Chapter 22: Military Intrusion (1)

Erik woke up refreshed.

Not only was Erik on his way to get another brain crystal power, but he also got five attribute points in strength.

<They will soon turn useful.> They hadn't been spent on energy, but that didn't matter.

Now that Erik had a concrete chance of getting a new power, he was still struggling to decide what to do about it.

Erik knew doing that was bound to create trouble, but that was also his best chance at finally not being treated anymore like a subhuman.

They were people born with two brain crystal powers; it was just that the second took some time to mature enough to be used.

It was rare, but possible. <I just need 30 DNA points... C'mon Erik, you can do this.>

With today's quests, he would get twenty more.

Erik accepted both daily quests, then prepared something to eat. He got some tomato seeds from Mr. Fox, and since he could now use his power without problems, he made some sprouts. Then he made himself a sandwich.

[QUEST COMPLETE.]

Erik grinned. Not long after, Erik left the house and headed to the train station.

As it was the last month of the school year, most students headed home after classes, while some stayed behind for exams or extracurricular activities.

Achieving high academic scores before joining the military was crucial, as it piqued the organization's interest and opened up a wide array of opportunities for students.

The train left within five minutes after Erik's arrival at the station. It sped along the floating rails that snaked through the city like a maze. Soon after, he arrived in the western district and made his way to school.

<These fuckers…> Since people didn't know he fixed his problem, he still received the occasional scornful look. It was just that; he wasn't going to let that affect him.

However, Erik also needed to make new neural links. He was already putting a lot of effort into making new ones, but that was not a simple process.

For example, General Becker, Frant's most powerful individual, was "only" at the ζ level, while the highest rank reached was α.

Erik was bound to develop new neural links and improve his power sooner or later, but it was taking a lot of time.

In truth, it was just that too many things, at swift rates, were happening, so all of that seemed slow to Erik, but, in truth, wasn't.

While walking, Erik had an image of his phone in front of him. Controlling the device, he searched around for information about the Thaid that attacked him the previous day. He quickly found out it was a Densoph, a rather weak but troublesome Thaid.

"Well, it was certainly stronger than me."

Yet he killed it. That was for sure luck, but it was also due to a simple and tiny difference between them. Erik was a human, and as such, he was smarter.

Thaids were creatures mostly driven by primal instincts, most of them pertaining to hunger. Humans, while usually driven by greed, were capable of much more.

Organization had been the key to their survival until that point.

The most important information, though, was about the monster's brain crystal power. Based on what he was reading, it made them able to sharpen things, and they usually applied it on their massive front teeth.

<Well, it is not bad, right? At least I can use it to fight, and if I learn how to use a weapon, its usefulness will multiply…>

Could he slice through anything with a wooden sword? That would be cool. The power seemed promising, but the government didn't give it a great rank.

Fortunately, today's schedule consisted only of theoretical classes, sparing Erik from embarrassment during practical ones in front of his classmates.

Since he wouldn't have much time to study anymore, before going to bed the previous day, Erik injected information about different school topics, starting with math and ending with geography. Essentially, he didn't have to study anymore and could focus on his training.

He only hoped Logan wouldn't bother him anymore, though. Since the fire stunt and the video sharing, the teachers started keeping an eye on them, so there were great chances the bullying wasn't going to happen that day.

…

Erik waited until class ended and then left for the train station. Since he hadn't yet done much to change his economic condition, he had to still go to work.

After a while, Erik arrived at Mister Fox's farm. He found the old man carrying the tree Erik had grown with his power the previous day. Mister Fox was trying to move it away from the main gate, the massive trunk balanced on his shoulder.

<FUCK! THE TREE!>

Due to fear, anxiety, and the urge to bring the Thaid's corpse away, he forgot about it. However, there was no way he could move it with his meager strength, and even if he did, the signs would still be there.

"G-good morning, mister F-fox," the young man said. "W-why there are trees here?"

"That's what I wanted to ask you," Mr. Fox said. "Didn't you grow these? Damn, they are huge…"

The old man moved the trees out of the way. Erik followed him but didn't know what to say to his employer. "Was it you or not?"

It was obvious he made it. He was the only person in the city able to make plants grow faster. Besides, the trees weren't there the previous day before Erik left the farm.

"Yes, sir..."

The young man didn't know if his employer would be mad or not at him, but he knew that if he started lying, he would only worsen his situation.

"Why?"

"W-why what, sir?"

"Why did you make them?"

Erik didn't know what to say. If the attack happened elsewhere, he could have at least said he had nothing to do about it.

Still, the trees were in front of Mr. Fox's farm. It was clear there was a connection between the two.

"Well… I was... uh, t-trying something, but it k-kinda got out of hand."

"Jeez… Couldn't you do it elsewhere? I had to carry those damn things alone over there all the morning!"

"S-sorry, sir…" Erik hesitantly said.

"Anyway, the mayor gave the alarm. There is a Thaid on the loose around the northern district…"

"A T-thaid, sir?"

"Yes. Apparently, the eastern gate had been attacked, and one entered the outpost and sneak inside the barrier through the air vents."

<Shit…>

"I-I didn't know, sir."

"Until the military finds it, you better be careful when heading home."

The older man then gave another look at the trees. "Anyway, since when were you able to make things this big?"

To that, Erik had a simple explanation, one that Mr. Fox couldn't possibly check.

"Not much, sir. It's just that I made a new neural link, and my power improved a lot." He lied.

That was great news for the old man, who dismissed the tree's situation because he didn't want to make Erik leave. If a single neural link gave him the ability to grow these many trees from an apple, he wondered what he could from a basket.

"All right, just do your job well, right? I'll work you to the bone today…"

"Of course, Mr. Fox." The young man nodded. Then he went to the barn to change and started his workday.

After some time, Erik decided to take a break. He took off his jacket and shirt and lay down beneath the shade of the tree, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight against his skin.

While eating, Erik reflected on the events of the previous night. His mind wandered back to the moment he saw the Thaid approaching him. He remembered the terror that gripped him, the sudden appearance of the quest, the bloodshed that followed, and the lifeless corpse. Most of all, he remembered how narrowly he had escaped death.

…

"Hey, kid! Are you done?"

Erik smiled nervously.

"Yes, sir…"

They both left the barn and headed to the gate. "Here," Mister Fox said, handing Erik the usual money.

Erik counted them. There were twenty new dollars. He couldn't help feeling relieved after receiving payment. However, the sound of approaching footsteps made Erik turn his attention away from the pay.

As he looked up, Erik saw a group of soldiers approaching. They were military personnel in full combat gear, their faces hidden behind helmets. The soldiers' gaze was fixed on Erik and Mr. Fox—there was no doubt they intended to speak with them.

<Fuck…>

"I'm Sergeant Roma Sinclair. Do you mind if we ask you some questions?"

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