kang checked his tang dao. He grimaced as he leaned the rough edge of his left thumb on the edge of the blade. One swift to clean away the residue. Afterward, all of his left fingers massaged his thumb. It was painful because his tang dao is customized. The blade wasn''t a standardized form of steel. In fact, he never knew the origins as the tang dao was a gift from a few decades ago. But the strength, he recalled, was that the blade was tough to break two ground floors in one correct motion. It needed correct gestures and practice to work. And that was years ago. Before Solomon could gather interest in Father Kangs sword, he stopped him. I know what you are thinking. But not yet. We have four more rooms to go. Then, lets go. After the commotion in the first room, there was no point in being hidden. Father Kang wanted to make a mess. Hence, he went up next to the door straight ahead as he exited. Solomon took the last room to the left of the hallway. Father Kang then aggressively stabbed his tang dao into the wall. Behind the wall was a loud female gasp. More trouble. He initially thought. Without a doubt, he went for it, gripping hard on the solid hilt. He sprinted through the hallway while his hand pulled the sword across. The blades cringing noise screeched adjacent to the layer of wood and bricks as Father Kang forced it through. A piece of cake. He sprinted down to the second right door, thrusting his sword before removing it from the wall. Rumble! Light seeped through the lengthy mark. When Father Kang turned to the right, half of the wall collapsed and fell inward like a piece of a domino. Blood splattered on his face. He wiped his eyes and face and used his qi to disperse some away. Afterward, he saw the sunlight from the windows shining through all the newly available space. Since the blade cut through the two rooms, the divider was also cut off, giving him an entire premise. A couple of startled women stood in place in shock and wanted no harm. Next to them were the decapitated bodies that were responsible for the blood splatter. He leaned over the wall, glaring at the dead corpses. Looking back at the group of startled women, he turned nice. My daughter will be with yall shortly. But stay there and dont move. When Father Kang turned into the hallway, there were screams and horrific sounds followed from the second door to the left. Walls banged without a moment of break. Stacks of furniture and weapons were tossed violently out of the door, lying on the wooden floor of the hallway. He ran right into the source and immediately dodged away. Standing next to the door frame, he saw a big couch flying past him through the doorway. Get out of the way! He yelled to the multiple women on the other side who were about to get hit. Theyre too slow. Father Kang directed his tang dao sword on the couch, slicing it in half. The force halted it and dropped to the floor, saving the multiple women. He then went inside the room, where Solomon was having a confrontation. Inside revealed the horrific bloodbath. Multiple colors flooded the floor. Before Father Kang could analyze the blood on his boots, he heard footsteps from behind. In response, he impaled the attacker from his rear, letting out a hard groan. From the reflection of the bloody floor, he saw the appearance of the attacker. An old man with a rough face, assumingly he went through some hard times. Somehow messy short hair with a rusty sideburn. He was about the same height as Father Kang, but he was unhealthy from the beer belly. The attacker wielded two large knives. The knives were only a couple of inches away from striking Father Kangs head. You had your shot. Unlucky for you. He thrust the blade in deeper, right to the beer belly stomach until the sounds of inner organs were punctured. Only then did he turn around to view the old unfit man and withdrew the blade, bringing more blood splashes onto himself. Not again. Yinhai. Too much blood to fill. By the time Father Kang wiped his soaked eyes, the attacker had already collapsed dead onto the bloody floor. Like the archer from the earlier room, he was also molted from within and left no extras for the floor. Subsequently, Father Kang twirled away from the arrow blades that swarmed past him from his left. Facing the crowd, Solomon was dealing with a one-to-one conflict. You piece of crap! he yelled, running up and grappling them through the wall. Funny enough, there was another business occurring across from this specific room. Holy, youll smell like shit. Father Kang wanted to throw up. The beer or alcohol smell lingered around their faces. It was pretty strong for his nose to handle, almost at the urge to puke. He leaped upward quickly and looked at the spare window. Before anyone in the pile could get up, he kicked them from their feet toward that window. Easier said than done because they got stuck at the window after the first one shattered through the glass and fell off. The rest followed, all piled up and anchored in place. This shit is gnarly. I want to be out of this damn place. From the doors entrance, ahead were three more women who also looked traumatized. Next to them was his daughter, Feng, fending off against two perpetrators. From the timing sequence, he assumed the confrontation only began right before he crashed through the wall. He went up right to the three women, who had some different physical characteristics, and guided them out of the scene. He told them to stay next to the doorway. Finally, he went right up to the lodged window and burst out his aura. Father Kang ran right up to the end of the pile and, using his shoulder, struck the pile of people. The impact caused a whole ignition of bone-breaking noises. It was like soft boulders because all of them werent that peak physique. Bam! Crack! The wall cracked. One more. Bam! Boom! Finally, the wall shattered to pieces. A part of the wall dragged all the five that were stuck at the window to the ground. The ground shook for a second. And Father Kang leaned his head over and saw them lying on the floor, barely alive. Each had at least one broken limb. He shook his head at their instant defeat. Half turning back to the room, Feng neutralized the two individuals. It wasnt a nice one, as both of her hands were covered in blood. He walked up to her and saw both of her middle fingers taking one neck. The guy to her left had collapsed dead. While the one currently being impaled was about to lose consciousness. She went on asking him questions. Why are you rebel still here in this part of the forbidden zone?! Feng asked. Yinhai. They really are rebels. How long have they been here? Father Kangs mind was blown because that would mean they had lived for a pretty long time. Hidden bastards. Feng grew pissed when there wasnt any answer. Hence, she sent a bit of her qi to resuscitate him. Answer me, damn it! I have nothing to say to you Feng nodded. You''re right. I already got everything I need. She head-butted the guy, tearing all the organs in the neck. Her middle fingers yanked out of the neck. Splat! Father Kang had his hand up, preventing more blood from hitting his face. He coughed as the smell overwhelmed the scene. Is there anything else? I smell like shit in here. No, father. Its done. We got all the intel we needed. Once we depart, this place needs to be decimated to dust. Nothing can be left behind. And thats official. Dont forget about the survivors too, Father Kang said while looking at the three women. I think these three know Mngyu. Feng turned around. You think? Well, they dont look hostile. Give them all the medical evaluation. We need to make sure they are okay before we can proceed further. Feng strolled back to the hallway. Way ahead of you, she said before directing them out. Also, she led the others from prior rooms to follow. Solomon walked through the hole Father Kang caused. He looked absolutely soaked and toasted. Its over? Yeah. I think we all need to get the hell out of here and find a shower. Im absolutely disgusted. The two walked out along the highway and headed back to the first floor. Chapter 57 – Madness (Wahnsinn) Two Days Later Slam! The tall lady breathed. She lifted herself up from the sandy floor after body-slammed a soldier to the floor. The latter was completely disbelieved as the visor of the helmet unhinged, revealing a battered face. Blood painted its nose and cheeks. Oh, come on, you did better the last time, Gertrud complained. The soldier grimaced. Im not a Kultivator (cultivator), eure Majest?t (your majesty). Im only a freaking human hanging on to dear life. I was only lucky the last time. If only I could find somebody to keep me saneYou did enough. Gertrud said, opening her hand out. Youre back to your typical duties, am I clear? Yes, eure Majest?t, the soldier answered, grabbing her hand. Immediately, she felt much better and lifted herself from the floor. Off you go, and get your helmet fixed, Gertrud said. The soldier bowed and was escorted out of the open arena. Afterward, Gertrud took a moment to breathe. Already relaxed, she observed the empty arena and turned her attention to the overcast sky. It was a rare day to have pleasant weather, especially when the Kingdom of Renos typical climate was nasty humid, and not to forget, a consistent downpour. Gertruds moment of peace got interrupted as her bodys sudden jolt sent her to the floor, battering her knees hard flat. She gripped tightly around her upper head. No, not this again. Not now. Her mind grunted pleadingly, knowing how significant this was. Her eyes flashed for a moment, receiving vivid flashbacks. Before she lost her sanity, somebody dragged her back to reality. Gertrud?! the voice called. Hilde? Gertrud responded, seeing her firmly holding the left shoulder. She then asked for confirmation. It happened again? Yes, eure Majest?t. You''re lucky this was at the open arena, otherwise you would wreck a building again. Gertrud grimaced. It keeps getting worse. Even with your solutions, its only temporaryGod, when will this madness end? Hilde helped Gertrud up on her feet. She remained by her side and braced her left shoulder like a walking cane, keeping her straight up. We need to get you back to the castle. Theres some pivotal news waiting for you. Like what? Remember that damn letter you sent to Empress Cai? Gertrud suddenly became confused, ignoring the groggy feeling earlier. She then took Hildes arm away from her shoulder. What letter? Hilde, a little annoyed at Gertruds sudden jolt of mood, shook her head. Thats the problem. The West Cai Dynastys newspaper press was back in business, and we received a recent issue released yesterday. You need to get back to the castle. What the hell is going on?! Oh Gertruds legs went loose, falling halfway before regaining her footing. Hilde teleported right in front of her, putting Gertrud on her back. I told you many times to not be too worked up after an episode of madness. You need to give a few minutes to relaxAnyway, here we go, Hilde reminded. The two teleported in a blink of light, returning to the castles lobby with the dual stairs leading to the next floor. They sprinted up with Hilde behind Gertrud, making sure that she wouldn''t trip off the stairs. When they made it to the higher floor which led to the hall, Gertrud forgot the castle hosted a socialite event. Awkwardly, she wasnt interested in these wealthy activities. Hence, her being in the spot of one always brings questions. To not waste time, she ran right through the crowd with Hilde sped past her to guide the way. Passing through another entryway arrived in the private section of the castle. Like every day, Gertrud sighed in frustration over another set of stairs. Fine. Ill do another, Hilde said after catching the formers mood. They teleported once more. Finally, inside the bedchambers. A grand size of a closed room filled with a double-sized bed; a sofa set with a coffee table facing towards the fireplace, and a couple of bookshelves. The room was not gloomy. Even without the lighting on, the paint was substituted as a source of light. Hence, the need to turn on the actual lights wasnt necessary. Gertrud saw the newspaper at the coffee table. She went to the couch and sat down, breathing out consecutively. While calming her mind down, Hilde departed to one door next to the right of the fireplace, leaving Gertrud alone momentarily. Feeling significantly better, Gertrud took the newspaper from the table. She ran through the first headline while surprised they were actually resuming weekly schedules despite what had happened. In fact, she loved The West Cai Dynasty Newspaper Press. It was her source of the world outside of Renos, except for regions of Kriegshan. The press managed only the weekly newspaper. There was a monthly book that was about the size of a typical hardcover. It contained every recorded event from the beginning to the end of the prior month. Seemed like they didnt do that anymore. Today, compared to many weeks ago, she does not have that much input beyond the borders. This recent issue was the first since, and her advisors werent that great. Hilde tried her best but ended up in the same spot as Gertrud. On matters of catching up, Gertrud was the least informed. She began reading through the front headlines, initially thrilled and hooked. Not for long, as her emotions became boiling hot. The major piece of the story was the second headline, which read: Julius erkl?rte den Krieg! Julius? Gertrud wondered. Who is he? She wanted to know. Hence, she read further down, revealing the truth. ?Danach der Angriff von Longyue, besteigen Julius den Thron. Der neue Kaiser schuf den ?Mond Senat, und sie verabschiedeten ein Gesetz. Das Gesetz gab alle Verbndeten von Kriegshan und Renos vernichtet mssen an. Ironisch, Julius hat das Aussehen von eins. After the Raid of Longyue, Julius ascended the throne. The new emperor created the Moon Senate, and passed a law. The law stated all allies of Kriegshan and Renos must be terminated. Ironically, Julius has the appearance of a Kriegshan. Gertrud looked below the statement, displaying the art of Emperor Julius. Her first reaction was horrified. The art displayed the darkness shade around his neck and facial cheeks. She didnt know if he appeared angry or if that was his naturally serious face. His nearly lifeless eyes concluded her outlook on this new emperor. However, there was one more paragraph on the same page below the facial profile art. ?Unter der Herrschaft von K?nigin Gertrud, wir drangen Sdcaifischerdorf ein. Wir wollten Sdcaifischerdorf nicht aufgeben, weil wir Fische aus Golf von Kaltstrudel () liebten. Das Dorf ist unser Kontrollieren. Nein Wettbewerb! Einen sch?nen Tag noch! K?nigin Gertrud K?nigreich Renos Under the orders of Queen Gertrud, we invaded South Cai Fishing Village. We didnt want to give up South Cai Fishing Village because we loved the fish from the Gulf of Cold-Vortex (). The village is our control. No contest! Have a nice day! Queen Gertrud Kingdom of Renos Is this the letter?! Oh my god. Gertruds emotions riled. She was certain that she had never written the letter. The tip of her fingers quelled. Before losing it, Hilde returned to the bedchambers with two cups of coffee and a book hovering by her right shoulder. Did you read it? I did. Can you please relax and take things slow for a moment? If I hadn''t come through the room right now, you would have lost it. You know I love newspapers, Gertrud said. But you''re right. I should''ve waited. The fact we provoked The West Cai Dynasty without my knowledge or approval was shocking. That''s why I''m here, Hilde said and walked to the empty side of the couch, placing the drinks on the coffee table. I found out the culprit who wrote those letters, and its one of usSpecifically, very close. Gertrud turned to her with a heavy head. Who? It better not be who I think it is? Hilde nodded. Yeah fuckingGeneral Hagel, she muttered with an angry tone. They deployed Adalbert to the West Cai Dynasty. Died during the raid, and then invaded a fishing village in their territory afterward. Everything so far was all because of Hagel. He hid it from us. Gertrud tossed the newspaper and rubbed her head, expressing her frustration. That would explain why the numbers of arsenal were vacant, and how the fish market was cheap. My cultivators disappeared to now only ten from three hundred. Then, when I asked one of my advisors, I got nothing. They wont tell me anything other than switching topics to end the conversation. And how long ago was that again? Not that long ago. Only five days, Gertrud said. She went for her cup of coffee. I should have been more vocal and aggressive rather than holding back. But damn, this madness problem. If only I had a cure We might have a lead, Hilde interrupted. She showed the newspaper and pointed at the second page, which continued the news from the front page. Julius had a moment of madness while in a meeting before the senate session that passed his first budget. What? Gertrud leaned herself up from the couch, not expecting to find another person suffering from madness. Among the total population of nearly six million, Gertrud was the sole number with this ailment. Hence, that makes the matter difficult to progress further on a cure. Are you sure that he has this condition? I''m certain. The paragraph then described his few minutes of abnormal rants. The dark void overwhelmed his eyes the angrier he got. Everyone who attended the meeting was forced into silence and did not utter one word until he said so. Once there were sufficient answers to deal with such a crisis, Julius finally calmed down. The darkness faded away, and the meeting went back to normal as if nothing had happened." It sounded like he could control it, Gertrud said with doubt. She insisted on the newspaper again, reading the paragraph herself. Theres no way. I cant be this fortunate and unlucky. Her eyes scanned the second page, doubting that it was real. Only then, after reading it, she was left astounded, handing back the paper to Hilde. We made a big mistake on this. No, I made a big mistake, Gertrud said. I dont want to conclude things abruptly, but I think we have to override everything from the ground up. We were supposed to ally with the West Cai Dynasty. Not offending them. I cant make this mistake again. She then stood, asking for the newspaper again. Is this the only copy? Hilde shook her head; then she said: No, there are a couple in my office. Send them all to me. Right now. Sure. Hilde stood from the couch and headed back to the door next to the fireplace. And one more thing. Is the medicine in my coffee? Yes. The whole cup is your intake for the day, Hilde said. Hilde left the bedchambers, leaving Gertrud alone once again. She sat back down, glaring over for any other important information. Once finished, she placed it down on the table and drank the coffee cup. The effects of the medicine rubbed her throat almost like a coolant. It was cold but soothing. Hence, after ingesting the cup, she let out one breath, condensing into the air. Here it is, Hilde said. Gertrud placed down her empty coffee cup. Perfect, hand it over. After she grabbed the few copies of the newspaper, she tore it aggressively into bits right in front of Hilde. Now, I can relax.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. You dont want the people to know? No, if they talk. The generals will overhear. So, we have to be hidden about expressing this problem, and we will start today. Now? Grumble! YesBut after that wrestling workout and the coffee, Im famished to death, and I want Kartoffelsuppe and some Schweinebraten first. We dont have that for dinner. Dinner? No. I dont want to eat here. All this luxury has finally caught up to me, and Im sick of it. Im leaving, Gertrud said, preparing to head out. Then, Im coming too. Huh? What about your family? Oh, come on. You know I can teleport. Itll be fine, Hilde said, dismissing the concerns. Gertrud grimaced. I cant allow you to go back-to-back. How about this? I will allow you to visit your family this time before we start. You understand? Not even once? Hilde asked. Nope. After today. Were technically on our own. So, finish everything that youre going to do now. Im leaving first for lunch. Wait. Gertrud stood silent as Hilde ran back through the door again. Immediately, she came out with two folded pairs of clothing. I have these cloaks. You take one; it should help with your stealthiness, Hilde said while holding one black cloak in one hand and gray on the other. Gertrud took the black, unfolded it, and quickly wrapped it around her shoulders. Like a long robe per se, she slipped her arms through the sleeves first. Next, the built-in belt was connected to the robe. Gertrud wrapped the flaps around her waist and tied it up. Upon finishing, she pulled up the hoodie, creating a dark space around her peripherals. It was odd because she could see through the clothing as if her vision had expanded. Did you make this? I brought it from a vendor, Hilde said while walking up to Gertrud. I modified the hoodie so that you get an advantage in dangerous situationsLooks good. From the outside, you look like a levitating dark ghost. That will help you during the night. Am I pretty much transparent if I took my hoodie down? Gertrud pulled her hoodie down. Hilde took a step back, analyzing for a moment. No. Your feet and hands returned. But I have one other feature I added, she said while pointing inside of the robe. Looking down, Gertrud found a layer of clothing hidden next to the hoodie. Following Hildes gesture, she yanked it out, revealing a long scarf. Oh, perfect. She tried wrapping her lower face, limiting upright to her nose. Hildes reaction came with a nod. That hides your face, so I guess we''re good. Is it transparent or you can still see me but only the eyes or something? Hilde twirled her index finger. Its the latter. If I did the former, that would be a little problematic. Gertrud accepted the cloak fit. I think Im good with what you provided. As long as I can be stealthy with it, its good enough, she said and turned back to the door. Im going to Franzs shopHe should have Kartoffelsuppe and Schweinebraten today. Ill be with you in a few minutes, Hilde said. The sounds of both doors opened. Hilde went back through the doorway next to the fireplace while Gertrud departed her bedchambers, returning to the hallway. Here it goes. Gertrud breathed and lifted up her hoodie. She then sprinted down the stairs, hoping to pass quickly through the hall of crowded aristocrats like earlier.
4 days later (Y1010 05 21) Boom! An overcast weather. Julius stood on a hill with his hands resting on the hilt, viewing the entire fishing village under conflict. His new weapon was stolen from a Reno cultivator. He gave him a brutal death after encountering him at the edge of the villages territory. The sword was soaked in a muddy blood mix, but the sharpness along the two edges at its center would do. Many of the similarities of this sword matched a miao dao; the longer blade length and hilt compared to the katana. Eventually, hell have it checked with Solomon and other swordsmen to confirm the origins of this sword. -- Merit Universe Level Two Buffs Implemented. Level UP! Flames of Wrath (ŭ) Level: 0 1 + 20% to Qi; + 5% to Power. Cultivation Level 9 10 Total % Base Stats Buff: 9% 10%
Base Stats w/o adjustments
Stamina (LV 7 8) HP (LV 7 8) 300 325 96,000 101,540
Endurance (LV 7 8) 225 238
Durability LV 7 8) 240 250
Power (LV 7 8) Attack (LV 7 8) 2,010 2160 6,060 6,560
Qi (LV 7 8) 13,405 14,405
Total Score 118,240 125,248
Cold Resistance implemented. Ice Resistance (C50%) implemented. -- Here it goes. Julius breathed as he finally placed the Level Two benefits online. He kept it suppressed under a request, which became a feature after the completion of Level Two. It was definitely much harder than Level One, which was what he needed after the Mngyu fiasco. His face expressed his new traumatized emotion through his lifeless stares and the remains of his uncovered upper face. Hence, his mentality was troubling. Ironically, a ladys punch screwed him over. He hoped going on the battlefield would recover his stakes. As more ships arrived from the gulf, Julius breathed again but hoarsely. The appearance was reminiscent of corvette sail vessels during the sixteenth to the nineteenth century. There were multiple of them on the front lines, going full speed towards shore. Since Julius was on the hill with a full view, he saw everything. However, no one was seen on each deck. He turned to his army behind him. There''s no one on the decks. Hence, we are free to march downhill at a stampede. Would you think they are probably invisible only to fool us? Hang on, Julius said and closed his eyes. He exerted sensational vibrations that covered the entire village in a second. What followed was a loud whoosh, like a splash of water on speakers. Juliuss eyes opened, revealing a catastrophic mess. The rifts and waves crashed into the sail vessels hull, tipping it over into the body of water. The charade revealed the cultivators and soldiers all fell victim to this new move. This is nice. Julius thought about his new ability after finishing level two. Father Kang was right. There were plenty now in the sea after tripping off from the deck of these sail vessels. I stand corrected, Julius said. Youll be free to barge in and invade the scene. But under one condition. You must keep the innocent alive and only wreak havoc on the hostiles. Am I making myself clear? Yes, sir! the army responded. Julius nodded and followed a command, directing the cultivation army downhill. Father Kang, with his own army, went down too. To Juliuss left, Empress Cai, dressed in maroon, nodded before heading down with a squad of ten. Before he headed down, Solomon, behind him, walked right to the edge of the hill. Hows the mask? The pain is still there, but itll do, Julius said. I wished the recovery was quick, but damn Mngyu for making this. But Level Two did help you, right? Julius nodded. The qi cultivation training in a blizzard helped a lot. How many hours were we there for? Actually, its ten days, Solomon said and drew his battleaxe. Then its worth it, Julius muttered before pulling up his new sword. Time to test to see if I could wield a regular blade. The two took a couple of steps back. They lifted their feet like tiptoeing, forcing their calves to enlarge. The potential energy of their qi generated around that region spread up to their thighs, signaling them to launch. Thus, they sped off down the hill. Once in the air, Juliuss sole triggered a soundwave boost, thrusting him right directly above the center of the village. Below are already in conflict, multiple groups of cultivators and ordinary soldiers clashing themselves. Julius has one objective to fulfill. Either reclaim the fishing village or destroy it. One of them has to be completed, and the mission is done. He hopes it will be the former because the people love fish cuisine. He went for the dive, exerting ice around his arms. An icy aura generated around his upper torso and white qi around the blade. Julius didnt care and landed in a massive crowd. His feet took one of the enemy cultivators out of life, bringing the bone-breaking spine out from inside their body. It was like a lever being pulled upwards, and the upper end was originally attached to the skull. The blades tip cut that piece of the spine cold, detaching it from the vertebrae. He then swirled his torso with both hands on the grip, slicing the exposed spine like twigs. The body, substituted as a platform, collapsed flat afterward. Julius then made a backflip to get out of the radius of hostiles, not to interrupt his soldiers'' moment. The center of the village was exposed. Julius turned to his left, where a former house stood now in rubble. Not a mile away were the natural sandy shorelines and the body of water. Of course, not all the Corvette sail vessels succumbed to the forced wave. Many, that did, revealed the cultivators and soldiers survived the attack and were currently swimming to the shore. Not wanting that to happen, he leaped from the scene right to the border of the water. Let''s test this son of a bitch. He pulled the sword closer to his side, going into a guard stance. The weight of his new black uniformed Lamellar armor caused his feet to seep into the sand. On both of his shoulder plates, the center has the same outline as the dragon vinyl from his overcoat. Within the shape of the outline is a thin dent inward, and Julius, doing the guard stance, triggered a reaction, generating a flash of white qi. The qi gushed out from both shoulders like a hose squirting water. He flexed his forearms to trigger the frosty qi glitter around the hilt and overwhelmed the blade with white color. Juliuss arms articulated in a swirling motion while holding the hilt in a tight grip so none of the qi leaked out. Afterward, the blade finally went parallel to the front of his face, and his arms lifted it up high. The overcast weather reacted to the tip of the blade, forming clouds and intensified out of nowhere. Thunder roared freely all around the vicinity, striking multiple spots in the distance. Rain then swarmed the scene. Not giving them enemies one chance, Julius went for a downward gesture, dispersing all the qi right into the ocean. Fast as the speed of sound, the oceans water broke in two. A wide and deep-sea floor exposed to the dismay of the swimmers. Anybody who swam directly in the path of the attack froze and disintegrated into particles because the effect was a two-step. The first step was the absolute zero temperature followed by the second stage of carnage, cutting up anything it freezes a second ago. Julius had to embrace his sight along with the assistance of Skoltor. When his vision was embraced, the whole crescent wave attack revealed a circus of slashing motions surrounding it and within. It decapitated at least a few dozen and half of their bodies were tossed up in the air. The next second, all gone. Three seconds. Thatll do. He thought, followed by consecutive hoarse breathing. His lungs hurt, tumbling to his knees on the sand. He opened the mask, gracefully coughing as if he was desperate for air. Thump! Dont go overboard! I wasnt. My lungs were already in a foul mood since this morning, Julius said. Thanks for being here. Slash! Empress Cai deployed a heavy slash from her katana that was aimed at the closest corvette sail vessel. It broke in half, collapsing in the water. She then went to the water until it reached her ankles. When it touched, she thrust the heel of her right foot. A punching force sped right to the torn vessel and flicked it into the air, not to be seen again. That was a little extra. Everything about Level Two was extra, Empress Cai said and watched the scenery mess. Besides, it was a net positive for everyone to endure that blizzard. Julius stood back up after giving a hell of a cough. He grabbed a bunch of sand, filling his palm. The sands hardened from the grains. Quickly, the ice overtook and formed into a ball. Like a snowball fight, he threw one at another incoming crowd. Boom! Any more creative ideas to end this quickly? I have a couple more in mind, but I dont know if I want to drop that trump card yet, Julius said. Ill save that something, major. I think were almost done, right? Empress Cai half turned left and right before responding. Luckily, the citizens are evacuated because all the houses are trashed. Swish! Julius nodded; then he handed his miao dao. Hold this for me, will ya? He then went up high in the air with his mask closed back up. His hand summoned Licht, and for the first time, no fire ignited from the greatswords blade. < Are you ready for the cold? > Julius asked. << Im ready, give it! >> The white overtook the blackness of the blade, gushing out ice and qi. The blade extended in length by at least a couple of feet. In exchange, he let himself be absorbed in a bit of darkness; black qi gushed out from his eyes and nose. Lifting the greatsword up high, parts of the clouds ceased, allowing sunlight to intrude. The facial mask opened only around the mouth for him to breathe out flaming black qi. Umph! When he felt it, he went mad and roared from the neck up. The roar triggered a mouth beam as he did a heavy swirl of his greatsword right down. The beam caught a second of the blades contents, turning the beam into a frozen and dark mixture of sorts. A moment of Improvision. Suddenly, Empress Cai appeared behind and grabbed his shoulder, teleporting away. The two arrived back at the hill with everybody else. Julius coughed all the black qi remnants as his darkness faded away. His Lamellar armors shoulder plates stopped gushing qi of ice through the dragon-shaped dent. Somehow that felt good, he said before realizing that he controlled darkness for the first time. Rumble! Bright light flashed in the distance; a few feet over the gulf when it detonated. Celeste, from within the crowd, ran right to the edges of the hill and summoned a wide barrier. A couple of seconds later, the gusts from the shockwave clashed with the shield where the latter deflected it. Julius, happy from the successful use of his darkness without tragedy, observed quietly and rested his hands on his greatswords hilt. Chapter 58.I - The First Fish Siege. (第一次鱼围攻) The hill gave everyone a clear view of how wide and big the mushroom cloud was. A mystery at best because the key components all came from the clouds made by black qi. When Julius looked around at the scene, there was one problem. To the right edge of the shorelines, a platform peeked out from the edges of a high hill, blocking most of the view behind it. He moved a bit and zoomed his vision to the spot. Huh. I need that to be seen. Julius pointed to where his eyes laid focus. Over there, he said. Qiang, who appeared from the army crowd, walked to the shield''s edge. By then, the effects of mushroom clouds faded. Hence, she elbowed the surface, shattering it into glass shards. The shield disintegrated. She drew her double-wielded revolvers. Her left pointed to the mushroom cloud, and in the right direction to the spot, Julius saw a platform. This should help, she said before firing. Two humongous beams exited at once at lightning speed. Julius turned to the blast site of the mushroom clouds. In a whiff of getting touched by the beam, the clouds got sucked up like a vacuum and dispersed, revealing a shallower ocean. The latter fired right up the hill, smoothly obliterating the landform. Juliuss thoughts were correct. It is a damn port, he retorted. Wait, theres more. Julius slightly turned to the left and a sailing vessel, only around a mile away, sailed. Thats a fucking big ship. He thought, approximating it to be at least the length of three football fields. Of course, it didnt come alone. An entire fleet guarding the wide and lengthy flagship. Renos brought their naval fleet. All for this one village? Crazy insanity. Julius went delirious by their presence. He ordered half of the army to return to the trashed village in defense. The last half to head to the port was the offense, which was where he would be heading. Once the order was given, everyone was off to their positions. Julius launched himself right toward the demolished hill. He broke the sound barrier, arriving at the new short plateau within a second. Ahead of him and there it was. The docks are right in front of the upcoming fleet. Bang. Bang. Multiple frequencies of a broken sound barrier roared, and Julius half-turned to find Solomon, Qiang, and Empress Cai, already a few feet away. Half of the army subsequently stood behind the three. Hence, Julius resumed his focus on the upcoming fleet. So much manpower all for this village. You think you could perform the quake once again? Qiang asked. I could do one more and that would be it for a while, Julius said. Once you see me do another one, yall better go strike them as best as you could. What about the flagship? one cultivator soldier asked. Julius turned to the crowd. Its in my hands. My order to you is only to take care of the fleets guarding the flagship. Thats it. Am I clear? He nodded. Kind of like the first one. The guarding ships will no doubt succumb to the waves. There were around at least a dozen ships guarding the flagship. Not to mention, it was a multi-layered strategic formation. The dozen was the innermost, and as they further spread out, the numbers escalated. Hence, adding up all the total ships has to be almost a hundred. Maybe more. That presence threw Julius off because he had thought if Kriegshan was involved in this, providing the numbers. On the map supported by partial intel, the numbers of the Renos Kingdom were significantly smaller compared to Kriegshan by at least tenfold. It was a strange revelation to consider. There was one thing that rampaged his mind upon witnessing the fleet. Before he could even make the move, someone barged through from behind, forcing Julius to dodge in a twirl. In a glimpse, the individual beholds a full-body cloak that brought out its gloved palms, aiming not at him but at the flagship. Julius, in response, thrust his sword out in front of this person. The latter fired a weak spherical ball of qi. No color and faint, but sensible. Because Julius had his sword drawn, the miao daos blade sliced the spherical ball in two where the bottom half