Seven days went by quickly for Mathew. When he wasn’t working out with Captain Henderson yelling at him, he was studying more about the new universe he and everyone else on Earth was now part of.

  When he wasn’t doing that, he was vetting the so called ‘Adventurers’. A name Zack and Lindsey insisted they be called. Those two were hanging out a lot. Not only because of the bet the two made, but simply because Mathew was starting to enjoy their company.

  If he couldn’t understand a description on one of the abilities, skills, or spells listed on the applications to join the raid, one of those two were able to break it down for him. More so Lindsey than Zack. He was busy in his forge lately.

  Blue Oaks' population wasn’t much right now. Yet, just over thirty people registered as Adventurers. Their goal was similar to that of the guard that Captain Henderson was building.

  Both forces were established to defend against Dungeons and the magical creatures that now roamed Earth. The Guard to defend, follow orders, the grunt force. The dependable masses for any situation.

  The Adventurers were the wildcards. Small teams made to travel on Mathew’s orders. For the Undead Mathew was going to take one group as a facade. If that Dungeon had been sitting there this long, there was no telling how strong it was. The more people died, the more Undead that would need to be exterminated.

  Mathew had zero doubts he could kill anything under Level 10 with a single [Mana Bolt] at medium to high power. If he used all his mana, including the ring he could kill just under a hundred of them. Assuming each bolt hit the heads. Di’s information wasn’t cheap, but it was worth every bit.

  Undead were magical constructs, similar to his Wisps. Except the body is physical and powered by magic. Necromancers were a popular term used by Earth’s fantasy for those who control the Undead. That term is still used, but more so as a description, not an actual class.

  Some Undead could be sentient and alive. Controlled by a soul instead of the will of a necromancer. Mathew felt uncomfortable thinking about souls again. His whole life he didn’t give a rats ass about what happens after death, karma, fate, or anything related to a spiritual life.

  Now, it was all true. A few information crystals talked about developing one’s soul. Mathew saved those to further study later. He had no need for it now. Right now, he needed to get stronger the best way possible. That involved killing a whole bunch of zombies.

  The plan to show up wasn’t simple, but not complicated either, so long as everyone played their role. Mathew’s was two fold. Firstly, he was going to act like a leader who needed guards and protection. It was somewhat true, but not to the degree they are taking it.

  The Blue Oaks Guard and Adventurers are there to show off. That Blue Oaks is stable, and can share the protection with others. This outting had two goals after all. Clearing out the Dungeon and bringing in both Hearth Crystals under Blue Oaks’ banner.

  Mathew made a note to get a banner, either metaphorical or physical. Having a symbol seemed like a good idea to inspire morale into people.

  The total force was 35 strong. Five Adventures, Twenty guards, Mathew, Leo, Lucas, Samuel, and Lindsey.

  Zack wanted to go, but Henderson stopped him. He was now working on a project to output as much gear as he could within the thirty eight days that remained. Mathew was more willing to help prepare people.

  A Dungeon meant danger, and supplies were going to be needed. Mathew spent at least three hours every day enchanting bags for everyone who was going into the Dungeon. Even more stock versions for the guard itself.

  The entire process shot his spell up to Beginner rank, earning it an upgrade.

  The other two upgrade choices were not even in consideration when Mathew was given the prompt. Any bag he enchanted had roughly twelve feet in diameter of space. He was disappointed there was no weight reduction upgrade, but this one was just as good.

  His personal space was half the size that he could make a bag into. He had zero way to influence the size. No amount of mana, or attempts to cast the spell on himself worked.

  The best part was that any item he put into his personal storage, didn’t weight anything. He could put fifty pounds in there, and never notice it. Worries of thievery were gone.

  He kept the upgrade to himself. Putting his most prized items inside. A fresh stock of pills from Di were the first to go. All his throwing knives, and when not in use, his rod. If he wanted to retrieve an item all he needed to do was imagine it appearing in his hand.

  That was the only power of his to reach a new tier. Yet everything had improved. Agnox himself had gained two more levels, landing him at Level 12. The work Henderson put him on was grueling. Mathew and him started to spar together the last two days.

  Mathew wanted to practice fighting against flying creatures, and Agnox wanted to practice fighting against human sized creatures. Mathew didnt’ expect warm welcomes from the magic hating safe zone.

  He was a Summoner. Leo would probably be better received. Zack and Henderson too.

  His newest ability was the only thing he spent all his time playing around with. [Channel Mana] was what Lindsey called a passive upgrade. Comparing it to Leo’s temporary power up, it was a drop in the bucket. Yet Mathew still found all of his spells were firmer in his control. He couldn’t quite direct where his [Mana Bolts] went after casting, but he could give them a minor curve.

  His Axiom had made zero progress, yet his [Contest] skill went up four ranks, landing it at Beginner 4. Di was less helpful in the terms of this Axiom. There were only two information crystals that had anything useful.

  The first was more the concept of Truths. Similar to what Agnox already said. Truths were a way for one to become closer to the universe. To truly understand how everything worked. The Universe was composed of four prime truths.

