Chapter 577: Touring Across the South

  Being a symbol in Goralia wasn't actually so bad.

  Kai had hated it in Krysal, with so many hopes and expectations placed onto him. But here, everyone just seemed enthusiastic that a Goralian boy had done good, so they were happy to see him. They conveniently glossed over his history, but he could forgive them that. More importantly, just traveling between cities and making some appearances didn't cut into his training time, and in fact training could be a public act to raise morale.

  Well, not training his monstrous abilities, as those wouldn't get as positive a reception as Physique training. But he couldn't have everything.

  A few days into the Goralian tour, the routine was interrupted. Kai was awake before almost anyone, cultivating on his own at the prow of the Clanless. Ankrastor came out, almost as if to join him, but the younger man instead dropped down to his knees to press himself against the deck.

  "Kai... I know you have many other priorities, but we need your help."

  "Come on, there's no need for this." Kai gestured for him to get up. "What is it?"

  "Untariin and I are stuck at E rank," Ankrastor explained. "Despite having worked on D rank Physique for so long. We may eventually reach it on our own, but it won't be in time. We-"

  "Don't worry about it. You've been pushing at the peak of E-9, so we should definitely be able to arrange something."

  This didn't seem to particularly encourage Ankrastor, and Kai supposed that it was true that he'd allowed that detail to slip his mind among his other priorities. Now that he thought about it, however, they had an opportunity to do more than simply boost two of his students. They were already making a splash in southern Goralia, but perhaps they could do more...

  "You and Untariin are enjoying Goralia, aren't you?" Kai asked.

  "Yes?" Ankrastor hesitated, and when more seemed to be required, continued awkwardly. "I think Untariin is simply glad to be free of Krysal, but I... feel at home here. I was intending to ask to fight here during the incursion."

  "If all goes well, you should be able to do more than that. Listen, we're going to be heading into the Southern Reach soon, but the two of you should get ready..."

  As they headed on, Kai checked in with Untariin and confirmed that the Krysali man was ready for a breakthrough. While Ankrastor had an unusually sacrificing personality, Untariin was willing to help out too, which in this case served as a demonstration. Kai conferred with Omilaena and that concluded all the planning he needed to do.

  In the Southern Reach they headed straight for Razorfall City, which Kai thought was partially strategy but predominantly a personal matter. Razz was clearly eager to get back, showing a level of animation he hadn't displayed before. Fortunately, all Kai needed to do was be a symbol of Goralia, which just meant a few appearances to impress the dryads and naiads.

  Once they arrived, Razz and Juray actually took over, making deals and arranging for a final major caravan of supplies and allies into Goralia. Razz had a plan to sweep up through southern Goralia, picking up additional allies and hopefully unifying the whole nation. Meanwhile, Juray connected with her old mentor Pyrinye, and she and the dryad produced significant new potions based on Juray's new strength.

  Kai was unfortunately separated from those activities by his own projects, so he couldn't spend much time with them. He got to make one major splash, though: it was time to make good on his promise to his students, or at least the first half. Razz had gathered a group of local merchants skeptical about allying with Goralia.

  So it was time for a demonstration.

  <

  Name: Untariin of Cuulisi

  Total Power: 290

  Crystal Cultivation: 9999 (125)

  Rogue Class: 12 (22)

  Physique: E-9 (107)

  Soul Level: 6 (36)

  >

  Untariin stepped forward, wearing a mix of Krysali and Goralian clothing, but more importantly flexing his E-9 Physique. With 290 Power, he was already impressive for the region, and Kai intended to hammer home just what they had to offer.

  "For many years, E rank was considered the highest Physique attainable on Deadwaste," Kai explained to the crowd. "But we have been developing resources, and increasing numbers of our allies are reaching D-rank Physique. Now, observe the power it can provide."

  Omilaena swept forward, her dress swirling around her - this time optimized for drama, not seduction - and played her role perfectly. She revealed her syringe with appropriate flourish, then stepped up beside Untariin to inject him.

  Kai was impressed with how well Untariin endured it, despite the obvious levels of pain that must be coursing through him as his body transitioned. Using his deeper spiritual sight, he could see that qi and mana, which had been separate before, now merged in his flesh, bringing about a far greater level of strength.

  When it was done, Untariin was gasping for breath, but everyone could see the difference.

  <

  Name: Untariin of Cuulisi

  Total Power: 383

  Crystal Cultivation: 9999 (125)

  Rogue Class: 12 (22)

  Physique: D-0 (200)

  Soul Level: 6 (36)

  >

  At his new total of 383 Power, Untariin was unmatched across most of the Southern Reach. Such an enormous boost in a single leap, more than many had in total Power, sent a shockwave through Razorfall City, first through the audience and then via rumors.

