Road to Mastery: A LitRPG Apocalypse

Chapter 276: The Reward of Suffering

Jack awoke to the low crackling of fire. He tried to jump up straight, only for blazing pain to assault every corner of his body. His limbs refused to obey his commands. His brain spun into battle-mode.

Easy, Jack, a voice came from the side, deep yet soothing. Its all good. Youre safe.

Shol? Jack spoke through gritted teeth. Whats happening?

Youre injured. The monk came into Jacks field of vision, leaning over him and hiding the ceiling. But safe. You destroyed the people after you. With a little bit of time, your broken limbs will heal as well.

At this, Jack remembered. His battle against the eleven inner disciples, his desperate escaped from the three deacons, and his final ditch effort to survive. His memories cut off when the world turned white.

How did you find me? he asked.

I was already rushing over. News of your appearance had begun to spread, so it wasnt difficult to realize what was about to happen. His gaze darkened. But I was too late. Im sorry, Jack. If not for my tardiness, you wouldnt have had to go through this.

Jack chuckled, then grimaced in pain as his ribs scratched the inside of his skin. Its fine, he said. This was my fault and my battle.

Protecting you was my job.

I was the one who told you to go away. Dont beat yourself up.

Still Shol shook his head. Anyway. I just followed the world-ending light to find you. When I did, you were unconscious on top of a burning tree, with fifty miles of forest ahead of you wiped from the face of Hell.

Really?

Really. At this, he finally revealed a hint of mirth. I dont know what you did to those guys, or what kind of treasure you used, but you sure made a scene. Early C-Grade?

Jack nodded. Master Huali gave it to me through Okmer. A bead that could unleash the power of an early C-Gradebut only once. Im out of protective treasures, Shol. My escape talisman was wasted, and the bead is gone. All I have left is myself.

And me, Shol pointed out proudly. Since youve been discovered, free time is over. Were sticking together like ass and underwear.

Ew. Dont say it like that.

I will speak however I want. Now. As I said, youve been discovered. I havent, so we still have some time, but we should hurry up and get the hell out of here. Our hunting so far should be enough.

Leave? But Shol

Silence. No matter how desperate you are, there is a line between bravery and foolishness, and youre already past it.

Thats not what I was going to say. Jack coughed. We should obviously leave Hell. However, what about Dordok? Did you discover his location?

Shol remained silent for a moment. His small eyes hounded Jacks, blankly snooping for his intentions.

I did, he finally admitted. Hes in one of the late D-Grade hunting zones. Zone 17, to be precise.

Then, since were leaving anyway, we might as well rescue him.

You have no idea what youre talking about. Its a late D-Grade zone. Even if there were no deacons hunting us, we would need to face teams of late immortals. What makes you think we can handle them?

Youre a peak D-Grade, and stronger than most, too. I think we would win. Maybe someone would escape, but we dont care too much about that anymore.

Oh, we dont? So when the Warden catches wind of our location and sends a dozen deacons after us, you will be the one to handle them, yes?

They would need some time to arrive. Im sure we can grab Dordok and escape before that.

And where does that certainty stem from? Your big head, which is the only part of your body currently working? Or deep knowledge of our escape route, which you do not yet have? Shol shook his head with disapproval. I promised you that wed save Dordok if possible, and I intend to honor that, but I will not risk my life and the honor of our master for a stranger.

I will. Hes no stranger to me.

You infuriate me. Shol swiped his sleeves, walking away. Jack could now only see a rock ceiling. Take some time and heal up. Its weird talking to someone who cant move. In the meantime, consider our situation, and so will I.

You got it.

Jack didnt begrudge Shol. He understood. If he was in Shols shoes, he would harbor the exact same doubts. However, he also understood himself. Dordok had saved Jacks life and been very kind to him. His imprisonment was all due to Jack tricking him.

The problem is, how do I convince Shol Jack thought, attempting to shake his head and instantly regretting it. Pain still flared across his body with every movement. He could feel power trickling into him as his Dao Tree absorbed and converted the surrounding Dao, but he was so wrung out that regeneration would take hoursnot to mention that broken limbs took a hell of a lot of energy to heal.

Which meant he had time.

Finally, Jack turned to the blinking exclamation mark in the corner of his vision, willing it open. It was time to review his System notifications from the battle.

Level up! You have reached Level 165.

Level up! You have reached Level 166.

Level up! You have reached Level 179.

There were more screens, but he stopped there due to sheer surprise.

179!? Thats fifteen levels!

Jack struggled to believe that. He opened his status screen, inspecting it with eyes wide open.

Name: Jack Rust

Species: Human, Earth-387

Faction: Bare Fist Brotherhood (D)

Grade: D

Class: Cosmic Fist (King)

Level: 179

Strength: 1025 (+)

Dexterity: 975 (+)

Constitution: 995 (+)

Mental: 120 (+)

Will: 190 (+)

Free Points: 150

Dao Skills: Meteor Punch III, Iron Fist Style III, Neutron Star Body II, Brutalizing Aura II, Space Walk II

Daos: Dao Tree of the Fist, Dao Root of Indomitable Will (fused), Dao Root of Life (fused), Dao Root of Power (fused), Dao Root of Weakness (fused)

Titles: Planetary Frontrunner (10), Planetary Torchbearer (1), Ninth Ring Conqueror, Planetary Leader (1)

It was true. 179! That was almost at the middle of the D-Grade!

Jack wanted to jump and cheer but could do neither. He settled for a strained smile. Looks like the System awarded me levels for the three deacons I killed Or was it two? I didnt see the canine dying.

