Maximilian followed the group for about ten minutes before something stopped him. He wasn't sure what it was under no circumstances did he want to go forward. He released his aura in a short burst to get the group to stop. He reached and grabbed the general when she tried to move beyond him. He looked into the tree line but couldn't decide what it was. It wasn't until he saw the shadows move that he figured it out. There was an ambush. The rational part of his mind told him to grab the general and force his way through, but he couldn't. Relax. He thought the command to himself and resurveyed the situation. He had to assume the worse case scenario which meant the "boss" of this quest would be here. Ready to stop their escape. If he killed him would he win? No the scenarios were realistic. At least as far as he could tell. If he cut the head of the snake it might scare the others. If that happened they would retreat. He could save everyone. Of course that relied on him killing the boss soldier. The decision was taken out of his hands when a man in pristine armor stepped out of the shadows.

  He wore full plate with a great sword in one hand. The man had to be around seven feet tall and looked like he could split a person in half with his blade. Maximilian couldn't see the man's eyes which only made him more frightening. "You must be the warrior we were told to expect. I must admit you were more effective than I expected. I had expected your kind to be like runaway kiji. Destructive and reckless. I almost believed you were an assassin. I imagine it mattered little the men you killed." That comment hurt like a blade to his kidney and Maximilian had to resist the urge to defend himself.

  "I am what I am." Maximilian offered in response. "I don't suppose you will be willing to let us go."

  "I can not. I would say its my duty to kill you and keep the general but in truth I do it out of pleasure. I have never had the chance to cross blades with a practitioner before. I look forward to seeing if the legends are true." Maximilian was about to reply when his instincts stopped him. He stepped to the right a second before the great sword tore through the spot he had been standing. The blade cut a six inch gash into the ground. He released the Dao of Static in its fullness and retreated. The warrior wasn't just strong. He was in the middle of activating Severing Disc when he stopped. Before he realized what he had done the barrier of his robes was triggered. In the next the moment the great sword had slammed into him. The barrier was just strong enough to stop the blade. It did nothing for the force. Maximilian was launched almost fifteen feet away and through the trunk of a tree. "Ow" He groaned as he got to his feet. He released his dao as an aura around him and waited for the next attack.

  When it didn't arrive he activated Static Bolt. The bluish-white bolt formed above his shoulder. He stepped out of the broken tree and back into the clearing. "You mind telling me your name?" He asked as he tried to form a plan. His enemy was fast but there had to be a limit.

  "Tyquen. Commander of Tyquen of the Sixth Legion." He replied. The commander changed the grip on his sword right before Maximilian's instincts warned of danger. He side stepped in time to avoid the attack only this time he launched his skill. Electricity spread through the man's armor like he had been struck by lightning. Not wanting to give him a chance to escape he blasted him with Dao while he formed Severing Disc with the other hand. Before he could launch it the commander swung his sword. Maximilian bent backwards in time to avoid the decapitating strike. The commander pressed his attack and Maximilian was forced back. He tried to counter with a hook only for it to feel like had punched a mountain. He pushed spiritual energy into his feet and launched himself into a tree.

  "Impressive armor?" He asked himself, not expecting an answer.

  "We call it Titan's Steel. if you believe the rumors. It was formed by the gods eons ago. Its proof of my strength." Maximilian nodded and formed Severing Disc. It took the skill a moment to reach its maximum size. When it did, he looked down at the commander. "I hope it's strong enough to deal with this." As he spoke, he pushed spiritual energy into the symbol for Static Bolt along with his dao. He was confident in his attack but something told him it wouldn't be enough. He launched the attack when the commander shifted his grip on the sword. The disc tore through the distance and crashed into his sword. The blade held for a moment. Just long enough to weaken the disc before the blade was split in two. To the general's credit he shifted and brought one of his hands up to block the disc. It bought him just enough time to avoid the lethal hit. It was then that Maximilian stepped into the man's guard. The imbued Static Bolt slammed into his chest followed by a tackle that brought them both to the ground.