  Mostly Kai didn't see it, as he returned to his training, but he heard that Razz and Juray suddenly had greatly increased interest in their goods and potions.

  It might have been nice to bask in the comfortable environment, but Kai was hungry for more, and fortunately the schedule matched his restlessness. They couldn't afford to waste time, not with only weeks remaining before the likely incursion date, so they needed to return north. This meant leaving some of their allies behind them, this time.

  They all parted in the city, trying to keep a low profile. It seemed that Juray and Raghi would be staying at Pyrinye's house until it was time for them to head north. Kai noticed that Untariin and Raghi seemed to be chatting more than he expected during the farewell and wondered what was going on - that was an unusual pairing, but maybe they had more in common than he expected. Juray waved cheerily at him, but they didn't need words at this point.

  Razz, however, clearly did, shifting closer. "Thanks for everything," he said in a low voice. "I'm practically a mercantile hero now, so surely that will get her attention."

  "Wait..." Kai grabbed the other man by his shoulders and pulled him back. "Are you talking about your dryad? Have you... actually talked to her?"

  "I have! Really!" Razz squirmed, more than a little flustered. "I've even met her family and, uh, we talked about the future relationships between Goralia and the Southern Reach. But... she knows my name, but I'm not sure she knows I exist, you know?"

  "Razz, how long has it been? If you have feelings for her, you need to be honest about them."

  "I mean, didn't your wife travel with you for years before a relationship started? It seemed to work out for you."

  "I'm trying to help you avoid our mistakes." Kai loosened his grip and smiled at the younger man. "But really, good luck. If all goes well, we'll meet in Goralia during the incursion."

  "If all goes well, we won't even have to meet." Razz gave him a confident smile, but it faltered a little, and this time it had nothing to do with juvenile relationships. "But there's a reason I'm going to extra effort, and it isn't to impress her. I think we have to plan for this one not working. Northern Goralia... it's going to be hit hard, and it needs your help."

  As they headed out, Untariin left those staying behind. As he joined Kai on the Clanless, however, he looked back. "Is it alright if I'm stationed with them during the incursion?" Untariin asked. "They're a good lot."

  "You might be too far south for early action," Kai pointed out, "but Juray is an important asset. Yeah, I can probably justify it."

  "Good. I'd stay with them, but I don't want to stop training with the others."

  That, more than any increase in Power, made Kai proud of his student. He'd just achieved D-rank Physique, which was something very few did on Deadwaste, and he wasn't satisfied. Provided that he survived the incursion, he'd definitely join the elites one day.

  Soon they headed north with a full cargo hold of dryad goods to be distributed on a whirlwind tour of Goralia. Kai looked back at the Southern Reach one more time - he'd tried to find the anonymous dryad he'd met during his Hunter Trials and failed again, but other than that, he had no more business to do there. It was time to look north.

  Far to the north. Kai might be a symbolic hero in southern Goralia, but soon enough he would return to Monskon City.

  Chapter 578: Chakra and Qi in a Sea of Mana

  Boosting people up to D-rank was well and good, but Omilaena was starting to view it as routine by now. She came up with a formula that she was absolutely sure could take her from D-9 to C-0, but she did it as a mere intellectual exercise. No, the real goal was to unlock the secrets of Physique and build something new for herself.

  Zin Nim had advanced from E-10 to E-11, thanks to some "effective" dual cultivation, and showed no signs of stopping. Omilaena privately guessed that she would hit a wall at E-19, but she wasn't confident enough to state that publicly. This was new territory.

  It seemed clear that there were two potential paths for Physique: one that followed the arc common to the entire world and one that took a unique direction. The unique option had a far higher base power, varying depending on the quality, and increased more Power per level. She was fairly sure that the Ironbody Physique would also go past E-9, though she remained uncertain about whether all Physiques would have the same level cap.

  But did that alternate path start at E-rank? Would it be possible for people to develop unique Physiques at F-rank or even G? She couldn't determine anything by drawing blood or other experiments, which left her with math: she noticed that the benefits of Physique followed a pattern that leveled off.

  What exactly that meant was unclear... in principle, but especially for Kai. He alone had progressed along the standard path from C-rank to B-rank, building great power, but potentially less than he might have. Was there a chance that he had limited his future growth in some way?

  Admittedly, he was already one of the most powerful people in the world. But Omilaena would have been very pleased with herself if she had been able to help him transform into an absolute monster, both literally and metaphorically, with a body that would make enemies tremble and Zin Nim drool. With his monstrous essence already giving his body unique traits, she thought he had the potential to become unprecedented in raw power as well.

