The Spirit Golem rose in ranks incredibly fast.

  Those first levels came a lot faster than the ones after. Xavier was now convinced that both the dragon and the Spirit Golem had actually gotten some sort of boost to the number of Mastery Points they received for their first kill, but he also had no idea how many points each of them required for their levels. It certainly seemed different to the number of points he’d needed.

  Xavier got into a rhythm as he killed one Great Shell after another. As he wished to remain within the time dilation field for as long as possible, he wasn’t able to use Willpower Infusion on the other Great Shells he encountered.

  That didn’t stop him, however. He utilised other spells, one-hitting the D Grade beasts as he encountered them, until all those spells were spent. Then he simply slashed them down, using Body Cultivation to empower his strikes and ensuring the Spirit Golem was safely out of danger behind him. He longed to face one of those hordes of Rhinoceros Monkeys again—a heavily soul infused Soul Strike slammed down on those would deliver plenty of Mastery Points to the Spirit Golem.

  But, with Time Alteration, this took roughly the same amount of time to accomplish in real time.

  The problem was, he soon ran out of Great Shells. He didn’t know how many thousands of them he’d taken down in that time. The levels had really slowed down once the Spirit Golem had reached E Grade, to the point where he wondered if the System was interfering somehow, or if it was simply that hard.

  He couldn’t complain, however. He knew that it usually took many years for most Denizens to make this kind of progress, and here he was practically cheating the System for the Spirit Golem.

  When the entirety of the hunting grounds was exhausted by D Grade beasts, the Spirit Golem had reached Level 154. Xavier, feeling proud of himself, summoned a chair from his inventory and a mug of coffee. He took a seat and dropped his time dilation field. He wondered if anyone else in the Greater Universe had been able to bring a Spirit Golem from Level 1 to Level 154 as swiftly as he had, with mere seconds passing in his local universe’s time.

  There may be Denizens out there who’ve done it faster. An A Grade Denizen could simply kill A Grade beasts and funnel all of those Mastery Points to a Spirit Golem…

  He didn’t gain any titles for his powerlevelling shenanigans.

  One thing he found was that the Spirit Golem levelled up far faster than his soul bound weapon, Lost Bone of a Dead God, had. That was likely due to the fact that Xavier was able to easily take on stronger enemies now, and kill them much faster, than he had when he’d first received that weapon.

  The Spirit Golem came to stand near Xavier and crossed its arms. Xavier had expected it to grow in size with its level, but it still looked exactly as it had before.

  “I still can’t believe you wiped out all the D Grades in the area… I wonder what whoever owns these hunting grounds will think when they discover that,” Rhaalir said.

  “I’m sure they’ll just import more Great Shells in from the planet,” Xavier said, gesturing with his coffee mug up at the planet that loomed large in the late afternoon in the sky. “Would you like a seat? I can provide you one from my inventory.”

  Rhaalir shook the Spirit Golem’s head. “Happy to stand. And happy to get in on the action. I have five spell slots open now. They’re coming far less frequently than they used to, but it’s opening up my options.”

  Xavier sipped from his mug. He didn’t need the Spirit Golem to fight, but he was glad Rhaalir was eager. He supposed it must have felt a little disappointing to have a body once more after all this time then not be able to actually fight with it, as Xavier had been doing all the work. “You’ll be fighting again soon enough.”

  Every little while they would pause and go over the golem’s attributes. They changed with each level, and Rhaalir said that he was able to adjust them.

  The Spirit Golem received a base number of points in each of its different attributes each level, and—just like a normal Denizen—it had free points available, too. But these free points weren’t the same as a Denizen might get. They were spirit-specific.

  He remembered when Rhaalir had told him about it.

  “If you summon a different spirit into the body of the Spirit Golem, all of the attribute points I allocated will be returned to the pool and they can redistribute them again based on what they’re able to do! It’s remarkable!”

  Xavier had frowned. “Will you need to reallocate them when you return?”

  “No. Doesn’t work like that. It knows my user settings. Remarkable. This is more amazing than I expected!”

  There was a downside, or, at least, something to take under consideration—the Spirit Golem couldn’t gain titles. It couldn’t wear armour or equip weapons. The only way to upgrade it was through the use of Mastery Points—nothing else. Which meant it wasn’t ever going to be uniquely strong for its particular grade and level.

  Its power was all in the different kinds of spells that it could wield.

  That didn’t stop the Spirit Golem from being incredibly useful, however. Xavier could most definitely see how useful it would be to have this thing in his party permanently.

  He’d been wondering about what kind of spirits he should summon to it in the future. Rhaalir was a powerful spirit, with many spells to credit him, but Xavier knew the best part of the Spirit Golem would be its flexibility.

  He tilted his head to the side, imagining having a healer or a tank spirit inside of the golem. Then his eyes widened at the idea of having the Spirit of Time’s spirit inside the golem. Would she be able to perform the spell that allowed him to view the different unfoldings?

