The two companions settled into a rhythm after that. They would travel as far as they could each day, stopping only to sleep or to fight the swarms. Ta’Ku grew to love the fights because that’s when they ate. Noah was increasingly convinced that the mountain was infinite as they traveled, as there was barely any change in the landscape. On nights when they didn’t find beasts, Ta’Ku trained Noah in the hammer. He had been reserved at first, not wanting to offend Noah, but quickly learned not to think such things. Noah didn’t care for that kind of deference; he preferred a genuine equal and a friend. Ta’Ku wouldn’t go so far as to call them friends, as he was Noah’s Dan’Kar, but that didn’t stop Noah from treating him as such. He wasn’t a servant or a battle-slave as many Dan’Kar were. No, to Noah, he was a true brother.


    Their levels climbed even faster than they did, the rate only decreasing once Ta’Ku reached level 50. The higher they moved up the mountain, the stronger and sparser the beasts became. They would still swarm, but nearly all the beasts were of journeyman strength, and the fights lasted much longer. They both received injuries, healed and then were wounded again. Recently, it had become their nightly routine to meditate and work on their gates. Ta’Ku felt close to a breakthrough and Noah assured him that if he continued, he would find it. Noah had also gained a measure of inspiration, though not where he expected. Instead of meditation, it had come through his time training with Ta’Ku and learning to see him. He realized that his next breakthrough was not about himself but about those around him and began to pay close attention to Ta’Ku as they journeyed together.


    Two weeks passed, and they found themselves entering a new biome. Snow came down in wet clumps and only white ground lay ahead. When they finished defeating the swarm that night, they sat down by the fire to discuss their plans.


    “Just three levels from the leaderboard!” Noah said cheerily, biting into the haunch of boar. He had hit 59 after the latest fight.


    “Five more for me.” Ta’Ku replied, chewing loudly. They were slowly gaining on the world leaders and hoped to reach them within the next week.


    “Just imagine Ro’Kar’s face when he sees us both on there!” Noah laughed. “You’ll have to break through though.” He added. Ta’Ku nodded.


    “I feel close, it should be any day now.” He said.


    “Let’s spend the night meditating then, I am also near the edge and am getting eager for my next choice,” Noah announced. They scarfed down their dinners, their stomachs now accustomed to the singular feast of the day and got comfortable around the fire. Well into the night, Ta’Ku yelled and Noah sprung to his feet. He found Ta’Ku lying in a heap and sweating profusely. He did it! Noah realized. He sat down again returning to his own thoughts. What am I missing? He thought through the last few weeks, of all he had seen and heard. He focused on his interactions with Ta’Ku, he had learned much about him and how he thought, but did he really know him? There must be a piece that I am missing. It''s like something is keeping me from actually knowing who he is. Noah puzzled over it, watching as Ta’Ku sat up with a grin on his face.


    “How’d it go?” Noah asked him


    “It''s amazing,” Ta’Ku began, “It’s like I had a filter before but I can finally see the truth for what it is.” Noah was stunned at his words as that spark of inspiration ignited within him. That’s it! I cannot see him because I am looking through my filter. Therefore, what I see is a skewed reality! As that thought settled in, Noah entered his mental world and saw an exciting development. A gate stood in front of him, its door ajar. He pushed it open and stepped through finding darkness once again.


    [Congratulations. You have reached the second Gate. Choose a reward.]


    Immediate


    Progressive


    Noah beamed. He did it.


    “Ta’Ku, I broke through the next gate! It was what you said that gave me clarity!” Noah exclaimed. Ta’Ku grinned in return, knowing how much effort Noah had put into it.


    “Now whatever you do, do not choose immediate.” Noah warned. He deflated, he had definitely been ready to select just that. Noah saw the look on his face. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    “We talked about this, my reward has continued to give me benefits. Imagine if you only got a few extra stat points.” Noah explained.


    “I know, I know.” He agreed, choosing progressive. He was relieved to see that he had gotten the same boon as Noah. It was a shame to have missed out on the early levels, but he didn’t plan to stop anytime soon.


