The sound of canned food falling onto the ground rang out.
It was time for both parties to fight! The sound of heavy weapons digging through reverberated around the three friends as well. They were pretty slow, so the thought of escaping already flashed through their mind.
But then, the ones without weapon barred the escape routes.
There was no way to escape and the fight was the only solution. Selia bit her lips, then raised her small hands high. The sight of the ladies fighting was always the sight to behold. The perverted side laughed and sneered, then slowly began closing up the distance.
As for the males who had to fight Hasar and Felio, they clicked their tongues, then got on the move as well.
From the group of seven, six rookies surrounded the three friends. They were lucky enough to not get life-threatening wounds on their time here, but with such heavy weapons digging the ground, the roommates resolved themselves to keep forward no matter what.
Soon enough, three of them threw their bodies at the empty-handed rookies.
-
Reigner was so damn sure of that he facepalmed himself, then properly crawled beneath bushes. The damn soil was no longer the problem as his body got accustomed to that rough surface. He cursed and silently appeared behind the red box.
From afar, the content of the red box was unknown for Reigner. However, he could guess that the party had tried to make bait and with such an assumption, Reigner focused on the man close to the red box.
He was calmly looking at the weapon, not the battle unfolding not too far away from him.
His hand was resting on the shaft, seeming to try to connect. It was the first time Reigner saw someone trying to connect to the metal aura! His friends, then the fools he had beaten were aiming to survive the hellish environment.
This man wasn't thinking about escaping. He knew that there is no way for him to escape and survive based on the wits. The strength was needed and he was pursuing it honestly, thus, the metal aura began to favor him.
At least that's what Reigner assumed.
There are talented people and those who are bound to be meat shields.
Either way, Reigner had formed some plans, then silently closed up the distance.
Since the rough ground is his 'close' friend, Reigner got its help and his steps were soundless. His breathing was likewise calm, not disturbed by the palpitating heart. Soon, Reigner bent his legs and his hand reached for the mace's shaft!
"!"
The eyes of Johne dilated so widely it looked painful. His heart accelerated and before the action could be done, Reigner threw the mace to the side. He used all the strength possible, then quickly followed the weapon's roll.
'He is strong, damn!'
Johne couldn't tell why would Reigner go for the weapon instead of him. He was so exposed and defenseless it was rather too stupid of him. Regardless of that, he raised his body and clenched his fists.
If this man wants a fair fight, then so be it!
While Johne prepared for the battle, Reigner looked down on the mace. When he touched its base, the information from his current origin process entered his mind. It was the reason for him to throw the weapon away.
Then, he squatted and put his hand on it.
"You were trying to get stronger by using the 'metal' and heavy weapon, weren't you?"
"So you also feel something? Is it the metal aura?"
Johne asked genuinely, not looking that tense as before. Though he stood vigilant, it was nice to see someone who also could feel the unfamiliar changes and feelings. This was the reason he didn't instantly go forth.
The question was the blessing for Reigner!
[You can convert the weapon into a metal aura!
- Converting the thick aura!]
Reigner just needed time to strengthen himself. He was also looking forward to all the weapons the party had found out! They were truly heavy and as item creator, Reigner could see that nice information about its weight and even damage.
He deeply breathed, then spoke for the first time.
"I can feel the metal aura... Looking from afar at you, I could tell that you are different compared to others. Now, do you want to team up?"
"Team up?"
"Yeah, team up with me. My friends aren't that weak as you can see. They are doing just as fine as you could expect them."
The trio was not doing that fine though. Hasar's arm got scratched by the heavy machete, so his wound was thick and highly bleeding... The party was looking cornered, so Reigner's offer was not that enticing.
However, he soon raised the mace effortlessly.
"Wha...t...."
Johne's eyes nearly popped out from his sockets. He saw Reigner leisurely fiddling with the mace, raising it up and down, then even gently throwing it up a little. It was as if the weapon had accepted him... or he found the key to its power!
[You have converted half of the heavy metal mace's metal aura!
- 300 metal aura gained!]
'Oh god, that's so sweet~~'
The metal aura drainage means that the weapon became weaker. However, Reigner could move it freely and so his swing was far deadlier than one could imagine. The sight of him compared to the friends from the party struggling to raise the weapon had shocked Johne, so he softly began negotiating.
"Hey, we got the weapons... I will join you, and give you the most, but... leave some for my friends, kay? They are not that bad, just a little stupid."
"Four weapons for them, the rest for me."
"Deal."
Johne believed he made the fair deal. He shouted to his friends who were coming closer to Reigner's party with victorious steps and devilish grins. However, he had still some influence as everyone stopped.
Then, they turned to face him only to find Reigner with mace in his hand, raised close to his eye line!
"The hell? How can he be so strong?!"
"Johne! Are you betraying us? Fuck! I too would betray though."
"Fuck!"
In the face of the heavy mace acting like a docile weapon, everyone would betray. The party cursed, but they didn't want to lose their only hope. Luckily enough, Johne quickly spat out the deal he made with Reigner.
As to why he didn't want to take them with himself...
It was hard to tell!