  If I were able to use that more often…

  Though he didn’t know how cooldowns worked for the Spirit Golem, he imagined they must be similar. He wondered if there were any loopholes there. It would be interesting to discover them in the future. For instance, could he summon a spirit into the Spirit Golem, release that spirit, then summon it back and have its spell’s cooldowns rejuvenated? Or could he summon a spirit with a spell, then summon another spirit with the same spell straight after?

  The possibilities started to run through his mind.

  The Spirit Golem would definitely be a useful tool, and he knew it was in his best interest to get it into fighting shape as soon as he could. Though that was already becoming a lot more difficult. He knew how hard it was for him to gain a single level, now that he was D Grade, and it made him forget how hard gaining levels back when he was E Grade had been. They hadn’t taken him as long as they did now, but they’d certainly taken time—or, at least, a hell of a lot of grinding.

  He needed to find more D Grade enemies to kill. Then, he needed to move onto C Grades.

  Xavier wanted to get as much as he could out of the freedom of movement around his sector he now seemed to have.

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  He sipped at his coffee and took the Reader from out of his inventory that had access to the subscription of He Who Fights with Beasts and started reading the next volume.

  He’d make the best of his time, but he’d still take moments of respite here and there.

  He could manage that.

  The Reader in his hand was something that he’d picked up from the System Shop. It looked remarkably like an eReader from back on Earth, though there were things about it that were different. One thing that he loved about it, however, was that whenever he was close to a System Shop, he would be able to access his subscriptions. There must have been a System Shop on the moon, or the one on the planet the moon orbited was close enough, as he was able to access his subscription right here.

  It was as he was sitting down, reading through another volume of the story, when he got a message from Earth.

  [Uh, hey Xavier. Just a warning, I’m about to give the Communication Stone over to Alexic. He’s been bugging me for about a week now saying he needs to talk to you about his former employer—master—whatever it is he calls the man. You said you didn’t want to be disturbed unless it was an emergency, and… Well, I’ll let him tell you.] It was John Hammond’s voice that sounded in his mind, making Xavier frown.

  A moment later, Alexic Kalcav started talking.

  [Hello, Xavier. I’m sorry to bother you while you’re off-world, but Gregori—my former employer—just tried to make contact. He can tell that the Communication Stone I possess is still active, though he seems to think it’s in your possession now, as the man thinks I’m dead.]

  Xavier’s eyes narrowed as he focused on man’s words, wondering where he was going with this. Xavier had put off getting more detail on Alexic’s old master. There wasn’t anything the B Grade could directly do to Earth, not while the restrictions were in place, and Xavier felt as though he had far more important things to do than worry about some threat a sector away.

  Besides, even if he did end up sending another agent through, they wouldn’t be able to get into Collinsville this time. Not with the new protections that were in place…

  But the worry in this man’s voice made him wonder if that had been a mistake.

  [He said he knows where you are. He said it’s too late to flee. He has people coming for you, Xavier. An Elite Hunt Squad.]

  Xavier rose from the chair he’d been sitting on. The Spirit Golem looked at him, its expression blank as always, but its posture shifting to that of alarm.

  “What is it?” Rhaalir asked.

  Xavier took a step forward, looking into the middle distance. [An Elite Hunt Squad? What does that mean? Who will I be facing? And how in the hell did the man find me here?]

  Xavier’s mind was already turning, trying to figure out the answer to the question he’d just asked. Could someone have spotted him while he was in the city? He’d been vigilant, and it hadn’t seemed as though anyone there had recognised him. But how could he know for sure?

  And how could word have already gotten to an entire different sector about where he was?

  Then, the conclusion came to him.

  “Kylina,” he whispered, then cursed, at the exact same time as Alexic responded in his mind.

  [They’re C Grades, Xavier. It’s absolute overkill. He heard about your whereabouts from some information broker—said to be careful who to trust. Sounded mighty smug about it too. He doesn’t want to kill you—he wants to contract you. He wants to assert his dominance over you and have you sign a death-contract as his True Progenitor slave. That’s what he does to people. When he sees potential, he quashes it, or he harnesses it. And you have more potential than anyone has ever had in these parts.]

  Xavier inclined his head.

  Rhaalir still stood not far from him. He’d materialised the Spirit Golem’s staff back into his hand, clearly expecting trouble.

  Volkarin, can you sense me through the bond? You must return to me now. There is danger here.

  Danger? I sense you. I am coming.

  The last thing he wanted was the dragon somehow getting caught in the crossfire.

  “You need to leave the Spirit Golem, Rhaalir. I need to return it to my Storage Ring. You aren’t ready for this.”

  Rhaalir took a step toward him. “Ready for what, Xavier? I can tell you’re communicating with someone—who is it? Famarial?”

