"Alright, listen up!" Sergeant Callista announced as she gathered all the recruits together the next morning. They'd finished their four days of observation, all their reports turned in, and they were ready for their next task. The recruits were also excited to finally be able to make use of Chris's world, no longer needing to worry about keeping watches every night. Though, as Chris thought about it, he realized he could have had a few of his subordinates keep watch at night for them… eh, it probably would have been shot down by Sergeant Callista anyways. "Your next task will be to reduce the population of the nearby kobold tribe!" Sergeant Callista continued, causing Chris to freeze.

Beth turned to look at Chris. "Didn't you-"

"Yes." Chris hissed out, frustrated with himself. This was exactly the scenario he was trying to avoid when he picked the kobold tribe to subdue! He raised his hand to get Sergeant Callista's attention.

Sergeant Callista froze, groaning internally. "Yes, Private Vincent? You have a question?" She asked with a weary sigh, wondering what he'd done to the kobolds. Because of course he'd done something to the kobolds.

"I kinda already took care of the kobolds… What does that mean for the exam?" Chris asked.

Sergeant Callista pinched the bridge of her nose, choking out a sob before getting herself under control. Every. Single! Time! The man defied every test! His portal points made monitor duty pointless, he explored the Maze by simply capturing a creature and digging through its mind, his world was better than any base camp, and now this! He'd gone off and finished the test! On his own! Which was great for him, but what was she supposed to do with the rest of them! "How did you take care of the kobolds?" Sergeant Callista asked, hoping for some way to salvage the test.

"I connected all of them to my world. Like Jello." Chris explained.

"So they still exist." Sergeant Callista confirmed.

"Yes." Chris nodded, before pausing and cocking his head. "You want to do a mock battle? We could use my world for it, so we don't have to worry about anyone dying. I'd probably have to sit it out though… too many advantages from owning both the world and the opponents."

"Private Vincent, you single handedly took control of an entire tribe." Sergeant Callista stated flatly. "Doing anything more would be pointless."

"Though it's a pity we couldn't see how you did it." Captain Nefred muttered.

"Eh, all I did was explain the situation and they submitted pretty willingly. Kobolds are fairly easy to handle as long as you can prove you're stronger than them and offer them power." Chris shrugged.

Captain Nefred blinked. "Huh…"

"Sir, I believe we have more important matters to attend to?" Sergeant Callista interjected with a sigh.

"Right, right." He nodded, gesturing for her to continue.

Sergeant Callista turned back to the recruits. "Since Private Vincent has… prematurely completed your last task, we will instead be performing a mock battle against the subordinated kobolds. We will use Private Vincent's world, which means you won't need to worry about dying. However, since it will take place in Private Vincent's world, you won't have the advantage of using the tunnels to maneuver- what." Sergeant Callista asked in a flat, aggravated tone as Chris raised his hand again.

"My world has tunnels. An exact replica of the tunnels in this area, actually." Chris explained.

Sergeant Callista pinched the bridge of her nose. "Of course you do. Can you have the kobold tribe act like they're resisting a human assault normally?"

"Yes." Chris nodded. They wouldn't have a choice, now would they? Not that he thought the kobolds would actually have any issues. For them, it'd just be more training. Though he'd have to make them use their original forms. Their mutated forms would run through the recruits like butter, with the possible exception of Beth.

Sergeant Callista got back on track, reverting to the original plan with the revelation that Chris's world could make it so that nothing was actually different except the lack of true danger. As she did, the recruits couldn't help but glance towards Chris over and over again. It'd only been a week! How much had his ability developed in such a short time?!? Most of them only knew he couldn't die, he could open portals, and he had mutated. Now he'd subdued an entire tribe of creatures?!? What did that mean?!? And what was up with him simulating the Maze in his world? Just how powerful was Chris?

"I think they're finally realizing how powerful you are." Beth leaned in to whisper to Chris after Sergeant Callista finished, dismissing them to pack up before they moved into the Immortal World.

"They didn't before?" Chris replied, frowning slightly. Wasn't that why she said Derek would have to perform exceptionally well in order to join the same squad as them? Because all the recruits would want to join them too?

Beth shook her head. "They knew you were useful. Knowing you're powerful is different. People will get close to someone they believe is useful, but they won't really respect them. However, everyone-" Beth paused, glancing at Chris. "Er, most people respect power. A useful person is like a tool, something to keep around, but not much more. A powerful person is like a- well, to them, you're the tool, and if you don't prove you're useful, why should they keep you around?"

"Hm, fair." Chris nodded in agreement. In all but the closest relationships, people tended to revert to the most basic principles of interaction. They dismissed those who couldn't help them and gravitated towards those who could.

