Elsie Henderson stood on the top floor of the former office building turned central command. She hadn't been one of the "lucky" few the Network deemed worthy of ruling in the new world. Not that she cared. When had life or fate or chance given her anything? It wasn't kind to her when it took her family, and it wouldn't be any kinder now that wannabe gods walked the world. She waited until the strange man was out of sight. Despite not being a cultivator, she still had access to the Network's features. She could see the leaderboard. See the name that occupied the number one spot. She had already gathered the small bit of information she could on the man. A fledgling politician. One still wide-eyed enough to think he could change the world. Purge the corruption and all that. A man fated to be swallowed up by the machine. Either forced to play ball or otherwise thrown out of politics. Now he was something odder. Strong but weak. She hadn't spoken to the man herself, but she had seen enough. He wouldn't play ball. Not yet anyway. He was in the lead, so why would he lower himself to second place?

  The door behind her opened, which prompted her to turn around. Her gaze softened as her bodyguard stepped into the room. The young woman had gone through a baptism during the tutorial. The old scars that crisscrossed her face. A "gift" from an ex. Her body was close to that of the mythical Amazons, but both of those paled in comparison to the change in her eyes. It felt like she stared at a font of violence. It was controlled and disciplined, but still there. It reminded her of looking at a high-tension spring. Not that she thought the woman was dangerous to herself. "Do you think you could take him?"

  Abigail shook her head. "No, I didn't ask many questions during the tutorial, but one I did was how to spot strong people. Outside of the vague platitude about the old and young, the dwarf did warn about people who could control their energies. It is difficult, and I struggle from time to time, which is why I am confident that man is good at it. At least for our level. I don't think we could kill him without devoting and sacrificing a lot of lives."

  Elsie listened to her guard's assessment. She didn't know much about fighting, at least not the mechanics, but she considered herself a decent assessor of talent. Her thoughts were similar to Abigail's. "Between him and Justinian, or perhaps the man from the Wei clan?"

  Abigail shook her head. "I can't say for sure. Not without seeing them all fight it out. I imagine that he is a spellcaster, though. He doesn't strike me as a striker. His knuckles are too clean, hands too soft, and face too well put together. Very much the pretty boy."

  Elsie nodded and took a seat at the table. She gestured for her guard to join her. "I believe we will have to deal with him sooner rather than later. Have we had any success in finding his father? If we could recruit him, perhaps he could bring the rest of the family."

  Once again, Abigail shook her head. "We have not. Either the father is dead, or he is keeping his head down. Or hiding his name for some reason."

  Elsie was about to reply when her door opened yet again. This time it was Sarah and Mike. The two government workers offered a slight head nod before taking seats at the large table. It was a far cry from the government meetings she was used to, but the echo was there. There were others, of course, but they wouldn't be joining them for this meeting. They all had their pet projects. Services for their country and all that. "Mike, what can you tell me about our cultivator outreach program?"

  The man straightened his tie before speaking up. "It is progressing nicely. The so-called leaders have been reluctant to join, but with how quickly the top 100 change, it doesn't matter much. I believe that as the delusions of grandeur fade, more will join us. The older cultivators and civilians have already begun joining. I believe we can expect two hundred or so by the week's end." Mike finished his report with a self-assured smile. Elsie didn't share his optimism. Not that she thought his numbers were wrong. She doubted civilians would become soldiers, at least not in the meantime. They would need a way to develop them as well, but that would be handled once her general returned.

  "And how about our attempts at diplomacy?" she asked Sarah. "What is your opinion of the man?"

  Unlike her counterpart, Sarah took a moment to gather her thoughts before she stood up. "I believe he is kind but rather confident. He didn't show any fear of our people or our guns, so either he has something we can't see or he is stronger than we know. I doubt he's an idiot. I think that we should do something about him sooner rather than later. He has a softness about him that I feel is likely to fade over time. If we wait and offend him at the wrong moment, I fear he may not be merciful. Or rather, his mercy would be all gone."

  "Oh, come on," Mike interrupted. "The man seems like the classic lucky idiot. Someone who found something special in the tutorial that led him forward. Now that those things are gone, he will fall like the rest. Or come crawling back to us." Elsie's glare was enough to shut the man up, but she couldn't say he was wrong. The world hadn't come close to settling down yet. Not that she could afford to wait.