  It still might be possible... but to have a chance, she needed to learn more about the fundamentals.

  That was why she was pleased to have a few of the elites come to her for consultation, culminating in Handelrey Orgoron, one of the strongest. For most of Omilaena's life, Handelrey had been far superior to her, and even now that she had an overwhelming Power advantage, she would worry about losing focus on her phases and taking an unlucky hit.

  Of course, the plan was to help Handelrey, not fight her. Omilaena checked her soul before the other woman even said anything.

  <

  Name: Handelrey Orgoron

  Total Power: 886

  Class: Null

  Earthborn: Twiceshaken (299)

  Waterborn: Twicedrowned (299)

  Physique: E-9 (107)

  Soul Level: 9 (81)

  Hybrid Essence: Living Jungle (+100)

  >

  What a curious soul... containing two different elemental powers, yet both of them apparently limited. Omilaena was curious to examine the woman's soul on a deeper level, but there were social limits on ogling people.

  "Are you here for a Physique breakthrough?" Omilaena asked.

  "That is my intent." Handelrey lowered her head and her hair bowed with her.

  "Well, I changed my mind: as payment, I want to know how the hell you did that to your soul. I've seen a lot of oddities in my time, but this is a new one."

  "I'm not sure I can give a productive answer. Years ago, the Frontier elites were attempting new methods of obtaining power, and I agreed to participate in one of them. The Elemental Nations had been trying to awaken multiple powers for years, always failing, so they sought someone from an unaligned nation..."

  While the other woman spoke, Omilaena pulled out new goggles and checked her out on a deeper level.

  <

  Name: Handelrey Orgoron

  Physique: Enhanced Mortal (999 years)

  Soul: Enhanced Mortal (999 years)

  Supremacy: None

  Talent Capacity: Null

  Elemental Capacity: Twinborn

  Essence Capacity: Highly Drained

  Cultivation Capacity: Drained

  >

  Oh yes, that was fascinating: Handelrey's elemental capacity was a unique symbol that solidified in Omilaena's mind as "Twinborn", and the other notable thing was that her Talent capacity had been nullified. Her other two capacities seemed drained, but that was more familiar from glimpses at other elites.

  "Let me guess," Omilaena cut in, "they burned out your talent capacity to try to give you two elemental abilities?"

  Handelrey nodded, not at all put off by the introduction. "That's compatible with what I understand. The elemental awakening test ignites a portion of the soul, which either snuffs out or becomes a new ability. With me, they ignited more than usual, with this result."

  "But you've hit some kind of barrier."

  "Not a barrier like Physique or cultivation, but no matter how many elemental sources I absorb, I seem unable to push either beyond 299."

  "I honestly wouldn't have thought to do that." Omilaena formed a needle and began spinning it over her fingers as she thought. "Unfortunately, my diagnosis is that it was a bad idea. Your abilities... spilled over into other parts of your soul, I think. They're overstuffed and can't grow properly now."

  "I noticed," Handelrey said dryly.

  "Oh, but I'm not here to criticize." Omilaena began spinning her needle more rapidly. "You burned out part of your soul, and your elemental abilities spilled out on the Essence side... your hair, right?"

  "That's correct, it's a hybrid ability."

  "Well, none of this will stop you from advancing your Physique, but more importantly, I think we can make those abilities... spill out a little more." Omilaena's needle snapped to a halt as she came to her conclusion. "Are you willing to let me try an experiment?"

  "I have been stuck here for a long time," Handelrey told her. "It can't hurt."

  It took Omilaena a full day to analyze everything, during which she had to make a public appearance with Kai, pet Zae Zin Nim, and otherwise distract herself from her research. Soon enough, however, she was able to convert Handelrey's blood into an extremely potent injection. Like the other elites, she was extremely easy to work with.

  As Handelrey went through the transformation process, which seemed unusually painful even for her, Omilaena watched her soul through her goggles carefully. Just as she had hoped, her soul still had room to grow on the cultivation side, producing a lovely end result...

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  <

  Name: Handelrey Orgoron

  Total Power: 994

  Class: Null

  Earthborn: Twiceshaken (299)

  Waterborn: Twicedrowned (299)

  Physique: D-0 (200)

  Soul Level: 9 (81)

  Hybrid Essence: Living Jungle (+100)

  Hybrid Essence: Terrestrial Qi (+15)

  >

  "Incredible..." Handelrey stared down at her own hands, arcs of water and stone rotating around them. "I expected to be more powerful, but there's something new..."

