POV Dennis Dalton
I continue watching as Nathaniel and Hadwin grapple with the monstrous wolf-like creature, right after Nathaniel killed the first one.
He's just killed a monster with a question mark over its head. Alone. Just how strong is he?
(He's crazy), I hear Aaron say in my mind, using our [Connection].
I can't help but agree. Ever since two days before the end of the first floor, I've held a dislike for him. The memory of his cold eyes lingers as a bad memory.
(Damn it, why did we have to end up here? Who the hell was that crazy woman?) I send.
(Dude, I wasn't even able to see a question mark over her head, she's scary) I once again find myself in agreement with my few minutes younger brother.
(Let's try to keep a low profile as much as we can. We can also suck up to Hadwin a bit; the old man might still think he can manipulate us.)
(Yes, let's do that!)
The giant monster hits Hadwin with its paw, sending him rolling on the ground where he slowly gets back on his feet, seemingly not seriously hurt.
(Damn, Haddy is even tougher than before!) I hear from Aaron.
The warg shoots some lightning at the older man which dissipates, and soon he charges again, having no other choice as Nathaniel continues to watch him.
(Do you think this psycho will want us to fight as well?)
Just thinking about this sends goosebumps all over my body. I watch as the warg bites at Hadwin, only to be repelled by some of Nathaniel's skills. Then the translucent arm that he has instead of his missing left arm disappears, and two massive arms made out of mana appear at his back and reach towards the monster, which is too slow to dodge.
The massive arms hold the monster while Nathaniel says something to Hadwin, and the man attacks again.
(Maybe he can power-level us; he's helping Hadwin a bit.)
(We can suck up to him, apologize, and stuff. That could be good for us; and we can be quite useful.) I try to say more, but then I hear someone else interrupting our connection.
(Asshole!)
(What the heck?)
(The heck?)
Only then do I realize that the connection is coming from the cheeky corgi that Nathaniel likes so much.
How is something like that even possible?!
Finally, the warg dies.
[You have defeated a Thunderhowl Warg - lvl 82]
Hmm, how to say it... I expected Hadwin to do a bit better? Sure, the monster is well over my level, but it's just a normal one, not a "named" one. Maybe I'm the problem?
"God damn it," the older man is covered in sweat and breathing wildly while holding his fractured arm.
So much complaining for such a small wound. You have a skill, it'll heal.
Hypocrite? Who?
"Kim, your level?" I ask, feeling rather shameless. Ruby gives me an interesting look. Yup, I know, it's super rude to ask.
"38," he answers simply, without hesitation.
Hmm, that could be considered quite good as Hadwin is 34.
"We're both level 24!" Out of nowhere, one of the twins says.
The heck? Who asked? Why are they telling me?
When I glance over at them, they're smiling slightly, trying to look as friendly as possible. Oh, I see.
They want to get on board papa Nat's train, don't they? Okay, let's see.
"Skills?" I ask, showing them that I can be even more shameless. There's a bit more hesitation than with Kim, but they quickly answer without consulting each other. At least not out loud; I'm sure they can talk through their link.
"[Connection], [Mirrored Mending], [Haste], [Mana Manipulation], [Sensory Deception]."
Oh boy, that's even more poor than Hadwin and they're at a much lower level. And they all sound so interesting, so cool!
Okay, it's decided; I'll keep them.
"You know what to expect, right?"
"Yes," says one of them, and I look to confirm. I'm satisfied with what I see.
There's no trust, no high expectations, just two people who want to use me and know they'll have to pay for that. At the same time, they know they can't expect too much from me. There's no way I'd risk my life for them.
It's something hard to balance, but hey, let's try and see.
"Ruby, can you bring out a weaker one for the boys, one a bit stronger for Kim and Hadwin, and a stronger one for me?" I can help them, but I need to level up too, don't I?
Upgrade token is something I absolutely want to get before this floor ends, and I have a feeling that time is drawing near.
