The night passed with a few more waves. Nothing monumental and easily taken care of given the number of fighters assembled.

As the morning light dawned, the ants had fully retreated back into the city. Leo still felt well rested thanks to sleeping most of the afternoon and evening. So when Cecelia called a gathering, he was more than happy to attend.

The entirety of the camp was assembled in the middle of the courtyard, including those who had just recently joined yesterday. Cecelia stood atop a podium, which was just a large rock conveniently placed there.

Her words carried to every ear, despite her not shouting. “Thank you all for gathering. I haven’t had the time to address the changes in the camp after the dome fell, so I’ll take this moment to do so. Then we will discuss what happens next.”

Cecelia let the words hang, allowing people's full attention to land on her.

“After our groups travelled out into the inner city, we have discovered that the ants are evolved and more dangerous—something we expected. What we didn’t expect was for them to start assaulting us every evening. We can only believe that this will be a constant threat, forcing us to have our groups return each evening, or at least leave enough strength to defend.”

Some nodded in recognition. Others quietly murmured about their safety. Cecelia let them do so before she continued.

“I do believe the assaults are actually a boon. It gives those of you at a lower level to assist in fighting in a safer environment with many healers and elites on hand. Those of you that wish to participate in combat, but have been afraid to venture out can see myself, Nolan or Hector. They will relay the information to me.”

“Alright. Now, with my final words, I want to discuss what will happen next. The city out there is dangerous, but there are still those of us who wish to explore and grow even further in power. The first target will be the broken keep to the north.”

She pointed in its vague direction as she continued. “It is not a quick journey, nor are we in a rush to immediately go there. We will be focusing on the areas leading to it in the coming days until we can safely clear a path towards it. And thus, clearing a safer area for us all to live.”

People readily accepted the words. Leo thought it was a decent idea, and wanted to do the same anyway. He would enjoy the company when scouting. No doubt he missed a plethora of things before he landed himself in the bank.

I also want to find one of the vault keys, Leo thought, shaking his head slightly at his own admission.

A day ago he was almost killed in there, now he wanted to find a way back in. The greed for treasures was a dangerous thing.

Maybe I got it from Ellie? He chuckled to himself.

Cecelia’s final, final words took him from his thoughts. “Thank you for your continued support. All the help those of you focusing on professions are giving is a great service to us all. If there are any material requirements that any of you need, then please see Hector. He will take down any priority lists for when the groups are scouting the inner city. That will be all for now. Fighters, with me.”

Some people applauded, others simply dispersed. Leo was in the ‘fighters’ group so he followed his friends over to Cecelia.

“I know, Hector,” he heard her say as he approached. “It will be a big undertaking, but I know you’re capable of it. You already told me you were given a profession based on this kind of thing.”

“Yes. You’re right. Sorry, I’m just afraid I will disappoint.”

“We are all winging it here, Hector. Just do your best,” Cecelia said.

He nodded and stepped away, past all the gathered fighters and saying his goodbyes. Leo counted at least twenty people gathered—more than he had expected. They greatly varied in levels, with the lowest being still in F-grade.

“What’s the plan, Chief?” Bjorn asked casually.

“Chief?” Cecelia’s eyebrow rose, but at a grin from Bjorn she just answered. “We venture out again today. With some remaining to guard the camp as usual. We split into our usual groups and all focus on the area towards the keep.”

“Who has to stay and defend?” One of the men who came from Gareth’s camp asked. Leo recognised him from the fight towards the Tower, but didn’t know his name.

“Anyone who isn’t at least level 25 or proven to be adept in combat, will remain here. The ants out there are in groups of at least three or four with reinforcements often appearing. They all average at least level 30.”

The man frowned, his own level of 23 being the likely reason.

“I understand your frustration. If you truly wish to venture out, then you may do so if you can gather a group willing to follow. I strongly suggest against solo missions.” She paused then looked at Leo.

He had an idea where she was going with this and was happy to be a prime example…

Of what not to do.

