Harper was indeed a monster.

Gabriel had no idea what she was there for. But he thanked Wakan Tanka all the same. She knew right away that the most troublesome of the creature was the heavy-armored Goblin. She plunged into the monster with a forward attack that launched it through the cave as a shooting star.

That was real power.

Fang turned into a tornado of swipes and terror, cleaving everything that paved in his path multiple pieces. Greta and Varcivald launched buffs from atop the four rings Magical shield on which Varcivald sat, and she stood.

The monsters launching attacks at them were having zero effect at all. The runes didn't waver. Level ten creatures' attacks were just a joke for Vald's shield. Every once in a while, Varcivald launched a pleasant green-colored magic bolt that bounced from a monster to another; it had the terrifying effect of making roots explode from their skin, then in a matter of moments, trees and flowers sprouted from them, feeding directly off them as the monsters subjected to it writhed away. The higher the monster rank, the bigger the plant sprouting from it.

The massive horde was quickly being culled. The only problem remained the beetle. The Goblin had quickly risen up, and even though not unscathed, he was again trying to launch himself at Gabriel. The only reason Gabriel had not already been killed by the creatures was that none of them had Skills related to Alacrity; their speed, when Gabriel used his Kata of the Tempest and enhanced by his new Alacrity Skill, was slower than the young man's.

Looking annoyed, Harper launched in another devastating attack. Her style seemed to rely on fast and potent attacks, to then phase out of existence and reappear only to reap another high ranked monster.

Gabriel and Wang Fang joined the effort to take down the beetle, and Greta supported them from above Varcivald's platform.

Their fighting style was similar, in which they were both very aggressive, attacking, and immediately retreating.

"I'm about to zero," Gabriel warned.

"Alright. I'll go all in, support me," said Fang.

Gabriel nodded; they both knew that the monsters' center of attention was Gabriel. They would undoubtedly answer if attacked, but if Gabriel was at hands reach, they would simply turn their attention to him. Understanding the best method of attack was pretty easy.

The monsters were stupid, especially the beetle; he didn't really have any sentient vibes at all. Gabriel would thus attract his attention, and Fang would pour his heaviest attacks on the monster.

Gabe had been pouring Mana in the Sk'rayr spear since the start of the fight; he had mastered the art of pouring in the right amount of Mana to harden it without wasting it, but the fight had been intense, long and it had not remotely been his only source of Mana expenditure.

"Ready or not, here it goes." Gabriel launched at the creatures, fainting an attack and evading its reprisal the next instant; as he moved, the lightning cackled behind him. Helping Hand had given all it could; its effect had now long since ended, so every movement took a lot of effort from him.

As his overhead swipe hit the creature on its horns, he used that chance to cast a Spirit Chain; it failed obviously. There was no weakening of its will. But it was enough for the creature to be surprised and lose its momentum, giving Gabriel a second more to retreat.

The second gained, was enough for Fang to activate his signature ability.

In his were-tiger form, Wang Fang launched in a series of brutal attacks they looked like a combo. The more his vicious-looking claws connected, the more damage it built. With his movements, a brutal wind swept over him. Fang rotated in a spiral of slashes that quickly turned into a proper hurricane of destruction. The beetle couldn't help but submit himself at the tornado of cleave attacks. It could have been much more effective if Fang had been fighting an enemy that couldn't vaunt of a strong exoskeleton, but as attacks piled on attacks, the spirals of attacks became a proper terrifying tornado. The little creatures were receiving splashing damage from the explosion of the wind blades flying everywhere. Even Varcivald raised a shield in protection.

It seemed to be no stopping Fang's onslaught; it became more terrifying the longer it lasted. At some point, the beetle's exoskeleton cracked open, its entrails went splashing around. After breaking through it, Fang did not stop, nor immediately realized he had won the duel. After a few seconds, the tornado had become tall enough to reach the ceiling of the chamber; it started moving in the room, unleashing its power in an escalating vortex of terrifyingly howling wind blades.

