Mason laid on his stone bed with his arms crossed beneath his head and stared at the ceiling. This new world has been crazy since the moment he arrived, but this night was some nice catharsis. Fighting in cage matches was nostalgic for him, brought him back to simpler times. Levelling up to initiate rank had required two more batches of fighting and he had levelled up three more times which put him at level 17.

  Thinking about it, it had been a while since he had checked his status, he should probably do that and spend his free points.

  [Status:

  Name: Mason Decker

  Weight: 364lbs

  Race: Human

  Grade: Unranked

  Class: Warrior

  Level: 17

  Dao: N/A

  Soul Power: Unknown

  Magical Affinities: Unknown

  Spells: Minor Illusion

  Health: 1675/1675(Regen 160/10 mins)

  Stamina: 615/615 (Regen 60/min)

  Mana: 220/220 (Regen 20/30 mins)

  Passive Skills (3/5):

  Novice Swordsmanship (Basic)

  Poison Resistance (Common)

  Dark Vision (Common)

  Active Skills (4/5):

  Power Strike (Common)

  Inner Grit (Common)

  Focused Sight (Common)

  Retribution (Uncommon)

  Body Reinforcement: Stone Body (Initiate)

  Titles(3/3): Lucky, Big Game Hunter, Specimen of Health

  Achievements: Cheater of death

  Stats:

  Strength: 88

  Dexterity: 33

  Endurance: 18

  Vitality: 76 (+10)

  Resistance: 67

  Perception: 15

  Wisdom: 13

  Intelligence: 12

  Mind: 15

  Free points: 12

  ]

  There were some very notable differences in his stat sheet since the last time he looked. Of course, his weight is now listed as well of body reinforcement. The biggest change had to be in his strength stat though. It shot all the way up from his third highest stat to his best, all because of his Stone Body style. Speaking of which...

  [You have achieved initiate rank in Stone Body style

  This style is based around increasing your physical defense and weight. Then using that weight to increase your strength.

  At initiate rank, Stone Body style increases your weight by 2 pounds for every point of Resistance you have, your skin becomes even more durable, and It also provides +10 Resistance.

  Finally, your strength stat is increased by 10% of your total weight rounded down.

  However, no armor can be worn while using this style. If any is equipped, all bonuses will be lost.

  These are your current rank up quests:

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Get hit 500 times in fights from enemies your level or higher: 4/500

  Survive a hit from a boss your level or higher without blocking or using defensive skills: 1/1

  Weigh at least 400 pounds: 364/400

  ]

  He got lucky with another freebie for one of his rank up quests, not sure how he would have gotten it done otherwise. He had asked Grammach if he would have just been able to punch him, but the said the system doesn't accept stuff like that. its always watching, and if it thinks you cheated you wont get anything. Though he did say it is on your side more often than not.

  He wasn't really worried about hitting 400 pounds, that one would come naturally. The one that was really gonna take a while was the 500 hits. If the amount of hits multiplied by 10 every time he couldn't imagine how long the later ranks would take. He would have to step up the intensity if he was gonna make it in time. He hadn't forgotten that he still needed to figure out his soul power, so he couldn't use the full month that Grammach allotted them, he needed to kill Mirstra before then.

  Before he went to bed, Mason put all of his extra points into Resistance bringing the total up to 79. He figured he would need the help in the coming days. With that done, he went to sleep for the night.

  Mason woke up a few hours later, he had a crick in his neck from sleeping in the stone bed, it wasn't exactly made for a human. Turning towards the wall, he closed his eyes to try and fall back asleep when he heard something. Straining his ears, he realized that it was Grammach talking to... someone? He wasn't sure who, if he had to guess it was probably his number 2. Mason doubted any of the others could speak.

  mumble mumble mumble. "Yes, he is growing too powerful too quickly I know." Grammach whispered. "I cannot allow him to live after our fight with Mirstra for fear he will take revenge on us. After we defeat her, I will take him by surprise and strike him down." Mumble mumble? "That won't happen, I won't let it."

  After that, he was pretty sure they split up, either that or he couldn't hear them anymore. He couldn't exactly said he was surprised they were planning to kill him, but he was disappointed. Whatever, it didn't change what he had to do. He would simply get stronger than Grammach before they went to kill Mirstra, he would have to hide that fact until it was too late for Grammach to do anything.

  The next two weeks passed by in a flash, with Mason spending every waking moment training in the cage. Once he reached level 21 he wasn't able to kill the spiders anymore, otherwise he would out level them and he wouldn't be able to progress with his Stone Body quest anymore. He did his best to hold some of his strength in reserve so Grammach never knew his true strength.

  Today was the last day of this training routine. He was at 495/500 on his quest which meant they would be fighting Mirstra today. He was standing outside of the cage when Grammach walked up to him. "This last fight will be different, it will be a one on one battle between you and Mirstra's second in command. There is no going back now. Mirstra will notice her second is missing in a few hours, we need to be knocking on her door by then. Good luck, you will need it."

