"Can I join you?" Young Michael asked as I finished my meal and the conversation slowed down. He was just a teenager. I noted Hendricks had tensed up at that question as well. But it just showed how immature he was. You don't ask to join another team while your current teammate is sitting right next to you.

On a practical level he had the stats for it. If he died under my watch, I don't think I would be able to brush if off easily. It was different if someone I knew died in front of me, or elsewhere. It wasn't logical, but it was my truth. If he died and working for me, that would impact me incredibly hard. I had seen the kid grow up and survive against all odds.

I on the other hand, left a trail of corpses in my wake. Disaster after disaster, and even with my increased strength people still slipped through my hands. On a practical level he would do well and was exactly the kind of person I needed. But he was also young. Constantly picking up crystals would be hard on him. I looked at Hendricks. The man had helped out Young Michael with the mentor program I had set up. Another bright spot during my tenure as Emperor.

"You can both come for a hundred days. I doubt either of you will want to stick around longer than that, and that is the length of one of my grinding sessions."

"Thank you!" Young Michael said while I looked over at Hendricks.

"Coming with you, what exactly does that mean?" he asked. This man clearly had some wisdom and wasn't impulsive. That was why he had probably lived so long.

"Picking up crystals and making meals. My current crystal picker person decided it wasn't for them anymore. It is brutally hard work. But both of you should be able to handle it. The airship will be cramped. The pay, five million each per day," I replied. A level 4 zone would net about seven million if it was fully cleared.

"Five million, per day, each of us?" Hendricks didn't seem to believe those numbers. "What's the catch?"

"It is brutally hard work. You will feel like you are dying in a level 7 zone. The mental shocks from the battles are no cakewalk either. Consider it a chance to see high level combat, and earn a lot of points. The danger is quite low. But like I said, imagine an incredibly unpleasant job, you have to spend long hours on day after day," I explained.

"I can handle it," Young Michael said.

"Perhaps. Spending a hundred days, will net five hundred million points each. That is about another five thousand stat points," I said.

"The job must be brutal then," Hendricks said.

"If you want to sign up long term, we can discuss that. But it isn't a good long term plan if you want to stand on your own. Can you tell me why?" I asked Young Michael.

"Combat experience and skills," Young Michael instantly said. At least he realized why such a job was a long term trap for anyone who wanted to follow in my footsteps. There was also the fact that they wouldn't have a chance at a meta-point.

"Exactly. Combat experience is a hidden multiplier for any kind of fighting. A percentage based boost. Skills also play a role. Picking up crystals for me is like the training you have been doing with Hendricks. You can see high level combat and high level zones, but to actually survive, you need to work your way up to that level," I explained. Hendricks nodded at this.

"I would accept if you will have me," Hendricks said.

"Of course. I hope you are good at cooking," I replied.

"I am passable enough. We don't cook a lot. I would think with your stats, you wouldn't be cooking that much?" he asked.

"It is comforting to eat. Helps me unwind and destress. When you battle level 7 monsters for 14 hours and clear three zones per day, it is exhausting."

"Three zones?!" Young Michael said with surprise.

"The number of monsters in each zone is less as they get stronger. So, I only have to kill a couple hundred, while there are thousands in lower-level zones. But the fights are a lot harder. I plan to leave immediately, I know you want to look for your mother, but I will not be waiting around," I said.

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"She would understand," Young Michael said quietly.

"I know she would. Hendricks, you are good to leave right away?" I asked.

"Our cart and gear should be sold. That won't take long. A lot of resellers," he answered.

"Alright, well the bill is settled, let's get going. Those points aren't going to grind themselves," I said. We left the restaurant. Hendricks easily handed off his cart and all of his stuff. The amount of points he was about to earn, would more than cover the thousands of points he would lose having to sell a lot of support gear.

After that, had them buy supplies for a couple of days and explained we would fully restock elsewhere. We then took off right away.

"You aren't wearing your armor," Young Michael said as we flew across the Systemic Lands.

"I am too strong. So, I wear casual clothing for the most part that is enchanted to be more durable. Freedom of movement and easier to clean. You will both need to purchase outfits in New Kochi once we arrive. Also, cold and warm weather clothing as well," I told them.