The pillars were cut, the rock wall was starting to cave in, and the whole room was a death zone; the wind blade became a massive vortex of destruction sweeping the place and leaving nothing behind everything that came in their path.

Gabriel had run away. Fang's attack didn't seem to distinguish between enemies and allies anymore. He had gone berserk.

After a few seconds more of that madness. Gabriel received a notification. Then Harper dove inside the tornado, or to be more precise, a clone of something catapulting from inside of Harper, dove in the tornado feet first in what looked like a double dive-kick, and before getting shredded to azure vapor, it managed to kick Fang out of it.

The young man rolled on the floor a few times and stopped as it reached the wall; he was unconscious. The tornado started extinguishing itself; it took almost an entire minute to quell completely.

After it did, in the whole room reigned a long-awaited silence.

Gabriel took a look around; he had hidden under a bisected pillar.

"Man, that was insane. And there I thought I had become a force of nature," he said, chuckling.

Varcivald had already woke Fang up, who was holding his belly in what looked like an effort not to throw up.

"You've gone overboard, again, Fang," said Harper. "Your mother could control it perfectly."

"I'm- I'm sorry, Ms. Harper. I won't happen again."

"Don't make promises you can't keep, boy."

"That was extremely powerful for your level Wang Fang. You have me surprised," Varcivald.

"Thank you, Master Varcivald."

Gabriel joined them soon after. As he did, Harper disappeared.

"What? What's her problem."

"Ms. Harper is doing her job, Gabe. She's your Shadow, well in a way, your Phantasm."

"Oh, it's her…" Gabriel sighed. "Tell me, do you at least stay out of the bathroom when I do my things? Otherwise, you know, you could even join… Anyway, how's Arya?"

"Gabe… that was disrespectful, to say the least," said Fang. Greta nodded with him; Varcivald couldn't help but hide a chuckle, coughing.

"It's not my fault, you know. She could have said so, you know, left a note. Anyway, shadow, I guess I should thank you for saving my hide. Well, thanks."

"So, what about Arya?"

"My daughter has disappeared. She must have gone in training seclusion after news has reached her of your… newest Skill," a muffled voice, feeling like coming from an interphone, said from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

My newest Skill?

"Oh… Flowing Disciplines… Yeah, I bet. Sorry about that." But the voice did not answer anymore.

"So, Gabriel. What has gone wrong?"

Gabriel sighed, "More than I can explain, actually. I think we should leave the place before the Goblin boss comes at us."

"There's that chance?" Greta asked, slightly surprised.

"He might actually be already on the run; I'm feeling vibrations from the tunnel already," said Gabriel pointing at the furthest part of the chamber, the one that led to the forking tunnels.

"Alright, let's hurry out then!"

Everybody climbed on top of Varcivald's shield. Gabriel noticed how three rings had shaved off from it. It was probably Fang's fault more than the monsters.

***

As they got to the inn, Gabriel said he would go and refresh himself while the other waited at the bar's counter.

Entering the shower, Gabe let himself slide down in it. Gosh, that was close, Liz.

What should we do now? We can't tell them all that the Goblin Matriarch said. First, there's no way in hell I should confirm the suspicion they already have of me not exactly being the Herald they were looking for or Herald at all. Second, she's talked about N'arr. Isn't N'arr the name of The Den's God or something? And most importantly, you. I don't know what they intend with Great Spirit. Wakan Tanka. But I'm worried about them taking you away from me. I don't know if that's a thing, but I don't want to take the chance.

Liz, of course, couldn't answer, but her worry was similar to his. It was clear that she was suggesting him not to say anything, if at all.

After a ten minutes soak, Gabriel decided it was time to leave. He took a look at the Anchor messages, though.

Congratulations, Gabriel Walker.

You have beaten the Challenge of the Ant King.

Legendary Achievement Earned!

Having defeated the Horde, you will be rewarded with the hidden prize!

You have gained:

Level + 122.07%

Class Level + 115.36%

Spirit Level + 103.65%

Congratulations, Gabriel Walker.

You have reached Level 36.

