ã€ŠCaste as Dust [System, Litrpg, Post Apocalyptic]ã€‹


 Chapter 1

    I had a premonition of the end, but the next day came anyway.

    ¡°It was New Year¡¯s Eve and I swear I was sober. I was at my parents house as usual, celebrating the passing of another year. Midnight came late and I promptly excused myself to sleep once my obligation was fulfilled. I¡¯m not one of those people who miraculously fall asleep the moment their head touches the pillow, but I was out cold within seconds.¡±

    ¡°Dreams? Yeah I had those regularly, but this wasn¡¯t one of those. If I had a better word I would use it, I¡¯ve tried trance or vision but those don¡¯t feel right. Perhaps a premonition or prophecy but those words scared people so I avoided them. Whatever the case, when I awoke I saw a world filled with terrors that stained my soul and made me a believer. That is, a believer of the end. Notably, there was a voice in the midst of the chaos; a vaguely female voice that lacked emotion or concern. The voice rang in my mind as if I was wearing high-end headphones.¡± Noah paused before continuing in his best authoritative soprano.

    ¡°If only you had been a stronger, less primitive people, perhaps you would have stood a chance. Your lack of cultivation and knowledge of the gates will not be held against you but your judgment remains. From the dust you came, and dust you remained.¡± Noah cleared his throat and continued in a notably less feminine voice.

    ¡°I floated above the earth and watched as civilization crumbled and fell to the hordes. Ah the hordes, yes that is simply my name for them. They appeared to be monsters, vicious beasts of ridiculous size and variety. Like floodwaters, they surged into the cities and feasted.¡±

    ¡°I saw others who managed to repel the beasts, fighting valiantly with swords and axes as if they were from another era. Perhaps they were. They certainly weren¡¯t human. Their eyes were intelligent, and they clearly communicated with one another, but the differences were stark. These ¡°others¡± were larger, the smallest no less than seven feet. And they had horns. Yes real horns, black and shiny protruding from their skulls. I admired them, they were the only ones who seemed capable of repelling the hordes. Though in the end they too fell¡±

    ¡°Other non-sensical images flashed in my eyes before I woke up but the message was clear. We are in imminent danger and must prepare. We must discard our old ways of life and embrace the new!¡± Noah finished.

    ¡°Did you believe right away?¡± A young child from his captive audience asked. Noah smiled at her and shook his head in shame.

    ¡°Regretfully the truth was too much for me to grasp at the beginning and it wasn¡¯t until the third day of the repeated dream that I believed.¡±

    The mother of the child stared at Noah in horror as she quickly snatched her child away upon realizing that her daughter was listening to his message. Noah watched as the woman chastised her curious child and strictly warned her not to believe his raving words. He sighed at the familiar titles of ¡°crazy¡± and ¡°lunatic¡± that were assigned to him. He shook his head again, this time in sadness. As much as he had tried, no one believed his message. These days few would even bother to listen before they scoffed and turned their heads.

    It was compassion and his sense of duty that led Noah to preach on the street corner every few days. It was truly a sacrifice to give up such precious time that could be used to grow stronger, but he wasn¡¯t one to live for himself. No, such selfishness was not part of his path. To forsake others would only doom yourself. He thought, nodding in satisfaction as he made his way home from the humble post.

    Noah lived on the south end of Seattle in a rented warehouse. He had considered moving to an isolated mountain peak to train in high elevations like the monks but chose instead to spread the message. It was the beginning of July now and six months had passed since he received the premonition. He hadn¡¯t wasted a moment of it. Selling his house and possessions had been surprisingly simple. Convincing his family¡­ well that didn¡¯t happen.

    Noah was alone now. The initial ache of it faded months ago, and now he could recognize it for the blessing it was. After all, the best way to help them would be to focus on preparing. He pulled on the large metal doors and stepped inside the wide-open space. With a click and a low hum, the lights came on, revealing what looked like a vigilante¡¯s bachelor pad. A myriad of steel weapons laid on racks, from typical spears and swords to halberds and war axes. Fighting dummies were spread across a padded floor and were marred by heavy use. In a corner, a mattress lay on the concrete floor near a wall of emergency rations and protein shakes. Most of the space was dominated by an adult¡¯s version of a jungle gym, or as Noah saw it, the perfect obstacle course.

    Noah smiled as he gazed lovingly across the room. In six months He had blown half a million dollars on personal trainers and martial arts instruction, making use of every spare minute to refine himself. He was no master but he knew that he had only himself to blame. It was only thanks to the premonition, after all, that he had any preparation to speak of. Realizing that he was wasting time staring off into space, Noah moved toward the meditation mat. The voice had specifically mentioned cultivation and the gates, two foreign concepts to Noah. In fact they were foreign concepts to his whole species according to the voice. In the past months, He had sought every single resource he could find on the topics, ranging from engineering manuals to hand-written notes passed down in monasteries. He eventually gave up on the idea that they were a type of physical gate and focused on the more metaphysical concepts. The most promising resources spoke of enlightenment and greater revelation of the world, but according to the voice, they were completely lacking.

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    Calming his mind in a now familiar manner he sat down, crossed his legs, and shut his eyes. He didn¡¯t hum or recite sutras, as these methods were debunked, but instead, he became still, allowing himself to become small in the face of the world¡¯s vastness. On the edge of his consciousness, he felt a familiar sensation. A presence. Noah smiled ever so slightly, careful not to break concentration. He felt an attraction to this presence as if every cell in his body was starved for whatever it carried. Yet it remained just out of reach. So it had gone for these past several months. Noah attempted to communicate, prod, or even attack this sensation but remained clueless as to an appropriate method. He considered it to be a presence because he occasionally felt something akin to a will pulse from it. Nothing truly discernible but he couldn''t ignore it.

    As Noah sat, he once again sought to connect with the presence. Feeling particularly vulnerable from today¡¯s failures he tried a new method.

    ¡°Great one, are you there?¡± Noah called out into the recesses of his mind.

    ¡°I am becoming desperate. The end is drawing near.¡±

    ¡°I am helpless and lost but I know something must be done! If you could only help me, perhaps I could rescue this hopeless people.¡± He called out before settling into a long silence.

    Time passed and eventually, his body began to urge him to get up and stretch out his limbs. He, of course, denied himself such weakness.

    ¡°It is time.¡±

    Noah sat in silence as he considered that. Time¡­time for what? Realization dawned on him and his heart leapt into his chest. It responded¡­

    ¡°Yes. Certainty it is time, Great One.¡± Noah got out, unsure of what more to say.

    ¡°Well child, out with it. What is it that you want?¡± The deep voice echoed into his mind.

    ¡°Ahem. Great One, I desire to cultivate and learn of the gates¡± He managed.

    ¡°That much is obvious child, this is the first gate, why else would we be speaking?¡± It or he replied.

    Noah raked his mind in an attempt to understand. He didn¡¯t though. The first gate? What did that mean?

    ¡°Right the first gate, I am afraid I do not know how this typically works. Could you enlighten me, O Great One?¡± he risked. A warm laugh boomed in his mind as the being responded.

    ¡°Oh-ho! You truly know nothing of the path? Hmm, perhaps I can bend the rules for such an interesting one as yourself. Yes, I think I will, they are my rules afterall.¡± Noah grinned in anticipation at the words, finally some guidance!

    ¡°You are already cultivating if you have reached the first door. It seems you simply lack the mana to actually open the door. That is quite strange, perhaps even a first. Are you a manaless creature?¡± The voice asked.

    ¡°Mana? I don¡¯t think I have mana, or rather, how would I know if I did?¡± Noah asked, now dreading the possibility of an impassible barrier.

    ¡°Truly remarkable, it has been so long since I have spoken to one such as yourself. Mana or life-energy as some call it is something that nearly all creatures possess. It is what enables them to grow and change and become something more.¡± The voice mused.

    ¡°Hold on, could it be? Are you uninitiated?¡± The voice inquired.

    ¡°I am afraid that I don¡¯t know. Initiated into what?¡± Noah replied. Laughter erupted again and Noah struggled to maintain his calm demeanor.

    ¡°It seems that you are indeed uninitiated. Child, you have a very bright future ahead of you, I cannot even remember the last time that the first door was reached before a world was flooded with mana. That is, initiated. You will certainly achieve much if you live to see your world¡¯s initiation. To honor your achievement, I will supply the mana to let you pass.¡±

    The presence left then, and Noah¡¯s mind was once more a vast emptiness. he searched the dark expanse for another sign of being, now deciding that he must indeed be a person of sorts. But he did not find him, not even a trace of him. It was almost like the first time Noah had meditated¨Cnothingness.

    Something about that thought struck a chord in him and he analyzed his inner world once again. Something must have changed. Perhaps related to this ¡°gate¡± business that the voice had mentioned. Scouring his mind he found nothing, that is until he turned inward. There was a dark outline of an entryway that stood in his mental expanse. The first door. Noah peered in only to find that he could not stick his head through the door. He tried his hand and still nothing. It was as if gravity repelled any attempts to enter.

    Noah sat there for a moment, rubbing the now-deeper crease between his brows. His mind was jumping in too many directions at once. On the one hand, he was thrilled at his encounter with the new voice and his apparent success. On the other, he had the morbid realization that the lady who spoke in his vision knew full well that she was addressing uninitiated people. She came to murder us. Noah thought as his heart throbbed. It''s not as if he had praised the mysterious lady whose voice had shattered his world, no he wasn¡¯t that naive¨Cbut he also hadn''t imagined this. He knew she had no real love for his world or its people. To act as if it was their own fault though? That irked him.

    Noah got up from his mat then, too frazzled to continue meditating, and made his way to the weapon rack. He hefted a two-handed long sword and turned toward a practice dummy. She may have no love for Earth¡¯s people but he did.

 Chapter 2

    BANG! BANG! BANG!

    ¡°Mr. Denter! This is the Police, open up!¡±

    Noah sprung out of bed, wincing as his legs protested the sudden movement. He quickly threw on a t-shirt and grimaced as he hobbled toward the sliding metal doors. More banging quickened his pace and he soon lifted the latch and pulled open the door.

    ¡°Good morning to you too¡± Noah muttered as he squinted at the two police officers through the harsh morning light. They looked him over with accusatory scowls before looking him in the eyes.

    ¡°Are you Noah Denter?¡± The shorter man on the left asked. Noah nodded.

    ¡°That¡¯s me. What is this about?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Mr. Denter you have been accused of disturbing the peace and we are here to bring you in for questioning. Are you willing to come peacefully?¡± The much taller officer explained while pulling out handcuffs.

    ¡°I am certainly willing to do that, but are those really necessary?¡± Noah responded, nodding to the cuffs.

    ¡°We have witnesses saying that you have violent tendencies so we will be taking every precaution.¡± He responded matter-of-factly. Noah stared into space, his mouth hanging open before he acquiesced bringing his wrists together in front of him.

    Noah lowered himself into the backseat of the patrol car, still baffled by the morning¡¯s developments. He awkwardly rubbed his eyes and attempted to fix his hair but promptly gave up as the handcuffs rubbed uncomfortably against his wrists. The engine was running and the officers barely looked him over before pulling onto the main drag. This is what I get for trying to help people. Noah thought as he stared out the window, recognizing the faces of several street dwellers who had listened to his message. It was making to be a typical summer day for Seattle, the sun was peaking out through some wispy clouds and large patches of blue promised a warm day. In the distance, he could make out Mt. Rainer, only partially covered by the haze. He couldn¡¯t help but smile at the sight, no matter how many times he saw it, it always seemed to produce a sense of awe in him. He had never been one for traditional forms of art, paintings, and the like, but there was something about the majesty of the mountains or the sea that made him wish he was.

    Noah sighed as concrete obstructed his path. Sometimes he wished he had chosen a different path, opting to be an environmental scientist or a fisherman instead of a software engineer. Where was the money in that though? That had been his justification¨Cnot that it mattered much now. Now he only hoped that this mix-up would be quickly resolved so that he could get back to training. He somehow doubted that he could keep up his weapon practice in a holding cell.

    Before long they arrived at the station, at which point he was unceremoniously paraded out of the car and into the building where he was then deposited at the desk of a bored-looking clerk.

    ¡°Name please,¡± said the woman in a nasally voice.

    ¡°Noah¡± he replied.

    ¡°Your full name, sir¡± she urged him.

    ¡°Right, sorry. It''s Noah Denter¡± he said.

    ¡°Good. Now I have a series of questions regarding your background. It will make this process quicker for both of us if you answer them truthfully.¡± She glanced up at Noah looking for agreement. He nodded.

    ¡°Very good.¡± She continued. ¡°Do you have family in the area?¡±

    ¡°I do¡± Noah replied, ¡°My parents live in Bellevue and my siblings and their families are all in the area.¡± She nodded.

    ¡°And your parents¡¯ names?¡±

    ¡°Kaitlyn and Daniel Winters¡± Noah supplied, drawing out the last name as he braced himself for the clerk¡¯s response.

    ¡°Alright, Kaitlyn and Daniel Winters,¡± she paused then, her fingers hovering above her keyboard as she turned her gaze back to Noah. She scanned his face with squinted eyes.

    ¡°Care to explain?¡± Noah took a deep, resigned breath.

    ¡°I am adopted,¡± He began, ¡°Though I suppose that much would be obvious,¡± he said as he gestured to his face and stature. ¡°My parents had been waiting to adopt a baby for quite some time, so when the hospital called my family with the news that a child had been abandoned they were ecstatic. The caveat though was that the birth parents had left a note asking that I would retain my name.¡±

    Noah had gone back and forth on that growing up. It was hard enough looking so different than his family and answering the questions that inevitably arose. The name just cemented what he already felt as the black sheep of the family.

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    The Winters were well known, referred to as the Rockefellers of their industry¨Cnamely by themselves but Noah had seen the title in the headlines more than once. They thought the name inspired a larger-than-life persona for people to grab onto. Noah knew however that they, particularly his father, were insecure about their lacking height and rotund appearance. Noah of course served to accentuate this with his rather opposing genes. For all their differences though, Noah had been well-loved by his family even if he found it easier to get out of the photo shoots and interviews than his siblings.

    ¡°I see¡± the woman responded and Noah remained unconvinced that she believed his story. This thought was confirmed when she then proceeded to call someone and question them in about his lineage. A few minutes passed and once she was satisfied she hung up the phone.

    ¡°I apologize for the lack of faith, but it wouldn¡¯t be the first time someone claimed to be adopted by some rich family¡± She explained.

    The interview continued on and Noah was soon reminded of the circumstances that the officers had found him in as his stomach began to rumble audibly. After the background examination the clerk, Mary¨Che had learned, led him to another room; one that had the classic one-sided mirror and uncomfortable-looking table and chairs.

    Noah took the transition in stride, happy enough to have things moving along. He followed her instructions and sat in the chair, and she left him to his own devices. Some time passed and the door opened revealing an unfamiliar face carrying what he hoped was a familiar beverage.

    ¡°Mr. Denter. Good morning! I am Detective Billings¡± The man announced, each syllable clear and distinct.

    ¡°Good morning yourself, Detective. Any chance that coffee is for me?¡± Noah asked, eyebrows raised. Detective Billings smiled warmly.

    ¡°Yes sir. I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll have to take it black though.¡± He replied as he set the steaming beverage on the table. Noah grabbed the coffee without hesitation, though he doubted the station was truly lacking in cream or sugar.

    ¡°Ah. Perfect.¡± Noah said as he savored the bitter, stale brew. Many assumed he was a snob when it came to the fine substance, but he had come to appreciate it in nearly every avenue. The detective sat across from Noah and began leafing through a manila folder with a photo of him clipped to the top.

    ¡°Mr. Denter, do you know why you are here?¡± He asked.

    ¡°As a matter of fact, I do not.¡± Noah replied.

    ¡°I see. You were informed that you are accused of disturbing the peace, yes?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Noah agreed.

    ¡°Any ideas why you may be in the situation then?¡± The detective asked, fishing for something incriminating. He had half a mind to just let Noah go, given the evidence. But he would do his due diligence, especially considering who the accuser was. Noah tilted his head and squinted his eyes in concentration.

    ¡°No, I really can¡¯t think of a suitable reason for this investigation. In fact, I am starting to think you may have the wrong person. Who would go so far as to claim I have violent tendencies?¡± Noah considered his martial arts instructors but promptly dismissed the idea. Perhaps if someone was observing my training¡­ Noah shook his head though. It''s not like his warehouse had windows. The detective sighed and made up his mind.

    ¡°Look, I am inclined to agree with you. I need to make a few calls to confirm that I can let you go but if nothing else comes up then you should be out soon. Make yourself comfortable.¡± The detective said before gathering his documents and getting up to leave.

    ¡°Detective, any chance I could get some more coffee?¡± Noah asked, holding the cup up in his still-cuffed hands. The restraints having done nothing to slow down his consumption. Billings chuckled.

    ¡°I¡¯ll have someone bring you more,¡± He said before stepping out of the room.

    Noah allowed his shoulders to sag as he shifted in the stiff-backed seat. He sipped on the last bit of coffee in his cup and regretted it as the cold dregs from the bottom filled his mouth. His morning had been an unwelcome distraction to his routine, and he was already feeling the loss of missing his morning meditation. He remembered then, the events of the previous night. The first gate. The phrase that the strange entity had offered him in their brief exchange. He had made it through this gate, whatever that meant, but nothing had changed. Noah couldn¡¯t help but feel disappointed about that. He had hoped that he would wake up with some superhuman power or maybe a physical boost of sorts but had found nothing.

    Before he could dwell on it too much, the door opened and Mary came in carrying a steaming cup of Jo, a bagel, and to his amusement sugar and creamer packets. With little more than a smile at his thanks, she had left the room again. He didn¡¯t mind enjoying his breakfast in peace and was relieved to find that the coffee was from a fresh pot. Noah finished his breakfast and tried his hand at meditation. Unsuccessful. Well, no time like the present then. Noah thought as he got out of his seat and got into a pseudo-triangle pushup position. One. Two. Three. He managed thirty before he let himself rest. Next came crunches. Then Squats. Repeat.

    Detective Billings watched from the other side of the glass as half an hour passed. He was impressed by the man¡¯s endurance, even more so by his lack of embarrassment at what he was doing. His calls had been unfruitful, the higher-ups wanted to keep him under observation for the night but he didn¡¯t have any legal reason to hold him. Something was off about the whole situation but he couldn¡¯t put his finger on it. For now though, he would avoid the man as long as seemed reasonable and leave the explanations for later.

    Just then, the lights flickered and the room shook. Earthquake? Billings wondered. He never got the chance to confirm before he was plunged into complete darkness.

    Noah finished his last set as the ground shook. But then the lights went out and his lungs failed to fill with air. The voice rang in his head, cold and without emotion.

    [System Initialized.]

 Chapter 3

    [System Initialized.]

    [Scanning...]

    [Mana not detected.]

    [Mana saturation complete.]

    [Essence Grade: F.]

    [Merge successful.]

    [Tutorial Commencing.]

    Noah opened his eyes to find a small white room with neither windows nor doors. He blinked. Where was he? Noah stretched out his hands and saw that they were no longer bound together. At least there¡¯s that. Noah went to take a step when a screen appeared before him.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Caste: Dust

    Gate: 1

    Path: Novice

    Level: 0

    Strength: 12

    Dexterity:14

    Constitution: 11

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    EXP: 0/10

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

    Noah fell to his knees as he stared at the screen in amazement. It actually happened. I¡¯m not crazy¡­ Tears welled in his eyes as he read through the screen. This was the measurement of who he was, who he had become. The numbers felt right. He couldn¡¯t explain why but somehow he knew that they were true. It was as if he looked at himself in a mirror and recognized himself. There were several new words that he didn¡¯t understand though. What does it mean that I am F grade?

    [Tutorial will now begin.]

    The same cold, hollow voice from the police station spoke in his mind. Who is that? What tutorial? He thought. Before he could vocalize his questions the voice continued.

    [Your planet has been initiated into the multiverse. Earth has been merged with additional planets. Planet Grade measured as F. Adjustments have been made. The surface area of the new planet, Unnamed is 150 times that of Earth¡¯s.]

    Thoughts raced through Noah¡¯s head as he tried to take it all in. He could hardly imagine an Earth twice the size, much less 150 times. He was getting distracted though.

    ¡°What does Grade mean?¡± Noah said aloud.

    [Standard definitions are as follows. No further information will be provided.]

    Grade is the multiverse standard for essence density.

    Caste is the multiverse standard for value.

    Gate is the multiverse standard for inspiration.

    Path is the multiverse standard for level progression.

    ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Noah replied, his question no more answered than before. He was glad to see Gate on his status and he supposed that inspiration made some sense. As he focused on Gate, another screen popped up before him.

    [Congratulations. You have reached the first Gate. Choose a reward.]

    Immediate

    Progressive

    Noah read the options that had appeared before his eyes. Immediate or progressive. This must be what the entity meant when I first reached the gate. Noah raked his mind for the best path forward. He knew he could use an immediate boost, but he had no clue how much he would miss by taking that option. Everyone knew that get-rich-quick schemes were short-lived, and he didn¡¯t want to be that sucker who bought into the instant gratification. He wished he had more information, some numbers to run, or a 30-day guarantee.

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    ¡°Can you explain the options for me?¡± Noah asked hopefully. He waited. Nothing.

    Worth a try. Noah thought before he made up his mind. If there was a way to save his people it wasn¡¯t going to be a quick and easy solution. With that thought in mind, he mentally chose progressive.

    [Progressive: Every time you gain a level, you get one additional stat point to allocate.]

    He had no idea if that was the worthwhile choice but it sounded promising. Noah felt accomplished at his early win, aware that there was no better time to gain this boon than at level 0.

    [Estimated survival rate: 50%.]

    [Error. The survival rate is too high.]

    [Adjustments made. Difficulty increased.]

    ¡°Oh.¡± Noah thought he would have puked if he could feel his body. One benefit to the strange void room he supposed. In a way, he was glad that he couldn¡¯t take back his choice because he would have chosen the immediate boost given the present information. Instead, he closed his eyes and tried to take a deep breath. No luck.

    Noah was still spellbound by the influx of life-altering information. Of course, 50% is too much to ask for, now it''s a more reasonable, say 45%? Noah assured himself even as his heart sank. Noah recalled his vision then, perhaps the hordes, as he called them, were the ¡°adjustments¡± the voice referred to.

    [Placement randomized.]

    [Wildlife enhanced.]

    ¡°Of course its this way!¡± Noah grunted, realizing that his stockpiled protein bars would feed some other lucky soul. All that time and effort he spent procuring the perfect survival gear was now wasted. He could only hope that his preparation would go to use and that he would find himself in some other doomsday bunker.

    [Void closing in 00:01:00.]

    Noah regained his composure. He needed to think. What else could he get from the last minute? This was supposed to be the tutorial? I have barely learned anything. Noah thought with some frustration. Was there anything he could ask that would improve his chances?

    [00:00:30.]

    ¡°Why is this happening?¡± Noah asked, hoping that the voice would deem his question worth responding to.

    [System expansion occurred due to unauthorized contact.]

    ¡°What?

    [00:00:00]

    ~

    Trellian Galaxy, Sector 901

    ¡°So it begins¡± She mumbled as she turned the globe in front of her. The blue and green marble now sat on the floor, a keepsake for the future. As a Bronze, she was allowed certain privileges, though not all were without repercussions. The globe was blue and orange with streaks of purple and patches of green, but that was the extent of her access. The accursed System would keep prying eyes away from the young ones.

    She had often wondered what it was like to be in their position, so ignorant of the broader machinations. It sounded freeing and disastrous. She could only hope that the situation wasn¡¯t too far gone before access was granted. Her plans had certain fail-safes but it pained her to have no control over the outcome.

    Superior Galaxy, Sector 250

    ¡°Father, did you hear the news?¡± Jonash asked.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± The Emperor looked at his son, who once again neglected the formalities that even his children were expected to maintain. Who am I kidding? He thought as he smiled freely at his youngest child.

    ¡°A new galaxy was just initiated¡± Jonash shared.

    ¡°Thats¡­ Odd¡± The Emperor replied, frowning in concentration.

    ¡°What is it, father? The boy inquired, resting his hand on the pommel of the sword at his hip. His father wasn¡¯t one to be concerned over trivialities.

    ¡°Ah, I see.¡± The Emperor spoke, his face relaxing and the tension leaving the room. ¡°A young one overstepped their bounds, but it was nothing grievous.¡±

    ¡°What did they do?¡± Jonash asked, his amber eyes bright with curiosity.

    ¡°My son! Did I miss your ascension to Bronze?¡± The Emperor asked doing his best to appear shocked.

    ¡°Still Copper¡­¡± Jonash sighed. The Emperor nodded knowingly.

    ¡°I am afraid I cannot share the details with you then. You will have to wait for the appropriate time, Jonash.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Father.¡± The boy acknowledged respectfully.

    After Jonash had run along, The Emperor gestured to the man dutifully standing to the side of the throne room.

    ¡°My Emperor¡± Darius intoned as he came to attention beside the throne.

    ¡°Darius, you are to travel to the new galaxy. I permit you to use the full force of your rank to ensure non-interference from foreign entities.

    ¡°Yes, Emperor.¡± The man responded before bowing and leaving the room.

    The Emperor smiled in satisfaction. It was only fitting that those of his caste shepherd the children the Great System brought into the fold.

    Surden Galaxy, Sector 995

    ¡°Boss! Boss!¡± Came a high-pitched, raspy voice. Surden massaged his temples as he turned toward the voice.

    ¡°This better be important, Chak,¡± Surden growled. Chak swallowed and looked up at the flared nostrils of the bossman¡¯s face. He was mad.

    ¡°Uhh. Yes sir. The galaxy you told me to watch has hatched.¡± Chak managed. Surden tilted his head as he ran the numbers. That sounds about right. He thought as he gave up on the calculation.

    ¡°Then it''s time!¡± He said with a savage grin. ¡°Ready the men!¡±

    ¡°Y-Yes Boss!¡± Chak said with a haphazard salute.

    Chak¡¯s heart raced as he thought of it. A new galaxy always promised riches, but this one was special. He wouldn¡¯t dare tell his men, but this galaxy marked a unique opportunity to rise above one¡¯s station. And it would be his.

    Milky Way Galaxy, Sector 1000

    In a tiny pocket of the infant galaxy, an invisible pulse rippled across the heavenly bodies. The star in its center blinked and expanded many times over before a wave of blue-white intensity emanated from it. The subsidiary planets and moons morphed and grew, taking on a deeper vibrancy than any untouched galaxy could claim. This solar system¡¯s jewel, that is Unnamed, took on a new form. With an artist''s hand, its landscape transformed. Its blues deepened, its greens scattered; reds and purples were interwoven into its tapestry. A handful of lights joined another, and like seeds were scattered across the canvas. Black pearls were placed just so, adding contrast to the lights. It was complete. A masterpiece.

 Chapter 4

    Noah jolted awake and found himself lying on the ground surrounded by trees towering into the sky. He remembered his time in the white room, the tutorial, and what the voice had said. I could be anywhere. He realized. He moved to stand and was horrified to see his hands once again firmly bound in handcuffs. No, no¡­ this is not good.  Noah scrambled to his feet and took a look at the world around him. The ground was hard, brown dirt littered with twigs and leaves. The trees though¡­ they had changed.

    He walked up to the tree and put his hand on its trunk. It felt like good old Earth bark, and for the most part, it looked like it too. It was the streaks of tiny purple veins running up the length of the tree that set it apart. He worked his fingers between the grooves in the bark and pulled in an attempt to see what lay beneath, but it didn¡¯t budge. He tried again. Then again in a different spot. Nothing, he couldn¡¯t so much as shift the outer layer of the bark. He went to try his hand once more when he heard the crunch of a twig into the hard earth.

    Noah froze. Perhaps it was the wind.

    Crunch! The sound was closer this time. Not wind.

    Noah turned, adrenaline pulsing through his body. He heard another sound, recognizable and terrifying, a thunderous roar so loud that Noah frantically tried to cover his ears. He was only mildly successful with his cuffs. It was then that the beast stepped into view, a bear so large that it looked down at Noah on all fours. Run or play dead? Noah thought, immediately dismissing the ¡®act big¡¯ option. The bear locked eyes with him and huffed¨Cits breath rustling the leaves. Noah knew he had one chance to get the next move right or he would die. Simple as that. So when the bear charged him he waited until it was just a few scarce feet away and dove desperately to the right.

    A loud smack rang out and the tree Noah had been standing in front of groaned in protest. Noah scampered to his feet and ran to the nearest tree, hoping that he could repeat the maneuver. The monster of a bear back-peddled, shaking its head side to side as if it had been stunned. Noah smiled then, perhaps he wouldn¡¯t die today. The bear turned, sniffing loudly, and fixed its gaze on him again. It charged and smashed head-first into the tree as Noah bolted to the side again. It whimpered briefly before huffing in frustration. The next time went less smoothly and as Noah dove to the left, the bear stopped just short of the tree and lifted its paw as its maw shifted in Noah¡¯s direction. Noah¡¯s fingernails dug into the dirt as he threw himself forward, just in time to feel a rush of wind across his back. Wasting no time, he sprung to his feet and dashed behind the nearest tree. He wouldn¡¯t try the same tactic again.

    Instead, he ran, being careful to move between trees to eliminate any straight lines between him and the bear. Loud crashes could be heard behind him as the bear failed to navigate fully between the trees. Noah ran as fast as he could manage, staying just ahead of the massive beast. Its angry snorts were fine motivation to keep him moving and he was thanking the woman from his vision for the heads-up that led to his intense training. The Noah from six months ago could barely run a mile, much less outrun a bear. Just as he had that thought his foot caught a snag and flew forward, the handcuffs digging into his wrists and the breath thoroughly knocked out of him. Noah wheezed and clamored back to his feet, all too aware of the fast-approaching bear. He hobbled for a few steps before regaining a jog. The bear growled behind him and Noah turned to find a straight stretch between them. The bear was already charging when Noah threw himself out of its path. It was too late to completely clear the charging beast and its shoulder rammed into his legs, throwing him at an awkward angle. Noah got to his feet, clinging to the dregs of adrenaline that pushed the pain of the impact to the back of his mind.

    The bear lumbered towards him rising up on its hind legs. It towered over him, easily double his height. I¡¯m sorry. Noah thought as he considered his family and those he would leave behind. As he accepted his fate staring into the eyes of his executioner, an odd thing occurred. A screech pierced the air as something akin to a golden eagle thrust its talons into the bear¡¯s eyes. The bear howled and moaned in agony as the giant bird released its grip and rose to the skies again. Noah, relieved to be alive for the moment turned and ran with all his strength. As he ran the sounds of clashing titans filled his ears and he plowed forward on borrowed breath until he collapsed some distance away. Blood had hardened on his arms and the pain of the bear¡¯s impact was now present in full force. He sat with his back against the tree and rolled up his leg to inspect his injuries. As he feared his left leg was a deep purple from mid-calf all the to the hip, to his relief there were no visible bones or bleeding so he considered himself fortunate.

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    Noah wasn¡¯t sure what to do next. The survival basics all seemed to be out of reach. Fire, water, shelter, food. So far he had seen nothing but towering trees for shelter and their lowest branches were at least 15 feet into the air. He supposed he could try rubbing twigs together for fire but somehow doubted that it would be a viable option. Food¨Cwell there was bear apparently, but unless he had a fire and a means to attack said bear then it was useless. For now, he would catch his breath and think of a plan. He rested for some time, before standing to his feet, or trying at least. His leg buckled beneath him and he was quickly reunited with the ground. With his new plan decided for him, Noah got comfortable against the tree and hoped that he had made it far enough away from the animals to be spared.

    [5 XP gained]

    The voice startled Noah awake and he braced himself for an attack. Then he realized that it was the same System voice from the tutorial. 5 XP. What is that supposed to mean? He thought as he considered the message. He remembered the status that he had seen on the screen in the tutorial and wondered if there was a way to view it again. As if on queue, it appeared before his eyes as a translucent menu.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Caste: Dust

    Gate: 1

    Path: Novice

    Level: 0

    Strength: 12

    Dexterity:14

    Constitution: 11

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP:5/10

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

    Noah looked it over again until he found the change. It now listed XP as 5/10 instead of the previous 0/10. Progress! Halfway after one fight! Noah was suddenly filled with elation as he imagined what would happen if he leveled up. Would he gain some new power? How would his stats change? It was as if a flip was switched on in his brain and he was now looking forward to his next fight. That¡¯s probably not normal, right? He considered before dismissing the thought. Normal would have to be discovered in this new world and he was just getting started.

    After the excitement wore off Noah eventually drifted asleep. When he woke he was freezing and he winced at the pain and stiffness in his body. He wondered if leveling up would have some kind of healing effect. He kept that thought firmly in mind as he hoisted himself to his feet. There was only one way to find out. He limped at first, then hobbled and hopped. Noah sighed at his unfortunate predicament. He was lame, handcuffed, and defenseless surrounded by giant predators. He looked down at his handcuffs and was surprised to see rust formed along its edges. Was that there yesterday? I could have sworn they were bright and shiny. Puzzled at the development, he failed to notice a visitor enter his patch of the woods. It wasn¡¯t until he heard the soft thump that he recognized something was amiss. His muscles became taut and he held his breath as he pivoted in place. What he saw brought tears to his eyes¨Cthere on the ground in front of him sat a large fluffy rabbit. He couldn¡¯t help but laugh as he stared down at it. The rabbit smiled back with a mouth full of needle-like teeth.

 Chapter 5

    Noah gasped in pain as the furry monstrosity latched onto his right forearm, its teeth easily piercing his skin. Lacking the ability to grab onto the creature, he did the first thing that came to mind¨Che jumped like a WWE star and squished it into the ground with his body. He felt the squishy body of the rabbit deflate beneath him as its mouth limply released his arm. He gritted his teeth through the pain and proceeded to stomp on the alien rabbit until he got a reassuring message.

    [1 XP Gained.]

    Noah¡¯s first thought was that he was cheated somehow. 1 XP? Really? He then remembered that his forearm had become a pincushion. He looked around for something to stop the bleeding but came up short. Knowing that this kind of thing was time-sensitive he peeled off his shirt¨Conly to have it get stuck at his wrists. These stupid handcuffs! In a fit of claustrophobia, he strained his arms against the steel. He was rewarded with more bleeding and a wave of anxiety. Noah breathe. In. Out. Pull yourself together. He recited this simple mantra in his mind and eventually sat with his back against the tree. I can do this. I prepared for this. I just need to think rationally. Noah took a deep breath and looked down at his arms with fresh eyes. He lifted his wrists to his mouth and bit down on the left sleeve. He pulled with his hands as he tried to rip the shirt. It didn¡¯t budge. Blasted quality fabric. He tugged more vigorously as the panic threatened to set in again. I only need to tear one side. I can do this. In a new strategy, Noah lifted his good foot into the shirt and pushed out, a thread snapped, then another. With a hearty kick, he tore the shirt from collar to hem, leaving a stretch of fabric dangling from his arms. He grinned and set to work pulling the cloth tight around his arm, tying it tight with the liberal use of his teeth. While the needle-like teeth of the rabbit were effective at piercing his arm, they were thankfully not the worst injury to endure. They left a pattern of pin-prick holes that should heal much quicker than a wide gash, or so he hoped.

    Shirtless, beat-up, and bloody, Noah gathered himself and faced reality. Things needed to change quickly or he was dead. He ticked through his survival checklist: Shelter, fire, water, food. He still couldn¡¯t picture an easy way to gain shelter but for now, the forest canopy would keep him dry and it was still warm enough during the day. Fire and water were the big ones, he had yet to see a water source and though he had studied fire-making methods he simply lacked the needed elements. He would need tinder, small sticks, and eventually larger pieces of wood. When he had tried he couldn¡¯t even budge the bark on the tree, he could hardly imagine being able to break off its branches. The bear did though¡­ He recalled from the day before.

    With a direction in mind, Noah got to his feet, wincing at the effort. On a hunch, he grabbed the rabbit carcass and made his way through the woods, following the conspicuous tracks of a half-dragged leg. It took some time but he eventually arrived at the site of his struggle the day before. It wouldn¡¯t be accurate to say that the bear was picked clean, but it was close. The metallic scent of the blood painted a gruesome picture and Noah was quick to set about his task. Looking around the clearing, he noted the impact sites where the bear had rammed into the trees. Just as he had hoped the bark had splintered, revealing a battered inner layer of the trunk. Shreds of of it littered the ground beneath the crash site and Noah picked it up like candy from a pi?ata. His carrying capacity was limited, but he stuffed the pockets of his workout pants to overflowing and carried the larger bits in his hands. Now to get a spark. The most rudimentary method that he had much success with was flint and steel, and he thought that if he found a water source he may just get lucky and find flint there. Steel would be tricky though he thought as he set his wood in a pile. I¡¯m losing it. He thought as he stared down at his noticeably more rusty handcuffs. Well, steel is covered. The rust struck him as odd, he had never observed metal rust at such a noticeable rate. He figured that if they fell apart it would be all the easier for him so he didn¡¯t think any more of it.

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    Noah knew he was being optimistic but he couldn¡¯t help but feel giddy as he looked at his assembled materials. One seemingly impossible task accomplished and the day was still young. Noah was also getting the itch to gain more experience; he almost hoped to stumble upon another killer rabbit. Part of him knew this was a concerning development in his psyche but he would take what small joys he could get in this bleak new world. Next was water. With that in mind, he used the dead rabbit to bundle the wood; it was a morbid choice but it got the job done. He carried as much as could manage between his cuffed hands and chose a direction he hadn¡¯t ventured into yet. He had no bearings for the cardinal direction as he hadn¡¯t seen the sun in days. Nonetheless, he chose and endeavored to walk in a straight line.

    He ambled along as quickly as he could for what felt like hours, surely no less than an hour, until he heard a glorious sweet sweet sound. He followed the rhythmic gurgling at a hurried pace until he saw it¨Cflowing water. The trees parted to reveal a stream, maybe ten feet across. The streambed was rocky and it appeared to meander in a winding fashion through the forest. Noah set his supplies down and approached the water. It was clear like glass revealing minnows and other small waterbound creatures. If he wasn¡¯t so thirsty he may have cried, it hadn¡¯t been his most pressing concern with the various injuries but as he looked at the water he suddenly felt like a dry well.

    He briefly considered drinking from the crystal water but filed that notion away as a last resort. If rabbits and bears could mutate then he didn¡¯t want to imagine what changes the parasites had experienced. Noah set about to find flint and began to comb the river bed for the dark rock. It was noticeably darker when he found his target. In his hand, he held a rectangular chunk of beautiful charcoal-colored rock. His pants were wet, and he was spent, but it didn''t keep him from moving forward. He needed a win. He made a nest from the soft wood shavings that the bear had so kindly prepared for him and gathered piles of twigs by size. Then came the awkward part. He couldn¡¯t hold the flint and strike it against the handcuffs so he wedged it into the ground at an angle with the edge facing him. He placed his tinder bundle at the bottom of the flint edge and knelt down in front of it. Then he swung his wrists forward and struck the flint with the centerpiece of the handcuffs. No spark. He struck it again, and again. He got a spark! It didn¡¯t take. Sweat was beading on his face when a wisp of smoke snaked between his fingers. With all the grace he could manage, he carefully lifted the tinder to his face and blew gently. The wood fibers caught and he set it back on the ground in haste as he grabbed the smallest twigs and began to feed the emerging flame. With the precision of a surgeon, he deftly stoked the fire. He watched as the larger twigs slowly caught fire and was amazed to see how long they burned. The little twigs were dense but even that seemed like a stretch to explain how they produced so much heat. As the flame steadied he relaxed, allowing himself to breathe deeply and savor the moment. He did it. If he could make fire in an alien world, he could do anything. As the wood crackled and popped another pleasant noise rang through Noah¡¯s head.

    [10 XP gained.]

    ¡°No way.¡± Noah whispered as a grin spread across his face. That¡¯s more than enough! He tried to gauge if anything felt different in his body, surely something would have changed. He stretched and examined his body but didn¡¯t notice any difference. Is it too subtle to recognize? He thought as the disappointment crept in. My Status! He remembered. As he did, the screen appeared before his eyes.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Caste: Dust

    Gate: 1

    Path: Novice

    Level: 0

    Strength: 12

    Dexterity:14

    Constitution: 11

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP:16/10 [level up available]

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

    ¡°Yes!¡± Noah cried in relief. I just have to press the button! No reason to be upset. He looked over his stats and committed the numbers to memory in case they changed. Then he mentally pressed the button.

    [Level 0 > level 1.]

 Chapter 6

    [Level 0 > level 1.]

    Without hesitation, Noah summoned his status again.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Caste: Dust

    Gate: 1

    Path: Novice

    Level: 1

    Strength: 12

    Dexterity:14

    Constitution: 11

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP:6/10

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 3

    He scanned through each line but soon realized that the only change was that he now had three stat points available. For the first time, he really considered what the stats meant. Strength was obvious enough, dexterity likely referred to his speed or control over his body, and constitution was likely his physical hardiness. The other stats were interesting, clearly, he knew what intelligence and the others were, but did they do what he thought they did? As a software engineer, he was no stranger to computer games, even if he had never been as avid as a player as some of his coworkers. And in all the games he played with this kind of status, these stats determined magical capabilities. He knew this wasn¡¯t a game, but what if the system just presented him with a familiar interface to help him along? At this point, he just couldn¡¯t risk it, and either way he needed a physical more. That raised another question, would he choose to be a wizard if he could? That wasn¡¯t really his style, but then again he had never seen real magic.

    Noah sighed. This particular decision could wait but for now, he would choose strength, dexterity, or constitution. Based on the intense training he put himself through over the last six months he figured that the base level person would have around 10 points in any given category plus or minus a few based on their lifestyle. If that was true then all his training had amounted to two or maybe three points in strength and around four points in dexterity. That was huge. In an instant, he could accomplish six months of grueling effort for one aspect of himself. What did he need most? He could definitely use the strength, everything around him seemed to be tougher than before the system. Dexterity was less attractive given he hadn¡¯t experienced the lack of it yet. Constitution felt like an obvious choice given the state of his body. As much as he wanted to become super buff he wanted to survive even more. That thought tipped the scales and he mentally assigned the points to constitution.

    [Confirm allocation?]

    He gave a mental nod to the system. Then a fierce tingling raced through his body, like every muscle had fallen asleep and he was all pins and needles. The overwhelming sensation lasted a few seconds and then dissipated as quickly as it had come. When it finished, Noah felt like a new man. His arm still throbbed and his leg ached but something had changed. He felt healthier. Nothing superhuman, but more like how he would expect to feel if he drank a bunch of green drinks, did cardio every day, and managed his gut health. His skin looked more vibrant and his breathing felt deeper and clearer. He could get used to this.

    Noah paused. Where had he gotten the XP? Did he kill something without realizing it? He ran through the day''s events in his mind. The notification came in right after he got the fire settled and sat down. Did I get rewarded for starting a fire? Could I do it again? Easy levels? The possibilities raced through his mind. He was half tempted to start the fire over again, but just a thought of the effort involved and he put that idea to rest. He would have to figure it out but now wasn¡¯t the time. He was hungry and thirsty and he could do something about one of those immediately. Noah fetched the rabbit carcass, the flint, and a few river rocks before returning to the fire. While he wasn¡¯t an expert he knew that flint had been used for bladed weapons for millennia. With that in mind, he smashed his piece of flint with a large rock. He could admit it was a less-than-elegant performance, but the results were workable. He picked up one of the resulting shards and held it in the light of the fire. It certainly looked sharp.

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    He began the arduous task that was cleaning the rabbit. He had the good sense to wander to the stream before dumping its guts on the ground. The flint shard was pulling its weight, and the handcuffs were becoming part of him at this point. He knew the entrails could be used as bait but that was tomorrow''s problem. For now, he roughly skinned the animal and rinsed it the stream. He positioned four larger stones around the fire to serve as a grate and set the now-cleaned meat on top. The twigs burned a perfect low and slow so it was just a matter of time. As he waited he had a truly disgusting idea that made him gag to consider. He was thirsty, really thirsty. That¡¯s what he told himself as he returned to the stream and proceeded to rinse and clean the rabbit hide. He tested it in the water, holding the pelt by the four feet and allowing the cavity to fill. His face twitched when it refused to leak. This or die. It''s this or die.

    After the rabbit was thoroughly crispy Noah carried a pelt full of water to the fire and held it over the flame. The fur caught fire as expected and produced a putrid stench as it was burned away. He choked back bile and continued to hold it tightly. For all his drama he knew that if it worked it was another day of living, another day to come out on top. It took altogether too long for the water to boil and he wasn¡¯t stopping short of complete bacterial destruction. The water eventually cooled and Noah braced himself as he lifted the makeshift vessel to his mouth. It had developed a thin layer of fat across its surface from the bits he couldn''t scrape off but he took it all in and swallowed immediately, refusing to let his taste buds stop him. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was in comparison to the smell of the burnt fur, but it wasn¡¯t nearly as bad as he had imagined. It tasted like bland, unsalted, bone-broth. Not good, but not terrible either.

    [1 XP gained.]

    ¡°Huh, I¡¯ll take it.¡± Whether for the effort involved to get himself to drink the water, or the fact that he managed to procure and sanitize it he didn¡¯t know. He guzzled down the remaining water and moved on to the rabbit. It was burnt on the outside, a bit lean, and beyond gamey. It was also the first meal he had eaten in a couple of days so it was delicious.

    [1 XP gained.]

    That makes eight! Two to go. At this point he was pretty sure it was the end result that garnered the XP, perhaps effort was involved but he wasn¡¯t sure what kind of scale he would be working with. He finished his meal as the last light of day faded, his surroundings illuminated only by the flickering fire. He was more than a little concerned about other curious animals as he considered sleep but he didn¡¯t have another option except to stoke the fire and hope it was still as scary to the evolved beasts as to their earthen predecessors.

    When he woke it wasn¡¯t to the rising sun. Judging by the low light of the fire, a couple of hours had passed but morning still seemed to be far away. His heart raced as he looked into the darkness around his little camp. He had his back to a tree with the fire directly in front of him, which in hindsight completely ruined his ability to see into the darkness. He tentatively placed a few more sticks on the fire, urging them to combust and shed more light in his vicinity. He picked up a pomegranate-sized rock and held it between his hands. Whatever had woken him would get more than it bargained for.

    He heard a loud sloshing noise in the direction of the stream followed by enthusiastic chewing. The entrails. The sounds continued for a couple of minutes and then stopped all at once. Noah knew then that he was being watched. He couldn¡¯t explain how he knew, but he did. He readied his rock and sank into a comfortable fighting stance. If there was one thing all martial arts instructors had in common, it was a love for stances. And over the last six months, he had it drilled into him that a solid foundation was the key to all martial forms. He had trained with weapons, without weapons, and in all manners of combat. Whatever this was, he could take it. When the next sound came it was like the twang of a bowstring¨Cif he didn¡¯t move he was done. Noah stepped quickly to the side, simultaneously slamming the rock down on his previous location. It connected with a meaty crunch and the intruder, a wolf with strangely long legs, slumped to the ground. For good measure, he repeated the attack and was awarded with a satisfying ding.

    [10 XP gained.]

    In a single moment, he had gained an entire level¡¯s worth of XP. He couldn¡¯t help but smile as he considered where his new points would go. As he looked down at the beast, his excitement drained away. If there was one wolf, then there would be more.

 Chapter 7

    The rest of the night remained uneventful and it wasn¡¯t long before weariness overtook Noah as the gurgle of the stream lulled him to sleep. He woke the next morning, refreshed and with a spring in his step. Like a kid on Christmas morning, he opened his status to look for new gifts.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Caste: Dust

    Gate: 1

    Path: Novice

    Level: 1

    Strength: 12

    Dexterity:14

    Constitution: 14

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP:18/10

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

    With a mental prompt, he leveled, welcoming the system message with open arms.

    [Level 1 > Level 2.]

    Noah had already made the responsible choice so without further delay he allocated his points into strength. The fiery tingling returned, bringing with it a pressure that grew throughout his body. When it passed, the results were evident. His already visible abs were now well into the chiseled category, his arms and legs were simultaneously bulked and toned, and he could definitely see more clearly. It was amazing. He felt like he could grapple an Earth bear and come out on top! He chuckled in appreciation and considered the day ahead. It was time to grind some levels. With the most basic necessities covered, the next task was to get stronger. Level up, get a weapon, and level up again.

    Noah walked over to the stream and washed his face, the current moving too quickly to produce a reflection. As he reached his hands into the water he noticed that the handcuffs were entirely orange with rust. He gave them a tug, and they actually creaked. He tugged at them again, this time harder. The handcuffs fractured and with some encouragement, they fell from his wrists. Reveling in his newfound freedom, he stripped and plunged into the glacial water. Streaks of red streamed off his body as he massaged his wounds. Once the caked grime was removed he climbed out of the water and huddled by the fire. The bruising on his leg was now a pale yellow-green and had reduced to a dull ache. His forearm had mostly healed and now his most bothersome injuries were the chaffing of his wrists.

    He got clothed and retrieved the wolf carcass from the night before. As offputting as it may have been a few days ago, he couldn¡¯t afford to be picky now, so he processed the animal to the best of his ability and set it over the rekindled fire. It was smaller than he had remembered from the night before, looking to be more like a coyote than a wolf, though he was unsure what the System¡¯s transition had done to it. He sat near the fire and grabbed the rabbit skeleton he had left in the fire overnight, the bits of meat and sinew now burnt off, and the bones dry. The bones were weak and dainty, so they wouldn''t be suitable for most tools nor could they hold up as weapons. They would however make good arrowheads, sewing needles, or fishing gear. He wasn¡¯t really a nimble person but perhaps with some extra points in dexterity he could work some crafting magic.

    The canine flesh wasn¡¯t bad, and he was able to eat his fill with some to spare. After another rabbit-skin bag of boiled water, he was set to explore the area. He lay the rest of his twigs on the fire and pushed in the river stones, hoping it would protect the coals from going out. He decided to cover some ground by running along the stream. He called this direction North and started jogging along the well-packed dirt. His primary goals were to find a long branch he could make into a spear and to encounter some kind of prey that would take him to level three. He scanned the trees for low branches and signs of activity. The more he looked the stranger it all seemed. The trees were oddly uniform each towering at least 100 feet into the sky with the lowest branches well past 30 feet up the trunk. Even more peculiar was the complete lack of underbrush. Where were the bushes, saplings, brambles, and flowers? There¡¯s no grass. Something about that realization set him on edge, this all felt so wrong. Every forest he had visited was filled with all kinds of critters, plants, and debris. This was more like the Christmas tree farms he had visited as a kid, with perfectly arranged trees and little else. As much as he wanted answers, and to get out of this eerie forest, he had work to do so he forced a smile and continued on.

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    He had made it another few hundred yards when a scream tore through the trees. That was a person. Noah sprinted, shirtless and rock in hand, toward the noise. It had come from the Northwest, across the stream. Without hesitation, he rolled up his pants and crashed through the water before pressing on. As he moved into the woods he could only hope that we moving in the right direction and that this wasn¡¯t some new form of monster.

    ¡°No! Help! Stay away!¡± A woman cried out much closer than before. Noah altered his course and bolted in her direction. He saw movement up ahead. He rounded a tree and caught sight of the woman and two companions surrounded by five of the wolf-like creatures he had seen the previous night. One of the men was clutching his arm and bleeding through his sweatshirt, the other seemed to be in shock as he stood there with wide eyes. The woman stood in front of them protectively, wielding what appeared to be an orange frying pan. Not willing to stand and watch, Noah launched himself at the nearest wolf smashing his rock into its rear leg. It whined in pain and soon every eye was on him. He knew the fragile wolves were quick as arrows, so he made use of every moment as he followed up his first strike with a second to the side of the wolf¡¯s head.

    Before he could relish in his feat, a sharp pain erupted from his left calf. One of the other beasts was already latched onto his leg. He frantically bashed its head, losing track of the rest of the wolves. The second one fell but not before another one raked its claws along his back. A pained yelp came from across the clearing followed by a heart-wrenching whimper.

    ¡°Julie!¡± One of the others cried.

    Noah bit his lip and wheeled on the third wolf. He cracked its skull with a single blow and dashed toward the woman¨CJulie. She was on the ground, one wolf standing near her snarling with blood running down its face. The other was biting her foot as she kicked at it with the other. Noah yelled something unintelligible with all his might.

    ¡°Aaaaah!¡± He roared as he barreled into the offending wolf. He brought it to the ground and pummeled it with his rock. When it stopped struggling he lept up and hurled the rock at the remaining beast. The rock struck its leg, and it yelped and started to back away. Noah picked the rusted pan up off the forest floor and delivered a quick end to the scraggy mutt. Not wanting to leave things to chance, he ensured that the other wolves were out cold before returning to the woman.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Noah asked as he stretched out his hand to help her up. It was only then that he noticed the blood covering his arms. The look on the woman¡¯s face confirmed that he looked more like a monster than a friend at that moment.

    ¡°Ah. Sorry, I uh didn¡¯t realize,¡± Noah said as he used his pants to wipe the blood from his hands. It wasn¡¯t working. One of the men ran over then, the one with the injured arm, and helped Julie to her feet. Noah was relieved to see that her foot was still intact, albeit worse for wear.

    ¡°Julie, are you okay?¡± The man asked her, repeating Noah¡¯s question. She nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be okay, Kyle.¡± She assured him. He supported her with his good arm and helped her over to one of the trees. Once she was leaning against it they both turned back to Noah, seemingly unsure of what to say.

    ¡°Uh Sir¡­ Thank you.¡± The man said. Sir? Noah thought confused at his response. He looked at the pair and realized they were younger than he first assumed. Their rough appearance and grim faces hid their youthful attributes. The boy, he realized was probably in his mid to late teens while the woman was at least a few years younger than himself.

    ¡°Thank you so much,¡± She said, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for my reaction, I was just startled by all the blood.¡± He gave a warm smile in return and nodded.

    [45 XP Gained.]

    Noah grinned at the familiar voice of progress only to stumble forward, just barely staying on his feet. The blood, He realized as he started to see stars. In a frantic effort, he mentally commanded the system to level up.

    [Level 2 > Level 3.]

    [Level 3 > Level 4.]

    [Level 4 > Level 5.]

    [Level 6 > Level 7.]

    [Level 8 > Level 9.]

    He barely had time to appreciate the notifications as he fell to the ground. With his last wisp of consciousness, he assigned his 15 points to constitution.

 Chapter 8

    Noah drifted in and out of consciousness. At one point he was vaguely aware of being carried and heard muffled talking, though he couldn¡¯t make out the words. He remembered being set down and then sometime later feeling the cold water on his body. Someone squeezed his hand and whispered into his ear.

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be alright. Keep fighting.¡±

    Julie smiled as she looked down at the man who had saved their lives. He had rushed in like a Viking, war cry and all. He had defeated all of the wolves by himself, and he was human the same as her. He bled and hurt just like she did¨Cshe had watched him do exactly that as he groaned and winced over the last few hours. But he still chose to save them and he did save them. She had never felt so helpless as when the wolf had sunk its teeth into her brother¡¯s arm and then again when another attacked her. When the man had finally finished off the wolves and turned to her she recoiled from his extended hand. I¡¯m so stupid. She remembered the look on his face as he withdrew his hand. She had made her savior feel like a monster.

    Julie steeled her resolve. She wouldn¡¯t be useless next time. She had gotten that notification and knew what it meant. She could become stronger. Seven more XP and she would reach level one. Julie returned her focus to the task at hand. She had made the boys, Kyle, and his friend, give up their shirts to serve as bandages and was now tying the last of the strips around the man¡¯s calf. They had half carried, half dragged the man to the stream where she then cleaned out the wounds. The boys couldn¡¯t handle the blood but it didn¡¯t bother her. She would have become a nurse in just two more months if not for the apocalypse. Part of her felt cheated that she put in all that work and it would never be official. On the other hand, she wouldn¡¯t have to work nights or deal with entitled patients. The man groaned as she pulled the last knot tight. She would save him, that was the least she could do.

    [10 XP Gained]

    She smiled at the confirmation of her suspicion. Killing wasn¡¯t the only way to move forward in this new world.

    [Level 0 > Level 1]

    She assigned her points in the obvious places. One point each to Intelligence, and wisdom. Classic magic stats. If this world had magic then she would become a healer.

    Noah woke up cold and wet. His whole body protested as he sat up.

    ¡°Wait! You shouldn¡¯t be doing that!¡± Julie yelled as she saw him stir. Noah jolted in surprise, causing arcs of pain to flare across his back.

    ¡°Agh¡­¡± He groaned. He looked up at the young woman who wore a scowl on her face. Right. The fight.

    ¡°Hi. I guess you¡¯re the reason I¡¯m alive?¡± Noah managed.

    ¡°I am.¡± She responded, her scowl replaced by downcast eyes. ¡°It was the least I could do.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± He said, smiling up at her. She stepped forward and stretched out her hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m Julie.¡±

    ¡°Noah.¡± He replied, shaking her hand. ¡°Are you guys okay?¡± She tilted her head back and forth.

    ¡°Not really.¡± She started as she sat down across from him. ¡°Kyle, my brother, was bitten in his arm and my foot is a little messed up. But mainly it''s the fear. Kyle¡¯s friend, Matt has been in shock since we appeared here and Kyle is just hanging in there.¡± She paused.

    Noah listened, now understanding why she had been the one fending off the wolves. She was the kind of person he could appreciate. No training but she didn¡¯t hesitate to jump in front of a bunch of vicious beasts for her brother. He made up his mind.

    ¡°What do you plan to do next?¡± He asked. She looked at him without a clue.

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    ¡°Uhm. I don¡¯t know.¡± She said, glancing at the boys a few yards down.

    ¡°I¡­¡± Noah raised his hand to cut her off.

    ¡°Would you like to come with me?¡± He asked, straight to the point. She hesitated, her brow furrowed as she stared at her feet.

    ¡°All of you I mean, just to be clear.¡± Noah blurted. She gave a small smile.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± She asked. ¡°I will do my best to pull my weight, but I honestly don¡¯t expect much from the boys.¡± Noah sighed.

    ¡°Look, Julie¨CI¡¯m not going to ditch you guys for something like that. At some point though, they will have to adapt. If they need some help getting there, I¡¯m happy to be part of that.¡± Noah didn¡¯t notice the tears that welled up in her eyes.

    ¡°I even had a fire last night, it might still be salvageable if we get to it quick.¡± He said enthusiastically as he started thinking through their next steps.

    ¡°When I left this morning there was more meat by the fire, though I doubt it''s still there. I could go collect one of the wolves for dinner though.¡± Noah paused as he met Julie¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Noah, thank you.¡± She exhaled, a crinkle at the corner of her eyes. He released a breath he didn¡¯t know he was holding.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±

    They gathered themselves and shared the plan with Kyle and Matt. They seemed to be agreeable enough and together they made their way toward his camp. When Noah had motioned to fetch one of the wolves, Julie stopped him.

    ¡°Noah, I don¡¯t think we can manage the extra trip in our state.¡± He looked them over.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. Let''s focus on getting set up first.¡± He agreed. On their trip back, he had time to feel out his wounds. In his mind he knew that he shouldn¡¯t be walking, between the calf and back injuries, he shouldn¡¯t be alive at all. Yet for all the blood he had lost, he just felt a bit under the weather. Hungry though, he was very hungry. My constitution increase must have had a dramatic impact. Now curious, he summoned his status.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Caste: Dust

    Gate: 1

    Path: Novice

    Level: 9

    Strength: 15

    Dexterity:14

    Constitution: 29

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 7/10

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

    He let out a low whistle, drawing funny looks from his companions.

    ¡°Sorry, just looking at my status after the fight.¡± He explained. ¡°Actually, did any of you get XP from the fight?¡± He asked on a whim. Kyle shook his head and Matt didn¡¯t seem to hear.

    ¡°I got 3 XP from it!¡± Julie shared, ¡°And 10 from treating you!¡±

    ¡°Huh. I suppose that makes sense. I got 47 XP from the fight so we must have shared the XP from the wolf you hit with the frying pan.¡± Noah surmised. Julie looked at him in shock, obviously having done the math.

    ¡°What level are you?¡± She asked, squinting her eyes at him.

    ¡°Level 9, almost 10 really.¡± He replied easily. ¡°Had a few run-ins before you guys and crafted a couple of things. I was only level two before the fight though.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± She shook her head like it definitely wasn¡¯t right.

    They strolled into camp and found a small wisp of smoke trailing out from between the rocks. Noah immediately went to it, getting on his hands and knees. He gently blew on the ember as he added twigs he gathered on their walk. To his surprise the rest of his breakfast was still there, just sitting out in the open. He put the pre-roasted wolf hunk back on the fire and announced the joyous news to the group.

    Julie and Kyle gave a little cheer but the real shocker was Matt. He cried. Full on, alligator tears cried. No words, nothing. Noah opened and closed his mouth a couple of times before deciding to let it be. He rinsed his hands in the stream and used a sharp bit of the flint to cut strips of meat from the roast. He handed them out to his excited diners. They ate like greedy scavengers and he did his best not to laugh as even Julie seemed to give in to hunger. This is good. This is why I trained. Noah thought as he looked at his new companions. If he did it once, he could do it again. For the first time since the world changed, he wondered why it was he who received the vision. Was it just a fluke or did someone out there look for a person like him? For six months he was the crazy, drugged-out, homeless guy that no respectable person would listen to. It had been hard but it was all for this.

    He looked each one of them in the eye and smiled, pausing to make sure they knew he was looking right at them.

    ¡°Welcome home.¡±

 Chapter 9

    The next day arrived without any surprises and Noah woke with one thing on his mind. Level 10. With only three XP to go, he felt an itch to pass that threshold. The boys were still sleeping and he could hear splashing coming from the stream. Not wanting to intrude on Julie, Noah gathered a river stone, and a shard of flint before stepping into the woods. He went north, planning to go back to the clearing with the wolves. As he went he took inventory of himself, his body was feeling good¨Ctoo good. He lifted his pant leg and found well-scabbed-over bite marks and otherwise healthy-looking skin. The bruising from the bear was nowhere to be seen. Amazing. His constitution was now roughly three times what he assumed to be the human baseline, and it was already quite evident. He wasn¡¯t invincible but he wasn¡¯t so fragile anymore.

    After a while, he saw the point where they had crossed the day before, evident by the parade of footprints. He crossed and followed their tracks, namely the dried blood, to the clearing. As he drew near he slowed, thankful for the sound-dampening effect of the dirt beneath his feet, and readied himself for a fight. They had left a lot of meat on the table for any prospective carnivores, and he was banking on exactly that. He rounded the final tree at a snail¡¯s pace and was thankful he did. Across the clearing was a large deer, with jagged black antlers protruding from its head. From its bloodied mouth he could only assume that it too had gained sharp teeth, a favorite mutation of the System it seemed. Noah crept forward, rock in one hand, flint in the other. He made it two steps in before the buck raised its head and met eyes with him. Dang. He thought, expecting it to spook. Instead, it charged like a raging bull, angling its antlers to pierce him through. He stepped in front of a tree and readied himself to jump, utilizing his favorite move. To the deer¡¯s credit, he hadn¡¯t seen this move before, but when its antlers stuck deep into the tree Noah couldn¡¯t help but laugh. The next part felt a little wrong, but Noah comforted himself with the fact that it had just tried to kill him. It wasn¡¯t defenseless, it had just fallen into his trap. With the moral quandary out of the way, he finished off the deer and waited for the all-too-encouraging ding.

    [10 XP Gained.]

    ¡°Yes!¡± Noah shouted, too giddy to keep it in. He immediately prompted the System to level up.

    [Level 9 > level 10.]

    [Apprentice Path Choices Available.]

    Combatant

    Non-Combatant

    Noah stroked his newly grown stubble and analyzed his options. It appeared that this was a defining choice for his development. What that all entailed he didn¡¯t know. One thing was obvious though, if he chose Non-Combatant and lost his ability to fight then he was as good as dead, not to mention the others.

    [Congratulations, you have taken the next step on your Path. Non-combat activities will no longer grant XP.]

    [Select two primary stats.]

    Strength | Dexterity | Constitution | Intelligence | Wisdom | Willpower

    Well, there goes the chef dream. Noah thought as he took in the news. This was huge. If the inverse was true for people who selected non-combatant then there would be some problems. He didn¡¯t know if the wildlife could level in the same way as humans, but if they could he somehow doubted they would be non-combatants. He moved on to the next message. Why wasn¡¯t this covered in the tutorial? He assumed that his selection of primary stats would somehow influence their growth but at what cost? He felt like a teenager being forced to decide what he would do with the rest of his life. He barely knew how the stats worked. Would too much of one compared to another be a bad thing? Would he still get free points to allocate? What do I want to be when I grow up? Noah thought, amused by a familiar feeling. Do I want to be fast and strong? Strong and tanky? Magic? He laughed. Okay, not magic. He decided to look at the facts. He knew it was between the three physical stats, and his constitution was already double the others. In the scenario that having too great a disparity was a factor then he ought to pick strength and dexterity. It was the safe choice and had nothing to do with the desire to be a ninja. He made his selection.

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    [Primary stats: Strength, Dexterity.]

    [Apprentice path grants +2 primary stats per level. +2* free stats per level.]

    Noah let out a breath. This was the best-case scenario. It also pointed out just how valuable his Gate choice had been. If he continued to get an extra stat point per level, he would have nearly 15 percent more stats as time went on. The next message took him off guard.

    [Caste threshold met. Initiating breakthrough.]

    Pain shot through Noah¡¯s body and he felt as if his blood was boiling. He slumped to the ground grateful for the numbness that overtook his senses.

    When his consciousness returned, the first thing he noticed was the smell. He was drenched in sweat and felt like all his pores and been forcefully exfoliated.

    [Caste Breakthrough successful. New Caste: Iron.]

    [Domain granted]

    [Iron caste is the lowest tier of citizenship in the multiverse. Higher caste citizens are now permitted to share System-related information with you.]

    [Congratulations.]

    Noah had a lot of thoughts about those last lines, thoughts that likely wouldn¡¯t get him anywhere. Focusing on the positive, he decided to open his status.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Domain: Self

    Caste: Iron

    Gate: 1

    Path: Apprentice

    Level: 10

    Strength: 15

    Dexterity:14

    Constitution: 29

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 5/100

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 3

    Several things had changed since the last time he saw it. His path read Apprentice and he now required ten times the XP to level. Additionally, there was a new line called ¡®Domain¡¯ which was somehow a result of his breakthrough, that and he was now an Iron. The System said that he became a citizen, which apparently wasn¡¯t the case before. Then he remembered. She called us dust. Not trash or scum, dust. ¡°From dust, you came, and as dust, you remained.¡± She disregarded us because we were dust, not just to her but to the System. Noah wasn¡¯t sure what to do with that. Was it possible that no one in his vision managed to become an Iron? He shuddered. That seemed hard to believe. Putting it aside for now he allocated his free stat points; one into dexterity and two into constitution.

    He stood up and made a beeline for the stream, intent upon scraping the filth from his body. As he went he noticed something strange. As he walked he could feel the bottom of his feet pressing into his sorry shoes. He experienced each toe flexing and the muscles in his legs tensing and bracing as he ran. It was like he was experiencing every sensation in his body at once. The more he ran, the more convinced he became that that was exactly what was happening. He jumped into the water and submerged himself in the frigid flow. He felt the water in a million places at once as it made contact with his body, yet it formed into one coherent feeling. Domain. This must be my Self Domain. Noah realized. As he washed himself he noticed something else, his body was unblemished. The cuts around his wrists were gone, the scabs on his legs were gone, and the scars on his stomach from the bike accident were gone. He felt strong too, like he had gained several points at once, but when he looked at his status nothing had changed.

    There was so much he didn¡¯t know and it disturbed to think that it was humanity¡¯s ignorance that sealed their fate. He would have to change that. Yelling in the distance caught his attention.

    ¡°Noah!¡± Julia yelled, ¡°We need help!¡±

    Noah bolted from the water and sprinted toward camp. He had been away for too long, lost in his revelry. He moved faster than he thought possible and came upon an unexpected sight. Standing in the middle of the camp was an elf, an honest-to-goodness pointy-eared elf, and he held an arrow to Julie¡¯s throat.

 Chapter 10

    Noah sprang into action, rushing the elf from the side. The elf¡¯s eyes went wide at Noah¡¯s approach and he immediately dropped his arrow and stepped away from Julie. He held his hands up, displaying empty palms in an apparently universal sign of peace.

    ¡°Wait please, spare me, I didn¡¯t know!¡± The elf cried as Noah closed the distance. Noah blinked. The fantasy elf spoke English. Huh. He put on a stern expression and glared at the elf.

    ¡°What do you mean you didn¡¯t know?¡± Noah demanded. The elf shrunk back and stammered out a response.

    ¡°You-you¡¯re an Evolved.¡± The elf man explained. Noah considered that.

    ¡°An evolved?¡± He asked. The elf stared at him, open-jawed.

    ¡°You mean you don¡¯t know?¡± He said, clearly put off by that idea.

    ¡°If you mean that I am an Iron, then yes I am aware of that. But how could you tell?¡± The elf nodded sagely then.

    ¡°Yes, yes Iron is what the System calls it. An elf would have to be blind not to recognize an evolved.¡± He explained, having regained his composure. The whole ordeal was throwing Noah off. He looked to Julie and she shook her head.

    ¡°What do you want from us?¡± Noah finally asked.

    ¡°Want? Nothing. I was mistaken.¡± The elf replied. Noah scratched the back of his neck.

    ¡°What did you want before I arrived?¡± He asked, trying again.

    ¡°Ah, I see.¡± The elf started, his eyes lighting up ¡°I wanted levels.¡± Noah frowned.

    ¡°You were going to kill them?¡± The elf¡¯s head teetered back and forth.

    ¡°That or bring them back to the village.¡± He shared. Julie tensed and Noah noticed Kyle¡¯s eyes go wide.

    ¡°But you don¡¯t want to do that anymore?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not! I am unevolved, I wouldn¡¯t dare touch the property of an evolved! On my honor as an elf of the purple grove!¡± The elf stamped his foot and stood ramrod straight as if to emphasize his point.

    ¡°I see,¡± Noah said, massaging his temples. They were speaking the same language but they weren¡¯t the same. The elf slowly began to sport a quizzical look and he cleared his throat.

    ¡°How did you manage to progress your race so quickly? It should have taken a considerable amount of essence,¡± Noah stared blankly at the pointy-eared man.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t progress my race, the System assigned us the F grade and that hasn¡¯t changed.¡± Noah shared. The elf¡¯s mouth opened and closed and Noah worried that he broke him. As he waited he found a seat by Julie and they watched as the elf continued his mental battle. He finally came to and turned toward them.

    ¡°You. Female. Are you also F grade?¡± The elf asked looking pointedly at Julie.

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± She answered curtly.

    ¡°You lucky creatures. Do you know what elves are born as? H grade! We don¡¯t become G grade until maturity and some never do! Only the great ones have evolved or achieved F grade as the system calls it,¡± he practically spat the last bit. He continued to mutter to himself as he shook his head.

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    ¡°What should we do with him?¡± Noah asked Julie. She shrugged.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Levels?¡± she replied. He guffawed.

    ¡°I¡¯m kidding! Just kidding!¡± She said, bursting into laughter. ¡°Did you hear him though? I am not sure what to be more insulted about, the fact that I was XP to him or that I suddenly became property when you showed up.¡± Noah laughed and received a quick elbow to the ribs.

    ¡°Hey! You can laugh but I can¡¯t?¡± He protested.

    ¡°Because you didn¡¯t correct the elf in the first place.¡± She accused, giving him a suspicious glare.

    ¡°Fine, fine. Not funny¡± He acquiesced. Noah turned his attention back to the elf.

    ¡°So what were you saying about a village? How many of you are there? Is it nearby?¡± Noah peppered. The elf stopped muttering and met his gaze.

    ¡°Ah yes, the village. It is a couple of hours by foot, and there aren¡¯t many of us yet. Though I expect more to arrive as the days pass.¡± He replied.

    ¡°Why would you think that?¡± Noah asked. The elf shrugged.

    ¡°We are elves, everyone knows how to find the village. It¡¯s only a matter of time before those nearby arrive.¡± Noah nodded at what the elf seemed to consider common knowledge.

    ¡°Do you have a name?¡± Noah asked him.

    ¡°I do. It is Balkendar¡± He said with a proud smile. ¡°Do you have a name?¡± He returned.

    ¡°Noah. And this is Julie, Kyle, and Matt.¡± He said as he pointed respectively.

    ¡°It is my honor to meet you, evolved Noah. I do apologize for threatening what¡¯s yours.¡±

    ¡°Look, Balkendar. Julie isn¡¯t my property, none of them are.¡± Noah explained. The elf looked at him, confused.

    ¡°Does that mean I can take her?¡± Balkendar asked. Noah could see that he wasn¡¯t getting through to the elf.

    ¡°No. It means that while I don¡¯t own her, I also won¡¯t let anything bad happen to her.¡± The elf nodded, seeming to get it this time.

    ¡°Very well. I will leave now. Perhaps we will meet again, or perhaps not.¡± He said, already making his way into the forest. Noah watched, bemused.

    ¡°That was crazy,¡± Kyle said, ¡°did you see his ears? Was he really an elf?¡± He looked to Julie and then Noah.

    ¡°I think so¡­¡± Julie replied. Noah nodded.

    ¡°Wow.¡± Kyle exhaled.

    ¡°We almost died. Again.¡± Matt said in a deadpan tone.

    ¡°But we didn¡¯t!¡± replied Kyle enthusiastically, ¡°Did you see his face when he saw Noah? I think he almost peed himself!¡± Matt shrugged and sat back down against the tree. Kyle bounded over to the adults.

    ¡°Soo what did he mean that you are evolved? And what did you say about being Iron? Isn¡¯t that metal?¡± Kyle asked. Julie sighed but Noah only smiled.

    ¡°I think Balkendar was referring to being Iron though our grade being F  appears to be rare for their kind. I assumed it was a bad thing when I first saw my status but it sounds like we started ahead of them. Iron is my caste, I had what the system called a breakthrough when I hit level 10. And speaking of which, we have a lot to talk about.¡± Noah finished.

    ¡°I¡¯m still level 0.¡±Kyle replied, deflating a bit.

    ¡°We can work on that¡± Noah responded.

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Really.¡± Noah saw Julie smile in the corner of his eye.

    ¡°First things first though, let me tell you what I learned.¡±

    Noah shared about his system messages and the choice he had been given at level 10. They speculated on the domain and debated the best path to take. Matt had even contributed to the conversation, excited about the non-combat potential. Julie had been as surprised as Noah about losing the ability to gain XP from non-combat sources. For her part, she was unsure which path would be most conducive to healing as it was dependent on injuries from combat but wasn¡¯t in itself violent. They spent the rest of the afternoon around the fire, appreciating the normalcy of the moment. Eventually, though hunger won out and Noah set out to retrieve the deer he had left in the clearing. At first, they seemed hesitant to let him leave, but he assured them that he wouldn¡¯t be gone as long this time around.

    By the time Noah returned, it was nearly dark and the crew looked restless. Kyle jumped up and ran over to him as he neared camp.

    ¡°What took you so long? Were you attacked?¡± He asked, more excited than concerned. Noah shook his head, dropping the cleaned animal near the fire. Julie smiled at him and mouthed ¡®thank you¡¯ before starting to process the deer.

    ¡°Just took some time to make the trip. No fights this time.¡± Noah explained to a disappointed Kyle. He would have to talk to Julie about showing Kyle the ropes. Matt may want to stay in camp but Kyle was eager to try his hand in a fight. Julie volunteered to cook the meat and they sat around the fire as they eagerly awaited the meal. This would be the first meal of the day for them. Julie mentioned that they tried catching fish and looking for edible plants but were hesitant to venture back into the forest. Noah didn¡¯t blame them but he knew that would have to change. There were more people out there who needed help, and he had to prepare to face the lady from his vision. That meant he needed to level and explore progressing his grade and meditating on the next gate. If what the elf said was true, then he could reason that all of those factors worked together to form his caste. Perhaps if he became valuable enough to the System the woman wouldn¡¯t be able to touch him.

    They ate the deer, which was leagues ahead of its canine predecessor, and bantered lightheartedly. Noah did his best to enjoy it, but he felt uneasy as he considered their lack of progress. But that could wait for tomorrow.

 Chapter 11

    Noah smiled as the light began to filter through the leaves, driving away the dancing shadows cast by the firelight. He had woken early, eager to plot his next steps. He knew exactly what he was going to do and had been twiddling his thumbs over the last half hour while he awaited the dawn. As its rays settled on the sleeping forms of his companions, he grinned.

    ¡°Wake up! Up! Up! Up!¡± He yelled, doing his best bootcamp officer impression. Julie gasped and jumped to her feet, looking for the threat. He nodded at the appropriate response. A bit slow, didn¡¯t grab a weapon. He noted, though the weapon part was a bit premature. The two teenagers also started awake, but instead of looking alive they groaned and rubbed at their eyes. Noah tsked, marking them down on his imaginary clipboard. Dead and dead. He hadn¡¯t expected anything different which was the reason for this abrupt jolting.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Are we under attack?¡± Julie asked, eyes wide.

    ¡°Nope!¡± He answered cheerfully. She squinted at him, making for a funny sight between the general disarray of her clothes and the twig sticking out from her hair.

    ¡°Explain,¡± She said.

    ¡°Today is the first day of boot camp, starting with reaction training! You passed this time by the way.¡± Noah said with a big grin plastered across his face. She wasn¡¯t as enthused and looked to have eaten something sour. Noah took that as a sign to start the next phase of training.

    ¡°Welcome to boot camp, cadets!¡± He yelled, ¡°If you want to eat tonight, then don¡¯t fall behind!¡± With that, Noah took to the woods at a brisk pace. The others stared after him for a moment before his words sank in

    ¡°He can¡¯t be serious, right?¡± Matt asked. Kyle was already up and moving, his grogginess replaced by eager anticipation.

    ¡°I imagine that he is,¡± Julie responded, not nearly as bright eyes as her brother. Matt¡¯s stomach growled and he seemed to think for a minute before jumping to his feet and following after Julie. Once Noah could see the last of them he picked up the pace, rounding trees and bends, forcing them to stay close. This went on for some time as he led them in a large circle and he was soon rewarded with gasps of labored breathing.

    ¡°Form up!¡± He shouted, stopping abruptly not far from camp. He doubted they realized that and he wasn¡¯t about to clue them in. The three cadets made for a sorry sight, sweating profusely and red in the face.

    ¡°We. did. It.¡± Kyle said between breaths, beaming with pride. Noah nodded at his most promising soldier.

    ¡°You sure did!¡± He encouraged, ¡°That¡¯s it for warmups, it''s time to get started on today¡¯s tasks.¡± Julie had a ¡°who do you think you are¡± kind of look going on, and Matt looked about ready to faint.

    ¡°Cheer up, everyone! Today is a light day. All you have to do is meet your quota and dinner will be served at dusk.¡± He explained.

    ¡°And what quota is that?¡± Julie asked, taking the bait.

    ¡°One level,¡± Noah said, as he made eye contact with each of them. This was the part he had been waiting for.

    ¡°If you want my help then I expect each of you to be one level higher than you are now by the end of the day.¡± He had learned something interesting this morning as he sorted through his thoughts; he could summon different parts of his status separately. This led to a potentially brilliant idea that he had been waiting to test. He willed the system to display his status to the group.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Level: 10

    XP: 3/100

    They collectively jumped as the screen appeared before them.

    ¡°I take it that it worked, then?¡± Noah asked. Julie nodded, understanding on her face. Matt also seemed to understand the implications and groaned.

    ¡°I am going to hunt. If you are hungry then I suggest you either find your own food or level before dark.¡± Noah had decided on a hands-off approach to start, hoping to see some creative ideas emerge from the pressure. Noah started to walk away from them but Julie called out him.

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    ¡°Hey Noah, can we talk?¡± She asked. He nodded and motioned for them to step away from the boys.

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°I get what you¡¯re going for, and I appreciate it¨CI really do. But do you think this is  necessary?¡± She asked. Noah didn¡¯t need to think about his response.

    ¡°It is. You heard the elf yesterday. To them and to the System we are disposable XP farms, you three especially. We need to get you to Iron as soon as possible.¡± He answered, his tone soft but firm. She took a deep breath.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. Thank you.¡± She said, her lips pressed into a firm line. She turned back to the boys.

    ¡°You heard Noah, chop chop!¡± Noah laughed as he left them to find the promised reward for their hard work.

    Noah was roasting the catch of the day, a pair of plump needle-toothed rabbits when Julie and Kyle stumbled back into camp looking worse for wear. Julie wore a familiar scowl but her face was red with tear-stained cheeks. Kyle¡¯s torso was purple and he had a noticeable limp, but he victoriously clung to a long narrow branch.

    ¡°Noah, look what I got!¡± Kyle annouced.

    ¡°Oh? What is it?¡± Noah responded, taking an interest.

    ¡°My bow!¡± Kyle proclaimed. Noah frowned.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t look a like bow.¡± He pressed. Kyle nodded unperturbed.

    ¡°Well yeah, not yet. But it will be a bow.¡± Kyle assured. Noah didn¡¯t want to burst the kid¡¯s bubble but he felt responsible to point out the obvious.

    ¡°And where do you plan to get a bow string from?¡± He asked, doing his best to sound optimistic.

    ¡°Sinew!¡± Kyle responded immediately.

    ¡°Like animal tendon, sinew?¡± Noah asked not understanding.

    ¡°Exactly! See I told you Noah would understand¡± Kyle said, looking at Julie.

    ¡°You sure did.¡± Julie said tersely. Kyle then proceeded to pull a mess of white strings from his pocket.

    ¡°They are a bit squished from the fall, but they should work fine.¡± Kyle explained. Noah looked at the not-strings in Kyle¡¯s hands and then at Julie.

    ¡°Was this your idea?¡± He asked.

    ¡°No, I just helped him with the¡­ removal. He claims to have watched someone do it on Youtube.¡± She said.

    ¡°Convenient.¡± Noah said, unsure if he should ask about the fall. Not wanting to step on Julie¡¯s toes he decided to get to the more pressing topic at hand.

    ¡°All right cadets, lets see those levels!¡± Noah said, resuming his cheerful drill sergeant persona. The three agreed and shared their status screens, he added his for fairness.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Level: 10

    XP: 5/100

    Status

    Name: Julie Weston

    Level: 2

    XP: 3/10

    Status

    Name: Kyle Weston

    Level: 0

    XP: 0/10

    Status

    Name: Matt Choi

    Level: 1

    XP: 7/10

    Noah looked over the results and was surprised by the outcome. He would have put money on Kyle leveling if no one else, and he half-expected to have a man-to-man with Matt explaining responsibility and the like. Instead, it appeared that Matt had made the most progress, though Julie had gained a fair bit as well. He didn¡¯t fail to notice that they both received more XP than he had gotten from his hunt. Not wanting to be a hypocrite he silently swore to push it hard the next day.

    ¡°Great work Matt, you too Julie.¡± He started, before turning his eyes to Kyle. Before he could continue, Kyle beat him to it.

    ¡°I know I didn¡¯t level, so I won¡¯t be eating dinner. It won¡¯t happen again though.¡± Kyle explained. Noah was a bit taken aback, he had expected an excuse or bargaining. Instead, Kyle just owned up to the situation and accepted the consequences. Now was the hard part though, did he cave and give him food, or maybe just a bit less than everyone else? Julie made eye contact with him then and shook her head as if he reading his thoughts.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. You chose what to do today and this is what it got you.¡± Julie told Kyle, taking the burden off Noah.

    ¡°More for me!¡± Matt said in the most enthusiastic voice Noah had heard from him yet.

    After that, they ate and discussed their days. Matt had immediately produced some roughly carved tableware: two-pronged forks and a set of chopsticks. He had gotten his XP from whittling and had learned that the first time you craft an item you get bonus XP and it drops to a lower amount in subsequent recreations. Noah was impressed, both with his productivity and his deduction. Julie had leveled when she set the dislocated shoulder that Kyle got from the fall, which Noah assumed was the source of her tears and frustration. Kyle had managed to climb into one of the trees where he had spotted a loose limb. He had fallen in his attempt to climb down though resulting in his roughed-up appearance. Kyle stayed in good spirits throughout the night and shared his dream of becoming the world¡¯s greatest archer. Noah learned that their dad was a hunter and had taught them both how to shoot bows in their backyard and Kyle had taken to it. The pair had been at home with Matt, and their parents were at work when the System arrived. The memory cast a somber tone upon them, they all had loved ones out there somewhere. There was a new spark of determination in their eyes when they said good night.

    Noah was glad to see it because starting tomorrow, the real grind would begin.

 Chapter 12

    The next few days passed in a blur. Noah had informed the group that the new quota was 15 XP each day and they had all managed to rise to the occasion. Noah had also discovered an alarming development. Instead of having to travel further from camp to find beasts, each passing day seemed to draw them in. They maintained the pace for five days, starting each day with an increasingly dangerous run through the forest. This was followed by the team splitting up to hunt down their XP. Matt had stuck to various crafts, ranging from utensils to some rudimentary rough hide clothes. He also worked with different bone pieces to make some single-point daggers, carving the bone with his growing collection of tools. After Kyle finished his bow, he began on the arrows, working with Matt to shape the appropriate bones. Aiming was a work in progress, and he had had to invest his first several free points into strength to pull back the bowstring.

    Julie was set on learning magic, she continued to use first-aid skills whenever possible but also began to try healing magic on our wounds. This looked a bit different every time. She had tried a sort of chant, a command, yelling ¡®heal¡¯, and ¡®feeling the energy¡¯ but so far we hadn¡¯t seen any results. She was convinced that she was the verge of an epiphany though, so Noah supported her efforts. She made the remainder of the quota through cooking and crafting needles and thread¨Cmaking use of the same dried sinew that Kyle made for his bowstring. For Noah¡¯s part, he was kept busy helping Kyle and breaking in or just breaking Matt¡¯s different makeshift weapons. While he didn¡¯t experience the same explosive growth as the others, he finally got to his next level by the end of day five. He decided to continue with his current progression, gaining two points in both strength and dexterity and putting his free points into constitution. When they gathered at the fire that night they were a changed people compared to just a week ago. They were quite literally¨Cstronger, faster, and better put together. The daily achievement had also done a lot to bolster their spirits and improve their outlook on the current predicament. And so it was with smiling faces and a competitive air that the four shared the status screens.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Level: 11

    XP: 11/100

    Status

    Name: Julie Weston

    Level: 9

    XP: 8/10

    Status

    Name: Kyle Weston

    Level: 9

    XP: 5/10

    Status

    Name: Matt Choi

    Level: 9

    XP: 9/10

    All week they had been discussing their path and primary stats and tomorrow would be the big day. Kyle and Julie had both decided to pursue combatant and Matt had stayed firmly on the non-combatant path. They also discussed the gates, though the concept wasn¡¯t very appealing to them. Even when he explained the perk he got from his first gate choice it didn¡¯t seem to be quite enough. Kyle had tried meditating for a few minutes but gave up when nothing happened. Noah figured that once their leveling slowed they would be more open to other avenues of growth. With the increased beast presence they were now eating at least twice a day and often had extra food. With full bellies, they bid each other good night and dreamt of the coming day.

    Noah woke to the sound of Kyle scrounging his gear. It was barely dawn. Noah grinned, knowing full well that Kyle was trying to get a head start on the others and be the first one. He was already up so he didn¡¯t mind helping the early bird.

    ¡°We can go out, but we¡¯ll have to stay close to camp.¡± Noah told him.

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    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go!¡± Kyle whispered, leading the way into the woods. He carried his bow in hand with a quiver from Matt tied tight to his back. In it he had three arrows, finding it hard to make them as fast as he broke or lost them. Noah carried a pointy wolf-femur that was sufficient for stabbing things and not much else. So far he hadn¡¯t run into anything as strong as the beasts he saw on the first day. His working theory was that it had something to do with territory, but he hadn¡¯t been eager to test it. But with the rising monster population, he was worried that they would be forced to move sooner than later.

    ¡°Up ahead.¡± Kyle whispered, slowing to a crawl. Noah looked over his shoulder and saw what had likely been a bobcat. Now it was a dark brown color with white streaks around its eyes and two fangs protruding several inches out of its mouth. The fangs glinted in low light, wet with a clear liquid. Noah had a bad feeling about it. But before he could alert Kyle of his concern, he loosed an arrow that dug into the cat¡¯s shoulder. At least it hit. Noah thought as he got in front of the boy. The bobcat hissed and sprung across the clearing, pinning Noah to the ground. Its claws dug into his chest and the only grace was the wedged femur now well into the beast¡¯s stomach. It wailed and bit into his left shoulder.

    ¡°Agh!¡± Noah cried in agony. Trying to shake off the cat but to no avail. Then he heard a whistling followed by a meaty thud. The bobcat slumped into him, suddenly dead weight. Kyle helped to drag the beat off of him and Noah saw the arrow protruding from between its eyes.

    ¡°Wow. Good shot!¡± Noah praised. Kyle, normally a sponge to such compliments, instead looked ready to hurl.

    ¡°That was my fault.¡± He said, his voice grave. ¡°I should have waited until we were both ready. You got hurt¡­¡± Kyle finished, his eyes glued to his feet.

    ¡°It¨C¡± Noah was cut off by a familiar notification.

    [50 XP gained]

    ¡°Crap.¡± Noah said, now all too aware of the burning sensation in his shoulder. Kyle must have gotten the notification too because his face paled.

    ¡°We need to get back to Julie.¡± Kyle blurted. Noah was of the same mind and they quickly returned to camp. They were thankful to see Julie and Matt were up and moving. The pair looked up at them and smiled in greeting. Julie however frowned when she noticed the blood and Kyle was quick to explain.¡±

    ¡°Julie you have to save Noah, I messed up!¡± He said, his voice cracking. ¡°I think he¡¯s poisoned.¡± Huh. So he did notice. Noah observed, feeling both proud and irritated.

    ¡°What do you mean save him?¡± Julie asked, moving over to Noah. He sat down, wincing, and she began inspecting his shoulder.

    ¡°We got into a fight with a bobcat and its teeth were coated in something. Now it burns and itches like crazy.¡± Noah said.

    ¡°And I got 50 XP from my participation.¡± Kyle shared. Julie¡¯s eyes went wide.

    ¡°Matt, boil us some water. Noah, on your back.¡± She directed. She knelt next to him on the ground and placed her hands on his chest.

    ¡°Julie¨C¡± She shook her head and shut her eyes in focus. She could feel something, she just had to connect with it. It felt like a river of light inside of her, and she knew if she could grab ahold of it then she could heal him.

    ¡°I have the water.¡± Matt interrupted. She nodded, scooping it onto Noah¡¯s chest and cleaning the wounds. His constitution had made his body sturdy, but the beast had managed several deep gouges. As she cleared the bite wound she grimaced. There were dark lines spider-webbing from the incisions. I have to make this work. She told herself. Noah saw the look on her face and his stomach clenched. It was bad. He focused on taking deep breaths. She could do this.

    For the better part of an hour, Julie knelt over him, sweat dripping from her brow. Noah watched her as she tried to save him. It wasn¡¯t working. It was harder to breathe now, a wheeze accompanied every breath. His world was a mix of numbness and pain and he did his best not to let it show on his face.

    More time passed. He could feel himself fading. He couldn¡¯t hear wheezing anymore, that seemed like a positive. He could however feel the warm drops of liquid as they landed on his face. He could just barely make out her face. Her green eyes. Her pointy nose. Her tangled brown hair. His heart hurt as he looked up at her.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± The words no more than breath. He felt a hand, her hand, cup his face. It was warm. Comforting. He wondered if he was crying or if it was her tears streaming down his face.

    It didn¡¯t feel like a choice when the darkness came for him. He resisted it. It barely noticed. He heard a muffled sound. Whatever it was, it was lovely. He clung to it, pleading for a moment more. The moment passed. As the darkness enveloped him, a stream of stars came into view. He wept at their beauty.

 Chapter 13

    Julie chewed the bland meat. Two days had passed since the incident. They had all been rattled by Noah¡¯s quick decline. He was stable now, but he still hadn¡¯t woken up. The beasts were close. The previous night had been a long one, Kyle gained another level and so did she. Matt was a full-time Fletcher with arrows being their most effective defense. All three of them had passed level 10 that day, it was supposed to be a joyous occasion. They were tired. She could hear tinkering sounds from Matt¡¯s direction and a soft snore from Kyle¡¯s. She hated having to depend on him so much.

    So far the daytime had been quiet, but she could feel the tension rising in the forest. Their peaceful days were coming to an end. She needed Noah to wake up. He lay in the center of their camp, his chest rising and falling in a healthy rhythm. She had done it that day, the pressure pushed her forward and she finally grasped the magic. It had happened in an unexpected way as the life was fading from Noah¡¯s form. She had felt a building crescendo within her, a string of notes familiar but unknown. It wasn¡¯t until she put words to the melody that she felt it, a gentle stream and a raging river. Each word seemed to carry power and with each word Noah¡¯s body recovered. She sang until the melody reached its end, at which point she was completely spent. It took a full day to recover the energy source she had depleted, at which point she repeated her performance. Only then did Noah fully stabilize.

    The snap of a twig jolted her awake. No. No. No. She panicked, scanning the perimeter - she was supposed to be on watch. What she saw brought fresh tears to her eyes.

    ¡°Noah!¡± She ran to him only to stop a couple of feet away. She blushed.

    ¡°You¡¯re okay.¡± She said, remembering her hand on his face and the way he had stared into her eyes. Noah stepped forward and wrapped her in his arms. He squeezed her tight as the sobs came. She couldn¡¯t reign them in.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s gonna be okay.¡± He whispered gently in her ear. She leaned into him, giving in to the torrent of emotions.

    Kyle watched from the ground, the pit in his stomach growing as his sister cried. It''s my fault. He wouldn¡¯t let it happen again.

    Matt busied himself in his task, happy that his stalwart protector was back on his feet. He had seen all too much action these past couple of days and was eager to make anything that wasn¡¯t an arrow.

    Noah held Julie until the tears stopped. He hadn¡¯t been prepared for the well of emotion he awoke with. He had a mission, a calling, a purpose, he had to save humanity! He told himself that, but at this moment, the only person he wanted to save was her.

    They separated and Julie took a deep breath.

    ¡°Thank you, Noah.¡± He nodded.

    ¡°Of course.¡± Noah looked around the camp, taking in the rest of his surroundings for the first time. ¡°You¡¯ve been busy.¡± He said, observing the mess of bones and the red-stained ground.

    ¡°Its been a trying couple of days.¡± She agreed.

    ¡°Days?¡± He replied, his eyes wide. She nodded.

    ¡°The nights have been getting worse. The beasts started approaching the camp and we have only managed to hold them at bay with Kyle¡¯s arrows.¡± She explained. Noah looked for Kyle and saw his sleeping form near the fire. Well done.

    ¡°It might be time to find a new home.¡± Noah said. Julie nodded.

    ¡°About time! I vote for something with walls.¡± Matt interjected. They laughed.

    ¡°I hope you guys haven¡¯t been slacking!¡± Noah grinned, ¡°Because the next few days are going to make you miss boot camp.¡± There was a collective groan, the now-awake Kyle joining in.

    ¡°We head out at dawn. Until then, let''s see about getting some food,¡± he finished.

    They spent the rest of the day preparing for their trek. Matt had been busy over the last week and had fashioned clothes for them to wear and packs to carry supplies in. When Noah put his furry garment on he decided that calling them clothes was generous at best. The amalgamation of pelts covered him like a sleeveless dress, stopping a few inches above his knee. At least we¡¯re modest. The garment stank, and would scare children but he was genuinely grateful not to be the bare-chested barbarian anymore.

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    Over dinner, Noah was pleased to learn that each of his companions had leveled, crossing their level 10 thresholds and becoming apprentices. They went around sharing their choice of primary stats and their progression plan. Julie chose intelligence and willpower and explained what she believed they governed. By her estimation, intelligence was the magic equivalent of strength, though she believed it affected her memory as well. Willpower, then, was the magic equivalent of constitution and she believed it would increase the rate of her magical regeneration. She planned to allocate most of her free points into wisdom, but she promised Noah to put some into constitution as well. Matt had chosen to specialize in dexterity and wisdom, explaining that he would need fine control of both his body and magic for what he had in mind. He had subscribed to Julie¡¯s theory that wisdom was the magical counterpart to dexterity. His free points would then be split between strength and constitution. When it was Kyle¡¯s turn to share, he livened up.

    ¡°As an archer  my choices were clear. All my points will go to strength and dexterity!¡± Julie cleared her throat. ¡°And some will go into constitution!¡± He added, muttering something under his breath. Julie must have heard him because she assumed a motherly tone and made her stance clear.

    ¡°You will put at least one point into constitution every other level. Understood?¡± She said, eyebrows raised. He nodded sheepishly.

    ¡°That sounds fair,¡± he agreed.

    ¡°It sounds like you have all thought this through. I am impressed!¡± Noah said in a grandfatherly tone. Kyle suddenly sported a wolfish grin.

    ¡°Noah, you¡¯re level 11, right?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Sure am!¡± Noah replied. Kyle¡¯s grin grew.

    ¡°Want to arm wrestle?¡± He challenged. Noah shrugged.

    ¡°Sure, why not?¡± They stepped away from the fire and lay on the ground, clasping hands. ¡°Ready?¡± Noah asked. Kyle nodded, beaming. ¡°Go.¡± Kyle threw all of his strength into it, expecting a quick win. Not bad. Noah observed. Noah returned Kyle¡¯s smile before driving his hand to the ground in a slow, controlled fashion.

