Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Matt was still trying to get used to Aster. She felt the need to be a part of every single thing he did. It was adorable and cute, but frustrating at times.

Currently, he was on his bed attempting to break through to Tier 2. Every time he sunk into the meditative state required, Aster would shift on his chest, or flick her tail, or do something else to break his concentration.

He did not want to fail the breakthrough. It wouldnt harm him, just waste his hard earned essence. His physical side of cultivation was full, and he had a decent amount of essence in his spirit. He just needed to use that essence to compress the loose essence acquired from delving into something more solid.

The guide suggested a mental image of sand to sandstone, but he felt Aster shift again. Her chill permeated his shirt, his mental imagery shifted to snow being compacted into ice sheets.

From shifting and unstable to firm and unmoving.

With this new place to build upon, the Tier advancements after this would compress his essence even more, slowly adding more weight. This new arrangement of essence would be the foundation the rest of his life would be built upon.

Matt thought of his helplessness after the rift break, and his anger at Iris trying to steal Aster. He took all of that emotion, and with every ounce of power his spirit had, he squeezed.

The essence compressed down easily at first, as the loose snow became hard. Matt didnt let up, he kept pushing, and just when it felt there was no more progress to be made, the essence compressed again. The once hard bundle of essence he had created shrunk, but it had also loosened. It was only slightly harder than it had started before the first compression.

He repeated the process four more times, five compressions was good for Tier 1. Coming out of his trance with Aster's wet and cold nose against his chin was a bit of a shock.

Matt checked his physical cultivation. Right in the center of his chest was a small, rock hard sphere of essence, with a small layer on top that wasnt as densely compacted as its core. Diving into his being with his spiritual sense, he inspected his metaphysical half. The mana cultivation was tiny, and seemed atrophied in comparison to his physical half.

Where one was a bright ball of essence the other was dark and hollow.

He sat up and cradled the kit. Five compressions. He had five more to go to fully stabilize his cultivation, but hed do it with the first essence he accumulated at the Tier 2 rift. That way no problems could occur. It was said to be rare, but he didnt want to take chances.

The compression of the essence foundation was repeated numerous times in the guide the PlayPen provided. It was possible to advance to the next Tier with only a single compression, but the cultivator would be able to express less power than their peers who had completed the full ten.

Tier 2. He had done it.

Aster, feeling his excitement, wiggled out of his hold and picked up a toy. So Matt played with his bond until she was panting, ready for a nap.

With Aster curled into a chilly ball next to him, Matt looked up the information of the Tier 2 rift.

It was a jungle path with large insects as the monster of choice. The regular monsters were a mix of giant centipedes with a monstrous bite strength, and giant praying mantises who had steel-like, grasping arms used as blades and crushers all in one.

The boss was a peak Tier 2 ant queen. Like normal ant queens, this one was a fighter, and would ferociously defend her territory. The final fight was against her and a horde of soldier ants.

It was reportedly a hard fight for solo fighters. The only benefit was that the soldier ants were barely Tier 2, and should have trouble getting through his [Cracked Phantom Armor].

The skill was only strong enough to fully block the weakest of Tier 2 attacks, so his advantage was gone. He would slowly be able to get more defensive power out of the skill as it imprinted into his spirit; but for now he would have to be careful of injuries in the Tier 2 rift.

If his Tier 3 Talent didnt change his mana shortage, he would have to face the fact that the skill would become increasingly less effective.

Matt looked at the snoring fox next to him and was more concerned with her safety. Hed need to bring her with him so she could gather essence as well, but he wasnt sure how to keep her safe from a bunch of ground-level insects.

Maybe I should keep running the Tier 1 rift until she gets stronger?

He decided to ask Melindas party tonight at dinner. They had actual experience running the Tier 2 rift, and he didn't want to have to run the Tier 1 unless he had to. The Tier 2 monsters would have more condensed essence, and larger amounts of it at that. Aster would progress and catch up to him much faster if Matt stuck with Tier 2 essence as her fuel.

