Mathew flexed his fingers as he gripped the bars. Screams and explosions echoed through his jail cell. “Come on Mathew, it’s simple. Just bend the thick iron bars.”

Jeffrey was still working on breaking through his door, and would be out soon. Mathew chose then and there to escape. After that, he would figure out what to do next.

Mathew gripped a bar and started to pull. He gritted his teeth and pulled for another few seconds before letting go. “Fuck, that’s a solid ass bar. Here I thought the military would be cheap and get hollow ones.”

He neglected to think most of the military are strong grunts who have more brawn than brains. These cells were used to hold those people. Then again, he was stronger than any average human, maybe even above average.

“I lifted a fucking bear, I can bend a stupid bar.” Mathew chose not to blast it with [Mana Bolt] due to the fact he was in a tiny cell, where anything wrong can happen. Shrapnel can pierce him, or the loud sound could deafen him. Could he recover from it? Absolutely, but it was an injury he could prevent, and thus would. The fact he didn’t have his Rod nor any of his items was another factor. His bag could be anywhere, even with Payne.

His grip was tighter this time, he planted both feet against where the bars and floor connected. This time he pulled with everything. He soon felt a small motion of falling back. “Come on, just a little bit more! I refuse to die like this!”

Metal slowly bent and once it no longer had it’s ridged straight shape, it continued to bend with ease. Mathew stood up and let go, “Yes!”

The hole was just big enough for him to squeeze through. Once freed of his cell, he walked toward the door that would get him out of the building. It too was locked. This time, he could put distance between himself and the target, and blasted the lock with three bolts and it was an easy thing to open.

“That was much easier than brute force. Yet a good reminder I can’t rely on magic for all my problems.” Mathew said to himself aloud.

He took a quick chance to check around the building. He found nothing nor anybody inside. He was the only inhabitant. It made him wonder where all the other possible prisoners were. Mathew left the building to be greeted by the sight of fire, smoke, and several red skinned humanoids in the distance.

Yes, humanoids. Compared to the Imps, they looked close to any other man. Tall, skiny, red sin, two arms, two legs. They were far taller than he was, and either that was the norm, or these two were special. Their face was slightly more smushed in, with no nose protruding.

It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who they were. Mathew went back behind the building, out of sight of anyone. He was lacking both his rod and knife. Luckily he still had his leather and robe armor on.

Without a second thought, his two wisps were floating over his shoulder. Both were back to their full blue color, not empowered by the rod. “Alrighty Wispy and Whis. Let’s go get Jeffrey, find my shit, and kick some ass. If we happen to encounter the Hearth Crystal along the way, well, let’s say taking it will be a happy bonus to me.”

Mathew was no idiot. As soon as Payne returned, he would kill him. However, he was a couple hours away, plenty of time to convert the crystal to his ownership. Yet, he was still hesitant.

“If the Infernals are attacking here, then that’s what they are going for, the crystal. Which means it’s going to be protected.” Mathew realized. He cursed and frowned. “I can’t fight them all alone, not without my gear.” He took a peak around the corner and saw two Infernals were on their way over.

An idea started to form in his mind, a very solid one. He would need to put on his charm to full power. He took a deep breath and readied himself. Once the pair were close enough that he could hear them he came around the corner and started to plead.

“Please help me! You two are with clan Ky’ right? These humans here are horrible!”

Both the Infernals pointed their blades at Mathew. One was mid strike but stopped as Mathew spoke. “You know our language? Who are you! What family you hail from.”

“My family is small, and insignificant to your clan, I am just a young merchant.” Mathew was on his knees, putting up a false bravado. Both his wisps were still behind the wall, out of sight. “I came to this Military Base in hopes to trade. Our family could only appear in a insignificant Novice Dungeon. We didn’t come to this planet to take, only to acquire their rare culture artifacts. Please save me! My family will pay handsomely!”

“Yoosh, what do you think? Just kill him, or take him back to Morthrus?” One of them asked.

