Mathew laid there on his bed in silence. He wanted to tell Gloria to fuck off. Yet, the need to talk things out with someone who he knew had his best interests in mind was something he needed.

With a heavy sigh, Mathew bluntly told her. “Gloria, you know I’m dying. However, I never told you exactly how I avoided the actual death part. To put it simply, a person, thing, being, whatever it is, that is far more powerful than anyone here can imagine, is toying with me. Almost literally. Everything I am doing is to prevent it from stealing my soul to add it to itself.”

Gloria didn’t flinch, just actively listening and nodding. Silence sat for a few moments before Mathew continued.

“To top it off, I’m forced to get help from a so-called God who used to be a teacher for this person. She says she is helping me, but I can’t shake this feeling there is more than I can see. So, I’m pushing myself to become strong enough to where nobody can mess with me or anyone else for that matter.”

Mathew pointed to his side, “That nightmare was real. I felt the pain. It wasn’t PTSD, or Anxiety, or whatever term you are going to label me with. I was branded, forced to not move, and laughed at. I was weak.” A shudder went across his body in remembrance.

“I never was going to do that. It’s obvious whatever is happening is real. New areas of medical understanding have opened up. This goes beyond what we used to know. Did you know enough healing magic gets rid of cancer? That’s just something we recently discovered. Alzheimer, Dementia, Paralyzied people, so many things can be cured that old modern medicine couldn’t even start to work on. To me, the best way to help you, is to help you get stronger so you're not afraid anymore.”

“I’m not afraid. Not in that sense. I’m worried.” Mathew looked toward the window. “What about the others? Those who are weak. Those who are lazy. Those who simply wish to not care. They are throwing their own lives away for nothing. I’m here fighting for my life.”

Mathew turned back to his doctor. “I’m worried that what I am doing isn’t enough Gloria. I want to create a populace that is proud and strong. Not weak and cowardly. If I can’t be proud and strong, how can I expect others to do the same?”

Gloria smiled softly, “You are in third place on the level leaderboard, did you know that?. You are one of the strongest people in the world now. You went from barely in the top twenty five to third overall. I’m not saying it’s enough, but it is a start. You need to remember that too much pressure does not just turn coal into diamonds, it also suffocates and kills. Mathew, holding yourself to a high standard is great, but don’t over do it please.”

Mathew furrowed his brow. “I'm third overall?”

He opened the level leaderboard. He hadn’t checked it since leaving Gaia’s Domain. He saw so many unfamiliar names near the top. Names he did know were gone, dead or otherwise.

Name

Level

Zachary Man

59

Raymundo Vermelho

53

Mathew McGonald

52

Alyosha Rogov

50

---

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Susan Henderson

47

---

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Leo Santez

47

---

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Bethany McGonald

44

Jonathan McGoanald

44

---

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Gatimu

43

Jennifier Tracker

43

Tyler Rayne

42

Veronica Dill

41

He only focused on a few select names before glancing at another section further down. There were so many people over level 25 now. Hundreds. Yet the number of new names further up the list, and the number that were missing were just as many if not more. So many people have died recently, it puts things into perspective.

“I didn’t realize I was now Level 52. Let alone third highest.”

“Many people were watching that leaderboard to ensure you were safe.” Gloria said. “People care about you here. You turned what was going to be a dictatorship with General Payne into a community. Then you marched in, cleared out the undead, and claimed two new city areas, helping people reunite with family and friends. That’s just in the first four months of this new reality of ours.”

Mathew looked over at Gloria. “Has it really only been four months? I guess five for me and others who were inside the World Dungeon, but still. This is insane.”

Gloria stood up and walked over to Mathew and squeezed his hand. “Take it slow Mathew. You have plenty of time.”

Mathew shook his head, “I know. It's just one thing after the next. I can’t slow down.”

“You can and will. Do it for the people here. You want to be a good leader, lead by example. Work hard, but remember to relax. I know at least one person who can help you with that.” Gloria said knowingly.

“If Lindsey wants another one night stand, I’m not against it. God knows I need it.” Mathew joked.

“You can have fun like that when I deem you recovered. Broken bones are still broken bones.” Gloria said, letting go of Mathew’s hand and walking out of his room. “Thank you for telling me what was bothering you. I’m always here if you need an ear to listen.”

Mathew waved her off. The sedative was still in his body, making it impossible to do anything other than lay there and try to go back to sleep. However he didn’t. The fear that Doozkora was waiting for him in his mind bothered him greatly.

Name: Mathew McGonald

Race: Human [Apprentice]

Class: Summoner

Profession: Leader

Level: 52

Universal Currency: 808,743

Titles: Big 100, Child of Axiom, Classy, Dungeoneer VII, False Life, Forerunner, Hearth Crystal Owner, Lawyer, Pack Leader, Solo Delver III, Soloist, Survivor II, Warlock, Willful Power, World Quest Solo - 3rd Place

Axioms:

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

Strength:

347

Vitality:

332

Dexterity:

316

Endurance:

250

Intelligence:

665

Wisdom:

775

Unallotted Stat Points: 274

Instead he chose to check over everything he gained from killing the Anubian. He had 274 stat points to spend as he wanted in total from level ups and his newest title.. Which in perspective, was equal to twelve whole levels for him. He decided to hold off on spending those till much later when he needed to.

As he was thinking of increasing his Endurance to at least 320, the door to his room opened and Agnox walked in. Behind him Gloria was there, obviously watching.

“Boss! You’re alive!” Agnox was panting. As if he ran, or rather flew, over to the hospital.

“Barely.” Mathew groaned. “Why are you panting?”

