Chapter 16: Round 3

Selene Marquis gazed up at the monstrous Ancient as it hovered above the devastated park. Without hesitation, she raised her katana and sliced repeatedly, sending several slashes of dark energy that traveled through the air like a deadly net, converging on the creature from multiple directions.

The beast was fast—impossibly fast, dodging most of her attacks with fluid grace. But it couldn’t avoid them all. The final wave of dark energy caught its left arm, severing both the limb and the wing attached to its back, causing purple blood to splattered across the scorched ground as the creature’s agonized roar echoed through the park

Wounded and enraged, the Ancient decided to strike back. It flew toward Selene at incredible speed, its remaining right arm gripping its massive double-serrated blade. Selene’s lips curved into a predatory smirk as she launched herself forward to meet the attack. Their blades clashed with a resounding crash that sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Face to face at close proximity, Selene grinned while the beast snarled in rage, both straining against the other in a test of raw strength.

However, the deadlock lasted only moments before they disengaged, leaping backward before charging in again for another devastating clash. The wounded creature couldn’t maintain its strength for long. Blood loss and the destroyed wing made sustained flight nearly impossible, and Selene was clearly winning the contest.

She seized the moment, stretching out her left palm toward the creature, as a swelling orb of condensed darkness began forming in her grasp. The blast erupted outward with tremendous force, striking the Ancient at point-blank range. Given it was too close to dodge and caught within the wide area of effect, the creature took the full brunt of the attack.

Liam’s eyes fluttered open to a blurry sight of the beast’s lifeless form crashing to the ground while Selene floated gracefully in the air above. Almost immediately, system notifications flooded his vision:

[You have failed the quest]

[Penalty Quest Available]

[Penalty Quest will begin once you have recovered]

He tried to speak but couldn’t even mutter a word before exhaustion claimed him again. His remaining mana had been automatically used to heal the worst of his injuries, leaving only minor bruises as unconsciousness took hold.

…

Meanwhile, at the other monster breach site, the cleanup crew was already loading the corpse of the monster taken down by Kent and Quinn, into the back of a large reinforced van. The three-man team worked efficiently, wrapping up the operation as the agents prepared to return to USOV headquarters.

Per usual, Amir, Elaine, and Sarah shared one SUV for the ride back but the vehicle was silent during the journey. All three agents shared the same bitter feeling—they hated being relegated to the sidelines, forced to watch helplessly as Kent and Quinn handled the S-class threat.

The convoy eventually arrived back at USOV headquarters. As the agents began stepping out of their vehicles, Selene appeared in the sky above, a spherical mass of dark energy floating beside her. She descended slowly, landing gracefully on both feet at the building’s entrance. Her very presence caused everyone to stop and stare.

The dark orb beside her unraveled, dropping Liam’s unconscious body unceremoniously onto the ground. Director Grey emerged from the building as if he had been expecting her arrival.

She glanced down at Liam’s unconscious form and said flatly, “I don’t know how this kid’s still alive, but he’s lucky,”

“Don’t just stand there,” Grey barked at the nearby agents who had just exited their vehicles. “Take him to the medical wing,” he added

Two nameless agents immediately moved to lift Liam’s unconscious form. His only remaining clothing was a pair of tattered trousers that had somehow survived the ordeal.

Selene began levitating again, preparing to leave, when Grey called out to her. “Miss Selene, thank you.” He bowed slightly in appreciation. She nodded once in acknowledgment before flying out of the premises.

From the side, Elaine, watched in disbelief. “Isn’t that Liam? Oh my God, what happened?.” Amir and Sarah looked on with equal concern and confusion.

…

By eleven PM that same evening and about 5 hours later, Liam laid unconscious in a hospital bed within USOV’s medical wing. The facility was equipped with advanced medical technology far superior to standard hospitals. Instead of regular IV bags, the equipment used mana potions designed to re-energize and heal visors much faster than conventional treatment.

His eyes slowly opened, he caught a glimpse of Elaine walking out of the room. She had been there moments ago, checking on him, unaware that he would wake shortly after her departure. He didn’t try to call out to her, but he smiled slightly at her retreating figure.

Sitting up in bed, he looked at the IV line attached to his arm. No longer needing the treatment, he pulled it out and tossed it aside. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as the events that had led him here replayed in his mind. He opened his stats window:

[EVOLUTION SYSTEM – PLAYER: LIAM VELMONT]

Main Class: None

Sub-Class:

-Combatant

-Caster

-Transformation

Level: 2.05

Authority: Beast Tamer

HP: 850 | MP: 1420 | STA: 1570

[STATS]

• STR: 43 • AGI: 35

• CS: 33 • PRC: 35

• Stat Points Available: 11

[Skills]:

•Regeneration

•Contract Summoning

•Contract Borrowing Lv2

•Muscle Boost Lv1

•Unity Weaving Lv1

•Sovereign hands Lv1

[Passive Skill]

•Aegis

Inventory:

•Mystery Box (1)

He noticed he had gained a new class, and his HP, MP, and stamina had all received significant boosts. That made sense considering level-ups he got before getting knocked unconscious by the creature. His Contract Borrowing skill had also upgraded, prompting him to examine its new features.