    “I got the same reward that you did, what did you get?” Ta’Ku asked.


    “Another choice…” Noah replied looking at the screen that had popped up.


    [You have selected Progressive. Choose a reward.]


    Knowledge


    Stats


    Noah looked at the options, unclear of the better choice. If he assumed that Stats would give him a similar reward to the first, then that would be a huge advantage to take at this point. But knowledge was an unknown. It could be incredibly helpful, or it could not apply to him at all. When he thought about it he just couldn’t ignore the opportunity though, his biggest bottleneck was his lack of knowledge. In fact, the biggest hindrance to his people’s survival was their lack of knowledge. He made his decision and selected knowledge.


    [You have selected Knowledge. Choose a reward.]


    Path


    Grade


    Gate


    Another choice. They would all be helpful but Grade was only one he hadn’t figured out on his own. Noah took a deep breath and selected Grade.


    [You have selected Knowledge: Grade]


    [Grade is the essence density or purity of a being or planet. F Grade is considered the middle point of the multiverse, representing 50% essence purity. Grade is advanced through accumulated essence. The most common way to attain essence is through XP conversion. XP can be converted to essence at a 1:1 ratio through the System.]


    Noah grinned at his fortune. This knowledge could be what saved his planet. That, or the elves already knew and it would just be helpful to him. He shared the news with Ta’Ku, who was similarly ecstatic. Noah, having over 500 unused XP prompted the System to exchange it for essence. He rushed to open his Status, ready for his next Caste advancement.


    Status


    Name: Noah Denter


    Race: Human


    Grade: F


    Domain: Self


    Caste: Iron


    Gate: 2


    Path: Apprentice


    Level: 59


    Strength: 146


    Dexterity:146


    Constitution: 158


    Intelligence:11


    Wisdom: 13


    Willpower: 14


    XP: 0/1000


    Essence: 555/10,000


    Stat points available: 0


    Noah frowned as he looked at it. Perhaps he should have figured that it would be expensive, especially considering that F grade was advanced compared to the elves. Still, the number meant that he would have to delay leveling if he wanted to advance his caste. At the end of the day, only 10 levels of experience stood between him and the next caste.


    They ate a second dinner while they discussed their next day.


    “Same thing tomorrow?” Ta’Ku asked. Noah nodded.


    “Until we are on the list, we will keep at it. The snow doesn’t really change anything with our level of constitution.” Noah paused.


    “Did you have snow on your planet?” He asked.


    “We did, though I never saw it. People from my village had traveled into the distant mountains and shared about it with us, but I never got more than a few days walk from my home.” Ta’Ku shared.


    “What was your world like?” Noah asked.


    “Hmm. I am not sure about the world as a whole, but my region was a large flat valley with hard packed clay and all sorts of fruit bushes. We hunted drinter, similar to what you called a cow but skinnier, and we farmed the land, producing all kinds of vegetables. Was this mountain from your world?” Ta’Ku asked. Noah smiled.


    “No I don’t believe so. If it’s not from yours then I would guess it is from the Drakon homeworld. Were there wars in your region? How did you learn to fight?” His eyes wandered, and he stared into the distance.


    “There were regular skirmishes with nearby villages; it is custom for orcs to mature and win mates through battle. That, and most disputes can be solved with a weapon.” Ta’Ku laughed. “As for learning to fight, my father taught me from a young age. He was a great warrior, and well-loved by our village. He died a few years before the System.”


    “I’m sorry to hear it.” He said. Ta’Ku shook his head.


    “He lived a good life. My mother is still out there somewhere though, and I would very much like to see her again.” He shared.


    “When she sees your name on the rankings, she will know that you’re alive. I would bet that she starts combing the world to find you.” Noah mused.


    “Have you already met her somehow? Or are human mother’s the same?” He questioned. Noah laughed.


    “I think any mother would search a world to find their child.” He said, wondering how true that was of his mother. Is she looking for me?