The tank guy swung.
"Oh wow. How dangerous." [Solace]
I spoke sarcastically as I stepped back to evade his… punch? His hand was open, so maybe it was a slap. Unless he was trying to grab me? Either way, he missed.
"You just got lucky." [Tank Guy]
"Nuh-uh." [Solace]
I taunted him with a stupid reply. It was kind of funny 'cause he just stood there speechless.
"What are you even saying?" [Tank Guy]
"That you need to start trying if you want me to start dying." [Solace]
I don't know why I said that at the time. I sometimes writhe in agony when I think of this moment.
"...You are an incomprehensible piece of work." [Tank Guy]
"Sadly." [Solace]
The tank guy took his shield and swung it at me.
"Whipping out the big guns now?" [Solace]
It was a bit slower than when he swung with his fist, which obviously makes sense since he's holding a heavy object. Matter of fact, I don't even know why I need to explain this. You guys aren't children that need spoon feeding of information.
"Are you even trying?" [Solace]
I leaned back under the shield, allowing myself to feel a refreshing breeze that came from it.
"Do you only have a shield? Aren't you going to use a sword?" [Solace]
"I don't need a sword!" [Tank Guy]
He swung a few more times, only to hit nothing but air.
"Uh-huh. If you say so." [Solace]
I continued to back away, until I found my back against the door I entered.
("I could've sworn I left it open?") [Solace]
"You have nowhere to run!" [Tank Guy]
He punched at me with the shield, using the edge as a weapon.
"I can go up though?" [Solace]
I jumped high enough to barely evade the shield, causing it to strike the door.
"My door!" [Ms. Ross]
"Sorry!" [Solace]
I landed on the tank guy's shield, which appeared to be stuck in the door.
"Well you just did a whole lot of nothing." [Solace]
I sat down on the shield mocking him. To be honest, it felt great knowing that this guy couldn't hit me.
"Stop playing around! Get him already!" [Mage Girl]
"Do you think I'm not trying?!" [Tank Guy]
The tank guy yanked out his shield from the door. He then tried to throw me off his shield, but I already got off.
"Please stop!" [Ms. Ross]
"Not until I get rid of this guy!" [Tank Guy]
I felt a bit bad about trashing Ms. Ross' office so I decided to minimize the damage. How so? Take him out you silly goose~.
"Come on then." [Solace]
I provoked him into swinging with the shield again.
"Yoink." [Solace]
Moving quickly, I pried the shield from his hands and tossed it to the side.
"What?!" [Tank Guy]
He glanced between his hand and me with disbelief.
"How did you…?" [Tank Guy]
"I grabbed and pulled." [Solace]
It really was just that. My strength stat was one of my prideful points.
"That's inconceivable! I refuse to believe that you can do that!" [Tank Guy]
He lunged forward with his hands open. I guessed he was trying to grab me for some kind of contest of strength, so I obliged.
"Aight bet." [Solace]
I grabbed his hands and put strength into my grip.
"A-Argh!" [Tank Guy]
He knelt downwards as he grimaced from the pain.
"Don't be such a baby. It's not like I've done any extensive damage." [Solace]
I was wondering whether or not I should give this guy the "Jukhan" treatment. You know, beating someone until near death.
"Get your hands off him!" [Mage Girl]
She aimed a large wooden staff at me and launched a ball of fire at me. Though I thought it may be dangerous, I let it hit me.
"You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit reached. |Fire Resistance| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
It's been a while since I heard that. Needless to say, I was unharmed.
"You… You should've… How…?" [Mage Girl]
I guess you could say I left her mouth wide open?
"...Care to try again?" [Solace]
As I spoke, the tank guy headbutted me. Funnily enough, he reeled back in pain while I laughed.
"You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit reached. |Temperance| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
"Oh this is just too beautiful." [Solace]
I expected a harder fight, you know? These guys were supposed to be the hero's party. Compared to Astos and Fable, these so-called "heroes" were nothing.