"Master said only for you,"
"Pretty please?"
"..."
Well, I tried.
"Is there something you want?" I ask.
The redhead woman ponders a bit and a small smile blooms on her face, "Let's say you owe me, okay? And I'll pick what I want later."
"Sounds good," I respond. I'm sure she won't ask for something too outrageous, but still, they'd better appreciate what I'm doing!
"Before we start, what level was that Hydra back then and the Mireblood Troll?"
"Hmm? If I had to guess, the Hydra was around 350, and the troll maybe 160?"
So it's not like over 100 equals one question mark, over 200 equals two, and over 300 equals three. Maybe up to 150 equals one mark, 150 - 300 equals two marks, and 300 - 450 equals three marks?
Damn, that would make Ruby's master over 450 and Ruby over 150 level? Heck, maybe there are 4 question marks, and her master over 600?
Well, that's scary… That's a lot of stats and experience. It's a league I can't even properly imagine right now.
What level are Champions and Paragons? This is something I'm super curious about, now that I'm sure Ruby's master is someone in a similar league to them. Hopefully. Otherwise, it would be too scary to imagine people even stronger than her.
Why the hell are there such strong people and monsters on the second floor? Isn't it bugged?
Sure, we don't have to destroy the world, we just have to survive until the end. Maybe it's just to show us what will be possible in the future? To set goals for ourselves and to etch into our minds what could happen to Earth in case we return and are able to retain our powers.
That sounds plausible.
Up until now, the system hasn't been too nice or helpful, but there's some twisted logic to everything we go through. One of the biggest hints is the name "Tutorial."
We're being trained, being prepared for something. Something that will likely happen after we return to Earth. Maybe the real "game" will start then?
Well, anyway, we still have a few years to go.
[Stone Troll - lvl 23]
[Blood Troll - lvl 46]
Ruby summons the monsters. The first one is for the twins and the second one is for Hadwin and Kim. I once again ponder the place where she is "taking" them from. She got the coordinates from her master, but there is a weird mix of monsters.
Is it a regular forest somewhere? Is it something else?
"This one is for you. It's close to one hundred, so be careful."
Before the monster attacks me, I ponder about how she knows. The natives of this floor don't seem to be able to see the text hovering over the monsters or humans' heads the way we people from the tutorial do. So, maybe they have come up with their own ways to measure it? Maybe by checking the mana signature?
[Ember-eye Warg - lvl ?]
I jump backwards as the monster lunges at the place where I used to stand. It's smaller than the warg before, but much faster, and my [Kinetic Redistribution] doesn't seem to slow it at all. It also doesn't absorb any energy, and my [Perception] feels some sort of barrier close to its skin.
I continue to observe it, but I'm unable to discern much more. It seems to disrupt my [Perception], and when I shoot small beads made of mana at it, they disappear after touching the barrier, seemingly working in a similar way to [Disruption].
Damn, that's quite an interesting way to use it. Are there any advantages in comparison to the way I use it?
Unable to fully dodge, I create armor around my body, which disappears after the monster's shoulder hits me and sends me rolling on the ground. I absorb more energy from the wind, from the swaying grass and use it to propel myself high into the air.
The monster's orange eyes continue to track my movements as I start falling down.
My translucent left arm made of mana continues to grow more and more dense, taking on a darker blue color. I create a single orb that I make orbit around myself while I feed it more and more mana, making it denser and stronger. Surge activates, and the orb turns into a blurry shape, seemingly instead of an orb orbiting me, there is a hoop around my body.
I feel a wave of disrupting mana from the monster the moment I land, but I shoot mine against it. The skills collide, the monster's winning, but lessening the impact of its disrupting skill on me.
I dash at the monster and then, instead of slinging an orb at it, I absorb all the kinetic energy from the orb that was spinning around me, immediately filling the amount I can handle.
The orb elongates and turns into a spear made out of dense mana, and I use the absorbed kinetic energy to propel myself right at the monster.
