Ultimate Level 1

Chapter 309

Max would have thought he was drunk for a moment, his mind foggy on the details of what was going on.

Even worse, his body felt like flames had engulfed every square inch of him, yet he knew he was standing.

Bob was running the show, and once again, watching from a far-off position, Max saw Igarra standing a few yards away from him, her body tense.

“I appreciate your concern to come rushing in and make sure that I am not in need of assistance.”

Hearing his own voice sounded weird, especially as it seemed to echo sometimes.

Igarra’s golden eyes shifted as she looked Max up and down.

“Yes… I was not certain that you were okay. I am glad to see that you are.”

Around them, Max could hear the faintest cry from the spectators. Everyone was crying out his name, chanting it over and over.

The golden lizard woman said nothing, her lips curling as she stared down at Max.

“You have defeated a champion. Forced Sheemena’s hand to show a power she rarely revealed, and still managed to kill her with just your bare hands. That is the least of my questions. I would like to know how you have powers typically associated with our world and not others. Even more interesting is that you say Ezreal captured you and set you free to only later hunt you. Why that man would do such a foolish thing is what really bothers me.”

“I have not lied. He surprised me with a portal and imprisoned me. After failing to break my will after a few months, he revealed who he really was. I doubt anyone but Ezreal knows why he does anything at all.”

A snort came as the golden lizard stood like a statue. Waves of power washed out from her, yet Max stood without flinching.

He wanted to ask Bob what the plan was but wasn’t sure what would happen if he did. Their only chance right now was letting his skill take over, as Max knew he couldn’t control his own body like this.

The shouts of his name continued, and Igarra glanced upward at the people around them.

“You have earned the right to come into the inner city, but I must warn you. What lies beyond the last gate is nothing like you can fathom. To go beyond them is a chance most will never get, and what you will face in my arena will be far worse than any nightmare you could imagine.

“What about the tower? Is there a way for me to enter it?”

She scoffed, shaking her head as she crossed her arms.

“You want to enter my tower? What would possess you to desire such a thing?”

Max felt himself shrug and a smile start to form on his face.

Whatever game Bob was playing at, it was going to be announced soon.

“I think it would be interesting to try a tower from another world. I doubt Suljin would mind as I won’t seek to complete it, simply to see how it stacks up to what I have faced before.”

Igarra laughed, and it was obvious from the tone that her thoughts on Bob’s statement was complete amusement.

“Perhaps she might. Win three matches in my arena. Then I will give you the chance. After that, I will see if I might be able to find a way to return you to your world.”

“And what would that cost?”

Both of her golden eyes sparkled as she raised her clawed hands.

“That price has yet to be set. Let’s see if you can first earn the right to enter the tower. Survive that, and then we shall see.”

Igarra snapped her fingers, and the barrier vanished, the wave of sound assaulting them both.

Ifrit! Ifrit! Ifrit!

Her fingers snapped again, and every ounce of sound stopped.

“My people! We have a new champion! Ifrit has earned the right to cross the gates and enter into the inner city!”

Hands and arms waved in the air, and yet still no sound came from the gathered horde of spectators.

“So wish him one last goodbye and know that if you are ever fortunate enough to earn the right to enter in, perhaps you can witness him once again, fighting in my arena!”

She turned and walked away, the spell or ability she had just used to silence everyone ended, and once again, Max heard the people chanting his name.

Can you walk?

Barely. Your body is in need of a long rest. I am burning my own power to keep you upright. Wait till we are home. Then we can talk.

***

Max stared at the stars and planets that surrounded him.

Next to him in the void was Bob, floating as he was.

I don’t suppose any of the planets out here is mine.

One might be, but I cannot control where we are right now. This isn’t your world, and things are different. I can feel a string that pulls me toward it, but there is no way for me to act upon it right now.

Silence hung once again, and Max felt a peace in this place.

She was going to kill me wasn’t she?

Her aura gave off that desire. When you stumbled, she saw the chance. It was always there, a desire to remove the threat. I know you missed her expression when I stood, smirking as she came.

So much has changed. The power and those skills.

[ Skill Description - Harden Body ]

*****

Harden Body - Epic Skill: The user’s body takes on a toughness equal to twice their Constitution bonus. Any physical or magical resistance is doubled. Lasts ten seconds. Cooldown is twenty-four hours.

*****

[ Skill Description - Ultimate Form ]

*****

Ultimate Form- Rare Skill: The user’s body will evolve into a state of enhanced physical development. Their physical size and strength will be doubled. Upon activating this ability, the user will heal most injuries except for fatal ones to the brain and heart. This state will last for two minutes. Non-bound magical armor will be destroyed. Cooldown is seven days.

*****

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

That skill is awfully powerful. Did you know what it was when you saw Sheemena use it?

Not specifically, but I could recognize the danger of it. Any ability that makes someone grow like that is rare. If at all possible, we should resist showing it unless no other options are available.

Do you think Igarra will buy the reason we will give her on how we are able to do what we can?