"Okay, I'm done here." [Solace]
I released my grip on the tank guy and pummeled him until even his armor gave way. Either my body has become too hard for armor to matter or it's just that he wore cheap stuff.
"|Reinforce|! |Barrier|! |Iron Skin|!" [Priest Girl]
I wasn't really paying attention, but the tank guy started glowing after the priest said something. It didn't really matter because I just kept beating the crap out of the poor soul.
"W-wait! I yield!" [Tank Guy]
He raised his arms in a defensive position. It made me feel like a bully.
"Are you going to apologize to Fina?" [Solace]
I glanced at Fina, who wore an expression of mixed emotion. Worry, horror, and a few other things that I can't really explain. Was I doing too much?
"I-I'll apologize." [Tank Guy]
"Cool." [Solace]
I looked at the mage and priest as well.
"You guys too." [Solace]
"What?! I'm not going to-" [Mage Girl]
"Do you want the same treatment this guy got?" [Solace]
I pointed at the beat-up tank guy, causing the two to flinch.
"F…Fine." [Mage Girl]
The priest didn't even try to retort.
All three turned, or rather the mage and priest turned to Fina. I had to physically pick up and turn the tank guy 'cause uh… I beat him up too much I think. It's weird how he still had the energy to use his arms but not his legs.
"I am sorry for how I treated you." [Priest Girl]
"I am sorry for calling you a forsaken." [Tank Guy]
"I apologize for suggesting you to become a porter." [Mage Girl]
Oh the satisfaction I got from that. Although, I don't think Fina felt that same.
"I-It's okay! I don't mind! Really!" [Fina]
She waved her hands frantically.
"Thank you!" [Mage Girl] [Tank Guy] [Priest Girl]
As they thanked her, the warrior approached me.
"Excuse me, but I'd like to ask your name." [Warrior Guy]
"Mind telling me yours first?" [Solace]
"Ah, sorry about that. I am Wilharrow. Wilharrow Strayce, the Hero of Metus." [Warrior Guy]
So it turns out that warrior guy wasn't your average joe.
"Well then, I am Alt Account. What can I do for you?" [Solace]
Wilharrow gave me a nervous look.
"I'm sorry about this, but you DID attack my party members. I'd like to challenge you to a duel to retain the Metus' honor." [Wilharrow]
I raised a brow.
"...You're not serious." [Solace]
Wilharrow shook his head.
"I am very serious." [Wilharrow]
"I know you're not a very bad guy seeing as how you're the only one who didn't talk down on my friend Fina over there, but I can promise you that you're gonna get a whooping." [Solace]
"A… what now?" [Wilharrow]
"A whooping. Like, you're not going to win. As in, the same treatment your big friend over there got." [Solace]
I pointed at the tank guy.
"Ah… Speaking of which." [Wilharrow]
He then turned to his party members.
"From henceforth, I will be disbanding this party and will be making a new one." [Wilharrow]
The three… I guess "former" hero's party looked at him with shock.
"Wh-why?!" [Tank Guy]
"You three are not fit to carry the hero's name. Discrimination against another's hair color? It turns out I was too blind to see what you all are. [Wilharrow]
"But you need us! How are you going to defeat the demon lord?!" [Mage Girl]
Wilharrow gave them a deathly stare. It was a mix of disgust and hate. Whether it was directed at them or himself, I don't know.
"Following your logic, I can just replace you with people from the tournament." [Wilharrow]
His previous comrades fell silent.
"In any case, Alt, how about it?" [Wilharrow]
I sighed.
"Look, I just don't want to fight you since you're pretty nice. If you really want to, you're going to have to offer me something in return." [Solace]
Wilharrow placed a hand on his chin.
"Hm… Then what would you like? I can get you something from the kingdom's treasury if you win. As unlikely as it is." [Wilharrow]
"Money." [Solace]
"Money? Are you su-" [Wilharrow]
"Yes." [Solace]
I can tell you that I am broke. During my entire time in the reincarnation, I have not made a single cent.
"If that's all then let us begin." [Wilharrow]