Spearbound Ch. 61

Kade didn’t need to wait long for Finn to arrive. Less than a minute later, he rushed into the office with a flushed and sweaty face.

“Finn, you’ve been busy, but in all the wrong ways.” Finn was as threatening as an ant, with little change from the last time they met.

Finn looked alarmed. “Are you angry that we used your name? Matt said you might not like it, but it really is for the best. People are rushing to join us, and I can see us dominating Chicago soon!”

“Stop,” Kade wanted the frantic explanations to end. “I understand why you did it, and I don’t really mind. But I said that personal strength was the most important thing, didn’t I? You might be fine now, but as people grow stronger, they will only listen to other people with strength. Depending on my name won’t work forever.”

“That might be true, but who will take over the daily duties for the organization? Someone has to do it.”

Kade smiled, happy Finn said what he was waiting for. He knew someone would have to take on the thankless job, and there was only so much time a person had on hand. Sacrificing personal strength was a matter-of-fact.

“I’ll give you some help,” Kade said generously. He would mention Eliza when she was in better condition.

Finn’s face paled rapidly, an interesting transformation from the previous flushed state. “But you’ll have to take time away from taking care of the rift zones!”

“Nice to know you care so much about me, but no, I didn’t mean myself. I’ll look to see who can give you help while also having a bit of power to lay down the law when required.” Eliza had more than a ‘bit’ of power, though he couldn’t understand why she wanted this job. However, it worked in his favor. “But that’s for the future. Matt tells me we have rival groups threatening us?”

Finn was ecstatic at the change of subject. Kade didn’t have to be a mind reader to know that the man would never bring up the matter of getting help by himself.

“The Beckett Organization is the second largest in the city, but we’re the first in terms of combat. The largest is more of a neutral group filled with pacifists and others that physically can’t fight.”

Kade tilted his head. “Does this include children and the elderly?”

“Yes,” Finn nodded. “I thought it was strange at first. They occupy downtown, staying out of the areas we are interested in, and do the menial work everyone needs. It’s the only reason we regained a semblance of modern life. The one thing all the groups agree with is that they are not to be involved in disputes.”

Kade had wondered what would happen to people that had no chance of fighting back. He knew there must have been far too many that lost their lives at the start of the madness, but at least there was a sort of haven now.

“Back to the groups that have a conflict with us. If we are the strongest in the city, why can the others put up a fight?” Kade asked.

“It’s not like I can force them to join us.” Finn paused and continued grudgingly. “And their leaders are often in the city. I can’t match with them since I have to rely on only your name to recruit people.”

Kade smirked and gave him a knowing look. Personal strength was already showing the benefit this early. “Would it make a difference if you set up a meeting and I’m there?”

Finn perked up. “I can call one in a few days! Will you still be in the city for that long?”

“I’ll be here for a week or two. I need a break after the last rift zone.” Kade replied.

Finn looking like he was vibrating with excitement. “We can get so much done while you’re here! I have to go!”

Kade scratched his chin as he was once again left alone in the office. With nothing to do, he decided to explore the city and see everything for himself. 

 “S-Sir!”

“Hello,” Kade replied to the gawkers with a wan smile. This really would take some getting used to.

He left the makeshift headquarters and wandered into the inner city. He had done this before just to look, but the experience now was different.

There were people everywhere.

Kade passed several city blocks and stopped where he felt something was wrong. He was one of the few standing still while nearly everybody else bustled about, picking leaves and small fruits from the overgrowth before him.

Most of them were kids, but the few adults overseeing them were just as weak. It was strange to see kids being as chaotic as ever, while also being careful enough to avoid getting close to him. In fact, they stared at him with terrified fascination.

There was a large void of people around him, something he got used to as he wandered the city. Even decently high [Arcana Level] individuals kept their distance from him.

Kade could sense the general strength of others, but he had never considered the opposite before now. He wondered what his presence was like in the view of others.

Since there was an enormous gap in [Arcana Level], he crossed out what he felt against a moderately stronger monster.

Kade suddenly felt pity for the surrounding kids.

He could only assume he was more comparable to the Infernal Orc Patriarch in their eyes.

“They’re just kids. If there’s anything making you unhappy, please let us know.”

Kade blinked and turned to see an older man standing several feet away from him, shaking in a combination of fear and nerves. He became hyperaware of his narrowed eyes, but that was more because he was trying to figure out why this place felt familiar.

“Relax, I’m not unhappy,” Kade said soothingly, or tried to. It didn’t work.

“G-Good to hear.” The man shifted away a little. “The lake is too dangerous to forage in, so this is the best place to get food. And the kids can burn off their energy at the same time.”

Kade gave him a simple smile in reply, fearing that speaking would give the man a heart attack. He did everyone a favor and walked away, heading to the lake to see why it was dangerous.

It wasn’t until he nearly reached the shore when he realized the kids were foraging in what used to be the Chicago River.

Kade stared out at Lake Michigan, or at least what used to be Lake Michigan.

It currently looked like a swamp out of hell. He would bet his [Soulrend] that this would be the place where the monster waves would be the most dangerous.

Kade could only see a few sentries dotting the shore, and while it might be sufficient for now, the patrol would need to be beefed up for the future when the monster waves would be more difficult.

He sat down on a nearby bench and tried to let himself enjoy the quiet, away from the bustle of the city. The issue was it made him think of the void of people that was almost always around him.

Kade felt like a pariah, even though it was likely the opposite, with the fear and reverence in the eyes of the people looking at him.

He hated the feeling. He almost wished he were back in the rift zone with Eliza.

Kade sighed and pulled on the bond with Hellion. He felt the baby falcon give off a feeling of resistance before the bird reluctantly gave in.

At least he would have one living being that would be happy to be near him soon.

This is a planet-wide alert!

Tugan Baikalov from the Asian region has successfully destroyed a Class C Rift Zone!

The Universal Shop will now be available in all safe zones on Earth.

Kade stilled as he reread the second message multiple times. He thought he made an achievement by destroying a Class D Rift Zone, but it turned out he did nothing special.

He had Eliza’s help, while this Tugan went solo.

Kade snapped his head to the sky when he heard several thunderous cracks. He ignored the worried murmurs around him and watched a narrow beam of light shine onto the Willis Tower.

The mana-charged beam bathed the Willis Tower for nearly a minute before it disappeared.

“System, is the Universal Shop a physical location?” Kade asked as he quickly made his way to the tallest building in Chicago.

“Yes, it is a connection to approved markets around the universe. Shop till you drop!”

Kade almost tripped at the sudden promotional tone. He was interested to see what these shops offered.