  The commander responded a second later. His fist slammed into his jaw with the force of a baseball bat. Maximilian's mouth filled with blood and his vision blurred as he attacked. He formed another Severing Disc just as the commander smashed his face again. The disc tore through his armor and then his neck. He was about to unleash the skill again to make sure when his dantian was flooded with energy. There was enough to make up for what he had used and push him to level seven. He allowed himself to relax for just a moment before he got up and ran back to the others. He couldn't be sure the other side would let them go with their leader dead so they had to move. It looked like the general had the same thought. She had the escapees ready go as soon as he gave the word.

  "I am surprised you won. I had expected it would take half a battalion to take him down." General Amala said.

  Maximilian gave her nod as he waited for the healing pill he had just taken to fix his jaw. He couldn't believe how hard he had gotten hit. It felt like he would've broken his jaw off if it was before the Network changed his body. Part of him wanted to take the commander's armor but there was no time. He needed the other soldiers confused for as long as possible. Not angry. He had enough time for his jaw to heal before the army caught up. Maximilian considered grabbing the general and leaving for a moment, but he knew better. He activated Severing Disc along with Static Bolt. Before he could finish activating the skill there was a familiar pop and then the bluish-white electricity appeared. "Great that will be fun to look into. If I survive what comes next." The sound of bows firing their arrows filled the air as Maximilian turned around. "Continue until you reach the camp. Don't return." He imbued his voice with just enough to energy to make it clear he wasn't going to argue the point. He unleashed his skills to combat the falling arrows but it wasn't enough. Two of the escapees caught arrows in their shoulders. Fortunately they were helped and kept going.

  "I don't have any interest in fighting with you all." Maximilian stated as he released his killing intent and aura. He did his best to concentrate it in front of him. It shot out of him like a water house that had been compressed for far too long. He couldn't help but relish the moment. When he got control of himself again, he gasped. A third of the army was unconscious while another third wobbled on their feet. They moved as if a stiff breeze would knock them over. Only the archers were in any shape to continue fighting. For a moment he thought it would be enough. He was wrong. Someone he couldn't see gave the order for them to fire and arrows tore through the air. He was hit by three of them before he could activate Prismatic Barrier. He bit back a scream as he removed an arrow from his hand. The sight must've reminded the army that he was human because they let out a unified roar. Across between fear, panic, fury and dozens of other emotions. They weren't an army anymore. They were a mob of people with weapons. Still more than enough to kill him. Maximilian activated Severing Disc and Static Bolt. The latter skill had become more powerful with his increased understanding. "Forgive me." He launched his attacks.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  By the time the white light engulfed him his mind had slipped away. He wasn't sure if their were that many soldiers or the Network created new ones. They were an endless sea. One that drowned something inside him. He hadn't realized the fight was over until he was back in his apartment. The steady flow of kill energy had turned him into a turret. One that wouldn't stop firing. Their weapons couldn't break both layers of his defenses. Not before he could erect them again anyway. He sent a surge of spiritual energy through his body to clean himself up though it did nothing for the feeling. He took a seat on the couch and pulled up his status screen. He placed his level up points into the Intelligence and then closed his eyes. He replayed the battle in his mind. He couldn't help but scold himself on his performance. That he could've done better. That he could've escaped or stopped killing.

  The rational part of his brain knew it was wrong. He had done what he could and if he had broken the barriers early there was no guarantee he wouldn't have been killed. He wasn't immune to those arrows. Which only made his anger at the Network grow. He knew those weren't normal. His body should be able to resist arrows by now. The Network made things stronger to hurt him. To train you the rational part of his brain responded. He shook his head and calmed his thoughts the best he could. He had more notifications to go through.

  Quest 8 Complete. Quest Grade: S. Reward Distribution has begun. Tutorial Title has been improved.

  Tutorial-8th Quest: Complete the Seventh Quest of the Tutorial. Reward: All Attributes +10, All Attributes +10%, Potency of All Attributes +10%

  Choose Reward: Spirit Artifact(Peak Quality), Spirit Stones(Attuned), Upgrade of Network Station, Additional Rewards: Limited Title Slots +1, Peak Rank-1 All Attribute Fruit

  Well the rewards appeared to be deserving of the quest. He wasn't sure if they were worth the carnage he went though. Even if he accepted the idea that they weren't real people. That they were video game npcs. He also knew the Network didn't care. Even if it did what would happen if he complained? The Network could punish him or it could take the rewards away. Rewards he would need to help him when he got back to Earth. He shook the thoughts off and focused on the screen. He had to make a choice. Unfortunately he had no idea what most of it was. It seemed all three rewards would be more than worth it. If he had to make an assumption a Spirit Artifact would be some sort of magic artifact. Though the idea of getting a magic sword that would let him cut his enemies down was interesting. He couldn't consider it a priority. He didn't use weapons so it wouldn't help his offense too much. If it was a shield, then it was redundant still. Between his robes and his skill his defenses were solid.