***

Their advice was so simple Matt should have thought of it himself. He bought a larger backpack and stuck Aster inside with a blanket to pad it out for her.

He was sure he looked comical. A man covered in ghostly armor with a shield, axe, and a white fox poking her head out over his shoulder.

Even the Ant Queen was only slightly over waist height, so Aster was out of reach.

Matt was working his way down the main path of the rift, smashing the tough chitin exoskeletons of the monsters. He crushed them one by one as they swarmed him, careful to avoid their mandibles and arms. As he progressed, he began to barely make out the end of the long trail cut out of the dense jungle foliage surrounding him.

The Tier 2 rift wasnt really any more challenging if Matt was careful. There were no distinct rooms like the Tier 1 rift. Here the insects were more ambush predators, focusing more on surprise attacks from the underbrush beside the jungle path than on frontal assaults.

Matt had tested his limits, and had found that his [Cracked Phantom Armor] was nearly impenetrable by singular attacks from the basic monsters. It took them a few seconds of sustained bites or grabs to overcome the mana running through the skill.

As he chopped his way through the waist-high monsters he eagerly collected the essence. It was thicker than that of the Tier 1 rift. Splitting half with Aster didnt affect his gains, as he was gathering more essence from each kill here than he would from four Tier 1 monsters.

After making his way through the long hot jungle path, leaving a trail of dismembered heads and limbs, Matt came to a large clearing at the end. Here the thick underbrush gave way to tall tropical trees and bright flowered plants, all coated with a layer of vines.

In the center of the clearing, a giant mound of dirt signaled the entrance to the queens underground network of tunnels. As he approached, the ground itself shook and split apart as the queen and her drones breached the surface, sensing the imminent threat.

Sizing up the Queen Ant, Matt quickly realized he had a problem. She was big, the top of her head reaching slightly above his waist. While he knew her pincer attacks were strong enough to tear him in half, Matt doubted that she was fast enough to land an attack.

After quickly dispatching her guard unit, Matts suspicions proved correct. He could easily maneuver around the queen's slow and predictable lunges. The real problem was his inability to damage the queen. His axe didnt have enough weight to drive through the chitin of the stronger insect. Where he could hack and crush the shells of the weaker insects, the queens exoskeleton was like steel plate armor.

Matt eventually was able to chop through a weaker leg joint, but all that did was slow her down even more. Seeing no other viable options, Matt endured the tedious process of de-legging the queen one limb at a time. The queens lunging attacks became increasingly pathetic with each missing limb, but Matt was still wary of her mandibles crushing power.

It took him a while but he was able to separate the queen from her legs, and finished the fight by bisecting her at the joints of her head and abdomen.

He was coming with a bigger axe for this fight next time.

Matt approached the reward distortion. It shimmered with a pale grey light. When he collected his prize, he spat at the reward of only four Tier 2 mana stones. A below average haul. Matt felt it summed up the delve perfectly.

The bright side was the bag of mushrooms and herbs he gathered along the forest path. Apparently, they were worth a decent amount of credits to the alchemists, so the trip wouldnt be an entire waste.

Arriving at the alchemist workshop, Matt perused the displayed items. Potions of strength, speed, proprioception, even odder things like night vision.

They didn't have actual healing potions, just blood clotting potions. Matt would consider them alchemical triage, it was just enough to get you out of a rift and to a healer.

The problem was the prices. Every item was sold with the price in mana stones. Tier 3 mana stones.

Giving up on the idea of getting any of the expensive items, Matt left the store area and found a desk. He told the receptionist he'd like to sell items from the Tier 2 rift.

The room he was led to had a man in opulent robes sitting reading a book. Matt sat down but was ignored. He coughed slightly to get the man's attention, but the alchemist waved his hand at Matt with a shushing sound.

After five minutes of waiting, the man put down his book and barked, Where are the goods?

The man had pulled each item out of the bag and found fault with every one.

This one wasnt harvested properly, the entire stem isnt here.