“Leo here is our strongest—no question. Yet he was almost killed just by entering a building he assumed was safe. This was partly my mistake as I figured we would only slow him down out there and slow his leveling, while also hindering my own growth.”

The man looked at Leo, along with others who were holding the same feeling and fear of being stuck in camp waiting for the end. He nodded to them.

Cecelia placed her hand on the man’s shoulder. “Fight for us during the night waves. Level up. Even search for ants that are in the outer city. I doubt they are all gone. You will have your chance to raise your level and grow stronger. If that’s your ultimate goal, then what is a few days of killing ants in relative safety?”

“You’re right,” the man said, a faint smile appearing. “I’ll help defend while you explore and help defend while you get rest during the night.”

“Thank you. We couldn’t do this without those of you willing to defend the crafters who cannot fight.” Cecelia’s gracious tone was all the group needed. They looked completely satisfied with the situation.

Leo had to hand it to her. She had a real knack for this. Completely diffusing any issues while also making those with the issues feel joyed at her decision.

“Nolan, could you set your map down so we can plan out the rough areas to go today?”

Nolan obliged and used his skill. A small paper map appeared in mid air, then grew to triple the size, large enough for everyone to easily see.

“Thank you,” Cecelia said. “Now. This is the area we will be scouting today, two groups will be heading towards these locations…”

The briefing continued for a few more minutes before everyone headed out with their assignments. This would be their norm for the next few days until the area was clear enough for them to reach the keep.

~

While Leo and his party scouted and fought, the days slowly passed. During which, the time for gods to look upon the tutorials had arrived. The multiverse became a greater storm of activity. Factions were preparing for the new events that the System would hold, training their newly recruited members for what was to come.

Others simply continued their actions without fuss. Uncaring.

The main concern that was on the mind of the Primarchs and the factions aligned with them was of course… The newly hatched dragon.

Caldrin watched as the dragon tore into an ant twice its size, tossing it into the air where a man sent it flying with a strong punch. Not once had he stopped frowning.

How can there be a dragon at E-grade?

The thought consumed him more than why the man he learned was called Leo had actually received the creature. Dragons were B-grade, minimum. That was a cold, hard, fact. When Pyronis had told him about the creature being born in a new tutorial, all he could think about was how wrong it was.

A sprout grew from a nearby plantpot, twisting up until it was the height of a person. Then a beautiful creature, the colour of the forest in full bloom, emerged from it.

Vera, The Verdant Matron, walked towards Caldrin’s desk, leaning over his shoulder like she was curious about his work.

“You know that the System has no set rules on the grades of its denizens. Dragon’s being born at B-grade was only due to the nature of the lineages that existed. I’ve heard tales of dragon-like beings existing before B-grade.”

“Dragon-like,” Caldrin intoned. “Not true dragons.”

“You believe this dragon is not a ‘true dragon’, don't you?” Vera asked inquisitively.

“Merely a consideration. One I hope Cindralus also considers. If he believes the dragon to be lesser, it will hopefully bring less of his ire.”

“We both know he will use that as an excuse to eradicate it. If it’s not a true dragon, then the treaty doesn’t apply. Dragon-like creatures are still thriving within the multiverse.”

Caldrin cursed. “Okay. Then this better be a dragon. She certainly looks like one, although not a lineage I’m familiar with. Until we discover what the System calls her race, we will remain unsure.” He tapped his desk. “I do not like uncertainties.”

“You need to relax, my friend. Focus on the positives. Her companion seems to be fairly useful. He even has three Essences based on what I’ve watched. Lightning, wind and fire. He clearly has talent, and powers we are unaware of.”

The pair were currently watching Leo hit an antling with a Volt Crash, sending lightning coursing through the ants nearby.

“Don’t you mean lightning, wind and earth?” Caldrin asked, suddenly much more alert. Vera wasn’t someone who made these kinds of mistakes.

“You mean… he has four Essences?” Vera’s eyes went wide.

“No… surely not. I am the only one to ever have four Essences and even then I did not acquire my fourth until S-grade!” Caldrin was smiling, despite his words.