  The spirit stones were obvious. A boost to cultivation speed might be enough to shoot to the head of the pack. If he was already there, then it would take him even further ahead. He was tempted but the option didn't say how many he would get. It was possible he would only get enough for one more level which would be disappointing. Last but not least was the Network station upgrade. That was the one his eye kept going back to. He wasn't sure how hard it was to upgrade those, but it would let him start one step ahead of everyone else. If he did that he could start building while everyone else struggled. He could form a faction first; he could build a city for his parents. He could bring order. The more he thought about it the more the answer seemed clear. Part of him hated that he had seen the station. The reward explains what the upgrade meant but he would roll those dice. He had expected some fanfare after he made his choice but there was nothing. The screen disappeared a box appeared on the table. He decided to deal with the fruit right away.

  The fruit was about the size of a pomegranate only it was emerald green and was heavy. It felt like a stone in his hand. Despite that it had a sweet fragrant smell to it. One that encouraged him to bite into it like sweet whispers in the back of his mind. He decided to indulge. He bit into the fruit and nearly choked. His eyes watered as his mouth was assaulted with the spiciest thing he had ever eaten. It felt like he had bitten into a bowl full of the strongest peppermint in the world. His sinuses cleared to the point he could swear he could smell the metal in the room. Despite all that he couldn't stop himself from finishing the whole thing. "Damn, I bet those cost a lot in the universe. Even if they couldn't provide a lot of benefits they would be worth it just to eat them."

  He was about to lick his fingers clean when stopped himself. The memory of phantom blood soured his mood. His brows raised as he reviewed his attributes. If his math right than that fruit had given him a nine point boost. To every one of his attributes. If applied the potency boost than his attributes were all above one hundred. He choose to not do so since the Network had given him a title and he wasn't ready to give up hope for that. He checked his titles but there was nothing that indicated its increase. He assumed that was because he only had one. If not there wasn't much he could do about it now. With his upgrades taken care of he sighed and headed to the bathroom. He needed a shower. If he understood things there would be one more quest after this. One more quest and he could go home. He would get to see what was left of "home" and if it was worth saving.

  After his shower he wanted to nothing more than to get some sleep, but he stopped himself. He needed to focus on advancement. He decided to devote at least two hours to meditation and then if he felt like it two more on cultivation. Reflecting on the recent battle wouldn't be fun but the benefits should be impressive. He doubted he would get a new Dao from it but every little bit would help. It might also help him deal with the guilt. He decided to release his aura. In small amounts to begin but when he saw that it had almost no effect on the room he decided to release the restraint. For a moment it felt like he had returned to the battlefield. That he once again stood facing an army only this time he couldn't see their faces. Their fear, their anger and then the moments of their deaths. It felt like he had submerged himself into a war zone the more he saw the more it affected him. When the two hours were up his heart felt like it had been scoured with metal wire. He decided that was enough for tonight. He would get some rest.

  The next day he gathered in the meeting room as usual. The energy in the room was different than usual. The best way he could put it was that there was exhaustion and hope in the air. Like a people who were tired but ready for the last leg of the race. Most people felt stronger to, their auras were more vibrant and condensed. They didn't feel anything like his own but they were more impressive. He hoped that he could find a way to fix his. Or at least emphasize the electrical component more than the bloody one. He didn't like sealing it all the time nor did he want to accidentally kill anyone who couldn't take it. It wasn't just the people either, several weapons gave the same kind of weight. He wondered if that was due to them being Spirit Artifacts or if it was because they had been used. Most of them were weapons so he wasn't too interested in the answer though he did see a few books and staves. Either way it was something to deal with later. The dwarves appeared a moment later. This time it wasn't Thrawn who took charge but the scholarly dwarf.

  "Good day everyone. Today we will discuss the secondary professions and techniques available to you. I hope you pay attention and get some insight into your potential paths."