CHAPTER 69: Appointment Titles

Brittney was gasping for breath as Adam stood there holding her. She would never admit it outwardly because girls don’t sweat, but she was sweating like a hog. Instead of saying anything, she just leaned into his, as frustrated as this made her, non-sweaty chest. It hadn’t even required full effort from him.

“Wow!” someone shouted, breaking the silence. People began cheering and applauding. Then everyone was talking at once.

“That was amazing!”

“What are their levels?”

“Can we get that fast and strong?”

“Were they fighting or flirting?”

“Probably both!”

“Shield Maiden, you’re amazing!”

“Don’t man, she’s one of The General’s Wives.”

Brent and Peter laughed as they pushed back into the open area.

“Wow, bro! Too cool!” Peter yelled as he slapped Adam on the back. Brent nodded vehemently. “My sis really found a good one. You’re definitely hooking us up with levels now. We’re practically family.”

Adam could feel Brittney’s exhilaration from the fight and satisfaction with it, even while twinged with a bit of frustration for not being stronger. He looked down at her with a smile. The fierce girl was now snuggled against him like a kitten ready to purr.

“What now?” he asked. She gave him a coy smile then grabbed his head and kissed him more forcefully than ever before.

***

Adam floated pleasantly in his pool on the outside deck of his penthouse. He could dimly hear the noises of the rift base far below. Today had been the most relaxing day he’d had since the [System] arrived. He was able to explore the changes to the base, help a bunch of his people, and have fun with Brittney.

Brittney broke the surface of the water next to him. After their spar, he had carried the shield, and her, back to the penthouse for a little bit more one on one exercise. Then after washing up, they decided to enjoy the pool. It hadn’t gotten much use so far.

Brittany was wearing a two-piece bathing suit, and he couldn’t help but admire her abs. With how frumpy she used to dress he never would have imagined how muscular she was. The [System] and its levels had only helped in that way. Having met her brothers, he could understand why she had such a strong base too.

“Hey now, Brittney! This isn’t what we left you here for. We thought he was depressed. And don’t think we didn’t notice what you guys have been up to, with those types of feelings coming through the connection.”

Andrea entered the room boisterously with Alissa. Brittney blushed at the comments but swam closer to Adam.

Alissa declared without an ounce of subtlety, “I’d have totally banged his brains out if I had been left behind. Gotta get started on our kids. Who knows how busy he’ll be once the invaders are unleashed.”

Andrea facepalmed. “Why are you so hung up on kids?”

“As if you could find a better family to have some with. His mom and dad are so damn nice, and he has a cute little sister that’ll make a doting aunt. Adam will slaughter all our enemies. What more could I want in a father? I want kids before the world ends!”

“Well, most of that is true,” agreed Andrea. “But I’d rather spend time with you guys and darling before having to worry about rugrats. Other than the world being invaded…and humanity possibly wiped out…oh and spending everyday hunting and leveling…we’re living it up right now.”

Adam shook his head at the absurdity of this conversation, but he felt the burst of excitement from Alissa when she talked about kids. She was genuine about it. He was more than intimidated by that.

“Darling, we’ll be using your shower,” said Andrea.

“Why not just skinny dip?” asked Alissa, looking around.

“The other boys will be back up once they get clean at their places. I left the door unlocked for them. Let’s go shower and then wear bathing suits.”

“Bah, no fun,” said Alissa.

Adam watched them go. He couldn’t hear what they said, but it caused Alissa to slap Andrea’s butt and cackle. Andrea shoved her back.

Then gentle hands reached up from behind Adam’s neck, caressed his chest for a moment, then yanked him under the water. Brittney looked at him from under the water with a playful smile.

Sinking to the bottom of the pool and smiling back at Brittney, Adam wondered if maybe Vitality would be his most important stat.

***

“Then when the [Warriors] were trying to pick it up, I just lifted half of it and they all fell down! And that was before the Bison showed up!” Tom ended his story with a flourish. Randall, Lamar, and Joseph were laughing hard, while Lucas was nodding approvingly with his arms cross.

“I know, it’s like no one has picked up several thousand pounds before,” quipped Carlos.

“Pretty much only Adam has,” responded Nick, “though I’m sure we’ll get there sooner or later.”

Adam was listening to them talk about their expeditions. Two each had led three different groups during the last few days while Adam had meetings, the raid, and then a rest day. Tomorrow, they had a different event planned, and then the day after was the [System] stated invasion date.

“I see most of you gained two levels. Are the beasts getting stronger?” Adam asked.

“I would say they are all below level 10, using our levels as an example. A group of level 2s and 3s could beat one or two of them at a time if they worked together. If they grow much higher it’ll be good for us higher levels, but bad for everyone else,” explained Nick.

