A month after the second outbreak, the situation around the world was critical. One-thirds of the Level 2 rifts weren’t still closed. The World Government unofficially abandoned South America despite pleas for help. The rainforest became a barrier that stopped the armies from clearing the rifts.

Columbus Curt decided to fill the void and move his soldiers to South America. Uncleared rifts were free essence and cleared rifts gave important raw materials, items, weapons and armours. The arrival of the levelled items was changing the world on a daily basis. Bullets made from Level 2 metals dealt more damage while Level 2 armours reduced it better, in and out of itself, even without any affixes.

As of now, Columbus Curt’s headquarters was being built purely out of Level 2 materials. It was an expensive and lengthy process as the materials were random and scarce but the market was adjusting very quickly and more and more people bartered rather than using dollars.

The outbreaks had killed billions but Columbus Curt no longer saw them as the bad thing. Yes, he mourned people who had died and it was a tragedy. But he blamed it on Windsor Freeman who had betrayed humankind forcing a lone, scared boy to open the rift causing the outbreak, instead of bringing the rift to the High Parliament’s attention.

Nonetheless, the rifts brought unimaginable wealth into their lives. Something only an insane wouldn’t acknowledge. The old world was gone and the new one was being born. Sadly, it was born in fire and blood shed between humans. Although, it soon might change.

A green light flickered, signalling the readiness of the connection. Columbus asked his technicians if they could track down the other end of the connection but it turned out impossible.

Columbus nodded then asked everyone to leave the conference room. He trusted his people. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be here but at the same time, this conversation required a higher degree of confidentiality.

Once Columbus was alone, he turned on the privacy runes and formations. Many of these were brand new, found in the rifts. Yes, another thing overlooked by many, the rift also produced knowledge. Then it was time to begin. A screen came to life and with it a young face of brown-haired man Columbus had a difficult time recognising.

“Columbus Curt.”

“Ronald Rugman.”

Both men had seen their age reversed quite substantially. But Columbus’s people had already confirmed that Vitality alone wasn’t responsible for the reversing of their age. People who put on equipment with Vitality attributes had seen their age reversed, but not to this degree. There were other factors at play here.

“You’re looking good, Curt.”

“Likewise, Rugman. Now, if you please, explain why you asked for the meeting?” Columbus wasn’t cut out for a small talk. Plus, Ronald Rugman was known to be a master manipulator and political veteran. Not a man, Columbus found pleasant.

“We both wish for this pointless war to end,” Rugman replied.

“This war has a point, Rugman. It is called freedom.”

Rugman waved his comment off.

“At what point before the war did we have freedom? The same people ruled back then. The only difference is that there are two groups instead of one. Freedom has nothing to do with this.”

“I disagree.”

Rugman sighed, slightly annoyed. He had the mannerisms of an old man.

“Curt, don't you see the absurdity in your own claims? You stand with the Old Blood, the very people that had the majority in the High Parliament. How often did Windsor get his way? How often did he have to bend to the whims of the wealthy? The answer is – all the time. And now, you defend that.”

For a moment, Columbus entertained an urge to terminate the connection. This wasn't the negotiations he’d been expecting. Rugman had been a very skilful Lord, this was a beggar of a man. And this, actually, made Columbus wonder, was this an act, or a sign that the World Government grew increasingly incompetent and weak? The latest decisions issued by Windsor, or rather their lack, spoke volumes.

“You’re misunderstanding my place in this, Rugman. I care nothing for the Old Blood and their stake in this war. And I am sure you know it, so have a shred of respect and cut to the chase. What do you want?”

Despite the look of a thirty-year-old, Rugman seemed old. When he closed and opened his eyes, and his expression went through a series of changes, Columbus even felt a little sorry for his enemy. But it was a fleeting emotion that didn’t return once Rugman settled down with a hard, unyielding expression.

“Windsor has gone insane. Nitisha has—no—she has always been insane. Letchworth is gone. Caesar is dead and Esopp thinks only about getting stronger. This is a disaster, Curt. We tried to stop Windsor but he no longer listens to anyone. All he cares about is catching the boy.”

Columbus had a stone-like face because he didn’t know how to react to this. Was this some sophisticated act? It had to be.

Except, my intelligence confirms this.

Nonetheless, it was difficult to believe that Windsor’s right hand came to Columbus to tell him the bitter truth. If Columbus released the recording of their conversation to the public, how many soldiers would turn their backs on the World Government? Rugman had to know this… then why?

“You aren’t telling me anything I don’t know. So again, speak up your mind, Rugman. What do you want?”

“Complete ceasefire, restoration of the High Parliament.”

“As long as Freeman is the President, it is impossible.”

Rugman slumped, giving up on the act.

“Then kill him, Curt. You’re the only one who can do it. I don’t have a fighting Talent. Esopp won’t betray Windsor, although I have a feeling he won’t interfere either. His son’s joining your side hit him hard.” Rugman’s face hardened again and he added. “Just kill him and let’s end this farce.”

“I can’t kill him.”

“Why not?”

