Mathew appeared not inside the Golem Dungeon as he expected, but back in the twisting tunnels of the second floor. Agnox and Cherry were right behind him.

He didn’t expect the instant appearance of possible danger, but right in front of him was a group of goblins. Mathew reacted first, bringing out both Agnox’s sword and his own rod. He tossed the blade to his familiar and conjured both Wisps.

Mathew turned back behind him. “Cherry, help out however you can but stay behind me for now.”

Agnox wasn’t wearing the heavy armor, and moved faster than he normally did. He sliced one Goblin across its chest. Its green blood splashed over its fellow fighters as it fell backwards.

Not waiting a single moment, a fiery nova swept outward from Agnox using his [Flare] spell. He then took to the air, having all the goblins focusing on him. A few scant weapons were thrown up toward him, most either missing or barely nicking him.

Mathew sent a fully charged [Mana Bolt] in the center of their group. That alone caused them to run in fear in every direction.

A spray of blue bolts from Wispy peppered the goblins as they started to scatter. Their screams of pain echoed through the tunnel. Some goblins took the chance and charged toward Mathew.

He didn’t give them a chance of coming close to him, blasting them one by one. Three arrows hit him, which sunk into his flesh. He was still wearing the suit, and not his usual armor. Mathew looked down at the feather ends sticking out of him. “I liked this suit! Little green fuckers.”

Whis fired powerful attacks, dealing killing blows until the last goblin died along with Mathew. Cherry did nothing but stood there in shock.

Agnox flew back to Mathew and had a pained expression. “Next time Boss, can we not drop into the middle of danger. Also bring out Jeffery so I can take a nap please.”

“How was I supposed to know Gaia would send us into danger?” Mathew retorted. “I think she did it on purpose.” He added as a joke.

“Mom wouldn’t do that!” Cherry said defiantly. “She’s loving, caring, and belevenent.”

Mathew glanced at Agnox and tried not to laugh at her. “Cherry. Ah, forget it. Let’s set up camp so we can talk and I can look over my menu. I have a couple notifications blinking in my eyes, the damned System can’t have a different option to alert me.”

Setting up camp was simple. A small fire and two bed rolls were set out. “Cherry, do you mind keeping watch with Jeffery while Agnox sleeps and I check my menu? We can talk after that.”

She just nodded slightly. Sitting down and wrapping her arms around her legs. It was obvious she was mentally conflicted.

Mathew opened his menu, and looked over several things. He took a look at everything in its full glory of growth from the last two weeks.

Contract between Gaia, Goddess of Earth Bonds and Mathew McGonald has been approved by The Council.

Note: As the one who didn’t officially create this contract, you are given a copy that you can access at any time via your menu.

Failure to uphold your end of the contract will result in punishments as labled in Paragraph 15, Sections 1-5.

Servant: Cherry | Unranked

You have a contracted servant named ‘Cherry’. She is with you until the contract is fulfilled or annulled. Ability rank is depended upon Cherry’s Level

Title: Warlock: You have struck a deal with a being of power that exceeds The Final Step in cultivating. As such, you have acquired a title befitting this achievement. This title makes others of the same tier more aware of you. This title makes The System more aware of you. This title increases the odds of a System approved upgrade by 3%.

Quest: The Seed of Fate, Step 2

Gaia, Goddess of Earthly Bonds, has issued you a continuance to her quest. Complete the criteria she has set before you, and claim your reward.