  "Your cultivation capacity was being used to fuel your extreme other abilities," Omilaena explained, "but wasn't fully utilized. Now, this method will have limitations, but since you already thought you were at a dead end, I hope that's acceptable."

  "More than acceptable. This qi... I will have to speak to my Krysali colleagues and master it."

  "Also, you're at 994, very close to the 999 Power barrier. I'm not sure if that was just the strongest I could get your qi, or if the barrier limited it, but either way, that should be able to grow eventually. Unfortunately, when it comes to breaking that barrier..."

  "I can handle that myself." Handelrey clenched both fists, erasing her elements, and met her gaze. "I wish that we could do more to help you in turn."

  "Perhaps you can," Omilaena said, as if the idea had just occurred to her instead of finally happening after so long. "I grow via poison... do you have any unique ones? Any colleagues who can produce phased poison? I'm not going to pretend to be as altruistic as Kai, but any power you can give me will be very useful, come this incursion."

  "I'll see what I can do."

  As soon as Handelrey was gone, Omilaena stopped pretending to be innocent and cackled to herself. That had been satisfying on a personal research level, and it was a nice war asset for Kai. On top of that, she even had an angle on new poisons.

  For everything that was going well, she was still stuck with her current Physique. Omilaena told herself that she couldn't be expected to replicate ancient secrets from the Brightwind Sect, or the potential the Irunians had built up over generations, but that was little comfort. If she actually had to use that power, it didn't matter whether it was fair or not.

  .

  ..

  .

  In a surreal way, Zae Zin Nim was in uncharted territory. For all of her struggles in her father's sect, she hadn't imagined reaching this stage in her life.

  For many cultivators, sects were merely an extension of themselves, another sort of power they could accumulate, or perhaps a treasure to be collected. Her father, for all that he had built up the Brightwind Sect, had cared for very few individuals within it, and if she had not replaced him, the sect would simply have ceased to exist without his power. Life was simple that way, yet she wondered if it was truly satisfying, simply acquiring nameless minions.

  This, on the other hand, was strange and unfamiliar. Sect-building was an appropriate task for cultivators at their peak, but here they were building nations. It was a great deal more altruistic than Zae Zin Nim was accustomed to, and she was skeptical that many of these actions would ever come to benefit them.

  Perhaps that was acceptable. Kai's strange way of life had its advantages.

  One thing that left her unambiguously happy was that both of her spouses were still so driven to improve. Omilaena worked aggressively with the elites and her own projects in order to obtain a truly exceptional Physique, which would put her on the highest tier. And Kai, who was perhaps already there, was showing absolutely none of the failings of many peak cultivators. Power and fame only seemed to make him happy insofar as they allowed him to help others, and while that was silly, she found herself smiling as he flew about changing these little cities.

  Her own task, with only occasional digressions, was simpler: phased cultivation. With all her advantages, Zae Zin Nim was progressing many times faster than ordinary cultivators, but ordinary cultivators often spent decades moving from Earth Soul to Sky Soul.

  By her best judgment, she doubted that she would be able to break through before the incursion. Given that such levels of power would be completely unnecessary for it, that did not concern her, and she focused on quality. After the incursion, which would surely increase their fame yet again, she would be able to reach Sky Soul and join her spouses as matchless warriors.

  The only trouble with her focus was that she had less time to spend with him. One evening when Kai was engaged in cultivation, Zae Zin Nim came to sit beside him.

  "How is Goralia faring?" she asked.

  "They're pretty unified, they're just facing a potentially massive horde," Kai said. "Overall, they have a problem with mid-rank fighters... they have a lot of low level hunters, and Advanced Classes make for very powerful warriors, but there's fewer in the middle."

  "The ones that would need to face city-destroying threats."

  "Correct, glad you remember the strategy. That means elites will have to spend more time helping them... we'll do what we can in the short term, but I don't know about later."

  "So we keep going north." Zae Zin Ni examined her husband carefully. "You're hiding it well, but you seem nervous."

  He sighed and leaned back. "We'll be going to Monskon City soon. I know technically it doesn't matter, and it's beneath me in terms of power, but I'm thinking about it a lot. I haven't been properly back in years."

  "Let them die, as far as I'm concerned. You, Juray, Inafay... we already took all the worthwhile people out of the city."

  "Hey now, there are other lives worth saving."

  "Hmm... I suppose there was that one archer woman who intercepted an attack aimed at you." Zae Zin Nim let her expression soften. "I am only joking, I know this city matters to you. I just hope you won't get wrapped up in it."

  "Thanks, Zin Nim. I'm glad to have you with me."

  Zae Zin Nim was glad to be returning with him, but she was far from excited. Her husband may have grown up in Monskon City, but her memories of her time there were almost wholly negative. She hoped that he would make it through the cesspit that had banished him without being slowed down.

