Chương 16: Power Levelling 101

Joe stood outside of Camp Mystic, surveying the area. He had spent the past day hunting down every Beast nearby, clearing a safe path for the mass migration of the camp. They had waited for all the remaining groups to return, and now it was time to move out. Eight horses stood hitched to wagons, each packed with the oldest survivors and the youngest children. Joe had used the rest day to carve a grass-covered path through London, leading straight to Heliopolis. The effort had yielded an expected result… Ding!

Profession Nature's Custodian has reached level 10 - stat points distributed. Congratulations, you have reached level 10, Skill Nature's Alchemy(Magic) Obtained. Nature's Alchemy? A profession within a profession? He didn't have time to investigate the new skill just yet. He would delve into it once these people were safely on their way. Still, the possibilities intrigued him.

"Everyone is ready, Joe," Kim called out, signalling the carts forward. The camp's population had turned out to be larger than he expected, nearly two hundred people. The six Divers from Camp Mystic spread out along the procession, their stances tense. At first, they had worried that protecting such a large group would be impossible. Then Joe had shown them a new title he had just received. Title - Wolf Massacre. You have killed over 100 wolves.

There had been no complaints when Joe went on a rampage, slaughtering every wolf within a mile of the camp. He was beginning to think that sheer, overwhelming power made convincing people far too easy. A thought lingered at the back of his mind: was he becoming a mad tyrant?

"I've been wondering for a while… are you making the grass grow?" Kim asked tentatively as Joe rejoined the procession, fresh from another wolf-killing spree. They were roughly twenty minutes into the journey across London. Joe chuckled, enjoying the way people gasped and whispered, marvelling at the sudden appearance of lush grass beneath their feet.

"It's a skill. I have a nature-based profession. The grass helps me level up," he said simply. Kim looked at him, as if trying to piece something together.

"So you have a Class and a profession? I'm guessing both must be rare because your stats are nothing short of monstrous for your level," she murmured, half to herself.

"Are you sure you're not interested in anything romantic right now? I don't mind waiting." She looked at him expectantly. Joe laughed. He had to give it to her; she was persistent. He did, however, ignore that last question.

"Do you know all the ranks of Classes?" He asked instead. She shook her head.

"They are, in order of rarity. Common, Uncommon, Magic, Rare, Legendary, PseudoUnique, and finally Unique."

"How did you find that out?" She asked. Joe extended his hand, and the book Tutorial 101 materialized in his palm; he tossed it over to her.

"Read that. Oh, and you can keep the book, share it among your friends." Joe darted off, already eager to continue his wolf clearing. After a few hours, the border of Heliopolis came into view. Joe sat atop a building that had once been part of a shopping centre, watching over the procession below. He waved at Trevor and Kim, signalling that the path was clear. Every wolf ahead had already fallen by his hand–he had left only a few stragglers for the Divers to handle. [You guys ready for your new citizens? Good luck.] - Joe. [Thanks, Joe. We will take it from here,] - Sarah. Joe took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill his lungs, then turned north.

"Hertford, here I come," He murmured to himself before setting off. __ Kim waved, watching as the man with the red egg and that frustratingly handsome face disappeared. She let out a sigh. She had tried. But in the end, she had failed to win him over. If she were being honest with herself, she had never really stood a chance. If destiny were a fire, that man was a raging inferno. She was glad to have known him, even if only as an ally. At least she could say they had parted on friendly terms.

Yet, deep down, she knew the truth. She would never see him again. __ A veiled form sat at the edge of a lavishly adorned bed, perched on an overly gaudy, gold-wreathed stool. She waited in silence. Over the years, she had grown accustomed to the princess's whims, but this past month had shaken her. A change had begun to take root within Rose, one Daisy couldn't quite understand.

"Daisy," a sultry, alluring voice called out.

"Rose," Daisy responded, masking the turmoil roiling within her.

"My head hurts. Could you give me a massage?" Rose asked, slumping into a cushioned chair. Daisy sprang to her feet, her hands moving with practiced ease as she gently massaged the princess's temples. Minutes passed in silence before she finally spoke.

"Tell me what's on your mind," Daisy urged, hoping Rose would at last open up about what had been troubling her. Rose let out a dramatic sigh. But as the tension melted away under Daisy's touch, her reluctance followed.

"Fine, you win. I'll tell you what happened." Daisy barely stopped herself from cheering. Finally. Damn, princess and her endless secrecy. As Rose began her story, detailing the bond that now tethered her to a human on a world teetering on the brink of integration, Daisy felt her excitement turn to shock. By the time Rose finished, Daisy practically exploded.

"The seedling bonded you! How? Why? This… it…" Words failed her. She slumped into a chair beside Rose, mind reeling. No wonder she's been in such a foul mood. This wasn't troubling; it was catastrophic. If even the god of Eludia hadn't been able to prevent the bond, what hope did they have of severing it? Frustration surged through her. Her hand slammed down onto the dresser, sending ornate trinkets and jewels crashing to the floor. She flicked her fingers.