"It's just so stupid." Beth huffed, looking around. "The way everyone's attitude suddenly changes over something that has absolutely nothing to do with who a person is! People like Daniel become popular solely due to their ability, despite having the shitiest personalities, while people like you get dismissed just because your ability is weak, despite being one of the best people I know!" She paused. "Well, at least, you used to be dismissed… but now they're only accepting you because you're strong! It's so- so- shallow."

"I think it's more about efficiency." Chris retorted. "People don't want to sink time and effort into a relationship that isn't going to go anywhere. They can't form deep bonds with everyone, so they use basic principles to narrow their choices down to the most likely candidates to be worth the time and effort they put in."

Beth sighed. "But that's such a cold way of looking at the world."

"I don't think it's cold… more lazy? People just don't want to do the work necessary to give everyone a chance." Chris shrugged. "Living is already enough effort, why put in more?"

Beth frowned. "It's still stupid." She grumbled, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, but people are allowed to be stupid. One of the perks of free will." Chris replied.

"I guess… It's just- well, I was hoping that once I got out of the high-tier circles, all this bullshit would go away and people would just be people." Beth sighed, a defeated tone creeping into her voice. "It's just depressing to see that nothing changes, no matter where you are."

"Well, I wouldn't say nothing changes." Chris began with a thoughtful look. "The high-tier circles do what they do consciously. They manipulate and take advantage of people on purpose. These people? They're just doing what makes sense to them. They probably don't even realize they're doing it. It's rare for a person to actually consciously consider why they do what they do. They just sort of do it."

Beth paused to consider that. "I guess that's a good point… blaming people for just doing what everyone does doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I just wish what everyone did wasn't so stupid."

"It would be nice if people would actually think for a change…" Chris muttered. "But again, it's that whole free will thing. People get to make the decision to be thoughtless. It sucks, but what are you going to do about it?"

"Connect them all to your world and force them to think?" Beth offered.

Chris frowned. "Beth, that's evil."

"I know." Beth sighed. "Stupid morality keeping us from fixing people." She grumbled under her breath.

"I know, right? Life would be so much easier if we could just forget about it and do whatever was most convenient. Of course, then we'd become the very people we were trying to change, but hey, that's someone else's problem." Chris chuckled.

"Chris, when I joke about being evil, it's funny. When you do it, there's a legitimate concern you're being serious." Beth replied, giving Chris a look.

"Who said I wasn't being serious?" Chris asked, cocking his head.

"Stop it!" Beth exclaimed, slapping his arm.

"We could rule the entire world together!" Chris leaned in to whisper in her ear in a sinister tone.

Beth shuddered. "Chris, it isn't funny when it's true."

Chris snorted, rolling his eyes. "You really think I could rule the world? I mean, yes, my ability is powerful, but there are entire races on the surface full of people with their own abilities. Plus, according to the back of the game box, there's this thing called 'cultivation' up there, and I'm pretty sure they aren't talking about farming."

"Chris, your ability literally let you connect to a world where our world is a video game." Beth pointed out. "I know it doesn't mean anything power wise, but… there's something different about your ability. Can you even see where its limits lie?"

"No… but I also can't say I'm the only one with an ability like this, you know?" Chris replied. "The City is weak. We know that. On the surface, there could be hundreds of people with abilities like mine."

"See, that's even scarier." Beth shuddered.

The recruits finished packing up and Chris opened a portal to the Immortal World, taking them straight into an identical cavern, with all their tents already set up. "So, we could stay here, or I could make everyone their own individual rooms like this." Chris explained as everyone looked around in disbelief, before their eyes widened even further as he waved his hand, causing an example room to appear. "I'd recommend the individual rooms, since they come with actual beds, but if we want to keep roughing it, that's fine too."

While that Chris was helping everyone get settled in, another was explaining the situation to the kobolds. "You want us to fight humans?" The kobold chief asked hesitantly as Chris nodded. "But why?"

"For training." Chris shrugged. "They need opponents to test themselves against, and you all need an introduction to human tactics. There's more to fighting than just rushing in and hitting the enemy."

"Oh, oh, we can do tactics!" The imp Girolt jumped to his feet waving his hand excitedly. "Lure the enemy into traps, flank, hit and run, we know how to wear an enemy down!"

Chris blinked at him. "Imps do do that, huh?" Imps were physically one of the weakest creatures in the Maze, but they made up for it in intellect and cunning. He could probably use them in more command positions… Chris shook his head. "Okay, yes, but for now, I just want the kobolds to handle this. These humans are young and untested. They're looking for a challenge, not the unholy marriage of imp tactics and kobold power."

Girolt pouted in disappointment while the kobold chief frowned, feeling like she should be insulted for some reason. "What happens if we defeat them?" She asked, concerned for the well-being of her tribe if they somehow angered Chris by defeating his compatriots.