dissipated. While the upper half got stuck on the surface. He kept his eyes right on the fleet and performed a diagonal upward motion. The semi-sphere transformed into energy clusters with only a trace of his qi. It deployed from the tip and upper edge of the blade, revealing a barrage of raining spherical balls that were more profound than the individuals. The spherical balls would freeze, mimicking hail as it strikes a portion of the fleet. Julius immediately gripped the individuals shoulder to pin it in place and stomped his right foot, triggering another quake. Everyone zoomed towards the fleet, leaving Julius and the individual alone. This person didnt resist. Who is this? He wondered, then asked. That was a weak qi ball, but you got the effortWho are you? The individual, on its knees, has no trace of qi for him to trace. Julius, with his right hand gripped on the shoulder, effortlessly lifted the former up. Afterward, the cloaks hoodie loosened, revealing to be a lady. Her long hair, with the half ends curly, popped out of the hoodie, reaching down beyond her shoulders. More tanned and appeared to be around at least the same age as Empress Cai. While she definitely has to be younger than his aunt, Tang Yifei. Like what Empress Cai told me, she has to be around mid-forties. But I cant be fooled. Being old here is like being in the grave on earth, not fair. I guess that might explain why I didnt age that much in my late twenties before ever set foot in Planet Raal. I thought, Julius said, weve evacuated everyone. How are you still in the war zone? The lady grimaced. I stayed. I cant leave my home. Wheres your family? Julius asked. I suggest you leave before we destroy this fleet. The former refused, standing on her ground and maintaining her grimacing face. I will not. My family is safe, and they know I would stay behind protecting my home. Julius was baffled at her remark. Youre crazy. I dont get a sense of your qiThat means you have to leave this place now. Otherwise, youll die trying to protect your lovely home. How would your family feel when they learned youre gone because of this suicide? A moment of silence from her. Agony, guilt, sadnessI would rather have you be safe, and we do the work. So, you can come back and rebuild your home. Is that fair? She shook her head. That was when Julius had to make a choice and quickly because he half-turned and the escalation rose at the sea. Turning back to the lady, he made a proposition. How about this? Look at my army! There are at least a hundred men fighting the ships, and at the center of the wrecked village are a thousand on the defense...We are here to get your home back...So, if you go back to your family and stay in a safe area, Ill give you and the village survivors an opportunity for recruitment. How does that sound? I Youll only get one chance to accept or decline, Julius said while noticing something about her. Save those eyes. If you accept, youre going to get the chance. The lady maintained her silence for a little longer until surrendered with a sigh. Ifine. Ill accept. Julius nodded. Good, now go. Well handle this. Promise?! Yes! Now go. Julius watched her off, but before she could depart from his sights, he directed her to the site and threw an impotent fireball right near the defense team at the village''s site. He raised two fingers; and added a sign expressing the army to give the lady an escort safely out of the villages war zone. Two cultivators flashed into the thin air and summoned right next to her. Julius! Now! He heard the yell and immediately turned. Quickly, Julius, from the center of the plateau, launched himself with a nudge from his ankles. No sound barrier broke this time but was still speedy for an ordinary run. He went off in a sprint like no other. When he jumped from the surface, his eyes showed he was about as high as the sails and likely crashed right into it. The matter wouldnt change anything as Julius raised both of his hands and did a vertical slash, cutting off the fibers. The foremast of the flagship was affected by the slash as the scorching heat of his sky-blue qi reached the wood, slicing it in half. A battle on the ships deck was starting, only to halt as the upper half of the foremast came tumbling. Julius landed right at the forecastle, facing right towards the main part of the deck and the foremast crashed into the wooden deck, shattering bits of wooden panels. It spewed throughout, allowing him to run down the right stairs and strike at the distracted mob of enemies. Hence, dozens of cultivators, from his side that were at the forecastle spot, joined and reinitiated the conflict. Despite being the largest flagship Julius had ever seen, there was not that much space in between each person battling on the deck. Both sides cut and beat each other while barely at the point of being squished. Juliuss visuals turned red as the lack of space was about to turn into a compression, prompting him to exert his new ice qi. Around him, the closest froze from the leg up, putting them in place. Only then did it overwhelm them entirely, covering the whole body. Here goes nothing. Julius backflipped in the air and performed a horizontal slash in full circle, decapitating their heads off and a blood bath incited on the deck. The bombardment was hectic, and it caused wide attention from all the guarding vessels outside of the inner circle. Hence, all the remaining ships steered towards the flagship as the inner circle was broken. Juliuss army decimated them quickly. Joining in on the fun rampage, he turned to his right and went on an endless massacre to beyond a hundred Renos soldiers. All were cultivators, but significantly low. They had to be a joke because Julius sensed no strong qi from them. It was more than the lady earlier but isnt close to any of the weakest cultivators in the West Cai Dynasty. Thus, it was a piece of cake. The time to clear it wasnt even that long before it all tumbled to the decks wooden floor. Sir, are we going to stop this ship or what? Oh crap! I forgot the captain is dead, too. Julius realized the sudden problem. The rest of the guarding fleet was focused on the flagship. He then leaned right to the rails and called out to Empress Cai and Celeste. Can you tell, he stated and pointed to himself and his men currently on the flagships deck, the rest to handle the upcoming fleet?! Keep them distracted as we figure out with this big ass ship. Empress Cai looked at the far outreaches of the sea where the fleets were coming at full speed. She raised her hand, with her palm pointed in that direction. Go! The cultivation army heard her signal, and they all went offense at the upcoming fleet of ships. Before Julius could look at the naval war scenery as the thunderous sounds picked up, he sensed something heading towards his neck. Too, Skoltors system received an alert, flashing red. Hastily, Julius tossed his miao dao sword to the side and slammed hard on the taffrail, spitting the wood out. His body went down as the whole taffrail shattered, leaving only the decks wooden floor. He felt his chest clashing with the floor, bouncing him up. Subsequently, he rolled away to find a tall woman figure towering over him before swiftly getting back up. That was a close one. The woman went for a strike in an attempt to distract him, but Julius caught her on quick, using his left forearm to shield himself. With his metallic right hand, he went right for the blade and grabbed it. He thrust his thumb right on the sharpness of the blade, not affected by its sharpness. The womans blade shattered in half, startling her. Immediately, it transitioned to a martial fight. She brought up a fight, and Julius blocked it from striking his head. She was also in a cloak like the lady from earlier, except with more input into it. Both hands were gloved. The facial covering was exactly like when he first encountered Tang Cheung and Tang Li-Mei, all wrapped like a scarf with a hoodie. Curiosity overwhelmed his thrilling mind; hence, Julius went out in a barrage of punches.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. This lady is a dodger. Julius processed as he tried to punch all specifically toward her face. She displayed her absolute skill in defense, blocking every punch he thrust. That made Julius frustrated. I cant land a damn hand on her face. His mind ranted. He went for a sweep kick, causing the cloaked lady to leap at the last second. Oh crap. She got me; my damn insides burn! Julius thought angrily, while his lungs burned once again. The battle felt nothing of progress as the cloaked lady handled well with dodges, focusing on defense over offense tactics. Screw this. Julius went for another kick but went with a roundhouse kick, aiming at the opponents head. Thats it. Her head moved away in the opposite direction as his left foot went through the motion. Crack! Julius summoned an ice post that struck her head as she dodged away from his left foot. With her disturbed, he took the opportunity by rushing for an abdominal thrust, sending her off of the foredeck. Her back crashed right into the midships wooden flooring. Julius went for a leap, intending to thrust right down from above. Unable to see her facial reaction because of the cloak, he instinctively felt she was about to dodge again. Hence, he nudged his foot midair, and the glitter of ice shot out from the right side of his left boots sole. He saw the cloaked lady dodge, and her sudden jolt proved his glitter ice worked, continuing to break her defense streak. Oh shit. Julius exerted his feet midair and dropped right onto a pile of dead bodies of Reno soldiers. When he dropped headfirst, blood splattered on his face. I swear, I always get the damn face splatter! Give me a damn break! He got pissed that a warning caught him off guard, nearly startling him. -- Health Alert: Overheat! Overheat! Urgent Cooling!!! -- The sneak attack he did on the cloaked lady brought him some time. He rolled over onto his back, wiping his eyes. Across the opposite side of the midship, she lay, attempting to lift her body while parts of her arms were frozen solid. Julius resumed focus, feeling the urge to cough. His lungs turned chaotic, as if he inhaled plumes of smoke and choked them. Hence, he jerked his head to the right, viewing the ships wall. His fists clenched, and he thrust his right hand to the wall like a shank. A punch turned into a demolition because it tore off the entire wall, tumbling into the water. So, the flagship had lost its left wall on the deck, and a couple of bodies fell off the edge, leaving trails of mixed red and black liquid. -- Internal Temperature: 115F -- Julius, with his right arm still extended, eased his clenched fist and opened his hand. With his palm flat, he jerked his middle and index finger to ninety degrees, summoning a fountain from the sea. He then steered his fingers, pointing right at himself. The upper end of the water sped right until it hovered over him and downpoured many gallons of water toward his entire body. -- Health Alert override. Internal Temperature: 135F -- He finally stood while the water continued to downpour. The aura summoned around his body to prevent his internal temperature from dropping too quickly. Skoltors warning ceded. Not for long, the cloaked lady stood once again while her arms remained frozen. Julius smacked the water, and the downpour stopped, raining its last contents all over the ship. The cloaked lady lifted her arms upwards while keeping them extended. Her head was directed towards the arms for a second. Then she aggressively slammed her arms together, shattering all the frozen solid ice around her forearms. However, Julius couldnt sense her aura, wondering if she was more specialized in raw power, which would mean she either mastered restrained strength or was truly physical. The fight resumed. Despite having his aura for supplemental boost, Julius wasnt able to cross his fists through her defense. It was as if she was progressively adaptive. As of now, it seemed so. That could be dangerous on time, especially when the gulf bordering the villages shores is still under chaotic firepower. Splat! A large fish about the size of a small boat crashed to the stern of the ship, sending the two up into the air like a trampoline. While in the air, Julius was sideways but still had a clear view of the cloaked lady. Hence, he pushed his right palm forward, exerting a beam of sky-blue qi at her. A moment of glass shattered out of nowhere when it was inches close to her. And it finally struck right to her chest, widening the distance between them. For a moment, Julius felt his right arm lighten and less heavy, a reduction in resistance from the beam''s end. He was about to feel progress on his side, then a sudden heavy weight pushed back. No freaking way. Holy hell, what kind of monster is she? He grew frustrated at this, potentially pulled back to square one. < Hurry! > Licht yelled through his nerves. << What? >> Julius asked, surprised to hear Licht at this moment. < The beam is coming back! Punch it! > << You know if I do that, it will ignite a bombshell. >> < You are acting as if all the cultivation wasnt worth it during level two. Considering the last time was way before it. Save yourself and punch it. > Fuck it, Im doing it my way. He summoned Licht to his left grip. < Wait a minute; are you doing it this way? > Licht asked, sounding surprised and uncertain about why Julius summoned the greatsword. << I mean you pushed me to this point of suggestion, so Ill do it my wayThis is the answer >> Licht was right. The end of the beam could be seen getting bigger every second he lingered. His right arm got heavier to where his elbow bent forcefully. Enough of this madness, Julius said. His left arm was enveloped in dark qi, going cold. He went for an abrupt diagonal slash upwards, cutting off the power source to the beam. One second. Boom! A plume of smoke exploded, and the force pushed Julius down with his back facing down. As he descended, he saw the cloaked lady come out from the plume of smoke, free-falling much faster than him. Both generated a trail of smoke from their feet like a rocket flying downwards in the air. A couple of seconds later, the blue sea returned to view as the clouds ceased. Julius forced an exertion of his aura around his middle back, steering a one-eighty where he could see below. Next, he directed his aura right to his front torso, mainly the chest. Flexing it, the force exerted rapidly slowed him down. When he was around like a hundred feet above the boat, the aura shut off, and Julius thrust his legs downward, regaining a footing. His feet landed safely on the foredeck, back to the boat, along with some of the extra weight from his qi. The landing countered the large fishs weight, causing the flagship movement to be directed towards him. Hence, the fish slid down from the stern. Somehow, the miao dao sword remained at its spot, and Julius grabbed it. He let his greatsword hang on his back while returning to using the former. The flagship stabilized itself after the fish reentered back into the sea. Looking up and there was the cloak lady, not slowing down, crashing right through the deck. From the large hold that led down to the interior of the flagship, he could hear fragmented yells from multiple sources, indicating more people were down there. Julius glared at the blade of his miao dao before going for a move. He fired a watery beam right through the hole. It was cold as it did for his body. And the feeling inside his stomach made it uncomfortable. At least first-hand experience with that much water was finally successful. Not even getting to breathe chilled air, a dark color shot out from the interior of the ship through the hole. It was pretty fast, and Julius hadnt caught on to who it was. In reaction to the upcoming landing, he anchored his legs and feet to the deck, doubling his weight. Thump! Splash! A gush of water splashed onto the deck, strong enough to drag a few more bodies down to the sea and cleanse parts of the deck. Juliuss qi went a little further to unrestrained itself, evaporating all the liquid on deck. To his right, it was the cloak lady. However, her right arm was gone, including the portion of the cloak. All torn around the area of the arm. Since it was still functioning, even with a large hole, the inside remained a dark void. Black liquid dripped off from the hole, with residue on the cloak. A sudden loud bang erupted, and Julius felt a vibration rubbing his feet. Both sides are surrounded by wood and structural debris, floating on the surface of the sea. Damn it. A potential flagship for myself is about to sink. Julius was disappointed with the situation. Priorities have changed. He went right towards the cloak lady, grappling her to the floor with the miao dao sword still in his right grip. Because of his temporary increase in weight, he speared her to the floor, making a dent in the latters head. What terribly impressive for a damaged deck. He stood up and took a couple of steps back, expecting she would be done. Observing his blade, he then heard her breathing aggressively like a bull. Oh, my god. Are you kidding me now?! He summoned a slashing motion of ice right towards her. Like a roly-poly, she rolled herself right to Julius, forcing a flash step. The cloak lady crashed through the mainmast of the flagship, rendering the ship useless. It knocked her out of the rapid motion, tumbling her to a small pile of bodies that remained on the deck. Because she landed on her back, she could get up despite losing her right arm. I will not embarrass myself again like at that damn large house of culprits! Julius took the opportunity as the whole mast and sail collapsed. With a few feet left, he ran right to her and followed up with a three-kick combo. First, he went for the right thrust, right on her abdomen again, but then his right foot steered the cloaked lady upward. A sonic boom generated from the toecap of the boot blasted her back in the air. Afterward, Julius leaped up in the air right up directly at her level. He attempted a flash step while in the air, summoned himself in front of her, and gave a knee, striking her abdomen again. Then he knee-kicked right what it was under her chin. Despite the cloaks invisibility, his knee felt it. That brought the cloak up higher. Julius boosted himself right over her and finally went for a diving kick, thrusting his right foot with the left leg bent at the knee and pointing inward. Slam! The kick struck what Julius felt to be her facial cheek, casting a deafening shockwave. Suddenly, a black, hot aura summoned around the cloaks hoodie. It smelled like reeks because of the heat, reminding me of death and sewage. The black qi exerted out and dissipated to nothing in the air. He heard an inhumane voice crying until the last bits of black qi decomposed itself. The cloaked lady slowly descended. Her hoodie tore off after the kick, revealing her face. Julius suddenly went into shock. Nono. That cant be her at all. He quickly grabbed her left hand before she could plummet. After the black, nasty gushed out of her head, he could finally sense her qi. While holding her, he turned her a little to have a clear view of her face. Helda?! Julius said in absolute horror. He remembered her face but never paid attention to the facial features as much. They never talked enough since entering Planet Raal. However, it is her. He was certain, and he didnt know what had happened beyond the past month. So much shit happened that he couldnt keep up with everything. The left eye was masked by a wide vertical scar, intersecting the center of her eye. It doesnt look new either; there was no redness, signs of inflammation, or any recent injury. Unfortunately, the beautiful complexion of her skin reflected in the sunlight, filled with horrific injuries. To the right of her were burn scars surrounding her right orbital. He still doubted that this was her because his first impression back at his Chief of Operations office wasnt even close. He thought she was a socialite because of being the wife of Mayor Burman. In fact, she was, but now, a cultivator with a mystery power that put her equal to him. Her socialite looks degraded; the faces beauty remained, but her hair was fully down and roughened, potentially she went through some torturous event. Julius lifted her right up and put his other hand under her leg before descending from the air. He then hovered right next to the sinking flagship, kicking it right toward the shore. The flagship crashed over the sand and leaped into the air, revealing the torn bottom layer. It landed on the empty plains of the village, almost a mile away from the central site. Another battle on the land had already begun, bringing havoc ahead. With Helda in his grip, he looked at the central site and the hill where he stood before the flagship arrived. The hill is now occupied by the medical tents, indicated by a green droplet graphic on the roof. Julius sprinted through the village, passing by various projectiles. Before getting into the proximity of the hill, he jumped upwards, leaving a crater behind. He manipulated his aura around his boots, landing abruptly on the hill with no damage. Emperor? One doctor came out of a medical tent. He directed Julius in. She aint an enemy. Treat her well, Julius said, walking into a spare medical tent. He placed Helda on the bed, letting the doctor do his job. Yellow blood continued to leak out of her amputated right arm. How the hell am I going to tell Mayor Burman about this? Julius wondered as he watched for a little longer. A few nurses came in through the tents entrance and assisted the doctor. Eventually, he left the tent and stared at the gulf with thoughts of others in mind. He hasnt seen them for more than a month. He had moved on from the day at that hotel. What he worried about, now that Helda was his initial enemy, was to hopefully not have to deal with others that he had to put them out. Not even you, Liam, Xavier. Especially you, Mother Elaine. Stay away from me if you can. Chapter 58.II Clash! Clash! The repeat continued and continued as Solomons battleaxe exchanged with a cloaked swordsman, wielding a katana. Only when he exerted his electric eyes, where he broke free from the momentum. Solomon strode away to give him and the cloaked swordsman some space. He eased the sparks around his eye sockets as it progressively burned. One moment of breath and the opponent swarmed right up to his face, about to thrust the tip of the blade right up to his nose. Bastard. Solomon bent his back to where he saw the blade past him above. He felt the arch straining his back because of a full 180, and he heard a crack along the length of his spine. There was never a thought he was that flexible, always relying on brute and straightforward movements. His blacksmiths works never experienced him bending his back in the opposite direction. Hence, this was new to his style of combat. The strain annoyed him to the brink. Damn you. Heres some fucking payback. Subsequently, he thrust his battleaxe right at the enemys thigh, forcing him to trip down with his grip still on the hilt. Solomon then dropped his axe and flexed his thighs, launching him away from the opponent from tumbling on top of him and maybe stabbing him. He articulated his orange qi to protect his back and provide buoyancy as he crashed to the sea''s surface, sliding away from the site. Solomon had grabbed his battleaxe the moment he escaped from the momentum. Afterward, when it was enough, he shoved the bit into the water and shot out a beam like an anchor to slow him down. When his body finally slowed to zero, he found himself in a predicament. Around him were various unignited bombs floating. He recognized it because he built them before. A thought came to his mind, prompting him to turn to the one closest to him. The sound from afar reached his ears quickly. The cloaked swordsman, already recovered, leaped into the air, preparing to stab him on the spot. In response, Solomon went for one bomb next to him, swimming away before the former crashed down. He removed his buoyancy, diving into the sea. One push from his feet, he went on a curve to launch himself back out. When Solomon peeked through, he swirled in the air and saw the cloaked swordsman crash into the water. Looking at the bomb was larger than his palm, despite his enormous hands. On the top was a long fuse, waiting to be detonated. His left eye looked closely at the cloaked swordsman, while the other was focused on the fuse. The next second, he immediately blew a breath of qi at the end of the fuse, sparking a flare. He aimed at where the cloaked swordsman landed. Almost like a javelin, Solomon went for the overhand throw, aggressively tossing the bomb. He aint going to lose it as the closer it reached to the sea''s surface. The shore of the wrecked South Cai Fishing Village wasnt that far from the site. Hence, it could get shaky. To be certain, Solomon exerted his aura for a full completion around his body and aimed the bit of his battleaxe at the scene. Being in his left hand, the right hand took the bottom spot with little to no space in between. An illuminating orange surrounded both of his fists, and he lifted a behemoth upwards, triggering a thunderous reaction from the cloudy skies. A summon of a bolt was all it needed. The shock energized his entire body, down to his nerves. Dangerously potent for some. Three. Two. One. The entire face of the axe charged up, and Solomon unleashed right. It was only seconds before the bomb hit the cloaked swordsman. Not for long. The bomb tapped his back as he tried to get up, igniting right on. The c-shaped slash generated by Solomons axe went into the rapid bulb of light, spawning a pillar of light that reached up to the sky. All the clouds crumbled and dissipated, excreting all the rain at once while the sun emerged from the sky. The heat from the bomb circus generated episodes of heavy gusts. Rings formed around the mushroom cloud. Weirdly enough, the mushroom cloud became a pump. The stem went distorted, changing shape every couple of seconds to where it performed a pumping motion. From the bottom up, it pressed out rings around the blast site. Hence, the heavy gusts blasted the heat all around the zone. Where Solomon stood, he was absorbing everything from it, not having the time to decide where to go. Luckily for him, he felt something different. His Skoltors system flashed what he was feeling. -- Heat Absorption Activated -- In fact, his whole bodys qi capability rapidly increased, making him more energetic. His orange aura grew beyond his control when glaring up, he could see a tower of orange shooting toward the sky. Boom! What in the? Solomon, surprised by a sudden boom, focused on the blast site being suffocated. Subsequently, it was shown the stem was cut in half, and the whole mushroom cloud got absorbed by this black color from the opening. I recognized that damn qi. About damn time. Solomon, a little frustrated, blurted out. Finally, you show up! Julius came through, teleporting right next to Solomon. I had to deal with my opponent. You know I cant be reckless. Otherwise, everyone is fucked. Solomon maintained his focus at the dispersed blast site, and now all the mushroom clouds, rings, and debris dissipated. He was curious about who his opponent was. It seemed you dealt with your cloaked opponent. How was it? Julius gave a long sigh. Solomon couldnt see his expression as the facial mask covered his lower half, but he could tell Julius grimaced from the growing thin eyes when he turned. I won, but not well. You remember the ones back at that training center? Training center? Waitthe one in Underground Kriegshan?! Yep, Helda, Julius said with a nod. What an unfortunate tragedy of reunion and come to like this, and Im worried because I had disturbing thoughts as I flew back here from the medical. What if our cloaked opponents were them? Like the entire group, we each take one of them out. Solomon rubbed his eyes, then pointed at the same spot. I guess lets find out with mine. Julius sighed again despite the mouthplate on as if he really breathed out. I have a bad feeling about this. Well, dont get yourself out of control, got it? Of courseof course. Lets go, Julius said, descending first. The two quickly headed down to where Solomon lay on the surface of the sea before escaping from the cloaked swordsman. The latter was seen in the same predicament as Solomon, lying on the surface. Julius, mentioning his potential worries, went next to the cloaked swordsman, whose cloak looked toasted. The smell of burnt continued to emit in the air. A whiff reached Solomon''s nose as he kneeled down next to the cloaked swordsmans sword laid across. And it didnt sink as it was supposed to. Hang onThis looks familiar. The aura of a relic. Hold on a second. He grabbed it by the hilt and immediately jolted through his forearm, prompting him to call. Uh, Julius? I found a relic. Julius stopped and turned to Solomon. Oh, fantastic. Which one is this? Look, Solomon said, you dont recognize this? Remember those three katanas other than you? There were three. Each was colored. Yours was like silver ragged before an upgrade. He raised the hilt closer to Juliuss face. This one is red. The two stared silently and simultaneously looked at the cloaked swordsman. Julius then tore the cloak off and immediately shoved Solomon back. A foul smell was exerted from the head before a gush of black qi-like energy was released into the air. Gross! These smells of holy garbage. He felt nauseated, wanting to puke. He tried keeping himself together, using his aura to burn everything away inside of him while holding his mouth and nose tight with his palm. It was horrific, and the situation felt dragged as the cloaked swordsman kept gushing it out after ten seconds. He noticed the arms and limbs twitching like being sucked out. It lasted for half a minute when the smell abruptly disappeared. Nothing was left behind. Not a trace of the nastiness left. I was right. Yinhai! Julius yelled, standing up from the spot. He paced around the vicinity while Solomon leaned up to see who it was under the cloak. Good Yinhai. Solomon was bewildered at this. XavierWhy does he have to be right? Boom! Splash! A gush of water spurted after Solomon''s fist slammed into the water''s surface. He went for the pulse on his neck. Phew, thank goodness. His finger felt a consistent pulse. Hence, he called for Julius, who was still pacing around. Julius didnt hear Solomons call. In response, the latter hand chopped a whiff of qi into the water, blocking him from pacing any further. Did you hear me? Hes alive! Julius was silent, heading back to the spot. Well, Im glad. But still. My prediction was right. I was about to go insane. Remember what I said to not lose control? Me and Empress Cai have to keep reminding you again. You dont have to remind me of that again, Julius said. He kneeled next to Xavier. Ill take him to the medical tent. Perfect, let me help. Solomon went to the end of Xaviers feet and helped Julius lift him up. Julius let Xaviers upper half onto his right shoulder, and Solomon let him go, as he had another problem to deal with. -- A team member from Skolritter Party needs assistance: Empress Cai -- She adapted well to these commands. Solomon turned to the far outskirts of the sea. He saw Empress Cai fighting against two cloaked individuals. Before he could intervene, Father Kang came from the opposite side, landing right next to him. I heard some bizarre things happened over here. Did I miss it? Yeah, you did. But now we have something new on our hands. Empress Cai needs our help. The only way to deal with them is to break their consistency and go hard. If the boats are already a chaotic mess, Im sure these fuckers are a hells play. Solomon nodded. Yes. It is. However, I have one condition. Dont kill them, but knock them out hard. Father Kang grimaced. May I ask why? Emperor Juliuss orders. After he fought against one, it was revealed to be someone he left behind at Underground Kriegshan. Remember that story he told us of how he escaped? Yeah, a group had to go their separate ways. Correct. And those cloaked enemies could be them. So far, two are proving it. His opponent and mine. Its bizarre to even think about now. Do you know who were the two? Father Kang asked. Solomon prepared his battleaxe, wiping away the residue from the bit of the axe. I dont know about him, but mine. Gosh, you know Xavier? The legendary master. I do. Wait. Are you serious?! Father Kang asked. His eyes widened like crazy. The first Solomon had ever seen him express himself like that. When he nodded at his question, Father Kang went dumbfounded. Both hands were all over his face. Is he alive? Yes, I checked his pulse before Julius took him away to the medical tent. Im sure hes fine. Father Kang lowered his hands, relaxing his facial muscles. He pulled out his tang dao sword from his sheath by his waist. Alright, good. Anyway, it seems Empress Cais battle is stagnant. Solomon analyzed it, and she could still keep up with the two cloaked opponents. She wanted a Skoltor system for herself, and it proved very advantageous for herLets go. We cant drag talk. He launched himself up into the air, breaking the sound barrier from his feet. Going at the same speed as the fight, Solomon raised his battleaxe and put it in front of him like a tip of an arrow. He doesn''t care who the battleaxe strikes, but the job will be taken care of.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Lightspeed, Solomon thrust the battleaxe forward with both grips tightened around the handle. In the next second, the heavy crash of the three pulled his body forward after the impact from the battleaxe. Blood spurted from all three, splattering to Solomons face. It caused him to drop his battleaxe down to the sea. The blood seeped into his eyes, irritating it. Suddenly, he felt a forced pull from behind. Solomon wiped his eyes away, finding Celeste in front of him while Father Kang gripped his upper collar. Celestes shield did the job of cushioning the crash from the three. They hit the shield, sending them down into the sea. Empress Cai directed herself out of the downward force, flying back up. That wasnt cool. Sorry, Celeste said. Father Kang let go of Solomon''s coats collar, and the latter walked right up to Celestes side where Empress Cai walked on the air, going behind and asking her. How does your Skoltor feel? I loved it. I figured it was the right time to get itand it hasn''t failed me one bit since. These cloaked opponents are potent and a hell to deal with. Except the moment I saw you earlier, you looked fine. Empress Cai raised her blade with the tip pointing at Solomons face. Are you mocking me? Woah. Solomon was surprised by her sudden gesture, almost blurting. I said nothing that mocks you. She hung on momentarily before receding her blade and lowering it down. I was fine, ok. They are annoying to deal with, not enough to be hell. I let myself lose a little when dealing with those two. I thought it would be nice to get some assistance, Empress Cai said, then shrugged. Boom! An ignited blast of water disrupted their conversation. All returned focus to the two cloaked individuals who launched themselves into the air. They hovered above in a blink, forcing Celeste to launch her platform, Vesper, at them. Subsequently, Father Kang thrust his tang dao like a stab, summoning a phantom around his sword, triple in overall size. Since they were facing towards the fishing village, the thrust pushed them back. Solomon followed speed, teleporting right in their path. He extended both of his palms out, each engulfed in orange qi. The two cloaked individuals each crashed hard where he felt the vibrations rippled to his bones, prompting him to exert more qi around his arms. Perfect. He thought, and his hands let go of their backs. As a result, they were pinned in midair. Solomon went on with the advantage and swirled his body abruptly. Using his left foot, he spun his body repeatedly twice until his right leg felt good and burning. After the second spin, his right leg extended fully and went for the strike at the first cloaked individual. The foot went at its head, directing it to the second cloaked individual. The two heads clashed like two rocks, followed by a loud shatter of crumbling bits. Because of the stuck-in-place move Solomon inflicted, they had to deal with every force, leaving no space for a reduction. It was like there was a barrier blocking the second one from nudging down. Despite that, there were no cries or a whisper of a grunt. Black vapors emitted from his right foot. The boot emitted a smokey smell, and an aura of fire summoned around the entire boot and portions of the leg above the ankle, overtaking the orange aura. A trail of plumes of smoke rapidly exited from the surface of his boot. Slam! Because of the impact, all the potential energy was still inside and wasnt released. Hence, a sonic boom erupted, triggering an abrupt speed that sent them to the empty parts of the village. It left behind a wide trail, displaying an eradication of nature and elevated landforms. Solomon had to take a breather, denying he caused that much with only one kick. When the effects of the impact subsided, he flew toward the trail, only to find the two cloaked individuals lying head down.