“Bro, you gotta let us in on that action. We need levels,” said Peter. Brent and Peter had somehow invited themselves into Adam’s penthouse, finding the door open. Oddly, they weren’t the only ones. Elouise was sitting with Abbey, Andrea, Alissa, and Brittney on the furthest sofa away. Laughing and smiling came from that group too, though not as boisterously as when the guys told stories about their expeditions.

“Don’t worry, guys. After Sunday the XP will come faster with the invasions than with these hunting groups,” said Randall, enjoying the beer that Brent had brought. “I think we hit level 5 the second time we fought goblins.”

“Yeah, but we did have to kill thousands of them,” reminded Lamar. Randall just shrugged.

“I’m just saying that it’ll come faster soon.”

“Sweet. Can’t wait,” said Brent, flexing his arms.

“How did the groups do with leveling?” Adam asked to shift the conversation back.

Lucas then chimed in, “Most level 0s got to 4 if they came all three days. One session would get a 0 to 2. People who started higher, like the police who had leveled with us before, found it too slow. They started their own groups with fewer people to hunt other areas. That gave us more spots for 0s to get some experience and allowed those splitting off to get experience away from us protecting them.”

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“Yup, yup. There are some promising people out there, and some it’ll be a miracle if they stay alive,” said Tom. “The younger ones acted like it was a game and were too aggressive, getting surprised when they got hurt. The older ones were too cautious, not striking when they had the chance. The supports were the worst though. They practically refused to get hits in, even though we explained that XP only comes from killing as far as we currently know.”

“At least it’s a start,” said Adam. “The military are concerning me a bit. I had to explain to Jordan not to give away too much control of the rift to them. We’ve limited them to monitoring communication channels. We caught several soldiers and agents sneaking around, although I don’t know why since we don’t have any secrets. They also seem to not understand that we can watch everything that has ever happened in the rift.”

“Sounds funny. What did they say when caught?” asked Carlos.

“They denied it, even as I showed them a video of them doing it.”

“You just let them get away with it?” asked Joseph.

“Of course not. It’s not as if they were only stealing clothes and bedding from the supplies,” Adam said pointedly. Both Randall and Joseph choked on their beers, then looked embarrassed. “No, I disabled their legs, took everything they had on them, then put them into the prison cells. Then I calmly explained that the rift doesn’t have lawyers and judges. They stayed there until Colonel Davian brought a healer and took them to the barracks.”

“Oh, is that all you did?” asked Carlos sarcastically. “You’re going to become quite the tyrant, Adam.”

“If that’s what it takes to protec…” Suddenly Adam stopped talking. He sat up straighter and frowned at the window in front of him. The mood shifted as his group became tense, except for Peter and Brent who looked at the change and then drank from their beers.

Enough of your population have recognized the appointment you made to your Sovereign Retinue. The Loyalty tab in your status is now available. Both the Sovereign and his Retinue have the ability to know the direction and distance of the other.

The girls had also become silent. Brittney was staring at her menu, though with a smile as she continued to read stuff.

“What happened?” asked Lucas.

Adam made his message appear to others and turned it so they could read it.

“What’s on your loyalty tab?” asked Nick.

“So far only Brittney. She has a rating of 89.”

“Out of?” asked Tom.

“100.”

“What?! That’s it?! I have more loyalty than that. Damnit, put me on the tab,” he ranted. Everyone stared at him.

“I think we need to see why she is on the tab to begin with. I’m not questioning your loyalty, Tom,” Adam said trying to sooth him. “Or Brittney’s.”

After a few minutes the girls and Elouise came over. Brittney was all smiles.

“What did you get?” asked Adam as the guys shifted the sofas so everyone could sit in a more circular position.

“It seems this afternoon wasn’t all fun and games when you were joking around about me being a Shield Maiden,” Brittney said as a window appeared in front of her. She turned it so they could see.

A sovereign of power has appointed you to a position in their Retinue. Both allies and enemies have acknowledged this position, giving you a unique title. Being a part of a ruler’s retinue gives you the ability to always know their direction and distance, should you be needed to serve them.

You have received the new Appointment Title of Shield Maiden.

Shield Maiden

None in your sovereignty are as capable of protecting others as you. Your sovereign has given you the responsibility for the defense of both their personal wellbeing as well as that of their people. This title boosts your Vitality by 14% and will allow you to select a related class during your next evolution.

This appointment title can be removed by the sovereign you serve and will automatically be removed upon their death.

“Now look at her tag,” crowed Andrea.

Adam looked over her head. Tags were over everyone, so he hadn’t even bothered checking it, but there it was. “Protector [23], Shield Maiden.”

“Wow,” said Joseph.

“That’s our girl!” said Alissa, giving her a quick hug. “Now I want one.”

“Huh, that’s weird,” Carlos mumbled.

“What’s weird? That I want one?” asked Alissa.

“No, I used [Understand] on her, and it gave more information than before.”

“What kind of information?” asked Andrea.

“Like her race, the appointment title and responsibility, faction, split of levels between class and body…” Carlos started.

“Faction? What faction? Are we all in the faction?” asked Tom.

