Monroe

Chapter Three Hundred and Seventy-Two. Escaping Earth.

Bob hadn't held the portal open for the entire day.

He'd held it open for two days, before telling everyone to be patient as he disappeared to grab some sleep.

Ultimately, he'd held open a portal for eleven days, and had made it quite clear that the Dimensionalists on Earth would need to start grinding, because he wasn't going to be available to do this again for a long time.

That comment had given rise to a series of questions that made him regret ever revealing that he was able to split is his concentration enough to speak while casting a ritual.

All of which had led to this moment.

"Mr. Whitman, you've become a very influential figure, giving hope to millions across every nationality. How do you respond to allegations that you're abandoning us?"

To prevent having to deal with a mob, he'd agreed to answer questions from one reporter. He'd left which one for them to decide amongst themselves, not voicing his preference for a mass melee with the winner taking the spot. He didn't know how'd they decided, although it hadn't involved any combat, but he was now faced with young man named Brian from MSNBC.

"I neither asked for nor do I think that I necessarily deserve the amount of attention I've been given," Bob began slowly. "I'm not that good of a person, although for what it's worth, I'm trying. For anyone who feels like they need me, or someone like me, to protect them, all I can say is that for all the harm the System has caused, it has also given all of us an incredible gift. For the first time, the power to protect yourself and those you love is within your reach. All you need to do is grasp it," he raised his hand and formed a fist. "It won't be easy, because nothing worth having ever is, but if you're willing to put in the work, anything is possible."

"Even with the King of Greenwold opening up his planet, we're still short on Dungeon slots," Brian said. "You may not be comfortable with people looking to you for answers, but they are, and I have to ask their question myself; do you have a plan?"

Bob shook his head. "I have the same plan that everyone else has," he replied. "I'm going to be jumping between universes, looking for a planet that can support my delving needs, preferably uninhabited, but if there are locals, hopefully they'll be willing to share. In the event we find a tier five, six, or seven world, we'll pop back over and let you know."

"Let who know, exactly?" Brian asked. "Despite your international presence, you've rather heavily favored the United States Government. Shouldn't you be interacting with the United Nations?"

Bob blinked. "Why?" He asked, nonplused. "I'm just a guy, I don't hold a position in any government, which, and I'll admit that I'm a little fuzzy here as my area of expertise was experimental physics, is sort of what the United Nations is?"

"Actually, you do," Brian replied.

"What?" Bob asked.

"To date, you hold an elected position in fourteen separate democracies," Brian explained. "You've been a significant candidate in well over a hundred elections over the past year."

Bob opened his mouth, then closed it again. He frowned. "I honestly don't know how to respond to that," he finally said.

"Which does raise the question of your having turned your back on your responsibilities," Brian continued.

"Hold up there," Bob shook his head. "I'm only responsible for what I've done. I certainly didn't run for office."

"That's a fair point," Brian acknowledged. "Although I do have a few questions about what you've done, namely the actions you took that seems to have caused the System to recognize as you as some sort of holy figure."

Bob let out a long breath that might, to the untrained observer, have sounded like a sigh. "That was the result of my having been the first of our species to tier up to paragon, then pinnacle, then evolve into a new species. Each step brought choices, responsibilities, and rewards. Those rewards weren't only for myself, but instead were shared with everyone." He shook his head. "No one needs to spend their skill points on them. Further, I'm not any sort of religious figure."

"That's a point of some contention, considering that anyone watching us can open their System interface to the Divine Blessing section, and find your name," Brian replied.

"Under Ancestor Worship," Bob hastened to explain. "Which only serves to prove that the System is fallible, as you'll also find Monroe there, and as much as I love him, he's not a human."

"That's not an unreasonable point to make," Brian agreed. "I understand you also don't have any children, which does reinforce it," he continued. "Which ties in rather nicely with a question that I've been told under no uncertain terms that I must ask, due to the sheer volume of inquiries. Are you single, or are you involved with one of your team members?"

"Brian," Bob began, speaking slowly. "As I'm sure you know, my life having become a matter of public record, I experienced an unpleasant childhood. I am self aware enough to recognize that I'm damaged. It's only been in the past few years that I was able to develop actual friendships. I am not at all ready for a romantic relationship," he said flatly.