  After giving his spiel, Grammach unlocked the cage and let Mason inside before locking it shut behind him. He walked into the center of the cage and observed his opponent. [Mirstra's Voice (Level 24)]. Mason stopped, surprised, she was much higher level than he expected, she was the same level as Grammach in fact.

  Mason had asked Grammach why he didn't level up to get ready for his fight with Mirstra, and he had told him that he couldn't. Apparently, level 25 is when you reach F-grade, which is the level that Mirstra is at. But you can't reach F-grade until you figure out your soul power, no matter how many enemies you kill it will never happen. No wonder Grammach was worried, Mirstra's faction almost had two F-grades at this point.

  Not only that, but it looked a lot different than the other spiders he had seen up to this point. her shell was almost like a hermit crabs, it only covered the back portion of its body, its legs and head were fully exposed. he couldn't see how it could be that much better at combat if its armor was reduced from normal, but just better odds for him.

  Mason's thinking was interrupted when the spider talked to him. But she didn't use a voice, she spoke directly into his mind. "Hello, human. I really see no need for us to fight, you could help me break out of this cage, and we could go back to Mirstra together, I'm sure she would reward you handsomely." As she said this she started walking towards Mason.

  "Hmm, that doesn't sound like such a bad plan. I didn't like Grammach anyway, there isn't really a need for us to fight." Wait, what am I saying? Shouldn't I... Shouldn't I... What was I thinking again? "See, I knew you could be reasonable. Why would we need to fight? Won't you let me just cut you up a little, I'm sure it will feel good." She finished her sentence and gently dragged one of her sharp legs across his arm, making a shallow cut.

  Mason barely registered her words, or the feeling of the cut on his arm. He just felt so peaceful, like nothing could go wrong. I mean, why would he ever need to fight anyway? That's not right. I love to fight. I love fighting? Why, why would I love fighting? Mason felt like he could barely focus. He felt like he got hurt again but it was somewhere far away.

  "In fact, why stop at fighting, there isn't a need for you to do anything, why don't you just forget everything." As she said that, she slit both of his wrists. She's right I should just forget everything, that would be so much easier. Ah, I feel so light, and like my head is far away. Where am I anyway? I'm in a cage, why am I in a cage? What do I do when I'm in a cage? I don't remember.

  Finally, she stopped in front of Mason and lifted one of her legs up until it was lined up with his heart. "How about I make everything stop, wouldn't that be nice? Let me just give you a little push." She started pushing her leg into his chest. All at once, time seemed to slow down in Mason's head. He could barely think, but one thought came through, it may be more apt to call it instinct.

  Ah, that's right. When I'm in a cage, I kill things. As if that thought set off a chain reaction, time sped back up, and everything snapped back into focus. Mason grabbed onto its leg and yanked it out of his chest before snapping the tip off. the spider stumbled backwards, caught off guard. "What are you doing, stop fighting!" it said, stumbling backwards awkwardly. Mason felt a slight nudge when it spoke, but it was nothing compared to before.

  Mason walked towards the spider, anger in his steps. "Don't worry, I wont fight you. I'm going to trample you into the ground until there is nothing left.". Mason continued walking towards the spider until it backed up against the wall, all of its eyes looking for a way out. "Let me tell you what's going to happen," As Mason spoke he grabbed onto the base of its shell and held its legs down with his feet. "I'm going to rip your shell off of your body, inch by inch until you snap in half." Then Mason started pulling.

  The spider tried to scramble away, it tried to find some reprieve, but there was none, only pain. It cried, it begged, it tried to control him, but he never stopped. Finally, with a pop, the shell and the entire back portion of its body popped off in a gruesome shower of blood. He threw the shell onto the ground with a thunk.

  [Mirstra's Voice (Level 24) defeated].

  [Level Up!]

  Mason walked out of the cage and turned to Grammach. "I'll be ready to go in a few hours. Then we'll kill that stupid spider." He went back to his sleeping quarters and laid down. He lifted his hand up in the air and looked at it, clenching it a few times to make sure he was still in control. Fuck that shit. That spider bitch is worth killing just for that if nothing else.

  Mason resolved to keep a closer eye on his behavior in the future. If he noticed anything weird in the future he needs some way to snap himself out of it. Although his new skill will definitely help. He pulled up the notification he missed again just to make sure it was real.

  [Missed skill notifications:

  Mental Resistance (Uncommon): Gives you a slight resistance to mental affects. Cost: N/A Type: passive

  ]

  Lowering his hand, Mason turned over onto his side and closed his eyes. You better watch out, I'm coming for you, you spider piece of shit. Mason let out a yawn. But first I need to sleep.