Reach Level 200: 35/200

Cherry reaches at least Student rank: 0/1

Claim four soulbounded summons: 1/4

Temper your body: 0/1

Discover an Aspect of yourself: 0/1

Achieve an Inspiration: 0/1

Name: Mathew McGonald

Race: Human [Apprentice]

Class: Summoner

Profession: Leader

Level: 35

Universal Currency: 288,778

Titles: Big 100, Child of Axiom, Classy, Dungeoneer V, False Life, Forerunner, Hearth Crystal Owner, Lawyer, Pack Leader, Solo Delver II, Soloist, Survivor II, Warlock, Willful Power

Axioms:

Glint of Bolster [Beginner] Glint of Enforce [Beginner], Glint of Bolster [Novice], Glint of Piercing [Beginner], Glint of Resistance [Apprentice]

Strength:

220

Vitality:

238

Dexterity:

225

Endurance:

176

Intelligence:

431

Wisdom:

492

Unallotted Stat Points: 0

Abilities:

Attentiveness | Beginner 6

Channel Mana | Beginner 7

Conjure Weapon | Beginner 9

Frostrim Chains | Beginner 3

Mana Shield | Novice 9

Summon Servant: Cherry | Unranked

Skills:

Contest | Beginner 9

Piercing Weapons | Beginner 7

Staves | Apprentice 3

Mana Text | Beginner 8

Rituals | Apprentice 2

Spells:

Fracture | Novice 2

Mana Bolt | Apprentice 5

Ritual of Enchantment: Increased Space | Beginner 6

Summon Familiar: Agnox | Unranked

Summon Jeffery | Beginner 9 (Upgrade Pending)

Summon Wispy & Whis | Apprentice 3

Mathew knew the gains were hard to describe with numbers. Even harder with a shattered soul that can’t properly push out the strength of those numbers. That’s where he should be. In reality, he was 5% weaker than what was on the screen.

Which puts things in perspective. If he was at the very top of the leaderboard, less than the top fifty, and was having this easy of a time on the Beginner floor, what did that mean for him? What did it mean for those who were barely scathing by?

He closed all his menus. Cherry was looking into the fire. Jeffery was sitting attentive, his armor put on by Agnox before he passed out. Mathew was tired as well, but he needed to talk to his newest summon.

“Cherry. I want you to know I’m glad you accepted my offer.”

“Not like I had a choice.” She muttered. “Either that, or whatever my mother had planned for me. She isn’t the forgiving type…”

“I doubt she would have done something that horrendous. If anything, she would have paid for you out of pocket. I doubt a few million UC is much to a Goddess. I fully believe she knew what I was up to, and twisted it to work for her as well.”

Cherry turned to look at Mathew, “Are you saying my mother let me make those mistakes, so I ended up with you? Wait. You wanted me to join you this entire time? Why didn’t you ask!”

Mathew just smiled knowingly. “I didn’t expect it to be you specifically. That’s the honest truth. My original plan was to ask for one of you, or have one freshly born all the way at Level 1, or Novice 1, or however you are labeled by The System.”

Mathew gestured toward Cherry, “When I realized you were being punished, I saw an opportunity. Gaia has been seen to care for everyone under her umbrella of care. So, when Wary mentioned you were taken away, I changed my plans on the fly.”

Cherry was silent for a few moments. Mathew saw in her eyes she was confused.

“Still, why? Why did you want a Dryad?”

Mathew rubbed at the back of his neck, “You were not my first choice, but someone I could pick up easily. You saw the state of my soul through those crystals. I need others I can depend upon. Those who are willing to tie their soul to mine. I gained something close when I was at the Bridge Between The Heavens and The Earth. You are a part of that vision.”

Cherry’s lips pressed into a line. “I want to know exactly what happens to your soul.”

“That’s a long story. It started back a couple months ago, not long after I defeated the Dungeon Boss of a Beginner ranked Dungeon, all while at Beginner rank myself mind you. I made Agnox my familiar and…”

After telling her his tale, Cherry seemed to warm up to Mathew. More and more she seemed to understand Mathew’ predicament.

“So, what I saw with the chain and the broken image of yourself? That was your soul?”

Mathew nodded. “I wouldn’t force you to join me. That’s not how I want things to work. I need willing people to join me. It was a gamble. The contact with Gaia said you also had to agree to the services. If you denied me, then that was that. I would have been at a loss.”

“You gambled with a God? Mathew, oh you are such an idiot.”

“It was a calculated risk. I already gained so much from being there. Losing out a new summon was worth it. I can get more. I have…some time.” Mathew looked into the fire.