“Um, no. Only the girls are in a faction,” Carlos said quietly, shrinking away.

“Why are you backing up?” asked Andrea. “Seems suspicious.”

“No, I’m not. No backing up here,” Carlos continued to shrink.

“Caaaarlooos,” hummed Alissa, closing in on him.

“Uh, Mrs. Gervin’s faction is the US army.”

“And the rest of us?”

“Does it really matter?” he squeaked.

“Carlos! Tell the ladies!” snapped Tom.

Carlos kept his eyes away from Adam. “Um, The General’s Wives.”

“Woo!” Alissa yelled jumping to her feet.

“As it should be,” Andrea said while Abbey nodded with a bright smile.

“Then according to the [System] we’re already married?” asked Brittney, confused but happy.

“BRO!!” Brent and Peter yelled jumping up and slapping him on the back. “Congratulations! Take good care of sis.”

Elouise was laughing uproariously while Adam facepalmed. “Ah, to be young again. Does the [System] have a skill for that, I wonder?”

Ed was furiously editing video using the Rift Menu.

“What is the [System] even doing getting involved with my relationships?” Adam asked, legitimately concerned.

All the merriment was interrupted when Tom threw himself on his knees in front of Adam, clutching his shirt.

“Boss! You gotta give me one.”

“One what?” asked a startled Adam.

“An appointment. I want a title and a class. Maybe you can get us some girls too and we’ll form a faction called ‘The General’s Wingmen.’ No that’s stupid. The appointment title. I just need an appointment!”

“Um ok,” said Adam. “I can try. I’m not sure what it takes though.”

“The message said Brittney was recognized by ‘allies and enemies’,” said Lucas.

“The enemies part sounds concerning,” Nick voiced.

Ed was searching the internet through the Rift Menu and started talking, “It looks like there are hundreds of video or pictures posted from your fight in the training ground. Most that I see have a title with Shield Maiden in it. Jordan also posted a full video from the Rift’s recording on our website. Super high quality. It’s titled ‘A Shield Maiden is born.’ I bet that’s how it got acknowledged.”

“Then we need nicknames!” Tom exploded upwards. “We need cool nicknames and to post them all over our website and the news.”

“How about me, darling?” Andrea asked while batting her eyes.

“I proclaim you to be the Lightning Queen,” Adam said haughtily.

“And me?” asked Abbey a bit more meekly.

“Easy. I proclaim you to be my Healing Angel.”

“Aww…” swooned all the girls.

“What about me?” asked Tom, pointing to himself. Alissa then shoved him to the side.

“What about me?” she asked.

“What do you want to do, Alissa?” Adam asked.

“Have your kids.”

“I’m not proclaiming you a title based on that. What about combat wise?”

“You could name her something with Mother in it,” suggested Brandon. “Like Humanity’s Mother or Army’s Mother.”

Adam looked from Brandon to the beaming Alissa and nodded.

“Not a chance,” he said.

“Then something about smiting enemies,” said Alissa reluctantly.

“Fine. You’re my Avenging Angel, to make sure justice befalls our enemies.”

“I can live with that,” she nodded and stepped back.

“My turn now that your wives are done,” insisted Tom.

“Do we all get one?” asked Lucas.

“I don’t see a limit on it. We don’t even know if it’ll work. You’re my Battlemaster. Nick is the Unseen Death. Lamar is the Huntsman. Carlos is…The Stalker,” Adam said.

“Dude!” Carlos whined.

“Have you backed off my sister?”

“…”

“Fine, since your build is about information you can be the Intrigue Muster.”

“My turn, my turn,” demanded Tom, bouncing up and down. Brent and Peter, clearly tipsy, were jumping along with him.

“What about me?” asked Randall.

“You’re Blitz Spear. Joseph is my Executioner.”

“Me, me, me!” Shouted Tom.

“Ah, I missed Elias,” Adam said while grabbing his head in concern. “Elias is the Earth Warden, to guard our planet. Ed will be The Archivist.”

“You’re doing this on purpose!” Tom collapsed.

“Brandon will be the Augment Fulcrum.”

Tom was on his hands and knees by then practically in tears. Everyone was looking at him as he pounded the ground with a fist. After a full minute of silence, he got back on his knees, staring up at Adam with sparkling eyes and hands held as if in prayer.

“And me?” he whispered.

“I proclaim you my Illusionary Loyalist,” Adam said with his hand resting on Tom’s shoulder. Tears came down his cheeks while he whooped.

“Alright, we all need to change our nicknames on the website,” said Tom once he came back down. “Make sure you all get your loyalty rating high like mine will be. Then I’ll send out press releases, make some public appearances. Shake hands, kiss babies…”

“I don’t want to spoil this,” said Elouise, “but did no one notice the messages suggesting Adam was a ruler?”

Everyone looked at her like she was dumb. Only Tom voiced it. “Well duh. He is The Boss!”