Chapter 144: Direct Descendants

Chapter 144: Direct Descendants

Done! Jack shouted, pulling open the curtain. The same little cabin waited for him, but he was not the same.

He had fused a Dao Root. He had advanced a skill into a Dao skill. Hed gotten sixty stat pointsthe equivalent of twelve levels, though only half of those went into his main stats.

Still, the increase in Will was significant. It had practically doubled, and Jack felt so unfettered. It was like he had complete control over his mind, like the lamp light that illuminated his island of conscious in the sea of subconscious had expanded. All errant thoughts had seized. The noise that always filled his mind went silent, and only now did he realize just how strong its impact was. Hed just learned to ignore it so far in his life, but doing so was surprisingly tiring. Suddenly, many mental resources were justavailable.

He felt like he could do anything.

Name: Jack Rust

Species: Human, Earth-387

Faction: Bare Fist Brotherhood (E)

Grade: E

Class: Fiend of the Iron Fist (Elite)

Level: 69

Strength: 260

Dexterity: 260

Constitution: 290

Mental: 30

Will: 60

Skills: Ghost Step I

Dao Skills: Meteor Punch II, Indomitable Body II, Iron Fist Style I, Brutalizing Aura I

Daos: Perfect Dao Seed of the Fist (middle), Dao Root of Indomitable Will (fused), Dao Root of Power

Titles: Planetary Frontrunner (10), Planetary Torchbearer (1), Second Ring Conqueror

Perhaps I should invest in Mental, too, he considered. This feels so nice.

His Dao Seed had also advanced to the middle stage. Jack didnt know what that meant. Was it because hed fused one Dao Root?

Do you need to shout? Naujas irritated voice came as her curtain slid open too. The barbarian girl revealed herself sitting on the bed with her back against the wall, resting.

Jack smiled at her. His excitement was hard to contain. I dont need to be quiet either.

How are you done already? she asked, narrowing her eyes at him. I thought you needed an hour.

My wounds were lighter than I thought.

Jack had no idea how long hed spent training in his soul. It had felt like hours, but perhaps the time inside and outside wasnt the same? In any case, his upgraded body skill and the extra thirty points in Constitution had worked wonders for healing. Besides some soreness in his muscles and a lingering sense of exhaustion, he felt fine.

Nauja watched him for a moment, then shrugged. Well, whatever. Im glad youre okay. In that case, we can head back.

Right, Jack said slowly. Now that he wasnt in pain, he could think clearly again. In fact, he could think clearer than ever. Out of momentary curiosity, he scanned her to see how much shed leveled up from the tyrannosaurus.

Human (Trial Planet), Level 101

Faction: -

Title: Direct Descendant

Two levels Seems about right.

He then spoke again. Dont get me wrong, but Im in a hurry. Since I completed the requirement of the Ring Quest, theres no need to come back and impose on your tribe further.

A hint of something went through her eyes. Jack saw it, but failed to decipher it. It wasnt ill-intentioned, nor was it polite hesitation. She hadnt fallen for him, either. It was concern, in a way. Worry. But it wasnt for him.

Before he could consider it further, Nauja replied, You arent imposing at all. We are glad to have guests.

Neither is the jungle.

More than here. Delvers sometimes come to the forbidden cave, and if they find you here

Trouble, I know. He grinned. Are you trying to get rid of me? I thought you enjoyed my company.

Hesitation is unbefitting of a barbarian. We know to let go.

A great quality. Took me many years to learn.

It does make life simpler.

Nauja paced toward the door, and Jack followed suit. There was nothing in here besides dust. His mind was already filled with thoughts about his next trip.

Five days in the jungle he considered. Provisions wont be a problem, but what about predators? I would see a tyrannosaurus coming from a mile away, but Hmm.

Are there strong, stealthy predators in the jungle? he asked.

There are. They range between levels 60 and 100, so you should be careful.

I might be able to take them, actually.

A level 100 predator while youre still level 69? She looked back and raised a brow. You were pretty good at not dying against the tyrannosaurus, but dont get overconfident. Needless risks lead to death.

Yeah, youre right, Jack lied. He still believed he could fight a level 100 creature. His titles gave him a cumulative +35% efficacy on all his stats, plus the Immortality Serum that was the equivalent of ten levels, plus his perfect Dao Seed, the fused Dao Root, the unfused one

He had his chances. He just had to not get ambushedwhich he had zero skills for.

Whoops.

Can I ask you a final thing, Nauja? he said.

Sure! she said, hand on the doorknob. What is it?

Whys your title Direct Descendant? Im just curious. You said youd explain to me after the tyrannosaurus fight.

Oh, that? She smiled awkwardly. Everyone knows by now, so I guess its no harm telling you. Its because we are direct descendants of the Ancients, the species that created the System.

What!? He gaped. Really?

Or so the title says. She shrugged. We dont know anything about it, really. Weve been in here for countless generations.

Wow What does it give you?

Im not telling you that. She stuck out her tongue.

Hah, fair enough.

Is your curiosity sated?

Its reignited.

She chuckled. Delvers, she said, pushing the door open. A clearing was revealed, looking into the greenery with the forbidden cave to their back. Jack had considered circling around and coming back to explore it, but the barbarians had been nice to him, and he didnt want to disrespect their wishes. Maybe another time.

Brock, surprisingly, was right in front of the door. He seemed frantic. In fact, they opened the door just as he was about to dash into it, making him crash into Nauja before he could stop himself.

Oof, she said, grabbing him. Her gaze was already scanning the perimeter, her bow drawn. What is it?

Whats going on, Brock? Jack asked, feeling the brorillas tension. Brock tried to mime something. He was indicating that four cultivators were approaching, led by the Animal Kingdom minotaur that Jack had witnessed fighting a giant in the Giant Ring. Said minotaur had also leveled up rapidly since then, rising from level 109 to 115.

Of course, Brocks miming wasnt that good. Jack understood everything because the four cultivators had just stepped through the ferns and into the clearing. They were an odd assortment. One was a walking tree and another a walkingferret? There was also a human with a shaved head and a purple robe covering her body.

Leading them was the plate-armored, hulking minotaur that Jack remembered clearly. He was part of the team that had butchered that poor giant. The other two were missing, thankfully, and the three that had replaced them were of a lower level, each hovering in the mid-nineties.

Can we help you? Nauja asked.

Jack tried to pace his thoughts. Perhaps this minotaur had never seen Jacks bounty, never received his information. Those hopes were dashed as the minotaur instantly locked eyes with him.

You cant, but he will, the minotaur replied leisurely, seeming in complete control, mouth forming into a triumphant grin. His voice was deep and sure. Commanding. You caused a lot of waves, Jack Rust.