But being SSS-rank, Jeff could do better than that. Jeff could activate the dagger's wounding effects.

The other drawback: A really long charging time. And during this charge time, Jeff couldn't do anything else. Can't dodge. Can't block.

If Jeff took this out and charged it, that minotaur could detect the initial mana disturbance. The monster could see this blade going invisible. During that time, Jeff was just a sitting duck. Pulling this one out might not be a great idea.

However, Jeff had teammates this time. Good teammates who didn't idiotically call Jeff out. They even attracted that monster's attention to cover up for Jeff.

So the conditions were met. Jeff successfully charged this weapon without being disrupted.

And hey. The results weren't disappointing.

"When did you obtain a glow-tier?" Atlas seemed rather surprised, and somewhat concerned?

"Well. Everyone has got to have a trump card right?" Jeff shrugged.

In reality, Jeff had two glow-tiers. But Atlas didn't need to know that.

"How..." The minotaur kneeled onto one knee.

Like a deflating balloon, it started to shrink in size. The flames around it dwindled off. The temperature quickly dropped to a freezing cold again.

Jeff extended his hand. A dagger flew back into his palm.

Double-edged black blade. Only about 4 inches long. A glassy handle.

"Oohhmm... You humans and your tricks..." The minotaur's voice wavered. Seemed like this monster couldn't accept defeat like this.

"To fall like this... Oohhhmm..."

"Humans... Before I go, I have a bargain to make."

"In this world, Mistborns are capable of growing without limit."

"But you humans, the rulers of the old days, are limited by the potential in your bodies."

"At your level, you should be able to sense it..."

"You should know... By yourself, you won't break through again... You've reached your limit."

"So I offer you this. Lord of the humans." The minotaur fixed its gaze onto Jeff. "My warhammer."

"With it, you shall grow without bound. The secret of infinite growth lies within."

"But I have a condition. May my legacy continue. With my weapon." The minotaur was human-sized now. It's hammer had shrunk with it.

"Do not. Erase my mark. In this world..." Lord Trample started to evaporate into a mist.

"Here. In this world... I... Existed..." The minotaur sighed.

A breeze brushed by, wiping out that minotaur's last trace of existence.

A screen popped up in Jeff's view.

[ Unique Quest: Energy Collection (Incomplete) ]

[ Quest Description: A new energy signature has been detected. Stay within (4500) meters of the source of energy signature for _24 Minutes and 57_ Seconds... ]

[ Quest Reward: In accordance with the recording energy signature ]

[ Now recording energy signature... ]

'Well Lord Trample. I can't exactly agree with your glass ceiling statement.' Jeff thought. He wasn't going to tell anyone this of course.

"Rest in peace." Jeff sighed.

Surrounding this warhammer, the atmosphere here changed. Everyone here had their gazes on Jeff now. And they weren't exactly friendly.

After all. This warhammer did look like a nice drop. And Jeff was the strongest here...

How did they know Jeff was the strongest? These guys weren't blind. They still remembered that hole in Lord Trample's chest.

Jeff's mana-level was at an entire level above them. Without doubt, Jeff was the only SSS-rank here.

Noting these gazes, Jeff quickly ran a detection through that hammer. A mere hammer could remove its owner's rank barriers? Without limitations? Sounded like a scam.

Nevertheless, this hammer was certainly getting stronger. Probably would get stronger with each monster kill. Thus, in turn, the wielder would appear to be getting stronger as well.

"Look." Jeff scanned his gaze around. "We saw one Lord Trample today. We will most likely see many Lord Tramples in the future."

"This time, we got lucky. This monster wasn't very... bright, when it comes to learning in battle."

Well, it's a minotaur. It liked to ram through problems head-on. This wasn't a monster that liked to think, or do analysis work.

"In some sense, we got lucky. But next time, what if it's a smarter King Trample, or Emperor Trample, or Deity Trample."

Everyone nodded in unison at Jeff's words. The threat was obvious to everyone here.

"So, instead of taking this, and being stronger myself, alone."

"I'd rather have everyone here, collectively, learn the secrets of breaking through rank barriers."

"So I propose this. Let's leave the warhammer here. And our settlements can send researchers to this site, and figure things out."

The gazes on Jeff quickly changed. From alert, hostile, or concerned to pure respect.

Looking back, putting themselves into Jeff's shoes, these guys doubted that they could resist the temptation. They knew that Lord Trample could be lying. But they still wanted to take the chance.

What if someone else took over this item. What if the effects were true? And that wielder became unrivaled in this city? What if that person became hostile? Could they leave their lives and fates to a stranger's hand?

What if they were that someone with this item? What if this item could make them unrivaled in power?

"Mission Machine of the Sanctuary, you sure are a confident man." Oracle chuckled. "You are not afraid of us catching up to your level?"

"Well. Without you guys, I couldn't have beaten that monster. In times like these, we have to stick together."

Stick together...

The atmosphere here changed again. Those two words sure stroke a chord. The tension in the air totally faded.

For some strange reason, Jeff felt like he'd been elected as this group's leader. This was the second time now, without his opinions considered...

"Well. Mission Machine, are you willing to do a blood oath. Do you swear, that you won't take this warhammer anywhere by force?" Oracle asked. She still seemed a little cautious towards Jeff.

"I'll swear if you guys swear."

"I, Jasmine Lee, of East Berrystone, shall not take this warhammer anywhere by force." A droplet of blood flew out Oracle's index finger.

"I, James Williams of Picone..." Telepathy pointed a finger forward as well.

"I, Connor Lopez of Thickford..."

"I, Dylan Hameson of the Sanctuary..." This was Magni speaking.

Jeff shrugged. "I, Jeff Norman of the Sanctuary..."

One after another, the top dogs of Berrystone swore that oath. The blood blobs quickly merged together above the warhammer.

Everyone looked at Atlas now.

"I do not make promises I cannot keep." Atlas walked away into the fog.

'...'

'...'

"Well, I'll leave the situation to you guys now." Jeff waved his hand.

"I'm sure with this many SS-ranks," Jeff pointed up. "And S-ranks, things won't get out of control."

"Where are you going now?" Magni asked.

The dude sounded like he really wanted Jeff to stay, so he could leave.

"Well. I still got a New Year's Eve date to continue... Someone single like you won't understand." With a wave of hand, Jeff left.

Magni: ...

---

[ Unique Quest: Energy Collection (Complete!) ]

[ You Have Gained: ]

[ Passive Ability - Mist Breathing Technique / Toggled Off ]

[ Ability Description: With every breath you take in this fogged up world, your mana level grows ]

[ Cost: N/A ]

[Passive Ability - Furnace Body / Toggled Off]

[ Ability Description: Your cells constantly burn up mana, increasing your physique over time]

[ Cost: Corresponding Mana Energy Cost ]

[ Physique Level: Supernatural - Late 99.8% => Sage - Early 0.5% ]

[ Mana Level: Supernatural - Late 95.5% => Sage - Early 0.1% ]

[ Psychological Level: Supernatural - Late 96.8% => Sage - Early 0.2% ]

[ Loading Update... ]

[ Update is expected to complete in: 87 Days 23 Hours 48 Mins 54 Sec... ]

[ Thank you for contributing this data to the system. Please seek out more unique energy signatures. The system wishes you a great day ]