A flash of hatred. Jack felt the intense desire to harm that man but pushed it down for now. The time would comeif he was not dead.

He carried on with his notifications, as there was one more.

Congratulations! Iron Fist Style II Iron Fist Style III

Iron Fist Style III: You have surpassed the limitations of mortal forms of combat. Your body is infused with the Dao of the Fist. Reality bends before the Dao.

The Iron Fist Style is the spine of its user. It allows you to combine all your skills, weapons, and resources, integrating them seamlessly into one fighting style.

There wasnt any difference in the skill description. Honestly, Jack hadnt even noticed a particular difference when the skill evolved either, to the point where he couldnt pinpoint the exact moment in the fight when it happened.

Well, Ive had this skill since the start of the E-Grade. At this point, I feel like its just being dragged along by everything else. Maybe it will upgrade to a different skill soon. Not that its holding me back, but its long overdue.

There were no more notifications, but there was plenty of recovery time ahead. His free attribute points could wait; he was still following the 8-1-1 scheme, but maybe Shol would have some new advice on the subject.

Therefore, Jack decided to just relax and meditate for now. He closed his eyes, easily sinking into his soul world, a process that had now become as comfortable as breathing.

The moment he appeared in there, he was suffocating. The density of the Dao had fallen precipitously, and the Dao Tree was siphoning everything in. Copy Jack stood on the index finger, next to the tree, looking upset. He was cupping his hands and using them as an oar to try and push the Dao into the tree faster.

It was completely useless, of course.

There you are, Jack said, flying over and landing next to Copy Jack. Dont think that being adorable is going to save you. I almost died out there. We almost died. I had all my limbs broken and was beat up to within an inch of my life. I had to spend all my protective treasures. He crossed his arms, glaring at Copy Jack. What do you have to say for yourself?

Copy Jack stopped oaring. He looked down sheepishly, sneaking glances at Jack like a guilty child.

Dont just look at me, Jack said. I know you can speak.

Sorry Copy Jack finally said. His voice came oddly, like he was still getting used to it.

Dont just be sorry. Be better, Jack scolded him. You are important, Copy Jack. There is far more to you than just being a training partner. You are my friend and companion. We co-inhabit this soul. We share a Dao Tree. I know you are still very young, but you just cannot afford to play around like a child. The least I need from you is to act seriously. No more touching without knowing or any other bullshit. Do you understand me?

Copy Jack looked at the ground and nodded. Jack really tried to remain angry, but he just couldnt. His glare mellowed.

Alright. Ill hold you to your word, he said, sighing. Now, did anything else happen when you touched the Life Drop? In you, I mean. You were grabbing your heart before. Are you okay?

Copy Jack considered it for a second, then nodded. Okay he said, drawing out the word a bit.

Jack only half-believed him, but that was good enough for now. If Copy Jack had suffered internal injuries and didnt want to admit it, so be it.

Be careful, was all he said. He then walked past him to reach the tree and inspect it.

Something had clearly gone wrong before, and it wasnt only Copy Jacks fault. The Life Drop had attracted him somehow. Influenced him. And Jack intended to get to the bottom of that right now.

He laid a hand on the tree, touching it gently. The beginnings of bark were still there, forming the broken outline of a door. They were even more complete than before. When more bark formed and the door was complete, could he open it?

Or would that be too magical?

What kind of thing is a door on my Dao Tree, anyway? Jack asked himself. Is that normal? Does everyone get it? Is it because of my perfect foundation, or something to do with the Life Drop? Or is it just a big coincidence, and what I see as a door are just random patterns?

In a moment of genius, he knocked against the door, but nothing happened.

Worth a try.

Since there seemed to be no answers there, he turned his attention to the Life Drop buried just under the tree. He bent down and stared at it intently.

No alien influence tried to take over his mind. There was no odd draw or engrossment. For all intents and purposes, it was just glowing dirt, hiding inside it an ocean of untapped life energy.

Why did you seduce my buddy? Jack mumbled at the drop, almost touching his face to the soil to inspect it better. The Life Drop did not respond.

He tried to slip his perception inside it and succeeded without difficulty. The veil was parted, he snuck in, and came face-to-face with the unlimited ocean of energy that had always been there. He tried to dive deeper; instantly, all sense of direction was lost, and he was swimming in an infinite pool. There was no resistance, but also no sense of progress.

Furthermore, the deeper he pushed with his perceptionor, at least, in the direction which felt deeperthe fainter his connection to it became. Once he pushed too far, his sliver of perception disappeared, hidden behind a dense ocean of life. Jack was once again left at the shores, capable of nothing but watching the Life Drop.

Maybe if I find a safe place, I can try to exhaust its energy, he considered before immediately realizing that was too much of a scorched-earth idea. Is there really something down there? Or is it just life energy to the core? Could it be that Copy Jack was just fascinated by the Life Drop because hes a child?

Frustrated, Jack shook his head. He had questions, but no way to get answers. At the very least, he resolved to ask Shol about the strange bark patterns later.

He stood and turned to Copy Jack.

I will go meditate now, he said. If you feel the Life Drop attempting to influence your mind again, let me know immediately. Somehow. And no matter what happens Please, try not to mess up again. I cannot survive another hunt like the previous one.

Copy Jack nodded sheepishly, and Jack, after throwing the Life Drop a last, warning glance, left the soul world. He opened his eyes briefly in reality to find out his limbs were nowhere close to healing, then closed them again and sank deep into meditation.

The battle and hunt before had been hellish, but struggle was the breeding ground of insight. He had a lot of things to consider. Dao things.

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