“I flew over. I was asleep and suddenly had this horrible dream. You were being tortured by this horrible Eldritch creature. I sliced off an arm saving you. It was taunting me, and if it wasn’t for me furthering my understanding of my Axiom, I doubt I could have hurt it. Then, when I woke up, I had this sinking feeling. Like our connection was muffled and assumed the worst.”

Mathew motioned for him to calm down. “It wasn’t a dream. At least, not a normal one. Go get some sleep. You, Cherry, and I are talking in the morning.”

“Are you sure you don’t want a guard?” Agnox asked, looking around.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but this is the safest we’ve been since leaving Gaia’s domain. Rest, truly rest, I’m about to sleep myself.” He half lied.

Agnox nodded. He brushed himself off a bit, seeming embarrassed, but left the room. Gloria shook her head, and left as well, closing the door behind them both.

Mathew had a twinge of emotion from Agnox. He rushed over here thinking he was in danger. “Just four months and our friendship has grown so strong. The amount of trust we have for one another is crazy to think about in old world standards. Yet, I can’t blame either of us for growing dependent upon one another. I just hope he doesn’t become needy.”

He didn’t realize it, but his eyes slowly closed and he fell into a dreamless sleep.

Across the world, many were recovering from the World Quest. People were still fighting against nearby Dungeons. Others were fighting other humans to claim their Hearth Crystals by force. Some were planning to expand their Safe Zones in a peaceful manner, working with neighboring zones. Overall, people were realizing that the Dungeon World Quest was the first of many.

Claims of other competitions that were to come in the coming months spread based on those who gained a title that allowed them to enter such World Wide System events.

In Brazil, one of the largest safe zones continues to expand by force. Using their self proclaimed Prophet as their symbol. A previous cartel leader turned holy man. He preaches about how this world will become a founding church and all those that accept him as the true prophet will receive enlightenment themselves.

In the United States, dozens of groups were constantly pulling political ploys to acquire new Hearth Crystals. Such as New America, McGonald Corporations, New Texas, Rocky Home, and several other large named areas. Blue Oaks was but a blip on the radar, but it was known by several figures.

Canada was filled with broken zones, nobody pushing hard to grow rapidly. Yet, nobody was giving up their small slice of safety without a fight either. Most people were adapting and somewhat returning to a new version of their old lives. Most first world areas were like this. Those who just didn’t care remained below level 15. Few ever went higher than that number once safe zones were captured.

On the other side of the world, Japan was in conflict with two major groups fighting one another. The Japanese Government and a large zone comprised traditional families that banded together. The System had a sense of tradition. Enabling those with martial skills to compete against magic and technology. Japan was slowly turning into a country of duality.

Korea was one of the few wholly unified countries. All those who used to play video games and compete in Esports thrived in this new world. So much so they were already pushing into North Korea to reclaim their family ties and finally be united as one whole Korea. Combining magic, technology, and martial combat into a synergy no other in the world has yet to accomplish.

China was in shambles. The Chinese Government couldn’t control their people. Once those who could wield power did, they fought against those that caused their grief. China was split into six major areas, one of which was centered over Hong Kong. The Chinese people were finally free of their communist leaders.

Africa was one of the countries filled with the least progress in terms of modern technology. Many tribes that stayed with tradition of not using electricity. Because of this, some would say they adapted the easiest to their new way. The ceiling of strength raised to the heavens.

Tribes fought over Hearth Crystals in wars that even four months later still went on. Warlords used tactics to scare those who were uninformed to join their side. It was hard to say who exactly would come out on top for this country, if ever.

However, there are areas that returned to their old ways. The Egyptians were in contact with Gods that they almost all but forgotten. South Africa was creating a technological empire. Their benefactor was one that was on par with Gods.

The Middle East had the least impact. It was already a recovering war zone, and bringing it back didn’t change much. Most of them were relieved to see a lack of foreign military stomping across their streets, pretending to be helping.

No Safe Zone truly was pushing hard or wide. It was still up in the air what their take on the situation was. Information was hard to share with the satellites no longer working.

Groups of spiritualists popped up in the middle east. A large majority found a liking to using spirits and ghosts to their own agendas. As a product, those who could fight against such things also appeared in numbers. A mix of magic and religion found a home in the middle east.

Russia’s flaw was its giant size, much like America and China. Those who secretly hated their government quickly rose to annex themselves. Yet Russian was quick and smart. They pushed out soldiers and military to claim Hearth Crystals when the World Quest began. The strongest in the Motherlands were seeking more strength, leaving behind a mostly defenseless home.

Now, Russia has the world's largest Safe Zone called the NUSSR, or the New Union of Soviet Socialist Republic. It expanded further than the previous USSR, sinking into the Asian countries and even starting to push into the Middle East.

Europe was no worse off than America. Several of the nordic countries were thriving with their history of barbaric wars once again existing. Modern technology of guns mixed with old English swords and armor enhanced by magic allowed them to clear out a large portion of Dungeons. Each country within the EU had their own agendas, but moves to unite them all once again were in motion.

Australia was used to the odd animal or curious furry creature. Giant spiders and kangaroos that would come up to a car and try to fight it was normal. So when Dungeons appeared, the Australians noticed it a little slower than the rest of the world.

The part of the world that was cut off from the rest by sea was forced to adapt. The people all became experts at killing wild beasts and odd monsters more so than they were in the past. A large organization started to be built.

People who wished to tame these animals and use them to help them started to work together. Forming a proper guild across all the Safe Zones. The Australian Wranglers began to study these new alien life forms.

India was the one country with a large population still. With the majority of the world dead, room for business exploded open. The Indian Trade Company came back to life. Most modern modes of travel were dying and being replaced. A single man from India saw this, and started to create a company to recreate what it meant to trade across Earth.