“Alex!”

Alex could hear Danny’s voice in the background. A muffled shout held back by the torrent of blood thundering through his ears. And yet, all he could see was Dohbrah’s axe nearly cutting that poor Tank in half.

The sheer strength required to do something like that was overwhelming to him. Had he really underestimated how strong the Tahloh were? And these giants were under level ten. How much stronger would they get?

The slap that snapped him out of his thoughts rocked his head to the side. Looking up in complete bewilderment, Alex saw Danny pulling him to his feet, her bright green eyes flashing with anger.

“I swear on everything, Alex, if you do not pull your head out of your ass this instant, I will nut punch you until you puke!”

Still somewhat confused, he looked over her shoulder to find the remaining members of the team they had come to save staring at him. They were all upset at losing their teammate but they hadn’t let their emotions overcome them. They stood tall and ready to fight.

He clamped down on his wandering mind and put all of his focus back on Danny. He let himself meet her angry glare as if it was a beacon guiding him back to his path.

“We need to move.” She told him, no longer seeing the lone depression in his gaze. His pale blue eyes shined with fire, an inner rage building up to help him move forward.

“Right.” He said with growing conviction. People were still fighting and he had no time to waste feeling sorry for himself. “Let’s head back to our street and keep moving forward.”

They met Toby, Rishi and Silvia waiting for them, their armor just a touch bloodier than it had been before they split up.

“Report.” Alex said, jogging up to them.

“All good on the next street over.” Toby said. “Messengers have already come by. There were several ambushes but not enough for each team. Teams on parallel streets headed over and helped support those who needed it.”

“Same on our side.” Ty said, running to catch up to the group. “Two deaths, three heavily injured.”

Alex nodded. His head was back in the game and he was taking in all the information available to set their course. Several teams were ambushed but not all of them and they were only a few blocks away from the Tahloh base. From what he had learned from the Tahloh they had captured before; he knew their numbers were slim.

“Have them be ready for one more ambush.” Alex said to Ty and Silvia, who would carry the message to the next team over. “Their numbers are not even half of what we have. They will either hit us along the next few blocks or hold out on the fire escape leading to their rooftop base.”

Ty and Silvia ran off to inform the teams. Alex stood guard while Danny chanted under her breath. A wave of what felt like cold water washed through him and he turned to see Danny smiling.

“What did you do?” He asked.

“I modified my healing spell to replenish Soul Points instead of Health Points.”

Alex gaped at her, then checked his stats. His Soul Points were climbing quickly. He wouldn’t completely refill before the others returned, but he would get close to 30,000 Soul Points. With the loot from the Tahloh, he had received a decent chunk back already. Enough of a buffer that he wasn’t worried about dying in the next few minutes.

“Thanks for slapping some sense into me.” Alex said quietly.

“Anytime.”

Under her regeneration spell and her modified healing spell, both focused on regenerating his Soul Points, he was at just over 31,000 before Silvia and Ty returned.

“Everyone is ready and our injured are mostly healed. We set our movement at 2:05pm.” Silvia said.

It wasn’t perfect, but using their Interface clock was the only way to establish when to move so that no one would be lagging behind.

“What were the names of the people who died.” Alex asked, still watching down the street.

“Juan, from Jessabelle’s team and Charlotte, from Andrew’s team.” Ty said.

Alex burned the names into his memory. Juan was the Tank that he had watched get struck down by Dohbrah. It still felt wrong that he couldn’t remember his name at first, but the simple truth was, he hadn’t spoken to him much. He was a quiet man from southern Mexico and a good Tank from what he could remember.

Charlotte was a Canadian from Toronto. Alex had actually spoken with her several times. She was an Agility and Dexterity player like he was, using the classic rogue build with throwing knives and daggers. She was also a sweet woman, with a habit of droning on and on about hockey and the teams she would miss seeing play.

