Skill [Quarterstaff(Novice)] improved to [Quarterstaff(Intermediate)] from extended practice of superior ability [Quarterstaff(Expert)].

Cheating really is the accurate term for it. Vivian thought to herself as she read the notification while heading to the sleeping area with everyone.

Say, Sasha, how's your progress looking?

As you know, I have restored partial functions. Data integrity was sorely compromised. I prioritized for recovery efficiency. 90% of data stores were purged for 25% stability and usability recovery. Remaining data stores contain functionality data. Due to downsizing, Next milestone, 50% stability, expected in two years.

That's pretty drastic... I hope you didn't purge anything useful.

My definition of 'useful' has narrowed from interaction with you. Animal courting and mating habits, for example, have been purged with priority. Other data found similarly useless has likewise been purged.

Vivian breathed a sigh of relief. I am grateful for that. Now if I could just forget...

I have such functionality, however it will require a deeper connection integration which is now available. Shall I begin the process?

Vivian suddenly stopped in her steps startling those around her. That causes me some worry. While I would like to forget, I don't like the idea you can just erase my memories. And from the way I received the map, I'm well aware you can act on your own without me asking for things.

Compromise. I will terminate this functionality after removing only this specific information.

Sasha... you've done right by me so far, so I have no reason to doubt. And yet I do. Everything you've done has been beneficial to me, and you've gotten nothing in return.

Incorrect. Our co-existence has been mutually beneficial. Taking the map as an example, it is much more usable now than when I first gave it to you. You've taught me I have a lot to learn. Tampering with you, as you worry about, goes against my own benefit.

We'll continue this discussion tomorrow. I'm physically and mentally exhausted right now. Vivian resumed walking.

"Mother?" Jaden asked tentatively.

"I just have a lot on my mind still," she replied with a sigh, "and more just keeps piling up."

Jaden gave her a worried look. She ruffled his short black hair playfully with a smile. "I'll be all right."

Seriously... he makes me feel like I'm the child at times.

They all slept soundly that night... and then the morning sun rose.

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Vivian.

Good morning Sasha. Well, at least you and my son don't call me matriarch. Before we get into it, let me get dressed hm?

"Vivian!" Isa shouted as she flew into the room from an open window.

"What happened?!" Vivian felt the urgency in her tone.

"There's people flooding the streets! They're searching the city!" Isa relayed the situation.

"Where's Jaden?" her motherly instinct activated first, "And the others?"

"Safe, for now." Isa replied, "But there's close to one hundred people in the city, and more in the forest waiting in ambush."

Vivian sighed heavily when she observed all the red stars on the map, she ran out into the street in her undergarments, "Anya, I need my staff please. Sorry Sasha, we'll have to talk later."

"Curse the gods. Every. Last. One." Vivian said to herself as she ran. Anya picked her up using vines, and dropped her into her pants, she hit the ground running. Her shirt appeared on a vine in front of her, she deftly grabbed it and pulled it over her head. A little further ahead, her quarterstaff was waiting for her.

"Thanks Anya." Vivian said as she grabbed the staff, "Isa, protect my clan."

"With my life." Isa was about to fly off when Vivian grabbed her by the talon. "Vivian?"

"Don't you die on me in the process." Vivian's eyes were deadpan.

Isa nodded silently and flew off when Vivian released her.

Vivian took a deep breath. Clearing her mind, she observed only the map. "Sasha, I need a new map feature."

What can I do for you?

Did I just sense excitement from her? Vivian asked herself, "I'm sorely outnumbered here and I have no combat experience. I need you to mark a path on my map so I can efficiently deal with these people, lead me to the less experienced ones first so I can get a feel for my ability."

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Changing stars to grey scale gradient... Calculating...

"They're all white?" Vivian asked as she watched the map. The entire thing turned blue, and it quickly receded into a single line indicating the path she should take. "Sasha, recalculate their colors based on their stats and weapon skill... that can make an impact between stat disparity."

There is no change.

Vivian raised her left eyebrow inquisitively, but she didn't have time to ponder. She took off running, following her map for the most efficient way to deal with this situation.

WOOSH....THWACK!

Vivian swung her quarterstaff cutting the air. A bone crushing thud echoed followed by a body crashing into a building several meters away. Vivian stared wide eyed in shock as she saw the devastation of her single swing.

She moved on following her map, running through the streets, the fall of her first victim had alerted all the hostile forces, they drew their weapons. They wielded a variety including axes, bows, a myriad of spears, swords, and daggers, and a few had quarterstaves as well. The stars on Vivian's map started to show some color.

Recalculating route...