    ¡°What!¡± Kyle protested, ¡°I am level 13, and I put way more of my points into strength!¡± Noah considered that.

    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± He started, ¡°I think it has to do with my caste though, I had a definite increase in strength after my breakthrough, even though the number on status didn¡¯t change.¡± He shrugged, ¡°Or it could be that I am older and have fully developed.¡±

    Thoroughly shown up, Kyle skulked away from the group and sat crisscrossed at the edge of the clearing. After a few minutes, Noah thought he could hear a humming sound coming from that direction.

    ¡°I think he needed that,¡± Julie said, with a warm smile.

    ¡°Always my pleasure to humble the youth.¡± He said, tipping his imaginary cowboy hat. She giggled. Matt chose that moment to excuse himself and return to his tinkering.

    ¡°Where do you think we should go?¡± Julie asked. Noah shrugged.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. First, I want to get out of this forest. But after that? Part of me is hoping that civilization is still out there. Given what the system told us in the tutorial though¡­ I¡¯m not so sure.¡± Julie looked thoughtfully at him.

    ¡°Even if it is gone, I¡¯m sure someone is already working to restore it.¡± She said. He imagined it¨Cit would be a huge undertaking. It would take a lot of people, and they would need to be organized. Would they welcome elves? Or the other races?

    Julie watched him and could see the thoughts racing through his head. She wondered just how random the system had been when it placed them so close together.

    ¡°Julie, there¡¯s something I want to share with you.¡± He said in a more serious tone than she had been anticipating. She nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯m all ears.¡±

    They were interrupted by a howl, piercing the night. Kyle was the first on his feet, bow in hand. Matt, knowing the drill, handed Kyle a bundle of arrows before presenting Noah with his newest creation.

    ¡°I call it shark club!¡± Matt said, giving Noah a double thumbs-up. Noah looked at the weapon, shark club, in interest and horror. It was yet another femur, its origin unclear, and it was studded with sharp teeth everywhere but the handle. He nodded in resignation. Yep. It''s going to be a messy night. Knowing this, he took off his fur dress and readied himself for battle. The group had been ready and waiting, and the wolves didn¡¯t disappoint.

    The hours passed, the levels rose, and to signal their triumph, the sun crested the horizon.

 Chapter 13.5 (Stat Sheets)

    Chapter 13.5

    Status Updates

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Domain: Self

    Caste: Iron

    Gate: 1

    Path: Apprentice

    Level: 12

    Strength: 20

    Dexterity:20

    Constitution: 35

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    XP: 57/100

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

    Status

    Name: Julie Weston

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Caste: Dust

    Gate: 0

    Path: Apprentice

    Level: 12

    Strength: 11

    Dexterity: 10

    Constitution: 14

    Intelligence: 22

    Wisdom: 18

    Willpower: 22

    XP: 52/100

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

    Status

    Name: Kyle Weston

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Caste: Dust

    Gate: 0

    Path: Apprentice

    Level: 13

    Strength: 26

    Dexterity:26

    Constitution: 16

    Intelligence: 10

    Wisdom: 9

    Willpower: 11

    XP: 90/100

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

    Status

    Name: Matt Choi

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Caste: Dust

    Gate: 0

    Path: Apprentice

    Level: 13

    Strength: 9

    Dexterity: 30

    Constitution: 20

    Intelligence:12

    Wisdom: 18

    Willpower: 9

    XP: 90/100

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

 Chapter 14

    The four of them were exhausted. The monsters had come in waves throughout the night, keeping them from catching a moment''s rest. They took turns rinsing in the cold water of the stream and ate a hearty breakfast. While none of them were eager to spend the day on the move, it was clear that they couldn¡¯t stay either. They quietly gathered their gear and strapped on their packs.

    ¡°Are you ready?¡± Noah asked the motley crew. He was met with determined nods. ¡°Good. We¡¯ll start slow and then ramp up the pace as we go. Say something if you need to rest.¡± With that, they turned north and began trekking along the stream.

    Noah was thankful for the cold morning air as he sweat under the furs. They jogged for a few hours, taking short breaks as needed and snacking on the extra meat they had prepared. It was late morning when they were met with their first opposition, a stag not too dissimilar to the one Noah had fought before his breakthrough. Noah signaled to Kyle, and together they engaged the beast. Noah rushed forward, creating an opportunity for Kyle to hit it from afar. Together they made quick work of the beast and shared in the rewards.

    [5 XP Gained]

    After catching their breath, they continued on, running into the occasional beast, but never more than a couple at a time. By mid-afternoon, Julie was struggling to keep up, having the lowest physical stats of the group. She urged them ever forward but the growing strain was obvious to the rest of them. When evening came, Noah called everyone to stop. As much as he wanted to believe that the end was just around the corner, it very well could not be. That brought an even more disturbing thought though¨Chow were they going to survive the night? Fending off the beast in the firelight was hard enough, he couldn¡¯t imagine managing it in the darkness. He looked around for some sign of a solution but came up empty. He looked up at the branches far above his head. Could we make it? Maybe? He knew the bark was tough enough to hold weight, and its thick grooves gave ample finger holds. They weren¡¯t climbers though.

    ¡°We have a bit of a dilemma.¡± Noah started. The others were too busy catching their breath to comment so he continued. ¡°We might still have days of travel ahead of us, so we can¡¯t count on making it out tonight. We also don¡¯t have a way to make fire. How are we going to survive tonight?¡± He decided to lay it all on the table, hoping that the desperate nature of the situation would open some doors. The boys stared at him like he had cussed in church.

    ¡°I think what Noah means is that we need to find a solution quick.¡± Julie reiterated.

    ¡°One thought is that we could camp up in the trees.¡± Noah offered. Matt and Julie frowned.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how possible that is¡­¡± Julie said. Matt nodded vehemently.

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s call that the fallback plan then. Who has another idea?¡± Noah replied.

    Ideas bounced back and forth, ranging from huddling in a big group and hoping for the best to running through the night. It didn¡¯t take much to pick those ideas apart though, and the light was starting to wane. Matt, the most health-conscious of the group noticed this detail almost immediately.

    ¡°Maybe its time to try climbing the tree¡± Matt suggested. Noah looked to Julie, who looked in turn at the tree.

    ¡°Alright, lets give it a go.¡± She agreed. They picked a tree with some promising branches and sent Kyle up to check it out. When he made it to the top and gave the thumbs up, Matt stepped up to the plate. He surprised everyone, himself included when he made it to the top.

    ¡°I guess the stats really work!¡± he shouted down, excited by his newfound powers. He had heavily invested in dexterity, something that Julie had yet to touch.

    ¡°Here goes.¡± She said, letting out a nervous breath. Noah clenched his teeth when her arms began to shake only a few feet from the ground. He moved under her, hoping he could soften her landing if she fell. She made it about halfway before her arms gave out. With a scream, she fell from the tree, landing hard in Noah¡¯s arms. They both let out a sigh of relief as he set her on the ground.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can do it.¡± She said, her voice shaky. Noah took a deep breath.

    ¡°I think you might be right.¡± He admitted. She had given everything and barely made it halfway. ¡°Do you think you could hold onto my back?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I think so.¡± Julie replied. He nodded.

    ¡°Okay. Here¡¯s what we¡¯ll do. I am going to climb the tree solo and see if it feels possible to carry you. If it does, then great. If not we will figure out what to do next together. Sound good?¡± He asked. She agreed and Noah started up the tree. He managed the climb without much strain and climbed back down.

    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    ¡°Alright. I think it could work.¡± He said. She grimaced.

    ¡°You think it could?¡± She asked, weighing out each word. He nodded slowly.

    ¡°I do. If you have a better idea, it may be worth exploring though.¡± He said. She shook her head.

    ¡°No. This is the best shot we have. Let''s do it.¡± She said. They waited while Noah stretched and rested his arms. Then it was time, and he knelt down so that she could climb on his back. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his torso.

    ¡°Ready,¡± She said. Noah bounced on the balls of his feet, testing the weight. I can do this. He moved to the tree and found a handhold. He lifted his first foot off the ground, then the second. His arms immediately felt the strain. He took a deep, measured breath. One at a time. He moved his hand up, finding a groove. In. Out. He did his best to drown out Julie¡¯s anxious breathing. His next hand found its purchase. In. out. His arms were ready to give. One more. Then again. Just one more. He felt two heartbeats racing and dug deep. In. Out.

    ¡°Noah.¡± He kept climbing.

    ¡°Noah. Hey, Noah.¡± She said again.

    ¡°Huh?¡± He grunted.

    ¡°You did it, we¡¯re at the top,¡± Julie whispered gently. Noah blinked. He looked down and saw the boys a few feet below them.

    ¡°Oh.¡± There was a thick branch to their left and Noah shifted positions, stopping just over it. Julie grabbed a supporting branch with one hand and slowly lowered her feet. Together they found a comfortable position to perch and allowed the tension to leave their bodies.

    ¡°That was¨C¡± He tried to find a word.

    ¡°Intense?¡± Julie offered.

    ¡°Yeah, let''s go with that.¡± He agreed.

    The boys waved and they made their plan for the night. They would adhere strictly to the buddy system, and no one was allowed to fall asleep. They desperately needed rest but lacked any reliable way to secure themselves to the tree. Noah thought they would struggle to keep themselves awake through the night, but as the sun set he was quickly proven wrong. Like moths to a flame, the beasts began to appear from the woods, more than they had seen on any previous night. They growled and clawed at the trunk of the tree as if to vent their frustration. They all looked down in terror when a feline monster started clawing its way up the trunk. Kyle reached for his bow and tried to stabilize himself on his branch. Julie looked ready to protest but it was thankfully unneeded as the cat failed to get much further.

    They watched through the night, making small talk in an attempt to pass the time. As the night passed the talking turned to blank stares and the weariness set it. They made sure to shake each other if they started to nod off. Noah had another worry keeping him awake though, getting down. His body was shot and he had little confidence in his ability to carry Julie to the ground.

    When the dawn broke the beasts lingered. It wasn¡¯t until an hour past sunrise that they finally dispersed. Even then, they could hear disturbing noises not far in the distance. Something was changing and each day it was getting worse. Noah took that as a sign to mobilize the troops. They needed to get out of the forest today.

    ¡°So how do we get down?¡± Matt said, voicing the thought on everyone¡¯s mind.

    ¡°I think I can make it just fine,¡± Kyle said, nonplussed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can or not.¡± Matt assessed.

    ¡°Well, one way or another we are getting down. If you fall, then Julie is getting some XP.¡± Noah said, having come to this conclusion late into the night. Matt paled visibly but nodded.

    ¡°I guess that is comforting.¡± He responded.

    ¡°What about me?¡± Julie asked, ¡°I haven¡¯t tested if I can heal myself yet.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll catch you.¡± He assured. ¡°I¡¯m up first!¡± He said, ending the discussion. He did his best to appear calm and started his descent. He found it to be the comfortable kind of challenging and soon set his feet on the ground.

    ¡°Kyle you¡¯re next!¡± He shouted up the tree. Kyle proceeded to scramble down the trunk, making it look effortless. Noah had Kyle stand next to him and ready himself to catch.

    ¡°Matt, your turn!¡± His climb was a slower, more reserved style but he made it nonetheless. The three of them readied themselves.

    ¡°Keep your knees bent. Be ready to roll backward. If she falls, we¡¯ll catch her together. Follow my lead.¡± He instructed.

    ¡°Julie, we¡¯re ready for you!¡± He called out.

    ¡°Here I come!¡± She yelled in response. They all watched as she began to climb.

    Her foot slipped first, failing to find traction, then the other. They heard a whimper as she dangled in the air.

    ¡°Catch me!¡± she screamed as she plummeted toward the ground.

 Chapter 15

    Crunch! Julie crashed into the boys with devastating force. They had only been partially successful in their plan to roll with her momentum, resulting in the limp arm hanging at Noah¡¯s left side. The boys had walked away from the incident relatively unscathed, and Julie had gotten by with some deep bruising across her shoulders¨Cthe primary point of impact.

    ¡°Ugh.¡± Noah groaned as Julie manipulated his arm.

    ¡°Try to relax it. I need to see where the break is.¡± She responded. He clenched his teeth but did his best to follow her instructions.

    ¡°Found it!¡± She said before jerking his arm in a precise motion.

    ¡°Agh!¡± Noah yelled, staring at her incredulously. She smiled.

    ¡°I had to set the bone. It should help it heal faster. Now stay still.¡± Noah nodded reluctantly, still feeling betrayed. Julie wrapped her hands around his arm and began to sing. The words were strange to Noah, it was as if he knew what they meant but couldn¡¯t recognize them. While she sang a warmth permeated his arm, gentle and soothing. He watched in fascination as the bruising began to fade followed by a soft ¡®click¡¯. She finished her song and Noah found that is arm looked and felt normal, perhaps even better than before the catch.

    ¡°Thanks!¡± He said enthusiastically as he tested out his arm.

    ¡°Thank you!¡± She replied, having to catch her breath. With that taken care of, they ate what little they had left and finished off the water they had managed to carry.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of this forest,¡± Noah said as they began their journey north.

    They made good time, breaking less frequently and pushing the pace. None of them were eager to spend another night in the trees and every monster that attacked them served as another dose of adrenaline to help them push forward. As the day went on and the miles passed, Julie began to lag behind. Noah stopped and knelt in front of her.

    ¡°Get on.¡± He instructed. After the previous night, any reservations about such an offer were remedied and she quickly complied. They continued, and Noah was impressed at the boys¡¯ perseverance. With beasts literally nipping at their heels, lesser men would have succumbed to the stress long ago, but they continued to press forward, even cracking jokes when they stopped for breath. At some point, Julie had nodded off and her soft snoring now filled his ears. He smiled. The afternoon came and went and the cool air of the evening settled into the forest. They would have to call it soon.

    Ahead Kyle began shouting and Julie stirred as Noah readied for a fight. He set her down and ran to meet Kyle, grabbing Shark Club from Matt on his way.

    ¡°We made it!¡± Kyle shouted, finally forming recognizable words. Noah came up alongside and saw the edge of the forest just a few dozen yards away.

    ¡°Come on!¡± He shouted, running toward the open space. He stepped into direct sunlight for the first time in nearly two weeks and frowned. He glanced up at the sun and then down at his hands. In place of the familiar orange he was accustomed to, there was a white-blue orb in the sky, and its light felt more akin to the light of the moon albeit much brighter. The rest of them stepped out of the forest gasping in joy before having a similar revelation. It reinforced an uncomfortable truth; they weren¡¯t on Earth anymore.

    As thankful as he was to leave the forest behind, he was unsure of what to make of the scene ahead. Before them, as far as he could see, was an expanse of black earth that seemed to gradually climb into the sky. There was no greenery in sight. It looked like a volcano sometime after an eruption had cleared the landscape but too early for the wildlife to retake ground.

    ¡°We did it.¡± Julie said, high-fiving the teenagers. Noah smiled and joined in.

    ¡°We did!¡± He agreed.

    ¡°Now what?¡± Kyle asked, unwilling to let us just have the moment.

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Noah responded. The four of them scanned the expanse, searching for a landmark to make for. In the distance, Noah could make out grey stone jutting from the mountainside.

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    ¡°That looks promising.¡± He said, pointing in their direction. ¡°Let¡¯s gather some wood and head that way.¡± While the forest floor was nowhere near as littered with twigs and leaves as its earthen counterpart would have been, the trees had begun to shed branches over the last couple of weeks. Their steel had long since deteriorated, but Noah was hopeful that they could find another way.

    With their packs full they began to ascend the dark terrain. The stream they had followed appeared to originate somewhere on the mountain, ensuring the resource would be close at hand if they could figure out their fire situation. They had just arrived at the stone outcropping when the sun sank behind the horizon, revealing a beautiful array of foreign stars.

    ¡°Wow.¡± Julie whispered. He felt inclined to agree. There was no moon visible in the sky but the stars still illuminated the night, casting the foreboding landscape in a dreamlike glow. Living in the city, Noah wasn¡¯t accustomed to such a sight. The closest experience he had was when his family had vacationed in Alaska to see the aurora. That view still failed to live up to the tapestry of colors that he was currently taking in. The System had brought tragedy and vile creatures, but it had also introduced wonders beyond earthly expectation.

    The group settled into the hollow space between the rocky pillars, thankful for the semblance of shelter after their exposed nights. Perhaps it was that comfort or the building weariness that caused the group to fall asleep without a second thought.

    Noah had a restless dream of the woman from his vision. She had changed though, no longer the agent of Earth¡¯s destruction. Instead, she called out to Noah personally as if she cared for his well-being. She looked at him with deep blue eyes.

    ¡°You¡¯re moving too slow, Noah.¡± Her voice was like the wind. ¡°Stop getting distracted. You must get to Bronze.¡± She said, her eyes focused and intense.

    Noah started awake, welcomed by the warm glow of dawn. As much as he wanted to berate himself for the impromptu slumber, he chose instead to be thankful for the rest. He looked at Matt and Kyle, sleeping soundly against the rock wall, then at Julie curled up a few feet away. Are they the distraction? He wondered, reflecting on his dream. It had been a dream just like this one that had led him to give up his life and prepare for the end. Could he ignore this one? He shook his head. One way or another, it was time to tell Julie about his premonition and his plan to save their people.

    Quietly, he dug through the packs finding the fire starter kit that Matt had experimented with. It was a puck of animal fat he had poured over wood shavings and charcoal, needing only an ember or spark to get it going. That final piece, of course, was the crux of the matter. He gathered several pieces of timber and sat just outside the outcropping. The view was stunning, a sea of green stretching out as far as he could see. The treetops glistened as the white light of the sun reflected off the swaying leaves. He breathed in deeply, appreciating the chilled morning air. Then he set about his task.

    If he could carry Julie 30 feet up a tree, then he could start a fire. It was with the memory of that superhuman feat that he began rubbing two sticks together with vigorous force. When Julie woke maybe an hour later he finally gave up. The sticks had gotten warm but stubbornly refused to combust. He set them to the side with a sigh.

    ¡°Good morning,¡± She said, coming to sit out on the slope by him.

    ¡°Good morning.¡± He replied, glad for the company.

    ¡°Did you sleep through the night?¡± She asked. He bit his tongue and considered a white lie.

    ¡°I did.¡± He said, deciding it wasn¡¯t worth it. She nodded.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m just glad to be be alive.¡± She said after mulling over their near encounter with a quiet death. Noah laughed heartily.

    ¡°Me too.¡± He agreed. It was quiet for several heartbeats and Noah started to sweat as his nerves got to him.

    ¡°Julie,¡± He ventured, immediately questioning his decision. She looked at him.

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± She asked, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

    ¡°I need to tell you a story.¡± Noah began, ¡°It started seven months ago at a New Year''s party¡­¡± He laid it all out for her, sharing the highs and lows of his life after the vision. He described his training and his family¡¯s rejection, he shared his experience with the first gate and the subsequent jailing, and finally, he shared his dream from the night before. As he shared her face reflected several emotions: curiosity, confusion, and concern chief among them. She listened intently, letting him get all of it off his chest. He eventually ran out of words and they returned to the quiet stillness of the morning. She took a deep breath.

    ¡°Noah, what are you getting to?¡± She asked.

    ¡°I¨C¡± Noah hesitated, ¡°I believe that our world needs saving and that I¡¯m its only hope.¡± He looked at Julie, trying to find a hint of her thoughts. Her eyebrows creased and she felt away as he waited for her response.

    ¡°Noah, it''s not that I don¡¯t believe you¨CI do, but don¡¯t you think that sounds a little crazy?¡± She said, searching his face. Noah¡¯s heart sank. Her frown deepened.

    ¡°You¡¯re not being serious are you?¡± A quiver in her voice.

    A loud voice rang through their minds, preventing him from responding.

    [Phase two of tutorial completed. Completion rate: 64%. Satisfactory for tutorial end.]

    There was a moment of silence as the message settled in.

    [Safeguards lifted. Countdown to multiverse initiation began. 1,095 days remaining.]

    Another pause in the System¡¯s dialogue.

    [Upon initiation, planets with a Bronze ruler will maintain sovereignty. All other planets will be open to outside harvesting.]

 Chapter 16

    The silence stretched on as they processed the messages. The dream was right again. Noah thought, aware that it had included more than one piece of information. Julie turned a tearful gaze toward Noah, meeting his eyes with a sad smile.

    ¡°I believe you, Noah.¡± She began, the first tear running down her cheek. ¡°I believe you, but I¨Cwe can¡¯t do that.¡± Noah swallowed before asking a question he didn¡¯t want the answer to.

    ¡°What are you saying, Julie?¡±

    ¡°Noah, I¡¯m saying that if you¡¯re going to save the world then you will have to do it without us.¡± She said, ¡°I know that sounds terrible, but I have to think of Kyle. I¨C¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Noah stopped her. ¡°That makes sense.¡± She nodded, hugging her knees to her chest.

    ¡°So what do we do from here?¡± She asked. Noah shrugged.

    ¡°I was hoping we could still be friends.¡± Noah said, hiding a grin. She gave him a playful shove.

    ¡°You know that¡¯s not what I meant.¡± He smiled

    ¡°Yeah I know.¡± She returned his smile.

    ¡°Thank you, Noah.¡± He nodded.

    ¡°As far as our plans go though, I guess it depends on you.¡± He said, ¡°I plan to keep doing the same things but faster. I want to get to the next caste as soon as possible. Where does that leave you?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I want to get us out of danger, and find a place where we can make a life for ourselves. I want to find our parents.¡± She said. Noah listened, though he doubted she would find a genuinely safe place anytime soon.

    ¡°And Kyle? What is he going to think about all of this?¡± He asked instead. She shrugged.

    ¡°He probably won¡¯t be happy about it. He¡¯ll come around though.¡± She said.

    ¡°I guess that begs the question: do you stay here or come with me in hopes of finding something better?¡± Noah offered.

    ¡°Do you mind if I take the day to think about it?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Of course. I was just going to scout the area anyway, and I doubt there is a better place to sleep nearby.¡± Noah replied, only bending the truth a little.

    Noah got up and grabbed his pointy club before starting his trek up the hill. Julie¡¯s heart broke as she watched him go. She had seen the cracks in his goofy facade and knew he was hurting, that she had hurt him. He had taken care of them and given them hope in this new world, and no doubt he would soon be helping some other fortunate person. Part of her knew that it was her own fears breaking them apart and that Kyle would gladly chase after the hero in his quest to save the world. But someone had to be responsible and face reality. Just a few days ago Noah had almost died, if not for her he would have. And he thinks he is chosen. No, it was for the best that they split paths, and the sooner the better. Coming to her decision, she went to share the news with the boys.

    Noah ran up the hill, every step that much further from the camp, from Julie. Tears blurred his eyes as he played the conversation back in his head. Stupid dreams. Every time the lady showed up in his dreams he ended up pushing away the people he loved. And now he would be all alone, again. He yelled in frustration before sinking to his knees, the mantra that he had recited daily coming back to his mind. For the sake of the world, I would gladly give my life. Even if they hate me. He had added the last bit after a particularly loud conversation with his parents. He wondered how they were doing now. He opened up the newest addition to his status and steeled his resolve.

    1,094 days remaining

    No longer frustrated but also not eager to return to camp, he decided to meditate and see if he could feel out the next Gate. He hadn¡¯t visited his mental world in some time and was relieved to see that it at least had stayed the same. He thought about his last advancement through the first Gate. Before he had gotten a response from the voice, he remembered feeling humbled; He was like a speck of dust in an infinitely vast universe. The thought struck a chord with him, and he knew that was it. Seeing himself accurately had been the key to unlocking the first Gate, perhaps he had to see something else accurately for the next one. He continued in his contemplation for hours, lost in the stillness.

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    When he finally opened his eyes again the sun had lowered considerably, and he felt a steadiness to his heart that he had lost over the previous weeks. He made the trek down the hill and saw a peculiar sight, a thin line of smoke coming from the outcropping. He smiled. They¡¯re gonna be okay.

    When he entered the camp it was quiet, and he saw that Kyle wasn¡¯t present and neither was Julie. He sighed, walking over to Matt who was hunched over the budding flame.

    ¡°Now how did you manage that?¡± He asked, just a tad annoyed. Matt grinned.

    ¡°Engineering!¡± He said, a bit too quickly. Noah squinted his eyes, looking for some contraption.

    ¡°Is that right?¡± He pressed.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Matt started, ¡°I did try a bit of engineering, but it didn¡¯t work at all. In fact, I am starting to think there¡¯s something wrong with this wood.¡± He explained. Noah nodded sagely, greatly appreciating that particular conclusion.

    ¡°Then how did you get a flame?¡± Noah asked, realizing his question was never answered.

    ¡°Magic!¡± Matt responded enthusiastically, ¡°It¡¯s not quite as cool but it definitely worked!¡± Noah couldn¡¯t help but agree with both sentiments. He was holding firmly to the idea that he could save the world without using magic. Something about it just felt un-American. He chuckled.

    ¡°Where are the others?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Ah. Kyle got mad about the news and ran off. Julie is looking for him.¡± Matt explained.

    ¡°I see. And how are you doing with the new development?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to miss you being around, but I don¡¯t really want to go looking for trouble.¡± He said, seeming to have reached his peace. Noah nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯ll miss you too.¡± He responded. Noah decided to go fetch some water for the group and see if he could stumble upon one of the others.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡± He told Matt, grabbing the rabbit-skin bags.

    It took a few minutes to get to the stream and though he looked, he didn¡¯t see either of them as he made his way back. As he carried the water back into the camp he was relieved to see both of them huddled by the fire. It looks like they sorted it out. Noah made his way over to the group, making sure to make eye contact with Julie. The last thing he wanted was to part ways with some unresolved tension between them.

    ¡°Welcome back!¡± He said, positioning one of the bags over the fire. Julie smiled at him but Kyle hid his face. I¡¯ll have to talk to him.

    ¡°How¡¯d the scouting go, find anything interesting?¡± Julie asked. Noah scratched his head.

    ¡°To be honest I didn¡¯t go that far, I just needed some space.¡± He admitted. She blinked at his confession.

    ¡°That¡­ Makes sense.¡± She said, a complicated look on her face.

    ¡°So I heard that you made a decision,¡± Noah said, carrying the conversation forward.

    ¡°Yeah, I did.¡± She said, ¡°We are going to stay. This is a good enough spot for now, and even if last night was just a fluke, this is a defensible position. We have fire and water and just need to sort out food. In time we hope to find other people, but we are going to take some time to get our feet under us.¡±

    ¡°That sounds like a good plan,¡± Noah said, doing his best to sound encouraging. He just hoped they could figure it out when things went poorly.

    ¡°What about you?¡± Julie asked him.

    ¡°I will leave in the morning. I plan to keep moving up the mountain and scope out the region. Who knows, maybe I¡¯ll find some people and send them your way.¡± He responded.

    ¡°So you¡¯re just going to leave us?¡± Kyle accused. Noah frowned, taken off guard. He looked to Julie who mouthed ¡®sorry¡¯ and gave a half smile.

    ¡°Kyle, do you mind if we chat, just the two of us?¡± Noah asked, moving toward the entrance. Kyle muttered something unintelligible but followed him out of the camp. They sat on the slope overlooking the forest and remained still for a moment.

    ¡°Kyle, I didn¡¯t want to leave you.¡± Noah said softly. Kyle sat there, his arms crossed.

    ¡°I know.¡± He finally responded. Noah stayed quiet.

    ¡°I can¡¯t leave my sister.¡± Kyle said after some time. ¡°She told me what you plan to do. You¡¯re going to save everyone.¡± He paused, wiping his face. ¡°I wish we were going with you.¡± Noah wrapped his arm around him.

    ¡°I know. Me too.¡±

 Chapter 17

    When the sun rose the next day, Noah was awake to greet it. The skies were cloudy, matching the melancholy air of the morning. It had been another monsterless night, which was eerie in its own way, making one wonder just where the beasts had gone. When the System mentioned the safeguards being lifted, Noah had been sure they would come streaming from the forest at all hours of the day. Given his experience with the System so far, he knew the reality was probably worse than he imagined. He sighed, not for the first time that morning, as his mind produced reasons to stay. Knowing it would be some time before the others stirred, he decided to review his status screen.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Domain: Self

    Caste: Iron

    Gate: 1

    Path: Apprentice

    Level: 13

    Strength: 22

    Dexterity:22

    Constitution: 36

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 12/100

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

    He had opted to put a couple of free points in strength and dexterity, feeling their lack after the night in the tree. Noah considered the steps he would need to take to get to the next caste. If his thoughts were right, he would have to get to the next level threshold, the next gate, and the next grade. He had no clue how he was supposed to increase his grade, or even what grade did. The elf, Balkendar had acted like the elves were aware of grade even before the System¡¯s arrival, but the concept was too vague for Noah to guess at. Perhaps he would track down an elf if that became his bottleneck. As Noah looked at his status, he once again experienced that sensation of rightness, each line a clear reflection of his current state. As he examined his numbers, he focused on the second-to-last line, the one that had escaped his understanding to date.

    Essence. It was yet another unknown.

    When Julie woke sometime later she found him seated upright with his eyes closed and a serene expression on his face. She smiled sadly at him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

    ¡°Noah, are you alright?¡± She asked. He seemed to have a delayed reaction as if he had been some distance away.

    ¡°Hey, Julie. Yeah, I¡¯m good.¡± He said, opening his eyes. He took in her face, committing it to memory. ¡°Are the boys up?¡± He asked. She nodded.

    ¡°They¡¯re just stirring.¡±

    ¡°Then I think it''s time.¡± He said, making his way into the camp. The teens were sitting up and chatting when they saw him.

    ¡°Hey guys, I¡¯m going to head out.¡± He said, feeling a bit lost for words. Kyle jumped up and hugged him. Noah smiled, squeezing him back.

    ¡°Take care of everyone.¡± He told him. Kyle nodded, his back straightening.

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    ¡°I will.¡± He promised. Matt was next, offering him a collection of weapons instead of an embrace: two curved fangs, maybe a foot in length, and the beloved Shark Club.

    ¡°Thank you, Matt.¡± He said.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome. I also put a fire puck in your pack.¡± Matt replied. Noah turned to Julie, unsure if he should hug her or shake her hand. He was thankfully saved the decision as she stepped close and gave him a tight squeeze.

    ¡°Take care of yourself.¡± She said.

    ¡°I will. You too.¡± He replied. He stepped to the entryway, clothed in his fur dress and pack, Shark Club in hand. He turned and offered one last smile before he rounded the outcropping, disappearing from sight.

    He was thankful for the memories he had made with them, and for the faces he could call to mind whenever he needed to remember what he was fighting for. He strode up the hill, his walk transitioning into a run. He wanted to be well out of eyesight by the end of the day, knowing it would be too hard if he had the physical reminder of their presence. So he ran, taking in the dark, rocky landscape. Occasionally there was a lone skeletal-looking tree in the distance, or a boulder sticking up a bit higher than the ground, but the terrain was otherwise unmarked. As the day went on the wind picked up, the stronger gusts occasionally pushing him sideways. He followed the stream from afar, hoping the water would draw in other living creatures. His stomach was empty and he could feel the fat being leeched off his bones as he pushed his body. First, he would have to find a way to make fire, then hunt down some prey.

    It was afternoon when he saw his first sign of life, a lone creature a bit over a hundred yards ahead of him drinking from the stream. It was large and on all fours, appearing cat-like from a distance. XP. He thought, grabbing the twin fangs from his pack and stowing his club. The closer he got, the larger the beast appeared. As he came within a hundred feet, the feline creature tensed and turned its head, finding Noah¡¯s eyes. He heard a low growl that was followed by rapid movement in his direction. Noah dropped into a fighting stance, holding the fangs just like the knives he had trained with. The beast was dark purple in color with black spots scattered across its fur, and it was nearly the size of a mature tiger.

    It leaped forward, its razor-like claws extended. Noah rolled underneath its exposed stomach, puncturing soft tissue with a well-timed stab. The cat turned on him, hissing in fury, and swiped its paws in rapid succession. The first swipe just caught his fur dress, revealing lines of his chest beneath and he backpedaled in quick order. They traded swipes, and Noah came out ahead, having lodged a fang deep into its shoulder. It continued to press him, only now with a limp. The fight dragged on as he was forced to prioritize avoiding every blow. One clean hit would gut him through. He eventually took out his club and began tearing shallow gashes across the beast¡¯s body. At that point, it was just a matter of time. It took significantly longer than he would have imagined, and he realized that it must have an impressive amount of constitution. At last, it crumpled to the ground and Noah delivered the finishing blow.

    [100 XP Gained.]

    A whole level. He grinned. So far only the bobcat had been such a high-level target. At some point, he had come to the conclusion that the XP awarded must coincide with the beast''s path because they all seemed to give the exact same value in their relative strength range. He allocated his free points into constitution, regaining a high value for the stat after departing from his healer.

    A rhythmic thudding interrupted his thoughts and he scanned his perimeter for its source. Not more than 50 yards away a long-horned cow was charging in his direction. How did I miss that? Noah puzzled, readying himself nonetheless. As he did, he noticed another body moving in his direction from further off. What¡¯s going on?  He collected the fang that he had lost during the fight and ran toward the bull. I better make this quick. It lowered its horns as it rammed toward him and he launched himself into the air, able to jump significantly higher than his previous self. Like ice picks he dug the fangs into the charging beast, arresting his momentum and giving him purchase to hang on as the beast continued forward. With no small amount of effort, he retracted one of the fangs from the tightly corded muscle of its back and plunged it into the beast¡¯s head. Its front legs buckled and he was thrown off its back. He landed in a sprawl and scrambled to his feet only to find that it lay still.

    [100 XP Gained.]

    He frowned at that, not expecting to have encountered another powerful beast so soon. He collected his fangs and realized that they were only feet away from the feline beast he had killed. Uh oh. The thought raced through his mind as the next creature roared a deafening cry way too close for comfort. This one had a lion¡¯s mane and beak, and its eyes were a disturbing red. Noah positioned himself behind the bull, hoping to take advantage of its body to slow down the beast. It worked for a moment, and both he and the monster were soon circling around the fallen cow. As he looked at the gaunt features of the beast the pieces clicked together. It''s the blood. They¡¯re starving. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than the rumble of distant feet reached his ears. He lifted his eyes and saw a number of shapes moving in their direction. As he did, the nearby monster lunged for the kill.

 Chapter 18

    The beak tore into Noah¡¯s thigh, his dodge proving ineffectual.

    ¡°Agh!¡± he screamed as he fell to the ground, clutching his leg. Move! He rolled to the side and heard the beak sink into the ground. He desperately swung his arm hoping to hit something vital. His fang dug into the creature''s face and Noah grimaced in disgust. The ugly creature thrashed about, freeing its beak from the dark earth. Both wounded they faced off like a Western showdown, neither daring to make the first move. They were both stunned when a third party joined the fray, its jaws locking onto the fowl beast.

    [50 XP Gained.]

    Noah wasn¡¯t sure how fair that was but didn¡¯t have time to debate, as he found himself in the middle of a frenzy. All around, the sounds of fighting and the rending of flesh made for a gory landscape. He looked around frantically for an escape, but he was surrounded on all sides. Worst yet, more beasts were joining in the bloodbath. This is how they are so strong. He realized, after gaining two and a half levels in such a short span. How strong will the survivors of this massacre become? The interloping party got swept up in another battle and Noah ran over to the corpse of the bull he had fought earlier. He then dragged the body of the purple leopard-like beast next to the bull and crawled in between the two of them. He took a deep breath, quickly regretting breathing through his nose, and pulled himself together. I just need to look at this right. He coached himself, this is an opportunity to level, just like I wanted. He felt at his thigh, it was still bleeding but it seemed to have missed anything vital. He began to weigh his options. I can wait it out and try to take out the last monster alive, or I can join the fight and level in the hope that I get strong enough to either escape or fight my way to the top. Either way, he knew it would be some time before he was making it out of the battlefield.

    Remembering that he had enough XP to level again, he willed the System to do so and assigned his free points to constitution, bringing his total to 42. As impressive as that number felt, he was also pretty sure that the monsters around him were well into whatever stage came after apprentice, which likely meant that they would have no trouble getting past his reinforced skin.

    He tensed as something large stepped on the beast he was under, squishing him into the ground. Thankfully it didn¡¯t stay long and he could breathe again. If he had a sword or spear, perhaps he would feel confident leaving his hiding space, but as it was, his meager weapons felt more like risky toys when faced with his current competition. So he waited. He was stepped on several times, and at one point a beast seemed to discover him only to be attacked by something else before it could act on its discovery. As the time passed, the sounds of battle slowly faded into occasional roars or yelps. After a minute of silence, he slowly lifted himself up and peeked out above the bull, doing his best to keep a low profile. He saw a field of bodies, massive and diverse, barely a duplicate among them. Each of them was a beast beyond him, making him feel like an ant in a giants graveyard. A dozen yards away, the two remaining monsters faced off, both of them bleeding and slowed. One was a massive winged snake, that seemed comfortable both on the ground and in the air, and the other was an enormous bear that looked like the older brother of the one he had encountered on his first day.

    He watched as they clashed, the serpent biting into the bear, presumably injecting its venom while the bear slashed it with its claws. Noah crept forward, sensing that the end of the fight was near. The bear caught the serpent in its mouth and began to shake it with its powerful jaws. Noah dashed for it, fangs in both hands. The mighty serpent bit at the bear with its remaining strength, and after an intense struggle finally became limp. The bear having accomplished its undertaking slumped to the ground, exhausted from the battle and weakened by the venom. Noah arrived at that moment, driving both daggers into the base of its skull, catching the bear unaware. He immediately retreated, taking cover behind a nearby beast. The bear roared in frustration and pain as it failed to make out its attacker. Part of Noah felt like a coward for his underhanded method, but that part of Noah wasn¡¯t going to save his people.

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    The bear continued to growl and look around but was becoming increasingly sluggish. Another ten minutes passed before the beast slumped to the ground, joining the serpent in its final rest.

    [1000 XP Gained.]

    Noah blinked. That bear had been worth ten levels and it seemed he didn¡¯t have to share the XP if the other contributor was dead. He grinned, forgetting any reservation he may have had before, and leveled up.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Domain: Self

    Caste: Iron

    Gate: 1

    Path: Apprentice

    Level: 25

    Strength: 46

    Dexterity:46

    Constitution: 42

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 62/100

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 30

    He looked over his updated status in awe. He now had four times the physical stats he had possessed when he arrived in the forest. While the points didn¡¯t seem to mean that he could lift four times the weight, he did feel far stronger than any normal human could attain. He considered his free points briefly before bringing strength and dexterity to an even 50 and dumping the rest into constitution which now read 64. His body quivered for a moment as the massive amount of stats changed his makeup. When it finished he felt like a new man, he had moved past green juice junkie territory and well into fantasy land. It felt good. That taken care of, he decided it was time to make himself scarce. After seeing how quickly the initial fight had drawn in the beasts, he beelined it to the stream and jumped in bloodstained furs and all, leaving only his pack on the shore. He did his best to scrub out the blood matted into the fur before climbing out of the freezing water.

    He spent the next hour running, thankful that the constitution buff seemed to have quickened his healing dramatically and strengthened his resistance to the cold. As the skies grew dark he settled into a wedge of rocks that offered some protection from the wind and any prying eyes. As soon as he closed his eyes he was asleep and when he awoke dawn had already passed.

    Noah stretched and took in the view from his temporary residence. The higher he went up the mountain the more pronounced the changes to the world became. Even from his new vantage point he still couldn¡¯t make out the edges of the forest below. His stomach rumbled. He went to his pack, pulling out the fire-starting supplies that Matt had packed for him. He had doubled his physical stats since the last time he tried to make fire, if it could be done, he was going to do it.

    Matt had made a spindle and board for him, which he gladly used in place of the rudimentary method he had tried before. He readied his tinder and began vigorously twisting the spindle. Minutes passed and he could feel the heat gathering, he spun the rod faster, desperation pushing him on. Then a beautiful thing occurred¨Ca wisp of smoke rose from the bottom of the spindle, followed by a warm orange glow. With extreme focus and delicate hands he transferred the little ember into the tinder nest. It ignited in a burst of flame and Noah carefully placed it on the puck that Matt had designed. It lit easily, and soon a stable flame glowed in the center of his rock formation. I did it. A sense of achievement washed over him, and he felt that the world looked more beautiful than it had ever seemed before.

    [Global Ranking System online.]

    <ul>

    <li>Dariss Ashfield-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 72</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Malentar Stoneskin-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 69</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Recter Jandon-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 65</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Do¡¯Fon Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 62</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Ma¡¯tan Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 59</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Darten Yellowfang-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 54</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Syton Talir-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 52</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Fastion Briner-Elf: Iron, Lvl 51</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Flamir Axehead-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 51</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>En¡¯Do Forsten-Orc: Iron, Lvl 49 </li>

    </ul>

    Noah stared at the screen that had appeared before his eyes¨Cthe global ranking system. If the list had looked different then he might have liked the idea, but at that moment only one thought occupied his mind. None of them are human.

 Chapter 19

    Drakon. The scenes of the last resistance flashed through his mind. The ones who had resisted the hordes until the very end¨Cthese must be the Drakon. Noah had read through the global leaderboard several times, hoping that he would watch it refreshing only to include one of his kind. The rankings did confirm one thing though, he was moving too slowly. The lowest person, or Orc, on the list, was twice his level. He had assumed that his early step into Iron had put him head and shoulders above the rest, yet he wasn¡¯t even close. He shook his head as he ran, returning to his camp with one of the smaller monster carcasses draped over his shoulders. The battlefield had been littered with scavengers, though they seemed more interested in their meal than in a fight. He would eat his fill, but then it was time to grind some levels. If the day before had been any indication, then he knew just how fast one could jump up in power.

    Satiated and stocked up, Noah left his shelter and traveled up the mountain. He moved quickly, eager to find his next XP farm. A few hours into his run he was rewarded with just such a sight¨Csome distance away he could make out the lumbering form of a mutated hippo, sporting a long, serpentine tail. He approached and considered his options. His lack of real weaponry was becoming more and more apparent as his adversaries grew in power. Perhaps I¡¯ll find an antelope with swords for horns. He grinned. Fangs in hand he rushed the beast, hoping beyond hope that he could pierce its leathery hide. What came next was a series of minor inconveniences to the now-aggravated hippo. He had managed to gouge several holes in its sides, but the beast barely flinched at his efforts. The hippo, in turn, had slapped him across the chest with its tail and sent him to his back.

    He desperately scrambled as the thundering hooves moved to trample him. It was too fast. Knowing that he wasn¡¯t escaping, he committed to the next best option and positioned himself to strike. The first hoof crushed his ankle, and the second impaled itself deeply upon his fang. Noah barrel-rolled out of the way, just missing the latter hooves. His ankle was disturbingly flat and he felt bile rising as he looked at it. Thankfully, the hippo was similarly distracted as it hobbled on three feet, the fang almost entirely buried in its foot. Noah gritted his teeth as he crawled toward the reeling beast. He had to finish this. The hippo snorted wildly at his approach, and as the beast turned its maw to snap, it was met with a biting smack from Shark Club. It wasn¡¯t nearly as effective as he had pictured in his mind, and the beast proceeded to snatch the weapon from his hand, swallowing it without a second thought. Noah was wide-eyed as he retreated from the hippo - a now choking, three-legged hippo bouncing after him as he made like a speedy toddler. Perhaps a minute later, the earth stopped shaking and Noah chanced a look at his pursuer. It was as still as a rock.

    [100 XP Gained.]

    Noah grinned. In the end, Shark Club was too hard a pill to swallow for the beast. He hastily leveled and assigned the points to constitution. He would need every point if he was to survive what came next. He cozied up to the hippo, clutching his remaining weapon, and waited for the show to begin.

    He didn¡¯t have to wait long. Within minutes, a swarm of beasts had descended upon his location. In a similar tactic to his previous battle, he played the coward¡¯s gambit, distracting his new opponents just long enough for another creature to take them off the board. Once he had assembled a suitable pile of corpses, he hid away from the chaos, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. He wasn¡¯t a coward, he was a practical opportunist. As the giants fell around him, he couldn¡¯t help but question his life choices. If he thought about it, it wasn¡¯t too crazy that the other races had beat out humans on the global rankings. Humans definitely weren''t accustomed to this level of brutality, and this seemed to be the fastest way to the top by far. In fact, if he had just a few more of these brawls, he would qualify for the top 10, that is, if the current leaders stopped leveling. Time passed and soon the sounds of battle faded. Noah peeked his head out from beneath the pile and saw a concerning sight, his XP farm was on its last legs!

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    He pushed his way out of the mess and hopped his way to the center of the carnage where a toothy rhino lay taking in raspy breaths. Noah saw no reaction from the beast as he approached, his mangled limb keeping him from attempting any kind of stealth. Lacking any subtlety, he plunged his fang into the rhino, hoping that he had made it soon enough.

    [1000 XP Gained.]

    Noah sighed in relief, not wanting to consider losing out on the levels after the injury he sustained. He quickly assigned his free points to constitution and sat down to catch his breath. The rush of stats filled his body with a sense of power and vitality, only to fade as his very real injuries made themselves known. He needed to find a place to hunker down for the night and was too far away from his previous shelter to attempt the trip. He scanned the horizon, looking for any sort of natural formation to provide some shelter but came up short. I just had to have those levels. The grim reality of his situation set in when he saw the blurry outline of something large moving in the distance. He started moving, opting for a three-legged bear crawl over his awkward hopping. He had to get away before the next wave of monsters arrived. Exhausted and covered in blood he finally slumped down some distance from the battlefield. His adrenaline gone he fell asleep, his face resting on the black dirt of the endless mountain.

    Like all too many mornings these days, Noah woke with a start in an unfamiliar place. His body ached from the strange position he slept in, and the throbbing in his ankle had barely receded. I have like 100 constitution! He thought bitterly as he gritted his teeth in the pain. As it turned out, even superhumans have to heal from ankle-flattening injuries. After he finished puking up yesterday¡¯s meal he committed to thinking positively which also meant ignoring his uncomfortable situation. He sat up and took a swig of the bit of water he had boiled the day before, munching on some burnt meat. What I would do for a cup of coffee.

    It was funny, even as he had that thought he swore he saw people in the distance. I¡¯m more out of it than I thought. He rubbed his eyes and blinked a few times. No, they were still there. He watched them, at this distance he could make out their general shapes and movements but that was it. They appeared to be gathering the corpses of the beasts. As he watched he realized there were quite a few people in the group, several collecting the corpses and the rest standing in a line. Maybe getting ready to march?  He thought, unsure of what to make of them. People! A lightbulb finally came on in his brain and he started hobbling toward the group. He had opted to hobble because most crawling things were strange, mutated beasts these days. As he neared the group he started to get a funny feeling, the air wasn¡¯t jovial or serious¨Cit was oppressive. That was when he caught sight of one of the collectors¡¯ faces and discovered his mistake. With clay-red skin, pointed ears, and small boarlike-tusks he knew, these were orcs.

    The orc, a woman judging by her physique, shouted something to the others and walked in his direction.

    ¡°Hello!¡± Noah shouted, hoping to come off as friendly. She grinned at him.

    ¡°Hello, human!¡± She said, taking in his appearance with a tilt of her head.

    ¡°Combat or crafter?¡± She asked. Noah frowned.

    ¡°Combat.¡± He replied, wondering if this was a typical kind of greeting for orcs.

    ¡°Perfect, that makes an even number.¡± She said, making it the rest of the way over to him. She put her arm under his, supporting his weight. She wore something like leather armor and had an axe at her side. ¡°Come, this way.¡± She said, pointing across the field. Noah looked where she had pointed and saw other humans standing together in a line. What¡¯s going on? His forehead creased. One of the men spotted Noah and the fear in his eyes was all he needed to put the rest together. They were captives. The orc to his side strengthened her grip and grinned at him, this time a wild gleam in her eyes.

    ¡°Welcome to your new home, slave.¡±

 Chapter 20

    Noah had about ten seconds to make a move before he lost his freedom. He looked around, judging his chances. He could see five other orcs, all equipped like his captor. Even if he did have superior stats to them, he had learned firsthand how easy it could be to take down a stronger opponent. He looked at his fellow captives, to his horror it wasn¡¯t just men they had taken. One look at the children sealed the deal. If he acted now and failed, it would put them at risk. He had to wait until he was certain he could get them all. He allowed the female orc to bind his wrists which were connected to each of the other prisoners and take his pack. He stumbled as soon she let go of him. They have to think I¡¯m weak. He glanced at the others. They were thin and dirty, many of them in the rags that remained from their Earthen clothes. They didn¡¯t look like they would be able to muster much of a fight.

    ¡°Where are they taking us?¡± I asked the man bound to my left once the orc had walked away. He shook his head but kept his eyes on the ground. By the time he heard the crack, it was too late.

    ¡°Agh!¡± Noah yelped in surprise more than pain. A different orc male, strutted up to him, glaring menacingly into his eyes.

    ¡°No talking!¡± He yelled, spit spraying into Noah¡¯s face. He nodded. Weak. It was an interesting thought for the situation he found himself in and yet he couldn¡¯t help it. He had been wrestling monsters with no more than a fang, making this orc¡¯s attempt at intimidation feel pitiful. If it wasn¡¯t for his ankle he would make his move now. When he considered their strength, he had done so with rankings in mind, but now he realized how silly that was. He doubted these orcs were even irons. He paused as he remembered his encounter with the elf, Balkendar. He had been ready to kill or take his companions without a second thought, but immediately begged forgiveness when Noah showed up. Would the same thing work here? Maybe. If things got out of hand he would test that out, but until then he would bide his time and heal.

    A rope was attached to their bindings and they were instructed to drag the beasts behind them. If not for his foot he could have shouldered a majority of the load, but as it was, he struggled to keep up. At first, the orcs had jeered at him, calling him a cripple and laughing raucously. Then he began falling behind, tripping and being dragged. They tried to motivate him to pick up the pace but it soon became clear that he was simply unable to keep up with his injury. Internally, Noah watched as his tormentors gathered to discuss how to best deal with him.

    ¡°You want me to heal that pig?¡± One of the female orcs screeched, throwing her hands into the air. The other one made placating gestures.

    ¡°We have a quota and if we don¡¯t get back before the end of tomorrow we are both dead.¡± The more diplomatic one explained. The healer grunted and began to walk toward Noah.

    ¡°On the ground, swine!¡± She yelled, her voice rough and congested. He hurriedly complied, stretching his legs in front of him. She grabbed ahold of his ankle and he winced at her rough treatment. Her eyebrows raised a bit as she inspected it.

    ¡°How did you manage to stay conscious with such a splintered bone?¡± She asked, a tinge of respect entering her voice. He didn¡¯t answer as she didn¡¯t seem to be looking for one. Soon a familiar warmth pulsed into his foot followed by an excruciating pain that he attributed to the aforementioned splinters. She didn¡¯t sing like Julie, something he was most grateful for. Instead, she just seemed to focus on his ankle. He could feel the bits and pieces of his foot being put back together, and the pain slowly faded away. The healer finished, looking a bit worn out by the experience, and rejoined the others.

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    ¡°Move!¡± The annoying male orc yelled. Together they started forward, everyone finding it remarkably easier to pull their burden than before. Noah was elated. He was pretty sure that he could get free at any time, and even save the others. The only thing that kept him from doing so were the words he had overheard. Wherever they were headed would have more of his people, and he intended to save them all.

    The march continued through the night, and the orcs seemed to be able to navigate without any issues. His fellow captives, however, were struggling. When a small woman in front of him fell, he picked up the slack, then again, and again. The orcs were in a hurry and responded quickly when someone started to lag, so Noah did his best to keep that from happening. The night eventually turned to day, and his legs were burning with the increased effort. Far in the distance, he saw smoke rising into the sky in uniform ribbons. We¡¯re close. The slavers seemed eager to return and began barking at the humans to increase the pace. Someone in front of him started crying, and his heart wrenched in indecision. This would be the last chance to save this small group before potentially losing the opportunity. If there¡¯s a chance to save them all, I have to take it. He reminded himself, deciding to settle for carrying a bit more of the load.

    It was several hours later when they arrived at an astonishing sight. In front of him stood a real village on flat, level ground. There were over a dozen buildings that he could see, with a large opening leading deeper into the mountain. It looked as if a large chunk of the mountain had been chiseled away to accommodate the construction. A sheer wall at the far side of the town while the slope continued on either side. There were no walls around the settlement, but each building was made of a sturdy, dark-colored brick. They were brought into the center of town, where they deposited the animal carcasses. A large male orc, covered in studded armor and wearing a massive hammer, stood watch over their proceedings. As Noah looked at him he got a different sense than the others. While they were sinister and rough, they also felt weak or insubstantial to him. When he looked at this orc though, it was as if he was more real than the others. Iron. He realized. This was the first time he had seen another person of a higher caste, and it was clear that this orc would be his primary obstacle. There was even a chance that he was one of the orcs on the rankings. Any giant can be brought down.

    He seemed to escape notice from their spectator and was ushered to a walled-in corner of the village that butted up against the mountain. They were pushed unceremoniously into the holding area and chunks of stone were moved to cover the entrance. He gasped as he took in the conditions of the people. There were maybe twenty people in total if he counted the seven others he had traveled with. They had the hollow eyes of hopelessness and he wondered just how long they had been there. He walked across the area to an older man who was sitting against the wall, hoping to chat with him. The man briefly met his eyes and shook his head ever so slightly. Enforced silence? Here? Noah walked a bit away and sat down against the wall. Within seconds he was fast asleep.

    He woke to someone shaking his shoulder, and he could make out the face of the man he had approached earlier. The man leaned in close and whispered into his ear.

    ¡°They don¡¯t like us talking, and they hassle everyone if they see us communicating with each other.¡± He explained. ¡°The name¡¯s Bob, kid¡± Noah nodded at him, giving him a smile.

    ¡°What are they doing with us here?¡± He whispered back.

    ¡°Thankfully, little so far,¡± he said, ¡°The first thing they did was get everyone to level 10 though. Then they forced us to select non-combatant, explaining that they would know if we didn¡¯t. Now they just have us spend our days making trinkets and sewing.¡± Bob paused.

    ¡°While they haven¡¯t done anything particularly bad, some of the others are starting to break. A few of us have been here for a couple weeks and its having its toll.¡± Noah listened, taking it all in. He would break them out as soon as he saw an opportunity.

    ¡°Bob¨C¡± Noah was interrupted by the sound of a loud horn ringing through the night. Bob¡¯s eyes went wide.

    ¡°That¡¯s not good.¡±

 Chapter 21

    ¡°That¡¯s not good,¡± Bob said, jumping to his feet. Noah followed suit, feeling naked without a weapon in his hands.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± He whispered.

    ¡°Monsters.¡± He said, gathering with the rest of the captives in the back corner of their prison yard. ¡°They usually don¡¯t make it to us, but it wouldn¡¯t be the first time one slipped through the cracks.¡± Noah stood on guard in front of the rest of the people, joined by a couple of other able-bodied adults. The stars illuminated the night, but the large walls cast dark shadows around them. He heard orders being shouted and feet stomping through the village, accompanied by a cacophony of roars and bestial howls. Noah clenched his fists as he looked for a way out.

    The ruckus continued for a while, and the longer it went on, the tenser they became. Noah started to wonder if he should act. If the orcs failed in their defense then he would be left to protect the others on his own. When another cry for help sounded a few minutes later, he made up his mind. With a running start, he jumped and scaled the wall¨Ca move his fellow humans would no doubt fail to mirror. He looked out over the city, and saw it overrun with various beasts. More than one orc lay motionless in pools of red and the remaining defenders were being pressed on all sides. The monsters¡¯ attacks were chaotic and just as aggressive toward each other as they were toward orcs, all competing for the same prize. He saw an orc isolated from the rest, desperately staving off a raptor-like creature and falling to the ground. He dashed in her direction, stopping to pick up an axe from a fallen warrior. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw him with his axe raised and she tensed as he swung it down. With a crunch, the axe bit through flesh and bone, bringing a swift end to the beast.

    [50 XP Gained.]

    She looked into his eyes with confusion and he recognized her as the one who had taken him captive. He extended his hand and with hesitation she gripped it, allowing him to pull her onto her feet.

    ¡°Why?¡± She asked. He shook his head.

    ¡°No time,¡± He responded, crossing the distance to the next orc. Catching the offending monster in the back of its hind legs. It crashed to the ground, allowing the orc to end the fight. He ignored the XP message and continued on, hoping to save as many lives as possible. It was his first time attempting to fight in the middle of a monster swarm, and he preferred his method of hiding and waiting it out. The largest group of defenders was in the middle of the village standing around the piled meat. It wasn¡¯t the smartest choice tactically, though his stomach could understand the instinct. Starting from the edge he began attacking the beasts that were already engaged in battle. Every blow would lighten the pressure on the warriors and give them some breathing room. He caught several confused or frightened glances as he wreaked havoc on the invaders. Given what they had done to his people he felt it was a fair response. Noah continued his attacks, but the torrent of monsters didn¡¯t stop. A loud boom sounded across the clearing and a large orc was sent flying toward one of the buildings. He connected with a crash and Noah watched in fascination when he slowly got back to his feet. The Iron.

    Noah turned his eyes toward the beast that had thrown the orc, a massive reptilian beast not dissimilar to a T-rex if all of its legs were the same length. He noticed a disturbing resemblance between the beast and the other creatures. They weren¡¯t the same but they all had reptilian features. Could that one be leading them? The beast crashed through the weaker orcs making its way toward its previous foe. The chief swung his hammer, connecting with the side of its massive head only to be whipped off his feet by its tail. Noah bounded in his direction, exchanging his one-handed axe for a larger one he found on the way. He chopped at its rear calf with all his strength and was rewarded by a loud snap as the tendon gave way. He was rewarded by a swift backhand that sent him sailing through air. He landed on the heap of carcasses with a meaty thud. He gasped as the air was knocked out of him. Noah heard a loud battle cry from the orc chieftain, and he hurried to rejoin the fight. Together they wore down the assailant, taking turns landing blows and being sent sprawling. With a final crunch, the orc delivered the last blow, sending the hulking beast to the ground. A loud cry filled the air as the remaining beasts went into a frenzy, some fleeing and the others attacking in wild abandon.

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    Together the two warriors entered the fray, ending beasts with deadly efficiency. When the last beast was put down the orcs raised their voices in a roar of triumph. Noah felt himself being swept up in the moment and yelled out his victory. As the shouts came to an end, there was a moment of stillness as the orcs seemed to remember that he had been their captive. The chief made his way across the clearing and stood before Noah, dwarfing in bulk but not in height. He stared deep into Noah¡¯s eyes for a moment before extending his arm, grabbing Noah¡¯s forearm in a warrior¡¯s embrace. He grinned.

    ¡°You fight like an orc berserker!¡± He bellowed, ¡°I, Chief Ro¡¯Kar honor you as a warrior!¡± Without hesitation, the rest of the orcs stomped their feet in unison and held their weapons across their chests. The chief held up his fist and the orcs went still.

    ¡°Why did you hide your strength from us? Is this the way of humans?¡± He asked. Noah considered his response and settled on a blunt approach.

    ¡°I came for my people, but I knew nothing of you. It would have been weakness to fail for lack of information.¡± He replied. The chieftain looked off into the distance, appearing to mull over Noah¡¯s statement.

    ¡°Ah, I was wrong. Orcs have more berserkers than tacticians, but we too recognize knowledge as a form of strength.¡± He said nodding. Noah found himself appreciating the orc¡¯s directness.

    ¡°As for your people, they are weak in heart. Why do you call them your people?¡± The chief asked. Weak in heart? Noah was unsure of his meaning.

    ¡°I did not know these people before now, but they are humans like myself.¡± Noah explained. The orc burst out laughing, a thundering sound that filled the village.

    ¡°You are bold, young warrior! You claim every human as your own! I like that!¡± Ro¡¯Kar roared, slapping Noah heartily on the shoulder. Noah frowned at the misunderstanding but decided to let it pass.

    ¡°I meant what I said though.¡± The chief started again, ¡°These humans will never rise above their caste. They are dust, as the system says. Why do you care for dust?¡±

    ¡°Why do you say they will never rise?¡± Noah challenged.

    ¡°They are weak in heart. They do not fight back, nor do they have the fire in their belly. Orcs do not tolerate this, we are a strong people.¡± He finished. Noah thought about the chief''s words. They weren¡¯t even level 10. He recalled Bob¡¯s story and couldn¡¯t help but understand the orc¡¯s perspective.

    ¡°Ro¡¯Kar, do your people have those that foresee the future?¡± Noah asked him.

    ¡°I have no sages among my people, but there are orcs that do.¡± Ro¡¯Kar agreed. Noah nodded, this would make it easier.

    ¡°I foresaw the collapse of our world and the beasts that have flooded it.¡± Noah shared. The chief narrowed his eyes.

    ¡°Is this true?¡± He asked, his tone serious.

    ¡°It is. And what I saw was grave indeed.¡±

    ¡°Tell me.¡± Ro¡¯Kar said, bracing himself as if for battle.

    ¡°We fail. The world will be run over with great hordes far larger and more powerful than the one from tonight. Then a judge will appear and deem us unworthy.¡± Noah shared. Several of those present inhaled sharply.

    ¡°Why do say this?¡± The chief asked.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to be this way. We can join together and repel the beasts. But if we fight amongst ourselves we will be too weak for what is coming.¡± Noah explained. The chief listened, his brow furrowed.

    ¡°This will be hard for my brethren to grasp. We recognize power.¡± He began. ¡°I have shed blood with you though, and I do not believe you to be a deciever.¡± He paused before looking at his warriors.

    ¡°We will heed your warning. By what name do your people call you, young warrior?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Noah.¡±

    ¡°No¡¯Ah. A good name.¡± Ro¡¯kar responded, smiling. Then he opened his mouth and shouted forcefully.

    ¡°Release the people of No¡¯ah!¡±

 Chapter 22

    Noah walked over to the entrance of the prison yard, wanting them to have a friendly face to explain the situation. Bob was the first to walk through the passageway, and Noah waved over to him.

    ¡°Bob! Come here, I have a lot to share with you.¡± Bob flinched and looked around nervously. ¡°It¡¯s okay, you¡¯re free.¡± Noah explained in a soft tone.

    ¡°What do you mean, free?¡± He asked with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°Exactly that, Ro¡¯Kar, the chief has agreed to let you all go.¡± Noah explained. Several of the other people hearing the news sank to their knees, crying in relief. Bob however squinted at Noah.

    ¡°How exactly did you manage that?¡± He demanded.

    ¡°Chief No¡¯Ah has claimed you as his people! I wouldn¡¯t be quick to anger such a mighty warrior by taking what is his!¡± Ro¡¯Kar yelled, giving Noah a grin.

    ¡°Why is he saying that we¡¯re your people? What is that supposed to mean?¡± The older man asked. Noah sighed.

    ¡°It seems to be a part of this new world. I am an Iron caste, and so is Ro¡¯Kar. This demonstrates a certain amount of power and authority in the eyes of the System. Iron is the first caste that the System considers to be citizens, and anything below that is considered lesser. I claimed that you were my people and so to the orcs, you are my people.¡± He explained. Bob nodded with a deep frown on his face.

    ¡°I understand but I don¡¯t like it. And what do you plan to do plan to do with us?¡± He said.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like it either, but we aren''t in a place to change that. I don¡¯t plan to do anything with you, you are free to do whatever you want. I am going up the mountain to fight monsters and see the world, I would suggest however that you head downhill and meet up with some friends of mine. They are hoping to find people and get settled.¡± Bob nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Noah. I shouldn¡¯t have assumed the worst. It''s been a rough few weeks, and now the whole world is telling me that I¡¯m dust. It''s not right.¡± Bob said.

    ¡°Bob, I agree and you guys have been through a lot. Getting to iron is not out of reach though, since you already F-Grade and level 10, all you need it unlock your first Gate. It only took me a matter of months to meditate and figure it out but I think it has something to do with seeing yourself for who you really are.¡± Noah responded.

    ¡°I guess that makes sense.¡± Bob said, his face scrunched in thought. ¡°What do you mean, several months? We have only been here a few weeks!¡± Bob blurted out.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah is a sage, very rare.¡± Ro¡¯Kar interjected. Bob tilted his head in confusion.

    ¡°It¡¯s a long story, Bob. Maybe if we have some time later, I can explain. For now, we should explain what¡¯s going on to everyone and help them figure out what¡¯s next.¡± Bob agreed and they made their rounds, sharing the updates with everyone. After a while, Ro¡¯kar pulled Noah aside to chat.

    ¡°No¡¯ah, I heard that you plan to travel up the mountain.¡± Statement more than question. Noah nodded.

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°Then I have a request for you. The higher you go, the stronger the beasts appear to be.¡± He said. Noah frowned.

    ¡°Are you asking me not to go?¡± He asked, puzzled.

    ¡°Not at all! I wish I could go with you! No, I would like to send a warrior with you so they may gain experience and serve as your Dan¡¯Kar. It would be a great honor for them.¡± Ro¡¯Kar explained.

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    ¡°I see. What is a Dan¡¯Kar?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± The orc rumbled. ¡°It means something like stitched warrior, it is a deep bond between warriors to fight to the end for one another. In this case the warrior would fight to the end for you.¡± Noah wasn¡¯t sure what to think. The concept was familiar in medieval history but in reality, it felt like a serious decision.

    ¡°I would be honored, but¨C¡±

    ¡°Fantastic!¡± Ro¡¯Kar cut him off. ¡°The matches will begin after dawn.¡± He finished before walking away. Matches?

    Noah heard shouting from the gathered people and made his way over. Several men were standing in the center of the crowd making loud gestures.

    ¡°Are we just going to let them get away with this?¡± One of the men shouted.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Noah asked, coming alongside Bob.

    ¡°They are angry. They¡¯re looking for justice.¡± Bob replied as the men kept shouting. Noah rubbed his temples.

    ¡°Justice? If they attack, they¡¯re only looking for an early grave.¡± He responded.

    ¡°That¡¯s pretty much what I told them, but they are not in a place to reason. And honestly, I get where they¡¯re coming from.¡± Bob said. Noah saw one of them ball his fists before turning in the direction of Ro¡¯Kar. Noah sighed and ran to intercept him.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Noah asked as he gripped the man¡¯s wrist.

    ¡°Let me go!¡± He said as he tried to free his arm. ¡°These scumbags need to pay! You saw what they did to us, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± He demanded.

    ¡°Do you have family out there?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°What?¡± He grunted.

    ¡°Do you have family out there?¡± He repeated.

    ¡°Yeah, I do, somewhere. What¡¯s that got to do with this?¡±

    ¡°If you attack them you will die. What good is that for your family? Have you written them off already?¡± Noah demanded. For a second, the man looked like he¡¯d been slapped but then a switch flipped and he stuck his finger into Noah¡¯s chest.

    ¡°You don¡¯t get to talk about my family! I could wipe the floor with you! Get out of my way!¡± He said, punctuating each word with a jab of his finger. Noah narrowed his eyes.

    ¡°Fine. Beat me and I¡¯ll let you pass,¡± he said, raising his hands. The man barely hesitated before throwing a sloppy hook. Noah didn¡¯t move to block, instead letting the punch connect with his cheek. It stung a little. The man stared confused at his hand which he held gingerly with the other. It was quickly becoming red and the man swore profusely. Wanting to drive the lesson home, Noah lightly jabbed the man in the stomach. He doubled over, his attempt at a block ineffectual.

    ¡°W-what are you?¡± The man asked, lip quivering. Noah shrugged.

    ¡°Do you understand now?¡± Noah asked. ¡°If I can do that by barely touching you, what could I do if I wanted to hurt you? Do you think Ro¡¯Kar would let the insult slide if you assaulted him?¡± He nodded in shame and Noah helped him to his feet.

    ¡°Look. I¡¯m not happy about what has happened, but we need to focus on moving forward. We are surrounded by enemies on all sides that are a much bigger threat than these orcs. It is time to grow in power¨Cthat seems to be the only voice people will listen to in this new world.¡± He guided the man to the others.

    ¡°Everyone, let''s try to get some rest. We leave tomorrow.¡± Noah told the group before finding a corner to sink into.

    The next morning he woke up late to the sound of metal striking metal. He jumped to his feet, ready to defend himself. Instead, he saw a large gathering of orcs in a circle in the center of the village. Spotting Ro¡¯Kar, he made his way over to find out what was happening.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah! Good of you to join.¡± He greeted, extending his arm for a warrior''s grasp.

    ¡°Good morning, Ro¡¯Kar. What is this?¡± He asked, seeing two warriors facing off in the middle of the circle.

    ¡°The Dan¡¯Kar matches!¡± He explained, ¡°They are fighting for the honor of accompanying you on your path. Best you watch closely.¡± Noah nodded, having accepted the flow of events.

    ¡°Who should I watch for?¡± Noah asked. The chief grinned.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku, my second or Zo¡¯Kati the warrior.¡± He said pointing to them in the crowd. Noah recognized them both, Ta¡¯Ku from the battle and Za¡¯bin from his first encounter with the orcs. She captured me, I saved her life, and I finally learned her name. He chuckled.

    ¡°The rest will still try to earn the honor, but one of those two will win.¡± The chief explained. The battles dragged on for hours, and at some point, the other humans joined in for the show. Food was distributed and the cheering grew as the fights intensified. Noah watched as the orcs fought with practiced motions, accustomed to their weapons. These were true warriors, long before the System arrived. It was amazing to watch as they fought with prowess, eventually maiming their opponent and winning the favor of the crowd. The victor would look to Noah with a grin, his weapon raised, while the loser was brought to the healer. As the hours passed the warriors were eventually narrowed down to two. They strode into the ring, and  Noah joined the crowd roaring in approval. Za¡¯bin and Ta¡¯Ku. The chief lifted his arm.

    ¡°Fight!¡±

 Chapter 23

    The two dashed toward each other, Zo''Kati with a small axe in each hand and Ta¡¯Ku with a large warhammer. Ta¡¯Ku swung in a mighty arc and Zo''Kati rolled to the side, just out of reach. She lunged forward, carving a narrow gash across his thigh before he could respond. She jumped back, just a second too late, and there was a crunch as her left arm absorbed the hammer blow. She roared in rage, closing the distance with her remaining arm. Her axe bit into Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s hip but she was unable to withdraw in time to avoid the pommel strike to the head. She collapsed in a heap and the crowd thundered their approval as Ta¡¯Ku raised his weapon in victory. The healer attended to them both and then Ta¡¯Ku was made to stand before the chief.

    ¡°We have our champion!¡± Shouted the chief, met with yells of ascent. ¡°Ta¡¯Ku, you have earned the honor of the title, Dan¡¯Kar. Do you accept this title?¡± The chief intoned as if reciting ancient lines.

    ¡°I accept!¡± Ta¡¯Ku replied forcefully.

    ¡°Very well.¡± Ro¡¯Kar began, ¡°From this day you are Dan¡¯Kar to No¡¯Ah, leader of the humans. Fight his battles, share his victories, and mourn his losses!¡±

    ¡°His battles are my battles, his victories are my victories, and his losses are my losses!¡± Ta¡¯Ku proclaimed.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah!¡± The chief shouted, motioning for him to stand. ¡°Do you accept Ta¡¯Ku as your bound brother, your Dan¡¯Kar? Will you share your journey with him to the final end?¡± Noah paused, feeling the weight of the moment. Do I want this? His heart replied before his mind could reason.

    ¡°I accept!¡± He yelled. What¡¯s done is done. He extended his arm toward Ta¡¯Ku who instead wrapped him in a bear hug, lifting him from the ground.

    ¡°Brother, I have seen you fight like a raging berserker and think like a great tactician. We will conquer much together!¡± Ta¡¯Ku announced. Noah couldn¡¯t help but smile at his new accolades.

    ¡°Let it be so, Ta¡¯Ku.¡± Noah agreed. There was much joy in the village following the tournament. Even his people seemed to appreciate the sport. Noah enjoyed the festivities but was eager to be on his way. He tracked down Ro¡¯Kar and pulled him to the side.

    ¡°Ro¡¯Kar, I will be leaving to continue my journey soon,¡± Noah said. The chief nodded in understanding.

    ¡°As you should, though I ask you remain for the night. Ta¡¯Ku will need to get ready, and you need new weapons.¡± Ro¡¯Kar advised. Noah nodded considering what kind of weapon he would choose.

    ¡°That sounds reasonable. I will let Ta¡¯Ku know our plan. As for my people, I intend to send them down the mountain to meet with others I have traveled with.¡± He replied.

    ¡°This is good. Now regarding the weapons, do you have any training?¡± Ro¡¯Kar asked. Noah nodded.

    ¡°Only some, and primarily in swords and knives.¡± He said.

    ¡°Ah. Knives we have, But our smith has yet to forge any swords. He says they are too costly with our current metal supply. Let me see what we can do.¡± Ro¡¯Kar explained.

    They left each other to their tasks and Noah made his way to find Bob, stopping shortly to inform Ta¡¯Ku of their plans. Bob stood among the others, looking out of place in their rags. It would be winter soon, probably quite soon on the mountain, and they would need to be better equipped. He reached Bob, waiting while he wrapped up a conversation.

    ¡°Noah, that was quite the spectacle! I see what you meant about not fighting them!¡± Bob said.

    ¡°Indeed. I hope it has done some good for the people to see that. I am not here for that though. Have you made your decisions?¡± Noah asked. Bob nodded.

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    ¡°We have, Noah. We will go down the mountain and seek out your friends. From what you said, they will be able to help us get on the right path. Most of us are crafters, but that doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t become strong.¡± Bob explained. Noah felt satisfied hearing his conclusion, and he hoped he would get to see his friends again.

    ¡°When will you leave?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°Immediately, we were just waiting for you. The orcs gave us some basic supplies and even some weapons. How we do now is up to us.¡± Bob said. Noah shook his hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad we met, perhaps we will see each other again down the road. And if you do find Julie, would you tell her that I am well?¡± Noah asked. He considered saying more but perhaps it was best to move forward.

    ¡°Likewise Noah. I really appreciate this second chance you have given us. We won¡¯t squander it.¡± Bob said. The group gathered their things and left the village, leaving Noah as the sole human once again. He made his way into town and enjoyed the company of the raucous orcs. Ro¡¯Kar hosted him in his home and they talked late into the night.

    The next morning, Noah met with Ta¡¯Ku in the village center finding him up and ready just after dawn. They shared a meal and Ro¡¯kar found them, bearing gifts. He deposited the bundle in Noah¡¯s arms and he was surprised at its weight. He unwrapped the leather and found two identical long knives in sheathes, alongside an impressive warhammer. It was made of a dark, heavy metal with a large two-sided head. One side was a flat polished square of metal, and the other was a sharp spike. Noah smiled.

    ¡°It is not a sword, but it will serve you well. Ta¡¯Ku is well-acquainted with the warhammer and can teach you of its use.¡±

    ¡°I am very grateful for your generosity. I will teach the monsters to fear an orc hammer!¡± Noah grinned.

    ¡°Hah! Are you sure you¡¯re human? You''re not secretly a half-orc?¡± Ro¡¯kar jested.

    ¡°Definitely human, though my brother¡¯s an orc.¡± He said, pointing at Ta¡¯Ku. The chief bellowed out a laugh.

    ¡°This is a good way to part paths, No¡¯Ah. May your journey be long, and your enemies mighty!¡± He said, extending his arm. Noah returned the gesture.

    ¡°May the hordes break against your hammer!¡± Noah replied. With their farewells exchanged the pair left the village, heading up the slope. They had a long way to travel by day¡¯s end and they set out at a run. Noah took the opportunity to revisit his status, having forgotten about the many notifications from the battle. He used his XP to level, finding he was able to do so seven times. With that he pulled up his screen.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Domain: Self

    Caste: Iron

    Gate: 1

    Path: Apprentice

    Level: 43

    Strength: 86

    Dexterity:86

    Constitution: 97

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 5/100

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 21

    He let out a low whistle in appreciation. There was nothing quite like progress to make you feel alive. He brought both strength and dexterity to 90 and put the remaining points into constitution, pushing it to 110. This boost in stats felt more dramatic than the previous ones, even though it was fewer stats. He could feel his skin harden, and there was an intense feeling in his gut. He tried to puzzle out the cause but could only guess that it had to do with passing 100 in constitution. Perhaps it''s a threshold of sorts. He continued running, feeling much more durable than a few minutes prior. He smiled. If this was what a few levels could do, then he was ready to get more.

    Ta¡¯Ku watched Noah as he ran ahead faster. How can he do that? His breath was starting to become heavy after the hours of running, and yet Noah didn¡¯t slow at all. Is he going to stop at all before night? He picked up his pace, careful not to fall behind. The boring landscape was numbing to his senses, he was hungry, and his legs hurt. No. I will not fail on my first day. I am a Dan¡¯Kar! Ta¡¯Ku steeled his resolve, if he had to run for days on end without food then it was a price he was willing to pay. It was his responsibility to be good enough to stand beside Noah in battle after all.

    Noah occasionally glanced back at Ta¡¯Ku, impressed by his stamina. He would stop if the orc needed a break but so far he hadn¡¯t said a word to that effect, in fact, he hadn¡¯t really said anything. Must be the quiet sort. Noah picked up the pace, eager to meet the challenge of his new companion. It feels good to have such a capable person along for the ride. Ta¡¯Ku was handsome, he supposed, for an orc. He had the typical light-red skin, and long black hair that he kept in a braid. His tusks were short, straight, and shining white, a trait not shared by all the orcs he had seen. He was about the same height as Noah, around 5¡¯11¡±, if nothing had changed. His eyes were what set him apart the most, they were a bright green¨Ca stark contrast to his skin. Noah found it interesting just how easy it was to interact with a completely alien people. He had really connected with Ro¡¯Kar, and hoped that the same would be true of his new companion. As the day began to turn to night, Noah saw what he had been looking for all day. A beast!

    Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s eyes went wide as he watched Noah charge at a beast in the distance. They hadn¡¯t stopped a single time that day. Not once. I¡¯m going to die. He thought as he drew his hammer from his back and charged after his bound brother.

 Chapter 23.5

    Status

    Name: Ta¡¯Ku Irdenzia

    Race: Orc

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    Grade: F

    Caste: Dust

    Gate: 0

    Path: Apprentice

    Level: 21

    Strength: 45

    Dexterity:31

    Constitution: 45

    Intelligence:10

    Wisdom: 12

    Willpower: 14

    EXP: 25/100

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

 Chapter 24

    Noah charged at the beast, a gleam in his eye, and a hammer in his hands. The poor creature seemed to crumple from the blow to its back, constitution obviously not its primary stat. Noah sighed as he looked at the furry crocodile. He barely got to test his new axe on that one.

    [100 XP Gained.]

    Still worth a level though. He grinned. Ta¡¯Ku bound up to him and his stomach dropped.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ta¡¯Ku - I didn¡¯t even think to let you get some hits in. I promise to share the XP next time.¡± Noah apologized. Ta¡¯Ku just stared at him with his mouth ajar. Perhaps that was a bigger oversight than I thought. I will have to do better.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, plenty of beasts will be here soon. There will be plenty of XP to go around.¡± Noah assured him. Ta¡¯Ku blinked.

    ¡°We¡¯re staying?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked, hiding his eagerness with expert subtlety.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. In the past I would hide and wait to kill the final beast, but with the both of us we should be fine to just stand and fight.¡± He replied. Ta¡¯Ku gulped.

    ¡°Oh right, what level are you? And your primary stats?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m level 21. My primaries are strength and constitution and I have been raising dexterity with a majority of my free points.¡± Ta¡¯Ku responded, knowing this question would come up at some point.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s perfect,¡± Noah said. ¡°I specialized in strength and dexterity but I have the most points in constitution.¡± Ta¡¯Ku nodded, a bit surprised that Noah shared his stats as well but not at all surprised by his stat choices.

    ¡°Have you made any progress on your first gate?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°Regretfully, no. I have not.¡± Ta¡¯Ku said, his face falling.

    ¡°We should chat about that later, I may have some ideas that could help. And the sooner you get to Iron, the better. You may get a substantial reward.¡± Noah explained. Ta¡¯Ku was taken off guard, many Dan¡¯Kars were known to benefit from journeying with their stronger partner but it was not common for them to receive direct help.

    ¡°I would be honored.¡± He said, not wanting to come off as rude. Today''s events reinforced the reality that Noah was leagues ahead of him, and it seemed the day was still far from over.

    ¡°Here they come, ready yourself.¡± Came Noah¡¯s voice in a serious tone. In the distance, Ta¡¯Ku could see many beasts heading in their direction, more than he had ever seen at one time. His knees quivered and his heart raced but he held himself together. I am No¡¯Ah¡¯s Dan¡¯Kar. I do not tremble in the face of battle. He breathed a deep, calming breath and clenched his hammer. Then when Noah ran at the nearest foe, he followed only steps behind.

    Noah slammed the blunt end of his hammer into the side of the lizard cow¡¯s head. It let out a pained noise that sounded an awful lot like ¡®moose¡¯. He was impressed when his blow was quickly followed by a second from Ta¡¯Ku, cracking one of its knees and sending it rolling. They descended upon the creature, finishing it off with the sharp point of his hammer.

    [50 XP Gained.]

    Noah smiled. That¡¯s better. They moved to the next target, an oddly normal-looking Gorilla. The two warriors continued fighting from one monster to another, and Noah marveled at the impact his hammer had on the fight. He only took minor blows, and Ta¡¯Ku managed to avoid the worst injuries, only receiving a bite to the forearm so far. They seemed to be a natural team and were efficient in taking down their foes and covering each other¡¯s backs. Noah found himself smiling as they slayed yet another mutated livestock animal.

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    Ta¡¯Ku stared at his grinning partner, a harrowing sight to the faint of heart. He was covered in the blood of his enemies and seemed to have boundless stamina as he charged into the fray time and time again. Ta¡¯Ku didn¡¯t dare let himself slip from Noah¡¯s side, the one time he fell behind a large creature had sank its teeth into his arm. Noah had quickly flattened the beast, but it wouldn¡¯t have happened if he had been in the proper position. His levels were soaring in a remarkable way and he wasn¡¯t sure whether to laugh or cry. He was exhausted beyond what he had known in this new world and yet his heart sang with pride as he pushed forward anyway. I am a Dan¡¯Kar. He intercepted a stray claw before it could hit Noah, and retaliated with brutal force.

    Noah was sweating with effort as they finished off the last beast in their vicinity. Others were still fighting but they had a moment to breathe. This was a whole new experience, exhilarating and wild. He was already grateful for Ta¡¯Ku, who never failed to cover his back and always seemed ready to multiply his efforts. Noah looked at the other beasts and observed that several of them were at that greater power level. It was obvious in their movement, and types of attack. They seemed to use tactics in their fights and had a sharper degree of intelligence in their eyes. They were still beasts, but they weren¡¯t to be taken lightly.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku do you see those four beasts?¡± Noah asked, pointing. Ta¡¯Ku nodded.

    ¡°I do.¡± He replied.

    ¡°They are serious threats. And they are worth 1000 XP. When we fight them, be sure to choose your attacks carefully and be ready for counter stikes.¡± Noah explained. Ta¡¯Ku gulped.

    ¡°I will.¡± He replied. He didn¡¯t dare hope that Noah would avoid the beasts, so he chose instead to focus on the positive. With each kill, he would gain five levels. He shook his head in amazement, he would likely double his level on the first day as Dan¡¯Kar. He could hardly imagine what would happen in a week. When Noah stepped forward, so did he, and together they sprinted toward the largest monster.

    Taking advantage of its recent injuries, Noah slammed the sharp point of his hammer into the lion¡¯s side, directly into a gash that its previous opponent had left. It turned on him in an instant and swiped its paw at his face. Ta¡¯Ku stepped forward, swinging his hammer at just the right angle to deflect the blow. Noah retaliated, catching its jaw with the blunt of his hammer. The lion swayed, unsteady on its feet. Ta¡¯ku struck its knee, bucking but not breaking it. The lion regained its awareness and lashed out at Ta¡¯Ku, catching his leg and knocking him to the ground. He groaned at that pain, and Noah narrowed his eyes at the beast. It¡¯ll pay for that. He slammed the point of his hammer into the lion¡¯s shoulder, like a tent peg into soft ground. The lion growled in pain, finally affected by the wounds. Noah tugged the hammer free and faced the injured beast. With a roar, the lion charged at Noah rearing up on its hind legs to swipe at him with both claws. Noah was ready, already swinging as the lion moved. With a perfect uppercut, the spike of his hammer connected with the lion¡¯s jaw, and its lights went out. It slumped to the ground, dead.

    [500 XP Gained.]

    Noah ran over to Ta¡¯Ku who was sitting up, but not back to his feet. He was clutching his leg with a frown on his face.

    ¡°How is it?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°Not, good. When I try to stand, my knee buckles.¡± Ta¡¯Ku explained. Noah nodded.

    ¡°How many times can you level?¡± He asked. Ta¡¯Ku appeared to focus on the air in front of him.

    ¡°Eight times.¡± He said.

    ¡°Good, that means you can gain 32 constitution if you assign all of your points there. I recommend you do that, it should help with your recovery.¡± Noah instructed. Ta¡¯Ku nodded, it would mess up his progression plan but if this day had shown him anything it was that he wouldn¡¯t last long trying to keep up with Noah if he had a week body. He probably doesn¡¯t even plan to make a camp after this. Ta¡¯Ku joked to himself. He leveled up to 29 and followed his advice bringing his constitution to 77. Intense tingling flooded his body as the stat nearly doubled. He felt amazing and was now hopeful that he would be able to run a bit more comfortably on their next travel day.

    Noah watched as the orc followed his instruction, chuckling at what was sure to be an intense sensation from the large influx of stat points. He was tempted to level up himself, excited to reach level 50, but was interrupted by a spout of flame that lit up the air some 50 paces away. Its source was a jet-black elephant with glowing red eyes and a striped trunk. It turned away from its fallen foe and locked eyes with Noah. Then it charged.

 Chapter 25

    The ground rumbled as the mountainous beast rushed in their direction. Ta¡¯Ku wouldn¡¯t be able to move out of the way in time, so Noah did the only reasonable action. He sprinted toward the elephant, brandishing his hammer wildly to catch its attention. They didn¡¯t exactly collide as Noah jumped to the side at the last moment, narrowly missing its tusks. He did however land a hit on its back leg as it passed, successfully getting its attention.

    ¡°I¡¯ll distract it! Get your hits in from behind!¡± Noah yelled across the elephant. Ta¡¯Ku frowned. Who is he talking to? He can¡¯t mean me, can he? Ta¡¯Ku saw a burst of flame and caught the smell of burnt hair.

    ¡°Hurry up! Another five levels will do your constitution good!¡± Came the coughing voice of the crazy human. He climbed to his feet but fell as his left knee gave way. This is so dumb. He thought as he crawled toward the beast''s earth-shaking feet.

    Noah saw Ta¡¯Ku and grinned, he was as bold as a lion! He wondered if he would do the same in Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s situation. Noah¡¯s fur dress was singed from the last bout of flame but he had learned that it came from its trunk. When it raised its flamethrower again, Noah whacked it with his hammer causing the elephant to trumpet in surprise, it glared down at Noah and bared its teeth confirming their sharpness. The System strikes again! Noah couldn¡¯t help but find it funny that it was teeth that got him, not the flame or coloring, no it was always the teeth.

    It was at that moment that Ta¡¯Ku managed to hit the creature''s calf, opting for the pointed end of his hammer. Its leg buckled and the elephant teetered from the sudden loss of balance. Ta¡¯Ku scrambled away, and Noah made use of his distraction by striking the beast''s front right knee. This seemed to be enough to drive the mammoth to the ground and Noah backpedaled to avoid being crushed. The animal had been too hard to seriously injure with its height, but now it was exposed. Both Noah and Ta¡¯Ku rushed toward the beast, aiming their blows at vital areas. Noah guessed that the elephant had invested points in one of the magic stats for its fireball because it didn¡¯t take long to get the expected notification.

    [500 XP Gained.]

    Noah grinned and went over to Ta¡¯ku. The last two beasts were fighting each other so they had some time before the next fight. Ta¡¯ku was reeling from his latest level boost and Noah gave him a thumbs up when he opened his eyes.

    ¡°Just wait until you hit 100 in it, you will feel like a new orc!¡± Noah laughed.

    ¡°One more level will do it!¡± Ta¡¯Ku replied, eager for the experience.

    ¡°Great job getting those attacks in by the way, I wasn¡¯t sure if you would manage it!¡± Noah complimented. Ta¡¯Ku frowned. But you told me to do it. He scratched his head.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure if I would make it either!¡± He agreed. They both laughed, each for his own reason.

    ¡°Looks like we¡¯re up!¡± Noah said, nodding in the direction of an ambling beast. Ta¡¯ku climbed to his good foot and rested his weight on his hammer. They watched the monster as it sniffed the air and caught their scent. It howled as it turned towards them, looking like a car as it made its way over. Noah picked up his hammer and got into a ready stance.

    ¡°It looks tired, let¡¯s take this one head on!¡± He yelled. Ta¡¯Ku sighed and considered his options. He chose to remain standing and would get at least one good swing at the beast before falling over.

    The wolf approached with a limping run, its fur matted and red in patches throughout its body. Nevertheless, it bared its teeth and growled as it neared, lunging toward Noah. He introduced the wolf to his hammer, in an intimate face-to-face encounter. The beast whined in greeting and was momentarily knocked to the ground. Ta¡¯Ku took the opportunity and hopped into striking distance, throwing his whole weight into an overhead blow, sending the spike of his hammer through its skull. The creature went still and they both sighed as their battle came to an end.

    [500 XP Gained.]

    Ta¡¯Ku rolled onto his back as his heartbeat thundered in his ears. I survived. He wondered if he was the first orc to go through such an ordeal. He leveled again, bringing his constitution to 117. His body lit up as if it was being reforged anew, sending waves of intense but pleasant heat through his bones. He felt accomplished but he had also never been so exhausted. I am a Dan¡¯Kar. He thought as he drifted to sleep.

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    Noah sat beside his sleeping friend. It was amazing how a battle could connect people, first Ro¡¯Kar and now Ta¡¯Ku. He breathed contentedly as he pulled up his status screen and leveled. For some reason the number stopped at 50, not letting him progress any further. His entire body ceased up, and what was typically a pleasant experience felt more like a nightmare as his bones creaked and his muscles stretched. His primary stats must have passed a hundred, something that he would avoid doing simultaneously in the future.

    [Level 43 > level 50.]

    [Journeyman Path Choices Available.]

    Warrior

    Mage

    Healer

    Noah blinked. Already? The apprentice path had gone quickly and now he was making another life-defining decision. Thankfully though, this one was easy. He selected ¡®Warrior¡¯.

    [Congratulations, you have taken the next step on your Path. Non-warrior activities will no longer grant XP.]

    [Primary stats: Strength, Dexterity.]

    [Journeyman path grants +4 primary stats per level. +2* free stats per level.]

    Noah grinned and pulled up his status.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Domain: Self

    Caste: Iron

    Gate: 1

    Path: Journeyman

    Level: 50

    Strength: 110

    Dexterity:110

    Constitution: 110

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 1155/1000

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 21

    Shoot. Noah¡¯s first thought was that now his primary stats would outgrow his constitution, which had quickly become his favorite. To rectify this he committed to the strict distribution of points to constitution from this point forward. He also noticed that it now took 1000 XP to level, following the same pattern as novice to apprentice. Not seeing any reason to wait, he leveled to 51 and put all 24 free points into their proper place. He had a feeling that journeyman would be a much longer path, and he supposed it made sense. This was the path that would really start to define a person¡¯s combat style, separating the different magic users from the physical fighters in a more tangible way. Perhaps it was time to focus on other aspects of his development. He had one piece of his caste upgrade in place and he didn¡¯t want to neglect the other parts. This brought an interesting thought to his mind. He brought up the global rankings.

    [Global Ranking System online.]

    <ul>

    <li>Dariss Ashfield-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 91</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Malentar Stoneskin-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 80</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Recter Jandon-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 74</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Do¡¯Fon Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 71</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Ma¡¯tan Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 69</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Darten Yellowfang-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 65</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Fastion Briner-Elf: Iron, Lvl 63</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Syton Talir-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 62</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Flamir Axehead-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 59</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>En¡¯Do Forsten-Orc: Iron, Lvl 57 </li>

    </ul>

    Noah saw what he was looking for. They were all Iron. Given how many levels Ta¡¯Ku had gained in a day, he highly doubted that these were all of the highest-level people in the world. Perhaps there were even humans that had higher levels, but lacked the fundamental piece that separated these 10. To the System, caste was the foremost measurement of power. He wondered how common it was in the multiverse for people to only level their path but not their grade or gates. Were there people who only had gates but no levels? As he mused he couldn¡¯t help but notice that he closed the gap and was now only seven levels from the leaderboard. He needed to get on it as soon as possible. Humanity had to know that they could rise to the top.

    Noah didn¡¯t want to wake his companion so he dug through his pack for the fire-starting kit and started turning the spindle. Within a half-hour, he had a fire, and he used a knife to clean a large slab of meat from the elephant. He roasted it using his knives as a spit and after some time he had a hot meal ready to eat.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku,¡± Noah said, nudging his shoulder. Ta¡¯Ku jumped, reaching for a weapon. Instead, he saw Noah waving two massive hunks of meat, skewered on his knives.

    ¡°Dinner!¡± Noah said, handing one to him.  Ta¡¯Ku took it, the aroma bringing tears to his eyes. He tore into it with vigor, certain that it was the best meal that he had ever eaten.

    ¡°This is amazing!¡± He said through a stuffed mouth. Noah nodded emphatically.

    ¡°No kidding, I was starving!¡± Noah replied. Ta¡¯Ku thought that was interesting and wondered how often Noah went long stretches without food. He decided that he would enjoy it while he had it. Before long the sun set and they spent the night in the open air. When he had asked Noah about finding shelter, his response had been that he didn¡¯t want to miss the chance at XP if more beasts showed up. It was with that thought that he lay down to sleep.

 Chapter 26

    The two companions settled into a rhythm after that. They would travel as far as they could each day, stopping only to sleep or to fight the swarms. Ta¡¯Ku grew to love the fights because that¡¯s when they ate. Noah was increasingly convinced that the mountain was infinite as they traveled, as there was barely any change in the landscape. On nights when they didn¡¯t find beasts, Ta¡¯Ku trained Noah in the hammer. He had been reserved at first, not wanting to offend Noah, but quickly learned not to think such things. Noah didn¡¯t care for that kind of deference; he preferred a genuine equal and a friend. Ta¡¯Ku wouldn¡¯t go so far as to call them friends, as he was Noah¡¯s Dan¡¯Kar, but that didn¡¯t stop Noah from treating him as such. He wasn¡¯t a servant or a battle-slave as many Dan¡¯Kar were. No, to Noah, he was a true brother.

    Their levels climbed even faster than they did, the rate only decreasing once Ta¡¯Ku reached level 50. The higher they moved up the mountain, the stronger and sparser the beasts became. They would still swarm, but nearly all the beasts were of journeyman strength, and the fights lasted much longer. They both received injuries, healed and then were wounded again. Recently, it had become their nightly routine to meditate and work on their gates. Ta¡¯Ku felt close to a breakthrough and Noah assured him that if he continued, he would find it. Noah had also gained a measure of inspiration, though not where he expected. Instead of meditation, it had come through his time training with Ta¡¯Ku and learning to see him. He realized that his next breakthrough was not about himself but about those around him and began to pay close attention to Ta¡¯Ku as they journeyed together.

    Two weeks passed, and they found themselves entering a new biome. Snow came down in wet clumps and only white ground lay ahead. When they finished defeating the swarm that night, they sat down by the fire to discuss their plans.

    ¡°Just three levels from the leaderboard!¡± Noah said cheerily, biting into the haunch of boar. He had hit 59 after the latest fight.

    ¡°Five more for me.¡± Ta¡¯Ku replied, chewing loudly. They were slowly gaining on the world leaders and hoped to reach them within the next week.

    ¡°Just imagine Ro¡¯Kar¡¯s face when he sees us both on there!¡± Noah laughed. ¡°You¡¯ll have to break through though.¡± He added. Ta¡¯Ku nodded.

    ¡°I feel close, it should be any day now.¡± He said.

    ¡°Let¡¯s spend the night meditating then, I am also near the edge and am getting eager for my next choice,¡± Noah announced. They scarfed down their dinners, their stomachs now accustomed to the singular feast of the day and got comfortable around the fire. Well into the night, Ta¡¯Ku yelled and Noah sprung to his feet. He found Ta¡¯Ku lying in a heap and sweating profusely. He did it! Noah realized. He sat down again returning to his own thoughts. What am I missing? He thought through the last few weeks, of all he had seen and heard. He focused on his interactions with Ta¡¯Ku, he had learned much about him and how he thought, but did he really know him? There must be a piece that I am missing. It''s like something is keeping me from actually knowing who he is. Noah puzzled over it, watching as Ta¡¯Ku sat up with a grin on his face.

    ¡°How¡¯d it go?¡± Noah asked him

    ¡°It''s amazing,¡± Ta¡¯Ku began, ¡°It¡¯s like I had a filter before but I can finally see the truth for what it is.¡± Noah was stunned at his words as that spark of inspiration ignited within him. That¡¯s it! I cannot see him because I am looking through my filter. Therefore, what I see is a skewed reality! As that thought settled in, Noah entered his mental world and saw an exciting development. A gate stood in front of him, its door ajar. He pushed it open and stepped through finding darkness once again.

