Collect the World (A LitRPG Adventure, Book 2), page 1
Collect The World
Book 2
BY CAMERON MILAN
Book 1 Summary
Keith Walker had just acquired his innate gift – a Collection Grimoire – when his easygoing life took a sudden twist after a demon tried to kill him. Having survived the encounter, Keith vowed to become stronger.
Not long after that, Keith finally met his father and grandmother for the first time.
Unexpectedly, his father was the High Commander of the Innate Nation’s military, while his grandmother was the Innate Nation’s secret leader.
Two years later, the gateway leading to the Grandsky Realm opened.
Now possessing a heart that yearned for adventure, Keith eagerly entered the Grandsky Realm, ready to explore and acquire new items.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 1
Flames swept across Monster Lord Cangu’s settlement as the Innate Nation’s elite army of a hundred thousand strong marched forward. An impenetrable wall of shields and barriers protected the soldiers in the back from harm, allowing them to launch attacks that tore apart Cangu’s minions. Against the Innate Nation’s disciplined army, Cangu’s underlings found themselves hopelessly outmatched.
Up above, Markus hovered in the sky and observed the burning city in the distance, his complexion sunken. The fact that monsters had created a primitive society challenged his worldview.
Even now, Markus couldn’t find a justification for the massacre happening below him. If monsters could form a civilization, what made them so different from him? What right did he have to kill them? Depressingly, the reservations Markus held were his alone. Whether it be his peers or subordinates, none found any empathy for monsters. Instead, they took delight in the benefits they gained from killing them.
Troubled by his thoughts, Markus only noticed Ska’dur’s presence when the man arrived at his side. Looking over, Markus saw Ska’dur’s torso and right arm mangled beyond recognition, revealing that his fight against Monster Lord Cangu was anything but easy.
“He’s dead,” Ska’dur grunted as he applied medicinal lotion to his wounds.
Markus nodded. “Good work.”
“Title isn’t bad.” Ska’dur winced from the pain. “Gives fifteen percent effectiveness to primary stats.”
Solo killing Cangu earned Ska’dur the divine grade adventurer title. As there weren’t many monsters at that grade, Ska’dur had wanted to fight him alone. Although risky, his gamble paid off, netting him a hard-to-earn title.
After applying the medicine, Ska’dur clenched his left hand with a wild grin. The noticeable increase in power from the title left him delighted. Unfortunately, the dour vibe coming from Markus ruined the mood. Ska’dur glanced over. “Still haven’t let go of those whimsical thoughts?”
“Am I a fool?” Markus sighed wearily.
Ska’dur smacked his lips and observed the battle occurring below. “Brother, for someone who thinks so much, why haven’t you realized the difference between you and everyone else yet?”
Markus looked at Ska’dur in confusion. “What difference?”
“Heh.” Ska’dur gestured to the world before them. “Killing for loot and experience, conflict and war, it’s all a part of the paradigm set up by the System. Your family, friends, subordinates, and everyone else have embraced this truth openly.”
Ska’dur turned and pointed at Markus’s chest. “You alone resist.”
Seeing Markus fall silent, Ska’dur continued, “Just look down there. Look at the revelry they have upon slaying monsters. To them, it isn’t sentient life—it’s experience and items.”
Markus observed the battle below and contemplated Ska’dur’s words, struggling to accept the truth. A moment later, a sharp gleam flashed across Markus’s eyes. “So it all comes down to the System. Its rules have nurtured a mentality that rewards plundering and killing.”
Markus paused and recalled crafting skills. They leveled from knowledge, not conflict. Since both routes to growth worked successfully, Markus realized that a person’s environment shaped them more than he thought. Startled by this conclusion, Markus looked at the sky and grew determined. “I understand now. My biggest obstacle is the System itself.”
Ska’dur smiled widely when the aura around Markus transformed into one of resolve. Taking a deep breath, Markus continued, “If that’s the case, then I need to become a deterrent equal to the System.”
“Hah!” Ska’dur burst into laughter when he heard Markus’s insane declaration. “Brother, I knew you’d say that.”
