'What. The. Hell....... system, are you just playing with me?'
This was the only reason that Bang could think of that would explain this situation. First, the system wanted him to gain the trust of Ligi. Okay, that makes sense. If it wanted to recruit him that's the best way to do it.
But why the hell does it want to sell out Ligi? Is this a prank? A hidden camera show? Wouldn't that have the opposite effect?
Bang tried to get angry but couldn't. He didn't know what to do next. All this sequence of events happened because of the system. He didn't know the system's plans.
Even if he disobeyed the system, what would he do? Did you expect an indecisive man to make a plan on the spot while in critical danger? No!
If it came down to it, he would sell out Ligi even if the system didn't say it.
'Don't worry owner, it is just a bluff'
Unexpectedly, the system spoke. It finally gave him a glimpse of it's plans instead of keeping him in the dark.
'Well this guy wouldn't know that, why did you even make him trust you?'
'This was calculated to be the fastest way of getting a crew member that will be very useful, in a short amount of time.'
Before he could even react, the system gave him another set of commands. The system really doesn't want to give him enough time to digest this information.
Like what was dictated in his mind, he turned to Ligi, held out his hand and gave him the essence. It pained him to part with the essence but this was the only way.
He saw Ligi stare at the essence for a while and slowly take out his hands to receive the essence.
The groups saw that and readied themselves. Especially the leader of the muscle heads. He flexed his muscles even more.
"Let's negotiate, shall we?"
Bang said that with no confidence at all. Like before, he looked like he just learned how to speak. The way his tone and his voice sounded was all over the place.
"Negotiate?? Hmph... fine"
The leader of the muscle heads said that while grinning. It looked like he was just going along the whims of a child. He did not take Bang seriously especially with that voice.
"Let's start with introductions, my name is Sabik"
Bang felt weird saying that. He remembered hearing the name 'Sabik' like a faint memory. It must have been the name of the previous guy who lived in this body.
"People call me the mighty Tarim"
The leader of the muscle heads finally introduced himself. In a boastful manner, no less. He seemed really proud of himself and his reputation.
"Okay, Tarim. Let me go in exchange for the essence. Just me, no one else."
This immediately startled all the groups present. The hunters were shocked, the muscle heads were shocked, even Bang himself was shocked. Only Ligi was the one who showed a different expression.
From Ligi's face can be seen wariness because of the way he stared at Bang. There was even a slight scrunch in his eyebrows. He backed a few steps away from Bang while holding the essence.
After realizing what Bang said, Tarim became angry. He did not like cowardly people. He prided himself in letting his muscles solve his problems for him. Letting someone take the blame and not just used their own muscle.
In anger, Tarim flexed his muscles even more and stomped his foot with great force. This stomp was so powerful that the ground in his feet had an indentation.
The sudden outburst of power sent literal shockwaves in the ground. The birds hiding in the trees flew away in fear creating the sounds of wings flapping.
Bang felt like he was going to fall over but stopped himself in the nick of time. He looked at Ligi and saw that the guy lost his footing and landed on his rear.
Through the instruction of the system, Bang turned to Ligi and quietly spoke.
"Let's run"
Without waiting for confirmation, Bang took his hand and started to run. This time, luckily, Ligi did not trip and they successfully ran.
Tarim, the leader of the muscle heads, did not let this go and powered up his muscles for a boost in power and speed.
As Tarim was about to pounce on them, he suddenly heard a loud growling sound coming from a distance. That sound shook him to his core. It reverberated through his body and tingled his spine. He had only heard this sound coming from one thing. A Limaw.
Bang kept running for his life. He ignored the sound from the distance and just focused on what's ahead.
He took a glance at Ligi and saw that he was a few steps behind. Looking at Ligi, he felt like he was speeding up.
'Wait no, that's wrong. I'm not speeding up, he's slowing down.'
'What the hell is this kid thinking? Is he tired?'
No matter the answer, Bang did not care. At least he will now be safe with Ligi getting caught first.
Bang, in this high speed chase, forgot the fact that he had betrayed Ligi in the negotiations.
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Ligi was unprepared when Bang gestured for him to take the essence. This was a cultivation treasure. A priceless treasure in the eyes of the common folk.
He had heard of people gaining power when they absorbed an essence. Rumor has it that is what happened to the leaders that governed their town.
A few inches away and he would this priceless treasure. But his cool mind reminded him to be careful of the man who gave it to him.
Anyone in their right mind would have this treasure for themselves. Why would he give this away? A seed of doubt was planted in his mind.
'No, I will not accept this. I don't know his motives and this might be an elaborate plan to implicate me. I will never take this essence.'
Ligi did't know it but his hands was suddenly holding the essence. He had subconsciously reached out for the source of power. The source of his hope.
He was so absorbed at the essence that everything was blocked out. He didn't hear about the greetings that Bang and Tarim had. He was feeling a surge of emotions all swirling around him.
'Now that I have this essence, maybe Bang isn't that bad.'
"Okay, Tarim. Let me go in exchange for the essence. Just me, no one else."
'Hmmm??????? Did I hear that right? No.....no, I heard that wrong. He was kind enough to give me this essence, he wouldn't be that bad right??'
This rollercoaster of emotions was happening in Ligi in a split second. He was denying the facts that lay before him. He had to clear his head and try to think with logic.
'He gave me this essence...why?? Why did he want to escape alone??'
Then like a bolt of lightning, he put the two pieces together. Bang gave the essence to him so that he would take all the attention. Bang would be able to escape while they all looked at Ligi.
Ligi became wary of the man who promised him power. He had been tricked. He had been proven right yet again about the cruel reality. This is what he gets for trusting people.
What does he do now? Does he escape, or will he give up? Ligi could not decide what to do. His adrenaline wanted him to escape while his mind wanted to give up.
Suddenly, his choice was made for him. He was once again dragged away by the same man who betrayed him. His legs started running on his own.
'This guy....what does he want? All he does is manipulate me.... Does he think I'm an idiot???? Does he think he's that important?!?!?!'
Suddenly, his blood boiled in anger. He could not take being used anymore. He didn't want anyone to step all over him anymore. Especially Bang...Bang!!!
'That guy was the cause of all this. He had been the one to orchestrate all this and he wants to escape?!?! He wants to use me.., ME!!'
In his anger, Ligi slowed down running. This surge of feelings happening inside him is abnormal as if something is heightening his emotions.
'Let me see what happens when you taste your own medicine.'
With furrowed eyebrows, Ligi slowed down until he came to a full stop. He turned around to face the pursuers and spoke in anger.
"I'll give you this essence. In exchange, you have to kill that guy!"