Yinhai. I could even feel it down here. Empress Cai thought, raising her arms down. She stood outside of Celestes shield, initially watching Solomons destructive tactic to neutralize the two cloaked opponents. The shockwave was wide and reached her. Whats left from the shockwave was vivid and displayed all spots. Elevated landforms at many spots are all trimmed like grass. The hill that was obliterated by Qiangs dual blast into a plateau, reduced into a plain surface. The possibility of restoring the villages former geography seems to be impossible and will never be the same again. Even the beachy sands at the shoreline were torn and gone by half. Empress Cai wasnt pleased. Before she could let the destructive presentation distract her, Empress Cai looked back at the sea. The naval activity progressively quieted down. Only a few ships remained and sailed. The battle on land appeared to end too, with allies arms raised. She pointed at the few ships, insisting on taking action. Once theyre gone, the fishing village will once again return to our safe graces. Will you follow me to it? Celeste responded with a heavy nod. Im intrigued. Her shield dimmed into thin air, and she hovered next to Empress Cai, leaving Father Kang. Are you coming along? Ill scout along, Father Kang said. He wasnt thrilled to be in another battle, especially since the conclusion was imminent. You dont want me to ruin the fun now, do you? Empress Cai shook her head. I dont mind if you do it with a snap of your fingers. That isnt my problem. He took her statement as an affirmative response. Hence, he raised his tang dao, directing the blade towards the few remaining ships. Father Kangs left hand gripped his right forearm briefly, triggering a humming noise. Empress Cai and Celeste watched him do one horizontal slash gesture. Done, he said, putting his tang dao back into his scabbard. Nothing happened, Celeste said, looking back and forth between Father Kang and the few ships. Wheres the answer? Empress Cai steered Celestes head back to the view of the few ships. Youre too earlywatch. Crack. Crack-ling. A line of separation from the sea widened like the ridges from an aggressive earthquake. It swirled through the waters from the far parts of the sea, creating a massive wake. It tore up like a zipper opening up a jacket. The depth of the waves was exposed. One ship was on its direct path and surrendered without retaliation. Empress Cai saw the enemy soldiers and cultivators fall along with it into the open gap. The water flow was disrupted, all focused towards the wide hollow gap of a trench. Holy mother Celeste said in a mumble. Empress Cai grabbed her, and the three flew closer to the scene, where they got a better look. There it was. A behemoth of a line, bordered by two waterfalls. Empress Cai saw the sea floor near the villages shore, even with a bit of water flooding it. She and Celeste hovered in the middle of the gulf. Hence, the seafloor isnt even detectable, only a dark hollow hole. Ok, time to pull back. She hovered a little back from the spot, with Celeste still in her grip. Did he really cut through the damn ocean all the way to the floor from that far? Empress Cai nodded. Yes, he did. Since this was a huge scope, it took a couple of seconds to trigger. The three then saw Julius landing on one of the two ships remaining. Thats when they all went down to the left ship. For a non-flagship, it was a havoc of people somehow being able to fit on a smaller deck. Only for Julius to disrupt their time further by slicing their heads. Empress Cai let go of Celeste, and the two landed right on the crown of the head. The latter tip-toed and swirled down to the empty part of the deck. One unintentional gesture caused a part of the ship to be sliced in an instant. The part of the deck where she and Celeste stood was at the stern. A pour of water steered it right towards the flow of the sea towards the dark opening. Before Father Kang erected a wake that separated part of the sea into half, the three ships were in wedge formation. It was only possible because the three ships were distanced almost evenly between each other. The vanguard, the one that was on a direct path, succumbed to the depth of darkness without resistance. That left two ships remaining. Each at the opposite side of the line. However, the ship Empress Cai and Celeste jumped on, now heading right to the line. The former turned to view the rest of the ship, and much to her horror; the two halves are being dragged. -- Alert: Qi Overload -- Empress Cai exerted her aura, bursting a ton of enemies into the air. She followed up with an upward slash, completely decapitating the bodies. Another exertion from her body released another round of her red aura. Like a few others, her aura was razor sharp, obliterating every opponent into bits that even blood was cut at the atomic level as there was nothing left to precipitate. That leaves her, Celeste, and Father Kang on the ship''s stern. Im jumping out, Celeste said, focusing on Empress Cai. Right behind you, the latter said. Father Kang didnt respond as he kept silent, but he drifted off from the ships stern and flew right to the scene. Empress Cai and Celeste ran out of the stern and jogged along the seas surface. Duck! the former yelled. Empress Cai ducked her head, leaping downward to the seas surface. Once she slid through the overcast shadow, she partially turned her head over to view what was up in the sky. Her eyes revealed a pile of bodies at once in the sky, passing her. You are insane. Empress Cai assumed it was a result of Julius recklessness. Returning to focusing on getting herself to the other half of the deck, there her answer showed. Julius, in a madlad expression, threw multiple cultivators at once. She figured quickly that this was immediately after they were deceased. Next to him were some laid with no signs of voluntary movement. With only a few feet left, she lunged up from the seas surface and crashed right up into the crowd that was in the middle of a standoff against Julius. Despite her voluptuous body, the muscularity hidden underneath her warrior clothing fooled everyone as everyone tumbled to the deck hard in reaction to her landing. Julius grunted and thrust the pile up away from his torso as he slithered away until the knees were free. Empress Cai, whose body got locked, watched his movements as his knees generated ice. She braced as a violent push jolted the pile and her up in the air. Oh, shit! She exclaimed. Looking down, her feet naturally coordinated with the air, allowing for a stable landing. She stood next to Julius, who wasnt in spite. You didnt have to, he said. I was about to finish this ship. His mask opened, revealing a scarred and charred mouth. I want this to end quickly if you dont mind, Empress Cai said. Alright then. Behind you! Celeste yelled. Silt! Loud coughs erupted, ending with loud vomits. Empress Cai sighed. What a nice shower. She turned to Julius on her left. His hair was down and showered in dirty blood. The mouthplate had already closed up his lower face. The attention turned towards her and gave a nod. Both simultaneously yanked their swords out, and the two enemy cultivators above them collapsed to the floor, revealing lifeless bodies with eyes phased out. The barrage continued as the cultivators from the village arrived, finishing it quickly. Empress Cai lowered her katana, returning it to her sheath. She then watched them perform garbage disposal before all gathered around her and Julius, waiting for further command. Not giving him the chance, she pointed her palm right at the last ship across the line. One more at our disposal. I want all of you to go do it quickly. Once youre done, come back to the village. They silently nodded and departed for the sole ship. Celeste summoned a barrier to block the flow from the remains of the deck that she, Julius, and Empress Cai stood on, buying them for some time. I appreciate yall for the help, but I was going to do this by myself, Julius said with his eyes focused on Empress Cai. But seriously, thanks. Dont mention it. I dont want to get you on the brink of cries like the last time. I know. I know. At least I can use the cold. Hows the pain? Celeste asked. Julius walked right to the edge. Much better now. The mask is comfortable after a while, he said, looking back at the wrecked fishing village and the sole ship. Time to go. Theyre done. All followed him back to the village. Empress Cai looked to her left and noticed the flagship stranded on the empty plains. The hull was still intact despite the lower layers being completely torn. It left with no mast and sails. The keel was shattered to bits as most of it was floating at the sea, causing the hull to lie tilted on its left. What are we going to do with that whole remains? I dont know. We might get the guys to dissect and salvage everything valuable and worth noting, Julius said and landed first on the sandy beach. When Empress Cai landed, he continued. The whole keel was gone because the cloaked lady fell into the hole after I threw her up. Adding some touches, I summoned water right inside. I dont know what happened, and it exploded very quickly, like a storm. My armored sleeves got some damage from it. The cultivators returned from the ship, flying over the beach and descending to the crowd. That tied the knot, ending with a successful victory. South Cai Fishing Village back into the dynastys hands. Julius ran right up to the edge of the beach. Empress Cai and Celeste remained and watched him raise his sword high in the sky, facing towards the cultivation army. Loud cheers erupted from the crowd. Hence, Empress Cai departed from the beach, joining the crowd. She still cant fathom the amount of support and her home nations victory achieved under one man with a mysterious history in such a short time. Her understanding of him becomes a full circle. Hows that father? You cant even make this happen. Empress Cai thought. Juliuss eyes were expressive despite his mask blocking the bottom portions of his face. And the crowds reaction was apparent. When she turned to them, they cheered at her too. That took her by surprise. Ever since she departed the throne, her expectations were low. Being sick after the Raid of Longyue secluded her. Her time of post-discharge was a self-evaluation of everything around her. The turning point happened twice. The first functioning senate and today, the retaking of the South Cai Fishing village. The moment she can finally relax while filled with joy, taking a deep breath while the cultivation army continues cheering. Suddenly, Empress Cai went behind him and hugged him around his waist, turning everyone silent. Her arms felt Julius lowering his arm and a twitch from his upper back. Oh, my god. What did you just do? Celeste asked in a low voice. I dont care. Let me have some peace. Am I not allowed to? Empress Cai asked in response, silencing her. Not this in public! Celeste loudly grunted through her teeth. Julius raised his hand. Its fine. Everybody doesnt mind a little fresh atmosphere, he said, in a relaxed tone. Right? They all raised their blades, followed by a chant, and resumed their cheers. The crowd departed and celebrated throughout the wrecked village. Empress Cai let go of hugging him from behind, prompting him to half turn. How do you feel? Julius asked. Another win for home. Empress Cai strolled to his side, leaving a few feet of space between the two. She then wiped little tears away before staring at Julius. I cant describe it. Maybe delighted, she said. It is almost as if ever since you came and stepped foot in the palace, everything changed. Today, I dont have to worry anymore. Thanks for the gesture, Empress, Julius said. I have one thing to say before we celebrate. I feel Im finally home. Home. Think about that. A man came out of nowhere at an unexpected time, not knowing where the hell he was. Im happy to be here, and I dont know if we will ever get any moment like this again. But my mind is filled with joy. I hope you and the rest of us will lead to another moment of bliss in an uncertain future. He then held his hand out, looking at her and Celeste. Will you join us? Celeste then walked up, and the three gathered in a circle. They clasped hands for a moment, exchanging non-verbal emotions. Afterward, one lengthy breath of fresh air before they turned their attention towards the crowd, departing their spots to join their celebration. Chapter 58.III While in a celebration, Julius had ordered a few of his men to call back the villagers, as the space was safe for them to return. It was a couple miles up north, hidden from the primary route that led from Longyue down to South Cai Fishing Village. A secret detour to a natural enclosed space was planned by Feng, and Julius approved it. The cost wasnt significant, only around two thousand Thalers, barely anything from the budget. They all arrived back in ten minutes. The cloaked lady who Julius promised was the first to step back into the territory. By then, she had already brought down her hoodie, revealing her face. Julius watched her and the villagers react in horror to find their home all gone. Not a single trace of buildings was left. Only his men stood on a war-wrecked ground. Its all gone, the cloaked lady said. Her strength of voice rapidly decreased by the end. Our home. Theres nothing left. They wasted all their men on the fishes. My men are still counting the bodies. The lady wasnt thrilled at their casualties, still focusing on her residence. My home. Everything is gone. You promised! she pointed her finger at Julius and some within gathering around him. The villagers who were with her grew louder. Juliuss voice rose in response, and he lifted his greatsword, Licht, pointing at them. I said I promised to take back the village from these damn Renos. Adding on, I would also train you and the villagers after we succeeded. Thus, we did. I want to bring yall back here so all of us can talk about the business of rebuilding this village. Its a win-win for both of usOkay?! Yeah, that was all part of the plan, Solomon said, supporting his point. He was the one that worked with me to draft all these routes to get you guys to safety so no innocent lives can be taken, Feng said, joining in his defense. I advise you all to calm down and that we are not doing this for personal selfishness. Then why are you here? The royals wouldnt care for us, One villager said. Feng let out a grunt. Julius could see her grimace. Hang on. You thought I wasnt serious when we had a new emperor. Have you not told them, Hong?! The cloaked lady shook her head. I didnot. All of this miscommunication, for God''s sake. Julius thought, silently fuming over the response in decline. He paced around momentarily while his ears remained at attention to Feng and the villagers arguing. Are you nuts? Why the hell did you not say anything to them before we came back?! Feng yelled. You better watch your tone, Hong said, pointing her finger at Feng. Im sure my tone is fine! My problem is you all not being cooperative. And dont call Julius royalty. He wasnt born wealthy; instead, he has the heart of a laborer. He has no allegiance to the royals. Most of them died weeks ago. Have you heard of that? Never mind, you didnt. All of you are disconnected, like everyone else! Hong grew furious and immediately went right up to Fengs face. You dont talk about my community like that! Julius stopped pacing around, facing right at the two. Oh no, this isnt good. He perceived and knew this would not end well. Hence, he switched weapons and held a grip on his miao dao sword. His hand breezed out through the spaces between his fingers of cold air, freezing his hand and the hilt. Stand down, Hong! Feng ordered, about to exert her bloody red qi from her boots. We are not playing games! Not this time. Julius thought, then flash stepped right between Feng and Hong. He stomped on both of their feet by the heel of his boot and thrust his miao dao sword right in their faces. The two groaned from his boot, pressuring at their weak points. Can you two not cause a damn fuss? Julius asked, then turned to Hong. One more argument and this promise deal is broken. Do you understand me, mam? Immediately she nodded while expressing dreaded sounds, signaling him to let off. Juliuss mask was all closed up, so she could only see his eyes. When he looked at her again, he was flashing a glowing blue light, reflecting a blue glare from his perspective. Hong went into deep silence and only looked down to stare away from his piercing stare. That was when Julius finally lifted his foot off of her and Feng, who knew her limits and the wrath inside of her would be unbearable if let go. Juliuss right hand slowly defrosted as the two distanced themselves, leaving him standing with his personal space regained. Now if all of you are silenced, I guess Ill make things clear one more time, Julius said with heavy hoarseness through his mouthplate. I said twice now that I will get this village out of Renos hands. We did. Then, I want to talk with yall about how we can proceed to rebuilding this village. Theres definitely a lot of work to be done, so this wont happen again. But you guys were uncooperative only a minute ago and put the blame on me and were about to bring a fight right at Feng, who could kill you in a second. End this damn charade because you guys, like many other states in West Cai, were disconnected from the current events. Im here trying to fix the damn past failures caused by the unfortunate historical royals that did some terrible deeds to its people. Im forgiving you all because you dont know about the recent events. However, if this negativity happens one more time, you will get deported. Am I making that clear?! They complied, and Father Kang stepped into proximity. Julius ordered him to take them to the rubble site of the village and do the process there. He had one thing to do and turned his focus on the remains of the flagship. Its hull remained with the lower layers torn while the keel was left alone, drowning in the seas depths. Julius began sprinting freely to the hull. The water remnants can be seen leaking out of the interior, creating a massive puddle. What followed next were a couple of bodies and a lot of wooden furniture laid out on the grass next to the hulls opening. Julius noticed they were chests. With Feng, Celeste, and many others following behind him, he announced that he would check the right side once they got inside through the opening. Quickly, they naturally divided themselves into duties. Celeste, Empress Cai, and a couple of cultivators followed Julius while the rest took the left. Hence, the two lines of sprinters went inside fast and square, immediately detoured by taking a heavy turn. After taking a right with a couple of reps sprinting, Julius stopped. He and a few that came along were surrounded by cabinets. Tall, to be specific. Two dual swinging doors with a handle that shaped like a doorknob. A peculiar setup. Julius thought, raising his hand to one of them. As his hand was about to touch them, no stimuli were picking up any danger. He then told others to give him some space and hocked it open, breaking the handle, to his surprise. Bunch of more locked chests inside. The abrupt opening of the cabinet caused them to fall out of the shelves, taking the platform with it. Julius immediately dodged away as the top row of chests landed headfirst, shattering the lids frame. Chips of the hardwood splattered everywhere, striking the walls like arrows. He went to one of the chests and flipped it over for all the contents inside to fall out. A bunch of yellow metal clattered as it ran along the floor. Gold? Empress Cai said, staring down at a pile. -- Analyzing $45,520 Thalers. -- About forty-five thousand and a half, Julius said. Thats a lot of money worth in gold for one person. Empress Cai went to the chest and lifted it to pour the rest of the gold coins out. Adding up to seventy thousand, holy shit, thats a lot, she said with a treble voice. We could do something with all of this. Her head then turned to the few cultivator soldiers, and she ordered them to pull the other chests to an empty spot and open them. When the chests fell from the cabinet, there were four that came from the top shelf. The chests on the bottom shelf remained inside. After the three were counted, Julius and Empress Cai stared at it, letting Skoltor''s systems do the counting. I got two hundred and ten, Julius said, looking at Empress Cai for confirmation. She nodded with a thumbs up. -- $70,000 x 4 Chests = $280,000 Put in Virtual Inventory? -- Do you want me to keep it in my inventory, or do you want to? Julius asked. No, I leave it to you. I dont want mine to be filled with money everywhere. Empress Cai said, throwing the heavy chests out of the way. Because the hull was significantly weakened during the siege, one chest she threw caused it to break through a part of the wall, creating another wide opening. Then it was followed by a loud thump outside. This is about to become a garbage site, Celeste commented as she walked up to the cabinet, lifting one chest out of the bottom shelf. Whos going to clean it up? Julius went for the second chest and placed it next to Celestes. We could always burn itOnce everyone is done scavenging this ship. Well, put it in the far depths of the sea but near to the shores, Celeste said, suggesting it is far from civilization. The fishes wont mind it. They love more shallow regions that are deep enough to swim around. Like the humongous one that landed on the stern Yeah, exactly. The Vortex Salmon as they called it. All lived in the gulf and can only be found there Celeste opened her chest, revealing a pile of gold coins. Yinhai, theres so much yellow money. She briefly turned back to the two remaining chests left in the cabinets bottom shelf and next, turned to the cultivator soldiers. Take those two out and place them next to me, please. Julius opened his chest, revealing more gold coins. He noticed it was much more than the lift of the lid and a pile had already poured out, landing on his feet. Quickly, he has the chest counted. A hundred thousandeven more than the prior four chests. Holy shit. He then opened his virtual inventory and put them all in. Celestes chest was analyzed too and was put into his inventory. The two cultivators brought the last two chests and placed them next to Celeste as she said. Julius ordered them to open it. He expected both of them to flash off yellow because it has an extreme luminosity, and the reflection is strong from multiple points of view. It turned out to be only one did, but the other didnt. Julius threw his and Celestes chest away like toys, creating another hole through the wall. Using both hands, he dragged the two chests right to his spot. As Skoltor''s system does another analysis, he observes the chest with no gold to find multiple items and books all stashed together in the chests available space. Hence, theres so much to do with it, so Julius closed it. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. What are you doing? Empress Cai asked. It aint gold, and Im saving this for review back at the capital, Julius said. All of you guys continue scavenging as Ill deal with this chest. They departed, but Empress Cai remained by his side, prompting him to ask why she hadnt joined the others. In response, she reminded him that he cant be alone. Hence, Julius only nodded, and the two headed back outside through the clustered route. They directed through the mess and stepped out. He walked a couple of reps until he was distant enough away from the flagship and placed down the loaded chest. Ok. Empress Cai sounded like she caught onto his action. Are you opening it out here? Yeah, I''m saying that as an excuse so Iwe can get a sneak peek at whats in here first, Julius said, lifting the lid open. Empress Cai kneeled to the ground next to him and pulled out a couple of contents from inside the chest. There are a couple of clean notebooks. Try opening it, Julius said while taking a small container box out. And see if theyre any marks in thereAlso, I wonder whats in this box. The small box, which was the size of his palm, refused to budge open. It was odd because the small box was literally where somebody had to only pull up the upper half, and there should be a tape or something to keep it from easily opening. However, none of that was there. Juliuss fingers felt nothing to it. So, he gripped hard on it and exerted his qi through his joints, forcing it open. A gush of leafy green qi shot up to the sky momentarily. The force from the qi came with a loud screech, scratching his mouthplate and knocking Julius down to the floor. He lost his grip on the box and dropped it to the floor. Empress Cai dropped the notebook and lifted Julius up. What the fuck was that? From that damn box. Julius was bewildered at the sudden event. Im good, he said to Empress Cai and quickly got up. He sped to the laid box where the qi had already cleared into the air. With a grip on it, the box revealed to be a ring, secured by a velvet insert. It was a black matte finish and marked by a green pattern, which he assumed the color of qi came from. The triangular pattern appeared to be engraved into the rings metallic frame. The pattern flashed at his first glare and subsided the next second. Before he could touch it or be curious about it, Empress Cai mentioned another box. Theres two more in here, she said, pointing inside the chest. Juliuss hand swept inside and brought out two boxes that were like the one he dealt with a moment ago. He turned to Empress Cai. You want to try opening it for yourself? Your eyes looked curious. I dont see the problem of not wanting to, Empress Cai said, taking one. She then muttered. Using my qishouldnt be a problem. Its a powerful force from inside, so be prepared for it, Julius warned. I wasnt joking when I fell. Its alright, Im sure it will be fine, Empress Cai said, opening the box. Huh? The hell? Theres nothing. You are unlucky. I guess Boom! Empress Cai coughed violently, prompting a burst from Julius. Swoosh! Woah, relaxI cantthisis toomuch! Julius said as he continued to grow in a depth of laughter that he forced open his mouthplate. The first timecoughthat I see you laughingcoughall because of this?! Empress Cai yelled hysterically. Julius thrust and nodded, confirming his reasons, while his body involuntarily continued to laugh. He couldnt help himself but released a couple words in between. ImsorryI cant help myself. What Empress Cai said was true. He never laughed like this. Even before first stepping foot into West Cai Dynasty territory, he never burst into laughter. A smile doesnt count. Happiness was a rare phenomenon that Julius never fully understood. It was complicated for him to interpret. Hence, he might finally comprehend what it felt like today as he was going through it. Empress Cai sounded upset momentarily until she said, How about you try opening that?! Juliuss burst subsided, and once he calmed down, he went for the third and last box. After he opened it, a gas blasted onto his face, almost like he had been splattered with blood so many times during a conflict. He coughed violently and felt pain because it was scratching his insides. Empress Cai reacted with laughter as if karma intervened. Ha! Now you get some too! Empress Cai said, pointing at him before rolling to the floor and bursting into laughter. That gas blew into Juliuss face and smelled pungent. It was a strange combination because at first; it was nasty and toxic, which led to him coughing. After a moment of him going through an episode of violent coughs, the aftereffects of the nasty smell went into soothing. Hence, the coughs suddenly stopped, and the scratches that reached up towards his throat ceased as if nothing had happened. What in Yinhai was that? He sat up, grabbing the two boxes. The one with the green triangular pattern and the other with a combination of gasses. Empress Cai was still laughing, much more than Julius emitted. While she continued to, he looked at the latter box and found it to be a ring with the same structure and frame but with a purple circle. Unlike the ring with the green triangular engraved patterns, it continued to flash bright purple from the outline. Zap! Julius jolted up from the ground, grabbing the two boxes. He headed to Empress Cai, who was still laughing. An echoing exertion of his qi banged her face like a bong. That snapped her out of it and stopped laughing. What? These are relicsAll three of them. I dont know what they were planning by bringing this on the flagship to battle. But thats three now. When she heard the word relic, Empress Cai leaped up swiftly with her box. Oh, I felt it. Let me see if the ring in the box youre holding has a pattern, Julius said, walking right up to her hand holding the box. He glared briefly inside the box and nodded. Yep, a red square, and I have a green triangle and a purple circle. Empress Cai was silent for a moment and made a sudden decision. Im keeping this, she said, hovering the box close to her chest. I was about to ask but you are one step ahead of meIn that case, Ill have to chooseuhmto be honest, Im not so sure. These two rings are gripping me towards them, and I dont want to wear two of them at once. Julius looked up right at Empress Cais face, hopefully disturbing himself away from the persuasive pressure. Mine was smokey, but a whiff of it felt good after I inhaled it as I was yelling, Empress Cai said with a shrug. Go with the one you felt good like I did. Darn. Julius disappointedly mumbled. The problem is both of them felt jolting in different ways. Lets continue while we look at the chest. The two sat down on the floor next to the chest, and Julius placed the two ring boxes in front of him, right on his lap. As they dug through it, he continued. The green triangle was a violent breeze. Ive never ever felt that punch in my life. Is that even possible? You must be exaggeratingOut of everything? Not even the underground tournament story or that moment where you lost it to Mngyus punch? I think you might need to think again about that. Whoops, I didnt mention more clearly. I meant in a good way; not a punch that wounded or trashed me to despair. Its hard to explain in a literal sense unless you try it for yourselfWell if its even possible now because the box lid was already opened. Empress Cai raised her palm, suggesting a wait. Lets refocus back more on whats in the chest. Have you looked at whats in that notebook? Julius asked, looking at the notebook lying on the ground beside her. I glimpsed through, but I cant read it, Empress Cai, turning to the first page, showed it to Julius. Heres the title page. Looking through the page, it was indeed a title page. However, not written in Yue. Julius immediately recognized the first line along with the rest of it as to be in the Kriegyu alphabet. The first line was the title, and he read it out. Die Verbotene Kampfkunst: Der Weg der Alphabete des Hilde Georgine (The Forbidden Martial Arts: The Way of the Alphabets by Hilde Georgine.). Its some secret martial arts coming from the Kingdom of RenosTo find out more, we have to go through the pages, he said to Empress Cai and failed to turn the first page as if it was locked in place. Oh well, I guess that can wait. Empress Cai handed two more notebooks that came with the one Julius read a moment ago. He put it in his inventory, along with the two ring boxes. The former put her red square ring box away. Everything else in the chest wasnt as attentive compared to the rings and the three notebooks as the two quickly took out all the chests contents, concluding to be underwhelming. Afterward, they threw the stuff back inside and closed the chest, and Julius lifted back on his shoulders, figuring out what to do with it. The two walked back to the flagship, where Celeste and others were about to walk out from the opening. She asked Julius about his chest and responded with nothing interesting and was looking to dump it. That prompted Solomon to insist he take it instead because he might build something out of all the junk or make some use of it. Julius, without a second thought, handed it over to him. He wondered what they were bringing out, and Solomon said it was mainly clothes and any daily items that werent damaged from the waters. Also, he went to the other side of the flagship to check with others findings. A few had something worthy of value to bring back home. However, it might be another half an hour until they are completed scavenging the ship. Before he could say anything, a medical cultivator arrived. Sir! Yes? Whats the matter? Julius asked. Patient number one has awakened from her injuries. Would you like to see her? Julius slowly breathed in and out and followed with a nod. Sure. Anything else? The Tang Family is here. They are about to step foot to the entrance border of the villageThats all I have. Ok, you may go. Ill be present in a moment. The medical cultivator teleported from the scene, and Julius turned back to the group. Can I trust you, Solomon, to handle the Tang Family for a moment? Of course. Do you want me to lead them to the center of the village or where do you want me to take them? Solomon asked. Bring them to the center of the village. Everything is getting set up there with Father Kang. Bring them there and begin the conversation. Ill join later, as I have some personal business in the medical area. Solomon nodded and went off to meet up with the Tang Family. Julius turned to Celeste, prompting her to respond. Ill go with him to keep him in line. Sure, I trust you can keep things peaceful with others. Celeste affirmed. I''m certain that I willIll see you soon. Unlike Solomon, who preferred to fly at low altitudes, Celeste immediately spawned her platform, Vesper, and went on a step up high, hovering over Solomon from above. Shall we go? Empress Cai asked. Lets do it, Julius said.
It turned out that after the medical cultivator came with the news, the second patient was also awoken from injuries. Julius sent praise to the medical team for their hard work. Two of the patients vitals are in great shape now. He had found out how bad it was worse beforehand, which the theory could relate to that nasty black qi that forcefully left their bodies after they were knocked out. Hence, an after-effect might have resulted in such concerns. Julius sat down with Empress Cai in one of the empty tents, waiting for the medical team to carry the two patients, each on a stroller, into the tent. And there it was. They dont recognize him yet because of the upgraded mask and his scarred face, making him unrelated to his past appearance. However, they seemed to know Empress Cai as their reaction went, eyes open like in shock. Who are you? The second patient asked, looking right at Julius. Xavier. I hate seeing you like this. What the hell did they do to all of you? Julius silently reflected briefly before getting the nudge to answer. You dont recognize me? Xavier shook his head. Have we met before? Im not surprised. We have met before, but that was a long while ago. In fact, it was someone close to you as a former student. You have multiple followed your knowledge, and I was the most recent in the crowd, Julius said, giving the obvious hint. The last statement prompted Xavier to sit up from his stroller. Recent?! Hang on He then turned to Helda, who was still lying down, insisting on her getting up. She got up with one hand on the side of her head, groaning from the headache. What is it? What do you mean, what is it? Its Empress Cai. We both saw her sitting there, waiting for us. Hang in there for a moment. Julius chuckled. I didnt expect to be Xavier this empathetic. It really has been a while, even though its only been almost two months, he said, and his mask started opening in front of him and Helda. Recognize me now? Xaviers face went baffled that it put him out of the stroller, prompting him to sit up straight. Hey, be careful, Empress Cai said. I know youre overwhelmed by my sudden appearance, but please calm yourself. Ill explain what happened at this past hour. The first thing to get out of the way is do you recall anything recently? NoI dont, Xavier said slowly. He tried to think but couldnt. I only remembered the night I fell asleep back at Kriegshan. Now, Im here. So, you dont remember anything in between? Nope. Julius turned to Helda, asking the same question. She responded with the same answer as Xaviers, leaving the two with no recollection of anything that happened out in the sea. Julius looked at Empress Cai, and she gave a stare with both of her eyebrows raised, signaling him to begin talking. Here we go. He took a deep breath and turned back to Xavier and Helda, starting the reunion conversation and catching them up to date. Chapter 58.IV There was one problem. Julius caught on pretty quickly after the conversation began. Hence, he leaned up, staring right at Xaviers eyes. He has two demands at hand that need to be mentioned before the conversation can continue. Julius extended his right hand. Before we continue our talk, do you want to go back? he asked, waiting for Xaviers response. The latter still sat on the stroller now with his head down. Hence, Julius allowed him to take a moment to give an answer, but never removed an inch of his focus. So, he leaned closer and closer with his mouthplate back on. The desperation for an answer was imminent. Because it was almost two months, they were living within Kriegshan territory long enough to be adapted or coerced, and Julius couldnt waste any chances. Friends, acquaintances, close ones, whoever. It doesnt matter. They all will have to follow what he has for them. Ok Xavier said in a muttering tone before noticing Juliuss close face, spooking him out. Yinhai! Whats wrong with you?! I have no choice but to. Youre from an enemy territory that I called hell. Now, whats your answer? I want to say nobut Im not sure. Julius breathed but wasnt getting out of Xaviers personal space. I dont get all day. The fact you are here with Helda, and the other two fellow cloaked figures only made the situation tense. Its a world war scenario here. In fact, I dont think you have anything else for you over there. They roasted you as the worst. Youve been training others, but Ive heard nothing. I think me and Mother Elaine were your most recent best students to carry the legacyWell if shes still alive. Otherwise, Im the only one that can spread your legacy beyond their lands. I will only do it if you say yes. Xavier raised his head up with eyebrows raised, expressing grimace at what he said. Okok! I wont. Believable. Julius thought. He was reading his qi momentarily like a polygraph test. After he made his point, Xaviers qi rose a little and subsequently calmed down after a couple seconds. From his response, Julius leaned back in his chair, creaking it because of his heavy mass. Literally, what happened to you? Xavier asked, continuing the point of his realization of how much Julius had changed. You have never liked this since we first met. Not even during the day everybody had to break off. Julius leaned up again, but not as close to disrupting Xaviers personal space. Like I said, I called Kriegshan hell for a reason. The more I live on this planet, the more I turn into one that doesnt even know who it will be, but its getting there. I dont understand what you mean by that. What I meant was Im true to my being. This journey transformed me, and Im only adapting to itLiving here in the West Cai Dynasty has offered me multiple viewpoints and an understanding that most of their territory doesnt want any of this global conflict. Each state has its own reasons and purposes to fulfill. Coincidentally, ever since I arrived, a new conflict has come up. Each with its own stake that I have to force unity, or we will be screwed, and you win. Julius briefly pointed at Xavier. The latter felt intimidated because of the pointing gesture Julius made. Julius. I get it, okay, but I swear you are freaking me outPlease cut to the chase. What do you want? Hence, Julius brought back out his right two raised fingers. Three things actually. I thought it was two, but it changed. The first is done because you said you want no more relations with Kriegshan. Second and third is that I need a world map and geographical confirmation. What do you need a world map for? Everywhere has one. Julius shook his head. Not that kind of fabricated world map. I want a legitimate one, even if it needs to take an entire wall. Intel tells me that Kriegshan has one and maybe Renos, too. Alyssa lied about this world needing a hundred and fifty-six United States to fit the size of this planet when, in reality, it is much higher. Look, I have no clue about this. I only know much about us and the West Cai Dynasty. Thats it. Hmm, interesting. Julius read Xaviers qi again, this time with no raise or suspicion. Ok, then. In that case, I need confirmation. Do you guys have petroleum? The question removed Xaviers moment of intimidation. It faded away in a whiff, and he responded straightforwardly. Which one? There are multiple kinds of petroleum in our territory. Julius leaned back; arms crossed. The one where we interpreted it as V.E.R.2, or the Red Volcanic Erd?l Solution 2. You know which one Im talking about? I do. You mean the red oil. Why are you interested in that? Xavier asked with a straight face. Im not going to tell you whyBut I will say that it''s something for me and the government to work on rather than having somebody leave it there not knowing what to do with it. Xavier was about to respond when he was interrupted by the same medical cultivator who came with news. Sir. What is it? Julius asked, turning his head toward him. The other two cloaked patients have awoken from their wounds. Can they talk? The medical cultivator nodded. Yes. They are coherent. Once we get them stable further, where do you want me to send them? Keep them there. Ill come over to talk to them, Julius said, turning back to Xavier. Thank you for your time and get rested. He then steered his attention to Helda. You need to get some rest, too. Ill have a conversation with you at a later time alone." Empress Cai stood up first and gave a head gesture to the medical cultivator, signaling her to leave. The two leave the tent first. Julius stood from his seat and glared at Xavier, heading out. He closed the tent flaps after stepping outside. Afterward, many soldiers were outside gathered around in a scattered fashion. Small group clusters are within his vicinity. They all focused on him after he closed the flap of the tent. He quickly interpreted why they were doing this. Hence, Julius raised his palm and hovered it along the lines of the tent, releasing a fragment of his qi. As a result, the tent was locked. Being a polyglot was a delicate skill because earlier he was speaking to Xavier and Helda in Kriegyu and English. With a vast crowd outside waiting for his answer, Julius quickly switched back to Yue, a Mandarin equivalent. We are clear, Julius announced. I got the confirmation about the oil, so we got something out of it. He walked up to the crowd with Empress Cai, asking him for one thing. When did you become so confrontational? she asked. After I got punched. What do I have to lose doing with such gestures? Especially if thats the quickest way to get information out of an enemy. In that case, I wont hesitate. You take no mercygood, Empress Cai said. Around two to four cultivators asked Julius a question as he followed the medical cultivator, heading down the hill to a flat area where another medical site was stationed. They all asked the same question, prompting him to gesture that only one of them would verbally say it. The question was specifically about the next steps, and they needed a break. Hence, Julius stopped right in the center of the main dirt road, looking back at the view of the village. In response, he asked them. How much damage have your commanding