As he followed the boy leading him to their base, Thalric reflected on the recent battle. Despite facing multiple opponents of a higher level, he found it surprisingly easy to come out on top. Moreover, the boy in question did not even have a level. Was there something he overlooked or was unaware of? Most definitely. But he knew he would find his answers soon enough. For now, he looked over his gains.
[You Have Reached Level 9!]
[Say ‘Status’ to Observe Further Changes]
Curious about whether it would work, he mentally commanded his status to appear instead of verbally. And like every other time, it appeared.
[ Name: Thalric
Titles: Outsider, Former God of War
Level: 9
Class: Peerless Conqueror (X)
Class Perks
Simulated Planning
Attributes
STR: 279
DEX: 272
CON: 276
INT: 212
WIS: 205
CHA: 199
]
After an hour of walking, they stood in front of a large cave entrance. Thalric saw that two men were standing guard at the opening.
“Hey Paul, who’s the stranger?” One of the men called out.
“Yeah, he don’t look familiar” His partner said.
While Paul was forming a response, Thalric spoke for him.
“I was thinking of joining your gang. Paul told me I’d need to speak with your boss.” He said calmly.
They grunted in acknowledgment, glancing over to Paul.
“Paul, do you trust this guy? Where did you meet him?”
“I thought you were out with Dave’s group for an ambush?”
The guards questioned in unison.
Once again, Paul was about to respond, but Thalric cut him off, placing a hand on Paul’s shoulder in a friendly manner.
“I saved this boy from getting mauled by a pair of wolves. From what he told me, there was a small pack of wolves that attacked Dave’s group while they were looting. ”
“Y-yeah, I would have been a goner if it weren’t for him.” Paul said, going along with the story.
The two guards sighed, looked at one another, and then back at the duo.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
“Again? I swear those wolves have been getting braver lately.”
“Yeah, it’s seriously getting out of hand.”
The larger of the two men nodded, rubbing his chin.
“Well, your level isn’t too bad, and you seem strong enough to take on a wolf with just your bare hands. I believe the boss would appreciate having more muscle around here.” He grinned as he gestured to the cave while stepping aside.
“Just keep walking til you reach the end. You won’t miss the ugly tent that will greet you.” He chuckled while the other man shook his head with a smirk.
Paul nodded and walked into the cave. Thalric followed, surveyed the cave system, and noticed that many tunnels were leading far off in various directions beyond the open central area. In the central region, there were torches bolted onto the walls of the cave, and on the surface were twelve tents that could reasonably fit two people, maybe three. At least thirty bandits were milling about, either gambling, drinking alcohol, or sparring. Most didn’t bother paying attention to the new arrivals.
Thalric pondered the implications of such a large bandit group in the forest. Were the authorities incompetent or complacent? Though there was the chance that they were simply corrupt. To Thalric, it did not matter. His purpose for this detour in his plans was based on a method that one of his earliest faithfuls had devised when their king had removed his noble title and he was exiled. The plan’s success depended on various factors that needed to be in sync and lots of preparation.
Nonetheless, they eventually reached the end of the cave, outside of a large tent’s entrance. It was white and red in color with various designs of beasts embroidered across its frame. To Thalric, it did not fit in with the rest of the tents he had seen so far, and it stuck out like a sore thumb. Paul looked at Thalric and gathered his courage before entering the tent.
For Thalric’s part, he stood straight from outside and waited to be let in. While he could have barged in, it was not the approach he wished to take. He could hear their conversation within, but did not pay it any mind. And soon, he was invited in with a deep voice.
“Come in.”
As Thalric entered the tent, he saw various ornaments, documents on a desk, a mirror, and a bed, all organized on either side of the tent. But in the center, seated on a throne at the end of the tent, was a bald man with a broad chest and muscles that had clearly been earned through extreme efforts. His eyes pierced towards Thalric with a gaze of curiosity, that transformed into confusion as he glanced over his head, no doubt due to the contrast between his imposing image and his low level. Thalric could not fault his reaction, given the leader’s own level.
[Human | Level 23]
“Welcome to my home, stranger. My name is Rex. And yours is?” The leader, Rex, said in a disappointed tone.
Thalric stopped two feet from the throne, stood upright, and stared into the leader’s eyes as he spoke. To Thalric, the bandit leader did not feel that dangerous. Even with the higher level, the fight would end up being short-lived. It was not overconfidence but a deep understanding.
