Eo had lain in bed for a couple hours while thinking. On one hand, he was way higher than anyone else here. That was a definite. But that was only because of his deeper understanding in essence and his essence circulation hax. On the other hand however, Kyros was catching up much, much faster than he had expected. Was this the power of a someone predicted to come a millennium before their birth? Eo honestly had no idea how Kyros could do that.
(I know Kyros already has the power of two elements… but is that not enough? He also needs to have an absurd amount of essence? Come on, that's just unfair... )
"Eo, you awake?"
Eo got up. He blinked. Wait, he could get up?
"Uh, yeah…"
Eo jumped. He twirled. He kicked himself. Okay, Eo shouldn't have done that. But at least he knew his legs were working fine.
(I guess you could say… my legs are running fine now!) Eo chuckled at himself for his pun.
The tent door opened. Utaris was there.
"Eo, why are you laughing at yourself like a maniac? Kyros and the others are waiting."
☆
Eo rubbed his eyes and scanned the group. Everyone was in gear, albeit it being really messy.
"Huh. So you guys were ready after all."
"What are you talking about?"
Eo stretched.
"Alrighty, I'll be prepared in thirty seconds."
"Wait Eo, we didn't even talk about our plan-"
Kyros lowered his outstretched hand. Did this Eo kid not think ahead in the future?
Exactly thirty-one seconds later, Eo appeared.
"You're late," Kimin said, putting away her stopwatch.
"Oh, sorry. Anyways, what's our plan today?"
Eo grinned and looked at everyone else.
Kyros sighed. Well, at least there was going to be a plan in the first place.
"Let's make a vote."
That hour, they all furiously debated on what and where to go next. As most of them had tasted only victory, and quite repeatedly, they had all seen their proficiency rise a lot. It was indeed exceptional, and most wanted to continue deeper to gain an even higher mastery. They wanted to be higher ranked.
Eo technically agreed with them. He wanted to go further deeper as well. What he was worried about however, was that the rest of the team wasn't ready enough. He slightly doubted the survival of certain Recruits within the D Zone.
Kyros seemed the most concerned, however. Kyros himself seemed uneasy about his own ability, even after the test last night.
"Guys guys, stop for a moment and think. I got a essence measurement of almost 2000, which means I'm basically a purple-rank."
"Amazing!"
"As expected of the savior!"
"Of course, he's the most powerful one here!"
Kyros cleared his throat and continued.
"However, look at this. We're about to enter a D-ranked zone."
Kyros looked around once more.
"And do you know what is the minimum rank required to enter a D-ranked zone? Purple rank."
Immediately the other mercenaries started cheering.
"The savior truly is the one who would lead us into great vaults of experience!"
Kyros angrily shook his head. "No, you dummies. Do you know what this means?!"
"If the strongest person here isn't even a Purple rank, how could that person somehow fight and protect those that are even less?!"
The room became quiet. In Eo's head, however, he just chuckled.
(You're not the strongest here. I actually have the power of a Purple Rank.)
Eo already knew the result of the "vote". Kyros insisted on making everything democratic, and the result was that the mob of frenzied XP-lovers wanted to get more of their drug.
Eo waited for the decision for "Go To Zone D" to pass.
It did.
Kyros, thoroughly defeated, slumped next to Eo.
"Wow, these guys really love getting stronger."
"You can't really blame them, Kyros. It's a pretty good feeling."
"Yeah, but… not everything can get solved by just getting stronger."
Eo choked on his saliva.
"Y-yeah." Eo was in complete disbelief. Eo quickly turned away to prevent Kyros from seeing his face morph into a crazy grin. Eo was going to actually die from laughter.
(Why did that sound so cliche?!)