POV Dennis Dalton
I continue watching as Nathaniel and Hadwin grapple with the monstrous wolf-like creature, right after Nathaniel killed the first one.
He's just killed a monster with a question mark over its head. Alone. Just how strong is he?
(He's crazy), I hear Aaron say in my mind, using our [Connection].
I can't help but agree. Ever since two days before the end of the first floor, I've held a dislike for him. The memory of his cold eyes lingers as a bad memory.
(Damn it, why did we have to end up here? Who the hell was that crazy woman?) I send.
(Dude, I wasn't even able to see a question mark over her head, she's scary) I once again find myself in agreement with my few minutes younger brother.
(Let's try to keep a low profile as much as we can. We can also suck up to Hadwin a bit; the old man might still think he can manipulate us.)
(Yes, let's do that!)
The giant monster hits Hadwin with its paw, sending him rolling on the ground where he slowly gets back on his feet, seemingly not seriously hurt.
(Damn, Haddy is even tougher than before!) I hear from Aaron.
The warg shoots some lightning at the older man which dissipates, and soon he charges again, having no other choice as Nathaniel continues to watch him.
(Do you think this psycho will want us to fight as well?)
Just thinking about this sends goosebumps all over my body. I watch as the warg bites at Hadwin, only to be repelled by some of Nathaniel's skills. Then the translucent arm that he has instead of his missing left arm disappears, and two massive arms made out of mana appear at his back and reach towards the monster, which is too slow to dodge.
The massive arms hold the monster while Nathaniel says something to Hadwin, and the man attacks again.
(Maybe he can power-level us; he's helping Hadwin a bit.)
(We can suck up to him, apologize, and stuff. That could be good for us; and we can be quite useful.) I try to say more, but then I hear someone else interrupting our connection.
(Asshole!)
(What the heck?)
(The heck?)
Only then do I realize that the connection is coming from the cheeky corgi that Nathaniel likes so much.
How is something like that even possible?!
Finally, the warg dies.
[You have defeated a Thunderhowl Warg - lvl 82]
Hmm, how to say it... I expected Hadwin to do a bit better? Sure, the monster is well over my level, but it's just a normal one, not a "named" one. Maybe I'm the problem?
"God damn it," the older man is covered in sweat and breathing wildly while holding his fractured arm.
So much complaining for such a small wound. You have a skill, it'll heal.
Hypocrite? Who?
"Kim, your level?" I ask, feeling rather shameless. Ruby gives me an interesting look. Yup, I know, it's super rude to ask.
"38," he answers simply, without hesitation.
Hmm, that could be considered quite good as Hadwin is 34.
"We're both level 24!" Out of nowhere, one of the twins says.
The heck? Who asked? Why are they telling me?
When I glance over at them, they're smiling slightly, trying to look as friendly as possible. Oh, I see.
They want to get on board papa Nat's train, don't they? Okay, let's see.
"Skills?" I ask, showing them that I can be even more shameless. There's a bit more hesitation than with Kim, but they quickly answer without consulting each other. At least not out loud; I'm sure they can talk through their link.
"[Connection], [Mirrored Mending], [Haste], [Mana Manipulation], [Sensory Deception]."
Oh boy, that's even more poor than Hadwin and they're at a much lower level. And they all sound so interesting, so cool!
Okay, it's decided; I'll keep them.
"You know what to expect, right?"
"Yes," says one of them, and I look to confirm. I'm satisfied with what I see.
There's no trust, no high expectations, just two people who want to use me and know they'll have to pay for that. At the same time, they know they can't expect too much from me. There's no way I'd risk my life for them.
It's something hard to balance, but hey, let's try and see.
"Ruby, can you bring out a weaker one for the boys, one a bit stronger for Kim and Hadwin, and a stronger one for me?" I can help them, but I need to level up too, don't I?
Upgrade token is something I absolutely want to get before this floor ends, and I have a feeling that time is drawing near.