“It’s Thalric. No surname.”
Rex nodded, drumming his fingers against the armrest of his throne. His eyes glance towards Paul and then return to Thalric. He carefully eyed the weapon in Thalric’s hand and analyzed the way he carried himself.
“Paul tells me that you wish to join my crew. Is that right?”
“Yes, though not as a subordinate.”
This made one of the leaders’ eyebrows rise. He looked over to Paul questioningly, but the boy was just as confused. So, he looked back at Thalric.
“What are you implying?” He said, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
Thalric continued to stare unflinchingly into the leader’s skull as he spoke, the tension becoming thicker with each word.
“I intend to become the gang’s new boss. You will work under my direction once the transition is made.”
Rex’s left eye twitched at that statement, a frown beginning to form.
“And why would I allow that to happen?” Rex’s eyes became harsher as he spoke. His grip on his armrest tightened in agitation.
Thalric did not seem phased whatsoever, pointing to Paul and then at Rex with his battle axe. The movement put the two men on guard, but Rex breathed, retaining composure.
“While my level is lower than a lot of people, I have more combat experience than every person in this camp combined. And…”
“And?” The leader broached, growing increasingly irritated. Though a hint of caution snuck through his eyes as he parsed Thalric’s words.
“…I plan on building an army. This gang could be a decent foundation if nurtured properly. If there’s one thing I excel at, it is preparing for war. ” He said with complete confidence.
Rex observed Thalric quietly, carefully assessing him. To Thalric’s eyes, he could see Rex was analyzing the situation first to prevent making rash actions.
“War? Who do you plan on waging war against?” Rex couldn’t help but scoff.
“Everyone.” Thalric stated simply.
Rex laughed loudly at this and turned to Paul.
“Where did you meet this man? He’s absolutely insane!”
Paul hesitated.
“Uh… well…”
Though with reluctance, Paul complied as he explained briefly on what had transpired earlier. Instead of the false narrative they had used with the guards, he did not hide anything from Rex. The expression on the bandit leader had changed several times throughout the tale. At first, he had been outraged, but slowly his attitude became one of both excitement and fear. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and grumbled something too low for Thalric to hear. The bandit leader visibly deflated and sat back in his throne, his eyes wandering over to Thalric.
“If what he said is true, then you're one of those High Classers, aren’t you?” Rex asked in frustration.
“What?! That can’t be !” Paul blurted out in shock.
“And why can’t it? You saw what he did to Dave’s group.” Rex countered and the boy fell silent.
“What is a High Classer?” Thalric inquired, perplexed.
Rex looked at Thalric strangely, leaning forward.
“Don’t play dumb. Everyone knows what a High Classer is!”
“I don’t” Thalric said truthfully.
Paul and Rex exchanged odd glances with each other. Not expecting that admission, but carried on.
“Fine, then check your status. Tell me what tier your class is, if you do not mind” said Rex.
“Tier?” Thalric asked.
“Did you break your head open? The letter next to your class name!” Rex said, exasperated.
Thalric chagrined and checked his status.
“I think it is Tier X. Is that good?”
There was a stillness in the atmosphere of the tent. Rex visibly trembled and Paul gasped.
“You’re not messing around, are you?”
“No.” Thalric said.
“That should be impossible! Tier A is already for nobles, and Tier S is for legends! But Tier X is… almost unheard of.” Rex was lost in thought for a while until he returned to the present conversation.
“What are you? No one in their right mind would blatantly tell anyone that sort of information. ” Rex appeared equally interested and concerned, and Paul was looking at Thalric like he was a zoo animal. Thalric watched their reactions and decided to be straightforward since there was no longer any hostility from the leader.
“Honestly, I lack knowledge of this world. If you agree to my terms, I expect help with that.” He clarified.
“Okay…. And about the war with the rest of the world? You truly want that?” Rex prodded.
Thalric nodded. This made Rex pause in contemplation for a moment. Then he rose from his throne and went over to Thalric. He clasped both sides of his shoulders firmly and smiled.
“It might be completely suicidal. Yet you, Thalric, are destined for greatness, and by following you, we can share in that destiny. Unlike other naive bosses, I suspect that opposing you would only harm my future.”
He pivoted to face Paul, a determined gleam in his eye.
“Allow me to introduce you to your new boss, Paul. I’m officially stepping down!”