officers told you? About twenty, the cultivator said. Have a break now and wait for my commands afterward, Julius ordered, dismissing them. He and Empress Cai resumed following the medical cultivator and arrived at the second site of medical tents. Solomon was there, waiting for them. He had a clipboard in his right hand, reading a paper before the three arrived. There were four tents with the medical symbol on the roof encircled by a center tent, which had none of it and was much bigger in comparison. A black flag raised high in the sky adjacent to the center tent, revealing a seal that has the face of a half eagle on the left side and a dragon on the right side. Solomon walked up to Julius, lowering his clipboard. The Tang Family is inside, he said, pointing to the center tent. Theyre waiting for you. Julius nodded, and the medical cultivator departed the scene, not to forget to mention. If youre looking for the two cloaked individuals, they are in this tent, he said while pointing to the first tent on the left, numbering in clockwise. Left to right. Thank you, Julius said, thanking him. He then turned back to Solomon. So, whos here? Tang Yifei, Mngyu, and your two cousins, Solomon said and went to the center tent, opening the flap. Mngyu. Julius mentally said her name before taking a deep breath. He half turned to Empress Cai, who held firmly on his shoulder. She signaled to him to go, which he did without showing hesitance. The two walked in, and Solomon followed in from behind. Julius entered to find all four had sat down in their chairs. He gave them a greeting gesture, nodding to each of them, but Mngyu was the last. Afterward, he sat down on his chair that was furthest inside. Empress Cai took the center seat to his left while Solomon sat down on the outermost chair. Unfortunately, Mngyu sat directly in front of him, making him mentally uncomfortable. The one who gave him that punch, and he deported her to the Tang state, now sitting in front of him close. He turned to Tang Yifei, who was attentive to him. I saw the note. You wanted to help with this? Tang Yifei nodded, expressing her reasons. Thanks to Mngyu, she created an income statement and many of the financial reports after going through thewhat was it? she looked at Mngyu. General Ledger Mngyu and Julius responded simultaneously. Oh, you know how to manage financial numbers? Tang Yifei asked Julius in surprise. I also have years of experienceSorry, continue. Anyway, thanksyou twoBack to where I was. After the entire process, we could find out we have some of the available annual budget to be used. I remembered it was seven hundred-fifty thousand Tang coins. They havent switched. I gave them the currency rate after they accepted the alliance with the capital. I thought you guys have switched currency to Thalers, Julius said, a little annoyed by it. He then turned to Mngyu, asking her a different question. Did she or anyone there not give you the currencies exchange rate?The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. I didnt, but I tried making estimates in my notes. And what did you come up with? Around four hundred twenty-eight thousand and nine hundred fifty-six, she said right through her head. Julius summoned his notebook, opening the currencies exchange page. Pretty good. You are only off at least 2500. The exchange rate is 1.76 Thalers for one Tang coin, basically around 426,136.36 Thalers. Thats a lot for federal government standards. I dont know about yalls standards of how much you spent a year, but Ive heard stories of massive abuse in spending before Mngyu came. Thats a lot? Tang Yifei asked. Thats barely weeks worth of spending. You were literally there when the senate passed the first budget bill. One of them was an entire override of the dynastys market and monetary value. It was a reset and applied to all states and territories that were willing to be allies with us. Tang State was the first one. But then Mngyu didnt receive the exchange rate when she did the general ledgers and financial reports, so, unfortunately, delays happen. Look, Im sorry, Tang Yifei said, being apologetic. I dont know whats going on over there before she came in, but the entire state needs to fix their organization. This messy bullshit wont cut it forever. Julius warned. He doesnt want any chaos within domestic ends because of preventable negligence as the world heads closer and closer to total global conflict. Tang Li-Mei entered into the conversation. She insisted it will be dealt with as she revealed to be recently appointed to a position a few days ago to handle such mess. Her duty co-aligned with Mngyus handling of the economy. More specifically, she specialized in the states trade, exports, and imports. There was another thing about it, which was efficiency. Since Tang Yifeis constant show of her lack of financial literacy was dangerously obvious, Julius was kind of glad that at least she had two well-experienced people in that field. Hopefully, they will guide her. The conversation would switch to deals and such between the West Cai Dynasty and the State of Tang. Julius wanted the South Cai Fishing Village to be rebuilt quickly and was originally the Senates first budget bill. The small portion of the funding for the Moon Reform was going to be redirected to the reconstruction process. However, since Tang Yifei insisted on helping, Empress Cai suggested cutting it in half on his end. Hence, the reallocation of the funding turned into three hundred thousand Thalers. This includes at least half of the villages housing, education, welfare, food, and a recruitment list of nine hundred interested potential residents. While the Tang State will cover the last half, their remaining budget will provide construction for a sturdy pavement that will bring the village more interconnected with the rest of the dynasty. One straight line to Longyue and a detour to the Tang State. This first deal was agreed on with no catch. After the first deal, it felt like a power competition. Both Empress Cai and Julius expected this to happen because the Tang states distance was much closer to the village. After all, it was in the southern region. Their cuisine loved the fish at near obsession compared to residents in Longyue, where the latter was more towards fulfilling health rather than the formers reasonings. Julius, not wanting to lose the authority of these fish after getting a victory against Renos naval fleet, set to only let the Tang State have twenty percent of the fish received. In his opinion, twenty percent of fish received after going through the docking process are plentiful. Especially, the gulf has multiple species that swam under the oceans depths. Tang Yifei didnt take that deal well, insisting on rethinking it. Julius and Empress Cai glanced at each other, already knowing their numbers. She got to be joking, right? He processed it while expecting it to go through this route. The two blinked simultaneously as a sign of acknowledgment. This time, they werent being fooled. Julius then turned back to Tang Yifei, grimacing. If you think it was really not enough, how much did your citizens waste their food? What about those reports of the consistent partying at the palace? He asked while noticing her fingers fidgeting. I dont have many parties Ok? Ill make this question easier for you. If you didnt do it, but the reports said it''s from there, who else could it be? Juliuss eyebrows raised. He even summoned a four-page report, handwritten. It wasnt meIve never attended most of the parties for the past couple of years. Most were held and hosted by the lower officials who worked with me. And it was open to the public Julius held his left hand up, cutting her off. Waitwait. Open to the public? At your palace, and you didnt organize it? Oh, come on now. No wonder you want higher fish percentages than the twenty percent, he said, switching the first paper to the last page. So, most of these demands were for them, not really for the people. Am I correct? I think we can move on and take this part into consideration, Tang Li-Mei said, leaning into where she was almost in between him and Tang Yifei. Nope, we are not, Julius said, standing in his position. I want to know. Is it true that all these are only for the parties? No answer and Li-Mei, along with Cheung, tried to dissuade Julius out of it as the silence from Yifei grew more awkward. That gave him a straightforward answer. It was all he needed. Hence, he leaned back in the back of his chair, away from her and Li-Mei. Man, this nation is toasted with all these shenanigans. Good call. He silently praised Feng for her suggestion of sending assassin cultivators for espionage missions. Mngyu saved the silences awkwardness by pitching into a conversation. Hows your face? she asked, sounding heartedly, much to Juliuss surprise. Oh? That was suddenly of her asking me this. It felt innately better than an ordinary astonishment. Hence, he talked. Not that great still. I still feel the creaking from my damn bones between the jaws. It makes me uncomfortable. She looked down momentarily, turning a page before looking back at him. LookI havent gotten the chance to say sorry about that day. I didnt realize how bad these people wereThey treated me so well. Took you a bit, but I accept it. Youre lucky that they treat you well. What they hid from you was probably their big mistake. Have you heard about Father Kang going insane because of them? They let it all out at him and died in vain from his blade. Many cant believe that when the story came out. Especially the illegal alcohol smuggling. They never told me anything after the interrogation. I was empty as a shell until you kicked me out to The Tang State, and I started to heal. But I hope you understand my reasonsAgainIm sorry for that jaw. Julius put his 4 papers back into his virtual inventory. Hows the office there? Mngyus eyes turned to Tang Yifei only to find everybody else gathered in almost like a circle saying something, not paying attention to her or Julius. Her eyes jerked back right at him, locking right back to his eyes. Its rough and old that it reminded me of the raid. Darn, the raid? In what way? Its an earthquake. Everyone is dancing, jumping, cheering in loud parties only walls away as Im doing these audits, Mngyu said with her face cringing. Luckily, the level one and level two experience helped out as I could deter these concerns away. If you have seen the office, its pretty much white all around. Ice cold. Julius took that into a different interpretation. Sounds like an infrastructure problem arisesI wouldve thought all of those parties wouldve decimated the floors and the structure itself, making it more of an obvious problemYou only delayed itWelp that proved your training went well despite our troubles then. We can all agree how much crap that Renos and Kriegshan did. Thats for sure, Mngyu concluded. The two turned again, and they were still conversing. Quickly, Julius summoned a blank piece of paper and told Mngyu to write everything down on the issues and complaints within the Tang State. He kept his eyes on them and her writing, causing his qi to rise unintentionally. Hurryhurry. His mind went on the clock, and he had to call telepathically Licht to suppress his qi from emitting before everyone else noticed it. < How long do you want me to keep it? > Licht asked. << Until I get out of this tent. >> Julius said. When his attention was on Mngyu, the blank paper he gave her was all filled with a pens ink. Did she really write all of that? Julius mind flowed abruptly. He exerted his hand and his palm opened. The group finished conversing, began to turn, and reconvened. In the exact second, a tiny whiff blew right into Julius body. He then looked at his hand with the paper in his grip, and it was already folded neatly underneath his fingers. Mngyu gave him a nod. I have a proposal Julius turned to Tang Li-Mei and Solomon, not saying anything. He went on with the folded paper, unfolding it to reveal many written characters from top to bottom. Mngyu left no wide white spaces anywhere on the paper. Even the back page was written from top to bottom. What is it? Julius asked while his eyes were on the loaded paper. We accept twenty percent of the fish deliveries imported in. On the condition that we have free trade on other products, Tang Li Mei said. By the end of her sentence, Julius had already finished reading the tenth line. Everything she said was more detailed on the paper. I already got that, he said, asking her if there was anything else. What do you mean you already got that? Tang Yifei wondered, appearing a little stingy and tense. Fifteen lines. Almost halfway through the front page. Well, not only would you accept the fish percentage as long as we recruit some from Tang State for the cultivation army, but you also demanded immediate seats in the Moon SenateI have a problem with that. I will say no on the latter because the word immediate isnt going to cut it. However, Ill only agree if you let your people vote quickly for the first come first serve seats. Then why did you get Tang Cheng in immediately? Julius head jerked up as if that was questionable. Hang on, dont twist those words on your son. Cheung did come in through with the votes and that was before the session for the budget bill that has included certain rules being set. He grew irritated and would rather talk with the other two cloaked individuals than waste time. Eventually, Skoltor took over the page, scanning the whole paper front and back in a second. The information was transferred through him. Hence, Julius folded the paper and put it away. Time to go. Clearly not interested anymore. I actually got every deal down on a note. Everything on demands, requests, and miscellaneous points. Ill accept half of it at this point. Thank you for your time. Julius row stood from their seats, and Solomon led them out of the tent. As they were about to exit, Solomon realized the flaps of the tent were sealed. Youre not going anywhere until you set a deal here, Tang Yifei said. -- Warning! Cold Temperatures 41F (5C) -- The Skoltor system flashed red and blue, and Julius jerked his head back at Tang Yifei. From looking at her, this wont go well. His body tensed up after looking at her, feeling loaded inside. Hence, he sent a danger alert through the system to his party and everyone nearby who had a system. Followed up with a one-sentence request. Boom! A loud bang can be heard outside. Subsequently, an echoing roar only gets louder and louder as each second passes. Julius knew this tense feeling was a risk factor because his dark qi could leak out. It only became more apparent that when stressed, the chances are higher. Already his fists felt the tingly caused by it. What? You were going to reject and detour away from it. In fact, we could have done all of this without you and Tang State, Julius said bluntly. The older Cai generations are dead. Theres no easier way out for you to make your own demands against the federal government. Every state and territory will be given the same preposition. He made it clear that nobody was free from these situations. Hence, she looked up directly at him. Dont think that Im fazed by that, Tang Yifei said, then stood up from her seat and confronted Julius. When that moment happened, the latter could see from his peripherals where Tang Cheng and Tang Li Mei silently reacted to this in a negative light. Hands up, each covered their faces with swirls of dismay. Everyone that was in the tent had seen what Julius had done. Well, they should be, because there was plenty of evidence of moments where his insanity had gone out of control. Now, the uncontrollable part was not his mind awareness, but the instability of the qi accumulated that was about to discharge from his body. It could get violent if things dont ease down. Mother! What the hell are you doing?! Tang Li-Mei stood from her seat, grabbing her mothers shoulder. Tang Yifei angrily knocked her hand off of her and exerted her shockwaves that put the former to sleep. Tang Cheng grabbed his younger sister from behind, lifting her straight up and saving her inches from crashing headfirst to the floor. That same shockwave struck Julius abdomen that it punched inside of him, barely anything to knock him out to sleep. He gripped Empress Cais arm, whispering to her. Take everybody out and command everyone to spread out. Afterward, he blasted a wide opening of the tent, letting her go, and she teleported in a blink of an eye, everyone was gone. That left him and Tang Yifei alone in the tent. The former locked in at her, realizing that line he heard from Tang Cheng when they first met. Oh my, imagine mother being cured from wrath. I see what you mean by her wrath. Is this it? Julius eyes stared viciously as her aura grew heavier and gusts blew her hair upwards. He sighed at this moment, telepathically telling Licht to open the lock. Immediately, a surge unleashed throughout his entire body, forcing his eyes to shut. When he let go of his tensed fists, it opened, triggering a release. The whole vision brightened, and he could feel a huge push, leaving his body. Unfortunately, the first fight against the family begins. Chapter 58.V A dark black and blue mushroom cloud erupted from the second medical site, and shockwaves swarmed throughout the entire space. Julius teleported away and hovered in the air, viewing the clouds of heat occupying below. It was so thick and dark that there was no visibility of anything below it. Imagine thunder clouds around the level of fog, barely feet in altitude. Empress Cai summoned next to his side empty-handed. Everyone cleared out, she said, and multiple cultivators appeared around the vicinity. They are waiting for your command. Julius sent a text message through the Skoltor system. He ordered them to separate the entire village survivors away from the site as safely as possible. Hence, they disappeared, leaving the two alone. As they watched, waiting for a confrontation against Tang Yifei, Julius was mentally saddened by this. Empress Cai heard his breathing sound a little somber, prompting her to ask if he was okay. Family conflictsHere we go again. Its like my parents. We never get along to have a firm relationship as a parent and child. My mother is there, but no emotions. While my dad, well, you already know. Kind of like your father, too. Both are selfish crap. That put me on the brink, and Ill never forget that for the rest of my life. Now my aunt makes this even less forgettable. Julius grunted, shaking his head. He has one job to do. The one thing he said to Xavier. He will go by it until the end. I think this is it. If this drags further, declare war on my behalf. Every state is not excused by this possibility, and Tang will be the first. Noted, Empress Cai said with a nod. You need my help The mushroom cloud vacuumed from the stem, dispersing all the residues. A white aura appeared to be obviously Tang Yifei. I wanted to keep this between me and hernever mind He was interrupted by more presences that hovered near her. Julius saw his second uncle, the one who was with Tang Yifei at the senate session. He aint the one, but five more people came simultaneously. Julius sighed, realizing that it was probably the rest of his six uncles. They played with time because more and more family members showed up within ten seconds. Afterward, typical soldiers formed the exterior defense, encircling around them. Every one of them had an active aura surrounding their bodies, so at one angle, they appeared to be planetary-like rings similar to Saturn. Julius half turned behind him, looking right at the destroyed village and the villagers evacuating. My family? My ass, for Gods sake. Screw them all. His head grew tense, enough to push his eyebrows downward involuntarily. There was no fixing. The family''s fate has been sealed. I appreciate your help, whatever I can. If you could end it quickly, even better. -- Creating a Message All fellow cultivators, if you have nothing to do or finished your duties, I would appreciate your help in decimating many bastard traitors out here. Thank you. Sending a Message To: Everyone. Sent. -- Julius sent the message, and that was it. All he had to do. No more family. Theyre all strangers and enemies to him now. The process of forgetting them had already begun. He boosted from his spot, generating shockwaves. Empress Cai followed him as he amped up the speed, directing Tang Yifei. As he flew down from above, he steered to the right when one from the crowd launched themselves right at him, sword drawn. Empress Cai went to the opposite side of Julius, striking the attacker through. She swiftly performed a diagonal slash, cutting the blade in half. Right at the last millisecond until she finished her motion, the force generated from the edge of her katanas tip. It exerted a force that appeared like its own attack move. Hence, it generated a colorless wave, pushing the attacker so far away that not even Julius could see him anymore. Then an explosion happened that looked like a speck, which was insane based on how fast she sent him there. Hes dead. Julius thought, redirecting back right to Tang Yifei. Now everyone began moving to offense, going all out as the closer he reached. As the two were about to clash with Yifeis allies, a gathering that received Julius message was summoned from above, putting them out of misery in various ways. One getting stomped down by a fellow cultivator, where he thrust both of his feet right on the formers back. It was bloody brutal. Their blood rained after getting destroyed by Julius allies. The space was open, allowing Julius and Empress Cai to speed through. Julius boosted his speed, distancing between him and her. A couple more of his cultivators came along, one on each side. The appearance of a planetary-like ring started to distort. More cant resist stopping him and the upcoming attacks than staying at their defensive posts to keep the rings intact. Julius aura summoned around him, deflecting any aerial attacks from reaching or touching his body by a minimum of 5 inches. He intentionally crashed right at the human rings defenses, completely breaking off the defense stance and distorting the entire thing. The planetary-like appearance was gone, obliterated. That pissed Yifei off because she reacted to the extreme, summoning an ice cannon that swirled around full circle. Julius had already crashed into a pile; hence, he was below the range. His hand instinctively grabbed Empress Cai down with him, saving her from getting hit by the ice cannon. She landed right on the back of his leg, face down. That triggered a jolting pain as her head crashed down, felt like a massive boulder toppled from the sky, and dropped down to the ground. He hung on until her ice cannon dissipated, and his grip let go once they were free to move. Afterward, Empress Cai got up first, slapping Julius thigh with qi. His sharp pain ceased and the pile of unconscious bodies he laid on top of still kept him on hold in the air. Before he could tell the former to distract his aunt, she already went on with it. Looking around again below, he went with a diabolical decision. Subsequently, as Empress Cai and fellow cultivators served as a distraction, Julius stood and raised his right foot high into the air, almost like a full split, 180 degrees. Dark qi swarmed his feet and boosted his feet right back down, stomping on a row of unconscious enemy cultivators. It was very impactful that an accumulation of vibrations clashed right to the heel of his boot, sending right to the surface of his foot. Wow. That went too hard. He casually watched them plummeting down to the ground as he prepared his weapon of use. Licht, the greatsword, was ready for usage. However, he found the miao dao sword more effective with the ice element, although he used Licht earlier. Hence, he withdrew using Licht and placed it on his back as a backup. With his miao dao in his right hand, he sprinted towards the scene, now a disarray of two sides attacking each other. There was Tang Yifei, standing as if she were a god. Her aura stopped anybody from reaching her. Think of it like a metallic ball that discharges electric currents, reacting to an opposite charge. Exactly what he witnessed. However, he doesnt know what kind of ice she used because the behavior of it was strange. Unless it was actually electricity that blended successfully with ice, Julius considered it too beyond comprehension. Either way, he cautiously sprinted towards the scene while more and more allies kept going right at her, sacrificing their battle for him to get closer. As he closed the distance between him and her, Yifei was not moving as much other than anything within her personal space radius, reminding Julius of an epic boss battle in a rpg game. Frankly, it was true. Skoltor System quickly displayed a health percentage bar as if this was in the Merit Universe all over again. -- Tang Yifei (Ice Infested) HP: 20B -- Since this is not in the Merit Universe environment, there isnt a reward for completing the battle other than a test of the supplement''s effectiveness to the cultivators capabilities. Julius ran and his miao dao got cold. The crispy coldness of ice grew louder and popped as it surrounded the blade. Empress Cai noticed him arriving at a speedy pace. She headbutted her two opponents, timing it correctly. Both got the same effects and impact from it, disabling them from moving. Subsequently, she threw one right toward Tang Yifei. Juliuss on-point coordination prompted him to dash right above the body. He took one step on the back like he was going up the stairs. The leverage proved effective, as Yifeis aura charged right at the unconscious cultivator. One strike killed him as he turned frozen and crumbled to pieces the next second. Julius swirled in the air and unleashed an ice slash attack right at Tang Yifei. The slash was more refiner and less messy compared to his Lunar Tsunami (Yueqiu Haixiao/Х). The latter move, even in a suppressed or altered state, will always leave a residue or a huge leftover evident through damage. While the former gave off a misty, chilly feeling, it evaporated after a second of being exposed to the air. Thanks to the first body Empress Cai threw, it caught her off guard, leaving her open. Shatter! -- Tang Yifei (Ice Infested) HP: 97% -- That did considerable damage, as he could hear her crying, causing an echo around the vicinity. To his surprise, the echoing deterred him. Empress Cai intervened by throwing the second enemy cultivator. Julius did a one-hand tap on the back, returning him to Yifeis personal space. He then deployed another set of ice slashes, taking her health into a massive dive. His bodys momentum was consistently maintained, causing him to continue swirling in the air. The clockwise direction of his body swirl took him out of the zone, and Empress Cai leaped up into the air, catching him with her two hands in a swift motion. Thanks, Julius said. He focused on Yifei, who was about to go out of control with her powers because of his second time unleashing a swarm of ice slashes. You dont feel heavy, Empress Cai said. I dont know if I should take that as a compliment or not. Julius heard her scowling, forcing him to switch topics away. He knew what that hella fucking means, and now was not the time for it. The pain behind his ear was even triggered by the sound of her scowls. A pain like an ice pick headache. Anyway, she has gone out of control. Boom! The only rare times where I would consider you to let go all the restrained strength. Does that mean I can finally go free? Julius asked, turning to her with a smile. Ironically, he cant open his mouthplate. Empress Cai recognized his emotions from his eyes, getting her to respond with a confident nod and a fist bump to his chest. Stop that. Noyoure the second to get my fistTake it as a sincere gift of gesture, Empress Cai said, unwilling to stop in the future. Better be ready for the next one. Are you pushing me? Julius asked. Maybe, but lets get back on trackI might have a plan. Julius nodded, and she whispered into his ear about it. They kept their eyes on Tang Yifei, who started to burst out magnitudes of energy, transforming her. Her aura completely changed, turning into a weight of sinister. It engulfed her whole, where not even a silhouette outline was visible. One sudden burst and her head leaped up into the air along with her upper body, escaping the massive cluster of qi. She grew taller than ever. A higher display than Adalberht the Bright Giant. Julius observed it up and down, finding her to be doubled in size. Probably around twenty feet, enough to tower over a two-story house. His mind was filled with regret for bringing her and the whole family together to the Level of the Merit Universe. The thing about the Merit Universe was that even without the Skoltor System, the benefits of training and being exposed to its environment at any level have a substantial impact on the individual. I shouldve known after that damn ice nuke. Julius thought, and his regrets grew exponentially. One time in Level One and Level Two was enough for her to gain such power. After growing to a monstrous height, the newly gained qi dressed her to an equivalent of a socialite that wore an ice-white dress. Her boots turned into reflective heels, shining off the bright light from the icy appearance. Rumble! The entire area madly shook. A strange phenomenon. Julius didnt know what it was for a brief second. The next inflicted him almost like a bursting light bulb. It was getting too dangerous for Yifei to continue the rampage as fellow cultivators in the air felt her sinister aura. All then collapsed. She doesnt have to do anything and people around her are getting the consequences worst. Celeste flew above him and Empress Cai from behind, riding on Vesper. The platform began to encircle around a few feet above Tang Yifei, putting her bare from the danger zone. What the hell is she doing? Julius, nudging forward, knew this was going sour. Empress Cai grabbed his arm to stop him from being careless. Suddenly, a bunch of ice projectiles popped around Tang Yifei. The projectiles, shaped spikes, manifested into clone soldiers of hers. Fully ice but with human facial features. It was counted in the hundreds, and Julius nudged back a little, letting Empress Cais grip off of him. Are we three the only ones? He asked her. She turned back. Solomon and the unfazed are coming to our aid. Im gonna go dark, Julius said, exerting a dark qi around his neck. Thunder! Clouds rapidly formed below Julius and Empress Cais feet. The former recognized who it was from, turning around as the latter. Solomons clouds Solomon arrived at the scene with Feng and around two hundred cultivators that tailed along. Julius yelled on command for them to spread out, pointing at Yifei with his miao daos blade. All the cultivators broke off into two groups immediately, similar to a road divider. Solomon and Feng descended to the now cloudy air surface and walked right up to him. Youre ready? Feng asked. I amHowever, I have to let go of my restraints to beat this damn thing, Julius said after a nod. He was unsure if things would go smoothly once he finally let it go. Then you better do it while we handle the rest for you, she said, gaining the same reaction from Solomon. The latter went off first, with orange sparkles surrounding his face. A gush of orange aura blew Julius hair as he flew off to the battle scene, joining up with the rest of the allies. Feng tied her hair to her heads rear before summoning her bloody red aura, forcing Julius and Empress Cai to take one step back. Try not to get cold, but bring the heat of your body. I will. Be careful out there. Feng nodded. Sure, Ill see you then. She flashed steps away to the battle site, leaving Empress Cai and Julius outside of the battle zone.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Julius turned to Empress Cai with a heavy interest. I never seen you without restrained strength before. It has been a long while, and I cant wait to show you, Empress Cai said, turning her focus to Tang Yifeis Ice Infested Boss form. You would be in awe. That sounds very exclusiveas if only Im around. She walked right to the border of the battle scene and stepped on the new thin marks. One head turns right to Julius, both arms up. Can you take a hint? she smiled and turned right into the battle zone, exerting her pure red aura. Julius now stood alone outside of the zone while the clouds continued to accumulate around the air, solidifying the surface. He watched the battle scene, analyzing what he was about to do. It was all at a rapid pace because staying still in one spot increases the chances of getting zapped and frozen to death. Suddenly, one thought came to his mind. It resulted in him entering the battle zone immediately, becoming a target of multiple ice clones. Julius swarmed to his right, thrusting his miao dao at a row of ice clones. The tip was barely a few inches from touching the ice. He exerted at such speed that he caught them off guard, prompting them to stop. Got you, he muttered. Julius did one heavy slash, taking all their necks out. The entire row of ice soldiers collapsed with their decapitated heads first, shattering and releasing shards. Crap, not today. Julius leaped wondrously into the air and went for a repetitive black flip. Tang Yifeis aura unleashed a behemoth lightning strike right at him. Hence, he exerted his dark qi at the last moment, deflecting it off somewhere else. That struck a couple of other ice soldiers, disrupting and ending a few of his fellows battles. He knew they dont tend to appreciate that since the culture takes things seriously with battles. Hence, Julius owed them for it. I hope you understand my intentions. For that, all of yall will get a huge dinner when this shit is over. He muttered in his head before landing right back on his feet, regaining his personal space. Quickly, his miao dao fired an ice beam that was mixed with dark qi, making the potency more unpredictable. When it hits one of the bastards, the first one bursts into bits, hitting their fellow ice clones. Like poison, it spread on the icy skin, overlapping the clear whiteness. He watched them crying in pain, much to his surprise, for the clones to even have a sort of personality or sense of awareness. In fact, all of them that were near the clone, who got hit by Julius beam first, all tumbled to the cloudy floor. Julius could hear the sounds of ice cracking as if ice cubes were dropped to the tiled floor. The thought that came from their knees cringed his neck. He watched while his dark qi progressively grew larger and denser, becoming more resistant to outside intrusions. His moment was a magnet for others. More and more ice clones switched gears and came right to him. When Julius realized this, he exerted more heavy darkness. He bent his knees and body a little downward, both fists gripping tight and arms flexed. Tang Yifeis ice clones turned out to be generative, meaning consistent summoning. Hence, he kept attracting them until there was enough. Heh. Unlucky, yall. All of you fell for this. I have a lot of things to try. Afterward, a jolt back up straight and swiftly switched his miao dao to his left grip; Julius right hand jerked up, followed by bending his index and middle finger upward, summoning a black wall around the already tumbled and the enemies he attracted. It enclosed them, and they were immediately stunned by his dark aura, forcing a hard tumble on their knees. Slam! Julius watched them express despair as the walls closed up. He playfully waved at them before the walls ascended at a rapid pace, shutting them all inside. What resulted was a towering black tower with traces of blue qi spitting from its walls. By this point, he was already above the roof of the towering cube, viewing it in awe. -- Qi Stability: 35% -- Not bad. Better than I thought for the first try. Lets see what I can do with this thirty-five percent. Julius felt satisfaction at his new summoning technique. He went to land on the direct center of the cubes flat ceiling. His eyes are leveled with Tang Yifeis Ice Infested form, tempting her. Before she could decide, Julius looked back down at the cubes surface, knowing all the ice clones he trapped were inside. There was one procedure he developed while going through The Merit Universe Level Two. He already completed the first step, which was the summoning of the black-walled cube. Onto the next step. Julius leaped up a few feet and held both grips on his miao daos hilt. Both of his hands began to swirl as if he was practicing his swordsmanship. He performed multiple slashes of unfamiliar patterns. Standard diagonal a couple times and switched to a perpendicular set up with the left, right, up, and down. Afterwards, Julius let his left grip off the hilt and fired an air blast directly from his palm. Many pieces of the roof broke off, revealing tons of marks. All of that was from sword movement and not unleashing any obvious qi, which demonstrates his enhanced pure strength. The restrained strength was still in effect. Hence, he brought back the double grip on the hilt, and Julius aimed the blade right down to the center before going for a free fall. Julius internals became boiled, and the nauseated feeling amped up. He opened his mouth when he was close to landing on the roof. One pierce from the tip of his miao dao, the cube cracked further inward like a severe dent. His jaw was forced open as a mouthful of qi blasted directly into both of his arms and the sword. He was so close to the target that the Skoltor System sent a heat warning, but Julius didnt care. A result has to be seen. While the surrounding battle continued to get more chaotic, Julius finished releasing all the qi from his mouth, and he yanked his miao dao upward, moving away as the cube was about to shatter apart. He went for a backward leap off from the top of the roof, descending at an incline at a rapid speed. While doing so, he saw the cube crumbling from the top down, releasing boiling hot blue qi like a geyser, and the breaking down released the sounds of the clones cry at an amped volume that Julius had to clench his teeth in response because it screeched into his inner ear and clashed with his eardrums. A couple of zooms swarmed past him, finding to be two cultivators within his army. They went right behind him before leaping upward to grab Julius down safely. He thanked them while watching the cube finally explode like a balloon filled with water bursting its contents. The qi and the contents of the wall spew everywhere; even Tang Yifei got startled by it and nudged her from the spot. Even got her moving. Julius then turned to the two cultivators. He didnt even get the chance to ask them for updates when a loud yell erupted. Solomon? His ears perked up and his head turned to the source of the scream; there he was on the other side looking right at Tang Yifei. Solomon caught Julius attention, and in response, he pointed right at her. What the latter saw shook him down to the spine. He flew upwards, straight to the scene, only to find Empress Cai fell from the sky and blood squirting in the air from her chest. Julius dropped his miao dao and had both arms out, reaching for her. He held her from behind and wrapped one around her waist like a firm hug. His senses recognized a strong qi inside of her, easing his worries. Hey, are you awake? Empress Cais head nudged. Im fineGet me down. Celestes in trouble. She pointed up. Solomon was beneath Julius, waiting to grasp the two. The latter looked up, and his reaction got more extreme. NoNo! Fucking hell! He quickly sent Empress Cai to Solomon, who took her to safety. Afterward, Julius leaped back up, grabbing Celeste. Same as for Empress Cai, he tried calling her, but to no avail. She was weakened. Her qi was faint. Solomon quickly came back, about to take both of them away. Julius viewed Celestes chest to find the ice projectile had struck her deep inside. Her purple blood leaked out of the wounds tight space. He didnt want to yank it out until it was safe to do so. Solomon grabbed the two quickly and teleported off to the outside of the battle zone. Empress Cai was with a couple of medical cultivators, coughing with her hand right at her mouth. A little blood, she mumbled. Check if my lungs are okay. After Solomon lifted Celeste off of his grip, Julius rolled to the opposite side. He watched him carrying her to another medical cultivator, who placed her in a special kind of stroller. It was more mechanical and run by a small battery connected to the wheels, allowing extra comfort for the main bed. Julius grew angrier as he watched Celeste and Empress Cai going through their battle injuries, and he wondered if it wouldve been better to have joined the battle right when they were all locked in than experimenting with his new moves. But then he let that thought go, as that was what he was supposed to do. During the end of The Merit Universes Level Two, Empress Cai reminded him of experimenting with his new discoveries as soon as he left. Julius stood up with his attention aimed at Tang Yifei, who was significantly more mobile. Thus, her havoc got more extreme. He turned to look at Empress Cai and Celeste again and back at Yifei. Nothing more needed to prove to him as he launched himself back into the air. Like a space shuttle, his feet exerted heavy loads of combustion, putting his speed at an all-time high. When at the right altitude, the combustion had generated a considerable amount of smokey clouds, blocking most of the battles view. The Skoltor System aided and provided a relative heat signal since Julius reading of qi wasnt efficient at long distances. The thought of Empress Cai and Celeste kept sabotaging his sanity as it rampaged through his mind again. Dark qi got more rampant, wrapping around his body like an overcoat. His mind boiled, pushing him to yell loudly. Both of his fists clenched as his upper body leaned back, continuing to exert his volume and let the dark qi inflate.
Everywhere within a couple of miles, the entire village all turned dark. The dark qi became a massive thick blanket in the sky, substituting it for clouds. Thunder and lightning bolts triggered around the area. Cultivators, ice clones, everybody reacted to the change of weather while feeling heavy. Empress Cai looked up in the darkness, knowing what this belonged to. Another discovery? Julius, youre a wild bastard. She slightly smiled but faded away when she turned to Celeste, who was in awful shape. Solomon, assisting the assigned medical cultivator, summoned his anvil and crafted something she couldnt comprehend what it was. Despite her smaller wounds, Empress Cais medical cultivators tried to plead with her not to move too much. Ladies, Im fine, she said, pointing at Celeste. Its her Im worried aboutcough. My ladyPlease rest here, the medical cultivator lady said. Yinhaiwhen did I even let myself go down this low, Empress Cai said, in a whiny mutter. The regret was evident in her tone. Then move me closer to her. I cant leave her any matter. Do you understand? She stared at the lady, insisting on doing it. They immediately moved her stroller much closer to Celestes, and Empress Cai watched as Solomon finished creating a device. He clamped it onto her arm and inserted a tube filled with bright purple liquid into it. Immediately, her eyelids opened, revealing the dilated eyes. She coughed violently and spat purple blood, prompting Empress Cai to jump from her bed. Heyhey! Not on my watch. My lady! Let me off the hook this time! Empress Cai said in a loud and firm command, turning back to Celeste. Come on, stay with me She pressed her right hand to Celestes left shoulder, transferring bits of her qi through the touch. It was the first time she prayed; the most ever in her lifetime for someone who never believed in such spiritual aspects. Usually only reserved for loved ones or close ones at heart.
