Thirty minutes. I had thirty minutes to defeat the queen and complete the quest. I cracked my fingers and rolled my shoulders. My psychic energy was low but it should be enough for one more battle. I stepped forward and out of the final tunnel. The room I arrived in was massive, to say the least. It was more than large enough to hold a city like New York twice over. There were dozens of discarded beast corpses in the area.

From the looks of it, the queen ate everyone equally. The majority of the corpses were more scythe bugs. I turned my attention to the opposite wall where a strangely humanoid creature sat with its eyes closed. The queen had two arms, each one ending in three clawed fingers. Scythe-like blades descended from around three inches behind its wrist area. She had a bulb descending from behind that glowed an emerald green. The light inside made me think it was either some sort of egg sack or some sort of poison sack.

Either way, it didn't make me happy to see. It had mandibles on either side of its mouth and a single antenna on top of its head. Further, the queen was taller than me probably around 6 and a half feet. Its body was covered in the same chitinous armor as its lesser kin. Lastly, the beast had a proper aura one that was filled with at least one Tao. It was hard to tell but it seemed like sharpness or something along that line.

I took a deep breath as the queen opened her eyes. The most intense killing intent I had ever felt exploded out from her. For a moment it felt like I was standing in front of an Apex predator. A beast that would devour the world and there was nothing I could do about it. I took a half step backwards ready to trigger Apportation when Intellect Fortress activated. The effect shattered and I gained control over myself again.

"Human." The queen's voice was strong but unsure. As if this was the first time it had tried to speak. "You are different from the other prey."

"I wasn't aware you all could talk."

"My children can not. It is something that I gained recently and have had no reason to use it. You have come for my treasure."

I circulated my energy not sure if the beast wanted diplomacy or if this was some way to distract me. The queen stood up slowly her gaze never leaving mine. "Yes, I also can't let you evolve."

A long tense silence fell on us as I considered what to do. The timer was still ticking which meant that I couldn't afford to waste time. Still, this whole situation felt odd. The queen took a step forward and I activated an imbued Psychic Aegis. My shield formed just in time. The queen rushed me. Her scythe blade slammed into Aegis almost before I realized I was under attack.

The force of the hit caused cracks to stretch out from the impact sight but it wasn't enough to break it. Six blades formed like an iron maiden around her. In a feat of athleticism that bordered on impossible the queen launched herself backwards. Three blades missed the initial attack while the rest chased after her like heat-seeking missiles. The initial exchange made one thing crystal clear. She danced through the cave with the grace of a ballerina. As if my blades were nuisances instead of lethal weapons.

I gritted my teeth at humiliation and activated Psychic Blast. A blast of pure psychic energy shot at the insect queen just as she leaped into the air to avoid my swords. Instead of avoiding she imbued her arms with a Tao and launched a slash back at me. A scream of danger told me what I already knew, I jumped to the side as a foot-deep gash was dug into the ground.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Fuck the quest." I released my killing intent in its full splendor. Excitement bubbled up inside like a volcano ready to blow. "Just make this fun for me." I activated Psionic Rain and imbued with the Strand of Lucidity. Dozens of blades shot toward the queen. Dense sigils spread across her body as her armor grew thicker and more dense.

Indigo light filled the chamber and for a moment disappointment mixed triumph. My danger sense didn't get the chance to warn me before the queen arrived. Her fist slammed through my shield. I brought my arm over just in time to stop her from crushing my ribs. It still felt like I had been hit by a runaway train. I was launched through the air and into the far wall with enough force to leave a major indent.

That one attack made it clear I wasn't the queen's equal in a physical contest. Her body practically radiated power. Each step felt like a giant was on its way. Despite that, I couldn't be more excited. I activated Realm of Consciousness and imbued it with the Strand of Lucidity. The grey mist became more ethereal as it flooded the chamber. The upgraded spell now had a radius of 250 yards.

For the first time, the queen looked uncertain. I wasn't sure how she was able to resist the mental drain but the small amount of energy I got came out like sludge. I formed six compressed psychic blades from six different directions and shot them at her. In a testament to her speed, she nearly dodged the first two but the other four found their targets. The queen barely reacted to the attack. I prepared another set only to be forced to retreat. The queen started to glow a dull white light. The light made me feel like I would cut into a thousand pieces if it touched me.

