The walk back to Greenwell provided a significant amount of useful information to William.

It turned out that the only real combatants that paid attention to their class levels were those of three different camps. Settlement guards, like town or city guards were filled with those who wanted to gain strength to protect their homes. Next were military forces of various countries, marching to gain power for themselves, their lands, and their lieges. They were primarily offensive in design as opposed to the defensive nature of guard forces. The final group with the fewest combatants, but also on average, significantly stronger combatants were the Adventurers of the Adventuring Union. The AU was an international and worldwide organization that worked together on a contract and job request basis for the myriad inhabitants of GAEA.

Civilians, like all sentient beings had classes, but had no interest in violence and typically give their all to whatever jobs they focus on. In that regard, William was elated to be told the jobs of the newcomers. Devlin was a Carpenter and Thatcher. Noctis was a Blacksmith and Builder. Armine was a Performer and Merchant. Lastly, Frenn was a Chandler and Tailor. All professions that Greenwell desperately needed. William was curious as to why they all had two jobs when you could have a total of three. It turned out that progressing two jobs was the standard, and with three jobs, there was too much of a divide between focus, leading to slower progression across all three jobs as opposed to adequately progressing two. Some people even focused on one particular job, eventually attaining mastery of it through their sheer focus on the job.

It gave William much to think about regarding his own future job or jobs. William asked about levels and how they worked, as well as how high they could reach. The answers were fascinating to William. Apparently, the most relevant level was the racial level and after hearing the description, William received a prompt:

{Ascension_Protocol}

You have discovered the Ranking System of GAEA.

Would you like to view?

{Y/N}

{End}

William didn’t hesitate to accept it:

{Ascension_Protocol}

{Ranking System}

{Category 1 (most humanoid sentient beings)}

[Notice – Longevity limited to race.]

- Steel (Level 20-40)

- Copper (Level 41-60)

- Silver (Level 61-80)

- Gold (Level 81-100)

{Category 2 (Select few powerful humanoids and most Draconic beings)}

[Notice – Coup de Grace becomes more difficult at Category 2]

[Notice – Longevity extended up to 1000 years.]

[Notice – Body structure becomes entwined with the energy of GAEA [Vital organs replaced with GAEA energy.]]

- Emerald (Level 101-200)

- Ruby (Level 201-300)

- Sapphire (Level 301-400)

- Diamond (Level 401-500)

{Category 3 (Those who have ascended beyond mortality Susceptible to death. Immune to death through Age and Illness)}

[Notice – Longevity extended to immortality]

- Ascendant (Level 501-1000)

- Demi-God (Level 1001-2000)

- God (Level 2001-3000)

-Transcendent (Level 3001+)

{End}

William was astonished at the system. He had potential to be a fucking god and beyond! His hopes were diminished however, as Devlin added that the strongest known person in GAEA was mid-diamond and they were the creator of the AU. The AU was founded roughly seven centuries before the present day so they only had a few centuries remaining on their lifespan to ascend to Category three. According to Devlin, once someone reached Category two, the levelling process became difficult as the only real challenges were beasts in the Deadlands or incredibly rare Fell-kin. This naturally slowed the progress. The only other method was to decimate large armies single handedly, but those in Category two who did so, often found themselves with a bounty aimed at even higher Category two individuals.

William was fascinated to discover that quite a few monarchs or emperors of different countries were Category two and around the Ruby and Sapphire level, with members of Emerald level in double digits serving them. Every person who reaches Category two can be equivalent to forces of nature like hurricanes, volcanos, tidal waves, and the like in terms of raw power. William got chills hearing that particular piece of information, yet he now had a long term goal in mind. What better way to protect his family and get strong than to reach Category two?

William found all of it a lot to take in, and decided that he would ask further questions at a later point so that he had time to digest what he had already learned. Greenwell had also just come into view and he felt relief at seeing that no other bandits had appeared while they were gone. The group made their way into the village. William noticed Noctis assessing the Palisade and inner defense towers and frowned slightly, then he spotted the cobbled together shanties that Greenwell had built. He let out a loud sigh and turned to William.

“These defenses are alright but those...shanties? It hurts my eyes to look at them. If you don’t mind, I would like to sort them out, and also improve these defences if possible,” The large man said, with some eagerness.

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It was clear that he wanted the distraction right now given his circumstances.

William looked at Wallace and said, “Can you show Noctis around the defenses and shelters please? I think the two of you will be able to work wonders.”

Wallace smiled and clapped William on the shoulder before saying, “Aye Lad. I’ll get on it now.”

William watched the two leave and smiled slightly. He also noticed some of the villagers looking at the new comers curiously.

“New members of our community. They needed help, and we’ll provide it. They have skills to bring to us too,” William stated, loudly enough for his voice to carry out around Greenwell. Mixed expressions appeared. Mostly excitement, but several were more wary and reserved. William felt that was only natural, however, and time would tell what dynamic would be born from this addition.

William got John to take Devlin to the lumber pile to discuss things like furnishings. Once they had set off, William asked Jane to show Frenn to the storehouse with the skinned pelts and harvested fats to see if candles and clothing were viable for Frenn to make from such materials.

All that was left were Stacey and Armine who waited expectantly for William to speak to them.

“Being a performer and a merchant are both fantastic professions, Armine,” William said, throwing out a warm smile.

Armine returned the smile and replied, “Thanks, I rarely get told that honestly. People have a habit of calling me a charlatan because I make use of my performer abilities when negotiating mercantile activity. It’s annoying, but those people aren’t the ones I get gold from so it’s no matter.”

