Unparralleled Pressure

"I do not want to fight!"

"Okay, I will train you myself... wait what?"

Expecting for Leonard to agree, Grant had already prepared what he was going to say next but was completely caught off guard by Leonard's response.

"What do you mean you don't want to fight? You were saying how you wanted to protect your sister and I presume that is the case for your mother now that you know she is alive and well. So why would you not want to get stronger? You have shown exceptional bravery since the moment I met you. What happened?"

Rather than look embarrassed or ashamed, Leonard remained steadfast in his expression, "I am sorry Grant. I know that we face endless dangers and you need people to help you fight against them, but I do not want to fight. I do not believe I have the courage or mental fortitude to be the kind of person you need fighting by your side.

Every time I stood up and faced dangers, I was afraid. Every bone in my body was telling me to run away and hide but I forced myself to remain to protect my sister. I was only able to do what I did because of her.

Now that they are safe, I want to be able to be there for them for a long time to come.

However, with that said, I would like to increase my level and step onto this Path or whatever that you and the other fighters talk about."

Grant looked at Leonard confused, "You know, for a teenager, sometimes you talk like an old man... What exactly are you hoping your Path will be?"

Leonard just shook his head side to side, "I am not sure. I overheard Zach discussing Path's that allow people to create potions or Path's that allow them to build weapons and armor. I believe that I would be best suited for those Path's.

I will contribute wholeheartedly to you and your cause however I can, but I do not believe that I can do it wielding a sword."

Grant couldn't help but admire the conviction of the young man. He had clearly put some thought into the issue and considered the pros and cons of his stance. Based on his explanation, he understood that Grant would be disappointed in his decision but still made the decision nonetheless.

"I understand.

But, you got one thing wrong Leonard. I am not disappointed that you have chosen a trade Path rather than a combat one.

I believe that the trade Path's will influence the direction of our society far greater than the combat ones will.

We on the front lines will be propped up by an endless supply of equipment and logistical support. Without it, we will not succeed.

That being said though, do you have any practical skills already or is it just a feeling you have?"

Leonard suddenly straightened his back and thumped the middle of his chest with his fist before proudly declaring, "My father was an experienced blacksmith and he taught me many things while I was growing up! I have even made a dagger before!"

"I see I see! That sounds very impressive. I look forward to what you are capable of one day! With that all worked out now, will you still come with us tomorrow to gain some experience and levels?

You can't gain your Path until you reach level 25, you know?"

Before he could hear Leonard's reply, Sherlock suddenly dropped a bomb on his understanding of The Path.

{That's not entirely true, Grant.

Path's can be gained prior to level 25 if they are related to 'trade skills' as you call them.}

[Hold the fucking phone! You told me that all Path's were gained at level 25! You lied to me?!]

{I would not say that I lied to you, I would say that I simply omitted some details to keep you from holding up in some warehouse forging weapons all day.

It was clear that your talents would be best served on the front lines rather than on a trade Path.}

[Well it's too late for me anyways, so I'll just ignore the fact that you withheld information for me.

Tell me what you meant when you said they could be gained prior to level 25.]

{Well, take Leonard for example. He has experience in a field such as blacksmithing.

Once he reaches level 10, he can use those skills to unlock the normal Blacksmith Path.

By crafting using the Blacksmith Path, he can gain experience through successful creation of equipment. Of course, the more difficult to create and the more intricate the equipment, the more experience he will gain.

If he chooses to use his trade skill as a way to gain experience though, then never again will he gain experience through fighting.

It is The Path's way of making sure that people don't use trade skills to cheat the system in some way. Such as using smithing to level from 10 to 25 without fighting.

Of course, anyone can reject the choice at level 10 and continue fighting if they so choose. It is simply a way for The Path to enable the creation of products and goods before it would normally be available.}

[Why have we not seen anyone with a trade skill Path then?!]