I leaped out of my domain just before it was torn to shreds. Before I could process what just happened the queen appeared in front of me. Primal fear filled me and I could swear the Grim Reaper appeared behind her. Just before her fist slammed into me the ring on my left hand shattered. A black wall of force exploded between us. The queen's fist slammed into it but the barrier barely reacted.

I sent a mental thank you to Azariah and jumped back. The queen's fists pounded into the barrier but it was no use. The wall might as well have been indestructible. Unfortunately, I could tell it was fading at the edges. I had maybe ten seconds before she would continue her attack. "I guess I was being a bit arrogant to assume I could win without this"

My spiritual energy surged into the sigil just above my heart. It consumed more than fifty percent of my remaining energy. It was by far the most complicated of all my sigils but it was also the greatest. The queen must have sensed something wrong because launched herself backwards. It didn't matter. As soon as the sigil had drained its fill a diamond appeared in the sky. The diamond was massive about 40ft across and shone with a beautiful splendor. It was for lack of a better word perfect.

I felt the connection between it and me form. The spell was amazing for lack of a better word. I turned my attention to the queen but there was no sign of anything on her face. What the spell did was still hard to explain but to put it simply. It attacked you with the idea of perfection or to be more specific it attacked your Tao Heart by revealing every flaw. It was kind of like having a person that constantly pointed out your imperfections. Only it wasn't a literal person. It was the diamond. I wasn't sure if the diamond was a part of the spell or it was what I conceptualized perfection as. Either way, it didn't matter.

I turned my attention to the insect queen who despite not moving hadn't died yet. I cocked my head to the side and sent a bit more energy into the diamond. I felt the pressure it emitted intensify. There was a brief moment of confusion and then I saw the light go out in her eyes and couldn't help but wonder what she saw. I had already taken three steps toward her before something stopped me.

"Why didn't I get any kill energy?" I jumped back ten feet half expecting the queen to launch herself at me but she didn't. Just to be safe I conjured six blades. The combined attack was enough to wipe her out. The resulting surge of kill energy nearly knocked me off my feet. It was the most blissful thing I had ever experienced.

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The energy was enough to bring me about half the way to level 41. Which when you factored in how much energy I lost in the fight was amazing. "That was fucking amazing." I tossed my head back and laughed. That was the closest to death I had ever come. Hell, I was dead. If it hadn't been for that ring. I made a mental note to send Azariah a gift basket or something when I got back. I glanced over at the quest timer and saw the battle had taken less than five minutes.

I still wasn't used to how fast the fight happened. It felt like those five minutes were an eternity. I was about to collect the corpse when a box appeared at my feet. I placed it in my ring so it didn't tempt me. Between the treasure and spell, I would likely use it. Which didn't feel like a good idea beneath the earth like this. There was no guarantee that the insect queen was the only big dog down here. The last thing I needed was to get ambushed right after.

I knelt over the queen's body and I wasn't sure how I felt. I had no hate for the insect despite its appearance but it was super dangerous. If the hive had gotten stronger it could have surged up and wiped everyone out. Hell if the queen had fully evolved she probably would have killed me. Ring or not. On the other hand, she gave me a good fight. More than a good fight actually. I wasn't sure I wanted to rip her body apart and use it for weapons and food. Of course, she likely would have eaten me.

That fact put a bit of a damper on the philosophical aspect of this. I put the body in the ring and pushed the conflict to the back of my mind. Next, I searched the room for anything useful. Outside of a handful of broken guns, there wasn't much. I tried to access the town shop from here but it didn't work. I wasn't sure if that was because this place had nothing in it or if it was too far away from Amara.

I leaned toward the former since it worked on the second continent. I started my walk back to the hive and considered what to do next. There was no doubt more beasts down here I could kill but I had other options. Specifically, there was the teleportation token. Now that I was level forty a part of me wanted to see just how I compared to others in the universe.

