A storm swirled, a maelstrom of fire, frost, gentleness, and chaos that decimated the landscape. Leo found himself in the middle of it, a barren expanse with no signs of nature.

  As he looked around, the world sharpened, ruinous mountains resolving into clearer focus.This place didn’t scare him. It was comforting.

  It was as if the constant storm he suppressed was at ease. Like that first breath of air after being underwater for too long.

  “I did not expect to see you again so soon, E-grade already?” A voice spoke, regal and powerful.

  Leo tried to speak, and surprisingly, the words came out. “E-grade? I’m still F, I think,” he said, unsure.

  He somehow sensed the voice frown—if that was even possible. “A mystery. I do not know what is bringing you here.”

  “What is this place? And who are you?” Leo asked.

  A pair of eyes appeared within the localised storm, they were piercing and rainbow coloured. It was like gazing into the universe. The power those eyes held was something to revere, something to fear. Leo felt the need to do neither.

  “I am—” There was static as it spoke. “Accursed system. It seems while you have been brought here again, you do not yet have strength enough to learn.”

  “How do I get the strength to learn?” Leo asked, even more confused at what this storm with eyes was talking about. He began to feel his consciousness fade.

  “Reach E-grade. Then return. Until then…” The voice started to become a mere whisper as Leo’s consciousness faded and he was taken back into slumber.

  Waking for the second time, once again trying to get his bearings, he realised he was on his side and his pillow felt incredibly comfy, like sleeping on a cloud. His eyes gently closed again in the sweet comfort, until a thought dawned on him.

  “Pillow?” he questioned, voice a whisper.

  He didn’t have a pillow. His hand reached up to touch it.

  “Uh, are you looking for something?” Ashley asked skeptically.

  In a second, he shot upright. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean—it was so soft—I mean, help,” he stammered, red faced and embarrassed.

  He felt like a teenager in a romcom anime, if Thomas, his fellow nerdy co-worker were here, he’d have mocked him for the next fifty years—or been envious beyond comprehension.

  Ashley burst out laughing. “Relax. It’s just a thigh. Thank you for the compliment.” She smirked.

  Leo just shut his eyes, shaking his head. He needed to relax. This wasn’t some kind of romance flag. She was making fun of him.

  “Sorry. What time is it?”

  “How would I know?” she shrugged. “Morning, I think. Bjorn said to go see him when you wake up.”

  “Alright,” he said, standing. “Thank you, for everything.”

  “No worries!” she said kindly, and then gave him a sneaky smirk. “Try not to grope Bjorn’s thigh, not sure he’d take it the same way.”

  “I’m never going to live this down, am I?” he groaned, hand sliding down his face.

  “I won’t be too harsh. Next time it’s your turn to be the pillow.” She gave him a wink.

  Leo, feeling his cheeks redden against his will, swiftly left to find Bjorn.

  His mind was not ready to comprehend the plot behind any of Ashley’s actions after just waking up.

  The sun was barely peeking above the skyline, a few hours until bright daylight spread across the empty sky.

  It crept through the stone windows as Leo walked along, passing by Amy, Lena and Ron, greeting them all with a good morning. He was relieved to see that Lena, at least, looked like she’d managed some sleep.

  “Hey kid,” Bjorn said as Leo entered. Bjorn was sitting down at the main table they used, eating his daily ration.

  “Morning, Bjorn. Ashley said you wanted to see me?”

  “Yeah, have a seat. I tried to come see you after…well, you know. But you were already passed out. I considered waking you after a bit to talk, but if looks could kill…” He chuckled.

  It was the second time someone had been afraid to wake him under fear of death, and from two different women. It was a stark reminder not to mess with either of them.

  Leo, already sitting at this point, gestured for him to continue.

  “Are you alright, son?” he asked, with genuine concern.

  “Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” Leo said, subconsciously tightening his fists.

  Bjorn gave him a look that reminded Leo of his father’s when he was caught in a lie. It struck a chord in his heart in a way he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

  “You almost smashed a man’s head in, and you’ve killed—how many people?” he asked, not scolding but with worry.

  “Five,” he replied, unable to meet Bjorn's eyes.

  “I’m sorry.” Bjorn’s tone was remorseful. “I’m sorry you’ve been put in positions where you keep having to be the one to kill, even if they deserved it. I fear we're putting too much pressure on ya. You’re just a kid."

  He shook his head. "Hell, none of us should be killing one another, but this place, and this new world, will bring out the worst in some—it already has.”

