Mathew would be a liar if he said he didn’t miss his magical rod. The weight of his bag around him adds an extra layer of relief. His limited amount of medical pills and powders were all in there.

The deal agreed between him and Mr. Melton was easily straightforward. It only took Mathew a moment to write it out with his skill. Once everything was agreed upon, two blue screens greeted him.

Contract between Mathew McGonald and Mr. Melton officiated. The Council has notarized it.

Skill Upgrade - Writing

Magical Text: Your writings are infused with your mana, making them immune to damage from natural effects.

Universal Text: Your writings are understood by all who can read.

Etching: Your [Writing] skill applies to stone and can be used with a chisel

Mathew was honestly unsurprised at the under impressive upgrade choices. The skill, while useful, was very niche. It wasn’t combat related, and the skill did nothing for him but ease his contract writing abilities. However, he could see a use for all three...well not really for Etching, he had paper. He wasn’t that desperate yet.

“What’s wrong?” Mr. Melton asked, seeing Mathew’s face.

“Nothing important. Just reading a box and I’m just wishing it was something more.” Mathew selected Universal Text, and started to walk out of the room. With that upgrade, he could completely communicate with anyone both verbally and with writings. “So what’s our plan here? I am not strong enough to take down an entire army.

“No, but you are enough to spearhead it.” Mr. Melton gestured to the several armed soldiers in the hallway. “All of you are going to go building by building and clear out the enemy forces. Be sure to stay alive please.”

Mathew shrugged, “Yes, because dying was on my list of things to do.”

A few of the soldiers started to walk toward the side exit around the barricade. “And Mathew.” He turned to look at Mr. Melton. “Don’t make me regret this. I’ve literally given you a ‘Get out of Jail’ card.”

Mathew smiled, “Really? I have some honor. I uphold my side of a deal wholeheartedly.” He walked out of the building, following his new guard force. A few of them sneered at Mathew, but he paid them no mind. Once he started to truly help out, they would get over it.

The front door had the two bodies he killed, but Mathew did his best to ignore it. “There’s going to be so many more dead after this. Who am I to gag at two of my own doing?”

“We are going to the cafeteria first.” One of the guards stated. “From there we circle around and push outwards. We gather any survivors and those who can fight will join us. Kill any red skinned bastard you see men.”

Guns were checked, gear was tightened, and feet soon moved forward. It was quiet minus the sounds of battle ahead of them. Mathew’s two wisps were quickly unsummoned and resummoned using his rod. His knife was in it’s sheethe on his left hip, opposite of his bag.

A weird sensation washed over Mathew. One familiar to just before his battle against the Pack Leader. The buzz of battle, something he secretly enjoyed.

It didn’t take long before the first fight started. Three Imps flew into view, and before they knew what hit them, an empowered [Mana Bolt] followed by gunshots knocked them out of the air. Their attacks alerted nearby Infernals, who started to come at them from all directions.

Mathew did his best to avoid hitting those that were protecting him. Attacking only Infernals he had a clear shot on with his own attacks or the wisps. Imps typically instantly died from a single blast from his Droozka’s Rod combined with an empowered [Mana Bolt]. His upgrade to the Staff skill was surely a major factor. He didn’t focus on it in the past, but the time between casts was a mere breaths appart in timing. So long as he didn’t push too much mana through, he could keep attacking like this for a very long time.

Occasionally an Infernal or Imp would get close to him. This required him to make a quick choice, blast it and cover himself in the green blood they had, or pull out his knife and fight in the melee.

Ever thankful for both his stats and training, he didn’t die outright in a melee. All Infernals had some sort of weapon. Sword, axe, the occasional pair of daggers or lone gun. He was no match against these in a real fight, but he had two helpers floating above him. The Infernal was always moving, forced to defend from three different sides.

If a guard was able, they would turn and help Mathew. A strike from behind, or a gunshot to the torso or leg turned the battle in Mathew’s favor each time. His knife was soon covered in the blood of half a dozen Infernals, yet that was hard to tell due to it’s green metal.

As they fought, the group pushed toward the Cafeteria. Soon enough, people started to come out and help them. Imps soon dotted the sky, which became Mathew’s number one target. For each one he dropped, it felt like two more took their place.

“There’s too many of these flying fucks.” Mathew shouted, “I need some help here!”

“A little busy with the big guys with fuckin swords!” A random woman shouted.

Yet, a few people with ranged attacks shot into the sky, either with spell, arrow, or gun. Mathew recognized a few of these people. Most were crafters from the Workshop. Even the old lady who he bought tea from was there, she had a wand and used it to attack while hiding behind a wall.

Orders from one of the soldiers started to bark out. “Stay in groups! We are moving from building to building in a counterclockwise rotation. If anyone needs medical aid, we are establishing this cafeteria as a fallback point. Healers and those under Level 5 stay here to help. All others move out!”

