He had almost forgotten what it felt like to be without pain. It felt… interesting.

Am I a masochist? … No, there’s no chance.

“Good job, everyone,” Kade offered when nobody vacated the room. They stared at him as if he owed them something.

Celine cleared her throat. “They’re waiting for their payment.”

Kade narrowed his eyes. He would get heartburn if they dared to ask a few hundred for each individual. It was his promise, but he assumed he would only pay one person. “How much?”

“Could you give us some privacy?” Celine took the lead and addressed her fellow [Healers].

Kade watched with interest as they filed out of the room. Celine spoke as soon as the door shut.

“So, here’s what I think is fair. Two hundred points for me and two hundred points split between the five of them.”

His lips twitched as he immediately recognized the tactic. It was likely that Celine spoke of a different split to the others and wanted to hide her true cut. He would let it slide. After all, she worked tirelessly the entire night to get him right.

Kade was about to agree when he realized he didn’t know how to transfer points. The interface conveniently solved his issue.

Confirm that you wish to transfer 400 points to Celine Harper.

“Yes, transfer it,” Kade’s words startled Celine before she stared at the air in front of her.

This was the first time he had seen others use their interface. It was… strange. It looked like Celine had zoned out, even though he knew she was interacting with her interface.

If not for how drastically the world had changed, Kade would’ve thought she had something wrong with her head. Instead, he readily accepted that the interface was a rather personal matter and was only available to the individual who used it.

It made Kade happy that was the case. He wouldn’t like it if everyone around him could see the information on his interface.

Celine Harper has accepted the transfer.

Total Ranking Points: 9,798

“I appreciate it, Kade,” Celine beamed. “This put me at number two on the Chicago rankings!”

Kade raised an eyebrow and searched for her name on the list.

2. Celine Harper (Healer) – 413 points (+400)

“So, you are. Congratulations,” Kade offered with a smile. He questioned his assumption of her taking a larger cut since the ranking was public. The other [Healers] could precisely see her payment. The list conveniently included the last change to the side of the points.

Kade put it aside, since he didn’t care. After he paid her, whatever happened next was her business, not his.

However, he quickly realized that this was how most healers would get on the rankings. Their services would be in demand, especially when no potions were available.

“Remember me in the future. I’m your girl when you break every bone in your body,” Celine chuckled at her joke before leaving the room.

Kade could’ve done without her making light of his near-death predicament, but he intended to use her again if needed. He could deal with jokes at his expense if the person was competent.

He recalled that Celine’s ranking wasn’t the only one that would’ve changed. With Eliza’s drastic increase in strength, hers should also have increased. He searched for her on the North American list.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Kade didn’t have to look far from the top.

North American Rankings:

1. Anita Shah (Scholar) – 12,290 points

2. Kade Beckett (Warrior) – 9,798 points (-400)

3. Eliza Brooks (Mage) – 6,391 points (+4,004)

He tapped his fingers on the bed as he considered what she might have done to get that many points.

Kade quickly concluded that he was thinking about it all wrong. He spam-cleared Class F Rift Zones to dominate the rankings.

Each monster or life form there would be worth one point.

For someone at [Arcana Level 10], killing that many monsters would be a massive challenge. It would be the easiest thing in the world for someone at Eliza’s, or his, current [Arcana Level].

I must be missing something.

“Where are the nearest Class F Rift Zones?”

The interface displayed multiple arrows pointing in several directions, most of which were only a few miles away.

Just when he thought he found a gaping loophole, the system immediately shut it in his face.

Your high [Arcana Level] prevents you from entering a Class F Rift Zone.

Kade should’ve expected that, but he didn’t. It should have been obvious since the system’s goal was to increase the combat potential of all humans. It wouldn’t make much sense if the strongest systematically cleared all the weakest Rift Zones, leaving a majority of the population without the path to get stronger.

“Show me the Arcana Level limits for every class of Rift Zone.”

Maximum Arcana Level permitted for Rift Zone entry:

Class F: Arcana Level 10

Class E: Arcana Level 30

Class D: Arcana Level 50

Class C: Arcana Level 70

Class B: Arcana Level 90

Class A: Arcana Level 150

Kade knew he should concentrate on the fact that he could no longer enter a Class E Rift Zone, but his eyes kept drifting towards Class A.

“Why is there such a large discrepancy from B to A?”

Class A Rift Zones encompass a wide range of options. However, the [Arcana Level] limit on them goes beyond such a reason. This is where we consider you to be prepared to travel off-world to deal with greater threats.

Kade frowned at the implication. “Does that mean you will force me off Earth after I become too strong for any of the Rift Zones here?”

You will never be forced. The rewards offered will encourage you.

He wasn’t against that. Still, this would be a worry in the far, far future.

Kade left the hotel room to find Eliza. He needed to inform her they had to go to a Class D Rift Zone.

***

“That easily?” Kade asked with surprise.

“Of course,” Eliza had her signature soft smile on her lips. “If you are to be my fearless leader, I can’t be questioning your very first decision, can I?”

He stared at her for a moment before clearing his throat. He addressed the interface. “Show me the nearest Class D Rift Zone.”

Kade frowned when he saw how far away it was.

“Is there an issue?” Eliza asked when she saw his look.

“It’s well over a hundred miles that way,” Kade pointed out of the safe zone in a vague direction.

“Oh, fun!” Eliza beamed. “Wait here for a moment. I know how to make the trip faster.”

He shook her head when she ran in her group’s direction. He let her do as she wished and looked around to find Finn.

Kade quickly found him and approached. Finn saw that and gained a nervous look.

The moment he was within earshot, Finn said, “I hope you don’t mind what I did last night. I should’ve asked before using your name, but it was an impulse decision.”

He had almost forgotten about that until now. He shook his annoyance away. “It worked out fine this time, but don’t repeat it.”

Finn nodded rapidly, which was enough for Kade.

“I’ll be gone for a few days. I have a few friends who are still missing. Matt knows what they look like, so if anybody comes here claiming that they are my friend, give Matt the final say on everything.”

Finn showed a twinge of annoyance that was quickly crushed before worry set in. “Of course, I’ll keep Matt close by… I saw you were talking with Eliza Brooks. Are you taking her too? It would leave us a little vulnerable here if you are.”

“What did I say before?” Kade asked with narrowed eyes.

“Right… right. We will need to depend on our own strengths.” Finn wasn’t happy about it, but he firmed himself. “It should be fine. Matt and the group that left to clear some Rift Zones should return soon.”

Kade was about to congratulate him for remembering when he heard a familiar bell ring behind him. He slowly turned and saw Eliza on her retro-style bike, wearing a brilliant smile that was pointed his way.

Kade wasn’t looking at Eliza for once. He was staring at the second retro-style bike that was right beside hers. He had no idea how she found another.

“Well? Let’s go, Kade!”

His fingers twitched in irritation before he admitted to himself that this would be a far better way to travel a hundred miles rather than just running there.

Kade sighed before getting on the bike Eliza had got for him. He didn’t make eye contact with anyone as they left the safe zone.