Maximilian didn't have any spirit stones which reduced what he could offer the guards in trade. After a quick search through his storage bag, he settled on the last of his healing pills. As much as he disliked their behavior the people here needed the guards in good shape. They were the ones that would defend this place if it came down to it. At least he hoped so. He joined the line of hopefuls behind two elderly men. Both were African American and looked like they had gone through an ordeal to get to this point. He sensed no spiritual energy from them which only made him more worried. He cleared his throat to announce his presence though it wasn't necessary. "Excuse me, would you mind telling me where we are?"

  "This is Bridgerock." The man to his right replied as he looked Maximilian up and down. "Stranger not sure where you got those robes from but you might not want to have too much wealth around here. I heard that you all can get things from quests or what not but—" Maximilian held up a hand to interrupt the man.

  "I appreciate the warning but I don't have anything simpler to wear. Is robbery that common here? Even with the guards this close?"

  The second man scoffed and then leaned in with one hand covering his mouth. As if he was about to share a secret and feared someone would over hear it. "The guards are more likely to rob you than they are to help you." Maximilian feigned surprise at the comment and glanced over at the pair. Who were in the middle of taking a handful of expensive looking jewelry from a woman. When the woman began begging he lost control over his killing intent. The lapse lasted less than half a second but the effects were immediate. The pair next to him froze like deer in head lights while every other head turned toward him. As if they were all connected to a puppeteer's strings. He resisted the urge to sigh though if he was being honest it didn't bother him much. He had always been better at being noticed than the opposite.

  "Now who in the blazes are you?" The lead guard asked as he walked over. His finger nestled next to the trigger. In what Maximilian assumed was a threat.

  "Greetings." He began while pouring on the charm. "My name is Maximilian, Maximilian Croft. I was hoping to gain access to your lovely city." His words caused the second guard to let out a humorless chuckle.

  "Bridgerock is a lot of things." He started. "Lovely ain't one of them."

  "Toll is five spirit stones or similar value." The first guard responded.

  Maximilian was about to offer the healing pill when he stopped. Instead, he pulled up his status screen and tried to use his credits. There was no "pay" option which frustrated him. When he finally figured it out he sent ten thousand credits to each guard. He then blinked away the screen.

  "Well, I'll be" The first guard said as his eyes refocused on Maximilian. "You know having too much of a good thing isn't always safe. I wouldn't mind—" Maximilian held up a hand not wanting to hear or even deal with whatever he was about to offer.

  "Of course, of course I hope you can let these fine gentleman in as well." He gestured to the men he had been talking to before he paused. There was no reason he couldn't help the others as well. He still had no use for his money and if it would help why not. He pulled up the screen and sent another fifty thousand points to both guards. "Please, let everyone out here in as ell. I would consider it a personal favor." He didn't bother to wait for a response. Choosing to head into the settlement right away. Once inside what he saw did not make him feel better. The settlement was spartan to put it lightly. There were people moving in and out of shops but it was more like a country going through austerity. Money had become worthless to the point that the paper had been used to hold door open or to cover windows. Most if it was just discarded on the ground, covered in dirt and debris.

  Precious metals were the main trade though from what he could see they weren't doing too well either. It made sense when he thought about it further. Gold wasn't very good at being a metal. It wasn't hard enough to be a weapon nor was it durable enough to protect you. Once people stopped agreeing on its value it would fade away. The social contract was breaking. It wasn't just the economic side either, the way people treated each other was different. We weren't nice to each other before but now people fell into two camps. Those with weapons and the will to use them moved around freely. While everyone else tried to be unnoticed. Further the people here couldn't cultivate so they couldn't leave. Not really the animals out there would need more than a normal gun to take them out.

  Maybe if they had a group but how many would take the chance? How many normal people would be willing to stay together when faced with that lemur or the big cats? Most would scatter from the fear, he would've scattered from the fear a month ago. He shook of the morose thoughts and focused on the here and now. He doubted his parents were here. They wouldn't let things fall so low. Not if they had anything to say about it. Still. he had to search. Which meant he needed information. He walked around until he found an old bar. There was only the bartender inside which should make his job easier. He stepped inside and flashed the man a smile. He was older, probably around mid to late thirties. The man had sun kissed skin and dirty blonde hair. In one hand he held a mug and the other a rag.

