It did not take long for Connor to figure out that Ricardo was the not very talkative guard that he first spoke with on his arrival to the Camp.
Connor approached him and spoke. "Aren't you supposed to be protecting the excavation site in the swamp?"
"I am!"
"A Worker says they've been waiting forever for you"
"I don't care about Workers!"
"I can see why they made you a guard" Connor was getting pissed by the Camp and its people. But this was a Bandit Camp, what was he expecting?
After leaving Ricardo, Connor continued on. He was not going to tell Brog, since considering the man's personality he might not solve this for him. So, he needed something more solid. He was nothing more than a stranger that no one knew or cared about for now, so he needed to prove himself, make a name around the camp.. And what better way to start than to prove that he can handle himself in a fight? Although he only has a single Star in Swordsmanship, he could start off by beating the weakest Fighter and slowly climb his way up. He knew damn well that the members of this Camp aren't making a lot of Gold, especially with the Don taking most of it. He knew that the weakest Fighter might not have been able to get himself enough Gold or Soul energy to grow.. It was a risk, Connor was well aware, but he needed to find out.
Approaching Craig, Connor asked. "Which of the Fighters are the best around here?" He wanted to know which ones to avoid and not start any trouble with.. At least until he is strong enough.
"Hmm.. Based on recent fights and events, Ricardo's a loser" Connor's eyes brightened.. 'Maybe my plan won't be that hard to do after all!' He thought as he listened to Craig. "Lorenzo, the bloke sitting over there, isn't too sharp either. Used to be alright, but faded a bit these days.. With the Harbor Town incident and the Don taking most of our earnings, everyone doesn't care much anymore.. As for the best in the Camp.. I'd say Domingo"
"I've decided to fight in the Arena!" Connor said.
"That's what I wanted to hear. Well done!" Craig continued. "Remember though, once either man is knocked out or surrenders. The fight's over!" Craig warned. "Carrying on when your opponent's in the dirt, that's not fair play is it? You'll pay dearly if you break that rule!"
"Right, I know" Connor nodded. "I want to make a bet then!"
"Fabulous. What do you want to gamble on?"
"I'll bet on myself fighting Ricardo!" Connor said, handing over 100 GC.
"No no, for a low level fight like that, the maximum you can bet is 20 GC! Or everyone will be fighting the weak ones and filling their pockets now wouldn't they?"
"Alright!"
"Go on and challenge Ricardo then" Craig pointed.
"Wouldn't you be watching?"
"Why should I? Whoever wins will come to collect"
"How do you know who actually won if you don't watch?" Connor asked.
"Who dares lie about winning a fight? If one does and the other objects, they'll just have to fight again.. This time in front of the whole camp.. And if they lose and turn out they lied to me.. Well, it's best that you don't know what will happen!"
Connor nodded, knowing that it was a warning to him. He stood there for a bit, remembering Kam and his superhuman abilities and said. "I wish to add a Star in Strength!" He put his palm onto the Tablet and after the Soul energy left him, his body stiffened and his muscles moved a bit. Like magic.. Or maybe it is Magic. Connor saw that his body was no longer average as some muscles could be seen here and there. He felt more lively, but not by much. He felt more like being in top shape than having superhuman strength, but that was more than enough. 100 GC vanished just like that.. 'I guess the Bow is gonna have to wait!' Connor thought with a sigh. He then turned around and walked towards Ricardo, greeting him.
"What do you want? I said I don't care about the Workers, so go bother someone else!" Ricardo said menacingly.
"I'm here to challenge you to a fight in the Arena.. Agreed upon by Craig!" Connor said.
"You think because I'm a guard, I'm soft? You're mistaken!" Ricardo said as he started walking towards the Arena.
They walked onto the wooden flooring as the surrounding metal fences shone. Connor held his Bastard Sword and new Shield firmly.
"Alright then you bastard!" Ricardo spoke, grabbing his sword and dashing towards Connor, not holding back. He was fast as he swung his Sword vertically, met with Connor's Shield. He wanted to test his strength rather than dodge. This way he'll know which fighting style he should take. Illusive or aggressive.
BAM!
The Sword slammed into the Shield, prompting it to recoil back with sparks flying around. Connor's eyes brightened slightly as now he knew that Ricardo was strong.. But not superhuman strong.
ARGH!
Connor saw another swing heading his way, which he dodged easily as his body nimbly moved. The combination of a Star in Swordsmanship and being in top shape made his movements smooth. Connor took a step forward, raising his sword, but as Ricardo tried to block, Connor swiftly crouched and sent a kick aimed at Ricardo's legs, knocking him off his feet.
Connor quickly moved and swung his sword, opening a gash across Ricardo's right arm, making him drop his Sword in pain. Not letting him try anything, Connor quickly kicked him in the jaw, knocking him out instantly.
Standing there, shocked, Connor's eyes were wide as a creepy smile appeared on his face. "I'm… Strong!" He muttered. If it was him from two days ago, he knew damn well that he would have lost this instantly. Now though, he seemed like a battle veteran. He was calm and collected as he finished off the fight easily. Ricardo must have looked down on him a bit but he could clearly see his own Skills.