Julius descended from the high black clouds made by his dark qi. Licht maintained communication with him as a precaution and kept him sane because this was the first time when Julius was exposed to a transformation made by the dark qi. It felt good, he said. I feel fine and think straight. Licht spoke for the first time without telepathy. I''ll keep talking to you to make that stay true until the end of this battle. End this quickly. We don''t know how dangerous this form can be if prolonged. Nothing has changed in his voice. Me too. I''m aware of this. I want to end this family history of mine here! Julius forcefully went on a drop, descending through the clouds and feeling the gust going in the opposite direction of him dropping. His feet instinctively unleashed combustion to slow him down. Once leveled, he was at approximately at least five hundred feet above the battle site. Not wasting time, Julius stared right at Tang Yifei and fired a humongous black beam. It wasnt a defined shape as the contents were all gas and qi, appearing like plumes of smoke. For one second, he imagined being at a grill cooking steak and ribs, since that was the smell of the beam. The beam struck Yifei, causing a shockwave that deterred every single ally cultivator and the ice clones. The latter all disintegrated and were destroyed by the effects of Julius dark qi that spread from the shockwave. Since everyone was out of the battle zone, the battle all switched to Julius against Tang Yifei, putting all the pressure on him. Kaboom! The explosion generated by Tang Yifei knocked Julius aim off, steering to the right, which was where everybody rested. The latter used Licht and cut off the qi source from his left palm, saving them by foot. Fucking hell. Are you purposely dragging this on for experimentation? Licht asked, questioning Julius actions. UhIs that a problem? You do know that you can do more experimentations on completed levels of the Merit UniverseUnlimited access, remember? Switch your priorities and focus on ending this battle quickly. Licht requested and advised. Damn it, you really had to give me a reality checkFine, Julius said, grunting in disappointment. He then leveled down closer until his eyes only needed to look ahead without having to adjust to see Yifeis face. Afterwards, the greatsword brightened by his sky-blue qi. But suddenly, a hair-drier-like breeze blew from his fists to the blade where the qi mixed with the darkness, darkening the original color. Subsequently, the breeze grew to his entire body, hair lifted, and not for long Julius let out a massive ignition through his back, arms, and legs. He transformed again, immediately feeling his foot down on the floor. His eyes looked down and figured that he had grown significantly; the one thing he was concerned about. Tang Yifei flashed right toward Julius, pulling a fist right toward him. Whoosh! Whiff! Julius spare left hand absorbed the kinetic force from the massive punch. It was only a touch away from striking his chest. Much of the energy that went past him vacuumed right back into him, gaining an upsurge. Is that really all you can do? Multiple ice projectiles fired at him, only to be obliterated after touching his skin. Julius left hand gripped hard on her right fist, refusing to let it go. Hence, he went for it. Silt! Crack! Shatter! Julius dropped Tang Yifeis amputated right arm down to the floor after wrecking her head with it. Thats unfortunateYour head hurts? he sarcastically said. Somehow, in this giant ice-infested form, she couldnt speak and only responded with noises. The grunting noise came from her after Julius mocked her and attempted to stab him. You already did it twice, Julius said, raising his bent arm. There wont be a third time! Shatter! Julius elbowed the ice spear, first breaking off the blade. And the spear, leaving her unguarded. He then thrust the blade of Licht right onto Tang Yifeis chest as payback. His wrist twisted to the right, turning the greatsword and creating a burst of dark blue qi. The latter spread through her entire body and even the color overtook the ice. It doesnt even look like ice anymore, but like paper being painted dark blue and laminated afterwards. The unintentional illusion broke off from a crack. Tang Yifei expressed a surprised noise and looked at the crack that started from her chest. Then she screamed, resulting in Julius flexing his arms. The quantity of qi rapidly increased, boosting the cracks until her entire body was covered. Your time is up, and I need to unite humanityBye! NoooOOOO! Her first word. Shatter! Her ice form shunned fragments, leaving some of Julius qi behind, which ignited an explosion in response. Clouds popped back around the battle zone and Julius waved it out of his way. Is it done? He asked Licht while scanning for her qi around. I cant find any trace of herI think so, but you might need to get back to your original form to be sure since you cant do a scanning activity too far. Julius shrunk down, going through one layer of dark blue clouds, and returned to normal appearance. He returned Licht to his back and let his body blow all the visibilitys disturbances away. One step forward, and he felt a blockage on the boots welt. That prompted him to look down, and there she was, lying flat down. Blood showered all overhead, and her clothes were torn apart, leaving only the pants and undershirt remaining. Julius went over to her side, kneeled down, and observed her broken katana. It wasnt like he couldnt make use of it, but he threw it as it would only remind him of his now former biological family. He stood up and walked away, only to hear groans. You are alive? Julius asked, turning back to her, and she was weakly twitching. < Do you think shell live? > Julius asked Licht, switching back to telepathy. << Her qi is weak. Too weak. She wont make it for long. >> Licht answered, providing his insight. Whoosh! << Wait, what are you doing? >> < To finish what shouldve never happened. > Julius said, lifting the greatsword. The blade then burst out of dark blue energy. < I still have some left to let go. > He went for a vertical downward slash, instantly summoning a pillar-sized beam. Julius watched Tang Yifei phase away and waited until the beam phased out. What the? Julius noticed something off, annoying him. Youre still alive! Are you immortal?! Tang Yifei stood and slumped down to the ground. -- Tang Yifei (Ice Infested) HP: 90% Tang Yifei (Ice Infested) HP: 53.5% Tang Yifei (Ice Infested) HP: 19.65% Tang Yifei (Ice Infested) HP: 3.45% Opponents Restriction applied: Total HP cant go below 3.45% -- The battle was over, much to his shock to find she had some failsafe, acting like a backup immortality. That infuriated him, as she caused much reputation damage through the minutes of this fight. Julius felt underwhelmed by this and was upset. However, he tried to keep cool and only wanted to have some time of peace, even if it was for a few minutes or hours. He sent a brief message through the Skoltor System, and an entire team of what they would call the cleanup crew arrived at the scene, which they are and have a high commitment to dealing with such requests. The team Julius requested had fifteen men. They all had prior experience, and each had personal training in implementing their qi to assist them in disposal assignments. After giving orders, Julius let them be and departed the scene. Another medical cultivator was also with them to take care of Tang Yifei. He didnt want to see that, which was why he left. Now he has another thing to worry about. And the situation might be uglier. ??Character Infoboxes 1.2 ?? Notable Measurements: 1 cm = 0.03 г (Chi) 1 cm = ~0.3937 inches 1 in = 2.54 cm 1 kg = 2 н (Jin) 1 kg = ~2.205 lbs. 1 lb = 0.453592 kg
Current Year: Year 1010 Current Date (As of Chapter 58.V):Y1010 05 21
Julius Vaillant (M) Cultivation System Level: 10 Stamina: Level 8 HP: Level 8 Endurance: Level 8 Durability: Level 8 Power: Level 8 Attack: Level 8 Qi: Level 8
Born: January 14, 1992 Englewood, Chicago, US Age: 27; 28 (Post-Underground Tournament) (Time distortion) Height: 185.42 cm (61) (5.5626 г) Formerly 208.28 cm (610) (6.284 г) Formerly 220.98 cm (7''3") (6.629 г) Current 609.6 cm (20'') (18.288 г) Darkness Giant Weight: ~83 kg (183 lbs.) (166н) Formerly 120.202 kg (265 lbs.) (240.4н) Formerly 145.15 kg (320 lbs.) (290.3 н) Current 771.11 kg (1700 lbs.) (1,542.22 н) Darkness Giant Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown (Normal), Gold or Blue (Vary), Red (Darkness) Aura: Sky-Blue (Default), Black (Darkness), Red (Unknown) Restrained Strength Capability (Y/N): Y The Merit Universe Levels Completed: 2 Skoltor System Naming: Skoltor Skoltor System''s Level: 8 		Celeste (F) Cultivation System Level: 4 Stamina: Level 3 HP: Level 3 Endurance: Level 3 Durability: Level 3 Power: Level 3 Attack: Level 3 Qi: Level 3
Born: Year 986 ??, Kriegshan Age: 24; 25 (Post-Underground Tournament) (Time distortion) Height: 180.3 cm (511) (5.409г) Weight: 74.84 kg (165 lbs.) (149.68 н) Hair Color: Brown (Brunette) Eye Color: Brown (Normal), Violet (boosted, enraged) Aura: Violet Restrained Strength Capability (Y/N): Y The Merit Universe Levels Completed: 2 Skoltor System Naming: Vesper Skoltor System''s Level: 8
Solomon (M) Cultivation System Level: 4 Stamina: Level 3 HP: Level 3 Endurance: Level 3 Durability: Level 3 Power: Level 3 Attack: Level 3 Qi: Level 3
Born: Year 981 ??, Kriegshan Age: 29; 30 (Post-Underground Tournament) (Time distortion) Height: 193 cm (64) (5.79 г) Weight: 97.52 kg (215 lbs.) (195.04 н) Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown (Normal), Orange (boosted, enraged) Aura: Orange. Restrained Strength Capability (Y/N): Y The Merit Universe Levels Completed: 2 Skoltor System Naming: Skoltor (Likely) Skoltor System''s Level: 8 		Mngyu () (F) Cultivation System Level: 4 Stamina: Level 3 HP: Level 3 Endurance: Level 3 Durability: Level 3 Power: Level 3 Attack: Level 3 Qi: Level 3
Born: Year 990 Longyue, West Cai Dynasty Age: 20Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Height: 177.8 cm (510) (5.334 г) Formerly 200.66 cm (6''7") (6.02 г) Current Weight: 58.967 kg (130 lbs.) (117.934 н) Formerly 91.172 kg (201 lbs.) (182.344 н) Current Hair Color: Blonde Formerly Silk White Current Eye Color: Brown (Normal), Pure White (boosted, enraged) Aura: White Restrained Strength Capability (Y/N): Y The Merit Universe Levels Completed: 2 Skoltor System Naming: Skoltor (Likely) Skoltor System''s Level: 8
Father Kang (M) Cultivation System Level: 4 Stamina: Level 3 HP: Level 3 Endurance: Level 3 Durability: Level 3 Power: Level 3 Attack: Level 3 Qi: Level 3
Born: Year 954 Longyue, West Cai Dynasty Age: 56 Height: 193 cm (64) (5.79 г) Weight: 104.78 kg (231 lbs.) (209.56 н) Hair Color: Black (Greying) Eye Color: Brown Aura: Black and White Restrained Strength Capability (Y/N): Y The Merit Universe Levels Completed: 2 Skoltor System Naming: Skoltor (Likely) Skoltor System''s Level: 8 		Empress Cai (F) Cultivation System Level: 7 Stamina: Level 8 HP: Level 8 Endurance: Level 8 Durability: Level 8 Power: Level 8 Attack: Level 8 Qi: Level 8
Born: Year 970 Longyue, West Cai Dynasty Age: 40 Height: 190.5 cm (6''3") (5.715 г) Weight: 69.4 kg (153 lbs.) (138.8 н) Hair Color: Red Eye Color: Red Aura: Red Restrained Strength Capability (Y/N): Y The Merit Universe Levels Completed: 2 Skoltor System Naming: Skoltor (Likely) Skoltor System''s Level: 8
Qiang Zhao (F) Cultivation System Level: 7 Stamina: Level 3 HP: Level 3 Endurance: Level 3 Durability: Level 3 Power: Level 3 Attack: Level 3 Qi: Level 3
Born: Year 983 Zhao Clan State Age: 27 Height: 185.42 cm (61) (5.563 г) Formerly 210.82 cm (6''11") (6.325 г) Current Weight: 65.7709 kg (145lbs.) (131.542 н) Formerly 85.729 kg (189 lbs.) (171.458 н) Current Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Green Aura: Green. Restrained Strength Capability (Y/N): Y The Merit Universe Levels Completed: 2 Skoltor System Naming: Skoltor (Likely) Skoltor System''s Level: 8 		Tang Yifei (F) Cultivation System Level: 4 Stamina: Level 3 HP: Level 3 Endurance: Level 3 Durability: Level 3 Power: Level 3 Attack: Level 3 Qi: Level 3
Born: Year 966 Tang Clan State Age: 45 Height: 190.5 cm (6''3") (5.715 г) 609.6 cm (20'') (18.288 г) Ice Giant Weight: 67.59 kg (149 lbs.) (135.18 н) 544.311 kg (1200 lbs.) (1,088.622 н) Ice Giant Hair Color: Black, Ice White (Ice Giant) Eye Color: Brown, White (Ice Giant) Aura: Icy White with Blue outline Restrained Strength Capability (Y/N): Y The Merit Universe Levels Completed: 2 Skoltor System Naming: Skoltor (Likely) Skoltor System''s Level: 8
Feng (F) Cultivation System Level: 7 Stamina: Level 3 HP: Level 3 Endurance: Level 3 Durability: Level 3 Power: Level 3 Attack: Level 3 Qi: Level 3
Born: Year 984 Longyue, West Cai Dynasty Age: 26 Height: 182.88 cm (6''0") (5.486 г) Weight: 68.04 kg (150 lbs.) (136.08 н) Hair Color: Brown (Brunette) Eye Color: Brown, Red & Green (Enraged) Aura: Bloody Red Restrained Strength Capability (Y/N): Y The Merit Universe Levels Completed: 2 Skoltor System Naming: Skoltor (Likely) Skoltor System''s Level: 8 		Victoria (F) Cultivation System Level: 4 Stamina: Level 3 HP: Level 3 Endurance: Level 3 Durability: Level 3 Power: Level 3 Attack: Level 3 Qi: Level 3
Born: Year 986 ??, Kriegshan Age: 24 Height: 175.26 cm (5''9") (5.26 г) Weight: 58.06 kg (128 lbs.) (116.12 н) Hair Color: Black Eye Color: Brown Aura: Blue like water. Restrained Strength Capability (Y/N): Y The Merit Universe Levels Completed: 2 Skoltor System Naming: Skoltor (Likely) Skoltor System''s Level: 8
Chapter 59.I – “You need to get some rest.” (“你需要休息一下。”) 10 days later (Y1010 05 31) Julius Darkness Giant form was an experiment, resulting from reducing his strength''s restrictions. That was only a fifteen percent release, according to his Skoltor Systems analysis. After the completion of Level Two, everyone who has the system received an update, and it provided a new feature. Since Julius loved numbers, he took this feature as an advantage. It was also helpful, as it can create graphs and images to better interpret any incoming data he might want to analyze. The Darkness Giant form was only short term and not fully optimal. What Julius learned after the fight against Tang Yifei was that it can only be activated after he entered his darkness transformation, which he called Heian 1 (ڰһ). While the former he named it Heian- Juren 0 (ڰ˩). He doesnt know when he will reach the first legitimate Darkness Giant form, but it will take some time. Tang Yifeis fight shouldnt have ever happened. Tang Cheng mentioned his mothers wrath as an issue. Julius found a cure, but unexpectedly, it had to be this way. Tang Yifei didn''t suffer hypoqi fatigue, but her powers and qi were disrupted like she was crippled. Hence, her duties are scrapped. Afterward, Julius didn''t waste any time. He took her rules of authority away and brought on an invasion of The Tang State right from the village ruins. It was only a few hours before they surrendered, giving him full access to a region with a land area bigger than California. A lot of water resources and manpower. With a population beyond fifteen million people, such decision-making had to be made. And the answer wasnt officially moved.
How is she? Julius asked the lady doctor while leaning upright outside the patient room. His arms were crossed, and he appeared dazed, possibly from exhaustion. Her vitals are stable, but she is still in a coma. Well give her a few more days until then, the doctor said, also looking at Empress Cai, who was sitting on a bench next to Julius. So, she survivedafter me. What a relief, Empress Cai muttered. Anything else we need to know? The doctor shook her head. No, thats all I have for now. You two take care of your health, okay? Thank you, doctor. Julius leaned off the wall as the doctor left. Empress Cai stood from the bench and the two departed in the opposite direction, heading for the hospitals exit. I hate this disease. As they walked through the hallways and stairs, Julius noticed Empress Cai had not tied up her windbreaker. In fact, this was the first time he saw her wearing something casual. He eyed her and indeed it was. Loose black pants, a black windbreaker, and a casual white T-shirt. Underneath her T-shirt was wrapped in tight bandages that covered her whole torso. He found out from the same doctor, who treated both her and Celeste, that the stabbing wound was less protruding into her body compared to the latter. However, the qi effects from Tang Yifei spread throughout her body, wounding her similar to a major bone-breaking accident. To no surprise, Empress Cai would rather take the pain than lay in a hospital bed again. Hence, she was given a special type of bandage that could heal various ailments. Julius could tell she was happy as they were about to reach the hospitals exit a few steps away. Are you staring? Empress Cai asked, catching him looking at her. Yes, Julius bluntly said. My eyes are tingling at these bandages wrapped around you. Do they really work? Indeed, it did. I can move a lot more without having to cough every second. But my chest still hurts. As the two stepped outside, Julius mildly shrugged. Is that why you exposed yourself? First time I see you wearing something so casual. A period of relaxation would be great. You should get some too; I havent seen you ever getting rest since we overthrew the Tang StateJoin me with Daiyu and a few others. Julius looked at her momentarily and turned away to view the big wide pavement. The infrastructure on the High Cai Plateau underwent a massive overhaul since the first budget was implemented. He breathed the newly fresh air before responding to Empress Cais suggestion. Are you giving me a clue of what youre inviting me to? No, Im not, Empress Cai said, expressing a Duchenne smile. Shes waiting for my answer. Julius perceived. He gave a second before answering. Ill take the risk, he said in a mumbling voice. Sure. Ill tell you when the private event happens, Empress Cai said. Julius wondered what private event she meant, but he pushed back that thought and returned to focus on the upcoming situation. He looked at the newly widened street again before stepping out of the hospital awnings reach, letting the sunlight envelop him. One more look at the new street left and right, and he departed the scene, with Empress Cai following behind. The two turned left, where straight ahead led into the t-intersection. Ahead was the stairway leading to the entrance of the Moon Palaces new East Wing building because the entire palace was faced in the opposite direction geographically. The structural frame isnt finished, as they have one more floor to add, bringing the total to four stories. However, thats not the destination the two were heading to. They turned right, going back to the main entrance. The view was also changed. Julius remembered the spot where he met Empress Cai for the first time, experiencing her aura. This part of the High Cai Plateau has undergone more changes than in the area around the hospital. The wide main street, where he recalled landing his F-150 pickup truck, was cleaned up. The Raid of Longyue decimated many of the spots at the High Cai Plateau. One review concluded that most of the barred region should be revived with residential properties. Specifically, for the government employees and many workers that operated around the plateau, like the hospital. Anything else not included, and that was damaged, was all for commercial purposes. Julius and Empress Cai departed by going separate ways after entering back inside of the Moon Palace. He went to the left while she took the right. Ill see you for dinner, Empress Cai said. Yeah, you get some rest. She heartedly waved back, prompting Julius mouthplate to open and smile. He waved back at her and departed. The interior of the Moon Palace underwent many cosmetic modifications. He remembered the building that held the Department of Staff Photo Ops collapsed after saving a startled worker. The East Wing buildings second floor will serve as its new headquarters. Julius continued walking and turned to the right, leading to a new intersection where ahead were the new gardens. The intersection received a corridor that covers most pavements within the Moon Palaces complex limits. He leaned right on the railing to view the new fresh running lake with all the koi fishes joyfully swimming around. They seemed to be happy. The fresh herb smell from the natural greenery is very soothing. After taking a minute, he resumed by going to the left, which leads closer to the East Wing building. There was a sign that displayed three locations. He turned right and ahead was a wide one-story building painted matte black, next and joined to the left of his residence. It was structurally modeled after a neoclassical style reminiscent of the United States White House, specifically the West Wing. The entrance mimicked the north side of the White Houses west wing, where it had double doors and an awning. The only difference was the painting, size, and no driveway. Julius entered to find multiple people who were already waiting for him inside. After going through a maze-like hallway, there was one individual dressed in a suit who greeted him. Immediately, he opened the two doors, revealing the black-walled hall. Exactly like the gothic room. The same lengthy table was available for fifteen seats; one was vacant, waiting for him. All fourteen that sat, stood and greeted him. Julius gestured his hand for them to sit down and save their energy. He went to his seat and got a view of the same vibe as the last time. Except the space was much bigger and to his left and right, each gained new rows of tables, compensating for the last meeting where many had to either stand or borrow spare chairs. Once he sat down and everyone was settled, the dual doors closed up, and the meeting began. To his left were President Yang, Solomon, Tang Chang, Father Kang, and three senators. To his right were Daiyu, Prime Minister Mngyu, Journalist Rui, Minister Tang Li-Mei, and two staff members who handled the records and evaluations. Well, this is our second time being together. Already a lot of things have changed. Im glad we all can sit comfortably in this room without having to deal with standing and spare wooden chairs to sit onAnd yall dont have to worry about my outbursts like the first time. Ill try my best, so it won''t happen again. Julius initiated, prompting others to talk. Rui had one paper in his grip and took the first queue. Did you really decimate your paternal side of the family? Because it says here that every uncle, aunt, or relative in that household was dead, leaving their bodies or evidence at the site. He would look at Prime Minister Mngyu and Julius simultaneously. The former shook her head. Tang Yifei is the sole survivor. She is currently being placed on house arrest while under medical supervision because of the injuries she sustained from the battle. Any updates? Julius asked. Nearly at hypoqi fatigue levels. Damn. Julius eyes widened. Not because his aunt was still alive, but the fact she was almost in the state of getting hypoqi fatigue. He still feared it to this day, hoping to never get it. Empress Cai was the first, and Celeste, being a powerful support cultivator, was inflicted by this sickness. Out of all two recent cases with his aunt, almost the third, the historical statistics indicated that there hasnt been one before the two recent for half a decade. When this gets recorded, that would bring concern to the public that no matter how powerful a cultivator could be, the risks still remain. Have any in the past years started an initiative to start researching for a cure? Silence throughout the entire room. Seriously? Not even one bit? Solomon sighed, leaning up from his seat to the table. No records of it at all. No trace of writing or any of that either. The treasury department has no finances report on it either. In that case, I feel it wouldnt make sense if there were zero cases in the past five years. Do any of you assume that the information possibly was censored or scrapped? According to the population before the Longyue Raid, there were many cultivators who lived in the capital. Especially the other sects and family clans who perished during it, leaving the Kang Family as the sole surviving latter, Julius said, making a point. Even only an estimateI think there should be at least one case for each of them monthly data, only to be not recorded. Youre saying weve been misled? Rui asked. Julius nodded, opening his executive folder on his desk. He then requested the papers that were to be printed before he arrived. The two staff, who were on his right and sat at the end of the table, stood up with a suitcase and walked right next to him, handing over the two suitcases. He stood from his seat and thanked them as they headed back to their seats while Rui continued. That is pure insanity. How much are we going to tell them? Everything, Julius said, pulling out a box from the first suitcase. It has an opener concealed by a mechanical hook and loop fasteners. He opened the box, revealing a large stack of printed papers, and his hands went in and lifted it out of the box for everyone in the room to see. Everything significant. President Yang and Tang Cheng stood from their seats after he revealed the stack of papers. Are there some of my requests in there? The former asked. Mhm, this stack and another one in the second suitcase contained executive orders from many comments throughout the capital, the fishing village, and citizens of the Tang State. It took us at least a week to compile all the relevant concerns. You actually reviewed the whole thing Tang Li-Mei muttered, expressing a shocked face.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Julius pulled out a box of pens from the first suitcase. Yeah, I dont sleep, and that gave me plenty of time to process all of this. You are an insane piece of work, she reacted astoundingly. What can I say? Im a workaholicI cant help it. Now, tell me any updates as I get ready to sign these. Julius sat down and pulled the first pen out of the ten. He flipped through the bottom edges of the paper, counting from the bottom up. I have eighty thick papers, so we have plenty of time. The signing of the executive orders began as his ears perked up, listening to every incoming input. Rui had another paper, reading his next question. There were talks about the Book of Inventions. Any updates on that? Solomon, with his finger, twirled at the question. You missed one word; its called The Book of Future Inventions. I was supposed to hold off from saying information, but I knew this would happen, he grunted and pointed his thumb at Julius. The reason there was nothing public about it yet was because the drafts are under the final review process. A couple of us within the government offered innovative ideas about what could benefit us as a whole. Julius gave a few. Rui and others turned to Julius as he finished signing the fifteenth paper. He looked up when the room was silent. He signed the subsequent paper before answering. I told Rui and Tang Cheng about an idea of a highway, pretty much a wider pavement, and you can travel at faster speeds by foot. That was a while ago, right before the first budget senate session. The idea was put on the first page. And they accept it? Tang Chang asked. For what I heard, yes. About half of the suggestions that went through the ending process had been accepted. Come back the next day or so, and it should be done by then. Not even a tease or other works? Mngyu asked suggestively, causing Julius to look at her momentarily. The table at the far right shared her reaction as he turned. Im going with two. Another one is the vehicle. A couple were confused, especially Mngyu and the few senators. Whats a vehicle? You two didnt see the thing outside while walking here? The one big metal platform with wheels that was wrecked, and people are surrounding it like it was some holy item. Wheels? Oh, my god. They really didnt even see it. Julius almost chuckled because it was placed in open proximity to the area where visitors could cross. Well, I cant say further than that without you two getting lostTo put it simply, imagine a carriage but metal and mechanical. Mechanical caused the entire room to put everything down, anticipating further deliberation. Whats up with yall? An excitement or something punched you up? Why the hell not? All of us have never heard of mechanical and metal combined into a carriage, Mngyu said, gesturing to the entire room. Solomon immediately raised his hand. I did. I mean everyone at this table except you, the senators, and the staff. Its freaking fast that Ill tell you. How fast was it? Rui asked. Mngyu followed with a second question. Can it get tired? Julius signed the twentieth paper. Horses cant keep up with it. A loaded vehicle can go at an average speed that is ten times faster than multiple horses pulling a carriage I can''t get tired. It will only stop if theres no more fuel and nobody is willing to drive it. Solomon leaped into the conversation and then turned to Julius. Sorry, I recently liked alien technology, almost an obsession. Nobody better ask a question. Julius felt a little uncertain and uncomfortable because, other than a few, he never told anybody else he was technically an alien. However, the time will come when people around him either found out or told him about it. Alien? Li-Mei asked; her ears perked up. Ah, there it is. Damn it, Li-MeiSorry. Something you are not telling us? Julius looked at the left and right tables. He gestured to the press to stop writing and guests to listen. As you know, my familial history with the Tang Clan, specifically my paternal side, I was never born there. Never touched my feet there until this month. Where were you born? Father Kang asked. A different worldIm still trying to discover the truth, but what I know is that my parents eloped and escaped through some portal that took them to a different world called Earth. No powers, no cultivation, none of that. Only humans with nature. Since then, no progress. Father Kang wiped his forehead. That sounds boring. In that case, howd you even get here? The third cloaked individual at the Siege of South Cai Fishing Village. Alyssa Scarlett. She and her dad brought me to this world in Kriegshan. The story goes from there, and I won''t go further right now. I hate recalling the journey it took to first step foot here. If you want me to talk further, one day in private. Julius sat back down and gestured to the two tables that they were permitted.
For the rest of the meeting, the issues were discussed fairly quickly because everyone was more interested in the vehicle and the documentation of The Book of Future Inventions. Hence, it dragged on for two more hours. Julius rapidly signed all the papers from both stacks in fifteen minutes before it became distracting. From what resulted, they voiced their desire to have one vehicle. Despite all warnings and how dangerous it could be, that didnt faze them one bit or deter them from wanting one. Coincidentally, at the end of the meeting, a representative from the Technology and Innovation department entered the room with a folded letter. She handed Julius it and stood until he finished reading it. Ok, I underestimated the workers efficiency. The Book of Future Inventions ending process has been completed, he announced, turning to the representative. If you can prepare it for the public and hand a copy to the press afterward, that would be great. Anything from Secretary Solomon? the representative asked. Hence, Julius turned to him. Anything from you? Solomon stood from his seat, tying up his overcoat. Hows the status of the printers and the database? Its all green. I have nothing else to say then, thank you. Thank you, sir. The representative half bowed and turned to Julius. Now, if you excuse me, emperor, may I depart? You may. The representative left the room first and the press and guests followed out. Julius waited until they left. Afterward, everyone at the main table stood, and the staff and the senators immediately went out. All of you should get a break. Daiyu tapped his hand. We should be telling you that. You havent laid your back on a mattress for the past ten days. Maybe go back to the residence. Only a couple more hours left until dinner, so I think its best to use those hours for comfort. Yall are really pushing me for it, huh? You guys are right. I probably should, but Im serious. I literally dont feel any fatigue on my shoulders. My sleep has been less dependent after days work. The more powerful I getI dont. Daiyu took a moment to bring out an answer. How about going on about reading stories or sitting on the couch? Julius partially nodded, but his attention turned towards Father Kang, who was pulling out what looked like an underground metal pipe, but long and wide as a pen. What are you doing? Smoking? Is that against the rules here? No But Im curious why you smoke? It helps me. I dont know what you noticed, but many here smoke daily. They never do it in the palaces proximity because they dont know what your opinions on it are. Them? Damn, thats wild to think about. What does he mean by my opinion? Is this a traditional precedent or something where I had to give a thought to it? Father Kang nodded. You might not know about this. Sixty percent of the West Cai Dynastysorry Moon Empire smoked once in their life. Why? He put the pen-sized pipe halfway into his mouth with his frontal teeth gripping it, triggering the pipes surface coloring. It flashed blue momentarily and turned orange. He took one inhale and exhaled orange smoke through his mouth and nose. It makes you more resistant to negative ailments and a stress reliever. Julius pointed at it. Is this made by this kind of planet? He asked with a concerned tone, emphasizing further afterward. Whats that? Father Kang questions, showing his confusion. He asked others. Do you guys know what that plant is? Nobody even acknowledged what it was. Julius assumed it might be a different name in Planet Raal. Hence, he asked them, while describing its characteristics, and what Father Kang smoked. Yinhaihumans from Earth had no cultivation, but can create something that is antagonistic. No, we dont do that here. I would rather not touch any of those. All news to me. I would never see the day that it doesn''t kill you. I could get you one. It can make your healing factor improve, Father Kang suggested and gestured to his jawline, meaning Julius'' problem. Julius thought for a moment, even telepathically asking Licht for an opinion. The latter responded with a humming affirmation. Hence, he accepted the offer. How do you get it delivered? In boxes. There''s small, medium, and large. How much is in each? The small has three Julius interrupted. I''ll take that one. ThanksIt better be worth it. Father Kang pulled a spare paper from the center of the table and wrote what had to be Julius suggestion. He then whistled, summoning a Kang Family cultivator. Send this to the vendorThank you. One grunt afterward before leaving his spot. Ill see you at dinner. One teaseits held at my place again. He waved goodbye and departed. Others have no ending comments, so they exited, leaving Julius alone with President Yang and Daiyu. I havent got the chance to ask. Hows it going as the president of this country? For more than two weeks, I adapted. I thought I would have trouble talking to people. However, I stand corrected. It felt comfortable but busy, President Yang said. If I can keep this job till my term ends, I would be satisfied. Julius mouthplate opened, and he smiled. Thats good to hear. I remembered your reaction when you got the votes. It was heartwarming for you to graduate from loneliness. The day I will cherish forever, President Yang said and shook Julius hands. Thank you. I might not have much work right now and before it wasn''t as bad, but I bet its going to be massive in the upcoming days. Daiyu, who was eyeing her, turned and responded. Oh, you bet. Everyone is going to be busy again soonDarn, more than fifteen million people under our hands. One day, a celebration has to happen once everything is over and the world is back in peace, Julius said, believing it has to come one day. President Yang let go of his hands and departed from the room, leaving him and Daiyu. The two would close up the room and leave not too long after. Because these were executive orders, usually, he would have someone to handle the deliveries. Fortunately, he was nearby because the Office of Moon Registry was not too distant from the Black room. When Julius left with Daiyu behind, he turned immediately right after a couple of steps straight. There was a sign hanging from the ceiling acting as a directory. He followed the directions and reached the spot where there was a room. The door was open, so Julius went right in and was greeted by a few employees. A familiar face walked out from a section of the space, surprising him. Lin?! Julius yelled. Oh, my goodness! What a surprise! Lin expressed, putting her cup down on the table. Wow! So, you have two positions now? Ah, no. I resigned from the Photo Ops department after the collapse. I took a break and was hired by the President. Good for you. And good job Yang. I have these two suitcases filled with the signed executive orders. Since youre here, I assume you must be the one handling this to be recorded and such? Lin nodded. CorrectBut I shared my duties with everyone else here. She grabbed the suitcases and brought them to her large table. For all the papers already stationed, it was actually neat and did not appear to be a hoarder. Ah, there it is. Julius saw the same computer, not expecting to see it again. I remember that computer screen when I saw you slammed the keyboard to take my ID picture, Julius noted. A piece of technology. They only did this a couple of years ago. Youre lucky you didnt see me going abruptly because doing it all by hand. That shit was rough. Lin partially ranted, sitting down in her chair. Afterward, she pulled out the two thick stacks of his executive orders. Learn something new every day. Whats that? Julius chuckled. You cussed. Ive never heard you ever do that before. Thats rubbish. I never have. Oh really? I missed the opportunity then. I finally got it today, Julius aimlessly said. Anyway, back to the pointHow long do you think this is going to take? Lin rolled her chair to the printer adjacent to her desk. She pushed the switch and the sounds of gear-like sounds clanked and ground behind the panel. At most, the entire process of printing copies, submissions, and finalizations should be one hour. Good, thank you. Julius took a step away from her table and began heading out of the Moon Registry. Oh! One more thing. Julius stopped and turned. Yes? You need to get some rest. I heard you hadnt slept since coming back from the village. Everyone has been telling me that. I wouldnt expect people to care about my health that much, despite Im certain to be one hundred percentBut Ill try, Julius said with a slight smile and nodded. Daiyu nudged him, signaling to leave. Now, go before she gets pushy, Lin said and dismissed the two. Are you joining us for dinner? Of course. I heard itll be a big one. See you then, Julius said and waved. Daiyu sighed as the two headed out to the entrance. Lets get you back to your residence. Julius grinned. Youre becoming like if you were my sister recently. Was that intentional? No, it came naturally, and I sensed you needed one, Daiyu said. And I need a brother. That makes the two of us. 📃Julius Executive Orders Summary (Y1010年 05月 31日)(From Chapter 59.1) 📃 Julius'' Moon Executive Orders General Summary (Y1010 05 31) In the Moon Empire, an executive order served as a directive from the emperor and/or the President to manage any issues or government operations with no need for a Moon Senates passing. The executive orders scope of authority varies between who is the President and the emperor has all the decision-making. If theres controversy or implications of chaos, the emperor has the full authority to revoke or alter the executive order, or it can go through a Senate vote. Context: Emperor Julius, in collaboration with President Yang & Moon Senate, drafted hundreds of executive orders immediately after reconquering South Cai Fishing Village and the coup of the Tang State. As a result, a hundred and sixty executive orders out of many hundred were made through the entire process after ten days. Hence, they were all signed on Y1010 05 31. Below are some of the significant executive orders written in a general summary.