  "We only accept spirit stones here. No trades." The man began.

  Maximilian nodded and took a seat at the bar. "I can trade you some credits if that's fine?"

  "I don't have much use for those. I don't believe anyone has outside of the people who hunt outside the walls."

  Maximilian nodded though he couldn't complain. He wasn't one for alcohol anyway and he had no interest in owing the man. Not if he could help it. "I am here for some information. Nothing too interesting. I am searching for two people. A man and a woman. Their names are Maxwell Croft and Ashanti Croft."

  The man started cleaning the mug as if he hadn't heard the question. Which irked Maximilian. He didn't like being ignored. Just when he had enough and was about to leave the man began again. "I don't believe there is anyone here with those names. Its not unheard of for strangers to come and go. If you like I will keep an eye out for them."

  "Would you mind telling me about this place? Who is in charge and why have they left the place like this?"

  The man took a seat behind the bar and glanced down at the bar. "Well, if rumors are to be believed the founder is a member of some paramilitary mercenary group. One that got his hands on a lot of guns once things went wild. They ended up settling here because one of them got some device from the voice in the sky. One that declared him leader."

  Maximilian's eyes widened at that. He could assume the "device" was a nexus station. Which meant this place was connected to the Network. He just didn't get why. I mean even if they found themselves stuck here after things changed why couldn't they move the station? Unless they weren't allowed to. Either that or they have some sort of quest. "Have they done anything unusual? Like stop people from leaving? Insist anyone fight for them? Anything like that."

  "No, our leader hasn't shown his face in quite some time. He lives in the building at the furthest end of Bridgerock though its illegal for anyone to approach without permission."

  Maximilian chuckled at that and got to his feet. "Let me guess a person can't just get permission?" When the barkeep nodded he decided to make his exit. He wanted to see what their station was like. Or if it would react with his own. The only question was whether or not he should take the gamble. He had to assume he would get spotted if he went. He had no experience with infiltration. Which meant he would have to either ask permission and thus reveal himself or leave it alone. In truth he had already gotten the information he wanted. He could go around town and ask for his parents but unless they were hiding their identities for some reason they wouldn't be here. His folks were nothing if not outspoken. Which left the mountain. Whatever was there called to him even at this distance. He could also hide his status while learning more about the rules. Both options had their appeal but after wandering the town for a bit longer he decided it was time to go.

  It wasn't just that he didn't want to get involved but his gut told him it wouldn't go well. If he ended fighting the guy would he be responsible for the people here? If so they might be better off without him for now. He couldn't keep this many people safe through the forest. On top of that he doubted the mountain would be any safer. At least not until he founded his settlement. He also leaned toward that being the fastest way to find his parents. He might be able to buy a teleporter. If that was possible than other cultivators would do the same. He gave Bridgerock another glance and then exited the city. He waited until he was out of its line of sight before he sprinted. His improved attributes should let him run further and longer. He traveled for another few hours before he settled down at the base of an oak tree. He had managed to avoid getting into a battle which meant he could push for another level. He considered it for a moment and then hoped up and into the tree's branches. It was better to be safe than sorry. Once he was comfortable and sure he wouldn't fall out of the tree. He closed his eyes and started up the Ninefold Lightning Canon.

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  When next he opened his eyes had not only gained a level, but he had restored a sizable part of his reserves. It would be a bit before he could level assuming he didn't get luck into a lot of energy. That wasn't what interested him now though. He pulled up his status screen and debated how to spend the three points. He resisted the urge to focus on Intelligence. If he was being honest his offensive and defensive abilities were more than enough. Of course, that assumed he didn't come across something monstrous. No, what had drawn his eye was the one hundred point threshold. He couldn't break through it with Strength but he could with Wisdom. Which would bring all but one through that invisible barrier. He hadn't gotten any promises there would be a reward for it but the way he saw it. The chance was worth it. His current build had no real weaknesses. He was stronger by an order of magnitude the old-world humans. He should be stronger than most cultivators. He had the points to spare. He pulled up his improved status screen for review.