{Well.. it's likely that all of the people who have reached or exceeded level 10 either had no experience with any related skill or are far too concerned with fighting for their safety that they rejected the opportunity to craft trade goods.}

[Makes sense I guess, I personally have no skills that would make for a worthwhile Path, so probably why I never received any opportunity like that.]

{It's true. You're not the brightest fella.}

[HAHA you're so funny Sherlock!

Seriously though, if you gain the normal blacksmith Path, can it be upgraded to a more unique Path once you reach level 25? Or are you stuck with the basic Path?]

{Just like how people who began walking normal Path's when they reach level 25 can upgrade at a later interval to a more Unique Path, normal trade skill Path's can be upgraded if the artisan has proven himself worthy.}

[That's good to know. Thanks Sherlock, that actually will incentivize people to join the trade skill Path's.

We'll need Leonard to get to level 10 and learn his Path as soon as possible so he can spread the word about the possibility of gaining a Path early.

If I just outright tell people that they can get a Path sooner, they'll think I'm crazy because I lack the evidence to go along with the claim.]

{You are crazy though..}

Quickly shutting off his attention to Sherlock and ignoring the rest of what the guide had to say, Grant focused once again on Leonard in front of him, who had been talking the entire time that Grant and Sherlock were having their back and forth.

"... and that's why I'll just fight until I reach level 25 and gain my Path."

Grant looked around awkwardly trying to figure out how he should tell Leonard that he was actually incorrect in his assumption.

It wouldn't make sense for him to suddenly change his stance on the level you get access to a Path, so he just decided to play it off as if he didn't know.

"That sounds good. Who knows, maybe you'll be lucky and gain a Path prior to level 25!"

Leonard just laughed at the possibility, "Yeah right, I'm no one special. What are the chances that I gain a Path that early? Doesn't matter though. I'll just do what I need to do until I reach that point and then reevaluate my situation."

"I like the plan. Lets go with that."

Leonard simply smiled to express his happiness that Grant had been understanding of his position on his future.

The two continued to walk for quite awhile and before they knew it, they had reached the outskirts of the camp.

Suddenly, Grant felt a wave of pressure wash over him and he immediately went on guard. It felt like someone had just dropped a mountain on his head and it was taking every fiber of his being to stay conscious.

Since he always kept his sword strapped to his back, he quickly drew it and held it in front of himself before looking around in vigilance.

He realized that Leonard was suddenly laying on the ground and not moving, so Grant slowly squatted down and checked his pulse.

Grant could feel a faint pulse which allowed him to let out a small sigh of relief before he strained his senses trying to figure out the cause of the massive amounts of pressure.

"You aren't half bad. I guess it's not totally unreasonable for my brother to make a deal with you."

Realizing the voice had come from directly behind himself and feeling the threat of death looming down his neck, Grant rolled forward a few times before leaping back to his feet and facing the direction from which the voice came.

Now standing in front of him, was a massive suit of matte black armor that was at least 8 feet tall from toes to top of the helmet. Whoever or whatever was inside the armor was holding a massive hammer over his shoulder as well.

It looked like someone had taken a house sized piece of metal and carved the hammer directly from it. In stark contrast to the armor it was a shining silver color with a glowing golden handle wrap and golden inlays decorating the hammer.

"Your reactions and speed of execution aren't terrible, but you need some work human.

It's a shame that time is quickly running out for your planet. A few hundred years of training and I think we could really make something out of you."

Realizing that if the suit of armor wanted him dead, it could have easily killed him, Grant hesitantly responded to the subtle insults with a question of his own.

"Who are you and what do you want?"

-----

A/N: Alright boys, lets get ready for some fun! Although you won't read this as I post these, so I'm realizing how pointless typing all of this out is... OH WELL!

In honor of wining second in the WPC and hitting 100 chapters! Massss releasseee!!!

PS. I now take back all my annoyance at authors not doing more mass releases. This shit is tiring! Haha

PSS My girlfriend thinks I've officially lost my mind because I was constantly talking to myself about how I wanted these chapters to go. So I hope they are worth it and you enjoy them!