“Eh, Agnox mentioned a Novice Dungeon nearby, I guess this guy came from there. Human, what does your clan sell?”

Mathew looked up, a false hope across his face, “We trade a few things, mostly weak enchantments, and for important items, mana cores. I promise we have enough to buy your belevoenant kindness to save me!”

“I wouldn’t mind an enchantment. Do you guys have anything fancy?” Yoosh asked.

Mathew nodded, “I personally only have one, a bag expanding enchantment. There are others where I come from who have more. For now, do you mind if I stay with you? Perhaps take me to a safe place until you get rid of these cruel cousins of my kind?”

The first one shrugged, “Sure. You said you can do that bag enchantment, do you mind doing it for us?” The way he asked implied Mathew would do it for free, or suffer their unkindness.

“Of course! For a friend of our family I would do anything!” Mathew internally cringed. He hated playing the small weakling.

The two looked around, “We are pushing for their Hearth Crystal, stick with us, and don’t look like you are trying to attack us. Hopefully nobody else attacks you. Can you fight?”

“I have a pair of wisps. It’s my only spell other than my enchantment.”

“Oh, you got that spell? You must be an important family member.”

Mathew nodded with a smile, “I don’t like to brag, but my parents are very important. I’m sure they would be willing to receive guests that saved their son's life.”

Yoosh looked at his partner, “What do you say Kris? Rich people like that? We can walk away with some killer upgrades.”

Kris shrugged, “Like I said, I’m down. Come on, uh what’s your name?”

“I am Mathew.”

“Well Mathew, stay close, but don’t be a threat.”

Mathew looked behind him, “Don’t attack, it’s just my wisps. I hid them in case some others from this planet attacked me.”

The two nodded, and Whis and Wispy floated over to Mathew. Soon they were walking back to the main hub of the base. Combat was everywhere, and Mathew’s plan was to get as close to the center as possible without fighting.

His plan hinged on not being recognized or seen. Which would be hard as his face was somewhat known. He kept his face slightly down and forward. He kept his ears open, focusing on any sound or conversation.

Most of what he heard was people dying, or spells being casted with echoes of gun fire. He did his best to not think of people dying. Tricking and deceiving was one thing, yet Mathew couldn’t bear to kill people. Yet, he was going to have to kill these Infernals.

It was the one problem he had getting over while walking behind them. Pushing himself to kill another person. He took a deep breath and let it out. “I can wait. Maybe I won’t have to.”

Another voice in his mind sounded, “You killed Jerry, it’s not like these things are any better. At least Jerry was human.”

He winced at that thought, but knew it was right. If he wanted to take over and rule, he would need to stomach killing enemies, both monster and human. Yet even if he wanted to, now wasn’t the best time. Jeffrey was going to be his main defence until he had his gear back. There was only one person on this base who would know where it was, and that was Mr. Melton.

Mathew would need to locate him, which a thousand UC said he was holed up in the secured office building. Which was halfway across the base. These two Infernals were his golden ticket after all the fighting.

“If I may,” Mathew spoke up, “I know where some of their leaders here liked to stay. A secured base that way. “Mathew pointed.

“Oh? How do you know that?” Kris asked.

“It’s where I spoke to their leader, a General named Payne I believe. I showed off my wares before they took them all and kidnapped me. Said I either work for them, or I die.” Mathew said. “Yet more twisted truths, damn I’m good at this.” He thought to himself.

Yoosh looked at his friend, “Well we should get your stuff back. Wouldn’t want your family's hard work taken, of course, I hope you will let us take anything good that belongs to them.”

“Of course, this is your attack. Who am I to steal your spoils of war?” Mathew said.

They changed their forward path ever so slightly. Mathew took a quick glance around to see a woman get stabbed to death with spears. A heaviness in his stomach grew. “These bastards are going to pay. Killing the people I wanted to be in charge of!”

Mathew slowly came to a plan in his mind while they walked, it was a long ten minutes, and twice Mathew almost was seen and ‘saved’. But his saviors were soon caught by other Imps or Infernals, forcing them to abandon him and save themselves.