Mathew glanced in the direction of the dormitory he stayed in. “Come on Jeffrey, where the fuck are you.” He was sure his canine summon would have gotten out by now. Then again, the thing could be dead. The risk of summoning it now was not worth it, he would have to do without him.

The next area to clear out was a series of auxiliary buildings leading up to the Hospital on base. A place Mathew was slightly familiar with. The battle there was quick and soon the group was moving on to another building.

Mathew was only just now starting to feel a little tired. Both physically and mentally from his spells. Luckily he only had one real offensive spell, otherwise he would have been tapped out long ago. In the past he just pushed mana through with no regard. Yet even in battle, he was controlling himself. Using only just enough mana to deal a killing blow, or as close to one he could deliver.

As he was aiming up at the sky, the sharp pain of a blade running across his arm brought him back to ground level. An Infernal was in the upswing of attacking him again. Mathew backstepped and brought his rod down to retaliate. His training with Numa’s Style was still in its infancy, against a trained soldier like the one before him wouldn’t save him alone in a pure melee.

The raw power of a merely maxed out [Mana Bolt] on the other hand did. The entire upper torso of the Infernal exploded with green blood, drenching Mathew and others nearby. Mathew fell to one knee in pain, as mana drain overtook him.

He slowly stood up, pushing through the pain. He couldn’t focus enough to control his wisps, who were left to the last orders he gave him. Either from repetitive usage or some other factor, they acted in his best interest in defending him.

Mathew was forced to fight physically, something he wanted to avoid. Until his headache went away, he wouldn’t be casting any more spells for the time being. He stuck next to other people, working numbers in their favor.

Mathew’s small knife cut easily along the red flesh of those who stood against him. It wasn’t enough to cut through bones, but with someone with a larger weapon, the two easily defeated foes left and right. Mathew had to stop when the fighting lightened up to refocus himself. He almost reached into his bag to pull a pill out but stopped. Even if it’s been two weeks since his fight with the Pack Leader, he still heard the words of Doctor Garcia echo in his mind.

He wouldn’t ruin himself because of a headache. Not when victory was so close he could taste it. Making himself unable to recover properly or even use the life saving pills in the future would be a shitty way to end his career. When the levels went into the four digits, he was only on his first step.

“Nine more lay before you.” Mathew muttered to himself. “And here I am struggling to get to the second!”

The mindset of continuing forward settled and Mathew was ready to continue fighting. He glanced around and realized they reached the hospital. People were entering and leaving, exchanging injured people with those who were ready to help the push to clear out the base. Mathew took a seat and pulled out a water bottle and took a long drink.

“Damn, fighting is hard.” He said to nobody. “What did Zack say? A fight only takes a few minutes? Shit, how long have we been fighting?” Mathew looked back toward the office building where they started. Normally a walk between here and there would take several minutes. Since they were moving slowly, and stopping to help people, he would guess it’s been half an hour, if not longer. “Lying bastard.”

“Who lied to you?” A young man asked. He wore normal clothing, all black with a heavy metal band logo Mathew didn’t recognise on his shirt.

“Eh, a buddy of mine who compares everything in our world to a game or movie.” Mathew stood up and winced at the headache that hasn’t gone away yet.

“Zack?” The boy asked.

Mathew nodded, “Know him?”

“Know him? The guy is constantly questioning me. I apparently have a ‘rare’ profession or something. Constantly questioning me. Just because I have a single spell that can inflict a slow effect on enemies doesn’t make me unique.”

Mathew raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like him. What’s the profession? To have such a spell, it must be interesting.”

“It’s called Black Guard. I picked it for obvious reasons before reading it. It was that or one of the common ones that did not sound interesting. Apparently it’s some special type of security profession. The skill description mentions slowing down fleeing criminals. I just wish I had picked Scout at this point.” He slumped down, looking depressed.

Mathew smiled, “Well that sounds useful actually, want to team up with me?”

The kid brightened up slightly. “Really? With you? You have to be at least level twelve with a class.” He pointed up at the two wisps floating above Mathew. “I mean, that’s a combat spell if I ever saw one. I played some games, and summons are some important spells.”

Mathew nodded, “Yes, I’m at least level twelve. Just stick with me and slow anybody that gets close. You have a weapon?”

The kid gestured to the sword on his side. “All I have, no armor though. The profession gave me the skill for the sword, and I’ve been doing extra guard duty since. I have another skill, but it’s not for fighting.”

“Excellent. Stay near me, stay safe, and don’t stand between me and a bad guy.” Mathew was going to use this teenager to his advantage in a fight. Slower enemies means he can maybe rank up his [Knives] while also cleaning this base up from it’s Infernal infestation.

Mathew started to walk toward a growing group. “My name is Marcus by the way.”

“Mines Mathew.” He said without looking back.

He heard the footsteps stop. “Mathew? As in the asshole who sits in an office all day eating grapes and living a luxurious life?”

Mathew turned back, “Nah, that’s a different guy. I’m the Mathew that’s way better looking. Plus I don’t like grapes.”