  “Just do as I say!” Xavier snapped. He wasn’t angry, but he couldn’t return the Spirit Golem into his Storage Ring if the spirit was still inhabiting it. It was something they had tested while Xavier had been powerlevelling it.

  His mind worked. A C Grade Elite Hunt Squad. God, this Gregori had Hunt Squads? It sounded more like they were kill squads. He supposed it made sense—the man was B Grade, he probably controlled entire worlds.

  Why didn’t he speak to Alexic sooner than this?

  Damn my overconfidence, he thought to himself.

  [How many in a Hunt Squad, Alexic? Speak fast. Levels. Classes. Everything] Xavier asked.

  [Four. Like a Tower of Champions party. I don’t know what level they will be. I don’t know what classes, either. I don’t want to respond to him, Xavier. I don’t want him to know I’m still alive. If I don’t hear back from you, I’m getting the hell off this planet. Once he has control of you… He’ll get information of my whereabouts… He’ll send people to deal with me.]

  [That’s not going to happen. He won’t be able to contract me.]

  [You’ve done a lot, Xavier Collins, but you’ve never dealt with something like this before.]

  [I’d sooner die than take on a contract of servitude, Alexic. But I doubt I’ll have to make that choice. Don’t worry. You’re perfectly safe where you are. At least for the time being.]

  Xavier smiled. Perhaps what Alexic said was true. Perhaps he hadn’t dealt with something like this before. But sitting there, sipping his coffee, he’d already been itchin’ for another challenge. He figured he’d have to go searching for one.

  Yet here one was, coming to him.

  [The Hunt Squad parties generally consist of a standard party build—a tank, heavy damage dealer, a healer, and a binding specialist.]

  [Binding specialist?]

  [Someone able to neutralise you as a threat somehow. Petrify you. Block your ability to use spells. Freeze you in time. Something. I don’t know what this one will be capable of. You can get out of there. If you’re talking to me, it means they haven’t found you yet. Please don’t tell me you’re going to fight them. They’re C Grade Elites!]

  Xavier inclined his head, knowing he would be a fool if he didn’t at least listen to the man’s warning. A full party of C Grades who’ve likely been fighting together since they were F Grades. A party that had been sent here for one purpose and one purpose only—to capture him. A party that weren’t only C Grade, but were considered to be elites…

  [Ah, Xavier,] said a different voice inside his mind. This one was Famarial. [Some real scary looking people just stepped through the portal. They… They’ve got a picture of you. Who did you piss off?]

  Xavier shut his eyes. [You didn’t say you knew me, did you?]

  [I lied through my teeth.]

  [Get back to Mareketh. If all goes well, I’ll meet you there.]

  [What do you mean, if all goes—]

  [Go now, Famarial. They’re C Grade.]

  Famarial didn’t reply. The Communication Stone pair they shared were world-restricted. He must have gone through that portal. Xavier could imagine the look on the elf’s face at hearing they were C Grade.

  He probably ran straight through the gate.

  Rhaalir stepped straight out of the Spirit Golem and it sort of stood in place, looking less alive and more limp than it had a mere moment ago. Xavier touched a hand to it, placing it back into his inventory. The elf spirit still stood nearby, looking at him with a worried expression, not yet sure what was happening. He heard the flapping of wings high above—Volkarin, making his way back. This close, Xavier could sense the beast through the bond they now shared.

  Xavier took a deep breath, let it out slowly. He had two options. Yes, he wanted a challenge, but he didn’t really know what he was about to face.

  He could stand and fight the C Grade Elite Hunt Squad that had been sent after him, or he could return back to Earth using his Portal Stone the moment the dragon got here. He wouldn’t be able to take the other Portal Stone with him, but he would be able to get off this planet. Even if they found the Portal Stone, they wouldn’t be able to get to Earth, what with its restrictions.

  Xavier couldn’t use his Time Alteration spell again right now, as he’d just deactivated it. It felt like he’d done that ages ago, but barely a couple of minutes had passed. The few that were left until it reached the end of its cooldown felt like an age.

  He wasn’t usually one to flee from a fight, but what if each one of these Denizens in the Hunt Squad turned out to be as powerful as the Elemental Dragon he’d faced on the hundredth floor?

  He couldn’t pull off another stunt like that. Not in his current condition, certainly.

  Xavier released a steadying breath, coming to a conclusion he didn’t like. It may very well be that he wasn’t prepared enough for this fight. Fleeing wouldn’t be cowardly, simply the smart thing to do. And what, exactly, would he gain by winning this right now?

  The dragon swooped down just as a notification appeared in his vision.

  This moon has been temporarily Portal Blocked. All travel through artificial portals is restricted for the next 24 hours.

  Xavier’s eyes widened as he looked at the notification. He should have expected something like that. Why wouldn’t an Elite Hunt Squad have that kind of ability? Hard to catch your prey when they simply jump off-planet…

  “Well, I guess it’s too late to avoid this,” Xavier muttered.

  Accidental Champion!

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