You have 2 unspent Body Attribute points.

You have 1 unspent Free Attribute point.

Congratulations, Gabriel Walker.

You have reached Class level 31.

You can increase your Pools by 10 points.

Congratulations, Gabriel Walker.

You have reached Spirit level 33.

You have 2 unspent Spirit Attribute points.

Is that all? I was expecting more. Weel... Let's place the points, but there's no way I'm going to choose any other Perks without consulting Varcivald first.

Gabriel placed the Attribute points into Stamina and the same with the free points. He placed then 5 Pool points into Energy and 5 into Spirit, and finally, he placed the 2 Spirit points into Lizzy's Recovery.

His new status was the following.

Gabriel Walker

Race

Human

Level

36 (34.25%)

Class

Dark Space Battle-Mage

Class Level

31 (16.41%)

Spirit

Spirit of The Shiny-Lizard

Spirit Level

33 (12.02%)

Pools

Life

Energy

Mana

Spirit

2 /10

11/75

6/80

4/60

Attributes

Body

Spirit

Final

Affinity

38 (19)

7

45

Alacrity

36 (18)

11

49

Power

17

25.5 (17)

42.5

Recovery

51 (17)

12

63

Resilience

40 (20)

55 (22)

95

Stamina

36.1 (19)

10

46.1

Liz's Recovery-Resilience gap felt almost complete; with another point, he would be reaching the 6 to 4 amount to have a stable form that would not give them any trouble.

However, the next problem was him. He had to find a way to fix his lack of Power. He saw what Fang was capable of, and he desired that power. It was something he could not have, given that he lacked a proper stat magnifier for Power. There should be a way, he thought. And he would ask Varcivald's counsel once they were by themselves. He just wished this Shadow of his wasn't present all the damn time.

"Comes another long day, eh, shadow?" Harper did not answer.

***

Matthieu was standing in front of Cardinal Victoria's desk. He did not need to change in his cassock. Not only did the Cardinal not even remotely show an inch of interest toward keeping up appearances, but she showed utter disdain toward the higher members of the Church, which was how the members of the order of Lore defined themselves when they wore their clerical dresses. For her, it would make for a better cover not to show their affiliation to the Church at all. To remain in anonymity was the best way to fight their enemies.

Every government on Earth had been infiltrated or outright founded by people having their hands in Alter. Nobody knew really when it became so, but -------- incursions had commenced more than two thousands years prior. There was proof of Skills-endowed people that dated as far back as before the start of the calendar.

It always marveled Matthieu how even on Earth, Alter's real name couldn't be pronounced or thought about. Of course, he had read it. In their book of Lore, he had read the name. But no one could pronounce it, no one but the Angels and the Demons. They could, but humans couldn't hear it, nor pronounce it once they read it.

There was, however, a man who could, the one right in front of him, for example. He could pronounce it. And was making quite a display of his superiority.

Of course , thought Matthieu. He's the Herald. There's nothing bad in it. Well… he could not flaunt it so much, but I guess not everyone can be as gentlemanlike as my father and me.

If it was envy or seeing someone disrespect his superior, he couldn't say what annoyed Matthieu more. He had always been good at judging people but had always failed in judging himself. In fact, he had failed a lot in life; trying to follow in his father's footsteps had become a constant source of failure for him. He simply couldn't. There seemed to be an abyss between their abilities. At his age, his father had accomplished things he could only dream about. He had done nothing worthy, at all.

The man in front of him, though, was something else. He was the real deal. The Herald. The Red Thorn. The Flaming Skull of Purgatory. Red Tom, the monster.

Thomas Walker was the real deal. Not even his father had ever achieved such glory and accomplished as much as the man chatting casually with the Cardinal had.

"So," Cardinal Victoria said, "Will the dancer make it for the party? Or should we do it alone?"

"My beautiful Cardinal, of course, he shall make it. It's me the one asking, I'm always pleased. One way or another. Am I not?" Tom answered with a smirk.