To find someone with four Essences at E-grade was completely unheard of. This boy was going to make waves, and not entirely the good kind.

Caldrin already was forming plans about recruitment. What better person to handle someone with four Essences than the man who held the same. They even shared three of the Essences, provided they weren’t variants.

“This integration is definitely shaping up to be one of the most interesting. If this is what is happening already.” Vera laughed, the noise like birds chirping in perfect harmony.

They continued to observe the man named Leo, waiting to confirm their findings before fully settling. An antling with acidic spit launched a projectile at the fighter, to which he was consumed in lightning, dodging it with ease.

Spark Dash. Definitely a Lightning Essence.

Caldrin tilted his head at his next action as the young man’s hand raised up. Both Vera and Caldrin leapt upright in complete shock as a Frost Lance was launched from his hand, piercing directly through the head of the spitter. The man clutched his fist in victory.

They looked at each other in abstract shock and amazement.

“A newly hatched dragon, not seen for countless integrations, and five Essences. This boy has a treacherous path before him. Every faction is going to want a piece of him, for one reason or another.” Vera’s tone was firm and solemn.

Caldrin laughed in complete disbelief. “Then we better make sure he joins the right one.”

~

Beneath the city, Jasper was directing his squad of converted against a group of antlings. The tunnels held no treasures like the surface did, but they did hold a large number of ants that used it as a way of traversing the city quickly and safely.

An ant lunged for his throat and Jasper’s armblade appendage sliced out multiple times in quick succession. The approaching ant was quickly cut to pieces.

You have slain: Antling - Level 30

Experience increased for defeating a higher level enemy

+60 Store Credits

Your Disciple of Serrix class has reached level 27

Stat points distributed

+7 Free Points

He had not expected another level up so quickly. The antlings after the dome had come down were troves of experience for his party to claim. A woman approached him, young, short, and with more than half her face now part insect.

She spoke with the rasp you’d hear in a nightmarish creature. “We have found two more groups coming towards us. Has the Lord given us instructions on what to do?”

Jasper’s voice was firm as he replied. “He has instructed us to raise our levels. Slay the inferior species while we wait for the Humans to progress. He has told me that they are making swift progress.”

The woman bowed before moving off to fight once again. This had become the norm for days. Each time he had asked the Lord for guidance, all he had received was that same message.

Until suddenly the Lord contacted him.

“Jasper. My soldier.”

“Yes. My Lord.” Jasper replied.

“The humans on the surface are growing faster than we anticipated. You must hasten your journey to the centre and to my location. Kill everything you can. We need to be ready when the Queen falls.”

A notification appeared before him.

Quest received!

The Lord’s Imprisonment

Lord Serrix has called for your assistance in freeing him from his cage. To do so you will need the key that the Antling Queen holds. But first you must find where your Lord is located.

What good is a key, if you do not find what it opens.

Objectives: Find Serrix’ cage

Find the key in order to unlock it

Rewards: Dependent on completion

Jasper stared at the notification. His mind was taking all the details down and planning accordingly.

“Attention!” Jasper called out, authority in his voice.

The converted gathered before him in hastened steps, bowing before him.

“The Lord has issued us a noble task. He has informed me that he is trapped within a cage, set by the Antling Queen. She must be killed. But first, we need to locate him. All while growing stronger.”

Clicks of concern but acceptance echoed out among the group. One of them spoke up, the same young woman from before.

“How will we slay the Antling Queen if the humans are trying to do the same? Do we need to eliminate them?”

“Not at this moment,” Jasper replied, shaking his head. “It will be a while yet until the Queen is reached based on what our Lord has told me. Even if it is not us who slay the Queen, when she falls… We will be there.”

“Now go! Kill! For Lord Serrix!”

A shriek of battle sounded out across the converted as Jasper’s words set a fire in their stomachs.

The time for a true fight was slowly approaching.

What lay in store for both Human and Converted would be decided when the Queen fell.