In classic Interface fashion, when it announced that the rewards for the first round of the Fusion War would arrive soon, it didn’t mean that at all. Unless, of course, twenty-four hours of waiting counted as “soon” in someone’s book.

  It sure didn’t in Isaac’s.

  Not that there was anything he, or the others, could do about it. If the Interface decided on something, there was no changing its mind. At least not at this point. Or maybe not ever.

  Isaac sighed. Shows you still can’t trust anything at face value…

  At the very least, the entity was considerate enough to inform everyone that they had twenty-four hours to vacate the Battleworld before being forcibly kicked out. Not ideal, but unlike before, every Host could now leave regardless of their current location. A welcome change, given that most people simply weren’t fast enough to return to the Safe Zone in such a short time frame.

  The downside, according to some? No big victory party at the Safe Zone.

  To Isaac, nothing of value was lost, but he could see why most people would want to lose themselves in a mindless celebration of their victory. Just as he had been thinking about all the death he had witnessed in the past few days, the others were too. It was visible on their faces. In the way they talked and moved. This war had changed—or even broken—something in them all.

  So yeah, a brief escape in the form of a party could maybe help, if even for a bit. Later on, though? Everyone would have to face the demons they had collected on the battlefield.

  Not that they would have much time for that.

  Round two of Virus War begins in: <179h:32m:11s>

  A little over seven days. That was how much the Interface—or the Overlords—gave them before the next war for Earth’s survival began. For Isaac, it would probably be enough time to sort out the mess in his head.

  As for the others?

  He could only hope they wouldn’t break completely during this week. Cruel as it sounded, their work was far from done. At least one more round. Then they all could rest for longer.

  Easier said than done, he thought, eyes drifting to the small camp they had set up on the desert’s edge.

  By now, the majority of the group had already returned to Earth, not seeing any reason to stick around. A few, however, remained and sat huddled together here and there, either talking in whispers or just resting in silence.

  Isaac only spared them a short glance. Their expressions were enough to pull his mind back to things he wanted to ignore right now.

  Here comes my distraction.

  Harry and Carmela. The duo was making their rounds, speaking quietly with each remaining group. Now it was his turn.

  “Leaving already?” he asked the moment they stopped before him.

  Harry, as always, wasn’t one to beat around the bush. “Indeed, my dear friend. The Battleworld has been my home for the past month. It’s time I found one back on Earth.”

  Isaac nodded. “London, huh? Take care, man. And if you need anything, message us.”

  Harry tipped his head in a small bow. “Likewise. I may not be as quick as the two of you, but if need be, I shall cross seas or even oceans to assist you. Remember that, my fellow warriors.”

  “Pioneers stick together, hmm?” Carmela said, lips tugging into a barely-there smile. “It was a pleasure working with you two, gentlemen. Rest well and don’t do anything stupid during the break. Earth still needs us.”

  “Yeah, it does,” Isaac muttered and looked up at the duo. “Until next time?”

  Harry extended his hand. Isaac shook it firmly. Then, the other man stepped back and gave them a nod. “Until next time, friends.”

  After those few words, Harry’s form lit up and shattered into countless motes of light. Those vanished soon enough, taking away the master of Dreams with them.

  “My turn, then,” Carmela said.

  Here, Isaac expected another quick handshake. He should have known better.

  The moment he reached out, she grabbed him by the wrist and yanked him into a tight hug. It wasn’t long, far from it, but when Carmela let go, flashed him a grin and a wink, he could do nothing but stare as she disappeared in another burst of light.

  Women, he thought, shaking his head.

  “You can leave too, you know.”

  Isaac nearly jumped. He snapped his head toward Elaine, who had somehow walked straight up to him without him noticing. Something was definitely wrong with him if she had managed that.

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  Whatever. He cleared his throat. “Yeah. It’s just…”

  Elaine arched an eyebrow. “What? You’re gonna miss this place?”

  He snorted. “No. Never. But… don’t you feel weird? We’ve been fighting here for over a month. Like it or not, it was home for a while.”

  “Earth is our home,” she scoffed. “This place can go to hell for all I care.”

  “Guess, you’re right,” he muttered.

  “Of course, I am.” She squeezed his shoulder. “Now go. I will handle things here.”

  Isaac glanced at their camp, then back at Elaine.

  He shook his head.

  “Not yet. Think… I’m gonna go on a final flight.”

  Elaine studied him for a moment, as if searching for something. Whether she found it or not, he couldn’t tell. She just looked away and sighed.

  “Go on, then. I will see you back in the Oasis.”