A maid appeared at her silent command, quickly gathering the mess.

"So what can we do?" Daisy finally asked, turning to see Rose flush with anger.

"Mother is working on it. But she made it clear, the only way to break the bond is either to kill the human or convince him to sever it willingly."

"But he is stuck inside the integration?" Daisy frowned, making a mental note to watch one of the upcoming broadcasts. She needed to learn more about this human.

"That's the most confusing part," Rose admitted.

"There are no human worlds in the current integration competition. However… there is one world missing. A failed world." Her words hung in the air.

"He is on a failed world?" Daisy's tension eased slightly.

"Doesn't that solve everything? Maybe he is dead already."

"He isn't." Rose raised a hand to her chest, fingers brushing against the mark of the bond.

"If he were dead, the bond would have disappeared." She exhaled sharply.

"Somehow, he's still alive." The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Daisy had no words of comfort for the princess. But she did have something else. A deep, burning desire for blood. __ Alkaios Terravignion knelt beside his bed, his head bowed in quiet reverence. An unexpected presence filled the room.

"Rise," His mother's voice sang out, melodic yet commanding. Alkaios lifted his gaze, meeting his mother's eyes. Her deep crimson skin radiated a soft, otherworldly glow, accentuating the golden cascade of hair that spilt like liquid sunlight to the floor. Her elongated ears swept gracefully behind her head, adorned with delicate, jewel-encrusted rings that chimed softly with every movement, like whispers of divinity.

She wore a simple black robe, its fabric clinging elegantly to her form, exuding effortless authority. Though she stood a head shorter than he, her presence towered over all. She was a God, resplendent, unyielding, and absolute. Alkaios remained kneeling, as he always did. The thought of looking down upon her was unthinkable.

"Mother, what brings you here so late in the evening?" He asked, his tone carefully measured, unfailingly polite. Catalina Terravignion did not answer immediately. Instead, she made her way to a teapot resting on his counter. With a wave of her finger, hot, freshly boiled water poured into two cups, followed by four dark brown leaves. The liquid swirled on its own, stirring with unseen hands. Moments later, both cups floated effortlessly toward them.

Alkaios switched to a sitting position on the floor as his mother joined him, settling opposite him with a quiet grace. She lifted her cup, taking a slow sip. Alkaios waited, as was tradition, before taking a sip of his own.

"Have you spoken with your sister?" Catalina asked softly.

"I assume she has informed you about what happened." She almost spat the last word out, and Alkaios winced.

"Yes, Mother," he admitted, his voice almost forlorn.

"She has mentioned what happened." Catalina took another slow sip before continuing.

"I'm going to be leaving the palace for a time. I need to conduct research on this new seedling. Its actions were… unusual. I have the unsettling feeling that I missed something important." Her gaze swept the room before settling on him once more.

"While I am gone, I need you to look after your sister. Ensure she does nothing unbecoming." Alkaios raised a fist to his heart and bowed his head in salute.

"It will be as you command, Mother." Catalina nodded but did not dismiss him. Instead, she continued, her tone measured.

"There is one more thing I require of you." Alkaios lowered his hand as he took his first sip of tea, waiting.

"For now, hold off your entry into the Tower of Past Lives," she said.

"I must determine how the actions of this errant seedling have affected your fate." She let out a quiet sigh.

"It is times like these that make me wish I spent more time studying fate." Alkaios felt an urge to console her, but held his tongue. It would not be proper. Instead, he placed his cup gently aside and shifted to a kneeling position, his head bowed toward the floor.

"Mother, I will do anything you order of me. Just say the word." Catalina's expression softened.

"Oh, Alk, you are my youngest son, yet the most reliable. If only your elder brothers were as devoted as you." At her words, images of his three elder brothers flashed through his mind. They were far from reach, training under their father, detached from the burdens of Eludian life. He dismissed the thought of them just as quickly. Alkaios, fourth son of the God of Eludia, met his mother's gaze and made a silent vow. Whoever had dimmed the light within her would pay heavily.

__ Joe sneezed as a shudder ran down his spine. Shaking, he refocused. Today, he would try again to break through his unfair levelling cap. He had spent far too much time dealing with social matters these past few days; finally, he was alone, free to concentrate solely on levelling. He was still making his way toward Hertford, though without urgency. A message from Kai had confirmed that the new citizens had all safely arrived, and they were busy building homes and getting everyone settled in.

Joe swung his staff in a fluid arc, decapitating two wolves with a single strike. He was nearing the outskirts of London now, where open grassy areas were more common. Using Nature's Step enough to ensure that his mana never remained full. He felt this would help in some way. Perhaps it would accelerate his levelling, or maybe expand his movement capabilities. Nothing had changed yet, at least, nothing he could see, but he had a feeling he was on the right track. Then, he encountered something new.

