"What is it?" Max asked without wasting time when he saw his grave expression.

"Yesterday, when I entered this city, I encountered a group of people." Jamie began speaking, "They had almost completely lost their minds. It wouldn't be wrong to call them zombies."

'Hm?' Max brows furrowed hearing this.

"At first I had thought the situation had made them numb and act like they did, but last night, when I was drinking the water I was given, I realized this was not the case." gravely said Jamie.

"Something's wrong with the water?" Max asked, his expression turning solemn.

"Yeah." Jamie nodded, "I don't know how it's possible, but the ground water has already become contaminated, most likely with radiation. Though the contamination is still mild which is why only the weak people have started showing symptoms. But…"

He took out two 100 ml plastic bottles and showed them to Max while saying, "...I compared the water that was taken out yesterday to the one I took out today and the result is worrying—the radiation is increasing."

Max stared at the water bottles before looking at him and asking, "How did you test it?"

Jamie's expression became a little awkward as he said, "By drinking."

"..."

Max stared at him for a moment, speechless.

"Well, I had no choice. There is no machine to check the radiation, and I can tell the difference by drinking it, so I did it." Jamie explained before adding, "Of course, I only dared to do it because the current level of radiation won't harm me."

Max knew what he was going to ask was going to make him look ignorant, but he didn't care and asked, "Why?"

As expected, Jamie looked at him strangely, but when he saw him narrowing his eyes, he changed his expression and explained,

"It's because I have touched the threshold of Bronze Rank, which makes me several times stronger than ordinary people, in strength, in vitality and everything else."

"I see." Max nodded and took him to the stone table in the courtyard where he sat down and ordered, "I know nothing about the ranks, the power structure of martial artists and Awakeners. Explain it to me."

Jamie nodded in understanding and began speaking, "Master, the ranks of Martial Artists and Awakeners are the same. The only difference is that Awakeners are stronger than pure Martial Artists…"

Max didn't interrupt him and calmly listened to every word he said. When he finished speaking over half an hour, Max closed his eyes to digest the information.

Bronze Rank/Level

Black Rank

Red Rank

Silver Rank

Gold Rank

Platinum Rank

Diamond Rank

The whole power structure was divided into these seven ranks, from Bronze to Diamond. Each rank had three subdivisions—Low, Mid, and High.

From what Jamie knew, even during the Mana-Rich era, very rarely someone reached the sixth realm—Platinum Rank—and there was no record of anyone reaching the Diamond Rank.

Of course, since people knew of this realm, someone had most definitely reached it. Jamie just didn't know.

It also made sense because Jamie was just a hired goon of the Brown Family. Why would they give him access to important knowledge?

In fact, most of what he knew was thanks to his father's notes.

"How strong is a Bronze Rank Awakener who is also a Martial Artist?" Max asked after a while.

Jamie shook his head, "I haven't met any Bronze Ranker, be it a Martial Artist or an Awakener. So, I can't be sure, but someone who has just entered the Bronze Rank should be at least twice as strong as the current me."

"Is that so?" Max muttered and then stood up, "Let's see how the current me compares to you."

Knowing what he wanted, Jamie stood up and nodded. Then, for the next 20 minutes, Max compared his physical strength, agility, speed and reflexes with Jamie.

Haa! Haa!

When they stopped, Jamie, slightly out of breath, stared at Max in shock.

Not only was Max's breathing even, he had turned out to be stronger than him in every aspect.

'Did the contaminated water weaken me?' He couldn't help but wonder even though he knew this wasn't the case.

'How did he suddenly become stronger than me?' He thought.

Even though he had lost to Max yesterday, he knew for a fact that he was stronger than him if his inexplicable power-up was excluded.

But just a night later, even without the power-up, Max was at least 20% stronger than him.

…

While Jamie tried to think how he had suddenly become stronger, Max was lost in his thoughts.

Jamie's [Physical] is around 50. So, if I assume a newly advanced Bronze Rank Martial Artist is twice as strong compared to Jamie, then their [Physical} would be 100.

As for an Awakener who is also a Martial Artist… let's say their physical would probably be between 150 to 200.

But what about a Mid and High Bronze Ranker? And what about Silver Ranker?

'Hopefully, Grandpa would be able to give me more information about it to make a better comparison. But, I first should increase my strength to rival a Low Bronze Rank Martial Artist at least.' He thought and pulled up his status screen with a thought.

[Name: Maxwell Williams]

[Level: 8 (0/190)]

[Physical: 62]

[Spiritual: 58]

[Harem: 5]

[Harem Points: 848→548]

[Slaves: 0]

[Abilities: Discerning Eyes Lv 3. (0/100)]

Taking a deep breath, he used 190 Harem Points and leveled up to level 9.

[Congratulations! You have leveled up!]

"Argh!" He grunted lightly because the pain was stronger than he expected.

Jamie raised his brows in confusion hearing the grunt and seeing his body turning redder.

"Are you alright, Master?" He asked.

"I am, don't worry." Max said and took out the water jug from his inventory, "Here, drink some and rest up. We are going to spar in a bit."

'Hm?' Jamie's pupils constricted when he saw the water jug appear in his hand out of nowhere.

"Don't think too much and just take it." Max's voice stopped his mind from wandering.

Hurriedly nodding, he took the jug with both hands, opened it and looked at the water.

"It's not contaminated." Max smiled, knowing what he was thinking.

Jamie's gaze deepened as he looked at him. 'No wonder he didn't become too concerned after finding out about the water contamination.'

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