As Haruto looked over the stone, he heard branches snapping. Looking up, he saw three strange men approaching. His brows furrowed; he had chosen a secluded spot, but their expressions immediately set off alarms. He recognized that look—it was the same look of greed he'd seen on his relatives' faces after his parents died.
"My, my, what's a fledgling like you doing all alone out in the woods? Say, if you're lost, we will help ya out. Just hand over the little stone there," Razor spoke devilishly. Haruto could tell from his tone that these guys were up to no good.
"Hey, Brat. My partner is offering you his good graces. It'd be wise of you to take it."
Haruto knew they were only after the stone. How long had they been watching him? He was careless. If it were one of his games, he would have never let his guard down so easily. He needed to stall to figure out a plan.
"Sorry man, I don't swing that way. I like girls. But since you have two partners there, I'm sure y'all can figure out something. I do find it awfully strange three men are just out alone in the woods together," Haruto smirked.
When Needle heard Haruto's remark, he nearly coughed up blood. This brat dared to question his manhood?! Needle was set to rush in, but Razor held up his hand.
"Good, very good. Initially I was simply gonna kill you quickly and get a move on. We have places to be. But since you like using that foul mouth of yours, I'll make sure you eat your words. Right after I cut out your tongue!"
Needle then rushed forward with his swords drawn. "Sword arts: Death Mincing!!" Needle's swords started moving in weird motions that made it seem as if Haruto was drunk. Haruto tried to run but stumbled back and tripped. He panicked. This wasn't a video game; it was real. He suddenly remembered he had weapons! Right before Needle's swords cut into his face, a pickaxe summoned, and not only blocked the strike but Needle's swords cracked when they made contact. This action left everyone, even Haruto, shocked.
Unknown to both parties, this wasn't due to Haruto's strength. It was the pickaxe's ability to mine any material activating. It making contact with the steel of the swords registered as the material being mined and started to break the swords' foundations down.
Needle stumbled back. "My swords! You brat, you're going to pay for this!" Razor and Snake now joined the fray. A shadow appeared above Haruto, and he saw Snake's body flying through the air, saber drawn.
"Venom Magic: Viper strike"
Snake's mouth opened, and poison mist came spewing out as Haruto got to his feet. He swung the axe, but it had no effect. "So this is magic?" The mist hit Haruto, and he quickly received a message from his Divine Band.
[You have been poisoned. Body movements will become sluggish for the next 30 minutes.]
Damn, this thing can even read my body signs? He then coughed up blood, some of it landing on the Awakening Stone.
SCREEECHHH!!!!!!!
An ear-piercing noise spread throughout the forest followed by a shockwave. Haruto then lifted off the ground as the Power Awakening Stone started to become absorbed.
In the City, the King was reading over notes as he suddenly felt the wave pulse through the castle. "Hmm? It seems someone or something has found something quite interesting. To feel the effects through these castle walls, that awakening stone must be at least at the Legendary level? And right before the Initiation… what an interesting find indeed." The king leaned back and smiled. Suddenly someone burst through the door. A woman clad in a battle suit.
"My king, pardon the interruption, you felt it too, correct!"
The King smiled. "I did indeed. But it was not of the Ancient Grade. I'm almost disappointed. I thought I'd have to pay them a personal visit." The woman scoffed. "You have that freak. You don't need any more friends." The King burst into hearty laughter. "That is true, I suppose." He suddenly grew intense and back to business. "So tell me. What did you have in mind for this year's Initiation?"
Back in the Forest, the three bandits stood in shock and awe as Haruto looked like a mythical being getting summoned. Fear slowly crept into the bandits as one thought crossed all their minds.
What type of monster is this? As he landed back down, Haruto looked up as a message appeared.
[Power stone has been successfully absorbed. Poison has been cleansed. New Magic found: Element Magic. Grade: Legendary. Type: Growth.]