After a minute of darkness a flash of light appeared in Zacs eyes as he appeared in a large room. Zacs brows imdiately scrunched up when he saw roughly ten serious-looking soldiers aiming automatic rifles at him. He imdiately got ready for a fight as he looked around while he activated [ntal Fortress] and the Dao of Trees. A fractal briefly appeared on his forehead, but it soon disappeared into his head.
His new skill was quite convenient as it kept running automatically after activating, barely using any cosmic energy. It would take sothing like a day before he ran out of cosmic energy from its consumption, unless soone actually attacked him. Then the consumption would drastically increase, much like with an array.
It was a bit unfortunate that it only had a decent fit with his fractal pathways. His other skills were mostly class skills who could completely rge with his pathway system, allowing him to bring out their power to the fullest. With [ntal Fortress] he guessed he could only bring out roughly 50% of the skills potential due to the average match. Still, it was far better than nothing, and together with his high stats and ntal fortitude, it made for extrely sturdy protection.
There was only one exit to the teleportation room, and it was guarded by the army n. The rest of the interiors gave no clues as to where the house was located since there were no windows. Still, he wasnt overly worried since there were humans in front of him. That ant there was a path to leave, and no door would impede him since he learned the Dao of Sharpness. He could simply cut tal like butter and walk straight through any restrictions.
What is going on? Do you welco all guest through the barrels of your guns? Zac asked with a glare.
The people in front of him looked like proper soldiers, but Zac had no real way to tell. If they were just pretending in order to lure him into a trap he would simply destroy them, but if they were actual governnt personnel he would tolerate their behavior even though he didnt like the feeling of having guns pointed at him. Besides, with his erected defenses and his E-Grade garnts he wasnt in any real danger, so there was no real need to act hastily.
Please stay put for a bit until we receive orders, one of the guards simply answered.
Zac contemplated pushing through the group but stopped himself. Who knew what else lurked behind the door. They might launch an actual rocket at him if he started attacking the guards, and he wasnt sure hed survive that. The seconds dragged on and the tense silence beca heavier and heavier.
The guards looked hesitantly at each other but didnt lower their weapons. As almost a minute passed even Zac was starting to get antsy as he considered whether he should bring out his axe just in case. But just as he was about to reach for his Cosmos Sack the door opened, and another group of people entered, showing a brief glimpse of a nondescript hallway behind.
Please excuse our safety asures. There was an incident recently. My na is Julia Lombard, cultivator liaison of the New Governnt Initiative, a female in her thirties said as she entered the room accompanied by two n.
She had a forgettable appearance, looking a bit like an office drone at a large corporation. She even wore a pantsuit, which felt quite out of place in this new world of theirs. The two n looked more like warriors, each having a sword strapped to their legs.
Since the group had already shown so discourtesy by aiming their weapons at him for a full minute, he decided hed make things a bit even. He scanned the group with [Eye of Discernnt] and found that the army-guys were only level 15. The two warriors were actually level 29 and 30 though, just falling a few levels short of entering the ladder. The office lady was almost as strong, reaching level 28, which Zac guessed would be a respectable number anywhere.
The stronger group clearly sensed the scan and frowned as they reached toward their weapons. They stopped however after a glance from Julia. Zac hadnt been sure, but it seed that these people considered a scan pretty rude, sa as with the rest of the multi-verse. Ogras had told him long ago that scanning people in a bar or the like was a sure-fire way to get into a fight unless you were a true powerhouse.
I understand your reaction, but please understand that anyone who steps through a teleportation array at this stage is likely a dangerous individual, and we have to take so precautions. The incident I ntioned earlier was when a few Zhix-warriors entered and imdiately went berserk when they saw us humans. Fourteen people died before we were able to annihilate them, she said.
Zhix? Zac asked.
Its what the governnt call the insectoid beings, while the Ishiate are the beastn. Were not sure if that is their actual na, but a scout with identifying skills got that na using the skill on them, so thats what we call them, Julia answered.
May I ask who you are and what force you belong to? she continued.
Port Atwood, Zac simply said, not deigning to hide the na of his town. They had no thod to get there in any case, and he didn't have any plans of hiding its existence from the governnt in any case. He actually was interested in so cooperation with them, as long as they didnt get too greedy for control. He already scheming demons to worry about, and didnt want to add any more headaches to the mix until his position was completely solidified.
And you can call Monk, he concluded with a sigh.
He needed an alias that wasnt his real na nor Super-Brother Man. He didnt want to give out his real na since he might be forced to show his might, making it pretty clear that he was a ranker. That might put his family in danger if they managed to match him with his hotown or so old internet profile that they might have access to. Who knew what things the governnt had stored, even after the apocalypse.
Besides, his na was a clear indicator that he was the sole ruler of the town, sothing he was not ready to disclose yet. Since Emily sotis called him Mr. Monk due to his appearance, he thought he might as well go with it for now.
When he ntioned the na of the town a few of the soldiers visibly relaxed. Zac guessed that all things were not harmonious even amongst the humans. Hed hoped that they would band together against the new tribulations, but he guessed that was too much to hope. Humanity had always been splintered and their own worst enemy, why would a simple apocalypse change that?
Monk is it? Pleased to et you. Port Atwood is not a city were familiar with, may I ask who is running it? the liaison asked skeptically.
It's run by a council, were an isolated town by the ocean. Since we couldnt find any humans by foot we built a teleportation array to reconnect with humanity, Zac answered.
