Before heading out, Frank checked his new stats after leveling.
[Host: Frank Gunn
Title(s): Horde Breaker, Leader of the Pack
Level: 10
XP to Next Level: *
HP: 150/150
Mana: 130/130
Strength (STR): 46+
Constitution (CON): 50
Agility (AGI): 32+
Intelligence (INT): 26+
Charisma (CHA): 18+
Luck (LUC): 0
Stat Points Available: 20]
[Skills:
In Perfect Health (Innate)*New*: Host's body now has amazing metabolism, no longer affected by disease or malnutrition.
Alluring Gaze (Lvl 1)*New*: User is more likely to be seen in a positive light while making eye contact.
Oathkeeper (SPEX)
Limit Breaker (SPEX)
Sixth Sense (Innate)
Diligent Student (Innate)
Regeneration (Lvl 3) -> (MAX): 5HP/30sec -> 20HP/30sec. User now recovers from injuries and fatigue at a visible rate.
Persisting Strength (Lvl 4)
Featherfoot (Lvl 2) → (Lvl 3): Additionally increases movement speed by 10%.
Hand-to-Hand Combat (Lvl 2)
Makeshift Weapon Proficiency (Lvl 3) -> (Lvl 4): 30% -> 40%
Fireball (Lvl 2) → (Lvl 4): Further Increased scaling with INT.
Mana Efficiency (Lvl 1) -> (Lvl 2): 20% - 40%]
[NOTICE:
Upon reaching level 10, user will continue to gain experience, but will not increase in level until class quest is completed.
Unlock condition of class quest: ???]
Frank nearly jumped around the room, unable to contain his excitement, before immediately getting a reality check.
The stat and skill gains were far more than any other level up had given him. Even the scaling between CON and HP, as well as INT and Mana seemed to increase.
The subtle increases of strength were nothing compared to the vigor he felt now; it was truly a blessing.
But the last message killed his enthusiasm immediately.
'What do you mean I can't level up until a "Class quest"? And you don't even know how I'm supposed to unlock it? This is ridiculous, what kind of crappy devs designed this thing?' It also wasn't lost on him that his CON stat seemed to be capped at 50 for now. Needing to vent his frustration, he punched a nearby wall, causing it to crumble immediately.
Fearing he might trigger "Limit Breaker", he focused back on the matter at hand.
"Let's move, we need to get back to the complex," Frank sighed, quickening his pace, eager to see Ana again.
He stayed alert, occasionally glancing at Claire, who held onto his hand tightly. She had been brave throughout the chaos, but she was still a child, and she wanted to keep close to the hero who beat up monsters.
The streets were quiet as they pressed on. A few zombies wandered aimlessly, which Frank squashed without too much difficulty. It was clean and efficient, but Jason, ever the showman, couldn't resist some theatrics.
"Hey, hey! Look at you!" Jason called out as he started mocking the zombie's walking speed. "Is this all you've got? You call this swarming? Come on, I don't feel overwhelmed!"
He laughed maniacally, taunting the zombies as he danced around them, throwing playful jabs before dismembering them mercilessly.
Frank's brow furrowed. "Jason, quit messing around! We have civilians with us."
But Jason simply rolled with it, loving every moment, throwing more verbal taunts at the monsters. "Come on, undead losers! Keep up the pace! Can't handle fast food?"
Finally, the last of the zombies fell, and Frank let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
As they drew closer to the military complex, the atmosphere shifted. There were murmurs of relief throughout the crowd. But just as they approached the gates, a symphony of groans erupted.
"More zombies!" Leo shouted, raising his weapon as the horde began to emerge from the shadows.
Frank felt a familiar rush, yet as soon as the fight began, he realized the situation was under control. The Gatling guns atop the complex roared to life, mowing down the horde in record time.
'To think, all these otherworldly skills, and a machine gun is still sometimes the right tool for the job.' Frank chuckled.
"Let's keep moving!" Frank urged, leading them toward the compound.
As they approached the gates, they were met by a familiar figure standing at the entrance: Commander Arlo.
"Glad to see you all made it back in one piece. I was beginning to worry." Arlo glanced over the group but then squinted at Jason. "Who's your friend? I didn't hear about him in the reports."
"I'm Jason, SIR," Jason beamed, offering a mock salute.
"Right..." the commander replied, still studying him with a frown. His face carried traces of recognition, but ultimately decided to keep quiet.
Ana emerged from the crowded gates, her face lighting up the compound. "Daddy!" she called, pushing past the rest of the survivors.
Frank knelt, arms wide as she rushed into his arms, catching her as she launched herself at him. "I missed you so much, sweetheart!"
"I missed you too!" Ana exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. Seeing two more familiar faces, she called out, "Grandma! Grandpa!"
Howard and Arlene stepped forward, arms outstretched, tears forming in their eyes as they saw Ana.
"Ana!" Arlene cried, catching the four-year-old missile. "Oh, my sweet girl! You have no idea how relieved we are to see you! But how did you recognize us?"