[Contract Borrowing Lv2 → User is able to borrow items or certain attributes from contracted beings / → By bonding one’s soul and that of a summon, user is able to transform any or all parts of his body into that of a contracted being]

“This means I can transform into any of my summons?” he wondered, but didn’t think too much into it. Without hesitation, he distributed his available stat points: five into AGI, four into STR, and two into CS. Despite his caster subclass, he still considered himself primarily a combat-oriented fighter.

[AGI 35 → 40]

[STR 43 → 47]

[CS 33 → 35]

As soon as he finished allocating his stats, a new notification appeared as if it had been waiting for him to complete the process:

[Penalty Quest starting in 5… 4… 3…]

“Oh shit! Right now?” Liam exclaimed. [2… 1…]

When the countdown ended, Liam found himself no longer in the medical wing but standing in Melle Bisle park from earlier that day. However, this version of the park showed no signs of the devastating battle, no craters, no destroyed sections, nothing to indicate a fight had ever taken place. As he tried to process this change, a system notification appeared:

[Penalty Quest – Defeat the Ancient]

“Huh? what Ancient-?” he asked, and if responding to his question, the image of the creature that had nearly killed him began materializing pixel by pixel until it stood complete before him, its bat-like wings spread wide, double-serrated sword gripped in its right hand.

[System simulation complete → The Ancient’s power level last recorded has been replicated]

Another notification followed: [Until the player completes penalty quest, he is unable to leave simulation ground]

The realization hit him like a physical blow. The system had pulled him into a simulation to face the monster again. Before he could form any coherent thoughts, the Ancient roared, its magical energy surging throughout the field and instantly reminding Liam of his previous, harrowing encounter. “Fuck!” he muttered.

…

Much Earlier…

Director Grey stood in the main control room that evening, his mind was tangled in thoughts. Two S-level threat breaches occurring simultaneously, with one escalating to titan-level, was unprecedented. Titan-level threats were typically confined to New York. Was Michigan becoming the next hotspot?

One of the three analysts working at the computer terminals looked up from his screen. “Director, I can’t find any information on the creature. It’s nothing that has been faced before.”

Grey’s expression darkened. “So one of my agents nearly died today, and you’re telling me we have no information on what nearly killed him?”

The analyst’s voice became shaky. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll keep looking.”

“Good,” Grey replied curtly.

At that moment, Kent entered the control room. “Director, I just finished questioning Ray.” Grey had been so engrossed in the monster breach situation that he had nearly forgotten about Ray Hook’s investigation.

“Did he say anything useful?” Grey asked.

“No. When I asked him about his original purpose in Michigan, he simply said he came to see his girlfriend and that when he noticed Michigan was experiencing high-level threat breaches, he wanted in,” Kent reported.

“And does it check out? The girlfriend story?”

“Yes, sir. Quinn verified that earlier,” Kent continued. “Also, regarding the monsters, the dead bodies of creatures he defeated while in Michigan were being transported to Dallas, and they were all USOV sanctioned.”

Grey nodded. “It’s not their turf, but it’s still America. If it keeps citizens safe, territorial disputes come second.” He paused. “So nothing ties him to the death of Ryan’s visor?”

“So far, nothing. And it’s only been the first day, most of which was consumed by fighting the monster breaches,” Kent replied.

“You and Quinn did excellent work out there today,” Grey acknowledged.

“Thank you, sir, but I have an idea for dealing with this situation,” Kent said.

“Go on.” Grey nodded.

“What if we ask the Witch?,” Kent suggested.

Grey shook his head. “Come on, you know better than anyone that things always get complicated when we involve that woman.”

“I understand, sir, but this option is the fastest way to get answers before Serafina returns here…”

Grey sighed, remaining silent for several seconds before responding. “I’ll think it over tonight.” Kent nodded in agreement.

At that moment, one of the analysts seated at the far right station called out, “Sir, Liam is awake.” The medical wing had surveillance cameras, allowing them to watch Liam rise from his bed through the live footage. He appeared to be talking to himself for several moments before suddenly vanishing from the room entirely.

Kent’s eyes widened, and Grey exclaimed, “What?!”

Kent shook his head and chuckled, his eyes closed in amused resignation. “Man, this kid…”

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