  "Regardless, our mission has not changed. Continue to look for more cultivators and old-world weaponry. I want it confirmed that nothing from the modern era will work when it comes to spiritual energy. I am not interested in abandoning explosive ordnance, but I won't waste my time."

  "What should we do about Maximilian and his mother? Should we send someone to escort them or let them move about as they see fit?" Abigail asked.

  Elsie paused for a moment before she shook her head. "Leave them alone but keep an eye on them. I don't want to risk a confrontation over nonsense. If he takes offense, apologize and back off. He seems like a calm person, so I doubt he would make a fuss. If it comes down to something more, offer him a set of those stones." With that, the meeting devolved into technical information. For every change the Network had caused, many other things stayed the same. New York needed to rebuild its infrastructure and build new things like farms. So far, they hadn't found any proof that the Network offered skills related to that, but they couldn't be sure. Earth's spiritual energy had caused the flora to change, which was both a boon and a blessing. Crops made much more than they used to, which could feed many more people, but fields without the energy were essentially barren. They couldn't grow anything. The few scientists she still had access to weren't sure why that was. The leading theory was that the Network had changed their seeds for some reason.

  That wasn't the only thing either. The lack of infrastructure had returned society to the Middle Ages. Just trying to communicate from one settlement to another was nebulous. Not because it was hard but because it was expensive. You had to go out and hunt for credits. The credits would let you teleport. Which meant you had to fight. Something that not many were willing to do. To make it even worse, all forms of mass communication were gone. Hell, they couldn't send letters since the people strong enough to travel were the least likely to do it. All of it added together to make her life much more difficult. Elsie rubbed her temple as she was handed a tablet. She placed it on the table in front of her. She thumbed through the information and sighed. "Continue to reach out to the other factions. The sooner we establish our network and the sooner I am recognized as a ruler, the better. We can't afford to be left behind."

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  Yao Wei stepped back as the large chipmunk-like beast swiped at him. Its sharp claws were strong enough to rip through solid steel, yet it was worthless. He ducked another wild swing and then another. His hands hung stiffly at his side as he trained. The tutorial had been a change for him, but only in a philosophical way. He wasn't sure if it was to monsters or other humans, but the government of China had fallen. The loss of the country he had devoted so much of himself to hurt, but it also freed him. There was no need to split his loyalty between the government and the clan. Now there was only the clan. The chipmunk roared and continued its assault, but Yao had lost interest. The creature was strong but dumb. He dodged another swing and countered. His right hand glowed as he activated Impact Fist. His fist went straight through the creature. Yao discarded the body and walked back. The kill's energy surged into his dantian, but he barely noticed. His strength had increased, but it was boring. He passed through the gates and into what used to be the Forbidden City. A small piece of history. The one thing he had insisted upon. He wasn't sure if that was because of his love for his country or because of its historical significance. He strode through the halls until he entered the meeting room. He bowed to his father and then took a seat on his right.

  His father, Zixin Wei, was the current head of the clan. He was in his seventies, and many had already written him off. The expected plan had been for Yao to take control of the clan and firm up its position. A member of the Chinese special forces, there was never a reason to question that plan. Yet, as Yao listened to his father speak, he knew that wasn't going to happen. The Network and spiritual energy had revitalized him. His father wasn't a cultivator, nor was he much of a fighter either now or in his younger days, but he didn't need to be. Not as long as Yao was here. He would be the clan's sword and its shield in the new world. Yao ran a finger over his odd ring. It was simple at first glance. A bronze band covered in a simple bronze carving. At first, he thought the carving was art, but that wasn't the case. It was an inscription, a type of array, one that would activate to defend him. It was similar to the one on his robes; only the ring was stronger. Not that he had a chance to test it. Yao's gaze fell on the rest of the clan. The majority were uncles and aunts, though some were people he had never met. Family members who had been spread throughout the world. They were in charge of different aspects of the family. Business and other such things. None of them were what he cared for.

  "Now complete your tasks," Zixin commanded. Yao shifted his gaze only to find his father already looking at him. Despite his age, the man's eyes held a steeliness that made him feel like he was a child again. "Come with me. There are things we must discuss." The statement was just that, yet to Yao it might as well have been an imperial edict. He didn't move, not until the room had been emptied. Only then did he stand and follow his father. "I see your level has once again advanced. Do you need more spirit stones?"

  Yao shook his head. "I don't believe they would be helpful. It is important that I understand my power as I grow. I don't want to rely on outside means."