“I don’t like this. I could have said no! Gaia could have said no! The System could have said no!”

Mathew held up a finger. “But you didn’t. She didn’t. It didn’t. Here we are. Let’s not dwell on the could have should have and focus on what did happen. You are with me. Once we finish this World Quest, I feel like you will actually like Earth. Minus all the decay, destruction, and horrible people that are still alive.”

“You are horrible at convincing me to stay with you.” Cherry said. Silence filled the cave for a few moments. She kept staring at Mathew, her eyes lingered over the arrow holes. “Are you still hurt?”

Mathew looked down, “It stung, I ate a recovery pill. Not bleeding anymore.”

“Here, I can still help a bit.” Cherry’s hands began to glow pink as a warm wave washed over Mathew’s body.

“Thanks. What kind of spell is that?” Mathew asked out of curiosity.

Cherry looked a bit embarrassed. “Oh, it’s just a spell. It heals. It’s uh, called [Pink Touch]. Every Dryad has a certain affinity about them. Cherry Blossom Dryads have a lot of healing, nature, and love themed techniques.”

“So she is a healer. Glad I picked her over Berry or Chuck.” Mathew thought to himself.

“Well, we are going to rest for most of the day. Why don’t you rest as well. That way when I sleep, you and Agnox can talk

With a roar, Zack lifted his shield above his head and brought it down with a crushing smash onto the head of the colossal beast. The Beginner Floor boss was far sturdier than any of them expected.

Henderson dodged a swipe from its own axe of a weapon before red sheen glowed across her sword. “DIE!” She plunged the blade into the creature's chest. It was heavily worn down. Thanks to both Damiena and Lindsey’s ranged attacks, the two of them continued to deal low but lasting damage.

If not for Lindsey’s poisoned arrows, Henderson would have never tried to fight this thing with just the six of them, not without an increased chance of death.

The monster wasn’t dead yet. She felt its muscles contort around her sword. She pulled it out and stepped back. “Brown, do it!”

A high pitched whine of something powering up came from behind the entire group. A large rifle was glowing. A small bead of green energy was steadily growing at its end. After a moment a flash of light arced forward and pierced into the beast's lower torso. A gaping hole was the only thing left as the smell of singed flesh filled the air.

“Zack! Now!” Henderson barked as she jumped into the air. Zack’s body grew in size as he ditched his shield. He was over a foot taller. The shield warrior grabbed the creature around its waist and held it. “You ain’t going nowhere now!” His armor had grown with him in size. Allowing him to take two pounding fists to the back without a single worry.

Henderson let out a warrior's cry as she cut the head off the floor boss. Purple blood splashed out of its neck bathing her and Zack in its warm bodily fluid.

Everyone was panting. Even Doctor Garcia who chose to help them with this final enemy. After this, she was going to return to Blue Oaks. There would only be Henderson who continued from this point forward.

“We did it!” Lindsey cheered. “Zack, I didn’t know you grew that big with that new ability!”

“Yea, we are lucky I got it just before this fight. However, it's super taxing on my body.” Zack said as he shrunk down.

Brow carried the sniper rifle and joined his friends. “I was lucky to hit this thing. Are you sure I can keep it? It’s so powerful!”

Henderson nodded. “I don’t need it. I can’t use a sword and a long ranged rifle like that easily. Now, if I was Mathew and could pop things out of reality, that would be much better.”

Everyone nodded and smiled at her joke. A portal appeared, swirls of a dull yellow and indigo twisted among one another.

“I think this is your stop.” Dr. Garcia said. “We will see you back in Blue Oaks. Do us a favor, and don’t die please.”

“I’m just going to complete a challenge or two then leave myself.” Henderson said with a confident smile.

She watched her friends pop their tokens and vanish from view. Once they were gone she grew a serious expression on her face. Captain Henderson hated to lie, especially to those close to her like they were.

She opened her menu and accepted the quest reward. She vanished in an instant. After all, a godly reward is hard to turn down.