The trio fanned out, aiming to flank the monster as it blindly charged at Noah. That of course meant that Noah was left standing alone, seriously tempted to give up his XP on some quick levels to boost his constitution. He resisted the urge and braced himself for the moving fortress that was running him down. It held a massive club in its hands that appeared to have been one of the tree monsters at some point. The cyclops, a title that felt wrong with its two heads, swung the club at Noah at a speed that seemed to defy physics. Noah only had a moment to watch as the club connected with his entire body and propelled him into the air with crushing force. Noah wheezed as his ribs cracked, flying long enough to see his companions rushing in for their attack. He landed in a snowdrift, something that would have been a blessing if his limbs were still functioning. Instead, he felt trapped as he stared up into the white sky through his Noah-shaped indent in the snow.
Now that he was no use in the battle, he finally had the opportunity to advance his Grade and hopefully reach the next Caste. There’s always an upside. He converted the 9,545 XP he still needed into essence and willed the upgrade to begin. Every bone in his body seemed to simultaneously break and it was as if his whole body began to melt. Then the process reversed and his muscle reformed around the reconstructed bone. If his nerves had been intact he may have died from the trauma, but he figured that he didn’t need to think about that. When it was completed he lay in a large puddle of water, and he scrambled to pull himself out of the hole, overjoyed that his body seemed whole again.
[Grade increased. F > E.]
Noah’s new body felt remarkably strong. It was similar to when he had his caste breakthrough, but the source seemed different. Instead, it was like his body was denser, or more specifically the essence in his body was denser, he supposed. This had another side effect though he realized with concern, that the air felt more hollow and empty to him than before, as if the air had thinned and it was harder to breathe. He would have to adjust to the change, or he may find himself stuck like the beasts on top of the mountain.
[Caste threshold met. Initiating breakthrough.]
A familiar pain shot through Noah’s body and his blood boiled. He slumped to the ground, grateful for the numbness that once again overtook his senses. He much preferred it when it had been his path evolution that triggered his breakthrough.
[Caste Breakthrough successful. New Caste: Copper.]
[Domain Upgrade granted]
[Copper caste is the second lowest tier of citizenship in the multiverse. Higher caste citizens are now permitted to share System-related information with you.]
[Congratulations.]
The familiar messages felt underwhelming, but the new sensations did not. He instantly knew what the domain upgrade had accomplished as he could now intimately perceive the area around him in a three-foot radius. The structure of each snowflake was downloaded into his mind in a surprisingly digestible manner. His body was also once again reinforced, and he felt like he jumped many levels all at once. To confirm the changes, he summoned his status screen.
Status
Name: Noah Denter
Race: Human
Grade: E
Domain: Proximal
Caste: Copper
Gate: 2
Path: Journeyman
Level: 59
Strength: 158
Dexterity:158
Constitution: 167This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Intelligence:11
Wisdom: 13
Willpower: 14
XP: 3,775/1000
Essence: 0/100,000
Stat points available: 0
Noah marveled at his new status, loving the way it always sat just right. His patience finally gave way and he leveled three times, giddy as he watched the numbers climb, particularly constitution as it reached 167. Then his self-admiration was interrupted by a familiar scream. Ta’Ku!
Noah launched to his feet, the injuries melting away, and sprinted toward the giant. He made out Recter, maneuvering through the monster’s legs and stabbing at its joints. Ta’Ku was nowhere to be seen. Noah gripped his hammer and swung at the calf of the unsuspecting beast. The point of the weapon was driven deep into its leg, and it bellowed from its two mouths in rage as it fell to one knee. Noah and Recter retreated, looking for their next opening.
“Where’s Ta’Ku?” Noah demanded.
“He was thrown toward the camp.” He replied. Noah nodded.
“Let’s end this.” He said. Together, the two raced toward the cyclops, Recter stabbing at its chest and Noah circling behind its back. Recter’s spear was blocked, but Noah planted the spike of his hammer in its spine, rewarded by a satisfying crack! They took turns wearing down the creature and chipping away at its health. It had nearly killed Noah and perhaps had done the same to Ta’Ku, but now it would die. As the beast fell to the ground, Noah delivered a final blow to one of the creature’s heads. It let out a long sigh before becoming still.
[3,333 XP Gained.]
Recter knelt, exhausted from the prolonged fight and Noah ran toward their camp.
“Ta’Ku!” He yelled, searching for his friend.
“Here.” Came a raspy voice several paces away. Noah ran to him, and cleared the snow away from his body.
“You’re alive!” Noah exclaimed, noting the very contorted limbs of his Dan’Kar.
“Barely.” Ta’Ku wheezed. “With the extra XP I was able to push my constitution over 200, and I think that’s what saved me. Totally ruined my plans though.” He chuckled, wincing at the pain. Noah felt relieved as he heard the numbers, 200 points should be able to work miracles.
“Could you help me up?” Ta’Ku asked. Noah looked at him through narrowed eyes before shaking his head.
“You might be ridiculously sturdy, but I don’t think I should move you. Your body is very messed up.” Noah explained. Ta’Ku grunted but didn’t push that matter. Recter joined them at that point, wincing when he saw Ta’ku’s state.
“You’re not moving any time soon.” He said.
“Not you too.” Ta’Ku protested.
“I think its time I take my leave.” Recter announced. Noah and Ta’Ku looked at him in shock.
“What do you mean, why would you leave now?” Noah questioned.
“I was afraid to move further on my own, but I have grown stronger and have moved past my fears. For your help in that, I thank you both.” He explained. Noah wanted to challenge his thinking, but thought better of it.
“Before you leave, would you mind staying with Ta’Ku while I fetch the remains of the other monster I fought?” Noah asked. Recter nodded.
“I would be honored to stand watch,” he replied. With that Noah left, quickly locating the tree-monster’s corpse. He collected as much of the wood as he could manage and returned to the camp.
“Will you share a final meal with us?” Noah asked as he worked on the fire. Recter shook his head.
“It is best that I leave now before I change my mind. You have shown me much hospitality, and that will not be forgotten. I am glad to have fought alongside the most worthy one.” Recter finished before turning his back to the pair and walking away.
“You don’t suppose he meant me, do you?” Ta’Ku asked. Noah chuckled. He thought back to their previous conversations, remembering Recter’s words. The most worthy are all on the rankings. Noah’s eyes went wide and he quickly pulled up the list of the top 10.
[Global Ranking System.]
<ul>
<li>Noah Denter-Human: Copper, Lvl 64</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Dariss Ashfield-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 95</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Malentar Stoneskin-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 84</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Recter Jandon-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 76</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Do’Fon Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 73</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Ma’tan Anzinar-Orc: Iron, Lvl 72</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Darten Yellowfang-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 71</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Fastion Briner-Elf: Iron, Lvl 69</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Syton Talir-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 69</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Flamir Axehead-Drakon: Iron, Lvl 68</li>
</ul>
Noah took a deep breath, savoring the moment. I did it.
~
On another part of the planet, a woman exited the healing tent and made her way to her home at the edge of the village. It had taken all of them, but they had finally managed to get the walls up. She pushed aside the flap and entered her little space. It was a sparse dwelling, but it was hers. She laid down on her cot and checked the rankings like she did every night, believing that eventually, his name would appear on the list. She had been too foolish to listen to her brother when he had tried to warn them, but now she knew the truth. As her eyes scanned the first name on the list, tears ran down her face. I knew you could do it.