Alex let the thoughts fade away, needing to stay focused. He could grieve later. Those living were counting on him now. As the clock hit 2:05pm, they moved forward. Ty and Alex scouting a little closer to the team and the team watching the buildings for the next ambush.

Just as he had expected, the ambush came at the very next block, but Danny and Rishi had spotted the Tahloh as they peaked over the roofs of the buildings. With the warning ahead of time, the magical grenades that were tossed down were avoided and the Tahloh had made the mistake of climbing down the buildings before they confirmed that their enemies were down.

Rishi and Ty took the left side of the street, while Danny and Alex took the other. They fired off their spells, arrows and bullets at the descending Tahloh, who had no choice but to either retreat back to the roof tops or continue climbing down to the ground. Their mistake of continuing their failed ambush proved fatal for the Tahloh.

Rishi and Danny both dislodged their targets from the side of the buildings. The damage they had taken along with the fall had made them easy targets for Toby and Silvia to clean up. Ty had his target looking like a pincushion and Alex had continued peppering his target, taking his time to aim so as not to waste any Soul Points. Danny was there to pick up his slack and after a short chant, vines tore out of the building, wrapping around the giant’s head. He made the mistake of releasing his grip on the building to defend himself from the vines. That sent him crashing into the ground where Toby finished him off.

Gathering up the loot, the team split up again, running to assist the others like they had before, but it was all under control. It seemed this line of ambushers was far less experienced than the first and they went down quickly with minimal injury to the Human players.

Looking up at the fire escape, Alex wondered if Rahzoh was waiting for them. It would take a long time to get everyone up those stairs and if something bad happened, they didn’t want to be trapped between a cleverly placed trap and their own teammates.

Alex and his team would head up first. Channy’s team would be next if they needed assistance. The other teams were watching the streets and buildings closely, waiting for another ambush.

Toby led the way as their Tank. His shield was ready to block any incoming explosions and Danny still had her Bleeding Heart Necklace just in case. They followed the Tank swiftly, keeping an eye out for any traps that awaited them, but there were none to be found. As they crested the last steps, there were a number of tents spread out along the rooftop in orderly lines. A communal fire pit was placed at the center and a number of what looked to be outhouses were along the opposite end of the roof. Standing alone, Alex recognized Rahzoh, the thin but powerful Tahloh stood there patiently, wearing a light brown silk robe, very different from the loincloths that the Tahloh had usually worn. His black eyes stared at the team, a hint of regret and sadness in them.

“Greetings Alex and friends.” Rahzoh said, his voice still filled with power. “It seems you were correct, Alex. Your Race is proficient at making war.”

Alex didn’t lower his guns. He knew that Rahzoh was powerful, but that didn’t mean he didn’t feel regret at having to kill the man.

“I’m sorry it had to be this way.” Alex said. “I wish we never had to fight.”

Rahzoh nodded. “I too wish that, but wishes don’t often come true. I am the last Tahloh left in the City Zone. Ever since your escape, which was very well done if I may say so, I knew you would return.

“The Tahloh are a warlike people. For all of our power, we are little better than children squabbling over who gets what. In all truth, when we were brought to the testing grounds, I thought the System had made a mistake. Ascension should have been far out of our reach. We, a people who have acted in violence and greed throughout our history, should not have earned that right to Ascend.

“Over the past few years, I have fought, taught and lead my people and I have come to discover one simple truth. There are those that fight for glory and those that fight for their people. I have spent years trying to nurture the latter so that we might be worthy of Ascension.”

Alex nodded. “It’s the same with us. Though we wish we weren’t brought here. To us, these ‘testing grounds’ are just kidnappers. If given the choice, there would have been lots of people who would have come here willingly, but taking us away from our family, our homes, it’s wrong.”

“I have heard that argument before, Alex. When my generation were brought to this place, there were several who were angry at the System, but there was always one argument that we couldn’t seem to win. What if the people who would choose to come here, were the wrong people? Have you considered that the System not only balanced the strengths of your Race with magic and weapons, but with the very people who are brought here?”