This one has too much surrounding dirt, we can't use this.

How can too much dirt make moss worthless?

Frustration building, Matt fought the urge to punch the alchemist in his smug face. The large bag that he had trekked through the humid forest was only valued at 100 credits.

Matt knew he was getting ripped off. The guide said the items should have carried a value of fifty credits per item. Raging internally, he thought over what he should do. What irritated him was that he had been careful when harvesting the items. He followed the guide to the letter.

Looking at the smirking man across the desk Matt decided he didnt want this mans money. He wasnt sure if this was a scam the alchemist was running himself or if the entire department was just a bunch of assholes.

Decision made, he snatched the pouch up and stuffed his goods inside. Walking out before the man could say anything, he found a trash can and proceeded to shred every item in his bag.

He got a few odd looks, but couldnt tell if they were because of the crazy man angrily tearing up mushrooms and moss, or the fox yipping in excitement every time he did. Matt just wanted to go home and cultivate, that was the only positive he could still hold on to. Finishing solidifying his foundation would be worth the absolute slog this delve had turned out to be.

***

The next few months of Matts time on the PlayPen was uneventful, he delved, trained, and took classes. Aster had reached Tier 2, and could now push her cold aura out further, but that ability was useless in actual combat.

She usually just sat behind him taunting the uncaring insects. But the rifts while productive were no real challenge to the duo.

After some time, the day Matt was dreading had arrived. It was Melindas groups last day on the island. They were holding a private dinner, and then tomorrow morning they would be gone.

It wasnt a surprise that they would be leaving the island before him, but now that the time was here, he didnt want them to go. They were the best friends he had since well he couldnt think of better friends.

He knew it wasnt like they wouldnt be able to communicate, it would just be slow once they were on different planets. The data dumps only happened when the portal was opened, and that was normally once a month.

This was the reason they were leaving two weeks early. Paying for a slot on the monthly portal was only a Tier 3 mana stone apiece, while getting a personal portal was a Tier 8 mana stone.

Sitting on his bed, he cuddled Aster to him. She would be all he had once the others left. He didnt even mind anymore that she refused to use the incredibly expensive bed hed bought her, and instead preferred to freeze him nightly.

Checking the time, Matt made his way down to the reserved room with Aster on his heels.

When the duo entered the room, he plastered on a smile he didnt feel. Acting happy to see them move on.

As they ate he asked, So have you decided where you are going to go?

Yup, weve got three jumps to get to the planet, its called... Sam looked at her pad, Relstor. Weird name, but its a Tier 7 world and has enough Tier 3 and 4 rifts that there isnt any real competition for spots. So no fee to purchase a delve slot.

Mat continued with a full mouth, Theres even a rift with goblins. Its only Tier 3, so just a single tribe. Its where we'll probably go, because it lets us use our numbers pretty well. And were familiar with the monster type. We should be able to reach Tier 4 in a few months, give or take.

Thats only if we delve every two days, and we talked about that. Its too risky. Were only 16. Were still well under the curve if our goal is to hit Tier 5 before we reach 22. We dont have to rush for it. The free skill will seriously increase our strength. And by the way, dont speak with your mouth full you delinquent. Melinda ended her comment with a poke to Mats bulging cheek.

Matt agreed, Yeah a free skill would be amazing. Do you guys have any idea what you want?

The boy let out a guttural scream, and wrenched his hand out of her mouth, further shredding his hand.

He then turned to Matt shouting, How dare your beast attack me? Ill be wearing it as a coat! And I'll see you hanged for attacking me. My father is the castellan of the Junipers you worm.

Matt had to replay the words to make sure he heard the kid correctly. Then, he decided to rub salt in the wounds, Wait? You are the son of a guy who worked for the nobles that just. Got. Arrested. And youre flaunting that? Really?

Matt turned to the table that was watching the developing drama next to him. Hey, you! My dad just got canned. Respect my authority!

As they laughed at his mockery, the kid lunged at Matt, but was held back by the guard. He was actually snarling. It made Matt wonder if the last of his brain cells had short-circuited.