    [Congratulations. You have reached the second Gate. Choose a reward.]

    Immediate

    Progressive

    Noah beamed. He did it.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku, I broke through the next gate! It was what you said that gave me clarity!¡± Noah exclaimed. Ta¡¯Ku grinned in return, knowing how much effort Noah had put into it.

    ¡°Now whatever you do, do not choose immediate.¡± Noah warned. He deflated, he had definitely been ready to select just that. Noah saw the look on his face.

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    ¡°We talked about this, my reward has continued to give me benefits. Imagine if you only got a few extra stat points.¡± Noah explained.

    ¡°I know, I know.¡± He agreed, choosing progressive. He was relieved to see that he had gotten the same boon as Noah. It was a shame to have missed out on the early levels, but he didn¡¯t plan to stop anytime soon.

    ¡°I got the same reward that you did, what did you get?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked.

    ¡°Another choice¡­¡± Noah replied looking at the screen that had popped up.

    [You have selected Progressive. Choose a reward.]

    Knowledge

    Stats

    Noah looked at the options, unclear of the better choice. If he assumed that Stats would give him a similar reward to the first, then that would be a huge advantage to take at this point. But knowledge was an unknown. It could be incredibly helpful, or it could not apply to him at all. When he thought about it he just couldn¡¯t ignore the opportunity though, his biggest bottleneck was his lack of knowledge. In fact, the biggest hindrance to his people¡¯s survival was their lack of knowledge. He made his decision and selected knowledge.

    [You have selected Knowledge. Choose a reward.]

    Path

    Grade

    Gate

    Another choice. They would all be helpful but Grade was only one he hadn¡¯t figured out on his own. Noah took a deep breath and selected Grade.

    [You have selected Knowledge: Grade]

    [Grade is the essence density or purity of a being or planet. F Grade is considered the middle point of the multiverse, representing 50% essence purity. Grade is advanced through accumulated essence. The most common way to attain essence is through XP conversion. XP can be converted to essence at a 1:1 ratio through the System.]

    Noah grinned at his fortune. This knowledge could be what saved his planet. That, or the elves already knew and it would just be helpful to him. He shared the news with Ta¡¯Ku, who was similarly ecstatic. Noah, having over 500 unused XP prompted the System to exchange it for essence. He rushed to open his Status, ready for his next Caste advancement.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: F

    Domain: Self

    Caste: Iron

    Gate: 2

    Path: Journeyman

    Level: 59

    Strength: 146

    Dexterity:146

    Constitution: 158

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 0/1000

    Essence: 555/10,000

    Stat points available: 0

    Noah frowned as he looked at it. Perhaps he should have figured that it would be expensive, especially considering that F grade was advanced compared to the elves. Still, the number meant that he would have to delay leveling if he wanted to advance his caste. At the end of the day, only 10 levels of experience stood between him and the next caste.

    They ate a second dinner while they discussed their next day.

    ¡°Same thing tomorrow?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked. Noah nodded.

    ¡°Until we are on the list, we will keep at it. The snow doesn¡¯t really change anything with our level of constitution.¡± Noah paused.

    ¡°Did you have snow on your planet?¡± He asked.

    ¡°We did, though I never saw it. People from my village had traveled into the distant mountains and shared about it with us, but I never got more than a few days walk from my home.¡± Ta¡¯Ku shared.

    ¡°What was your world like?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°Hmm. I am not sure about the world as a whole, but my region was a large flat valley with hard packed clay and all sorts of fruit bushes. We hunted drinter, similar to what you called a cow but skinnier, and we farmed the land, producing all kinds of vegetables. Was this mountain from your world?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked. Noah smiled.

    ¡°No I don¡¯t believe so. If it¡¯s not from yours then I would guess it is from the Drakon homeworld. Were there wars in your region? How did you learn to fight?¡± His eyes wandered, and he stared into the distance.

    ¡°There were regular skirmishes with nearby villages; it is custom for orcs to mature and win mates through battle. That, and most disputes can be solved with a weapon.¡± Ta¡¯Ku laughed. ¡°As for learning to fight, my father taught me from a young age. He was a great warrior, and well-loved by our village. He died a few years before the System.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear it.¡± He said. Ta¡¯Ku shook his head.

    ¡°He lived a good life. My mother is still out there somewhere though, and I would very much like to see her again.¡± He shared.

    ¡°When she sees your name on the rankings, she will know that you¡¯re alive. I would bet that she starts combing the world to find you.¡± Noah mused.

    ¡°Have you already met her somehow? Or are human mother¡¯s the same?¡± He questioned. Noah laughed.

    ¡°I think any mother would search a world to find their child.¡± He said, wondering how true that was of his mother. Is she looking for me?

 Chapter 27

    The next morning they set out ever forward, the snow crunching beneath their bare feet. The wind was howling and the visibility was poor as they ran along the stream, the only visible mark on the landscape. It was hard to notice the passage of time in the white expanse and before long, the day had turned to night.

    ¡°I guess it¡¯s good we ate last night.¡± Noah said as they found a spot to settle for the evening. Ta¡¯Ku grunted

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about humans, but orcs eat more than one meal a day.¡± Ta¡¯Ku replied. Noah¡¯s head tilted.

    ¡°No, humans also eat multiple meals a day.¡± He said. Ta¡¯Ku frowned, his mouth opening only to close again.

    ¡°Shall we spar?¡± Noah asked. They spent the evening in their usual fashion, Ta¡¯Ku walked Noah through martial forms and then they practiced on each other. Hammers made for poor sparring weapons, so they often made use of long femurs they had harvested for that purpose. They practiced well past nightfall, enjoying the routine they had established. Ta¡¯Ku found it therapeutic to bash Noah across the head, and Noah just appreciated the practice.

    After their third day without a meal, they started to grow concerned. Should we go back? Noah wondered. They would need to eat at some point, and the further they went, the harder it would be to turn around. One more day.

    On the morning of their fourth day they caught a break. In the distance was a large form, and the two of them sprinted toward their prey. As they approached, they could make out its features: It looked like a large moose, but instead of antlers it had three narwhal-like tusks rutting from its head. When it saw them it snorted, sending a white cloud into the air. Like starved animals, they charged each other, Noah and Ta¡¯Ku going to either side of the beast. Before he could land a blow, the moose turned and kicked Noah in the chest, sending him to the ground. Ta¡¯Ku managed to catch its hind knee with the blunt end of his hammer, but the beast barely responded. Noah scrambled to his feet, narrowly avoiding being speared by its horn. He swung his hammer at the beast¡¯s head but it deflected the blow with the side of its horn. Ta¡¯Ku continued to hammer away at its knees, in the tried and true tactic they had worked out over their many fights.

    The moose seemed to focus all its attention on Noah, and he frantically dodged the spears, finding it impossible to manage anything more. This isn¡¯t going anywhere. Noah ran to the side of the beast and grabbed ahold of its leg. It tried to shake him off but couldn¡¯t angle its horns to reach him. He clutched the leg with one hand and grabbed a knife from his pack. He rarely used the blades in a fight, but this seemed like the right moment. He dug the blade into the moose, aiming for its heart, but the blade stopped a couple of inches into the muscle. The beast lost it, bucking wildly and throwing Noah into the snow. He rolled desperately, but failed to avoid a hoof to the leg. He grit his teeth. Ta¡¯Ku yelled a battle cry as he charged forward, swinging the sharp of his weapon. His attack finally had its intended effect and the knee buckled under the blow. Noah crawled away from the beast before testing his weight on the injured leg. Ouch. He could still move on it, but it would protest every step. He re-engaged in the fight, taking the opportunity to land blows on its downed form.

    The moose suddenly jolted to its feet and moved erratically about, swinging its head in a threatening pattern. It caught Ta¡¯ku in the arm, its spear running straight through his forearm. Noah launched forward, slamming the point of his hammer into the beast¡¯s skull. It continued to thrash, bringing Ta¡¯Ku along for a ride. After another blow to the temple, it finally stilled, crashing to the ground. Noah ran to his companion, helping him separate from the beast.

    [500 XP Gained.]

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked. Ta¡¯Ku nodded.

    ¡°I will be once we eat.¡± He responded, a pained grin spreading across his face. They scanned the area, looking for their next opponent, but for the first time, there were no beasts on the horizon. That¡¯s odd. After waiting for a few more minutes they realized nothing was coming.

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    Noah started on the fire while Ta¡¯ku procured dinner, they worked with silent efficiency both desperate for the warm meal. They were getting low on firewood and hadn¡¯t seen a tree in a long while. Noah sighed. They would find a way to make things work, it just might entail some cold and hungry nights. Ta¡¯Ku plopped down beside him and set the meat out over the fire.

    ¡°That was a rough fight.¡± Ta¡¯Ku grunted.

    ¡°It was. Worryingly so.¡± Noah responded

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± He asked.

    ¡°If we were swarmed by monsters of that caliber, I¡¯m not sure that we would make it out on top. At the very least we would have to change our approach.¡± Noah said.

    ¡°Where do you think the other beasts are? This was the only one we¡¯ve seen in days.¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked. Noah shrugged.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Perhaps we are in a new ecosystem, or maybe we aren¡¯t the only ones trying to level.¡± He ventured. Their conversation stilled as they began their meal, neither willing to interrupt the feast.

    ¡°I think we should stay here for a few days and catch up on calories.¡± Noah said, after they had downed the first portions of meat. Ta¡¯Ku nodded vigorously.

    ¡°That is a great idea.¡± He agreed. They ate happily into the afternoon, their spirits soaring with each bite. A few hours later, as the snow fell in flurries, a silhouette came into view some ways in the distance. At first, it appeared to be passing them, then it stopped for a moment and turned in their direction. Noah roused Ta¡¯Ku from his sleep and the pair readied themselves for battle. He narrowed his eyes as the familiar shape became clear, it was humanoid with a crown of horns jutting from its head. Drakon.

    Noah raised his hand in greeting, hoping to have a peaceful exchange.

    ¡°Hello! Are you hungry?¡± He yelled. The drakon twitched, drawing a spear from its back. Then it launched itself toward them, spear extended.

    ¡°Wait! Wait!¡± Noah yelled, grabbing his hammer and dropping into a stance, Ta¡¯Ku right beside him. The drakon closed the distance in a heartbeat, thrusting the spear at Noah¡¯s head. Noah sidestepped the thrust and swung his hammer on instinct, just missing the drakon¡¯s chest.

    ¡°Good¡± The drakon hissed, stepping back to block Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s attack. He then struck Ta¡¯Ku in the ribs with the butt of his spear, seemingly surprised when he remained standing. Noah pressed the attack, alternating blunt and sharp strikes. The drakon retreated, managing to avoid or block both of their strikes but not landing any further hits. Noah was tempted to draw his daggers but couldn¡¯t find a safe window to do so. The exchange continued until Noah slipped a strike past the drakon¡¯s guard landing a heavy blow on his dominant arm. The drakon threw back his head and roared in laughter.

    ¡°Very good! Now we can eat.¡± He cackled, his eyes bright with laughter. He dropped his weapon and approached. Noah blinked, at a loss at the exchange. Ta¡¯Ku scowled, not ready to accept the change.

    ¡°Is it typical to assault your dinner mates?¡± Noah asked. The drakon tilted his head.

    ¡°Of course. How else would you know I was worthy to share your meal?¡± He responded. Noah laid his weapon down but remained vigilant as he walked back to the fire.

    ¡°It appears that our cultures are a bit different.¡± Noah said, offering an olive branch for Ta¡¯Ku to grab onto. The drakon bobbed his head.

    ¡°Ah. I see. Do you eat before you test each other¡¯s worthiness?¡± He asked, head tilted.

    ¡°Something like that, though we tend to spar with words before weapons.¡± Noah responded.

    ¡°We fight in scheduled matches. Not spontaneous brawls.¡± Ta¡¯Ku said, rubbing his ribs.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± The drakon hummed, rubbing his scaly chin. ¡°There is much to consider. Will you still share your meal with me? Food has become scarce of late.¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± Noah said, finally sitting by the fire. Ta¡¯Ku appeased, joined him. Noah threw a few more slabs on the fire, passing around the already-cooked pieces. The drakon bowed his head shallowly before accepting the meat.

    ¡°It¡¯s an honor to share meat with worthy companions!¡± He exclaimed. Noah laughed.

    ¡°Indeed. I am Noah, and this is Ta¡¯Ku. What are you called?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I am Recter Jandon.¡± He answered, the name ringing a bell.

    ¡°You are on the rankings!¡± Ta¡¯Ku shouted, excited. Recter nodded.

    ¡°Yes, I am.¡± He hissed, a big grin on his face. ¡°The most worthy are all on the list.¡±

 Chapter 28

    The three of them ate like it was a competition, devouring a quarter of the moose by the end of the night. Noah watched as the drakon, Recter finally slumped with a contented sigh. Level 79. He had checked the leaderboard again while they ate, confirming the drakon¡¯s place, and found he was a whole 20 levels behind him. He had felt it when they fought too, Recter had held both of them at bay without blinking an eye, and he was just testing them.

    ¡°Are you the reason that the monsters are gone?¡± Noah asked on a whim.

    ¡°Part of it.¡± He replied, nodding.

    ¡°Why not just move further up the mountain?¡± He asked. Recter¡¯s face soured.

    ¡°I¡¯m too weak.¡± He bit out. Noah choked. ¡°Last time I went up there I nearly lost my arm. I had to recover for days after that.¡± He shook his head, ¡°I didn¡¯t even stand a chance.¡±

    ¡°What was different about them?¡± Noah questioned.

    ¡°It was the same as the last advancement, but more pronounced. I believe the beasts ahead are the equivalent of Iron, perhaps even further on their path as well.¡± Recter explained.

    ¡°Could we take one of them together?¡± Noah asked. The drakon paused and looked at Noah and then at Ta¡¯Ku.

    ¡°Perhaps.¡± He said, climbing to his feet. ¡°Let''s find out! Noah grinned, grabbing his pack and hammer. Ta¡¯Ku groaned.

    ¡°What about the food?¡± He mumbled.

    ¡°If this works, we will be eating real soon!¡± Noah replied cheerily. Ta¡¯Ku scooped up the last bits of meat and stuffed them in his pack before catching up with the others. The two of them strained to keep pace with Recter as he sprinted into the blizzard. They continued to run through the evening and into the night until he suddenly stopped.

    ¡°We are here,¡± He said. Noah looked around. Nothing was different about the area; it was just as snow-covered as everything else. He stepped beside Recter to ask him more, but paused as his foot seemed to cross an invisible threshold. There was a sense of power in the air and it was as if the air was denser, or perhaps something in the air was thicker. Essence? He wondered, recalling the information he had learned from the System. Ta¡¯Ku gasped beside him as he felt the change.

    ¡°One should be coming in our direction any time now.¡± Recter warned. They all drew their weapons.

    ¡°How do you want to do this?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°I will attack first and attempt to draw the beast¡¯s attention. You should circle the creature and aim to immobilize it.¡± He explained. Noah nodded. Then they heard a screech and the whistling of wind.

    ¡°Above us!¡± Noah shouted. The three warriors dove in different directions, just missing the talons of the giant eagle. Recter was the first to his feet and launched his spear at the bird, the tip puncturing its chest. The eagle let out a piercing cry and arcs of lightning flew from the bird, all connecting with the drakon. There was a bright flash and then Recter fell to the ground, convulsing. Uh oh. Noah located the eagle, it had risen into the sky and was circling above them. He could make out the spear embedded into it and knew that was his only shot.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku, we need to drive the spear further into it, but we¡¯ll have to get close. It should dive for one of us next. Whoever it goes for will have to take the opportunity to attack,¡± Noah told him. Ta¡¯Ku gulped, but nodded in agreement. They waited for a tense moment before the eagle dove, targeting Ta¡¯Ku. Noah dropped his hammer and pulled out his knives, sprinting toward Ta¡¯ku¡¯s position. As the bird neared, Noah watched as Ta¡¯ku took his swing at the shaft of the spear, just missing it but connecting with the bird¡¯s belly. The talons of the eagle wrapped around him, and at the same moment Noah vaulted through the air with his knives extended and landed on the bird¡¯s back, driving the blades into its shoulder. The bird screeched in pain and took to the air in an awkward flight. He climbed up its back, wrapped his arms around its massive neck, and began to squeeze. The eagle began to shake and spiral before plunging to the earth in a death dive. Noah looked on in horror as the ground sped toward him, and squeezed all the harder. There was a flash of light and his body fried as electricity coursed through him. Then it went dark. Recter climbed to his feet in time to see his companions tackle the raptor from the sky. Worthy indeed. He raced toward them, wincing as he recognized the flash of light that enveloped Noah.

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    They crashed into the ground with a loud thud, and the bird twitched as it tried to get back up. Recter drove his spear through the raptor''s brain, finishing the job. Ta¡¯Ku groaned in pain but climbed to his feet, and only Noah was unable to move himself. He had a blank look in his eyes and his body occasionally spasmed.

    ¡°Let¡¯s drag him down the hill a ways¡± Recter suggested. Together they pulled his body across the snow and set him past the threshold before returning for the giant bird carcass. About an hour later, Noah gasped and his eyes shot open.

    ¡°He¡¯s alive!¡± Ta¡¯Ku laughed before helping Noah to his feet. Noah shook his head.

    ¡°What happened?¡± He asked.

    ¡°The bird zapped you and drove you into the ground. You are sturdy so you survived.¡± Recter offered. Noah nodded, thankful again for his high constitution.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku mentioned that you are capable of starting a fire. Will you do that for us?¡± Recter asked shamelessly. Noah laughed.

    ¡°We are low on wood, but I think we have enough for one more. It will take some time though.¡± He said. Recter nodded and Noah set about his work. While he did he noted the System message that he had received while he was unconscious.

    [3,333 XP Gained.]

    That message made it all worth it. He built the fire and they roasted large chunks of the bird. When they finally tasted it, they gained another source of motivation. Whatever made these beasts stronger also affected how delicious they became as food. They feasted upon the bird, nearly finishing it in one sitting before stowing the rest for later. After their meal, Noah and Ta¡¯Ku began to spar and Recter soon joined in. They spent the evening training and exchanging pointers until the stars were the only light in the sky. When they finally rested, Noah realized he may have prized information for their new companion. They gathered around the fire.

    ¡°Recter, are you aware of how to advance your grade?¡± Noah asked. Recter groaned.

    ¡°No, I am not. With all that I¡¯ve tried, I¡¯m starting to think that I will be permanently stuck at the E grade.¡± He said. Noah sucked in a breath. E grade? And the elves thought we were lucky.

    ¡°I learned the method from a System reward recently. I would be happy to share my knowledge if that¡¯s fine with you.¡± Noah explained. Recter narrowed his eyes at Noah, seeming to search his soul for a hint of deception.

    ¡°Why help a competitor?¡± Recter eventually asked.

    ¡°You are not my competitor.¡± Noah started. ¡°I have seen what will come, and none of us, not even the mighty drakon will be able to face it. I will share this information because if we want to save our people, we will need every advantage we can get.¡± Noah finished. Recter took in his words and seemed to mull them over.

    ¡°You are not a deceiver. That is even more troubling.¡± He said. ¡°In that case, share the knowledge with me, and I will share it with others as well.¡± Noah explained what the System had told him and what he had learned from his experimentation. Recter was quick to try it and had a similar reaction upon seeing the essence requirement for his upgrade.

    ¡°100,000 Essence. That will take some time, but at least now I know the way forward.¡± He stated. The number was about what Noah had expected based on the System¡¯s typical progression, but it still caused him to sigh. They had a long road ahead of them if they were to complete the mission that the System had sent them on. For the first time in several weeks, Noah pulled up the screen that counted down to their end.

    [ 1,070 days remaining.]

 Chapter 29

    Noah woke with a shiver and brushed off the snow that had accumulated on his fur dress. The fire had died out in the night, marking the last cooked meal for the foreseeable future. He sat up and looked around their camp. The snow had formed a small enclosure around them, shielding them from the worst of the wind. He didn¡¯t think he would die from exposure anymore, but he still felt the cold. He walked a bit away from the others who still snored contentedly, and found a low point in the snow to hunker down into. The visibility wasn¡¯t great, and what he could see was all the same white on white.

    For some reason, he had woken up feeling a hollowness in his chest¨Ca physical pit that drew his attention. As he sat in the snow, pictures of his family flitted through his mind. His parents, and their last conversation months before the end¨Ctheir hurt and troubled faces when he refused to talk to a professional. His brother, Dan, who had been convinced that he could fix him with an unplugged weekend away from all the noise. When the trip to the cabin didn¡¯t work, he¡¯d gone on about cults and falling for the propaganda. Then there was Diana, his sister. She hadn¡¯t believed him either, but she continued to be there for him through the end. In their last conversation, she invited him to come for Thanksgiving, insisting that it was no trouble to throw a second dinner that the rest of the family wouldn¡¯t attend. That would have been today if he counted right. The tears froze in lines down his cheeks. If anyone was looking for him, it would be her.

    I¡¯ll find her. He told himself, not willing to consider the possibility that she hadn¡¯t made it. Then he thought of Kyle, who believed he would save the world. Then of Matt and Julie. He had gotten lost in the pattern of the last couple of weeks. There were people waiting for him, counting on him, and he had work to do. First, he would get on the leaderboard, and he had an idea of the best way to do exactly that. He got up and walked back to the camp, feeling refreshed by the clarity he had found. He collected his pack and weapons and headed up the mountain, leaving his companions behind him.

    He felt a rush of adrenaline as he crossed the threshold between the two territories, and he was immediately on edge. He readied his hammer and continued forward. One kill till my next breakthrough. As he trudged through the snow, he wondered what benefit the new caste would bring, besides the elevation on the leaderboard. When he reached Iron, he had gained a new level of awareness of his body, and yet the sensation of newness had completely passed. Perhaps if he reverted back to his prior state he would recognize the difference. The other notable change was the increase in strength he experienced, it felt like a percentage boost to his stats but there was no indication of it in his status. Up ahead, Noah could make out a tall leafless tree, and he quickly made his way to it. If he failed to find a monster to hunt, he would at least return with firewood.

    He was just a few paces from the tree when it twitched. Noah frowned and rubbed his eyes. Snow illusion? A root burst from the ground and slammed into his stomach, throwing him into the air. Noah gasped and got back to his feet. He stared at the abomination and a pleasant thought occurred to him. Two-for-one special. He sprinted at the tree monster, brandishing his weapon. Another root jutted from the earth, but Noah noticed it in time to avoid its thrust and continued to the trunk. He slammed the sharp end of his weapon into the tree and it dug an inch or so past the bark. Another root came flying at him and he was forced to retreat from its path. He continued in this way for several more hits, each time creating a hole in the trunk, but not seeing any evidence of weakening. How exactly do you kill a tree? As he failed to avoid the latest root spear, he found himself wishing he had asked for an axe instead of his hammer.

    Not knowing any other option, Noah hammered away at the tree alternating the blunt and pointed ends of the hammer in hopes of finding some weak point. In return for his efforts, he had been knocked around and shallowly pierced by the roots. After a particularly powerful attack, Noah noticed a clear amber liquid on the end of his spike. Sap? He grinned, he had found his way to make the tree bleed. The monster shook its branches in what Noah took to be anger, and several roots began harassing him at once. He was forced to dodge and roll in a continuous loop as he attempted to draw closer. Encouraged by the increased response, Noah doubled down and managed to sneak in a blow every few dodges. He focused his attacks on the already leaking wound and slowly began to see results. Just as the hole seemed to pour out the sap, Noah watched in horror as it closed in a flare of green light. Of course it would be able to heal. Noah frowned. How was he supposed to kill a tree that he could barely wound and that could heal what little he could do?

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    He backed away from the tree to consider his options. Another root soared toward him, and he decided to strike it instead of dodge. It splintered at the blow and the whole tree quivered for a moment. There we go. He launched back at the tree, this time taking every opportunity to attack the roots. At first, the tree responded by ceasing its root attacks and allowing itself to take hits, but after several heals it started up its defense again. He had found its limit. Their exchange lasted another several minutes, and Noah found himself riddled with small holes and bruises. Nevertheless, it was the tree that gave out first, the life in its limbs suddenly sagging away. It was an odd sight to Noah, who still expected the tree to attack him. But as he began to break pieces from its trunk, there was no further movement or retaliation.

    [10,000 XP Gained.]

    Noah laughed aloud as the message came in. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was the battle or that final laugh that did it, but an ear-splitting roar filled the air and a sense of pressure washed over him. Something akin to a two-headed cyclops ran toward Noah, shaking the ground beneath his feet from a football field away. Noah groaned. He left the firewood and sprinted down the hill, praying that it would stop at the line. He was bleeding from various spots on his body, and it ached to run, but he wasn¡¯t ready to die yet. He could feel the creature¡¯s eyes on him as he ran, and he desperately worked to keep his balance as the world seemed to wobble. He was tempted to convert his XP to essence and advance his grade, but he had no clue if he would stay functional in the process, so he didn¡¯t dare.

    He finally passed the threshold and felt the slightly unpleasant difference of what he deemed to be the essence quality. He kept running but glanced over his shoulder at the monster. It paused briefly, baring its teeth as it stuck its hand across the invisible barrier. It seemed to be unhappy with the idea of passing through and Noah wondered why it wasn¡¯t as dramatic of an effect for him. It made him consider the possibility that stronger individuals may not be able to enter lower areas, or they were somehow impacted in doing so. That had some concerning implications if it was the case, but he would have to sort them out later. He ran until he found his camp, relieved to see his companions still sitting around. They jumped to their feet when they saw his state and grabbed for weapons.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Ta¡¯Ku questioned. Noah caught his breath.

    ¡°I hunted a monster earlier but got taken off guard when another showed up. This one seems rather powerful though.¡± He said.

    ¡°Did it follow you?¡± Recter asked, still tense. Noah nodded.

    ¡°It stopped at the barrier, but I am not sure if it will stay there or not.¡± He responded. Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s eyebrows went up but he kept his thought to himself.

    ¡°Did you have a successful hunt?¡± Recter asked. Noah grinned.

    ¡°I did. And now I¡¯m ready for my next breakthrough.¡± He said. As he finished, another roar erupted from the barrier followed by loud booming footsteps.

    ¡°It¡¯s coming.¡±

 Chapter 30

    The trio fanned out, aiming to flank the monster as it blindly charged at Noah. That of course meant that Noah was left standing alone, seriously tempted to give up his XP on some quick levels to boost his constitution. He resisted the urge and braced himself for the moving fortress that was running him down. It held a massive club in its hands that appeared to have been one of the tree monsters at some point. The cyclops, a title that felt wrong with its two heads, swung the club at Noah at a speed that seemed to defy physics. Noah only had a moment to watch as the club connected with his entire body and propelled him into the air with crushing force. Noah wheezed as his ribs cracked, flying long enough to see his companions rushing in for their attack. He landed in a snowdrift, something that would have been a blessing if his limbs were still functioning. Instead, he felt trapped as he stared up into the white sky through his Noah-shaped indent in the snow.

    Now that he was no use in the battle, he finally had the opportunity to advance his Grade and hopefully reach the next Caste. There¡¯s always an upside. He converted the 9,545 XP he still needed into essence and willed the upgrade to begin. Every bone in his body seemed to simultaneously break and it was as if his whole body began to melt. Then the process reversed and his muscle reformed around the reconstructed bone. If his nerves had been intact he may have died from the trauma, but he figured that he didn¡¯t need to think about that. When it was completed he lay in a large puddle of water, and he scrambled to pull himself out of the hole, overjoyed that his body seemed whole again.

    [Grade increased. F > E.]

    Noah¡¯s new body felt remarkably strong. It was similar to when he had his caste breakthrough, but the source seemed different. Instead, it was like his body was denser, or more specifically the essence in his body was denser, he supposed. This had another side effect though he realized with concern, that the air felt more hollow and empty to him than before, as if the air had thinned and it was harder to breathe. He would have to adjust to the change, or he may find himself stuck like the beasts on top of the mountain.

    [Caste threshold met. Initiating breakthrough.]

    A familiar pain shot through Noah¡¯s body and his blood boiled. He slumped to the ground, grateful for the numbness that once again overtook his senses. He much preferred it when it had been his path evolution that triggered his breakthrough.

    [Caste Breakthrough successful. New Caste: Copper.]

    [Domain Upgrade granted]

    [Copper caste is the second lowest tier of citizenship in the multiverse. Higher caste citizens are now permitted to share System-related information with you.]

    [Congratulations.]

    The familiar messages felt underwhelming, but the new sensations did not. He instantly knew what the domain upgrade had accomplished as he could now intimately perceive the area around him in a three-foot radius. The structure of each snowflake was downloaded into his mind in a surprisingly digestible manner. His body was also once again reinforced, and he felt like he jumped many levels all at once. To confirm the changes, he summoned his status screen.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: E

    Domain: Proximal

    Caste: Copper

    Gate: 2

    Path: Journeyman

    Level: 59

    Strength: 158

    Dexterity:158

    Constitution: 167

    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 3,775/1000

    Essence: 0/100,000

    Stat points available: 0

    Noah marveled at his new status, loving the way it always sat just right. His patience finally gave way and he leveled three times, giddy as he watched the numbers climb, particularly constitution as it reached 167. Then his self-admiration was interrupted by a familiar scream. Ta¡¯Ku!

    Noah launched to his feet, the injuries melting away, and sprinted toward the giant. He made out Recter, maneuvering through the monster¡¯s legs and stabbing at its joints. Ta¡¯Ku was nowhere to be seen. Noah gripped his hammer and swung at the calf of the unsuspecting beast. The point of the weapon was driven deep into its leg, and it bellowed from its two mouths in rage as it fell to one knee. Noah and Recter retreated, looking for their next opening.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Ta¡¯Ku?¡± Noah demanded.

    ¡°He was thrown toward the camp.¡± He replied. Noah nodded.

    ¡°Let¡¯s end this.¡± He said. Together, the two raced toward the cyclops, Recter stabbing at its chest and Noah circling behind its back. Recter¡¯s spear was blocked, but Noah planted the spike of his hammer in its spine, rewarded by a satisfying crack! They took turns wearing down the creature and chipping away at its health. It had nearly killed Noah and perhaps had done the same to Ta¡¯Ku, but now it would die. As the beast fell to the ground, Noah delivered a final blow to one of the creature¡¯s heads. It let out a long sigh before becoming still.

    [3,333 XP Gained.]

    Recter knelt, exhausted from the prolonged fight and Noah ran toward their camp.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku!¡± He yelled, searching for his friend.

    ¡°Here.¡± Came a raspy voice several paces away. Noah ran to him, and cleared the snow away from his body.

    ¡°You¡¯re alive!¡± Noah exclaimed, noting the very contorted limbs of his Dan¡¯Kar.

    ¡°Barely.¡± Ta¡¯Ku wheezed. ¡°With the extra XP I was able to push my constitution over 200, and I think that¡¯s what saved me. Totally ruined my plans though.¡± He chuckled, wincing at the pain. Noah felt relieved as he heard the numbers, 200 points should be able to work miracles.

    ¡°Could you help me up?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked. Noah looked at him through narrowed eyes before shaking his head.

    ¡°You might be ridiculously sturdy, but I don¡¯t think I should move you. Your body is very messed up.¡± Noah explained. Ta¡¯Ku grunted but didn¡¯t push that matter. Recter joined them at that point, wincing when he saw Ta¡¯ku¡¯s state.

    ¡°You¡¯re not moving any time soon.¡± He said.

    ¡°Not you too.¡± Ta¡¯Ku protested.

    ¡°I think its time I take my leave.¡± Recter announced. Noah and Ta¡¯Ku looked at him in shock.

    ¡°What do you mean, why would you leave now?¡± Noah questioned.

    ¡°I was afraid to move further on my own, but I have grown stronger and have moved past my fears. For your help in that, I thank you both.¡± He explained. Noah wanted to challenge his thinking, but thought better of it.

    ¡°Before you leave, would you mind staying with Ta¡¯Ku while I fetch the remains of the other monster I fought?¡± Noah asked. Recter nodded.

    ¡°I would be honored to stand watch,¡± he replied. With that Noah left, quickly locating the tree-monster¡¯s corpse. He collected as much of the wood as he could manage and returned to the camp.

    ¡°Will you share a final meal with us?¡± Noah asked as he worked on the fire. Recter shook his head.

    ¡°It is best that I leave now before I change my mind. You have shown me much hospitality, and that will not be forgotten. I am glad to have fought alongside the most worthy one.¡± Recter finished before turning his back to the pair and walking away.

    ¡°You don¡¯t suppose he meant me, do you?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked. Noah chuckled. He thought back to their previous conversations, remembering Recter¡¯s words. The most worthy are all on the rankings. Noah¡¯s eyes went wide and he quickly pulled up the list of the top 10.

    [Global Ranking System.]

    <ul>

    <li>Noah Denter-Human: Copper, Lvl 64</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Dariss Ashfield-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 95</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Malentar Stoneskin-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 84</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Recter Jandon-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 76</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Do¡¯Fon Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 73</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Ma¡¯tan Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 72</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Darten Yellowfang-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 71</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Fastion Briner-Elf: Iron, Lvl 69</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Syton Talir-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 69</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Flamir Axehead-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 68</li>

    </ul>

    Noah took a deep breath, savoring the moment. I did it.

    ~

    On another part of the planet, a woman exited the healing tent and made her way to her home at the edge of the village. It had taken all of them, but they had finally managed to get the walls up. She pushed aside the flap and entered her little space. It was a sparse dwelling, but it was hers. She laid down on her cot and checked the rankings like she did every night, believing that eventually, his name would appear on the list. She had been too foolish to listen to her brother when he had tried to warn them, but now she knew the truth. As her eyes scanned the first name on the list, tears ran down her face. I knew you could do it.

 Chapter 31

    Chapter 31

    When Ta¡¯Ku awoke, he was lying in a bed of snow and could feel the heat of a fire not far away. He stared motionless into the now clear sky above. He did his best to ignore the pain, but its presence was pervasive. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m alive. The cyclops had been far stronger than any other beast they had fought, and in a single hit, it had completely destroyed his body. It was demoralizing. Worse though, he knew that Noah wouldn¡¯t slow down and fight weaker monsters. Enough of that. He would have slapped himself if his arms worked. He chuckled painfully and heard someone stir nearby.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°Still alive.¡± Ta¡¯Ku wheezed.

    ¡°That¡¯s good, I was starting to worry you would become a zombie or something.¡± Noah responded. Ta¡¯Ku frowned. Zombie?

    ¡°So can you move yet?¡± Noah asked when Ta¡¯Ku didn¡¯t respond. He tried to move but didn¡¯t get past minor twitching.

    ¡°Not yet.¡± He responded, managing a grimace.

    ¡°You¡¯ll get there.¡± Noah reassured, smiling at him. The silence settled over them, and they sat in contemplation for a moment.

    ¡°What do you think we should do next?¡± Noah asked,

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± He responded. Noah¡¯s eyebrows furrowed and he stared at the clouds.

    ¡°I made it on the rankings.¡± He said after a moment. Ta¡¯Ku pulled up the list and scanned it, finding Noah in the highest position. World¡¯s strongest.

    ¡°Congratulations!¡± Ta¡¯Ku said, ¡°This is what you have been working toward!¡± He said encouragingly. Noah sighed, and Ta¡¯Ku frowned at the response.

    ¡°It is what I have been working toward, but that¡¯s the problem. I am feeling lost on what to do next.¡± Noah explained. Ta¡¯Ku considered that. Since their departure from the village, they had been running and fighting nonstop, clawing for their place on the leaderboard.

    ¡°I suppose that makes sense, but aren¡¯t you aiming for Bronze?¡± Ta¡¯Ku pushed. Noah nodded.

    ¡°I am. That¡¯s true.¡± He agreed, letting out a long sigh. ¡°I think I am just feeling worn down from all the fighting, and I have been missing my family.¡± He shared.

    ¡°Ah, I understand. I also wish to see my mother and I wouldn¡¯t mind visiting the village.¡± Ta¡¯Ku replied before adding, ¡°You know, I used to think I enjoyed fighting before coming with you. Now I dread the next beast.¡± Noah felt a tinge of guilt as he heard the last bit and made up his mind.

    ¡°After you can move, why don¡¯t we make a trip down the mountain and see how everyone is getting along. I think we could use the change of pace too.¡± Noah said.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Ta¡¯Ku questioned.

    ¡°I am. We still have plenty of time to reach Bronze, a small break won¡¯t change that.¡± He answered. They lapsed back into silence. Eventually, Noah stood and shook himself off.

    ¡°Well, I think I will go find something for us to eat. Unless you are interested in cyclops meat, I may be gone for a bit.¡± He said.

    ¡°I¡¯m not touching that.¡± Ta¡¯Ku said with puckered lips. Noah laughed.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be back later.¡± He said as he strode from camp. Ta¡¯Ku watched him leave until he was no longer in his line of sight. Then he sighed. A Dan¡¯Kar shouldn¡¯t slow their partner down. The thought was there, but it didn¡¯t grip him the way it would have a couple of weeks prior. It will be nice to see everyone.

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    Noah ran past the boundary line, immediately feeling refreshed as he entered the essence-rich environment. His whole body seemed to glow with energy, and he felt significantly stronger than he had just moments prior. This may be a bigger problem than I thought. Noah grinned as the power coursed through his system and he took off running. He stopped by the fallen tree monster, loaded his pack with wood, and began searching the area for his next opponent. He didn¡¯t have to wait long. First came the sound of heavy rain, and then the ground began to rumble. Soon he could make out a blur of beasts moving in unison. Noah watched in awe as they came into view. It was a herd of deer¨Ceach uniquely affected by the system. At the front of the herd was a massive white stag, only visible due to its onyx antlers.

    Are these all advanced beasts? He stood completely still, hoping they would pass him by, leaving him with a stunning show and nothing more. It wouldn¡¯t be though. The stag slowed to a standstill, and its herd responded in perfect obedience. There was an unnatural silence as Noah held his breath and watched as the stag turned his head to lock eyes with him. Noah¡¯s heart began to race. I am so dead. Despite his morbid imagination, part of him was longing to fight again, to get to the edge of death and come out on top. He had resonated with Recter and his hunger for power, his determination to overcome the next obstacle. Part of him wanted to race ahead toward Bronze and never look back. He took a deep breath. The rising ambitions troubled him, but they also gave him the strength to move forward. I will not lose myself. The deer began to charge and Noah drew his hammer. I¡¯ll take a break. After this fight. With a grin, he sprinted toward the approaching beasts and met their beady eyes with a predatory stare.

    The first deer rammed itself into the blunt of his hammer, its hind feet promptly flipping over its head as it came to a sudden stop. Woah. Noah stared down at his arms in wonder before receiving the charge of the next deer.

    [1,000 XP Gained.]

    Maybe I will survive after all. He thought, noting that perhaps only the stag had reached the next threshold. A set of antlers stabbed into his back, piercing his furs with ease but only just puncturing his skin. He gasped in pain as he disabled the deer in front of him and turned on the offending beast. A well-placed hammer strike took it down and he took the next antlers to his side.

    [1,000 XP Gained.]

    [1,000 XP Gained.]

    He tuned the System out as he desperately searched for a path to survival, his senses overwhelmed by the thundering of hooves and the blur of stampeding bodies around him. He caught a flash of white before a sharp pain erupted in his side. He could feel the warm trickle of blood but didn¡¯t have time to respond. He began swinging his hammer in a wide arc, thankful for the increased strength that his breakthroughs had provided him. The individual beasts were weak to his newfound power but there were hundreds of them and they only needed to wear him down. This was the first horde that he had seen since the orc village, and its strength was alarming. Will they disperse if I kill the stag? The reptilian beasts had frenzied when their leader had been killed, losing their unified presence of mind. Another antler pierced his leg and he stumbled forward, only to be struck by another. He would have to try.

    He slipped into an almost feral state, seeing only the next target of his aggression. Each blow he took pushed him further into this berserker mentality and he lost track of his bearings as he began to see red. Flashes of brown, red, and white flittered through his vision as he swung his hammer in a rhythmic frenzy. He was vaguely aware of System notifications coming in but had no presence of mind to read them. Thump. Thump. Swing. Slam. At some point, his arms started to move slower, and the aching throughout his body intensified, yet he barely noticed. Thump. Thump. Swing. Slam. Another deer bit the snow.

    Noah came to, staring at the red snow in confusion. Pain arced sharply through his body and his breathing came in shallow gasps. He lifted himself up, staggering on his feet. He was surrounded by a sea of corpses and a single remaining figure limped in a similar gate to himself. The stag was battered and red and struggled to hold up its antlers. Noah reached for his hammer and found it broken nearby its head separated from its handle. He noticed his swollen, purple hands and grimaced as the flashes of memory blinked through his mind. He gritted his teeth and found his pack trampled into the snow nearby, pulling one of the knives from within. He unsheathed it and made his way toward the mighty stag, now a shadow of its former self. With a burst of speed, he put the beast out of its misery and sank to the ground, the last of his strength fleeting as he rolled to his back and stared into the snowy sky.

    [10,000 XP Gained.]

    Noah exhaled in relief as his consciousness drifted away.

 Chapter 32

    Noah woke to a series of howls far too close for comfort. He slowly lifted himself from the ground, searching for the wolves that disturbed his sleep. The grey beasts were a few dozen yards away, eating the fallen deer that littered the ground. Too close. Noah took stock of his body, finding it was far too damaged for another drawn-out fight. Needing a boost, he pulled up his status sheet to see the results of his fight.

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: E

    Domain: Proximal

    Caste: Copper

    Gate: 2

    Path: Journeyman

    Level: 64

    Strength: 146

    Dexterity:146

    Constitution: 158

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 57,108/1000

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

    57,000? Noah was shocked by the gravity of the number but also confused about the math that got to it. Hadn¡¯t there been hundreds of those beasts? He tried to recall the System messages that he had received. Ah. Most of them were low-level beasts. If he hadn¡¯t been so close to death he would have been disappointed but as it was he could hardly complain. He considered his options, part of him wanted to hoard his XP for his next Grade advancement but he was also feeling his lack of power at the moment as he looked out at the predators. Can I make it past them? He glanced at the wolves again, then back at his wounds. He couldn¡¯t take the chance. He converted his XP into 57 levels and assigned his free points to constitution. Then he pulled his relevant stats.

    Level: 121

    Strength: 374

    Dexterity:374

    Constitution: 329

    He gasped as his body underwent a massive change, his physical stats more than doubling. His wounds itched as they began to heal at an accelerated rate, and his muscles felt like coiled springs, ready to erupt into action. He suddenly felt lucky for his surprise encounter, the brush with death a faint memory. If he could level like this then he could surely hold the hordes at bay. No longer concerned about the wolves¡¯ presence he moved to the body of the white stag and threw it over his shoulder before turning in the direction of his camp. The wolves, whether satisfied with their meals or stunned by his power, kept their distance as he began to jog away from them. It took him some time, but he made it back to the camp to a very bored Ta¡¯Ku.

    ¡°Any trouble?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked, eyeing Noah¡¯s shredded gear. Noah scratched his head.

    ¡°Yes and no. I was attacked by a small herd of beasts, but I also got some major benefits from it. Lost my hammer though.¡± He explained. Ta¡¯Ku nodded.

    ¡°I guess that is the way of the new world.¡± Ta¡¯Ku agreed. ¡°Also, I have regained feeling in my legs so that seems like progress.¡± Noah shook his head and chuckled.

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    ¡°Healing in this new world is insane. You would have been down for months if you survived in the old world.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not complaining though,¡± Ta¡¯Ku responded with a grin. Noah stoked the fire and started prepping the deer. The beast¡¯s constitution seemed to preserve the majority of the meat from the blunt force damage, and he found himself salivating as soon as it started cooking. His experience with advanced beasts showed that this would be a particularly delicious meal. Noah wondered if there were chef options in the non-combatant path and if so, what they could accomplish with this kind of ingredient. If I didn¡¯t have the weight of the world on my shoulders¡­ He finished cooking the meat and attempted to help Ta¡¯Ku sit up. They learned quickly, however, that he would not be doing that kind of motion any time soon. Instead, he was forced to watch as Noah did his best to hide his intense enjoyment of the meal.

    The next few days proceeded in a similar fashion, Noah took the opportunity to try his hand at leatherworking in an attempt at modesty. Ta¡¯Ku stared patiently at the sky, slowly regaining his mobility with each passing day. It was on the fourth day that they finished off the stag, and Noah went out to find something more for their upcoming journey.

    He returned with one of the untouched deer corpses that had remained from the battle, now frozen. Ta¡¯Ku was now able to eat and maneuver around camp, and he gave pointers to Noah on preparing the hides. After a week, Ta¡¯Ku was back on his feet, but he struggled to move for an extended duration. Noah endeavored to keep him company and stave off the boredom as they slowly approached the finish line. Ten days after the battle, they were finally ready to set off. They packed their few belongings, cooked meat, and began their trek down the mountain.

    Noah had shed the fur dress that Matt had made him and donned his new custom-made gear: the white stag-hide poncho, and the deer-hide skirt. He knew if looked in a mirror he would hardly recognize himself. His face had a messy blonde beard that he hacked at with his knife when it got too long. His hair was a gross clump on his head, and he desperately wanted to wash it and comb it out, but he knew that it would be cut off as soon as someone with trusted hands was nearby.

    Perhaps Julie. The realization that he would likely be seeing them soon had an odd effect on his heart. He did want to see them but he also felt like he was a changed person after their time apart. Will they recognize me? The blood of his many foes weighed on him at that moment. They were beasts but they still bled, they were aware in a sense and they were fighting for a place in this new world. At least they weren¡¯t people. He had been spared the very real possibility of having to kill other sapient beings, and he dreaded the day that the choice would be forced upon him. He wanted to save his people, but he wasn¡¯t so naive as to think that everyone in this new world would go along with his ideals.

    He did his best to reign in the feelings of defeat as they made their way down the mountain, though something about not pressing forward irked him. It didn¡¯t help that there seemed to be a physical resistance to his descent, sapping a bit of his strength. In his mind, he knew that taking a break from the chaos would serve them in the long run, but it was hard to convince his heart of that notion. He sighed and caught up to Ta¡¯Ku who had jogged a bit ahead.

    They ran at a pace that would have been hellish on their way up but now felt leisurely with their new stats. It would still take at least a week to reach the orc village, but this time they wouldn¡¯t be slowed by monster swarms. With each day, Ta¡¯Ku regained his remaining strength and was now fully recovered from his injuries. The last two weeks had served as a potent reminder to them; to the right enemy, they were still just as fragile as they had been on their homeworlds.

    Ta¡¯Ku was relieved as they ran down the mountain; rest was finally in sight. As they made their way, he daydreamed about what awaited him. To his friends in the village, he would be like a great berserker, mightier than the chief, and an orc of legend. He snorted, causing Noah to glance questioningly in his direction. He shook his head. To the villagers, he was something special, but Ta¡¯Ku knew better. Compared to Noah, or even Recter, he was still a youngling. He had a lot of work to do, and he would do it after he basked in the glory for a while.

    They passed out of the colder region and once again tread on the black earth of the mountain. Various beasts began to pop up along the stream but they seemed unwilling to disrupt the two travelers. Noah was relieved, as he quite liked the idea of showing up in a relatively presentable state and not covered in unwashable grime. They made good time, and on the sixth day, they were able to make out wisps of smoke rising steadily below them. They bathed in the stream and made themselves presentable before making it the rest of the way down to the village.

    They were surprised to see the changes as they approached, black walls rose around a solid metal gate, all protruding at least 20 feet from the ground. Large spikes adorned the defenses and scouts were already waving their arms from atop the walls and yelling down to people in the town. The gates began to groan and open up before them, revealing a small crowd waiting within. With genuine joy, they stepped through the gates, into the welcoming embrace of their kinsman.

 Chapter 33

    ¡°No¡¯Ah, have another drink!¡± Ro¡¯Kar bellowed as he slapped Noah on the back, promoting an orc to set another tankard in front of him. They had been ushered from the gates and into the growing village where Ta¡¯Ku slipped away, Noah however was paraded around before being stuffed full of meat and drink in the new tavern. According to Ro¡¯Kar, a visiting chief must be catered to before any official business can take place. Noah thought it more likely that he wanted an excuse to get drunk and celebrate. Not wanting to cause any offence he accepted the hospitality without any complaint.

    ¡°Why not!¡± Noah yelled. He had discovered that the simple brew was totally inadequate to get him buzzed, perhaps an unexpected effect of his higher constitution. The drink was quite enjoyable though, it would have been undrinkable swill on Earth but for Noah, it was like fine wine as he savored the first not stream-water beverage of his new life.

    ¡°Ro¡¯Kar, how did you manage to brew this ale anyways?¡± Noah asked, realizing that his mind had skipped over the incongruency. The chief nodded gravely.

    ¡°Ah, more evidence of my ignorance I¡¯m afraid.¡± He admitted.

    ¡°How do you mean?¡± Noah responded.

    ¡°The barley was grown by a non-combatant using magic. A non-combatant!¡± He huffed. ¡°I convinced most of the orcs to give up any thought of choosing the ¡®weaker¡¯ path and now we are reliant on the humans for such novelties,¡± Ro¡¯Kar explained. Noah nodded, his mind latching on to the mention of his people.

    ¡°I guess that makes sense, though I would rather be alive than dream of novelties.¡± Noah mused.

    ¡°Well said.¡± Ro¡¯Kar agreed, taking a long drink and slamming his tankard on the table. Noah grinned at the chief, enjoying the lighthearted banter.

    ¡°So do you engage with the humans often?¡± He asked. Ro¡¯Kar nodded.

    ¡°Oh yes, there is a settlement near the forest, a couple weeks travel for most. We trade them meat and pelts from higher-level beasts for their different services and products. They are primarily non-combatants but have at least one or two iron warriors in their ranks.¡± He explained. Noah smiled. I bet Kyle is one of them. Noah was relieved to hear about the settlement and was suddenly eager to leave the orc village. Perhaps Ta¡¯Ku would enjoy some time with his people. Noah didn¡¯t want to cut his friend¡¯s time short, but he wasn¡¯t willing to hang around for days. The two bantered into the night, and Noah felt part of his heart settle as he heard the orc¡¯s tales; the hordes kept coming but they rebuffed one after another. It would only take one beast from above. Noah shook his head. Now wasn¡¯t the time for that kind of thought, they still had years before his vision would come to pass.

    He was given a bed in the guest room of the tavern and fell asleep quickly. He dreamt of his friends and family, enjoying their lives. He watched them helping wounded warriors, brewing coffee, and training young ones how to shoot a bow. It was a pleasant dream and he would have gladly stayed there. Then he watched as hordes came and pressed against the walls of their cities. The first wave didn¡¯t breach them, nor did the second or third. The hordes never stopped though, and soon the cities were flattened, and flames and screaming filled his vision. He bolted awake, covered in sweat and breathing heavily. There has to be a way.

    Ta¡¯Ku found Noah later that morning, training in a frenzy. He watched as he swung a hammer in the forms they had practiced together, then transitioned to body-weight exercises, and finished with a martial form he had studied in his old life. Noah then repeated the routine. He looks fine. He nodded to himself and turned toward the tavern to find some breakfast.

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    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku! Perfect timing! I need a sparring partner!¡± Noah shouted from behind him. He sighed and turned around. The two traded blows in their typical fashion, ramping up their intensity as they got into the flow. Ta¡¯Ku found that Noah was moving more slowly than usual and had a furrowed brow as he made measured attacks and counterstrikes. Ta¡¯Ku responded to his partner¡¯s focus and wielded his hammer with every bit of skill he could muster. They continued on until Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s endurance finally gave out, some time later. He is learning quickly. He thought as they came to a halt. After bowing to each other¨Ca tradition that he had adopted from Noah they raised their heads to loud cheering and applause from the gathered orcs.

    ¡°That was incredible!¡± Ro¡¯Kar shouted, stepping forward. He narrowed his eyes at Ta¡¯Ku before shaking his head. ¡°I regret not becoming your Dan¡¯Kar myself. It seems that I have been thoroughly surpassed already.¡± Ta¡¯Ku grinned.

    ¡°You can only say that because you know nothing of what I¡¯ve gone through!¡± He laughed. Noah winced.

    ¡°That was all your choice, to be clear.¡± He said. Ta¡¯Ku nodded sagely.

    ¡°Sure. It defintiely was.¡± He said, a bit too quickly to Noah. They burst into laughter and Ro¡¯Kar watched, his heart warm at the two warrior¡¯s banter. He believed No¡¯Ah about his visions and knew that he would need close companions if he was going to save them from the coming destruction. He also knew that his place was to protect his people. If No¡¯Ah failed, then he would be ready to pick up where he left off.

    ¡°All right, we appreciate your performance, but I think it''s well past breakfast, and we are all hungry,¡± Ro¡¯Kar interjected. Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s eyes lit up as he nodded vehemently. They made their way to the tavern and were met with a glorious sight. On their plates were piles of meat and potatoes. Noah felt like he could cry as he bit into the hearty tubers, never having missed vegetables so much. The pair ate everything that was put in front of them and the waitress had to shoo them away when the restaurant ran out of its stocks. Full and satisfied, the two made their way to the wall where they found a perch to look out over the mountain. They could see for miles, the skies clear with no obstructions. The forest looked like a green sea from their vantage and it really did seem to stretch on forever. Why is everything so massive? How will I ever find my family if the world is all like this? Noah wondered.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku. I think I am ready to keep moving. I am itching to see my people.¡± Noah began. Ta¡¯Ku nodded his head slowly. ¡°What do you think about splitting up for a bit so that you can have this time with the others before our next adventure?¡± Noah asked. Ta¡¯Ku took a deep breath.

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be tradition to split paths.¡± He responded. Noah nodded, expecting that.

    ¡°It¡¯s hardly tradition for a human to have a Dan¡¯Kar. Besides, I think it will be a long time before we can next return. If you want the opportunity to connect with your people, I suggest you take it.¡± Noah said. Ta¡¯Ku was still for a minute before coming to his conclusion.

    ¡°Thank you, No¡¯Ah. I will take this chance to see my people, but you will need to return before you set off again.¡± He said. Noah smiled.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want it any other way,¡± Noah replied. ¡°I plan to set out in the morning.¡± They spent the rest of the day meeting Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s friends and perusing the blacksmith¡¯s wares. Noah learned that smithing was one of the few honored non-combatant roles in the orc society and the smith had served in the same capacity on their homeworld. Noah was unsure of what to offer the orc for the new weaponry, but the smith had staunchly refused any mention of remuneration, assuring him that no smith in the entire world had as great an honor as him. Noah felt unsettled by the idea, but he wasn¡¯t about to refuse the new weapons. He walked away with a new hammer, much heavier than the last but of a similar form, and a small hand axe with a single blade. Ta¡¯Ku likewise traded in his hammer for a heavier one, opting for a double-blunted warhammer with a spearhead jutting from the top.

    They trained their weapons for a bit before eventually making their way to the tavern. It was quieter than the night before, and everyone seemed a bit on edge. Nevertheless, they enjoyed their meal, drinking down several tankards of the barley brew. Some time into the night the chief found them, a grim determination on his face.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Noah questioned.

    ¡°The hordes attack at least once a week and it has been six days since the last one. We are readying for beasts, will you join us?¡± Ro¡¯Kar asked. Noah nodded, seeing Ta¡¯Ku do the same.

    ¡°Of course we will.¡± As he spoke the familiar horn sounded from outside.

    ¡°Its time.¡±

 Chapter 34

    They arrived at the torch-lit gates amidst the yelling and coordinated response. Armed orcs lined the wall and more stood at the ready nearby. Noah scanned the area, trying to catch a glimpse of any stragglers that made it over the walls.

    ¡°Reptilians!¡±

    ¡°Prepare the gates!¡±

    ¡°Ready weapons!¡±

    The commands streamed from an orc on the wall as Ro¡¯Kar led them to an artificial chokepoint that they had made near the gates.

    ¡°We will open the gates and mow down as many of the lizards as we can manage before we move back to the next bottleneck. They¡¯re gonna come fast, ready yourselves!¡± He shouted as they got into position. They were in a narrow gap between two moving walls that formed a ¡®V¡¯ around the gate. The three of them stood alone, two war hammers and a battleaxe between them. The air was tense as the warriors braced for impact but Noah couldn¡¯t help but feel excited. It would be his first time fighting with his new stats, and he was eager to put them to the test. The ground began to rumble beneath their feet and the orcs went quiet. The commanding orc on the wall held up his hand in some kind of signal and everyone looked on with baited breath. Then his hand shot down and a war cry filled the air as the gates swung open.

    Right on queue, a wave of scaled beasts erupted through the opening, coming shoulder to shoulder as they entered the narrowed passageway. Noah ran forward with glee and swung his hammer in a wide arc. It splattered the first monster and passed straight through the second and third. He frowned at his gore-covered hammer as he readied another swing. Weak. He swung again, ending the existence of another few lizards. After a few more attacks the kill zone was slick with blood and the disfigured remains of the reptilian creatures. Noah felt sickened by the events, but not for the reason he had suspected. Something about so effortlessly killing the creatures felt wrong. He stepped back and motioned for Ta¡¯Ku to take his place.

    Ta¡¯Ku sprinted forward and began his own slaughter, though his victims were less splattered than Noah¡¯s.

    ¡°Are you sure you want our help, Ro¡¯Kar? This is good experience for your warriors.¡± Noah offered. The chief shook his head.

    ¡°What do you mean? This is great! For every lizard that you kill, we¡¯ll have one less injured or dead orc.¡± He explained. Noah frowned. He can¡¯t really believe that, can he?

    ¡°Ro¡¯Kar, if your warriors can¡¯t handle these beasts then it won¡¯t be long before you¡¯re overrun.¡± Noah objected. It was Ro¡¯Kar¡¯s turn to frown.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah, if you don¡¯t want to help I can¡¯t make you. But I will do what is best for my people and you can worry about yours.¡± He responded flatly.

    ¡°Of course, I will help, friend. I apologize if I overstepped.¡± Noah responded before switching out with Ta¡¯Ku again. He began to mindlessly decimate the opposing force, all the while considering the chief¡¯s words. I thought orcs liked to fight. Noah and Ta¡¯Ku were able to stem the tide with relative ease and only stepped away briefly to give the chief an opportunity to fight. The difference was the most evident in those moments, the chief didn¡¯t have much trouble killing the creatures but he came away with injuries of his own. If they weren¡¯t there, he would have struggled to hold them back for long and the weaker orcs really would have died. When the final beast, the leader of the swarm, was put down a celebratory roar echoed through the village. The warriors paraded them through the streets with shouts of praise and admiration.

    ¡°Thanks to you, we had our first raid without casualties!¡± Ro¡¯Kar said, clapping them on the back. Ta¡¯Ku rubbed his neck, the praise getting to him. Noah had a more subdued look though, and he took a deep breath before replying.

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    ¡°I¡¯m glad no one died today,¡± Noah began, ¡°I¨C¡± He wanted to say more but cut himself off. Ro¡¯Kar had made his stance clear. ¡°Do you fight reptilians often?¡± He asked instead.

    ¡°Oh yes, almost half of the hordes are reptilian.¡± The chief replied.

    ¡°That¡¯s interesting,¡± Noah noted. The chief nodded in mild agreement.

    ¡°I suppose so.¡± He answered. The crowd finally dispersed to harvest the meat and the two were given some space to collect themselves after the fight.

    ¡°What did you think about tonight¡¯s events?¡± Noah probed. Ta¡¯Ku grunted.

    ¡°I don¡¯t remember my kin being cowards.¡± Ta¡¯Ku spit. Noah nodded,

    ¡°I agree. Something seems off.¡± He replied.

    ¡°It is good that I am staying. I will remind my people of who they are.¡± Ta¡¯Ku pledged. Noah gripped his arm in solidarity.

    ¡°I¡¯m concerned for my people too, if they have come under the same malady then I may be gone for some time.¡± He said.

    ¡°I understand.¡± Ta¡¯Ku responded, ¡°We will help our people and regroup when the job is done.¡± They returned to their rooms, worn from the night¡¯s events. In the morning Noah ate a large breakfast and said his goodbyes. Then he left the orc village in a run, not willing to waste another minute.

    What had taken him weeks before flew by in a matter of days. He stopped to sleep for only a few hours and drink from the stream before continuing on. He had long since given up on boiling water, figuring that his constitution should provide more than enough protection from the parasites. He eventually found the rock outcropping that had been their shelter all that time ago. It bore signs of use and sported a more permanent fire pit as well as several cots. Trading outpost? He scoured the surrounding area and found signs of wheel ruts leading down the mountain. He grinned and took off down the mountain, soon catching sight of smoke trailing through the sky.

    Butting up against the edge of the forest was an encampment, with tall sharpened logs making up its walls. There was a gate facing the slope and he made his way to it, noting the sentries standing on platforms just inside the walls.

    ¡°Halt!¡± One of them cried as Noah approached the entryway. Noah couldn¡¯t contain the laugh that followed.

    ¡°Halt? Really?¡± He asked. The man glared at him, drawing an arrow from his quiver.

    ¡°It''s a joke! Take it easy.¡± Noah insisted.

    ¡°What¡¯s your business here?¡± The other sentry asked. Noah smiled at him.

    ¡°I am looking for my friends: Julie, Kyle, and Matt,¡± Noah replied. The sentries snapped to attention at his response. He frowned at their reaction.

    ¡°Are you by chance, Noah?¡± The friendly sentry asked. He nodded.

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± He said.

    ¡°It''s a pleasure to meet you, sir! We have heard a lot about you. The lady will be thrilled that you¡¯re here!¡± The sentry said, his eyes bright. Noah frowned. The lady?

    He was led into the fort and found it to be a bustling place, people rushed back and forth carrying bundles of materials and pushing hand carts on the dirt road. To his surprise it wasn¡¯t only humans that he saw, there were several orcs, elves, and even a drakon amidst the crowds. They walked through a crowded section of the village, where various booths were set up on either side of the street. Vendors called out their wares, and others waited in lines carrying various goods in their hands. Noah was taken off guard by the amount of people who were gathered in one place, it almost felt like the old world with the sense of industry in the air. He found himself smiling as they pushed their way through the crowd. Eventually, they came to a stop in front of a large building in the center of town, above its door was a sign that read ¡®town hall¡¯, and he was ushered inside by the sentry who then left back to his post. Noah walked into the first room and found a secretary sitting at a desk.

    ¡°Hello, how may I help you?¡± The woman asked in a friendly but efficient tone. Noah smiled, shuffling his feet, suddenly aware of his disheveled state.

    ¡°Right. I am here to see Julie I believe.¡± He responded.

    ¡°Yes, that is why most people come.¡± She answered curtly.

    ¡°I see. I guess that makes sense.¡± Noah said, at a loss for words.

    ¡°What¡¯s your name, sir?¡± The lady asked.

    ¡°Noah.¡± He replied. Her eyebrows raised a bit.

    ¡°Would that be Noah Denter?¡± She asked a touch of excitement in her voice.

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± He nodded. She got to her feet and stretched out her hand.

    ¡°Noah! Its a pleasure to meet you, please come right this way.¡± She said, shaking his hand politely and leading him deeper into the building. The rooms were surprisingly well-lit, and Noah couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the work it must have taken to put the building together. There were even paintings on the wall. They came to a door, where she stopped and motioned for him to continue.

    ¡°The lady is just inside.¡±

 Chapter 35

    Noah stepped through the door into the wood cabin version of a large office equipped with a stone fireplace and a large desk. Sitting behind it was Julie, who was currently scrutinizing an array of papers scattered across her desk. The wood creaked beneath his foot as he moved forward and she looked up in surprise. Her face went through a range of emotions before settling on a warm smile.

    ¡°Noah, you¡¯re here.¡± She said, getting up from her seat. He moved closer to her and gave her a quick hug.

    ¡°I am.¡± He responded. His heart ached a little, and he found it oddly difficult to smile but he did so anyway. ¡°How are you, Julie? This place is amazing.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she replied. ¡°I am well, though a bit buried beneath the paperwork. We recently started a policy where petitions have to be formally submitted and approved¡ª¡± She paused, ¡°That¡¯s not important. This place is amazing, it has been so encouraging to see everyone come together in the middle of all the chaos. Matt has opened up a bit and is one of our best crafters. I still spend a lot of my time healing the injured, since there are so few healers. Kyle is¡­ doing alright I suppose. He will be thrilled to see you.¡± She finished. Noah listened, nodding at the appropriate moments.

    ¡°I am happy to hear that.¡± He started, taking a moment to consider his words.

    ¡°And Kyle, is there something going on with him?¡± he asked. She sighed.

    ¡°I thought he would get over you leaving after some time, and he did for a while, but lately he¡¯s been unhappy. After seeing your name on the rankings, the rest of us were relieved and proud that one of our people was at the top. For Kyle, it had a different effect. Seeing your level and caste made him realize how slow he was growing. He says he feels guilty for putting all of the responsibility on you and has been spending all of his freetime leveling.¡± Julie explained. Noah took a deep breath. He couldn¡¯t really fault Kyle for wanting to become strong, depending on the state of things he was already planning to whip everyone into shape. The guilt was not part of his plan though, and he knew he would have to find Kyle for a chat.

    ¡°How are you managing the hordes?¡± Noah asked. Julie frowned at the change of subject.

    ¡°They have been getting worse, but our warriors are keeping up. Why do you ask?¡± She responded.

    ¡°I just visited the orc village and was there for an attack. I found their reaction to be concerning.¡± Noah admitted.

    ¡°Concerning how?¡± Julie asked. Noah stroked his uncomfortably long beard and considered the best way to put it.

    ¡°They are living in fear for their lives, which I understand. But instead of letting that motivate them to become stronger, they have holed up in their fort and are biding their time for some imaginary end.¡± He shared, the sour taste still in his mouth.

    ¡°I see.¡± Julie said, her brow creased. Noah felt a pit in his stomach. Not them too.

    ¡°Julie, what level are your warriors?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Hmm? Most are in the late 20s or early 30s. There are a couple of outliers though. I think Kyle is getting close to 50.¡± She answered. Noah grimaced and shook his head.

    ¡°What is it?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Do you remember the vision I had before the System came?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°Of course.¡± She nodded.

    ¡°Julie, the monsters are getting stronger. They are weak right now, especially so low on the mountain but I have seen beasts that could single-handedly flatten this town. I don¡¯t think it will be long before your warriors are far outmatched.¡± He explained. She frowned deeper but didn¡¯t respond.

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    ¡°How many of you are Irons?¡± He questioned.

    ¡°Two.¡± She replied immediately.

    ¡°Two.¡± He stated incredulously. She nodded in confirmation.

    ¡°Kyle is one of them, and the other is a drakon guardsman.¡± She explained. Noah gawked at her in a mixture of confusion and disgust.

    ¡°What is wrong with you?¡± He asked, searching for an explanation.

    ¡°Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?¡± She responded, her voice raised. Noah took a deep breath, steadying himself.

    ¡°Julie, you need to listen to me,¡± He began, doing his best to keep his voice calm. ¡°If you don¡¯t start getting stronger quickly, you will all die. Kyle is right; it''s not fair to put all of that weight on one person. But that is exactly what you are doing if the rest of you neglect advancement.¡± He finished. She looked at him, hurt evident in her eyes.

    ¡°Noah, you don¡¯t understand. Not everyone has the luxury of spending their time fighting monsters and meditating like a monk. It takes a lot to make a town like this function, and everyone has to do their part. I get that you¡¯re trying to help, I do. But until you understand the way we live our lives, it''s not your place to criticize us.¡± She finished. Noah stood there with his mouth open, feeling like he had been slapped. I don¡¯t understand? Luxury? Before he could respond the woman from the counter barged into the room.

    ¡°It¡¯s Kyle! He¡¯s missing!¡± She announced. Julie bolted to her feet, already moving toward the door.

    ¡°What do you mean, missing?¡± She asked.

    ¡°The commander hasn¡¯t seen him since yesterday and he didn¡¯t show up to his post this morning.¡± She answered.

    ¡°That can¡¯t be right, he would never miss his guard duty.¡± Julie said as they stepped out the front entrance. Two armed men stood waiting, one human, the other drakon.

    ¡°Commander.¡± She said, nodding to the human. ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, Kyle appears to be missing. He was last seen leaving into the forest to the east. He was likely on another leveling stint. I asked around and no one has seen him since last night.¡± He explained.

    ¡°He should be fine. He is stronger than most of the beasts nearby.¡± The drakon hissed, nodding at his own explanation.

    ¡°He better not be fine! Abandoning guard duty is a serious infraction!¡± The commander exclaimed.

    ¡°And if he is fine, he will face the appropriate punishment. Until we know that though, let¡¯s focus on finding him.¡± Julie insisted. Noah squinted at the man, not at all pleased with his tone.

    ¡°And what kind of punishment do you have in mind?¡± He asked. The man flinched as if just realizing that Noah was there.

    ¡°You will address me as commander, citizen. For the punishment though, abandoning your station is a minimum of five lashes. More depending on circumstance.¡± He explained with a smug look on his face. Noah frowned and then broke into a laugh.

    ¡°That¡¯s funny. You had me there for a minute. So where should we start looking?¡± He asked. The commander looked at him funny.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you think is so funny, I would not joke about the law. And what makes you think that you are joining the search?¡± The commander demanded. Julie shifted uncomfortably as she saw the look on Noah¡¯s face.

    ¡°Noah, wait.¡± She said, reaching for his arm too late. Noah grabbed the man by his shirt and lifted him into the air, glaring into his eyes.

    ¡°Put me down you fool! You will be hanged for this!¡± The man shouted as he squirmed in Noah¡¯s grip. Noah laughed darkly.

    ¡°If you so much as touch Kyle, I will drag you up the mountain and feed you to the trees.¡± A confused look flashed across the man¡¯s face before he was dropped to the ground in a heap.

    ¡°Who do you think you are!¡± The man yelled, getting to his feet and jabbing his finger into Noah¡¯s chest. A crowd had begun to gather and watched in expectation as the commander sought justice.

    ¡°Jack, stop. He isn¡¯t joking.¡± Julie interjected, placing her hand on his shoulder.

    ¡°Its commander, Ma¡¯am! We talked about this!¡± He said like a petulant child, slapping her hand away. Noah had had enough. With a single movement, no more than a blur to the spectators, he knocked the man to the ground, unconscious. The drakon grinned and Julie stared at Noah slack-jawed.

    ¡°He was not worthy, it was only a matter of time.¡± The drakon commented. Noah nodded in agreement.

    ¡°You can¡¯t just attack people! This is a civilized town, we aren¡¯t barbarians Noah!¡± Julie shouted at him. Noah sighed and shook his head.

    ¡°Julie, you still don¡¯t get it. Even in the old world, countries only remained stable through force. Your military commander can barely survive me patting his head, and you want to talk about being civilized. It would only take one person half as strong as me to capture the lot of you as slaves or use you for XP. You of all people should know that!¡±

    Julie scowled at Noah, fuming at his words. How dare he challenge me like this in public? I hate him. She paused, the intensity of her thoughts catching her off guard. She looked back at Noah, at her friend, as her head began to throb. What¡¯s wrong with me?

 Chapter 36

    Noah stared back at Julie in confusion. Something¡¯s not right. He saw her face clear for a moment and her eyes betrayed a look of helplessness. She looked like she was about to say something when she doubled over, holding her head in her hands. Noah stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders.

    ¡°Julie, are you okay? What¡¯s going on?¡± He questioned. She shook her head but didn¡¯t respond further. He held her as she began to rock back and forth. All the while holding her head and clenching her eyes shut. Noah looked around at the gathered crowd with a desperate plea.

    ¡°Are any of you doctors? Can someone help her?¡± He asked, his voice tight. Several people shook their heads and others stepped back, put off by the strange scene. As Noah¡¯s concern built, Julie¡¯s body went rigid and her hands dropped from her head. His eyes widened as she pushed against him, freeing herself from his grip. She glared at him with a look of disgust.

    ¡°If you want to help us find Kyle, fine. After that, you¡¯ll no longer be welcome here.¡± She stated flatly. Noah nodded slowly. Is she possessed? The thought was unnerving as he didn¡¯t know what he would do if she was. For now, though, he needed to find Kyle.

    ¡°That works for me.¡± He lied. ¡°Which way did Kyle go?¡± The Drakon stepped forward and cleared his throat.

    ¡°I can lead the way.¡± He volunteered.

    ¡°Thank you, Jergin.¡± Julie replied.

    ¡°After you then, warrior.¡± Noah agreed, thankful for the exit. Jergin led Noah through the crowd and to a gate on the forest side of the compound. They turned east from there, moving along the edge of the trees, scanning them for any signs of life. When they were out of earshot, the drakon motioned to stop and Noah stepped beside him.

    ¡°What is it?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Are you truly Noah Denter?¡± Jergin asked.

    ¡°Yes, I am.¡± He replied. Jegin nodded.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Jergin grumbled, frowning while he scratched at his scales. ¡°I do not share secrets with outsiders. I know of you though, you saved many of the humans in our village and are praised in the streets. You are worthy.¡± He said the final words and bobbed his head. ¡°I will tell you.¡± Noah listened, trying to follow the drakon¡¯s line of thought.

    ¡°Tell me what?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°Something is wrong. Many of the people have changed over the last month, becoming more timid and irritable. The spectacle in the street with lady Julie was further evidence of this. She used to be sharp and courageous, and she never would have let someone else search for Kyle.¡± Jergin explained. Noah pondered his words.

    ¡°I thought something was off, why are you not affected though?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I have wondered the same. I believe it is because I am an Iron, one of only two in the village. I already verified that the other drakon were impacted like the humans. Kyle is the other Iron, and he suspects an outside party to be the source of the change. He is currently searching the area for any sign of foul play.¡± Jergin concluded. Noah¡¯s mouth opened and closed a few times before he could find his words.

    ¡°So Kyle is alright then?¡± He asked. Jergin shook his head.

    ¡°Not at all, he didn¡¯t want to draw suspicion to his search so he never would have missed his post. I suspect that he found what he was looking for and that it is more than he can handle.¡± Jergin said hurriedly.

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    ¡°I see. Did he at least go east like they believed?¡± Noah questioned.

    ¡°Yes, but he is much further into the forest than anyone would suspect. We have already scoured the surrounding areas to no avail. I can lead you there though¡± Jergin replied.

    ¡°Good. How fast can you run?¡± It turned out that the drakon was quite fast, perhaps an advantage of his elevated grade and he could likely give Ta¡¯Ku a run for his money. They sprinted through the trees, the familiar environment giving Noah a wave of nostalgia. It had only been a matter of months since he first arrive in these trees but he had endured significant change over that short time. On a whim he lashed out at one of the trees and was pleased when his hand dug into the bark. He grinned and Jergin threw a concerned glance in his direction. Noah didn¡¯t mind and continued to get vengeance on the occasional tree as he ran by.

    Eventuall,y they came to a stop as the forest darkened in the waning light of the sun. The canopy blocked out the stars and Noah experienced real darkness for the first time in many weeks. His eyes seemed more capable of seeing into the darkness than they would have been on Earth, but that wasn¡¯t to say he could actually see. On habit, Noah took off his pack and withdrew his firemaking supplies.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Jergin asked, hearing Noah¡¯s shuffling.

    ¡°Starting a fire. Did you have another idea?¡± He responded.

    ¡°You have magic? I figured you were a warrior after that run.¡± Jergin replied. Noah chuckled.

    ¡°No magic! It sounds like Matt spread his rumor about the nature of this wood though. Here watch.¡± He instructed, grinning to himself. He struck a nearby tree and gathered the fragements that he knocked loose, then began working his fire spindle. Within a minute they had a flame, which grew as more of the enchanted wood was added to it. Noah¡¯s satisfaction grew as he saw the awed look on the drakon¡¯s face.

    ¡°See. No magic required.¡± He stated proudly. Jergin nodded enthusiastically.

    ¡°I see now why you are number one. Even the elven magic can¡¯t keep you from bending nature to your will!¡± He proclaimed. Noah frowned. Elven magic? That makes no sense. He shook his head, not ready to pop that bubble. Instead, he pulled out some cured meat that he had procured at the orc village, and set it to warm by the fire.

    ¡°How much further is Kyle?¡± He asked.

    ¡°The last area we scouted is close by, he shouldn¡¯t be more than a couple hours past this point. That is supposing that he wasn¡¯t taken elsewhere, of course.¡± Jergin responded.

    ¡°Then we should find him tomorrow.¡± Noah stated, pleased at that prospect. As much as he wanted to search for him now, he knew it would be a lost cause. It had nothing to do with the last night he spent in the forest, not at all. They sat in companionable silence while the meat cooked and a realization struck Noah.

    ¡°Shall we fight?¡± He asked, out of the blue, pulling a dagger from his pack. Jergin tilted his head, a gleam in his eye.

    ¡°You know our custom? It has been prohibited in the village.¡± Jergin replied. Noah handed the dagger to the drakon and withdrew his smaller axe.

    ¡°How can I eat with you if I don¡¯t know that you¡¯re worthy?¡± He asked with a grin. Jergin jumped to his feet, a wide smile on his face, and dropped into a ready stance. Noah reciprocated the motion, stepping away from the fire. The fire crackled and they launched forward, their blades meeting with a satisfying clang, sending sparks into the air. Noah restrained his strength, instead looking to scope out the drakon¡¯s skill. They exchanged blows for several minutes, scoring cuts but stopping short of any serious injuries. With a quick movement, Noah sidestepped a lunging strike and brought his axe blade to Jergin¡¯s neck.

    ¡°I consider you worthy.¡± Noah announced, dropping his weapon. Jergin nodded, catching his breath.

    ¡°You have honored me. I know now that I made the right decision putting my trust in you.¡± He replied sincerely. They returned to the fire, and Noah cut the meat in half handing one side to Jergin.

    ¡°How did you learn our custom?¡± Jergin asked between mouthfuls.

    ¡°I met the drakon, Recter far up the mountain. We fought alongside eachother for a time.¡± Noah explained.

    ¡°Recter! He is nearby?¡± Jergin exclaimed. Noah shrugged, puzzled.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen him for a month now, we split paths after our other companion got injured. Do you know him?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Know him? All Drakon know his name! He is the mightiest of our people, second in this world only to you!¡± Jergin replied. Noah smiled. So he managed to ascend as well. The thought of Recter surpassing the other rankers was pleasing to Noah, especially knowing that his knowledge had opened the door for him. Now curious though, he opened up the top 10 list for the first time since his breakthrough.

    [Global Ranking System.]

    Noah Denter-Human: Copper, Lvl 116

    Recter Jandon-Drakon: Copper, Lvl 89

    Dariss Ashfield-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 127

    Malentar Stoneskin-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 101

    Do¡¯Fon Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 91

    Ma¡¯tan Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 89

    Darten Yellowfang-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 77

    Fastion Briner-Elf: Iron, Lvl 76

    Syton Talir-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 76

    Flamir Axehead-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 75

 Chapter 37

    An hour¡¯s run from Noah¡¯s camp sat a lone elf high in the trees. He fiddled with a wooden contraption while he mumbled under his breath. He heard a rattle from a nearby tree and started at the intrusion.

    ¡°Nubbins, where are you?¡± He shouted from his perch in the tree. On the forest floor below, a peculiar bear hobbled into sight.

    ¡°Ah Nubbins, there you are! I am coming down.¡± The elf announced, stepping onto a nearby platform. He pulled a lever and the platform began to lower toward the ground. Nubbins snorted in assent as the elf stepped off the elevator, and rubbed his head against his outstretched hand. The elf scratched behind the bear''s large, floppy ears and it began to kick its uninjured leg in delight.

    ¡°Alright, Nubbins. That¡¯s enough. It appears that we will soon have company, and by my estimate, they are the aggressive sort.¡± He said. Nubbins growled at the mentioned threat and lifted to his hind feet in a threatening pose.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be concerned, my friend. It only means that we have to prepare for their arrival.¡± He smiled his razor-sharp teeth and the two cackled as they set about their work.

    ~

    Noah woke to the crackle of the fire which continued to burn nearby. He scanned the forest around him but found only Jergin resting with his back to an adjacent tree. The light was finally filtering through the canopy, which meant it was time to find Kyle. He got up, intentionally making noise as he collected his things and stowed the knives from the night before. Jergin stirred and his eyelids fluttered as he hissed out a groan.

    ¡°Well, that was a terrible night!¡± He exclaimed, dramatically getting to his feet.

    ¡°You too?¡± Noah asked, curious.

    ¡°Strange dreams had me waking all night, and then there¡¯s the cold damp ground,¡± Jergin explained. Noah chuckled.

    ¡°Perhaps the stress is getting to us, I also had dreams that disturbed my rest,¡± he responded. ¡°Either way, are you ready to continue?¡± Jergin nodded.

    ¡°Yes. Let me leave a marker though.¡± He answered before carving an arrow into the ground. They kicked dirt over the fire and left in the direction that the arrow pointed. As they ran they fanned out, looking for any signs of Kyle¡¯s passage. There was very little to see in the disturbingly uniform forest, and Noah found himself missing the mountain. The unnatural quiet and lack of beasts only added to the eerie air that pervaded the purple-streaked trees. They maintained their pace for an hour not finding any trace or clue. They doubled back, altering their course a bit to search new territory. After several minutes in the new direction, they caught a faint scent permeating the air. They slowed, each of them aware of the oddity. It was sweet and spicy, reminding Noah of the holiday cakes his sister adored. I want it.

    They moved in the direction of the scent, their stomachs growling in anticipation as they pictured the feast the smell represented. They began to run as the hunger grew and Noah watched as the trees faded away, revealing the bustling street of Pike Place Market. He turned down the familiar path, knowing exactly where the scent was coming from. There was a Russian bakery just down the road, he had gone there for their pirozhkis as a child, and he would recognize that smell anywhere. He pushed through the crowd, knocking shoulders with several rather sturdy men as he went. He shook it off as he ran. The road was strangely long, much longer than he remembered. He kept going, they were going to close soon; he had to hurry. He sprinted, no longer bothering to avoid the crowd. He was knocked down by a large man but got back up and pressed forward. Finally, he arrived at the entrance to the bakery. He stepped through the door, a broad smile plastered on his face. Then he fell. Noah landed hard, his head colliding with a solid surface.

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    Sometime later he woke. He groaned as he felt around, his head was fuzzy like he had been drinking. Where am I? He remembered running through the woods and turning back, but then his memory went blank. He could feel a wall of dirt all beside him, and he was in total darkness. He reached for his pack, only to find it missing from his back. Huh. He stood and reached his hands above his head, and found only air. Did I fall into a hole? A memory flashed through his mind and a wave of vertigo overtook him as he relived falling through the bakery entrance. Bakery? His mind was muddled and he began to feel around the room he was in. It was a rough circle, maybe six feet in diameter, and it all felt like the same dirt of the forest floor. Feeling inspired, he moved to one of the walls and jumped straight up with his arms above his head. He reached for some kind of ledge but found nothing. He sighed and sat down against the wall unsure of what to do. Wow.

    He got back up and faced the wall, this time fully aware that he was the strongest person on the planet, and plunged his fingers into the dirt. Like tent pegs, they stuck into the wall and he began to climb, a silly grin adorning his face. Feeling like a certain spandex-wearing arachnid he scaled the wall in top form. The hole was deeper than he would have guessed but it was no matter. Soon he felt a shift in the air and a gentle breeze coming from above.

    ¡°No! No! No! Get back down in the hole you gremlin!¡± Came a shout from above. Noah jolted in surprise and scrambled to regain his purchase.

    ¡°I am not a gremlin! I am a human! Who are you?¡± He shouted back. He heard shuffling and muted words being shared.

    ¡°I am Ivor Falkand. I am not despised by the lovely westrin like yourself, so it is most unpleasant to meet you, Human.¡± He shouted back. Noah frowned at the strange man¡¯s words. What are westrin? He continued to climb toward the voice nonetheless.

    ¡°Stop at once you toad! I told you to stop climbing!¡± Ivor screamed. Noah ignored him and continued. Ivor struck him as the kind of person that used to yell at him on the streets for sharing his message, or that mother who had likely reported him to the police. He felt a certain kind of justice as he reached the top, unmoved by the man¡¯s screeching. He stood to his feet and looked around them. He was in some kind of pseudo-building made of wooden planks but with dirt floors. The room was dimly lit with smokeless yellow torches and there was a large round opening leading outside. He turned to the man and looked him over, still tuning out his complaints. He appeared to be an elf, though he looked much different than Balkendar had. His grey eyes were unnaturally large with a deep inward slant to them, and his mouth was filled with shark-like teeth. Stranger yet, he wore only a pair of leather shorts that stopped mid-thigh. Noah grimaced.

    ¡°Look Ivor, my memory is fuzzy. Did something happen?¡± He asked, holding his hand up in a placating manner. Ivor shut his mouth and glared at him. Ivor harrumphed and opened his mouth to speak.

    ¡°Human, you have invaded my territory! And you scared Nubbins!¡± He snapped, his olive face turning red. Then he quickly regained composure and spoke in a quieter, more controlled tone. ¡°You also survived a rather long fall. I can respect that.¡± Where am I? Noah felt more disoriented with every word the elf spoke, and he was getting the itch to leave.

    ¡°Why did you want me to stay in the hole?¡± Noah asked, unsure if he really wanted the answer.

    ¡°So you wouldn¡¯t kill me! Only gremlins can survive that kind of fall and climb out!¡± Ivor yelled. Noah nodded.

    ¡°I see. I am not going to kill you though, I would rather not kill people if I can avoid it.¡± He responded.

    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± Ivor asked, looking relieved.

    ¡°I am not going to kill you, Ivor.¡± He assured. Ivor sighed in relief.

    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. I really wasn¡¯t looking forward to playing the hostage game.¡± Ivor explained. Noah tilted his head and closed his eyes.

    ¡°Hostage game?¡± he breathed out each syllable. Ivor nodded emphatically.

    ¡°Oh yes. I was going to let the lizardman go, he is liked by the Westrin, but then you survived!¡± Ivor explained.

    ¡°Ah. And is the lizardman safe?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°Oh yes, very safe. He is with Nubbins.¡± He paused. ¡°Nubbins! Come!¡± He yelled. Noah braced himself as the ground began to shake, and readied himself for whatever beast was approaching. Then at once the rumbling stopped and a large head pushed its way through the entrance. Noah dropped into a fighting stance as the beast roared its challenge. It opened its mouth and bore its teeth. Noah blinked. It had no teeth, only gums.

    ¡°Nubbins!¡±

 Chapter 38

    ¡°Nubbins!¡± Ivor exclaimed, running over to the beast. The beast pushed its way inside the room and nuzzled its head against the elf. Noah backed away from the creature, still cautious despite its toothless grin. It appeared to be a mutated bear with the ears of a basset hound and owl-like eyes. Its fur was pale grey with dark streaks throughout, and it was easily larger than an Earth polar bear. Noah watched in disbelief as it licked Ivor¡¯s face like a dog with its master. It was clearly a beast, and yet it did not show any sign of aggression. Noah was starting to wish that he had stayed in the hole, he felt like he had stepped onto an alien planet yet again. Finally, the two broke apart as a weary-looking drakon appeared at the entrance.

    ¡°See here is the lizardman, safe as can be!¡± Ivor proclaimed.

    ¡°I told you I am a drakon!¡± Jergin growled, his eyes lighting up when he noticed Noah. ¡°You¡¯re alive! Ivor was certain that you were dead. What happened?¡± He asked. Noah glared at the elf and shook his head.

    ¡°Your friend Ivor failed to kill me and had to change his plan.¡± Noah stated plainly. Jergin turned to look at the elf.

    ¡°Is this true? Why have you done this?¡± He asked. The elf shifted uncomfortably.

    ¡°The trees do not like him, that seemed reason enough.¡± Ivor explained. Jergin recalled his companion''s antics as they had run through the forest and found it wasn''t too hard to believe. Noah snorted.

    ¡°They are trees! I am a person! Shouldn¡¯t that tell you something?¡± Noah exclaimed.

    ¡°See what I mean, lizardman? Even Noah understands his place in the world! I am not at fault. I think we can move forward and part ways now.¡± Ivor reasoned. Noah frowned and thought to protest but stopped himself before he dug himself into another hole.

    ¡°I agree, let''s part ways and be done with this. No harm done.¡± Noah agreed.

    ¡°Wait Ivor, about Kyle¨C¡± Jergin interrupted.

    ¡°Ah yes, the young one. I did see him, yes.¡± Ivor said, bobbing his head.

    ¡°Where is he?¡± Noah demanded.

    ¡°How am I supposed to know?¡± Ivor asked. ¡°He was with that bog wench, they could be anywhere!¡± Noah looked to Jergin for an explanation, who in turn shrugged.

    ¡°What is a bog wench?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have bog wenches on your home world? Lucky break! Those foul creatures are evil parasites that feast on the lovely westrin trees! Sure some call them wood nymphs but those are the delusional ones!¡± Ivor raved.

    ¡°Do you know where they were headed?¡± Noah questioned, ignoring his gibberish.

    ¡°Of course! They were off toward the center of the forest, no doubt to desecrate the land with some odd ritual. Strong wench too, to be dragging along the boy like that.¡± He commented. Noah¡¯s eyes widened.

    ¡°Which way did they go?¡± He demanded. Ivor walked out of the building and pointed into the trees.

    ¡°They went in that direction¨C¡± He was cut off as Noah began running into the forest.

    ¡°Wait, Noah!¡± Jergin called, scrambling to grab their packs and follow after him.

    ¡°Farewell Nubbins! Ivor!¡± He shouted as he left them behind. They sprinted through the woods, and Noah was relieved to get away from the strange pair. The whole day had felt like a fever dream that he wanted to wake up from, and he still couldn¡¯t explain what actually happened.

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    ~

    ¡°That was a weird character, even for you, Ivor.¡± The toothless bear commented as its body underwent a change.

    ¡°Gross. You know I hate it when you shift in front of me.¡± Ivor responded, grimacing.

    ¡°That''s what you get for calling me Nubbins.¡± The newly formed elf replied, picking twigs out of her hair.

    ¡°Did you get what you needed, Delia?¡± Ivor asked, pulling out his false teeth.

    ¡°Indeed. I confirmed the identity of the human as the same one the king encountered. He has advanced significantly since then. With his abilities, I should have been detected, but it seems that even the best humans are clueless.¡± She answered, before tilting her head in thought.

    ¡°What was that bit about a bog wench?¡± She asked. Ivor chuckled.

    ¡°Just a young tree wanting to earn its keep. It took the boy deeper into the wood and agreed to put on a show for the pursuers. When they return to their settlement they will think they saved their people.¡± Ivor explained. Delia grinned.

    ¡°That¡¯s even better than what I had in mind!¡± She laughed, ¡°Do you think he will fall for it?¡± Ivor shrugged.

    ¡°I would get a laugh out of it if he did. I guess we¡¯ll see.¡± He replied. ¡°How is the other operation going?¡±

    ¡°There was a small hiccup stemming from our favorite human, but the damage has been done. We will proceed with countermeasure ¡®7A¡¯ until further instructions are given.¡± Delia answered. Ivor nodded, content.

    ¡°Do you have my next orders?¡±He asked.

    ¡°Continue monitoring the humans. If any other outliers emerge, report them to the council. Catching Kyle was good work, the king was pleased by your preemptive action.¡± She shared. He beamed at the praise.

    ¡°May his majesty¡¯s ascension be swift!¡± Ivor shouted, with the classical salute.

    ¡°May it be swift indeed.¡± She replied, before leaving him to his own devices.

    Delia departed from the clearing, almost as swiftly as the human had not long before. That elf is insufferable. She brushed non-existent dust from her clothing as she retreated to the elven city. She would do her duty even if it meant dealing with the fanatics. The king had been clear that no elven life was to be lost, and that all loyal subjects were valuable to his cause. She had asked him about that, as elves didn¡¯t typically encourage such weaknesses and had been surprised by his response. The System had given him a quest to legitimize his nobility, whatever that meant, and it required a minimum amount of followers. She was curious, but it was beyond her station to ask more, and she would perform her role with all diligence. She arrived at the city gates, pausing only to show the guards her authorization. A runner found her not long after.

    ¡°Is it done?¡± The boy asked.

    ¡°It is. Tell the council to release the humans from the spell formations.¡± She commanded.

    ¡°Yes Ma¡¯am!¡± The boy answered before sprinting away.

    ~

    Noah sprinted through the woods with his drakon companion in tail. They had been running for nearly an hour and had just recently started seeing signs of their quarry. As they rounded another clump of trees they heard a yell of distress from ahead. Noah and Jergin shared a look, both drawing their weapons and approaching.

    ¡°Let me down, you stupid tree!¡± Someone shouted. Noah¡¯s eyes lit up as he recognized the voice.

    ¡°Kyle! I¡¯m coming!¡± He yelled in response, speeding up in his direction. Their target finally came into view, looking nothing like what Noah had expected. A tree monster, similar to the one he fought in the essence-rich zone but with legs, held Kyle by his leg while he thrashed to get free.

    ¡°Let him down, bog wench!¡± Noah demanded. The tree turned and stared at Noah with a strangely offended expression on its face.

    ¡°Noah¡ª¡± Kyle tried.

    ¡°Bog wench! I am a dryad you blind skinbag!¡± The tree yelled back. Noah froze, his mouth open in shock. Did it talk?

    ¡°I think there is a misunderstanding, kindly dryad.¡± Noah offered, holding his hands up placatingly. ¡°I was told by a nearby elf that a bog wench had taken my friend, and I am only here to get him back. I mean no offense.¡± The dryad paused and scrunched its barky eyebrows as it stared at Noah.

    ¡°Did this elf have pointy teeth?¡± it asked, a new wave of emotion filling its voice, this time not directed at Noah.

    ¡°Ah, yes. Yes he did.¡± Noah replied.

    ¡°Hmmph. Ungrateful, tree hater. As if a bog wench could charm a whole village! Now that would be something!¡± The dryad muttered to itself. Noah frowned. No way.

    ¡°You charmed the human settlement?¡± He asked, tentatively. The tree bobbed its head, in a dramatic motion causing Kyle to bounce up and down.

    ¡°Sure did. Those foul apes kept traipsing through the forest without a care in the world. Who do they think they are treading on my roots?¡± The dryad retorted.

    ¡°Can you let me down, please?¡± Kyle asked in the lull of the conversation. The tree looked at him briefly and seemed to shrug before dropping him on his head.

    ¡°Is there a way to cancel this charm you placed on them?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°Sure. But why would I do that?¡± It responded. Jergin meanwhile helped Kyle to his feet and began talking quietly with him to the side.

    ¡°Perhaps I could give a message to them, explain how they should interact in the forest.¡± Noah offered, unsure of what it would want. The dryad had a curious look on its face as it hummed.

    ¡°I want a statue.¡±

 Chapter 39

    ¡°I want a statue.¡± It finally said. Noah frowned.

    ¡°A statue?¡±

    ¡°Yes, of my likeness. And I want a plaque that reads ¡®Noble Dryad, defender of the forest.¡± It said, bobbing its head.

    ¡°I see. And where would you like this statue?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°In the center of town of course. I will release your people, but they will continue to revere me. That seems fair.¡± It announced. Noah nodded, not believing his good fortune. He had never heard of dryads and had no reason to doubt its claims, though he assumed it would have to be a rather powerful creature to charm so many.

    ¡°I agree to those terms. When will you release my people?¡± He asked.

    ¡°They will be back to their normal selves by the time you return.¡± The dryad assured.

    ¡°Thank you. We will be on our way then.¡± Noah responded.

    ¡°The statue better look good.¡± The dryad replied before disappearing into the trees. Noah joined the others. Kyle wrapped him in a bear hug, which he promptly returned.

    ¡°What are you doing here, Noah? I thought you would be at the top of the mountain. How did you know we were in trouble? Was it the system that told you?¡± Kyle rattled off. Noah grinned in response and got a good look at the boy, who had filled out substantially since their last meeting.

    ¡°I am only visiting. I was starting to feel homesick and wanted to be around people for a change, I just happened to get pulled into the current situation.¡± Noah explained. Kyle deflated a little but quickly perked back up.

    ¡°I had a feeling you would come, especially after I was captured. I was hoping I could fix the problem before you showed up though.¡± He sighed, ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re here.¡± Noah looked at him, and felt an unfamiliar feeling welling up in his gut. He had never spent much time with kids, as he was the youngest. He had never even gotten married, much less had children. Yet, when he looked at Kyle he couldn¡¯t help but feel proud of him, perhaps like a father would be proud of his son. It wasn¡¯t comfortable or typical for him, but he wanted to encourage the boy.

    ¡°Kyle.¡± Noah started. ¡°I¡¯m proud of you. You never gave up looking for a solution even when everyone else ignored the problem. Well done.¡±

    ¡°It was nothing¡± Kyle said, nodding his head even as he stared at his feet. Jergin placed his hand on Kyle¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°He is right, Kyle. Of all the humans I have met, you are the most worthy.¡± He grinned toothily, ¡°Well, perhaps the second most worthy.¡± He said, looking at Noah. Kyle took a deep breath and wiped at his eyes before smiling up at the two.

    ¡°Thank you. That means a lot.¡± Kyle said. ¡°We should go check on everyone, especially Julie. She was getting¡ªstrange.¡± He finished. The three agreed and started their return home.