“Come up with the plan of disposing of him and I will run the ceasefire and restoration of the High Parliament with my people. We will talk in two weeks,” Columbus said, ignoring Rugman’s question. He was surprised that Freeman hadn’t told his closest people about his secret.

***

Keynes’s time in the hunting ground was up. There were no more goats and searching other areas would be a waste of time. He entertained an idea of eating the feline hybrids but decided against this. Alice guessed that they’d been genetically-modified animals from the hunting ground that ate the rift meat and some of them survived. The rift meat was poisonous but there was a minute chance to mutate and the hybrids had to be the outcome.

In the end it didn’t matter, once Keynes had found a scimitar-like sword, he hunted down the hybrids. They were not the easiest things to kill, especially since his health wasn’t 100% yet, and they showed a cunning that the rift monsters lacked.

The strangest thing about them was their Spirit. It was strong, almost on par with the Level 2 rift monsters. Alice had to explain to Keynes how the Spirit works outside of the realm of the ascenders. Everything in the world possessed a spiritual charge and the higher level something was, the more spiritual charge it contained. That was why the branch from the Level 1 rift had felt a little different to Keynes. Level 0 things possessed a next to nothing spiritual charge.

The ascenders shared one thing with them, as they levelled up, they also gained a little more spiritual charge, and that was why they gained a little more spiritual information and their spiritual aura grew in strength, but without advancing the stages, they were incapable of normal functioning.

It was interesting and explained some of the questions Keynes had been having. If only he could improve his cultivation technique. Even with the enhanced learning buff, he seemed to be some time away from the breakthrough.

“Do you think it will work?” Keynes asked, staring at the daggers in his hands. Yesterday, he found one with an affix – damage inflicted by this weapon is piercing. It also added 1 to attack speed. The dagger was of uncommon quality and came from a boss.

This wasn’t all, he’d also found another Scroll of Random Teaching in a hidden compartment. Several Scrolls of Identifications, raw materials he’d identified because there was nothing he could do with them, the common sword and something that he was very happy with – a formation schematics. The formation of filtration could filter liquid making them safe for consumption. Obviously, there were limits and costs but it was a step in the right direction.

“Do you want to get back to the… what did you call them again, master?”

“Lifts, and no, I don’t wish to backtrack.”

He stabbed the daggers, looking for crevices. The piercing dagger turned out the entire climbing endeavour into a child’s play. This had been a good two weeks of constant delving. He gained some progress in attribute maxing out but nothing spectacular. Given the fact that he hadn’t aimed to train them, the results were encouraging.

Attributes

Permanent

Temporary

Total

Strength (1%)

24

1

25

Dexterity (4%)

24

1

25

Will (4%)

24

1

25

Mind (2%)

24

1

25

Perception (4%)

24

1

25

Vitality (1%)

24

1

25

His progression toward the next level didn’t matter though as strengthening his core hadn’t added the essence to the progression bar. Considering how many rifts were in the world and the human population, a chance to advance with the full benefit of maxed out attributes were nonexistent for most. This gave Keynes a different perspective on his time with Kaito Ren, Captain Ventura, Daiyu Fen and Tulli. They were all an integral part of his advancement.

Keynes climbed down the wall on the other side. The estates of the wealthy were going to stretch for over fifty kilometres before he left their southern enclave. The map had shown this much at least.

During his journey, he went over the book about French flora. Anything to change the taste of goat meat.

“Why do they hunt you?” Alice asked when they reached a forest. The wealthy enclaves were behind Keynes’s back. Finally. Not all of them were abandoned and an occasional car had passed Keynes.

“Because I can open rifts.”

“I don’t understand.”

Keynes told her his story and a little about the riftless world that had vanished.

“This can’t be, master. A world without rifts…” she trailed off and Keynes's senses picked up a tremor in his little companion. It seemed that the vision of a world without rifts was too hard to swallow. He let her wallow in confusion while rushing for the trees. There had been occasional helicopters although nothing on the same scale as the first days but Keynes didn’t want to risk his freedom because of a silly omission.

From there, Keynes journeyed the east, hoping to find information about the uncleared rifts. However, it occurred to him that these rifts might be monitored, which was less than ideal.

A small but modern village lay on the other side of the forest. The main point of interest was an old chapel from the early 1900s when France was still ruled by a king. The Mad Monarch had tried to move France backwards in time, forbidding technologies, research, universities and so on. Rather a hard time for the Europeans, with many small border skirmishes.

A wall was being raised around the village. Keynes saw a couple of troopers, but unlike Emerald Lake, it was easy to sneak inside.

“Oh, crap.” He suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“What’s going on, master?” Alice asked, alarmed.

“I don’t have any money.”

“Money?”

“I will explain it later.”

The village was built on a mild slope. Most of the buildings were one and two storey with exception of the chapel. Keynes entered the first shop he found. He kept the hood on, keeping his face hidden.

The shopkeeper gave him a suspicious glare then asked with a hint of hostility in his voice.

“How can I help you?”

“I am looking for the closest uncleared rift, do you know where I can find it?”