Matt sent a thought to Aster, and she snarled at her attempted foxnapper. The blood on her muzzle made it a far more menacing sight than the kids attempt had been. The fool flinched back from the fox who was wearing his blood.

That got even more sniggers from the watchers.

The guard bandaged the kids other hand then put him in handcuffs.

What are you doing? You should be arresting him!

Sir, you admitted to a crime not moments ago. And we've already reviewed the security footage. You came to his table and started the confrontation. If nothing else, you lied on an official statement.

The guard read him his rights,but the boy continued to refute the guards words as he was frogmarched away.

After giving his own statement and being asked to wait, a separate guard came over to Matt half an hour later. Youre clear, but in the future, please dont use so much force.

He just thanked the man, and assured him he would be more careful if something like this happened again. He hoped it didnt, those assholes had ruined his dinner.

Grabbing a meal to go, Matt went back to his room to find Jasmine sprawled across his bed. Aster tried to go and greet the girl, but Matt forced her to sit still while he brushed her teeth, he didnt know where the foxnappers blood had been.

Set free, Aster jumped on the bed and shoved a cold nose into Jasmines cheek, waking the girl up.

Aster nooooo. Its so cold.

Aster cuddled in deeper. Then licked the brunettes face.

Why does your breath smell minty? Did you eat poop again?

Aster looked heartbroken, utterly betrayed at the mention of her past folly.

Jasmine opened her eyes and saw the food Matt bought as he left the dining hall.

Oh, you brought me food! You're the best. With a sweet smile and a quick kiss, Jasmine stole his dinner and started digging in.

In between bites she asked, So why did you brush Asters teeth? Did she eat poop again?

Aster yipped her protest. She had only done it once after all, and really it wasnt her fault. She hadnt known what it was.

Matt told the story, and Jasmine was in disbelief that he had been accosted. When she heard the part that he was the castellans son she just ahhd.

Yeah, I met him a few times. Always acted like his father was the biggest backer one could have. The funny thing is, most kids from the Junipers that were his age hated him. Never understood how he was so arrogant.

She swallowed another bite and said, Whatever. Maybe before he could have gotten his father to put some pressure on you, but now hes got nothing. From what I heard, the workers of the Junipers were all given one free pass to the PlayPen so they wouldnt fight the transition of power.

Im not worried, just amazed how someone could be that stupid. He lied to the guard, who repeatedly asked him is this your official statement? Like he was given so many chances.

Jasmine finished the sandwich and said, Well enough of idiots, I just had an amazing run and we got seventy Tier 2 mana stones.

She bit her lip then turned around and walked into his shower Want to help me celebrate?

***

Matt looked up from his bed. Today was the day, his delve was in four hours, and his physical cultivation was nearly full.

It had taken eight months of delving the Tier 2 rift, and finally, only a month shy of his 16th birthday, he was about to hit Tier 3. This kind of rapid cultivation was the greatest advantage of a solo delver. Aster, even with her fifty percent take of the essence, wasnt slowing him down at all. Pet companions could gather essence humans normally couldn't, so she was gathering what he was unable to.

She was at middle Tier 2, and nearly her full size at almost 10 pounds and three feet long. She could easily defeat the Tier 2 insects in a one-on-one fight. Her ice powers were still weak but they got stronger every day.

Aster could also eat the monsters and gain essence that way. She relished eating her kills, even if the insects tasted horrible to her.

That ability made Matt jealous. To eat monster meat, humans needed specialized chefs to process the food, otherwise it was extremely toxic. The problem was, no chef would work with monsters under Tier 5. The sheer amount of the essence lost during the cooking process made it not worth their time and resources.

Matt stood, and was about to leave to catch the bus to the rift portal, when Jasmine opened the door. Guess what? My parents got me and my team a slot in a Tier 3 rift.

She hugged and kissed him before doing the same with Aster.

That's good news, I know your team was bummed out that yall didnt get sponsored.