  1. Declaration of The Moon Empire C The West Cai Dynasty will abandon its name, representing the past multiple centuries, seeking a unified nation followed by its setting history. The Moon represented the historical founding at the High Cai Plateau on an evening when the full moon shone in the night sky. The name became effective immediately after the executive orders enactment.
  2. Expansion and further legitimization of the Presidential Powers C The Presidential Powers will undergo another round of expansions. To name a few, the President will have the authority to confirm various budgets, sign or revoke Senate bills, and convene a Senate session. When the emperor isn''t available, the President has full absolute authority and war powers in backup. (Subject to change for every President)
  3. Funding and Research Innovation for a cure to Hypoqi Fatigue C The possibility of censorship and negligence on data reports on cases of hypoqi fatigue. Before the Raid of Longyue, the population of Longyue was significantly higher (>400k). In consideration of the ratio of chances of this disease, it was ~1/1000. There was no cure or anything concerning the numbers to be completely zero for at least five years. Under this executive order, any valid records can be traced back to the past decade to construct estimated data on hypoqi fatigue cases. Also, a portion of the Moon reforms in the first budget will be allocated to research for the cure.
  4. The Book of Future Inventions Committee (BFIC) C A decision-making body within the Technology and Innovation department will serve as the entry point for incoming proposals and rough drafts of inventions and innovations that could prove beneficial not only to society but also to the nations knowledge of the world. The BFIC will have an election with standards in place for only curious & committed individuals. Each individual will have a one-year term, giving chances to new perspectives and opinions. For the first committee, an election will determine twenty empty seats.
  5. Moon Military Organization Changes C All incoming or arranged military units will have to enter training through the Tower of the Merit Universe Level One at the minimum. As the Merit Universe rapidly updates and changes in technology, the records and training are progressively becoming efficient and effective. Hence, every soldier and cultivator must experience one time.
  6. Bulk Deregulation C Most emperors all the way to Emperor Cai V; regulations accumulated throughout the many centuries. Few efforts have gone to review the validity of many outdated regulations. Under this executive order, Julius will wipe at least 1500 policies. It applies to the cost of living, quality of life, social status, trade, and economic handling.
  7. Recognition of Familial Clans or Sects. C After the Raid of Longyue, multiple familial clans and sects concerning the former Cai Dynasty were obliterated. During then there was no proper protection, and it was in a disorderly function. Hence, their destruction led to the House of Kang as the sole survivor. The House of Kang will establish standards for future familial clans and sects in a progressing cultivation world.
  8. Initiating the Moon Industrial Revolution C Partially because of the Book of Future Inventions, an executive order on economic transition was necessary. The Moon Empire wont survive as Planet Raals dominant superpower in the long run because the cultivators wont have the technological backup in possible horrific war scenarios. In the long term, technology and science innovations under this process should improve and change the economic future and enter a new era of cultivation and humanity.
  9. Loyalty Reevaluation C Emperor Julius, under this executive order, declared a civil war against any states that were unwilling to support the unity of all territories within the empires borders. Around at least four hundred years ago, the West Cai Dynasty became a confederation. Thirty states all operated on their own while sharing Longyue as its capital. The enactment of this executive order abolishes confederation policies that have passed since, allowing a force of unity at the emperors will.
  10. Establishment of Moon National Highway System (MNHS) & Bundesfu?bahn C Emperor Julius, Solomon, and President Yang came up with an infrastructure plan to improve lengthy travels as most of the routes outside of the capital and cities were dirt, rough roads. Two highway systems are approved, and each serves a purpose. One for specialized vehicles based on the instructions from a recently approved page in the Book of Future Inventions. While the other will be strictly for cultivators or individuals who desire to travel on foot at safe and fast speeds.
  11. Authorize Second Budget Law. C After the coup at Tang State, recent evaluations discovered the Tang State owed the Moon Empire $125 Million Thalers over the past two decades. Under the evaluation, an audit was performed. It resulted in those thirty states owing significantly to Longyue based on the two decades of borrowed money. The payments were slow or ignored because of confederation policies. The Loyalty Reevaluation executive order will take these into consideration as the only solution is abolishing the policies and unifying all the states.
If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Chapter 59.II - Catch up. (Aufholen) (赶上) A few hours later. Julius stood in a bright dinner hall within the House of Kang, which reminded him of the venue long ago. It felt long, but not really. Massive noise from the crowd as the hall prepared a heavy feast. Julius drank a glass of soda, which he hadnt had for more than a year. One sip tasted like a bottle of Coca-Cola. He was a fan of it back in the day. During his time in the Marines, he usually took one bottle for dinner. Until he got discharged from active duty, he would go in moderation and rarely had one except for large dinners or meetings. -- Yin Qishui (ˮ) recorded. Translate Silver Soft Drink. -- It tastes like Coca-Cola, but clear as Sprite. Julius nodded at the taste of it, staring at the glasss remaining contents. He handed the glass to one of the waitresses and walked through the dinner hall. Dinner hadn''t started yet, as it was only preparation time. The feast wont start for another hour. Hence, Julius went through the dinner halls entrance and headed through the wide hallway to the House of Kangs double grand door entrance. 7 PM at best. Outside, it was already past sunset. The blue dimmed sky filled with sparkling stars like diamonds reflected off in the distance. All white and blue. He went to the large water fountain, which now has benches encircled around the circumference. While maintaining eyes on the developing night sky, he sat down on a bench and eased off the potential stress that lingered inside of him. < This is soothing with this fresh air. > Julius << Better than the garden? >> < No, definitely not. The garden is best for spiritual greenery. While this is more for natural health relaxation. > << It feels all the same to me. >> < Youre a sword. So, I dont know what youll expect. > << Lucky you. >> < Youre being too generous. > Julius said. << Ive wondered whats like being a human. >> < Do you really want to have that future? > Julius asked in a nuanced tone. << Do you not want me to? >> < Its not that I wont support your ideaMore responsibilities and trauma. Are you sure this is what you wanted? > << Yes. >> Licht said, not even a moment of thought. He already had an answer. Julius didnt know why he wanted to become human because the thought was sudden. You seem sentimental. What the!? Julius heard a sudden voice, prompting him to look down from the night sky. Feng stood ahead with Father Kang. When did you learn telepathy? The day of the tournament after you and Qiang decided to blow each other up, unintentionally killing thousands. Julius eyes widened with a realization, connecting the bloody red qi from Licht. That explains. Well, Ill be damned. He lifted his head up as he nudged his back straight. Father Kang held a thin case box. Is that it? Yes, Julius. This is it, Father Kang said. The two then sat next to Julius in the spare space to his right. Julius watched him opening the box, revealing a pen-sized cylindrical metal pipe. It looked different compared to the one Father Kang had used a couple of hours ago. The thin vinyl was engraved on the surface. He grabbed one out of the box and twirled it around to find three bolts carved on the metal. Father Kang pulled out a lighter, about to flick open a flame. Julius immediately put it a bit in his mouth for his teeth to grip on. An exhale emitted a fire breath from his mouth, activating it. The former disappointedly put the lighter away. Julius one breath was more potent than the lighter Father Kang had. The engraved lightning bolts illuminated beyond the flash of light that came from Father Kangs metal pipe. Smoke flowed out of the end, and Julius took it out, exhaling the accumulated blue smoke. Traces of black hugged it, revealing a tiny cluster. -- Ash Resistance Discovered. 5% Ash Damage Reduction (1/20) Carbon Resistance Discovered. 3% Carbon Damage Reduction (1/20) Breathing Strength Discovered. Level 1/20 -- Is this your first time? Father Kang asked. Julius turned. Yeah? Why? First time I had a cough. Maybe Im the outlier. Probably after experiencing so much heat and blasting mouth beamsIts the same feeling, but I can control it freely. His lungs felt soothing after one rotation. Hence, he gave it one more inhale and exhaled before stopping. Can I take that box, then? Father Kang handed the box. Uh, sure. Do you have any questions? I have two questions, Julius said, grabbing the closed box. Does your Skoltor get any benefits from this on record? I got ash resistance and breathing strength at the start, since Ive already done this for years now. Okay, second and final question. How long is this going to last for these three cylindrical pipes you gave me? Its dependent on each person. It took me three weeks to use one, so more than 2 months to use all three. Ok, that doesnt sound bad. Julius thought and put away the box through his virtual inventory. He forced water out of his fingers, showering over the end of the smoking pipe. Once it dried, the pipe, turning out to be called Yin Yanwu Gangguan (ֹ), was placed in his overcoats inner pockets. Ill call it YYG. The three stood up from the bench as more incoming visitors entered the manor. Julius walked inside with Father Kang and Feng in front of him. With a height of seven feet and three inches, he viewed everyone in an instant. There were a couple of fresh faces entering. Although dinner doesnt start until 8 PM, the cold dishes () are ready to be served in a few minutes. Where Julius drank the soft drink in the new banquet hall that was built since the new House of Kang was established at this site. Today was the inauguration of the House of Kangs Manor expansion. Therefore, there will be a tour after dinner which many, including Julius, were excited to witness. He recalled the private venue in Colemond. Coincidentally, a similar scenario. Both times, he presented at the inaugural opening of such an event. Quickly, the afterthought cut off not to distract him. President Yang arrived from the opposite exits, directing Julius to his seat. As he followed her, the latter headcounted the tables. When he sat in his assigned seat, the total was only twenty tables. Lesser in comparison to the Colemond Venue. However, the food was served at the multiple tables stationed around the proximity of the dinner hall. Each has two chefs, a portable stove with wheels, and a serving table. A few stations had bulky shelves disguised as refrigerators that also had wheels. Hence, every station had its own kitchen. As he prepared his spot at the table, the other six chairs were filled in a minute. Empress Cai took his left, and Daiyu took the right. Solomon came in with President Yang, Feng, and Qiang. Their table was at the center of the banquet hall. Julius looked around and didnt see Celeste anywhere. He turned to Empress Cai, asking her despite the heavy noise. Any update on Celeste? She is still held in the roomHer discharge in two days has been revoked, and it will be extended for three more days. Oh, I hope shes getting better Me too, but she is still in a coma. Thanks for the update. Once the entire banquet hall tables filled up, the waiters and waitresses began serving cold dishes. A few came in pairs, and one of each pushed a cart carrying bottles of various drinks. Of course, Baijiu is on every single one. Julius glanced at Empress Cai, knowing she wanted one bottle. He wouldve too, but after tasting the soft drink, opinions switched. And they came quickly with the carts as the entire table abruptly raised their hands. Baijiu, Yin Qishui, green tea, soy milk, Mijiu, and water. Diverse selections. In fact, Julius never tried Mijiu, so he might request one later. Woah. His mind was baffled when the waitress came up to him with a wine-like bottle that served Yin Qishui. She held the bottle as she handed it to him. Hence, Julius gripped it and nodded. Thank you. Of course, sir, she responded and handed him a metallic cup. Also, a bucket of throttling ice because soft drinks always have ice in hand. A serious unspoken rule. The cart of cold dishes came to his table, bringing the first few plates of cold sliced beef. Afterward, a plate of green vegetables was set alongside the turntable, which was in the center. Everyone leaped from the seats while carefully taking their portions. Julius waited until they finished and took his last. They sat and savored their first meal. Skoltor System monitored their calorie intake. Most have been set to match Julius minimum daily intake of seven thousand calories. I cant wait for the salmon. After reclaiming the South Cai Fishing Village, fish consumption rapidly increased. The battle had affected the swimming patterns of many aquatic species. One of them being the Moon Salmon. Julius remembered how big it was. It will be served as a main dish, and there will be two variants. One from the head kitchen, which was located separate from the banquet hall. The other being at two nearby stations. All attendees relaxed in their seats in ecstasy from the food.
Two Hours Later. The cold sliced beef and green vegetables were well received. However, the rice made the dish top-notch. All within the banquet hall cant live without rice. The calorie and nutritional intakes were different compared to Earths. It was more consumed and had fewer carbohydrates. Therefore, the portions have to be higher. Julius ate at least ten bowls. For a small bowl, that was pretty average for a big party. He thought he wouldnt be able to eat a full-size Moon Salmon but proved wrong. He consumed two big oval plates; the right size for only one fish. Gosh, Im full, Julius said, blurting to the rest of the table. I could take a walk right now. You dove into that cakeI might get a food coma from that cake, Empress Cai said. Its so creamy, sweet. Sounds of chairs creaked. Feng, Solomon, and Father Kang stood up. Im going for a run, Solomon said, twirling his fingers in a circle. Probably at the roundabout and a little outside of the manor. Sounds like a good idea, Feng stated, appearing enthusiastic. Ill follow. Father Kang pulled out a paper and handed it to Julius before joining the two for an evening workout. President Yang gulped the remaining Mijiu bottle. I already went through the private library yesterday. Why? Are you busy? Yeah. I have multiple papers in my inventory. It needs to be done before midnight, President Yang said, nodding off and leaving the table. Wait! Julius? Hows the library? Julius asked, figuring out an expectation. Im not telling you because thats a spoiler, but youll like it. Damn, nice one. Julius chuckled, accepting her answer. Theres still some time left before the tour of the private library. Hence, he looked around the crowd and turned back to Empress Cai. I havent talked to her in a long time. Ill have a chat with her to catch things up, if you dont mind. Go ahead. Im sure they want to talk to you for a long time, Empress Cai said, insisting he make her comfortable. Do they even speak our language? We speak Yue, and they were from Kriegshans army, assisting the Renos navy. Except Xavier, the rest dont even speak any of the languages in this world except the closest being Englisc. Maybe the exception for Mother Elaine, but I forgot if she could speak YueThey havent trained yet in the Merit Universe. No Skoltor Systemno translation assistance. Julius noted Mother Elaine, Xavier, Helda, and Alyssa are together excluded. All sat at the same table and appeared to keep communicating with each other. The body language was blunt and obvious, as Julius stared momentarily. Empress Cai got a fuller picture of who they were. She gave the former a look to go ahead while she prepared to leave the table and take a walk with Daiyu and Qiang. Its been ten days since. Wow! Julius couldnt imagine time had passed that fast. The workload took his focus on time away from notice. Their heights definitely have not changed. He walked up to them from behind, switching language.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. So, hows the food? Mother Elaine was startled before turning around, not expecting Julius to come up. Holy JesusDaniel dont scare me like that. Stop calling me that name, Julius said as his mouthplate opened. I hate getting called by it. Its still you. Thats your past. Julius grimaced. Which is why I move on. Julius sounds better. Dont tell me you forgot why I changed my name. No, I still remember. It took a moment. Xavier intervened. How have you been? Ive been better. I dont know what kind of lies the rest of the world has heard. The West Cai Dynasty being evil has never been so inaccurate. Living here for more than a month got me to the truth. Juliuss mouthplate reforms, covering his mouth once again. The people here are so nice, Alyssa Scarlett said, observing around the banquet hall. We were shamefully deceived by it. Wheres your truck? Helda asked. A change of pace. Julius realized the conversation aint going about the food. I wrecked itEngines gone. Not runnable. Its parked on an empty lawn in the palace. Many visitors come to the palace to see it. Ah, you reminded me. We havent seen the palace yet ever since we were transported to Longyue, Xavier reminded. Accept my invitation, and youll get the tour. The four looked at each other before nodding, accepting the invitation. Hence, the matter was settled. Ok, greatAre you guys full? Thanks for the sliced beef, Alyssa Scarlett said, wiping her mouth. I can still taste it in my mouth. Hows the cake? Xavier asked her. Sweet as it could be that I almost choked it. Ok, be serious, Xavier said. Julius turned to Mother Elaine. Damn, the first time we talked. Its been a while. I hope you didnt mind the interrogation that you and they went through. New protocol I approved. Mother Elaine shook her head. Its fine. I can understand the Yue language, so it was quick for me. Thats good. I forgot that you did learn and speak Chinese. Her face expressed her puzzlement. Not forgetting the day when I gave you the scroll. Julius shrugged. I did forget that a moment agoYou translated the written Hanzi to me. I dont know what the point of that scroll was for. It didnt result in anything that much. I thought it kept you stable for some time. Maybe, I forgot. Dont forget, I was trapped in an underground tournament for a one-year time warp. The tortures in the first 6 months made me lose a portion of my memories, Julius said before being tapped by a waitress, who offered him a glass of ice water. He grasped the cold glass, and his mouthplate opened. Thanks. So, you are telling me its even worse than what you told us back at the hotel? I can say it is, Julius agreed, while gulping the ice and water. He saw the four cringes in horror when his metallic teeth crunched the ice cubes like a grinder, not knowing his biological changes. Before we walk out, why are yall looking at me like that? Alyssa and Mother Elaine immediately held his face, forcing his mouth open. They viewed the interior of his mouth as if they were dentists. Suddenly, he felt the heat coming from down deep in his esophagus. Let go! He telepathically said, gently pushing the two away. In a blink, he blew out blue flames through his mouth, quieting the banquet hall. Julius palm was on his mouth like he was holding his cough. Darn, it''s fucking strong. The blue fire pushed his hand away, and Julius thrust his greatsword right directly above the fumes. He could hear the vacuum noise sucking the plumes. Splash! Whoever did that, thanks. A load of puddles around his feet evaporated as his body heat was on the brink of burning the floors. The one that deployed the water saved the banquet hall. Bang! Julius saw the bucket crash to the floor nearby, figuring that was all the water it needed to calm his body down. I thought it would be more. He turned around and found out to be a waiter. His qi was apparent upon eye contact. Ah, it was him. Julius understood the scenario, no need for verbal exchanges other than simple gratitude. The banquet hall quickly returned to normalcy. I think we can leave now. Theres still plenty of time. The four followed Julius out of the hall, turning left into the main hallway leading back to the entrance. They exited the space where the cool breeze swarmed past everyones eyes. A moment of serenity couldnt have come soon enough. Solomon was running at the roundabout, already sweating from the head down. He waved at Julius and the four. Are you joining us? No, Ill do a workout tomorrow. Feng and Father Kang followed along before leaping up into the air and going on a flying sprint around the lot. Julius went to an empty bench. Mother Elaine and Alyssa sat alongside him. While Xavier and Helda carelessly sat on the floor, forming a closed group circle. Each of the four had plenty of questions that wanted to be answered. Julius knew it and wanted to be deciphered right away before moving forward because the break would end tomorrow. I know you have questions, so speak away. How the hell did you become emperor? Xavier asked. Notably, the West Cai Dynasty. I got stuck againtrapped in there for five hours turned out to be two weeks. The capital was wrecked, and Empress Cai suffered hypoqi fatigue, forcing her to give me the ascendency by paper. You didnt give it back? Alyssa wondered. Julius shook his head. No, handing the paper is a permanent action. She wanted me to handle the dirty work, so I pretty much took all the burdens and responsibilities she wasnt able to do in her decade-long reign. Like what? Killing the oligarch old men. I ended the burden she had then because of those elders, and Im free to do whatever I want. Mother Elaine sighed with a smile. Being Colemonds Chief of Operations, paid off, didnt it? Indeed, it has. More than 3 years of being behind the scenes doing all the dirty work. That hasnt changed here either, Julius said, subsequently looking at Helda. He could see that her mouth twitched. The area near the neck and jaw tense up after his attention turned towards her. Do you hate Mayor Burman? She blurted. Yes! Why? Im like the ghostwriter. I dont get the nameHe gets the name. My credit is his. We aint friends. Its only the benefit of the doubt and playing along. Fuck that guy. As his wife, Helda shouldve taken a defensive stance on this. Only to go on a tangent. It was hella boring. Really? Mother Elaine and Julius simultaneously said. The former was more visually surprised, because the latter revealed his hatred for Mayor Burman. Heldas reaction added fuel. You thought they were my kids? I didnt pay attention to them as much. I would assume so, but I stand correctedBasically, youre a stepmother to themDarn. Mayor Burman has past relationships. To be honest, that sounds like hell. You three dont get along? Julius asked. Helda shook her head. Barely a backbone. And I thought socialites were having events frequently. He fabricated it to make it believe that I am. Julius leaned his back away from his legs, placing himself on the benchs backrest. His eyes stared directly at Helda. I think I got an idea how this is going to goThat leaves me with one question. Do you want to go back to earth one day? Or would you rather stay here and build yourself up from nothing with us? Heldas back slumped, looking down to process this. Take your time, Julius said, then turning to Mother Elaine. How about you? Same question. Would you? Are you going to go back? Alyssa asked. I dont think I will, Julius said. Theres no progress on who is responsible for getting me into this world to begin with. However, when that time comes. He raised his index finger. Only one reason can get me back, and if that happens, Ill find out then. Excuse me? A ladys voice called. Julius and Mother Elaine turned right to the entrance, where a young lady in a cultivation outfit constructed by black coloring and a decent number of altercations. She wasnt the only one with the suit, as multiple others had worn a similar fit that they presented themselves today for dinner. Ah, the winery bartender, Julius said, waving his hand. She walked up to the group, having something to say. I have one more bottle to spare, and if you want the last, I can give it to you right now. Is this another wine tasting of yours again? Indeed, it is. Are you willing to? Julius shrugged his shoulders. Sure, why not? I cant get drunk, anyway. He extended his hand out, prompting the winery bartender to summon a closed metallic bottle. She twisted the cap open, and a cold mist escaped through the opening, letting it out before handing it to him. Here you go. She handed five metallic cups, already filled with ice. Thank you, Yaen, Mother Elaine said. You go get some rest after all the serving done today. Yaen smiled. I appreciate it. Once I hear the taste results, Ill certainly do it. She poured the wine into each of the cups. Julius watched the wine flow into the cup. The darker shade of purple entered into the metallic space, spreading over the ice and lifting it to the metallic rim. Without the ice, it would look like the violet deep sea. Everyone took their first sip. Their eyes flashed up; eyelids taped back. When they lowered their cups. Julius looked at Yaen, wondering what ingredient she used. When did you make this? He asked while exhaling frost breath. Its freaking cold. A couple of hours before the House of Kangs banquet hall opened. In a short time? Wow, Julius said, praising the liquid. I might have to order these instead of BaijiuAnd one more thing. Was this icy feeling because of the ice or was it from an ingredient and the ice was supplementing it? Have you heard about the mountainous ice grapes? Oh, yes! The ones from the north of here, right? Shi mountains, where on the map is shaped like the character shi (). Yes, sir. How much was this? Xavier asked. Eighty Thalers. Julius spat his drink. What the hell? He chugged the rest of the wine before continuing. Thats the market value price? Yaen kneeled to the ground. Its the lowest I can go before it gets sold to the public. Before a second opinion was a hundred and fifty. How much delivery of the purple shi grapes do you get each time? Julius asked, trying to figure out the economic stance of the fruit. Since this was my first time sharing it, Ill say in that bottle alone, it takes two kilos (4.41 lbs.). Because you all enjoyed it, I have 3000 bottles ready to be made for the next three months. Thats six metric tons of grapes for three months, meaning twenty-four annually, Julius said while wondering about the state that oversees that territory. Four trips of trade. How much is one? About fifty thousand Thalers. It could be any party that paid for the cargo of Mountainous Shi Grapes. Fifty thousand thalers are expensive, or a literal yearly paycheck for an average citizen in the Moon Empire. Julius placed his cup down next to him and brought out a spare paper from his virtual inventory. He wrote all the expenses and proposed revenue generated from the 3000 bottles Yaen said. Julius handed the paper to Yaen, anticipating her thoughts. Are you insisting on more? It could be any party that paid for the cargo of Mountainous Shi Grapes. Fifty thousand thalers are expensive, or a literal yearly paycheck for an average citizen in the Moon Empire. Julius placed his cup down next to him and brought out a spare paper from his virtual inventory. He wrote all the expenses and proposed revenue generated from the 3000 bottles Yaen said. Julius handed the paper to Yaen, anticipating her thoughts. Are you insisting on more? MhmThis shit tastes good, and 3000 bottles will sell quickly. Twelve thousand wont cut it for the first year. How about this? I will put this on federal trade, and the government will provide funds while seeking a higher and better deal. Focus on making this wine. While the government and I handle the imports. Fair? Slow downHow much are you doing? Xavier blurted. Of course, this city at least loves Baijiu, but it wont hurt to have a second option as a staple. Im aiming for one million sales a month. You are so confident in this, Alyssa said, turning to Yaen. How big is your brewing company? Yaen handed the paper back to Julius. I dont even know if I can achieve that goal. Our Winery only has twenty people at peak working hours. Arent all your staff cultivators? No, only me. Julius eyebrows raised. As I thought. Her production would be low to keep up with in this demanding world. Have you considered a marketing campaign? Open hire from any qualified individuals in Tang State? Yaen shook her head, addressing concerns about the budgeting. I cant afford it beyond twenty. After salaries and expenses, we are only a thousand thalers in profit at most. Did you get paid extra today? Father Kang gave me two hundred thalers when I arrived. Ok, heres eighty, Julius said, noticing Father Kang finished his flight sprint. Thats for the bottle. Sir, I dont Julius stood up. Please, its my offering for the bottle. Thank you, sir. He dismissed her, and the rest watched her entering back into the House of Kang Manor. Mother Elaine glanced at the wine bottles handmade label. Julius asked for it, and she continued eyeing the descriptions before handing them over. The glass was still cold, which was impressive, as there was no ice. An interest in Mountainous Shi Grapes soared. He never tried it before, but the wine gave him an idea to picture how it would be. Im looking forward to the grapes. Julius gave it a nine, thanks to the kick from the first sip. The cold and ice resistance did some play into this. After drinking it more, it adapted to him and cooled his body, mellowing his rapid mind. For a drink and maintaining sobriety throughout, it was something he desired to have in his cabinet. Others shared a similar rating. However, their cold tolerance wasnt high, adding they didnt have the Merit Universe training experience to get an ice element resistance yet. Hence, they gave it around a seven. How was it? Father Kang asked, catching on. I liked it. How did you find this lady? All this time, and Ive only noticed her talent today. Oh, she lived and worked near here, outside of the roundabout in District 1. He pointed to the exit. Not that far from here. A decent walk back and youll get there. Every day until sunset, there was a trail of smoke coming off from two chimneysFollow that, and theres the place. Smoking chimneys? Why do they need that in a winery? But wait, a winery in a dense district. Aint there supposed to be a decent lot for vineyards? Julius thought for a moment, realizing the times walking down and rebuilding. He had seen it a couple of times. It was only after Father Kang said it that it made literal sense. I mean there was no marketing or signs about it, so I didnt knowA moment ago, I offered to expand the workforce with a suggestion. Father Kang scratched his head, appearing ambivalent. She cant afford I knowShe told me earlier. I want more of this product, so I offered to put this under a governments decision, Julius said. Are you sure? Julius nodded. This will go under the second budget law and maybe get a few more small businesses that needed some help on the list to make it fairer. Are you going to bring this to the Senate? Father Kang asked. Not this time, Julius muttered. Im probably putting this through an executive order. Ill have a talk with President Yang as soon as possible. Thats all I can say for now because we have so many funds from the debt Tang States reserves paid us to be considered. Feng looked at her father and the rest. Is it time for the library? Father Kang nodded in response. Yes, perfect timingShall we? He gestured to Julius and the four. All went back inside the House of Kang Manor, walking straight further in and revealing glorious architecture on display. The hallway lights flashed from the walls as it sensed movement entered deep in. It almost felt like a welcoming ceremony based on the speed, light coloring, and the vibe coming from the hallway''s matte design. Chapter 59.III – Library and Wagon (图书馆和货车) A marvelous sight to behold. The brightness displayed a humongous, vaulted roof. A rib vault, to be exact, similar to one in a cathedral. An immediate second, the entire roof illuminated and between each rib, the web, there were grand chandeliers tightly fastened to the ceiling. It switched on as Father Kang directed everybody straight down, passing the banquet halls entrance. This was the part where it was entirely new and the first time witnessing the renovations in person. The original portion of the house was covered by the banquet hall and what used to be open space, now blocked by the new matte walls. What was ahead was a T-intersection. A wide glass window, viewing the lake and beautiful night sky. To my left, your right was where we lived. Father Kang pointed in the direction before turning to his right. While this way leads to the library and the new stuff. The view of the lake while walking down the hallway was really nice. Julius mindfully continued looking at the lake from his peripherals while listening to Father Kangs tour guide''s performance. After a decent amount of steps, the hallway opened to a lobby with seats and tables at a convenience. Welcome to the Kangs Dream Library (ξͼ), Father Kang announced. If it wasnt for Emperor Julius, we wouldnt have a public libraryso give him a warmful thanks before you leave. Thats so unnecessary. Julius thought about his remarks and immediately was surrounded by warm gratitude. Most were unfamiliar faces, as this was the first time they saw him in person. Same old thanks per se. Nothing unique. Hence, he played along with a general nod and smile as, of course, his mouthplate wasnt on at this point. Multiple handshakes and greets grew to annoy him as his mind angrily ranted the fatigue. Dont fall for it. Dont do this. His mind repeated consecutively. The last incoming handshake subdued it. It must not be easy to handle all the handshakes, a youthful male voice said. You read me very well. Who are you? Julius asked. HanSong Han, he greeted, firmly shaking Julius hand. Father Kang noticed the two and walked to them. Ah, I see you two are meeting for the first time. Julius gave a look at him. You know him? Of course I do. We have known each other for more than a decade. In fact, you might recognize his work through your time here. Julius already knew about the story. Everywhere there was his creation. A part of the daily life of the people that lived on this continent. I heard about you. Thanks for the metal wagons you optimized. It steered the war efforts on transporting cargo on time. Any issues with it in your logistics? Actually, no, but I do have something for you. A request to be exact since youre here. I think youll be up to the job, Julius said while noticing Hans qi readings to be high. My ears are open. Han put off his reading glasses in his suits inner pocket. Uh, gentleman. How about we continue this conversation inside the librarys lounge? The two nodded and followed the rest of the crowd, who already were inside the librarys premises. All in their own ways and viewed records to their liking. Julius excused himself from the two to have a personal tour of the library space. A lounge at the center view of the library was a pleasant addition, giving off the luxury hotel vibe. The black walls were exactly matched with the new hallway. A dark academia setting would perfectly describe the place. Julius strolled along the lines of bookshelves, finding one part to be intriguing. The ends of each bookshelf had labels that indicated genres and alphabet order by the author''s last name. His eyes scanned through the rows. From the left corner down to the right, he immediately stopped at one book. No dust cover, but a vibrant gold font displayed on the spine. Tempted, he let his finger touch the top of the spine and pulled it out from the shelf, revealing the weight of the pages it encompassed. An epic fantasy, Julius muttered. He looked at the empty cover. Most of the books he has seen so far have no dust jacket. One thought about it, realizing dust jackets don''t exist here. They were leatherbound, hence, the unnecessary desire for one. The book Julius got out specifically. It had some art on the pure black hardcover, while the golden font title was above. The Chronicles of the Ten Lords (ʮıʷ). Oh, so a reader here. Julius turned to find Empress Cai and Daiyu stared across from him. How long have you been standing there, casually watching me? A few moments, Empress Cai said. Its something I cant get bored with. Im not surrendering. My time as prey hasnt arrived yet. Julius held the book high, unresistant, to break a smile. One dayone day. She pointed to the book the former held in his hand. That book is perfect. Anybody would recommend that if you ask. Is this a fantasy or a historical fiction? Its a Xianxia epic story written by Guo Qing from two hundred years ago, Empress Cai explained while walking with Daiyu to Julius, viewing the book. How many does this library have? She looked at the section of the shelf where Julius got it from. Ah, look, theres three morebuy this. A sudden suggestion. Julius didnt have the time to read an epic story as much as he wanted to. But then again, he found out this was the cultural book for the entire populace. Either in school or career, theyll read this from the beginning to the end. Once that background was told, Julius had no choice but to buy this book from the library. He hadnt noticed earlier, but he saw Empress Cai and Daiyu were viewing the other three editions that were next to the edition he got. They appeared to be mass-produced hardcovers, so it may be a jackpot. Hence, he exited the section of the library with the two trailed behind. Daiyu directed him to the clerk''s counter. By surprise, he met two familiar faces. Ritter? Lu Yi? My goodness. What a day, Julius said, placing the book on the counter. You looked delirious, Ritter said. More than that, I found you two here. It feels like a promotion. Doesn''t it? Free from the underground and oppression. Lu Yi grabbed the book. Life can be so sudden. No matter what kind of person you are, it has unpredictability. Youre not wrong with thatAnyway, Im glad to see yall in excellent hands. Checking out? Julius shook his head and said: Im buying it. He went into his pockets to grab two Thaler bills while Lu Yi looked at the hardcover. Julius assumed this would probably be twenty thalers. He placed the bills on the table and saw Lu Yi give a nod with widened eyes. Interesting choice, she said, assumingly able to read Yues language. Even in Kriegshan, these were in the book market. It was a mixed bag, but many youngsters like me then would read this in our free time. Lu Yi showed it to Ritter. Good choice. I was thinking you might be buying some rare books. I stand corrected. Julius chuckled. Really? That was your impression of me? He then handed the thaler bills to Lu Yi. Well, its only worth it if its extraordinary or some kind of relic. The three smiled, and not long after, Lu Yui handed Julius the change. Five thalers. She then gave him the book, and Julius greeted them, wishing for the best. He, along with Daiyu and Empress Cai, walked back into the library. They headed for the librarys central lounge. Han sat at his spot, waiting for him. Father Kang, who sat across from him, stood up, leaving him and Julius for the conversation. Empress Cai and Daiyu separated and went off, hanging out with the rest over books. Started a drink without you. Hope you dont mind, Han said through his sip of cold red wine. Better late than ever, Julius said before being confronted by a butler. What do you want for a drink? Ill take the one he has, Julius said, making himself comfortable on a couch-like quality chair. He laid his arms on the armrest. I take it you are anticipating something new arriving at your doorstep? As an ideaIm waiting for one to come knocking on my head. I guess Ill be the one doing the jobTheres one coming now. All ears, Han said, putting down his cup. Julius pulled many folded papers from his overcoats outer left pocket and sat them on the table. He doesnt let him view it yet. Lets upgrade your carriages. I suggest we remove the horses and keep the driver. Then we pull the driver''s seat inside the roof He saw Hans eyes blink a few times, trying to process what he had said. As expected, since the idea he has doesnt exist yet in Planet Raal. Not everybody in the capital saw it either. Hence, Han had to interrupt his train of thought. Thats quite boldI dont think that can be possible. Without the horses, it wont move. Unless somebody is constantly pushing from behind. When you think about its not that bold. Ill ask you. Have you made anything mechanically related? Like gear-wise or technology? The water roller machine. Yes. Why? I want you to apply that process into the carriage, Julius said, then sliding the folded papers to him. That thing can operate on its own as long as it has a power source. For carriages, it could too. Han grabbed the paper and began reading the papers. His eyes became a magnet, reviewing the ten pages of paper. Everything should be there, and easy to explain. Julius was hoping he could understand the basics. What is this machinery? Your carriages potential transformation, Julius said. The butler arrived with his drink. He took a sip of the ice-cold grape wine. It had a similar feeling to Yaens wine, but the potency was lesser. However, it tasted good too. After taking another sip, he noticed Han was finished with three pages, waiting for him. So? How is it? Ihad to admit. Its fucking cool. Did you draw this? Julius nodded, leaning up from his seat. Yes, by hand, onto the paper. I had a couple of drafts beforehand that never came across. This was the last batch that Im showing to you. Its made of metal. Correct. The entire frame is metal. Specifically, steel throughout the car.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Is that what this is called? Han asked, gesturing to the papers. YepI know everything in there seemed alien. However, I hope the descriptive diagram will make it easier for you to understand what Im requesting. Han skimmed through the remaining pages and quickly put it down. He then called for the butler to send him a full bottle of grape wine. Julius sensed that was enough to get him to talk. So, youre suggesting that I build this, correct? Julius silently nodded and summoned fifteen thousand thalers'' worth of money on the table. Ill give you fifteen thousand to say yes. Woah, you didnt give me time to think about it. Youll have plenty of time after a yes. This is a long-term project aimed at being a successor to your innovative wagon, and based on your record, you wanted another revolutionizing creation, Julius said, taking another sip of the grape wine. Imagine not having to depend on horses, and only one person has to control the vehicle, taking themselves, someone, or something far away at a shorter time. Thats not what Im thinking about. I dont have the complete manpower or funds to do this. Even if I do this alone with a few assistants, this could take years to do. If you say yes, not only will I get involved, but youll be in the frequent meetings related to technology and innovation. Also, the government will be responsible for your funding. That way, you can decide how to schedule this entire process. Julius waited for his reaction and response. He was about to hit the limit on what he wanted to say and held off as much as possible until Han said yes. So, Julius relaxed and moved away from the table, surrendering to the backseat, which was very comfortable. Take your time. Im not in a rush. That should do it. Julius mind steered away from the conversation. He had a look around the other parts of the library, observing everything. A couple more sips, emptying the cup. To the left, where Julius hadnt walked to yet, was the theater. The lounge and corresponding parts of the library were on a raised platform, allowing a full, wide view below it. This library was incredible. Not a library to be seen that has a theater and a working restaurant next to it. Hopefully, people wont be too careless and cause a mess in the future. The layout seemed to fill the ambitious thoughts as Julius mentally drafted proposals for future educational institutions. A gothic hallway and a black-themed library might do the trick. Maybe not too dark, but each institution will have its own visualization of color and architecture. A minute later, the butler, who looked busy in the background, came up with a bottle of grape wine that Han suggested. He was nice enough to pour some for Julius and asked for any more offers. The latter looked at his face, noticing a hint of a bad day. Hence, Julius gave him a tip of a hundred thalers. Sir, I cant take this, the butler said. Well, you better take it. Im going to be doing this often around the city, bringing productivity and moraleEnjoy it while you can, alright. The butler hesitated, but eventually bobbed his head, accepting the tip. I will, sir. Thank you. He then left the lounge, leaving Julius and Han. In perfect timing, Han agreed. So, you agree? Yes, because I want to know more, Han replied with curiosity. What I wanted to know is how you came up with this. It appeared the conversation turned out to be a long one because others had turned their attention to the two. Hence, Father Kang stepped into the lounge area, calling for his cup. He joined up with the two. Whats up, guys? You took your time. Well, we actually just got started. Han accepted the pay deal, so now we can start discussing the future of this project. The butler came with a spare metallic cup of ice, handing it to Father Kang. Father Kang looked at Han. Anyway, sorry for interrupting. You can continue. Yeah, I was asking how he came up with this idea and all the stuff written on this pile of papers. Screw it. Everyone is going to find out, anyway. Because Im an alien. Excuse me? Han, confused, stared at Julius momentarily before turning to Father Kang as if he was being serious. The latter drank his grape wine from his cup, simultaneously nodded and went blunt. Hes not jokingA lot of his ideas and expressions were alien, however, his explanations were comprehensive to us, so we understood his intentions quickly. Han turned back, looking more convinced. Does this car exist in your place of origin? Yes, its the standard of ground transportation. Most people use it to travel, work, or collect them for entertainment. And the horses? Its for ceremonial events. Unless this one sovereign nation or region retained its culture, then it would make sense to still use horses. But that only accounts for like one percent, Julius revealed. He maintained eye contact, wanting to see how Han took the information. Unless you are similar to the Zhao clan by look, horses are used by what they called cowboys to handle cattle. There was a moment of silence. Father Kang wasnt fazed. Youll realize how cruel and different that world is later on. Just hear the projects proposal, he added. Finally, the conversation steered back to the project. Julius let go of the lock and revealed the information one by one. The conversation of the three dragged on and lasted for fifty minutes. It attracted others into it midway through. Empress Cai, Daiyu, the rest of the Skolritters, and more took the surrounding seats of the lounge, filling it at max capacity. The staff had to take breaks to hear it, even sitting on the floors as there were no seats left. No secrets because nobody except the ones who experienced Julius pickup truck before it was destroyed knew what it was like. Or, of course, the ones that came from Earth. By the end of it, the curious minds of everyone expanded. Even Mother Elaine wondered what Julius could be talking about because the projects perspective on a vehicle was more like a fantasy. Helda had more impactful thinking as it revealed during the conversation she would be interested in driving one. She was also into street racing, but her past life refrained her from doing so. Hence, she was the most excited. So, three models? Han asked. Correct. You and everybody else on the team can take two. Ill take oneThis is a collaboration project; it will make things more compelling. Julius drank a gulp of his grape wine refill. Well talk more about this in the second budget meeting. Everyone else stood after the three rose from the table. Julius shook hands with Han. The latter had confidently accepted the fifteen thousand from earlier, putting it in his secured bag. Well be in touch within the next week, Julius said. Ill see you then, Han said his farewell to everyone and left the lounge first. Julius and Father Kang watched him depart. You think he can do it? Julius whispered to Father Kang. Yes, sir. He will. Anything difficult and unusual motivates him. Julius mouthplate and the mask reformed around his lower face, signaling to others he was ready to leave. He turned to Father Kang, thanking him. I appreciate this tour and the food. May I wish the best in spreading the knowledge to the world? Father Kang shook his hand. It will be an honor, he said. The first day of the inaugural opening ceremony was a success.