The balding man snorted, shaking his head.

“Another one.”

“Another one?” Keynes asked, confused. “Sorry but I don’t follow.”

The shopkeeper placed his hands firmly on the counter.

“Hero. I’ve met two dozen like you, asking for the uncleared rifts and monsters.” The man shook his head again, his expression showing contempt. “Why don’t you all move to Australia or South America? You can die there without bothering ordinary folks like us.”

“Both destinations are far… never mind. Just tell me where I can find the rifts and I’ll be on my way.”

“East. You will easily find what you’re looking for.”

Keynes thanked him then turned to leave, but a thought occurred to him.

“Why hasn’t the army cleared the rifts yet?”

“Ask them.” The man turned his back on Keynes, no longer willing to continue the conversation.

“That was weird,” Alice whispered even though no one could hear her. “Humans are weird.”

“This one was strange, indeed.”

Outside the shop, Keynes ran into two troopers who immediately stopped.

“They are only Level 2s—WHAT IS THAT?!” Alice’s little body started fraying. For a split second, Keynes started to panic but then Alice explained. “Their CORES, their BODIES! They are all wrong.”

Alice’s sudden reaction surprised Keynes who turned his head to her. But he had enough clear-headedness to stay silent.

“Identification,” one of the troopers said while his companion raised his rifle.

What tipped them off? Keynes asked in his head, knowing that Alice could hear his thoughts.

“What? Master, it doesn’t matter. Their cores … their bodies. What did they do to themselves?” Alice sounded shaken.

Did you forget that a few months ago we hadn’t had rifts on Earth and the only way to level up was… the human essence.

“Identification,” the trooper repeated.

“I lost my identification,” Keynes replied and mentally kept a dagger and a shield at ready.

The troopers exchanged glances. They didn’t wear helmets for some reason. Their insignia told Keynes that they were the lowest rank. Maybe they hated their job and they’d leave him be? Naive.

“Do you have the tracker?”

“No.”

“Your name.”

“Joe Brown,” Keynes lied.

“Address?”

“America, San Antonio…”

“Take off your hood,” said the one with a rifle. “Show us your face.”

Crap.

“Guys, I don’t have time for this.”

Keynes released his spiritual aura. It blasted the troopers, taking away from them a precious second. Keynes lunged at them. He brought his arm down on the rifle, then punched the trooper in the face, knocking him unconscious. The other trooper reached for his rifle but Keynes headbutted him.

“I was going to say impressive but I can’t. These two were crippled. No one sane uses the human essence or whatever you call it. It’s also detrimental for your body.”

Keynes fled the scene, wondering where exactly he should go. He’d asked for the way to the uncleared rifts then assaulted two troopers. It wouldn’t take a genius to figure him out. His other choice was Geneva and the gardener.

Keynes left the village and moved north for half a day. He ran into the already-walled city of Crest. Troopers controlled the gate and it looked like they were on alert.

Great. I should—

“MASTER!”

Keynes’s head snapped in the direction Alice was pointing. He saw shadows moving toward the city at great speed. There were hundreds of them. Then sirens started blaring, the troopers withdrew from the gate, closing the city down.

Then he heard shots being fired. The shadows roared and slowly they took the forms of a variety of rifts monsters.

“There are at least seven uncleared rifts,” Keynes said, watching as the wave of the rift monsters crashed against the wall. The monsters mulled around, while the troopers from the walls shot at them. It was quickly becoming obvious that their ammunition wasn’t dealing sufficient damage. After seeing what the earth trolls had done to Freeman’s squad, Keynes wasn’t surprised.

In barely a few minutes the rift monsters flooded the eastern side of the wall. There were thousands of them.

“Where the hell is the army?” Keynes asked, watching the shocking spectacle. They should have dealt with the rifts a long time ago.

“Are you going to fight, master?”

“Yes.” Partially, this is my fault. It was the truth but he no longer blamed himself for this. The World Government hadn’t had the right to use him, and here, this was the consequence.

Keynes was halfway toward the rift monsters when he heard the helicopters. Twenty of them came from the south and bombed the rift monsters. The massacre lasted less than two minutes and killed over half of the monsters.

“This isn’t enough. Conventional weaponry doesn’t work.”

“Unless—”

The essence hit Keynes like a tsunami, he withstood it but he saw two helicopters crash and the rest leaving in haste.

“If they are like the troopers from the village, then this amount of essence can kill them.” The same thing happened to Pullman Pizarro and the squad around the exotic rift. The essence overwhelmed them.

“Let’s go. We will thin the number then find a way inside the city during the night.”

***

What Keynes learned later that day, was that there had been an attack on the Alps warzone where the World Government kept the monsters from the uncleared rifts.

They used the rifts to constantly spawn the monsters and farm the essence. However, three out of four choke points were destroyed enabling the monsters to spread uncontrollably.

There were many versions of what had happened: a human error, the resistance attack or monsters finally overwhelmed the defences.

No matter which version was true, many cities were now under attack. Any place that didn’t have a wall ready, was overrun in minutes.