Kris and Yoosh thought they were just attacking all three of them, and even moved to protect Mathew. Which to the humans, looked like they were holding Mathew prisoner. “Almost there.”

They arrived at the building, where Mathew could see the front doors were already blown open. “Aw, someone else beat us here.” Kris said.

Mathew held up a hand behind Yoosh’s head, and mentally commanded his Wisps to get behind Kirs. “Well that’s too bad for you two.”

[Mana Bolt] went off at a higher than normal charge, blowing Yoosh’s head clean off his shoulders. Kris received two direct hits to the back of his head, and fell down, yet wasn’t dead, not fully anyways.

Green brain matter spilled out of his head and soon he died from that. Mathew gagged at the sight and instantly looked away. “Fuck me.”

He moved into the building and put that memory behind him. He attempted to be quiet and started to move further up the building to where he expected Mr. Melton to be hiding. There were a few marks of battle in the hallways, and a few stains of blood.

It wasn’t until he saw a dead human that Mathew started to worry everyone was either gone or dead. As he continued he started to see green stains and bodies of Imps and Infernals.

At the top he saw a barricade made of desks and small tables. Bodies laid in a pile at the bottom of it. “Hello? Anyone on the other side there?” Mathew shouted.

A section of the barricade was removed and a gun barrel poked through with a human face, “Mathew? Fucking hell how did you get out of that cell?”

“It’s better if I don’t tell you. Is Mr. Melton back there?”

“You are a marked traitor to America, I should shoot and kill you right now!” The gun started to charge with energy. Showing it was one purchased from the shop before the Tutorial ended.

“No stop!” A muffled voice shouted from the other side. It was Mr. Melton.

The guard moved out of the way and the face of Mr. Melton was seen, “Mathew! I’m glad to see you, get over here. Go through that side room there.” he pointed to a closed door.

Mathew went through three doors and was soon on the other side of the barricade. He saw Mr. Melton and nearly a dozen other guards, let alone two dozen other people Mathew knew were not combat focused individuals.

“Follow me to my office.” Melton said, leading Mathew to a small room. He closed the door behind him and gestured to the table.

“I was going to send people to find and get you out of jail, but then the base was attacked.” Melton said as he sat down.

“I guess that’s something.” Mathew said then stopped. He narrowed his eyes at the fat bearded man. “What do you mean, ‘but we were attacked.”

“Exactly that, before the base was attacked I was going to let you out of the jail cell, and talk to you. See, there is something I need from you, and only you can pull it off.”

Mathew had seen a few movies that were like this scene. He wasn’t like Zack, comparing everything to fantasy, yet he couldn’t help himself here.

“Indulge me, what is going on with that bald head of yours.”

“That is a long and complicated story, do you really want to talk about it while people out there die? Or would you rather go and save them?”

“Give me the short version then, because I have half a mind to blast you, find my stuff and just run away. I doubt Payne is really going to survive this ordeal.”

“Trust me, he will be one of the few that does. He won’t escape unscathed, but I know what that man has spent his Currency on.” Mr. Melton sighed and looked at Mathew. “The short version? General Payne isn’t who he has tricked everyone to be. Two days before S-Day happened he was discovered to have been selling American secrets to Russia and China. A traitor. He felt America had grown soft and wanted to spark a war or worse to make us stronger. The president had yet to be informed, and I imagine those in the know either died on S-Day, or had deemed that as not as important as surviving the new world. He is not a good man. He plans to only work with the New American government because this new world essentially matches his mindset.”

Mathew mulled over what he was saying, “What does that have to do with me?”

“Because you are like him, just not as bad. I saw the room after Payne had left. The poison was only in Jerry’s cup. Which made me wonder, why only a single cup? I then realized the contract Payne and you had. A certain clause. I used to be the Security Manager here at this base, retired after two tours overseas from the military and joined as a civilian contractor. I’ve read hundreds of contracts, and yours is trash. It’s obvious someone not used to proper legal documents wrote it.”