5 days later (Y1010 06 5) Papers were everywhere on the floor. The space was quiet except for the sounds of movement on the table and swirls that followed, and then there was a knock on the door. Come in! Julius exerted his voice at the door. Julius? Daiyu opened the door. What is it? A couple of senators want to have a meeting with you later today, Daiyu said, placing the papers at Julius table. These are their requests and what they wanted to discuss with you about. Julius stopped drafting his project plans, leaning back in his chair and reviewing the papers. He was about to lose it, but not in front of Daiyu. Hence, he threw the papers to the floor along with the pile of mess. I dont care what they want. Theyre going to sneak in some deals in this budget law for their own personal gain. Especially, in the messages mailbox, none of the people they represent were in support of these demands. It was empty, Daiyu said, closing the door. RightSo, next time, if they send another of these within the five days until I pass this, throw it away, Julius ordered. You can read it, but I suspect most of it is useless. Daiyu, tying her hair back, understood her directions. Hows the project draft doing? Julius stood from his seat, walked to the shelf behind him, and pulled out a binder filled with data sheets. Half good and half bad. Share with me the bad news. He sat down with the binder slammed on the desk, not fazing her. Well, material-wise. I want this specific metal. Julius opened the binder and took one sheet of paper that he was looking for from the sleeves, showing it to Daiyu. I think you might have some knowledge of this. She went to an empty chair in front of his desk and sat down. It took her a couple of seconds to view the paper. Oh, Yuenite. But thats from a different sovereign state. Exactly. And I wanted some of it because Yuenites durability is stronger than steel. Unfortunately, we only have enough for three vehicles. So, theres no chance for error, and I dont want to take that risk. Can Solomon duplicate the remaining Yuenite? Daiyu suggested. He has done some duplication before. Even the medical tents. Sure, but I dont want to waste his qi, draining him out. Its difficult to duplicate everything, you know. Have you contacted or gotten any information about the Green States loyalty (ɫ). Julius shook his head, denying any attempts from their side being made. So farOnly two of the thirty states immediately responded after the letter was sent. Sounded like the rest didnt take this seriously. There was one type of oil there that also helped for future projects and construction. Its located in Green States Jade Desert. All of it is there. When Julius heard her suggestion, one idea popped into his head, easing a little of his frustration. He took a blank piece of paper and began writing something on it. A brief and brief paragraph. It was handed to Daiyu, and she read what was written. Her eyes then stared back at Julius. Are you sure you want to do this? I have no choice but to, Julius said in a monotone, pointing to the paper. Have this delivered to Lin, so she can copy it multiple times. Send this to everyone in power and the military. Ill declare martial law in about an hour. Daiyu stood up from her seat, almost doubting the certainty. She took one deep breath. Anything else? Nothing for now, thank you, Julius said. Are you ok? You look a little pale for a moment. Daiyu shook her head. Its nothing. I never lived in a period when this would occur. All news to me. I seeBut listen, I always had thoughts on what was going to happen minutes, hours, and days ahead when I used to be in the military back on Earth. My superiors always told me to get enough sleep because you never know what might happen and when a mission happens, youre up till completion, Julius advised. Uncertainty is painful but must be embraced. If this uncertainty is true, then when can we get peace? Daiyu asked. Like I saidembrace the uncertainty and if we understand that, it will be far quicker. Ok, Daiyu muttered. She took a deep breath again and departed his office, heading to the Moon Registry. Julius was left alone once more in his private office, which was next to his public office and the black meeting room. Ever since the Emperors office building was built near the East Wing, he had been in his office more than his official residence. Despite the constant reminders from the ones close to him to get some rest, he had been ignoring their concerns. Not counting the time spent at Level 2 of the Merit Universe, Julius had not slept for the past twenty days. It was strange to not sleep for such a long time and nothing health-wise happened. Julius random thought of how energy-absorbing and efficient Planet Raal humans compared to Earth was astronomical. That new organ is next to my stomach. It was pretty anomalous. He wished he could be distracted longer but an announcement about to happen in an hour and finishing the projects draft before it, stopping him from easing for long. Luckily, the drafting didn''t take much longer. He drew the last bits of the engine of the car. A V10 into this motherfucker of a beast. This world ain''t ready for this masterpiece. He took influence from the 1969 Dodge Charger in terms of the overall frame structure. However, he proposed the rear to extend back further, matching the length of a 1973 Buick Riviera. Everything from the end of the front row doors to the headlights was Dodge Charger-influenced. While to the rear take from the Riviera. He took a bit from the boat tail design that the Buick Riviera was known for from 1971 to 1973. Instead of one spot, Julius drafted the vehicle to have each rear side have a tailpipe. One requirement of the exhaust and tailpipe was to be built by using any kind of metal that could handle high magnitudes of energy. Despite being a V10, the engine will be optimized to unleash jet-like performances. Hence, it required a strong and sturdy exhaust system. The interior will be more modernized but basic as he doesnt want any touch screens. For this draft, the most will be buttons and switches to fully go with the jet-optimized V10 engine. Two seats will be constructed comfortably and durable for insane trips. No sedan. Julius wished this to be a vehicle not only for two people at most but also on the battlefield, and he didnt want distractions of potential disarray from the inside. It will be more work for Julius to craft this machine. To be honest, he wanted this. He missed driving a vehicle, especially being born in America. The one factor he had to keep in mind was to fully go by the Earths standards, but Planet Raal. Luckily, Han will be the perfect help for that. After reviewing it one more time, he placed it in a spare folder, along with other pages of drafts. Julius stood and closed his binder, returning it to the shelf. His private office was messy because of so many papers, but he didnt care. It was the only place where he didnt have to worry about causing a ruckus. He departed his private office with the folder in his grip, crossing through a separate hallway that leads to his public office called the Emperors Compound. Julius exited through the secured doors, which directed back to the hallway that on the right led to the Black Room. He flash-stepped out of the building, arriving at the Moon Senate, where he would make the announcement. Here we go. Interlude Two – The Doctor (2) Colemond Earth The moment Annia stepped foot inside her house, she immediately ran to her private office upstairs. Her right arm got locked again and sparks flickered from the edges of her fingernails. She forced herself down to her seat and quickly opened one of the desk''s drawers, revealing an extra smartphone. Hence, Annia took it and placed it on her desk, opening it through tight security. Come on. After going through the tight security setup, she braced her right arm as the pain escalated. Her jaws clenched and sweat dripped from the edge of her neck down to her shirt. As painful as it was, she had to let off the grip and bear through it. On the phone screen, she clicked on the contacts list. One scroll reached the bottom where the last entry was all symbols and various Chinese characters. A subsequent click was sent to the phone call screen, and the device beeped. Hello? a male voice spoke through the speaker. Its been a while, but Im in trouble. All members should convene. A moment of silence. Annia heard the voice humming, as if he was thinking of an answer. HmmIm surprised to even hear you calling us. Annia, who was now grunting through her teeth and her voice turned hoarse, responded. We can banter whatever we want, butmy case everyone has to be present. Alright then. Where are we meeting up? The male voice switched tone of concern. My place. I broke the neighborhoods security entrance, so you can go through freely. Well see you then, the male voice said, cutting off communications on his end. Annia looked up from her desk, viewing the window at the corner of her office. Her right arm wasnt cooperating, and it was getting filled up like being sucked up by a vacuum. Hence, the way she figured it out at the gate and tried it again here. Despite the feeling of paralysis, her one will forcibly yank up the arm right toward the window. A light of purple brightened from her palms. Each second it kept increasing to almost as if staring blankly at the sun. Her eyes reacted, forcing her head to turn away and her eyes shut. Boom! A force nudged her right arm back a little, not enough to tip her balance. The noise ringed her ears because it was loud, like a stereo speaker. Simultaneously, Annia tried to wrap her left arm around her face to cover both ears. Her whole body experienced a vibration from head to toe. She bent her knees in response to keep her balance on both feet. It felt long, but the action abruptly subdued. Everything went silent. The pain and semi-paralysis in her right arm ceded. When the vibrations calmed down, Annia slowly unwrapped her left arm, loosening her fist from the back-right of her head that covered her right ear. Afterward, Annia opened her eyes, finding the office to be foggy and smelling smoky. Her focus steered towards the direction of the window. She ignored the annoyance of her nose from the effects of the fog, turning out to be white smoke. One whiff of the gesture broke it off, revealing the window to be demolished. A couple thousand dollars'' worth of custom wall panels were torn off from the blast. The smoke eventually followed the airflow from outside, quickly departing the office. Only luck could leave the rest of the office, not an unbearable mess of rubble. An enormous space beyond necessary for a private home office but filled with many personal items and furniture. Coincidentally, she had recently done some cleaning before today and that spot was one of them being arranged. Just my luck. Annia sat on her office chair and breathed in and out consecutively. She didnt believe that this was real. Even today in the hospital, the powers and magic she witnessed were supposed to be fictional. There was one new thing that came to mind, and she regretted not taking the opportunity before.
A minute turned into twenty. Annia had passed out on her chair, only to be awoken by sounds of sirens and footsteps from downstairs. The rumbling came up louder and faster. She rubbed her eyes as the office door opened, only to be met by a few police officers. Ah, great. The two of them again. What the hell do they want? She angrily thought, almost wanting to go back to sleep again, rather than seeing the police again. But it was too late now. You two again? Annia asked grudgingly. Before the two policemen could say anything, a tall, broad man in a black t-shirt and military pants appeared behind them, towering over their heads. Then a bearded man with a roughed-up face and neatly slicked back silver hair joined in. Im sorry gentlemen, the issues are on us, the former pulled out his FBI identification card. The latter pulled out his card, also FBI identification. He took a cigarette and started smoking, unfazed by the policemen. I heard no such order, the first policeman said. Why should we? The tall, broad man said. I saw you two barged into the front door. Thats fucking trespassing on someones property. We The two men each grabbed the policemen by their necks and pushed them. Immediately, they body-slammed the two down on the hardwood floor, knocking them out. Great. Now Im in trouble, Annia muttered with her hand pressed on her forehead. Youll be fine, the broad man said, dismissing the concerns. Besides, they dont even have body cameras or proper equipment. He quickly investigated everything they came up with. It looked like he was pulling papers out of a folder. That was when Annia lowered her guard, realizing the situation. Fake police? She thought, upon figuring out what they were, when the broad man revealed a badge from one of the supposed policemens chest pockets. He handed it to her. Annia found a printed fake of Colemonds police department badge. How the hell? Youre persuaded? Yes, but in fact, I called you for a different reason, Annia said, then showed him her right arm. Agent Sleep, do you have a vacant spot for me? Her right arm looked toasted. The upper layer of skin disintegrated and tore off bits of her long sleeve. There was still some sparking blitz coming out of her fingers. It was enough for Agent Sleep (A.S). He took out his pistol and shot both of the policemen in the head, fatally killing them. Annias head jerked upon the shots fired and blood splattered to the floor. Not in my house! She turned to the big open hole. The fucking neighbors are gonna hear this fiasco! Agent Sleep put his gun away. Did you forget we have an entire team everywhere? A few are outside right now, blocking and absorbing the sound from going any further. She looked back at the wide hole and walked right near it to find a few in suits standing outside on her lawn. They had swords carried on their backs. Four black Chevy Suburbans were parked in her roundabout driveway. A large security detail. Annia then saw more gathered around a car near the driveways entrance. Fake sirens. Darn, I shouldve known. The next second, two vehicles came turning into her driveway. They were greeted in waves by the ones on her lawn. It parked right in front of her houses main double door, which was empty and not taken. A black custom Mercedes Benz coupe. Oh, it seems theyre here, Agent Sleep said, walking up to view the front lot. He peeked out to get a clearer view of the two vehicles that had arrived. GreatDales here. Darn, he got a Vision Maybach 6. Lucky bastard. The Vision Maybach 6s headlights flashed off. Two doors opened. Dale came out of the drivers side, revealing his rough burn scars all over his face. He has a t-shaped scrape on the left side of his forehead. Unlike his younger brother Tiberius, who was with Agent Sleep, he wore a black bomber jacket and also wore military pants and boots. Dale was armed. He had a whole tactical belt that was covered by the jacket. Annias one glance and she could see he had two pistols equipped. Dale saw Annia and Agent Sleep above and waved back. He rarely smiled, so it was a surprise to see him respond happily. He then went over to the passenger side where a blonde lady in sunglasses and also the same fit came out. Dale waited until she walked out and closed the door. The two walked into her house. Behind Vision Maybach 6 was a BMW. Agent Marriott, who looked bigger than the last time she met him and broad as Agent Sleep, exited from the SUV. His gray hair was gone and his skin tone looked smoother. For a doctor like Annia, she wondered if he had surgery or if it was some magical shit that came from Agent Sleeps team. Magical shit cant be shit anymore. Her experience got her sold into finding a solution or adapting to it somehow. Hence, Annia wanted everyone at her place to talk about it. Annia and Agent Sleep retreated from the large hole and turned back into the office, where they saw Tiberius summoning a pen the size of a greatsword. The two policemens bodies have already been searched. The latter marked them by unleashing a load of black ink from the pens tip like a paintbrush all over the upper body. He dropped the pen to the side, causing the upper floor to shake momentarily. Afterward, Tiberius summoned an axe, generating a gust of black energy. It encircled him and exerted through the open space. Is this real? Annia asked. Youre not in a dream, Agent Sleep said, turning directly at her. Now, do you believe us? After all these six years? Annia nodded, without a doubt. I do. Ill explain a bit when this mess is over, but I met Daniel earlier today at the hospital. Thats why I called yall. Daniel? That manJesus, its been a long ass time we saw him. I never thought he would help us the way he did. I owed him. Slit! Bang! An upsurge of energy from Tiberius hit right to her stomach, powerful enough to trigger a flashback of the operating room. Woah. She took it well because her eyes flashed back to reality, finding herself still up on foot. By then, it was already over. The supposed mess didnt exist. No blood, no marks, or remains. Tiberius turned around and gave a nod. All clean. Annia, confused, wondered what he did. How? Theres nothing left. Fwn Mf (ħ). Or Rune magic. Its a type of magic system, and it''s been a while since they first arrived on Earth, Tiberius said. We dont know how it got here, but Agent Sleep started it all because he found a letter on a random hill while hiking at some of the Colemonds terrain all those years ago. Annia turned to Agent Sleep, not even sure to deny it at this point. That was you? Agent Sleep nodded, gesturing her back to the offices doorway. Where would you want us to talk about this? This is almost like an introductory lecture course, after all. The other side of my house is a movie theater. We can all convene there. Ill ask my maid to send the drinks, Annia said and pulled her smartphone out. Hello, Annia? The maid responded through the phone. Can we hold back dinner for a moment and bring the drinks up to the movie theater? Of course, but do you want to have dinner in the same place? The seats have tables too.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Annia looked at others, asking if they wanted dinner. They won''t mind. Agent Marriott came up the stairs at the last moment. He accepted the offer because he was actually starving. Ok, sure. Tell Gretel to come upstairsYou can join us in the movie theater. Ill think about it, but thanks, the maid said, then ending the call. Annia put her smartphone away. Alright, well, lets go to the movie theater, shall we? You have a big house for yourself, Laura said, taking off her sunglasses. Got to spend the money somehow, Annia said, walking out of her office first. Since this is yall first time, I can give you a tour once all this is over? I could use some spare time, Tiberius said. All unanimously agreed, and Annia departed the office with others following her across the hallway. It was indeed a big house for only three people since the maid lived with her and Gretel. Seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms. And there it is, Annia said, opening the theaters secured door. Heavy and multiple-layered material to suppress the noise. Nothing inside or outside of space can be heard once the door is closed. She let everybody in first before her, leaving the door open for the maid and Gretel. Do you guys want any drinks? Annia walked to the movie theaters open bar next to the doorway, stationed on the highest platform. The home theater was constructed like an actual movie theater where it was constructed on an incline and stairways leading down to the screen. No thanks. I rather eat dinner first before having a drink, Agent Sleep said. Same thing for us. Wait until after dinner, Dale said. Annia mentally felt disappointed but exited the open bar and walked down the home theaters stairs to the middle of the space where it was the most open of all and there were actual dinner tables. There were two, and they were placed very close to each other, so the group conversations wouldnt be as awkward. Everyone got their own seats with various comfort features. Laura, once immediately sat down, pushed the button to lift her leg, putting her on a slight incline. She took her boots off, allowing her feet to get comfortable. When they all sat down, Gretel came in with the maid behind. Tiberius and Dale stood from their seats, prompting her to respond. Its fine. Even without my legs, I can still go down like everyone else can. She wasnt lying as the wheelchair she sat on smoothly went down the staircase. Agent Sleep carefully looked at it, appearing to be interested in the technology and the wheels when interacting with such elevation. Young lady? Who built that wheelchair? I did, Gretel said. It took me two years to find the equation and an innovation in the ending process. Impressive. You should join us after all this time. Agent Sleep, not now. You didnt know? Daniel left her a phone number six years ago that led to us. She was a great help, and in return, we gave her the materials she requested, Agent Sleep said and turned to Gretel. I never knew you were using it for thisYou impressed me. I appreciate your kind remarks. Now, can we all eat? The maid came with two carts worth of meals. She might look like an average woman, but her strength was unique as she walked down the stairs while having the whole filled cart on her shoulder. Once she reached the table, the maid carefully leveled it back down, leaving no spills or slipped dishes. Dinner today smelled good and attractive. Annia glanced at the cart to find multiple dishes of fried salmon and mixed greenery on the second rack. On the first rack were all the non-alcoholic beverages, cups, and a stack of large rice bowls. The maid handed everyone a dish before serving the drinks and placed two large rice bowls at each table. Afterward, everyone savored the fresh salmon. The conversation began about Daniels recent moment. Daniel was here? Dale asked, sounding surprised. At the hospital, yes, Annia said, while chewing the green vegetables. He might be the reason I got his new power. Agent Sleep stopped eating, expressing his curiosity. He drank a gulp of root beer and asked. He has powers too? Im not an expert, but after sensing Tiberius that got me recalled back to the operating room, Daniels energy was much stronger than him. He almost wrecked an entire floor and the operating room to fend off against a portal that was summoned in the viewing room. Wheres he now? Dale asked. I dont know. He disappeared, Annia said, leaning back in her chair. You heard about his resignation? Are you serious? Agent Sleep didnt take those words passively. When Annia nodded, he took a breather. Shit, he was the reason this city thrived for the past three yearsDaniel was the only one in government that understood these issues with the rune magic system and put the bridge of communication with the mayor. Laura grunted. Mayor Burman? I hate that guy. He was terrible and was only bearable because of Daniels pressureFuck. Dale was definitely not pleased with the sudden outcome of Daniels mysterious departure. He requested more water. The maid handed him a bottle of alkaline water. He drank another gulp after pouring it into his glass. If we dont act quickly, this could go a reverse 180. Who knows when hell come back? Laura leaned up. If the Chief of Operations desk aint up on the table, we to stop him from winning a third term next year. Not only that, but if touches or finds out anything related to Rune Magic, hes going to destroy everything and put us closer to a global war, Tiberius said. Annia, who was listening to all of their input as it continued, ate the last greenery on her plate. She drank a sip of crme ale and offered something. I have one offer. My place isnt that far from downtown. Fifteen minutes on the interstate and we immediately arrived at the city hall. Since Im on temporary leave from the hospital, Ill be here more often and free, Annia said. So, do you guys accept a suggestion that a part of my house is a temporary satellite base for your operations? Everyone looked at each other simultaneously before turning back to Annia. The maid has some opinions to clear out of the way. Annia let her say her concerns. As a result, it wasnt crazy, and, in fact, it was worth telling. Hence, she wondered what the rest felt about it. Dale suggested it wasn''t crazy to borrow a part of her backyard to build a guesthouse. Annia already made her stance, adding the maids critique; it wasnt breaking the boundary. She was lucky that her house and the neighborhood where each resident had an enormous lot, so the deal was settled on the condition there was no swimming pool. The requests and critiques the maid made were about her limits of serving other people, which everyone else had to tell her they appreciated her dinner today. They understood the stakes and could take care of themselves, so the table wasnt bothered. With that out of the way, they took the rice bowls and ate all of them. The conversation continued while the maid went to the open bar and served them homemade wines and cocktails.
A couple of hours have passed since dinner began. Gretel and the maid had left the home theater to do their own personal thing. The entire conversation until now was actually catching things up rather than getting to business. An actual conversation had only begun. Agent Sleep and Annia were at the home theaters open bar, taking their whiskey sips, with the former pulling out a question. Hows your arm? Thank god nothing crazy happened yet, but I wonder what you can do to help me with this? Well, since your lot has huge acres of space, we can do training in your backyard. The second option is to go to Colemonds private airport. We own most of the hangars there, but knowing you, I dont think you will pick the latter option. Annia smiled, drinking the last sip of her whiskey. You got itIm doing it in my backyard. If the neighbors watch, then I dont care anymore, she said before immediately feeling a tingling in her head. Her hand gripped the back of her right neck while grunting involuntarily. Agent Sleep put his glass down, prompting Annia to dismiss his concerns. Ok, we will start training your body tomorrow morning, Agent Sleep said. He announced it to the rest, allowing them to set up the schedule. He turned back to Annia, making one remark. I wonder what your powers can do. Its always fascinating for everyones first-time experience. Is it really that unique? Yeah. Anybody can have the same element or attribute, but on a micro level and psychologically, its not the same. There was no paragraph mentioning it, so go with the flow. As long as I dont get this paralysis shit again. Annia thought, hating that experience of a locked limb. The two continued conversing for a little longer before joining back with the rest. Everyone would talk about future plans and Daniel was mentioned in almost every sentence. Once the conversation was finished, at this time Annia would feel it was time to go to bed and instead do the tour tomorrow because it was past ten. Tonight was the first time she didnt feel drowsy or sleepy. She told the table, and they said that if her power was related to the Rune Magic system, her basic stamina would increase, and sleep necessity would be significantly reduced. Everyone stood up and Laura placed her left palm out, dispersing an inverted vacuum pressure to the table. It sounded like a flashbang as it throttled Annias ears. In a flash, the table was clean, with no residues or food stains left behind. Incredible. I want to know what the heck my power is. I know its late, but since Im still full of energy, can we do the tour and training right now? Annia asked. How about we skip the tour? Agent Marriott suggested. Save that for later than we will be busy in your backyard, getting this new situation sorted out. Agent Sleep turned to Annia. We can train right now. She nodded and walked out of the home theater with others following her. They headed down the grand staircase that led back to her house entrances double door, which was trashed. Both of the expensive doors lay cracked on the tile floor. Annia ignored it and turned back into the house which directed to the living room and the open kitchen. The door that opens to the backyard was in the living room. She unlocked it and revealed the backyard to them. There it is. Is that good enough? Annia asked, as her backyard was only grass and flat surface. There were partial fences far straight ahead, enough to figure out the border. Also, those few trees on the left and right are the corresponding borders. Agent Marriott walked down to the center of the lot, analyzing the space. Not bad. This will be enough. He then looked down and did a few stomps with his boots. Annia didnt know what he was doing but watched. She heard Agent Sleep send command lines through his phone. Tiberius joined with Agent Marriott, summoning a giant-sized pen. He followed the latters instructions where he pointed to where to mark and draw lines, treating the backyard like a canvas. Tiberius was really proficient in how much ink to use because having a pen that big would result in the possibility of black ink squirting out if it was poorly handled. From Annias perspective, their process turned into watching track and field. Two racers ran at a constant speed, but one was giving instructions while the other set the ink. It was a big backyard, so it made sense. She pulled out her smartphone, opened her stopwatch, and pressed the start button.
