Strongest Hammer God

Chapter 915 - Bribe or Apology

Since Kyleʼs shift was nearing its end, he told the Chief Area Commanders that he would slowly lower the intensity of the Aura Expander.

The teams slowly scattered and went back to their original posts as Kyle lowered the intensity.

Yet, when Kyle reached the minimum of 10%, he encountered a problem. After all, he couldnʼt lower it anymore without deactivating it.

The information was forwarded, and the new Commander of Fort U-878 left his post for just a single second to change the setting of the Aura Expander, allowing Kyle to go lower.

Eventually, Kyle lowered the intensity to 1%, and afterward, he completely deactivated it.

The frontlines returned to normal, and Kyle went back to Fort U-878.

After entering the Fort, Kyle paused for a moment before pushing even more Energy into his mind.

BANG!

Kyle felt like a barrier had been shattered, and he once again experienced a feeling of delay.

He had officially become a Major Sage. His mind had become quite a bit more powerful, but the power of his mind grew significantly. The entire world seemed to move more slowly in his perspective.

Then, he calmed his mind to solidify his Momentum. Even though the individual battles hadnʼt been incredibly tough, fighting for 300 years straight was pretty long. He had relied on Humanityʼs ability to adapt and help, but if Humanity had been any slower, he would have died. His life had not only been in his hands back then but also in the hands of Humanity.

For just a moment, Kyle thought about his improvements. He had gone through 300 years of fighting Early Sage Demons, and the constant fighting came with improvements.

ʼMy Momentum has reached the peak of the Wisdom Fire Realm, but thatʼs not uncommon in Ayunar. Due to the constant fights, the average Momentum of a Shield would be within the top 1% in the Supreme World, relative to their Realm. Seekers in the Supreme World simply donʼt fight as much as the Seekers here.ʼ

ʼHowever, we are also fighting an army of Divine Beasts! I simply donʼt have enough presence towards Momentum.ʼ

ʼAs for my other powers, Iʼve gained some insights into the Major Law of Body. Iʼm not even close to comprehending it, but I can see myself getting there in a couple of centuries. The constant adaptation to raise my power will once again—ʼ

ʼUsing my Domain so much has also given me some insights. Sadly, for the other two Major Aspect Laws, I have to dedicate some direct time.ʼ

ʼLastly, the level of my Law of Hammer has increased again. Iʼm assuming that if I only use my Law of Hammer with them, I could create a Refined Law. my power would increase drastically, but at this point, Iʼm not sure if thatʼs the right choice.ʼ

Kyle looked at his hammer. ʼIʼm not done improving the quality of my Law of Hammer. Itʼs not perfect yet, and itʼs actually getting worse. The better it gets, the more errors I can see.ʼ

ʼNot sure how this will end. Either all the errors will be solved at some point, or the number of errors becomes so overwhelming that I canʼt improve it anymore without re-comprehending the entire thing. In either case, this will represent the end of improvement for my Imposing Law.ʼ

But thatʼs future-Kyleʼs problem. For now, I should keep training. Iʼm supposed to face the music.

After going over his growth, Kyle went to the new Commander of Fort U-878. The new Commander was a tall man who had huge muscles.

”Black Sin Hammer 37 reporting. My shift has ended,” Kyle transmitted.

”Accepted,” the Commander transmitted. ”My evaluation of your performance has been marked in your Emblem. Because of your large contribution to my Fort, you have been granted 7,200 Military Merits. Your next orders are to return to Major Sovignior. You may stop at Fort S-878 on your way back. Commander Meristo has requested your presence. Dismissed.”

Kyle nodded and left without saying anything.

After leaving Fort U-878, Kyle flew towards the west as his brows furrowed. During the last 300 years, Kyle had had enough time to think about what had happened, and he suspected that Commander Meristo had recommended Kyleʼs next shift to be in Fort U-878 because he suspected that Commander Levian was a spy.

Naturally, this didnʼt sit right with Kyle.

ʼIʼm sick and tired of being pushed around and manipulated,ʼ he thought. ʼIf he had just asked me to spy on them, I mightʼve agreed. Yet, he didnʼt.ʼ

ʼBut I also know that I canʼt really hold him for that. Iʼm a normal soldier to him. Iʼm not supposed to make decisions. Iʼm a resource. Itʼs not up to me how to use the resources. If resources could decide for themselves, Humanity wouldʼve been eradicated long ago.ʼ

Kyle sighed in annoyance. ʼItʼs necessary in the grand picture, but weʼre also all still individuals. It sucks for the individual, but thereʼs no other way. If you give every individual individuality, the Demons will eradicate the individuals that wanted individuality. Theyʼre just doing what they need to do.ʼ

Kyle arrived in Fort S-878 and landed in front of Commander Meristo.

”You wanted to see me?” Kyle asked without any form of respect. He wasnʼt under any orders, he didnʼt need to follow military protocol.

Commander Meristo looked at Kyle. ”You have been granted 5,000 Military Merits as a reward for your role in uncovering a valuable spy,” he transmitted. ”I will not elaborate any further. You may return to your duties.”

Kyle looked at Commander Meristo for a moment. Even though he didnʼt explain anything, his message was clear.

Yes, he had planned this from the beginning, but he also wasnʼt sorry. He had done what he had needed to do, and choice once more, his decision would be the same.

Commander Meristo didnʼt need to give a reward to Kyle since he hadnʼt ordered Kyle to go to Fort U-878. He had simply recommended him.

Since Commander Meristo hadnʼt given him any order, he also couldnʼt officially reward Kyle. Military Merits couldnʼt just be handed out to soldiers. There were strict rules, and the number of rewarded Merits followed a precise calculation.

However, these restrictions only applied to official rewards. These official rewards came from a budget of Military Merits that were assigned to each Fort. One could view it as a cost center or company account.

The fact that Kyle had still received 5,000 Military Merits could only mean one thing.

Commander Meristo had given Kyle the Merits from his personal account.

ʼI donʼt know if he feels bad or if he simply doesnʼt want me as a potential enemy in the future,ʼ Kyle thought.

Kyle looked at Commander Meristo and nodded once. ʼAccepted,ʼ he transmitted.

Then, he left Fort S-878.

ʼLet bygones be bygones,ʼ he thought. ʼWhether it was a bribe or an apology—I accepted it.ʼ

Kyle looked at his Emblem.

ʼIn the past, I might have refused since it feels a bit insincere. A proper conversation wouldʼve felt more valuable.ʼ

Kyle looked forward. ʼBut Iʼm no longer fighting for just myself. Iʼm also fighting for my team and even Ayunar. Thereʼs no doubt that these Military Merits can increase my power, and if I donʼt accept them, I couldnʼt say that Iʼve tried my best if I fail.ʼ

ʼSo many people are sacrificing themselves for people they have never even seen before. Everyoneʼs trying their best!ʼ

ʼIf I donʼt do the same, I canʼt see myself as anything but a rat.ʼ

Kyle narrowed his eyes.

ʼAnd I donʼt want to be a rat! Iʼm done with that part of my life!ʼ

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