"That's certain to disappoint quite a few men and women," Brian replied. "Staying in the realm of uncomfortable topics, there has also been a veritable avalanche of requests asking if Monroe was available to sire kittens," the reporter smiled.

"He's been fixed," Bob replied.

"I'm sure more hearts are breaking at that news," Brian continued. "Circling back, you're planning to go find another planet. Why? I'm sure you could continue to monopolize a Dungeon on Thayland?"

"The Dungeons on Thayland can't support the tier and level we delve at," Bob explained. "As you know, killing monsters at your own tier and level generates one point of experience. One level over two, two levels over four, three levels over eight, and so on. Tiers work the same way, so killing a monster ten levels higher than yourself at the tier would equal one thousand twenty-four experience, while killing a monster a tier higher and ten levels above would generate two thousand forty-eight." Bob smiled. "I would tell everyone to not ignore the quest the System provided to allow you to delve over your level. It's much easier to complete before you tier up, as the multipliers for affinities as well as your tier cause it to take much longer."

"Why do you need so much experience?" Brian asked, surprise clear on his face.

Bob brought up a System window and displayed it.

Summon Mana-Infused Creature. Spell level 89. Progress to next level 1,276,880 out of 5,242,880.

"Keep in mind that experience is split amongst not only your group, but also the skills you've used," Bob said. "Also keep in mind that I've broken my own rules regarding keeping my skills capped, as the current maximum level for my Summon Mana-Infused Creature Spell is one hundred and forty-five."

"That's insane," Brian breathed.

"That's Affinities," Bob corrected. "Keep in mind, I'm not special. Anyone can do this."

"I don't see anyone else with that kind of power," Brian retorted.

"Bailli!" Bob called, waving his friend over.

"I'm telling you, we need to hire a couple of chefs," Bailli said as she walked up. "None of us are good cooks, and I can't go back to stew again when I know that curry exists," she complained, waving a bowl that contained something that smelled awfully good.

"Anyone we pick up would have to accept not leveling for years on end," Bob replied, shaking his head. "That's a hard ask. Anyway, I wanted you to show Brian here your Lightning Blast spell."

Bailli frowned at Brian suspiciously, her storm grey eyes narrowed. "Why?" She asked.

"Because everyone seems to think I'm special somehow," Bob shrugged. "I just want to prove, to everyone, that I'm not. You started leveling after I did, and you're more powerful than I am."

Bailli shook her head. "I deal more damage than you do, I don't know about being more powerful," she paused, then smiled. "Damage does sort of set the standard though, doesn't it?" She asked cheerfully. "I suppose that without my attributes and path, it isn't revealing too much."

Lightning Blast. Spell level 91. Progress to next level 71,690 out of 5,242,880.

Her smiled widened as she held up her hand and lightning danced across her fingertips.

Bob nodded. "She kills monsters much more quickly than I do," he said firmly. "The power is out there, for anyone with the drive to take it. It's effectively infinite. Instead of bemoaning what others have worked for, put on your armor, pick up your weapon, and start killing monsters."

He wasn't hiding, he was just resting in a peaceful, quiet place.

One where only a very select group of people could find him.

The interview had gone about as well as he'd expected, and was honestly less embarrassing than some of the groups that had approached him over the eleven days of transferring people from Earth to Thayland.

His eyes drifted over to the not one, nor two, but three lightsabres he'd been presented with. The young men and women who'd presented them had explained that owed him a debt for bringing their dreams to life.

"Hey, Bob!"

His peaceful silence was interrupted as Alex stuck his head into the room.

"I've been looking for you! I'm just finished turning up the redundant systems, and they're cycling through testing now, which should take a few hours. I forgot to say thank you for talking to the President for me, I got an email before we left approving my leave, which means I'm totally cool to be over here, which is awesome," Alex grinned. "I was hoping you could pop me down to Harbordeep this afternoon so I can pick up my Dungeon assignment, then maybe drop me off there? I hate having to be a ride, but I'd like to get started soon, you know? I'm not a battle junkie or anything, but I figure groups are probably forming up, and the sooner I get there, the more likely I am to find a good group, you know? The downside to being a healer is that everyone wants you in their group, but you don't want to be in some of those groups," he shook his head. "I've never lost anyone, but dude, I've had a few close calls, and I've learned that no matter how good of a healer you are, you can't heal stupid."