"I have to say this is a lot nicer than a cart," Hendricks said as we soared through the sky. That comment made me smile.

"It really is cost effective only when you start full clearing level 4 zones and starting level 5. Also, you need a way to deal with the flying monsters. Strong ranged skill," I said. That was one reason why I kept my beam attack skills.

"And I am guessing an aerial movement skill as well to be safe," Hendricks added. I nodded at this. "Skills aren't easy to get, let alone upgrades. You have to stake out your claim days beforehand and there are often duels if you don't want to wait in line," he said.

"Duels? How does that even work?"

"Using single summons. A person can fight themselves if they want, but almost no one does that due to the risk. You get heavily wounded, you are dead," he replied.

"The local cities have lost control then. And with so many people, all the dungeons would be cleared near instantly," I replied.

"Getting skills is a nightmare. Better to focus on stats, get powerful and rich enough to just go to the dungeons without worrying too much. Once you can clear level 5 monsters easily, most groups at those dungeons get out of the way," he said.

"Interesting how such a system has evolved naturally," I replied.

"It sucks. Bunch of low level posers who can't even throw a punch," Young Michael complained.

"Well, very few people can say they will have seen a level 7 zone and lived. We can also stop by a couple level 4 zones and you can show me how you fight, so I can see if your movement has any issues," I replied.

"What, really?" Young Michael asked.

"We can do it before and after the grinding session. It is easier to visualize improvement when you fight against the same monsters. Level 3 or level 4?" I asked Hendricks.

"Level 4, if we know what they are ahead of time, and only one at a time," he replied.

"Some darklands with some winged pigs we can make a small detour towards if I am remembering the maps correctly. If not we can easily find a darklands zone. The jungle and the mushroomlands are a nightmare."

"Did you ever grind in them? Any advice would be appreciated," Hendricks asked.

"No. They are way too miserable. Better to stick to the darklands if you can help it. For level 5 zones, shatteredlands are best with an airship, but on foot, the dessert zones. The sandstorm ones are best to be avoided. Too miserable. Level 6 zones, you two would only survive the lavalands. Level 7 zones, stay out of the blizzard areas."

"Areas, not zones?" Hendricks asked. I knew he wanted basic information, but I didn't mind sharing. This stuff wasn't that important in my mind.

"Level 6 zones, are a bit jumbled, but level 7 zones are really mixed up with all the terrain types. From what I could see at a distance, level 8 zones are even worse, the terrain there terrible. Acid, blood, tentacles," I said to Young Michael who looked curious. "For grinding, I like to draw in as many monsters to a clear mountain area and beat them there."

"They chase you from all over the zone, that makes things easier," Young Michael said.

"You would think that. But the real trick is to not get overwhelmed and killing them quickly before I get swarmed. That is the kind of combat experience I was talking about earlier. Understanding what you can handle without pushing yourself to the edge of death. The only way you can realistically survive long term grinding, even against monsters you know," I corrected his thinking. I could tell he was paying attention and hanging off my every word, so I didn't want to lead him astray.

"While I doubt it, any other groups we need to worry about?" Hendricks asked.

"If you see someone with an super ornate sword, just stay out of their way and run if they attack. It is the kind of weapon you can't miss. The weapon is probably sentient and controlling people. Once I get strong enough, I am going to destroy it," I replied.

"How is a weapon even sentient?" he asked.

"If you don't know the answer to that question, better off me not telling either of you," I replied.

"Really?" he asked in disbelief.

"Really. Take a day or two to sleep on it. Once you know, you can't unknow. The kind of thing where knowledge is not helpful," I replied.

"I don't need to know," Young Michael said. His blind trust was adorable.

"Think on it." I stretched out my arms and rolled my neck. It would be a long flight.

"You need one of us to stay on watch?" Hendricks asked.

"I appreciate it. Might as well show you both the controls. Don't change our heading. I will also stay awake. Since we have a lot of flying monsters gathering behind us and need to make a turn once we cross over to the West Systemic lands. If we fly through the night, it will take about two days to reach New Kochi," I explained.

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