Markus chuckled. “Are we crazy?”
Ska’dur slapped Markus’s shoulder. “I want to reach the peak, and you want to subvert the System’s rules. If we aren’t crazy, what are we?”
The last of Cangu’s minions died an hour later, as Markus and Ska’dur chatted. A hundred thousand had faced off against a horde of three hundred thousand monsters and emerged victorious. Compared to the complete wipeout of monsters, only a handful on the Innate Nation’s side had fallen.
Markus watched as his army scoured the battlefield for loot and noted the reasons for the overwhelming victory: equipment and the diversity of innate gifts. As a result of the Innate Nation’s developed crafting industry, they could supply each soldier with a complete set of ancient grade armor, weapons, and potions to handle different situations. Additionally, the intelligence department relocated squads to get the most out of each squad member’s innate gift.
Observing the soldiers below, Ska’dur furrowed his brows. “I underestimated this Highdawn army of
Ska’dur had grown so much over the past six months that he felt nothing could stop him. However, seeing the Highdawn troops in live combat made him realize how naïve he was.
Sensing Ska’dur’s dissatisfaction, Markus explained, “Each member of the Highdawn army is the best the Innate Dimension has to offer. All of them are mythic grade adventurers and have undergone strict training. Including the artisans supporting them from the back, it stands to reason you have no chance. This is the power of civilization, brother.”
Ska’dur snorted. “You just can’t help yourself from mentioning civilization, can you?”
“I really can’t.” Markus shrugged with a sheepish smile.
“I just thought of something.” Ska’dur frowned. “If our Highdawn army is this strong, how strong are the armies of the Elemental and Sin dimensions?”
Markus grew solemn. “By working with Radiant Glory, we’ll find out soon.”
“Oh? Rayel accepted our proposal?” Ska’dur raised an eyebrow.
Markus nodded. “Speaking of which, you’re among the few selected to head to the central zones. There’ll be a meeting about it later.”
“Great!” Ska’dur cracked his knuckles. “I can’t wait to see what we’re up against.”
Markus shook his head at Ska’dur’s enthusiasm. Wanting to talk about something lighter, he asked, “How’s Rhea been?”
Ska’dur sported a grin. “Much better. She’s finally started talking to me again. Still a bit of a lone wolf, though. The only company she has is her monster pets. What about your kid?”
“I couldn’t be happier. Keith’s taking some initiative and pursuing his own interests,” Markus said proudly.
Ska’dur whistled. “I heard he and Frisk developed the Mana Body together. What’s with that?”
“A series of coincidences,” Markus replied with a shrug.
Ska’dur hummed. “I’ve been trying to sense mana for a few days now. Even with Frisk’s Tranquility Array, progress is slow. Can I…. Ah, forget it.”
“What? Too proud to ask a young’un for advice?” Markus found Ska’dur’s expression hilarious.
Ska’dur rubbed his beard to hide his embarrassment. Laughing, Markus explained, “The method Keith used was to overload his body with mana to heighten his sense of it. I think he said he consumed almost twenty million points in less than a minute. The process almost killed him, so I wouldn’t recommend copying him.”
Ska’dur’s eyes popped open in shock. “What the slimeball?! How’d he manage that?”
“A sub-ability of his innate gift acts as a mana bank of sorts,” Markus answered, equally bewildered by Keith’s feat.
Processing the information, Ska’dur quickly readjusted his expectations. “With my knowledge of arrays, I thought it’d be enough to get a Mana Body of my own. I should’ve guessed something so powerful wouldn’t come so easily. Looks like I can only take it slow and steady.”
“It’s a matter of talent,” Markus said with some bitterness. “This is classified, but someone unlocked Mana Manipulation on their first attempt, while a handful of others only needed a day. They’re studying arrays now.”
“Talent, huh?” Ska’dur felt slightly deflated after hearing that, though he laughed a moment later. “Whatever. I’m already so talented. It’d be too easy if I were perfect.”
“As always, your ‘confidence’ is admirable,” Markus remarked, having gotten used to Ska’dur’s personality long ago.