  “I want to keep people safe,” Leo said, as resolve began to surface in his voice before it faltered.

  “But I feel like I’m spiraling. I’m finding it harder and harder to control this… this anger. It’s like a storm is coming up from my soul and trying to get out at all times. The smallest thing makes it go haywire.” He paused. “I just—I don’t know what to do.”

  Bjorn nodded slowly. “I understand, kid. We all have our demons, the voice inside us that reaches for control, threatens to turn you inside out. But so far you’ve only lost control when protecting us, right? I don’t think some of us would still be here if it wasn’t for you.”

  “Some of us aren't,” Leo said.

  Bjorn’s voice was firm as he responded. “Jasper made his choice. He was given ample opportunities to change and be better. To fight with us. Instead, he chose to run and abandon you. That’s not on you.”

  Leo didn’t say anything, but he agreed. It wasn’t like he actually mourned the loss of Jasper. He was just feeling a bit vulnerable.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Is there anything we can do to help you out? You’ve done a lot for us,” Bjorn asked.

  Leo shook his head. “As long as you aren’t kicking me out, I’ll be fine.”

  Bjorn laughed heartily. “Kick you out? We might have only known each other for a small while, and I may sound like a bit of a sap, but I consider you family. I hope you can help me find the rest of mine.”

  Leo met his eyes, a bit shaken. Family…

  Bjorn was quickly, yet unintentionally becoming the father figure Leo desperately missed since his parents' passing. He was hesitant, confused, anxious and.. happy.

  Bjorn coughed, breaking Leo out of his stupor. “I’ve already talked to everyone else. David agreed to take us to his camp. We’re all going, packing up and moving there. Whatever happens, it'll be massive. And most likely messy again, but those people need help and I think you can help them.”

  “Alright, when do we leave?” Leo said quickly, ready to go in every way.

  He'd do whatever it took. No hesitation.

  “Right after this.”

  The group didn’t really have much in terms of things, so packing up and moving was an easy affair.

  Leo was able to carry spare satchels and potions in his storage ring, inwardly chiding himself as he was storing potions away. He had completely forgotten that he still had them.

  They’d barely make a dent in his resources, but that was no reason not to use them. It reminded him of playing video games. He would get given resources and special items to use and he’d want to save them for the perfect moment, only to have them remaining in his bag, unused, when the credits rolled in.

  In a way it was a good thing he had as many as he did, a fight was coming, no doubt about it.

  Judging by David’s words, the people captive there would be needing a lot of help. Potions would do wonders on them compared to Leo.

  The group made their way out, heading towards David's encampment. It would take a few hours to get there while keeping vigilant for enemies on the way.

  “Keep an eye out for those ambusher ants. Leo, want to walk in front in case they show?” Cecelia said, taking charge once again.

  “Sure, I can do that,” Leo replied happily.

  Nodding her thanks, Leo walked to the front. Time alone up here would do him some good, he was still reflecting on what happened within the dreamscape—as brief as it was.

  The voice that told him to get stronger before it could tell him more. Uncertainty about why it appeared to him or how to even get to E-grade filled his thoughts.

  Perhaps it was something he could get to just by leveling, but how long would it take? He’d managed to get to level thirteen in just a handful of days, however, who knew if it got progressively harder to level up. Getting to level fifty could take years if that was the case.

  In most games, you’d need a specific amount of experience points in order to level up. Based on the notifications he got from kills—ant and human alike—experience was gained, and when a threshold was reached he gained a level.

  The problem lay in that there was no indication on how much experience was needed, nor if he gained less the more he fought a specific creature, like some sort of diminishing return.

  There was not much point thinking too hard about it. In the end only one thing mattered.

  Killing makes you stronger.

  A somewhat grim, yet easily understood, way of living.

  After half an hour of walking, the group encountered their first set of ants. They were a lower level than the ants Leo fought the day prior, but there were a large number of them. He halted the group, fist raised, as he was about to round the corner.

  “Looks like six ants, the highest level is five,” he said, voice low.

  “We’ll take them, you watch the prisoner. Is this acceptable?” Cecelia said, asking for permission. Leo wasn’t sure why she deferred to him, but he didn’t question it, simply shrugging.

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  “Right.” Cecelia began commanding, “Ron supports us from the back, keeping care of your shots. Lena, join him. Try and get a flanking position if you can but do not overextend on your own. Bjorn and I will take the vanguard. We are likely to take a lot of hits with how many there are but I’m confident with two healers we will survive.” She paused, then shifted her gaze towards Ashley.

