Zero understood well enough how Kai's Energy Vision worked at this point to know that the threat he mentioned was legitimate.
"So much for a break. I didn't even know you had your Energy Vision active." said Zero.
"Ever since we left camp." Kai replied. "If you haven't already, you'll soon learn that safe spaces in this world are very few and even further between."
"How many?"
Kai paused as he studied each trail before him as there was even one for the weird squirrel they passed moments ago. Everything has some form of energy to it. But there were two in particular that was stronger than the others and were VERY clear to him.
"Two. I don't know if they're aware of us yet, but if either of them has any type of tracking ability we can expect an encounter any second." Kai stated.
Zero took a breath. There's no running from this fight, he thought. If we're going to make it to the end we HAVE to fight. His gaze drifted down to his feet. But..Kai has already been in several fights...what do I even bring to the table currently?
As if reading his mind, Kai took a step forward in front of Zero.
"I think I should take this one." He stated. Zero looked up at him since he was a little taller than he was. There wasn't any form of sympathy etched in his face - he simply said it as if it was just a fact that Zero wasn't of use to him here.
Zero had no actual alternative as to what he could even do so all he did was nod in response.
"Right." Kai said, turning around. "Don't worry, I'm not backing out of our partnership. It'll just be easier to solo this one." With that he continued down the path while Zero followed behind like an insignificant tag along.
As they rounded the corner they found a single person standing on the side of the road while leaning up against a tree. Zero's eyes widened as he instantly recognized the person.
It was the guy that was bashing new player's skulls in with a hammer. As they approached, the player smirked and leaned off of the tree to stand in the middle of the path. He held the hammer over the back of his shoulders as if he didn't have a care in the world.
"Oh yikes, 2v1? This might be an issue." The player said with a tone of sarcasm in his voice. He shot a sadistic glance over at Zero especially as he licked the corner of his lips.
Zero stepped closer to Kai. "This was one of the players I mentioned. That was hunting new players near the shrine."
"Hmm." Kai responded. "Know anything about their systems?"
Zero shook his head. "That guy uses a hammer and the other one appeared to be unarmed when I saw them."
Kai glanced to his left and the other player didn't miss it. Zero saw the slight shift in the other player's face as they both knew that his friend was somewhere hidden off the path.
"Eyes up here pal!" The player shouted and suddenly rushed at them. with his hammer spinning above his head.
Kai reached out his hand, "Protect my dreams!" His energy blade manifested and there was a flash of light as his blade clashed with the player's long hammer.
"Oh, this will be fun!" The player shouted.
Zero could see the other player's face over Kai's shoulder from behind him - there was clear murderous intent in his wild eyes. Even though Kai has intensity in his face as well, this was someone Zero knew was just looking for a reason to hurt someone.
The player reared his head back and delivered a hard headbutt to Kai, causing him to reel backwards from the force. He didn't waste any time following up - he held his hammer back behind his head like he was about to pound through the Earth itself.
"Smash!" The player grunted. The head of the hammer grew 3 times its size and the player swung it down like it still weighed the same as it did before.
That's an early ability for his system?! Zero thought.
Kai saw it coming and jumped backwards while swinging his sword upwards towards the head of the hammer. "Crescent strike!" Zero couldn't help but notice how poised Kai seems to be amid life or death combat. Something he found himself a bit jealous of.
The wave of energy shot forward and collided with the incoming hammer with a BOOM. An explosion of energy went off and Zero was almost knocked over by the shock wave.
"Kai!" He shouted as the impact kicked up a dust cloud shrouding Kai and the other player from view.
He was so intent on what happened to the two of them, that Zero didn't have time to react to the previously hidden player leaping out at him from behind.
"Let the darkness rise!" He said in Zero's ear as he activated his invocation.