“I noticed that we’ve stopped gaining experience within the bubble. What’s up with that?”

  I smiled at her, “I figured out how to turn it off with the control spheres two days ago. It made the bubble stronger, and I don’t want any of the people here to hinder their growth by getting levels without the records. Didn’t you talk to the others?” the last question I directed at Bethany.

  “No, those who asked I diverted with the idea that there are now too many people for the experience to be very worthwhile.”

  It was my turn to look annoyed. “Why?”

  “Because telling them that you just turned it off because of reasons would create a mutinous insurgency.”

  “I clearly explained to you why I turned it off.” I felt myself growing angrier. Bethany held firm.

  “Which is all well and good, but you won’t be the one dealing with the angry mob.”

  “Sure I will. Call another meeting.” Bethany moved to object, but wisely stopped.

  An hour later, the crowd was even larger than before. At least three hundred people stood around the platform. I wasn’t exactly great at public speaking, but I managed to keep my annoyance up enough to make the announcement. I raised my hands and the crowd went silent.

  “It has been brought to my attention that some people have realized that the experience siphon is no longer active. I turned it off.” See? I’m great at this.

  The crowd muttering grew angry, with shouts being directed at me. I opened my second mouth and shouted from it.

  “LISTEN! During the race selection time in that weird ass room with Guide, they told me that without achievements or records, or whatever you want to call it, your ability to improve yourself will wane and eventually you may stall out. I do not want that for myself, so I turned it off. I don’t want it for any of you, as most of you have been in the bubble for a while now. I hope I’ve stopped it in time so that your ultimate growth is not hindered. This effect will not be active ever again, and,” I pointedly looked at Bethany, “if I hear of anyone threatening Bethany to turn it back on, I will… deal with you personally. You are all lucky that I left the bubble up. Dismissed.” Hell yeah, I’m a pro!

  The muttering was much more muted as I left the platform, followed by the others.

  “That was kinda hot,” Jenny said, skipping behind Bethany into the war room.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  I ignored that, and instead, sat at the head of the table. “Bethany, I have the control spheres set up to ping me if you turn the experience siphon back on. Use it if anyone threatens you or there is an emergency. I really need to get to the other control spheres, and will have to finish the enchanting list as I go.”

  Bethany nodded, making several notes on her clipboard, but saying nothing.

  “Are we going with you?” Jenny asked, giving me her best kitty-cat eyes.

  I shook my head, “I need to move fast, and no one here can keep up. I’m going alone. Use the control sphere I leave here to begin moving the bubble toward the center of the city. The monsters should be stronger there and you can work together to get stronger. I’ll be doing the same. Try to at least hit level 50 before we get to the halfway point, as I think something new might be happening then.”

  “That only gives you a little less than three days to get the spheres!” Jenny said, her pleading eyes shifting to worry.

  I grinned, “Plenty of time, my sweet. Plenty of time.”

  —---------

  Cari, Gregory, Jenny, and Tim met me and my new bodyguard Stan at the northern edge of the bubble twenty minutes later.

  “You’re a real monster, so I won’t bother telling you to be safe,” Gregory said with a smirk.

  “Yeah, I’m interested in seeing just how ridiculous you are when you get back!” Cari said, wrapping me in a hug.

  “You five should work together, become a group. I’ll join when I am able.”

  They looked at each other suspiciously. “I’m not sure about that.” Tim said.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “I mean, I’m all for having Cari around because-” he waved vaguely up and down in her direction. “But Gregory? Come on, man.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Gregory asked, his axe beginning to glow. I raised my hand and he lowered it.

  “Tim, you used to be my boss, but those times are long passed. If you don’t want to join, then you can fuck off. And who doesn’t like hippos? The babies are super adorable and they fuck with alligators for kicks.” Gregory beamed.

  “I like these two, so I’m in!” Jenny said happily. Cari smiled and nodded, her snake hair hissing at Tim.

  “Ugh, fine! I’ll look after these four,” Tim whined.

  Jenny ran over and hugged me as well, whispering, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure ole Timmy-face doesn’t do anything too crazy.”

  “Coming from you, I look forward to the stories to come.” I opened a small section of bubble and stepped out. “Stan, do your guard thing with them, okay?” He simply nodded.

  “Hey, Dan!” Jenny called out. I turned to look at her. “Unleash the beast, okay!”

  “You got it!” I activated my Sense Power and started walking in the direction of the strongest signal. As soon as I turned a corner, I pushed my speed to its limit.

  The asphalt cracked beneath my feet. For the first time in a while, there was no one keeping me from using my full speed, and the buildings became a blur as I ran. I used Void Step to pull me ahead a thousand meters at a time, around half the full distance I was able to currently travel. This was primarily because my natural regeneration surpassed the energy I exerted while running, and I could Void Step every ten minutes or so between recovery periods.

  I turned a corner and saw the source of the power I sensed. A blue beacon.

  Time to test some new skills.