She frowned at the mention of her team's plight. They were a party of non-sponsees, who had hoped to catch someone's eye and get sponsored before their advancement to Tier 3.

It just never happened, and Matt agreed with their assessment that it had a lot to do with the Emperor's recent proclamation. Anyone who had lost family in the unaddressed rift breaks and reached Tier 15 would become the rulers of their home planet.

Sponsors were finding and scouting the orphanages around the world. They werent looking to sponsor a team with wealthy connections who had not suffered during the rift breaks, and thus were not eligible to get the big reward.

Jasmine frown deepened That's the problem. The rift is on my dad's homeworld, and he had to pull strings to get the slot. Which means we have to leave today. The portal is this evening and we can't leave the slot open for long or we'll lose it.

Matt felt like he had been punched in the gut. Today was his big day. He was going to reach Tier 3, and she had to leave now?

Is there a Tier 50 playing pranks on me?

Matt didnt let his melancholy show.

Jasmine and her team were good people. While they came from rich families, they tried their hardest and never acted arrogantly. When they had heard of Matt's fight, they had all reached out to their parents to make sure that none of the others in the castellan sons party tried to make trouble with him.

It had been unlikely with Matt being on The Path, but they had done it simply because Jasmine cared about him.

Well then good luck and congratulations. It's a big step, I know you guys only had another two months on the island, but it's good to see you have a path forward.

It's just terrible timing, but I can't make everyone wait on me. I know today is a big day for you. I just wish I could be here with you to celebrate. Jasmine got a look on her face and asked, You have what? Four hours til your rift?

At Matt's nod, she pushed him into the room.

Good, we have time for one last goodbye.

***

Matt watched Jasmine run out of his room and down the hall, hair still mussed. They had cut it far closer to her boat's departure time than they had planned, but neither could let go.

With a promise that if they ended up on the same planet again theyd at least say hello, she had left.

There wasn't much either could do at this point. Her path was forward, and Matts was still on the PlayPen.

Matt went down to the waiting area and sat impatiently. He couldn't stop looking at his pad, Aster had gotten tired of his impatience. She started roaming out of boredom, and was sniffing a bush off to the side of the road.

When the bus arrived, Matt held down the urge to push through the exiting people and tell the driver to hurry. He did none of that and waited his turn; fantasies of finding a teleport skill in his shoe and just teleporting to the rift running through his head.

The ten-minute ride to the rift was the longest of Matts life.

Entering the rift, Matt hurried Aster into his backpack and he sprinted through the jungle path.

He would get as much essence from killing the queen ant and her soldier ants as he would get from killing the fodder insects, so ignored the lesser monsters. He only needed half of the queen's essence to make the attempt at his breakthrough, and couldn't bear to wait any longer than he had to.

He rushed through the rift, and when he reached the queens area he hastily sped past her drones and drove his heavy axe into her skull. Only after feeling the rush of essence from the queen did he massacre the remaining ants.

Matt checked his pad, twenty minutes. If he hurried he could catch the next bus back to the residential area, where he could perform his breakthrough and test his Tier 3 Talent.

Quickly grabbing the mana stones the reward distortion hid, Matt exited the rift and bypassed the checkout counter, sprinting to the bus stop.

He climbed on and mentally begged the bus driver to leave early.

Aster, pouting in the seat next to him forced him to calm down.

He didn't prefer to cultivate when sitting, so he picked Aster up and went to the back of the bus. There were seats running the entire back wall where he could lay down. Once he was horizontal he forced his spiritual sight inward.

Calming his breathing, Matt gathered the newly acquired essence in his spirit, wrapped it around his little sphere of physical essence and squeezed.

What was loose turned hard. What was hard turned solid.

His Tier 1 essence was compressed even further when Matt squeezed his Tier 2 essence down.

One compression, two compressions, three, four, five. It was after the sixth that Matt lost his momentum and couldn't continue.

He felt his physical cultivation with his spiritual sense a second time.

Tier 3.

He had done it.