?Evolution and Unlocking of New Units: Ptoon - Patrol (minor)."

  Total Units: 8.

  Unlocked Vehicle: Humvee M1151?

  Ryan doubted that upon reaching level 2, the increase in "power" would be drastic enough to kill the bandits with one shot, so the most logical option for him was the increase in soldiers at his disposal.

  Of course, he never expected to receive a new type of unit apart from the squad's advancement to a ptoon. A part of him even refused to believe it was his lucky day, perhaps for fear of attracting even more problems than he already had.

  Ryan was sometimes as pragmatic as he was superstitious. The fact that there could still be a group of bandits looking for him, his family, and after some time the wizards from that academy when he didn't show up at their doors... No, thinking about it right now when he cked power was useless.

  What he had to do was train his aura and evolve his soldiers as much as possible, given that the experience he gained could only come from missions and the corpses of his enemies. The only good thing about all this was the system's willingness to grant him more power without needing to move.

  ?Ptoon: Unit usually dedicated to defense with a maximum operating range of 50 meters around the user. Exceeding this limit, the units will be automatically discarded. Cost: 16mp.

  Patrol (minor): A highly mobile unit with an operating range of 500 meters around the user. Additionally, the units can extend this range by 50 meters around the Humvee. Cost: 36mp.?

  With the system's expnation also came a certain understanding, such as being unable to summon both types of units at the same time, not only because he cked the necessary mana but also as a limitation of his own power.

  That's why the redhead felt a wave of fatigue when summoning his entire patrol: 2 vehicles that were immediately joined by the remaining 4 soldiers. The Humvees were a bit rger than the palm of his hand, or at least that's what he could see when passing his hand over the vehicle. The reason? Ryan could roughly estimate that each vehicle weighed easily over 15 kg despite its tiny size, making it impossible to lift in his current state.

  "At least now they can drag small animals." With one of his basic needs practically secured, Ryan ordered them to search for a source of clean water, hunt animals, and perhaps get rid of any number of bandits less than 2.

  Following Ryan's orders, the small vehicles came to life with a soft humming barely perceptible to the human ear. The force was divided strategically: one patrol established a defensive perimeter close by while Ryan concentrated on his meditation, while the second unit ventured on a reconnaissance mission, elimination of potential threats, and resource extraction.

  For the next two days, Ryan remained in a state of deep meditation, completely immobile while his consciousness expanded methodically through each cell of his body. The aura, that fundamental energy of the world, flowed through his blood, nourishing each cell of his being.

  The difference between a novice and an adept in the use of aura was that the adept could start to ignore the use of the circutory system to feed his body aura. Instead, he could extensively map his body and deliver the aura directly to any part of his body, which he now absorbed through the pores of his skin, increasing the amount he could absorb, way faster and saving a lot of time.

  "Years of training reduced to a simple 48 hours". Even Ryan could feel his own envy burning in his chest, not to mention what those old fossils who had spent decades trying to take a step forward would say when he was practically jumping in giant strides.

  "If I had been this fast in the past..." While a person lived, it would be impossible to escape some kind of ment, always thinking about the things that couldn't be, even when they were impossibly out of reach. Ryan only clenched his fists while meditating, eating, and drinking thanks to the endless stamina of his toy soldiers.

  +25 exp, +25 exp, +15 exp

  +25 exp, +5 exp, +15 exp, +5 exp

  +25 exp, +25 exp, +2 exp, +2 exp, +2 exp,

  ?Secondary Mission: 171/200?

  During these two days, a single patrol not only took care of finding water and food but also of ambushing and eliminating 5 other bandits. The tactics didn't change much, using anti-personnel mines, shooting at the eyes, or even putting "grenades in bananas" to cause the greatest amount of pain in the most vulnerable pces of a man. It was the ck of firepower that turned these small soldiers into ruthless demons in the eyes of the bandits, who couldn't forget the disfigured faces of pain on the corpses of their companions.

  On the other hand, the soldiers managed to hunt 2 rabbits, 2 normal birds, and 2 magical in these two days.

  The Sonic Royal Owl was a magical species of owl that used infrasound to stun the opponent, especially prey like rabbits and other small animals.

  Despite being one of the most basic magical animals that exist in the world, they were able to give more than half of the experience of a human adult. Better yet, the meat was especially tender and came with a small violet crystal that contained a concentrated amount of mana.

  Unfortunately, it was useless for Ryan or his abilities; perhaps it would serve as a valuable item if one day he were to enter a vilge or city, but that was far from happening soon. The best way to absorb aura was to be close to nature, so the current forest was a blessing for the redhead who only wanted to regain his old strength as soon as possible.

  When the third day arrived, Ryan was finally able to start training physically at the same time as he absorbed the aura of his surroundings. Although limited to simple things like running or push-ups...

  "It doesn't matter as long as I have time to develop," he murmured while his body sweated, slowly strengthening his body.

  Ding!

  ?New Secondary Mission: Get captured by the bandits."

  Time Limit: 10 days.

  Description: A group of mercenaries has taken the contract put out by your family to rescue you. Try to be in the bandits' camp before the mercenaries find it and destroy it.

  Reward: 1 Evolution Point, a minor hp potion, 50 exp.?

  "Haaaa... me and my big mouth..." Ryan could only sigh, grabbing his head in the direction of the giant tower of light that seemed to touch the sky in the distance.

  Nakusyer