  Chapter 579: Return to Monskon City

  No more wasting time. With the incursion potentially imminent, Kai needed to visit Monskon City to end his tour, then he could wrap up training with the elites and his students to begin final preparations. He'd gone above and beyond what anyone had expected of him, done everything he could in defense of the continent.

  Everything except going home.

  He expected to have more time to watch and anticipate, but at the speed the Clanless flew, they came up on the city with troubling speed. Even though he had a speed phase, he wasn't emotionally prepared: it still seemed to be a speck one moment, then the city of his childhood the next. There were no dramatic differences that he saw, he was just back.

  A part of him finished the sentence "as if he never left" but no, that wasn't true at all. Everything had changed for him, and as Zae Zin Nim had pointed out, many of his friends had left, so Monskon City was just a vestige of the past he needed to push through.

  Just in case someone was going to make an issue of him being exiled, Kai leapt down outside the city gates - his wives joined him, and Ankrastor dropped unnoticed a while later. As soon as leaders began rushing from the city to greet him, Kai realized that it wouldn't go that way. This wasn't Cloudspire, but now that he had become a powerful force, everyone in Monskon City was probably eager to pretend they had always loved him.

  One man stood back with a grim expression: Hannagan Lantrian, the former head of the Hunters Guild, in a way the man who had condemned Kai to his path. Even though it was certain he was no threat, Kai still examined his soul as if he was one.

  <

  Name: Hannagan Lantrian

  Total Power: 141

  Grandfist Class: 67 (77)

  Physique: F-9 (48)

  Soul Level: 4 (16)

  >

  Hannagan had 141 Power, just a little higher than before. No threat at all, yet Kai felt an old surge of anger... a dying surge that faded away. Now he could recognize a bitter old man clinging to power in the face of difficult odds. It had been fate or Kai's own bad luck that had given him a weak Class and started it all - if anything, Hannagan had done him a favor by forcing him to move on.

  Not that he was going to say any of that. Kai stepped forward, ignoring the fawning leaders including the new head of the Hunters Guild, to address the old man.

  "Hannagan Lantrian." Kai's voice silenced all the leaders. "We didn't part on the best of terms."

  "No, we did not." Even though he knew he was outmatched, Hannagan kept his back stiff and stared back, eyes moving from Kai to Zae Zin Nim. "If that is the same woman I recall from the last incursion, she said something about killing me."

  "Do I need to?" Zae Zin Nim asked.

  "I believe we are all on the same side here." Hannagan smiled thinly. "Your flight from the south has caused quite the rumors, and Monskon City is eager to do what it can for its exiled son. I'm sure those currently in charge would be happy to reinstate you, of course, but I understand you intend to help us prepare for the incursion."

  "Yes, that's the only goal," Kai said. "We won't be long."

  The city leaders found their voices again, urging him to stay longer and offering every inducement they could, but the fact was that they had nothing that could tempt him. Honestly, the vague impulse of attachment to this city was far stronger than any minor benefits a Frontier city like this could offer.

  They said a lot of words, but it all boiled down to being willing to give him basically anything, including making him head of the Hunters Guild, city defense, and maybe the city itself. As Hannagan watched in stony silence, Kai realized that was exactly what the old man expected. He'd bet wrong about Kai and lost everything, and now he expected to receive petty revenge.

  And abruptly Kai knew that wasn't what he wanted.

  "Let's talk business." Kai clapped his hands together to cut off the chatter. "What do you see as the primary obstacles to Monskon City's defense?"

  "Well, it comes down to needing a stronger core," one of the younger hunters said. "Our last Hunter Trials went well, but the new hunters are only strong enough for average monsters. They say more big monsters might get through, requiring 100 Power or more to kill. If that happens, we don't have enough to deal with them."

  "Hannagan has a plan to draw on the Lantrian clan from further east," another added. "So far it hasn't been approved, because the eastern cities have their own problems."

  Kai felt like asking whether Hannagan was considering running away from the city again, but held his tongue. Instead he smiled across the leaders, looking past their toadying: whoever else they were, they were Goralian men and women facing a terrible danger who needed hope.

  "Give me some personal time in the city," Kai told them. "No, nothing fancy, we'll travel on our own. But then we'll see what we can do to help you."

  While the leaders didn't want to let him leave, they couldn't do much when Kai leapt into the sky. He and the others soared over the outer wall and landed lightly within the first district. That attracted some attention, but they still managed to mix into the crowds. There were more foreigners these days: Irunian merchants and soldiers, other species from the Southern Reach, even Krysali with mining scars. He might have left Monskon City, but it had continued changing in his absence.