"You deserve this!" Connor muttered, grabbing Ricardo's Sword and everything he had on him. Unfortunately, he couldn't find his Crystal. All he got was a Short Sword, a Crossbow with some bolts, 20 GC and a cigar. Connor took everything since he did not fear Ricardo anymore. He knew well that this Camp was governed by Strength and he was stronger than him. He looked at the Crossbow for a bit and smiled. "This might be better than a Bow.. At least compared to an average Bow" Connor said, remembering the Don's glowing Bow. He looked around a bit, finding nothing.
Connor sat at the side, leaning against one of the metal fences as he ate some of the Bread he got from Ricardo.
Argh!
With a grunt, Ricardo woke up after a few minutes. He looked around before holding his arm in pain. "Fuck!" He yelled, getting up and reaching into his underwear, pulling out a Crystal.
'Ew!' Connor thought. 'Even if i knew it was there i wouldn't have grabbed it'
Ricardo pulled out a Healing Potion and drank it, looking at his wound as it slowly stopped bleeding, building scabs all over. He looked around him and then stared at Connor with anger.
"Where's my shit?" He yelled.
"I took it" Connor said, waving the Crossbow at him.
"Give it back you bastard!"
"Nah! This belongs to me now!" Connor smiled. "You can try taking it by force"
Ricardo stared at him with fury before getting up.
"Where do you think you're going?" Connor said, standing up and walking towards him.
"You're not allowed to keep attacking after the fight is over!" Ricardo warned as he took a couple of steps back.
"The fight is over and you're healed up.. So any ass beating now is unrelated!" Connor put on a smirk as he grabbed his Sword.
"Wait wait! What do you want from me?" Ricardo asked. "Brog wouldn't like it if you beat up one of his men!"
"You had a Crossbow.. Teach me how to use it!" Connor knew nothing about Crossbows and how to properly reload and aim them. So who's a better teacher than Ricardo?
"That's it?" Ricardo looked at him. "Here!" A Tablet appeared from his Crystal..
[Crossbow +1] 500 GC
"No no.." Connor spoke. "Free!"
"That won't happen!" Ricardo quickly retorted. "A huge part of this goes to Brog! Try and take his Gold by force and he'll have your head!"
"Hmm.. Alright then" Connor nodded. "He takes how much?" he asked.
"300 GC" Ricardo replied quickly, before realizing his mistake.
"So 300 GC it is! I'll see you around then" He said, walking away. He went to Craig. Getting his 40 GC winnings. Adding up to 95 GC.. Connor did not regret the Strength boost.
"Congratulations, you will take Ricardo's spot" Craig smiled. "But he's made out of paper and spit.. You'll find tougher"
"You perhaps?" Connor asked.
"Ah! Should have seen that coming.. Think about it. This is my domain. I even bet on myself. We can fight once you beat Lorenzo.. What do you say? Wanna fight him now?"
Connor was hyped up after his win, but he did not turn stupid enough to fight someone else just yet, which would definitely be stronger than Ricardo.
"No.. Not now at least" Connor said. "I'll come back later!"
With how many things he needed to do, Connor was confident in earning enough Gold for the next Swordsmanship upgrade.. Even if it became 700 GC.. And even if he failed, adding strength wouldn't be too bad either since the Gold needed for a +1 is always the same.
'Only 95 GC… Which task should I start with?' Connor thought. The Tasks he had were plenty and the one he decided to take care of was to get Clay to take over Phil from guarding the eastern Swamp farm.
Connor spoke with Craig and asked about Clay, to which he was pointed to the man sleeping behind the house near the Workers. He wore Leather Armor like the rest of the Fighters but his was white with a brown belt and pants.
"You look tired" Connor said, waking Clay up. The Workers behind them moved away a bit, which worried him slightly.
"And you look ugly. Piss off!" Clay said with a glare.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm admiring the view, great view. That's why we get all these tourists" Clay said sarcastically.
"Ha! That and the friendly locals" Connor continued. "Nice warm fire this. Nice and Safe.. Is that why you're hiding here?"
"Brog send you to get on my nerves?" Clay asked.
"You don't care that you're making him angry?"
"Angry? Oh no! .. I'm pissing my pants"
"Shouldn't you be standing guard by the Swamp farm?" Connor asked. His arm was slowly inching towards his Sword, ready if anything happens.
"Piss off!"
"I don't care what you think of Brog.. but you see, now, i'm telling you to get out on guard duty!" Connor said. Clay was just a Guard, like Ricardo, he wanted to give it another go. Plus, that Bow on his back sounded like it was calling to him.
"You are?" Clay chuckled.
"That's right!"
"There's a reason why Brog didn't come himself.. Now it's too late for you!" Clay unsheathed his Sword. It was a Long Sword with a golden handle. He held it tightly before a powerful swing that Connor could barely follow came his way. He managed to step back in time before he was cut in half. "You can't run, little lamb!" Clay said with a devilish smile.
"Shit!" Connor said before dodging another terrifying swing. Clay was aiming to kill him and Connor knew that well. Sweat started accumulating as he dodged one attack after the other, barely surviving before another appeared.
Connor did not realize, but he kept backing up.. Until there was no longer an escape. A sword slash hit his neck, swiftly beheading him instantly. Connor's eyes laid open as shock was still apparent.