    When considering the charm situation, Noah hadn¡¯t been sure what to expect. Would the people even realize that they had been under the charm¡¯s influence or would they snap out of it in shock? He wasn¡¯t sure which was preferable, perhaps the subtle shift would be less intrusive, but would that take away from the realization of the very real danger they were in? He sighed internally as they walked. He felt a sense of responsibility for the settlement, not to mention the attachments he had made to several of them but he also didn¡¯t plan to stick around for any extended duration. He would talk to Julie and see how he could best help. Eventually, they arrived at the southern-facing gate and were relieved to see guards at their posts.

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    ¡°Halt!¡± One of the guardsmen cried as they got within a dozen yards.

    ¡°Derek, you numbskull. Let us through!¡± Jergin barked back. The man scratched his head.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry captain. It¡¯s the commander¡¯s orders. He was very clear about stopping you upon your return. If you could stay here, I will alert him at once.¡± He finished, leaving once Jergin had nodded in confirmation.

    ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± Kyle asked. Noah kicked at the dirt.

    ¡°Noah put the commander in his place before we left to find you. It was quite the public affair.¡± Jergin smirked. Kyle burst out laughing.

    ¡°Serves him right! He has been on my case ever since I reached Iron.¡± Kyle said.

    ¡°Does he have something against leveling?¡± Noah asked. Jergin shook his head.

    ¡°He wasn¡¯t always like that. A couple of months back, he actively encouraged the soldiers to train and hunt monsters, but that shifted once the monster swarms became regular. I am willing to bet it was the charm amplifying his fears.¡± Jergin explained. Noah¡¯s eyes went wide as Jergins words struck a chord.

    ¡°That sounds similar to what I saw at the orc village up the mountain, it was as if they had become paralyzed by fear. They must have come under a similar spell.¡± Noah exclaimed. They paused their conversation as the gates began to swing open revealing Derek, the guardsman, and Jack, the commander.

    ¡°Jergin!¡± The commander called in greeting as he approached them, a smile on his face. ¡°I see you found Kyle. Well done.¡± The commander stated as he came to stand in front of the group. ¡°Welcome back, Kyle. I¡¯m glad to see you are well.¡± He said, shaking Kyle¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Thank you, sir. I had been captured by a dryad¨C¡± The commander lifted his hand to interrupt him.

    ¡°We¡¯ll get to that later, we have a lot to talk about.¡± He said. Jack finally turned his gaze to Noah, staring into his eyes before finally sighing.

    ¡°Noah. Lady Julie informed me of your identity and your role in rescuing many of our citizens. I recognize that you have power, and I do appreciate what you have done for us. That being said, you cannot get away with your actions just because you are stronger. We have a society built upon rules and systems, and so I would appreciate your cooperation in upholding justice.¡± The commander finished. Noah tilted his head at him. Is this guy being serious? It appeared that the charm wasn¡¯t solely responsible for the state of his people.

    ¡°I will cooperate with your justice system,¡± Noah responded.

    ¡°You will?¡± Jack asked. Noah nodded.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I said.¡±

    ¡°Ah I see. Well this way then.¡± He said, regaining his composure. Kyle opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Jergin who elbowed him and shook his head. As Noah stepped through the gates he couldn¡¯t help but smile; by the time his justice was served the whole village would be set back on track. The commander led Noah through the streets and to the same square where their last encounter had taken place. It would be a fitting place to make his point, Noah decided.

    ¡°Wait here while I gather everyone,¡± Jack told Noah, depositing him in the center of the square. Kyle and Jergin stood off to the side while a crowd began to form around them. Soon Julie emerged from the building and looked worriedly at Noah.

    ¡°Noah, what is going on?¡± She asked as she saw him.

    ¡°Julie!¡± Kyle yelled before running to her. Julie¡¯s eyes lit up and she swept Kyle into an embrace.

    ¡°Kyle, you¡¯re okay! I was so worried!¡± She said. Noah approached.

    ¡°Julie, Kyle was captured by a dryad that claimed to have the entire village under a spell. From what I observed, I think it was telling the truth.¡± Noah stated. Julie nodded ever so slightly.

    ¡°It¡¯s true. Earlier today there was a release of power in the air, and all of a sudden I could think straight again. Noah¡ª¡± Her face fell as she struggled to look him in the eyes. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for what happened before, I hate that I acted like that.¡± Noah smiled and grabbed her hands.

    ¡°Julie, it wasn¡¯t you. I forgive you. I am only concerned about making sure it doesn¡¯t happen again.¡± Noah responded.

    ¡°I appreciate you saying that. And I agree, do you have something in mind?¡± She said. Noah grinned as they heard the commander¡¯s shouting nearby.

    ¡°I do, but you will have to trust me.¡± He explained. She listened as he highlighted his plan to her before the commander returned. She didn¡¯t share the same confidence that Noah did but decided to trust him anyway.

    ¡°Noah! It¡¯s time to face justice!¡± Jack shouted as he marched through the crowd, followed by several pairs of soldiers. Noah winked at Julie before making his way into the center of the square. The people parted as the commander stepped into the open space, where he strutted proudly into the center. He carried a decorated multi-tailed whip and wore unblemished leather armor. He turned to the crowd and held up a hand, calling for silence.

    ¡°Today this man, Noah Denter will receive his due punishment of 50 lashes¡±

 Chapter 40

    ¡°50 lashes!¡± Julie yelled in outrage. ¡°That¡¯s more than enough to kill someone! What charge do you find him guilty of?¡± She demanded. Noah sighed, his attempt to prepare her already failing. The crowd didn¡¯t seem to share her concern and shouted their assent

    ¡°My lady, he is guilty of assaulting a senior officer. This is a grievous crime with harsh consequences.¡± The commander replied, raising his voice over the clamor. Noah caught Julie¡¯s eyes and gave her his best ¡®trust me¡¯ look. She frowned but seemed to remember her previous agreement to his plan.

    ¡°Very well, commander. On with it.¡± She acquiesced.

    ¡°Thank you, my Lady.¡± He said, turning his attention back to Noah.

    ¡°Noah, you have been found guilty of assaulting a senior officer and will now face your punishment of 50 lashes. Remove your shirt and stand in the center of the square.¡± As he spoke a pair of soldiers brought out a wooden post and set it before Noah.

    ¡°Place your hands on the post and prepare yourself.¡± The commander shouted. The crowd went quiet as they waited with baited breath. Noah only grinned.

    The whip cracked through the air, its metal tipped tails connecting with Noah¡¯s exposed back. The crowd roared their approval, making for a rather medieval spectacle. Noah yawned dramatically as he looked over his shoulder, awaiting the next strike.

    ¡°Is that it?¡± He asked, looking at the startled commander standing behind him. The man was holding what was left of his finely made whip, which amounted to a short leather baton.

    ¡°Wh¨Cwhat did you do?¡± He stammered as he looked from the whip to Noah¡¯s already healed back. Noah couldn¡¯t take it anymore and let out a hearty laugh. The crowd watched on as he proceeded to double over at the humor of the situation.

    ¡°You are so funny, Jack!¡± Noah managed between gasps. ¡°What¡¯s the last time you looked at the leaderboard? Did you really think your flimsy piece of leather would have any effect on me?¡± The commander looked like he had seen a ghost as he met Noah¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°But that¡¯s impossible.¡± He stammered. Noah only shook his head.

    ¡°Obviously it¡¯s not.¡± Noah replied. He turned to the crowd then, making eye-contact with as many of them as possible. Jack had done him a favor in gathering all of his supporters in one place, these were just the people he needed to convince.

    ¡°Clearly you all have some misconceptions about this new world, and it¡¯s not entirely your fault.¡± Noah began. ¡°Before today, you were under a spell that, to the best of our knowledge, heightened your fears and made you complacent.¡± There were gasps in the crowd, and numerous questions were thrown around before Julie spoke up.

    ¡°What he¡¯s saying is true. We have been under some kind of mass manipulation! Noah only just returned from the forest, having freed us from our imprisonment.¡± She explained. It was clear that the people respected her words as they once again fell quiet, returning their gaze to Noah, this time with newfound curiosity.

    ¡°We also learned the reason that nearly the entire settlement was impacted.¡± Noah stated, pausing for dramatic flare. ¡°Every dust caste individual was fully subject to this manipulation, while the two iron castes among you were spared from the charm.¡± He explained. ¡°It also appears that one goal of this manipulation was to keep you weak and stagnant, unable to defend yourselves. And that is exactly what has happened.¡± Noah took a deep breath, searching for the best words.

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    ¡°I recently met with the creature that ensnared you so easily in its magic. It assured me that if you follow its instructions, it will not charm you again.¡± Noah noted the relief present in several eyes as he spoke. ¡°I will not be sharing those instructions with you however, as I do not believe that to be the best for you or humanity as a whole.¡± He finished. The gathered people erupted in chaos, shouting their complaints and cursing Noah with impressive creativity. Noah only grinned wider as they raged on. Someone got the bright idea to attack him, which quickly resulted in the same person¡¯s arm being broken in swift order. There was weeping and yelling, but to Noah it was a beautiful beginning. Just one more piece. The commander, having regained his courage, marched up to Noah and gave his best authoritative glare. Ah. Here it is.

    ¡°Who. Do. You. Think. You. Are?¡± He said, punctuating each word by sticking his finger into Noah¡¯s chest. What went wrong with this guy? Noah wondered as he bit back a laugh. Instead he grabbed the man¡¯s hand and lifted him into the air, quickly bringing his tirade to an end.

    ¡°I am Noah Denter, the strongest person on this planet. And on this planet, the weak don¡¯t get a say in the rules.¡± Noah announced. ¡°If you do not want to be charmed again, then I suggest you get to Iron as soon as possible.¡± With that, he released the commander who crumpled to the ground, and left the square, entering the town hall. Julie quickly followed, along with Kyle and Recter who barred the door behind them.

    ¡°What was that?¡± Julie demanded as soon as they were alone. Noah shrugged.

    ¡°It seemed like you guys needed a push.¡± He said. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.

    ¡°You can¡¯t just make decisions like that Noah. It¡¯s not that I disagree with you, but surely there is a better approach than this. You want to just let everyone be manipulated again?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Julie. I respect what you have done here, I really do. But I can make decisions like that whenever I want, and no one can stop me. That is the point I am trying to make. In fact, I think that is the point the System is trying to make. If you are weak, you will be pushed around by the strong. Especially if you remain as Dust.¡± Noah explained. She looked like she wanted to respond but came up short.

    ¡°I have seen a lot more of this world than you, Julie, and let me assure you that the monsters are only getting stronger. The orcs are already struggling to defend their village from the swarms that attack them every week. At this rate, it won¡¯t be long before your gates are overwhelmed and you are all slaughtered. But that only happens if the monsters get stronger faster than you do. Thus the push.¡± He finished. Julie took a deep breath and sat down in one of the chairs.

    ¡°I know.¡± She responded after a moment. ¡°I was naive to think we could keep living on like it was the old world. I¡¯m¨CI wasn¡¯t ready to leave it behind, but I guess now I don¡¯t have a choice.¡± She said, ¡°And you really aren¡¯t going to share the instructions that the spellcaster gave you?¡± Julie asked.

    ¡°Definitely not.¡± He answered immediately, ¡°It¡¯s for the best. If you decide not to advance, then perhaps it''s best that you are charmed when the end comes.¡± Noah didn¡¯t particularly enjoy having to play the bad guy with Julie, but he really did want her to survive. Noah left Julie to her thoughts and returned to the two waiting by the door.

    ¡°So we aren¡¯t going to share about the statue?¡± Kyle whispered. Noah grinned.

    ¡°No you should still do it, just don¡¯t tell anyone why you''re having it made.¡± He responded. Jergin growled in what Noah assumed was a chuckle.

    ¡°Hmmm. I like the way you think.¡± Jergin said. Kyle just gave him a thumbs up.

    ¡°So what¡¯s the plan now?¡± Kyle asked.

    ¡°Now you train everyone.¡± Noah announced. The two frowned. ¡°I think the role of commander is vacant, and one of you should fill it. Also, you should take charge of getting the soldiers to Iron and further advancing yourselves.¡± He explained.

    ¡°What will you do?¡± Kyle questioned.

    ¡°I will stick around for a few days and make sure you have what you need. I have also learned some secrets to advancement that I would like to pass on before I leave. After that though, I will be on my way. I have a friend who is waiting for me, and I imagine that there are other people out there in need of assistance.¡± Noah mused.

    ¡°You¡¯re leaving so soon?¡± Kyle responded.

    ¡°I got what I came for. Besides, I think it will be best if I let you all sort out your own problems for a while.¡± He answered.

    ¡°He¡¯s right.¡± Jergin agreed. ¡°You don¡¯t become worthy by drafting off the leader, you have to claim it for yourself.¡± Noah nodded, once again appreciating drakon sentiments. He wondered if he would run into Recter any time soon.

    ¡°I think it''s time we rest for the day. Even with my constitution, I am starting to feel worn.¡± Noah announced before sinking into a chair. As he bid the others farewell, his mind went to Ta¡¯Ku and the orc plight. It''s time I get back to the mountain.

 Chapter 41

    When Noah awoke he was lying on a bench in an empty office room of the town hall. There were no windows, and the lamp had long since burned out, leaving him clueless as to the hour. He got up and stretched before reaching around for the door. He stepped into the lit room, illuminated by the fire in the hearth and the lamps along the wall. Noah yawned causing the lady sitting behind the front counter to start.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were there! Where did you come from?¡± She asked. Noah scratched the back of his head.

    ¡°Uh. Sorry about that, I didn¡¯t mean to startle you. I slept here last night after the events. Julie said it was fine.¡± Noah explained. She gathered herself.

    ¡°The lady¨CJulie did actually mention that. It must have slipped my mind. She is back in her office if you¡¯re looking for her.¡± She replied. Noah nodded in thanks and went to Julie¡¯s door. He knocked.

    ¡°Come in.¡± Julie called from the other room. He stepped into her room, appreciating the natural lighting that came through the opaque glass window.

    ¡°Good morning.¡± He said, smiling.

    ¡°Good morning, Noah. Sleep okay?¡± She asked.

    ¡°I did. I seem to be able to sleep anywhere these days.¡± Noah replied, finding it strangely difficult to make small talk.

    ¡°So¨C¡± Noah started.

    ¡°What¨C¡± She said at the same time. Noah laughed.

    ¡°You first.¡± He said.

    ¡°What¡¯s your plan now? Will you stay for a while?¡± She questioned.

    ¡°I plan to leave within the next couple of days. After that, I am not sure. I will meet with Ta¡¯Ku, my Dan¡¯Kar, and then decide from there I guess.¡± He answered. She nodded slowly.

    ¡°I see. And Dan¡¯Kar¨Cwhat is that?¡± She asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s an orc-thing, basically he is my friend and life-long battle companion.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Julie responded, pausing for a moment as she found her next words.

    ¡°Noah, I have thought a lot about these last few days. I am glad that I got to see you again, and I am so thankful for your help rescuing Kyle and for freeing us from the charm.¡± She started.

    ¡°But.¡± Noah offered. She nodded, giving him a half smile.

    ¡°But the way we look at the world is too different. I appreciate that you spurred the people into action, but I don¡¯t like the way you went about it. We are building something here, and frankly I don¡¯t want it to look like the world you see. I know that sounds naive, I said so myself last night, but I believe its possible to maintain some semblance of society. But¨CI don¡¯t think it will be possible if you¡¯re here.¡± She finished.

    Noah took a deep breath as he sorted through her words. As much as he tried, he just couldn¡¯t imagine her plans working the way she was picturing.

    ¡°I think you may be right.¡± He answered her with a sigh. ¡°I am happy I came as well, and I hope to see you and Kyle again. But I think I will be gone for a while this time.¡±

    ¡°Thank you for understanding.¡± Julie responded. ¡°What was it that you were going to say?¡±

    ¡°Oh right, I¡¯ve been wondering about the whole ¡®lady¡¯ thing. You don¡¯t seem to be the kind of person that would get other people to call you that.¡± He stated. She groaned.

    ¡°It¡¯s actually a System thing. It gave me a quest called ¡®path to nobility¡¯ when we founded the town and the people officially recognized me as the leader. I have a count attached to the quest that lists the population of the city out of 10,000.¡± She explained.

    ¡°That¡¯s interesting. Does the quest require people to address you as lady then?¡± He asked. She laughed and shook her head.

    ¡°No, word got out about the quest and what started as a joke ended up sticking. We are planning to model our government as a sort of noble council, similar to what has been done in Earth history.¡± Julie replied.

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    ¡°Funny, I would have thought people would be resistant to that kind of structure. I guess the idea of giving responsibility to a governing body could be comforting though.¡± He mused.

    ¡°Part of it is actually to appease the other races living in our settlement. All of the different parties present have been exposed to a noble led government in their worlds. It makes it easier for everyone to participate and understand.¡± Julie explained.

    ¡°I guess that makes sense.¡± Noah responded. ¡°One more thing. I was hoping to catch Matt before I leave. Do you know where I could find him?¡± Julie smiled at the request.

    ¡°He will be on the mountain side of the fort, in the crafter¡¯s district near the wall. Look for the overflowing workshop.¡± She said.

    ¡°Perfect, thanks.¡± Noah replied. ¡°Well, I guess this is goodbye then.¡±

    ¡°I guess it is.¡± Noah stepped forward and gave her a hug.

    ¡°Take care of yourself, Julie. I¡¯m rooting for you guys. And no hard feelings about parting ways, I think it will be healthy for everyone.¡± Noah shared.

    ¡°Thank you, Noah. Take care of yourself too. After some time has passed, I hope you will visit again. Otherwise, I will keep an eye out for your name on the leaderboard.¡± She said with a grin. With that Noah left the town hall and made his way toward the gate he had first entered through. The streets were filled with people, and their was an anxious bustle in air. He heard the whispers of passersby as he maneuvered through the crowds, and laughed at the mention of his actions from the day before.

    ¡°I heard that he killed the commander with one look.¡±

    ¡°No he didn¡¯t kill him! He gave him a panic attack!¡±

    ¡°Can you believe he is going to let us get charmed again? He must have been one of the corrupt elite from before, he doesn¡¯t care about us mere mortals.¡±

    ¡°He acted like it was our fault for being manipulated at all!¡±

    ¡°But it kind of was, wasn¡¯t it?¡±

    Noah chuckled as he finally came to what he assumed to be the crafters district. Several lines of smoke snaked into the sky, and the anxious air transitioned into a more industrial one. He looked around for the workshop Julie described, and found it after just a few minutes of searching. There were scraps of metal and discarded gadgets piled by the entryway, and the sound of hammer strikes could be heard from inside. Noah tried knocking but after a minute of waiting he decided to make his way in.

    ¡°Matt!¡± Noah yelled. ¡°Are you in here?¡± He ventured further, looking for the source of the clamor. He eventually came to another, thicker door and peered in side. A wave of heat buffeted his face as he opened it, and the intense glow of a fire filled the room. Near the flames stood Matt, wearing a thick leather apron and heavy gauge gloves while he slammed his hammer into glowing rod of metal on the anvil. Noah watched in awe as the boy demonstrated an impressive amount of strength as he warped the rod into a blade. He contented himself to watch, not wanting to interrupt the process.

    After some time, Matt lifted the rough blade and plunged it into a nearby barrel. After half a minute he withdrew the blade and inspected it for distortions. With a satisfied grunt he set the quenched blade on his work station and turned to Noah, acknowledging his presence for the first time. He blinked several times, as if not quite believing that Noah was actually there.

    ¡°Noah?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Hey Matt.¡± Noah answered.

    ¡°How long were you there? I didn¡¯t see you come in.¡± Matt replied. Noah laughed.

    ¡°Long enough to see the action, what you¡¯re doing is amazing. You must be quite high level.¡± Noah commented. Matt nodded.

    ¡°I just passed a hundred the other day.¡± He said nonchalantly. Noah¡¯s mouth fell open.

    ¡°How did you manage that?¡± Noah replied.

    ¡°All I do is craft, so I am constantly gaining XP. I also haven¡¯t looked into advancing my caste like you have.¡± Matt answered with a shrug.

    ¡°I guess that would make sense.¡± Noah agreed. ¡°Anyways, I came to say goodbye before I leave. I will be heading out today.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s perfect, I was hoping to catch you before you left. Axe or sword?¡± He asked, not missing a beat. Noah frowned in puzzlement before remembering who he was talking to.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go with sword.¡± He said on whim, still holding to his childhood fantasies. Matt smiled and crossed the room, taking a weapon from a large rack.

    ¡°I just made this one last week¡± He said, handing the massive greatsword to him pommel-first. Noah took it, surprised at its weight.

    ¡°Its enchanted too.¡± Matt said with a grin.

    ¡°Enchanted? So it¡¯s a magic sword?¡± Noah wondered aloud.

    ¡°Oh yeah, just wait until you try it. I will let it be a surprise.¡± Matt said with finality.

    ¡°Well thank you once again for the weapons. I have made good use of the others you have made for me.¡± Noah said.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome. Its nice to have someone who can actually use the weapons I make. Only Kyle and a few others could manage the larger weapons but he prefers a bow and I don¡¯t care to advertise.¡± Matt explained.

    ¡°Well, I mainly wanted to say goodbye. I will be gone for a lot longer this time, so take care of yourself.¡± Noah said.

    ¡°I will. You too, Noah.¡± He replied, extending his hand for a handshake. Noah took it and gave him a smile before leaving him to his work. He felt ready to leave the city, and only needed to say a quick goodbye to Kyle before departing. It took him some time to track him down, and some explaining as to his advanced schedule, but eventually he bid Kyle farewell and made for the gates.

    He took the final step out of the settlement and took in the familiar sight of the endless mountain. He took a deep breath as he stared up the path. His heart felt settled and the weight from before had lifted off him. It was time for the next leg of his journey. With a newfound energy he began to run up the mountain, a smile spreading across his face. This time he wouldn''t stop until he reached the peak.

 Chapter 42

    Noah ran up the mountain, making full use of his stats as he breezed past the familiar landscape. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of anticipation as he went, as if something grand was about to happen. And as much as he had enjoyed the last several days around friendly faces, he was getting the itch to fight. He hadn¡¯t swung his hammer since the last monster swarm at the orc village, almost two weeks ago by this point. Huh. Noah realized that he had never checked his status after the fight, nearly forgetting its existence as went about his normal life. He wondered if that¡¯s what it was like for people who had grown up with the System; was it novel or exciting to them at all?

    Not for the first time, his mind drifted to what lay beyond their planet. What did life look like for the average multiverse denizen? Did everyone grow up fighting monsters, or were there farmers and schools and mundane existences amidst the systemized world? If they had enchanted weapons on Earth already, what kind of magic technology existed in long established worlds? He thought of the woman from his dreams. Who was she? What was her interest in Earth? In him? He wished he could just ask someone the questions that crowded his mind. Knowing there was a multiverse of civilizations and having no contact with them was a new challenge for him. He was accustomed to having access to instantaneous news from every part of the known world at once. Now though, he felt like an atom on a tiny speck of dust, completely blind to the greater machinations of the world.

    Ever since the System¡¯s arrival Noah had been in a life or death struggle, pushed by the timer counting down to their planet''s destruction. The constant pressure had given him tunnel vision, reducing his focus to the singular task of growing stronger. But as he stepped away from that reality for a moment, he felt incredibly lost. He didn¡¯t want to be a single minded machine, who just longed for the next adrenaline fix. Before all of this he had wanted a family, he wanted passion-filled hobbies, and he wanted to run an over-the-top coffee house with the highest end espresso. Then he had that cursed dream that changed everything. Perhaps he was finally feeling the loss that he had buried beneath constant activity and focus. Or perhaps he was in need of a new vision, something to hope for beyond just surviving the apocalypse. Maybe he wouldn¡¯t run a coffee shop, but could he have a family one day? Also, fighting monsters was kind of a hobby, right?

    Noah continued his run, now thoughtful about what his future held after the end of days. He had read enough proverbs to know that people often failed from lacking vision, and that the higher the cost, the clearer the vision needed to be. And so he imagined the world he would build once he reached bronze and stopped the monster hordes. He would have a family, non-violent interests, and against all odds, he would run a coffee house even if he had to grow the coffee beans himself. Now that he was properly motivated, he decided to catch up on his status.

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: E

    Domain: Proximal

    Caste: Copper

    Gate: 2

    Path: Journeyman

    Level: 116

    Strength: 374

    Dexterity:374

    Constitution: 329

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 6,108/1000

    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    Essence: 0

    Stat points available: 0

    He still found his level hard to believe, though after talking with Matt, he felt it wasn¡¯t as impressive as he had imagined. It meant that there would be others past level 100 that were just missing a piece to advance their Caste. He found it suspicious that so few had reached Iron, as it had only taken him a matter of days. He definitely had had an advantage, but surely it wasn¡¯t that hard to reach the first gate. In the interest of consolidation, Noah decided to level with his available XP, assigning his 18 free points to constitution. It had been a while since the last time he checked the rankings, so he decided to review those as well.

    [Global Ranking System.]

    Noah Denter-Human: Copper, Lvl 122

    Recter Jandon-Drakon: Copper, Lvl 114

    Malentar Stoneskin-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 154

    Balkendar Italifi-Elf: Iron, lvl 115

    Do¡¯Fon Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 100

    Ma¡¯tan Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 98

    Darten Yellowfang-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 93

    Fastion Briner-Elf: Iron, Lvl 90

    Syton Talir-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 89

    Flamir Axehead-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 89

    He smiled, seeing Recter¡¯s name so close. Before leveling he had been only two levels behind him. Then he noticed Malentar¡¯s name and frowned. He must fight constantly. The next name was new to the list, and one that he recognized. Balkendar. His first encounter with the elf had been a wake up call in this new world, and for some reason knowing that he was so strong and so near the other humans gave him pause. He would be more than twice as capable as Kyle or Jergin, and from the looks of it, the elves knew how to advance both gate and grade. He would have to keep an eye on the list for other elven additions.

    Noah ran through the day and into the night, only stopping when he came to a familiar outcropping. He pulled a few pieces of dried meat from his pack and sat on the gentle slope overlooking the forest. It was another clear starry night, thousands of bright and colorful spots adorned the sky illuminating the world in an enchanted glow. There was, however, no moon. He still looked on reflex, expecting to see the shining white orb and yet it never appeared. He wondered what had happened to the Earth moon, or if it was somehow in an orbit he couldn¡¯t see. As he stared into the sky he noticed a movement, it was miniscule but he could swear he saw one of the stars shift their position. He blinked several times as he tried to catch it in the act again, but eventually he dismissed it, as the movement never repeated. Noah gathered his things and found a spot to lay against the large rock. Within minutes he was asleep, finding the mountain ground comforting after his time away.

    ~

    Milky Way Galaxy, Sector 1000

    Just outside the planet¡¯s atmosphere, Darius sat in the imperial cruiser. An undetected meteor had nearly collided with the ship, prompting them to flare the thrusters at the last moment. He hated moving the ship outside of scheduled hours, as he didn¡¯t want to cause any scares on the planet below. He knew the primitive races likely couldn¡¯t handle the concept of space travel and he saw no need to make them aware of his presence. So far the emperor¡¯s assignment had gone without a hitch. The only spot of excitement had come when some backsector pirates had arrived with hopes to stake a claim on the new world. After he had destroyed the first ship, they were more than happy to leave, allowing him to stand guard in peace once again. It was his honor to serve the emperor, but he was starting to worry that he would miss the prince¡¯s ascension ceremony. His quest was bound to be completed at any time.

    Surden Galaxy, Sector 995

    ¡°Boss, Boss!¡± Chak rasped. Surden narrowed his eyes.

    ¡°This better be good news, Chak.¡± He spit. Chak swallowed and stammered something unintelligible.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Surden yelled.

    ¡°The crew failed. The survivors just returned, sir.¡± Chak managed. Surden growled and threw his cup against the wall.

    ¡°What do you mean they failed!¡± He shouted, standing to his feet.

    ¡°Their cruiser was destroyed by the imperial vessel. The rest retreated immediately after that.¡± Chak explained. Surden¡¯s eyes went wide and his face paled.

    ¡°They attacked an imperial vessel?¡± He questioned. Chak nodded. Surden gulped.

    ¡°Was it the emperor¡¯s ship?¡± He asked. Chak shook his head and a glimmer of hope entered Surden¡¯s heart.

    ¡°That means we have time. Prepare an envoy at once. We must make a formal apology at the nearest embassy.¡± Surden demanded, his greed thoroughly dismissed.

    ¡°Yes sir!¡± Chak responded, running from the room. Surden sat back in his chair and rested his head in his hands. Why did they have to provoke the imperials?

    Trellian Galaxy, Sector 901

    The globe flickered on and chimed, prompting the woman in the next room to rush in. Has it been that long already? She wondered as she inspected the blue and orange planet. The System was never early of course so she dismissed the thought, instead looking for the traces of information that it would provide to outsiders. There was a square icon floating over one of blue stretched of the globe and she touched it, causing a screen to appear before her eyes. The Global Rankings. She started at the bottom, reading each name with disappointment until she reached the top of the list. Noah Denter. A single tear streamed down her cheek, then another. So they decided to keep his name.

 Chapter 43

    When Noah awoke the sun was just peaking over the horizon, illuminating the expansive forest in a blue-white glow. He made a quick meal of his travel rations and stopped by the stream to lap up some water. Then he was off, eager to reunite with Ta¡¯Ku and learn of the orc¡¯s wellbeing. He saw various monsters as he traveled but they seemed to recognize that he wasn¡¯t on the menu and let him be. He sprinted continuously, stopping only to sleep after the sun had fully set each night. On the fourth day of traveling the orc village finally came into sight.

    The sentries noticed him and began to wave, calling out to orcs behind the wall. The gate began to swing open before he even arrived and he was able to walk through immediately. Several familiar faces called out greetings and welcomed him back to the village. One particularly helpful orc went off to fetch Ta¡¯Ku, assuming that Noah would be expecting his Dan¡¯Kar¡¯s presence. The custom was different than what he was used to but he was overjoyed to see Ta¡¯Ku nonetheless.

    ¡°Noah, you¡¯re back so soon! I hope that means things are well?¡± Ta¡¯Ku greeted him as they exchanged a warrior''s embrace.

    ¡°Mostly well.¡± Noah reported. ¡°They were suffering from a similar plight to what we witnessed when I was last here. It has been resolved though.¡± Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s eyes lit up.

    ¡°How long ago was it resolved?¡± He responded. Noah considered it.

    ¡°Five or six days ago now. Why do you ask?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly when things changed here as well. It was like a fog was lifted and everyone was furious when they came to. Ro¡¯Kar especially, he seemed to be in an even deeper haze than everyone else.¡± Ta¡¯Ku explained.

    ¡°That¡¯s interesting¡­ In the settlement, the two Irons were unaffected. Perhaps they knew that the chief would need to be charmed in order to truly affect the village.¡± Noah started before having another thought. ¡°If the village was released on the same day, then it should stand to reason that the same person charmed both groups. But that wouldn¡¯t make sense given what the dryad told me.¡± Noah mused.

    ¡°The dryad?¡± Ta¡¯Ku questioned. Noah nodded.

    ¡°We spoke with the dryad that claimed responsibility for charming the settlement. It explained that the people were trespassing in its territory and mistreating the forest. That has nothing to do with you though.¡± Noah thought aloud.

    ¡°Interesting. Could it have been someone else then?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked. Noah frowned.

    ¡°I am starting to think that it would have to be. And if its the suspects I have in mind it would be quite concerning.¡± Noah responded.

    ¡°Who are you thinking?¡±

    ¡°The elves.¡± Noah sighed. ¡°Did you see the name ¡®Balkendar¡¯ on the rankings?¡± Ta¡¯Ku nodded. ¡°I met him just a few days after we arrived here. He claimed that there was an elven village nearby and that all the elves had a way to locate it. He also tried to kill my companions for XP before he learned that they were connected to me.¡±

    ¡°What should we do?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked.

    ¡°Right now, nothing. If his intentions were to kill all of the people living in the two villages, then I believe he could have done that already. Instead it seems like he¡¯s trying to slow down their advancement.¡± Noah mused. ¡°Actually, that gives me a thought. Is the chief around?¡± Ta¡¯Ku nodded and led him to the one restaurant in the settlement. Ro¡¯Kar was seated as his usual table in the corner, and motioned them over when he noticed their entrance.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah! It¡¯s good to see you. I¡¯m afraid I have to apologize for how I acted last time you were here. I wasn¡¯t in my right mind.¡± Ro¡¯Kar explained.

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    ¡°It is good to see you as well, Ro¡¯Kar. All is forgiven, from what I found you weren¡¯t in your right mind at all.¡± Noah replied. He proceeded to catch the chief up on their recent discoveries.

    ¡°So you believe it was the elves?¡± Ro¡¯Kar asked.

    ¡°I do.¡± Noah responded. Ro¡¯Kar grunted.

    ¡°Why would they target us? What have we done to them?¡± He questioned.

    ¡°About that. Have you received a quest from the System?¡± Noah inquired.

    ¡°I have, yes. I am to gather a large number of loyal tribesman. But how did you know that?¡± Noah nodded, putting the pieces together.

    ¡°I think the elves are aiming to finish their quest, perhaps intending to take your village and that of the humans as vassals to increase their numbers.¡± Noah explained.

    ¡°Why would they weaken us¨C¡± Ta¡¯Ku started to ask before realization dawned on his face. ¡°They want us to come to them for protection once we are unable to hold back the monster swarms.¡± He finished. Noah nodded and Ro¡¯Kar¡¯s mouth hung ajar.

    ¡°On the last trading caravan from the human settlement one of the elven members approached me, and shared about the adept military force that the elves have established. At the time I thought he was just proud of his people¡¯s accomplishments. Before you and Ta¡¯Ku arrived I was considering new options to defend our people, and I likely would have turned to them if the humans couldn¡¯t help.¡± Ro¡¯Kar shared.

    ¡°If they can just manipulate our thoughts, what¡¯s to keep them from doing the same thing once you two depart?¡± He asked. Noah pulled at his beard as he considered the options.

    ¡°Based on what I saw at the human village, I believe it takes considerably more effort to affect Irons than it does to affect Dusts. If we can help more orcs reach Iron, that should be a significant deterrent to further attack. Since every orc is exposed to regular battle, levels shouldn¡¯t be an issue, which only leaves gate advancement.¡± Noah responded.

    ¡°I have already helped two warriors reach Iron in the time I¡¯ve been here. Given enough time, I believe that a majority of the tribe will advance. I have also instructed them to start putting aside XP for their grade.¡± Ta¡¯Ku explained. Noah grinned, excited to hear of the quick development of their plans.

    ¡°I will issue an order for all the tribesman to attend daily training. This will be the top priority. We need to be ready if the elves decide to become aggressive. Thankfully this will also work to help us in our fight against the swarms.¡± Ro¡¯Kar said. ¡°Their frequency of attack has increased, now coming every five days, almost entirely reptilian. I am beginning to wonder if they are part of a greater swarm that is slowly approaching." Several nearby orcs shifted in discomfort as they heard the chief¡¯s words. That was fast. At this pace they will have daily assaults within a month.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah. Would you be willing to stay until the swarm is dealt with?¡± Ro¡¯Kar asked. Ta¡¯Ku looked to Noah, and the whole room went quiet as they waited for his response. There was never a doubt in his mind though as he considered the fate of his companions.

    ¡°We will stay. I have conditions though.¡± Noah replied. The chief nodded and the tension in the room dissipated.

    ¡°Of course, whatever you need.¡± Ro¡¯Kar responded. ¡°What are your conditions?¡±

    ¡°I expect every orc to reach Iron in the next month. If Ta¡¯Ku and I have to fight solo to make that possible, we will. I also want everyone to prioritize reaching E grade as soon as they hit level 50.¡± Noah stated. Ta¡¯Ku grinned at Noah¡¯s demands.

    ¡°I will see to it.¡± The chief answered, rising from his seat. He turned to the room, half filled at this point. ¡°Gather the tribe in the town square! I have new orders to give.¡± He commanded. The present departed immediately, each having heard their conversation.

    ¡°Thank you, No¡¯Ah. This will be a lasting benefit for our people.¡± Ro¡¯Kar said sincerely.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, my friend. We will do our best to share our knowledge with the village.¡± Noah replied. With that the chief left, making his way to the gathering place.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do that.¡± Ta¡¯Ku said. Noah shrugged.

    ¡°You would do the same.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s different, I am your Dan¡¯Kar, your battles are mine.¡± Ta¡¯Ku responded.

    ¡°To me it goes both ways. Besides, helping your people advance will serve as a buffer for mine. At the very least, they will have somewhere to retreat to if the elves turn to violence.¡± Noah explained. ¡°Let¡¯s go catch the announcement.¡± Ta¡¯Ku grunted in understanding and the two made their way to the square. It didn¡¯t take long for the entire tribe to gather, spurred on by the urgency of the runners.

    ¡°Warriors! I have gathered you for a tribal edict!¡± There were several gasps at Ro¡¯Kar¡¯s words and Noah raised a questioning brow. Ta¡¯Ku leaned over and explained.

    ¡°A tribal edict is an orc custom. If anyone fails to obey it they will be thrown out of the tribe.¡± Noah frowned. What have I done?

    ¡°The edict is as follows! Every member of the tribe has one month to advance their caste. If you are level 50, you must immediately cease leveling until you have reached E grade. To facilitate this, Noah and Ta¡¯Ku have offered their full support.¡± Ro¡¯Kar finished. He raised his hand in a fist and a mighty roar erupted from the gathered orcs, and Ta¡¯Ku joined in beside him.

    ¡°The edict is sealed. May every warrior prevail!¡±

 Chapter 44

    Chapter 44

    Noah spent the rest of the day preparing for the upcoming training regimen with Ta¡¯Ku and catching up on their weeks apart. They would be busy over the next month, and Noah found himself looking forward to the monster swarms that were fast approaching. From what Ta¡¯Ku had shared, they were slowly increasing in difficulty with stronger and more numerous monsters in each wave. They hadn¡¯t presented a real threat to Ta¡¯Ku, but he had leveled quickly in the defense. The next morning came and the two returned to their habits, waking early to spar in the town square. As excited as Noah was to test his new sword, he was wary of the unknown effect of the enchantment and decided to save that for the monsters. They exchanged hammer blows, in thunderous clashes, causing the sleeping village to stir and a crowd to form. After half an hour of continuous sparring they stopped, and Noah turned to the gathered warriors.

    ¡°You may as well take this opportunity to spar yourselves. You don¡¯t have time to stand around watching.¡± Noah said. His words carried weight and those assembled quickly paired off and found space for their own spars. Noah and Ta¡¯Ku were soon joined by Ro¡¯Kar and the female orc, Zo''Kati. He learned that she was the one that Ta¡¯Ku had helped to reach Iron. To Noah it made sense that the two best warriors were also the first to reach Iron, though he didn¡¯t think it was due to talent. Both had a fire in their eyes, and perhaps a bit of luck in their proximity to him. It wasn¡¯t that he thought he was particularly special, but it seemed the orcs were similarly clueless to the humans regarding the gates, and every bit of insight was a big help toward advancement. After the sparring began to slow, Ro¡¯Kar stepped forward and called the orcs to attention, prompting several of them to fetch the other warriors that had to find other spaces to spar.

    ¡°We will now begin the lessons on unlocking the first gate. The four of us have succeeded in doing this so far, and will meet with you in groups following No¡¯Ah¡¯s instruction.¡± He announced. Noah stepped forward, nodding in appreciation at the chief before addressing the crowd. There were roughly 100 orcs in the village, making it significantly smaller than its human counterpart. But as Noah looked at them he had far more hope in their ability to advance than he had for his own people.

    ¡°I unlocked my first gate when¡­¡±

    Noah lectured for another thirty minutes, sharing his experience and the insights that he had gained in the process. The orcs were then split into groups of around 25 warriors, each being helped by one of the Irons. From there they were instructed to meditate and reflect on their true self, asking questions as needed. There were no breakthroughs on the first day, or the second. It wasn¡¯t until the third day that someone in Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s group ascended to Iron, prompting a roar of approval to ring out through the village. The teachers decided to rotate groups, hoping that their varied insights would provide the spark needed to reach that next phase of inspiration. On the fourth day a monster swarm was spotted, but Noah assured the warriors to continue their training while he and Ta¡¯Ku took care of them.

    ¡°You¡¯re using a sword?¡± Ta¡¯Ku questioned as Noah hefted the massive greatsword into a fighting stance.

    ¡°I am. Matt made it for me and apparently it''s magic.¡± Noah replied.

    ¡°What does it do?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked. Noah shrugged.

    ¡°He didn¡¯t say, he wanted it to be a surprise.¡± Ta¡¯Ku grunted, and the two turned their attention to the horde of mutated reptilian beasts storming their way. They stood outside the gates and raised their weapons as the first wave drew near. Noah swung his sword like a baseball bat, cleaving the scaled cow in two. He watched in fascination as the beast proceeded to catch fire all along the split. It appeared that everywhere the blade touched went up in flames. He frowned as he considered the ramifications as the now dead lizard-cow¡¯s wounds were effectively cauterized. Perhaps it will help with monsters that heal quickly? Nevertheless he continued to use his new weapon as a means of mass slaughter, scattering the land in seared corpses. Or cooked. He had a silly look on his face as he used his sword to cut off a piece of lizard-boar flesh. It briefly burned from the contact before settling as a nicely browned hunk of meat. He picked it up from the ground and took a tentative bite, his eyes shooting wide at the flavor. It was juicy, and cooked all the way through. Now satisfied that he knew his weapon¡¯s true purpose he rejoined Ta¡¯Ku in butchering the villages next dinner.

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    The pattern continued for another week, reducing the time between swarms to four days. Another handful of warriors reached Iron, and began joining in on the horde culling to level and progress their grades. The next week was much the same, more Irons and more swarms. After the third week over half of the orcs had reached Iron, and some had already hit E grade. The swarms however, jumped up in difficulty, coming nearly every day and sporting several monsters of higher tiers. The battles grew in intensity and duration, and the endurance of the warriors was put to the test as the waves started to feel back-to-back. Noah was starting to get sick of the taste of reptile, but he was more than pleased at the change of pace after the month of traveling and relative inaction. The XP didn¡¯t hurt either, and he was getting excited for the burst of levels that he would apply at the end of his grind.

    The fourth week was eventful with several orcs reaching Iron, and more than one swarm attacking each day. There was a significant amount of XP to go around and nearly all the orcs that attained Iron also reached E grade soon after. On the final day of the month, the last remaining orc passed into Iron Caste, though no one was present to witness it. He unceremoniously joined the battlefield where the entire tribe fought to defend their town.

    For 48 hours the monsters came in a constant torrent, the weaker reptiles interspersed with powerful beasts. They had yet to suffer a casualty, but that was largely due to the presence of Noah, Ta¡¯Ku, and Ro¡¯Kar holding the line for any injured that needed to retreat or rest. Well into the third day, Ro¡¯Kar stepped away to sleep and the pressure mounted on Noah as even Ta¡¯Ku was starting to flag. He finally swallowed his pride and checked his status screen in order to level. There may have been a time for such antics but it wasn¡¯t now. His eyes lit up at the number, he really shouldn¡¯t have been surprised after the month of near constant fighting but it still made him giddy to think of all the levels. He had 89,000 XP available. He threw all of it into levels and was awarded with a similar experience to before. Only 28,000 XP was used before he hit a threshold at level 150.

    [Level 122 > level 150.]

    [Adept Path Choices Available.]

    Rogue

    Knight

    Ranger

    Noah blinked. These choices were less obvious than the previous, but there was still only one option that truly fit his fighting style. If he wanted to continue to gain XP for his current methods of fighting then he would have to choose Knight. He assumed ranger applied to fighting from a distance, and rogue likely had to do subtle actions like assassinations. Once again, the ease at which he could determine a significant piece of his future struck him and he hesitated. I can still do the other actions, even if I don¡¯t get XP from them. Just like Earth. Skill still matters. He took a deep breath and made his choice.

    [Congratulations, you have taken the next step on your Path. Non-Knight activities will no longer grant XP.]

    [Primary stats: Strength, Dexterity.]

    [Adept path grants +8 primary stats per level. +2* free stats per level.]

    He briefly glanced at his status and noticed that the level threshold had increased to 10,000 as predicted. He leveled the additional six times and placed his free stats in the only reasonable place. As much as he wanted to, the raging monsters didn¡¯t pause for him to read over the changes, so he went back to work. Ta¡¯Ku must have had a similar realization after watching Noah because before long, he was moving faster and hitting harder. The companions exchanged grins as they wielded their increased power against their enemies. They fought through the third night, never ceasing in their defense. Then as the light of dawn covered the battlefield the swarm halted in their advance. A wall of reptilians stood only feet from their position but they didn¡¯t take another step in their direction. Noah and Ta¡¯Ku rejoined the others near the wall and braced themselves for the inevitable charge. What came next sent a shiver down Noah¡¯s spine. A deep, rasping growl shook the ground as a figure rose from behind the monsters. The head of the mighty beast came into sight, resembling the greatest monster of human legends. It opened its maw, revealing foot long spikes for teeth. Then with a slow gravity-like voice it spoke.

    ¡°You¡­Shall¡­Die¡­¡±

 Chapter 45

    ¡°You¡­Shall¡­Die¡­¡± Boomed the gigantic creature. Noah¡¯s mouth hung open. Did it speak? He turned to Ta¡¯Ku and found him similarly stunned. Noah caught a whiff of sulfur before a jet of bright orange bathed the clearing in searing heat. The orcs shouted in terror as they scrambled behind the walls. Several were caught in the fire and desperately rolled on the ground in a vain attempt to save themselves. Noah and Ta¡¯Ku took a different approach, opting to sprint toward the beast instead. Dragon, it¡¯s a dragon. They narrowly escaped the direct lick of the flames and plowed into the immobile wall of beasts. The dragon growled in annoyance and swiped at Noah with an outstretched talon. Noah swung his sword to intercept the talon and was thrown back several feet. Uh oh. He got back to his feet and scanned the mass of bodies for Ta¡¯Ku. Before he could find him, the dragon hissed out a reptilian command causing the swarm to spring back into action.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku!¡± Noah screamed. ¡°Retreat!¡± He began sprinting back toward the wall, thankful for his superhuman speed. With great relief he stepped through the closing gate to find Ta¡¯Ku and Ro¡¯Kar on the other side.

    ¡°Noah, what is that monster?¡± Ro¡¯Kar demanded.

    ¡°I believe it''s a dragon.¡± He replied gravely. ¡°And judging by my initial clash with it, I fear we may have to run.¡± Ro¡¯Kar looked at him in shock.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± He asked. Noah nodded.

    ¡°Perhaps we could kill it if we all worked together, but there are too many other monsters to attempt it. Many of us will die if we stay.¡± Noah stated. The chief took a deep breath before shouting a command.

    ¡°Retreat! Get to the ladders! Move!¡± Ro¡¯Kar bellowed. At once the surrounding orcs were in motion, spurred on by the scraping and hammering against the gate. The three leaders followed the rest of the warriors from the back, ready to slow down any monsters that broke through the gate. Another jet of fire filled the sky as the orcs began to scramble up the ladders. Others chose to climb the cliff face, not willing to wait for the ladders to clear. There was a mighty crunch and a boom from the wall followed by unnerving screeches of reptilian glee. They¡¯re coming. They picked up the pace, arriving at the ladders just ahead of the first wave of monsters.

    ¡°Get up the cliff!¡± Noah yelled to his companions as he swung his hammer at the nearest beast. He had long since switched out his weapons, no longer willing to play with his sword. He made a final stand as the lizard creatures crowded around him. He took them out in droves, causing scales to fly like sand as he cracked bones with every blow.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah! It¡¯s time!¡± Ta¡¯Ku yelled from the cliff above. Noah immediately jumped over beasts near the wall and scrambled up the cliff. He just rolled over the edge before a wave of heat blasted over them. Noah chanced a glance at the beasts below and saw the mighty beast glaring up at him. He grinned as he noticed the lack of wings on the creatures back. Not a dragon. He sighed in relief, joining the orcs as they began their run up the mountain. They ran for over an hour before settling around a large outcropping. They had yet to notice any pursuers but remained vigilant nonetheless. Ro¡¯Kar gestured to Noah and they met at the south side of the camp.

    ¡°That was far worse than I had expected.¡± Ro¡¯Kar began, his voice solemn. Noah let out a long breath, still tense after the non-stop engagement.

    ¡°I have fought powerful monsters, but that¡ª¡± Noah trailed off, not liking the conclusions his mind was jumping to. ¡°If I had known we were facing that kind of threat, I would have suggested a retreat much sooner.¡± Ro¡¯Kar grunted in what Noah took to be agreement.

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    ¡°We did not know. There is little use in dwelling on that now.¡± Ro¡¯Kar commented. ¡°Considering the circumstances, we were fortunate. Only four orcs met their final rest in the great battle. This would not have been true without your presence.¡± He said, looking to Noah and then Ta¡¯Ku. They shared a moment of silence, each processing the race of activities that they had just experienced. Ta¡¯Ku was the first to break the silence.

    ¡°What will we do now?¡± He asked. Noah hummed in consideration, and Ro¡¯Kar turned to look at him.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah, Ta¡¯Ku. It wasn¡¯t your responsibility to protect the tribe, but you did not hesitate to do so. For that I thank you both. I must discuss some important matters with the others, but I will fill you in soon.¡± Ro¡¯Kar announced before leaving them alone. Noah frowned at the sudden departure.

    ¡°Do you know what he is talking about?¡± Noah asked. Ta¡¯Ku shrugged.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t say.¡± He replied, not quite meeting Noah¡¯s eyes. Noah squinted at him.

    ¡°What do you know?¡± He questioned.

    ¡°It¡¯s not my place to share. I am sure that Ro¡¯Kar will inform you as he sees fit. There¡¯s nothing to be concerned about though.¡± Ta¡¯Ku admitted. Sure there¡¯s not. Noah thought as he accepted that he wasn¡¯t learning more.

    ¡°So what do you want to do next?¡± Noah asked, changing the subject. ¡°I know that we planned to leave after a month, but now your people are without a home.¡±

    ¡°Frankly, I am not sure. As much as I want to be here for the tribe, I know our mission is even more critical. That being said, I don¡¯t know what direction is best for our plans either. If we are looking for XP, then what we¡¯re doing now is accomplishing that.¡± Ta¡¯Ku answered. Noah nodded, having thought much the same.

    ¡°It seems that we have a choice to seek out beasts or let them come to us. I suppose it would be nice to establish a home base. We would gain XP and have the opportunity to explore other pursuits. Having other people around wouldn''t hurt either.¡± Noah mused. The pair rejoined the others, commiserating and sharing their victories from the last month. For being driven from their homes, the orcs were in high spirits, and Noah learned that they were accustomed to such a lifestyle from their homeworld. Many of the warriors had bonded deeply as they pursued advancement and tested their mettle against the invaders and bouts of laughter could be heard throughout the camp. As they joined a group huddled around a fire, Noah learned yet another orc custom. The Warrior¡¯s Rest. The orcs took turns sharing tales of the fallen comrades¡¯ feats and aspirations. Even those that did not know them well took part in crafting the legend of the fallen warrior. Some spoke their tale in dramatic tones and others joined together to sing epic choruses. Noah was caught up in the passion of his companions and bellowed out his own ode to the deceased. The day turned to night and soon the tradition was finished, and a settledness descended upon the camp.

    Ro¡¯Kar placed his hand on Noah¡¯s shoulder, pulling him from his reverie. He looked up at the chief, finding eyes filled with determination. Ro¡¯Kar opened his mouth and spoke loud enough for all to hear.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah, I challenge you to the chieftain¡¯s rite!¡± Only the crackle of the fires could be heard as every eye fell on Noah. His brow furrowed and he looked to Ta¡¯Ku for an explanation, receiving only a nod.

    ¡°Ro¡¯Kar, I do not know what the chieftain¡¯s rite is, how can I accept it?¡± Noah replied. Ro¡¯Kar frowned but acquiesced.

    ¡°I suppose I am already breaking tradition by inviting a non-orc.¡± He grunted. ¡°The rite is our ceremony to determine who leads the tribe. I had already considered it, but after tonight I am certain. You would be the superior tribal leader.¡± Ro¡¯Kar explained. Noah paused at his words, caught off guard by the suggestion. Do I want to lead? He considered the past month with the orcs, and found that he had felt at home with the warriors. If he was honest with himself, he could see it.

    ¡°If I accept, will I be able to run things as I see fit?¡± He questioned. Ro¡¯Kar let out a hearty laugh.

    ¡°If you win, then yes you may do as you wish!¡± He answered with a grin. Noah tilted his head at Ro¡¯Kar¡¯s choice of words. As he thought about it, he somehow knew that it was the right next step for him. So he accepted.

    ¡°I agree to the chieftain¡¯s rite.¡± Noah announced. Ro¡¯Kar smiled and raised Noah¡¯s hand into the sky, which was met by a thundering roar from the orcs. Ro¡¯Kar waited for the shout to end before speaking again.

    ¡°Then we fight!¡±

 Chapter 46

    Chapter 46

    He really should have realized it would involve a fight. Perhaps it was the sleep-deprived brain or the month long slog, but at that moment he really didn¡¯t feel like fighting. Battle-hungry bersekers. Noah sighed as he stood up and readied himself. Ro¡¯Kar frowned at his actions and held up his hands.

    ¡°I think you misunderstood. We can perform the rite in the morning.¡± Ro¡¯Kar explained. Noah froze, not having considered that to be an option, and nodded.

    ¡°That sounds good.¡± He replied, sitting back down. There were several chuckles at his expense, which he supposed he deserved as he likely came off as the battle-hungry party of this interaction. After the big declaration everyone seemed ready to call it a night, and Noah decided that he had earned his rest and left the thought of guard duty to the others. He made his way over to a particularly inviting slab of rock and promptly curled up against it. He was thankful for those that had grabbed supplies during the escape, as he was feeling a bit naked without his trusty pack. It took mere moments for him to drift into a dreamless sleep.

    Noah woke to the mundane sounds of a waking camp and the smell of freshly roasted meat. His stomach grumbled and his mouth began to salivate. He had gone days without food in the past, but it hadn¡¯t been due to constant battle. He jumped to his feet and commandeered a slab of the nearest roast, not bothering to identity its source before stuffing his face. It was delicious. He ignored the stares of the nearby orcs, figuring they would have to get used to him now. When his stomach was finally satisfied he sought out Ta¡¯Ku for their morning spar. Their daily habit had become both a source of entertainment and inspiration for the warriors. As they began to trade blows, other parties rose to spar as well. Eventually, Ro¡¯Kar approached and called for Noah¡¯s attention.

    ¡°Are you ready?¡± He asked, once again drawing the tribe¡¯s attention. Noah nodded.

    ¡°I am. How does this work?¡± He responded.

    ¡°It is simple. We will fight until one of us surrenders or is unable to continue. Un¡¯Dal will be the judge.¡± He said, motioning to the singular healer in the tribe.

    ¡°Prepare the circle!¡± Un¡¯Dal shouted. There was a rush of movement as everyone hurried to comply. Soon the three of them were encased in a circle of warriors, roughly twenty yards in diameter.

    ¡°On my count the fight will begin! Are you ready?¡± He asked, looking first to Ro¡¯Kar and then to Noah. They both signaled the affirmative and Un¡¯Dal raised his fist. The warriors began to stomp their feet in a rhythmic pattern, raising a battlecry as they did. Noah¡¯s blood began to race and his heart beat loudly in his chest. He took a centering breath and dropped into a fighting stance, gripping his warhammer with both hands.

    ¡°Begin!¡±

    Noah darted forward, not holding back his strength. His movement caused a rush of wind as he slammed his shoulder into Ro¡¯kar. The chief had hardly moved before he was thrown from his feet into the crowd. They caught him with loud grunts and pushed him back onto his feet. He snarled and charged forward in response, swinging his hammer toward Noah¡¯s shoulder. Noah sidestepped the blow, and retaliated with a swift kick to the back of Ro¡¯Kar¡¯s knee. Ro¡¯Kar stumbled forward, his knee buckling from the force. Noah moved to capitalize on the moment, but Ro¡¯kar rolled forward at the last second, just as the hammer passed over him. He scrambled to his feet in time to block Noah¡¯s next strike but was rewarded with a crunch as his left arm gave out under the weight. Noah winced as he felt the arm shatter, but proceeded to sweep Ro¡¯Kar¡¯s feet knocking him on his back. He lifted his hammer for the finishing strike when Un¡¯Dal stepped in.

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    ¡°Stop! The match is finished!¡± He announced. Noah let out a breath as the adrenaline continued to course through his him. He helped Ro¡¯Kar to his feet, grimacing at the limp arm at his side.

    ¡°Sorry about that.¡± He said, nodding at the appendage. Ro¡¯kar grunted.

    ¡°It''s nothing. Un¡¯Dal will just heal me anyways.¡± He replied. Un¡¯Dal motioned for the both of them to step forward and he lifted Noah¡¯s hand into the sky.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah has conquered the chieftain¡¯s rite!¡± He yelled. Un¡¯Dal lowered Noah¡¯s hand and pulled out a small pouch from his side. In it was a black powder that resembled charcoal. He stuck two fingers into the bag, and then turned to Noah.

    ¡°As the officiator of the rite, I declare you the victor. From this day forward you are Chief No¡¯Ah of the scattered tribes!¡± He declared, drawing dark lines on Noah¡¯s face. Noah stood still, unsure of what to make of the ritual. As Un¡¯Dal made the last mark on his face, another roar erupted from the gathered orcs. Ro¡¯Kar grinned at him and offered his working arm. Noah clasped it and returned his grin.

    ¡°Good luck running the tribe, No¡¯Ah. I am glad to pass it on to you.¡± Ro¡¯kar said. Noah frowned. Good luck? He had a sinking feeling but pushed it back down. He would deal with problems as they came.

    ¡°Anything I should know?¡± He asked. Ro¡¯Kar hummed in consideration.

    ¡°Fight at the front, make other people do the busy work, and demand free food.¡± Ro¡¯Kar said with a cheeky grin, slapping him on the back. Noah chuckled, remembering the frequent meals they had shared at the sole tavern in their village. The village. He was now the proud chief of a vagabond tribe and he doubted they would be able to retake their home anytime soon. Perhaps they never would. He considered their next steps as the weight of the orcs¡¯ gazes grew. He cleared his throat in a deliberately loud fashion.

    ¡°I know many of you lost all that you had yesterday.¡± He started, pausing as he made brief eye contact with each warrior. ¡°I understand that hardship. However, we will not be taking back the village. If we want to move forward, now is the perfect opportunity. We will move up the mountain into the essence-rich zone. It will be dangerous, but this new world is not for the weak of heart. We set out in one hour.¡± Noah announced, leaving many of the orcs in shock. Ro¡¯Kar burst out laughing, disturbing Un¡¯Dal who was busy working on his arm.

    ¡°You heard the chief! Get a move on!¡± Ro¡¯Kar yelled, adding in his support. Noah gave him an appreciative nod and left to ready what little he had. Ta¡¯Ku joined him and together they began gathering the scattered firewood, weapons, and tools that had been carried along on their escape. The blacksmith and iron mine would be the hardest bits to replace, so Noah made sure to collect every piece of metal they had managed up the hill. Packs were lifted, fires were snuffed, and food was scarfed. Soon the orcs had gathered, and Noah stood before them.

    ¡°Now that I know you are all Iron, I won¡¯t take it easy on you! We have two to three weeks of travel ahead of us, and we will only be stopping after dark. If you can¡¯t keep up, they you will be carried!¡± He shouted. Many of the orcs shivered at his words, having heard the stories from Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s last trip up the mountain. Noah laughed internally as he watched their reactions. He knew that not everyone invested heavily in their physical stats, but he also knew that they would start doing so after the weeks ahead of them.

    They began to run as a small stampede, kicking up a cloud of black dust as they went. True to his word, they didn¡¯t stop for breaks or slow even once. After several hours of running, the most skeptical of orcs finally conceded that Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s tales were true and buckled down for the long haul. Noah, quite accustomed to this mode of travel, took the opportunity to process the events of the last several days. He didn¡¯t know if he would have died if the not-dragon¡¯s flames had caught him, or if he had failed to intercept the beast¡¯s talons, but he still felt the brush of death as he relived the fight. Whatever the beast was, it outclassed even the cyclops they had fought alongside Recter. Worse yet was the memory of its voice. It was troubling to consider the intelligence of the beast, and what that meant for future monsters. Were these the kind of beasts that led the hordes in his vision of the end? It hasn¡¯t even been a year. He shivered involuntarily. As much he hated to admit it, the sapient races were already falling behind. If the beast turned his attention toward the human settlement, could he do anything to stop it?

 Chapter 47

    Noah grinned at the changed landscape, embracing the fierce cold with glee as he marched ever forward through the snow. They had traveled for three weeks already and had encountered the snowy terrain earlier than expected, over a week ago. The white accumulation was much deeper than it had been on their previous visit to the higher altitude, resulting in their current predicament. Noah led the charge, plowing through the several-foot-deep snow ahead of the rest of his tribe. He could scarcely hear the grumbling of his fellow warriors over the howling wind and had long since transitioned to a single file line, making use of Noah¡¯s trail. This method of travel had certain benefits that were far outweighed by its downfalls. While they did have shelter from the wind in their snow trenches, and an easy shelter at the end of the day, they had no food and no way to even attempt hunting. They were hungry, aching, uncomfortable, and exhausted as they scrambled to follow their relentless leader. Near the four-week mark, they crossed that invisible boundary into the essence-rich zone and Noah felt a great weight lift off him. He wasn¡¯t the only one to benefit, as just breathing in the air seemed to restore their strength, but he did feel it the most profoundly. It made him briefly worry about the consequences of reaching Bronze. Would I have to leave the planet? He shook away the distracting thought and turned to his tribe, who had pushed their way forward to form a small clearing around Noah.

    ¡°Everyone listen closely!¡± Noah shouted, drawing their attention. ¡°We have entered what I call the ¡®Essence-Rich Zone¡¯. While it feels amazing to be here, it is also home to incredibly dangerous monsters, the least of which have nearly killed me.¡± He paused and watched the expressions of shock and fear on their faces. Some looked around them, suddenly aware of the lurking dangers.

    ¡°If we stay together and keep our wits about us, we should be just fine. That being said, no one is to wander until we make camp. Have your weapons at the ready.¡± He announced before drawing his hammer from his back. Metal dragged on leather as the nearly 100 warriors readied their weapons. Many were equipped with axes or hammers, interspersed by the occasional spear or sword. There were a total of two warriors who carried bows and only one magic user in their healer. Together they moved forward like a pack of wolves, scanning the horizon for their next meal. The snow had a different quality to it, feeling heavier despite it being dry. Before long the surface of the snow became hard, packed solid enough for them to walk upon. Noah was intent on finding a fitting place for them to call home, but didn¡¯t know where to start. They continued further up the slope, and after only an hour of travel came upon their first foe.

    Noah grinned as he saw the large tree that stood over a hundred yards from them. Firewood. He raised his hand, calling for a stop. The orcs became wary as they glanced in the direction he pointed in.

    ¡°The tree ahead is a monster.¡± He whispered to the nearest orcs, who relayed his message further. Even as he said it, he realized that he wasn¡¯t actually certain that it was a tree monster, he had just assumed it must be. He groaned at the potential embarrassment but decided to move forward with his plans. He pointed to twenty orcs including Ro¡¯kar and Ta¡¯ku.

    ¡°All of you will join me in attacking the tree. Everyone else is to circle around and secure the perimeter.¡± He explained, once again allowing time for his orders to be passed along. They nodded in agreement, and he noted with a smile that over half the twenty he nominated carried axes. At their level, they would have a much easier time with the sharp edge than with the blunt or piercing sides of a warhammer. He readied himself and began moving toward the target, his adrenaline beginning to make his heart race. He picked up his speed, and closed the distance, sighing in relief as the tree came to life moments before his hammer made contact. He must have caught it sleeping though, because his first attack landed without interruption, smashing a crater into the trunk. All at once, dozens of roots shot out of the ground, all aiming to pierce Noah through. His companions roared their battle cry and began striking the offending roots within moments of their appearance. Noah still had to dodge and deflect several offenders but did so without breaking a sweat.

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    ¡°The roots are its weak point! Focus on them!¡± He commanded, before turning his attention back to the trunk. He began to hammer on the tree monster''s bark, splintering the wood and sending chips flying with every blow. The tree tried desperately to rid itself of the assaulting pest but found all of its efforts cut short by other interlopers. Before long the tree stilled, losing whatever force animated its limbs. Noah shouted in victory, which was quickly joined by the orcs.

    ¡°Chop and gather the wood, we will need it!¡± He instructed as he moved to the orcs at the perimeter. ¡°See anything?¡± He asked them. One of them waved for his attention and he moved closer.

    ¡°Chief, there was no movement, but we spotted what looks like a natural rock formation in that direction.¡± She said, gesturing toward it. Noah squinted as he scanned the direction she pointed in, eventually making out a dark grey blur some ways away. It was roughly north-northeast of their position but it was impossible to know just how far away it was. He made his rounds, chatting with the other orcs but found no further leads. With his mind made up, he pointed out their new target and they set out, now encumbered by a living tree¡¯s worth of wood. The group was lively after the fight, especially those that received their part of the XP amounting to 500 apiece. For the orcs that had spent their time in the new world near the base of the mountain, these were astronomical numbers.

    With a potential end point in sight, the tribe moved quickly, dashing over the snow with predatorial grins plastered across their faces. They were cold, hungry, and tired but their spirits soared from their victory. Time passed and Noah squinted again at the dark grey blur in the distance. It was as if they had barely moved, the shape appearing no closer than it had hours ago. With little desire to run through the night in the hostile environment, he changed plans, directing his tribe to dig out a temporary shelter. The packed snow was hard to move, but their Iron bodies won out, awarding them with a circular pit several feet into the packed snow. They quickly started fires and split into groups to gather around them. Unlike their relatively safe nights at lower altitudes, Noah elected to set up a watch, consisting of eight orcs at a time, a pair for every cardinal direction. He took the first shift, already appreciating the perks of leadership. The night passed uneventfully, and the group set off again at first light, eager to reach their destination. By mid-day they had made only minimal visible progress, causing Noah to question what it was they were running toward. They were on a mountain, what could possibly be so large? Then the realization struck him and he stopped running. Could it be? Is that another peak? He had been living on the eternal mountain for so long that the concept of another mountain had long since left his mind. But with this altitude¡­ The rest of the tribe caught up to him, giving him confused looks as they were well aware this wouldn¡¯t be a rest break. Noah turned and looked at them, scratching at the back of his head.

    ¡°I am starting to question if what we are looking at is actually on this mountain. Perhaps it is another peak.¡± He said, sharing his thoughts. Several blank faces looked back at him along with some questioning ones.

    ¡°Do you think that¡¯s possible?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked. ¡°I was starting to wonder if the entirety of this world was a mountain.¡± He said with a chuckle. Noah smiled, appreciating his humor.

    ¡°What does that mean for us?¡± Ro¡¯Kar asked from the side. Noah took a deep breath.

    ¡°We will keep moving up. If we are near the peak then we will see what¡¯s on the other side. If not, then we will find a suitable place to settle down.¡± He declared. He knew they were starting to wear down, and were in desperate need of food so he didn¡¯t let them linger long. They spent the rest of the day running, a few orcs, like Un¡¯Dal needing to be carried by the end. Once again they slept in a dugout, and once again they started early. In the afternoon of that next day, they saw a glorious sight that brought more than a few orcs to tears. In front of them was a group of massive boars nestled around a large rocky outcropping. Noah could barely restrain the warriors long enough to share a plan, and within moments all 98 of them were sprinting toward the prey like feral beasts.

 Chapter 48

    They rushed the poor beasts like the orc berserkers they all revered. With wild abandon they attacked, drawing the beasts in three separate directions to more easily encircle them. The ease with which they slew the great beasts highlighted the power of overwhelming an enemy through numbers. In the case of Noah¡¯s warriors, they weren''t a collection of weaklings but a swarm of iron caste individuals at the minimum. As the last boar fell, Noah joined in the now-familiar shout of victory. In his previous visit to the essence-rich lands, he would never have dared to be so brazen as to declare his presence, but with his tribe, he felt no such compunctions. As they settled after their fight, Noah had the opportunity to scope out the new territory. The outcropping formed a fissure, some 20 feet wide and at least 50 yards long. At its lowest point, the walls of the fissure were 20 feet tall and gradually sloped to surface level on either end. Noah couldn¡¯t help but smile at their fortune. They wouldn¡¯t be able to build a village in the space provided but they could definitely make use of the fortifications as a temporary home.

    ¡°Attention!¡± Noah yelled, gathering back his drooling warriors. ¡°We have been blessed two-fold! We will be making this fissure our residence for the time being, so we need to get to work. Ten of you will prepare the food and fires, the rest are to clear every inch of snow from our own crack in the earth! Pile the excess snow along the outer ridges to extend the walls and lower our visibility.¡± He ordered, before setting about shoveling himself. The rest of the tribe eagerly obeyed his commands, proving to be industrious workers as they made quick work of their tasks. Before long the scent of roasted meat wafted through their chasm, causing heads to turn and make-shift shovels to drop. They feasted into the night, throwing caution to the wind as they satisfied their empty bellies.

    Noah woke with a start, briefly unsure of his whereabouts. He didn¡¯t remember falling asleep but knew it was likely connected to the ache he felt in his gut. It was still dark, or as dark as this world got under the myriad stars of the multiverse. What woke me? He got a sudden chill as he noticed that everyone else was asleep. I forgot to post a watch. His heart hammered as he scanned the fissure for any sign of intruders. Something had woken him from his sleep, and it wasn¡¯t the cacophony of snores that he had grown accustomed to over the last month. He climbed up one of the side walls to peek out at the outside world. Crap. As he peeked his head over the edge he immediately made eye contact with a beast only twenty yards away. It growled a deep bassy tone and lunged forward. Noah dropped from the wall without hesitation and ran to his hammer.

    ¡°Monsters!¡± He screamed as he saw one head after another poke out over the chasm walls. They appeared to be over-large jackals with assorted System mutations alongside the ridiculously sharp teeth. His warriors sprung to their feet in an array of confusion and alertness.

    ¡°On the walls! Ready your weapons! Watch your heads!¡± Noah shouted, hoping to inspire an organized response from the quickly waking orcs. They formed up in two walls, one facing either opening. While he didn¡¯t doubt the jackals¡¯ ability to survive the jump, he found it more likely that they would file in from either side. His hope and theory were soon proven to be true as the System-twisted hyenas poured through their fissure like flood waters. Noah gulped, feeling a sense of fear for the first time since the not-dragon. He bit it back and focused on the task at hand. He had to ensure the survival of his people.

    ¡°Ro¡¯Kar, Ta¡¯Ku! You lead the defense on the east side, I will lead the west!¡± He shouted, motioning for Za¡¯Kati and several others nearby to join him. ¡°Charge!¡± He roared as he sprinted for the nearest beast. The tight quarters made it hard to swing their large weapons, so they focused primarily on overhead swings, functioning like a grinder, chomping down the jackals. As the orcs tired beside him, he ordered that they switch out with the fresh warriors that couldn¡¯t fit on the front line. They continued to rotate out alongside the ever-present Noah as they wore down their enemy¡¯s numbers. Battle cries continued to ring out from either side of the chasm as the squelch of iron on flesh filled the air. He heard the cry of warriors as the dogs slipped through their defenses, followed by the enraged shouts of nearby comrades. Un¡¯Dal sat in the middle of their forces, healing the injured as they were hauled off the line. As the enemy forces began to dwindle, the fodder jackals were replaced by larger, more intelligent ones. Noah motioned for several of the orcs to step back, giving him a couple of others the needed space to fight all out.

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    The night turned to day at some point in their battle, and only the strongest of Jackals and orcs remained fighting. Their narrow passageway had provided the advantage they needed to ward off the foe¡¯s superior numbers, allowing the tired or injured safe respite in the center of their forces. As he delivered the final beast on his side to its grave, he heard a victorious shout from the other end of the fissure.

    ¡°Take that you dog swine!¡± Someone yelled. Noah chuckled at his words. Others took up the mantle and began shouting down their defeated foe.

    ¡°There will be no next time for you!¡±

    ¡°We stomped you half-asleep, dirty mutts!¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s next?¡±

    ¡°You call that a fight! My mother bites harder than you!¡± Noah roared in laughter alongside his battle-worn companions. Without prompting they set about clearing the carcasses and stoking the fires. Between the rapid influx of XP, the payload of food, and the thrill of victory, their spirits were high as they started their day.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah!¡± Ro¡¯kar exclaimed, grinning as he slapped him on the back. ¡°Now that was a fight! Guess how many times I leveled! Guess!¡± Noah grinned.

    ¡°10 times?¡± He offered.

    ¡°More!¡± Ro¡¯Kar beamed.

    ¡°20?¡± Noah questioned, eyebrows raised.

    ¡°18, but close enough!¡± Ro¡¯Kar bellowed with delight. Noah was taken aback by the sudden windfall that the fight brought them. While it only amounted to two levels for him, it would significantly increase the overall strength of the tribe. He congratulated Ro¡¯Kar before making his way over to the healer.

    ¡°Un¡¯Dal how did we do?¡± He asked, hoping for good news.

    ¡°Several grave injuries, Chief. No casualties though.¡± He said with a smile. Noah sighed in relief.

    ¡°Can you heal them?¡± He asked. Un¡¯Dal nodded.

    ¡°Some will take time, but they will all make a full recovery. The extra stats will go a long way in increasing my output as well.¡± Un¡¯Dal explained. Noah thanked him and made his rounds. Several jackals were being roasted whole on makeshift spits, and large piles of the creatures were being skinned and processed, with the meat being deposited in snow vaults. His people were like superpowered factory workers, the picture of industrial efficiency. Noah rubbed his groggy eyes and made his way over to Ta¡¯Ku and Ro¡¯Kar.

    ¡°How did things go on your side?¡± He asked them, joining them at their fire.

    ¡°It felt like if I failed everyone around me would die.¡± Ta¡¯Ku stated in a flat tone, though Noah caught the hints of a smile beneath his grave facade. Ro¡¯Kar grunted.

    ¡°It was a slog! But we won with minimal victories. I¡¯m thankful we found this hole to hide in.¡± Ro¡¯Kar commented. Noah patted his back.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad I can count on you guys. That could have gone a lot worse.¡± Noah said.

    ¡°We are warriors by blood, No¡¯Ah, we are not afraid of battle. There¡¯s no use in making yourself miserable now.¡± Ro¡¯Kar countered.

    ¡°It¡¯s true. Even though I get more than my fill of battle around you, I began to long for a life-or-death struggle after all the time at the village.¡± Ta¡¯Ku joined in. Noah raised an eyebrow in his direction.

    ¡°What happened to your grim, carrying-the-weight-of-the-world attitude?¡± Noah replied. Ta¡¯Ku snorted.

    ¡°There¡¯s a difference between fighting for your own life and fighting for the lives of those around you. Though I was mainly joking.¡± Ta¡¯Ku explained. Noah nodded, realizing that Ta¡¯Ku was being serious.

    ¡°I think I know what you mean.¡± Noah responded. The three of them lapsed into silence as they stared into the fire. Ro¡¯Kar eventually spoke up.

    ¡°You will get used to it.¡± He said. ¡°For all the responsibility that it is, you will also do them a lot of good by being their leader. It will be worth it.¡±

 Chapter 49

    The day continued without further surprises, and a few hours later the initial cleanup from their foray was completed. As the orcs made merry around the fires, joking about the foul stringiness of their meal, Noah couldn¡¯t help but smile at his comrades, his people. Part of his brain tried to tell him it was strange that ¡®his people¡¯ now included an entirely alien species that likely lived in the nightmares of his fellow humans. He ignored that little voice and doubled down on his commitment to being just another one of the warriors. Life-or-death struggles were potent connectors, and he had gone through several with this group. He let his tribe enjoy themselves and fill their stomachs before he made his announcement, they deserved a bit of rest after the grueling months they had been through. After everyone began to settle down from their revelry, he spoke up, getting their attention.

    ¡°Gather round! I have a few things to share.¡± He shouted, waiting a moment for everyone to draw close. ¡°Great job today! I think it says something when you can so thoroughly trounce the ambushers like that!¡± There were a few snickers as he continued.

    ¡°We will stay here for the time being, I believe this will provide a suitably defensible position while we scout out the area. Starting this afternoon everyone will be assigned to a group with responsibilities to be carried out daily. Before making those assignments, I want to clarify a few things. First, this will only be a temporary home for us. We will find our permanent residence in due time. Second, I will be setting a leveling quota for everyone in camp. If you want to sleep in the fissure, you will be leveling a bare minimum of 10 times a week.¡± Noah paused as he looked over everyone present. There was no fear in their faces, only determination as he spoke. He nodded.

    ¡°After this morning you should already be at or near your quota, so this week is a given. Let me be clear though, there will be no exceptions to this rule. Once you hit level 150, come talk to me and we will discuss your new minimum. Finally, as much as it hurts to admit it, we are lacking in the magic department, especially healing. If you have allocated some of your stat points into the magic-focused ones, I strongly encourage you to learn how to heal. Un¡¯Dal has agreed to teach his methods to anyone willing. While you won¡¯t get XP for the task, you will be recompensed by the tribe for your service. Is that understood?¡± Noah asked in a loud voice. There was a chorus of replies to the affirmative, so he continued.

    ¡°We have seven non-combatants and one healer which will make up group 10. You will be led by our trusty blacksmith, Tu¡¯bin who will report to me. The other nine groups are combat-focused and will alternate tasks. I will lead group one, and will only be taking volunteers. If you would like to join, raise your fist. I intend to do the most dangerous tasks, so consider carefully before agreeing.¡± He stated. Quickly a number of hands shot up, and it was clear that no orc was willing to shrink back from the task. Noah cleared his throat.

    ¡°Well, never mind that method then. If I have not already spoken to you about leading a group and you are above level 100 would you stand up?¡± One orc stood up, someone that he recognized but hadn¡¯t gotten to know well. He nodded in her direction.

    ¡°Very good, you are the first member of group one. Who is above level 90?¡± This time several more orcs stood up. By the end of it, he had another five orcs over level 90 and three more in the mid-80s. After that he assigned the remainder of the groups, having Ta¡¯Ku lead group two, and Ro¡¯Kar group three. The other leaders were standout warriors that Ro¡¯Kar had vouched for including Zo¡¯Kati.

    ¡°Excluding injured members, the assignments for this week are as follows. Groups 2 through 5 are on scouting duty, you will be searching the perimeter for suitable habitations, potential targets, and likely threats. Groups 6 and 7 are on hunting duty, you will secure food and timber for the tribe. Groups 8 and 9 are on guard duty and will serve as the manual labor for the various to-dos around camp. You can speak with Tu¡¯Bin for your tasks. Group 10 will be focused on generating the material needs of the tribe including weapons, meals, and armor. They will additionally tend to the wounded as needed. If anyone encounters a threat beyond their abilities, do not hesitate to retreat to the fissure. It will serve as our fallback point and will always have warriors at the ready. We have a few hours before nightfall, so get to it!¡± Noah shouted.

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    The orcs scrambled to their feet, each searching out their group leader. His own group gathered near him with curious looks, not having received their assignment. He turned to them with a look that may have been interpreted as predatory.

    ¡°Who¡¯s ready for bootcamp?¡± He asked with a grin. Their faces turned confused at the unfamiliar word.

    ¡°Bootcamp?¡± The strongest of the bunch asked. Noah nodded sagely.

    ¡°Oh yes, feared by many, boot camp is the foundation that all of our efforts will be built upon.¡± They leaned forward, eager to hear of this secret knowledge.

    ¡°Starting today, your daily routine will include three hours of meditation, two hours of sparring, three hours of hunting, one hour of weighted sprints, and one hour training a craft skill.¡± He announced. He could practically see the mental math taking place as the curious looks turned to puzzled frowns.

    ¡°That¡¯s 10 hours though, not even including meals!¡± One of them protested. Noah nodded enthusiastically.

    ¡°You¡¯re right! That¡¯s not even half a day, forgive my oversight. Let¡¯s add two more hours of unarmed fighting to the list!¡± He said cheerfully. The protesting orc frowned and opened his mouth to speak but another clapped his hand over his mouth.

    ¡°Great plan, chief. Should we get started?¡± The wiser of the two spoke up.

    ¡°Indeed, focus on sparring and meditation today. The full schedule can wait for tomorrow.¡± He instructed. His nine new companions sprung into action, some grabbing weapons to spar and others finding an isolated corner of the fissure to meditate in. Noah smiled in satisfaction at their reaction. He would have to learn their names soon, it wouldn¡¯t be right to put people through the grinder and not know what to call them. He chuckled to himself before slinking away to his own private corner to meditate. This boot camp is definitely for them. Definitely. He exhaled a deep breath as he sank into a meditative stance. It''s been too long. Some time later Noah was stirred back to awareness by a hand on his shoulder. He blinked to clear his eyes, seeing his subordinates arrayed before him. Some were on the ground, appearing to have been meditating, he noted in approval. It was of course the less-wise pupil of the bunch that had stirred him. He locked eyes with the disturber of his peace and glared.

    ¡°Name.¡± He said flatly. The orc frowned, tilting his head.

    ¡°What is your name?¡± Noah barked.

    ¡°Di¡¯Ma, sir.¡± He muttered, partially cowed. Noah cleared his throat.

    ¡°Di¡¯Ma¡­ Why did you interrupt my meditation?¡± Noah asked, a gleam in his eye. Several discerning members of the group took a step back.

    ¡°Well, it''s dark. I thought¡ª¡± Di¡¯Ma started. Noah rubbed the crease in his forehead.

    ¡°You thought¡­¡± He said, encouraging him to finish.

    ¡°I thought you might be hungry, its been a long day afterall.¡± Di¡¯Ma managed, sweat beading on his brow. It was Noah¡¯s turn to frown and he cocked his head looking again at the orc before him. That¡¯s when he noticed the abandoned fire nearby with a crispy-looking jackal hanging over it. He sighed.

    ¡°You¡¯re right, Di¡¯Ma. I am hungry. Let¡¯s eat.¡± Noah got up, brushing snow from his bloodstained hide. Together they moved to the fire, where one of the orcs, a male named Ga¡¯To took the lead in cutting the meat and serving everyone. Noah accepted his portion gratefully and sat with his legs crossed. The rest of the group followed his example. He looked at each of them, his self-proclaimed students, and realized he was excited for the adventures they would have together. He must have been caught staring, evidenced by the growing frowns on their faces. He held his hands up in apology.

    ¡°I was just thinking that perhaps we could do something that I did growing up.¡± There were several nods to the affirmative so he continued. ¡°Since we will be training, fighting, and likely bleeding together, I thought it may be nice to get to know one another.¡± Noah paused.

    ¡°That sounds great!¡± Di¡¯Ma commented. Ga¡¯To grunted his approval and the rest gave similar signs of agreement.

    ¡°In that case, let me introduce you to the secret behind every truly powerful human clan.¡± Noah leaned in conspiratorially.

    ¡°Family dinner.¡±

 Chapter 50

    Noah woke feeling groggy. It had been a long night. The first interruption to his sleep had been a false alarm when the sentries spotted nearby monsters that didn¡¯t attack. Then he was woken again by frantic yelling and the sudden onslaught of fantasy-world snakes. Noah despised snakes. Their fangs had dripped clear fluid, illuminated by the firelight which delivered a painful toxin that took hours for Un¡¯Dal to purge. He shivered involuntarily as he remembered the poor orc that had been bitten. Now Noah found himself staring into the face of the well-meaning but ill-timed orc, Di¡¯Ma.

    ¡°What can I help you with Di¡¯Ma?¡± Noah asked as he got his bearings.

    ¡°Well, no one else is awake and I was hoping to get started on sparring for the day. I already meditated, otherwise I wouldn¡¯t have bothered you.¡± Di¡¯Ma explained.

    ¡°I see. And you decided that I would be the best to wake?¡± Noah asked, blinking his eyes and shaking his head. Di¡¯Ma smiled.

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± He replied. Noah sighed and got to his feet.

    ¡°All right, lets spar.¡± He said as he picked up his hammer and made for the eastern exit. Di¡¯Ma hurried after him and they were soon in a cleared-out patch of earth, made a ring by the surrounding snow. Noah didn¡¯t give any indication before he swung his hammer. Di¡¯Ma barely managed to block the first strike and was knocked to the ground. His eyes went wide and he grinned.

    ¡°I knew that you would be the best sparring partner!¡± He said as he hopped back to his feet. Noah¡¯s brow furrowed at his response. And he responded by knocking the orc on his back again. I need coffee. As much as Noah wanted to be irritated, it was just too hard to stay mad at Di¡¯ma. Every time he was knocked over, disarmed, or otherwise pummeled he would literally grin and bear it. He would even laugh! Eventually, Noah returned his smile and forgave the orc for the rude awakening. Throughout the first hour of sparring orcs trickled by, finding their own areas to exchange blows. Noah felt a surge of pride as he noted that a large majority of the tribe had joined them. Unlike his fellow humans, the orcs desired to push themselves and grow stronger. After they finished sparring, Noah gathered the rest of Group 1 and ran them through mock battles with five warriors on either side. His favorite part of training was when he challenged the nine of them to fight him at once. He had been surprised by their ability, some of them possessed far more weapon skill than he did, but in the end, he thoroughly crushed them all. It primarily served as an ego boost, even if he presented it as practice for taking down a superior foe.

    At lunch, they munched on roasted snake and discussed their hunting plans. They would travel due north, running all out for an hour or until they encountered a beast. At which point they would take their time coming back, combing the area for any signs of prey. Noah took a moment to finish chewing the jerky-like meat and turned to look at the strongest member of the group. She had the familiar reddish skin but lacked the tusks common among the orcs. Her dark hair was kept in several braids that ran down her back, and she wore a fur dress not too dissimilar to his own. Well here goes.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but could you remind of your name?¡± He asked sheepishly. She gave him a funny look but complied.

    ¡°I¡¯m Ne¡¯Ja, my chief.¡± She responded, with just a hint of mirth. He shook the hand she offered and was glad to be past the awkward bit.

    ¡°It¡¯s good to officially meet you, Ne¡¯Ja. What do you think about being my second in command?¡± He asked, not missing the irony of his statement.

    ¡°I would be happy to, what does that entail?¡± She replied. Noah pulled on his beard as he considered it.

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    ¡°Well, the primary role I have in mind is to lead the squad when I am not present or if we break into smaller groups. We could talk about more responsibilities as they come up.¡± He shared. She thought about it for a moment but eventually nodded.

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll do it. When do I start?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Right now.¡± He replied, getting to his feet.

    ¡°Everyone, Ne¡¯Ja will be my second in command. I expect you to obey her commands like you would mine.¡± There were several grunts of understanding, and once it was clear that no one would question his choice, he continued.

    ¡°We will be breaking into two groups as we go up the mountain. Ne¡¯Ja will lead one and I will lead the other. Di¡¯Ma, Ga¡¯To, Me¡¯Zin, and Shu¡¯La will be with me, the rest of you will follow Ne¡¯Ja. Gather what you need and meet me just north of the fissure.¡± Noah said. Already having his gear, he made his way to the meeting place. He had chosen the weakest four for his squad and was hoping he could help them catch up to the others. Soon they were ready to leave and they began their run up the mountain, staying just within visible range of the other squad. He pushed them to a dead sprint, and he heard them huffing for air within the first several minutes. If they were going to travel with him they would have to learn to keep up.

    The snow came down in small dry flurries as they ran, making the landscape appear two-dimensional from the lack of contrast. It would make any roaming beast stand out, but it was also wearing on his eyes. If not for the constant slope it would have been easy to lose his sense of direction. Their run continued for the full hour, and they saw no sign of passing monsters as they went. They gathered with Ne¡¯Ja¡¯s squad and passed around water as they considered their next move.

    ¡°I am beginning to doubt that we encounter anything today.¡± Noah said with a frown. Ne¡¯Ja nodded.

    ¡°Perhaps.¡±

    ¡°How much further do you think the peak is?¡± Di¡¯Ma spoke up. Noah shrugged.

    ¡°Who knows? The scouts ran for several hours yesterday and never reached the next phase of the mountain. For all we know there is another essence-rich area like this one, or perhaps it really does go on forever.¡± Noah commented.

    ¡°You¡¯re no fun. I think it is only a couple of hours more. At this pace, we would probably reach it before dark!¡± He said. Noah chuckled.

    ¡°We¡¯re not going any further today. How bout this, once you reach copper then we can run as far as you want.¡± Noah joked. Di¡¯Ma seemed to chew on the thought.

    ¡°That sounds fair.¡± He decided, growing quiet.

    ¡°All right, lets head back.¡± Noah announced, already leaving. They had been running for only a minute before an odd noise interrupted them. Noah raised a fist, bringing them to a stop. It was a sound that Noah recognized but couldn¡¯t place. They strained their ears to listen, hoping to catch a distinguishing sound. Not good. The sound finally resonated with Noah, bringing a memory from months ago to mind. This was the sound he had heard when he hid under a carcass while the beasts fought to the last. He waved at Ne¡¯Ja, calling her over.

    ¡°I believe there is a large monster swarm ahead. From the sounds of it, they are in the middle of a frenzy. I don¡¯t think we¡¯re prepared to get in the middle of it, let''s circle around to the west. They took a long detour before cutting back down the mountain only to find their path similarly blocked. They ran closer to the swarm, hoping to confirm their suspicions, and were shocked by the view. For as far as they could see in either direction there were pitched battles between all kinds of beasts, and the snow was red with blood causing a thin fog to form as the warm fluid touched the snow. It was a disturbing picture, and Noah grimaced as he bit back the bile forming in his throat. The others stirred uncomfortably beside him, clearly disturbed as much as he was.

    ¡°Now what?¡± Ne¡¯Ja asked.

    ¡°Now we wait.¡± Noah sighed.

    ¡°Wait?¡± Ne¡¯Ja asked, frowning.

    ¡°Yep. We¡¯ll let them narrow themselves down and strike when we see an opening.¡± He explained. ¡°Though from the looks of things, it may be a while yet.¡± As if to emphasize this fact, he sat down in the snow and got comfortable. After a moment of hesitation, the rest of them followed suit and they watched the carnage unfold. After a particularly brutal battle, a massive bear-like creature rose on its hind legs and scanned the vicinity for its next prey. Its eyes passed over the surrounding beasts, as if unsatisfied by their presence. Noah¡¯s stomach sank as he watched the beast slowly turn its gaze toward them. It squinted directly at him. And smiled.

 Chapter 51

    Noah shuddered under the bear¡¯s gaze. What is with their demented smiles? As much as he wanted to consider the origin of the monsters and the reason behind the system¡¯s twisted mutations, he found that he had more pressing concerns. The bear tore off from the frenzied mass of beasts, heading directly toward them. Judging by its current speed, Noah doubted their ability to outpace it.

    ¡°Spread out!¡± He shouted, readying his hammer. His experience with semi-intelligent beasts had been painful, and he wasn¡¯t willing to underestimate this one. ¡°I will take the charge head on, everyone else work to surround it and limit its mobility! Aim for the tendons in the legs, or along the spine if you get the opportunity!¡± He shouted over the low rumble of the bear¡¯s movement. Once the others had moved into position, he began running toward the bear. It was a hulking monstrosity, with dark black fur that bristled like porcupine quills. Internally he groaned. This is going to be painful.

    Noah met the bear¡¯s momentum with a mighty swing of his hammer spike. He grinned at the perfect placement of his weapon, already imagining the quick defeat that would come from a spike to the brain. Instead, he was thrown through the air, as the bear backhanded him with its paw. The breath was knocked from his lungs and he skidded across the packed snow. He climbed to his feet, searching for the beast. What he saw sent fear crawling up his spine. Where the deadly wound ought to have been, there was the beginnings of welt, and his hammer spike had been turned into a corkscrew. The others were already engaging the beast, so he sprinted back toward the monster. Flashes of the fight with the cyclops flitted through his brain, but he did his best to stay engaged in the moment. Ta¡¯Ku had survived, and so would they.

    The bear let out a yowl of pain and Noah examined the scene for its source. Ne¡¯Ja had somehow driven her spear through its back paw. We can do this. He leapt forward, swinging his hammer with all the strength his stats provided. It connected with the lowest joint in the bear¡¯s leg, awarding him with a satisfying crunch. The bear began to thrash wildly, sending several warriors through the air, and catching another with its claws. Noah landed another blow to its torso but found it to be completely ineffective.

    ¡°Aim for the legs!¡± Ne¡¯Ja shouted from the other side of the beast. Noah did just that and was once again rewarded for his effort as the bear turned its full attention to him. He did his best to ward off its attacks, but only managed to deflect a single blow before he caught claws to his ribs. They didn¡¯t pierce him clean through, but they left deep gashes uncomfortably close to his heart. He winced in pain as the warm blood began to flow down his chest. Knowing he couldn¡¯t lose the bear¡¯s attention, he muscled his way to his feet and swung his hammer once again. The bear''s front left leg gave out under his blow and its head slammed into the snow. He followed up the attack with another and another. The several orcs still standing joined him in his mad attack, and they thoroughly thrashed the bear, or at least its legs. All of a sudden the bear roared its protest, and faster than they could react it sent its quills in every direction, piercing their bodies like needles through cloth. They cried out in shared agony as they were riddled with holes.

    The bear let out a barking laugh and met eyes with Noah. There wasn¡¯t a hint of defeat in them. We need to run. The thought was like a faint whisper in his brain, while the rest of him was certain that just a few more hits would do the bear in. He slammed his hammer into the bear¡¯s face. Nothing happened. Even its nose rebuffed the full weight of his attack. Then the quills flew again and more bodies dropped to the ground. Oh no. Panic began to set in as he stepped back from the beast. His chest was covered in spikes that had managed to puncture but not push through.

    ¡°Run!¡± He yelled, finally finding his voice. He dashed away from the beast but saw only two of the orcs join him in retreat. The rest were still on the ground. No. He sprinted toward the nearest warrior, finding Di¡¯Ma covered in his own blood. He grabbed him under the arms and began dragging him away from the bear. As he did, he saw the quills on the bear flex, and without thinking he jumped in front of his companion just as the missiles arrived. With desperate effort he carried Di¡¯Ma to safety, depositing him with the others. Then he rushed in again. And again. By the time he retrieved the final body, he was limping and looked more like a porcupine than the bear. He collapsed to the snow beside his warriors, who were desperately trying to get his attention.

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    ¡°No¡¯Ah!¡±

    ¡°No¡¯Ah!¡±

    ¡°Chief!¡±

    Noah¡¯s eyes opened abruptly and he saw the bloodied face of Ne¡¯Ja hovering over him. Did I faint? He tried to sit up but the world started to turn.

    ¡°Hang on. You¡¯ve lost a lot of blood.¡± She said, tying something around his chest. He looked down noticing his exposed skin, bound in strips of leather from his torn clothing. A pile of quills rested next to his body, his blood still dripping off them.

    ¡°Ne¡¯Ja.¡± His voice caught as a wave of pain arced through him. He grimaced, clenching his teeth. ¡°How are the others?¡± He managed. She smiled at him, a genuine heartfelt smile.

    ¡°Everyone is alive. If barely.¡± She said. Her words were like a salve to his wounds and tears of relief ran down his face. He let out a deep sigh and laid his head back into the snow. They¡¯re alive. As if to further confirm their continued existence, a System message rang in his ears.

    [1000 XP Gained.]

    He grinned at the number, knowing that there was no way this beast only provided 1000 XP. They really were all alive. As a deep peace settled over him, his body finally gave in and his vision went black.

    ~

    Alure Galaxy, Sector 849

    ¡°What do you mean I¡¯m getting married?¡± Livia screamed, glaring at her mother.

    ¡°Dear, you have known about this for some time. Why are you making a fuss about it now?¡± The queen responded, her brow bunching ever so slightly.

    ¡°You never said it would be to some backsector nobody! You said I was betrothed for the good of the kingdom! What possible good could come from this? I will be the laughing stock of the galaxy.¡± Livia protested. The queen sighed, letting her visage drop as she took in her daughter. She sat on her bed and motioned for her daughter to sit beside her.

    ¡°Livia, this is for the good of our kingdom.¡± She began, her voice soothing. ¡°Do you remember our allies from the Trellian Galaxy?¡± Livia nodded, frowning.

    ¡°The ones that dad served with?¡± She asked.

    ¡°The very same. Their house is declining without an heir and they have called in one of the many favors we owe them for the price they paid.¡± The queen explained. Livia sighed, her heart troubled. She wanted to protest further, to say it wasn¡¯t fair for her to bear her family¡¯s burden, but how could she?

    ¡°I understand.¡± She replied, her emotions deflating. The queen gave her a soft smile and squeezed her hands.

    ¡°Thank you, dear. Perhaps he won¡¯t be as bad as you are imagining either.¡± She said with a wink. Livia laughed.

    ¡°How long do I have before the ceremony?¡± The queen cocked her head.

    ¡°Between two and three years I believe.¡± She responded. Livia let out a relieved breath. I still have time. The queen¡¯s lips pursed, seeing her daughter¡¯s reaction.

    ¡°Livia, there is a lot to be done. An inter-galaxy marriage is a grand affair, especially between noble houses like our own. You had better hope it¡¯s the full three years with all the planning you have ahead of you.¡± The queen said. Livia¡¯s eyes went wide and she stared at the wall. My life is over.

    Trellian Galaxy, Sector 901

    ¡°So how did she take the news?¡± The woman asked, holding a glowing orb in front of her. There was a sigh on the other end of the connection.

    ¡°All things considered, it went better than I imagined. Certainly better than I would have reacted.¡± The queen replied.