  "So?" Omilaena bumped her hip against his as they walked. "Just what are you trying to do here?"

  "Hannagan expects me to throw my weight around and punish him," Kai explained, "but that would make me the petty and selfish warrior who Hannagan thought would get others killed."

  "Who cares?" Zae Zin Nim asked. "Nobody will care what he thinks. Alive or dead."

  "No, I want to beat him at his own game. Last incursion was a blow to him, but you can see that he's trying to worm his way back into power. I want to best him in such a way that he has to look me in the eye and admit this way is better. With all the resources available to us, we should be able to do that."

  "Perhaps. You've removed many of the people with talent."

  "Excuse me." The fourth voice made them turn back to Ankrastor, who had been tagging along but not drawing attention to himself. Now he stepped closer and gave a bow. "I would be happy to assist you here, as partial thanks. Let me lead the defense of your city and I promise I'll keep it safe."

  "Huh." Kai turned back to Ankrastor and considered, then shook his head. "It won't work with you alone, otherwise that's the same as me dropping in to do it. But if we can build up local forces, you could keep them alive. That work for you?"

  "Of course. I'll do whatever I can."

  "For right now, head out of the city and go investigate... there are these communities with burning pits, barely surviving. See if you can find anyone out there who's half-decent, or deserves a second chance."

  Ankrastor nodded sharply and darted away, no doubt to terrify the living daylights out of some people living on the outskirts. That was a good step forward, and Kai was also glad to be with just his wives again, for admittedly personal reasons.

  As they walked through Monskon City, he pointed out places he remembered, from the Granfian complex, to the park where he trained with Inafay, to the alley where he'd won a tournament. Zae Zin Nim listened with what he thought was wifely patience, while Omilaena seemed honestly curious, in an amused sort of way. Maybe he was being silly and nostalgic, but after so long traveling the world, he thought he could indulge himself, and they seemed to find it more endearing than annoying.

  Eventually they ended up in the Hunters Guild bar, atop the hill in the highest district in the city. Kai's positive experiences there had all been in the distant past, though he had first truly met the Tonjin brothers there. That little memory still had him smiling fondly in a way that he hadn't expected.

  They purchased drinks and food - simple, hearty Goralian fare - and sat in a comfortable corner. It wasn't the fanciest or most prestigious corner, but it was the one where Kai remembered the veteran hunters congregating and telling their stories, the tales of defending civilization against a tide of monsters that had so captured his imagination as a child.

  "You seem fond of this place," Zae Zin Nim said during a lull. "I'm not sure I understand why."

  "I guess I just... love it in the abstract." Kai shrugged as he struggled to find the words. "I mean, I still grew up here. I want to... save the version of it that I used to believe in, I guess. You hated the Brightwind Sect, but you didn't want it eradicated entirely, did you?"

  That seemed to actually give Zae Zin Nim pause, then she nodded slowly. "I suppose it is somewhat the opposite. The Brightwind Sect always meant negative things to me, but in the end, I wanted to... create a better form of it. That seemed a better way to spite my father's legacy."

  "What does that mean for Monskon, though?" Omilaena asked. She leaned forward, practically across his chest, to examine Zae Zin Nim. "Are we going to run around picking up the dregs and boosting them up?"

  Kai sighed. "Don't put it that way in public, but something like that. There are good people here... I want to make sure that they lead their city and Hannagan can't get any power back. Goralians aren't perfect, but they're fair. The only reason they're giving Hannagan the time of day is that they think they might need him to survive."

  "And our superiority will be clear." Zae Zin Nim nodded with new determination. "Very well."

  Next he intended to discuss exactly what assets they had, since this scenario was much weaker than the areas they usually worked in. Before he could start on that conversation, they were interrupted by a loud group barging into the room. Kai froze as he realized who it was.

  Fhazi Lantrian swaggered in with a diminished entourage: beefy replacements for the Tonjin brothers, no personal assassin, fewer sycophants hanging onto his words.

  <

  Name: Fhazi Lantrian

  Total Power: 30

  Grandfist Class: 9 (19)

  Physique Level: G-4 (10)

  Soul Level: 1 (1)

  >

  In the seven years since they'd last seen one another, Fhazi had only risen to 30 Power. He wasn't wearing family armor anymore, so he was functionally weaker than the last time Kai had seen him. It was just what Hannagan had said would happen: Fhazi was given a trivial number of resources, but ultimately came to nothing.

  That limited life hadn't seemed to bother him, and Fhazi looked content in his privilege... until he saw Kai sitting opposite the door. All the blood drained from his face and something died in his eyes.