That seemed an acceptable answer to Marcus. Mathew continued following. They stood near the edge while more screams were heard in the distance as fighting continued.

“Alrighty, we are making a push to the Hearth Crystal. Let’s go, everyone!” A commanding voice sounded. Mathew then realized he should probably be giving out orders. If he was to lead this base, he would need to be a leader.

“Something to keep in mind in the future.”

Mathew followed the crowd and was ready to claim that Hearth Crystal. It didn’t take long before metal clanged against metal as Infernals ran to intercept the group. Mathew ran around the side, his goal was to get inside that courtyard.

Marcus ran behind him, “Shouldn’t we help fight?”

“We need to get inside, that Hearth Crystal is the most important item here. If we lose that, then all of this is for nothing.” Mathew said without looking back.

A group of three Infernals was also apparently running along the outside and locked eyes with Mathew and Marcus. “Well shit”

They all had an axe and shield. Weapons Mathew could not fight in a melee against. Marcus pointed a hand at the left one and Mathew visibly saw that Infernal slowed down. Not as in reducing speed, but as in slow motion. Easily around 10% slower.

Mathew focused his Wisps to fire at the right guy as he pointed his rod at the middle one. He mentally braced himself letting out a low powered [Mana Bolt]. It was all he could dish out before he was forced to fight in a melee.

Instantly Mathew went on the defensive, using his rod as an impromptu parrying dagger. His training with the skill sometimes used a second longer bladed weapon as such, which he always used the rod in place of.

Marcus raised his sword, and was fighting the slowed Infernal. Mathew grimaced, he was at a severe disadvantage, yet he continued to fight smartly. The shields were tough, but Mathew knew he had to have around the same stats as these guys. It came down to skill in the end.

Constantly backstepping put Mathew away from the main fighting force of his allies, he was truly on his own. He was not going to survive this. Each swing with an axe left him open, and it’s only his constant back stepping that turned a deadly attack into a cut along his body. The sound of two people running at him from behind was heard along the pavement.

It was about to become a four on one and even if he had Magic, he didn’t think he was going to survive this. “Fucking christ you two are not going to give me a break.” Mathew said, putting his thoughts aloud.

This caused the two Infernals to pause. Mathew would later realize this is because they didn’t understand English, but his skill translated for him. He used that opening to his advantage and lunged forward with his knife aiming at the neck of the closests Infernal. He connected and a deep laceration was left.

Mathew turned in time to block an overhead axe swing, knocking him to the ground. His mouth held agape as he screamed mentally at his wisps to attack the Infernal. He raised his arms to block the next attack in reaction.

“No!” He shouted. Eyes wide at his impending death.

The axe dug into his arms, stopped by his bones. Then a red blur rammed into the Infernal, preventing the weight of him following the attack. Jeffrey had the entire right arm of the enemy in his mouth. Screams from Mathews' attacker filled his ears.

Mathew had more problems, mainly his heavily bleeding arm. He reached into his bag with his only good hand and pulled out a gauze wrap. He would never again make fun of Brown for suggesting him carrying a first aid kit like some boy scout. Shit, he would never make fun of a boy scout for always being prepared again.

He took several deep breaths before pulling the axe out of his arm. It was buried halfway into his bones. It didn't take a doctor to tell that by looking at the large open wound. Mathew started to bandage himself as he heard a voice from behind him.

“Mathew!” He turned to see a face that he was ever so glad and surprised to see.

“Samuel? Get over here and heal me! That Infernal did a number on my arm.” She was quickly next to him channeling her magic over his body. The wounds he started to accumulate slowly closed.

“Why are you here? I thought you were with Payne?” Mathew asked.

“He left me with Holly and Lucas behind to defend the Hearth Crystal.” She said hesitantly.

Mathew nodded, that made sense. “Shit if you are here, where are those two? I would have thought you wouldn’t be able to leave it.”

She didn’t answer for a moment. A worried question bugged into Mathews mind. “The Crystal is safe right?”

She winced, “No...the Infernals ran off with it.”

Mathew froze in shock. His second and more than likely last chance of a second chance was taken from him. Not by Payne or anyone who outsmarted him, but by the slimy and sneaky Infernals.

Oh they were going to pay. “We have to go after them!”

Samuel shook her head. “They took it nearly half an hour ago. We were swarmed and several Imps took off with it into the air. I didn't even know it could be moved like that!”

“Why didn’t they just claim it?”

“I have no clue, but without that Crystal this entire place won't be a safe zone anymore. Which means random monsters can appear here, along with god knows what else.”

Mathew frowned, “Patch me up and let me rest. I’ll take care of the rest.”

He was going to hate the plan that formed in his mind. Not because it was a bad one, it was in fact a great one. He was going to go after it. Since Mr. Melton removed the previous orders from Payne, he could do that now.

However, he would have to go back toward Payne. If the man saw Mathew chasing the Crystal, it would be a fight on sight. Mathew knew he wouldn’t have time to explain himself. Which meant he would need to be faster.