    ¡°I appreciate you doing this, you and your daughter.¡± The woman replied.

    ¡°Crescellia, not another word of that. You know we would do anything for you after what happened.¡± The queen said. The woman¨CCrescellia gave a sad smile.

    ¡°I wonder how he will react when he finds out.¡± She mused.

    ¡°What¡¯s the earliest you can tell him?¡± The queen asked.

    ¡°Two and a half years.¡± She replied. The queen giggled.

    ¡°Oh my. Will you tell him on the way to the wedding then?¡± She asked.

    ¡°I believe that may be the only option.¡± Crescellia stated. She looked down at the globe slowly spinning on its own accord. If she could she would scoop him up in an instant, but the System would never allow it. You¡¯ll have to wait.

 Chapter 52

    When Noah next awoke, he was staring into the darkness, illuminated only by a flickering flame somewhere close. He could hear labored breathing nearby, and he groaned as he pushed his way into a seated position. Around him the still bodies of his fellow warriors lay, their chests rising and falling as the only proof of their remaining vitality. The air was surprisingly warm, and he paused. Where are all the stars? Finally realizing that they weren¡¯t outside, he examined his surroundings more closely, reaching his hand out to touch the reflective surface. It was snow. Ne¡¯Ja must have covered us. He made his way toward the flickering light, his body stiff from the fight. As his eyes adjusted to the better-lit portion of their igloo, he saw Ne¡¯Ja sitting on the opposite end of the fire near an opening. He smiled in her direction and gave a small wave. She smiled back and motioned for him to come closer.

    ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡± She greeted.

    ¡°I guess I am.¡± He chuckled. ¡°How long have I been out?¡±

    ¡°A few hours. Only a few of us were in any position to move, so we decided to hunker down. Hence the snow fort.¡± She replied.

    ¡°That was a good idea,¡± Noah said, scratching the back of his head. ¡°And thank you for taking care of me¡ªus.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Noah. I know you would have done the same.¡± Ne¡¯Ja said. Noah smiled at her response, both the use of his name and her perception of him.

    ¡°Have there been any more attacks?¡± He asked. She shook her head.

    ¡°No. The monsters have slowed down their fighting, but I have a feeling it is just for the night.¡± She explained. Interesting. Are these frenzies just a part of the new ecosystem?

    ¡°Why do you think that?¡± He questioned.

    ¡°I went out earlier to get some meat off the bear and saw the beasts bedding down in the snow. Almost like a temporary truce.¡± Noah frowned. That was a concerning level of intelligence to be shared between so many monsters.

    ¡°I see. Do you think there¡¯s a chance we can slip through the line while they''re resting?¡± He asked. She frowned.

    ¡°Maybe if we could move quickly and quietly and weren¡¯t covered in blood.¡± She answered. Noah grimaced.

    ¡°Ah. Point taken. How is everyone else doing? Will it be a while before they can move?¡± She tilted her head and stared into space for a moment.

    ¡°The worst off is probably Ga¡¯To. His abdomen was sliced open early in the fight, and he has clear internal damage. I am honestly surprised that he is still alive, he must have invested heavily into constitution.¡± She said. Noah nodded, for the first time wishing that he had practiced magic. Even if he chose to learn, he hadn¡¯t invested a single point into the magical stats and was about as much of a wizard as a pre-System human. It stung to be so useless. If Julie or Un¡¯Dal were here they could easily patch him up. If I hadn¡¯t dismissed magic. Ne¡¯Ja waved a hand in front of his face.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah. Where did you go?¡± She asked, looking mildly concerned.

    ¡°Ah, sorry about that. I got lost in my thoughts.¡± He responded, giving her an embarrassed smile. ¡°Ne¡¯Ja, since I¡¯m up, why don¡¯t you take the opportunity to get some rest. I have a feeling that we have a long couple of days ahead of us.¡± He offered. She nodded in agreement and only shifted to the side of the room before laying her head down and closing her eyes. Not more than a minute later he heard soft snoring coming from her. He smiled at the sound, suddenly aware of just how far she had pushed herself for their sakes. There were times that he considered how much faster he could move or advance if he was alone, but moments like these proved just how shortsighted that approach was. Maybe he would attain a slightly higher level, but what did that matter in the scheme of things? One person, no matter how strong, couldn''t stand against a horde alone. He considered Recter and his wondering way of life. Noah liked to think that he had found someone else to travel with, though that was likely not the case. Thinking of his Drakon companion made him curious about his rank, so he pulled up the global listings.

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    [Global Ranking System.]

    <ul>

    <li>Recter Jandon-Drakon: Copper, Lvl 159</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Noah Denter-Human: Copper, Lvl 156</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Balkendar Italifi-Elf: Copper, lvl 151</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Fastion Briner-Elf: Copper, Lvl 150</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Malentar Stoneskin-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 171</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Ta¡¯Ku Gordrak-Orc: Iron, Lvl 151</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Ro¡¯Kar Bloodspike-Orc: Iron, Lvl 145</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Do¡¯Fon Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 132</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Ma¡¯tan Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 129</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Darten Yellowfang-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 129</li>

    </ul>

    Noah stared at the new list with a mix of feelings. The fact that Recter had finally surpassed him wasn¡¯t much of a surprise. Seeing the two elves directly after him made his breath catch though, that and the continued lack of any further human presence. He found it funny that he learned his companions¡¯ full names through the leaderboard, never having asked in person. Something about seeing several familiar names on the list gave him a warm feeling, especially knowing that others like Ne¡¯Ja and Un¡¯Dal were just on the edge of joining it. Perhaps he wouldn¡¯t catch up with Recter any time soon, but he would do his best to fill the other slots with his people. As much as he wanted to consider helping Julie in the face of the potential elven threat, he knew that for now, it wasn¡¯t welcome or even possible from their position. He would visit again in the future, but only after he was ready to retake the orc village and deal with the elves if needed. For that, he would likely need a group full of Coppers, something that he was intent on achieving.

    Noah sighed, his thoughts once again wandering from the task at hand. He got up and quietly crawled through the entrance to their dugout. It was a clear night and the familiar stars illuminated the night with the ethereal sheen that was the custom for their new world. He scanned their vicinity but found nothing of note within any meaningful distance. Satisfied, he contented himself to walk the perimeter to stretch his legs and get blood flowing through his aching muscles.

    The next couple of days passed slowly, as they waited for their fellow warriors to recover. All but the worst of them were mobile again, but they were not yet in fighting shape. On the fourth day of their encampment, Noah was getting particularly antsy as he considered the rest of the tribe. While he was confident in their ability to manage day-to-day operations without him, the thought of them worrying about their absense was bothersome. Over the last several days, Noah had watched from afar as the beasts slowly whittled away at each other, leaving only the most capable and enduring. More and more, he itched to sprint past them and make his way back to the fissure. But as much as he wanted to, the cost was still too high. If he caught the gaze of one of the monstrosities left standing, he would have little hope of putting it down alone, and he wasn¡¯t prepared to drag his group into another fight. It would be someone¡¯s death sentence at the very least. He sighed and returned to the private cubby he had carved out for himself days ago. His one escape was in meditation, and he spent the vast majority of his time there. Another several days passed, and only Ga¡¯To remained immobile. He had woken briefly and managed a brave grin before he fainted again.

    While Noah¡¯s meditation was proceeding slowly, several of his companions were having more luck. He had explained his breakthrough to Copper in careful detail, and the others had taken turns pairing off in an attempt to duplicate the total awareness that he had achieved with Ta¡¯Ku so long ago. Oddly enough, it wasn¡¯t Ne¡¯Ja who was the closest to the next Gate, but Me¡¯Zin, one of the lowest leveled members of the group. She seemed to have a keener awareness of her peers and had spent the last several days in near-continuous meditation. Once again he found their dire situation to be a mixed blessing as he grew closer to the group of warriors. He had read a book back on Earth about winning friends and influencing people, but he could have sworn that it didn¡¯t include shared trauma as a viable method. If the author had still been alive to see the System¡¯s arrival, perhaps the next edition would have included it. Noah chuckled and returned to his meditation. What comes after awareness of others?

 Chapter 53

    [892 days remaining.]

    Noah blinked at the number, unsure if it was disturbing because of how little or how much time had passed. We still have two and a half years. For some reason that still felt like a long time. He had trouble reasoning how the world from his vision failed to save their planet. How was it possible that no one reached Bronze? He frowned as he mulled it over, seeing if there was another way to interpret the dream. Oh. Suddenly, it clicked. He had been associating the horde¡¯s domination of the planet with reaching Bronze, and with the System-imposed time limit, but that wasn¡¯t necessarily the case. Perhaps the vision took place before the time limit was over. That has to be it. The main issue isn''t reaching Bronze; as it was, they wouldn¡¯t survive long enough for the time to run out. No, the bigger issue was securing the planet from the monsters. This realization was further cemented as he watched the Goliaths fight within eyeshot of their snow fort. They were losing the race, and not by narrow margins. He couldn¡¯t afford to worry about the elves, if anything he should be cheering them on. If Balkendar reached Bronze, that would be one more stronghold for his people to retreat to when the hordes came in force.

    If only he had a way to tell people. At the end of the day, communication was the biggest limitation in the mutual advancement of the sapient races. He grinned. Perhaps Matt will reinvent the internet one of these days. In any case, he knew his role was to raise up and protect as many people as he could. He needed to establish his own stronghold that could hold back the rising tide, a safe place for crafters and non-combatants to excel, and a refuge for weary warriors to return to. I need to build an Ark. He laughed aloud. As silly as it sounded, he knew it was true. To do it he would need help though. Perhaps once the elves are under attack they will be open to joining forces, he mused.

    ¡°Noah, he¡¯s awake,¡± Ne¡¯Ja said from the entryway. Noah grinned and made his way inside. Ga¡¯To was sitting up and scarfing down meat by the handful.

    ¡°Slow down, Ga¡¯To! Your intestines were hanging out of you just a couple days ago!¡± Noah said, laughing. Ga¡¯To grinned through his stuffed mouth and gave him a thumbs up.

    ¡°My stomach is the only thing that still hurts, but only because it''s empty!¡± Ga¡¯To commented, regaining his gusto. They all laughed in relief as their companion showed his recovery.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you made it through to the other side.¡± Noah said, slapping him gently on the shoulder.

    ¡°Me too. And don¡¯t think I don¡¯t remember what you did. I do.¡± He said, looking Noah in the eyes.

    ¡°We all do.¡± Ne¡¯Ja said from the door. The warriors all raised a fist to their chest and stared at Noah.

    ¡°You are no orc berserker, No¡¯Ah. You are a Sha¡¯Ka.¡± Ne¡¯Ja announced, with clear reverence in her voice. The others dipped their heads in his direction and in quiet voices repeated her words.

    ¡°Sha¡¯Ka.¡±

    ¡°Sha¡¯Ka¡±

    Noah was unsure of how to receive their words. But it was clear that this was an important moment for them, so he did his best to match their reverence. When they finally lowered their fists, ending the exchange, he turned to Ne¡¯Ja with a question on his lips.

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    ¡°Ne¡¯Ja, could you help me understand?¡± He asked. She nodded and motioned for him to sit with her by the fire.

    ¡°A berserker is an honored warrior, who fights with abandon for his people. We sing of them in our legends and we aspire to be like them. This is good.¡± She paused, taking a steadying breath.

    ¡°A Sha¡¯Ka is different. While a berserker raises our spirits by crushing the bodies of his enemies, a Sha¡¯Ka raises spirits through the crushing of his own. Many would gladly follow the path of a great berserker, but to follow a Sha¡¯Ka¡ª¡± She trailed off, shaking her.

    ¡°We have all settled our hearts. We will follow you down your path. We do not honor Sha¡¯Ka through song and dance, nor do we tell our children to aspire to become one. But every orc knows that there is no one more honored than a Sha¡¯Ka.¡± She finished.

    Noah felt a resonance in his chest as she spoke, perhaps a sense of calling or destiny. Yet there was a small sense of grief alongside the joy he felt. If he understood her meaning, the warriors had decided that they would set aside their own ambitions, even their own lives to join him on his path. He felt a deep sense of gratitude as he looked around at his companions, their dedication humbling. He turned back to Ne¡¯Ja.

    ¡°Thank you for explaining this to me. I do not take it lightly.¡± He said. She nodded at him with a sad but knowing smile.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, my chief.¡± She replied. The rest of the day continued as usual, each of them meditating and several even sparring close to the igloo. It was near the end of the day that Noah¡¯s meditation was interrupted by loud shouting. He shot to his feet and burst out of his isolated snow-pod. The entire group stood in a circle around one of them, each with large smiles on their faces. Noah frowned, but moved to inspect the situation.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± He asked no one in particular.

    ¡°Me¡¯Zin broke through! She reached the second Gate!¡± Di¡¯Ma yelled in response. Noah grinned and pushed his way through the circle. Me¡¯Zin was warding off further congratulatory embraces and was perhaps a tad more scarlet than usual.

    ¡°Congratulations!¡± Noah said, as he made eye contact with her.

    ¡°Thank you, Chief.¡± She said, smiling at her feet.

    ¡°How close are you to advancing your grade?¡± He asked. Her eyes went distant for a second before responding.

    ¡°I have stopped leveling for a while now, so I have 47,000 more to go.¡± She said with a grin.

    ¡°Wow. That could happen in just a few days. Well done.¡± He replied before stepping away to give her some space. They ate another meal of bear meat, which had a surprisingly delightful taste unlike its Earth counterpart. Perhaps it was the lack of tapeworms due to its constitution, or maybe the strain of porcupine that the System threw in the mix. Either way, he enjoyed every bite, wanting only for a pinch of salt to bring out the flavors further.

    The next morning Noah gathered his group and assessed each person, having them explain their current limitations. Deciding that they were well enough to travel, he made the decision and they left their snow fort behind. They brought along their collection of quills from the bear and what was left of their battered weapons. They had attempted to skin the bear, but they lacked the necessary strength or blade to separate its skin. They slowly made their way to the line of beast corpses, looking in every direction at all times as they went. They could see a handful of monsters fighting in pockets along the line, but were able to easily find an opening to cross through. Without further thought, Noah picked up Ga¡¯To and sprinted across the battlefield. The rest followed and they didn¡¯t stop until over thirty minutes later.

    As much as they wanted to go straight to the fissure, they didn¡¯t dare lure one of the remaining monsters. Instead, they split into pairs and went in every direction but toward their fissure. They would each run for 30 minutes before arcing back toward their home. And so a bit over an hour later, Noah and Ga¡¯To rejoined his group near the fissure. With glee ,they walked the final stretch together, and just as they crested a rise in the snow, they laid eyes on the camp. Noah¡¯s eyes went wide at the sight. The fissure was surrounded by bodies of all shapes and sizes. The group tensed as they heard a scream coming from their home. They blurred forward, determined to destroy any lingering threat. Noah scanned the bodies as they ran, not seeing any orcs as he did. They could be just fine.

    As they entered the east side of the chasm, the metallic smell of blood filled their nostrils causing several of them to gag. That was when he saw the first body of a fallen orc.

 Chapter 54

    Noah set Ga¡¯To down and sprinted into the camp. There was a barricade of packed snow spanning between the walls with only a narrow passage to deeper in. The ground was scattered with monster corpses of all varieties, but he didn¡¯t see another one of his tribesmen. He walked through the blood-soaked passageway and had to climb over the fallen form of a tiger-like monster to push further. On the other side he finally saw familiar faces, though the usual joviality was absent.

    ¡°Chief! You¡¯re alive!¡± Someone shouted as he stepped into view. A rush of whispers filled the enclosed space as the news spread. Noah spotted Ta¡¯Ku and made his way over to him, followed by the rest of his group. He gave Ta¡¯Ku a bear hug and grinned at him, despite the bleak circumstances.

    ¡°You have no idea how glad I am to see you. What happened while I was gone?¡± Noah asked. Ta¡¯Ku returned the embrace and let out a long breath.

    ¡°We were attacked by a frenzied swarm of beasts. They seemed to be out of their minds, lashing out at anything living. It started the day after you left. At first we were able to repel them without any issue, but they grew stronger with each passing day. Eventually, we were getting overrun and worked to build a defensible position.¡± Ta¡¯Ku explained.

    ¡°I was worried this would happen. We were severely injured and became trapped on the other side of the swarm. I¡¯m so sorry we weren¡¯t here.¡± Noah replied. Ta¡¯Ku shook his head.

    ¡°We couldn¡¯t have predicted this. I am only glad to see you alive, we were starting to fear the worst.¡± He responded.

    ¡°What is the state of the tribe? I saw the body of one of our warriors on my way in.¡± Noah asked. A look of grief passed over Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s features.

    ¡°He was the only casualty we experienced, but there are many grave injuries. It may be weeks before we are back to fighting strength.¡± Ta¡¯Ku explained. Noah nodded, grateful that things had gone worse.

    ¡°Where is Ro¡¯Kar?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°He should be near the back of the cave. He was severely injured a few days ago, the same day that the warrior died. Their group was holding the fissure while the rest of us finished construction.¡± Noah thanked him and left to find the former chief. As he walked he could see the impact that his presence had on the tribe. There was hope in their eyes and the oppressive tension in the air had already dropped. His heart ached as he saw the mangled bodies of his people, and shame threatened to overwhelm him. There was nothing I could do. He eventually found Ro¡¯Kar who attempted to sit up as he saw him. Noah held out his hand.

    ¡°Please, just rest.¡± He said, watching as his friend winced with every move.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah!¡± He croaked, managing a pained smile. ¡°You made it through the beast storm! What a relief, I was starting to worry that I would have to become chief again.¡± Noah returned his smile and knelt down next to him.

    ¡°I heard you defended the breach. And that you lost one of your warriors in the process. Thank you.¡± Noah said.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like we were going to just let the beasts have their way. It¡¯s only right to protect your tribe.¡± Ro¡¯Kar responded. ¡°The orc that passed died in honor, fighting with abandon for his people. When we recover, we will add him to our legends.¡± Noah nodded, still adjusting to the orcish way to process grief.

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    ¡°We will sing of his valor through the night.¡± He replied after a moment of consideration. Ro¡¯Kar smiled.

    ¡°That we will. That we will.¡± He sighed, his eyes starting to droop. Noah patted him lightly on the arm and left him to rest. Noah wandered the dark space, looking for Un¡¯Dal but let him be when he found his sleeping, surrounded by bloodied orcs. He must be exhausted. Seeing Un¡¯Dal made Noah seriously consider their need for more healers. If they were going to be in constant pitched battles, they would need reliable ways to heal their injuries, and one healer wasn¡¯t going to cut it. He returned to his group that had set up near the entrance.

    ¡°All right everyone, we have work to do.¡± He started. Noting their eager looks, he continued. ¡°First we will need to gather and prepare food, then those of you with any medical knowledge will help the others get their wounds cleaned and wrapped. The rest of us will start processing the beast corpses. We will have plenty of use for the raw materials, and the meat will keep for some time in the freezing temperatures.¡± He explained. They grunted their response and began to move.

    ¡°Oh and if anyone sees a living beast, report it immediately. We will be dealing with any further attacks on the tribe personally.¡± He commanded. At once they were off, each ready to make themselves useful amidst the chaotic scene. Their once-open fissure had been completely closed off at one side, allowing for the defensible choke point. Noah supposed that was fine for now, but they would have to poke ventilation holes through the walls and ceiling to let the smoke escape. Just the few minutes inside the cavern had made his eyes water, even given his significant constitution.

    There were no further attacks on the camp that day, or the following as they slowly restored the area to a livable habitat. Fresh snow covered the evidence of battle, and the beast corpses were quickly becoming usable material. As the cleanup continued, they also began to drive sharpened bone stakes around the entryways to the fissure and the ledges above it. While they had limited metal, the sturdy bones of the beasts were nearly endless. A week passed and in that time there was a single attack on the camp, which Noah¡¯s group easily dispatched. Ro¡¯Kar was back on his feet, and the others were regaining their mobility with each day. Though the attack had been devastating, it also provided them with a massive boost in power. Many of the orcs shot up in levels, some even gaining 50 levels from the swarm. With each such attack, it became harder and harder to back them into a corner again. While most of the warriors were out of commission physically, that wasn¡¯t true for their mental faculties. Knowing this, Noah ordered mandatory meditation for everyone in the camp. After their last month in the orc village, they were no stranger to this kind of structure and took to it with zeal.

    During the following week Ta¡¯Ku was the next to reach the second gate, at which point he also advanced his grade. They celebrated the rise of their second Copper, and many doubled down in their efforts to ascend. By the third week, even the worst off after the attack had recovered enough to stand and so they prepared the final rite for their fallen friend. They feasted into the night, sharing stories of the brave berserker who stood in the gap, fending off hundreds - no, thousands of beasts as he protected his own. The night ended with the song of legends, where they immortalized their companion with chorus after chorus of his valiant deeds. As before, there was a settledness about that camp as they finished their final song. Once again all was right in their world, and they could take the next step forward.

    Noah and the tribe settled into a routine after that, they returned to their group tasks of hunting, scouting, and crafting. They trained their bodies and minds, and endeavored to advance. And so when the next frenzy came, just over a month later, they were ready. Several of their warriors had reached the second gate and were only needing the essence to advance their grade before they too would reach Copper. As the monsters came flooding into their fissure, their eyes were alight with possibility and they eagerly met their foes. For a full week, the battle raged on. Each day brought more powerful beasts, and each night was quiet. When the final beast succumbed to their power, they roared in victory. Four more warriors reached Copper that night.

    This pattern continued for another three months. Every six weeks they would fight off a swarm, after which they would celebrate as their warriors broke through the next threshold. After their third successful defense Noah found himself growing bored. He felt that he was starting to stagnate in their current environment, and that their progress was largely limited by the lack of natural resources nearby. For this reason he called all of his leaders together for their first council, asking that they clear their schedule to attend. When they were all present, he began.

    ¡°It¡¯s time.¡±

 Chapter 55

    ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± He said, looking over his assembled group leaders. His words were met with shared grins.

    ¡°Finally!¡± Ro¡¯Kar grunted. ¡°This place is getting stuffy!¡± The rest chuckled in agreement.

    ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked, looking bright-eyed. Noah smiled.

    ¡°It¡¯s time we get off this System-forsaken mountain. We¡¯re going to see what¡¯s on the other side.¡± He replied.

    ¡°When do we leave?¡± Zo¡¯Kati asked.

    ¡°At dawn. Take the evening to prepare your groups and gather supplies. We do not know how long we will be traveling, so prioritize mobility.¡± He instructed. They agreed and departed with enthusiasm, each of them having long since tired of the white-washed world. Noah left to make his own preparations, having already relayed the news to his group earlier that day. He had considered returning down the mountain, retaking the orc village, and checking up on the human settlement, but decided otherwise. Their path was to move forward, and he had given all that he could to his fellow humans. If they didn¡¯t want to use the knowledge he had given them, that was their choice. As he collected his few belongings, he mused over their progress. It had been a fruitful several months for the planet, but especially so for his tribe. After every new Copper joined their ranks, he had made a habit of checking the global rankings and found that they had fluctuated significantly. The new list was made up entirely of Coppers, now primarily orcs and elves. A couple of months back, he could have sworn that he saw another human on the list but it had shifted in front of his eyes as the next of his tribe joined the fold. Even though he regretted missing the name, the thought that other humans were finally moving forward was a great comfort to him. Unlike the other races, humans of his era were not accustomed to living in constant danger and conflict. The people of his home country were more than a generation removed from the last significant war and had never experienced so much as a fistfight. It would be a serious effort for his people to adjust to this new world, but that one name meant that it was happening.

    The next morning the camp was alive with activity, his people were covered in fur clothing and leather strips, with large packs on each of their backs. They appeared as the native tribes of the northern regions on Earth, clothed in the thick pelts of their prey. Their iron weapons had long since dulled and broken, and were replaced with weapons made of the titanium-like bones of the strongest beasts. He carried several such weapons, a dagger at his waist, a large club, and a wicked spear with a razor-sharp edge. Their crafters had come a long way since they had arrived in the frozen expanse, having honed their craft through the constant demand. He smiled as their groups formed up, looking less like a ragtag bunch of misfits and more like a uniform people. He made his way to the front of the tribe and turned to acknowledge them.

    ¡°Our time in this bountiful graveyard has come to an end! We will run until we see what lies beyond the mountain, or at least until we get out of this vile snow!¡± He shouted. His words were met with a roar of approval and several barking laughs. Without further ado, he turned and began the trek toward their next adventure.

    They ran and ran. Dawn turned to dusk, then dawn again. The scenery remained unchanging day after day. They spent the full extent of the sunlight running and several more hours under the stars before they would stop to rest each day. They ate as they ran, making use of their sizeable stores of dried meat. Running had become a key part of Noah¡¯s life, serving as a physical transition between different events he experienced, so what was a few more weeks of running? He reminded himself of this daily, promising that he would settle down once they found the location of their future home. The days became a week, which turned into two, then three. A couple weeks in they started to hunt as they ran, not wanting to risk depleting their food stores. It wasn¡¯t until the fourth week of travel that they noticed a change.

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    The first sign was the wind. It was less biting than it had been only days before. Then there was the subtle scent of greenery that occasionally tickled their noses. And finally, the snow began to dwindle. One month and one day into their run, they stepped onto green grass. There was no invisible barrier marking a change in the essence density, not any other sign except for the gradual shift into a spring environment filled with lush grass. The black dirt of the mountain was absent, completely covered by the vibrant green. The biggest change happened a day later when the slope of the mountain began to noticeably flatten. There was a popping sensation as he stepped onto truly level ground. And like a torrent of fresh air, rich essence flowed into him, instantly relieving the aches and pains of travel, and putting a spring in his step. The transition didn¡¯t feel quite as drastic as entering the cold realm from below, but it was close.

    The rest of his tribe crossed the threshold, each enjoying the reviving sensation of the essence¨Cthat is until the first Iron stepped through. He stumbled, gripping his head and groaning, while the orc who caught him looked around for help in shock. The next Iron crossed, and similarly fell to their knees. Noah put the pieces together and ran to them, picking them up and bringing them back into the lower reaches.

    ¡°Stop!¡± He yelled. ¡°Irons appear to be unable to bear the new environment.¡± The tribe immediately complied, halting in their tracks as looks of worry and bewilderment spread across their faces. Noah frowned, supremely disappointed by the development. He took a moment to gather himself before turning to the others. As there were only 20 Coppers among them, the choice was clear.

    ¡°We will have to set up a temporary base here while we wait for everyone to ascend.¡± He heard a couple of groans and also noticed the looks of shame appearing on a few of the orc¡¯s faces.

    ¡°There is nothing to be ashamed of. We had no way of knowing that this would be a barrier for us. Every Iron will make it their primary focus to advance, accelerating your typical training schedule. Coppers will rotate responsibilities scouting the new area and leading hunts. For now, let''s get settled.¡± Noah ordered. As much as he wanted to rush off into the new land, he knew that his people needed him in this moment, and so he stayed. He did, however, take the opportunity to scan the horizon. If he didn¡¯t know better, he would say that this was normal countryside. He saw groves of trees, small hills, flowers, and grass as far as his eyes could see. He saw what looked like a herd of deer, or similar beasts in the far distance and carefully followed their movement until they crossed out of sight. If Irons were unable to cross into the new territory, he was Leary to fight the beasts that could dwell in the essence rich zone.

    He found Ta¡¯Ku and informed him of the herd¡¯s presence, asking him to organize a watch. Then he found Ro¡¯Kar, seeking advice.

    ¡°What do you think we ought to do? Should we all stay or should we send some warriors ahead to start establishing our new village?¡± Noah asked, eager for someone else to share his responsibility. Ro¡¯Kar chuckled, no doubt seeing the look in his eyes.

    ¡°I think you made the right call for now. Some may start to get restless as things drag on though, so you will need to keep an eye on the tribe¡¯s morale. I believe sending out scouting parties will satisfy that itch for the time being.¡± He assured Noah. Noah sighed, grateful for his council but also feeling that same itch himself. He had been trapped on the mountain for most of a year and was finally given open space to explore. Sure, he had killer calves from the ordeal, but that was hardly consolation enough. Seeing Noah¡¯s restlessness, Ro¡¯kar laughed and slapped him heartily on the back.

    ¡°Boy! You best just go. Take a few of the antsy ones with you. It will be better for everyone if you do.¡± He said. Noah grinned and thanked Ro¡¯Kar before searching for his hunting buddies. As it turned out, the most restless were Ne¡¯Ja, Di¡¯Ma, and Me¡¯Zin. He smiled as he shared the good news with them. Two others joined as well, and together they turned toward the wide open spaces.

    Hello World.

 Chapter 56

    The six of them bounded out of camp like happy cows in a pasture. I¡¯m free! Noah thought as he frolicked in the tall grass. The change in environment was so dramatic that he felt tears welling as he took in another breath of the refreshing air. For the first time in nearly a year, he felt at home. The eerie uniformity of the elven forest, the black dirt and lacking shrubbery of the mountain, the ridiculous monsters and their terribly pointy teeth. It was all too much. But as Noah took in this little slice of Earth he felt whole again, if that was even possible. For a moment, he wasn¡¯t a superhuman or a tribe leader, nor was he a System-twisted beast slaughterer. No, he was just Noah, a human of Earth. Tranquility reigned in his innermost being and he felt a spark of inspiration push its way forward within him. The next Gate. He shook his head and pushed the spark away. This is my moment.

    When the razor-toothed rabbit saw the strange man standing with his eyes closed and arms stretched to the sky, it was confused. This wasn¡¯t the proper way for prey to act, he should be cowering or running or screaming. The rabbit bounced forward. No response. It hopped again. Nothing. It sniffed, finding the sweet aroma of prey still present on the strange man. Without further questioning, the rabbit sank its teeth into the man¡¯s leg, intent on savoring the rare specimen.

    Noah shrieked as his bliss was disturbed. What foul demon dares! He glared hatefully at the fluffy white protrusion jutting from his leg. My old enemy. With a grip like iron, he throttled the wretched creature. Only it refused to die. Further, it refused to let go of his leg. An all-too familiar sense of foreboding crept up his back. He sighed, his nerves well and truly fried from the constant near-death experiences. As his leg continued to bleed out, he took a moment to center himself and regain his grit. He drew his bone dagger from its sheath and mercilessly plunged it into the rabbit''s neck. He felt a deep relief as the blade sunk several inches into its body. From there it was just repetition, and before long the matted red abomination fell from his leg with a disheartening squelch. Noah grinned. That is, until he saw the black lines spider webbing from incision points in his leg. His vision started to blur and the ground seemed to move beneath him. Then there was nothing.

    Ne¡¯Ja found the new environment to be quite pleasant, not unlike the farmlands of her home planet. They were missing the ever-present sopgus, those beautiful little belch flies, but the day was still young. She shrugged, they would make themselves known if they were around. She noticed Noah enjoying himself, seeming to relish the fresh air. She smiled, delighted to see him relax. He was a good orc, or man she supposed. He was also a bit uptight and over-serious, though she understood why. She continued to watch him as the smile spread across his face. Then the grass around him shifted, once, then twice. She frowned, squinting at the patch of tall green obscuring her view. Noah screamed, not in pain, but in fury. She ran toward him, still unsure of what was happening. She saw him raise his dagger and then manically stab at his leg. She frowned in horror as his hands came up bloody. Is this a human ritual? Then he stumbled and fell face-first into the grass.

    When Ne¡¯Ja got to him he was lying in a pool of red, and she could see blackened blood oozing from his leg. She grimaced at the acrid smell but didn¡¯t hesitate as she tore a leather strip from her pack and began binding the wound. She examined his wound, noting the blackened veins surrounding it. She knew there must be some kind of toxin affecting him, but her knowledge was limited. She quickly packed and bound his wound and slung him over her shoulder. That¡¯s when she noticed the squished and mangled body that was under Noah. She grabbed it as well before sprinting toward the camp.

    ¡°Help! No¡¯Ah is injured! I need Un¡¯Dal!¡± She yelled as neared the others. The others from the scouting party had seen her distress and followed her back into the camp. Together they carried him to the healer, who had already stretched out pelts on a simple cot for him.

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    ¡°Quick, put him here.¡± Un¡¯Dal commanded, immediately receiving his new patient. He spoke while he worked, first examining the exterior of the wound and then removing the leather strips.

    ¡°What happened?¡± He asked, not looking up.

    ¡°I believe he was attacked by this,¡± Ne¡¯Ja said, holding up the rabbit. ¡°From a distance it looked like No¡¯Ah was taken off guard by its attack, and proceeded to kill it once it had already bitten into his leg.¡± Ne¡¯Ja explained. Un¡¯Dal paused to examine the creature, prompting Ne¡¯Ja to open its mouth. Using his sheathed knife, he pressed the fangs of the rabbit into the leather. Several beads of liquid flowed out of them, wetting the sheath. Un¡¯Dal nodded his head in understanding.

    ¡°It appears to be venom.¡± He said, quickly moving to tourniquet Noah''s leg. Using a bone shaft he twisted leather bands around the leg until the blood flow slowed. If not for his own enhanced strength, and that of the leather he doubted it would be able to have any effect on Noah¡¯s body. Once the venom in the leg was isolated from the rest of the body his hands began to glow a soft green as he held them over the tourniquet site.

    ¡°Now typically you would never isolate venom in this way, the surge of polluted blood that would come from a failed tourniquet would quickly overwhelm the rest of the body. For this reason, you normally allow the venom to spread, to minimize the risk of losing a limb or worse. In this case, however, I am not confident that we will be able to neutralize the toxin at all. If it can so quickly disable No¡¯Ah then it could finish the job.¡± Ne¡¯Ja paled at Un¡¯Dal¡¯s words.

    ¡°So what can you do for him then? Will he lost his leg?¡± She questioned. He shook his head.

    ¡°I do not know for sure, but I believe I have a chance of out healing the venom¡¯s destruction. With the toxin isolated, I can work to heal the damage as it is being done with the hope that the toxin will run its course before I run out of mana. With any luck, No¡¯Ah¡¯s body will also begin to adapt to combat the venom.¡± He explained. Ne¡¯Ja nodded and the gathered crowd let out a collective sigh. Their eagerness to explore was diminished and a sense of trepidation filled its place instead. Ta¡¯Ku had watched quietly as Un¡¯Dal worked on his companion, and only upon hearing his words did he consider leaving. He called for Ne¡¯Ja and the others.

    ¡°Set up a perimeter, and alert everyone of the potential threats. Cut down all of the tall grass within fifty feet of the camp, and ensure that no one has any foolish ideas. If No¡¯Ah can be so quickly neutralized, a misstep could be the death sentence for anyone else.¡± Ta¡¯Ku ordered. The others didn¡¯t hesitate to obey his commands, knowing full well the weight that a Dan¡¯Kar carried in his companion''s stead. Ta¡¯Ku returned to Un¡¯Dal and sat down beside the cot.

    ¡°Is there anything else that can be done for him?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked. Un¡¯Dal considered his words for a moment.

    ¡°Perhaps if we had someone skilled in alchemy, we could distill an antidote. For now, I believe this is our best bet. I would ask for the others who have begun to study healing magic to join me, but they are yet to reach Copper.¡± Un¡¯Dal mused.

    ¡°We could move No¡¯Ah to them then.¡± Ta¡¯Ku suggested.

    ¡°Un¡¯Dal shook his head. At this point, the denser essence may do more for him than their magic could manage.¡± His head tilted as a thought struck him. ¡°I suppose we could bring him to the very edge of the barrier, and they could heal him from the other side.¡± Together they carefully carried the cot through the camp and placed him directly along the edge of the boundary. Ta¡¯Ku then ran off to find the apprentice healers. Before long the three apprentices joined Un¡¯Dal in his efforts and worked to slow the effects of the toxin. Noah¡¯s leg was bloated and blotchy, with dark splotches throughout it. Close to the incision site, steam rose from the wound as if the venom was melting his skin away. Ta¡¯Ku held back his bile as he watched over his friend, thankful that he wasn¡¯t conscious for the procedure. Just as everything seemed to be under control, Ta¡¯Ku heard panicked shouting in the camp.

    ¡°The deer are coming! Run!¡±

 Chapter 57

    The pounding hooves of a hundred deer sent fear into their hearts. Ta¡¯Ku, joined by Ro¡¯Kar moved toward the front of the camp. With weapons drawn, they readied themselves for the herd¡¯s arrival. The other Coppers came to stand alongside them, and they bristled with anticipation as the beasts drew near.

    ¡°Be prepared to retreat over the boundary line. Protecting the chief is our priority.¡± Ta¡¯Ku ordered. The orcs grunted their agreement, not moving their eyes from the coming foes. The stampede thundered down the plain, and they braced themselves, weapons at the ready. To their shock, moments before collision the deer came to a dead stop. A cloud of dust drifted behind them and Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s frown deepened as one of the herd stepped forward. Its fur was a glossy red with clean white streaks, and it had no antlers, though there were several stags present.

    ¡°Which of you is the leader?¡± Came an ethereal, feminine voice. The orcs looked around in confusion before Ta¡¯Ku realized the monster had spoken. His heart froze as he realized the implication. He bowed his head slightly in respect, believing that No¡¯Ah would choose non-violence if possible.

    ¡°At the moment, that would be me.¡± Ta¡¯Ku responded. The deer turned toward him, seeming to take him in.

    ¡°At the moment?¡± The deer questioned. Ta¡¯Ku considered lying, not wanting to project weakness but felt a nudge in his spirit to speak truthfully.

    ¡°Our chief has been injured and is currently unconscious. I lead the tribe in his absence.¡± Ta¡¯Ku explained.

    ¡°I see. And what is your name, tribe leader?¡± She asked.

    ¡°I am called Ta¡¯Ku, Dan¡¯Kar to Chief No¡¯Ah. How may I address you?¡± He responded.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku¡± She spoke, as if trying out the word. ¡°I am Queen Jeline of the lower plains, ruler of this territory. You may address me as Majesty Jeline.¡± She said, her voice neither haughty nor assuming. Ta¡¯Ku grimaced internally, but lowered his head in deferent acknowledgment. He knew by now that they would die before gaining the opportunity to flee.

    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± Ta¡¯Ku replied, unsure of how to continue the conversation politely. Thankfully the queen had no such compunctions.

    ¡°Tribe leader, have you come to pledge your loyalty to me or have you come to take my land?¡± The sweet sound of her voice was betrayed by the biting promise in her words.

    ¡°I apologize, Your Majesty. I do not have the authority to make that decision, nor was I made aware of our chief¡¯s intention.¡± Ta¡¯Ku lamented, suddenly glad for Noah¡¯s state.

    ¡°I see. That is unfortunate.¡± She replied, her voice turning sharp. ¡°Take me to your chief.¡± She commanded. The warriors stiffened, several eyeing their weapons. Ta¡¯Ku inhaled sharply as the tension in the air multiplied.

    ¡°Right this way, Your Majesty.¡± He said, stepping to the side. She would be able to kill them all with ease, there was no reason to deny her. Ta¡¯Ku led her through the camp, eventually arriving at Noah¡¯s cot.

    ¡°What happened, Ta¡¯Ku? Is everything okay¡ª¡± Un¡¯Dal was cut off as Ta¡¯Ku glared at him with wide eyes.

    ¡°Here he is, Your Majesty,¡± Ta¡¯Ku said, gesturing toward Noah. She stepped forward and lowered her head to look at him.

    ¡°Why are you killing him?¡± She asked. Un¡¯Dal froze both at the statement and at the identity of the speaker.

    ¡°Killing him? We are trying to save him.¡± Un¡¯Dal insisted. Ta¡¯Ku whispered into his ear. ¡°Uh, I mean that is what we are attempting, Your Majesty.¡± He finished. She narrowed her eyes before flicking her tail in some kind of signal. Almost immediately another one of the deer trotted forward.

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    ¡°Chenly, heal this man. He has an oath to swear.¡± She ordered. Ta¡¯Ku watched as the deer stepped forward and lowered its head near Noah¡¯s wound. Its eyes glowed green and Noah¡¯s leg was shrouded in white light. A dark substance oozed from the leg and trickled down onto the ground, wilting the grass upon touch. This continued for another few seconds before there was a final flash of green. Noah began to stir, and opened his eyes, clearly confused. He frowned as he looked at the deer, rubbing his eyes. Finally, he saw Ta¡¯Ku and his tension eased.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku, where am I? What¡¯s going on?¡± Noah asked. Ta¡¯Ku coughed.

    ¡°Chief No¡¯Ah you have been unconscious due to a toxin in your system. We have been tending to you for several hours since the incident occurred.¡± Ta¡¯Ku explained. Ah, the blasted rabbit. Noah shook his head, still feeling groggy.

    ¡°Am I still hallucinating or are we surrounded by a herd of deer?¡± Noah asked. Before Ta¡¯Ku had a chance to respond, the queen stepped forward and looked pointedly into Noah¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°I heard that you are the leader of this tribe. Is that right?¡± She asked. Noah was taken off guard, her voice sounded surprisingly human, and regal. He cocked his head at the deer and decided to play along with it.

    ¡°That is right. I am Noah, chief of this tribe. Whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?¡± He asked. The deer smiled, actually smiled. To Noah¡¯s relief and great pleasure, it had normal teeth¨Cno fangs in sight.

    ¡°I am Queen Jeline of the lower plains, ruler of this territory. You may address me as Majesty Jeline.¡± She repeated word for word. Noah groaned audibly, much to the horror of his fellow orcs. The queen frowned.

    ¡°Did I same something strange?¡± She asked, a dangerous edge to her voice.

    ¡°You said ¡®lower plains¡¯ as if there are upper plains. This whole world is a giant mountain isn¡¯t it?¡± He said, rubbing his temples.

    ¡°Not a fan of mountains?¡± She asked, amused. He shook his head gravely.

    ¡°I used to love mountains; they are so majestic and beautiful. Then I realized that¡¯s only true when they''re really far away.¡± He mourned. ¡°Why not a giant ocean or better yet, variety!¡± The queen snorted.

    ¡°I think I like you, human.¡± She said, with a crinkle in her eyes. Noah looked up at her and studied her features.

    ¡°Do you remember Earth?¡± He asked. The question took Jeline off guard.

    ¡°No.¡± She said wistfully, ¡°Occasionally images flash through my mind, but they don¡¯t mean anything to me. They were from a time when I was less.¡± Noah considered her words.

    ¡°Was it lonely?¡± Noah asked. The queen started, finding her heart stirred by the human¡¯s questions. She frowned.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± She replied.

    ¡°When you first awakened, were you lonely?¡± He said. For a reason he couldn¡¯t place, he felt a strange resonance with the beast and his mind couldn¡¯t shake it.

    ¡°How did you know?¡± She said after a moment, memories of the early moments of awareness flashing through her mind.

    ¡°I think I understand.¡± He replied, gesturing around him. ¡°It is not by accident that I am the only one of my kind here.¡± She looked around as well, seeing the truth of his words. They were quiet for a minute, both lost in their own thoughts.

    ¡°I have changed my mind.¡± She announced, breaking Noah from his thoughts. He tilted his head at her and she looked at him intently.

    ¡°You will be coming with me.¡± She said. Noah frowned, not understanding. Ta¡¯Ku stiffened at her words but Noah didn¡¯t seem to notice.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I considered forcing your tribe to swear loyalty, but that is not what I desire any longer. You will come with me, alone.¡± She explained. For the first time in their conversation, Noah took the opportunity to consider her as an enemy. He winced. She was incredibly powerful by herself, not to mention her accompanying retinue.

    ¡°What of my tribe?¡± He asked, knowing he had no place to protest. She smiled at his response.

    ¡°They will be free to use this area as they wish. As long as they do not harm my subjects, I will allow them self-governance in your absence.¡± She replied. Noah nodded.

    ¡°How long before we leave?¡± He asked. She considered it for a moment.

    ¡°I will allow you an hour to speak with your people. We will wait for you just beyond the grove.¡± She said, turning her head in the direction of the trees.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± He replied. Jelline rejoined her herd and together they trotted out of sight. Noah turned to his gathered tribe.

    ¡°What¡¯s the plan? Are we running?¡± Di¡¯Ma blurted before Noah could speak. Noah smiled at his well-meaning companion.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid that we couldn¡¯t outrun them if we tried. There¡¯s no reason that they couldn¡¯t follow us down the mountain. If I am not mistaken, the weakest among them were as strong as I am. Earning their ire is not a risk we can take.¡± Noah explained.

    ¡°So we are just letting them take you?¡± Di¡¯Ma responded, frowning.

    ¡°I prefer to say that I am choosing to go, but yes we are,¡± Noah replied before turning to Ta¡¯Ku.

    ¡°Will you lead while I¡¯m gone?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Of course I will.¡± Ta¡¯Ku replied quickly. ¡°What are your orders?¡± Everyone gathered around to listen.

    ¡°Right now we don¡¯t stand a chance. But that doesn¡¯t have to be true months from now. Take this opportunity to push the tribe. When I return, I will need you to be ready.¡±

 Chapter 58

    Noah gathered his gear and made his final goodbyes before leaving toward the grove. The events of the last hour had been almost dreamlike and he felt that he was just waking up to the reality of them. I¡¯m leaving with an ascended deer. A deer. He shook his head, not sure whether to laugh or slap himself sober. He had met other intelligent beasts before, though ¡®met¡¯ was a tame way to put it. None of them had shown this level of reasoning though, not even close. It really stretched his concept of animals. Are they just beings with a lower grade? He considered the elves and their difference in starting grades, perhaps they had more animalistic instincts than humans. Until this point, he had classified the four races on the leaderboard as the ¡®sapient races¡¯ in contrast to the monsters that he considered to be sentient at most. This broke down with the deer though, Jeline was clearly just as intelligent and aware as he was. Her motivations were anything but simple, and she had demonstrated thoughtfulness and signs of emotion.

    Then there was the fact that one wrong word could have cost the lives of the whole tribe. The queen as she called herself had a controlling presence about her that reminded him of his domain. He had tried numerous times to make use of it, but he had failed to utilize anything more than its passive boost. Sure he was a bit more aware of his body and immediate surroundings, but that was the extent of it. With her though, it was different. Almost as if the air was at her beck and call, ready to obey her will. He shuddered as he remembered the feeling of helplessness in her presence. Even in his delirious state, he knew that she was not to be trifled with. So far he had managed to avoid obvious subservient behavior, but he would have no choice but to yield if she demanded it. The other issue was the rest of her herd. Every single one of them was Copper, but they already felt beyond what he had achieved, perhaps well into their next Grade or Gate. Whatever the queen had in mind for him, he would need to be careful.

    Noah rounded the grove and was immediately joined by a pair of bucks who escorted him through the tall grass. Here we go. They passed through the herd, most of which had bedded down as they waited. Noah wondered if they all spoke like Jeline, or if she was more advanced in some way. The queen was standing in a small clearing of trampled grass and looked appraisingly at him as he approached. His escorts paused at the entrance of the clearing, but Noah continued forward. There were several snorts of protest that were cut off by the queen¡¯s glare.

    ¡°Noah. You decided to join me.¡± She said, her voice delicate and light.

    ¡°I did, though I realized I do not know what I am joining you for.¡± He replied. The queen smiled, a decidedly cute expression on a deer. Noah had to try hard to take the encounter seriously as cartoon deer played through his mind.

    ¡°You will come and live with me. I like the sound of your voice, and I could use a friend.¡± She said. Noah scratched his head. Interesting. He smiled.

    ¡°That¡¯s nice of you. Do you have a time frame in mind?¡± He asked. There was a moment of tension as if the surrounding deer had all held their breath.

    ¡°Until I say otherwise, of course.¡± She replied, her pleasant demeanor never shifting. Noah frowned but decided to keep his thoughts to himself.

    ¡°All right then. Do you live nearby?¡± He asked, looking around. There was a chorus of snickers and snorts, and even the queen let out a bemused chuckle.

    ¡°We do not live in the woods if that¡¯s what you mean. We have a run ahead of us, our kingdom¡¯s capital is a half-day journey from here.¡± Jeline explained. Noah¡¯s cheeks flushed, perhaps for the first time since the System¡¯s arrival. I am losing my mind. They began their journey at a brisk pace, which quickly became a dash, and then a sprint. Noah strained to keep up with the herd, but quickly lagged behind. For the first time, he thought he understood what it felt like to be Ta¡¯Ku. He couldn¡¯t even complain without making himself a hypocrite. Just invest in constitution, Ta¡¯Ku! Don¡¯t eat for days, Ta¡¯Ku! Noah grimaced as bile rose in his throat. He forced it down. Perhaps this is a test. They want to see if I¡¯m worthy. That must be it. He gritted his teeth and sprinted for all that he was worth.

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    Jeline held back a laugh as she glanced at Noah. How cute. One of her maids approached her, interrupting her thoughts.

    ¡°My lady.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Dalia. What is it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think he is going to make it.¡± She said. Jeline looked again, noticing the deep red of his face and the torrent of sweat trailing down it.

    ¡°He¡¯ll be fine.¡± She replied. Dalia¡¯s mouth hung open for a second before snapping shut.

    ¡°Yes, milady.¡± She said before dashing away. Jeline giggled to herself as she considered picking up the pace. Feeling merciful though, she opted to maintain the current speed.

    Noah¡¯s legs were numb and his lungs were burning. But he felt alive. As hard as it was not to puke, something about being pushed past his limit really did something for him. He also found himself more and more amazed by the deer. Sure they had four legs, and were built for speed but they were clearly holding back for his sake. As he was considering their prowess he suddenly frowned as a question formed in his mind. Why are they not on the leaderboard? Jeline was undoubtedly stronger than him, so why had he never seen her name? Just in case, he pulled up the leaderboard.

    [Global Ranking System.]

    <ul>

    <li>Malentar Stoneskin-Drakon: Copper, Lvl 180</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Recter Jandon-Drakon: Copper, Lvl 175</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Noah Denter-Human: Copper, Lvl 169</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Ta¡¯Ku Gordrak-Orc: Copper, Lvl 160</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Ro¡¯Kar Bloodspike-Orc: Copper, Lvl 158</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Ne¡¯Ja Huskar-Orc: Copper, Lvl 158</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Balkendar Italifi-Elf: Copper, lvl 155</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Fastion Briner-Elf: Copper, Lvl 153</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Un¡¯Dal Falbane-Orc: Copper, Lvl 152</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Me¡¯Zin Domika-Orc: Copper, Lvl 151</li>

    </ul>

    Sure enough, there was no mention of the deer, though there had been several changes since the last time he viewed it. It appeared that Malentar had finally managed his advancement to Copper, and that the elves were slowing down. He could only imagine that it was difficult to find XP in their environment. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. The fact remained that according to the leaderboard, there should be no one this powerful. He had already learned That Irons couldn''t live in this environment, so they were certainly Coppers, and judging from things had been long enough that they would have made the rankings regardless of their level. Are monsters not counted? The thought struck him as odd considering the level of consciousness the deer exhibited. He would have to ask Jeline.

    The day stretched on for Noah as he desperately pushed his body to new heights. Several times he overheard annoyed snorting, likely protesting his snail''s pace. When they finally came to a stop, Noah collapsed unbidden to the ground. He heard the soft trot of hooves before Jeline spoke.

    ¡°You made it. I knew you would.¡± She said, sounding impressed with herself. Noah only groaned in response.

    ¡°Do you intend to sleep on the ground like some animal? We have beds in the castle.¡± Her words caused a series of emotions to play through Noah¡¯s mind. Unable to process them all he responded with a blank face.

    ¡°You have beds?¡± She smiled.

    ¡°Of course we do. Come, I''ll show you¡± she insisted. Noah pried himself off the ground and hobbled after Jeline. They passed through the trees and emerged into a wide open space. Only instead of the expected plains, there were walls and a city gate in front of him. His mouth hung open as they stepped onto the cobbled road and he looked around in shock. Do the elves still have me in a hallucination? A single guard stood at the gate, a reptilian creature standing on two legs and holding a sword. He bowed deeply as they approached and one of the stags nodded in his direction, the rest moving past without any acknowledgment. Noah crossed through the gate and into the open street beyond. Other monsters were walking along the street and quickly stepped to the side upon seeing their procession. Noah watched in awe as powerful beast after beast acted in deference toward Jeline. The queen. He realized. Any of these beasts would be a challenge for him, and yet they all showed complete submission before her. As he scanned the streets his eyes finally fell on the building they were heading toward. A real castle. Standing before him was a real honest-to-goodness castle, towers and walls included. How? Before he had the chance to ask he noticed a familiar figure standing close to the castle gate. Recter?

 Chapter 59

    Recter bowed low, practically 90 degrees as he caught sight of Jeline. He wore exquisite metal armor and carried a long spear, just as before. Noah frowned, questioning the reality of his presence. The Recter he knew had never acted so subservient or lowly. What happened to that drakon pride? Noah separated from the procession and jogged up to his former companion.

    ¡°Recter, is that you?¡± Noah asked. Recter raised his head. He smiled in recognition before his expression turned grave.

    ¡°Ah Noah, you have been bound as well?¡± He asked mournfully. Noah tilted his head in confusion.

    ¡°Bound? I¡¯m not sure what you mean.¡± Noah replied.

    ¡°You¡¯re lucky then. You still have time to run, don¡¯t waste it.¡± Recter hissed. Just then the procession stopped beside them and the soft patter of a deer¡¯s trot approached. Recter¡¯s eyes went wide and he immediately resumed his bow.

    ¡°Noah, do you know this guard?¡± Jeline asked. Noah nodded.

    ¡°I do, we traveled together for a time and fought side by side. I consider him a friend.¡± Noah explained. The queen looked thoughtful for a moment before responding.

    ¡°Very well then, I will have him assigned as your squire.¡± She said, matter of factly. Noah¡¯s brow knitted and he opened his mouth to refute her but caught Recter¡¯s reaction just in time to see the relief on his face.

    ¡°That would be very nice, thank you Jeline.¡± Noah responded. Jeline only smiled.

    ¡°Come along, I¡¯m sure you are tired. Your friend will receive his new assignment for tomorrow.¡± She said. Noah agreed and together they made their way through the castle gates and into the inner yard. The grounds were expansive with either side of the road filled with lush grass and scattered fruit trees. Groups of various beasts and two-legged beings performed exercises in the fields, and others sparred with a mix of weaponry and claws. They continued along the cobbled path, eventually coming to a massive ornate fountain, placed in a courtyard directly in front of the palace. Noah gawked at the sprawling castle before him. It stretched high into the air and was made from polished dark grey stone. He could hardly fathom how it had all been made, especially given the limited amount of Coppers in the world. Though as he considered that thought, it dawned on him that they weren''t nearly as limited as he had imagined, they simply didn¡¯t appear on the leaderboard. It was all a lot to take in and so he simply followed Jeline through the front doors. A handful of the deer continued into the palace with them, but the majority went their own ways upon reaching the palace. He was led into a grand lobby with several staircases going to different wings. They went up the right-most one and walked down a hallway ordained with beautiful artwork and the occasional door. A vibrant green rug stretched throughout the hallway and seemed to clean his boots as walked. Enchanted rugs? Jeline eventually stopped in front of a beautiful wood door and looked at Noah.

    ¡°This will be your quarters. I will have servants bring you everything you need, including a meal for the evening. I am sure you could use some rest, so I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow.¡± Jeline said, her voice kind and soft.

    ¡°Thank you, Jeline. I¨CI have so many questions that I don¡¯t know where to start.¡± He replied. She smiled.

    ¡°They will all be answered in due time. For tonight, rest. We will speak at length tomorrow.¡± She said before turning back down the hall. Noah opened the door and stepped through. The room was massive, with one wall filled with windows. On one side was a large bed, on a carved wooden frame. There was a small couch and coffee table near the windows and a door on the opposite wall, leading into another room. Curious as he was, he first went to the door and found it led to a bathing chamber. There was a smaller wash basin with a drain in the floor and a large stone pool with a modern-looking faucet, both of which immediately piqued his interest. Even more exciting, however, was the toilet. It had been nearly a year since he last saw the beautiful sight, the very peak of modern luxury. He quickly moved to test his new devices and found the latter to be in perfect working order. To his disappointment, the bath only ran cold, and his dreams of a modern spa vanished.

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    He began to undress, finding his clothes to be rather filthy. In fact, he started to wonder what the others had thought of his appearance, not to mention the smell. For the second time this year, he felt a flush of embarrassment as he considered his barbaric state. He was interrupted by a loud knocking on his door.

    ¡°My lord, may I enter?¡± A voice called out from the hallway. My lord? He slung his bloodied furs back over his chest and reentered the main room.

    ¡°Come in!¡± He shouted in response. The door opened and a doe entered his room, pushing a cart with some kind of telekinetic magic. She looked him over and he swore he saw her nose flinch in disgust.

    ¡°Good, you are already preparing for a bath. I will heat the water for you, and take your clothes. I will leave a towel and a fresh set of garments on the bench next to the bath. Another servant will bring you a meal in an hour.¡± She explained.

    ¡°Uh. Thank you.¡± He said, sheepishly. ¡°Do you have a name?¡± She made what sounded like an amused bleat.

    ¡°My name is Dalia, milord. Though typically servants aren¡¯t addressed by name.¡± She replied. Noah frowned.

    ¡°Dalia, why are you calling me ¡®lord¡¯, and furthermore how are you a servant? Surely you are at least as powerful as me if not more.¡± Noah protested.

    ¡°It is true what you say, but I serve her majesty and she has asked me to serve you. Compared to her majesty my strength is irrelevant.¡± She said before entering the bathroom. It was only then that her words sank in. He smiled in giddy anticipation. Spa episode confirmed. As soon as Dalia finished, he rushed into the bathroom and peeled the rest of the furs off his body, depositing them on the cart by the entry. The small basin had been filled with warm water and next to it was a sturdy brush and a bar of soap. He began scrubbing at his body, immediately grateful for the separate wash area. Streams of brown and red flowed down the drain as he relished in the sensation of warm water. After an exorbitant amount of scrubbing, he finally felt clean and stepped into the pool of water. The stone was hot to the touch and kept the water at a pleasantly scalding temperature. He sighed as he leaned his head back, allowing his mind to drift. Given the opportunity, a deluge of thoughts rushed in. His psyche felt fragile, as if a single event could push him over the edge. He knew he wasn¡¯t allowing his mind to process what was going on, but he couldn¡¯t help it. He was numb. Logically, he knew that the new events should be jarring. His most recent close encounter with death should be alarming. His mental lapse at seeing the grassy plains should be an indicator. Instead, it was all a wall of grey.

    What is wrong with me?

    He sat in the water for a long time. At some point, he heard someone enter his room¨Clikely to drop off food, and then leave. He didn¡¯t move. At some point, the sun went down, and his chamber was lit only by the stars. He remained. Tears streamed down his face, yet he couldn¡¯t explain why. His heart ached and he let it. As the storm of chaos threatened to overtake his mind he heard a whisper, faint but familiar.

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay.¡±

    The words carried a warmth to them, full of an affection he hadn¡¯t known. The tears came freely after that, and Noah found himself missing someone he had never met. He had always felt guilty mentioning his birth parents growing up, not because of anything that was said but because of what he saw. He could see the pain it caused his parents when he brought them up. There was a hole they couldn¡¯t fill. It had been years since he last considered them, but as he lay in the pool he became homesick for a family he didn¡¯t know.

    Are you still out there?

    ~

    In another galaxy, an impossible distance away a woman cried for the first time in many years. Suddenly two years felt like an eternity, and her heart ached for a reason she couldn¡¯t put her finger on.

 Chapter 60

    When he finally made it to bed it was several hours into the night, and he sank into the soft mattress with an audible groan. This is bliss. Some may say that all that constitution made sleeping on the ground no big deal and in some ways, they would be right. But as Noah sunk into the luscious down he learned just how much he¡¯d been missing. His heightened awareness, both through stat and domain, communicated a wave of pure joy to his brain. If his ducts weren''t dry he may have shed a tear, but alas they were so he smiled a giddy grin in the darkness. After the emotional torrent, his brain was ready for a reprieve, so as soon as he closed his eyes he was asleep. He dreamt¨Cnot a prophetic dream, but more of a sorting-things-out kind of dream. He saw Julie and the boys, Jergin and the strange elves, Ro¡¯Kar, and the tribe, and then a slideshow of freshly harrowing near-death experiences. It started as a pleasant dream but ended as a nightmare, though when he woke he felt that the fear was a fitting response to the corresponding events. The dream had ended with a particularly disturbing scene, where Jeline was walking beside him only to turn and open her mouth only to find it filled with razor-sharp teeth. She then proceeded to bite his head clear off his body. He shuddered at the image but also steeled himself for the day to come. He didn¡¯t pretend that his mental state was now in tip-top shape, but he knew now that his laissez-faire attitude with Jeline would get him in trouble. There was a knock on the door before it opened, revealing Dalia with a similar cart to yesterday.

    ¡°Good morning, I see you are awake. I brought you a proper set of clothes to wear to breakfast with Her Majesty. She doesn¡¯t like to be kept waiting, so you best hurry.¡± She said, pushing the cart up to the bed. Noah got up, clad in the smooth thread pajamas from her previous visit. He examined the outfit picked out for him and frowned. It appeared to be a tunic, with accompanying stockings, boots, and belt. He cocked his head at thematic medieval European wear. Dalia snorted.

    ¡°Her Majesty has memories of English castles and has taken a liking to the whole time period.¡± She explained. Noah nodded, finding the quirk charming. He began to pull off his nightshirt but then stopped, looking at Dalia.

    ¡°Uh, do you mind?¡± He asked, feeling oddly bashful. It was her turn to cock her head.

    ¡°Do you feel uncomfortable being naked in front of a deer? I am naked in front of you, what is so strange about it?¡± She asked. Noah opened and closed his mouth a few times.

    ¡°I guess that¡¯s a fair point. Though I may change in the bathroom anyways.¡± He said. She snorted.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine, but if you¡¯re going, take this.¡± She said, gesturing toward a short metal blade on the cart. Noah picked it up, inspecting it. It was a straight razor.

    ¡°Am I supposed to shave?¡± He asked, suddenly putting less weight on her ¡®I¡¯m a deer¡¯ comment. She nodded.

    ¡°Yes, at least the beard. But do something about your hair as well, it looks ridiculous. There is a mirror in the room to the left.¡± She said. Feeling thoroughly objectified, he entered the bathroom and noticed the side door he had missed the night before. Inside was a vanity and something of a walk-in closet. He shaved for the first time since the apocalypse, finding the blade sharp and more than up for the task. He also found that his skin didn¡¯t become irritated from the razor, likely a random perk of his constitution. Once he finished, he used a piece of ribbon the deer had provided to tie back his hair in a rough ponytail. Then he dressed and took a long look at himself. He looked like a typically very healthy person who had a couple rough nights of sleep in a row. His eyes had light bags, and his cheeks looked a tad gaunt but otherwise, he looked great. His clothes were¨Cinteresting. The forest green tunic was incredibly comfortable and was embroidered in silver, with an emblem on his breast. It was a group of trees with a single doe. Fitting. He also wore a wide leather belt with a silver buckle around his waist, charcoal stockings, and dark leather boots. He looked like a Renaissance man with too much money to blow on his hobby. He had to admit that it was nice though, at the very least better than his furs.

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    For some reason, he had expected to look different after everything he went through, more changed. In reality, the most noticeable difference was the length of his hair. Sure, he had a couple new scars that his constitution was yet to purge but he still didn¡¯t look as different as he felt. He sighed and splashed water on his face, mentally preparing for the day ahead. He reemerged from the vanity closet a new person, and Dalia nodded approvingly as he strode in.

    ¡°Yes, that will do. Hurry now, we can¡¯t be late.¡± She said, turning toward the door. Noah hurried after her, returning down the hallway they had used yesterday. They arrived in the lobby and went up the center staircase, entering yet another hallway. This one was lined with doors and had a long silver carpet instead of green. As they walked a faint scent wafted into the hall, the smell of freshly baked bread and perhaps fruit. His stomach rumbled and he began to salivate. Dalia opened the door to their left and he stepped in, finding more of a greenhouse than a room. The ceiling was all glass and a tree was in the center of the room, covered in fragrant blooming flowers, with sharp magenta leaves. There was a single table set for two on the far side of the room, and sitting at the table was a woman he didn¡¯t recognize. She wore a dark green dress that matched her eyes, and her red hair was done up in a braided crown. She smiled, her eyes lighting up as she saw him.

    ¡°Oh Noah, you¡¯re here. I¡¯ve been eagerly awaiting our conversation.¡± She said, her voice familiar. He frowned, racking his brain for her name. She laughed, her voice light and pleasant.

    ¡°Jeline?¡±

    ¡°Very good, you already recognize my voice!¡± She said playfully. ¡°Yes, it is me.¡±

    ¡°How?¡± Noah asked, knowing the answer but wanting an explanation anyway.

    ¡°Magic of course.¡± She said, her eyes twinkling with mirth. He sat down at the table and within moments the door opened, and Dalia entered pushing a cart filled with steaming food.

    ¡°Do you like pastries?¡± Jeline asked as an assortment of baked goods was set before them. He nodded, his eyes going wide at the variety.

    ¡°I love them. However, I am finding it hard to believe they still exist in this new world.¡± He replied.

    ¡°All of this and it''s the pastries you are struggling with?¡± She asked. He laughed.

    ¡°The pastries are just the first thing I¡¯m asking about.¡± He admitted with a sigh. ¡°I have a lot of questions, but I have to start somewhere.¡±

    ¡°Well, ask away.¡± She said. He took a bite of a berry danish as he considered his first question. Wow, this is good.

    ¡°Why do you look like a human?¡± He asked, deciding to start with the immediate.

    ¡°I noticed your discomfort with my natural form, I thought this might help.¡± She replied easily. He nodded slowly.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡ªnice of you. That leads to my next question though. Why are you being so kind to me? I am not sure what I can offer you.¡± Noah asked. She gave him a coy smile.

    ¡°I guess you could say I have a feeling. That and I decided to be.¡± Jeline explained. ¡°Next question.¡± Noah took a deep breath.

    ¡°All right. Where did this castle come from? And the furniture, and the kingdom, how is it all possible?¡± He questioned.

    ¡°The castle was built by the crafters'' guild, a rather skillful bunch of golems if you ask me. You¡¯ve never seen building until you¡¯ve seen a system-empowered carpenter at work. The same story is true for the rest of the town and the various odds and ends required to fill it. What would have taken an Earth human months to finish can be done in weeks here.¡± She explained. ¡°Now as for the kingdom, I have a question for you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, and what¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Have you heard of the quest?¡± She asked. He nodded.

    ¡°The quest regarding nobility?¡± He replied.

    ¡°The very same. I assume you haven¡¯t met the requirements for it then?¡± She mused.

    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t. I have been wondering about it though. Multiple people I know have managed to get the quest, including the previous tribe chief.¡± He answered.

    ¡°That makes sense. The requisite to get the quest is 50 loyal subjects and a claimed territory. Judging by your presence in my lands, I assume it''s the latter preventing you.¡± She said.

    ¡°Ah. I guess that makes sense. The orc village was captured shortly before I became the chief.¡± Noah said, nodding in understanding.

    ¡°The quest is actually a small part of why I have you here. But before I explain, why don¡¯t you tell me more about Noah.¡±

 Chapter 61

    They spoke for some time, Jeline wanted to know every detail of his story and he found himself happy to share. He shared his first encounters, his time with Julie, meeting the orcs, and his run-in with the elves. She made small comments here and there, noting the likeliness of an elven ruler with the quest and questioning his relationship with Julie. She was interested in Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s role as his Dan¡¯Kar and expressed grief for separating him from his companion. He had assured her that Ta¡¯Ku was exactly where he needed to be. She was fascinated by his dreams, so much so that she questioned each piece, determined to get every last bit of information from it. Eventually, breakfast became lunch, and a new meal was served, this time a salad with some kind of grilled meat and grains. She was less open about her story, and Noah found what he thought was embarrassment as he asked her questions about her past. She hadn¡¯t become fully aware until reaching Copper, though she described a measure of intelligence that came with Iron. She had led her herd through the snow-filled region and had faced the same issue he had, having to leave some behind due to their lower caste. She had been one of the first beasts in the new area, though that hadn¡¯t lasted long. She was challenged daily for several months before the others began to learn of her prowess in advance. She had then forced every defeated foe to swear a System-bound oath of loyalty or die.

    She was shocked to learn that he hadn¡¯t heard of the oaths and questioned his ability to judge loyalty without them. She found his explanation ¡®charming¡¯ but unreliable. Noah learned the frightening power of these oaths. They were absolute, and could only be released by the recipient of the oath. Even if given under duress, the System would enforce loyalty by effectively exiling the offender from its purview. No more levels, status screens, or quests. He realized with great dismay the reason for Recter¡¯s behavior. He was bound. As the realization sunk in his face turned grim and Jeline paused mid-sentence.

    ¡°Noah, what is it?¡± She asked, leaning forward. He took a deep, steadying breath.

    ¡°I just realized why my friend acted so strangely yesterday. He used to be bold and free, filled with the pride of his people. Yesterday he looked fragile.¡± Noah shared, his voice a whisper. Jeline tilted her head, and then her eyes softened.

    ¡°Do you mean the guardsman?¡± She asked. Noah nodded. She tapped on her cheek as she stared off into space.

    ¡°I am willing to consider releasing him, but at this point, I fear he would attempt retaliation. That would end poorly. If it is that important to you, we can discuss it though.¡± She said after a moment.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± Noah replied. He found it hard to lock down his feelings about the queen, in one moment she was a tyrant and in another she was considerate. It¡¯s a trap. The whisper in his mind was subtle but sharp. He forced a smile. It may be a trap but its one I have to walk into. Too many people are at stake.

    ¡°Was there anything else you wanted to ask about?¡± Jeline said, breaking him out of his thoughts.

    ¡°Right. The thing I am most curious about is actually the leaderboard. I have been near the top of it for months, but I have never seen your name appear on it once. Why is that?¡± He asked, suddenly very interested in her response. Her face reflected a range of emotions as she chose her words, the most evident of which was rage. When she spoke her words were laced with venom.

    ¡°The System did not deem us worthy of that privilege. We ¡®lesser beings¡¯ as it called us had to reach Iron before we were given access to the System. Only upon reaching Copper were we granted a leaderboard, though it appears it is separate from yours.¡± She spat. Noah bristled at her words, not unfamiliar with the cold calculating perspective of the System.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He offered, genuinely feeling the injustice of it as he sat across from her. She smiled at him.

    ¡°Thank you, Noah. I do not blame you for our different treatment. Further, I have come to accept it. Unlike your people, it has been easy for us to adapt to this changing world. We have always had the instinct to survive at any cost, unbarred by the constructs of civility. You however, are burdened by ideals.¡± She explained. Noah frowned but recognized the truth of her words. Then his curiosity won out.

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    ¡°Jeline, are you at the top of your leaderboard?¡± He asked. She laughed as if it was the funniest thing she had heard.

    ¡°Top? I¡¯m not on the rankings! I won¡¯t even be close until I reach Bronze.¡± She said. Noah¡¯s heart stopped. No, it can¡¯t be.

    ¡°They have already reached Bronze?¡± He asked, his voice tense. She nodded.

    ¡°Oh yes, I haven¡¯t met any of that level but the first ascended not long after I gained access to the leaderboard. Its quite impressive given the extra requirements.¡± Jeline mused. Noah cocked his head.

    ¡°Extra requirements?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I guess you wouldn¡¯t know. To reach Bronze you must have a noble title in addition to the proper Grade, Gate, and Path. Hence, the quest of nobility.¡± She explained her tone even. Noah¡¯s heart sank as the next step became even further away.

    ¡°How close are you to completing it?¡± He asked, his voice hollow.

    ¡°I have already achieved the proper advancements, now I am waiting on the quest. I have just over 3,000 of the 10,000 loyal subjects required to complete the quest. I would like to say it is a matter of time, but the rate of increase has begun to slow. Your group is one of the larger ones to cross over this month.¡± She explained.

    ¡°Do you only get new subjects from below?¡± He asked, confused. She sighed.

    ¡°At one point I also got them from the wanderers in the lower plains but that has long since ceased due to the neighboring kingdoms.¡± She replied. Kingdoms plural? Noah gulped.

    ¡°And these other kingdoms, are they as powerful as yours?¡± He ventured.

    ¡°Unfortunately yes. One of them has even conquered others, assimilating their subjects into his own. Frankly, I would be doing the same given the opportunity but I have been on the defensive. That particular neighbor is getting close to ascending and may attempt to use us as their stepping stone.¡± Jeline said. Noah grimaced.

    ¡°That¡¯s intense.¡± He said, unnerved by the scope of things. She laughed again, breaking the tension.

    ¡°I believe it¡¯s my turn to ask a question.¡± She stated, with a playful grin. He nodded in agreement.

    ¡°I believe it is.¡±

    ¡°Why do you think I really brought you here?¡± She questioned, appearing to hold down a laugh. He considered it, unsure of how honest to be with his guesses.

    ¡°For your amusement?¡± He asked, being careful to sound playful. She made a so-so kind of gesture.

    ¡°Cultural experience?¡± She shook her head but giggled.

    ¡°Companionship?¡± He offered, holding back the internal wince. She chuckled.

    ¡°I guess that is part of it. Perhaps I am not being fair. Would you like me to tell you?¡± She asked.

    ¡°That would be great.¡± He replied, grinning.

    ¡°Very well. When I met you, I found your banter charming and believed you would offer a sort of aid to my newfound loneliness. That is a real piece of it, and the reason you are here with me now. The primary reason however is quite different. You will be my pawn, and I will use you to expand my kingdom and eventually ascend.¡± She said this matter of fact, and without any remorse. Noah froze as a heavy presence seemed to settle in on him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be so surprised, you¡¯re smarter than that Noah. I know you¡¯ve been suspicious of me since we met, no need to pretend otherwise. We both have goals, and since I like you I figure we can use each other to our own ends.¡± She said, her mirth gone. Noah let out a breath.

    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± He started, ¡°I am at a loss though, if your neighbors are so powerful what could I possibly do about it?¡± She nodded sagely.

    ¡°As you are now, you could do very little. That is why I will train you. Once I¡¯m done with you, you will be ready to make your run at Bronze yourself. You have a lot of work to do before then though. If you are able to help me ascend, then I will free you and your people.¡± For the first time since meeting Jeline, Noah finally felt a sense of peace, the truth providing the clarity he had lacked. Further, he felt a tinge of excitement at her proposal.

    ¡°When do we start?¡±

 Chapter 62

    Noah¡¯s excitement was short-lived. ¡®Training¡¯ as Jeline called it was a hell far surpassing his own boot camp grind sessions. She had him start the day following their conversation, and his schedule was booked in back-to-back sessions of forced advancement. To her, the biggest hurdle was the sheer quantity of essence needed to reach C Grade, totaling one million. She had been horrified to learn that he had yet to reach D Grade and demanded that he advance as soon as he had the required essence. To rectify this she repeatedly locked him in her version of cage matches in a public arena. Anyone that she was dissatisfied with or who refused the oath was thrown into the arena to serve as his XP source. That was horrible enough to Noah, but she wasn¡¯t satisfied with executions, no she told them that if they beat him they could go free. His first match went poorly, the beast facing him was some kind of wolf-bear hybrid and had severed an artery in his leg within the first moments of battle. From there it was a desperate struggle, which ended with him soaked through in blood and seeing everything in an off-green. Worse yet, it only awarded him 10,000 XP. Apparently, it was only the Grade of the beast that upped their value.

    Her healer would tend to him, patching him up with practiced ease, and then he would be sent into his next fight. Rinse and repeat. He was strictly forbidden from leveling and was required to convert his XP to essence immediately. Only after three battles did he get a break from the death matches, instead being trained to advance his Gate. He enjoyed this bit despite the pressure. His moment of inspiration in the moments before the rabbit attack had involved an awareness of the world. This coupled with Jeline¡¯s personal instruction made him feel momentum in his meditation for the first time in many months. Outside of these times he was also being trained in various weapons, because apparently you never knew what you may have at your disposal. Recter was allowed to join for these sessions, acting as his primary opponent. Noah had attempted to speak with him, but he was closed-lipped and Noah suspected that he had been forbidden from such conversations. At night he slept like a rock, barely having enough energy to wash before falling into his bed.

    On the morning of the third day of his new regime, he woke with a smile. His body was sore and his mind strained, and yet he felt a sense of peace. The new routine was doing wonders for mental health, not to mention the complete lack of responsibilities. Sure, he was technically still a tribe leader and was on the hook to save all of humanity, but right now he was locked in. All he had was the task in front of him and it was glorious. He hopped out of bed, and plunged into the cool pool, not bothering to ask Dalia to heat it for him. It was well before dawn and he had meditation to do. He could feel the breakthrough coming, and the itch for advancement drove him forward. When Dalia arrived a couple hours later with breakfast, she found him well and truly entranced within his own mind. It took prodding him and yelling his name before she finally got through. He thanked her, scarfed his meal, and headed to the training yard. Recter was already waiting, diligent as ever, and tossed him a spear, the weapon of the day. They sparred without fear, eventually landing deep wounds and requiring intervention from the healer. He attempted to study Recter, to look for some way to communicate but it wasn¡¯t forthcoming.

    Eventually, it was time for his daily dose of trauma and he jumped into the arena, his smile only slightly diminishing. The opponents of the day were similar in strength to the previous, which was to say deadly and more than able to kill him. He was maimed, healed, down a limb, healed again, and finally just low on blood. His afternoon training went smoothly, this time led by one of the knight captains, a stag by the name of Grifney. He seemed to have something against Noah and let him know over and over again. The healer was on standby though, and never allowed the injuries to threaten his life. Finally, the time for meditation came and he sat across from the human form of Jeline for his favorite activity of the day. She shared again how the third gate was all about knowing the world around you and its place in relation to you and the rest of the world. He realized that it was very similar to the concept of domain, and wondered at the implications. There was no breakthrough for him that day, but he felt himself move ever closer.

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    The days continued in that pattern and Noah found himself losing track of time. He only watched as his essence climbed higher each day. 30,000 each day. It had only been a matter of days before he reached D Grade, a feat that would have felt impressive if not for the rather derogatory remarks that Jeline used when speaking of it. Sure, he could have advanced earlier, but he didn¡¯t understand the degree to which she looked down upon it. The advancement had come with the same benefits as before, adding to his body¡¯s durability and strength across the board. The increases gave him a surge of confidence, that was until Jeline threw a more powerful beast at him. He was brought within an inch of death and the match had to be interrupted. It took the healer significantly longer that day. He was rattled after that, and his mediation slowed. After several weeks had passed he was finally feeling himself again and Jeline showed up in his room instead of Dalia.

    ¡°Jeline! I wasn¡¯t expecting you.¡± Noah said, hurriedly pulling his close on. For whatever reason her presence still put him off balance, and he felt embarrassed to be seen in his state. She smiled amused, though she lacked her typical mirth.

    ¡°Noah, I¡¯ve come to talk with you. Why don¡¯t we sit.¡± She said, motioning to the couch. He followed her instructions and joined her on the loveseat, acutely aware of her proximity.

    ¡°What is it?¡± He asked, having to turn his head at an awkward angle to meet her eyes.

    ¡°You are running out of time.¡± She said, her voice serious. His brow furrowed.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± He asked.

    ¡°The border skirmishes are getting worse, I believe we only have a matter of months before an all-out attack. At the pace you¡¯re going, you won¡¯t survive the attack nor will you be able to complete my task.¡± She explained grimly. Noah didn¡¯t know what to say.

    ¡°I¡¯m trying¡ª¡± She cut him off.

    ¡°You haven''t advanced your Gate or your Grade, and we both know D Grade really doesn¡¯t count. Your progress has been minimal at best. From here on you will only face higher-tiered beasts. It would be better for you to die here than to get both our hopes up later. As for your gate, if you have not advanced by the end of the month then you will face Recter in the arena.¡± Her words cut through him and she left the room before he had a chance to respond. His mind whirled and he clung to the arm of the couch as his heart threatened to leap from his chest. Whatever pressure he had felt before was nothing compared to his new burden. Am I going to die today? He forced himself to take a deep breath. No. He got up and washed his face, staring at his reflection. I am not dying today. I can¡¯t die today. He took his time getting ready, opting to shave and eat his meal slowly. He couldn¡¯t let the fear taint his judgment, he would need to be sharp if he wanted to survive.

    He used his sparring session as his warm-up, treating every blow as fatal and not allowing a single hit to land. Recter seemed to be aware of his change and provided the first hint of emotion that Noah had seen since they started weeks prior. Too soon his session ended and he was escorted to the arena where a larger crowd than usual had assembled. For the first time he was allowed to select his weapon, and without hesitation, he chose the warhammer¨Chis faithful companion through many near-death encounters. He stepped into the ring and closed his eyes. He forced his senses to stretch out over the enclosed space, willing a greater awareness into being. First, he heard the shuffling feet of the audience; he tuned them out. Then the whistle of the wind through the banner hanging overhead; silence. The chatter, the applause, the shouting, one after another they became dim to his awareness, and in their place, a sphere of understanding formed around him, stretching only as far as the enclosure¡¯s walls. It was like the moment after he received his domain. An alarming amount of information flooded his mind but somehow all worked together to form a cohesive image. He knew the arena, every spec of sand, every shift in air current, every vibration from shuffling feet. He froze. The form of a large beast slammed into the sand, and a torrent of sensations assaulted his mind. It¡¯s here.

 Chapter 63

    It''s here. Heavy paws sent waves of force through the sand as the beast rushed Noah. He could see it perfectly. It was a tiger, twice the typical size, and standing on two legs. Its striped orange fur was pristine and its eyes burned with determination as it closed the distance between them in a heartbeat. Noah grinned as he took in every minute detail of its approach¨Cthe extension of its leg, the raising of its paw, the extending of its claws. Even with the ability to know its movements, his body struggled to react in time. He desperately swung his hammer in a counter arc, managing to catch its wrist and deflect its claws. He lept back, not missing the shock on the beast''s face, nor the sly smile creeping across its face. It lunged forward, both claws extended and it was all he could do to dive out of the way. Some things never change. Before he could get to his feet the tiger was already moving. He attempted to roll out of its path but its claws found purchase in his back. He winced as a line of red was carved into him. With what little momentum he could manage, he swung the point of his hammer at the beast¡¯s head, forcing it to move or endure the blow. It withdrew and prepared to strike again.

    Noah climbed to his feet and dropped into a ready stance. He had been fighting these relentless battles day after day and it would take more than a flesh wound to put him down. Once again the tiger lunged forward, but this time Noah was already in motion, swinging his hammer in an overhead strike. The spike of his weapons struck the top of the beast¡¯s skull and it cried out in anguish. To Noah¡¯s horror, it pressed the attack nonetheless and he watched in excruciating detail as his left arm was shredded like paper. He screamed and his vision went blurry. He desperately tried to clear his eyes but found there was nothing in them. No¡­ He realized his brief grasp of domain had faltered in his lapse of focus, and he somehow knew he wouldn¡¯t be getting back mid-fight. The cacophony of noise that came next was alarming and he doubled down on his senses, willing them to stay in the fight. Through his mundane vision, he examined the beast even as it watched him. He noticed a slight wobble to its steps. Concussion? He gripped the hammer with his right hand and started his approach. He swung the weapons like a club, aiming for its torso. It dodged, closing the distance and lashing out with a low kick to his shin.

    He turned into the blow and drove his knee into the tiger¡¯s thigh. They were close enough to hug and exchanged several rapid strikes with Noah coming out ahead. It appeared that his brief stint of martial training came in handy against an ascended beast who had abandoned its natural form. His hammer had been knocked from his hand, so as they broke apart he stepped back and snatched it from the ground. The tiger grinned predatorily at him and he felt his heart waver. It dashed forward, and before he could react it bit into his thigh, wrenching him from his feet. He hit the ground hard, his leg stuck in the vice. He kicked at it with his other foot, and desperately swung his hammer. It did little to dissuade the beast. This can¡¯t be the end. Pain tore through him, and he struggled to hold on to his consciousness. No.. The spike of his hammer finally sunk into the tiger¡¯s flesh and he felt its teeth tear out of him. He propped himself up, as much as he could on the one arm. The beast had a hole between the ear and eye and its mouth was hanging open. Bile rose in his throat. The beast began staggering toward him, its eyes were distant. He braced himself and positioned the point of the hammer between him and his foe. Its face twitched exposing bloody fangs, and it lept forward. Noah watched as it descended. One set of claws arcing near. Only to stop short. He blinked. The tiger lay still directly in front of him, its claws a mere foot from his mangled leg. A warm feeling rose within him, and he promptly wretched all over the beast. He began to fall backward only to be caught in warm hands.

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    ¡°I knew you could do it.¡± Jeline whispered in her ethereal voice. He was glad that he didn¡¯t have enough awareness to respond. The healer began working on him and Jeline assured him that this would be the only fight of the day. They continued to speak but his thoughts turned to the System notification he had received.

    [100,000 XP Gained.]

    He smiled. He noticed the concerned expression on Jeline¡¯s face but paid it no mind. He did it. He had enough to advance his Grade. Relief flowed through him and it seemed to tip the scales, and his vision finally faded. When he woke he was lying in his bed, pain free. Amazing. Even after a month of constant healing, he couldn¡¯t get over the wonder of it. If only it had been present in the old world. He shook his head, one thing always begat another. He sat up and found that he had company. Jeline sat on his couch, sipping on some tea. She turned her head and smiled as she saw him.

    ¡°Noah, you¡¯re awake.¡± She greeted. He blinked, finding the lighting in the room to be off.

    ¡°What time is it?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Just after dawn, after the healer finished I brought you here. The healing was¡­¡± She paused as if searching for just the right word. ¡°Extensive. You lost more blood than could be easily replenished, hence the extended rest.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± Noah replied, frowning. ¡°Is there something I can help you with?¡± He asked. Her eyebrows knitted and he saw a flash of sadness cross her face.

    ¡°Noah, I think I made a mistake in the way I spoke to you a couple days ago.¡± She stated. His frown deepened. Before he could ask, however, she continued.

    ¡°Please remember that while I can speak with you as another person could, I am not accustomed to your ways of thinking. I have been advised that my approach likely came across as harsh and uncaring, perhaps even cruel.¡± She said, looking truly forlorn.

    ¡°This is not what I intended, but I can see that that is exactly what happened. The way you looked at me with such hostility¡ªfear even. I don¡¯t think I have experienced that kind of pain before. I have also been informed that one would typically apologize in these circumstances if they wish to mend the relationship. I¡¯m sorry, Noah.¡± She finished. Noah stared at her in bewilderment. He had no words. The tyrant is apologizing? His brain refused to accept this as reality and he remained speechless. Jeline on the other hand looked close to tears. She got up and walked over to him, grabbing one of his hands between hers.

    ¡°Noah, you have to understand. I just don¡¯t want you to die. When the neighboring kingdom invades I won¡¯t be able to protect you. There won¡¯t be a healer ready to mend your wounds. You will be on your own. If I don¡¯t push you, you won¡¯t stand a chance. That¡¯s why I said what I did. Because I care.¡± Her voice was frantic as she stared into his eyes. Noah had heard this kind of language before, from a particularly unhealthy relationship with a girlfriend in college. She would hurt him and then beg for forgiveness saying ¡®I did it for you.¡¯ This however was not a human woman, but a sapient deer. Normal women were hard enough to understand, he didn¡¯t dare try to get into her head. Against his better judgment, he raised his free hand to pause her speech.

    ¡°Jeline, I forgive you.¡± He replied. Real tears trailed down her face as she wrapped him in a hug.

    ¡°Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am so happy we could mend our relationship. Speaking of, now that you¡¯re healed, I will let the others know that you will be joining for training.¡± She said as if it was the only natural transition. With that, she left him, and Dalia came in with a cart of food. He rubbed at the crease between his eyes. I really shouldn¡¯t have expected any different.

 Chapter 64

    Chapter 64

    As Noah ate his breakfast he pondered his next course of action, primarily whether to advance his Grade now or to wait. Out of all the advancements, Grade had been the most straightforward offering a flat boost to his abilities, as if amplifying his stats. He only considered waiting on the off chance that upgrading would change the current routine. The more he thought about that possibility the more inclined to advance he became. With that decided he moved to the bathroom and sat in the empty pool. He mentally triggered the advancement and waited for the impending messages.

    [Grade increased. D > C.]

    His body began to tremble and heat up as every cell was altered. It was painful, or at least he knew it would be if his nervous system was functioning. Minutes passed while the change took root. Only once his body had fully settled did he summon his status screen.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: C

    Domain: Proximal

    Caste: Copper

    Gate: 2

    Path: Adept

    Level: 169

    Strength: 668

    Dexterity:668

    Constitution: 506

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 2,000/10,000

    Essence: 0/10,000,000

    Stat points available: 0

    It had been a long time since his last review and he found his stats lacking. He was looking forward to converting the upcoming XP into levels for the easy gains. That being said, his new body felt electric as if every muscle was itching to move. There was something about advancements that felt almost addicting and he couldn¡¯t contain the smile that crept across his face. He washed and got ready for the day before eagerly making his way to the training yard. He wanted to find his new limits and see how much further he could push his body. When he got to the sparring area, Recter stood waiting for him. He wore a concerned expression as he approached but it faded when he noticed Noah¡¯s gaze.

    ¡°Recter, good morning. Is everything alright?¡± Noah asked, hoping it would be the day he broke through the silence. The drakon looked conflicted for a moment and then let out a sharp hiss of breath.

    ¡°Noah. I have been hesitant to speak, as my life has hung in the balance. However, it seems that my time will be coming to an end whether I choose to speak or not. I have been informed that we are set to fight in the arena in a month¡¯s time unless you manage to break through. I do not wish to fight you as I believe either outcome will result in my death. For that reason, I urge you to focus on your advancement. For both our sakes.¡± Recter finished, before lifting his weapon. Noah pressed his lips in a tight line.

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    ¡°I will break through, Recter. I won¡¯t let you die.¡± He replied, lifting his weapon in kind. They sparred for over an hour, and Recter pushed him as hard as he was able. Soon the telltale escort arrived, ushering him to his next death match. The sparring had helped him consolidate his newfound power and test his abilities, now it was time to see if they would be enough to make the difference. Once again he extended his senses, reaching for that intangible ability. It occurred to him that he really ought to practice his domain outside of these circumstances, and as much as he wished he would have started earlier, the next best time was now. When the spike-ridden rhino stepped into the ring he was ready.

    It was clear by the look in its eyes that it was measuring him, assessing him for any weaknesses. Noah waited on a razor¡¯s edge, not daring to make the first move. He knew that one wrong step would spell his ruin, and he had been reminded that it wasn¡¯t just his life on the line. He had opted for a long spear, having realized his relative fragility in the previous fight. If he could attack them from further away, then perhaps he could avoid a killing blow. The match went slowly, more a competition of strategists than boxers. They took turns probing each other¡¯s defenses and exchanging feints, neither willing to fully commit to an attack. As the time went on Noah¡¯s nerves grew along with the weight on his conscience. This wasn¡¯t the behavior of a beast with a need for blood. No, this was the calculating nature of a survivor who was desperately clinging to life. It was with genuine remorse that he finally lashed out, taking the rhino by surprise when his feint turned serious. His spear dug deeply into the beast¡¯s shoulder, and its leg buckled as tendons were severed. Though his heart wasn¡¯t in it, he followed up his attack with several more, each targeting key areas on the beast¡¯s body. It let out a wail of frustration and its body began to expand rapidly. Noah jumped back, worried that it was going to explode. Instead, it opened its mouth and let out a jet of white-hot flame directly at Noah¡¯s position. It was all he could do to sprawl on the ground, but the flames clung to his back, instantly charring his clothing and turning his flesh black. He screamed in pain and rolled desperately in hopes of extinguishing the fire. It worked but the damage was done.

    His enhanced awareness had once again vanished and his mind was threatening to collapse under the pain. He forced himself to his feet and bit his lip as the pain demanded his attention. Magic. Strong magic means a weak body. Attack. His body didn¡¯t move. Attack! He watched as the rhino began to expand again. Move! His will finally gained purchase and his body shot forward even as the beast directed its head toward him. He lifted his spear like a javelin and sprinted directly at the beast. Its mouth opened, revealing a cone of bright light. He threw the spear as the fire began to roll out of its mouth. His world turned white and he heard a distant squelch followed by a choking sound. Then the world faded away.

    For the first time in many months, he saw a familiar figure in his dreams, the enigma of a woman who had so thoroughly affected his life. She gave him a sad smile, and he found that his heart sank in seeing her sadness. She raised a hand to his face, cupping his cheek.

    ¡°Noah. Don¡¯t give in to death¡¯s embrace. Everyone is counting on you.¡± She whispered, her voice like the wind.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± He replied, his words seeming to dissolve as they left his mouth. She smiled, her eyes filled with affection.

    ¡°Noah, I am your m¨C¡±  Before she could finish her words Noah was yanked back to his body and his eyes flew open.

    ¡°Noah, wake up! Don¡¯t leave us!¡± Jeline shouted from his side. He stared blankly at her, his mind slowly coming back to the present. He attempted to move, to sit up, but his body didn¡¯t budge. In fact, he couldn¡¯t feel his body at all. Panic set in as he stared into Jeline¡¯s face. He attempted to respond but the words didn¡¯t form. The healer wasn¡¯t in his line of sight but he figured that she had already attended to him. Jeline grasped his hand, but as he watched her take it into her hands it appeared as a foreign object, in no way connected to his body. What is wrong with me? He lay immobile for hours while Jeline attempted various forms of communication with him. Then came the yelling, first at the healer for her inadequacy, then at anyone else who dared step too close. Eventually, she carried him back to his room and laid him in his bed. She pulled a chair beside him and sat with him through the night. When he woke the next morning, nothing had changed, his mind was fresh but his body refused his commands. He was trapped.

    ¡°Noah. I don¡¯t know if you can hear me, but if you can, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t realize there was a worse option than death. If you are still like this when the kingdom attacks, I promise to give you a swift end.¡± She said the words sweetly as she squeezed his shoulder. Noah shuddered internally. He had maybe a month to find a way to fix his body and knowing Jeline, he assumed that this wouldn¡¯t change their prior deadlines either. As he considered the looming deadlines, a single strand of hope came into view. He already had to advance his Gate, perhaps it would trigger a change in his body. He grew excited at the prospect. Sure he would miss out on a significant amount of XP but perhaps he needed the focused time to meditate. It just might work.

 Chapter 65

    Chapter 65

    Time lost its meaning to Noah as he lay in his forced rest. Occasionally he noticed when the harsh rays of the sun transitioned to the soft light of the stars but he could never be sure how long it had been. The only true disruptions to his meditation were the daily visits from the healer and her team, who spoke of nourishing him with their magic. They also bathed him, changed his bedding, and tried to make him comfortable. The first few times he felt he would die in embarrassment, but it had since faded into the background. He now found their care heartwarming and considerate, a pleasant disruption to his otherwise lonely existence.

    His inspiration grew with each passing day and he knew it was only a matter of time before the breakthrough came. His body didn¡¯t appear to recover as the time passed, but his hope never wavered. If there was one thing he could count on the System for, it was impossible outcomes. If it wasn''t this breakthrough, he would push through to the next until his body finally caught up. He encouraged himself in this way, but the ever-present deadline still hung over his head.

    Inspiration as he called it, was a spark of life similar to those ¡®ah-ha¡¯ moments where everything made sense. When enough of these sparks accumulated they would merge into a kernel of understanding. So it had been in his first experience delving into the Gates back on Earth, and likewise when he advanced again on the mountain. He wondered how the System quantified inspiration. Was there a genuine threshold of understanding that all people had to reach before unlocking the next Gate? Or perhaps there was a relative scale depending on the person. In the six months of preparation he had had on Earth, he studied the teachings of the monks and their concepts of understanding or dao. They believed that through meditation and exposure, one could grow to understand the very nature of any given thing or being. One might endeavor to master the dao of the sword, learning to harness its nature in their every action, or perhaps grasp the concept of healing and endow their understanding into their daily practice. When he reached the first gate he had thrown out all of these ideas as worthless, as they had not helped their practitioners reach the advance to the first gate. Now however he wondered if he had gotten ahead of himself. From his understanding one had to progress through the gates sequentially, building precept upon precept. So it was theoretically possible that the earthen practitioners had failed to advance due to the order of their focus.

    His study revealed that they often sought to be rid of one¡¯s self, to deny one¡¯s self, or to change one¡¯s self. This however worked against the progression of the gates. The first Gate was about accepting oneself and having an accurate revelation of who you are. The path is not to deny or be rid of but to acknowledge and recognize. If the monks had gone this route, perhaps they would have been the first to reach the Gate on their world. This however was the crux of the matter for Noah. He had thrown out all of their teachings due to their initial flaw. But was that the right move? Was it possible that they were correct about the later elements? Could he somehow gain inspiration relating to his hammer? Or perhaps the concept of vitality? He grinned internally. For some reason, the idea was exciting to him, a welcome interruption to his grandiose meditations on the significance of the world around him. He felt so out of his depth in his attempts to understand the new rules of the world he lived in, just like he had failed to discover the purpose of essence before. For all he knew he could be about to awaken some ancient bloodline like the stories of old. Deciding to risk wasting a bit of his time he cast his attention around the room. One advantage of his debilitated state was the ease with which he could use his domain. There were no enemies rushing toward him to divert his focus. He searched the room for any object that caught his attention but came up empty. Finally, his gaze landed on the bed. Oh, how he loved the bed.