  "Excuse me," he said tightly, turning back. "I just remembered-"

  "No, no." Kai gestured broadly toward the largest table, smiling with too many teeth. "Don't let us stop you. Enjoy your meal."

  And then he didn't say anything else. A younger Kai might have wanted to mock him or show him up, or break a beer over his head - he could have killed the other man with a beer mug. But as soon as he saw Fhazi, he knew that none of that would be satisfying, not truly.

  Instead he let Fhazi sit in his fancy chair, surrounded by his sycophants. Kai didn't need to take any extra steps to taunt him: Omilaena draped herself against his side, while Zae Zin Nim only sat beside them and she was stunning enough on her own. Because they weren't using shrouds, their power was blindingly obvious.

  At first Kai thought that it would be awkward, trying too hard to have a good time, but as he had a lovely dinner with his wives, Kai honestly forgot about Fhazi Lantrian.

  Chapter 580: Planning Bloodless Revolution in Monskon

  "You didn't recognize him?" Zae Zin Nim's voice in a soft void. "Then why were you all over Kai? Supporting your husband on principle?"

  "Nonsense." Omilaena responding. "He just looked like an asshole and I wanted to make him feel bad."

  For a moment Kai was disoriented, relaxing in a pleasant haze. He wasn't sure whether he was awake or asleep - the drifting warmth felt like a dream, but the voices sounded oddly real. The world was still black and he dimly realized that he should probably open his eyes.

  "You are awful," Zae Zin Nim said affectionately.

  "You know it."

  When Omilaena leaned across him, Kai finally woke up fully: he was lying back in bed and Omilaena was stretching across his chest to kiss Zae Zin Nim. He remembered them making the cramped bed work, and they must have stayed beside him after waking up. It was unusual for them to wake up first like this... he had slept unusually deeply, as if freed of burdens he hadn't realized that he was carrying.

  "Oops, I seem to have roused our husband." Omilaena drew a hand to her mouth in mock-surprise. "I fear our lovely conversation will be interrupted by his wanton desires."

  "It will not." Zae Zin Nim snuggled against him on the other side. "Kai will be in an ambitious mood and want to work."

  "That isn't mutually exclusive!"

  Kai yawned and stretched broadly before properly wrapping his arms around both women. Zae Zin Nim knew him well, and Omilaena hadn't been serious for some time. After the return to Monskon City and the release of stress, he was indeed feeling ambitious. He'd wasted part of one day on his nostalgia, but now they needed to look forward.

  "We should talk about our strategy for Monskon," he said.

  "Nff," Omilaena said. "I don't want to get up."

  "You don't have to, yet. Here is fine." Kai settled back to think about the different elements in play. "We're trying to build up a semi-elite force, and I have a few leads. But what I need to know first is what relevant resources we have available. Bear in mind that we're dealing with weaker hunters here, maybe 50 to 100 Power."

  "It will require a change in paradigm." Omilaena might be sprawled against him, but she abandoned the teasing tone for one of absolute professionalism. "Many of the boosts we're giving others only work based on all the training they've done in the past. Some of my methods might even kill weaker fighters who don't have the preparation or willpower for them."

  "I have plenty of moonmelt pills," Zae Zin Nim put in, "in case anyone is near the barrier. And I have some mana potions I have outgrown that might help them with Class training."

  "I should be able to scale down my methods for a trivial Physique boost. I might be able to grant a small additional boost in some cases. And we always have the option of chakra-bloating, if we don't care about their future growth."

  "I do not think that will be a problem here."

  "Zin Nim is right," Kai agreed. "Many of the people we'll meet today don't expect to ever get stronger again, so short term gains are fine. Of course, we should give them the choice, so don't go using them as test subjects."

  Omilaena sniffed. "As if I would do such a thing. They wouldn't be good material."

  Making plans while relaxed in bed was fine, but other than discussing the various areas they might go, there wasn't much else to do. Kai was up first, the Beggar King's Robes making the process easy, while his wives needed time for all their clothes. He vaguely wondered how much time they could save with self-rearranging clothes while he sent some messages throughout the city.

  Their first target was also the person he most wanted to meet, even if they weren't close friends. The three of them met Rallia Orgoron atop the city walls, actually not far from where they had fought together during the incursion. She was the same armored archer he remembered except she had aged from her thirties into her forties.

  <

  Name: Rallia Orgoron

  Total Power: 99

  Spellbow Class: 37 (47)

  Physique Level: F-9 (36)

  Soul Level: 4 (16)

  >

  Still a better than average hunter, though. She appeared to be smashed up against the 99 Power barrier, because it was limiting her Physique progress.