Of course, the wisest option would be to wait until I was level fifty at which point I would need the better resources. I would need to prepare for the second realm. There was also an issue with resources. The stronger I got the more I needed. The more I took the less others would have. Romulus, Amahle, and the others wouldn't be able to reach the same heights as me. If I let that happen who would defend Earth when I left? Of course, there was no guarantee anyone would stay behind.

I presented arguments both for and against leaving until I was in my base of operations. I flexed my aura again to force any nearby beasties out of hiding. When ten minutes had passed and nothing happened I figured I was alone. I took a seat in the middle of the room and pulled out my box. Inside was a crystal and a segment of vine that looked like it was made of crystal. It looked like it had been from a larger piece and was a little foggy through the middle. The vine made my body ache with hunger. I wanted nothing more than to bite into it like a piece of hard candy but I held off.

I summoned another treasure box from my ring and placed the vine inside. The System's box disappeared once it was empty. I turned my attention to my new spell. My excitement built as I sent a bit of energy into the crystal.

[1]Inverted Dimension – Proficiency: "In the Inverted, nothing is as it seems." Upgradeable

The spell's details flooded my mind like a tidal wave and the more I understood the happier I became. First, the spell had a perfect with my channels. It was located in the slot on my right bicep was cool though I still had no idea if spell location was important. I had started to put together a hypothesis about rarity and location but there was nothing solid.

The spell had two main effects. First, it would create a different dimension that myself and anyone I wanted would be pulled into. Assuming they were within range. Once inside the dimension space would be inverted. Forward would become back and left would be right. The effect wouldn't bother me so I wouldn't need to worry about attacking the wrong target.

The effect could be considered lethal since few should be able to adapt to the changes. To further improve the spell it locked space so it was hard to break into or out of. The size of the dimension could be slightly altered. It it was shrunk it would be harder to break out of but less effective. After all, if you just hit everything then the confusing aspect wouldn't matter.

As far as rewards went it was hard to be upset with this. Especially since I could add my domain spell on top of it. A combination that should make it even harder to face off with me. Part of me wished the Queen was still alive so I could test it out. I held back though it would be better to save it just in case I got into another fight. I got into the lotus position and sunk into meditation. My psychic energy was really low and I needed the break.

I opened my eyes an hour later and made my way out of the tunnels. Once I was within range I activated my communication spell. I confirmed that everything was uneventful and less than thirty minutes later I had called Desbera and Azariah together for a meeting. I waited for them in one of the private rooms of the academy. The box with my new treasure on the table. When the pair entered and flashed them both a smile.

"Hello, ladies. I hoped that either of you would be able to help me with something." I gestured to the box. "I recently got a treasure as a quest reward and I want to make sure there isn't anything I should do with it. I assume that I should eat it."

Each of them picked up the box, opened and looked at it. "From what I can tell refining it into a pill would be the best option. I don't have a lot of experience with this item specifically. That does tend to be the case though." Desbera was the first to speak.

"I second the instructor's opinion. I don't think eating it will cause you any danger though. If you would like I could check some sources. I am not sure you have access to a proper alchemist though."

I considered it for a moment. I didn't think I needed the item's full potency. Honestly, it felt like the nub of energy was ready to explode it just needed the final catalyst. The question was whether or not it would make the final product better. It would be terrible if I settled now when I could just wait and get something greater.

"How long would that take? If I wanted to commission an alchemist through you to make the pill?"

Azariah sighed and shook her head. "I can't say for sure. It would depend on the alchemist, their guild as well as whatever payment they requested."

"Worst case scenario?"

"It could take months. This seems to be a rare treasure. They might demand more of the treasure as payment."

I ran my hand down my face and sighed. "Alright, thank you. I am going to seclude myself to consume the treasure."

The women nodded and they both left the room. I waited a few more minutes before I placed it into my ring and got up. There was no reason to waste any more time. A short jog later I was in my cultivation chamber. I sat on my mat and took several steadying breaths. I wanted to be in peak mental condition before doing this. I crushed a 1st-realm stone to improve the ambient energy a bit. I summoned the box from my ring and grinned. It was time to get this show on the road.