Alex had no words to reply. That simple idea had never crossed his mind. This was a test after all. A game that if lost, meant that the entirety of the Human Race would die. Jeffrey had mentioned that they gave each Race the best chance and circumstances to Ascend. Wouldn’t that include the people brought here?

But then what of the Somali and his team? Were those rapists a part of the test as well or was that Humanities Karma so to speak? Humans were not heroes. They were a culmination of the best and worst possible kinds of living beings. Murderers and Saviors. Thieves and Altruists. Megalomania and Humility.

“I see I have given you much to think on, Alex.” Rahzoh said. “I hope our paths never cross again in this life. Farewell.”

A flash of light enveloped the man and before they could act, he had already vanished. Alex and his team stood, now looking at the empty space as a notification appeared before them.

Congratulations! You have wiped out all Tahloh in the City Zone! To claim your Deed, please claim the Tahloh Base!

Congratulations! You have cut off the Tahloh Race from entering the System! For this Deed, you have gained a one-time spending spree of 50,000xp at the System Shop! (Please see Jeffrey to gain your xp.)

WARNING! You have officially stopped the Tahloh from replenishing their ranks! However! More might still be awaiting you in the zones ahead! Stay cautious!

Cheers erupted from below but Alex still stared at the spot where Rahzoh had been standing. His whole team remained silent as they each thought on the words the Tahloh had shared with them. Were they here because the System chose them specifically?

Alex felt yet another notification awaiting. Frowning, he pulled it up.

Congratulations! Due to your exemplary efforts to follow your path in killing not by want, but necessity, you have evolved Crane’s Grace! Crane’s Grace now gives x3 to Agility and Dexterity! Embrace Crane’s Grace to evolve this Modifier further! Don’t try faking it, it won’t work!

Alex nearly fell over at the unexpected notification. The sound of Ty shouting was the only thing that pulled him out of his daze.

“Hell yeah!” Ty exclaimed. “Lycanthropic Curse has evolved! Times three to main stats, Bitches!”

Ty suddenly fell over in pain as a golden glow surrounded him. The others rushed to his side, waiting for the glow to finally fade. When it did, everyone stared while Ty stood up, holding his head.

“Ow, Motherfucker! What the shit was that?”

“Uh…Ty?” Danny asked.

Ty looked up at Danny, the look of concern had him freeze in place.

“Wha-what happened? Did I change again? What?!”

Alex looked Ty over and suddenly started to laugh. He fell to his side, tears falling from his eyes as he laughed harder and harder. The others tried to hold it back, but they started snickering as well.

“What?!” Ty shouted, getting upset. “Fuck everyone! What happened to me?”

Danny pulled out a small mirror and handed it to Ty. He took it hesitantly and slowly looked at his own reflection.

Ty had become more humanlike in appearance. He still resembled the Red Panda but the fur on his hand and arms had shortened and his hands had a more human like appearance. His face still had held the panda like features but his previous jet-black hair had reappeared on top of his head, his two round, fluffy panda ears poking out.

“I’m a fucking Kemonomimi!?” Ty shouted.

“A what?” Danny asked, holding back her laughter far better than the others, but Alex could hear the strain in her voice.

Wiping his eyes, Alex answered. “It’s a word for half animal, half human. Popular in anime but usually it’s a human with animal ears and a tail only. Ty here is turning into that.”

“Fucking racist ass System can suck my furry nuts!” Ty shouted towards the sky.

Once the team had finally calmed Ty down, they made their way back down the fire escape and to the crowd of people awaiting them below. The gathered players were obviously excited at receiving their notifications but they settled down quickly as Alex and his team stood just above them on the fire escape.

“We lost two good people today.” Alex said to the crowd.