"Grandma, you're silly. How could I not know my grandma and grandpa?" Ana explained as she nestled against them.
Seeing the touching moment, Jason decided it was time to intrude, swooping up next to them. "Hey there, little Ana! Did you miss me?"
Ana stepped back slightly, giving him a bombastic side-eye. "Uh... who are you?"
"Oh, only the coolest superhero ever! I make the monsters pay for hurting all the cute little girls like you! Though you're definitely the cutest!" Jason tried to pick Ana up, only to be stopped by Frank.
His words were more of a growl than speech, and his eyes screamed murder. "Hands to yourself, boy."
Jason stepped back, his demeanor oddly playful. "Relax! It's all in good fun! Oh, I just had an idea! Hey! Ana, I could use a sidekick!" He reached out his hand like he was offering her a dance.
Frank grabbed his outstretched arm, nearly snapping his bones under his grip. "Back. Off."
Arlo cleared his throat, stepping closer to diffuse the situation. "Is everything alright here?"
"No." Frank glared, not letting go of his arm. "Leave my daughter alone."
The look in his eye was enough to kill most men, but it hardly seemed to affect Jason.
"Whoa, whoa!" Jason put up his other hand innocently. "Can't a guy make friends with the next generation? I'm just being polite! Though if you really have an issue, I suppose you could always MAKE me."
"Jason, this isn't the time!" Elara interjected, stepping between them. Max was about as unamused as Frank. Both had clearly already killed Jason several times in their minds.
The tension hung thick until Arlene reached out, placing a calming hand on Frank's shoulder. "Let's take a step back. We're safe, and we're together. It's not like Jason means any harm."
"I don't like the way he looks at her," Frank murmured, not releasing his hold.
"Fine! I get it. I'll relax, spoilsport," Jason flashed a grin, but it felt unnerving. "I hope Ana and I can still be friends!"
"Enough!" Frank raised his voice again, trying to keep "Limit Breaker" from triggering.
Arlo interjected again, "Frank, I understand your feelings, but we're here to protect people, not kill each other."
Taking a deep breath, Frank realized he was right, not that he liked it. Shooting one last warning glare at Jason, he released his arm.
"Fine," he relented. "You know where I stand, Jason."
"Oh yeah; big, tall, and scary!" Jason mocked, earning only more glares from Frank.
Arlo coughed. "Well, now seems as good a time as any to discuss the next mission."
"Great, then my family and I will leave you all to it," Frank turned to walk out but was stopped unexpectedly by his parents, both giving him disapproving looks.
"Franklin Edward Gunn! Are you really not going to help these people?"
'Crap,' Frank grimaced, 'The full government name...'
He raised his hands defensively, "Mom, I am only one person. You saw the strength of everyone else here. They'll be fine without me,"
"Oh? You're a psychic now, are you? And here I thought we raised you with principles. Where did we go wrong, dear?" His father interjected, clearly upset.
"Dad, I have a responsibility to Ana first. I can't bring her out into that wasteland, and I can't protect her if I'm out there and she's in here," he pleaded his case the best he could, but it was clear he was getting nowhere.
"You just leave her to us. We may not be as powerful as Mr. Big Strong Hammer Time, but we'll be dead in our graves before we ever let anything hurt our beautiful granddaughter," his dad was relentless, not giving a single inch.
"For what it's worth, I'm on their side," Arlo interjected, clearly grateful for the formidable reinforcements.
"Oh really? I would have never guessed..." Frank groaned, shooting him a cold stare.
Ultimately, he knew he was trapped. There were two opponents he never stood a chance against: Ana's big beautiful eyes, and his parents.
"Fine, FINE, I'll help."
Arlo was about to speak when he was cut off.
"But let me make a few things clear: I still do not work for you, I still do not trust you, and quite frankly, I still do not like you."
Arlo nodded, a hint of respect in his eyes. "That's fair, Frank. My goal is to save people, so I'll gladly deal with your glaring."
As the tensions began to settle, Frank turned to see Ana bouncing with excitement. "Daddy, can I help too? I want to fight the monsters!"
"No." Almost everyone in the room immediately replied.
Jason leaned closer again, his grin returning. "Oh, come on! I bet she'd handle those beasties like a champ! She's got that heroic fire in her, don't ya think?"
Frank shot Jason a warning glance, feeling his patience wear thin. "Enough, back off."
Jason seemed to get an idea and stepped back. "Very well, very well. Since that's the case, I humbly accept the position as her protector. You go save the world, Mr. Hero. I'll take good care of Ana back h-"
Frank grabbed Jason by the neck, lifting him several inches off the ground. "You're the one that wanted to get out there so bad, so you're coming with me. Understood?"
Jason couldn't breathe and immediately tapped out, prompting Frank to drop him.
Coughing between gasping breaths, he still managed a grin.
"Well sure, that could be fun too."