    Feeling ridiculous, like a kid pretending to be a wizard, he honed his entire awareness on the bed. It''s soft, welcoming, inviting. Warm¨Cthough not warm by itself. It insulates, comforts, holds, and heals. It is an object of rest and recovery¡ª His thoughts continued, and he felt himself enter a trance-like state. It wasn¡¯t until the healer entered sometime the following day that his reverie was shattered. What just happened? He quickly pulled up his status, hoping to see some kind of update. There was none. Something had definitely happened though. As the healer lifted him off the bed he felt a pull like magnetism, not physical per se, but tangible nonetheless. The source of the strange force was the bed. His internal forehead bunched in confusion as he considered the possibilities.

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    Did I gain the dao of the bed? He shook his head. No, it wasn¡¯t that. When the healer set him back down in his resting place, he felt a resonance in his inner world, as if reuniting with a friend. It was as if he had developed a great awareness of the bed, like a small part of its nature had been exposed to him. Oh. A flash of inspiration shot through him like electricity. Of course. To understand the whole you must understand the part. He had spent all of his focus on understanding the world around him in its entirety, as a uniform entity. He had yet to endeavor to understand the individual components that made up the whole. He felt silly at his mistake. It was the same riddle as the prior gates, he had to know himself to know how he related to the world. So he had to know the portion of the world to know its relation to the whole.

    With renewed vigor he sent his awareness through the room, choosing the next object of his obsession. How minute do I go? The blanket is not the bed, but it is part of my understanding of the bed! What about the feathers in the pillow? Are they goose feathers, was the bird treated well? His thoughts became a whirlwind of useless speculation. After long and exhaustive speculation he finally managed to focus his attention. The bed is the bed, the chair is the chair, any deeper and I don¡¯t care. He chuckled and regained his composure. I can do this.

    Noah¡¯s day passed quickly, and he felt his spirit soar with every new object added to his internal world¡¯s friend list. Another week passed, nothing more than a blur to Noah as he became immersed in the world around him. He had moved on from his main room and was now absorbing the contents of the bathroom into his consciousness. He could feel the sparks of inspiration coalescing into something more, but the progress was not linear. After completing the main room his understanding jumped, as if he had reached a minor threshold between gates. Every new object since then had barely registered to his inspiration meter though. After another several days, he received his next bump when the bathroom was fully within his awareness. That appeared to be the end of his current development though. He was not familiar enough with the surroundings outside his room to truly know them, and so he changed his strategy once again. It was time to form a whole from all the parts.

    He had been optimistic for the first few days, but after a week past, worry began to creep in. His deadline was less than a week away and the ¡®pop¡¯ of insight eluded him. He approached it from every angle he could conceive of, and yet nothing worked. After a day of mentally bashing his head against the wall, he decided that his restless attention wasn¡¯t getting anywhere. He permitted himself to rest, just one day without any further meditation. His thoughts drifted listlessly and he did nothing to stop them. His mind was tired from the constant strain and he gladly rode the waves of subconscious thought.

    He wasn¡¯t sure when it happened, perhaps sometime in the night but as his mind drifted a powerful sensation of wholeness rippled across his being, consuming every bit of his attention. He felt a deep sense of familiarity and peace as if he was finally home again. As the rush began to fade into the background a familiar notification filled his vision.

    [Congratulations. You have reached the third Gate. Choose a reward.]

    Immediate

    Progressive

 Chapter 66

    [Congratulations. You have reached the third Gate. Choose a reward.]

    Immediate

    Progressive

    Noah would have cried if his body wasn¡¯t broken. Perhaps he was but simply couldn¡¯t feel it. Either way, pride welled within him at his accomplishment. I did it. Now came the hard choice though. Before this moment he had never even considered choosing the immediate option. But as he thought over the previous rewards he couldn¡¯t count it out. As much as he wanted a permanent boon, extra stat points, or more knowledge especially, he had no way of knowing if those would be of any use to him. He needed something that would make him whole right now, or there would be no future for him to worry about. With that thought he made his choice.

    [You have selected Immediate. Choose a reward.]

    Mind

    Body

    Soul

    Noah let out a long internal groan as he read his options. How was he supposed to decide? His initial instinct was to select body, as that seemed to be the issue, but he paused to consider the others. His mind seemed to be working order, but then again what was the difference between mind and soul? Seeing soul as an option came as a surprise, the final confirmation of its existence that scientists would have killed for back on Earth. The healer had never had any issue healing his body in the past, and from the conversations he had overheard, his body appeared healthy. His next thought was that the extent of the events he went through had caused some kind of fragmenting in his mind, leading to a sort of disconnection between the mind and body. Perhaps his mind was the issue, and he simply had no way to perceive it. Finally, there was the soul. Considering the reality of the soul, he had to assume that the trauma of the last year had left its mark. If that was true then perhaps the last two fights had pushed him over the edge, and his soul was somehow too broken to facilitate proper bodily control. That was somehow the toughest option to consider. Could a soul be healed? What would happen if it was permanently altered? Would he lose all sense of self? Had he already? A wave of panic threatened to overtake him, and he took a moment to steady himself. It lists the soul as an option, so there must be a way to restore it. The other options had lost all of their appeal after his internal struggle, after all this may be his one opportunity to fix his soul. He didn¡¯t know what to think about the afterlife but if he was going to die he wanted to do so with his soul intact. With a firm resolve, he made his selection.

    [You have selected Soul.]

    [Soul Advancement Initiating.]

    [Error. Soul Damage Detected.]

    [Calculating¡­]

    [Greater Soul Restoration Initiating.]

    Noah¡¯s internal world went blank.

    [Restoration Complete.]

    Noah gasped awake as if his soul had left and reentered his body at all at once. His eyes shot open and he stared at the descending blade in Jeline¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Wait!¡± He cried. Her eyes went wide and she inhaled sharply.

    ¡°Noah!¡± She exclaimed, dropping the blade to the side as she wrapped him in a hug. Noah responded in kind, holding her close. She seemed to be crying, though he still didn¡¯t understand their relationship. As he held her, he considered the changes to his inner self, or he supposed to his soul. He felt incredibly light, in a way he didn¡¯t recall feeling before. It was as if every burden that had weighed upon him had been lifted, every trauma healed, every broken place mended. He recalled the agony of the last fight, his skin melting, his hope fading. He paused. His memory was perfect, he recalled it in vivid detail and yet it didn¡¯t hurt. His mind went to the other memories, those deep places of pain. It was as if he had gone through the process of grief and acceptance and healing for every single moment. He was momentarily worried that this would change who he was, who he had become, but then that worry too melted away. I am exactly who I should be. Tears of relief began to well in his eyes and run down his cheeks. I¡¯m free.

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    Sensing the shift in his demeanor, Jeline pulled away and looked him over, watching as the tears flowed freely. She reached out and gently wiped a drop from his face.

    ¡°What is this?¡± She asked, a concerned look in her eyes. ¡°Did you do something to me? Why has my heart ached? And why is water coming out of my eyes?¡± He smiled warmly at her and took her hands.

    ¡°You were sad that I was injured. Your heart hurt because you wanted me to be well. And when you are filled with these kinds of emotions, your body processes through tears. It is very normal.¡± Noah explained.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like it.¡± She answered quickly. He laughed.

    ¡°Yeah me neither, but there¡¯s nothing you can do about it.¡± He stood to his feet and stretched out for the first time in nearly a month. He paused.

    ¡°Were you about to kill me?¡± He asked, brow furrowing.

    ¡°Yes, just like I said I would. The scouts confirmed that the neighboring kingdom is attacking in force. We have little more than a week to prepare.¡± She explained. He let out a breath and decided to ignore the killing him piece.

    ¡°I managed to break through. Is that sufficient for you?¡± He asked with raised eyebrows. She nodded.

    ¡°It would have been better if you had time to level, but this should do for now. I¡¯m sure your friend will be relieved as well. That being said, it''s time for you to fulfill your end of our agreement.  Are you ready?¡± She asked.

    ¡°I am.¡± He replied, the words ringing true in his heart.

    ¡°Good. At your level, it will be challenging, but I suppose you can pick up XP on the way. The scouts confirmed that the king is leading his best forces directly, leaving his capital exposed. Your task is to take his capital and stake a claim on the land for yourself.¡± She said, her grin growing as she spoke. Noah blanched.

    ¡°You want me to take their capital alone?¡± He asked, not believing his ears.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. I will release Recter to you and you are welcome to invite your tribe to join the attack, though I doubt they will be of much help. Their capital is two weeks of hard running from here, longer if you invite along the others.¡± She said. He considered her words, still caught off guard by the extent of the task.

    ¡°And you want me to claim the land for myself? What is in it for you?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Simple. I could use an ally in this fight and in the ones to come. Together we will absorb this fallen kingdom and look to expand our horizons with a friend to our backs.¡± He nodded, finding her words agreeable.

    ¡°I guess that makes sense. Are you confident in your ability to defeat the king?¡± He questioned. She frowned.

    ¡°It will be challenging, but it will be in our territory. If you can manage to take his capital his quest should fail, causing a significant distraction. We will take losses, but if we minimize surprises on our end we should come out ahead.¡± She replied. He found her response oddly unconfident, out of character for her typical self. She¡¯s afraid. He stretched out an arm and set it on her shoulder.

    ¡°We can do this.¡± He assured her, flashing his most encouraging smile. She let out a long breath and nodded.

    ¡°Thank you, Noah. Now you best be off if you want to make it in time. I will see you on the other side.¡± She said, her words regaining their usual resolve. He gathered his things and left to find Recter, heading straight to the training yard.

    ¡°You¡¯re alive!¡± Recter greeted him, a warm smile adorning his face. Noah clasped arms with him and nodded.

    ¡°I am, and I¡¯ve managed to advance.¡± He shared. He watched as the tension seemed to leave Recter¡¯s frame.

    ¡°That is very good. Forgive me for doubting you. Regardless of our inferior rankings, I still count you worthy.¡± He said, a touch of bitterness in his voice. Ah. I should have known. He thought we were the most powerful beings in the world, the most worthy.

    ¡°Recter, I believe we can still make it to the top,¡± Noah responded. Recter paused mid-sentence, his mouth still hanging open. He breathed deeply through his nose and straightened his back.

    ¡°I¡¯m ashamed of my lacking spirit. You are right, this is only the beginning of our story. There may very well be a path forward, and if there¡¯s not¡­ Well, we can make one.¡± Recter exclaimed, gaining momentum as he spoke. Noah grinned at him.

    ¡°My friend, have I got some news for you.¡±

 Chapter 67

    Noah proceeded to lay out the plan and watched as Recter¡¯s face began to glow.

    ¡°First, we will gather those of my tribe that have crossed the threshold. Then we will run non-stop for the capital. From what Jeline has said, we have quite the battle ahead of us.¡± Noah explained. Recter nodded enthusiastically.

    ¡°Yesss yesss. This is good.¡± He hissed, rubbing his hands together. ¡°When do we leave?¡± Noah laughed and clapped him on the back.

    ¡°Right away!¡± He exclaimed. Together they requisitioned a few weapons and gathered other supplies from the armory before making their way through the gate. They tore off through the fields, running at full tilt. To Noah¡¯s surprise, Recter didn¡¯t struggle to keep up with him at all.

    ¡°Did you already advance your Grade as well?¡± He asked in shock.

    ¡°Did you think I¡¯ve been idle? I am also feeling close to reaching the third Gate, though the final pieces have been elusive.¡± Recter replied, looking smug.

    ¡°Of course you did, that explains how I still can¡¯t beat you in sparring.¡± Noah mused, causing Recter to hiss out a laugh.

    ¡°Ha! That has nothing to do with it. You are terrible with weapons, plain and simple. You are the least bad with a hammer, but even that is just a simpleton¡¯s weapon¨Clittle better than a club! You will have to invest a significant amount of effort in mastering it before you have a chance against me.¡± He shot back. Noah frowned but bit back his response. As much as he hated to admit it, he was probably telling the truth. Six months of training amounted to little compared to those who had spent their life with weapons in hand.

    They ran through the evening and night, the everbright sky illuminating their path. Though they encountered several roaming beasts, none seemed interested enough to attack. As they ran Noah realized he had a new moral dilemma to consider. He had spent the last couple months in a castle built by beasts, in a city filled with beasts, and hosted by a beast who now wanted to be his long-term ally. He had somehow forgotten the beasts that he had fought in the arena, who were more than able to speak their minds and live normal sapient lives. He really didn¡¯t like the idea of killing intelligent beings, beast or man, and yet he had. But whether from the soul restoration or circumstantial reasoning he felt apathetic to their deaths in particular. In some cases it really was kill or be killed, and he wasn¡¯t willing to die for old-world morality. He supposed that was the heart of the matter, in this new world where did one draw the line? Was every being fair game? Or would they appear as savages to the other people of the multiverse?

    Noah realized it was the reality of his feelings that scared him the most. He had formed a new code of ethics but he just wasn¡¯t willing to admit it to himself. If someone or something sought to harm him or his, they were fair game. If someone got in his way he would try a non-violent approach, but was violence really off the table? Even now he was about to capitalize on the death of others for his own gain, but he felt very little remorse. He felt a peace within him as he accepted this line of thinking, this was who he had become. As they ran, he extended his domain to form a sphere of awareness around him. It had grown through his practice and advancements, now encompassing over twenty feet in every direction without requiring excessive focus. He had learned in the arena that he could push it further, but his hold on it turned tenuous. The more he practiced it the more he saw the connection between it and his Gates, and he felt that they had a reciprocal relationship of sorts.

    It was several hours past sunrise when signs of his people became visible. Several wisps of smoke trailed into the sky from cooking fires surrounded by tanned hide tents. He smiled as familiar faces came into view. He heard yelling as the scouts announced their arrival and several orcs came running to greet him.

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    ¡°Chief, you¡¯ve returned!¡± Ne¡¯Ja greeted, grasping his arm in a friendly manner.

    ¡°Ne¡¯Ja gather the tribe, we must act quickly.¡± He ordered. Perceiving the importance of the matter, she turned at once and began to organize a meeting. He felt truly at home as he walked into the camp, and smiled warmly as he saw Ro¡¯Kar and Ta¡¯Ku coming his way.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah, what it the matter?¡± Ro¡¯Kar asked, his bellowing voice filling the camp. Noah held up a hand and pointed to the assembling crowd. He didn¡¯t have time to explain it twice. Ro¡¯Kar picked up on his meeting and joined the procession. Recter followed behind him quietly, but no one paid him much mind bar Ta¡¯Ku who readily greeted the former companion. When they had all gathered, Noah moved to the center of the circle and raised a fist. The murmurs ceased and all eyes lay upon him.

    ¡°Thank you for gathering. I¡¯m sad that I don¡¯t have more time to feast with you, and to hear your stories but I have been given a task. There is a kingdom west of here that I am on may to conquer. The enemies will be powerful, likely much stronger than many of you, but if we defeat them we will claim their land and grow stronger still. I am leaving immediately, along with my companion, Recter. You may recognize his name from our stories or from the rankings. I will not ask you to join me, as it may very well be your death. But I would gladly fight alongside any who would take up the challenge.¡± Noah announced, his words firm but filled with passion. It was silent for a but a moment before the first foot stamped into ground, with a low thump. One after another the orcs began to join in, and a war chant began to rise. Noah¡¯s skin tingled as his heart began to beat in time with footfalls. His heart was warm with pride as he looked over his companions. He never needed to ask.

    ¡°I will join you chief, No¡¯Ah! To my final end!¡± Di¡¯Ma roared as he stepped into the circle.

    ¡°To my final end!¡± Another shouted, stepping forward.

    ¡°To my final end!¡± One by one the orcs pledged themselves to the warpath, ending at last with Ro¡¯Kar and Ta¡¯Ku. Their eyes brimmed with anticipation. After a few moments he raised his fist again, and the war chant came to a close.

    ¡°We move to war! Ready your weapons, prepare your packs! We leave within the hour!¡± Noah shouted. He was met with a resounding cry of ascent before every orc scattered to prepare. Ta¡¯Ku made his way over and embraced him.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re back. I was itching for the next battle.¡± He greeted. Noah chuckled.

    ¡°Sure you were. How have these last months been?¡± He asked.

    ¡°The queen was faithful to her words and we were unbothered in our stay. Many of us have advanced in one way or another and only 20 warriors remain Iron.¡± He reported. Noah nodded appreciatively.

    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful news. Do you think they will be fine in our absence?¡± He asked regarding the 20. Ta¡¯Ku nodded.

    ¡°Several of them are crafters but most are warriors who have lagged in their Gate, even though they continue to advance in Grade and Path. They will not be defenseless.¡± Ta¡¯Ku assured.

    ¡°That¡¯s good. And thank you, Ta¡¯Ku.¡± He said. Ta¡¯Ku nodded as if to say ¡®of couse¡¯ before he left to pack. Recter walked up beside him with a broad grin across his face. He hummed in satisfaction as he considered his words.

    ¡°Noah I like your people. They have worthy fighting spirits. I believe they would get along well with drakon.¡± He said, his head bobbing in approval. Noah laughed heartily.

    ¡°If you¡¯re people are like you, then I agree. I would very much like to meet more of your kind.¡± He replied. Recter nodded.

    ¡°Yess. I also would like to meet more of my kind. I have gotten the impression that we are a less numerous people than the other races, as there are many orcs in a single location but I have yet to see another drakon. From what you said, the same is true for the elves and humans.¡± He mused.

    ¡°Ah I did meet one other drakon in my travels, he was living amongst the humans at the time and went by Jergin.¡± Noah commented.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Recter hummed, scratching at his chin scales. ¡°I do not recognize that name, but perhaps I will seek him out after all of this.¡±

    ¡°If you do, perhaps I will join you.¡± Noah thought aloud. They quickly commandeered some freshly roasted meat and wandered to the gathering point. Before long the tribe was assembled and it was time to leave.

    ¡°We will run until we cannot run any further, only then can we afford to stop. I hope you have all kept up your training!¡±

 Chapter 68

    Noah led the pack of battle-hungry orcs alongside his most trusted companions in the new world. With Recter at his left and Ta¡¯Ku at his right, he felt like their enemy¡¯s defeat was already set in stone. He chuckled to himself, knowing the power of friendship only worked in fairy tales. However misplaced his faith was, he did feel a sense of confidence as he ran. As per usual there was something about marathon runs that elicited a certain amount of self-reflection and pondering. In this instance, his mind turned toward his soul and the ramifications of the System messages he had received. Somehow one could upgrade or enhance their soul, though there was no indicator of this on his status. This inconsistency was the source of his current wandering thoughts, as he considered the various hidden stats and traits that may yet be discovered. Perhaps I could have a bonded animal? Or a spiritual sword? Perhaps an inner world that other people can travel within? Or perhaps there is a hidden multiplier to constitution! Shaking his head he refocused on the landscape around him. He had to remember that they weren''t on the mountain anymore, but in an incredibly hostile and dangerous territory with poisonous rabbits and killer deer.

    He decided to use his time to share his findings and invited the members of group one to move closer. He explained his discoveries regarding domain and the next Gate, the potential boon of soul upgrades, and the ability to expand your awareness by focusing your attention on specific objects. He also shared what he had learned of the quest, and the inevitable bottleneck that was Copper. No matter how he looked at it, he couldn¡¯t see how his tribe could all advance to Bronze. Unless there was a way to pyramid scheme the System, it wouldn¡¯t be possible. This provided yet another reason to avoid judging strength by Caste, someone could potentially reach the furthest Gate and Grade and never reach Bronze. Next, he shared the project he was currently working on, connecting with his hammer in the same way he connected to the room at the castle. He felt that this process would provide a relatively quick method to gain combat prowess and serve as a training tool for his tribe. If they could begin to grasp how to control their domain, it would significantly impact their outcomes in the coming battle.

    Noah occasionally spotted beasts as they ran, but they were often isolated and smart enough to avoid contact. There was one wolflike creature that lacked that wisdom however, and they made quick work of it. Even though they couldn¡¯t hold a candle to the deer¡¯s pace, Noah was impressed with their speed. The fields of tall grass passed by, transiting to low rolling hills and birch forests. At some point Noah realized that he had yet to distribute his XP from the last fight and quickly leveled, bringing his total to 179. For some reason he found his level increasingly insignificant, feeling that it was inferior in importance to either Grade or Gate. The stats were noticeable, affecting his every action and serving as his foundational source of power in every battle, and yet they seemed to lack a certain quality the other pieces held. It felt inevitable that he would level, as opposed to the significant work and consideration that went into Gate. He supposed Grade was also a matter of numbers, but it still felt more earned than level. Perhaps it''s because of the path I chose. The thought interrupted his musings and he frowned. He had chosen the path of the Knight, ultimately the path of a close-range fighter. As far as XP went, this had served his purposes well. He hadn¡¯t noticed any dips in his XP rewards since the choice. However, there was something empty about it. He didn¡¯t want to be the world¡¯s highest-level fighter. He wanted to be something more than bloodshed and his ability to cull threats. He chuckled at the direction of his thoughts. I want to be a hero.

    It was true regardless of how naive it sounded. He wanted what every child of earth dreamed of, to be the hero that everyone spoke of, the one that saved the princess and defeated the bad guy. He grinned as he ran, looking every part the fool. Who knows, perhaps there is a hero path. They ran day and night, only resting after the third continuous day. After a week had passed they noticed the first signs of the coming war. Far in the distance, they saw a diverse group of beasts running in the opposite direction as them. Noah had immediately dropped to the ground, signaling the rest to follow suit. They either hadn¡¯t been spotted or were disregarded because the group never changed course. They began to move more carefully after that, he appointed several warriors to range ahead and spot advance parties, and they all kept a hand on their weapons.

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    Another week went by and the frequency of sightings had skyrocketed. The bands of beasts and two-legged warriors came from every direction as if pouring in from across the kingdom. They varied in size, some having no more than ten warriors, and others upwards of a hundred. He knew it was only a matter of time before they were forced to fight and with every passing day his nerves grew. Two and half weeks into their journey a party of 20 or so beasts spotted them and immediately moved to intercept them. The tribe tensed, and weapons slid from scabbards and sheaths. Noah raised a hand, signaling for them to stop. The other party slowed their approach, and a single figure strode forward a two-legged beast with the head of an elephant and the body of a bull.

    ¡°Warrior¡¯s from the lower reaches! How novel! Have you come to join our kingdom?¡± The beast shouted in a gravelly baritone. Noah paused, not having expected a conversation.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I was unaware of any kingdom. We have only just discovered this new plane.¡± Noah responded. The beast-man trumpeted loudly, in something akin to a laugh.

    ¡°How very rare indeed! It has been some time since I ascended the mountain and triumphed over the beast swarms!¡± He reminisced before clearing his throat. ¡°I am afraid you will find this land harsher than the one you left behind. This plane as you called it is filled with the wars of kingdoms and those set on Bronze. Even now we are on our way to crush a neighboring land. All most swear an oath of loyalty or be cut off, that is the will of our sovereign. I will give you a moment to decide.¡± He said politely. Noah feigned surprise and turned to the rest of his tribe.

    ¡°You heard him everyone, we have a choice to make!¡± He said, while simultaneously gesturing for them to ready their weapons. After stalling for a minute he turned back to the beast.

    ¡°How do these oaths work?¡± He asked, moving closer. The beast¡¯s trunk swayed side to side as a smile appeared on his face.

    ¡°Oh good, I will be getting my bonus! As for the oaths, you must pledge your lives to the sovereign by the System. Once you have done so, you will receive the boon of loyalty.¡± He explained. Noah frowned, not having heard of the last bit. He stepped forward and dropped to one knee, lifting his hands toward the hilt of his hammer in a gesture of supplication.

    ¡°I swear¡­¡± He started dramatically as he slowly grabbed ahold of the weapon. ¡°To displace this sovereign and claim his throne!¡± He yelled as he launched forward, his hammer already swinging, stake first. Before the beast had a chance to react its heart was pierced through and it managed only a gurgle before slumping over with a low thud. The orcs roared a battle cry and sprung forward, catching a few of the others off guard before they caught on to the attack. With brutal efficiency, Noah ended the lives of the enemy beasts, not sparing a moment toward sympathy or concern. Those weren''t the worries of warriors on the front lines. To give the beasts due credit, they managed to put up a fight even being outnumbered and taken by surprise as they were. None were as powerful as those he had faced in the arena, though they were each more than a match for his tribesman. Noah finished the last of them with a blow to the temple before wiping the blood from his hammer. His connection with the weapon had grown through the battle, and he relished in its growing familiarity. That and the influx of levels that they had gained so easily. He turned to the others, with his hammer lifted high.

    ¡°To our first victory of many!¡±

 Chapter 69

    Noah was glad that they didn¡¯t have the freedom to make a fire because he wasn¡¯t quite ready to eat the meat of a sapient being. They managed to scrape by relatively unscathed with the worst of injuries being tended to by Un¡¯Dal and his apprentices. Noah was pleased to note that their progress was coming along well, and they had been among those who ascended to Copper. After a brief rest, they were running again, even more vigilant than before. Noah had slain multiple beasts, two of which were counted as shared kills for a total of 25,000 XP He gladly leveled the two additional times and assigned his points. He found it interesting that the elephant cow beast only gave him 10,000, and figured it had to do with which advancements he had pursued first. Perhaps Gate over Grade?

    They managed to avoid conflict for another few days as the closer they got the fewer groups they saw. It seemed that the final battle on Jeline¡¯s front would be beginning soon and assuming that he only saw a portion of the troops she would be in for quite the struggle. On the eve of the third week of travel, the capital finally came into view. Similarly to Jeline¡¯s city it was walled and featured a massive castle, visible over the outer wall. The city was alight with torch fires and yet they heard no sounds from their vantage point. They found a copse of trees to spend the night in and watched as a few straggling groups departed from the city. From what they could see there were a few guards spread out in turrets along the wall, every hundred yards or so. The area around the wall was barren and flat, making a stealthy approach impossible. They monitored the city through the night hoping to notice some way to avoid detection or enter without suspicion. As the morning dawned, however, they had only seen groups leaving the city and no one had tried to enter. The guards hadn¡¯t changed shifts since they arrived, which Noah found odd but not infeasible considering the extended endurance of advanced beings. Noah opted to watch for another day, and so they waited watching in shifts as they recovered from their journey. By the end of their second night of watching it became apparent that there was no rotation for the guards. Noah grinned at this realization. As eager as they were to attack, there was no reason to risk more than they needed to. They would strike the following night, aiming to maximize the weariness of the guards. He considered waiting longer but had assured Jeline that he would do his best to contribute from a distance.

    While his group had been watching over the city, the others had been busy. Several sturdy ladders had been crafted and the best routes planned. They would scale the eastern wall directly under a central turret to avoid attracting the attention of multiple groups at once. They spent the rest of the day moving the ladders at a distance and getting into position. Noah took a steadying breath as he sat in darkness. Within the hour he would storm the city, slay the guards, and capture the stronghold. But then what? His mind felt unsettled as his plan lacked an exit strategy. They were to capture and hold, meaning they had to find a way to manage the people living within the city. Would he drive them out, make them bend the knee, or kill them if they resisted? And that was if they managed to succeed in taking the city at all. He sighed and felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Ne¡¯Ja standing behind him, a resolute calm in her expression.

    ¡°You look troubled, No¡¯Ah. What is the matter?¡± She asked him.

    ¡°I am unsure of what comes next. We have been on the run for a long time, but if we succeed then it will be a very new season for us. I am also unsure of what to think of ways of the new world. I detest these oaths that the people are forced to swear, it feels wrong to bend someone¡¯s will in that way.¡± He explained. She took a moment before responding.

    ¡°If you know what you think, then what is there to be concerned about?¡± She asked. Noah let out a breath.

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    ¡°Because even though I don¡¯t agree with it, it still feels like the best option.¡± He admitted. She narrowed her eyes at him.

    ¡°It only seems like the best option because you refuse to eliminate that possibility altogether. If you truly hate the oaths then act as if they don¡¯t exist and find a new way forward. You are not a slave to the System. We follow you wholeheartedly without any need for oaths, and you were a stranger to us not long ago.¡± She said. He squeezed her hand, still on his shoulder.

    ¡°Thank you Ne¡¯Ja, I needed that. We will find a way forward that we can be proud of.¡± He replied, his heart settled for the moment. He returned to his men and motioned for them to draw near as he laid out the final plan.

    ¡°Group two will carry and secure the ladder, group one will begin their approach as soon as they arrive at the wall, and will immediately scale the ladders and take the turret. The rest of the groups will follow as soon as group one has signaled their success.¡± He instructed. Once the plan was in place they waited. Several hours into the night, they began the assault. Group two rushed forward, keeping low and carrying the ladder. They made it to the wall without any disturbance from the guards and then Noah left the cover of the woods with his group. They ran fast, weapons in hand, but were careful to avoid the occasional branch or dried grass. They arrived just as the ladder slid against the wall, and Noah was the first to climb the rungs. His hammer remained strapped to his back while he carried a hand axe in his free hand. As he neared the top he saw a shadow moving along the cobble, flickering in the torch light. He sped up, reaching the top and staying just out of sight. He carefully slid his axe into the sheathe at his hip and held his breath as the shadow passed by him. The ladder creaked beneath him and he heard a sharp inhale from above. Crap.

    He heard footsteps nearing him and watched as a feline head poked out over the turret wall. Like lightning, Noah¡¯s hand shot up and grabbed their throat before yanking them off the wall. They fell with a wheezing gasp before landing at the mercy of his men. He let out a breath, withdrew his axe, and hopped over the railing finding a sleeping guard and and another who blinked at him in confusion. He dashed forward, slicing the unsuspecting guard across the neck and covering his mouth while he bled out. Noah lowered the dying beast to the turret floor and turned on the sleeping panther. He unfastened his hammer and delivered a swift end via a crushed temple. The body crumpled just as Ne¡¯Ja stepped over the railing.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t leave any for us?¡± She teased, checking the bodies for any sign of life. Noah let out a tense breath.

    ¡°Perhaps if you had been quicker.¡± She snorted. The rest of the group arrived and they signaled to those below. The turret had a floor hatch that opened up to an interior room and spiral staircase. It appeared to be a breakroom of sorts and held several chairs and cots that likely would be filled if they had a full guard presence. They waited while the rest of the tribe caught up with them. Noah instructed Un¡¯dal and his group to remain at the guard house to ensure a fallback point while the others left for their assignments. Each group was assigned to a different turret and would take it out before making their way to the castle. They dispersed, hugging the wall as they ran toward their next target. The city was quiet, especially near the walls and so they managed to creep undetected.

    Noah arrived at his group¡¯s assigned turret and slowly opened the door to its guard house. It was empty like the last, so they made their way up their stays and staged their attack beneath the trap door. Di¡¯Ma opened the hatch and Noah lifted Ne¡¯Ja through before climbing out himself. There were only two guards posted, and they died silently in their sleep. Their group had one additional turret to raid, so they left the bodies behind and prowled toward their next victims.

    When the next turret fell just as easily, Noah smiled in relief. Easy.

    No sooner had the thought entered his mind when a horn blasted across the city, stirring every beast from their slumber. Then came the shouting.

    ¡°We¡¯re under attack!¡±

 Chapter 70

    Chapter 70

    Noah¡¯s head was on a swivel as he stepped out of the guard house. The city was waking and the sound of plodding feet and hurried rustling dispersed the silence. Part of him wanted to check on the others, but he willed himself to stick to the plan. Assuming they went unnoticed their plan had been to scale the castle¡¯s inner wall along the western side. Now however they would shift to plan B and rush the gates. With subtlety a thing of the past, Noah unstrapped his hammer and let out a deep sigh. Even though his moral compass protested needless violence he still loved a good fight. Backed by the members of group one, he dashed into the city, no longer avoiding the streets.

    Even with all the shouting, the streets were still relatively bare. They noticed several beasts poking their heads through windows, a decidedly odd sight, and a few running about on the streets. Noah noted that many opted to stand on two legs, something that he had seen only sparingly in Jeline¡¯s territory. He took in all of the sights while they sprinted toward the inner wall. Several minutes into their run they found their first opposition. A rhino stood on two legs, blocking their path. He wore full plate armor and brandished a massive greatsword.

    ¡°Who do you think you are?¡± He chuffed.

    ¡°Merchants?¡± Di¡¯Ma shouted to Noah¡¯s left. The rhino man frowned and leaned forward, squinting at them.

    ¡°You don¡¯t look like merchants.¡± He replied. Noah held back a laugh.

    ¡°Do other merchants not carry weapons? Are they idiots?¡± He mused. That seemed to make the rhino think and Ne¡¯Ja took the opportunity to slip into a side alley.

    ¡°I suppose if you can show me your wares¡ª¡± He started, just before the point of a spear punctured through his chest. He let out a low groan.

    ¡°I knew you weren¡¯t merchants¡­¡± He managed in wheezing gasps before falling still. Noah nodded at Ne¡¯Ja as she retrieved her weapon from the corpse and they continued down the path. Several minutes later the gates came into view, along with an assortment of armed beasts. There were at least a dozen of the guards, and Noah doubted the same trick would work twice. They slowed their approach and Noah began to scan the area for any sign of the other groups. So far they had yet to encounter the higher-tier beasts, but he had a feeling these guards were different.

    Just as the first of the guards began pointing in their direction, Noah caught sight of a hand waving from a side street up ahead. Perfect. He stopped in his tracks and motioned for the rest of his group to wait.

    ¡°Are all the guards this cowardly? This kingdom is ours for the taking!¡± Noah yelled, brandishing his hammer in large sweeping movements. The guards, initially slow to the take, started running in his direction. You make it too easy! As the humanoid beasts rushed toward them Noah couldn¡¯t help but wonder if advancing their Gate had been to their detriment. The concepts of pride and mockery would mean little to a predator, but to a self-aware creature, they held weight. Noah waited for them, allowing as much time as possible for the other groups to get into position. When they were no more than 10 yards away, he returned their charge with a deafening battle cry. His group joined him, sure to wake any beast that had managed to sleep through the initial alarms. As they traded their first blows, two more groups closed in unnoticed from behind and began cutting them through.

    Block-headed as they were however, they didn¡¯t fall so quickly. They retaliated in swift and measured strikes, and one began to emit arcs of lightning from its fur. Their early successes had raised his confidence and Noah felt it shattering as he watched one of his men get skewered through the stomach.

    ¡°No! Get him out of here!¡± He yelled, throwing himself at the offending beast. Soon they were joined by the remaining groups and the guards began to fall one by one. He could see the surprise in his companion¡¯s eyes as they received the XP notifications, no doubt receiving many levels worth at once. Ne¡¯Ja approached him, and he noticed a line of blood through her ripped furs.

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    ¡°Ne¡¯Ja, you¡¯re injured.¡± She waved it away.

    ¡°Barely. A few others will need healing though. Zo¡¯Kati and her group are bringing them to Un¡¯Dal¡± She said. Noah nodded.

    ¡°Good. Let¡¯s keep going then.¡± He said, leading the way toward the gates. Noah led his warriors, nearly 60 strong into the castle grounds and found them bare, not a soul in sight. They made their way through the fields, a much more spartan appearance than the groves of Jeline¡¯s estate. There was a single guard at the front entrance, but they quickly silenced them and moved inside. The receiving area was massive, but mostly undecorated save some red rugs on the cobble floors. There was a single central staircase leading further into the palace, so they ran up it searching for the throne room. As it turned out, it wasn¡¯t hard to find. At the end of a short hallway, large double doors opened to an expansive room with a massive throne elevated several steps above the rest. They filled the room, and for the first time, it occurred to Noah that he didn¡¯t know how to officially claim a territory. Jeline had mentioned taking the capital, and something about their seat of power but their final exchange had been so quick that he found it hard to recall the specific details. He frowned and scanned the room.

    ¡°Now what do we do?¡± Ro¡¯Kar asked from the side. Noah shrugged and made his way to the throne. Perhaps this constitutes a seat of power? He thought as he sat upon it. He waited, looking awkwardly at his warriors.

    ¡°Uh, No¡¯Ah? What are you doing?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked. Noah sighed.

    ¡°I was hoping to trigger some kind of System notification. The queen mentioned the ability to contest territories when we spoke, but nothing is happening.¡± He explained. Ta¡¯Ku frowned but Ro¡¯Kar¡¯s eyes lit up.

    ¡°Ah just like when I claimed the village!¡± He commented. Noah looked at him, eyebrows raised.

    ¡°You know how to do it?¡± He asked. Ro¡¯Kar nodded.

    ¡°All I did was accept that it was mine and the System confirmed it. It was simple.¡± He explained. Noah frowned but sat back against the throne and closed his eyes. This is mine. This Kingdom is mine. This will be the empire of N¡ª

    [Territory claim failed. Scanning.]

    [Territory previously claimed.]

    [Contest ownership?]

    Noah stared at the notifications. It actually worked. He gave his assent.

    [Territory contested. Ownership will transfer if the challenge remains in 30 days or upon the death of the current owner.]

    Noah had a sinking feeling as he read the System message again. If Jeline fails, we will be in for a siege. He wondered if the sovereign, as he had been referred to, would get a notification about the change. As he had that thought another System message answered the question for him.

    [All citizens of the Kingdom of Liontooth have received your challenge.]

    [Alert. You are in contested territory]

    ¡°Uh No¡¯Ah, did you see that?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked, shifting nervously.

    ¡°Yeah. I did.¡± Noah said with a grimace. The doors to the throne room burst open and Di¡¯Ma came sprinting in.

    ¡°We may have a problem!¡± He shouted. ¡°There are a lot of beasts on their way here. They were already just outside the gates with the System message came through.¡± Noah shot to his feet, suddenly claustrophobic from the lack of additional doors or windows.

    ¡°We need to get out of here! We can find a back exit once we leave the throne room!¡± He sprinted for the door but found his path barred as several beasts pushed their way in. Think. He extended his domain and took in the mess of bodies that filled the hallway. He sidestepped the first attack and retaliated with his hammer, only paying partial attention as he considered their options. None of the beasts were wearing armor, meaning they weren¡¯t guards, and the fact that they remained in the city could mean they were crafters. He slammed his spike into the head of the charging boar-man. It went down squealing and breathed its last. They aren¡¯t fighters. We can weather this.

    ¡°To me!¡± He shouted, rallying his tribe. He could sense the increasing numbers in the hall, and his heartbeat quickened.

    ¡°We have to hold the door! The chokepoint is our only hope.¡± He yelled. The others were already on top of it, forming a semi-circle around the opening. A cacophony of roars filled the throne room as they mowed down the horde pouring through.

    Jeline, you better win.

 Chapter 71

    Of course it was a bear. Isn¡¯t it always a bear? The fowl creature that managed to snag him with its claws now lay limp on the cobbled floor. Good riddance. Noah hadn¡¯t always hated bears, he used to watch cute videos of them doing dumb things. But ever since his first day in the new world, he had been on their hit list. Now just the sight of them made his stomach turn in a way that really shouldn¡¯t be possible given his absurd constitution. Fighting in such close quarters was awkward, and they were forced to alternate, swapping out to stay fresh in the prolonged fight. It also had to be said that while they weren¡¯t the most experienced fighters, their Caste and numbers more than made up for it. Several of them had already been injured, and they had no way of knowing how long they would be stuck fighting. Noah stepped back as Ta¡¯Ku took the next beast, something akin to a walrus on legs. He scanned the room looking for any gaps or signs of struggle. Seeing none, he caught his breath while he waited for Ta¡¯Ku to finish off the beast.

    As the bodies began to pile up in the doorway, fewer and fewer beasts were let through at a time. Noah still sensed a growing throng, but their efforts seemed less and less passionate as time went on. Perhaps it was having to wade through corpses that disheartened them, or perhaps they realized their life hadn¡¯t been all that great under their ruler. Either way, as the hours stretched on the initial torrent turned to a steady flow and eventually a trickle. The corridor of corpses formed a test of courage for every remaining challenger. Noah sat down as Ne¡¯Ja took her turn as the meat grinder. In the windowless room, it was difficult to tell how much time had passed but he figured it to be well past dawn. For the first time in days, he closed his eyes for a brief sleep.

    He was shaken awake sometime later, and felt far more refreshed than he had been expecting.

    ¡°How long was I out?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Few hours.¡± Ro¡¯Kar grunted. He frowned, ready to protest but Ne¡¯Ja cut him off.

    ¡°We have all been resting. The beasts stopped coming some time ago, so we have been rotating sleep. We figured it was as good a time as any to catch some rest.¡± She said. Noah sighed but found it hard to argue with the results.

    ¡°Is everyone able to run?¡± Noah asked, raising his voice. Several grunts of assent came in reply but also a couple moans.

    ¡°I might need some help.¡± Di¡¯Ma winced as he tried and failed to get to his feet. His right knee was bowing outward at a sickening angle and Noah felt bile rise in his throat as he watched him.

    ¡°I can carry him.¡± Me¡¯Zin spoke up, stooping to wrap her arm under his.

    ¡°Anyone else?¡± Noah asked. When there were no further concerns he nodded to himself and stood up to leave. Now what? He hadn¡¯t planned on a month-long occupation, and was unsure of the parameters the System used to determine a continued challenge. Could he leave the castle? The city? He shook his head. First thing first, he wanted to regroup with the Un¡¯Dal and the others. From there they could plan their next steps.

    ¡°Alright, to start we will make our way to Un¡¯Dal. We will follow the main road and take out any of the stragglers. Keep your eyes open for any threats or potential defectors. We will want to vet anyone claiming to turncoat but I would like to see as many crafters remain as possible. With any luck their previous leader will be killed in battle and we will provide the natural alternative.¡± Noah shared.

    He grimaced as he pressed through the hall of bodies, the trails of blood still a sickening sight. They had gained no small amount of XP for their troubles, Noah having received over 50,000, making his current total upward of 75,000. Part of him wanted to begin saving it for the next Grade, but the 10 million essence price tag felt years away. Instead, he leveled seven times, frowning slightly at the pittance going toward constitution. As they made their way through the halls he pulled up his status.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: D

    Domain: Proximal

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    Caste: Copper

    Gate: 3

    Path: Adept

    Level: 186

    Strength: 804

    Dexterity:804

    Constitution: 557

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 7,000/10,000

    Essence: 0/10,000,000

    Stat points available: 0

    Ever since reaching the adept path the distance between his primary stats and constitution had only grown, along with his regret. Sure it was nice to be strong and fast, but could that really compare with being sturdy? He couldn¡¯t help but smile as his rambling mind. The castle corridor was empty and so were the streets. They passed empty buildings, and Noah noted for the first time how strange they looked compared to human dwellings. The doors were either massive or in completely different shapes than typical, and he could only imagine what the furniture looked like. The concept of sapient beasts was so foreign to him that he just accepted it without much questioning, now though new ramifications were flooding his mind. For one, earth alone would now provide potentially thousands of alien species to the greater universe. Also, did regular animals still exist or were they all mutants? He didn¡¯t even want to think about the concept of offspring. Some things were better not to know.

    Without interruptions their journey was quick and he was relieved to find Un¡¯Dal and the others undisturbed by the masses. Those who had been injured before were now healed, and the bed space was given to the freshly wounded. They couldn¡¯t all fit in the guard house so Noah asked the group leaders to join him on top of the turret while the others waited outside. When they had all arrived they took a minute to survey the city from above. For all the violence that had transpired, there were little to no signs of it from above. If you looked really closely you may see a body here or there, but there were no fires, destroyed buildings, or mobs. Noah turned to look at the others.

    ¡°You all saw the messages last night. Now we have to decide if this is what we actually want.¡± He started. They looked at him with a mix of confused expressions.

    ¡°What do you mean exactly?¡± Ne¡¯Ja asked.

    ¡°For starters, do we actually want a kingdom? And if we do, do we want this one?¡± He questioned. Though he appreciated what Jeline had proposed it had finally struck him that he liked their way of living already and had no interest in being a sovereign, at least not in the way she had gone about it.

    ¡°Eh. Noah? Why would you have us attack a city of Coppers if you didn¡¯t want to take it over? That seems¡ª¡± Ta¡¯Ku started. Noah held up his hands.

    ¡°Now just a second, hear me out. I¡¯m not saying that I don¡¯t want to, but I am asking you all to consider it. This is a big decision for us, and our future. This may be the last chance we have to walk away.¡± He interrupted. He leaned over the turret as they contemplated his statements. The city wasn¡¯t what he would call beautiful. It was poorly planned with odd clusters of homes and shops that all shared the same muted brown coloring. The castle, the one feature that stood out also shared the ugly hue and left him feeling like he was staring down an oil refinery in the middle of beautiful countryside. He walked the turret and gazed out beyond the wall. In the light he could see quite far, there were rolling plains of green and yellow interspersed with groves of vibrant green trees. It was perfect. If he squinted he could make out what appeared to be mountains far in the distance, but only in the one direction, which he assumed was north. If it wasn¡¯t for the stain of the city, the kingdom would have been the perfect place to settle down. Ideal even. Ro¡¯Kar cleared his throat and everyone turned to him. In an eloquent manner more fitting to a queen than to the orc he began.

    ¡°These questions got me thinking about our village. It was small, simple, and lowly but it had a certain charm. A charm that, upon first glance, this city lacks. For that reason, I am against claiming the city.¡± He stated. Noah chuckled but Ta¡¯Ku beat him to the response.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to take the city at all? What would you have us do, return down the mountain? There¡¯s nothing for us down there.¡± He said. Ro¡¯Kar held up his hands, shaking his head. This time, however, Noah interjected.

    ¡°I agree on both fronts. The city is ugly but the land is beautiful. I say we claim the land and be rid of the city completely.¡± The two orcs grunted in impassioned agreement. Ne¡¯Ja sighed and shook her head.

    ¡°You men, you lack perspective. The kingdom is large, we can build our village far from the city and let those who prefer city life to remain. It will be good for our economy and serve as a decoy.¡± Ne¡¯Ja retorted. The three stared at her with open mouths, feeling awed and a bit disgruntled.

    ¡°Since when do you have perspective?¡± Ro¡¯Kar mumbled. Ne¡¯Ja shot him a look but Noah stopped them before they came to blows.

    ¡°That¡¯s a great idea, Ne¡¯Ja. That only leaves deciding what to do next. It¡¯s possible that as long we stay in the kingdom we remain in contest, but there could be benefits to staying in the city.¡± Noah mused.

    ¡°Ahem,¡± Recter coughed, getting everyone¡¯s attention. Several jumped, not having noticed his presence as he lurked in the background.

    ¡°I think you may be getting ahead of yourselves.¡± Recter stated, his eyes turned toward the city gates. Noah followed his gaze, squinting as he made out the details. His heart dropped as he saw a small party of armor-clad beasts returning to the city.

 Chapter 72

    Noah desperately scanned the surrounding countryside, intent to lay eyes on any other returning warriors. As the minutes stretched on no further parties came into sight. It¡¯s just the one. But so soon? He had feared the worst when he first saw them, imagining Jeline falling in battle and the whole of the enemy¡¯s forces bearing down on them. Now however, at least for this moment, they were spared such horrible outcomes. Noah turned to his council, noting the same looks of concern and relief written on their faces.

    ¡°Suggestions?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Kill them, quick and clean before the whole city catches wind and comes to any foolish ideas.¡± Ro¡¯kar said, conviction clear in his tone. Noah nodded, of the same mind.

    ¡°Perhaps we could capture one.¡± Ne¡¯Ja commented. ¡°We could use more information.¡± Noah¡¯s stomach soured at the implications.

    ¡°I agree¡­ However I don¡¯t think I¡¯m ready to condone torture.¡± He replied. Ne¡¯Ja hurriedly shook her head.

    ¡°I mean only to interrogate, ask questions, and make threats. Nothing more.¡± She assured him. He nodded slowly, as he came to grips with the reality of their situation.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. Let¡¯s capture one, look for any signs of hesitancy or other weakness. With any luck we¡¯ll find an ally in the process.¡± He said. There had been eight or so beasts visible in the party, so Noah instructed the leaders to pair off, leading their joined groups to comb the streets. He warned them to be on guard and to expect higher-level enemies than those they had already encountered. And so he found himself paired with Ta¡¯Ku and walking through one of the empty streets. He had noticed eyes staring out of quiet houses and had even attempted conversation with the residents inside but to no avail. It appeared that they knew they were the invaders and didn¡¯t want to risk communication. The group of beasts had disappeared from view into the side streets before they left the guard house forcing them to ferret them out in groups, but it was only a matter of time before one of their teams located them and drew attention to their location. They had been instructed to shout upon spotting their targets and so he was caught off guard when the scream of pain disturbed the still city. The tone was distinctly orcish and his breath caught as he endeavored to discern the direction it was coming from. Ne¡¯Ja pointed in the direction of the castle.

    ¡°I believe it was from over there.¡± She said, prompting them all to turn and sprint. They found the main thoroughfare and took it toward the castle, before another cry of anguish rang out this time closer, somewhere to the left in the western district. They bolted forward, tearing down the next side street. The sight he was met with was devastating. Eight bloodied beasts stood menacingly over his people, several of which lay in pools of their own making. He cried out in anger and rushed forward, Ta¡¯Ku and Ne¡¯Ja to either side.

    Noah¡¯s hammer moved with a will of its own, promising immediate retribution as it narrowed in on the first beast¡¯s skull. Within his domain, he perceived the unthinkably quick reaction of his foe as it expertly side-stepped his strike and thrust forward with its sword. Noah managed to pivot, but the momentum of his swing put him off balance and the beast struck him with a furred fist to his face. Noah reeled back, the blow bringing tears to his eyes and deviating his septum. While he regained his footing, he was only faintly aware of his companions fighting beside him and the shouts of others closing in on their location. The beast, a humanoid leopard grinned predatorily at him before stabbing forward with its blade. For all the advantages of his warhammer, parrying was not one of them and he desperately dodged while setting up a counterstrike. The leopard failed to move in time and received the blunt of his hammer to its shin. It yowled in pain and fury before turning its wrath on Noah.

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    To his delight, he noticed that the beast was unable to put its full weight on the injured leg and was only keeping up the appearance of a fighting stance. Noah lunged forward in a feint, causing the leopard to step out of the way only to find itself at the mercy of the real blow that followed. The spike of Noah¡¯s hammer connected with its abdomen, piercing the flesh and causing its offal to spill. It fell to the ground in a heap, clutching its stomach to hold the damaged organs in. It didn¡¯t even flinch as the descending spike was driven through its skull, delivering its final end. Only then did Noah consider turning his attention to the others. The faces of his friends were locked in intense focus, and it was clear that their opponents were of similar skill to his. He noticed Ga¡¯To and another orc struggling to fend off a lizard beast and he joined the fray, splitting the beast¡¯s focus and eventually sealing its fate. Other groups of warriors caught up with them then and moved in to assist the others, dealing the finishing blows to the impressive enemies.

    Noah joined the others in carrying the injured to Un¡¯Dal, but not all were lucky enough to survive their wounds. Four orcs succumbed to their injuries before they had gotten to them, and several others were barely hanging on. When they arrived back at the guard house, Noah called his leader to the turret where they began by scanning the horizon for any further signs of the sovereign¡¯s return. Noah had received 130,000 XP from the fight, confirming the conclusion that he had already come to. Noah shuddered as he considered what that meant for them. If a small straggling group of warriors were all that powerful, what could he expect from the rest of them? He knew with grim certainty that they couldn¡¯t win against any sizeable force of them. Including Recter they now had only 73 warriors, including the healers that didn¡¯t focus on combat. We need to flee. The whisper of a thought planted doubt in his heart and with a furrowed brow he turned to the others.

    ¡°Our enemy appears to be far more capable than we believed. If many more parties of that ability come, we won¡¯t be able to stand against them.¡± Noah stated. There were several sharp breaths as they took in his words and Ne¡¯Ja moved to speak.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah¨C¡± She began, but he interrupted.

    ¡°In the heat of battle we didn¡¯t manage to secure a prisoner, but I think it may be for the best. Such a powerful captive would be hard to contain.¡± He said. She shook her head.

    ¡°I understand that, and I agree. But that¡¯s not what I was going to say.¡± She said, and Noah nodded his head in apology, motioning for her to go on.

    ¡°Before the battle, I would have scorned the mention of retreat, but I realize now how foolish that was. Four of our tribe are dead and we have no feast to send them on their way. I think we have seen enough blood already.¡± She explained. Ro¡¯Kar nodded his head in solemn agreement.

    ¡°You would retreat after coming this far?¡± Recter asked, stepping forward.

    ¡°You only say that because you lost nothing!¡± Zo¡¯Kati retorted hotly. Recter narrowed his eyes at the woman but Noah stepped forward, hands held out in a placating manner.

    ¡°Peace. No one means disrespect.¡± He said, looking first to Recter then to Zo¡¯Kati.

    ¡°I do not wish to retreat either, for we have come a long ways and have paid a steep price.¡± He said nodding to Recter. ¡°This however is a trap. On Earth we called this the sunk cost fallacy, meaning that you justify an action based upon your investment rather than the projections. This is a poor reason to make a decision.¡± He said, before locking eyes with Zo¡¯Kati.

    ¡°I also feel deeply grieved for our companions who have met their end today and I do not wish to see more warriors needlessly spend their lives. I also won¡¯t let grief cloud our judgment.¡± He finished. Several of those present took a deep breath as they let the adrenaline and intense emotion of the day fall away.

    ¡°I would hear your opinions. This choice is not a burden I wish to carry alone.¡±

 Chapter 73

    Chapter 73

    The council spoke late into the afternoon, finally reaching a consensus after every idea was considered and debated. As soon as the injured were on their feet they would withdraw from the city and distance themselves from the kingdom. If Jeline failed they would need to quickly regroup with the orcs they had left behind and find new territory to settle in. If she managed to pull through then they would consider their next actions with the extra time they gained. After consulting with Un¡¯Dal they were assured that the worst off would be ready to leave within the week and would be stable enough to carry before then. After the decision had been made, Noah called the warriors together to share the news.

    ¡°Within a week¡¯s time, we will leave the city and make our way to the rest of the tribe while we await the outcome of the final battle. We do not wish to see another warrior fall in this forsaken place. As for the fallen, we will send them to their final end tonight. Though we lack a feast for the traditional merriment, we will not fail to add them to the legend.¡± He announced. There was a chorus of grunted approval and soon Noah found himself sat in one of the many circles on the cobbled ground, retelling the heroic tales of their brethren and granting them their final end.

    Recter stood atop the parapet looking down upon Noah and the orc warriors. He found their customs strangely familial considering their lacking relation. Yet as he listened to their reverie and their so-called legends, he couldn¡¯t deny the budding desire to belong to such a clan. Drakon did not commune like the orcs, and even in cities they rarely interacted outside of necessity. He could not remember a time that he had so freely laughed among others prior to his fateful meeting with Noah. Perhaps a day would come when he too could join in honoring their comrades through legend and song. The thought brought a smile to his reptilian face, an expression that felt less and less foreign as the days went by. For tonight, however, he would gladly stand watch as his companions honored their fallen brothers and sisters.

    The final song ended hours into the night, and the orcs now free from their burden found rest along the outer wall. A watch was organized and Noah soon made his way back up the turret to join Recter in looking out over the city.

    ¡°Do you think Jeline will prevail?¡± He asked. Recter cocked his head in contemplation.

    ¡°She bested me with such an ease that I felt like a drake before a dragon. She will not go down easily if at all.¡± Recter replied. Noah nodded.

    ¡°And if she does?¡± He mused.

    ¡°Then we better run fast. I do not wish to be bound by a tyrant¡¯s oath again.¡± Recter muttered. Noah couldn¡¯t help but agree, his words making their week-long wait feel entirely too long.

    The following days were filled with restless waiting, failed attempts to connect with the locals, and the relocation of the siege ladders to their current turret. If they needed a quick escape they would be ready. Noah couldn¡¯t help but spend the majority of his time scanning the horizon, wiping his eyes as his vision played tricks on him. The tension of waiting ate at him and it was Un¡¯Dal¡¯s insistence alone that drove him to rest. His lecture about his pride and carelessness costing them their lives had been plenty reason for Noah to sleep. Several of the warriors had gained significant XP from the battle, allowing them to finally pass the threshold into Adept at level 150. Noah had gained sufficient XP to level 13 times, and he did so, bringing his level to 199 as he didn''t dare to leave any advantage on the table with the trials ahead. On the fourth day, Un¡¯Dal finally cleared the weakest of them for travel, though they remained unable to walk.

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    There had been no sign of enemy movement so they opted to remain, giving as much time as possible to those that remained. Some of his tribe explored the city, looking for treasures or at least something to buy their time. Others sparred, training to grow accustomed to their increased stats. Some scavenged food, though Noah didn¡¯t dare think of the sources, instead choosing to eat it in peaceful ignorance. During the next night, he convinced himself to sleep, mindful of Un¡¯Dal¡¯s warnings. He regretted that.

    A few hours before dawn a cry so terrible he gasped awake rang out from just outside the guard house. Noah shot out of bed, his weapons already at hand and sprinted down the stairs. Drowsy orcs roused by the pained shrieking desperately formed a defense, their foes all too clear. They were surrounded by a semi-circle of beasts trapping them against the wall. Where did they come from? Noah wondered as he doubted the sentries had failed so devastatingly in their duty. His eyes scanned over their opponents, finally revealing their identity. They¡¯re from the city. They wore little to no armor and carried weapons without the tell-tale grace of experienced warriors. A small wisp of relief trickled into his heart as he took in their enemies with fresh eyes.

    ¡°They are the cowards of the city! Do not fear them! Attack!¡± He shouted at full volume, temporarily drawing the attention of several of their attackers. Noah rushed into the fight, eager to pour out his fury. His hammer became wrath incarnate, spelling the end of monster after monster. He allowed himself to become soft, offering an olive branch to these beasts in hopes of a peaceful transition. He had been a fool. These weren¡¯t beings capable of reason as he had suspected, no they were bloodthirsty monsters capable of killing his people in their sleep. The battle cries of his tribe reached a fever pitch as they ground their enemies into the cobble. The fifty-some foes died one after another as the band of warriors retaliated with unexpected fervor. His people did not come away unscathed, however, as one more joined the fallen, and a dozen others were in need of immediate attention.

    Noah helped the wounded into the guard house, and he was once again reminded of their pressing need to obtain more healers. If they had Jeline¡¯s healers then all of the injured could be restored in a day or two but the onslaught of wounds would take Un¡¯Dal and his team twice that if not more. Noah had gained several minor lacerations and a single deep puncture in his arm that one of the apprentices worked on. As they did he looked around at the chaotic scene, counting heads and searching for faces to ensure no one had been missed. What he hadn¡¯t expected was to see the two warriors posted to sentry duty atop the turret. His eyes went wide as he saw them being bandaged and his heart raced.

    ¡°Were we attacked from above?¡± He asked in a raised voice. The pair turned to him and shook their heads emphatically.

    ¡°No, chief. We rushed down to help as soon as we spotted the trouble.¡± They replied. Noah breathed out a relieved sigh. Wait.

    ¡°Are you saying that no one is watching over the city?¡± He asked, dread already creeping in. They nodded, their faces paling as the folly of their choice became clear. No. Please no. Before the apprentice could finish, Noah bolted out of his seat and climbed the ladder to the parapet. He scanned the horizon, only the light of the stars illuminating his sight. He took in the countryside, seeing nothing but dark rolling hills. Then he saw a brief flash for just a second. He squinted, frantically trying to catch sight of it again. For minutes there was nothing, and he began to believe that his mind had played tricks on him. Then it happened again and his heart sank as he spotted what he recognized as the glint of metal blades coming over a hill not more than a couple miles off. It''s too late.

    He scrambled down the ladder, his mind turning. The others must have seen the wild look in his eyes as the guard house soon went silent. Ro¡¯Kar gasped as he put the pieces together.

    ¡°Have they come?¡± He asked. Noah nodded gravely.

    ¡°They are just over a mile away. Assuming they didn¡¯t send anyone ahead we have perhaps a half hour to prepare.¡± Noah replied. Fear could be seen in the faces of the warriors, many of them with fresh injuries, already spent from the previous battle. Un¡¯Dal met Noah¡¯s gaze and shook his head, the message clear. They couldn¡¯t run.

 Chapter 74

    Noah¡¯s thoughts raced as he considered the available courses of action. They could potentially flee down the ladders, being on the opposite side of the city from the incoming beasts, but the jostling would put the injured at risk. It was also possible that the enemies would catch up with them, not content to reclaim their city alone. If they stayed though, their fate was all but sealed. It was not as if they had enough warriors to man the wall for a siege, and their guard tower wasn¡¯t nearly large enough to make a stand in. He considered the palace, but the foreign environment would likely be more to their detriment than advantage. Worst of all, the longer he took to make his decision the worse their chances got at any of them. He took a deep breath.

    We aren¡¯t dying today.

    Noah raised his fist, and every eye turned in his direction.

    ¡°Prepare the injured for transport. We will carry them upon their cots and do our best to preserve their lives. Everyone else gather your gear and descend the ladders. We leave as soon as the wounded are lowered down.¡± He announced, his orders only briefly acknowledged before they sprung into action. Noah walked over to Un¡¯Dal.

    ¡°Is there a way to keep them alive on the move?¡± He asked. Un¡¯Dal nodded slowly.

    ¡°If we bind them to the cots, they should remain stable enough. It is imperative that they are able to rest and receive constant healing. We will need someone to carry the apprentices and myself so that we can give our full attention to the patients.¡± Un¡¯Dal instructed. Noah nodded, considering the options.

    ¡°That can be done.¡± He replied before tracking down his group. He wanted his most trusted people to carry out the task. A hand grabbed the edge of his garment as he passed, one of gravely injured warriors, muttering too quietly for him to hear. He leaned in close, his ear nearly touching the dying woman¡¯s mouth.

    ¡°Chief, leave us. We will only slow you down.¡± She rasped through cracked lips. Noah smiled gently at her and squeezed her hand.

    ¡°You will live to see another day. No one is being left behind.¡± He replied, though his words fell on sleeping ears. He left her, returning to his task.

    ¡°Ne¡¯Ja, Ga¡¯To, Me¡¯Zin. Gather the others to the turret. I have a job for you.¡± He ordered, catching the three packing together just outside the guard house. They nodded and ran off to gather the rest of group 1. Once they were all in one place Noah explained their role in carrying the healers upon their shoulders in alternating shifts. He entrusted Ne¡¯Ja with ensuring the well-being of the healers before seeking out Ta¡¯Ku to have his group join in the effort to carry the stretchers. Noah would carry Un¡¯Dal alongside his group, Ro¡¯Kar would lead the tribe from the front, and Recter would stand vigil at their rear.

    Within the hour they all stood at the bottom of the ladder, just outside the city wall. The stars illuminated the night in their ethereal beauty, apathetic to their plight. The final stretcher was lowered down and Un¡¯Dal climbed upon Noah¡¯s shoulders. He nodded to Ro¡¯Kar who raised a fist in silence before leading the tribe in a brisk pace due west. They had decided on that bearing just in case the enemy was already circling around, opting to cut south only once they were sure they had avoided detection. They ran, and though retreat was a bitter pill, Noah gladly swallowed it as he considered the fate that awaited them if they stayed.

    They ran through the night, not daring to stop until they found a grove of trees just as dawn was breaking. Noah decided they would risk the stop in hopes of spying out any pursuers from the cover of the trees. He wanted to avoid running under the light of day, but somehow doubted they would be afforded that opportunity. The break also served as their first check-in on the wounded, and Un¡¯Dal immediately began his examinations. Noah joined Recter near the edge of the trees, examining the horizon for any signs of movement.

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    ¡°I sense trouble, Noah.¡± Recter hissed as he squinted into the distance.

    ¡°Do you see something?¡± Noah asked, following his gaze. Recter shook his head.

    ¡°Call it intuition. My blood is roiling, eager for the battle that is coming. I fear our time on the run will soon be cut short.¡± He warned. Noah shuddered at his words, only able to hope that they weren''t true.

    ¡°What do you think we should do?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure there is anything we can do.¡± Recter replied, ¡°Prepare for battle and steel yourself for the trial ahead.¡± It was then they caught sight of the black spots moving across the plains, the beasts already on their trail.

    ¡°They found us.¡± Noah whispered. Remembering too late that even Earth beasts could pick up on a trail of blood from a distance. He turned to his tribe.

    ¡°Our run has come to an end. The healers and injured will remain here. Everyone else, prepare for battle!¡± He said, shouting the last line. There was no more time for wishes or regrets, so Noah unstrapped his hammer and checked his side weapons, pulling them from their sheathes in practiced motions. Someone behind him began to stomp and another joined in. Noah smiled as the familiar war chant started as a whisper amongst the trees. He felt his blood begin to stir as his brothers and sisters in arms steeled their resolve and came to stand beside him. They had stared death in the face and come back time and time again. They would not fall today.

    The chant was deep and guttural, filled with words that somehow remained foreign to Noah¡¯s ears, as if the System failed to fully understand this rich piece of orc culture. By now however he knew the words and a bit of their meaning, so he joined them as they stared down the fast approaching enemies. As some of them witnessed their coming end.

    ¡°Asay, asay-nahrem. Asay, asay-fashi. Ish¡¯Ko yo-ray, ma¡¯far nu¡¯su, ba cho li.¡±

    The words of the chorus were the most familiar to Noah, the low rumbling and rhythmic stomp every part as meaningful as the words themselves. They roughly translated to ¡®Part the clouds, part the seas. The great warrior comes, the enemies devour, and a legend I will be.¡¯ As they chanted their war song, Noah felt the resonance within him, as if the words carried essence and power. His body was quickened, his mind sharpened, and his resolve forged into steel. The beasts drew ever nearer, their numbers matching their own.

    ¡°Asay, asay-nahrem. Asay, asay-fashi. Ish¡¯Ko yo-ray, ma¡¯far nu¡¯su, ba cho li.¡±

    The leader of the beasts emerged from the horde, a humanoid tiger robed in flame. The beast raised its gaze to the sky, its lips moving in incomprehensible tones. There was a bright flash as the sky was torn open and a pillar of fire descended upon the beast, causing a terrible transformation to take place. The orange fur gave way to blackened flesh and the light in its eyes turned dim. Its body rippled as it grew, taking on a grotesque form reminiscent of the hell hounds of old. The once noble tiger dropped to all fours now looking every bit the raging demon, many times the size of its original body. It let loose a blood-curdling screech and turned directly toward their position. The warriors following roared a thundering response and raced after their demonic leader.

    ¡°Asay, asay-nahrem. Asay, asay-fashi. Ish¡¯Ko yo-ray, ma¡¯far nu¡¯su, ba cho li.¡±

    Noah¡¯s heart raced as the very visage of death tore across the plains in his direction. Though he faced a terrible end, it wasn¡¯t fear that made him tremble. No, as his blood boiled and his knuckles turned white it was the anticipation of battle, of the awaiting legend that set his heart¡¯s rapid rhythm. Backs straightened, eyes focused, and grins formed as the tribe made peace with their lot. To die in glorious battle. To join the great berserkers in the tapestry of legend. To fight to the very end, in the hope that their companions may sing of their tale as they breathed another day.

    ¡°Asay, asay-nahrem. Asay, asay-fashi. Ish¡¯Ko yo-ray, ma¡¯far nu¡¯su, ba cho li.¡±

    Noah raised his fist and every warrior raised theirs in turn. No words were needed as he took the first step out of the trees, lifting his hammer into the brilliant white light. Then like the mighty floodwaters of a breaking dam the tribe filled the hills with a roar so loud that even the hellhound flinched in momentary horror. They charged forth, with fire in their eyes and their spirits alight knowing that their every step brought them closer to victory or the grave. Noah locked eyes with the terrible beast and glared his promise of its coming end.

    ¡°Asay, asay-nahrem. Asay, asay-fashi. Ish¡¯Ko yo-ray, ma¡¯far nu¡¯su, ba cho li.¡±

    What had started as a whispered chant now rang out like the drums of war, setting the beat of their hearts and the pace of their steps. The enemy, now only moments away stood heads taller than them in stature but were dwarfed in spirit. Noah grinned as he hefted his hammer in preparation for the first strike.

    Let them come.

 Chapter 75

    Noah¡¯s hammer rang like a bell as it deflected harmlessly off the hellhound¡¯s skull. He had no time to wonder at the creature¡¯s durability before the beast¡¯s head slammed into his chest, throwing him to the ground before trampling him underfoot. Noah sputtered as the air was forced from his lungs as he desperately rolled to avoid being crushed by the next beast. Seeing the soft underbelly of an approaching foe, he drew his dagger and positioned himself in line of the approaching beast. As its front paws pressed into the ground just beside his body he drove his dagger up, the momentum of the beast working to open a long gash spanning the length of its torso. Noah launched himself to his feet, only to jump immediately as the next charging foe lowered its horned head at him. Noah scrambled to the side, searching for the hammer that had been knocked out of his trampled hand. The world was complete chaos as the enemy force plowed through them like cavalry through unorganized infantry. He never claimed to be a tactician, but the failure to predict this outcome burdened him with heavy shame. As he scanned for his weapon he could see his fellow warriors now fighting as individuals or laying trampled on the ground. He had to do something.

    ¡°Warriors! To me!¡± He roared at the top of his enhanced lungs. He withdrew his hand axe and held it in his right hand alongside the dagger in his left. The next beast became his mount as he leapt upon its back, driving the dagger into the base of its neck providing a handhold as he surveyed the battlefield. His forces were well and truly overwhelmed, the results of the initial charge only adding to their disparity. He did note that Recter and a few others stood tall, the bodies of their slain enemies serving as a barrier to the charging forces. Noah shouted again, calling his tribe to rise. He met Ne¡¯Ja¡¯s gaze as she lifted herself off the ground and sprung into action. Ahead he saw Ga¡¯To and Di¡¯Ma desperately defending a wounded warrior lying behind them. Noah drove the blade of his axe into the side of his mount¡¯s neck before withdrawing his knife and leaping upon his comrade''s enemy. He slew the beast but had to move before the antlers of the charging moose speared him through.

    Noah caught sight of Me¡¯Zin riding the shoulders of a fierce bear who desperately worked to pry her off as she plunged her blade into his skull. He couldn¡¯t help but grin as he took in the savage responses of his tribe who refused to go down without a fight. All of a sudden the battlefield seemed to empty and Noah watched in confusion as the beasts fully passed through their ranks and began to form up on the hill behind them. Only the beasts locked in battle or lying dead remained as the horde prepared for another deadly charge. The demonic beast of burnt flesh and raging fire smiled cruelly as it watched the feeble warriors fight for their lives.

    Noah knew that they couldn¡¯t endure another pass of the trampling horde, so he raised his fist and called for his tribe yet again.

    ¡°Everyone to me!¡± He yelled, his voice cutting through the clanging of metal and the rending of flesh. The able-bodied warriors rushed to him, as he ran for cover behind a particularly tall mound of corpses. The giant beasts at least served that purpose well. Recter, Ne¡¯Ja, and Ta¡¯Ku managed to join him along with some twenty others even as the thundering charge began.

    ¡°Spears forward! Weapons at the ready! Stay together!¡± Noah ordered, hoping to establish order in the midst of the untamed kill zone. He found a battleaxe that had been separated from its owner and gripped it with white knuckles as the beasts began their approach. Cries of pain and roars of fury filled their ears, much like the winds of a hurricane blocking out every other noise. His pulse quickened as a beast blurred past their barrier and a jet of flame superheated the air around them. No. Noah gasped as their rawhide armor was set ablaze causing them to yell out in fear. Several orcs immediately dropped to the ground, rolling to extinguish the flames only to be trampled moments later.

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    ¡°Strip your furs! Don¡¯t risk the ground!¡± Noah screamed, hoping his words would reach them. Others caught on as they watched him hurl the flaming layers at passing beasts and followed suit, though not before losing hair and marring skin. Noah was filled with hatred as he saw the fear and pain in his companions¡¯ eyes, only a stalwart few holding on to their previous courage. Those who had come back from the brink had already put to death their fear and now stood ready to write their legend. Noah laid his hand on Ne¡¯Ja¡¯s shoulder, then Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s, and Rector¡¯s. They had a wordless exchange, each of them tensing for their next move.

    With a fierce intensity, the four of them burst forth, cutting down the next beasts who dared to pass. They struck out with spear, hammer, axe, and blade each delivering death with a single strike. The System notified him of mountainous amounts of XP that he instantly threw at his path. He focused his attention, forcing his domain to lock into place around him as he whirled in combat with the charging beasts. The four were as titans warring against the sea, moved by the tsunami-like waves but never toppled. The remaining orcs found their courage again as their leaders paved a path of blood before them.

    They charged into the fray, cutting down the superior enemies in groups of two or three. There was no honor to be had on the battlefield, and so they made use of every advantage conceivable as they mercilessly struck down their foes. Many beasts fell in that charge, but as the horde gathered once again Noah saw that their numbers had decreased by no more than a third. His people however were battered and broken, and only small pockets of resistance remained across the blood-stained ground. There were too many of them. What do I do? The thought rang through his mind as he desperately searched the battlefield for any sign of inspiration. He didn¡¯t have enough XP to advance his grade, and his inspiration was all but dried up from his previous push to the third Gate. The only hope of breakthrough he had was in his path, though he didn¡¯t know at what level the threshold lay. So far his kills had brought him to level 245 and he could only hope that 250 was the next threshold. With the alarming power of their enemies, that would mean only one or two beasts more.

    The warriors scrambled to the other side of the barrier, and Noah steeled his resolve as he faced them, knowing it could be the very last time.

    ¡°The tales of your feats will be sung forever more. If we fall, it won¡¯t be until we can drag every last infernal beast with us!¡± He shouted, knowing too well the value of raised morale. ¡°If you haven¡¯t already, use your XP to level and apply your stats. They will be of no use in the grave.¡± He noted the far away gaze of a few as they did exactly that, giving a nod as they finished. Noah rummaged around the dead, pulling several furs from their corpses and collecting others that were now charred. He frowned in distaste at that action, hating every moment of it but he still put on the fur dress less his skin catch fire in the next pass. He handed the extras to the others who adorned them with pressed lips. When the ground began to shake they readied their weapons and exchanged final farewells.

    Noah waited until the hellish beast was moments away before planting the butt of a discarded spear into the ground and holding the point to its chest. The beast had no time to pivot or stop so it plowed forward, taking the spear in stride and throwing Noah to the ground once more. He quickly rolled to the side behind cover and hastily removed the already flaming garments that dirt somehow failed to extinguish. The others followed suit, letting the initial beasts pass as they chose their targets with care. Noah watched as the hellhound turned around to face them, not racing forward to the hill beyond as it had done before. The spear stuck from its chest, though it appeared to move unhindered. Noah realized in horror that their previous strategy was no more as the beast began its charge afresh, followed quickly by the beasts that had already blown past. The warriors scrambled over the mound of bodies, knowing that to receive the charge would be their end. The screeching laugh of the leader rang out across the plain as it shot forward at the retreating orcs. As Noah braced himself for the assault the laughter was abruptly cut off as a System message filled their vision.

    [Contest decided.]

    [Sovereign of the Lionflame Kingdom has died.]

 Chapter 76

    [Contest decided.]

    [Sovereign of the Lionflame Kingdom has died.]

    [Ownership transfer complete.]

    [You are now the sovereign of unnamed territory.]

    Noah took in the messages with initial confusion before he remembered the circumstances they were currently in. He finished taking cover behind the flesh wall and waited for the incoming stampede. The others were wide-eyed, having seen the same message themselves.

    ¡°Jeline was successful.¡± Recter mumbled to Noah¡¯s right.

    ¡°I guess so. I was starting to doubt that possibility after facing their warriors.¡± Noah admitted. Recter shook his head.

    ¡°You never fought her, so you wouldn¡¯t know. Her magic is impossible to stand against. I am not sure how she does it, but its almost like fighting yourself, stuck in an eternal prison in your own mind.¡± Recter hissed, shuddering as he remembered. Noah frowned, suddenly more thankful than ever for the queen¡¯s peculiar interest in him. Noah realized then that the enemy hadn¡¯t charged and his forehead knitted as he crawled up his side of the barrier. Peering over the edge, he saw the horde at a standstill discussing something amongst themselves. What are they doing? Ta¡¯Ku, Recter, and Ne¡¯Ja crept up beside him and they stared at their enemy in confusion, finding the sudden ceasefire more disturbing than a continued attack. It made them seem more real, more human.

    The leader of the beasts turned and glowered at Noah, baring its teeth in a wicked snarl. But then the beast began to change, shrinking and trembling until it resembled its prior form as a humanoid tiger. It frowned, staring at its paws and letting out a growl of frustration before locking eyes with Noah.

    ¡°It seems your master was successful in her attack. I knew it was foolish to leave at the height of battle.¡± The monster announced, his voice strangely calm. He smiled as if struck by inspiration.

    ¡°This is good. I will make a better leader than that stupid lion ever could.¡± He tilted his head at Noah and the orcs. ¡°What to do with you though? You¡¯re hardly worth enough XP to account for the losses. Perhaps for spite?¡± The beast mused aloud. Noah frowned, unsure of how to take the tiger¡¯s nonchalance.

    ¡°How ¡®bout we strike a deal, human?¡± He asked. Noah blinked.

    ¡°What do you propose?¡± He replied.

    ¡°I will let you live, in return, you ask your master to refrain from attacking the city for the next month while we gather our belongings.¡± The tiger said. Noah tilted his head, finding the whole situation to be incredibly strange.

    ¡°A month you say?¡± The beast nodded.

    ¡°After a month we will be gone and out debt settled.¡± He assured Noah. Noah knew that the queen had no intention of attacking the city at all, so he saw nothing to lose.

    ¡°I will ask. She will likely see the reason in it. I can make no promises though.¡± Noah replied. The tiger nodded.

    ¡°That is the best I can hope for. We will take our leave then.¡± He said before turning toward the city. Noah couldn¡¯t believe his eyes as he watched the beasts leave as if the mass carnage had never taken place. The others were just as shocked as them, and it wasn¡¯t until they heard a rattling cough that reality snapped into place.

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    ¡°Collect the wounded! Get them to Un¡¯Dal!¡± He shouted before acting on the words himself. The dawn had yet to break as they searched for their living comrades amongst the dead, the glow of the stars casting an eerie scene. As it always went, it was only once the fighting stopped that the full brunt of pain set in, and this time was no different. Noah groaned as his cracked ribs sent waves of pain through him with every breath, only now recognizing the awkward limp in his left knee and the small bone jutting from his hand. He didn¡¯t even know if it was his. He didn¡¯t dare well on it as he searched the bodies, finding too many that had breathed their last. The battle¡¯s end had left him unsatisfied but relieved as he knew too well that he wouldn¡¯t have survived to the end. For some reason knowing that the battle meant so little to the enemy hurt all the more, as he considered the needless deaths of his tribe. No. He stopped himself before he could further dishonor their memory. They fought so that we could live. For us, this battle was our final stand even if it was inconsequential to our enemies.

    His heart wrenched as he found Ga¡¯To and Di¡¯Ma, their bodies marred and broken, lying still in the churned earth. No. His breath caught as he stared at his group members, the memories of their many battles flashing through his mind. Then he a twitch as one of the bodies moved ever so slightly. He frowned and moved closer, only to find that they lay on top of another. He quickly lifted their corpses off the warrior beneath, finding the tear-stained face of Shu¡¯La the other female orc in his group. She was bloodied and seemed unable to move, and Noah realized that she was the one that they had been fighting to protect in the heat of battle. He smiled as he realized that they had fought to their final breath to protect their fallen comrade, and they had succeeded in delivering her through. He carefully lifted her from the ground in a princess hold and she leaned her head into his chest as he carried her across the battlefield.

    Noah was relieved to find Un¡¯Dal and the apprentices alive and well, though they looked worn thin as they tended to the ever-growing line of patients. Noah smiled warmly at the healer, never so thankful as in this moment for his choice to heal rather than fight. Soon Ne¡¯Ja carried in another injured orc, sharing a sad smile with him before they headed back together. He noticed several orcs standing in a circle and ran over to them to discover the cause. He heard soft sniffling as he approached and his heart dropped. Orcs don¡¯t cry. He took a tentative step forward and the others parted to allow him through. Lying on the ground, was Ro¡¯Kar his body pierced through with a spear-like antler still connected to the dead beast. Noah sank to his knees as the grief finally broke through his battle-fogged mind. Why?

    They would sing of his legend for days to come but in this moment the only fitting response in his heart was to mourn their great loss. Ro¡¯Kar was the first orc he fought beside, taking down the leader of the swarm side by side the night he was brought into their village. He had honored him as a berserker and made him one of their own. They broke bread and counseled, they laughed, sang, and suffered together. His grief was only interrupted by a pained moan that shook him from his stupor. His people needed him now. Noah rushed about in a blur until dawn crested and the harsh white light of the alien sun beat down upon them, its warm rays doing nothing to alleviate the deep chill that had set in. By the time they had searched every body, it was hours into the day and their grief only grew. 30 warriors died in battle, another 30 were gravely wounded, and only 10 warriors remained on their feet alongside the 5 healers that tended to them all. Ne¡¯Ja drew up alongside Noah, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah. It¡¯s time.¡± She said, her voice soft and filled with sadness. He nodded, turning to the rest of his tribe, all gathered around the healers. He met their eyes, seeing their need for a leader, for something to cling to. He took a deep breath, setting aside his personal grief.

    ¡°Today a new legend was written.¡± He began, his voice raw with grief and passion. ¡°The founding of a kingdom, paid for in blood by the greatest of warriors. Enemies rained down upon us like relentless waves of a great sea and they failed to break us! Outnumbered and inferior in stats, these noble berserkers refused to turn aside as death claimed them. They knew that with every moment they fought on, they would save another of their kin, paving the way to their ultimate victory!¡± Noah said, his voice raised even as tears filled his eyes.

    ¡°So today is a day of great triumph and new beginnings! The birth of our kingdom and our eventual victory over the beasts that lay claim to this land. From this day forward we will be know as the Kingdom of Ro¡¯Kar!¡± He shouted. Those who could yell roared into the morning, and those that could not joined in whatever way they could manage. They spent the entirety of the day adding their companions to the great legend and ushering them to their final end.

 Chapter 77 - Epilogue

    Milky Way Galaxy, Sector 1000

    Darius sat in orbit, his imperial vessel invisible to the naked eye below. He played a game of chess, a childish game that the humans of Earth thought so highly of. To them, it held secrets of strategy and cunning, but he saw it for what it was. A trap. This game, revered by many, instilled a great flaw into the minds of the humans, that the enemy would play by the same set of rules. Of course there was the complete lack of consideration for individual strength in the game, but he could hardly fault the savages for their ignorance in that regard. His thoughts were interrupted as a servant approached with a scroll in hand. He stopped several paces away and bowed deeply at the waist, not daring to speak without permission. Darius nodded ever so slightly, the most minute movement all that the servant would need as an indication.

    ¡°My lord, I have the report you requested.¡± The servant said. Darius smiled.

    ¡°Very good. Read it.¡± He commanded. The servant unrolled the scroll and stood up straight.

    ¡°The current date in local time is 386 days post initialization. Since that time twelve beings of the lesser races have ascended to Bronze. As of yet not a single being from the selected races has managed to ascend past Copper. While many have received the quest of nobility, they have failed to grasp the urgency needed to prevail in the contest. The closest being to attain Bronze is one of the elven race by the name Balkendar who has nearly completed his quest. Others are further along in personal strength but lack the foresight to gather followers. Current projections show that the contest will end in favor of the lesser races by day 750 PI local time.¡± The servant read before rolling the scroll and bowing again. Darius waved him away.

    He had been at his post for over a year now, enough time to observe the unfortunate folly of the planet he watched over. To this day he still didn¡¯t understand the Great Sytsem¡¯s purpose in hiding the contest of power from the planet¡¯s inhabitants. But in the outer sectors, it became rarer and rarer to see the selected races prevail over the lesser races in the contest. The lesser races were born with the instinct to conquer after all, something that the more civilized races attempted to limit or deny. He sighed as he checkmated himself once again. The emperor would be disappointed. They could use every allied planet they could get their hands on for the trials ahead, but only ones claimed by the selected races were allowed such privileges.

    Alure Galaxy, Sector 849

    Livia carefully stowed the artifact in her brooch, not daring to trust the unguarded storage ring on her finger. No, only the heirloom would be capable of keeping prying eyes from seeing the artifact she had purchased from the System. Her mother would never approve of her actions so she had been forced to approach the System receptacle in disguise, paying off the guards who were supposed to stay by her side anytime she left her quarters. But she had done it. Now the adrenaline in her blood had turned to nervous anticipation as she hurried back to her rooms. After months and months of planning for her wedding, her curiosity had grown to dangerous levels and most nights she had trouble sleeping as she tried to picture the face of her betrothed. Only once she was behind closed doors, in her most warded room did she remove the artifact from her brooch. She held it in her hands, inspecting the device as her heart raced. It was a crystal orb, not dissimilar to communication devices¨Cthough this one was one way only. What made it so special was the incredibly harsh limits placed upon its use. This artifact would allow her to see her betrothed, something normally impossible before the System-sanctioned time had passed. There was however a concession that she had found, for special cases like her own. It came with a high cost though, requiring a soul scan with every use to prove your pure intentions toward the one you were scrying upon. If the System detected a hint of trickery, manipulation, interference, or wrongdoing the user would suffer a terrible backlash.

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    So it was with shaky hands that she activated the device, willing it to come into focus on the target of her affection. She had only been given his name, but that was more than enough for the System artifact. The orb began to glow before slowly dimming to reveal a crystal-clear image. Noah. She breathed his name as his face came into view. She frowned as she zoomed in on his face. There were tears trailing down his cheeks as he knelt alone on a bloodied plain. She felt her heart break as she saw his anguish, at the deep loss that he had suffered. She watched as others gathered around him, joining in his grief before ushering him back to their camp. She watched as he carried the bodies of his fallen companions and those who were to gravely injured to move themselves. She watched as he sang beautiful tales of each individual warrior as the night turned to day. She wept at the passion she heard in his voice as he spoke of a hope-filled future, even though the pain he felt was still as clear as day. As she watched him she regretted every degrading comment and thought she had made. And as she heard his voice the dread she had felt for their coming union turned to something else entirely.

    Milky Way Galaxy, Sector 1000

    As the final songs were sung and darkness replaced the day, Noah finally closed his eyes as sleep claimed him with an iron grip. His dreams were turbulent and wild, filled with blood and beasts and so much death. The faces of all those he loved flashed before his eyes, including the face of a young woman he had never seen before. He smiled at her in the dream and she had seemed surprised as if he wasn¡¯t supposed to be aware of her presence. Then the dream turned darker as his mind rehashed their journey up the mountain starting with the terrible wyrm that had driven them from the orc village. Followed by the monster swarms of the frozen tundra and the first death his tribe had suffered under his leadership. He relived the fight with the bear whose spikes had pierced him through, along with the unsuspecting rabbit that had gotten the jump on him in his daze. He suffered through the fights in the arena, though the initial edge was no longer present and finally he watched as a bystander as the horde tore through his companions on the bloody plains.

    Then his dreams shifted completely, reminiscent of his initial vision all that time ago. He saw the forest of purple trees and elves streaming through them. He saw the human village surrounded by beasts, on the verge of being overwhelmed. He watched as the elves arrived just after the first beast broke through the defenses, claiming the lives of unprepared civilians. The elves were touted as heroes and were paraded through the streets. He saw Julie¡¯s office in the town hall where she sat across from a familiar face, Balkendar the elf from their first week in the new world. He watched as what started as a thanks and joyful reception turned to pale-faced acceptance as Julie was made to kneel before the elf in supplication. He watched as the elves left her office leaving a weeping and terrified Julie who scrambled to wipe her tears and put on a smile before her secretary entered the room. The final scene he witnessed was of Balkendar shaking hands with a grinning Kyle who eagerly followed the elf back into the woods.

 Vol 2: Chapter 1

    Noah sat atop a grassy hill relishing the gentle breeze as it rustled his hair and carried white clumps of cottonwood seeds that fell like snow around him. The bright white sun warmed his skin and he inhaled the spring air deeply, savoring the peaceful pleasure of solitude. He gazed down upon the copse of trees where his people milled about, and he smiled to see the last of them back on their feet. A month had passed since their battle with the beast army. Their injuries had been so grave that only after all this time could they consider leaving. The first few days had been the worst, his dream about Julie had eaten at him as the image of Julie¡¯s distraught face cycled through his brain. He couldn¡¯t up and leave his people though, regardless of his concern for her and Kyle. His people had needed him, especially with so many wounded in the hostile environment. His caution had proven to be fitting too, with stray beasts striking at them with regularity, likely drawn in by the scent of blood and the remains of the battle. Small groups of beasts had begun to attack them with more frequency in the last week, though they weren¡¯t particularly strong compared to the foes they had faced from the kingdom.

    Noah relived the battle on the daily, often considering what he would have done differently or how he could have been better. All of his musings had led to a single irrefutable truth, however. He had been powerless. Sure, he could have had better tactics and leadership initiative. He could have stayed beside Ga¡¯To and Di¡¯Ma, doing his best to deliver them from their fate. Perhaps he could have more masterfully used his domain to relay intimate details about their foes to his companions. He would do these things in their battle, but when it came down to it his greatest failing had been clear from the first blow. He had lacked the strength to face his enemy head-on. He wasn¡¯t the type to craft masterful strategies or slink around behind the scenes for a hidden advantage¨Cno he was the one who went toe to toe with the bad guy while the others took care of the rest. And in that regard, he had failed. He wasn¡¯t beating himself up about it anymore, there wasn¡¯t any need to¡ªthe marked graves accomplished that task without any help. No, his time of regret had passed and he looked to the future. He wouldn¡¯t be so powerless the next time.

    His month had passed in a blur of training, monster hunting, and meditation. He hadn¡¯t grown in leaps and bounds but his foundations felt more solid, more reliable. After months of tumultuous times, the consistency had done wonders for his nerves and though he still slept fitfully from time to time he had come to a certain amount of peace as the weeks stretched on. Now though the itch was back as the last of his tribe regained their strength, and he had dreamt of Julie for several nights in a row. His last meeting had left a bit of a sour taste in his mouth, as she had seemed to disregard his warnings, but it didn¡¯t change anything for him. If they were in trouble, strangers that they were, he would rush to their aid. Perhaps it was folly or misplaced heroism clouding his judgment but he struggled to believe that their meeting was just by chance. And if there was even a speck of truth to that, then he considered it his responsibility to at least try to help.

    Noah sighed, realizing that his meditation had once again turned to anxious wondering. He brushed the accumulated cotton from his new furs and stood up, taking a moment to stretch after the prolonged seated position. One of the perimeter scouts caught his eyes and nodded, no doubt assuring that any movement was investigated in case of attack. There would be no more bunny mishaps on his watch. Noah began walking down the hill, immediately catching sight of Un¡¯Dal. Just the orc I want to see.

    He waved for the healer¡¯s attention, noting the tired lines on the man¡¯s face. Ah. Noah realized that while his battle had been over for a month, Un¡¯Dal¡¯s was just coming to an end. He grasped the healer''s arm in a warrior''s embrace.

    ¡°What can I do for you, No¡¯Ah?¡± Un¡¯Dal asked.

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    ¡°Nothing.¡± Noah started, shaking his head. ¡°I just wanted to thank you for all that you¡¯ve done. If not for your efforts, most if not all of us would already be dead. It has become clear to me that you are one of the most important resources in our tribe, and I want to make sure you know that.¡± Noah said. Un¡¯Dal gave a tired but genuine smile.

    ¡°Thank you, No¡¯Ah. This last month has indeed been trying, but I have also grown at an accelerated rate. When we started I could heal one person at a time, perhaps two but with lowered efficacy. Now I can heal three or four at a rate superior to an individual patient prior to the battle. Part of that is due to my most recent advancement. At level 150 my class became Supporter, specializing in healing groups over time. While I have lost some of my immediate burst healing, my spells will have more potency in battle as I can heal several people over time.¡± Un¡¯Dal gushed, his pallor being replaced with the vibrant red once again. Noah smiled, glad both for the news but also for the well-being of his friend.

    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. I have noticed that everyone seems to be back on their feet. Are they safe to travel?¡± Noah asked, getting to the heart of the matter. Un¡¯Dal nodded.

    ¡°After another night of sleep they should be as good as new. I believe we can leave as soon as tomorrow morning.¡± He said, the emphasis on tomorrow clear in his voice. Noah chuckled.

    ¡°As the doctor orders.¡± He laughed before wishing Un¡¯Dal well and seeking out his next target. While his tribe had become accustomed to a nomadic lifestyle there were still logistics that needed taking care of before their sudden departure. Now that Ro¡¯Kar was legend, the details that had been picked up without his knowledge finally rested upon his shoulders. To Noah, this only meant one thing. It was time to delegate.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku!¡± Noah shouted, seeing his target across the clearing, and running to catch up.

    ¡°My loyal friend and only Dan¡¯Kar! I was hoping you could help me with something.¡± Noah said, hiding the chuckle that threatened to escape his lips. Ta¡¯Ku frowned and he scanned Noah¡¯s face for the tell-tale signs of a scheme that would likely make his life more difficult. He sighed, knowing all too well that his fate was sealed.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah, what can this most loyal orc do for you?¡± He replied, his forced smile adding to the humor that Noah found in the exchange. Noah considered their past together and the humbling experience he had trying to keep pace with the deer. Perhaps it was time to give his friend a break. He nodded to himself, before turning his attention to a now-puzzled Ta¡¯Ku.

    ¡°I just wanted to let you know that we are leaving tomorrow, and ask if you would pass the info around. Other than that, have you seen Ne¡¯Ja?¡± Noah asked. Ta¡¯Ku let out a relieved breath feeling like he had just escaped a trap by the skin of his teeth.

    ¡°Oh, yeah I would be happy to let people know. And I think Ne¡¯Ja was sparring with Me¡¯Zin just west of the camp.¡± Ta¡¯Ku explained. Noah nodded gratefully and wished Ta¡¯Ku well before resuming his search.

    He eventually managed to track her down, burdening her with his logistical concerns such as how to feed everyone on their trek back to the tribe and who would cook and carry all of the needed supplies. She had taken it well enough, though he could have sworn the sounds of sparring were louder after he left. He shrugged and made his way back to camp. Now that everything was set in motion it would only be a matter of time before he could return down the mountain.

    That thought brought back his logistical plight however as he considered the expansive amount of time it would take to make the trip. He didn¡¯t exactly want to make the trip alone, but leading everyone on another several-month journey made up almost entirely of running felt cruel. He faced a dilemma though, if there was a fight to be had with the elves, he may very well need their help. If his dream was just that, then they would have made the trip for nothing. The easy answer would be to take a small group, but his closest companions had become key members of the tribe, especially so in Ro¡¯Kar¡¯s absence. He believed that he could at least count on Recter¡¯s presence as he had expressed interest in meeting another of his people.

    As the evening waned, Noah found himself restless unable to shake the feeling that every moment he waited was something more that Julie or Kyle would suffer. What he had seen on the rankings hadn¡¯t eased his worries either. As soon as it was feasible for him to leave, he would be sprinting down the mountain at a pace even the deer would respect.

 Vol 2: Chapter 2

    Noah was up before the dawn, and if he had been able he would have sped the sun along on its painfully slow trajectory. He twitched with anticipation as he held himself back from loudly waking the camp. They had a couple weeks of travel ahead of them, best to start it out on the right foot. He distracted himself by pulling up his stat sheet.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: C

    Domain: Proximal

    Caste: Copper

    Gate: 3

    Path: Adept

    Level: 251

    Strength: 1324

    Dexterity:1324

    Constitution: 596

    Intelligence:11

    Wisdom: 13

    Willpower: 14

    XP: 8,000/10,000

    Essence: 0/10,000,000

    Stat points available: 156

    His stats had skyrocketed over the last few months, and it was evident in the way he felt and moved. Even though it was less obvious in battle due to the ridiculous foes he had been set against, it was all too apparent in his day-to-day life. He had to be careful not to squeeze someone too hard when embracing, or get too excited in a sparring match. Even his solid metal hammer had begun to feel flimsy in light of his abilities. That was yet another downfall to their nomadic nature as a tribe. They had no infrastructure to produce weapons or armor, and were forced to rely solely on their bodies to prevail in battle. That might be all fine and good for a natural predator whose claws and teeth were forged into the finest weapons with each advancement, but the same could not be said for them. Then there was the matter of his own constitution. While he had jokingly soured at the growing disparity between his physical stats, he could now feel the ramifications of that difference. When he struck with all his strength, he could feel the wear and tear on his body. It wasn¡¯t to the point of being a real concern but if the trend continued he was unsure what he would do about it.

    He hadn¡¯t assigned his most recently gained stat points due to another concern, one that was frankly much more disturbing to consider than the previous. Learning that his lacking constitution was becoming a limiting factor for his other stats raised a question that he dreaded learning the answer to. What impact did his other stats truly have? Were they just as limiting as constitution but in a way he didn¡¯t understand? He had readily dismissed what he considered to be the ¡®magic stats¡¯ as Julie had described them because he didn¡¯t want to use magic. Or at least he hadn¡¯t at the time. But what if the stats actually did what their names implied? Was he stuck at a baseline intelligence, rendering him a complete idiot in the scope of the greater world? Or what about wisdom? Was his ability to make sound decisions hampered? Willpower was the one that ruined his other ideas. He didn¡¯t feel like he lacked will, in fact, he had never felt so driven and determined as he did now. But perhaps there was more to it than he realized. He somehow doubted that he would be able to recognize a lack of wisdom on his own, especially if he also lacked intelligence.