  “I’ve seen Amy’s healing prowess, but I have not witnessed yours. How effective are the shields I’ve heard about?”

  Bjorn chuckled softly. “You don’t need to worry about that. I forgot to mention yesterday but fighting with this one behind you makes you feel almost invincible. She’s incredible.”

  All eyes looked to Ashley as she blushed, trying to recoil from the praise. Leo gave her a beaming smile and she returned it. She looked genuinely happy to be of such value. Pride welled up in his chest, he knew first hand just how good she was. It was nice to see that others saw it too.

  “Wait! Please don’t leave me alone with him!” David pleaded, panic stricken.

  The mood shifted instantly. “You don’t get to make requests,” Cecelia spat.

  David didn’t try to argue, he just tried to become part of the wall beside him.

  Leo frowned. Whilst it was true that he had almost killed him last night, and the man’s death would not even phase him, he wasn’t going to just murder him in front of everyone. He was currently in control of the storm. It swirled within him in a somewhat peaceful rhythm, his idea of peaceful being a dam, desperate to break.

  “Let’s move,” Cecelia commanded.

  Leo watched the group rush towards the Antlings, who all screeched upon seeing them approach.

  Bjorn roared a booming taunt, noting that four of the ants glowed a bright red and started targeting him. His shield coated itself with stone as he stood his ground, awaiting the charge, sword drawn.

  As the first Antling charged him it bashed into his shield with a loud thud. But instead of Bjorn being pushed back, his shield glowed with an earthy brown light and the ant was sent flying with its carapace cracked. It looked like some sort of damage reflection skill.

  Awesome…

  Leo’s eyes were slightly wide. That kind of attack would work really well on him and his style currently. Leo’s skills were forming a pattern of attacking a lot in quick succession whilst not being hit, but how he fought was not going like that.

  It was difficult. Right now he tended to just try to overwhelm with force, but if knights could learn skills like that…then maybe monsters could too—he’d have to adjust. It was about time he got better use of his Iron Repetition skill anyway.

  While Leo was in his thoughts, considering his fighting style, the battle continued. It was going as Leo had hoped, with Ashley shielding them at the perfect moments, saving them from potential injury.

  Lena and Ron bombarded them from the back. With the former trying her best, but being clearly less effective than the archer who was peppering the antlings with orange-hot glowing arrows. They pierced the carapaces without issue, making Leo a little jealous of how easy it looked.

  Cecelia was dancing among the ants with grace, slashing and moving. She never gave them an open target as glints of moonlight surged from her large blade. Leo again, was thinking about how impressive it was that she was able to fight like that. People seemed to think he was some kind of prodigy, but he just had a bit of practice.

  If one looked at this group in full, it was clear that nobody was really all that experienced in fighting. That made sense, as life wasn’t a constant warzone just a week ago. But Cecelia had taken to this place like a fish in water.

  Or she happened to be a valiant warrior before all this.

  Before long, the fight was over. David still remained seated on the ground and the group was in various states of injury. A few cuts and scrapes, and some heavy breathing.

  “Need a rest?” Leo asked.

  “Maybe a few minutes?” Bjorn said, panting. “Taking on that many at once was a first for me. We won, though. I can already tell we are getting better at this—a scary thought.”

  “Indeed. I can feel the improvements,” Cecelia added excitedly. “You weren’t kidding about Ashley though. You have incredible timing.”

  “Thanks!” Ashley said, beaming.

  Leo smiled. He wanted to fight, but knew that with those lower level ants it would be best if his group got the experience over him. There would be time yet for him to fight. Whether it be closer to the tower or the innards of the city—should they reach them.

  Or possibly, in just a few short hours.

  After a brief rest, they made their way further into the city. The looming giant tower grew closer and closer as they advanced, spotting it briefly when the townscape opened. The ants became more numerous, with soldiers being more prominent. Leo didn’t sit out of those fights. He helped kill two soldiers and four normal antlings, gaining experience and 40 Store Credits.

  He was sitting at around 665 Store Credits, according to the quest description. Still with no use for them. He considered that there may be a use for them at the end of the tutorial, as long as he survived to do so.

  Or maybe there’s a store somewhere in the inner city. He mused, wondering what magical goods it might sell.

  The sky shifted suddenly.

  The sky had been completely blue and clear, bright sun beaming down since day one. A red streak of lightning coursed across the sky, splitting the clean blue with a thunderous noise. Leo had a deep sense of unease upon seeing it, and judging by the looks on everyone's faces, they did too.

  Whatever that was, it wasn’t good.