"Master said only for you,"
"Pretty please?"
"..."
Well, I tried.
"Is there something you want?" I ask.
The redhead woman ponders a bit and a small smile blooms on her face, "Let's say you owe me, okay? And I'll pick what I want later."
"Sounds good," I respond. I'm sure she won't ask for something too outrageous, but still, they'd better appreciate what I'm doing!
"Before we start, what level was that Hydra back then and the Mireblood Troll?"
"Hmm? If I had to guess, the Hydra was around 350, and the troll maybe 160?"
So it's not like over 100 equals one question mark, over 200 equals two, and over 300 equals three. Maybe up to 150 equals one mark, 150 - 300 equals two marks, and 300 - 450 equals three marks?
Damn, that would make Ruby's master over 450 and Ruby over 150 level? Heck, maybe there are 4 question marks, and her master over 600?
Well, that's scary… That's a lot of stats and experience. It's a league I can't even properly imagine right now.
What level are Champions and Paragons? This is something I'm super curious about, now that I'm sure Ruby's master is someone in a similar league to them. Hopefully. Otherwise, it would be too scary to imagine people even stronger than her.
Why the hell are there such strong people and monsters on the second floor? Isn't it bugged?
Sure, we don't have to destroy the world, we just have to survive until the end. Maybe it's just to show us what will be possible in the future? To set goals for ourselves and to etch into our minds what could happen to Earth in case we return and are able to retain our powers.
That sounds plausible.
Up until now, the system hasn't been too nice or helpful, but there's some twisted logic to everything we go through. One of the biggest hints is the name "Tutorial."
We're being trained, being prepared for something. Something that will likely happen after we return to Earth. Maybe the real "game" will start then?
Well, anyway, we still have a few years to go.
[Stone Troll - lvl 23]
[Blood Troll - lvl 46]
Ruby summons the monsters. The first one is for the twins and the second one is for Hadwin and Kim. I once again ponder the place where she is "taking" them from. She got the coordinates from her master, but there is a weird mix of monsters.
Is it a regular forest somewhere? Is it something else?
"This one is for you. It's close to one hundred, so be careful."
Before the monster attacks me, I ponder about how she knows. The natives of this floor don't seem to be able to see the text hovering over the monsters or humans' heads the way we people from the tutorial do. So, maybe they have come up with their own ways to measure it? Maybe by checking the mana signature?
[Ember-eye Warg - lvl ?]
I jump backwards as the monster lunges at the place where I used to stand. It's smaller than the warg before, but much faster, and my [Kinetic Redistribution] doesn't seem to slow it at all. It also doesn't absorb any energy, and my [Perception] feels some sort of barrier close to its skin.
I continue to observe it, but I'm unable to discern much more. It seems to disrupt my [Perception], and when I shoot small beads made of mana at it, they disappear after touching the barrier, seemingly working in a similar way to [Disruption].
Damn, that's quite an interesting way to use it. Are there any advantages in comparison to the way I use it?
Unable to fully dodge, I create armor around my body, which disappears after the monster's shoulder hits me and sends me rolling on the ground. I absorb more energy from the wind, from the swaying grass and use it to propel myself high into the air.
The monster's orange eyes continue to track my movements as I start falling down.
My translucent left arm made of mana continues to grow more and more dense, taking on a darker blue color. I create a single orb that I make orbit around myself while I feed it more and more mana, making it denser and stronger. Surge activates, and the orb turns into a blurry shape, seemingly instead of an orb orbiting me, there is a hoop around my body.
I feel a wave of disrupting mana from the monster the moment I land, but I shoot mine against it. The skills collide, the monster's winning, but lessening the impact of its disrupting skill on me.
I dash at the monster and then, instead of slinging an orb at it, I absorb all the kinetic energy from the orb that was spinning around me, immediately filling the amount I can handle.
The orb elongates and turns into a spear made out of dense mana, and I use the absorbed kinetic energy to propel myself right at the monster.