Bob said nothing for a few minutes, staring at the moving solar systems around them, frowning the entire time.

It may not matter if she does or does not. What lies beyond those walls is still a mystery, but we both know there is a power over there. I am interested in what it is.

Both of them stayed like they were for hours, neither needing to speak, both aware that everything was about to change.

***

Max’s scream lasted less than a second.

It was the third night since the fight against Sheemena.

He was waiting for Jazzjak to finish up a few matters of business, so that he could depart for the inner city, and during that time, all Max did was eat, train, and sleep.

Halfway through the night his body broke.

For the smallest moment his brain wondered if someone had attacked, somehow sneaking inside the room.

It seemed impossible, getting past his Sonar, unless the whole room had smashed him flat.

That idea seemed reasonable, as it was exactly what it felt like.

His bones were breaking, every fiber of his body ripping and tearing.

Even the skin on his body felt like it was being peeled off.

[ Regeneration ]

His skill helped only slightly, but it seemed even it couldn’t keep up with whatever was happening.

Ligaments tore, vanishing into nothingness, melting into a pile of goo.

Everything inside him except his brain felt like it was being eradicated from existence. The melting of his flesh and muscle by the acid of the worm hadn’t hurt this bad.

It’s the milestone for your stats!

That knowledge that Bob shouted in his head helped slightly as the entire fabric of his being began to reform. Where his bones had been, new ones, stronger ones, much denser than before grew.

For a moment there was no pain. He could feel and sense the shifting inside what was the goo of what had been his body.

No nerves!

There was no pain, but as Max had realized his nerves were gone right now, a skeleton formed, and then the organs that had been destroyed returned as well, tougher and feeling like they worked better.

He wanted to laugh, wanted to cry, but as his lungs returned, filling with air, and he took one massive breath through a gaping hole of a tube that grew toward his mouth, Max felt his heart explode.

It didn’t melt like the others.

One second it was there, the next it became a mist in his chest, surrounded by all the other organs and bones.

Yet in seconds, it was back, pumping blood at an alarming rate.

Then the pain hit once more as his nerves regrew, stretching over the muscles that magically grew all around him.

He felt strong. Stronger than before.

He screamed once more.

Panting, everything returned, and Max blinked the eyelids that appeared, aware that whatever had just taken place had been a mercy.

My brain and eyes… at the same time.

As his skin finished growing over his body, hiding the grotesque figure he had looked like with no covering, Max saw the notifications appear.

[ Strength Milestone Upgrade Complete ]

[ New Body Type Acquired ]

[ System Calibrating ]

[ Species - Human ]

[ ….. ]

[ Milestone Reached Before Evolution is Possible ]

[ Awaiting System Unlock for Species Strength Evolution ]

[ Constitution Milestone Upgrade Complete ]

[ New Body Type Acquired ]

[ System Calibrating ]

[ Species - Human ]

[ ….. ]

[ Milestone Reached Before Evolution is Possible ]

[ Awaiting System Unlock for Species Constitution Evolution ]

[ System Error ]

[ 2 Milestones Achieved Early ]

[ Rectifying ]

[ ….. ]

[ ….. ]

[ Granting Temporary Bonus ]

[ Temporary Bonus Will Be Removed Upon Evolution ]

[ 10% Strength Granted For Melee Attacks ]

[ 10% Resistance Gained Against All Attacks ]

Max could feel the vibrations of people moving through floor on the other side of his door.

“Ifrit!”

Jazzjak’s paw banged against the metal frantically. It was locked, and Max knew neither of them would want to come in without permission, having been warned multiple times.

“I’m fine! I promise!”

“Are you sure?! That scream didn’t sound good!”

Groaning, Max felt something under him and realized his mattress was covered in blood and other goo from when his body had just disintegrated.

“Actually,” Max called out as he heard his stomach grumble, “I need some food! Give me twenty minutes, and I’ll be down there!”

“Okay!”

Sliding off the mattress, Max did his best to not drip onto his pants or boots, which were on the floor next to the bed.

Imagine if I had been wearing those while I slept.

It would have been fun cleaning them out.

Max walked across the room, leaving bloody footprints and other droppings on the stone floor as he headed to the sink in his room. Turning the handle and injecting mana in the rune he wanted, the water turned warm, flowing very slowly so as not to be wasted.

Picking up a towel, Max sighed, knowing he might run out of towels before he was clean.

A thought hit him, and even though his Sonar skill told him how he looked, Max moved to where the light switch was, pushing it, listening to the squelch of his finger against the metal.

Light gems activated, and Max moved to stand before the mirror inspecting his body.

Gone was the skinny but fit body he remembered. Now was a more muscular and defined one. A body like his seemed impossible to achieve, and yet, here it was, rippling with muscle as Sheemena’s had.

Was she evolved? Or was it just the stats she had?

Once more I am not sure but feel I will know in time. You do look more like a warrior now.

Chuckling, Max got to work, scrubbing his body and removing the layer of bodily fluid and goo that covered him.

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