Done, Agent Marriott said. Annia clicked the stop button, ending at two minutes. Nicely done, Agent Sleep said, giving Marriott the clear. He nodded and told everyone to step back. Agent Marriott threw his jacket away from the site and raised his right hand into the air, clenching it into a fist. Light triggered around his entire arm, gathering around his knuckles. The color of his arm turned grey. His arm grew longer and bigger than his torso, and the skin turned rocky where between the small cracks dropped residues of dust. Agent Marriott was looking up at the night sky until the arm was fully formed. Then he leaped up high with his enlarged, rocky right arm aimed right at the ground. He was probably eighty feet up in the air before a dive, boosting his speed with a prepared punch. When he landed, Agent Sleep stepped in front of the group and summoned a three-story high shield, protecting themselves and Annias house. While covering herself, the latter could hear the rocks clashing right to it as loud as gunshots. Thank God that it was quick. Annia thought and breathed when it was over. When she looked at her backyard, most of the grass was gone. It was as if a pavement was built. That wasnt all. The incomplete borders of her lot were replaced with high rocky fences like at a medieval castle. There you go. A pavement has been built with no construction equipment. If it wasnt for his shield, you would have destroyed the roof, Laura said, warning him to be careful next time. Alrightalright, Agent Marriott responded, not wanting to create an argument. Agent Sleep stepped onto the new pavement, taking a few walks. He nodded, approving it. Afterward, he glanced at Annia, directing her to stand at a spot. Hence, Annia went right to the spot where she stood on his opposite side. Her eyes stared at him, wondering what he was going to do. That was when he told her to take a couple of steps back. She listened and Agent Sleep did the same. Were ready! Agent Sleep yelled. A couple of suited agents that were from the front lot flew up in the air, carrying some technological equipment. Annia saw them placing them at the edge of the pavement on her left, while a few were on her right. Once they finished, a transparent wall shield was generated, forming a rectangular closed space. That will keep us from destroying the neighborhood, Agent Sleep said. Destroy the neighborhood?! Lets begin! Agent Sleep shouted, summoning two katanas. Here! Thats yours. Work with it. Annia grabbed the sheathed katana. It felt heavy, almost as if she held up a chair and moved it. As her hands grabbed the hilt after withdrawing the sheath, an immediate weight from her shoulders gushed through her arm, right to the wrist. The same electric charge from hours ago, but Annia felt no paralysis as she gave a little swirl. The more she moved her arms with the katana, the weight lessened. However, there was a sting from her forearms, and she jerked her arm downward. She let go of the katana and found a small gash in both, leaking blood. Are you ready?! Agent Sleep asked from across. Give me a moment! Theres blood all over my forearms, Annia said. Youll have to get used to this pressure if you want to make it out long-term! Agent Sleep reminded her and threw a gauze roll. Wrap this up! It will save you some troubleGet used to the wear and tear. Shit. Annia hurried, wrapping the gauze roll around both of her forearms one at a time. Once she was done, she put it in her pants pocket and picked the katana back up. The weight came back but it will have to do. A moment of deep breaths, not knowing what she would expect in the next few minutes or whenever. When her eyes saw him move in a flash, Annias entire body instinctively moved, leaving it to do the work. Clash! Her first day has begun. Chapter 60.I – Lich Emperor: 1 (巫妖皇帝: 一) (Lich Kaiser: 1). 27 days later (Y1010 06 27) How long have we been here? Julius asked, with blood spitting out of his nose. A hundred and fifty days, Empress Cai said. Her arm was broken. Celeste was fixing her arm at Julius request. My God. I really lost it. Julius realized his perception of time was lost. Hence, he sat down on the floor next to the campfire. It was a cool night; a rarity in all of the days. He hated being at this level. The prior level had warned him and the participants how much it would escalate from much onwards. He believed it, but the expectations were not met. This supposed expectation was to finish within less than a month. The reality came hard when it passed that, and the wonders of time subdued to the point of even forgetting. It felt like torture, reminiscent of the underground tournament. Solomon came from behind and shouted Julius name, startling him out. Woah! Julius blurted, but it did get him out of dark thoughts. Almost got off track again. Here. Solomon handed him a couple of napkins. You need to rest up. Tomorrow, we are back out, moving to the castle. Time does fly quickly, Julius muttered before spitting blood. No more talking, Empress Cai said, looking over at Celeste, who was about to finish. Give him a Yu Qishui (ˮ) (Jade Soda). When Celeste finished, she hovered over, using Vesper to guide her right to Julius side. She handed him a small glass bottle. Vivid green with a slight blue hue reflected off the glass from the campfires light. Julius pulled the cap open and took a slow gulp of the bottle while his lungs and his body were relatively unstable. While drinking it, his nose continued to spit blood, staining the glass. The rest at the campsite reacted repulsively to his blood. A few droplets had touched the ground, leaving a dark blue tint. It was once he finished, and the blood finally stopped leaking. Give me a debrief again, Julius asked Feng, who was eating an unspecified herb soup at her resting spot. You dont remember? Feng asked. I do, but I only wanted to be certain. Ok. Feng finished her serving of soup and placed the tiny bowl down. She went and sat down between him and Empress Cai. Lets start again. How many mendid we lose today? Julius faltered. A hundred and ten men, and we lost fifteen thousand spirits (). In total, we reached three hundred thousand casualties in hundred-fifty days, Feng said, reading from a documented paper. Julius hands went over his head, madly scratching his scalp. He could hear his fingernails grinding on the skin, reminiscent of buffing on the nail file. Anger and guilt raided his mind. Ever since he entered into the Merit Universes Level Three, day one introduced a blood bath that even the strongest cant ignore or prevent. His continuous down mood remained. It was only today that he couldnt let it hold in. Feng stopped when Julius lost it. Continue, the latter said. There are only fifty thousand men left. We have around twenty percent more to cover before the ultimate day at the castle. Can we finish within two days? Julius asked. Only if we are going with Plan B. Feng looked at others at the campsite. I mean, plan A was already failing. So, we have no choice but to do B. Empress Cai scratched her chin. So, the violent optionIt may be our only chance to enact it, she said and looked at Julius. Whats your level right now? Julius opened his stats. -- Flames of Wrath (ŭ) Level: 3 4 + 35% to Qi; + 20% to Power. Cultivation Level 18 19 Total % Base Stats Buff: 18% 19%
Base Stats w/o adjustments
Stamina (LV 17 18) HP (LV 17 18) 731 804 211,065 221,618
Endurance (LV 17 18) 452 489
Durability (LV 17 18) 526 579
Power (LV 17 18) Attack (LV 17 18) 2,818 2,903 8,684 8,858
Qi (LV 17 18) 31,969 35,166
Total Score 256,245 270,417
Cold Resistance Ice Resistance C 50% 50% Ash Damage Reduction (10/20) 33% Carbon Damage Reduction (11/20) Breathing Strength Level 5/20 Heian- Juren 1 (ڰ˩) Estimated Progress: 85% ??? Estimated Progress: 90% -- Just became 18, Julius said with a wheeze. I dont know if thats even enough. Empress Cai, feeling better after her arm got fixed, grabbed an empty mat from her site and brought it over near the campfire. She sat on the comfy paddings, legs crossed. One of the cultivators then handed her a dinner plate, and Empress Cai continued. Tonight is the last and only time you get to express yourself. The last twenty percent needs to be on point. Youre not a marine and already doing mentally better than meLucky, Julius muttered. I wish I was like you on that. I know youThe mind was your strength and weakness and your childhood. You told some of us how it felt with your parents and troubling relationships. Based on what has been told, I dont think your fears and weaknesses were confronted. Julius aimed his eyes at her. Care to elaborate. You heard our stories multiple times, Empress Cai stated while holding her chopsticks. What do we all share in common? Hardship? And. Fear? Empress Cai nodded. FearYes. That''s the oneIn our hardships, we deal with our initial fears as soon as possible. While you otherwise, life only masked you to delay it further. Hence, it made things worse for you. Can you fix it? Julius asked while feeling desperate. I need to let go of this looming crisis before I might lose it. Before I do, Empress Cai mumbled through her meal. She drank up a gulp of water to swallow down the food from her mouth. Do you know why you are like this? A little reluctant, but Julius silently nodded because there was nothing to hide. I do. It still lingers to this day despite how much I want to look away, he said, prompting Empress Cai to stand up. She walked to him, forcing a picture in front of his eyes. You know who he is, right? Of course I do. That bastard.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. See. You wont forget, no matter how hard you try. But if you deal with it, the stress will disappear. Easier said than doneHow can it possibly be put down in a short time when I faced this mental hell for more than a decade, Julius ranted much of a disturbance to the campsite. Unless any of yall have something that can solve this problem by tomorrowIll accept. I already have a couple in mind. This photo is a start, so tell me. Who was this person that betrayed you and all of us? Fucking Xavier! Julius blurted, grabbing the photo. His eyes cant move away from it. He was giving the picture of Xavier a death stare, as if he was doing it in person. I cant let go of this bastard, thinking about the possibility he will screw us up again. Remember his reputation? Empress Cai reminded him. She finished her dish, handing it to one cleaner cultivator. The other handed her a refill for her drink and left her with Julius. Sometimes you wonder why that was the caseNot being best with the public in his homeland. YepI figured. A deep concern I overlooked. Nobody blames you for it. Anything from Kriegshan is unpredictable with the rest of the world, almost like a game to predict who would be a relief or disarray. You pray for the former. Julius grew confused. Not at what she said, but how the attitude towards situational awareness. They treated it as if it was a game, discarding all the fears and doubts like what he currently experiences. Even Mother Elaine handled it better than him. Unless she was hiding it, too. However, it was clear that he had nothing to say about this because his focus was still on the picture. A game? She nodded confidently. Mhm. A game. It sounds ironic, but our way of thinking about improving morale might differ from your worlds point of view. Yeah, no kidding, Julius said before Empress Cai yanked the picture out of his grip, putting his mind blank for a moment. What was that for? He watched her holding the photo and tearing it to shreds. All the pieces of paper rained down to the ground and dissipated into dust as Empress Cais qi had seeped into it when she tore it. She looked upset as her nose and mouth were fuming smoke. Worried, Julius wondered what he did wrong to bring such a reaction. Ok, next. I think you have had enough of staring. Lets move on to the next step. Mother Elaine, with bloodied hair that overwhelmed the blonde color, joined the conversation. She saw Empress Cais gestures aimed at her, prompting the former to finish her meal with them. Before she sat down, the latter ordered a bunch of mats set up around the scene. Mother Elaine took the spot next to Julius, and Empress Cai began calling every qi significant cultivator to the scene. The campsite was stationed at a spot on the hill that gave a view of the castle, which was down ahead of the valley. It looked bigger than any castle that ever existed on earth. An illusion was in place when Julius, Empress Cai, and the entire army arrived at the spot. Quickly, it broke off, revealing the legitimate size and distance of the entire castle complex. Not even peripherals could view all of it. Head turns to either left or right wont see the ends of the border wall as tall as three Adalberht the Bright Giant stacked up. The hill was a large flat surface, allowing a huge campsite complex for the entire army present. The spot where Julius, Mother Elaine, Feng, and Empress Cai are the command posts campsite. It has its own tents and a campfire that keeps up to ten people. Because Empress Cai called on the rest, many either pushed themselves inside or gathered around the perimeter of the command post, of which there was no choice. Julius was bewildered by the crowds sudden presence. Whats this? Why did you call everyone? Julius asked. I didnt forget, Empress Cai said, who stood tall, revealing a bit of her thigh that only Julius could see. Her battle outfit was partially torn and hadnt been replaced yet. Ever since the first meeting in that black room, I always wondered what I could do to prove that we aren''t a fragmented society. All of us here are already debriefed on what we are about to do, and Im about to explain it to you. Wait. No. Julius hands were up. Wait, hold on now. How seriously did you take from that meeting? I was out-of-line mad. Theres always a reason why everyone has emotions. It doesn''t come out of nowhere, Empress Cai said. She took off her battle coat, revealing her black tank top underclothing. There were no sleeves, but the material was silk, proved by the luster and smooth surface. Now sit still as we all get you through this fear out of the way. Her red aura boosted out from her back, shooting up to the night, cloudy sky. She sat down right in front of Julius, legs crossed, knee-to-knee, touching each other. Father Kang, Mother Elaine, Feng, Celeste, Solomon, Mngyu, Qiang Zhao, Victoria, and a few dozen more all exerted their qi in the same manner as Empress Cai. They sat down, surrounding Julius. The latter watched their qi flow between each other like flows of the river, all directed to Empress Cai. He recognized this ritual; it was discovered during the early days of Level Three at the temple. Oh, so this is what youre doing, Julius said, feeling unwound. Stop talking and sit still, Empress Cai ordered, thrusting both arms right at Julius. Her hands struck both of his shoulders and gripped them. Julius back was forced upright after she struck both of his shoulders. Trust me that you will go through this? Sure, Julius said; the only word he could come up with. For a moment, his eyes were automatically pulled open as if someone was pushing his eyelid fully up. His vision experienced a moment of upgrade. He saw everything vividly to the point even the smallest speck was noticeable. It was weird, very strange. Then the next, he turned nearsighted like a camera blur effect, focusing only on Empress Cai while everyone else around him wasnt visible. Quickly, everything turned black. He was awake and lucid, knowing his eyes were closed. He couldnt open it, but heavy footsteps were thumping around him, sparking his ears. This is not normal. His body felt an itch as it was reacting to the surrounding noises. Aura cant even be exerted, and it felt he was restrained at the spot, not able to move. The darkness kept going for what he felt like for hours because by the time he was free, his legs and back were a little sore. Julius could feel the kneecaps burning up to his entire thighs. His back stung like being bitten by a bee a couple of times. Hence, he couldnt bend down. Wiping his eyes, Julius found himself in a dark void, reminding him of his fear of being trapped in one. It was less potent than when he first entered the Merit Universe Level One. I dont know, but Im not comfortable. Julius reacted with less fear but more dislike. He summoned his greatsword when echoing footsteps swarmed the edges of the void. SoYou came prepared, a familiar female voice said. Julius turned to his right, recognizing it. How is this possible? The tall, slender lady came out from the darkness, walking with her heels and in a black dress. Not to forget her notable bright white pupils. Unexpected reunion, is it? This reminds us of our old times. Youre leading this ritual? Julius asked. Hu nodded, much to her surprise. Indeed, I am. I got called to handle someone''s fears and doubts. I didnt expect you to be the one out of everyone. Thats not true. You handled the Skoltor System, so my memories arent truly private. And I refused to read anyuntil now, Hu said before strolling around in front of him because she doesnt like being still. Ive only read your mind a few minutes ago, and I got my assignment down. What assignment? Hu stopped, putting both hands on her hips. Oh, you dont know what this whole thing is about? Julius head shook. No. I only read the overall before giving it away to Empress Cai. Im pretty much entering this empty-handed. Hus eyes glared at his greatsword momentarily before giving one nod. Another after looking at himself from top to bottom. Ok, youre good for the first round. First round? Ill show you, Hu said, then gestured her hand in a circular motion, causing a part of the dark void to open. Bright light invaded the dark void like the window curtains opened, letting the sunlight seek into the room. Julius followed Hu, who led him along the way. As the two stepped foot into what was revealed to be an open arena. A body of water surrounded the circumference and any other flat stone surface in the vicinity. The air was cooling, not having to feel the hot air pressure during the day. The one hundred and fifty days of going through eighty percent of Level Three was brutal, without any external qi. So, this was the first moment of relaxation. After a couple more walks, the two arrived at the humongous circular arena. Hu gave a small introduction. The body of water that surrounded the arena was the first layer. Beyond the first layer was a circular garden of trees that flourished in beautiful green and shiny as a mirror directing light. Each tree has a collection of wondrous bushes hugging the trunk. Behind the tall trees was the birds eye view of natures landforms. Julius recognized it as being one of the earliest spots at Level Three, where the environment was less rough and dark. In fact, it was the most peaceful region after dealing with mobs. When the entire army left, the area was unreachable and never seen again, leaving the rest of the days after the tenth day to be a progressing atrocity. Hu then showed Julius the spot where he would be doing his part, which she would explain in a moment. He walked right to where she pointed. A light of the one Hanzi flashed as he approached. Once stood, Julius saw Han stand a few meters across from him, summoning a virtual screen at her fingertips. I saw your level 18, Hu said while tapping multiple times consecutively. Not bad for getting this far because Ill tell you, thats kind of low. Its not enough to supplement you through this finale. What? Julius was shocked at the notion, to the point of bewilderment. Are you joking with me? I wish while having tea, but no. Im giving you temporary access to what your level shouldve been. Hu pushed a button that triggered a notification-like sound through Julius ear, prompting the latter to open his screen. Shit, no way. Julius was flabbergasted that his chest and body almost wanted to take a punch. It made a lot more sense. Why didnt it tell us about various missions before? That you have to ask the final boss at the castle. Hes the one who will answer you. However, I can assume it was one of his deceptive tricks put in as training. Soall of this time? I could have been higher? Thats right, Hu said. She stopped taping the virtual screen. Now thats out of the wayI set something up for you. A large virtual screen summoned next to Hu. Afterward, the words on the screen flipped for Julius view, and the blue screen hovered right to him, revealing a list full of missions for him to accomplish and general expectations. A very long list, Julius said while scrolling the screen. This would take a lot of time to finishWait, then what happens to everyone else? You mean the ones who got you here? Theyre fine. In fact, this realm is a separate plane of space. This arena is one of the few, and the ones who helped you get here are together at a different arena that you cant see from hereabout to do the same training you are about to receive. Whos training them? Hu shrugged. I dont know. Its either one of the realms residents or so. But anyway, Ill be staying and assisting you throughout from the beginning to the end. Julius nodded, about to be ready for it to begin. He looked through the list one more time, estimating the time of completing it. Ill see you on the other side. He silently said, mainly to Empress Cai and Mother Elaine.
Zenith Skydome ( Skydome) (Zenit Skydome) End of Day One. The first day was decent. Not spectacular, but was satisfactory. Julius was given a taste for the trainings difficulty. His bones and muscles were burned by the end. The back couldnt stand upright for more than a minute. It took him to the brink of nearly being knocked out. Luckily, he made it through that he got his first experience of sleep after hundreds of days. Although it was a nap before he woke up. You cant sleep? Hu asked, leaning against the pole at the entrance area. The entrance area was a part of the Skydomes central building, while also connected to the pathway that led to the arena. It was made of concrete and stone with a roof, blocking the unknown sunlight. The area was open with no windows or frames, and it was built with two wings. However, the buildings right wing wasnt accessible, and Hu wouldnt tell him why. While the left-wing contained the residences and kitchen. Julius came out from one of the few rooms and walked through the colonnade with the view of the arena and fresh night air blew in. No, ever since I got stronger, sleep has been almost impossible. This was the most Ive ever had for more than one hundred and seventy days. That makes two of us because I have never slept since I got the role of Level One. Oh, so you had a life before this? Julius asked, leaning against a wall while facing towards Hu. How about this? Ill tell you everything once you finish this training. Sure, but now Im hungry, Julius said while his stomach growled. He stood with his hand-held firm on his abdomen. You need to eat. Your numbers are too low, Hu said, leaning off from the column and helping Julius go to the kitchen. The latter let go of her hand. It''s fine, I can walkWhat do you want to eat? I heard you can cook, right? There was one I found in your head about salmon with rice. I want to try that. She really read my head. Great, I hope not everything was revealed when my eyes were closed. Julius briefly thought. Oh, I thought you disliked fish. But your mind said it was tasty with rice. Additionally, I wanted to see if you can cook using your qi. Are you serious? Yes, I am. All of your daily chores are training, and it starts now. ??(Chapter 60.I-) Base Stats Leveling Page (LV.11-70) ?? Skoltor''s statistics refer to various properties that supplement the individual''s strengths and weaknesses, as well as how they are affected by their performance in the Merit Universe and the world of Raal''s interactions in and out of combat. There are seven main stats within the Skoltor System, and all add up to the Total Score, which can determine the eligibility of certain restrictions within the Merit Universe. All the basic stats are leveled equally. (For Example: If a cultivator has stamina of level 5, then all of their other base stats are equally level 5.)
Cultivation System Level (11-40)
Level Total % Base Stats Buff Level Total % Base Stats Buff Level Total % Base Stats Buff
11 11% 21 21% 31 31%
12 12% 22 22% 32 32%
13 13% 23 23% 33 33%
14 14% 24 24% 34 34%
15 15% 25 25% 35 35%
16 16% 26 26% 36 36%
17 17% 27 27% 37 37%
18 18% 28 28% 38 38%
19 19% 29 29% 39 39%
20 20% 30 30% 40 40%
Cultivation System Level (41-10)
Level Total % Base Stats Buff Level Total % Base Stats Buff Level Total % Base Stats Buff
41 41% 51 51% 61 61%
42 42% 52 52% 62 62%
43 43% 53 53% 63 63%
44 44% 54 54% 64 64%
45 45% 55 55% 65 65%
46 46% 56 56% 66 66%
47 47% 57 57% 67 67%
48 48% 58 58% 68 68%
49 49% 59 59% 69 69%
50 50% 60 60% 70 70%
??The Cultivation System Level''s buffs on the base stats only calculated after the first adjustments which is demonstrated down below. ??
Base Stats (White) First Adjustments (Red) Final Adjustments (Blue)
Stamina (LV _ ) HP (LV _ ) Base Stats Go Here Base Stats Go Here (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.)
Endurance (LV _ ) Base Stats Go Here (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.)
Durability (LV _ ) Base Stats Go Here (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.)
Power (LV _ ) Attack (LV _ ) Base Stats Go Here Base Stats Go Here (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.)
Qi (LV _ ) Base Stats Go Here (Base Stats + Team Party Buffs + Class Buffs) (First Adjustments + Equipment + Cultivation System + etc.)
Total Score Base Total Score Go Here First Adjustments Total Score Final Adjustments Total Score
??The following numbers below are only for the base number stats. (No buffs or additionals) ?? Base HP Level The formulas for calculating HP are as follows: Base HP Level (11-40)
Level HP Total Increase (+) Level HP Total Increase (+) Level HP Total Increase (+)
11 157,500 7500 21 268,768 24,433 31 728,801 95,061
12 165,375 7875 22 295,644 26,877 32 838,121 109,320
13 173,644 8,269 23 325,209 29,564 33 963,839 125,718
14 182,326 8,682 24 357,730 32,521 34 1,108,415 144,576
15 191,442 9,116 25 393,503 35,773 35 1,274,677 166,262
16 201,014 9,572 26 432,853 39,350 36 1,465,879 191,202
17 211,065 10,051 27 476,138 43,285 37 1,685,761 219,882
18 221,618 10,553 28 523,752 47,614 38 1,938,625 252,864
19 232,699 11,081 29 576,127 52,375 39 2,229,419 290,794
20 244,334 11,635 30 633,740 57,613 40 2,563,832 334,413
Base HP Level (41-70)
Level HP Total Increase (+) Level HP Total Increase (+) Level HP Total Increase (+)
41 3,076,598 512,766 51 19,843,212 3,968,642 61 192,196,488 44,353,036
42 3,691,918 615,320 52 24,804,015 4,960,803 62 249,855,435 57,658,946
43 4,430,301 738,384 53 31,005,019 6,201,004 63 324,812,065 74,956,630
44 5,316,361 886,060 54 38,756,274 7,751,255 64 422,255,684 97,443,619
45 6,379,634 1,063,272 55 48,445,342 9,689,068 65 548,932,390 126,676,705
46 7,655,560 1,275,927 56 60,556,678 12,111,336 66 713,612,106 164,679,717
47 9,186,672 1,531,112 57 75,695,848 15,139,170 67 927,695,738 214,083,632
48 11,024,007 1,837,334 58 94,619,810 18,923,962 68 1,206,004,460 278,308,722
49 13,228,808 2,204,801 59 118,274,762 23,654,952 69 1,567,805,798 361,801,338
50 15,874,570 2,645,762 60 147,843,452 29,568,690 70 2,038,147,537 470,341,739
Base Stamina Level The formulas for calculating Stamina are as follows: Base Stamina Level (11-40)
Level Stamina Total Increase (+) Level Stamina Total Increase (+) Level Stamina Total Increase (+)
11 413 38 21 1,089 117 31 3,444 423
12 454 41 22 1,220 131 32 3,926 482
13 499 45 23 1,367 146 33 4,476 550
14 549 50 24 1,530 164 34 5,102 627
15 604 55 25 1,714 184 35 5,817 714
16 664 60 26 1,920 206 36 6,631 814
17 731 66 27 2,150 230 37 7,559 928
18 804 73 28 2,408 258 38 8,617 1,058
19 884 80 29 2,697 289 39 9,824 1,206
20 973 88 30 3,021 324 40 11,199 1,375
Base Stamina Level (41-70)
Level Stamina Total Increase (+) Level Stamina Total Increase (+) Level Stamina Total Increase (+)
41 12,991 1,792 51 58,297 8,893 61 310,290 51,715
42 15,070 2,079 52 68,791 10,494 62 372,348 62,058
43 17,481 2,411 53 81,173 12,382 63 446,818 74,470
44 20,278 2,797 54 95,784 14,611 64 536,181 89,364
45 23,522 3,244 55 113,026 17,241 65 643,418 107,236
46 27,286 3,764 56 133,370 20,345 66 772,101 128,684
47 31,651 4,366 57 157,377 24,007 67 926,522 154,420
48 36,716 5,064 58 185,705 28,328 68 1,111,826 185,304
49 42,590 5,874 59 219,132 33,427 69 1,334,191 222,365
50 49,405 6,814 60 258,575 39,444 70 1,601,029 266,838
Base Endurance Level The formulas for calculating Endurance are as follows: Base Endurance Level (11-40)
Level Endurance Total Increase (+) Level Endurance Total Increase (+) Level Endurance Total Increase (+)
11 285 21 21 616 46 31 1,329 98
12 308 23 22 665 49 32 1,435 106
13 333 25 23 718 53 33 1,550 115
14 359 27 24 775 57 34 1,674 124
15 388 29 25 837 62 35 1,808 134
16 419 31 26 904 67 36 1,953 145
17 452 34 27 977 72 37 2,109 156
18 489 36 28 1,055 78 38 2,278 169
19 528 39 29 1,139 84 39 2,460 182
20 570 42 30 1,230 91 40 2,657 197
Base Endurance Level (41-70)
Level Endurance Total Increase (+) Level Endurance Total Increase (+) Level Endurance Total Increase (+)
41 2,869 213 51 6,194 459 61 13,373 991
42 3,099 230 52 6,690 496 62 14,442 1,070
43 3,346 248 53 7,225 535 63 15,598 1,155
44 3,614 268 54 7,803 578 64 16,846 1,248
45 3,903 289 55 8,427 624 65 18,193 1,348
46 4,216 312 56 9,101 674 66 19,649 1,455
47 4,553 337 57 9,829 728 67 21,221 1,572
48 4,917 364 58 10,616 786 68 22,918 1,698
49 5,310 393 59 11,465 849 69 24,752 1,833
50 5,735 425 60 12,382 917 70 26,732 1,980
Base Durability LevelThe story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The formulas for calculating Durability are as follows:
  • Level 11 - 40 --> N/A
  • Level 41 - 70 --> N/A
Base Durability Level (11-40)
Level Durability Total Increase (+) Level Durability Total Increase (+) Level Durability Total Increase (+)
11 297 27 21 770 70 31 1,998 182
12 327 30 22 847 77 32 2,198 200
13 359 33 23 932 85 33 2,418 220
14 395 36 24 1,025 93 34 2,659 242
15 435 40 25 1,128 103 35 2,925 266
16 478 43 26 1,241 113 36 3,218 293
17 526 48 27 1,365 124 37 3,540 322
18 579 53 28 1,501 136 38 3,894 354
19 637 58 29 1,651 150 39 4,283 389
20 700 64 30 1,816 165 40 4,711 428
Base Durability Level (41-70)
Level Durability Total Increase (+) Level Durability Total Increase (+) Level Durability Total Increase (+)
41 5,182 471 51 13,442 1,222 61 34,865 3,170
42 5,701 518 52 14,786 1,344 62 38,352 3,487
43 6,271 570 53 16,265 1,479 63 42,187 3,835
44 6,898 627 54 17,891 1,626 64 46,405 4,219
45 7,588 690 55 19,680 1,789 65 51,046 4,641
46 8,346 759 56 21,648 1,968 66 56,151 5,105
47 9,181 835 57 23,813 2,165 67 61,766 5,615
48 10,099 918 58 26,195 2,381 68 67,942 6,177
49 11,109 1,010 59 28,814 2,619 69 74,736 6,794
50 12,220 1,111 60 31,696 2,881 70 82,210 7,474
Base Power Level The formulas for calculating Power are as follows:
  • Level 11 - 40 --> N/A
  • Level 41 - 70 --> N/A
Base Power Level (11-40)
Level Power Total Increase (+) Level Power Total Increase (+) Level Power Total Increase (+)
11 2,360 69 21 3,172 92 31 7,096 586
12 2,431 71 22 3,267 95 32 7,735 639
13 2,504 73 23 3,561 294 33 8,740 1,006
14 2,579 75 24 3,882 321 34 9,876 1,136
15 2,657 77 25 4,231 349 35 11,160 1,284
16 2,736 80 26 4,612 381 36 12,611 1,451
17 2,818 82 27 5,027 415 37 14,251 1,639
18 2,903 85 28 5,479 452 38 16,103 1,853
19 2,990 87 29 5,973 493 39 18,197 2,093
20 3,080 90 30 6,510 538 40 20,562 2,366
Base Power Level (41-70)
Level Power Total Increase (+) Level Power Total Increase (+) Level Power Total Increase (+)
41 23,235 2,673 51 80,269 10,470 61 338,853 56,476
42 26,256 3,021 52 92,310 12,040 62 406,624 67,771
43 29,669 3,413 53 106,156 13,846 63 487,949 81,325
44 33,526 3,857 54 122,080 15,923 64 585,538 97,590
45 37,884 4,358 55 140,392 18,312 65 702,646 117,108
46 42,809 4,925 56 161,450 21,059 66 843,175 140,529
47 48,375 5,565 57 185,668 24,218 67 1,011,810 168,635
48 54,663 6,289 58 213,518 27,850 68 1,214,172 202,362
49 61,769 7,106 59 245,546 32,028 69 1,457,006 242,834
50 69,799 8,030 60 282,378 36,832 70 1,748,408 291,401
Base Attack Level The formulas for calculating Attack are as follows:
  • Level 11 - 40 --> N/A
  • Level 41 - 70 --> N/A
Base Attack Level (11-40)
Level Attack Total Increase (+) Level Attack Total Increase (+) Level Attack Total Increase (+)
11 7,711 151 21 9,492 276 31 13,004 619
12 7,865 154 22 9,777 285 32 13,654 650
13 8,023 157 23 10,070 293 33 14,337 683
14 8,183 160 24 10,372 302 34 15,054 717
15 8,347 164 25 10,683 311 35 15,807 753
16 8,514 167 26 11,004 321 36 16,597 790
17 8,684 170 27 11,334 330 37 17,427 830
18 8,858 174 28 11,674 340 38 18,298 871
19 9,035 177 29 12,024 350 39 19,213 915
20 9,216 181 30 12,385 361 40 20,174 961
Base Attack Level (41-70)
Level Attack Total Increase (+) Level Attack Total Increase (+) Level Attack Total Increase (+)
41 22,191 2,017 51 68,023 15,698 61 937,762 216,407
42 24,410 2,219 52 88,431 20,407 62 1,219,090 281,329
43 26,851 2,441 53 114,960 26,529 63 1,584,817 365,727
44 29,537 2,685 54 149,448 34,488 64 2,060,262 475,445
45 32,490 2,954 55 194,282 44,834 65 2,678,341 618,079
46 35,739 3,249 56 252,566 58,285 66 3,481,843 803,502
47 39,313 3,574 57 328,336 75,770 67 4,526,396 1,044,553
48 43,244 3,931 58 426,837 98,501 68 5,884,315 1,357,919
49 47,569 4,324 59 554,889 128,051 69 7,649,610 1,765,295
50 52,326 4,757 60 721,355 166,467 70 9,944,493 2,294,883
Base Qi Level The formulas for calculating Qi are as follows:
  • Level 11 - 40 --> N/A
  • Level 41 - 70 --> N/A
Base Qi Level (11-40)
Level Qi Total Increase (+) Level Qi Total Increase (+) Level Qi Total Increase (+)
11 18,046 1,641 21 46,805 4,255 31 123,608 13,244
12 19,850 1,805 22 51,486 4,681 32 138,441 14,833
13 21,835 1,985 23 56,635 5,149 33 155,054 16,613
14 24,019 2,184 24 62,298 5,663 34 173,661 18,607
15 26,420 2,402 25 68,528 6,230 35 194,500 20,839
16 29,062 2,642 26 75,381 6,853 36 217,840 23,340
17 31,969 2,906 27 82,919 7,538 37 243,981 26,141
18 35,166 3,197 28 91,210 8,292 38 273,259 29,278
19 38,682 3,517 29 100,331 9,121 39 306,050 32,791
20 42,550 3,868 30 110,365 10,033 40 342,776 36,726
Base Qi Level (41-70)
Level Qi Total Increase (+) Level Qi Total Increase (+) Level Qi Total Increase (+)
41 383,909 41,133 51 1,192,363 127,753 61 3,703,298 396,782
42 429,978 46,069 52 1,335,446 143,084 62 4,147,694 444,396
43 481,575 51,597 53 1,495,700 160,254 63 4,645,417 497,723
44 539,364 57,789 54 1,675,184 179,484 64 5,202,867 557,450
45 604,088 64,724 55 1,876,206 201,022 65 5,827,211 624,344
46 676,579 72,491 56 2,101,351 225,145 66 6,526,476 699,265
47 757,768 81,189 57 2,353,513 252,162 67 7,309,653 783,177
48 848,700 90,932 58 2,635,934 282,422 68 8,186,812 877,158
49 950,544 101,844 59 2,952,246 316,312 69 9,169,229 982,417
50 1,064,610 114,065 60 3,306,516 354,270 70 10,269,537 1,100,307