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    He had been taught that intelligence was much like strength, making up the raw force or ability of one¡¯s mind. Wisdom was essentially the ability to use that strength efficiently and effectively. And willpower was how long you could keep yourself in the fight. On Earth, he had regularly considered this idea, and would often approach coding with those factors in mind. When he was stuck he would ask himself questions reflecting each of those facets. If it was an intelligence issue, he would dive into the forums seeking out answers that were out of his reach. If it was a wisdom dilemma he would seek a more senior engineer, looking to view the way they applied their knowledge or hear their thoughts on the matter. Unfortunately, it often came down to willpower, meaning he had the right knowledge and perspective but simply needed time to flush out the final solution.

    As the gears in Noah¡¯s mind turned, a wave of inspiration began to flood his system. His eyes widened and he shot to his feet. Of course! He had been looking at it all wrong, seeing an incomplete picture. In his job, he rarely thought of the other side of his projects, the hardware to his software. He wasn¡¯t an integration engineer after all. That was his failing though. I can¡¯t believe I didn¡¯t see it. He shook his head in wonder and disappointment. The physical stats were no more than the hardware of his being, and the ¡®magical¡¯ stats were the software. As inspired as he was in that moment of realization, he didn¡¯t miss the consequences of his choices. The best hardware was ultimately useless without the right software behind it. He chuckled as he remembered the time a coworker had installed the wrong OS on his beast of a custom computer. It had the highest tier of GPU available on the market, glorious amounts of memory, and was toted as near-limitless computing power. But when he fired it up, it didn¡¯t make it past the initial loading screen.

    Noah sighed in defeat, deflating in the wake of the high he felt from his revelation. If his ideas were right, and he felt they were, then he was completely and totally screwed. He was already seeing the hard limits of his hardware, his constitution acting much like the cooling systems of any good computer. His body was starting to ¡®overheat¡¯ in high output moments and he had no way to fix it. He could theoretically stop leveling, halting the disparity in its place while he searched for the greater solution. He nodded to himself, the knot of tension loosing as he remembered that he could stop further progress. Another thought struck him then. If you only get two primary stats how does everyone else in the universe manage this? There was no way he was the only one with this issue, meaning there was a solution out there just waiting to be discovered.

    Noah straightened his back and took a deep, cleansing breath. It wasn¡¯t too late. He had learned about essence from the System, perhaps he could discover the answer to this dilemma as well. With that piece of hope in his grasp, he allowed himself to return to the present, to his nearly assembled tribe. His newfound fears became muted as thoughts of Julie and Kyle returned to his mind. He would figure the rest out in due time, for now, there was work to be done.

    Noah met with Ne¡¯Ja who assured him of their readiness before he addressed everyone gathered. They already knew the task ahead, but it never hurt to have a united vision in these moments.

    ¡°For the next couple of weeks we will be traveling back toward the rest of the tribe. There will be minimal stops or opportunities for rest, so pace yourselves accordingly. Keep your weapons within reach. We may very well pass groups of the fallen king¡¯s army and need to be ready.¡± He announced, his voice carrying across the crowd. There was a sharp intake of breath as they considered the possibility of a repeat fight. He somewhat doubted that they would encounter a group large enough to pose a real threat, but it never hurt to be prepared. With that, he gave the signal and the now smaller tribe began their return journey nearly two months after leaving their companions behind. The days passed quickly as they ran, opting to skirt around the city just in case, and otherwise enjoying the empty rolling plains. They encountered very little resistance as they went, finding the landscape empty except for the occasional small group of weaker beasts that steered clear for the most part. Soon enough the first two weeks had passed and they found themselves in familiar territory. As they crested a final hill, the sight of their nomadic village came into view. Noah smiled, already able to see the milling figures of his people in the distance. They had made it through the time apart. In the corner of his eye, he saw movement and turned to make it out. A small party of deer moved across the plains, heading in the direction of the camp. He squinted at them, looking for any familiar features. His smile grew as he saw what he was looking for.

    Jeline.

 Vol 2: Chapter 3

    Noah strode into the camp with unhidden joy, glad to be reunited with his tribe and hopeful for some answers to his newfound questions. If anyone were to possess the knowledge he sought, Jeline would be a good place to start. He found Jeline waiting for him near the center of camp, several of his tribesmen nodding in greeting before letting them speak alone. Jeline smiled as he approached, already having changed into her humanoid form. Her green eyes were filled with mischief and a spark that hadn¡¯t been there before. He tilted his head as he examined her, his curiosity piqued.

    ¡°Jeline, have you advanced?¡± He asked. She giggled, taking

    ¡°Hello to you too, Noah. Normally I would chide someone for prying into a lady¡¯s secrets, but if it''s you¡­¡± She winked, leaning forward to whisper. ¡°I suppose I can let you in.¡± Noah blushed, caught off guard by what even he would know to be flirting. She laughed openly as she watched his response.

    ¡°As for your question, I managed to advance my Gate. The final piece that had been eluding me clicked into place after the battle.¡± She explained, her voice light though not quite as suggestive as before.

    ¡°How did you know?¡± She asked. Noah cleared his throat.

    ¡°I thought I saw something in your eyes, a spark if that makes sense.¡± He replied. She nodded thoughtfully.

    ¡°I believe I understand what you¡¯re referring to. And I must say, I noticed something about you as well, though perhaps of a different nature?¡± She posed, her eyebrows raised.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. I have had a lot on my mind, and I was actually hoping you could help me with that.¡± Noah mused. The playful smile from before returned to her lips as she gazed at him.

    ¡°I would be happy to help take things off your mind. I must say I am surprised to hear you suggest it though. I had thought you held certain proclivities.¡± She said, her grin widening as they met eyes. Noah¡¯s head swam as he took in the direction of the conversation, Jeline¡¯s words acting as the catalyst for him to piece together the numerous hints. His palms began to sweat and he heard a rhythmic thumping in his ears, something not too dissimilar to their war chant.

    ¡°Jeline¡­¡± He started, his voice catching in his throat.

    ¡°Noah, forgive my teasing. Your choice of words made it too hard to pass up. I can see that you¡¯re not interested in that kind of relationship¡ªyet.¡± She broke in, adding the last bit with an exaggerated wink. Noah let out the breath he had been holding, allowing some of the tension to leave his frame.

    ¡°So what is it that I can help you with?¡± Jeline asked.

    ¡°Thank you, Jeline.¡± Noah said, locking eyes with her for a moment before moving on.

    ¡°I have started to notice the effects of the disparity between certain stats. I was hoping to see if you had any insight into that topic.¡± He explained. She nodded.

    ¡°I see. I have also noticed those effects.¡± She paused as if considering something.

    ¡°Noah, are you sure its wise to be having this conversation?¡± She asked. Noah blinked in confusion.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± He replied. She took a deep breath.

    ¡°I like you, Noah. I find you interesting and perhaps something more. For that reason I will share this with you, but only this once. You are far too trusting. For months you were at my mercy and simply went along with it. You willingly became a pawn in my battle and from the looks of things, paid a great price to that end. Even now you are ready to share your weaknesses openly, trusting that any advice I give you would be worth following. Can¡¯t you see the danger in that? What I have done to earn that trust?¡± She said, her words firm though her eyes were filled with concern. Noah wasn¡¯t sure what to say, he hadn¡¯t stopped to really think about it. Is it so wrong to trust her?

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    Jeline studied the expression evolving on his face as he struggled to process her words. She frowned, realizing that the problem was even worse than she had initially thought. Did he really invest so little in wisdom? She wondered.

    Noah¡¯s heart started racing, though this time had nothing to do with the beautiful visage before him. It¡¯s worse than I thought. Memories began to flash through his mind, choices that he had made so easily now being called into question. Leaving Julie, approaching the orc slavers, throwing himself into battle after battle, almost getting killed by the cyclops, almost getting Ta¡¯Ku killed by the same. He froze. Why did I do that? Why did I run into danger? His thoughts turned to their time in the frozen tundra, and then to his time with Jeline. He shook his head, finding it hard to sort out the motivations behind his decisions. Then Ro¡¯Kar appeared in his mind, his dead form alongside so many of his fallen companions. It was me. I did that.

    Panic began to set in as his mind failed to shut down the torrent of questions. His saving grace came in the form of a polite cough from Jeline, who then cupped his face with one hand.

    ¡°Noah. Are you okay? You looked lost for a second there.¡± She said. Noah nodded, aware of the hand still lightly pressed against his face.

    ¡°You¡¯re right, Jeline. I made a mistake that has led to cascading problems for myself and everyone around me. Thank you for the wakeup call.¡± He said with a friendly smile. Even though she had warned him not to trust her, he could see the care in her eyes, not to mention the way she was comforting him, or the simple fact that he wanted to trust her.

    ¡°Thankfully I have saved a significant amount of stat points, I only hope they will be enough to fix the damage I¡¯ve done.¡± He stated, before turning his attention to his status screen. Jeline¡¯s eyes went wide.

    ¡°Wait, Noah. Don¡¯t use them all at once.¡± She practically yelled. Noah started at her volume and locked eyes with her again.

    ¡°Why not?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Assuming you were about to throw them all into wisdom, you have to know that it would cause even more imbalances. You should start slow and get a feel for each stat as it grows, just like you would have with your physical stats. It takes time and practice to adjust to new stats on both sides of the board.¡± She explained.

    ¡°That makes sense.¡± Noah admitted, frowning at the near blunder. He didn¡¯t remember being this impulsive on Earth. He felt hyper-emotional and all too aware of his ability to make a serious mistake, and his mind began to drift again.

    Slap!

    The hand that has been gently cupping his face left a stinging imprint that made Noah wince.

    ¡°Pull yourself together!¡± Jeline demanded, her playful demeanor gone.

    ¡°You have done just fine up until this point, and what¡¯s done is done. No more useless speculation.¡± She said, her gaze steely. Noah nodded, rubbing at his swollen face.

    ¡°You¡¯re right and I guess I deserved that. What¡¯s done is done. I can¡¯t change any of it now.¡± He sighed. Even after the greater soul restoration, it seemed that he was still prone to the weight of guilt and shame, though he had been given perspective on the events. Learning that he had been responsible in a way he hadn¡¯t recognized only served to reopen those memories.

    ¡°Now that I am a bit more stable, there is a part of my question that we haven¡¯t gotten to yet. Do you know of any other way to gain stat points? Or are we stuck at out levels for the foreseeable future?¡± He asked.

    ¡°I have been looking for another way, but haven¡¯t found anything yet.¡± She lied, smiling warmly at Noah.

    ¡°That¡¯s too bad.¡± He replied, steeling himself for the times ahead. He would have to turn to other methods of advancement while he searched for an answer.

    ¡°About the battle, how did it go for you? If the enemy you fought was anything like ours, I imagine their were significant losses.¡± He mused. She nodded.

    ¡°It was a long and bloody affair but I have managed to recuperate my losses by absorbing what was left of their army. Their king was a powerful warrior, and many of my people fell to his claws. Your part in claiming their capital worked as well as I could have hoped though. It turned the tide of battle at a critical moment.¡± She explained. Noah nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad it served its purpose. It would have been hard to accept anything less.¡±

    ¡°Indeed. Now that you have claimed their territory, what do you plan to do?¡± She asked. He smiled, this part had long occupied his mind.

    ¡°We will build a kingdom of our own. I anticipate it will be quite different than the other though.¡± He said.

    ¡°I look forward to seeing it.¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 4

    Noah thanked Jeline and made to leave but she grabbed his arm before he could step away. He tilted his head in question.

    ¡°One more thing, Noah. Something is happening on the mountain below. Beasts are starting to flow over the border at a much quicker pace. If you¡¯re not careful you may be overrun by a group looking to claim their own territory. Your tribe has managed to hold them off so far, but I suggest you keep it in mind.¡± She warned, letting his arm go. Noah nodded his acknowledgment.

    ¡°Thank you for the advice, I will definitely make a note of that.¡± He said, before wishing her farewell. He hadn¡¯t gotten all of the answers he was hoping for from Jeline, but perhaps he received something even more valuable. His suspicions had been confirmed regarding the stats and he had a way forward. She had been right to caution him against trusting others as well, something that he clearly needed to grow in. He had readily joined in with the orcs even after they took him as a slave, then he once again agreed to travel with one of the most dangerous people in the world after encountering Recter. He didn¡¯t regret those decisions, not at all, but he could see how they could have gone very differently. He sighed. It was hard to take it all in. He had been so single-minded in his pursuit of strength that he repeatedly through himself into dire straits without a second thought. Where was his judgment? What happened to strategy and playing it smart? At one point he had known that there were more ways to approach a problem than head-on, but it was hard to believe that that had vanished because of his neglected stats.

    What¡¯s worse is that he had surrounded himself by people making the same choices as himself. Only Un¡¯Dal had focused on the non-physical stats and Noah had made sure he was up to his neck in busy work. That was yet another area of change that he would have to attend to. He needed people with good heads on their shoulders, who could look at problems with an informed perspective. He needed administrators and tacticians. But where could he find people like that? The answer became clear as he remembered the reason for his haste in returning. Julie. If he could convince Julie and the others to join him, that would solve his problems. They had all sorts of people in their settlement, and she had specialized in the mental stats herself. The only issue would be their Caste, something that he could only hope they had taken his advice on.

    With that thought taken care of for now, he turned his attention back to the tasks at hand. He needed to inform people of his departure and ensure they had everything they needed for his extended leave. Noah sought out Ta¡¯Ku, finding him seated by a fire tucking into a thick stew. He smiled up at Noah and gestured for him to join. Noah complied, ladling a portion for himself. He plopped down next to Ta¡¯Ku and took a large bite. His eyes went wide as the rich fat of the meat flooded his senses which then combined with foreign spices that just about did him in. He groaned.

    ¡°This is good.¡± He mumbled through a full mouth. Ta¡¯Ku chuckled and took another bite.

    ¡°Way better than the gruel we¡¯ve been eating.¡± He replied. ¡°So¡¯To was telling me that there are all sorts of herbs to be found nearby if you know where to look. Now that the rest of the warriors have passed into Copper they were able to scout more of the surrounding area.¡± Ta¡¯Ku shared. Noah frowned at the unfamiliar name, but he figured it belonged to one of those who had stayed behind.

    ¡°I have something to talk to you about, if that¡¯s alright.¡± Noah said. Ta¡¯Ku nodded.

    ¡°I figured so. Go on.¡± He replied.

    ¡°I am making a trip back down the mountain, I had another dream and I believe my friends are in danger.¡± Noah explained. Ta¡¯Ku frowned.

    ¡°I thought they didn¡¯t want you around after what happened last time.¡± Ta¡¯Ku stated.

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    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s a fair point. But if my dream was accurate then I doubt they will fault me for visiting.¡± Noah responded.

    ¡°When do we leave?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked, knowing full well that Noah¡¯s mind was made up. Noah smiled at his choice of words.

    ¡°As soon as possible, though I would like to talk about who¡¯s staying behind. I don¡¯t want to take everyone down the mountain with us, and someone has to be in charge.¡± He replied. Ta¡¯Ku nodded thoughtfully.

    ¡°I think Ne¡¯Ja and Un¡¯Dal should lead. If the two of us go, they will be needed to keep everything running smoothly.¡± Ta¡¯Ku mused. That made sense to Noah, so he agreed.

    ¡°Any thoughts on what we¡¯ve been planning?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°The village?¡± Ta¡¯Ku questioned. Noah nodded.

    ¡°I think we should go for it, the spot we found seems perfect for farming and is far enough away from any of the borders. If we want to use the city at some point it will still be close enough for trade.¡± Ta¡¯Ku shared.

    ¡°I agree. It would be nice to have a home base again after all this time. Do you think the others will be open to starting in while we are away?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°I do. If anything it will be good for them to have something to put their minds toward. The constant push has left its mark. The back-to-back battles and the recent losses still weigh on everyone, it would be good to have a positive outlet for a change.¡± Ta¡¯Ku responded.

    ¡°Good. Then it''s decided, all we have to do is let the two know and we can be on our way.¡± Noah said, though Ta¡¯Ku couldn¡¯t help but grin as he watched Noah ladle yet another serving of the rich stew into his bowl. The pair sat in companionable silence as they ate, their minds having no shortage of footage to occupy their attention with.

    After they had both eaten more than what could be called reasonable, Noah finally roused himself from his seated position. Ta¡¯Ku followed and together they ambled through camo as they sought out their targets. To make matters easy, they found Ne¡¯Ja and Un¡¯Dal together chatting with some of the orcs who stayed behind. They noticed their arrival and smiled in greeting before ending their conversation.

    ¡°Chief, what can I do for you?¡± Ne¡¯Ja asked, cutting to the chase. Noah chuckled.

    ¡°I won¡¯t deny that that¡¯s why I¡¯m here. I have had another dream and I believe my presence is required down the mountain.¡± Noah explained.

    ¡°Another dream? Ro¡¯Kar did call you a sage, is it something we should be concerned about?¡± Un¡¯Dal asked, breaking into the conversation.

    ¡°I am not sure. You have no doubt seen the recent developments on the leaderboard. Balkendar is closing in on our levels, though I can¡¯t imagine how if he remains in his location. We have long since suspected the elves are making a push for Bronze and I believe they might be getting near. As far as how that impacts us, I can¡¯t say. Their intentions have proven less than friendly in the past though.¡± Noah replied. Ne¡¯Ja and Un¡¯Dal exchanged a look.

    ¡°When do we leave?¡± She asked, a fierce look in her eyes. Noah smiled.

    ¡°I think it may be best if only a small number of us go, we can¡¯t give up our plans here on the off chance that there is something going on below. No, as of right now I believe that only Ta¡¯Ku, Recter, and myself will make the journey.¡± He explained. Ne¡¯Ja frowned, clearly unhappy at the news.

    ¡°What are we supposed to do while your gone, spin our spears?¡± She questioned. Noah suppressed a laugh.

    ¡°Actually, that¡¯s the other part of why I¡¯m here. I wanted to task you with establishing the village we have been discussing while I¡¯m gone. Do you think you¡¯re up for it?¡± He asked, looking first to Ne¡¯Ja and then to Un¡¯Dal.

    ¡°I think that¡¯s an excellent idea.¡± Un¡¯Dal said, cutting off the response that Ne¡¯Ja was formulating. ¡°It would be a good opportunity for everyone to get reacquainted with a simpler pace of life. I think the two of us can accomplish that task quite well.¡± He finished. Ne¡¯Ja glared at Un¡¯Dal for a second before sighing.

    ¡°Fine, I agree. We will build your kingdom while you galivant with a past flame.¡± Ne¡¯Ja said with a teasing grin. Noah coughed but refused to acknowledge her words.

    ¡°Great, then we leave at first light.¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 5

    It didn¡¯t take much to convince Recter to join their adventure. In his words, he ¡®would gladly bathe in toad acid and eat gar bugs if it meant leaving the deer behind¡¯. Noah could only assume that meant he was eager, a theory that was supported by his quick packing and the smile that clung to his face as he absentmindedly hissed a pleasant melody. Noah couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as he watched the drakon from a few feet away, the normally alert warrior seemingly unaware of his presence. Noah had already made his rounds, updating them on the new developments and informing them of his departure. While some expressed sadness or other pleasantries, most simply grasped his arm and wished him well on his journey. They were capable adults, warriors all, that didn¡¯t need the constant oversight of their chief. That much was clear. It gave him comfort to know that they would be in good hands while he was gone though, in case unexpected events did occur.

    Ta¡¯Ku joined the two near the edge of camp and together they crossed the barrier and began their descent. Each of them had donned thick furs that had become unnecessary in the Spring-like air of the plains, and they felt the chill on the wind the second their feet made contact with the other side. The other sensation was less pleasant, a stifling weight that settled on him like oppressive humidity. He knew from experience that he would get used to it with time, but it was not something that he had been thinking about when he considered going after Julie. He noticed the others react in their own ways as well, with either a grimace or a full-body shiver. Nevertheless, they began to pick up speed, and before long the first bit of snow became visible. If not for the months of wandering in the tundra earlier in the year, he likely would have found the sight to be beautiful. On Earth, the pure white of snow always reminded him of happier times. Sledding as a kid, warmed chocolate, and fireplaces, or the white dress that his sister wore at her wedding. Happier times indeed.

    Diana¡¯s wedding had been a lavish affair, not due to her own tastes but rather that of their parents. The first daughter to be married off was a momentous occasion in any family, but all the more so in theirs. The flowers had been gorgeous, the wet bar extensive, and the guest list packed full of potential as his father called it. Even with all of their machinations, there would be no damper on the joy and love that had been in the air that day. Noah remembered seeing his sister enter through the sanctuary doors, her elegant gown a pristine white with a train so long that the maid-of-honor was tasked with ¡®tail control¡¯. His sister had been beautiful that day, her eyes shone with joy and she couldn¡¯t keep the wide grin from her face from the moment the doors had opened. His brother-in-law, Patrick had been nervous to the extent that he had asked Noah to find him deodorant only minutes before the ceremony was supposed to start. He laughed at the memory, his all too keen sense of smell making it all the funnier.

    Noah had gotten the third dance with his sister, which to him meant that he got the first dance that wasn¡¯t required. It had been a slow song and she had rested her head on his shoulder, letting a couple mascara-laden tears fall on his pressed suit. Her words came back to him now, just as sweet and heartfelt as they had been in that moment.

    ¡°This joy will be yours too before long. You will fall head over heels in love with someone who can make your day with a single smile. And they will love you more than they know how to express. Get your hopes up, I¡¯m sure of it.¡±

    The memory of her words brought tears to his eyes, which he quickly wiped away to avoid the icicles that would form otherwise. He also couldn¡¯t help but notice the hollow ache he felt in his chest. He had gotten his hopes up. Then of course the world had ended and romance came after survival on the hierarchy of needs. I¡¯m surviving now though. The thought came unbidden but stopped him short nonetheless. He was surviving, a fact perhaps proven by the longing he felt for the kind of love his sister had. Love in a fallen world. He smirked. This wouldn''t be what his sister had had in mind, but perhaps it wasn¡¯t too late for him to find the dream his heart had clung to. That of course brought his previous interaction with Jelline to mind. He frowned. Even though she took on a human form, it felt too much like forbidden fruit for his tastes. Ne¡¯Ja came to his mind next. He couldn¡¯t deny his admiration for her, she was a badass warrior with a heart of gold that may have even caught his eye a time or two. There was however the orc thing. Maybe that sentiment would change sometime in the future, but he just couldn¡¯t picture it.

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    Julie had sparked some feelings. His short stint with her had secured a permanent place in his heart, he wouldn¡¯t deny that. She was also the first woman he met in this traumatic new world, a healer no less. Part of him wondered if they ever would have hit it off if they hadn¡¯t been the only adults present in their time together. Their differences in perspective later on had been all too clear, and the gap hadn¡¯t closed with time. No, as simple as it would have been Julie wasn¡¯t the head-over-heels lover that his sister had alluded to. Given the option, he wasn¡¯t keen to settle for less. He allowed the thoughts of romance to fade from his mind as he refocused on the path ahead. The time for such dreams may very well come, but there was nothing he could do to make them happen right now.

    They ran through the first night, thankful for the hard-packed snow that appeared to have been trampled many times over. At first, the sight had been unnerving to them, causing them to be on high alert for several hours but eventually, they dismissed it, chalking it up to the beasts that Jeline had mentioned pushing their way into the plains. Noah found it strange that they didn¡¯t come across any beasts on their first day. On their way up the mountain, they had regularly seen beasts in the distance, even if they had been wandering alone. It wasn¡¯t until the third day of running that they came across the first signs of life. Unlike the previous time, however, they found themselves gazing at a massive herd of cattle-like beasts with an obvious leader. The bright red bull stood head and shoulders above the rest, making the hulking beasts look small by comparison. Noah had no doubts that the beast was Copper, perhaps well into the Caste judging by the clear difference it was being shown. He also had no illusions about their odds in facing the swarm. They immediately turned tail and diverted their course by several hours to avoid contact with them. Perhaps they would stop for some XP farming on the way back, but for now, they had a mission to accomplish.

    They rested after putting a full day¡¯s travel between them and the beast horde, taking turns keeping watch as they slept. They ate their packed rations and were back on their way just after dawn. Noah found the running to be therapeutic, not to mention the satisfying sensation of closing in on the subject that had plagued his mind for weeks. With their improved bodies they covered the ground at record speeds, and so it was only three weeks into their journey when they reached the next barrier. When Noah stepped through this one, bile rose in his throat and he immediately hurled into the nearby snowdrift. The others didn¡¯t fare much better than him, and they opted to take a day to adjust to the environment. Noah thought it was similar to altitude sickness, but instead of thinner oxygen, they were experiencing thinner essence. After a full day of rest, they started down the hill again, feeling sluggish but growing accustomed to the environment with every passing day. The environment underwent another change as snow made way for black earth, a welcome sight as they closed in on their destination. As Noah looked down the mountain he could make a dark and vibrant green far in the distance. It wouldn¡¯t be long now.

 Vol 2: Chapter 6

    The trio bore down the mountain like raging bulls toward a sea of red. They were getting close, Noah could practically smell the forest with every step they took. In reality, they were only days away from the precious orc village, a fact that wasn¡¯t lost to Ta¡¯Ku who eagerly scanned their surroundings. They had quickly found the stream that they often used as a marker when traversing the mountain in their early days and before the snow obscured its presence. So far their journey had been relatively uneventful, they had seen several large swarms similar to the cattle beasts near the top, but none of them had shown them open hostility. Noah felt that the mountain had indeed changed, just as Jeline had speculated. Where there used to be independent roaming beasts, there were now intelligent swarms led by leaders above the rest. If only the humans had such natural inclinations. Noah thought bitterly as he considered the peril his friends were in. If they had that same animal instinct to claim strength and ascend, perhaps he wouldn¡¯t have to worry about them.

    He sighed, knowing that he was allowing himself to be frustrated with something that he had no control over. Not to mention the fact that he had gotten himself into some serious trouble with the very mentality that he was now wishing on the rest of his kind. Perhaps if there was a way to balance the push for power while also boosting the wisdom stat. He mused. The thought struck like lightning as he suddenly remembered that he was supposed to be increasing his stats over time. He had already wasted weeks of quiet, easily-measurable time. Not wanting to waste another second, he assigned 10 points to wisdom without another thought. He braced himself for a headache or some other kind of change, but nothing came. He didn¡¯t notice the effects until about an hour later when he was well into an internal crisis, rehashing the many poor decisions he had made. He wasn¡¯t sure how to feel once he realized the source. Part of him was amazed that it actually worked, though the overwhelming feeling was dread as he considered the hell he was about to put himself through as he assigned the next 10 points.

    He played the part of the scientist and lab rat over the course of the next three days, opting to distribute half of his available stats to wisdom. While Jeline had warned against further imbalances, he figured that any extra wisdom he got would only help to inform his future distribution. The difference was substantial. While each additional boost of stat points had less of a jolting impact than the prior, it was like scales were being pulled off his eyes. The fog of war that was his brain began to clear and he found himself feeling only relief at his new boon. The extra wisdom didn¡¯t add to his shame, instead, it pointed to a brighter future, one that would follow a smoother path than the terrain he had stumbled through before.

    His self-reflection was halted by a gasp and Noah turned to see Ta¡¯Ku staring open-mouthed at something below. Noah followed his gaze and acquired a similar expression as he scoured what had once been the orc village. He had half expected to see a cobblestone castle, moats of lava, and a roaring wyrm atop it all but instead found a reptilian graveyard, the half-eaten remains of the once terrible horde scattered across the rubble. They approached with wary steps, and Recter paused to examine one of the corpses. His face scrunched and he appeared to struggle to stay close to the beast.

    ¡°Judging by the smell, this happened some time ago. I doubt that whatever caused this is still around.¡± He said, his eyes watering. Noah was glad to hear it too, from the looks of the remains, it wasn¡¯t a foe he wanted to fight. He didn¡¯t understand why some beasts fought for the lower territories while most aimed for the top. He couldn¡¯t help but feel that anything that lived down there would be lesser than those above. Perhaps it was easier for them to establish themselves amongst weaker competition, but all it would take is one stronger monster from above to take everything they had worked for. For that reason, Noah felt it was better to just jump in the fire from the get-go, and even his increased wisdom saw the merit in that strategy.

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    Even though the smells got worse as they pressed forward, it was clear that Ta¡¯Ku wanted to see what remained of his first home in this world. Noah and Recter followed his lead as he stepped through the fallen gates and wandered through the cracked streets and broken buildings. Very little was left of the village, and soon Ta¡¯Ku had had his fill. Together they passed back through the gates leading down the hill. As they crossed over the old battlefield Noah noticed a gleam of light poking out from under a body. He moved closer, curious about what had caught the sun¡¯s rays. He rolled the stinking beast over, doing his best to breathe through his mouth. His eyes went wide at what he found. Lying half-buried in the mud was the enchanted sword that Matt had crafted for him. He pulled it out of the refuse and grimaced as slurping suction.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± He called to others before jogging over to the stream. He thoroughly rinsed the blade, doing the best he could to scrape off the grime that coated it. It took some work but eventually, he was satisfied with its state and returned to the others with a wide grin.

    ¡°What¡¯d you find?¡± Recter asked, gazing at the blade.

    ¡°My enchanted sword!¡± Noah exclaimed gleefully. Recter¡¯s eyebrows raised.

    ¡°Enchanted weapons? What does it do?¡± He questioned. Noah grinned.

    ¡°Cooks meat as you slice it!¡± Noah beamed. Recter tilted his head in confusion.

    ¡°A weapon for cooking? That seems strange.¡± He commented. Noah nodded sagely.

    ¡°Typically that would be an odd pairing, but in this case, the weapon is used to fight monsters that you would then eat anyway. It simply does the work of cooking it for you. It works against blood loss but destroys regenerating enemies. It''s hard to regrow a limb from a cauterized stump.¡± Noah explained. Recter nodded in understanding this time.

    ¡°Ah. That does make sense.¡± He replied. The three shared a laugh before continuing on their journey down the hill. Noah found the landscape to be somewhat nostalgic as he recalled his various trips up and down the mountain. This was where he first dared to throw himself into beast swarms as he chased levels. His body had been crushed beyond what his body could easily heal leading him to his first encounter with the orc tribe. Un¡¯Dal had been tasked with healing him, a chore that he had complained about, considering him no more than a slave. Noah couldn¡¯t help but shake his head at the craziness of the situation. If he told anyone on Earth what he had gone through they wouldn''t believe him, and if they did they would likely enforce mandatory therapy until he was stable again. The times had changed though, and even though he hated thinking about it he knew that his wouldn¡¯t be the only group of humans to have been enslaved. The dark thought was enough to cause another round of bile to rise in his throat so he willed thoughts to pass. There was plenty of trouble to be had without the speculation, if he saw more humans in that situation he would do everything he could to free them and that¡¯s all he needed to know.

    As they pressed forward Noah began to experiment, putting stat points into willpower and intelligence. Intelligence did in fact cause headaches, and he was thankful he had thought to start with five points this time around. The impact of the points was similarly explosive but in a different way to wisdom. There was no new knowledge stuffed into his skull, instead, it was like his vision had sharpened. Not in the physical sense, as his vision was already excellent, but rather he felt that the things he saw somehow communicated more information to him. Without extra strain or focus he perceived more detail and meaning from the world around him. It had cost 25 points before he came to that conclusion but it had been worth it. Willpower was harder to pin down. There wasn¡¯t any physical reaction to assigning the points, nor was there a clear mental one. The only thing he really felt was a new sense of wrongness as he considered recent events. The more points he put in, the more wrong certain events felt. The most pressing example was from his last conversation with Jeline, for some reason, there were sentences that she used that seemed off. He would have to talk to her about the next time they met.

    Soon however their trip came to a sudden end as the walls of the settlement came into view. Noah frowned as familiar sights caught his eye. Sights he had only seen in his dreams.

 Vol 2: Chapter 7

    They approached the gates wearily, the green and purple banners making it clear that the town had traded hands. Noah had strapped his weapons to his back but felt his hands itch to grab one as they approached the potentially hostile guards. When they came within 50 paces of the gate, the guards drew identical swords and the one on their right raised his voice.

    ¡°Halt, travelers! State your business with the elven outpost!¡± The guard demanded, his voice clear and lacking emotion. Noah held out his hand in what he hoped was a universally placating manner.

    ¡°We have been here before some time ago, we only wish to visit old friends.¡± Noah called out in response. He watched as the guards turned to each other and appeared to exchange words.

    ¡°Approach the gates, but do not draw your weapons! Our captain will decide if you may enter or not.¡± The guard instructed. Noah nodded, finding that reasonable, and moved forward at a friendly pace. Upon closer inspection, he could see that both of the guards were elves, the tell-tale ears and sharp features the clearest indicators. The elves studied his group with strange expressions before the one on their left spoke up.

    ¡°Yours is an odd group. How does an orc, a drakon, and a human end up in the same party?¡± She asked. Noah looked at the others before breaking into a laugh.

    ¡°I suppose it is an odd group! We have been together for so long that it stopped striking me as strange sometime ago. It has been many months since I last saw another human. When we met this settlement did not yet exist and we were far up the mountain.¡± Noah replied. The elf nodded, apparently satisfied with his answer. The other elf who had stepped away returned with another guard, though this one wore more decorated armor and had a sharp look in his eyes. Noah knew immediately that this elf was a warrior through and through. The captain, he presumed stared Noah in the eyes for a long moment before a grin broke out across his face. He extended an arm, a gesture that Noah gladly returned.

    ¡°I see you all are warriors, yes?¡± The captain stated, his voice both rougher and lower than the elves he had interacted with to this point. The trio nodded.

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Noah replied. The elf nodded but his expression turned thoughtful.

    ¡°I respect that. There are far too few real warriors, something that everyone is learning the hard way. That being said, I cannot let three unknown warriors of your caliber into the town without more information. Would you follow me to the guardhouse to talk?¡± The captain asked. The three exchanged a glance. Noah shrugged and decided to play along. They followed the elf to a nearby building that jetted up against the wall. It was of sturdy construction, precise stonework with no visible gaps between the bricks.

    The captain opened the door and ushered them through into a well-lit room with a table made from a single piece of wood. Noah scanned the otherwise sparse room for other guards and exits but found neither. Noticing his inspecting gaze the elf coughed to get his attention.

    ¡°My name is Gerald, and I am the captain of this outpost¡¯s guard. May I have your names?¡± He asked politely, removing his helmet to reveal dark blond hair that was cut short and practical.

    ¡°I am Recter, proud drakon and worthy among the lower realms.¡± Recter announced, exchanging his own embrace with the captain who appeared puzzled by his choice of words.

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    ¡°I am Ta¡¯Ku, warrior and Dan¡¯Kar to my tribe¡¯s chief.¡± He announced in a similar fashion. After the resulting exchange, Gerald turned his attention to Noah.

    ¡°And I¡¯m Noah, Sovereign of Ro¡¯Kar.¡± He said, opting to test out his newfound title. There was a sensation at the back of his brain whispering that it was a bad idea, but he ignored it. The captain blanched.

    ¡°Forgive me, I did not realize this was a political visit, sovereign.¡± The captain said hurriedly, lowering his head as if afraid he had made a serious blunder. Noah frowned but waved it away.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you misunderstand, Gerald. I am the sovereign of a territory but I have come for a personal matter, not political.¡± Noah replied. The captain chuckled nervously but kept his head lowered slightly.

    ¡°That is very funny, your grace. I am no stranger to these matters unfortunately, and I know that even the personal matters of a ruler carry political ramifications. I¡¯m afraid this decision will need to be elevated beyond me.¡± He replied, finally meeting Noah¡¯s eyes. Noah¡¯s forehead creased as he realized his own mistake.

    ¡°Are we supposed to just wait here while someone else is called for?¡± Noah asked, a bit of frustration leaking into his voice.

    ¡°Not at all, your grace. I will bring you to the town¡¯s administrator and she can attend to you in the meantime. We will ensure you are comfortable and taken care of.¡± He explained. The deference, or fear, in his tone, spoke of a history that didn¡¯t appeal to Noah¡¯s sensibilities and he only hoped that this administrator would treat him like a normal person. He certainly wouldn¡¯t make the mistake of introducing himself as a sovereign anytime soon. The captain led them back out the door they came through and began striding into the town. The trio had no trouble keeping up, but the pace was odd nonetheless. Noah took in the sights of the city, noting that the once lively market along the main street was hushed and nearly empty. He noticed several humans but they all moved about quickly and kept their heads down. He saw elves as well, though they carried themselves in relaxed postures and wore smiles on their faces. The difference was stark and alarming.

    When Gerald finally came to a stop Noah realized that he recognized the building. The town hall where Julie worked stood in front of him, looking much the same as when he last saw it. The captain stepped inside briefly while they waited, assuring them that he would just be a moment. True to his word he returned swiftly, this time holding the door wide as they passed into the lobby. An elven woman stood behind the reception desk and smiled as they entered, lowering her head in a polite greeting.

    ¡°This is Lilian, she will make sure you have everything you need.¡± The captain said before making a prompt exit. Noah found the whole situation suspect, but he couldn¡¯t contain the anticipation that he felt at the prospect of seeing Julie.

    ¡°Honored guests, please right this way. The administrator is just at the end of the hall.¡± Lilian said, before leading the way. ¡°I will alert her of your arrival, please give me just a second.¡± She said as she opened the door into Julie¡¯s office. Noah heard muffled whispers through the door but couldn¡¯t make out the words. He turned to his companions.

    ¡°Would you two mind waiting for me out here while I go inside? I believe the person I¡¯m looking for may be the administrator.¡± He explained. The two nodded, unfazed by the request. When Lilian stepped back through the door she tilted her head at the retreating forms of the others.

    ¡°Sorry for the hassle, but would it be alright if I spoke with the administrator alone? My companions could use some rest.¡± Noah asked politely. Lilian nodded emphatically, her eyes lighting up as if in understanding.

    ¡°Of course, your grace.¡± She said, gesturing to the now open door. He smiled and thanked her before stepping through. The door clicked shut gently behind him and Noah noticed the sole occupant of the room bowing at the waist with her eyes to the ground. Noah frowned at the sight, and his heart sank as he recognized her to be Julie.

    ¡°Your grace, I am humbled to be in your presence. I am happy to get you anything you may need.¡± She said, never turning her eyes up. Noah stepped closer and saw her tense in response. He paused, not wanting to spook her anymore.

    ¡°Julie?¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 8

    The woman before him gasped and looked up, meeting Noah¡¯s gaze. He took in her familiar green eyes and offered a gentle smile.

    ¡°Noah, is that really you?¡± Julie asked, her voice cracking. Noah nodded and before he could speak in the affirmative she had wrapped him in her arms, squeezing tight.

    ¡°You were right.¡± She said as the sobs began. His hands settled on her back and he held her as she trembled with emotion. His heart ached at her distress, and the journey suddenly felt worth it. His dream hadn¡¯t lied, they needed him, she needed him. Julie pressed her face into his chest and he sighed, hoping to inspire her to take a deep breath.

    ¡°They have Kyle.¡± She cried. Noah bobbed his head but didn¡¯t say anything. She sniffled and drew back just enough to wipe at her face without letting go. Her eyes were red now, her face blotchy and filled with fear. She leaned back into the embrace, this time squeezing him more gently, no longer hanging on for dear life. Several minutes passed as her breathing grew steady, the sobs gradually turning to quiet tears that seeped into his furs. She gave him a final squeeze before stepping back and taking him in. They made for an odd pair, his bloodstained clothing giving him a wild, bestial appearance in contrast with the silken gown she wore. The dress was the same greens and purples of the forest, no doubt in elven style. She was beautiful, and in any other circumstance, she would have taken his breath away. But in this instance his heart only found grief. He didn¡¯t know what she had been through in his absence but it was clear that she filled a role she wouldn¡¯t choose for herself.

    ¡°Why did you come back?¡± She asked, finally breaking the silence. He frowned and opened his mouth only to close it again. Seeing his confusion she spoke again.

    ¡°I mean after how I treated you last time, that is. I made it pretty clear that your help wasn¡¯t welcome. I was a fool,¡± she said, her voice quivering at the end as her eyes turned toward the floor. Noah sighed deeply as he considered the best way to explain.

    ¡°You showed up in my dreams,¡± he stated, opting for the honest answer. She frowned as she met his eyes again, but the hint of a smile tugged at her lips.

    ¡°You were dreaming about me?¡± She asked, her eyes now alight with gentle mirth. Noah opened his mouth but faltered as he felt the warmth rising to his cheeks.

    ¡°Ah, Julie that wasn¡¯t exactly what I meant. Do you remember how I get dreams that often mean more than fantasy?¡± He asked. Realization struck her and she let out what sounded to Noah like a disappointed sigh.

    ¡°So you weren¡¯t just thinking about me, but you had a vision that caused you to come running? I suppose that¡¯s flattering in its own way,¡± she commented, laughing at a joke only she understood.

    ¡°Thank you for coming, Noah. I really am sorry for how I acted last time you were here. I¡ªI thought I knew better, that your concerns were colored by the way you viewed the world. I realize now how blind I was,¡± she said, smiling sadly as they looked into each other¡¯s eyes. Noah nodded, pressing his lips together.

    ¡°I forgive you, Julie. I only wish you had realized before all of this happened,¡± Noah sighed. ¡°Now that I¡¯m here though, you may as well fill me in.¡± Julie opened her mouth to speak but her eyes went wide and her brow knitted in fear.

    ¡°Julie, is everything okay?¡± Noah asked, placing his hand on her shoulder. She nodded though fresh tears began to run down her face. Noah wasn¡¯t sure what had changed, but it was clear that something had scared her. He looked around the room for any sign of an assailant or listening ear but came up short.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± He asked, this time searching her eyes for the answer. Shame. He saw shame as he looked at her. She shook her head dismissively and sank to her knees, the quiet sobs evident as her shoulders shook with each wave of emotion. Noah felt helpless as he watched, not able to do anything more than provide a comforting presence. And while he endeavored to display a peaceful, pleasant expression for her, a welling rage began to make itself known within him. Someone was going to pay for this. Eventually, Julie¡¯s tears dried and she prepared to speak. Noah sat next to her on the floor and flashed her his best encouraging smile.

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    ¡°There are things that I am not able to speak about,¡± she said, her voice hoarse. Noah¡¯s blood turned cold. ¡°I was¡ª¡± her voice cut off, ¡°I chose to make a vow.¡± She managed. Noah held up a hand.

    ¡°I know what you mean, I have heard about the oaths of loyalty,¡± he explained.

    ¡°I had hoped that the elves wouldn''t stoop to such terrible methods though,¡± He added, only realizing his mistake as Julie flinched. He paused as he tried to think of how to continue without causing her more pain.

    ¡°Do you mind if I try something?¡± He asked. She nodded, though she narrowed her eyes. Noah cleared his throat.

    ¡°While I was traveling I came across two warring kingdoms. The first kingdom took over the other and enslaved its people. The slaves from the second kingdom wanted to break free though, so they sought help from a mighty warrior who visited their town.¡± Noah said, waggling his eyebrows at the last bit. Julie smiled and motioned for him to continue.

    ¡°This mighty warrior met with the leader of the captured kingdom and offered to form a plan for their escape. What do you think the leader said?¡± Noah asked. Julie¡¯s eyes widened briefly before she answered.

    ¡°The leader would have been grateful for the help.¡± She said, smiling in relief as the words passed freely from her lips. Noah let out a breath before continuing.

    ¡°The issue was that the brave and valiant warrior didn¡¯t know the full scope of their plight, so he asked the leader to share their insights.¡± Noah said.

    ¡°Ah yes, and the leader shared about the evil king who took the leader¡¯s treasure to keep them from trying anything untoward. The leader was assured that if everything went as instructed they would someday see their treasure again,¡± Julie shared. Noah nodded, the silliness of their banter failing to hide the truth in their words.

    ¡°The warrior then inquired about the location of said king and treasure¡­¡±

    ¡°The king and his men always came from the forest through the southern gate. The uptick in trade caravans led the leader to believe that a direct route had been established, though their bonds kept them from inquiring.¡± Julie replied. Noah smiled. That was better news than he had been expecting.

    ¡°The warrior was pleased at this development and vowed to secure the leader¡¯s treasure once again.¡± Noah said. Julie frowned.

    ¡°But the king is so strong!¡± She protested.

    ¡°I know, Julie. I won¡¯t let him keep Kyle though. One way or another I will set him and all of you free.¡± Noah vowed, seeing no need to keep up the charade. She nodded hesitantly.

    ¡°When do you leave?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Soon, though not until after I meet with whoever the captain sent for. Perhaps they will invite me to the capital.¡± Noah replied, a hopeful grin spread across his face. The two continued talking, eventually moving to the couch and sharing some tea. They had appearances to keep up after all. He was relieved to hear that she hadn¡¯t been treated roughly and that he was the first person that she had been instructed to entertain. It seemed that for all intents and purposes the elves wanted a peaceful takeover, subjects that would fill out their numbers and push their leader toward Bronze. It wouldn¡¯t do to spark revolution. Julie¡¯s words soothed the seething rage that had been bubbling up within him, and he was now confident that he wouldn¡¯t cut down the next elf that deigned to make an appearance before him. This development was just in time too as a gentle knock sounded from the closed door. Julie squeezed Noah¡¯s hand and mouthed ¡®thank you¡¯ before responding in a polite voice.

    ¡°Come in,¡± she called. Two elves stepped into the office, the secretary following behind an elven woman who was adorned in silks that put Julie¡¯s rags to shame. Her eyes lit up as she saw Noah and she stepped forward to introduce herself. She extended a hand, palm down, and Noah took it gingerly, playing the part as he lightly kissed her knuckles. She smiled.

    ¡°It is an honor to meet you, your grace. My name is Delia.¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 9

    ¡°It is an honor to meet you, your grace. My name is Delia,¡± She said.

    ¡°The honor is mine,¡± Noah replied, ¡°You may call me Noah.¡± He wasn¡¯t sure what to make of her response upon seeing him, as he was certain they hadn¡¯t met. Perhaps his name had gone ahead of him.

    ¡°I apologize for the wait, I hope you have been kept comfortable,¡± She said, smiling at Noah before looking pointedly at Julie. Noah nodded emphatically.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been well taken care of, but I appreciate your concern, Delia.¡± Noah replied.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear it. Now Julie, would you mind giving us the room? We have private matters to discuss.¡± Her words were more statement than question and Julie was quick to oblige. Once she had cleared the room, Delia strode to the side of the room and poured two cups of tea. Noah couldn¡¯t help but notice the way her hips swayed back and forth, her blonde hair glistened, and the silk that caught on the small of her back as she twisted. He blinked. He blinked again. Focus, Noah. He told himself, shaking his head at his straying mind. He missed the minute grin that flashed across her face as she noticed his attention.

    ¡°Would you like honey in your tea?¡± She asked, her voice sweet.

    ¡°That would be delightful.¡± He answered, knowing sweets were quite the delicacy in this world. She returned and set two small saucers on the table, each with a fine piece of china. She watched him pick up his cup and drink with the innocence of a child. Sure, she hadn¡¯t poisoned it¨Cthis time, but she could have. His eyes lit up as he tasted it, and she lifted her own cup, soon mirroring his enjoyment.

    ¡°This is quite nice.¡± Noah commented, still holding the cup close to his mouth.

    ¡°It is called violet stranza, a flower from my homeworld. We are fortunate to have found it in the forest, it even possesses medicinal qualities,¡± she explained. Noah nodded, doing his best to feign interest in the plants. Delia laughed lightly, a musical sound that made Noah¡¯s heart beat just a bit faster.

    ¡°Shall we move on to business then?¡± She asked.

    ¡°That sounds good,¡± Noah replied.

    ¡°Very well. In that case, I will get straight to the point. I have come on behalf of the king to extend an invitation to join him in the capital. He is interested in meeting a fellow sovereign,¡± She stated. Noah considered that. It fit with his goals perfectly, and yet he couldn¡¯t deny the strange feeling he got. He shrugged it off. He would have gone to the castle one way or another, now he would just be going through the front door.

    ¡°That sounds interesting. I think I will accept his invitation.¡± Noah replied. Delia smiled brightly before taking another sip of her tea.

    ¡°Delightful. Would you be ready to leave in the morning?¡± she asked. He nodded.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see why not. I will only need to inform my attendants. We traveled light.¡± Noah responded. A flicker of a frown crossed her expression before her smile reappeared.

    ¡°For traveling purposes, how many are in your retinue?¡± She inquired.

    ¡°Only the two. You likely passed by them on the way in.¡± He answered. She tilted her head before opening her mouth in an ¡®oh¡¯ of realization.

    ¡°Do you mean the orc and drakon?¡± She asked, seeming amused. Noah nodded.

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    ¡°Yep, fine attendants those.¡± He explained. She giggled and Noah was sure that color found its way to his cheeks.

    ¡°In that case, I will let the administrator know to show you to your rooms for the night. We will have the opportunity to talk further in the carriage,¡± Delia said before standing and moving to the door. Noah finished off his tea and stood just as Julie reentered the room. The two ladies whispered an exchange and Delia departed with a final shared smile, leaving the two alone once again.

    ¡°How did it go?¡± Julie asked after hearing the click of the front door.

    ¡°It was interesting¡­¡± Noah mused as he recalled their interaction. Flashes of the elf¡¯s figure came to mind and he abruptly withdrew from his reverie.

    ¡°Did she enchant you too?¡± Julie smirked and Noah choked on air. Julie guffawed.

    ¡°That was supposed to be a joke! That wily tramp!¡± She huffed. It was Noah¡¯s turn to laugh.

    ¡°Are you jealous?¡± He asked. I didn¡¯t realize my eyes were reserved for you,¡± Noah said, flashing a cheeky grin. Julie narrowed her eyes, a look Noah recognized from the many predatory cats he had slain. He dropped into a fighting stance, his subconscious preparing for battle. Instead, Julie let out a long breath and sank into the couch.

    ¡°You¡¯re right of course. I let that ship sail when I chose not to go with you up the mountain. Something about it being an elf that caught your attention though¡­¡± She grimaced. Noah held up his hands.

    ¡°Now wait a second. I may have found her attractive, but that¡¯s the end of it. I don¡¯t know if it''s just how long I¡¯ve been away from civilization or what, but she caught me off guard. That¡¯s all,¡± Noah said, secretly hoping that was true. Julie studied him for a moment before giving a reluctant nod.

    ¡°If you say so. I guess I should just be thankful that I am the one showing you to your rooms.¡± She said, the humored grin audible in her voice. Noah sighed but couldn¡¯t help but find the teasing enjoyable after months of brutality, blood, and boredom. These kinds of mundane exchanges only happened in the brief moments between battles and he couldn¡¯t deny that there was something different about it being with a beautiful woman. Julie soon led Noah and the others to a nearby home that had been set aside for important visitors like himself. It was only a stone¡¯s throw away from the town hall and was stocked with all the amenities. In fact it had something that Noah hadn¡¯t dared to hope for. A shower. He didn¡¯t know why or how, but at that moment he really didn¡¯t care. As soon as Julie had said her goodbyes, he claimed the bathroom and barricaded the door.

    Glory to glory, the water was heated. He could have cried. He did cry. He turned up the temperature to its maximum and let it scald his filthy skin. There were fragrant soaps and a sturdy loofa at his disposal and he used them liberally. Sometime later, no one could really say how long, he emerged. He wore the silken green shirt and trousers that Julie had offered him and he was every bit a new man. He had taken the opportunity to shave and bind back his hair in a clean braid. Judging by the expressions of his companions, he looked every bit the new man that he felt. He grinned victoriously, the very same grin he wore after a successful monster-swarm culling. Seeing his newfound vitality, Recter claimed the shower next, insistent upon utilizing this new training method. Meanwhile, Ta¡¯Ku and Noah scrounged together a meal from the well-stocked pantry, settling on a charcuterie of hard meats and cheeses with thick slices of fresh bread. It was heavenly, enchanting in a way that the elf could never manage. Noah would have chuckled at the thought if his mouth wasn¡¯t packed full of food.

    There was a lot to be said for pleasant company and showers. A lot. But it was food that he really missed after all these months. Unseasoned, unsalted meat was his perpetual lot in life. It had even gotten to the point where he dreamed of being a vegetarian, something that would only have haunted his nightmares on Earth. A single tear dropped onto his fig-jam and brie toast, and he realized he needed to reign himself in. It would be no good to spoil perfectly good food with his tears. After some time Ta¡¯Ku and Recter swapped out and the drakon seemed unable to hold back a constant hiss of delight as he snacked upon the various delicacies. By the end of the night, the three were like a trio of purring cats, and it was only the call of sleep that interrupted their festive revelry.

    Noah sighed deeply as he sank into the mattress. It wasn¡¯t as comfortable as the one in Jeline¡¯s castle had been, but it was leagues beyond the black dirt he had grown accustomed to. His sleep was dreamless and uninterrupted for the first time in several months. When he finally awoke he felt years lighter and it was with bright eyes that he prepared for the travel ahead. He would meet with this elven king and make his demands. If the king failed to comply, he would tear down the kingdom until he got what he wanted. Noah grinned at the thought as he opened the door to the waiting Delia.

    ¡°Are you ready?¡± She asked.

    ¡°I am.¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 10

    Noah and his companions followed Delia to the southern gate where two carriages awaited them. The first was large and utilitarian while the other was small and ornate. Neither had horses, only empty harnesses where the work animals would typically be. Delia instructed his friends to sit in the first carriage while she led him to the other. He had opted to leave his furs behind as they did little in the way of protection and reeked of travel, instead donning his elven-fashioned attire in addition to his weapons and pack. Delia had made no protest to the sight, seeming to have expected the action. They stored their excess gear in a storage compartment at the back of the vehicle and climbed into the cabin. The interior was made from beautifully carved wood and had two cushioned benches facing each other. As he sat down in the rear-facing bench he noticed just how small the carriage was. While it was plenty tall for him to sit comfortably, the benches would sit only one adult on either side and it would be nearly impossible to keep their legs from touching. As Delia settled into her seat, his concerns were proven accurate. Before anything exceedingly awkward could occur, he opted to make the first move angling both of the legs to the side so that hers could occupy the other. This seems like quite the flawed design, he thought as her knee pressed against his.

    Despite the swirl of boyish anxiety that was Noah, Delia only smiled sweetly at him as she got comfortable. She wore a long purple dress, this one more lavender than the previous violet. To Noah she looked like a princess from one of the movies he grew up watching, the dress aided by her composure. Her light hair was done up in a complicated knot with a single silver pin keeping it in place. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was her beauty, her proximity, or the subtle smell of her perfume that sent his heart racing, but once it started he was afraid it wouldn¡¯t slow down. He still didn¡¯t know what it was about this woman that enchanted him, but whenever she was around he couldn¡¯t turn his attention away from her. There was a tickle in the back of his mind, a whisper just beyond his reach but it all but disappeared when Delia began to speak.

    ¡°Noah, where¡¯d you go?¡± She asked. Noah blinked, rubbing the back of his head.

    ¡°Ah, sorry about that. I was just lost in my own mind. I was wondering about this carriage¡¯s design though. It seems¡­¡±

    ¡°Small?¡± She suggested. He nodded.

    ¡°It was intentional. This one was made so that lovers could enjoy each other¡¯s company on the road.¡± She said. Noah¡¯s jaw dropped and a bead of sweat dripped down his back. Definitely not slowing down.

    ¡°I see.¡± He responded tentatively. She giggled but let the moment stretch on, no doubt enjoying his discomfort.

    ¡°I¡¯m only teasing of course. Not about the design¡ªthat was intentional, but we are only using this carriage because of your attendants. We couldn¡¯t exactly have a private conversation with others around, could we?¡± She said. Noah nodded, figuring that the explanation made sense. Soon the carriage started moving and Noah turned to see what manner of beasts they had secured. To his horror, in the place of horses, were two humans. He watched them for a minute, his frown growing as he did. They at least seemed to pull the wagon with relative ease, meaning they had leveled their physical stats significantly. The pair even seemed to be laughing as they pulled the carriage, sharing a conversation that he couldn¡¯t make out. His initial repulsion eased and he eventually turned away from the two men. His companion had stayed quiet as he took in the sight, allowing him to process it for himself. She made no explanations and he realized that made sense, there was no reason to explain why two people were doing their job. He sighed. There was a pit of tension in his stomach but he couldn¡¯t place it. I¡¯m too used to danger around every corner. An adrenaline junkie. He chuckled to himself and Delia tilted her head in question.

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    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± She asked.

    ¡°Ah, sorry. I was just thinking about how this world has messed with my brain. It¡¯s hard to stop looking for enemies, even away from the battlefield. On my homeworld, this was an observed phenomenon for veterans returning from battle, I guess it only makes sense that the same would be happening to me. If you knew half of what I¡¯ve dealt with¡­¡± Noah shook his head, missing the twitch of Delia¡¯s lip as he spoke.

    ¡°That¡¯s beside the point. I was just laughing at myself, for making a big deal out of nothing,¡± he explained.

    ¡°That seems completely reasonable, Noah. You are being hard on yourself.¡± She said, lightly squeezing his forearm. Noah smiled at her and rubbed his neck.

    ¡°Thanks, Delia, I appreciate it.¡±

    ¡°Not at all. Though now you¡¯ve got me interested in your stories, I just have to hear!¡± She replied. Noah was all too happy for a listening ear and began recounting his tale to the charming elven woman. The hours seemed to fly by as they laughed and bantered together. The carriages never stopped as they went and Noah found himself more and more impressed with the two that were pulling them along. He wondered how much they were making for their efforts, and figured that it must be a decent sum considering the lighthearted expressions that were ever present on their faces. Delia eventually withdrew some food for them to share and he couldn¡¯t help but wonder if his friends had anything to eat in their ride. It wasn¡¯t as if any of them were strangers to hunger, but it felt wrong to eat if they didn¡¯t have something as well. When he had asked Delia she confirmed that of course they were served a meal as it would be an affront to not extend such basic hospitality.

    Well into the afternoon there was a sudden jolt followed by shouting. Noah immediately jumped from his seat and practically flew from the carriage. One of the two men had collapsed to the ground but there was no sign of an enemy. Noah scanned the woods for whatever beast had attacked them. He extended his domain, wanting to catch the creature before it could strike again. His search came up empty though. He made his way over to the collapsed man and inspected him for injury. The other one was sitting on the ground next to him, looking frightened but uninjured.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Noah asked. He saw no visible injuries on the man, but it was clear that he had lost consciousness and was covered in sweat. Noah pressed his hand to the man¡¯s head and felt it sweltering. Sickness? That was strange, he hadn¡¯t expected something so mundane as sickness to affect a leveled human. He turned his attention to the other man and noticed that he was panting heavily but somehow maintained an odd smile on his face. Noah experienced a nauseating twist of reality as his domain worked to convey a different story to his brain. His eyes saw a smiling, healthy, human catching his breath. His domain, however, showed a gaunt shell of a man in his place. The smile and brightness in his eyes were replaced by a visage of despair and pain. The man on the ground was even worse off, and it became evident that his legs had given out along with his mind.

    Noah¡¯s heart turned icy as he recognized the deception. His senses stretched to the now approaching Delia who had come to check on things as well. The enchanting illusion of her remained in his eyes but beneath that facade, he saw a calculating and cautious gaze that studied him for signs of compromise. Thinking quickly, he forced a more pleasant expression to his face.

    ¡°Delia, something seems to be wrong with one of the men. I didn''t see any sign of attack but he¡¯s fallen unconscious.¡± He explained. She grimaced beneath her mask but appeared concerned on the outside.

    ¡°Oh my, I wonder what could have done that to him.¡± She said, stepping up to the three of them. He noticed the conscious one stiffen as she approached. Noah held back the protective rage that threatened to expose him and stepped aside to let her through. He could see the wrathful expression of scorn as she stared down at the human, she looked like she wanted to kick him and finish the job. He of course wasn¡¯t about to let that happen.

    ¡°Delia, how much longer until we reach the capital?¡± He asked. She looked up and scanned the area before sighing.

    ¡°No more that an hour at the same pace, though it doesn¡¯t look like that will be possible now.¡± She said regretfully. Noah nodded.

    ¡°Actually, after the cramped ride, I am feeling ready to stretch my legs. I will pull us the rest of the way and we can place the fallen man with my attendants.¡± He stated. She looked ready to protest but came up short.

    ¡°As you wish, your grace.¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 11

    Noah did exactly that. He helped both of the men to the carriage and flashed his attendants a look while instructing to take care of them. Thankfully there was a team of four humans, appearing to be in a more favorable state pulling the second vehicle. He considered asking his companions to pull it as well but was afraid of revealing his hand too soon. He could explain away the extra passenger due to his discomfort sharing the load with a weaker person, but there was nothing he could say in regards to the second carriage. He would help all of them in due time, they would just have to hang on a little longer. He was however careful not to push the speed any more than the previous men had managed, not wanting to put undue pressure on the others.

    Delia had dutifully protested being pulled by a sovereign but finally gave in when he explained how it was really all for his benefit. Judging by her veiled reaction she quite enjoyed the prospect of watching him pull the cart, a sentiment that Noah would not quickly forget. It was an easy job and at this point felt no more difficult than running uphill. If anything it was actually the relief he had pitched it as to Delia, especially considering the close quarters they had shared previously. He shivered as he remembered the attraction he had felt for that monster. He had let himself hope that the elves were just another people group, each with their own oddities and sour apples. Now however he was ready to throw that idea out the window. He had met animals with more decency than these creatures, at least Jeline was upfront about her subjugation of others. His opinion had been too impacted by the fairy tales from Earth, always painting elves as beautiful and enchanting. He frowned. Idiot. Even the stories had pointed to the conniving nature of these creatures but like a sailor to a siren, he had been drawn in. He knew others thought of him as naive, but to him, it was simply taking people at their word and giving them the benefit of the doubt. In this instance, he had been wrong and it caused a lot of people to suffer. He knew he wasn¡¯t the only one responsible, the world didn¡¯t revolve around him, but he could have done more.

    With his head in the clouds, it felt like only moments had passed when the city came into view¨Cand it was a city. Large gates barred entry into the eleven capital, and several guards armed with bows and metallic armor stood atop the walls¡¯ ramparts, studying them with critical eyes. Noah stopped some hundred feet from the gate and waited as Delia stepped from the carriage. She waved at the guards and they responded in a flurry of motion, opening the gates in incredible time. Noah couldn¡¯t help but stare as the guards moved with nothing more than a wave from his travel companion. Who is she? Several guards ran out to meet them and upon instruction pulled the carriage the rest of the way into the city themselves. Noah noticed the confused glances that the soldiers shared, but none of them dared raise their questions.

    It seemed that whoever Delia was, she was not one that anybody wanted to offend. After the carriages were parked inside the walls, Delia informed Noah that rooms had been prepared for them in the castle and that an audience with the king was scheduled for the next morning. She led the way, and Noah only hoped that his fellow humans would still be alive to save by the time he had what he wanted. As they walked through the lively city, Noah expanded his domain to its limit, taking in both illusion and reality, two concepts that seemed to be woven together in the elven city. He wondered what the elves saw when they looked around. Did they get to enjoy the idyllic city with clean streets, beautiful buildings, and pleasant aromas? Or were they stuck with the far less pleasant reality that was the filth of a medieval city? Judging by the expressions on his companion''s face, Recter had also trained his domain while Ta¡¯Ku was either unable or neglecting to use his.

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    Their ever-jovial tour guide came to a stop in front of the inner gates, which would lead into the castle grounds. The guards took more efforts to ensure Delia¡¯s identity, which involved asking for her name rather than going off of looks alone. They stepped through the gates after a brief stop and entered the most beautiful illusion yet. The fake palace glistened in emerald and gold and was surrounded by fields of beautiful flowers of colors indescribable. The difference in reality was even more stark than the rest of the city had been. Before him was a large wooden mansion, absent of decoration or design. The fields were empty, barren soil without even a sprout of life. Noah shivered as he took in the eerie landscape, the darker side of elven stories finally being stirred in his memory. There were creatures of nightmare known only as fey that haunted the fantasy novels of Earth, kidnapping children, enchanting souls, and trapping travelers for millennia in their never-changing realms. Noah took a deep breath and brought back to mind his reasons for coming. Kyle was here. His people were held in bondage.

    He steeled his resolve and followed Delia as she stepped through the front door. The reception hall was barren and beautiful depending on which senses he chose to utilize. Delia led them down a long corridor and into a suite of rooms before turning to speak with them.

    ¡°I welcome you to the celestial hall of King Balkendar. These guest rooms are for you, so make yourselves comfortable. I will have a meal brought to you within the hour. If you need anything else, I will be in the room we passed just down the hall,¡± she said before making her exit. Noah let out a sigh of relief when she finally left his domain¡¯s range. He turned to his companions and held up a finger.

    ¡°Check the rooms first, then we¡¯ll talk,¡± he said. They did just that, scouring the area for any sign of intrusion. Noah made sure to double-check the areas where Ta¡¯Ku looked just in case something was hidden under illusion. The rooms appeared to be free from any obvious listeners so Noah gathered them in the furthest space from the hallway.

    ¡°Are you aware of the illusions?¡± He asked. Recter nodded and to his surprise, so did Ta¡¯Ku. Seeing his confusion, Ta¡¯Ku explained.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t catch on until we stepped into the castle ground. Everything seemed to perfect and orderly which prompted me to take a closer look. I can¡¯t say I was glad I did though, the truth was disturbing to take in.¡± He answered.

    ¡°That makes this easier then,¡± Noah sighed, raking his brain for next steps.

    ¡°From what I¡¯ve seen the elves have enslaved everyone from the town, likely binding them all through System oaths. From what Jeline told me, the only way to free someone from one is through the recipient''s willful action or death.¡± Noah explained. Recter grinned, nodding.

    ¡°So we kill them all?¡± He stated more than asked. Noah opened his mouth to argue but changed his mind.

    ¡°We¡¯ll kill as many as we need to to free everyone else, starting with the king. They have proven to be no different than another beast swarm set on achieving their goals at any expense.¡± Noah replied. Ta¡¯Ku nodded gravely, and Recter¡¯s grin grew.

    ¡°It''s about time we fought a battle on our terms. My spear has grown cold from the lack of use.¡± Recter commented. Noah chuckled but couldn¡¯t help but agree. They had fought for survival, fought for freedom, fought as Jeline¡¯s pawns, but now they were finally fighting because they wanted to. They spent the night readying themselves for what came next. It was hard to plan with their limited knowledge, but they could go through hypotheticals. Assuming that only Noah was allowed in the audience, the others would wait for a sign of battle before making their move, securing the perimeter of the throne room to avoid a repeat of their last takeover fiasco. If they were all invited in, then they would work to cut down the king in as quick a move as possible before anyone had time to intervene. In either scenario, the day would be filled with bloodshed and likely end with a run.

 Vol 2: Chapter 12

    The trio took turns keeping watch through the night, but the morning came quietly. As they waited for the days events, each of them readied their equipment for a battle. It was hardly practical to cart a sword and hammer around with him, so he opted for the sword. While ol¡¯reliable would have been his top choice, it was in need of repair after the months of battle, and it wouldn¡¯t do to have a broken weapon in a heated battle.  A light knock drew their attention, and Noah opened the door to the Delia. She smiled brightly.

    ¡°Good morning, your grace. Are you ready for the audience with the king?¡± She asked.

    ¡°I am. Is there anything I should know?¡± Noah inquired. She seemed to think about it for a moment but ultimately shook her head.

    ¡°If you weren¡¯t a  sovereign yourself, I would discuss etiquette, but I suppose that won¡¯t be necessary for you.¡± She commented. Noah nodded and followed her as she led the way toward the throne room. It appeared that they would be going with the first plan. As they walked down the corridor, Noah expanded his domain to the limit, taking in the bare halls and empty rooms just on the other side of the adjoining walls. It was far different than what he had anticipated when he considered visiting the elves. He had been sure that the architecture and decoration would be stunning, and in a way, it was to the normal eye. But it was nothing more than a mirage, a grand delusion. They turned a corner and approached an unassuming pair of doors, where two guards stood at attention with weapons at the ready. They came to a halt a few paces before the entryway, and the guards simultaneously grabbed the handles and opened the doors before them.

    Delia stepped forward and Noah followed suit, flinching as a sickly sweet smell assaulted his nose. His domain assured him that there was no such smell present in the room, but he found it hard to fully deny the powerful illusion. All of the illusions in this room carried a greater presence than the ones just outside, and as his domain stretched forward he found his vision flickering occasionally between the false and the real. In front of him, sat upon a throne, was Balkendar. His eyes saw the very same elf that he had met by the stream all that time ago, but his domain showed a very different visage. The elves¡¯ pleasant features had been traded in for old, withered flesh with hollow cheeks and eyes as black as night. Noah frowned. How? That shouldn¡¯t be possible, he had met the elf only days after the initialization. He had no trouble believing that they had developed illusion magic over the nearly two years they had been here, but from day one? There was no way. Unless¡­ Noah replayed their first conversation to the best of his ability. Wait. He had known things, talking about Grade as if it had always been part of their lives. What if they already had magic? All of this raced through his mind as he approached the decrepit elf on the completely normal chair.

    ¡°Noah. We meet again. How¡­ Interesting.¡± Balkendar started. Noah heard his voice like an echo, both sing-song and raspy. The effect was so disorienting that he was tempted to cancel his domain altogether and just accept the illusion. He knew he couldn¡¯t afford that choice, so instead he braced himself for the ensuing headache.

    ¡°Balkendar, I¡¯m glad to see you¡¯re still alive and well.¡± Noah responded, putting on his most convincing smile. It must not have fooled the illusion master though as his real face contorted with narrowed eyes and barred teeth. It was all Noah could do to keep himself from grimacing in repulsion. The illusory king continued on, however.

    ¡°Thank you for answering my call for this meeting. I was quite surprised to hear that another sovereign was visiting my territory. I suppose it is only fitting that it would be you.¡± Balkendar said. Noah bowed in jest.

    ¡°You honor me,¡± He smiled. ¡°May I ask what it was you wished to discuss?¡± The king¡¯s smile didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes.

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    ¡°Depending on the sovereign¡¯s identity, I was going to offer a path toward mutual existence or perhaps a merger. This territory is hardly rich enough for one kingdom as it is.¡± Balkendar confessed. Noah nodded.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t agree more. And now that you know my identity?¡± Noah replied.

    ¡°That depends¡­ Where is your territory?¡± Balkendar questioned. Noah tilted his head, he had half-expected the elf to know.

    ¡°Beyond the mountain in the lower plains.¡± He answered.

    ¡°The lowered plains? Do you mean in the icy tundra?¡± The king questioned. Noah shook his head. Is that the furthest he¡¯s gone?

    ¡°The icy tundra is still part of the mountain. It would take a couple months to return to my territory from here, and that is moving at my pace.¡± Noah explained.

    ¡°I see. You don¡¯t appear to be lying, though I can¡¯t imagine how you made it past the beast swarms. Are they not worse the higher you go? My scouts rarely return from the cold unscathed,¡± he commented. Beneath the mask, Noah could see the disbelief in the elf¡¯s expression. It was almost like he really couldn¡¯t believe Noah¡¯s claim. It didn¡¯t make sense though, the king had the third highest level on their leaderboard. Noah narrowed his eyes intently at the elf.

    ¡°What game are you playing?¡± He asked. The elf frowned in confusion, the illusion matching the reality for the first time since he had entered the room.

    ¡°What do you mean, game?¡± Balkendar replied. It was Noah¡¯s turn to be confused. Was he wrong?

    ¡°I know your level and your Caste, Balkendar. You shouldn¡¯t have any trouble with the beasts. So why are you acting like they would give you pause?¡± Noah questioned. The elf looked like he had been slapped, his real face going through expressions of shock, rage, and hatred.

    ¡°You know nothing!¡± He screamed. Noah felt the guards tense by the door, and Delia took a step back. He, however, continued smiling at the raving king.

    ¡°How did you manage to level if you are so afraid to leave your castle?¡± Noah asked, realizing the issue with his assumption. Balkendar¡¯s face turned red as he glared down at Noah. The illusion of the king presented a slightly more controlled image of rage, but it was far from reality. Suddenly, the fiery anger turned to laughter as a wicked grin crept onto the king¡¯s face.

    ¡°Ah. Now I understand. So naive, from the first day you were as gullible as a child. Then when Delia examined you in the forest all those months ago, you were clueless! Even now, you struggle with the most basic laws of our new world! If I am correct, then judging by the sword on your back, you chose to be a warrior, followed by some further melee specialty. Which means you gain XP when you fight. Did you ever stop to think that others don¡¯t benefit from fighting? Or did you fail to realize that you weren¡¯t rewarded XP for pulling that cart into the capital? We all have our place in this world, and mine is not on the battlefield!¡± The king¡¯s voice had ranged from mocking and scorn to defensive anger once again.

    Noah wasn¡¯t sure what to make of Balkendar¡¯s speech, especially the bit about Delia; as far as he knew, he had never seen her before a couple days prior. As he replayed the words through his mind, one detail stuck out more than the rest. He smiled. The king was not a fighter. Judging by the weak appearance of his body, he had thrown the large majority of his stats into the magic-oriented ones. And if his hunch was right, his specialty was illusion, something almost entirely negated by domain. To Noah, this all communicated one thing. He could end the tyranny with a single blow.

    The king seemed to notice that Noah hadn¡¯t responded to his tirade, and one his eyes had started to twitch from the persistent glare that he leveled Noah¡¯s way. Ever the gentleman, Noah saved him from further suffering and cleared his throat.

    ¡°All of that aside, I accepted your invitation because I had a message to give you.¡± Noah stated. The king cocked his head.

    ¡°And what message is that?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Release my people or die.¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 13

    ¡°Release my people or die.¡± In that moment, Noah didn¡¯t allow his rage to bleed into his words, instead, he stared intently into the king¡¯s eyes. The illusion of the elf stared back unwaveringly, but Noah didn¡¯t miss the twitch in the true king¡¯s eye.

    ¡°Who do you think you are to threaten me!¡± Balkendar shouted. ¡°I am the king of this territory, and I will have you bow just like that woman you claimed at the beginning!¡± Noah choked on the rage that refused to stay down any longer. Without offering a reply, he drew the massive sword from his back and launched forward. There was a brief moment of shock as the king took in Noah¡¯s actions before the illusory world warped around him. Hundreds of swords swarmed him like killer bees and Noah lost sight of the king as his body began to brace for the incoming carnage. His domain never lost sight of the frail elf however, and Noah forced his body to obey his commands, sprinting straight through the swords as they pierced his flesh. To his surprise, a sensation awfully similar to pain shot through his body with each additional sword. A spike of concern flashed through his mind as his eyes pleaded with him to take his injuries seriously.

    It was only his perception of the grinning king that allowed him to shrug off the concern. Balkendar¡¯s laughing eyes began to widen as Noah closed the distance, raising the greatsword into a ready position. The king¡¯s feeble body began to move, his eyes darting for a path of escape. Noah¡¯s arrival cut that idea short, and the whistle of the enchanted blade was the last sound Balkendar heard before his head and shoulders fell away from his torso.

    [10,000 XP Gained.]

    [Territory Contested.]

    [Claim Territory?]

    The smell of burnt flesh made Noah¡¯s eyes water and a scream from the far side of the room brought him back to the present. Messages later. Across the room, Delia stared in horror at the fallen king and began chanting in some foreign tongue. Noah knew enough not to let such blatant signs of magic go unaddressed, so he raced across the now very barren room. He managed to bulldoze into her before her magic took effect, his shoulder crunching something in her light frame before sending her flying through the doors. The guards outside were already lying in pools of blood, along with several other elven bodies. Recter stood over Delia¡¯s body and drove his spear through her heart.

    [333 XP Gained.]

    Huh. I expected more.

    ¡°How did it go?¡± Ta¡¯Ku asked as he came into view from one of the adjoining hallways.

    ¡°Quick and easy. Part of me feels I got carried away, but then I remember what he did.¡± Noah shrugged.

    ¡°Any trouble out here?¡± He asked. Both of his companions shook their heads.

    ¡°Most of them were incredibly weak. Even their magic seemed unimpressive.¡± Recter commented. Ta¡¯Ku nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Once you got past the illusions it really wasn¡¯t much of a fight. Even the guards were magic-focused. Seems like a pretty big oversight on their part.¡± Ta¡¯Ku added.

    ¡°Considering how effective it was against the others, I¡¯m guessing they got cocky.¡± Noah surmised. Ta¡¯Ku grunted.

    ¡°What should we do with the rest of the city?¡± Recter asked. Before Noah could respond, Ta¡¯Ku jumped in.

    ¡°I say we kill them if they don¡¯t swear oaths.¡± Noah looked at the orc as if seeing him for the first time.

    ¡°Kill them or make them slaves? Really?¡± Noah questioned. Ta¡¯Ku shrugged.

    ¡°What else would we do with them? It seems clear that they are willing to enslave your people for their own gain. Killing them would be the merciful option in my book.¡± Ta¡¯Ku added. Recter nodded sagely as he poked an elf with his spear.

    ¡°Ta¡¯Ku is right. They can¡¯t be trusted, especially with their choice of magic. As soon as we leave they would fool the humans again.¡± Recter said. Noah sighed. Certain sentiments had been ingrained into him, thoughts like ¡®give them the benefit of the doubt¡¯ warred with the knowledge that his choice could doom his people to even worse fates.

    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    ¡°I think you may be right. It was not a line I wanted to cross, but maybe I was just being naive. Are you guys ready to break the news to the populus?¡± He asked. His companions grinned and grabbed their weapons. They made their way to the front entrance, and Noah paused to accept the prompt he had received.

    [Territory Claimed.]

    [Your Territory Has Expanded.]

    Noah still didn¡¯t fully understand what owning a territory did, but he had a feeling that he would have to find out sooner than later. If it was anything like last time, everyone in the kingdom would have received a notification of the change. The three left the wooden mansion and strode through the barren courtyard. Shouting could be heard ahead, so they gripped their weapons in preparation. Several unarmed elves were bunched near the gates, gesturing wildly as they questioned the guards.

    ¡°Is the king really dead?¡±

    ¡°Why are you just standing there? Go check on the king!¡±

    ¡°You saw the System message, there¡¯s nothing to be done about it now.¡±

    More shouting erupted until the first of the group spotted Noah approaching. Covered in blood as they were, it didn¡¯t take long for them to connect the dots.

    ¡°It''s the king killers!¡± Someone shouted, pointing a long bony finger in their direction. Noah raised his greatsword as the first elf ran toward them. He began to swing the enchanted blade, but instead of attacking, the elf threw himself to the ground and Noah stopped the blade short. He stared down at the prostrate elf with a frown, glancing at the others for confirmation that he was actually seeing right. They shrugged. Noah heard a sob coming from the ground.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°You saved us! You killed the mad king! We¡¯re free!¡± the man cried. Noah¡¯s frown deepend, he hadn¡¯t been expecting this kind of response. He focused on his domain but found everything as it appeared.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be angry?¡± Noah questioned. The elf looked up at him with confusion plain on his face.

    ¡°How could I be angry? We were enslaved to an insane tyrant only moments ago, but now we are free! You saved us!¡± he protested.

    ¡°What do you mean you were enslaved? Your people seemed happy enough to disparage mine,¡± Noah demanded. Recter stepped forward, however, and interjected.

    ¡°What was your oath?¡± he asked. The elf gave a small nod.

    ¡°Our oath was to gladly give our lives in service to the king. We were happy to serve him. In our homeworld, he was a good king, but that changed here. We did not know what the oaths meant when we swore them. That we¡­¡± the elf trailed off.

    ¡°You had to obey and be happy about it.¡± Recter stated, matter of factly. The elf nodded slowly, a look of shame crossing his face.

    ¡°We¨CI did things I am not proud of.¡± He paused as Recter held out his hand, pulling the elf to his feet.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t you. The oaths warp your mind¡­ I was also a slave not long ago, but you are free now.¡± Recter told the man. Noah was unsure how to feel about the development; it would have been easier in some ways if the elves were his enemies. He looked at Recter.

    ¡°Are you suggesting we change our plan?¡± He asked. Recter shook his head.

    ¡°There¡¯s more than one kind of oath. Ours will be fair.¡± He explained. The elf¡¯s countenance fell.

    ¡°You are making us swear an oath?¡± he asked, clearly disturbed. Recter looked to Noah for permission to continue. He nodded.

    ¡°An oath of non-aggression toward those in our kingdom. Self-defense excluded, you will not be permitted to act against any of our citizens. If you are unwilling to make this oath, we will kill you.¡± Recter stated. The elf, along with several of the others who had moved closer, frowned as they considered their new position.

    ¡°Can we join your kingdom?¡± The man finally asked. Recter smiled like he had been expecting this.

    ¡°You may,¡± he replied. Noah was surprised to see the wave of relief that passed across their features. In their position, he would have bolted for the hills.

    ¡°Do you only practice illusion magic?¡± Noah asked as the thought came to mind. The gathered elves shared an uneasy laugh before a woman stepped forward from the crowd.

    ¡°No, many of us are skilled in archery and crafting. The king ordered us to abandon such lesser pursuits, though. We were only permitted to use illusion magic, so many of us were left defenseless against real threats.¡± she explained. Noah grimaced. It was even worse than he expected; this order would have also meant that they were unable to level, given the System¡¯s odd way of assigning XP. No wonder they didn¡¯t travel up the mountain. Perhaps he had misjudged the elves as a whole. Noah stepped forward, getting everyone¡¯s attention.

    ¡°In one hour, we will have the oath-swearing ceremony. Please spread the word and have everyone gather here. If you flee, you will be considered an enemy of the kingdom and will be killed on sight.¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 14

    As Noah watched the elves run off into the city, he couldn¡¯t shake a familiar feeling. It reminded him of those times when he would leave the house on vacation and know he had forgotten something crucial. Similar to those times, he also had no idea what it was he had missed. He turned to the others.

    ¡°Did we forget something?¡± He asked. They thought for a moment but came up short as well. Oh well. If it was important he knew he would remember eventually.

    ¡°Recter, it almost sounded like you considered yourself to be part of the kingdom. I thought you wanted to travel, has something changed?¡± Noah asked. Recter hissed out a sigh.

    ¡°After being captured by Jeline, I realized that I had been foolish. If it is alright with you, I would like to fight by your side for the foreseeable future. At some point, l will pursue Bronze though, so until then, I will join your kingdom.¡± He replied.

    ¡°Glad to have you aboard, then. I get the feeling that we will need as many capable warriors as we can get in the coming days. The deadline is over a year and a half away but it is starting to feel like we will need every second to make it to Bronze.¡± Noah commented. The thought didn¡¯t sit right with him, though. The beasts had already reached Bronze, but there had been no System alert saying their quest was complete. There was also the matter of the two separate leaderboards. Why would there be two leaderboards if there was only one quest? Perhaps it was the extra points in wisdom, or perhaps a lucky guess, but the thought stuck. There isn¡¯t one quest; there are two. And I¡¯m guessing only one of those quests can be completed. The thought made sense to him; in a way, it felt right. He had been at odds with the beasts since his very first day in the new world, and if his assumptions were correct, then they were more than just at odds; they were in a literal contest against each other.

    [Hidden knowledge detected.]

    [Assessing origin.]

    [Organic revelation detected.]

    [Knowledge retained.]

    [Congratulations! You have uncovered hidden knowledge without outside assistance. You have discovered Hidden Knowledge: The Contest.]

    [The Contest is a core element in System integration for new planets. Selected races are pitted against unselected races for eventual ownership of the planet. At the end of the allotted 1,095 planetary days, ownership will be transferred to the reigning Bronze.]

    Noah stared at the message for several minutes, hardly believing his eyes. Hidden knowledge? Contest? His mind raced as he considered the ramifications of the System¡¯s words. If he could believe the information, then he could only assume that the selected races were the humans, orcs, drakon, and elves while the unselected were the beasts. That also meant that they were losing by a large margin. According to Jeline, several beasts had already ascended to Bronze, and even she was further along than him. Jeline. She was his enemy according to the System, or at the very least a competitor. He had helped her take a step toward reaching Bronze as well, even though it meant taking down another beast. He was suddenly glad for their choice in offering the elves a place in their kingdom. One thing was clear from the System¡¯s message: they didn¡¯t have time to be picky in their climb for Bronze. As he waited for his soon-to-be citizens to assemble, Noah pulled open his status, opting to view everything at once.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: C

    Domain: Proximal

    Caste: Copper

    Gate: 3

    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Path: Adept

    Level: 251

    Strength: 1324

    Dexterity:1324

    Constitution: 596

    Intelligence:36

    Wisdom: 88

    Willpower: 39

    XP: 28,000/10,000

    Essence: 0/10,000,000

    Stat points available: 31

    [Global Ranking System.]

    <ul>

    <li>Malentar Stoneskin-Drakon: Copper, Lvl 255</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Noah Denter-Human: Copper, Lvl 251</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Recter Jandon-Drakon: Copper, Lvl 240</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Ne¡¯Ja Huskar-Orc: Copper, Lvl 231</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Un¡¯Dal Falbane-Orc: Copper, Lvl 226</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Ta¡¯Ku Gordrak-Orc: Copper, Lvl 225</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Me¡¯Zin Domika-Orc: Copper, Lvl 224</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Kaitlyn Denali-Human: Copper, lvl 201</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Fastion Briner-Elf: Copper, Lvl 199</li>

    </ul>

    <ul>

    <li>Dreston Shadowfang-Drakon: Copper, lvl 198</li>

    </ul>

    [Followers: 86/10,000.]

    [Days remaining: 584.]

    Noah looked over the changes, noting that he had failed to allocate all of his new points prior to the most recent battle. For some reason, he found it hard to remember stats when the real world kept moving around him. He knew better though, he couldn¡¯t afford to keep treating the System like a game. If not for the man who had fallen unconscious on their journey to the elven city, he may have missed the illusions altogether. That wasn¡¯t acceptable. The impact of the ¡®software stats¡¯ had become all too apparent to him, and he wouldn¡¯t allow them to stay so low. With that in mind, he leveled twice with his available XP and distributed his free points into the mental stats, finding rather satisfying round numbers. He now had 100 wisdom, 50 intelligence, and 50 willpower. Next, he looked at the rankings. Instead of being disappointed about his placement, he only felt relief seeing the drakon still ahead of him in levels. At this point he would celebrate any other selected race that pushed forward, as he now was all to aware of their deadline. He scanned over the spot Ro¡¯Kar¡¯s name would have been, and a pang tugged at his heart. His grief was quickly forgotten, however, as one of the new names on the list caught his eye. Kaitlyn Denali. There was another human on the list. The next line was new, but he knew immediately what it meant. His tribe plus Recter made exactly 86 people, the total sum of his kingdom. He couldn¡¯t help but feel overwhelmed as he looked at the second number. 10,000 people. His eyes finally drifted to the final System screen. 581 days remaining. Their time limit was halfway gone, and even though he was only a step away from Bronze, he felt that the final step would take the longest. Then I have to become the reigning Bronze¡­  Noah shook his head, he could only take one step at a time.

    The hour passed quickly as his mind whirled, and soon a large host of elves were assembled before them. There were far more than he had anticipated from his brief walk through the city, enough that he would have a major problem if things turned violent. Ta¡¯Ku had enough forethought to grab a table from the estate, and Noah climbed atop it in order to be visible to the entire crowd. He raised a fist, a sign that his tribe would have understood immediately but took the elves several moments to respond to. He had already had a speech in mind, but the System messages had given him a new perspective. Soon, a hush came over the crowd, and he began to speak, projecting his voice easily with his enhanced stats.

    ¡°Thank you, everyone, for gathering so quickly. I have been made aware of the situation you found yourselves in under the tyranny of the Mad King. For that reason, I would like to assure you that the oath I am asking of you is meant for your benefit just as much as ours. Regardless of your previous actions toward the humans, if you choose to join our kingdom and take the oath, no one will dare to retaliate against you. You will be given a blank slate and will have equal standing with every other member of our kingdom.¡± Noah paused, allowing time for his words to sink in. There was muted murmuring amongst the elves, and Noah waited until it became quiet again.

    ¡°Something you may not be aware of, however, is the challenge set before us. The System has put us in a contest with the beasts to see who will be worthy to claim this planet at the end of the allotted time. At our current pace the beasts will win with ease and we will become subjects to them in less than two years time.¡± He paused again as whispers and gasps filled the castle grounds.

    ¡°Unfortunately, I have been informed that there are already several beasts that have ascended to Bronze while not a single member of the selected races has reached that standing. We are fighting an uphill battle and will have to set every other pursuit aside if we hope to maintain our freedom as the System¡¯s deadline draws near. If you are willing to take up this burden with me, then I invite you pledge this oath and join our kingdom!¡± He shouted. A newfound resolve could be felt in the air as the newly freed slaves became aware of the options set before them. They had been enslaved to a beast once already, and they would do whatever it took to ensure a different future.

    Noah stepped back as Recter took the platform. He explained the oath: the limitations and the safeguards. He shared his own experience being captured and bound to a beast, and Noah¡¯s role in setting him free. He then asked them to join him in swearing a new oath, one with the purpose of protecting the freedom of their very world. As moving as Recter¡¯s speech was, Noah was still caught off guard by the roar of approval that came from assembled elves. With militant precision, the oath was declared by every elf present and Noah watched as a counter went up in the corner of his eye.

    [Followers: 1,291/10,000.]

 Vol 2: Chapter 15

    Noah wondered how much wisdom it would take before he considered the consequences of his actions on the front end. This thought came to him as he stared out at apparently over a thousand waiting elves, with little idea of what came next. It was only then that he remembered the original purpose for his trek to the elven city. Kyle. His eyes went wide as he considered his own oversight. The people most likely to know his location were dead, and as he looked out over the crowd, he could only hope that others were entrusted with the care of their hostage. He found that a certain clarity often came in these moments as thoughts of decorum were thrown out the proverbial window. He moved forward on the table, signaling that he was about to speak.

    ¡°I am sure that this has been a rather overwhelming day for many of you. In a moment, you will be free to return to your homes and come to grips with the new life ahead of you. Before that however, I came here in part to free a captive human boy that was taken some time ago. If you know his whereabouts, please stay for a moment so that we may speak. Everyone else, I ask that you take the next few days to meet and appoint leaders amongst yourselves whom you trust to represent your interests well. As I am unaware of your culture and factions, I will leave it to you to determine how many representatives are needed to fill this role adequately. I will meet with those leaders three days from now at the same time and place. That is all.¡± Noah finished.

    The crowd dispersed quickly after that, and his companions joined him as they waited for any news of Kyle¡¯s location. As the grounds cleared, a few elves remained behind, each making their way toward Noah. One member of the group suddenly broke into a sprint, directly toward his position. The elf was clothed in the same greens that many of the elves favored but seemed different than the rest. Noah braced himself for a fight on instinct but suddenly stopped as recognition set it.

    ¡°Kyle!¡± Noah shouted, running to meet the young man.

    ¡°Noah! I knew you had to be the reason for all of this!¡± Kyle said as he threw his arms around Noah. Noah laughed, relief settling in. After their embrace, he held Kyle at arms length and examined him for any sign of injury.

    ¡°You look¡­ Well,¡± Noah admitted. Kyle nodded emphatically.

    ¡°I am. At first, I thought it was weird when my sister ordered that I go train with the elves, but now I¡¯m so glad I did! Did you know that they are experts in the bow? I even learned a bit of magic!¡± Kyle exclaimed. Noah¡¯s smile grew as he saw him in such high spirits, it seemed that his worst fears were never realized.

    ¡°King Noah, I assure you that no harm came to Kyle in our care.¡± The voice came from one of the two remaining elves that had closed the distance. The couple, as it seemed, were among the oldest elves that he had seen in the crowd. A quality that seemed rare amongst the gathered elves.

    ¡°Ah please just call me Noah,¡± he said, holding up his hands. ¡°Were you the ones responsible for him in his stay?¡± This time, the woman spoke.

    ¡°That is right, Noah. Kyle has been with us since his first day in the city. We were ordered to train him in our ways, and especially in illusion magics. After learning of his propensity toward the bow, however, we felt compelled to share some of our insights, even if we could not pick up the weapon ourselves.¡± She explained. Noah let out a breath.

    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°What are your names? I am very grateful for your care of Kyle.¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°My name is Melody, and my husband is Saban. As elders, it is only fitting for us to teach the young. It has been quite enjoyable and insightful to spend this time with Kyle.¡± Melody said, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

    ¡°Noah, I am ashamed of the actions of my people and our own inactions.¡± Noah began to protest, but Saban raised a hand.

    ¡°As an elder, I bear the responsibility of my people, it was my duty to keep the king in check. It is not right to leave this task to the younger generation, much less a foreigner. So I thank you, Noah, for carrying this weight on your shoulders. Please consider forgiving my people for the error of the few.¡± Saban pleaded. Noah took a long breath and nodded.

    ¡°I have seen my own people do things I am not proud of and fail to do what is necessary. I will not hold this against the elves. If for nothing else, we will need your strength in the times to come.¡± Noah responded. Saban looked deeply into Noah¡¯s eyes, longer than would have been comfortable in human circles. Feeling the weight of the moment, Noah held his gaze. After a few moments had passed, Saban smiled lightly before turning to Kyle and repeating the gesture. Noah turned to a smiling Melody.

    ¡°I want you to know that you can count on us in your times of need. This is not your burden to carry alone.¡± she said, staring intently into his eyes for a long moment before following Saban toward their home. Noah found it hard to place the feeling that had welled within him as the couple spoke. Or perhaps he struggled to accept what he already recognized. He had felt that feeling before, talking with the woman in his dreams, in rare moments with his sister, and perhaps a time or two with his parents.

    ¡°I really am thankful for my time here.¡± Kyle said, interrupting his thoughts. Noah turned to him and smiled, the residual warmth in his chest making the expression easy to come by.

    ¡°I can see why,¡± Noah replied, wrapping his arm around Kyle¡¯s shoulders. ¡°You know that your sister didn¡¯t actually send you here to train, right?¡± Kyle nodded.

    ¡°I do. Saban and Melody talked to me about it after the oath was lifted. I guess that means we won¡¯t be able to stay for long.¡± He thought aloud.

    ¡°That¡¯s probably for the best, she is eager to see you again. I am also willing to bet that she would be happy to meet the couple that took care of you while you were gone though.¡± Noah replied. Kyle smiled at that.

    ¡°You¡¯re right, I will go ask them to come back with us.¡± Kyle said, leaving before Noah had a chance to respond. Ta¡¯Ku walked up to Noah as the last of their guests left.

    ¡°Is it okay to let him go off alone?¡± He asked. Noah shrugged.

    ¡°From what I understand, he might be one of the stronger people here. Now that Balkendar¡¯s illusions are gone he should be safe enough. We will have to train him to use his domain, though.¡± Noah mused. Recter chuckled.

    ¡°I think we should take him with us when we return. He has the makings of a warrior.¡± Recter added. Noah laughed.

    ¡°I agree completely. He wanted to join me when I first left up the mountain, but felt responsible to watch over his sister. Perhaps this time we can talk the pair of them into joining.¡± Noah considered. His thoughts turned to the future as he looked out over the empty fields. So much had changed since the day started. Enemies had become friends, and his kingdom had taken a huge step forward in its advancement. Now he had decisions to make. Would it be best to bring the elves up the mountain? He struck that idea down. If any of them survived the trek at their level, they would have wasted most of the year on the journey. No, time was their most limiting factor. They needed to move quickly and expand the kingdom now. If he wanted to get to Bronze, then they would need a serious marketing campaign to find all of the willing people, not to mention the infrastructure they would need to sustain the increased population. He also couldn¡¯t ignore the growing threat from the beasts. Sooner or later, their armies would march, and they would need to be ready.

 Vol 2: Chapter 16

    The next couple of days passed quickly as Noah gave the elves time to elect their representatives. Recter had volunteered to make the trip back to the human settlement to make Julie aware of their progress, leaving Noah and Ta¡¯Ku to explore the elven town. Balkendar¡¯s orders had seriously stunted the growth of the community to the extent that there was very little evidence of culture or progress. With the absence of the illusions, the whole town looked plain and bare, littered with uniform cubical buildings alongside the utilitarian roads. Noah had explored what had been the illusory castle but found it similarly empty of anything meaningful. More and more, it seemed that the king had lived within his own delusions and dragged his people into the same fate. Unlike the material elements of their town, the elves themselves were vibrant and full of life. The evenings were filled with dancing and singing and songs of deliverance and joy filled the town with sweet melodies. The style was different than that of the orcs; it was more intentional and composed, but filled with sentiment and passion all the same.

    Noah had opted to watch the dance on the first night, but his protests were denied on the second and he was swept around the street by a beautiful elven woman in an unfamiliar step. He was passed from partner to partner throughout the night, and Noah found himself falling in love with the moment. The elves had something that he longed for, something that passed in every lingering gaze and heartfelt smile. Their nature seemed so opposite to the illusions they were forced to practice that his heart ached as he considered the pain it must have caused them. As soon as he had let that pain show on his face, his dance partner at the time stretched out a palm, cupping his cheek and staring deep into his eyes. There were no words exchanged between them, but Noah felt his heart being soothed as their step slowed and they swayed beneath the forest canopy. But as the song ended, he was given to a new partner, and the dance started again. He didn¡¯t understand how such a powerful exchange could be so fleeting, and yet he found his breath taken away afresh.

    He could still feel the eb and flow of emotion as he thought back to his first night of dancing. The second night carried a different tune, one of celebration and hope. Ta¡¯Ku was quick to join in, not waiting to be approached as he sought out the waiting partners around the street. It was clear that he didn¡¯t know the step, but it couldn¡¯t be said that he didn¡¯t have rhythm. Noah had overheard the bright laughter of Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s partner all the way across the gathering. Ta¡¯Ku seemed at home on the dance floor as he twirled his companion with grace and launched them into the air with practiced ease. Noah couldn¡¯t deny the bit of jealousy he felt as he watched, his measured movements paling in comparison with his virtuosic friend. Nevertheless, he threw himself wholeheartedly into the festivities, knowing full well that it may be his last opportunity to participate in such revelry.