Mathew was about to retort but Melton held up a hand. “I’m not saying you are not familiar with the law, but you are not familiar with contracts that I am. I help keep American secrets, you just deal with people who cheat on each other or fall out of love. Same coin, different sides. I realized if Payne gave you the poisoned tea, he would have voided the contract, and you would receive nothing but rewards.”

“I have to say, you are smarter than I thought.” Mathew admitted. Internally he was honestly caught off guard. Not only had his plan been figured out, but he was being ridiculed while being praised. It was a weird emotion.

“I want you to take over the Hearth Crystal, take it from Payne and lead people properly.” Mr. Melton said. “Now, you are probably asking yourself, ‘Why me?’ Well let us say I owe your family one. There is a reason General Payne hated your family so much.”

Mathew was now confused. What did his family have to do with this? He thought about it for a moment, but it then connected. “Johnathan. He’s a member of the FBI. Let me guess, he was one of the people who caught General Payne?”

Mr. Melton nodded, “Not caught him, but one of the people who led the investigation.”

“So because my brother was digging up Payne’s past, you want me to lead this base, all the people, and do what? Be a King? A President?”

He sighed and looked at Mathew, “Anything better than Payne. You have a high level, and can make laws. I can see certain features of the Hearth Crystal given by Payne. Some that only your profession can access, some only Payne can. One of them is the ability to make laws and other ‘legal’ related things. There is a reason Jerry was so close to Payne. Jerry was his ticket to those features, but now he is dead.”

Mathew thought about it for a moment. On one hand, he had essentially secured his goal of claiming the crystal. On the other, it was because of his fucking brother. He wanted to do it himself, not as a free handout.

“Where is my stuff?” Mathew asked.

“Will you help us?” Melton asked.

Mathew pursed his lips, “I will, but my own way. Firstly, I can’t do anything because of Payne and the orders he gave me. So how do you expect me to fight against the Dungeon?”

Melton smiled, “Well then I have good news for you.” He cleared his throat. “I invoke Sub-clause 42 of the Hearth Crystal owner and sub owner contract, allowing me to represent the Hearth Crystal owner while he is absent and given direct guidance that I am in charge. In General Payne's name, I revoke any order given to Mathew McGonald.”

Mathew opened his mouth and smiled gleefully. “Oh I am going to like this guy.”

“Now then, will you help now?”

“Help you? Oh, Mr. Melton. I plan to save you and everyone on this base now. After all, what kind of leader would I be to leave my people defenseless?”

Melton frowned, but said nothing. “However I am going to need a cut and dry contract with you Mathew. No loopholes, no bullshit. You and I are partners with this. I am a red blooded American, but with this new world, we need people who are smart and open to how things work now to be in charge. Zack would be on that list if not for his lack of realism. You adapted quickly, learned magic and acquired powerful skill sets. You can do this, but only if I let you.”

Mathew sighed, “Really? I think I’m honestly done with contracts. Besides, what do you get out of it?”

“It’s a simple agreement. Essentially, you don’t backstab me, and I won't stab you. We are in this together. I’ll help you to the fullest of my abilities, I become your true right hand man, and in turn, you keep me and my family safe. You don’t become a tyrannical leader like Payne was attempting to be. You help stop those kinds of people as well. Keep the world safe and just be a decent guy.”

Melton looked down at the desk, “My class and profession are centered around helping someone who is in charge. I can’t lead, otherwise I would do it. So I picked the second best choice. A man whose goals are obvious. You just want to be in charge and have power. I respect that. Keep these people safe and don’t be a shitty person, and I will help you.”

“I can’t promise all of that, but I can at least keep you and your family safe if able. No Tyranny here. I rather not control everyone with specific laws. We can hash those specifics out later.”

Mr. Melton reached into a large drawer and put Mathew’s bag on the table and slid it over. “I believe this is yours?”

Mathew smiled at his new partner. “To our future.”

Melton nodded, “To our future.”