"Nothing." Chris shrugged. "We're doing it here, so no one will actually get hurt. If they lose, that's on them. Though, don't use your mutated forms, alright? Leaving out the fact that I'd really rather not have to explain why half of you look like you just walked out of a pin-up catalog, your enhanced physiques would give you an unfair advantage. You guys need to challenge yourselves as well." He explained as the kobold chief nodded along. *I really need to figure out new names for the kobolds, so I can stop thinking of them as 'the kobold chief' or 'the teleport guy'* Chris sighed internally. Maybe he could let them pick out their names? As long as it was something he could actually say, he didn't care what they were called. "Additionally, I would appreciate it if you all would work on picking out names that can be pronounced by the human tongue, alright?" He asked, a follow up reason coming to him as he talked. "I'm going to need to introduce you guys to them, and they're not going to get your clicks and coughs, which all sound pretty much the same to the human ear." He explained, proud of himself for coming up with a reason that wasn't just 'I don't want to use your original names because they annoy me' before frowning as he realized he actually would have to introduce the kobolds to the humans now… eh, it was probably a good idea anyway. The kobolds could use some socializing and it'd be good to get people used to the idea that he controlled creatures. After the test though.

"What are we supposed to do while they train with the humans?" Jello asked, gesturing to the imps and goblins.

"Well, Sidulpek could keep exploring the Maze, but for the rest of you… what do you want to do?" Chris asked.

"I'll keep training, Chief." Dyrdek replied, flexing his claws. "I'd like to take a few more cracks at those hobgoblins." Ever since he'd mutated, Dyrdek had been obsessed with his new strength. Even before Chris suggested they focus on training, he'd always been looking for something strong to fight. Not that he'd gotten very far. The fifth level wasn't very challenging to him at the moment.

"Could we make some traps for the humans?" Girolt asked hopefully.

Chris frowned at him. "Why?"

"Because traps are fun!" Girolt exclaimed, the other imps nodding excitedly along with him. They didn't mind training to get stronger, but there was a serious lack of trap making in all this and they were beginning to get itchy fingers.

Chris sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why don't you set up traps in the Maze? The humans don't need the extra aggravation. Work on traps to catch creatures. Sound good?"

"Sure thing, Boss!" Girolt saluted, just happy to be making traps again.

Chris turned to Jello. "What about you?"

"I wanna see the City!" Jello exclaimed happily.

Chris blinked. "You want to see the City?"

"Yeah!" Jello nodded excitedly

Chris paused, considering it carefully. Jello was the one who could best pass for human. She looked just like a little girl. Well, less little now that she'd grown a bit, but still, she looked like a ten year old. Chris could absolutely take her to sightsee around the City, no problem. In fact… if she could recognize Doppelgangers… "Alright, you can see the City. However, you need to tell me if you notice anyone else who seems… familiar to you, like I do, okay?"

Jello agreed, literally bouncing in excitement. Chris opened portals for Sidulpek and the imps to go to the Maze, putting them all on the sixth level, since they hadn't managed to find the passage to the seventh yet. Sidulpek disappeared into the darkness while the imps searched for a place to begin setting up traps. Chris wondered if they needed supplies, but they didn't ask for any, so he left them to it. He then returned the kobold's cavern back to its original state, letting the kobolds get to work. He just hoped the knowledge he'd already given them didn't make things too difficult for the recruits… eh, should be fine.

The Chris with the recruits didn't actually have much to do. After making everyone their own, individual rooms, which had been the consensus, he pretty much had to step back and let the others do everything, because he knew literally everything about the kobolds and the world, so anything he contributed would give them an unfair advantage. It was almost painful to watch them make plans that would fall apart the moment they actually encountered the kobolds.

As for the Chris playing the game… "So, you're the new hot shot, eh?" Fernando Monteith glanced at Chris with a raised eyebrow as he was shown in. "Just stay out of my way and don't cause any trouble. I don't need some brute who's only valuable for the strength of his ability ruining my business." He sneered, before returning to his work.

Chris frowned for a moment. "I will do my job. If that inconveniences you, tough. I don't report to you." Fernando looked up again, glaring at Chris for a moment, before returning to his work again, not even deigning to respond. Despite what he'd said, there wasn't actually much for Chris to do at the moment. Fernando was just doing paperwork: sending letters, checking accounts, making sure everything was getting where it was supposed to go. Chris just had to make sure the room was secure and watch Fernando work. It was no wonder that Matt had created the achievement leveling system. If a job was actually a job, then who would have time to grind for levels?

Chris had to admit the system was kind of brilliant though. Every way to enjoy the game was front loaded, letting people immediately get into it. However, if you wanted to be important in the game, you had to not only be skilled, but you also had to put in the work for it. Only those who actually cared about the game could influence it, and only if they had the skills and time to back it up. He was beginning to see why the players had felt so betrayed when the truth of the Doppelgangers came out. These weren't just npcs, but people they'd worked with, spent time with, developed relationships with. It wasn't just an interesting plot point, but the corruption of everything they'd developed as they fought for people's rights and defended the City against the invasion of the Elves.