    When the third day finally arrived, Noah felt refreshed in a way he hadn¡¯t felt in years. Similar in some ways to the experience of his soul being healed, he felt light and hopeful, but also known and appreciated. It felt silly in some ways that the attention of strangers had meant so much, but it had. He knew he would always look back at this time fondly and hoped that he could enjoy it again soon. The gathering place, the same barren fields, began to liven as elves trickled in. He hadn¡¯t known what to expect as far as numbers went, and even though he had kept an ear out for it, he hadn¡¯t overheard any politicking or discussion regarding the positions. When the trickle finally stopped, there were fewer present than he had imagined. A quick head count showed only 20 elves in attendance, each bearing similar distinguishing features. Among their number were Saban and Melody, who both smiled warmly as they made eye contact. Noah stepped forward to greet them all, taking a moment to meet the eyes of each of the elves.

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    ¡°Thank you for coming, may I assume that you are the leaders that your people have chosen to represent the elves in our kingdom?¡± Noah asked. There were several nods, and Saban took a step forward to speak.

    ¡°Yes, Noah, that is correct. We are the elders of this community, and it has been agreed that the burden of leadership shall rest upon our shoulders. There was concern that a repeat offense would occur if an overzealous youth was allowed to lead. Time tempers and forms.¡± he finished. Noah nodded politely at his words.

    ¡°I can appreciate that sentiment, just as I look forward to your counsel moving forward.¡± Noah replied. ¡°Our time is limited, however, and I would like to discuss what happens next. We have set up a room in the estate if you would join me.¡± Noah said before moving toward the mansion. The group followed him across the grounds and into the throne room, which had since been cleaned and set up for this very meeting. While they would have had to stay in the field if their numbers were much higher, Noah had hoped for a more intimate setting to discuss their plans. This room was just the right size to comfortably fit the 20 elders assembled in a ¡®U¡¯ formation.

    Once everyone had found a seat, Noah pulled a chair into the center where he could easily see each face.

    ¡°A few days ago, I shared about the upcoming struggle before us. I want to reiterate that I was not being dramatic or overestimating the scale of our enemy. To be frank, unless there are other kingdoms pushing to reach Bronze and set up a defense, we won¡¯t stand a chance.¡± Noah paused, though there was no murmuring or sharp inhalations of breath. Noah nodded. Good.

    ¡°Before our worlds were warped into this new amalgamation, I had a vision of the end. In it, I was shown the beast tides spilling over the land, devouring civilization and claiming every corner for their own. I also saw a group of people mounting a defense, people I now recognize as Drakon. Many of you met Recter, my companion in arms, a drakon of the highest caliber and a name that hasn¡¯t left the global rankings. I believe that we can count on their people to rise to this challenge alongside us. Our role will be to tip the scales.¡± Noah stopped as an elder stood to his feet. He nodded to him, giving him the floor.

    ¡°Pardom my interruption, but am I right in that you claim to be a seer?¡± The elf asked. Noah tilted his head.

    ¡°If by seer, you mean one who occasionally sees glimpses of the future, then yes. The very reason I returned to the lower lands was such a vision.¡± he replied. There were several gasps of surprise and the murmuring you would expect from a more excitable crowd.

    ¡°Noah, this is an incredibly rare gift. I have to ask though, why don¡¯t more of your people follow you? Surely you shared your vision with them as well?¡± the elder asked. Noah sighed.

    ¡°I did. Even before the world was changed, I shared the vision, but they did not believe me. My people have turned away from such things, their hearts are closed off to outside guidance. That doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t keep trying. Even if only a few listen, that may be enough to turn the tides of battle.¡± Noah could see the expressions of shock on many of their faces and he frowned in confusion. Thankfully, Melody stood and moved to speak.

    ¡°Noah, in our world, seers were seen as a precious gift. Our people have been saved from many hardships because of their visions. Hearing of a people who so readily discard such a treasure is quite alarming to us. However, I believe I can speak for all elves in saying that our commitment to you and your kingdom will only grow as this news spreads.¡± she finished, her words accompanied by several nods of agreement.

    ¡°I see. I appreciate you explaining that to me. If time permits, I would love to hear more about the seers from your homeland. It wasn¡¯t until soon several months before the change that I first learned of my gift. It would be nice to hear of others who have experienced it. Before that, however, we have a kingdom to build.¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 17

    Noah stared at the elders who awaited his words. It was in moments like these that he questioned his place at the proverbial table, though the sentiment came less and less with time. Yet something about the eager anticipation in their faces gave him pause and reminded him of the weight of his words. He took a deep, cleansing breath.

    ¡°To prepare for the beast swarms, we will need infrastructure, planning, and most importantly¡ªstrength. For the first bit, we will need defensive structures, cleared supply routes, weapons, armor, and natural resources. As far as planning goes, we will need a team that can consider the larger picture and find the best ways to support our greater efforts. One question I have been struggling with is whether it is an advantage or disadvantage to remain here. Given the power-limiting effect, I am leaning toward keeping everyone Iron and below at the lowest level. The limiter goes both ways however, and Coppers like myself would give up a large portion of their strength to fight at this level. I want other minds working to maximize our effectiveness in this manner.¡± Noah paused and met each person¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Furthermore, we need people working to expand the kingdom¡¯s population in this lower realm. I have to imagine that there are more people in this endless forest, and if so, we need them.¡± Noah stopped as an elder stood.

    ¡°On that matter, we have another outpost on the far end of the forest. It would take most of us several weeks to make the trip, but we may not need to. With the oath being broken, they will likely send runners our way. There is another orc settlement that we have had limited dealings with, and their numbers are quite sizeable. Last we heard, the outpost was manned by 500 elves as well. I believe that direction will be the most promising for immediate growth.¡± the elder explained before sitting down. There were several murmurs of agreement as Noah took in the new information. There are more orcs. If he had the time to spare, he would have loved to meet them and judging from Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s expression, he agreed.

    ¡°That¡¯s encouraging to hear. Orcs would make invaluable allies if we can convince them of our cause.¡± He didn¡¯t really doubt that they would take up arms in aid, but he also didn¡¯t know how relations between them and the elves had gone so far.

    ¡°That takes us to the final matter, and frankly the most important. When the swarms come, we will need strong warriors to hold them back and cull their numbers. As wonderful as crafters are, once the beasts arrive, their part will have ended. Every able-bodied combatant needs to be equipped with the very best gear that our crafters can produce, and they need to advance like there¡¯s no tomorrow. I would like to see every one of them reach Copper if possible, but at minimum, they should be advancing their grade and level. The greatest strength in our kingdom will be the orc tribe, Recter, and myself. To stand a chance, however, we need to get at least one of us to Bronze.¡±

    Noah finished his initial speal and the elders began to debate which items were of the greatest priority. Ultimately, it was decided that everything was for not if they didn¡¯t get at least one Bronze before the time limit, so their efforts would lean in that direction. Noah would return to the human settlement accompanied by Saban and Melody to establish a new relationship and to invite them to join the kingdom. Ta¡¯Ku, however, decided that he would visit the orcs. He assured Noah that he would catch up with him as soon as possible but believed it would be necessary to have an orc present to bring them to their side. The other elders split up into task forces, set on carrying out the various agreed-upon priorities. Their final words to Noah were that he was not alone in this fight, and that when the time came, he would find allies at his back.

    With those words in his mind, he set out for their return to the human settlement. They had kept Julie waiting long enough, and it was time to get his fellow humans back to their homes. Not every captive human was treated as poorly as the two Noah had encountered on their way to the elven city, but few had been treated like Kyle. There were 30 of his people, both men and women, who had been freed since his arrival and were waiting eagerly for an escort home. There were several healers, who, low leveled as they were, helped to restore them to peak condition before the trek. Noah, however, didn¡¯t have the time to escort the group on foot and instead loaded them into a pair of flatbed wagons that had been used to haul materials from settlement to settlement.

    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    The linked carriages made a sort of train that bumped along at a steady clip as Noah pulled them through the woods. Even with the well-worn road, it made for a bumpy ride that had the others holding on with white knuckles. At their pace, it was only a few hours before the southern gate came into view, and the fearful expressions turned to relief as the gates opened to familiar faces. Julie and Kyle shared a long hug that had her in tears, and Noah greeted Recter with the customary embrace.

    ¡°Any news?¡± Noah asked. Recter nodded.

    ¡°They are not happy. I believe they will gladly come under your banner but many will not be content to live so close to the elves. Julie made it sound like she would insist that you escort them up the mountain, though she didn¡¯t realize that there was a barrier for those below Copper. Either way, something will have to change.¡± Recter explained.

    ¡°Something always does.¡±

    ~

    Alure Galaxy, Sector 849

    Livia had been stuck with her cultural education tutor for hours, and while the topic usually held her attention, today she found herself distracted. It was tensday afterall, and the charge on her viewing device would finally be full. He showed up in her dreams now, his face ever-present in her mind. She watched him as often as she could, finding herself more and more fascinated by his every move. That was why she had asked for the tutor, wanting to gain every bit of information she could about her future husband and the world he had come from. Little was known about the world before initialization, but that didn¡¯t mean there wasn¡¯t any information to be had. Her future mother-in-law had been more than happy to share the information she had collected, but now that very information was keeping her from seeing him.

    The tutor sighed, noting her lack of attention. Before she could call for Livia¡¯s attention, however, the doors swung open as the queen entered the room.

    ¡°Ah, good. You¡¯re still here, Livia. I have something to show you.¡± she said with an amused grin, an expression rarely seen on the queen¡¯s face in public. The tutor was quick to catch the hint and left the room with a polite bow. When doors clicked ever so softly shut, Livia giggled.

    ¡°Mother, you know you frighten her every time you barge in like that.¡± The queen shrugged.

    ¡°Even I get to have my fun every once in a while. More importantly though, it''s here!¡± she replied.

    ¡°Crescellia found it?¡± Livia squeaked. Her mother nodded and pulled out an ornate box. With wide eyes, Livia took the box and carefully opened the lid. Inside was what Noah would have recognized as a magazine. She gingerly lifted the booklet and examined it with awe.

    ¡°How did she even get one of these?¡± She whispered. Her mother shrugged.

    ¡°Who knows! It took our scholars some time to translate it, but here¡¯s a copy of the words with corresponding pages.¡± she said, handing over a metal disc. Livia beamed as she took it, wrapping her mother in a tight hug.

    ¡°You¡¯re the best. Will you stay and look at it with me?¡± Livia asked. The queen nodded, her eyes already glued to the cover of the magazine. She pressed a finger to the metal disk and the foreign characters on the page rearranged themselves into recognizable words.

    ¡®A New Bride¡¯s Guide to Weddings in the 21st Century.¡¯

    Livia turned the first page and gasped at the scantily clad woman in white. Her face flushed as she looked up in horror at her mother.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me he¡¯s expecting something like this!¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 18

    Chapter 18

    The next morning, Noah found himself in Julie¡¯s office once again. He had staunchly protested the luxury of a bed and shower but finally gave in when Julie mentioned her own weariness. Now refreshed and smelling more of soap than body odor, he sipped on tea as he waited for Julie to return. They had a lot to discuss, and his sense of urgency was starting to make him restless. The developments with the elves had gone far better than he had hoped, and the potential for more orcs to join their kingdom was an exciting prospect. It was for that reason that he found it humorous that it was his own people that he had the most qualms with. More than anything, he needed strength, but so far, this bunch of humans had proven soft in the face of adversity. Julie had claimed to have seen the truth, repenting for her previous stance, but he still found himself feeling skeptical about the extent she was willing to go. Recter¡¯s words were alarming as well, he really didn¡¯t have the time to chauffeur a mob of weaklings up the monster-infested mountain. Before his thoughts could go further, the door opened, revealing a smiling Julie.

    ¡°Noah, sorry about the wait. Things have been rather chaotic over the last several days.¡± she said. Noah returned her smile, he could save his concerns for later.

    ¡°I imagine so. How has everyone taken the news?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Not well. They were overjoyed when they received the message of Balkendar¡¯s death, and their oaths were lifted, but they assumed that his death meant the end of the elves altogether. They are less amenable to the idea that the elves were under the same oaths and have completely rejected the idea of further cohabitation. Petitions have already been formed to formally ban all elves from the settlement, though many feel that even living so close to their town is an affront. While they have not suggested outright violence, I would not be surprised if the idea came up.¡± Julie explained. Noah took a deep breath; that was a lot to take in. How can they be so foolish?

    ¡°You will have to tell them no, then. The elves are my people now and an affront to them would be an affront to me.¡± Noah stated, his eyes locking with Julie¡¯s.

    ¡°Noah¡­ Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s a bit much?¡± she asked. Noah shook his head.

    ¡°This is me being polite. The elves are already my people; they have joined my kingdom and have pledged to fight for the same cause. The same cannot be said for this settlement and its people.¡± he replied. Her eyes widened, and she seemed taken aback.

    ¡°You would turn against us for some elves?¡± she whispered, her eyes betraying the hurt behind them.

    ¡°Julie, can we take a step back for a moment?¡± Noah asked, making a show of taking a long deep breath. She nodded and sat down across from him before mirroring the dramatic inhalation.

    ¡°Noah, things have been tense between us, but I really do want to do what¡¯s best for my people. Help me understand why you are siding with the elves.¡± Julie said.

    ¡°You are right in saying that I am siding with the elves,¡± he started, causing her eyebrows to rise. ¡°Siding with them in the same way that I am with the orcs, drakon, and humans. We are not enemies. The only enemies we have are the beasts. There is a competition that the System has arranged for ownership of this planet, and it will either go to the beasts or to the selected races. If you remember, though, after only two weeks in this new world, 36 percent of the selected races were already dead. Do you understand what that means?¡± Noah stopped, giving her a moment to consider his words. He watched the emotions flicker across her face as she digested his words before settling on horror.

    ¡°It¡¯s been nearly two years. How many of us are left?¡± she asked. Noah grimaced; it wasn¡¯t a question that he wanted the answer to. An answer that would likely show that beasts were much closer to winning by default than he dared consider.

    ¡°Not enough. Certainly not enough for us to be fighting each other. Do you understand why Balkendar made you all join his kingdom?¡± he asked. She nodded.

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    ¡°For the ruler¡¯s quest,¡± she replied quickly.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Did you know that you can only get to Bronze once you¡¯ve completed the quest?¡± he questioned. Her face paled.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡ªthen our fate is already sealed.¡± she whispered. Noah shook his head.

    ¡°Not yet. If we join together and continue to rally others, then we can get at least one of us to Bronze. If my visions are correct, I have reason to believe that there will be a drakon Bronze as well.¡± Noah replied. Julie closed her eyes and leaned back into the couch cushion. Noah waited, remembering how he had felt when the System confirmed his guesses at the hidden knowledge.

    ¡°That changes things,¡± Julie muttered after some time. With a sigh, she opened her eyes and leaned forward again. ¡°Thank you for being blunt with me. I think I needed a wake-up call. It may be hard for some of my people to accept, but I will reiterate your words to them. Once they understand the stakes, they will fall in line,¡± she explained. Noah smiled, relieved that she was able to come to reason.

    ¡°Will you join our kingdom, then?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Yes, I will gather the town today and begin the process. It may be a couple days before they are ready to make the decision, but I will help them along. Some will likely protest remaining so close to the elves, though. Would it be possible for them to join you?¡± she asked. Noah made a show of considering her question, but he already knew his answer.

    ¡°No. If they are unable to get over their pettiness, then I would not want them to join me. Even if that was not an issue, they would have to be Copper to pass into the next plain.¡± Noah answered curtly. That news seemed to come as a shock to Julie as her mouth opened in surprise.

    ¡°I see. I guess that makes things easy, then. I have encouraged people to advance since your last visit, but I don¡¯t think anyone has made it past iron. Kyle and Jergin are likely the closest to the breakthrough, and I am unsure about the crafters. I have managed to reach the next Gate, but I have barely gained any XP since the last time we spoke.¡± Her last words were spoken with downcast eyes, and Noah felt that she was finally coming to grips with the urgency of their situation.

    ¡°XP is the easy part. Most people get stuck at the Gate; all you need now is combat, something you have to work to avoid in this world. If you wish to join me, I imagine we could get you the XP needed to hit Copper on our trip up the mountain.¡± He said. Julie was one person he wouldn¡¯t mind inviting to the higher realm, and perhaps if she came, Kyle would join as well. She smiled as his words but her answer was clear before she spoke.

    ¡°If there comes a day where all my people are Copper, then we will join you in number. Until then, my place is here. That being said, perhaps you would consider bringing Kyle with you?¡± she suggested. Noah frowned.

    ¡°I would love to, but I have to say I am surprised. Why would you suggest that now?¡± Noah questioned.

    ¡°It was selfish of me to make him stay. I thought you were foolish to run off with hopes to save the world, and I wanted to protect him from your fantasies. Now, though¡­ I realize that I kept a hero from their journey. Kyle wants to do what you¡¯re doing, even if it costs him his life. I have made sure that he is aware of the potential outcomes, and he hasn¡¯t wavered in the slightest. At this point, I would be doing him and the world a disservice in holding him back,¡± she said. Noah smiled.

    ¡°In that case, I would love to have him. There are others that we will need on the mountain as soon as it''s feasible, namely crafters who can work to arm our defense as well as healers and any who can fight. I am considering leaving Recter here to bring the next batch of people up the mountain once they are ready.¡± Noah mused.

    ¡°That would be good. I will speak with my people and see who is ready to consider that move. Perhaps Matt has made enough progress to be a consideration, though his presence would be missed.¡± Noah smiled at the possibility, knowing that the young man¡¯s skills would be enough to shift the balance in the middle realm. Enchanted weaponry could make all the difference in their fights.

    ¡°Have you spoken with Saban and Melody?¡± Noah asked as his mind turned to the elves.

    ¡°They are my next meeting, and from what Kyle said, there is a lot to be learned from them. I will endeavor to establish a good relationship with them and the rest of the elves. If things are truly as you said, we will need every able body and mind working toward this goal. We will also discuss the oaths that Kyle mentioned and organize a formal ceremony for the settlement''s population to swear their loyalty and join the kingdom.¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 19

    The next days passed quickly as Noah took the opportunity to rest and make his presence known throughout the town. As Julie had predicted, there were pockets of unrest and frustration amongst the people, but their anger faded as the reality of their situation was explained to them. Noah had been quite pleased with the bleak picture that Julie had portrayed, her speech eventually leading the single pinprick of hope that was the growth of Noah¡¯s kingdom. She effectively rallied the troops, and there was an electric buzz in the air as people ran through the town on their various tasks. Prospects of a convoy up the mountain had been an additional kick in the pants for many who, despite the news, wanted to move on from their elven neighbors and the town where they had been mentally ensnared. Recter had made a speech to all prospective participants, making it clear that only the top 100 would have a place on the trip. He also shared the minimum requirements for joining, namely that they needed to have reached the second Gate prior to the trip and attain at least level 75.

    Some, like Jergin and the elven captain, Gerald, already met those qualifications, but they would be joining Noah and Kyle on the initial trip. Others had asked to join as well, but Noah refused anyone who didn¡¯t meet those standards. While Noah and Recter knew that another trip would be made when Ta¡¯Ku was ready to return from his envoy to the other orc village, they decided to keep that information hidden for now. It would be best if the people believed there were limited slots and no second chances. Kyle had been hesitant to leave Julie when they first spoke, but Julie quickly swayed him with her explanation and he had become quite excited for their journey. Noah had seen him and Jergin training each morning as well as trying out new gear for their trip. It was this sight that led Noah to visit Matt in his workshop.

    The crafted items were practically overflowing into the street, a clear sign of the crafter¡¯s presence. Noah waded through the clutter and came to the forge deep within the workshop. Just as the time before, Matt was busy with a project, and Noah contented himself to watch as the young man finished his task. It was perhaps an hour or two before the hammering stopped and Matt looked up with a smile, nodding to Noah as he racked his newest creation.

    ¡°You¡¯re back already. I¡¯m glad I started on your new gear as soon as I did. Come over here.¡± Matt said, leading him to a side room. Noah smiled at the familiar interaction, appreciating the consistent nature of his young friend. The room held neatly organized racks of weapons and armor, with several mannequins covered in full sets of armor. Matt gestured at the central figure. Its armor was covered in jet-black scales, and not a hint of leather or wood showed through the dark plates.

    ¡°This is yours. One of the hunting parties collected scales from a high-level reptillian beast before the elves took over, and their durability is astounding. I used leather from the same beast¡¯s hide and managed to secure the scales like overlapping shingles. It also enchanted with durability, so it ought to hold up against any beast you face for some time. You should also be able to move freely in it, and the weight shouldn¡¯t be an issue,¡± he stated before moving to a nearby rack. Noah¡¯s eyes grew wide as he saw the weapon situated on the rack. Beautiful.

    ¡°I call this beauty, Hammerfall.¡± Matt said with a grin as he hefted the hammer. Unlike others that Noah had used, this one had two blunt sides and looked more like a beefy sledgehammer than anything else. It was a polished onyx with golden rings around its haft, and as Noah picked it up, he was pleasantly surprised by its mass. It was far heavier than any other weapon he had held, and he could picture the devastating force that his blows would carry.

    ¡°It is beautiful.¡± Noah replied as he examined his new companion.

    ¡°It is. It is also enchanted with durability and a gravity enhancement. When the hammer connects with another surface, it will strike as its mass has been multiplied by two to three times. You will not actually feel the extra weight, but your enemy will.¡± Matt said with a wild grin. Noah gaped at the hammer and then at Matt.

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    ¡°Truly? Can I convince you to join my on the trip?¡± Noah probed. Matt shook his head emphatically.

    ¡°No. I managed to reach the first Gate, but the next is beyond me, at least for now. In time I may join you, but not until there is a secure forge waiting for me and I have advanced sufficiently.¡± Matt responded. Noah nodded, feeling disappointed but understanding. He began trying on the armor and found that it fit perfectly; from boots to helm, every piece hugged his body comfortably. The weight was a reassuring presence as well, and as he looked in a mirror, he grinned at the terrifying visage that his enemies would grow to fear. He also felt that the scales were familiar and couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the wyrm from the orc village had been the source for his new wardrobe. It would certainly be fitting if that were the case.

    ¡°Thank you, Matt. I imagine that these items will have a significant impact in the coming battles. The hammer especially,¡± he grinned. Matt groaned but returned the embrace that Noah offered, albeit for only a moment before ushering Noah from his warehouse. Feeling like a new man, Noah stalked through the streets in his new armor, catching the eyes of every passing townsman. He grinned at their looks of terror but opted to remove the helmet so as to avoid any serious trouble. They were set to leave within the hour so he decided to pay a final visit to Julie before their departure.

    He found her outside the town hall, sitting with Saban and Melody in public view¡ªan intentional choice, no doubt. He greeted them all and joined, opting to sit on the steps when the chair creaked in protest when he attempted to sit in it.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving soon. Is there anything you need from me?¡± He asked the trio.

    ¡°Actually, there is something,¡± Saban commented. ¡°Given our timeline we are unsure if we will be able to secure enough citizens to push you to Bronze in our lower realm, as you call it. Are there people in the upper realms that would come to our side?¡± Noah considered that. He had seen Jeline¡¯s methods of securing every new beast that came through the barrier into her territory, but the only selected race individual he had seen in her city was Recter. Oh. There was a moment of realization at that memory. A beast had forced a selected race to join their kingdom. If that was possible, then surely it went both ways.

    ¡°I believe there may be, though I haven¡¯t confirmed my suspicions yet.¡± Noah replied. Saban nodded thoughtfully.

    ¡°In that case, we will work to join you above as soon as possible. We will need to expand our efforts upwards before long. I doubt we will be ready by the time Ta¡¯Ku returns, but perhaps you could send a few of your tribe down to us after Ta¡¯Ku arrives. That should give us suitable leeway to advance.¡± Saban suggested.

    ¡°We will do exactly that. Anything else?¡± Noah asked. The others shook their heads. With that, Noah exchanged embraces with the three and wished them well before leaving to find his travel companions. Gerald was waiting for him near the gates, decked out in studded leather armor and carrying both a longsword and a bow in addition to his pack.

    ¡°Gerald! Eager for the trip?¡± Noah teased. The elf nodded.

    ¡°Indeed. I was no fan of Balkendar and have long wanted to scale the mountain. I only hope that I will not slow you down,¡± he replied. Noah laughed good naturedly.

    ¡°You will slow me down! But so will the others, and it will be worth it to have you three in the upper realm. I have been needing a good leader with a mind of strategy, and I was hoping that you might fit that role.¡± Noah said. Gerald chuckled, though not as freely as Noah had.

    ¡°I suppose that makes sense. Also, I would be glad to serve where I am most useful. I am trying to decide whether to favor ranged or close combat and will be stuck with my decision before we reach the higher realm. Do you have any suggestions?¡± Gerald asked. Noah thought about it.

    ¡°Are you equally competent in both?¡± he asked. Gerald nodded.

    ¡°In that case, I would recommend ranged combat. We have plenty of warriors who will lead from the front; what we lack are leaders at the back who can support through range and oversight.¡± Noah replied.

    ¡°Very well then, that makes the choice easy,¡± he confirmed. They were soon joined by the others, similarly clad in fresh gear and packs. With wide smiles and fire in their eyes, they stepped through the northern gate.

 Vol 2: Chapter 20

    It was the first time that he ascended the mountain with another human, Noah realized with a chuckle. So far, they had made good time, making it to the old orc village in just over a week. Despite his numerous warnings and blunt explanations, none of his new companions had expected the pace and had made their complaints known. This, of course, brought only a smile to Noah¡¯s face as he sped up further, until they either caught on or couldn¡¯t speak through their heaving breathing. After the first two weeks had passed, they finally learned to accept their lot, if grudgingly. They had yet to encounter a single beast on their journey, and Noah couldn¡¯t shake the sense of foreboding that grew with each passing day. To him, it was like the hairs that stand on end when a storm is brewing. There was a tangible anticipation in the air as if even the mountain knew of the coming chaos. The others seemed oblivious to this, however, and he had been content to allow them their ignorance. When black rock turned to snow-laden ground and the third week passed, his attitude shifted. Somehow, he knew that once they crossed that invisible threshold, there would be hell to pay if they went in unaware.

    In an unusual event, he called them to stop before the sun had set, and they set up camp in the snow. Noah built a fire and used the last bit of salted meat to make a stew. It was the first time they would have a hot meal on their journey. Jergin, Kyle, and Gerald watched Noah with growing anxiety as they wondered over the sudden change in his demeanor. The three, especially Gerald, had taken time to fall into line and acknowledge Noah as their leader, but his stoic consistency and relentless pace had left little room for argument. Thus, seeing the visible concern in his expression planted seeds of doubt even in the heart of the veteran elf. They started as Noah suddenly cleared his throat.

    ¡°Ahem. The meal is ready; dish up,¡± he instructed. They complied, their rumbling stomachs winning out over their concern. Once Noah had settled in with a steaming bowl, he sighed deeply, looking up into the stars.

    ¡°I fear something¡ªunpleasant lies ahead. The fact that we have seen no signs of beasts or swarms is alarming enough, but there is also a strange impetus in the air. If my predictions are correct, then we will encounter true danger in the next leg of our journey. We have yet to fight together, and I wish we had the opportunity to wet our blades in less dire circumstances, but that will not be the case. To remedy this, we will spend the evening sparring and readying our bodies and reflexes for the fights ahead. I have been lax in discipline to this point, but from here on, I expect immediate obedience if I give an order. A second of hesitation may lead to one or more of our deaths.¡± Noah stated. Kyle gulped, Jergin inhaled sharply, and Gerald¡¯s eyes grew determined.

    ¡°When do we start?¡± Gerald asked. Noah smiled and held up a hand.

    ¡°Take your time and eat. We will begin after that,¡± he replied. There were several nods of acknowledgement before they dug into the meal. Noah tried to savor the warm and salty stew, but the twisting in his gut held his attention. This was the first time he had felt this level of wariness. Is it my domain? Or a vision of sorts? He looked over at the others who were entrusted to his care, at Kyle¡ªstill a teenager. He knew that they had already seen battle, but they weren¡¯t prepared for whatever would come next.

    They finished the meal and readied themselves, each opting to start with melee weapons. Noah was grateful that he didn¡¯t have to explain the importance of being prepared for the eventuality of close-quarters combat, even when starting with bows. Jergin wielded a spear while the two archers held short swords. They began in pairs, and Noah opted to use his knives to spare his partner from real injury from his hammer. He was pleasantly surprised at Jergin¡¯s skill level, pushing Noah to use his superior stats to keep up with his movement. He figured that Jergin was near Recter in raw skill, an impressive feat by all standards. Next, he sparred with Kyle and was not nearly as impressed. His openings had openings, and there was little nuance to his striking patterns. Noah made sure to strike often and hard with the pommel of his knife or the edge of his boot to alert Kyle to just how vulnerable his defenses were. Kyle cried out as he was knocked to the ground for the third time, no doubt with sore ribs from the latest blow. Soon they rotated again for the final match up.

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    Gerald had a unique fighting style, moving far more gracefully than the others could hope to. He focused on strange footwork patterns and avoiding blows rather than deflecting them. It took Noah a minute to work out his weak points and another to land blows to emphasize them. This was encouraging to Noah, until he saw the surprise in Gerald¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°How did you manage to hit me? This should be an impenetrable defense!¡± the elf huffed in frustration. Noah frowned, knowing there was no way the elf was so naive.

    ¡°I am going to pretend you didn¡¯t say that. Your fancy footwork is decent, but the blindspots became apparent after just a couple minutes of sparring.¡± Noah replied. The elf sighed in exasperation.

    ¡°Again,¡± Gerald demanded, settling back into a fighting stance. Noah obliged, and they returned to their match. This time, he made sure to thoroughly trounce the elf, not wanting to leave any illusion of invulnerability in the elf¡¯s mind. Gerald proved to be persistent as he climbed to his feet time and time again, having passed from fury to cold determination after the first several bouts. Noah was impressed with his endurance and his stubborn streak, though he wanted to be sure that it wouldn¡¯t get them killed. Gerald was talented for sure, likely one of the best, if not the best, fighters in the settlement. This, however, amounted to little when facing opponents like Noah, who had fought countless life-and-death battles in a never-ending struggle over nearly two years.

    After a particularly powerful strike to his thigh, Gerald stayed on the ground. Noah sheathed the knives at his belt and helped the man to his feet.

    ¡°Done already?¡± he jeered. The elf met his eyes, and Noah saw that the pride and stupidity had faded.

    ¡°I am. I seem to have picked up some dangerous ideas in my time below. Thank you for setting me straight.¡± Gerald said, with a serious expression. Content with his evaluations he whistled to get the others¡¯ attention and waved them over.

    ¡°Next the three of you will fight me simultaneously. I will use my hammer, which I assure you could very well kill you if you let it strike the wrong spot.¡± He said. When he saw the hand that shot up in protest he continued, ¡°The beasts you are about to face will likely be able to kill you in a single blow. If you can¡¯t keep your wits in a fight against me, then you should return to the settlement.¡± he cut in. That was the end of the questions and Kyle steeled himself appropriately for the coming fight.

    The three huddled several paces from Noah and the result was Kyle stowing his sword in exchange for his bow. He took several more steps back and nodded to the others. Noah couldn¡¯t help but smile at the tactical choice, at least Kyle could acknowledge his his strengths and weaknesses.

    Noah signaled the start of the bout and Jergin moved straight toward him. Kyle manuevered to a clear line of sight and Gerald began circling in the opposite direction. Noah observed all of this in a moment as his domain spread over the field. He returned Jergin¡¯s charge and swung his hammer in a wide arc. Jergin jumped back and Noah made use of the momentum to close the distnace and drive a shoulder into the drakon¡¯s side. Before he could follow it up, he dropped into a sprawl as an arrow passed through his previous location. He perceived the approaching steps of Gerald and rolled to the side and up to his feet before sprinting toward the archer. Surprised by his actions, Kyle was left undefended and barely managed to draw his sword before Noah gently stopped his hammer beside his head.

    ¡°Loss!¡± he shouted. Kyle¡¯s eyes were wide as he panted heavily, the sparring proving real enough to bring an awareness of death. The others drew up to them, several moments too late to have made a difference.

    ¡°Again!¡± Noah shouted. The others scrambled to get back into position before Noah sprinted toward Gerald for the first exchange. There matches continued well into the night, most ending quickly as the trio discovered their tactical misconceptions. Noah allowed them a long night of rest after that, knowing that they would need every advantage they could get.

 Vol 2: Chapter 21

    Constant flurries and a pale white sky limited their field of view. They crossed the invisible threshold, and Noah sighed in relief as the denser essence flooded his body. The others had odd smiles, experiencing a pleasant but foreign sensation for the first time. Noah warned them against unnecessary commotion and moved forward with hackles raised. The sensation of impending trouble had increased through the night and now weighed on him like a heavy blanket. He scanned the horizon, squinting in the harsh light, but finding nothing in his limited scope. That was when the smell hit them. A wall of acrid metallic funk filled his nostrils, and he coughed as the biting odor brought tears to his eyes. His heart sped up at the familiar scent, and he noticed the others stiffen in similar realization. Blood.

    It wasn¡¯t until an hour later that they came across the first bodies, the snow dyed red lying as a carpet before them. Disturbed by the mass of beast corpses, Noah led his others due east to sidestep the foul scene. After multiple hours of diversion, he determined that his attempt to avoid the carnage had failed and finally turned north. As the snow picked up, the blood was slowly covered, though every sinking step coated their boots in vicera. Kyle had made a noble effort to restrain himself but eventually lost control over his stomach and retched, a noise that interrupted the silent graveyard. Noah froze, straining his ears for any sign of reaction or approach. There was none. With a tense sigh, they continued forward, each hearing the racing beat of their hearts as they neared whatever had caused the devastation.

    White knuckles were hidden under gauntleted hands as they clutched their weapons far too tightly. Noah constantly extended his domain, using it as an early-alert defence against hidden foes. Uneven lumps of snow were all that remained of the fallen beasts now, far too many to have been consumed for food. Hours passed, and the day turned to night, but they didn¡¯t stop. They would find no rest among the dead nor would they be able to sleep with the threat looming an unknown distance away. As the snow ceased and clouds dissipated, the bright stars illuminated the night alongside a chilling red aurora. It was fitting he supposed as he stared at the river of red in the sky. It was the first time that he had seen the phenomena in the new world and it filled him with dread. Despite whatever symbolic meaning it carried, Jergin found himself in awe, never having seen such a sight.

    ¡°There is fire in the sky!¡± he exclaimed, momentarily forgetting their silence. ¡°Only a dragon could fill the night with this visage,¡± he mused, his eyes wide as an involuntary smile turned his lips upward.

    ¡°It is a sign indeed,¡± declared Gerald as he stepped into place beside the drakon. Kyle also appreciated the sight, though his admiration was broken up with fearful glances at their surroundings.

    ¡°It is beautiful,¡± Noah admitted, figuring that any enemy nearby would have heard the others¡¯ exclamations. ¡°I only hope that it is a sign of fortune and not of peril.¡± The others nodded in muted agreement. They continued through the night, keeping a steady jogging pace, wanting to cover the distance while maintaining battle-readiness.

    An hour after the sun rose in the east, they heard a sound like thunder in the distance. Noah¡¯s heart skipped a beat and his mind snapped to attention. Minutes later, the sound came again. Though they had better visibility, they could not make out the source of the noise. Adrenaline coursed through them, and they picked up speed without meaning to, making their way ever north. Noah knew that they had several more weeks of travel ahead of them and found it unlikely that they would make it past whatever creature lay ahead. So, instead of seeking distance or waiting it out, they moved toward the sound. The thundering booms continued every couple minutes until they suddenly stopped after a roar of anguish echoed across the mountain. It had been a fight.

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    After a span of silence, a loud rumbling permeated the air, along with a constant vibration in the earth. Minutes passed before the beasts finally came into sight. Of course. If Recter and Ta¡¯Ku were present they would have recognized the beasts immediately. Before them was an endless horde of bulls, each with coppery skin and hulking bodies. After several minutes, they caught a flash of red, high above the shoulders of the others. An enraged lowing filled the air, and the herd of cattle came to a stop. Gusts of wind that Noah swore came from the beast''s nostrils were all that could be heard for a tense heartbeat. Then, the massive red bull turned in their direction and let out a loud, rumbling bellow.

    At first, the charge was slow, but it quickly developed into a stampede that shook the earth. As Noah looked on, he briefly wondered if he should just accept his fate. This nihilistic musing was interrupted by the frantic yelling of Kyle.

    ¡°Noah! Noah! What do we do?¡± the boy demanded. Noah woke from his stupor and gritted his teeth. He scanned the area for any favorable terrain but came up empty. Part of him wondered why the herd hadn¡¯t passed into the higher realm yet, as he had predicted on their trip down the mountain. He supposed that it was possible they simply wanted to claim this area, or perhaps that not all of their number had reached Copper, but the sheer amount of bodies strewn across the frozen expanse gave him pause. It was as if every other horde had served as fodder for the one before him, and he could hardly imagine the quantity of XP that had been transferred in the process. What do I do? We can¡¯t outrun them, nor can we hope to fight them all and come out the other side.

    The stampede didn¡¯t wait for his deliberation, and Noah found that he didn¡¯t have the luxury of choice. He turned to the others and saw them shaking in terror. No. It can¡¯t end like this. Not for Kyle, not for any of us.

    ¡°Weapons at the ready!¡± he shouted, far louder than he normally would have. The trembling trio started and were momentarily stunned before grasping the meaning of his words. They all withdrew their weapons, the two ranged fighters favoring swords over bows for this exchange. Once Noah saw their readiness, he spoke again.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to lie. This will be a long and treacherous battle¡ªone that could end for any of us in a single moment of error. Listen carefully if you want a chance to survive. I will stand at the front and receive the charge, and you will form a line directly behind me. Do not allow yourself to get impaled upon passing beasts by stepping out of line. Our only hope will be to form a position with the bodies of the fallen beasts. I have done this before to some success, and the durability and mass of the bulls should prove up to the task. If you strike, strike quick, and be ready to release your weapon if it gets stuck in a passing beast. If you fall to the ground, it is unlikely that you will make it,¡± Noah stated. ¡°Understood?¡± The three shouted their agreement and stepped into file behind Noah as the stampede neared.

    Noah made sure to watch for the lead beast and was relieved to find it watching from the back of the herd. While that pointed to additional cunning and intelligence, it may also provide an opportunity for the four to gain a foothold in the battle.

    Noah stood tall before the others and hefted his shining black hammer. To a human, he would have been a terrifying sight, appearing as a jet-black, humanoid dragon. When the first bull was 50 yards away, he lurched forward into a full sprint, closing the distance in moments. His hammer whistled through the air as he swung with all his might. The crunch of the impact could be felt throughout Noah¡¯s body and was audible to the others as they ran several feet behind him. The bull¡¯s momentum was brought to zero in an instant and the hammer drove its thick skull a foot into the dirt. Noah stared in amazement at his weapon for a brief moment before the next bull toppled over the new tripping hazard. He swung again, this time diagonally, sending the bull careening into oncoming beasts. It caused several others to topple as they failed to stop or step aside in time. It was only thanks to his domain that he registered the bull that came from his blindspot, and he spun with hammer in hand, meeting the charging bull¡¯s horn with his weapon. The horn fractured and his hammer continued forward, slamming into its head. Before he could follow up the attack, Jergin plunged his spear into the beast''s neck, silencing any further resistance. Noah looked up into a sea of bronze muscle and grinned. Perhaps they had a chance.

 Vol 2: Chapter 22

    Noah found himself looking at a familiar scene, one so vile and disturbing that his earthen self would have faltered from the sight alone. Now, however, he found the budding barricade of bull bodies reassuring as he faced the charging beasts. The sound of retching behind him was mostly drowned out by the thundering hooves, but he still felt for the young man who was having his first true dance with death. Unlike his sickly companion, he was just getting into step and batted away the next bull with a half-hearted hammer strike. He was quite pleased with his new weapon; the enchantment was a thing of beauty, delivering far too much force for physicists to be comfortable with. As another two hulking beasts settled into their place as a fleshy wall, he finally had enough attention to notice the System notifications coming through.

    [10,000 XP Gained.]

    [10,000 XP Gained.]

    [5,000 XP Gained.]

    [10,000 XP Gained.]

    The numbers were satisfying as always, no doubt even more so to his companions, who needed only a paltry 1,000 XP to level. They would no doubt reach high heights in the battle, hopefully paving their path to Copper. That was, of course, if they made it out. The wall was of sufficient height and mass now that though it was being rammed into, it only moved in a slow dragging slide across the red snow. Noah took a moment to look at the others who were dutifully lined up behind him, noting that only Jergin had a bloodied weapon so far.

    ¡°Jergin, level up and assign your points while you can. It won¡¯t hurt to have a little extra oomph.¡± Noah yelled. Jergin nodded and Noah turned back to the front. He swung his hammer in an overhead arc, connecting with the skull of the beast directly opposite him across the barrier. Like whack-o-mole, he delivered several more of the stuck beasts to their final end. The herd had pressed several of the bulls into the barrier, leaving them rather open to his attacks. He directed the other three to take the easy kills while he prepared for the bulls smart enough to circle around the sides. The first of such creatures looked a bit different than the others; its hide had a darker red hue than the typical bronze. It didn¡¯t charge immediately, seeming to take Noah in as it stepped in a semi-circle around the opening. Suddenly, its eyes glinted, and it sprung forward, its muscles visibly shifting as it forced its massive body into a sprint. Noah lacked the option to dodge or maneuver with the other behind him, so he responded to the attack with a full-body swing of his hammer. The result was arm-numbing as the impossibly hard skull of the beast resisted the blunt force. It seemed that despite the skull¡¯s integrity, the brain could withstand such a blow¨Cevidenced by the eyes that rolled back into the beast''s skull.

    [100,000 XP]

    On some occasions, that number would have been a pleasant sight. Instead, it provoked a grimace as he considered facing several hundred such beasts. He figured he would follow his own advice and pulled up his status to level and assign points.

    Status

    Name: Noah Denter

    Race: Human

    Grade: C

    Domain: Proximal

    Caste: Copper

    Gate: 3

    Path: Adept

    Level: 253

    Strength: 1332

    Dexterity:1332

    Constitution: 596

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    Intelligence:50

    Wisdom: 100

    Willpower: 50

    XP: 143,000/10,000

    Essence: 0/10,000,000

    Stat points available: 0

    Now the hard part, Noah thought as he applied the 14 levels. That gave him 42 free points on top of the 112 to both strength and dexterity. As much as it hurt him, he resisted throwing the points into constitution immediately. While he knew he was reaching a critical disparity between strength and constitution, the most glaring gap was still in his software elements. It was the worst possible time for a revelation but as he considered his stats, a certain incongruency through his thought process for a loop. Julie had invested primarily in the mental stats and somehow still failed to draw the basic conclusions that Noah had reached so early on. He shook his head as he realized the issue with his logic. He had already believed that the world was in peril before his stat disparity completely ruined his judgment. She however, had firmly believed that it wasn¡¯t enough of an issue for her to take action. Perhaps wisdom and intelligence weren¡¯t as faultless as he had suspected, as the emotions and desires of the person determined the directions that they would truly consider. It could also be that the lack of physical or hardware stats had caused her to favor inaction personally.

    Ultimately, he decided to take a balanced approach to his allocation and assigned 12 points to constitution and 10 to the others. He was rudely interrupted from his reverie as a trio of bulls broke from the surrounding storm into their eye of protection. Noah didn¡¯t see any obvious indication of greater strength like the previous opponent, so he charged the group who seemed somewhat surprised to see their signature move turned against them. Untrained in counter-hammer defense, the three dutifully joined their compatriots in the growing wall of beef. Noah had no illusions that this tactic was anything more than a stopgap measure, but he would use it as long as they allowed.

    ~

    Across the field, Goliath watched as his brothers stamped, trampled, and annihilated the pests. He wore a smug look and snorted in pleasure as the infiltrators were driven into oblivion. He wasn¡¯t like the others he had met, their morals and ideals twisted by the System. No, he was a purebred, a true bull of bulls. He wouldn¡¯t allow his pride to drive him too fast, too soon, crossing the barrier between realms only to be enslaved. He had seen it, too; even some of his own brothers had fallen for the trap of quick gains. He wasn¡¯t a muscle-brained fool like those crossbreed Angus that now served some deer¡¯s every whim. No, he was a bull of culture, a pristine Gallardo, praised by man and bull alike. He had never been broken by rider nor by the red-rage illusions of man and now he led his herd with a wise head upon his beefy shoulders. As he watched the men succumb to his mighty stampede, an irregularity occurred. He squinted, barely making out a disturbance in the sea of moving bodies. As the picture came into focus, his eye twitched. They¡¯re alive?

    He watched as Limo, one of the stronger brothers, made his way to intercept the two-legged abominations. He had every bit of confidence in Limo, knowing that he was close to yet another breakthrough. Goliath moved until he had a clear view of the human facing off against his brother, snorting in laughter as the man failed to dodge. There was a mighty boom as the man¡¯s weapon met Limo¡¯s iron skull, and Goliath winced as he imagined the headache that would result. To his horror, Limo slumped to the ground while the two-leg remained standing. No! Limo!

    He wanted to charge in and face the terrible man, but caution stayed his wrath. Limo hadn¡¯t been weak; in fact, there were only a couple that could match him in strength and durability. No, if Limo failed, it was because this man was very powerful. It was too late to call off the first pass of the stampede, but he could stop the second. He watched with grief as several more brave brothers confronted the man. Just a few more seconds, and it will be over. Goliath assured himself as the herd finished their charge and began turning for the second pass. He sprinted forward, quickly catching up with the herd and standing in between them and the interlopers. In his heart, he knew that it was his own folly that had led to his brothers¡¯ deaths and to the heartbroken heifers awaiting their return. He had acted like just another mindless beast, hungry for power. The truth made him burn with shame, but he refused to allow further death. He would attempt to parlay with the man and his herd, and perhaps they could find a peaceful resolution.

    ~

    Noah prepared himself for the next charge, ready to leap behind cover like he had in the battle against the demon spawn atop the mountain. He watched as the herd began to turn, making a full circle as they turned back toward him. He gripped his hammer, allowing his domain to seep into the weapon that had already more than proven its worth. Out of nowhere, the massive red bull stormed the battlefield, cutting a line between Noah and the herd. Noah tensed as he examined the hulking figure, already planning how to best counter the inevitable charge. He waited for a long moment. Then another. The charge never came.

    The bull turned to face Noah, still some 50 yards away, and lowered its head like a snowplow to the pavement. Noah frowned at the odd behavior and was then struck dumb by the voice that followed.

    ¡°Forgive me, mighty one. I have made a grave mistake in assaulting you.¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 23

    ¡°Sorry, what was that?¡± Asked an incredulous Noah, staring open-mouthed at the giant red bull. The prostrating bull stood back up and met Noah¡¯s gaze.

    ¡°Ahem. I was apologizing, for attacking you. I did not properly ascertain your capabilities and assumed you were another one of the fodder.¡± Goliath explained. Noah nodded.

    ¡°I see. So let me get this straight. You are apologizing because I am too strong to kill easily and you want to call off the battle?¡± he asked. The bull nodded emphatically.

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Goliath exclaimed. Noah rubbed his temples, taken completely off guard by the development.

    ¡°I believe we can agree to end our fighting. What is your name?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°Very good, very good,¡± the bull said, his head bobbing in satisfaction. ¡°My name is Goliath and this is my herd. Who are you, human?¡± he replied.

    ¡°Its¡­ Good to meet you, Goliath. I am Noah, sovereign of Ro¡¯Kar, a nearby territory across the realm boundary.¡± Noah explained. Goliath¡¯s eyes went wide and he once more assumed a posture of penitence.

    ¡°I am so sorry, Your Grace!¡± he shouted. ¡°I had no idea that you were a ruler in the upper realm! Please don¡¯t enslave my people!¡± Goliath begged. Noah¡¯s frown grew as he considered the bull¡¯s words.

    ¡°Why would I enslave you?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Ah. We are not even worthy of being your slaves¡­ Please spare us then, we won¡¯t cause any more trouble!¡± Goliath cried.

    ¡°What, no! I wouldn¡¯t enslave you because I don¡¯t like slavery. I only take willing citizens into my kingdom.¡± Noah refuted. The bull¡¯s eyebrows rose along with his head.

    ¡°Truly? Then you are opposed to the tyrant deer¡¯s ways? I assumed every ruler was like her.¡± Goliath mused.

    ¡°Eh, yes. I find her ways repulsive. She enslaved one of my friends and I will not allow such practices in my lands. We are currently allies, however, as our lands are neighboring and it pays to have someone watching your back.¡± Noah explained. He didn¡¯t know why he was sharing so much with his enemy of moments prior but he found it oddly refreshing to speak with the bull.

    ¡°That is such a relief to hear. I have been looking for a kingdom that I could join ever since my first brother dueled the maleficent deer and became her eternal slave. May we join your kingdom then?¡± Goliath asked. Noah was stunned into baffled silence, his jaw working like an automatic door.

    ¡°You want to join my kingdom?¡± He finally managed. The bull nodded.

    ¡°Yes, is that too presumptuous? We would do our best to earn our keep!¡± Goliath said. Noah¡¯s mind raced as he considered the possibility. Beasts in my kingdom? It shouldn¡¯t be a problem¡­

    ¡°I am willing to allow you to join, but first I have to make it clear that you will have to swear an oath of loyalty just like every other member of my kingdom. It is not like Jeline¡¯s but will require you to swear non-aggression to others within the kingdom. You will be allowed to leave as you wish, but you would never be allowed to rejoin.¡± Noah cautioned. Goliath appeared to mull over his words.

    ¡°That sounds reasonable. What of my brothers, will they be able to join as well?¡± he asked. Noah was about to agree when a piece of history jumped into his mind. In medieval times it had been common for kingdoms to take on subordinate groups as vassal states who held some amount of autonomy while still being loyal to the greater power. Would the system allow that? It would certainly make things easier. Though I wonder if I will gain one follower or all of them. He figured it was worth trying, and found Goliath and his herd to be the perfect case study.

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    ¡°Goliath, you and your herd will become a vassal clan of my kingdom. I will give you land of your own, that you will be required to develop and protect. You will be allowed to expand into new territory as you wish but will remain subject to my authority. Does that sound amenable?¡± Noah asked. Goliath nodded slowly.

    ¡°That sounds too good to be true. Why would you allow that?¡± Goliath asked.

    ¡°I do not wish to manage your every action, but I must expand my kingdom. It is better for me if you can accomplish my goals in a way that is satisfactory to us both without constant oversight. With the loyalty oath I know you will work in my best interests, so that concern isn¡¯t applicable. It is like a pyramid scheme, except you also get what you want!¡± Noah said, holding back the chuckle that threatened to escape. In this case, it really was similar to the multi-level marketing business he had seen on Earth. Perhaps with the right motivation he could get more of his people to grow their own kingdoms while also growing his. If I have ten Bronze vassals, would that make me silver?

    If Goliath understood what his references met, he showed no sign of discomfort at the concept and appeared only excited about the prospect.

    ¡°I agree to this! How do we proceed?¡± Goliath asked. Noah then explained the oath Goliath would swear to, changing the words to reflect the change in the contract. He would swear fealty on behalf of his clan as a whole, to include all future members in perpetuity. The trio of stunned onlookers watched in wonderment as their enemies cowed in the face of their leader, and they whispered amongst themselves, debating the frequency in which Noah received this kind of treatment.

    ¡°... I Goliath do swear, by the System.¡± he finished.

    [Vassal state acquired. Unnamed state {621 followers}.]

    [Followers: 3312 / 10,000.]

    Noah smiled as he read the notification. The number had gone up since he last looked, reflecting the addition of the human settlement and perhaps some of the scattered elves, as well as his newest citizens. He was making good headway on his goal and was feeling rather satisfied at that moment.

    ¡°Is it done?¡± Goliath asked, looking at Noah in anticipation. Noah nodded.

    ¡°It is. Are your people ready to find their new home?¡± he asked. Goliath agreed and the group started toward the boundary. Cattle acquired.

    Another week passed before they reached the border and Noah was pleased to see that the temporary village that his tribe had lived in was now empty, perhaps allowed to remain as a staging point for future parties traveling to the kingdom. On the outskirts of the city Noah found a sign that was obviously meant for him.

    It read ¡®Northwest, two weeks¡¯ with an arrow pointing in that direction. He spoke briefly with Goliath, explaining that they would rest for the night before starting again the following morning. He joined his companions who had already busied themselves with a fire. A large slab of meat roasted on a spit, giving off an intoxicating aroma. While he had been unsure about Goliath¡¯s reaction, the bull had assured him that it was only right to make the most use of his fallen brothers. Noah lost all sense of guilt when he took the first bite, letting out a moan as he tore into mouthwatering beef. The others had been somewhat reserved after the battle, and Noah chalked it up to the shock of their first true near-death exposure. That or the whiplash of having your enemies become your friends in a moment. Now provided with a moment of rest and a hearty portion of warm food, lips were finally loosed.

    ¡°Noah, how did you do that?¡± Kyle asked. Noah¡¯s head tilted in confusion and Kyle explained. ¡°How did you make the bulls turn to your side? They could have killed us! You said so yourself.¡± Noah shrugged.

    ¡°From what I gathered, Goliath didn¡¯t find the potential losses worth it, so he tried diplomacy. It was a smart way for him to acheive his goal too, I certainly didn¡¯t consider diplomacy as an option.¡± Noah mused. Kyle just stared at him.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that seem crazy to you?¡± he asked. Noah made a ¡®so-so¡¯ gesture with his hands.

    ¡°Honestly, that doesn¡¯t even come close to what I consider crazy anymore. I am just happy that we¡¯re alive to think about it!¡± Noah laughed, finding his humor not quite connecting with the others.

    ¡°I see why Recter called you the most worthy.¡± Jergin said with a sigh. Gerald nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Terrifying as well. Your enemies bow before you and jump on the chance to join your ranks. Balkendar never stood a chance.¡± Gerald muttered. The tension broke as a reluctant chuckle came from the three, sounding like shell-shocked soldiers who decided to move forward. Noah departed from the group after a couple hours had passed and found a quiet corner for himself. He took a clean cloth from his pack and dutifully polished his hammer until it sparkled again. Part of him knew that it would be natural to be shaken after their experience, but he wasn''t. It was the same way he felt about the overwhelming odds before them as if no matter what came their way, everything would work itself out in the end.

 Vol 2: Chapter 24

    Noah woke up feeling refreshed, the essence-rich air revitalizing his body. He noticed the others still out cold, a soft hissing coming from Jergin and a rather un-elflike snore rattled from Gerald. Kyle appeared to have rolled in his sleep, no doubt troubled by the previous day¡¯s events. Noah took a deep breath of the dewy morning air and sighed. He added some small twigs to the fire and hung a pot on the tripod, filling it with water. Reaching into his pack, he withdrew a leather pouch that held a ceramic container inside and poured a generous portion of its powered contents into the pot. He contentedly stirred until it reached a boil and poured the light brown liquid into his favorite, and only, metal mug. Now with beverage in hand, he grabbed a stool and made his way to the edge of camp, finding a spot with a stunning view of the northern scenery.  As he gazed at the rolling green hills he took a sip of the steaming brew.

    ¡°Ah¡­¡± It was oddly difficult to find moments like this in the new world, even without the distractions of modern technology and communication. He took another sip. It wasn¡¯t coffee, but it also wasn¡¯t trying to be, so it got points for that. It was a blend of powdered tree bark and spices that were reminiscent of cinnamon and clove making for a pleasant earthy taste with a kick. The woman who sold him the pleasant drink had been called it ocha. Noah was hit by a wave of nostalgia as he stared out at the mountain beyond the hills. It looked nothing like Mt. Rainer and yet he was taken back to that moment in the squad car, the day the world had changed. He hadn¡¯t really thought about the odd circumstances of the arrest and realized he probably should have questioned the officers more before going with them. Not that it mattered now. He also thought about the gate guardian and found it odd that he hadn¡¯t seen any sign of the mystical figure in his other advancements. Perhaps he would try to speak with the being the next time he meditated. Images of his family flashed through his mind unbidden as he considered his life before. He wondered how his parents were, if they had survived past the first couple weeks or if they had been spared from the drawn-out harshness of this new life. He also wondered about his siblings, wanting to believe that they were still around, but finding it hard to believe given their lifestyles before the change. His family had been very wealthy and hadn¡¯t been shy about it. Perhaps if they were transported with their paid bodyguards and somehow convinced them to remain in service¡­ Noah chuckled.

    His mind then turned to the woman in his dreams, the woman his heart seemed to recognize instinctually. Is she really my mom? His heart ached in that familiar way as he considered her. If she was his mom, then he desperately wanted to meet her. That of course brought a number of questions to mind, all of which he had no answers to. Then there was the other girl that had visited his dreams of late.

    She was younger, perhaps his age, though it was hard to say for sure. She had long brown hair held in a different style every time, and light brown eyes that seemed to gaze at him with curious affection. He knew he had never met her before, but for some reason, she seemed real, just like his mother. She never spoke or made any indication of his awareness, only watched him, as if oblivious to his attempts to communicate with her. It was too odd a dream to dismiss, yet there was no call to action or warning to heed. Instead, he simply took in her face, committing her features to memory just in case it served a purpose down the road. For some reason, these dreams always left him feeling a pang of loss as they ended, as if missing yet another person he didn¡¯t know. It made him aware of his own loneliness, and a longing for something more. He had many acquaintances, and companions that he had fought beside through perilous straits, but he lacked the love and familiarity of a family.

    He heard stirring in the camp and downed the rest of the ocha before returning to the others. They shared a quick meal and left to meet with Goliath and the herd, who had bedded down in the nearby fields. Goliath was up and ready and soon everyone was moving. They ran through the grassy landscape at the fastest pace Kyle could manage, still being the slowest in the group. Each of them had reached Copper, having gained over 50 levels from the fight, but it hadn¡¯t been enough to close the distance with Noah or the bulls. Noah knew that it would only take a single chance encounter with a powerful beast to tip the scale though, remembering just how fast he had advanced in key moments. They ate meals of dried rations and meat they cooked through night as they ran, resting only after dark. At they traveled Noah shared what he had learned about stat imbalances, essence, and the Gates, and he attempted to meditate but found his mind drifting. He would likely need a new bout of inspiration before he could make any real progress toward the next Gate.

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    They ran for two weeks, and Noah was getting excited to see the progress his tribe had made. The others were excited for other reasons, looking like they were ready to fall asleep where they stood by the end of each day. They had long since lost their courage to protest the pace, and would run until they dropped, at which point Noah would carry them until they rested for the night. They had invested their points more broadly, and lacked the levels to push their endurance for so long. It was with great joy that the group crested the final hill, revealing the budding kingdom set within a large valley. Noah stood atop the hill and beamed, taking in the sights.

    Many buildings were arranged in a large circle with a single large structure in the center. The center building was circular and was constructed from the same type of brick that made up the rest of the buildings. He could see several rectangular structures near the outskirts of the small town, one of which had black smoke rising from its chimney. Perhaps the smithy. He thought as he noticed it. There was no wall that he could see, not that one would make sense in the valley. In addition to the buildings, there was a long winding river that ran through the valley from the North and passed just east of the homes through what appeared to be tilled fields. He smiled at that, imagining the prospect of fresh produce or grain. He noticed several people moving toward him and waved, running to meet them. He had asked Goliath to settle in the south end of the valley for the time being while they determined the best place for their own kingdom.

    The group was led by Ne¡¯Ja who quickly smiled upon recognizing Noah. She and the other carried bows and spears and Noah guessed that they had been on a patrol.

    ¡°Ne¡¯Ja! It¡¯s good to see you!¡± Noah said, wrapping her in an embrace. She hugged him back before speaking.

    ¡°You as well, my chief. Where are Ta¡¯Ku and Recter?¡± she asked. Noah smiled.

    ¡°They will be joining with others later, I have a lot to share with you. Once we are settled I will explain what has happened,¡± he answered. She nodded and looked at the others.

    ¡°And who are you?¡± she asked, looking pointedly at his weary companions.

    ¡°I¡¯m Gerald, former captain of the watch in the settlement below.¡± Gerald offered.

    ¡°Jergin!¡± said Jergin, grasping her forearm in a warriors embrace.

    ¡°I¡¯m Kyle, a friend of Noah¡¯s.¡± Kyle said, looking somewhat sheepish as he addressed her. Noah laughed.

    ¡°These were the strongest people from the settlement, so I decided to take them with me. More will be coming in time as they reach Copper. You have heard of Jergin from my last journey and obviously you would know of Kyle. Gerald was a chance encounter and I found him to be one of the more levelheaded of his folk.¡± Noah explained. Ne¡¯Ja greeted each of them in turn before turning to look at the herd of gigantic bulls grazing nearby.

    ¡°And them?¡± she asked. Noah grinned.

    ¡°Those are our newest citizens! Goliath is their leader and we will give them their own plot of land once we decide on a suitable location. I planned to discuss that with you and Un¡¯Dal this evening,¡± he replied.

    ¡°I see,¡± she said, rubbing the back of her head. ¡°Well, you are all probably tired and hungry if No¡¯Ah still keeps the same pace he used to. This way.¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 25

    Ne¡¯Ja led the group through the town, toward the center of the circle along one of the main roads that ran in the cardinal directions. As they walked, Noah realized that a majority of the buildings were empty homes, all made in the same manner. When he asked Ne¡¯Ja about them, she explained that they built them in anticipation of their growing population. It wasn¡¯t until they had passed well into the town that they encountered the first occupied homes, evident by the flickering lights from within and the smoke trailing from the roofs. Several familiar faces made an appearance as they neared the center of town, and they found Un¡¯Dal waiting for them in front of one of the houses in the innermost circle. The center ring of buildings looked a bit like a compass, made of four quadrants with three houses each. In the center was a large two-story circular structure with ample space on all sides for traffic. They approached Un¡¯Dal who waved and smiled warmly as they drew near.

    ¡°No¡¯Ah! Welcome home!¡± he greeted, extending an arm.

    ¡°Un¡¯Dal, I¡¯m glad to be back! So much has changed!¡± Noah said, returning his gesture.

    ¡°Much indeed, we will have a lot to discuss once you settle in. For now, we have prepared a place for your guests,¡± he said, leading them into the house. The house was one large room with something like a kitchenette near the brick fireplace, a table, several benches, and brick shelves. The floor was also brick, covered in several tanned hides, giving it a homey touch. Noah was surprised to see the lack of beds however, and turned to ask when he saw Un¡¯Dal grinning giddily as he he bent down to the floor. He grasped a small metal handle that looked like a door knocker and pulled, revealing a ladder that went down into another candle-lit room. Noah smirked and eagerly followed Un¡¯Dal into the lower room.

    Noah examined the new space and was surprised to find that it was square in shape, and at least 50 percent larger than the one above. The room was a pleasant temperature, noticeably cooler, and had three partitioned areas with cots, nightstands, and chests. The fourth quadrant was a common area with several chairs and a coffee table as well as racks with fur blankets and pillows.

    ¡°And finally, the cellar!¡± Un¡¯Dal said with a flourish as he pulled open another trap door. They climbed down another ladder into a dark room, and Un¡¯Dal lit a lamp on the wall. Noah shivered as he stepped onto the cold brick floor. The room was mostly bare save for the shelving along three of the walls and an odd brick-laden trench butting against the other.

    ¡°What is this?¡± Noah asked, examining the construction.

    ¡°Ah, that is a project we are working on still, though we have run into some logistical hang-ups. It will eventually carry running water through the cellar of each home, further cooling the food storage areas and providing access to fresh water.¡± Un¡¯Dal explained. Noah grinned.

    ¡°That¡¯s amazing. What issues have you run into?¡± Noah replied.

    ¡°For starters, there¡¯s the matter of keeping the water clean. Bringing water into the home creates waste water to get rid of. Our first thought was to create two separate canals, one for clean and one for dirty but the amount of work and materials that would take is astounding. Our next thought was to create public bathing houses with their own system which has been working so far, but takes away from the utility of in-home plumbing.¡± Un¡¯Dal explained. Noah nodded, considering the issue. He had enjoyed the long showers back in the human settlement but hadn¡¯t asked about how they worked. He turned to others, raising an eyebrow. Kyle shrugged and Jergin shook his head.

    ¡°Ah, I do know how it worked but I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t like the solution.¡± Gerald spoke up. Noah grunted.

    ¡°Let me guess, magic?¡± Gerald nodded.

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    ¡°A rather clever bit of enchanting that one of the crafters came up with, before teaching the rest how to replicate the feat. It filtered out non-water components into a compact solid that was collected on occasion and used for other purposes,¡± the elf explained. Huh, another Matt original no doubt.

    ¡°Well in that case it won¡¯t be a problem for long. More people will be joining us in the coming months as they reach Copper. We can put off the finer bits of crafting until they arrive.¡± Noah supplied.

    ¡°That¡¯s good news. Shall we finish the tour, then?¡± Un¡¯Dal asked. Noah nodded and the orc pointed out a stash of dried meats and a wide ceramic basin of water that had been prepared for them. He then led them back to the surface where Noah and Un¡¯Dal left the weary trio to sleep and recover from the run. Noah followed Un¡¯Dal to a nearby house in the northeast quadrant. Ne¡¯Ja was waiting just outside the door carrying a basket.

    ¡°This house is yours, Chief No¡¯Ah. Would it be alright if we had out meeting here?¡± Un¡¯Dal asked. He nodded.

    ¡°Of course, let¡¯s go in,¡± he replied. The three stepped into his new home and he found it looked quite similar to the other, perhaps with an extra hide or two spread out across the floor. There was also a larger table with individual chairs rather than benches where they got situated. The fire was already burning and it was obvious that someone had been taking care of the place for him. He looked at the two for a long moment.

    ¡°Thank you both for all you¡¯ve done. I have only seen a little and I am already amazed.¡± Noah said, doing his best to convey his sincerity as he made eye contact with both of them.

    ¡°It¡¯s only right. We can¡¯t have the kingdom of Ro¡¯Kar looking like a dump.¡± Ne¡¯Ja replied, her eyes betraying a hint of sadness. Un¡¯Dal nodded.

    ¡°I agree, and we are just getting started. To be honest, I much prefer this kind of work over the relentless battles that have held our attention this past year. I know there is more blood in our future, but I hope there is more homemaking as well. In fact, I heard interesting news on that front.¡± Un¡¯Dal finished. Noah¡¯s eyebrows raised.

    ¡°On which front?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Homemaking! Shu¡¯La and Tu¡¯Bin just gave us the news that she is pregnant, the very first birth in the new world. I had started to fear that our ability to have children was taken away by the System, but perhaps it was only made more difficult.¡± Un¡¯Dal mused. Noah¡¯s mouth dropped open. In all of the chaos, he had completely forgotten the possibility, not that he had much reason to consider it. He knew there were couples in the tribe, but the thought of babies scared him.

    ¡°This world is not safe for children¡­¡± Noah mumbled. Ne¡¯Ja¡¯s face turned stormy and she glared at Noah.

    ¡°Then we will make it safe,¡± she stated, her voice steely. Noah raised his hands.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean anything by my comment. I just hadn¡¯t considered what raising children would look like in the middle of all this,¡± he explained. Ne¡¯Ja¡¯s gaze remained hard and he didn¡¯t quite understand what he did wrong. He looked to Un¡¯Dal for some indication but found a scowl on his face as well.

    ¡°There will always be danger in life; raiders come, beasts kill, and other clans start wars. But children are a gift to be celebrated, regardless of the times. To respond with concerns before joy is wrong!¡± Ne¡¯Ja shouted, looking more angry than he had ever seen her. Before he could respond, Un¡¯dal spoke up.

    ¡°She is right, No¡¯Ah. I am glad that Shu¡¯La and Tu¡¯Bin were not present to hear your words. They would have been devastated to hear their chief curse this momentous occasion. Perhaps it is different for humans, but for us, this is very important and I ask that you choose your words more carefully in the future.¡± Un¡¯Dal explained. Noah found his calm and collected words even more cutting than Ne¡¯Ja¡¯s impassioned ones. He had never seen either of them this put off and did his best to remedy the situation.

    ¡°Please forgive me, I did not stop to consider the differences in our peoples¡¯ perspectives. I would appreciate learning more before I speak with the couple.¡± Noah replied. Ne¡¯Ja let out a huff.

    ¡°What could be so different about your peoples¡¯ perspective?¡± she demanded. Noah winced but decided to share to the best of his ability.

    ¡°My people have mixed feelings about bringing children into the world. Many of them claim that it would not be right to bring a child into a chaotic world, or that it is selfish to increase the demands on society with another person. Many are simply too afraid to raise children, saying that they are inexperienced or do not have the right circumstances. For these reasons, many people choose not to have children.¡± Noah explained. Un¡¯Dal stared at him in wide-eyed horror and Ne¡¯Ja jumped to her feet, her face turning dark red as she marched up to Noah. He turned his head just in time to catch the ire in her eyes.

    SMACK!

 Vol 2: Chapter 26

    SMACK!

    Noah fell out of his chair as a searing pain radiated across his face. He stared up at the raging berserker standing over him, being held back by a similarly fuming Un¡¯Dal.

    ¡°Ne¡¯Ja wait, he is still our chief. Perhaps we should let him explain before we jump to any conclusions. You know just as well as I that our words do not always translate perfectly,¡± he said. She grunted but reluctantly took her seat again, letting Noah get up on his own.

    ¡°You best explain yourself, No¡¯Ah. Your words are rather condemning.¡± Un¡¯Dal commented. Noah tried to pinpoint which part had caused such a strong reaction.

    ¡°Where should I start?¡± he asked, hoping that was an innocent enough question to avoid another riot.

    ¡°How ¡®bout you start with the part where you play God and decide whether to have children or not.¡± Ne¡¯Ja hissed through clenched teeth. Ah.

    ¡°Are there orcs who have done bad things?¡± he asked. Ne¡¯Ja frowned, squinting at him, but nodded.

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    ¡°Does that mean that you have done bad things?¡± he pressed. She looked at him like he was stupid for a moment before it clicked.

    ¡°You are saying that just because your people have done bad things, it doesn¡¯t mean that you have personally?¡± she asked. He nodded. She considered it for a moment and sighed.

    ¡°You are innocent of these actions?¡± she asked. He thought back over his words, looking for potential errors.

    ¡°I have never been married. Nor have I been with a woman, so I have not considered having children beyond far-off speculation,¡± he explained. Ne¡¯Ja seemed to visibly deflate at his words and Un¡¯Dal let out a long breath.

    ¡°It is rare for our people to get to your age without forming a bond, it seems that we made our own assumptions,¡± Un¡¯Dal replied. ¡°What you have said still reflects very poorly upon your people though, and I wish to understand correctly what you meant by your words. For starters, what do you mean that some choose not to have children? Do they remain alone for their entire lives?¡± Ne¡¯Ja leaned forward, eager for answers as well. Noah had a sinking feeling that they wouldn¡¯t like his explanation.

    He explained what he knew about contraception and the concept of choosing the right time to have children. He shared about modern medicine and the higher survival rate of children, and finally, he mentioned the option of abortion. His words were quickly cut off by Un¡¯Dal as Ne¡¯Ja began to weep fiercely, refusing to acknowledge his presence when he tried to comfort her. Un¡¯Dal tried to look at Noah as something other than a monster but didn¡¯t hide his disgust as well as he imagined. They sat there for some time, the tension never leaving as Noah waited for Ne¡¯Ja to come around.

    Nearly an hour later, her sobs quieted and she looked up at him. The grief in her eyes twisted his gut and nervous sweat dripped down his back.

    ¡°How? How could anyone do that?¡± she cried, her words bringing forth another round of sobs. Noah didn¡¯t have any words to say. It wasn¡¯t that he felt guilty about what he had shared, but something about seeing such an intense reaction gave him pause. What do I do? His intelligence stat failed to supply an answer so he chose to sit there, staying in the moment despite the discomfort. Ne¡¯Ja eventually calmed down again and locked eyes with him, seeming to stare into his soul.

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    ¡°I do not like the thoughts of your people, to me you have forgotten just how precious life is, and I dare not imagine what inspires such practices. However, I have fought with you and have come to trust you. For now, I will attempt to put this difference behind us. It may also be said that I have more reason than most to despise those practices.¡± Ne¡¯Ja whispered. Noah gave her a small, warm smile as he considered her words. More reason than most.

    ¡°May I ask what you meant by your last words?¡± Noah inquired, softly. He saw a tear streak down her blotchy face.

    ¡°My bonded and I were with child some years ago. She was born frail and did not make it through the night,¡± Ne¡¯Ja managed, her lips quivering. Noah felt his heart sink in grief at her words and moved to sit beside her. He wrapped a single arm around her shoulders and squeezed lightly.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, that shouldn¡¯t have happened,¡± he whispered, feeling helpless as she leaned into him. After some time Un¡¯Dal spoke, interrupting the silence.

    ¡°This has been quite the long night. Why don¡¯t we meet again in the morning to discuss more details,¡± he suggested. Noah gave Ne¡¯Ja a final squeeze and stood, nodding at Un¡¯Dal and stretching his stiff muscles.

    ¡°Thank you No¡¯Ah,¡± Ne¡¯Ja said as she got up and quickly left through the door. A thought struck him as he watched her go and he turned to Un¡¯Dal for clarification.

    ¡°Un¡¯Dal, what is a bonded?¡± he asked. Un¡¯Dal chuckled.

    ¡°The binding is a special event for us, where two people choose to become one. It is a unique relationship, and someone would only ever have one bonded. To us, it is a deeply personal and meaningful choice. Binding is never forced nor coerced, never taken lightly nor done flippantly. If two desire to be bound, they seek the chief and their parents to test their commitment before truly considering the choice. The pair then complete the trials set before them to prove the authenticity of their desire.¡± Un¡¯Dal explained.

    ¡°That sounds¡­ Complicated,¡± Noah commented.

    ¡°It ought to be! Could you imagine if people did such an act half-heartedly, that would cause so much pain!¡± Un¡¯Dal replied.

    ¡°I see. And what happens if your bonded passes away?¡± Noah questioned.

    ¡°Ah, that is an incredibly sad affair I¡¯m afraid. To give part of yourself to another is to risk losing that part forever. This is why we take the binding seriously,¡± he replied.

    ¡°Ne¡¯Ja then¡­¡± Noah wondered aloud.

    ¡°Ne¡¯Ja lost her bonded one in the raids not long before our worlds connected. I believe this is why she was so troubled by your words. It is not common to repeat the binding after losing your other half, as it is painful for both parties. She likely believes that she will never have the opportunity to bear children, something that is very precious to us as you have learned.¡± Un¡¯Dal explained.

    ¡°Oh,¡± Noah breathed, a swirl of emotions clouding his mind.

    ¡°If that is all, I will take my leave as well. I think it will do us some good to come back with fresh minds, tomorrow.¡± Un¡¯Dal said. Noah nodded.

    ¡°Thank you, Un¡¯Dal. Good night.¡±

    Noah closed the door as his friend left and sighed deeply once he was alone. His body was tired from the long travels and tense from the heated conversation. He hadn¡¯t expected to stir up so many emotions with words that seemed so common to his mind. It served as yet another reminder that he was not on Earth anymore and that as much as he loved his tribe, they weren¡¯t human. His new home felt large and empty as he found his way to his bed. The middle floor was set up differently than the one he had toured earlier, having a large wooden bed spread with furs in place of the cots. It was a kind gesture, he knew that, but for some reason, his heart ached and the walls seemed so far away. He took off his dirtied furs and sunk into the bed, thankful at least for a comfortable place to sleep.

    Sleep didn¡¯t come though as thoughts invaded his mind. Flashes of battle, and ideas of how different words could have hurt Ne¡¯Ja less, stole his attention. And when those finally faded he was left with Un¡¯Dal¡¯s words. The binding. While one part of him found their custom extreme, the other longed for that kind of connection with another. Perhaps then he wouldn¡¯t feel so lonely.

    ~

    Alure Galaxy, Sector 849

    Livia lay in bed watching her betrothed through the System artifact. She watched his joyous reunion with his companions and his first impressions of their new settlement. She listened to their plans, and to the conversation that caused so much pain. She watched as he wrapped his arms around the orc woman and then asked about her after she had left. And finally, she watched as he lay in bed as tears of his own began to trickle down his face. It was obvious to anyone watching that he was lonely, and it hurt to know and be too far away to help. She watched him close his eyes and finally slip into sleep.

    ¡°Keep fighting, Noah. It won¡¯t be long now.¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 27

    Noah had a problem. That much was obvious as soon as he woke the following morning. He didn¡¯t want to get out of bed. In fact, he didn¡¯t want to do anything. Now normally he wouldn¡¯t think twice about allowing himself a bit of laziness after such a long push, but this total lapse of motivation was different. Since arriving in the new world, he had had ample reason to get up every morning, whether to defend himself, save the world, or simply to perform the next task on the list. That morning, however, it was as if there was nothing of significance to be done. If it was his first time experiencing this, perhaps it would have flown under the radar, but it was not his first taste of depression-induced apathy. In his late teens, he had a long bout of depression that rendered him zombie-like for much of his final year of secondary school. He had quit sports, avoided friends, and slowly let homework slip away. It had taken a major jolt to his system to escape the cyclical pattern, and he wasn¡¯t eager to face this particular foe again.

    Noah forced himself out of bed and climbed down the hatch into the frigid cellar. He proceeded to splash his face with icy water and take long sips from his cupped hands. He knew he couldn¡¯t afford to sink into depression, and that simple distractions wouldn¡¯t do the trick. I need to find the source. When did it start? Noah began to rack his mind for potential causes. Is it the bloodshed? He considered that possibility for a bit but eventually ruled it out. As disturbing as the carnage was, it really hadn¡¯t affected him¨Cat least not in this way. Is today the first time? The obvious conclusion would have been to assign blame to the night before, the tense conversation and disconnection with his companions had been difficult for him after all. Yes, there must be some truth to that. His behavior following the discussion had been unusual as well, he had been troubled well into the night, and his emotions seemed to win out over reasoning. Perhaps his late-night musings had been accurate and he was simply lonely. He thought back through his time in the new world and realized that loneliness was indeed the most likely culprit. Its first appearance had been just a couple weeks into his new life when he split paths with Julie and the boys. Then again around Thanksgiving when the memories of his sister had crashed in. Then once more after the dream encounter with the woman he presumed to be his mother. I guess that settles it. This loneliness is killing me¡­

    He chuckled as the lyrics came to him and took a long cleansing breath. The first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one. While he knew he couldn¡¯t snap his fingers and poof his loneliness away, he could take certain actions to chip away at it. For starters, he would get out of the house and find the people. He grabbed a hunk of dried meat from the rack and donned a fresher set of furs that had been set in his quarters. He would have to thank whoever facilitated all of this.

    He stepped out his door and into the sunshine and breathed in the spring air. It appeared to be mid-morning judging by the position of the sun, and he smiled as he saw a familiar face.

    ¡°Kyle, wait up!¡± he called, running across the circle to catch him.

    ¡°Noah, good morning!¡± Kyle replied

    ¡°Good morning! Where are you off to?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°I heard there are bathhouses by the river, so I wanted to check them out. I don¡¯t even want to think about what kinds of grime are sticking to me right now.¡± Kyle said with a grimace. Noah laughed and nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Mind if I join you?¡± Kyle agreed and the two set off down the east road, strolling leisurely through the mostly empty town. The homes nearest the center were occupied, but with less than a hundred orcs¨Cmost of which shared living spaces, few of the buildings were occupied. They passed others on the street, exchanging greetings and introducing several to Kyle, who was every bit the social butterfly, taking his differences as one of only two humans in stride. Finally, they reached the bathhouses, two long rectangular buildings set alongside the river. He noted adjoining structures with smoke trailing from their chimneys as well. All of the buildings were constructed from the same brick that made up most of the houses, a material he would have to ask about in his meeting later that morning. Noah was grateful to be saved the embarrassment when he noticed Me¡¯Zin exiting the building on the left, the one they had been heading toward.

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    One course correction later and they made it to their destination. There were two doors that they had to pass through to get into the building, both heavier than the one in his house. When they pushed through the inner door, a cloud of steam escaped and the purpose of the two doors became evident. The interior was a wide open room with a steaming pool on one side and large basins on the other. The purpose was self-explanatory and the few others present demonstrated the proper procedure to follow. Noah was pleasantly surprised to find a soap-like substance set on shelves next to the basins, and he proceeded to cleanse his body, grateful for the drains set into the bricks below. After washing he made his way into the pool, amazed by the near scalding temperature they had achieved. It wasn¡¯t remotely uncomfortable though given his constitution, as even boiling water likely wouldn¡¯t affect him much. He sank shoulder-deep into the water and found that the pool walls were lined with benches, allowing for restful soaks. Several tribesmen spoke quietly in the steam-filled room, but most seemed content to relax in the uncommon luxury.

    Pictures of old men in steam rooms came to mind and for the first time, he felt he understood the appeal. He wondered if this had been a common practice on the orcs¡¯ homeworld, as they seemed accustomed to the practice after such a short time. Unfortunately, he knew he was on the clock and was soon leaving the peaceful haven for what he hoped would be a productive and amiable discussion. He returned home and found Un¡¯Dal and Ne¡¯Ja waiting at his table with food and drink already set out.

    ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting, I may have gotten lost in the bath house.¡± He said with a grin. Un¡¯Dal chuckled but Ne¡¯Ja didn¡¯t quite meet his eyes. Uh oh.

    ¡°It is not a problem, No¡¯Ah. We did not discuss a time, and besides, we have only just gotten here ourselves. There is also the benefit of you not smelling like a waste pit.¡± Un¡¯Dal replied. Ne¡¯Ja cracked a smile and Noah relaxed a bit.

    ¡°Shall we start?¡± Noah asked.

    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s¡ª¡± Un¡¯Dal started when Ne¡¯Ja broke in.

    ¡°First, I want to apologize,¡± she began. ¡°I should not have slapped you, regardless of my feelings. Your words took me off guard and I reacted poorly.¡± Noah met her eyes and smiled.

    ¡°All is forgiven. I spoke before thinking and forgot for a moment that we are from very different people. I hope you will forgive me as well.¡± Noah replied. Ne¡¯Ja seemed to consider her response, her mouth opening and closing multiple times before she finally spoke.

    ¡°Thank you, Noah. To be truthful, the reality of your words still bothers me and I do not foresee that changing. I do not hold the thought of your people against you, however,¡± she replied. Noah nodded in understanding, figuring that was the best he could ask for.

    ¡°I appreciate that. Now regarding the bulls¡­¡±

    The three spent the next hour discussing the various updates and changes that each had experienced in the months apart. Noah informed them of the 1000-plus new citizens in the lower realm working on expanding their numbers and levels. He also shared about the different groups that would be joining in waves as enough people reached Copper. They discussed building the town, and the fortunate discovery of a large clay deposit just upstream. The clay was then mixed with different dried grasses to form the bricks they used for construction. They had also found a copper ore deposit, though it was a few miles away. While iron may have been preferable, the copper ore would provide a significant source of utility for their crafters. Additionally, if they discovered tin instead of iron they could then transition to bronze casting over crude steel.

    Un¡¯Dal reported that they had yet to encounter other nations, as the previous kingdom had cleared much of the surrounding territories as the sovereign pushed for Bronze. There had been a few minor communications with Jeline¡¯s people but nothing more than pleasantries were exchanged. Ne¡¯Ja reported that there was a plateau over ten miles away that would make a perfect location for the herd to claim and that her scouts would show them to their new home. Noah was happy to hear that his tribe had had a productive but peaceful respite after months of bloodshed and hoped that the times of peace would last just a bit longer. Unfortunately, he knew too well that the timer was already ticking on their serene escape.

 Vol 2: Chapter 28

    Noah began to settle into a rhythm after that. After their meeting, it had been decided that they needed to prepare for the coming conflict. That meant expanding territory, securing materials, crafting weapons, and training for battle. They had considered preparing defenses but determined that they didn¡¯t have crafters skilled enough to make anything that could stand against a horde of Copper enemies. For now, their town would be easy to rebuild anyway and only served as a home base for the tribe. Noah found it frustrating that his biggest limiting factor was population and knew that while he could continue to train his body and mind, none of it would matter if he didn¡¯t reach Bronze. That being said, he was aware that every bit would help with the coming hordes and devoted himself to training what little bit he could control. His days began to flow together as his routine cemented, each hour filled with one form of training or another. He spent large portions of his time meditating and sparring, hoping for a flash of inspiration, and improving his weapon skills. Every day ended with a long soak in the bath house and a shared meal with his companions.

    A couple times a week he left town with the scouts and ranged tens of miles beyond their borders, hoping to find some sign of neighboring people. As terrible as it seemed, they needed to find others to fight or subjugate if they wanted to be ready. The path to Bronze would be paved in blood, and so far they had found little more than isolated groups. This revealed a disturbing bottleneck that Noah had yet to consider. There was a hard cap on their progression. For combatants, they could only advance as long as there were enemies to fight and XP to harvest, making each enemy a limited resource. While he had already reached the level needed to ascend, the same wasn¡¯t true for the rest of his people. He had never considered the possibility that some would never even reach Copper due to a lack of XP, meaning they would be stuck in the lower realm indefinitely. Perhaps crafters would have a better go of it, but from what he heard they received diminishing returns on repeat constructions and eventually had to move on to new materials as well as designs. He only hoped that a sufficient number of his people could reach Copper and join them in their efforts. They would need crafters especially if they wanted to stand against the coming threats.

    Before he knew it, a month had passed as he continued in his pattern. He had made noticeable headway toward his next Gate and had become comfortable with his new weapon as he practiced in sparring and form. The herd had finally been joined by their female counterparts, adding another 300 followers to his count. That, as well as some other unknown additions from below brought his follower count to 4,400. He had been surprised when the number jumped by nearly 800 in a single day and hoped it had been Ta¡¯Ku¡¯s doing.

    The town had also grown, now sporting several new warehouses and workshops for the incoming crafters. They stockpiled raw materials in anticipation of their arrival, including significant stores of copper ore, that their one blacksmith worked into bars, as well as charcoal, clay, timber, and bone. Additionally, they had found another mineral deposit but were unfamiliar with metal, but collected some for anyone in the know to identify. Gerald and Kyle had busied themselves crafting bows and arrows, testing different combinations of fletching, shaft, and arrowhead materials for the deadliest result. Others sowed the fields with the seed they had traded for with Jeline¡¯s people, though they lacked the abilities to grow it at miraculous speeds. While they hadn¡¯t run out of food, it was getting harder to keep up with the needed supply. If every beast they had killed could be used for meat, there would be no problem. However, their limited ability to preserve food meant that a majority of their fights resulted in wasted food. Once this had been noted, every bit of meat they ate became smoked and was eaten in rotation from oldest to most recent. The cold cellars helped, but without a supply of salt, they lacked the knowledge to preserve the meat further.

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    Noah enjoyed the new pace of life, and found himself growing close with Ne¡¯Ja. Discovering their differences had opened a door of conversation for them, and they often spent evenings sharing bits of their history over meals or starlit walks. He also spent time with Kyle, Jergin, and Gerald, though they had begun to find their own place in the tribe, each settling into their own routines. Noah met with Un¡¯Dal and Ne¡¯Ja weekly to discuss updates and plans but found their meetings growing repetitive as scouting parties continued to come up empty. Their pattern was interrupted when Recter arrived accompanied by one hundred fresh Coppers. Noah couldn¡¯t contain his grin as he greeted his friend upon their arrival. Their trek had been long but relatively uneventful. Everyone was split into groups of three and were assigned housing, with promises of food and more information the coming day. After settling in as Noah¡¯s new neighbor, Recter joined him for a meal.

    ¡°Any news?¡± Noah asked. Recter nodded and finished chewing.

    ¡°This group is primarily crafters, half elves, and half humans, and includes several farmers and healers. XP is becoming scarce though, and they are starting to ration beast kills based on the person¡¯s utility and desire to join in the upper realm.¡± Recter started. Noah was pleasantly surprised at the group¡¯s makeup.

    ¡°That¡¯s perfect, we have been in dire need of crafters and have fields ready for the farmers to grow. Healers are of course invaluable as well, and I am sure that Un¡¯Dal will be overjoyed at their addition. Any updates from Julie or Ta¡¯Ku?¡± he replied.

    ¡°Yes, Ta¡¯Ku was successful in bringing the orc village to the fold and will lead a group to join us in the next month or two. Before I left there was word of an additional settlement being spotted on the far end of the forest, but they had yet to make contact. Julie plans to join Ta¡¯Ku along with a couple of the elven elders with hopes of facilitating expansion and development up here.¡± Recter answered.

    ¡°That¡¯s good news. We will need to start taking more drastic actions soon if we want any hope of reaching Bronze though. So far our search has been fruitless. Are you ready to shake things up?¡± Noah asked. Recter grinned and nodded.

    ¡°I have grown restless escorting the less bloodthirsty ones. I think it''s time we pick a fight.¡±

    The next day, the crafters were updated on the current status and needs of the town and were set to work. One of the elven smiths was able to identify the mystery ore as dorith, and was overjoyed at its sight. It was, apparently, comparable to Earth¡¯s steel when processed in the right way. The news was a welcome relief to the other smiths who were desperate for quality material. In the following days, the sounds of several new forges filled the air, and the first dorith weapons were tested by the warriors.

    As days passed, the town visibly transformed as a veritable storm of new ideas and creations flooded the streets. The hottest topic was running water, and the greatest minds were devoted to solving the issue with the utmost haste. For Noah¡¯s part, he had come to enjoy the old-fashioned feel of the bath houses but his protests were quickly swept to the side as others made their preferences known. The farms had sprouted with vibrant green shoots, and the farmers assured that the crop would be ready in weeks rather than months.

    Noah and Recter spent their time on increasingly far-ranged scouting trips, having covered hundreds of miles already without sign of other inhabitants. His follower count grew again a week later, jumping to 4,9000 all at once. It gave him some much-needed hope that at least his allies below were having success in their search. As more weeks passed without event, Noah grew uneasy and so found himself somewhat relieved when a frantic scout came screaming into camp.

    ¡°Attack!¡±

 Vol 2: Chapter 29

    ¡°Attack!¡±

    Noah bolted from his chair, grabbing his hammer and armor as he made his way outside. The voice was coming from the east, no doubt one of the sentries patrolling their vicinity. He began running down the east road, throwing his armor on as he ran, joined by fellow orcs throwing open their doors and falling in step behind him. It took less than a minute to reach the scout, who had been sprinting with abandon. She came to a stop before Noah, taking gasping breaths.

    ¡°Over the hill. Coming. Rats.¡± She managed. Rats? Noah frowned but patted the scout on the shoulder and continued toward the river. There was a bridge crossing the water, more for convenience than necessity, and as they stepped on it they heard terrible screeching from ahead. It really did sound like rats. Noah grimaced as he shuttered involuntarily. He hated rats. The warriors sprinted through the grassy plains, hoping to reach the hill before any of the enemies crested the ridge. All of a sudden, the ground began to shake beneath them, and loose dirt was thrown into the air as furry brown figures emerged from the earth. Noah stared in shock as the dirt cleared, revealing tentacle-faced rats. Wait, they¡¯re moles! The realization barely had time to set in before the foot-long claws of the first creature swung toward him. He met the claws with his gravity-warping hammer and sent the two-legged mole flying in a superhero pose.

    The other beasts seemed to notice Noah¡¯s prowess and froze for a moment, allowing his warriors to find their bearings. The interlude was interrupted by a shrill voice coming from atop the hill.

    ¡°Kill them you trash! The next one of you to hesitate dies by my claws!¡± the creature screamed. Noah glanced at the figure. It was also a mole but had silver fur and stood a full two meters high, nearly a head above the others. He couldn¡¯t stare for long as the other beasts sprung into motion, brandishing their hideous claws and bearing their teeth beneath the tentacles.

    ¡°Die!¡± they screamed in unison as they rushed forward in attack. Noah had a mix of feelings as he began to hammer in the skulls of the tentacle-nosed moles. First of all, he really didn¡¯t like their leader. He definitely had tyrant vibes. Secondly, the moles were dying too easily. It was almost like they weren¡¯t warriors. His brow furrowed as he searched the horde of brown and pink. He found what he was looking for. Dispersed amongst the others were larger moles, with silvery fur and sharp glints in their eyes. They seemed to watch the others but didn¡¯t join the fight themselves. His stomach turned at the implication. More oath slaves. He plowed his way through the fodder and reached the nearest silver, who seemed surprised at his appearance for a moment before snarling.

    ¡°Attack him, you worthless fur bags! Or your children will never see the dark of night again!¡± it screeched. Noah¡¯s frown turned steely. Children? You¡¯re keeping children hostage? His hammer met flesh with a thunderous impact, and the mole slammed into the surrounding horde like they were little more than reeds in the wind. To Noah¡¯s shock, after the beast finally stopped skidding along the ground, it stood up and spit a wad of blood at the nearest mole.

    ¡°Hehehe,¡± it cackled before charging forward through the carnage. Noah frowned, and batted away the feeble attempts at attack from the other moles.

    ¡°Take down the silver ones! The others are enslaved!¡± He shouted above the clamor. By now more of his warriors had shown up and he hoped they caught his message. He turned toward the charging monster and grinned, before sprinting toward it. The clash didn¡¯t go as well as the first, and when the mole dodged his hammer he knew he was in trouble. All 1300 plus dexterity didn¡¯t give him enough time to dodge the ridiculously long claws that stabbed into his side. His saving grace was the hastily adorned armor that stopped its claws from going straight through him. It did not however keep him from flying through the air. Crap.

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    He was happy to note that he didn¡¯t fly as far as the rat had, but it was close. He picked himself up and dashed back into the fight, this time feinting with his hammer and driving a knee into the beast¡¯s gut. It let out a grunt as it doubled over. To Noah¡¯s horror, its tentacles wrapped around his leg and he felt pressure as its teeth began to work at his armor. He slammed his hammer into the back of the beast and the force drove both of them into the ground. His foe spit out several bloody teeth as Noah drove his hammer into the beast¡¯s skull. It let out a low whine and Noah got back to his feet, swinging his hammer again for good effect. It took another two blows to the head before the System recognized its death.

    [ 100,000 XP Gained.]

    Noah was relieved to see the message but knew he couldn¡¯t waste more time. He scanned the battlefield and saw several orcs being tossed through the air as they attempted to take on the silver moles. He began to move toward the nearest one, doing his best to incapacitate the weaker moles without killing them as he went. The silver slaver grinned wickedly as it noticed him and moved in his direction. As the two were just about to trade blows, a flash of white passed through Noah¡¯s vision and slammed into the rodent¡¯s neck. His hammer connected an instant later and the mole was thrown into the ground. There was an arrow sunk halfway into the beast and Noah grinned as he heard Kyle cheering from some distance away. He finished off the beast, a task made much simpler with the assist.

    [50,000 XP Gained.]

    The silver-furred moles began to die as his warriors worked in groups to take them down. The brown moles began to hesitate as they realized their captors were being eliminated around them, but their leader continued to shout down at them from above. Noah knew that the System would enforce their oath with brutal consequences if they didn¡¯t obey, so he didn¡¯t hold their continued attacks against them. He saw Recter and Gerald high-fiving in the distance as an arrow-laden creature was impaled for the final time with Recter¡¯s spear. As the final specks of silver fell, Noah turned his attention to the ridge where the deviant mole screamed out his tirade. He began to run, pushing through the crowd of furry bodies as he went, thankful for the protection his armor offered as claws bounced harmlessly off him. The mole began to point at him and yell, causing the others to crowd around him, hoping to overwhelm him with numbers. It wouldn¡¯t do, however, as arrows began to fly, cutting the mole¡¯s screeching short.

    Noah watched as it deflected the first two arrows with its claws and expertly evaded the next. His warriors let out a warcry as they streamed past Noah, who was rendered mostly immobile as he tried not to kill the enslaved moles. Their orders had been to stop him, not the others, and they seemed content to let them pass. Noah witnessed flashes of silver as the mole king danced around his warriors, sending several flying as he frantically warded off the numerous attacks. Recter scored the first blow, a shallow stab into its lower leg. The hit was followed by two arrows, however, that dug into the gut and throat simultaneously. The king screamed in rage, demanding that the slaves help him, and all of a sudden Noah was free. He sprinted toward the action but missed his opportunity as Ne¡¯Ja¡¯s axe cut through the back of its neck. They shouted in triumph as the mole¡¯s body toppled over. All at once, the brown-furred moles sunk to their knees, some falling on their faces. Noah had a moment of panic as he tried to imagine what had happened. Some kind of kill switch? Death by System? His questions were answered however as he heard the soft sobs of a nearby mole woman.

    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Noah asked tentatively as he approached.

    ¡°Exhausted.¡± she whimpered, explaining their sudden collapse.

    ¡°I see. Are your children going to be alright?¡± Noah questioned. He saw the mole go stiff for a moment before nodding ever so slightly.

    ¡°Yes, I believe so. They were being held by others like us, the fighters were required to join the raid,¡± she replied. Noah nodded, relief crashing in. The last thing he wanted was to be responsible for a bunch of dead children. He turned to his tribe and grinned.

    ¡°Everyone, gather around!¡±