Ultimate Level 1

His mind knew what was coming next, and the pain that he was about to endure.

The conversation with Bob and Sog’thollech, just what had been minutes ago, played out once more.

***

“If you are correct and she can travel through worlds and has the power to drain skills from others, then most likely she has dozens of skills. Her only limit would be the level of them.”

Max nodded as Sog’thollech echoed Bob’s thought.

He is wise for someone who has risen so fast. Perhaps one day, we could simply summon him to learn more of the system and things of his world. That kind of knowledge would be beneficial for us.

Nodding, Max frowned.

“Tell me, if you could pick skills from people, hold the power inside you, and know they would never be a high rank, what would you focus on?”

His demon friend snorted, leaning back on the chair he had been given, and tapped his large foot.

“A fool would only focus on one kind of ability. You already talked about her speed and strength, so she has a natural ability in combat. Her stats and equipment must be high to compete in the tower, but I believe you are correct. Every tower isn’t the same. To hear you are only in the fifties on your world means that you could potentially grow stronger. Can you imagine what that will be like? I can.”

A wicked grin appeared on Sog’thollech’s face as the demon licked his lips, the purple tongue moistening the skin.

“So spells, abilities, defense and offense. It’s a trump card, though. Something that can turn the tide of battle. That’s what she will be hiding.”

His purple friend nodded.

“I have one such thing. You can cut my head off, carve out my heart or do many other things to me. What matters is that both small cores inside me are not destroyed. If only one is, it will take a while, but I can slowly regenerate and return. Don’t ask me how long; I just know it will be months. If both are destroyed, then I shall be gone forever.”

“Meaning you could continue to fight without a head?”

Chuckling, Sog’thollech bobbed his head.

“Depending on who I am facing, I might. Otherwise, I would also pretend to die. It might cause fear in one while the other would then destroy every part of me.”

Draw out her trump card. Find out what it is. Then we use ours and end this.

I’m going to end this my way. I need answers.

A grunt of disapproval but acknowledgment came from his skill.

That is a dangerous game, but I also understand why you would do such a thing. Do not risk everything for knowledge that you do not need. Some things are not worth dying for.

***

Her swords moved quicker than his halberd, and even in his heightened state, with every offensive ability activated, Max couldn’t get his shield in position.

[ Evasion ]

[ Harden Body ]

[ Bulwark ]

[ Armored Warrior ]

He groaned as her swords struck, the tips piercing his shoulders, one on each side, turning just enough to keep them from striking his heart. She had attacked from above, using her height to her advantage.

She drove them to the hilt, both blades coming out his lower back, her lips almost against his as she evaded his space, a laugh beginning to form in her throat as her lips parted.

“You were almost worthy, Max Hoste,” she howled, driving against him, unable to move him as his abilities held him in place. “I shall enjoy draining the life from you.”

He coughed, blood spraying her from his mouth onto her smooth, tan skin, wanting to wince as she licked the flecks that had hit her lips.

“No… you won’t…”

[ Dimensional Space ]

[ Ultimate Form ]

He wrapped his arms around her, the last remnants of his berserker buff about to draw to an end, only two seconds remaining as a doorway opened up right behind her.

She tried to pull free, but his arms grew, the sound of his flesh tearing as the blades were wedged into his body.

In a moment, strength filled him, and the pain of it all washed away as he drove toward the purple door that stood open. Behind her, a stone room stood ready for what he had planned.

“NO!”

She slammed her head into his growing body, her arms being lifted as he doubled in size, yet Max stayed bent over.

One.

Two.

Three steps propelled him into the area he knew was his domain, the one Bob, Sog’thollech, and he had discussed.

The moment her body crossed the threshold, all of her fight went out of her, and he crashed into the wall inside, crushing her against it.

Willing the door behind him to close, the darkness that came next was unlike anything most would ever experience.

***

He stared at her, crying as she was, tied up with fifty yards of a rope Jazzjak had pointed out in Igarra’s vault. The black material was stronger than anything in his world and couldn’t be cut by any weapon less than epic quality. Even the strongest warriors struggled to break it once wrapped with three cords. She was wrapped in about thirteen.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Sitting in the chair he had summoned, Max massaged the spots on his shoulders even though they didn’t hurt anymore. The knowledge of what had been inside him sent a sensation of discomfort.

“You’ve lost,” he said, giving the lightstone on the floor a slight nudge with his boot. “The only way you get out of here is if I take you out.”

“How?! How can you be this strong?! It’s only been a year!”

Those gold eyes and hair seemed duller here, and Max wasn’t sure if the space they were in was also causing that.

Do you believe she is truly broken?

Her skills and abilities can’t be used. Had you not given her that potion, she would have bled out. This is truly your domain, Max. I’m not sure who could compare in this space, outside of a god.