  Order, Chaos, Creation, and Destruction. All four fighting for supremacy, and kept at a balance to where that never happens. Mathew at first thought it was stupid, but as he read further it made sense. Balance in this case doesn’t mean order or peace. It is referred to more as a four sided teeter totter. If one side goes too high, the other three then work together to push that one back down. Order can not exist without Chaos. If nothing is created, then nothing can be destroyed. A simple logic. There is such a thing as organaized destruction and chaotic creation. Each one is a final truth of the Universe. Each other Axiom falls under one of those four.

  His own, [Resistance], leans more toward Creation and Order. Granted, it’s still Novice, and Di mentioned it could become anything he wished it to. Mathew didn’t have time to plan out a future with his Axiom, but he felt like he understood it more.

  Agnox called it being on the cusp of understanding. Apparently Morthrus was on one as well when she became the dungeon leader. Constantly talked about it to him, to perhaps talk out how to improve upon the Axiom.

  He felt like it would improve later. Maybe acquiring Level 25 is what was needed? Mathew took the time to look at the Leaderboard as he finished preparing for the city. A stark reminder that he wasn’t number 1…yet.

  Mathew scrolled down to find a few important names. Mark, Jonathan, Benjamin, and Bethany were all level 24. Mathew’s other two living brothers were both above level 20. A small part of him was glad they were alive.

  He hated them, not enough to wish death upon them…well except maybe Luke. He continued to look for a few other names. Firstly was Leo, who was Level 22. Mathew never expected his friend to gain so much ground on being even level with him.

  While he was busy training with Captain Henderson or crafting bags, Leo was out hunting. Leo was also part of the group that went into the Dino Dungeon once it opened up. He was their guide to ensure nothing went wrong.

  So far, no mana cores have appeared. Mathew was very adamant on acquiring more, his universal currency be damned.

  General Payne was another name he took a glance to find. Both confirming that he was alive, and that he made little progress in levels, he was at 18.

  Everyone else was scattered across the list. Mathew even wanted to see just how far downt he list went. It was insane how many people were still under level 10. Mathew expected a few hundred, not thousand. He didn’t count, but it took him longer to go from his name to Level 10 than it did to go from Level 10 to Level 5.

  “I would assume they refused to fight. However, they also could be mostly children. Bared from fighting. Or worse, in a place where fighting can’t happen. If they can fight, then they will just die.”

  Humans could be the most vile of people. Mathew has seen plenty first hand. Just how long until a criminal was strong enough to take what he wanted, kill who he wanted, and do whatever he wanted? Unstoppable as others were just too weak.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Modern day guns and police forces don’t exist. There is no equivalent to such things anymore. Being the strongest is all that mattered. Something Mathew had his eyes set upon.

  He worked hard these last few days, and it was time to leave. Mathew was standing to the side as two trucks were loaded up with supplies. Most people will be walking beside them. It would increase the travel time to hours, but it was all they could afford.

  Gas was limited. Sure Mathew could buy a mana powered one from the Hearth Crystal shop, but that wasn’t something they could afford. It was more expensive than the wall upgrade for the silent alarm.

  The tanks that the Infernals didn’t destroy remained behind the walls being built. A final security measure in case anything attacked Blue Oaks.

  Mathew would be riding in the second truck with Lucas, Samuel and Lindsey. The front truck would hold a few soldiers and one of the adventurers who had a perception boosting skill. He was their core lookout for anything nefarious.

  Mathew wore his usual gear. His weapons were safe inside his personal storage. Agnox and Jeffrey were the only two summons he had out. Agnox was wearing a freshly ‘Zack Made’ armor set. Zack prided himself in the challenge of a unique body shape.

  It wasn’t anything heavy, just leathers from the dinosaurs and steel plating across Agnox’s chest. He needed to be light enough to fly still. Agnox adored it, and seemed genuinely happy.

  Mathew hadn’t seen the imp smile much for happiness. A few jokes or when he was being sly sure, but not happy. A few times he tried to talk to his familiar about his home planet. Agnox was normally forthcoming with information, but the conversation devolved into Agnox hiding something.

  At first, Mathew assumed it was something serious. Something that could help him and Blue Oaks, yet after a while Mathew realized Agnox might be homesick. How he could miss a place that abused and mistreated him, Mathew had zero clue. He didn’t miss his home afterall.

  Lucas flicked a strap that was holding down a bag of rations. “That bad boy ain’t going anywhere. Strapped down good and well.” He hopped back down to the ground and climbed into the driver seat.

  Mathew got into the passenger seat and soon the two trucks were off. The trucks slowly started to roll forward to not outpace the ground people.

  With enhanced stats, that slow roll was more like fifteen m/h, pushing toward twenty. Some people were amazed by it, Mathew no longer was. The capabilities people could perform in the future was going to be godly.

  The trip would take a long while. Mathew decided to read his entire menu for once. He knew what everything did, but a long drive meant he had time to kill. It might be a long while before he had another chance to look at it fully if the undead are as bad as the scouts reported.