  Isaac did just that. In the blink of an eye, he transformed and shot into the sky. He didn’t hurry, though, and just glided toward the distant jungles of the yellow territory. This would be the last time he had the displeasure of seeing this place.

  Empty, he thought, scanning the land below.

  No Hosts or monsters. Only trails of destruction left behind by the human forces. It was strange… to see the jungle become so empty. And the silence. No distant noises of fighting. No pained screeches of beasts.

  Nothing.

  Good job, everybody.

  For a time, Isaac just flew wherever his wings and the artificial wind of the Battleworld took him. Soon, though, his mind once more began to wander. And given what had happened during the past few days, that was never a good sign.

  Which was why he decided to summon something he should have checked the moment the war ended.

  Full status, Interface.

  Name: Isaac Walker

  Origin: Cursed Blood | LVL. 47

  Legacy: Alpha Bloodraven (Adult)

  Virus Stage: IV - Core (Phase 1)

  Virus Integrity: 100%

  Power: Unbound - Tier V

  Agility: Unbound - Tier III

  Toughness: Refined - Tier III

  Regeneration: Awakened - Tier III

  Insight: Unbound - Tier I

  Inheritances: Darksight, Rootveins, Duality of Blood, Worldeater’s Skin

  Origin Skills: Symphony of Blood (Mys | Max), Burnout (Arc | Max), Cursed Draw (Mys | Max), Obliteration (Arc | Max), Blood Manipulation (Mys | Max), Red Puppeteer (Ete | V), Maker’s Shell (Rel | IV), Crimson Cataclysm (Ete | III), Blood Thief (Mys | III)

  Virus Skills: Analyze, Unbroken Will (Mys | Max), Stealth (Nor | Max), Transform, Basic Filtering (Sup | Max), Mana Surge (Mys | IX), Burst (Sup | IX), Genesis Core

  Ultimates: Crimson Fury, Blood Moon

  Two levels and some skill progression. That was all he had to show for the bloody battle and the days of fighting that followed. Maybe it wasn’t much, but Isaac couldn’t bring himself to care. Humanity had won. That was what mattered.

  Still, quite a few skills left to max out, he thought. And then there is Origin Fusion to consider.

  With seven days of downtime, if he put his mind to it, maybe achieving Fusion wasn't out of reach. He had been making decent progress before the final stage of the war began. Fire Manipulation skill had to be close.

  That’s one thing to take care of during the break. Anything else?

  Fighting and hunting were out. Isaac could do without that for a few days. Sure, he loved the thrill of a battle, but even someone as bloodthirsty as him needed a break every once in a while. Better to save himself for whatever the Overlords would throw at them in the second round.

  Speaking of…

  Your Patron has sent you a message. Display now?

  Isaac had been ignoring this notification for a few hours now. Stupid of him? Maybe. But he simply didn’t want to deal with whatever bullshit Rakin sent him at that time. Enough delaying, though.

  Show me, he ordered.

  “Yo, kiddo! It’s me, your favorite Overlord and Patron! Sorry for not sending anything better, but I’m kinda busy. I would say it’s all your fault, but I kinda brought it all on myself, didn’t I? Ah whatever! Congrats on the win, kid! We will talk in a few days. Till then, enjoy your break. You deserve it.”

  And that was it. Nothing more, nothing less.

  Overlords, Isaac scoffed, pushing his wings to move faster. One day, I swear…

  Another hour or two of flying later, Isaac finally decided to call it a day. He ordered the Interface to take him off the Battleworld for the last time. A flash of light later, he found himself dumped on the dusty floor of the shared house inside the Silent Oasis.

  Not that there was anything “Silent” about the Safe Zone.

  Even hidden behind thick and reinforced wooden walls, Isaac heard it all. The shouting and yelling. The slurred, off-key singing to some music he didn’t recognize. The laughter echoing everywhere.

  He chuckled as he rose to his feet.

  Marie threw a party? No way.

  He took a look around the house he shared with his friends, but found nobody inside. Elaine was obviously still on the Battleworld. James was back in LA. And Marie… well, she was probably trying to stop people from killing themselves out there.

  Or she’s partying herself, he mused. Who really knows?

  His gaze drifted to one of the beds. Lying down and getting some rest was the easy choice, a smart one even. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to move there with all the noise playing in his ears. Rather, he approached the closed door.

  Sure, Isaac wasn’t one for parties, but today…

  Today felt like a good time to indulge in some mindless fun.

  Thus, he pushed the door open and stepped out onto the bustling streets.

  Maybe Carmela’s influence took root after all.

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