Before the Grandmasters could approach him, Michael inserted the neon chip into his neural link. Usually, a Mythic cybernetic was so rare that wars on a cosmic scale would be fought to acquire it. Yet his system simply made one appear in his grasp.
Defying logic and reason, it took him less than a second to comprehend the technique.
[New technique comprehended: Bypasser]
[Rank: Mythic]
[Description: Utilizing your spirit and mind, you are able to infiltrate any network regardless of its origin. Overuse may lead to soul damage.]
’Jackpot!’ Michael would have started to jump for joy if he wasn’t being stared down by the Grandmasters.
’This technique essentially allows me to take control over any network in existence, even alien technology!’
With this, he could take control over any mecha or spaceship on a whim. He just needed to be careful about not going overboard.
He quickly checked his status.
Name: Michael
Soul Realm: Peak Adept
Cybernetics: Indomitable System, Berserker, Dash, Perfect Vision, Spirit Surge, Blink, Bypasser
• Strength: 580
• Agility: 540
• Stamina: 475
• Spirit: 30,000
• Mind: 8,000
Skill Points: 1,000
’Reaching Peak Adept gave me 140 more points in my basic attributes. And with these 1,000 skill points, I could save myself when I am in a pinch.’
Completing a single impossible quest boosted his prowess immensely.
Sadly, Michael couldn’t rejoice in his gains for long, as the two Grandmasters approached him quicker than most could see.
"Grandmasters." Since he didn’t know their names, he addressed them by their titles in respect. Like it or not, he was still a soldier, and the people before him were of a higher status than him.
"What is your name and occupation?" Nathan asked, not beating around the bush.
"Captain Michael, member of base #85." He replied formally.
"I have many questions, as will other people. How can a person not even in the Expert realm have a soul capable of withstanding a duel with a General alien? I am not going to waste time. Join the Immortal Legion, and we will supply you with the resources you need."
"Bullshit!" Lucia sneered, bearing her weapon against Nathan. "Michael will be joining the Golden Vanguard, like it or not."
Nathan raised an eyebrow at her proclamation. "And how will you accomplish that?"
"Why don’t you go closer and see?"
Before the two Grandmasters could begin to fight for him, Michael interrupted them.
"I am sorry, but I am already a leader of a faction, and I will not be joining anyone."
"..."
The hostility between the two Grandmasters shifted toward Michael.
"Do you really think that you have a choice? A monster like you will either join us or be better off dead. I can’t allow you to join a rivaling faction." Nathan threatened.
"While I won’t threaten your life, I can’t let you walk free after witnessing the strength of your soul. At the very least, I will need to examine you." Lucia declared coldly.
Michael suppressed a sigh. ’Now this is troublesome. They don’t seem willing to let me go, but I have no intention of falling under their whip.’
Unfortunately, he was still a Peak Adept. Against a Grandmaster, he didn’t have any chance in a frontal confrontation.
"Who do you think you are?"
Before things could escalate further, a familiar voice butted in.
"Victoria?" Lucia mumbled. Since they were of the same faction, they knew each other.
Ignoring Lucia, Victoria spoke coldly. "Captain Michael is my subordinate. If you have any trouble with him, you will speak with me, like it or not."
Nathan’s eyebrow twitched. "A mere Master dares to speak to a Grandmaster like me with such disrespect?"
"Disrespect? You are the one that just threatened my subordinate. If you think that being of a higher status will help you, you are severely mistaken."
"Victoria." Lucia interjected. "We are both of the same faction. Since you are his superior, it makes things easier for us. We would greatly benefit if he were to join our—"
Before she could finish, Victoria interrupted. "Michael doesn’t wish to join any faction. I respect his opinion and will not force him."
"Victoria." Lucia began to give off a threatening aura. "Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you are the king’s granddaughter?"
She shook her head. "My birth has nothing to do with this. You have threatened my subordinate and tried to pressure him into joining your faction. I request that you leave us alone, or I will be forced to take the appropriate actions."
"Victoria..."
"Leave. I shall not repeat myself any longer."
The atmosphere between them thickened with hostility.
’Thank God I befriended Victoria. Without her, my life would have been such a hassle...’ Michael thought.
"Is something the matter?" Sensing the pending battle, Evelyn, the general of base #1, appeared next to them.
"Yes, these two are harassing my subordinate. I fear I might require your assistance, General Evelyn." Victoria’s eyes didn’t leave the two Grandmasters.
"Tch." Seeing that this was not the right time, Nathan gave up on the idea of pressuring Michael to join his faction and retreated.
Lucia, seeing that she wouldn’t change Victoria’s mind, did as well.
"I will personally be speaking about this to the King, Victoria." Were her parting words.
With the two Grandmasters gone, the two generals eyed Michael suspiciously.
"What the hell did you do to get the attention of two Grandmasters?" Evelyn couldn’t help but ask.
Before Michael could answer, Victoria grasped his hand and led him away.
"You won’t mind if I ask you a few questions, right?"
A slight smile appeared on his face as he shook his head.
"I don’t."
Leading him to a nearby tent, she sat across from him, looking at him with doubt.
’She will ask me about the alien leader, no doubt. Now the question is, how do I make my story about surviving its soul attack believable?’ Michael wondered. He couldn’t exactly tell her that he had gone back in time.
However, the next words that came out of her mouth were completely unexpected.
"That message that warned us about the alien invasion... Were you the one that sent it?