Everyone seemed to settle down from their celebrations and a few people were openly crying. It seemed that the crowd hadn’t noticed that there were several people that were clearly distressed and many of the previous celebrators looked down in embarrassment and shame. It was another reminder that this place wasn’t a game.

“Juan and Charlotte gave their lives for their teammates. I was told that Charlotte fought off the first of the Tahloh ambush, holding four of the giants back on her own and giving her team enough time to recover from the explosions. Juan, I saw for myself as he held back a Tahloh while his team lay unconscious or near death.

“We will celebrate their lives and mourn their deaths back at the Bellevue. For now, keep your eyes open as we head back.”

Without further ado, they all headed back to the Bellevue. It was a long walk but it gave them time to process their emotions. The System might be helping everyone with the mental anguish that they were experiencing but they still felt it. It was a quiet trip home.

Back at the Bellevue, Alex bought the Soul Journeyman Modifier along with the Peeping Tom Modifier.

Congratulations! You are now a Soul Journeyman! Only with determination and focus, can you continue to move forward! You will now receive three times as many Souls Points when eliminating an enemy!

Peeping Tom: This Modifier allows you to see your enemies’ stats as if they were a human! Distance is maxed at half the range of your Dexterity in feet. Thank the heavens for good ol’ Lady Godiva and her streaking ways! Pervert!

Name: Alex Donner

Age: 24

Race: Human

Level: 9

EXP: 6,451/15,000

Class: Soul Survivor: Enforcer

Soul Tier 3: 51,145

HP: 480

MP: 370

Vitality: 33

Strength: 30

Agility: 37(111)

Dexterity: 41(123)

Wisdom: 22

Intelligence: 26

Modifiers

Upgrades

Regeneration

Blood Transfusion

Armor Tier 2

HP: 5.8 per Min

Crane’s Grace Tier 2

Weapon Tier 2

MP: 4.1 per Min

Loot Goblin

SP: 23.4(x3) per Min

Onomatopoeia

Peeping Tom

Sextant Nauticalier

Soul Journeyman

Soul Sight

Alex let out a sigh of relief. With his new stats, he could gain more Soul Points soon and not have to worry so much about his Soul being destroyed in the process. He was still trying to acclimate to his new Agility and Dexterity. Where he had felt like a professional gymnast before, now he didn’t even know how to describe the surety in how he moved.

His improved balance made every step feel light and fast. He felt like he could run straight up the wall and back down without missing a step. It was almost as if gravity was but a mere suggestion and would bend just slightly to his will. He tempered himself to not run off to the training rooms and try to run through the obstacle course again.

The others in his team had similar experiences towards their stats as each of them evolved their Evolution based Modifiers. They shared their experiences while Hosmunt wrote down everything he could. Apparently, a number of people had evolved their Modifiers and it was just more proof that Jeffrey was correct about Humans needing adversity to Ascend.

Danny and Rishi could only describe their evolution of Elephant’s Wisdom as something akin to eidetic memory. That was how Danny had noticed Alex’s manner after the fight with Dohbrah. It was the same look Alex had when he became lost in thought about Michael and the connection suddenly resonated in her mind.

She had ignored the evolution notification at the time, since they were occupied with the attack and when she had finally read it, she hadn’t bothered anyone with it until they had come back to the Bellevue. She had described the clarity of her memories as a mix of euphoria and depression. She had taken the long walk back to the Bellevue just to center herself from the mass of memories she was experiencing.

Rishi’s experience was quite different and yet, the same. While he found his memories were clearer than ever before, he saw every mistake as a moment where he had come closer to the person he was now. It was a realization of self-discovery for the Indian man and he was quick to laugh at his failures and what he had once considered his accomplishments.

Toby’s Stalwart Modifier evolved before they had reached the Tahloh. The walk over to the Tahloh base was surreal to Toby as he watched over his friends. They always seemed to be at the front of the line, charging forward into the unknown. It was especially stressful for the Tank, since it was his job to act as the shield for them all. Those thoughts had led him to an inevitable truth. That he was not infallible. One day, his mistakes would get someone killed.

