For Ruby, this was a first-of-a-kind experience. Diligently focused on absorbing the spiritual power around her like Michael had taught her, nothing else entered her little world.

Her soul stirred in response to her surroundings, allowing her to instantly enter a trance, a feat that even many experienced cultivators found difficult to achieve.

Eventually the energy around her began to disperse, as most of it had already entered her body.

Since, according to Michael, there was little point in cultivating if there wasn't something next to you that boosted the spiritual energy in the surroundings, she was prompted to open her eyes.

"...?"

Only to be startled by the way everybody stared at her with stunned expressions.

"Did Ruby do something wrong?" She asked. Anxious that she had somehow messed up the process.

"Wrong?" Ava mumbled slowly before suddenly pouncing on her. Pinching Ruby's cheeks gently, she exclaimed in a high-pitched voice:

"Genius! We have another true genius in our ranks!"

"I feel like my rivalry with Michael is being threatened by her existence…" Enzo mumbled quietly, utterly bewildered.

The crew's reaction was understandable, as until now they had yet to meet someone that rivaled Michael's speed of progress, yet all that changed with Ruby's appearance.

"It must be possible because of her altered soul." Victoria theorized.

"Are you sure everything is fine? She won't have any complications if she is able to progress so quickly, right?" Claire asked.

"Regardless of how much I focus, I can't sense any abnormalities." Michael replied. "She is genuinely this talented."

Before the crew went to search for their next target, Ruby's gaze settled on the slain rabbit-like creature.

"Michael said that taking a bite out of them makes you stronger. Does that mean Ruby can try?"

Enzo instantly shivered, feeling chills run down his spine.

"Is it really fine? I mean… These beings procreate with contact after all…" He asked, taking a few steps back.

Michael shook his head. "The danger of infection is present only when the alien is alive. Dead ones can't infect anything, though if you are still concerned, just stay away from the tentacles. The rest of the body is certainly fine."

To showcase his confidence, Michael took a bite, getting a few skill points.

[Lower alien meat consumed: +6 Skill Points gained]

[Lower alien meat con…]

In Michael's case the 10 points gained weren't that significant. However, when it came to Ruby, who had reached the Middle Apprentice stage, these 10 points were a significant boost.

Like a predator, she didn't hesitate to take a few bites herself.

"I feel more powerful, but I can't tell what has changed." She admitted.

Because she didn't have a system like Michael, she would have to go to a terminal to see her current attributes. After Michael filled her in, they went to search for a more powerful prey.

Fortunately the search didn't last long, finding a dog-like creature with a few tentacles growing from its abdomen.

"This one is Higher… Aren't we jumping the gun?" Ava asked, clearly worried that Ruby would be overwhelmed.

"I will intervene if something goes wrong." Michael reassured.

Truthfully, he wasn't pairing her up against a Higher alien because he was overestimating her. No, he wanted to teach her what it was like to fight a foe stronger than herself.

Without doubting herself even for a second, Ruby dipped into a battle stance.

'Could this be the power of cultivation?' A second later her eyes narrowed. Mountains of information entered her mind due to her improved senses, yet strangely she didn't find herself overwhelmed. Her limbs felt lighter and tougher at the same time.

Roar!

The Higher Hreh'tar uproared, pouncing on Ruby. However, before it could even reach her, she acted.

Moving with unnatural fluidity, her legs parted, making a perfect front split, sweeping the creature off its four legs.

Slash!

With a clean motion, Ruby's palm moved with the ferocity of a blade, tearing all of the alien's tentacles.

"Die!"

The next second, the alien grew limp, her foot embedding its head.

Confirming the creature's demise, Ruby turned towards Michael, with a bit of blood staining her attire. "Look! I killed it!"

Her figure was still obscured by a hood, yet her happiness couldn't be mistaken.

"Good job." Michael replied with a smile.

The next few hours passed in what seemed like a flash. Ruby absorbed the spiritual essence of her prey, simultaneously getting familiar with her newfound powers.

By the very end everybody was rendered speechless.

Ruby panted heavily, her athletic body marked with numerous wounds, yet a beaming smile spread across her face.

'Cats are by nature predators, so I suppose I should have expected such a result…' Michael heaved a sigh, observing the prey that lay motionlessly on the ground.

She had single-handedly slain an Elite.

As for her realm…

"Early Expert? This speed of progression is surpassing even Michael's!" Ava proclaimed.

Of course there was an explanation for that. Ruby had been allowed to fight to her heart's content all this time, knowing she would be saved if the worst happened. Michael hadn't been able to enjoy the same liberation of choices. Not to mention that aside from himself, he also focused on strengthening his crew.

'From now on her speed would undoubtedly stagnate… Still, this is more than enough.' Michael thought as he crept closer.

"Michael, I can feel it!" She exclaimed, tugging his clothes with an excited smile. "When I encounter those robots, I can fight against them on equal ground!"

"I know, I did see you defeat an Elite alone after all." He chuckled.

"That's true! Now I will not be forced to stay and watch the battle from the back! I—I…"

Her words began to trail off, her eyelids becoming unbearably heavy.

"H—Huh…?" Before she realized it, her consciousness faded, and she passed out on the spot.

Grab!

Before she could hit the ground, Michael gently scooped her up, carrying her in a princess carry.

"Overexerted?" Victoria asked, appearing calm on the outside while being concerned on the inside.

"It was inevitable." Michael shrugged. "Considering how long she has fought, I am surprised she managed to hold up until now."

"We better head back to the capital and let her rest. Once she wakes up, we can check her attributes on a terminal and sign her up officially as a cultivator." Claire suggested.

The entire way back, Michael carried Ruby in a princess carry. Since her palms subconsciously held him in her slumber, he judged that she preferred to be carried by him rather than putting her on Cyberfang.

'She is as light as I remembered.'

He thought, looking at her innocently sleeping face.

Even now, it still felt bizarre that something would experiment on humans, to go so far as to change their very nature, twist their very soul, all just to get closer to whatever goal they were pursuing.

'Whether it's some kind of mad scientist, sentient AI, a network of them, or something else entirely, I don't know who's responsible. But I know one thing for certain. I will find you…'

Michael's gaze grew colder, his expression completely devoid of warmth.

'And I will kill you.'

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