But to get her to talk… What should I do? Torture her? I… it was hard enough doing that to Terrance. You know how much effort it took me to work up to that. Even now, I’m not certain I can do that again.

I could tell you to imagine her draining your sister’s life, but then what? Would we need to induce a rage every time something hard or difficult comes? No. You need to be able to keep the conviction you always have, no matter what is before you.

Since the beginning, you told me that you are a protector. You said that you will do whatever it takes to keep those you love safe, even if it means killing yourself. Now then, are you willing to do that?

Max ignored the looks he continued to get from his captive, trying to find out how to answer Bob’s questions.

Inside was a struggle. For a year, his skill had told him that he would eventually have to become a monster to protect those he loved. He had denied it, argued against it, and promised to fight that. Yet, over the last few weeks, he found himself not sure anymore.

“Will you at least tell me your name?”

“No!”

She spat, shaking her head after exclaiming, and shifted to the corner he had set her upright in. Tears still flowed, and all Max knew was that he wouldn’t get anywhere without doing something right now.

How long till I can try to return home?

An hour.

Nodding to no one but himself, Max stood and took the chair, stored it, and bent to pick up the lightstone.

“We’ll talk again. Hopefully, I’ll return before the air runs out.”

“What?!”

Her question came with a bit of a tremble, but Max didn’t care. The door appeared, and light flooded from the desert as he moved to leave.

“I can do this forever. You, on the other hand, can’t. Think about that.”

“Wait!”

As her last cry came and the door shut behind him, Max saw Sog’thollech sitting on the chair he had left for him, a broad grin on his face.

“You need me to end her life? I would be more than happy to.”

Shaking his head, Max sighed.

“No… I need to do a few things before I return home. Would you prefer to return to your place, or you could join me for a moment.”

Rising to his feet, the demon handed Max the chair back.

“Will I be killing anyone?”

Chuckling, Max shook his head and then stopped.

“I hope not. My ability to return home has about an hour before I can use it again. So while I am here, I want to visit the city I technically own and ensure things are still in order.”

Both eyes grew as Sog’thollech grinned.

“A city? You have much more to share with me, Max! Still, if someone needs to die, please let me be the one to make it happen.”

“You just want the soul. Not that I mind. Tell me how that dragon’s soul was?”

All of the demon’s teeth were displayed as his face lit up.

“Oh… that was unlike anything I had ever claimed before. Somewhere, something powerful is upset, as it’s connected to them. I can sense it… like a thread… and for now, I own a part of them.”

With a hundred other questions now on his mind, Max pushed them down and held out his hand.

“I need to hold yours while I use this skill.”

Laughing, Sog’thollech nodded and put his purple hand in Max’s.

“Don’t tell your elf woman.”

***

Max wanted to scream as Quilazmore and Jazzjak tried to assault him with about a thousand questions each the moment he appeared in the agreed-upon room and activated the summoning crystal.

It appeared that each one had done their job well. Stacks of documents and chests filled with treasure had been obtained as they reworked the city, changing how things were done and keeping order.

“You need to come to the arena! Just for a moment! We can stop a few who have evaded our attempts of flushing out some troublemakers,” Quilazmore exclaimed. “Especially if you bring your new friend with you!”

Sog’thollech winked at the dark elf.

“I like him. Perhaps you should let me play in this arena.”

“There isn’t time,” Max replied. “Fifteen minutes tops, and then I need to leave. My original plan was to be here in a week or two for at least seven days, but now… I can’t. In another month, perhaps I can return.”

The nose on his vorpal bunny twitched frantically.

“Fine… but he is right. Your announcement of your presence would be a great thing. Morale is up, security is tight, trade is doing well, and the tower has been reopened. All the people they believe care enough to show they are around.”

Leave the demon, and go show yourself. His time will end, but his presence will be enough. You agreed that this place would be important and didn’t want to toss lives away. The mantle of leadership means sometimes sacrificing other desires.

Groaning, Max rubbed his bald head and nodded.

Fine… but I swear… someday, I’m going to find someone who can do all the leadership stuff so I don’t have to! I don’t want to spend my days listening to reports and solving disagreements.

And yet, that is exactly what you do, except with a weapon. That is also a way to lead, but the path often turns into one like Igarra’s did.

“Okay, you three are right. Let’s get me to the arena. We’ll make a quick announcement, and you can send it out. Sog’thollech will stay here until his time expires, helping to deal with any problems that arise. Any questions?”

The two smaller men glanced up at the purple demon, who was once again grinning like a madman.

“Uh… he’s not going to eat Quilazmore, is he?” Jazzjak asked.

“No? Why?”

“A vorpal bunny can dream, can’t he?”

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