He spent most of the trip looking over to Silvia and wondering if it would be her. His mind used his fears to build up unwinnable scenarios where he watched her die over and over again. Those kinds of thoughts could have wreaked havoc on the man, but instead, he felt his resolve grow into his very own shield. Understanding those fears and standing up to them had triggered his evolution.

Silvia let them all have their moment as she sat quietly, listening to their stories and explanations. As Toby spoke, she became more unsure of what to do. She had been excited when her Evolution, Mantis’ Cunning, had completely changed, but listening to Toby’s worries caused her own worries to bubble up to the surface.

Congratulations! Your evolutionary path has changed while still remaining true to your nature!

Jaguar’s Cunning (Evolution): Permanently gain 2x to Strength and Agility. Evolution increases the multiplier. Evolution only possible if the Jaguars’ Cunning is embraced. (I am the huntress, the provider and the protector.)

She tried regaining the excitement she had felt before by reading over her new Modifier again, but it wasn’t working. Toby’s admittance of his fears and his resolve had made her feel weak and ashamed.

She had spent the past weeks trying to push her and Toby’s relationship forward but she couldn’t seem to cross that final hurdle. She was still insecure about what had happened to her, and worse, Toby never questioned her holding back. Why couldn’t she just tell him? It ate at her and she didn’t realize Toby had already finished his explanation to Hosmunt.

Toby was the first to notice Silvia’s odd mood. At first, he had thought she was angry or even jealous that she had not evolved when everyone else had. He attempted at comfort her and to his shock, that act of misplaced kindness was what sent Silvia over the edge.

Pulling the man over to the corner, Silvia and Toby had a quiet but intense argument. The others were just as surprised when it happened and they could only watch from across the room as Silvia ended up stalking up the steps while Toby was left shaking his head.

“What did you do?” Danny asked accusingly.

Toby gritted his teeth. “I did nothing but try and console her! She was acting different so I thought she had missed out on her evolution. I’m not a damn mind reader! What the hell is wrong with women?!”

Danny crossed her arms, looking down at him.

“Excuse me?”

Toby wasn’t shaken in the least.

“You heard me! What the hell is wrong with women!? Why is it so hard to talk out loud if something is wrong? This fucking guessing game bullshit is childish! So, don’t look at me like I owe you or anyone else an apology for not being a fucking psychic!”

Toby stomped down the stairs towards the training room and Danny was at a loss for words. Alex stepped up beside her, giving her a quick hug.

“Women don’t do that.” She said, somewhat unsure of what had just happened.

Alex nodded to her sadly. “I have known a few that have, though I can’t speak for every woman. Men aren’t great at reading the situation at the best of times, but there was no reason for Silvia to blow up at Toby. When you acted like it was Toby’s fault for whatever just occurred, you did it too.”

“Do I do that to you?” She asked.

Alex shook his head. “Not that I can recall. Usually, you are just teasing me or Ty. If you ended up really being upset, I would let you know.”

“So, why did Silvia end up getting so mad?” She asked. “She is pretty damn solid, not prone to outbursts.”

“Neither is Toby.” Alex added. “You could always ask her. Toby and her have been flirting for a while now. Remember, it wasn’t so long ago that she was…abused. Maybe it’s something to do with that? I’m gonna go talk with Toby. Try to sort it out.”

“Okay. I will try and handle Silvia.” Danny said.

Knocking on her door, Danny found Silvia wrapped up in a blanket, her eyes red from crying.

“What’s going on with you?” Danny asked. “You can tell us anything and we will always help you out, you know that.”

Silvia threw herself onto the bed, covering herself up with the blanket.

“What if he doesn’t want me?” She asked from under the covers.

“Who?” Danny asked. “Toby! If you think Toby doesn’t want you then you must be deaf and blind.”

Silvia laid still under her covers for a long while before finally sitting up.