  The lack of Limited titles bothered him but he was in no position to complain. He wasn't sure if Earth had opportunities to earn more but he figured the Network would provide. The more he thought about it the more fair it seemed. He was sure that genuine fairness didn't exist anywhere. It had to be created with our hands but it was close. In its own weird way. People could go out and fight to earn just about whatever you need it. From there your progress was a rolling stone. As long as you never stopped you would continue to progress. Of course, that also meant you had to keep risking your life. A gamble that would eventually turn up snake eyes. Then again it wasn't a true gamble. You could prepare and you could even avoid certain dangers. The whole situation was insidious. He imagined a lot of people would get addicted to the power and keep driving themselves until they died.

  He closed his status screen and stood up. There was nothing he could do about what others would do. He would move forward the best he could. He cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders. More than any of the other issues was that cultivation was fun. Even the danger had become exciting. Now that he was willing to head to the mountain he couldn't help the excitement bubbling in his chest. He shot from his tree branch like an arrow. In the next moment he slammed into the ground with the force of a cannon. The forest became a blur of deep green as he pushed himself to his limit. He continued like this until his instincts warned him of an attack. He stopped his forward moment with a stomp and then shot backwards just in time to avoid three arrows. No not arrows quills. There were three needle like quills embedded in the forest floor. Each one was almost as thin as a feather but was sharper than steel. He cocked his head in the direction they came from and found a porcupine.

  The creature was as big as big as a dog with sharp canine like teeth. Its dark eyes locked on his as if assessing the danger. Whatever it saw must've convinced it to try. It leaned forward and unleashed another set of quills only this one was more of a storm than shot. Maximilian gave up on dodging and activated Prismatic Barrier. The storm of quills slammed into the shield like a rain on a window. The skill's energy consumption increased with every extra hit. When it stopped, he ended the skill and unleashed his aura. Instead of the creature backing down or even hesitating it charged. It was as if his aura and killing intent enraged it. Maximilian unleashed a blast electricity followed by Static Bolt. The porcupine rolled into a spiky ball right before the two attacks hit. It then went through them as if they weren't there. Maximilian leaped to the side just before the cannon ball of spike ran him over. He activated Severing Disc and imbued it with the Dao of Static. In the next moment the beast ran into and then through a tree. He launched the buzz saw like blade. This time the creature leaped into the air to avoid it.

  Before the creature landed, he had already prepared his next attack. Both Static Bolt and Severing Disc shot for the creature's landing zone. Once again, the creature rolled itself into a ball. Only this time the Severing Disc tore through the defensive skills and half an inch of flesh. Red blood dripped to the floor as the beast resumed the attack. A fresh storm of quills shot toward him like arrows. He activated the barrier on his robes in time. He grimaced as each impact caused the barrier to tremble. Before long the quills began to break through. Inch by inch until he abandoned defense all together. He rolled out of the way. His instincts screamed a warning. In time for him to unleash a blast of electricity at the charging porcupine. It wasn't enough. He brought both arms up to block the creature's charge. It crashed into him with the force of a train. Each quill stabbing into him like daggers. He screamed and braced his feet into the dirt. His strength faced the beasts, and he came out on the losing end. He shot back until he slammed into a tree.

  He braced himself and then unleashed both of his Dao point blank into the creature. The beast let out a horrid screech and then tried to back away. Maximilian ripped himself off of the quills and activated both of his skills. The beast had made it almost ten feet away before he caught it in a fresh pincer attack. This time it wasn't fast enough to dodge, nor could it rely on its quills. Both skills slammed into it and bisected the porcupine. With the battle ended he collapsed onto his knees, pain and adrenaline warred for control over his mind and body. He passed the dao of rain through his body. When it began healing his wounds he wanted to cry. He rolled over onto his back and grinned. The kill energy made up for what he lost and then some. Which that the battle was more than worth it.