"Sure," Bob sighed. "I should check in with Kellan anyway."

"I don't wanna fanboy, but it's so cool that you're on a first name basis with a fucking dragon," Alex gushed. "I mean, he's the emperor of the whole damn planet, and you're just like, 'oh, yeah, gotta touch base with my boy,'" he shook his head. "Anyway, I wanted to ask when you think you might be back?"

"Once we've found a good planet, I imagine," Bob replied. "There isn't much of a reason not to let at least Kellan know where to find us."

That was something Eddi had suggested. Or rather had assumed they'd be doing, and Bob had immediately added it to the plan.

"No telling how long that'll take," Alex said. "That whole 'space is vast' thing, right?" He shook his head. "You should ask the System to give you an interdimensional portal that pops you out in a random solar System in another universe, instead of just jumping you to another universe blindly."

'Trebor, can I do that?' Bob mentally projected.

'The System doesn't currently offer that function,' Trebor replied.

Bob thought about it for a moment, letting Alex's enthusiasm for seeing whole new worlds wash over him.

'Could I submit an anomaly report on my spell?' Bob asked.

'You can submit an anomaly report on just about anything,' Trebor said. 'Would you like me to do so?'

'It can't hurt, and it sort of feels like the System should be eager to have people clearing stagnant mana from previously unexplored planetary bodies,' Bob projected.

"- I mean, like, tier seven or eight is probably the cap, right? Long term anyway, I'm sure we could manage for a little while, but our bodies weren't designed for the extra gravity." Alex finished thoughtfully. "You're shooting for a tier eight world, so it would be hard for regular humans to live there."

Bob nodded. "Ideally, I'd like to find a tier ten world," he said. "But assuming it's not fully inhabited, a tier eight will do, we'll just have to rotate between Dungeons."

"I cannot wait to get the data," Alex grinned. "Hopefully, I'll be tier eight myself when you get back."

"Aim higher," Bob replied with a smile of his own. "You've finally got a chance to delve as hard as you can, so find a few reliable friends and go all out."

"I'll put in the work," Alex promised.

Kellan Garvades, the Emperor of Thayland, was lounging on a massive pile of mana crystals.

"I'd expected you back sooner," he rumbled.

"I ran into a few complications when I was over there," Bob replied. "Although I do have some good news."

Kellan chuckled. "Better news than the influx of almost a billion people? Because I can assure you, I'm enjoying my portion of the fruits of their labor."

"Well, I suppose in terms of the immediate, it's not nearly as impressive, but in the long run, it'll make one hell of a difference," Bob said as he presented a System window.

Anomaly report accepted. User definition of Skill usage recognized. Previous Skill remains in place, new Skill added.

Portal Skill for user 'Robert Whitman', User identification code 40816G1407N3210ISS3PM1IO has been successfully modified.

New Skill created under the Magical School of Dimension.

New Skill : Exploratory Dimensional Solar Portal. This skill allows the user to open a Portal to a Solar System in another, random, dimension. The terminus of this Portal will be outside any planetary masses. Functions identically to the portal skill in all other aspects.

The Skill will mirror the users Portal skill.

Kellan raised his eye ridges in an expression of surprise that looked a little odd on his draconic countenance. "Well, that's rather useful," he mused.

"Given the number of solar systems that don't have any planets in the goldilocks zone, it'll still take some time," Bob shook his head. "We were really lucky to have found three planets in six months, even if only one of them was really useful."

"Will you be sharing this with everyone else?" Kellan asked.

"I already did," Bob replied. "I admit I was a little tempted to keep it to myself, but I couldn't find a way to justify it without feeling like a complete asshole."

"I can't help but notice the shift in the wording," Kellan said.

Bob nodded. The previous spell had been 'Exploratory Interdimensional Portal' and had stated that it would open a portal to another, random, unknown, dimension. The new wording implied that the spell might very well open a portal to a solar system within your own dimension.

Given the distance between solar systems, exiting the universe and then coming back in was the only way to cross that distance. Or at least the only way he knew of. The Eire in the Thermostat War dimension apparently had a way, which was something he planned to discover.

"Once I find a planet for us, I'll come back and let you know where we'll be, do a run there and back so you have someone here who can come get us if necessary," Bob promised Kellan.