Caressed by the wind, the two fell into a momentary silence before Markus said, “The operation to expand the magic network into the surrounding zones starts tomorrow. I’m going to have Keith join one of the squads to get some practical military experience. If you want, I can include Rhea, too.”
Ska’dur quickly voiced his concern. “What’s the expected danger level?”
“Low.” Markus paused. “However, anything’s possible. I can only guarantee one of my trusted aides will secretly watch over them.”
Ska’dur thought about it long and hard before he eventually agreed. “Okay, I’ll let you handle it.”
“Thanks.” Markus smiled, feeling grateful that Ska’dur was entrusting his daughter to him.
At that moment, an officer riding a griffin flew up from below. Hovering before Markus, they reported, “Sir, everything’s finished. Your orders?”
“Well done.” Markus waved his hand. “Return to New Hope.”
The officer saluted, their eyes filled with respect. Shortly after, the army organized itself before heading northeast. On the way back, Markus browsed the System’s report regarding the battle, noting everyone’s performance. At the same time, he thought about the major operation beginning tomorrow, hoping that everything would go as planned.
Chapter 2
Keith walked along the streets of New Hope, reading the report in his hands as he made his way to his team’s gathering point. Detailed within the report was information regarding Operation Skynet, the operation Markus had roped Keith into joining a few days ago.
The files stated that while initially created by Frisk, scientists later spent many years repurposing the magic network pillars into a strategic weapon in preparation for the opening of the Grandsky Realm.
Over the past six months, the project’s scientists further optimized the magic network pillars, and under the continuous improvement of their skill levels, they successfully created the ninth-generation magic network pillar and satisfied the higher-ups, allowing Operation Skynet to finally begin.
The report reminded Keith that not every technological breakthrough was due to Frisk. There were thousands of other people constantly pushing the boundaries of science.
When Keith reached the end of the report, he sucked in a deep breath. What a novel idea, he thought. And they actually succeeded. Operation Skynet boiled down to setting up an array that covered multiple zones. More importantly, even if enemies destroyed one magic network pillar, it wouldn’t cause the collapse of the rest of the array. Instead, each pillar functioned as both the main and sub array. The creators referred to it as a dynamic array.
With Keith learning arrays for several years now, he had a general idea of how incredible this achievement was. Reading the report had further increased his motivation to study arrays, even though he knew he had a long way to go.
A few minutes later, Keith arrived at a large open field near New Hope, where thousands of people stood in small groups. Following the map in his report, Keith soon found his teammates, and upon identifying his commanding officer, Keith approached and said, “Sir.”
Appearing not much older than Keith, Lieutenant Surk had a trimmed beard and a high ponytail. He faced Keith and nodded. “I’ve read your file. Command said not to give you special treatment, so don’t expect any from me.”
“Naturally,” Keith agreed.
“Good.” Lieutenant Surk pointed behind him. “Line up and wait.”
Seeing Keith listen to him without any fuss, Lieutenant Surk felt he had worried for nothing. After all, the report stated Keith grew up as a civilian, so he had expected a lack of discipline. The last thing Surk wanted was to order the High Commander’s son around. That just spelled trouble.
Unaware of Surk’s concerns, Keith found his spot and made sure to stand properly. As he waited, Keith noticed his teammates glancing at him occasionally. Bewildered, Keith looked down and found his apparel in order, so he thought he had something on his face.
Faking a cough, Keith covered his mouth and secretly attempted to clean his cheeks and nose. When they still kept looking, he activated Sensory Link on the palm of his hand to check out his face and was relieved when he found nothing.
Just then, the woman to his right leaned over and whispered, “Hey, are you really the High Commander’s son?”
Feeling enlightened, Keith replied, “Yeah.”
“Huh!” The woman looked Keith up and down. “I kinda see the resemblance.”
Following Keith’s response, the rest of his team started bombarding him with questions. Keith answered honestly. For example, when one person asked what Markus’s type was in a partner, Keith said, “Fierce and wild.” The questions only grew stranger from there.
