“This is a problem we certainly don’t need right now” Bruce commented on the story Lucas told him about the events of the day “we have enough shit to do without needing to prepare for invasion”

“Yet, here we are, needing to do exactly that” Lucas said with the shrug. He had time during the way back to lament on the fact that problems seemed endless “what of other news?” Lucas asked.

“Our spies got the preliminary report on the potential candidates for the guild head. All but one seemed cooperative enough, willing to put roots here” Bruce said.

“Let me guess, Rosenborg is the one who isn’t willing” Lucas said and Bruce nodded. Rosenborg was leader of one of the more powerful parties in the Guild. From what Lucas knew of him, the man came somewhere from the frontier and immediately started making waves in the settlement. The party he joined improved their efficacy and soon, he took the leadership role. From that moment, they doubled their output of jobs completed and all that fame got to other party members head. They started mimicking Rosenborg who was pretty savage man. They left few of the taverns in complete ruin and chased women left and right. One time, the fight between them and Town guard got so heated that Lucas was called and forced to intervene. After two months in prison, they were released and for two months now, their rhetoric sharply changed even if their behavior got somewhat subdued. Propagating that the Rosenborg should be the leader of the settlement as he had flawless record for completing jobs and he would push everyone to become stronger, instead of the current one, who was too passive. Lucas didn’t pay too much attention to this speak, but it looked like they were serious about leadership change.

“I guess you already sent someone to try and infiltrate Rosenborg circle” Lucas asked.

“Of course, but I predict that will be hard. Our better bet will be to get with a strong candidate to put against him. I will have meetings during the next week with all who are predicted to try and make a run at the elections and from there we will make a plan of action.” Bruce said.

“I hope I’m not needed for the meetings” Lucas asked and he was relieved when Bruce confirmed he will handle it himself. He was never in the mood for playing politics, especially now when he had invasion to prepare for and his personal progress to see too. He still needed to talk to Bruce about the subject of his progress, because fighting those blue – skinned man hadn’t yield the results he was hoping for, at least not visible ones. He didn’t check if he had any new skill unlocked, losing that habit of his since his training with Bruce started.

“There is just one more thing before we get back to training” Bruce said “we must build our alchemist here a new workshop. I know we agreed to build these buildings the regular way, but I think circumstances call to let the System instantly build this one” he finished.

Lucas only nodded, knowing full well that they had the credits for it. Early in their days of managing the settlement, after they finished with the immediate aftermath of the devastation brought by the General’s last stand, they agreed to save as much credits as possible in the case emergency calls for instantaneous build of a number of buildings. That kind of austerity was the reason Bruce hadn’t hired an assistant or two for himself, giving up notions of free time and life outside of his work as the governor, at least for the time being. He wouldn’t ask for such a thing without good reason and Lucas suspected the reason was that he wanted to keep the alchemist close. The man was certainly capable and he did a number of researches into the limits of System. Lucas suspected there was also a personal connection there, but it wasn’t his place to pry into that kind of stuff, so he remained silent as Bruce and Martyn were going back and forth about the needs of the man. They finally settled on details and Bruce focused on something, probably the System menus, before announcing it is done. He silently nodded his thanks to Lucas, to which he tried to mimic its nothing. Martyn went towards the door of the office, eager to test out all the System provided tools.

“Just one more thing, old friend” Bruce said as Martyn opened the door “I know you don’t’ like it, but I would like you to dedicate some of your time to concocting some new defenses for the town. I am that head of yours already had a few ideas where to integrate your craft” he finished. Alchemist stood there, waging internal battle should he argue this or not. Deciding to keep his mouth shut, he nodded and took his leave.

“So, how were the fights? Something of note happened?” Bruce asked to no one in particular. Lucas sit back as his party discussed their gains. Chen gained two levels, finally catching to the siblings who only got one. As was usual, Margaret had the biggest gains, gaining the whooping five levels and unlocking some new skills which she planned to go through with Bruce before choosing. Lucas was getting a little bit depressed listening to all of this, his gains nearly minimal.

“You are awfully quiet, Lucas. Is there something wrong?” Bruce asked after everyone else have finished. He could feel the atmosphere in the room going down, as the rest of people casted worrying glances at his direction. He couldn’t blame them for it, as he certainly wasn’t behaving as usual since his duel with Pyra. It was long time since someone was able to stand his ground against him and that combined with the part he didn’t gain anything tangible was souring his mood.

“I don’t have much to add. I didn’t get much from our escapades” Lucas said.

“Well, I would have to disagree with you on that” said the old Loremaster. Lucas looked at him questioningly, prompting him to burst into laughter.

“You seriously haven’t checked your skills, haven’t you?” Bruce said trough his laughter.

“No, I’m getting used on you delivering the news promptly. What I will find there?” Lucas asked.

“If my evaluation is correct, there is shinning new legendary skill waiting you there” Bruce told.

Lucas went into his status and then navigated to the skills submenu, opening his unlocked skills.

Sword of doom level 54

When your enemies see you as the doom incarnate, you slowly start to become one. You are walking catastrophe, a death sentence for anybody foolish to wrong you or stand against you. While some fight for glory, other for the thrills, your fighting style is purely based on winning and killing your opponents in the most efficient way.

On level up: +5 Agility, +4 Strength, +2 Perception, +2 free points

Available skill points: 9

Would you like to spend your skill point now?

Y|N

“Recalculating…”

“Recalculation completed”

“You can now browse your available skills”

As it was usual, there was a huge selection of skills, most of them locked. Lucas quickly filtered the list to show only unlocked skills in price range of nine skill point he had. Browsing through the option, he finally found something that looked like the skill Bruce spoke about.

Vengeful doom strike (Legendary)

People say that the doom is ultimate ruin for everybody involved, but the multiverse is vast and there are always beings who managed to cross it one way or another. The hatred and fury of the doom is yours to harness. This skill allows the user to empower one strike to deal lethal damage if it manages to hit its target.

Cost: 100% of remaining mana, 50% percent of remaining stamina

First thing Lucas noticed was the cost. He was able to use this skill even when low on resources, but on the other hand, it would deplete him and effectively put him out of the fight. The other limitation was that the skill completely relied on his ability and skill, as the skill didn’t have any inherent aim or automatic hit ability. But boy, is the ability powerful if he manages to hit. He can instantly kill anything if he hit it, regardless if it was a scratch or a deep stab. Even with some clever use of potion, he could squeeze two uses of the skill, potentially ending any kind of threat. It didn’t even have any limit in regards to strength, which meant that he could kill beings infinitely stronger than him with barely a scratch. He exited the menu temporarily, to see what Bruce had to say about it, as he sent him to read it.

“Good skill. I wouldn’t put all my stock in it for beings with several thousands levels above you, as you get some protection from stuff like that, but even then, you may be able to catch them by surprise. On our level, however, I highly doubt there will be anything that will able to withstand the hit from this skill” Bruce told him.

“Hey, remember us, your friends and loyal teammates. What about you also send it to us, so we can read it?” Margaret said excitedly, making everyone in the room chuckle at her impatience. Lucas went back and shared it with everyone, and there were multiple gasps as the people read it.

“Lucky motherfucker” Ted murmured before joining the others in cheering and congratulations. Lucas felt a little bit overwhelmed being in this much spotlight, a far cry from his early day when he would strut around like a peacock.

“Then, there is a consensus? I should take it?” Lucas asked, knowing answer already. Everybody nodded, their eyes betraying excitement. Lucas dived right back into submenu, ready to take his new skill.