A massive porcupine stood in his path, unlike any Beast he had seen before. The moment it spotted him, it unleashed a flurry of quills. He barely had time to react. The projectiles slammed into his arm and side, but his Mana-Coating held firm, preventing them from piercing through. He activated Identify. Identify: Devilish Porcupine level 31 He grinned. A higher level than most of the wolves he had faced today, save for two pack leaders at level 34. A juicy experience boost.

The fight wasn't difficult once he adapted. The porcupine was slow to turn, its offensive power limited outside of its quill barrage. Manoeuvring around it, he swiftly finished it off. You have slain Devilish Porcupine level 31 He pressed forward, eyes scanning the land for more fodder to fuel his levelling. Ding! Class Farmer has reached level 20 - stat points distributed. Congratulations, you have reached level 20 Skill Seed Flick(Magic) Obtained. Really? He rolled his eyes at his new skill.

Sometimes, he thought the system was mocking him. Still, curiosity got the better of him when he stumbled upon a group of four Devilish Porcupines. Might as well test it out, he thought. Pulling a seed from his storage, he flicked it at the nearest porcupine. The tiny projectile shot forward like a bullet, slamming into the Beast's side and sending it crashing into the one next to it. Whoa. That worked better than I thought. It hadn't pierced the skin, but it had definitely done some damage.

More importantly, he now had a ranged skill. Grinning, he peppered the group with seeds, whittling them down before finishing them off with his staff. You have slain Devilish Porcupine level 32 X4 He let out a breath, glanced up at the sky, and took back his earlier eye roll.

"I have learned my lesson. Never judge a skill by its name," he said, offering the system a half-hearted apology. He still had that Legendary Skill book in his storage, but he had decided to wait until he reached Hertford before checking it out. Right now, he was in power levelling mode, no distractions. His goal was to hit level 22 in his Class by the end of the day. The problem was that his levelling speed had noticeably slowed. There was no way he'd hit the daily cap of ten levels without fighting a boss Beast.

With that in mind, he pushed forward, following what remained of the A10 motorway, cutting down porcupines and the occasional wolf along the way. Soon, he had officially left London behind. For the first time in days, he was surrounded by true greenery instead of crumbling ruins and abandoned streets. It felt good. An hour later, he finally hit level 21, but something felt off. The number of Devilish Porcupine had dwindled.

More importantly, for the first time since leaving Camp Mystic, he spotted signs of human activity, a small pile of dead porcupines scattered by the roadside. Joe followed the trail north until he spotted them. Four people jogging along the A10 in the same direction he was heading. They were injured and moving with urgency. He didn't want to startle them by appearing too suddenly, so he called out. The entire group froze. Weapons came up instantly. A tall, rugged-looking man raised a rifle, levelling it at Joe.

His expression was grim.

"Who are you?" the man shouted. Joe raised his hands in a show of peace and took a few slow steps forward, stopping about twenty metres away.

"I'm Joe, just heading north," he answered evenly.

"I heard there's a camp in Hertford. I'm looking for friends." At his words, the tension eased. The group visibly relaxed. Until one of them, a man with a large shield, stared at him, eyes wide in disbelief.

"What the hell are you?" he blurted. His grip on the shield tightened.

"What the hell is a High Human?" Joe resisted the urge to swear. Is this how everyone's going to react once they identify me? He wondered. If so, things were going to get a lot more complicated moving forward. He made a mental note to keep his Progenitor title active; maybe that would help explain things. He hoped.

"I know it's confusing," he said, keeping his tone calm.

"But I was forced into a race change. I just displayed my titles; if you identify me now, you will see who I am." A small man off to the side, sporting a moustache and carrying a bow, squinted at him.

"Progenitor," he murmured. The group broke into hushed discussion, voices low as they debated what to do. Joe stood still, watching them carefully while making an effort not to seem intimidating. Not that it mattered–his hearing was far sharper than before the system, and he caught every word they spoke. After a few moments, the first man, the one with the rifle, spoke up again.

"Are you really a Progenitor?" Joe quickly identified him before answering. Identify: John, Human, Archer level 29"Yes, I am," Joe replied evenly.

"I just wanted to check if you guys were okay. If you prefer, I can just head on to the camp. I think it's not much farther north?" John hesitated, then gave a short nod.

"Sorry, we have to be careful. It's not safe talking to strangers," his tone wasn't hostile, just cautious.

"And yeah, the camp is thirty minutes north." Joe nodded and started walking around the group, but his gaze flicked to two of them, who were both bleeding.

"I have a healing skill," he offered.

"I can patch you up before I go if you want." John didn't hesitate.

"No offence, but no thanks." Joe didn't take it personally.

"I understand. I'll be on my way." Without another word, he took off, running at his usual pace toward the camp. Behind him, the group stared after him in stunned silence. An odd encounter, but not unexpected. The world had changed. Trusting strangers was a luxury few could afford. Given his strange race, their caution made sense. But there was something else. From the moment they saw me… They were afraid. And he wasn't sure why.