Armine had a coy grin on her face after saying that. William raised an eyebrow keeping the same smile as he took a pregnant moment to look at her face. She went a slight shade redder before adding, “I can sort out trade and such with other settlements if you make contact. I’m guessing from what you have here that our group were the first locals to meet you?”

“Indeed. I don’t know if the bandits are classed as local or not, as I’ve had several run ins with them so far. Luckily, none have been able to reach their ilk to report on us,” William returned with a slightly more neutral smile.

Armine looked at him intensely and William realised that she had used [Identify] on him.

“Wow! Newly integrated and already Level 18!” Armine said, with a bemused expression on her face.

Stacey’s eyes widened at that and then she appeared to [Identify] him too.

“So strong! William, just how deadly have the fights been that we’ve not been involved in?” She said with incredulity.

“Harrowing. But I won. It’s definitely a lucrative way to level faster and get stronger. The drawback is that weaker enemies don’t seem to do much as those seven kills earlier only gave me a few levels and that was probably boosted from the party EXP buff. Another large fell-kin would be much better for levelling I think.”

Armine paled slightly, “Fell-kin? That explains the title. I know a bit about it as trading information was another business opportunity and adventurers will buy any and all information on the Fell-kin. What one was it?”

“Fell Death-Fang.”

“...how?!”

“Lots of stabbing, some slashing, and sharp Mythril mainly,” William said with a slight chuckle.

“What level were you when you fought it?”

“Fighter Level eight. It was level thirteen. I got a lot of EXP for it.”

“By the four hells! That shouldn’t be possible.”

William smiled and shot her a wink before saying, “Ah, four hells. My mum will be shocked to hear that.”

This got a snicker from Stacey and a warm smile his way. That smile was glorious to see. William was snapped out of his revelry, however, as he felt Armine wrap her arm around his.

“Can you show me around this place please?” She said, also bearing a warm smile.

William heard a slight harrumph from Stacey’s direction, but felt Stacey’s arm lock around his other one. His heart was beating a lot quicker now.

It took him a moment to gather his thoughts, but he was able to give them both a gentle smile before he said, “Sure thing, Let’s go. The strongest tour guide in Greenwell is happy to indulge you lovely ladies.”

William, Armine, and Stacey then started the walk around Greenwell. William felt some shyness creep up but was bewildered as to how he hadn’t caved from the social pressure yet, and where the fuck his confidence came from. He then thought back to his stat buffs and remembered that his Charisma had reached forty six. The fact he still felt some timidity did, however, indicate he still had some limits, but it was working itself out slowly. The timidity he was feeling was less form the two hot girls on his arms and more from the onlookers, that seemed to be a tad too nosey for his liking at the moment. He stood his ground though, explaining Greenwell and its current set up.

Roughly twenty minutes passed like that, with Armine listening attentively, and Stacey looking up at him with a smile, apparently enjoying the trip too. Once they had finished, William asked Stacey to show Armine where she can rest in Greenwell. The girls let go of his arms and he waved them off as he went to look for Wallace and Noctis. He was curious about the defenses and what improvements could be added.

It didn’t take long for William to spot the pair near one of the defensive towers near the gate.

“These defenses need supports, otherwise attackers will roll right over you.” Noctis said to Wallace as they both assessed the current set up.

William spoke up as he got closer, “So, what’s the verdict?”

The pair turned and Noctis smiled respectfully before he replied, “The defenses are impressive given it was just you and Wallace coming up with the design. The man power you mustered to erect them was also impressive. Wallace says its because everyone in the village is a ‘Grafter’?”

“Yes, it’s a hard working community. A little opinionated on those who don’t work as hard, but no one can argue that people graft for what they want here. It’s a term from our world, don’t worry about the meaning,” William said, noticing Wallace give him an empathetic smile.

Wallace knew the deeper meaning of his hard working comment. William appreciated and respected Wallace deeply. In fact, he would be great to be a leader of Greenwell. William schemed a way out of leadership then. Regardless of what Jane thought, he didn’t feel ready. He made decisions that had enabled people to start functioning and building a new community as well as protecting it. William had no fucking clue on other stuff like laws, customs, rules, irrigation, farming, and a myriad mess of other things. Wallace was older. More experienced. William also remembered a chat he had with Wallace once a couple weeks prior. Wallace had told him that he reached the rank of Captain in the army. A man with leadership experience.

Unfortunately for William, his musings were ended as Noctis replied to his comment after some thought, “Good. It’ll help with improving these defenses. The palisade needs diagonal beams inside, buried into the ground to support the wall. Beams across the wall on multiple levels to prevent certain parts collapsing if focused by attackers.

“The platforms follow decent design principles but are vulnerable in the corners. They need more supports and cross beams to strengthen the structure enough that a large wind spell or the like can’t level it in one blow.”

Those were some huge insights. William felt vindicated in his decision to bring the newcomers back.

He looked at the hulking man with respect and replied, “Well, if you can explain it to the other workers and maybe direct them, and or help them, then I think it will be done much quicker. While you’re at it, can you come up with a sturdy gate design? It’s an obvious target for an assault after all.”

“Of course. It’ll be tighter than a virgin’s fanny.”

William winced inside at the comment. It turned out Noctis is also rather crude. No helping it though. Defense was essential.

William just smiled and said, “With that glorious insight, I’m going to think on a couple things. Wallace, can you gather our new friends at my place in an hour please?”

“Sure thing Lad,” The older man said with a smile.

William decided to think further on the leadership situation Jane had brought up previously and how he fit into that. The hour he just bought himself would be used for that purpose. Once that was done, he needed to get as much info on the settlement attack that the newcomers survived as possible so they can at least try and anticipate the bandits’ tactics.

So much to do, and only a few more weeks of time.