  "Kai Granfian." Rallia shook her head with an odd smile. "I guess that isn't your last name anymore, but that's how I knew you. Fuck, I... knew you as a kid. I was there for your Hunter Trial. I can't believe we've gotten here."

  "It seems wild to me too," Kai said, "but I'm glad to see you again, Rallia. Let me introduce you to my wives."

  "Wait, what?"

  Once they'd caught up with Rallia, Kai was even more convinced that she was a good choice. Rallia had been working in Monskon City for her entire life and was a veteran of three incursions. She was one of the best-liked hunters in the city and only her injury that limited her power kept her from vying for the head of the Guild.

  "I get what you're doing," Rallia said once he explained. "But I don't know that a struggle for control is a good idea now. If you think you can help me, just do what you can and I'll use it to fight the incursion."

  "I say better to settle leadership questions now," Kai argued. "Believe me, if this works, it won't be close."

  "Don't know about that, but who am I to argue? At minimum, I could definitely use one of those 99 Power pills. Been wanting one, but we don't have them here and I can't afford it."

  As it happened, they easily could. Zae Zin Nim gave Rallia a moonmelt pill, which she handled well enough. Her Physique was a little limited from her injury and time stuck at the barrier, but Omilaena said it was trivial to produce an injection that would push her to the next rank and heal her old wounds. Rallia was a little more skeptical about that, but after their gift, she played along.

  The shift from F to E rank was much tamer than what Kai was familiar with, but when he saw Rallia's expression after, he understood how much it meant to her.

  <

  Name: Rallia Orgoron

  Total Power: 157

  Spellbow Class: 41 (51)

  Physique Level: E-0 (80)

  Soul Level: 4 (16)

  Manacaster Physique (+10)

  >

  Between the Physique breakthrough, a unique boon, and a surge in Class, Rallia had leapt all the way from 99 to 157 Power. Kai remembered just how much of a difference that made, and for Rallia, who had been a veteran in the 90s for years, it seemed to be shocking.

  "I can't..." She unsteadily drew her bow, trying to test an arrow. "I figured you could do something, but this... this is..."

  "Get used to the power." Kai clapped her on the shoulder with a grin. "We'll be back sooner than you think."

  After that early success, they leapt across the city to another of the people Kai had left behind. Kai and Yangil Granfian hadn't been on great terms, at the end or ever, but the man had been seriously traumatized at the abyss and Kai wanted to cheer him up. Unfortunately, they didn't find Yangil at the Granfian training grounds, and even with their combined senses, it took them a while.

  They located Yangil inside a bar, drinking heavily, and as soon as Kai saw his soul, he knew that it wouldn't work.

  <

  Name: Yangil Granfian

  Total Power: 46

  Knight Class: 9 (19)

  Physique Level: G-9 (18)

  Soul Level: 3 (9)

  >

  In seven years, Yangil's soul hadn't changed at all. At such low levels, that could only mean that he hadn't done any significant training or monster hunting - the experience must have broken him. Kai felt a surge of pity, but he wasn't good at healing anything, much less this.

  "You sure?" Omilaena asked. "I feel I need to remind you that while this is trivial for me, my resources are not infinite."

  "No, I don't think he'd fight." Kai sighed, thinking back to Curaina Granfian. If she hadn't died, how much might she have grown in the interim? "We'll have to ask Gunjin about other Granfians who might be good choices, but I'll ask him later."

  "Who next?" Zae Zin Nim asked.

  They next headed down to the lower city, where they inquired after the street tournaments. Those had been mysterious events where he wasn't really allowed, once upon a time, but it turned out that being an overpowering hero made people more willing to talk.

  He found a few people with minor potential and the desire to be real hunters, but not the woman he remembered beating years ago. She'd had real potential, forcing him to take her out early. Though she would have been a good candidate for their work, she might not have accepted it, either. Kai felt a strange sense of loss that he simply wouldn't know if she had died, moved on, or something else entirely.

  "You were looking for someone, and they aren't here," Zae Zin Nim guessed.

  "Yeah." Kai ran a hand through his hair as he thought about everything. "I'm running low on options."

  "We could actually check for other people with potential?" Omilaena suggested with a smirk. "Other than, you know, just helping people you knew. At this rate, we'll end up giving a power boost to the lady who used to sell you groceries."

  "Actually, there's a woman who sold me a useful magic i-"

  "Ugh, please no."

  "Hey, be fair, I already sent Ankrastor out to search for new candidates."

  "Then let's use the infrastructure."

  They headed in to try other options, but Kai had to admit that this time it wouldn't be as easy as he expected. Not if he wanted to win the right way.