  Zixin nodded as they entered a hallway and then headed down a staircase. "Your words have a certain wisdom, but it is foolhardy to ignore a potential advantage. The world has changed, and times are uncertain. I do not understand much about the ways of cultivation, so I will not tell you which path to follow. As long as you remember that the clan comes first. One hand, no matter how strong, cannot compare to the might of the clan."

  Yao nodded. He had heard the sentiment several different times. Whether it came from his time in the military or the clan. It was always about serving. That was what allowed the clan to survive when the world around it changed. He had heard the story of a mythical founder. A woman who had seduced a warlord and then led a small war band. There were obvious issues with the stories. Logical in consistencies surrounding who the mythical leader was and what her role was. He didn't care. At least he hadn't. He had thought them just stories, but now? Now he had seen things that made him want to know more.

  "My renewed vigor has led the fools into believing that things have changed. It is good that they think so for the time being, but you do not have that privilege." Yao froze as his mind caught up to what he had heard. Only the words didn't make sense.

  "I don't understand." He started, only to be interrupted.

  "You do. You will still be the next leader of the clan." Yao began to reply only to be silenced by a glare. "Do you believe your hands will remain clean? You know better than that. As a soldier, I know you have done things that would not be looked upon well in the light of day. This new world has wiped the slate clean, but you will have to do things again. I can feel it in the air. We have entered a new era where the power players are just finding their voices. You will be forced to fight to defend the clan. As its leader, I will bear those sins and pave the way for you to lead in the new era."

  It took him a moment to process what his father meant, but when he did, he didn't like it. His father was no fool, which meant he was betting everything on his power. If he was strong enough, then he would replace his father as proof of punishment for those very actions. It wouldn't fix the problem, but it wouldn't need to, not so long as Yao was strong enough to be a deterrent. The idea was problematic, and he was against it, but he knew better than to speak against his father's plan.

  "Tell me what you think of Justinian."

  The change in topic caused him to pause. "I think he is a powerful man. He is talented with his spear and cares for his people. Though his obsession with Rome is odd."

  "Those are all facts about the man. Well, not the part about Rome. What are your opinions of him? Do you think you can cooperate? Perhaps fight side by side with him?"

  "I don't know. I don't dislike the man. He seems to have some honor, but I am not sure if he has the inner fortitude to continue on the path."

  Zixin ran a hand through his beard. "I believe you have the right of it. You will need to learn to assess the men and women better. You have to remember and understand that they aren't soldiers. They are people with both ambitions and delusions. If you are smart, you will be able to use those against them. As for Justinian, I want you to avoid him for now. The world is large enough for both of you, and leaders are dropping like flies. For now, though, there is something you must do," Zixin said as he placed his palm against a wooden panel. A moment later, the panel turned as white as snow, and a door appeared in the wall. "The first founder is said to have left something behind. I did not believe it until I found this room. I believe we must face it together."

  Yao nodded, his stoic demeanor breaking for a moment. He glanced at the doorway with a mix of excitement and trepidation. "I am ready."

  Alejandro ducked beneath the claws of the massive tiger with a flourish and a laugh. His needle-like rapier flashed as he punched a hole in the beast's stomach. At least that was what he had intended to happen. The beast's body was much more durable than he had expected. Not that it was impossible. He had already punched a dozen small holes into the creature. He had resolved himself to not use his skill for this fight. He was confident that it should be possible. At least he thought it should. His skill, Pierce had a disappointing name, but it was good. He just assumed there had to be powerful swordsmen that could fight without skills. His assumption came from fantasy movies, so it wasn't exactly reliable, but he felt it should count. He ducked another swipe. His blade danced until it found purchase beneath the creature's ribs. Alejandro glanced up at the setting sun and sighed. He couldn't afford to be here too much longer. He wasn't confident in fighting against the monsters that would come then. He brought his blade across his chest while spiritual energy surged into the symbol on his wrist.

  A moment later, the tiger was dead. A piercing wound passed into and out of the back of its neck. "How did those people make it to the top of the list?" He grinned as he sheathed his blade. He considered taking the beast for its pelt and meat but didn't want to. It was disgusting. He turned back to the small settlement he called home. Part of him wanted to find the other members of the top ten. Find someone more interesting to fight, but he knew it was too soon. The monsters were strong enough for now. He shrugged his shoulders. There was no need to rush.