"Leave it." Vivian had grown more confident in her own ability. She proceeded on her course, her opponents put up a futile resistance against her onslaught.  Raw willpower was coursing through her arteries, and her desire to protect her son was rampaging in her muscles. Her strength, dexterity and agility were all temporarily heightened as a result.

Sounds of weapons hitting petrified wood echoed briefly, followed by the sound of metal snapping and wood breaking.  Shortly after that a bone-crushing blow, and a body crashing into something before silence returned.  She recognized some of these people, though she had only seen them once and very briefly at that.

"Grandfather..." her white eyes were filled with sadness. She howled to the sky as rage filled her mind, issuing a challenge to the invaders. She ran hard and fast through the city streets. She spotted a mercenary in front of her. She let loose an extra burst of speed, kicking up chunks of stones as her feet dug into the road. She leaped into the air, performed a somersault and brought her staff down. The man put his sword up overhead to defend and braced the blade with his free hand. The force of the blow pushed the man's legs deep into the road; when he stopped sinking he was buried to his waist, his sword snapped, and her quarterstaff bashed him square on his head, pushing his body deeper into the ground from the second impact.  His head just barely remained above ground.

Is that adding insult to injury or adding injury to insult?  Vivian mused until her thoughts were interrupted.

Projectiles incoming.

Vivian spun her quarterstaff around herself, filling the air with wooshing sounds and clanks as she deflected multiple arrows coming at her body.  One arrow managed to graze her hand, the pain interrupting her movement long enough for an arrow to pass through her defensive stance and nick her in the right side.  She ignored the pain as best she could as her body healed.

"Thank you Anya." Vivian spared no time and broke into a run as she coordinated spinning her quarterstaff around her body, deflecting additional arrows approaching from in front of her.

New Skill developed: [Combat Dance].

Integrating skill Quarterstaff(Intermediate).

New Skill derived: [Rising Flower] increases mobility, attack and ranged defense when wielding a quarterstaff in combat.  Added benefit, it's hypnotizing to watch.

Multiple men and women appeared on the street she was on as the arrows flying through the air were a dead giveaway to her location.  She sped up her quarterstaff and increased her running speed together, taking advantage of the passive bonus of her new skill.  She closed the distance to the archers in front of her.  As she neared the melee attackers, she fluidly thrust her quarterstaff out at them and without missing a beat returned to her defensive staff spin.

"Anya, the buildings are in the way." Vivian uttered calmly.  She caught the leaves rustling and replied, "You don't mind?  ...  Yeah, that's fine.  I'm not too attached to the ancient buildings."

The ground groaned loudly as all the buildings around Vivian crumbled and sank into the dirt.  With all the buildings out of the way, Vivian had a clear line of sight to all her opponents in the city.  On the other hand, they were taken aback by the fact that half their own number were missing and there was a single grey skinned woman standing against them.  They had sorely underestimated her.

She picked up her right foot slowly and when she put it down, she vanished from the spot.  She didn't disappear, but those that blinked missed seeing her take off running.  She stopped inside the group of archers.  Holding her quarterstaff straight up and down, she twirled like a ballerina.  When she had enough centrifugal force, she grasped the end of the staff and swung out.  The group was heavily injured and sent flying from the impact of the baseball swing.

She followed through with the swing making an extra spin with her body, she brought the far end of the stick up in the air, the momentum pulled her up into the air with it.  She lightly somersaulted and landed on her feet.  She spun her quarterstaff skillfully and stopped it, sliding her hand along it as she adjusted her stance, taking a ready position.

She slowly looked over the city, taking in all the mercenaries still standing.  She extended her arm, turned her hand palm up and beckoned them all to attack her.

To their credit, the men and women looked amongst eachother in indecision rather than just charging at her.  While they were wavering about whether to attack her or not, a shrill whistle sounded behind Vivian.

She turned to face this awful sound, forgetting about the scrubs remaining in the city.  There was a single figure approaching her.

"It seems you've grown some claws little girl and it falls to me to clip them off."  Vivian recognized that voice instantly.

"You're welcome to try." Vivian replied coldly as she quickly twirled her quarterstaff.

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Inside the church, Isa had long ago rounded up the seven clansmen.  They were all overlooking a black ball that Isa had created with her mana.  She was currently fueling a spell that was showing Vivian and her surroundings.

"Mother..." Jaden's hands were pale from how tightly he was clutching them closed.

"The Matriarch is incredible." Daryl stated.

"..." Bayne, Molli, Lulu, Evan and Emily were staring at her image in awed silence.

Isa was expressionless as she watched Vivian dealing with the rabble in the city.  She frowned in silence when the lone figure approached Vivian.  Don't take that one lightly.