The Cardinal scoffed, "Who knows, Tom. Maybe there will be indeed a reward for you once we put an end to them. But I can't help but be very annoyed at how much you half-assed the last mission. You should have gone much further. We took that chance for the Dungeon War, you had the momentum too. Instead, what is it that you do? You let an ancient Dragon die?" She shook her head.

"Scrubbing that up was not exactly easy, Thomas. And right now, we can't actually worsen our relationship with the flying lizards. It took much to find stability."

"Come on now, Cardi. It did not go that bad. First, there's no taking down Lorad, and you know it. Not even Zane could. Second, We obtained exactly what we were aiming for. Their new alliance makes them strong , which makes them-" Thomas pointed at Matthieu, "What does it make them, Matt?"

Matthieu didn't let himself be taken aback; he answered in kind, "Susceptible to attacks."

"See? He's my apprentice now; well, he’ll be at least for a little. He's learning but has a bright future in front! Don't you feel the raw amount of awesomeness he radiates?"

Is he for real, or is he trying to take me for a fool?

"If you are anything like your father, Matthieu, then I'm expecting you to not fail the mission that was entrusted to you." After saying so, Victoria turned toward Thomas again, "Thomas.

Matthieu’s mission was the most important point of the whole operation, without him it would have just been a great waste of time. And he would go all the way, no matter what it entailed.

But he expected a little more recognition from a Cardinal, it did mean that he-

Do never expect praise. You are not doing this for the glory, you are doing this because you are right. Matthieu said to himself. Repeating the words his father had told him.

You know that the pact has to be respected. We promised Alter's Great Soul something, and you are the one that has chosen to oblige. If you fail, we fail and it goes the other way too. Never forget that."

Thomas' face lost its smile for a second, "I would never dare forget that."

"Good. Changing topic, your captive. If she is what she seems to be, then she's the real deal, Thomas. The Shaman will want her. And we can't afford to say no to them. Not right before the end of the weak. So, if we fail this, there will not be another chance like it."

"Yes, Cardinal. Don't make me repeat myself. We shall not fail. As long as the Shamans don't back away before the terms, there's nothing that can stop us from obtaining our objective. At this point, Lorad's presence or not. We shall have our way. You do yours, we'll do ours."

The Cardinal nodded, "Take this," she took out something from her cabinet.

"Oh, finally! I couldn't wait to have it in my hands," Tom exclaimed without holding back his sincere euphoria.

"It's useless to say how precious this is. It took us many deaths to take it from the Elves, Tom. I expect you not to waste it. But I wouldn't worry enough since Zane’s very son will be the one to use it, won’t you Matthieu?"

Matthieu nodded, not adding anything else.

"Your lack of trust in my abilities is unjustified, Cardi, and you know it. Has there been a single instance in which I failed?" Tom asked.

The Cardinal sighed, "I suppose not. Ever since you've joined us, you've been quite an asset. I can't deny that. But I'll be sincere, Tom, you are a volte-face. First the Druids, then the Shamans, and finally you turn to us. How could I simply accept you amid our ranks that easily? You will never really have my complete trust, Thomas."

It was time for Tom to sigh now, "Nor that I need it, Cardinal Victoria. You've been sincere, but so will I. You were able to strike a deal with -------- only because of me. And by the time I'll be Tier six, not even Pope Alexander will be able to stand against me."

"Well, by the time we get to that, you should have reached your objective," she said.

Thomas nodded, not answering. He held his hand to receive the Gift of Blooming, the Cardinal gave him.

"Thank you, Cardi; I hope we won't have to repeat such... pleasant conversations again. Let’s go Matt, there’s quite the road ahead of us."

Matthieu couldn’t help but be a little edgy. There was a lot that was expected of him, and even more, there was a lot that he expected from himself. If this mission was successful, he would jump right away to the Rank of Bishop, jumping the ranks of Priest and High Priest entirely. But if he failed, not only would he lose his life but endanger the Priests as a whole.

However, he needed to go, there were things he would have to be before they finally departed, people he wanted to meet. It would be a long week. Fortunately.