How interesting. As we keep mapping the world we keep getting surprised how large our new planet is. Even with our tireless work we still only have a decent understanding of so parts of the world, but even that area is far larger compared to the old Earth, she sighed.
How co your array is private? one of the warriors gruffly interjected.
We have a limited understanding of the world and do not dare to open up the teleportation array to the public before were confident we wont put the villagers at risk. My job is to scout out the situation and gather intelligence, Zac answered.
I see, let take you to a eting room where we can discuss things further. I am sure there are many things you are curious about. Sharing information and creating a support system to restore order is the goal of the governnt after all, Julia said as she motioned Zac to follow her.
Zac felt that a governnt wasnt that benign to just do all this work from the goodness of their hearts. People of the multi-verse were first and foremost cared about their own empowernt and in so cases their Clans or Factions. Ogras often said that a freely outstretched hand usually hid so barbs, but Zac still followed the liaison, curious what she wanted to talk about.
As they exited the door and went through the corridor they exited the building housing the portal. Zac looked around and found they were in a large compound. It looked it was so old governnt or military facility that had been repurposed into a headquarter. The teleportation array was placed alone in a smaller fortified building, and there were even manned turrets close to it.
Soon they entered the main building that looked like a large office building made of stone and glass. It looked like a real security risk unless they placed so arrays on it, since a casual chop from him could destroy a large part of the structure. In general, he thought that any skyscrapers or anything similar were deathtraps by now unless they got so magical reinforcent.
As they entered the building they found themselves in a large high-ceiled lobby. However, only after taking a few steps Zac felt a prickling sensation from his newly acquired skill. Soone was using a ntal skill on him. Without hesitation he took a small rock and chucked it like a bullet toward where he sensed the intrusion ca from.
He still wasnt sure about the power of his newly acquired skill, or what kind of skills cultivators from the tutorial possessed, and his reaction ca from a fear of his identity being exposed. If soone got both his na and his level they would not only know his full na but also that he was the Super Brother-Man. It would be quite obvious from his extrely high level, and that turn could potentially put his family in danger.
The stone hurtled in almost supersonic speed toward a young woman who inconspicuously stood next to a pillar. She tried to hide behind the pillar, but her speed was nowhere enough to dodge a strike from Zac. The stone punched a hole in her gut and she was thrown a few ters back, a pool of blood quickly pooling beneath her.
The sudden caused quite a few people in the lobby to beco highly alert, so even brandishing their weapons as they surrounded Zac and Julias.
That girl just used a ntal attack on so I reacted on instinct, Zac comnted as he looked at Julia who couldnt hide her angered face before she managed to smooth out her features. Zac saw that the girl was still alive and felt slightly relieved. Between skilled army doctors and the new worlds high regeneration speeds and miraculous pills, shed be fine. Things might have gotten more complicated if she died, judging by the irate crowd.
He thought he was being nice for not killing the girl. If shed done sothing similar to soone like Ogras or most of the other demons shed be full of holes by now. But obviously, the governnt workers didnt consider his actions benign, as they looked ready to retaliate.
The sight made Zac feel tired and rather than afraid. Months and months of ceaseless slaughter had definitely changed his personality, making him more ruthless, and he was ready to fight everyone in this building if it ca to it. It was just a sha that hed create an antagonistic relationship with the governnt from the start.
Zacs attack caused widespread anger, but obviously more with so. A young man in army gear brandished an average-looking sword and charged at Zac with a roar. The sword looked about the sa as the ones that were carried by the two n next to Julia, and Zac guessed that the army was in the process of switching over to cold weaponry in order to gain Cosmic Energy from fighting.
Wait! Julia shouted, seeing that the situation was turning south, but it was too late.
The angered man charged at Zac and did a wide swing that aid to decapitate him. However, the clumsy and slow attack seed like a joke to Zac who had gone through innurable battles by now. The swing was all show and no substance, and with a quick jab he punched the blade at its flat side, making the strike miss its mark by quite a bit.
The strike left the soldier completely exposed, and Zac once again struck out with a punch, this one hitting his ribs. A sickening crunch could be heard as the man flew a roughly ten ters away, creating a heap on the floor. He was still alive though, as Zac didnt really put any real strength in the strike.
Your New Governnt has an interesting way of greeting travelers, Zac said with a frown.
He was quite relieved he didnt give in to Emilys clamoring to bring her along. Even though hadnt been too optimistic about the governnt he thought that theyd at least maintain so order and discipline, and hadnt expected to be in a battle with them within minutes of arriving. Of course, it was his fault as well to a certain degree, but the mostly hostile greeting apart from Julia had made his survival instincts kick in.
Your teleportation array is starting to feel more and more like a trap rather than an invitation, he sourly added.
Everyone calm down! Sergeant Miller and Private Smith will both be fine, but I need people to escort them to the infirmary. The Cultivator Special Branch Will handle this incident. Everyone back to your posts! Julia shouted as she and the two bodyguards pushed an opening in the irate mob. She didnt wait to see if her order was followed, as she ushered Zac into a corridor and from there a secluded eting room.
The room looked much like any of the conference rooms hed sat in before the apocalypse, with an oval table seating at most twelve people, with a TV and whiteboard at the side. The walls to the corridor were frosted glass, so he didnt worry about it being a cell.
As they sat down she actually turned on a laptop that sat on the table and next turned on the TV. Zac was a bit surprised that the two actually worked since there didnt seem to be much technology at work down in the lobby.
How are you getting electricity? he asked curiously, already having forgotten the incident earlier.
For the humans at this it might have been a large incident, but for Zac whod been bathed in blood for months, it barely registered.
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