As the temple left his view, he began to go deeper in the forest. Now, the area around the temple was pretty cleaned out of beasts. People all around the forest were starting to near the center castle and angered new beasts that surrounded the structure.
As he ran, Jaycee finally found his first victims which were a duo of large elk like beasts. He zoomed through the forest while identifying the beasts. They were levels 28 and 29 and dragged their hooves against the ground. Now, Jaycee's race level was finally back where he should be.
He was still 2 race levels beneath the beast but he thought now they were close enough for a real show of strength. It would give a comparative idea for him to know how well he's doing. He jumped, and as he approached, the beasts noticed him. Immediately their hooves were smacking against the ground as they rushed to meet him.
Jaycee tilted his head curiously. They were way slower than he thought they would be. He pivoted to the side as he avoided an attack from one of the elk. His hand rapidly covered itself in fire mana and shot forward. It penetrated straight through the beast's hide into its neck as it burned so hot that the beast's throat was cooked by Jaycees hand. He yelped as he stepped back.
He didn't expect his mana to burn so bright, but it seemed the inflation in his stats had done more than he predicted. Now his influence over mana was stronger and more intricate. The other beast made an elk sound before trying to ram Jaycee down with it's horns. The person sized horns almost skewered Jaycee but a shield appeared between him and the beast.
It slammed against the shield blowing air in many directions. But his shield was unphased as the beast's hooves dug into the ground. It struggled against the repellent nature of his shield and repeatedly smashed its powerful antlers against Jaycee's shield. He watched as the beast struggled against his shield for a second. Snapping his fingers he removed the shield allowing the elk to stumble toward him.
But he stood there with his hand out. And as the beast stumbled forward after the shield was pulled, Jaycees hand began glowing with incredibly hot mana. His palm was placed directly against the beast's forehead before it could recover. Flames surged from his hands torching the head of the beast.
It screamed wildly but quickly lost the strength to move. As Jaycee stepped back he wiped his hand on the ground and began walking away. On the ground, the elk lay, its eyes open and fearful. The fur on its head was torched black where it wasn't burnt straight off. In the middle of its head, a handprint that burned straight through its skull marked it.
Its brain matter was charred. The two dead elk lay on the ground. Jaycee normally would break down their bodies to help level his profession. But he had recently decided to only harvest higher level, more complex beasts.
It gave him more records and experience toward his class than if he just spammed out a bunch of average animals that were close to his level. As he walked away, someone who was watching with wide eyes looked at his back. It was Lauren, the archer who was with Farrah and now spent her time in one of the camp's elite parties. She had been tasked to stalk Jaycee the second he left the camp.
The task was given to her by Percy, who was just curious as to what Jaycee would do. He wasn't tied down except his for few relationships with other people. It was obvious through when Jaycee and Percy talked, that Jaycee felt very little for their group as a whole. During the two weeks, Percy had checked in with Jaycee to look if he was participating in the beast waves. Jaycee had initially decided to stay away from the beast waves and just stay secure where the non fighters gathered.
Percy had ended up convincing him through Olaf. All Olaf had to do was suggest participating and Jaycee was much more interested. He simply didn't care much for this huge group of people who were treating him not great. Right now it was just Lady and Olaf. Percy had failed to pierce the veil of Jaycee's friends. It was one of the first times someone would not become friends with Percy quickly.
Percy hadn't figured out the relatively easy way that Jaycee made his friends. In reality, Percy just needed to try less and get to know him more. Instead Jaycee always sensed he wanted to talk to him because of his use to Percy. So he set up natural walls that just need to be climbed over gently. If Jaycee had found out Lauren was stalking him he would've lost many trust points with Percy.
Jaycee eventually settled in a small little clearing and began meditating on a branch. His hands rested lightly on his thighs as he developed his new skill. Seeing Jaycee settle, Lauren decided to return to the temple. She raced through the trees as she thought to herself. Jaycee was really strong. Like really strong. She had seen him a little bit in action but he always was able to stay 'normal'.
She considered someone with such brutally powerful abilities a threat to their camp. Lauren was immediately seen by Percy. Percy had his office set up in the temple and shared the space with Farrah. After the merge, Farrah had become Percy's second in command. She was standing and discussing something with Percy when Lauren walked in.
Percy's ears perked up when she entered. "Back already? Did he find you out?" Percy asked.
"He hasn't found me yet. I just wanted to bring something about him to your attention." Lauren explained. Farrah tilted her head curiously.
"Go ahead then." Percy said.
"It's just his first fight once leaving the camp was eye opening. He's very strong. I was shocked with the ease that he killed those beasts. I'm confused as to why he hasn't been introduced into the upper ranks?" Lauren said.
Percy rubbed his temples as he imagined it. "He's just not interested in us right now. Half the reason I even get him to come on any missions is because of Lady. Just her presence is all it takes for him." Percy explained. "You've seen me and Farrah spar right? Where would you say he measures up to us?" Percy asked.
Lauren thought for a moment while remembering. "He's at your level at least." She said, Percy nodded.
He had somewhat expected that. He was the strongest in the camp. But there were plenty of people that were strong too. With the progression of the tutorial more people are discovering themselves and falling into what they do best.
"Should we deal with him?" Farrah asked.
Percy looked confusedly at her. "What? Why? Yeah he's strong but he's done nothing but help us." Percy said.
Farrah shrugged and thought back to when she first met Jaycee. "My seer abilities can never see him. He's like my blind spot and it's weird. No one else is a complete blip on my radar. He clearly has other intentions, and if he isn't aligned with us, who's to say that damn brute Abram won't pull him to their side. We'd be damned. It may be best to send a team out to hunt him down." She explained.
Percy thought for a second on what team he could even send that would handle him. Assuming Lauren didn't know Percy's full power and had only seen one fight of Jaycees, the amount of people that could defeat him are very little.
He would at least need to have a team of 6 of the top 20 in their camp. He shook his head. "What no, we're not killing Jaycee. He's a good natured guy. How about we send someone to accompany him under the guise of just getting stronger. We choose someone who'll get along with him and accompany him while he causes chaos in the forest." Percy proposed.
Farrah thought for a moment before nodding. "Okay. But if I ever have a reason to suspect him, I hope you're willing to make a decision. Having an untamed beast under our roof will do no one good."