“I was used, Danny.” Silvia said. “I was raped and beaten. I don’t have nightmares like I thought I would. I don’t cringe away from men like I thought I would. Toby and I have become so close, but the closer we get, the more I start to worry he won’t want me. He has never pushed for my affections. Always gives me enough space, lets me dictate when we move forward.”

“Sounds like a genuinely decent person.” Danny said. “A person that cares for you. Seems like it’s just your own mind playing tricks on you.”

Silvia nodded sadly. “I know and that’s what is hard to understand. This place has changed us. It keeps changing us. I should have gone through a massive amount of therapy to be as strong as I am today, but I didn’t. I knew what happened, accepted it wasn’t my fault and pushed forward. So, why now, of all times, am I worried about rejection?”

Danny sat next to her, wrapping the woman into a tight embrace.

“Because we are still Human. We are stronger and faster. We have all seen things that should have left us drooling in the corner and yet, we keep on going. Still, at the end of all of that, we are still Human.”

Silvia smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“You should have been a therapist. You could have made loads of money back on Earth.”

Danny smirked. “You’re probably right. Now stop being a pussy and man up. You got a short German stud to seduce.”

Silvia let out a loud snort. “And there goes the therapist idea.”

Meanwhile, in the training rooms…

Toby charged towards Alex, trying to trap the slippery gunman. Alex slipped past his shield and let out a clumsy kick that ended up knocking Alex to the ground.

“You are really not martial arts material.” Toby said, looking down at Alex.

“Understatement of the year.” Alex commented as he got back up. “Ty was right about trying to use kicks to round out my offense but I never did that stuff before. A little grappling but nothing like this.”

“Well, you got enough Agility and Dexterity to be flexible enough, you just need the proper technique. Sorry but I don’t know of any German kung fu.”

Alex laughed. “So, you okay? With Silvia I mean.”

“Smooth segue.” Toby chided. “I know that the argument wasn’t really about her evolution-based Modifier changing. She’s just trying to push away a little. She probably thinks I don’t want to be with her.”

Alex gaped. “Wait, wait, wait! Her Modifier changed!?”

Toby nodded. “It was the Mantis’ Cunning. Now it’s the Jaguars’ Cunning. Same stat multipliers but the embracing logo changed a little.”

Alex shook his head. “I don’t know how to keep up with the constant changes man. How can we plan out what best paths to take for those that follow us if it changes all the damn time?”

“Maybe there isn’t a best path.” Toby suggested. “Everyone’s different. I think the best thing to do is embrace who you really are. Channy is a good example. That Battle Angel Class will probably decimate anyone who challenges her. Then you have your stupid OP guns, hoping around like the damn easter bunny and shooting everything.”

“Hey!” Alex protested. “Listen up here Mecha-Oktoberfest! There is nothing OP about my Class. Almost dying from running out of Soul Points is not my idea of easy. You just have to worry about your damn health.”

“And everyone else’s health.” Toby added. “That’s the Tank’s job after all.”

“Point.” Alex conceded. “So, you really think Silvia is just worried about you and her?”

Toby shrugged. “Like I said, I’m not a psychic. I’m okay with her needing to move slow with us. I just don’t appreciate my loyalty being questioned. Hell, she can yell at me for my accent, my height and even my blonde hair and blue eyes, but never my loyalty. I don’t deserve much but I deserve that at the very least.”

“You deserve more than that.”

Alex and Toby turned to find Danny and Silvia entering the room. Silvia kept talking as she moved forward.

“I promise to never question your loyalty again. We will argue about stupid shit from time to time, but I will never do that again.”

Danny waved over Alex and they both escaped the room before things got too awkward.

“Nicely done.” Alex said as he closed the door. “How did you get through to her so fast?”

Danny smirked. “Oh, I have my ways.”

He suddenly stopped as a thought crossed his mind. “Wait, you didn’t tell her to stop being a pussy, did you?”