———Lerim———

  <12: 02 pm>

  “<...Yeesh? That all happened? No wonder you haven't talked about it until now.>” Seemi said. Probably finding all of that hard to believe. Weird, I thought they might suspect something considering the previous incident.

  “

  ” Jackman chimed in. “”

  “I made sure I got paid for the trouble, don’t worry about it.” If I can’t grill someone for money then what am I worth? If I’m gonna live without a stable job then I gotta squeeze every penny out of every opportunity. “What about you two? Why am I the one saddled with all of this nonsense?”

  “” Seemi said, not really being helpful in that regard.

  “...Why don’t you two go find an underground base or something? Be helpful like I am?” I said semi-seriously. Maybe if they got into a simir situation like I did then they’d be a bit more sympathetic.

  “” Jackman quickly replied.

  “” Seemi is also not interested. I’d thought that the rescue would’ve made her more conscious of all the shady stuff going on and try nipping the problem in the bud. At least with me I keep my training up consistently so I can defend myself whenever. Wasn’t she supposed to be a bit of a fitness junkie anyway? I know Jackman is.

  “I swear we’re going to meet up and I’ll beat the life out of you both…” I said bitterly. “Where is Idea and Kara anyway?”

  “” Seemi replied first. “”

  “About ten bucks or so? Weapons and potions are the main source of income from that.” Not really a lot for a profession you could die in, but I can make it work. Just need to be a bit careful and I’m good. It’s not like this dungeon is complex anyhow. It’s just non-stop fighting.

  “” Jackman said, showing concern.

  “It’s fine. I got a lot saved up already. Besides, some days I got twenty dolrs instead.” Of course it’s not actually impressive at all, but I can still get decent cash if I tried.

  “” Seemi was definitely thinking something rude just now, but I’ll let that slide. They should honestly be grateful that they don’t have to deal with as much nonsense as I do.

  Anyway, I doubt I had to actually deal with as many as Kara. Isn't her town involved in their fair share as well? Even if it’s nowhere near as threatening.

  ———Wiina———

  <12: 19 pm>

  *Smack*

  “Agh!” Jeff let out a groan as the attack left him sprawling on the floor. It’s not like I put much force into it. He could be a bit more composed. “Damn, dude. Why am I losing to a healer?”

  “It’s just a skill issue, let’s be real here.” I ftly said. I lowered my power a lot just to make sure he didn’t get sliced into ribbons. This particur ‘Jass’ body already has a low output, but even then these guys are like they are made of cardboard. Only Emmie and Kenni are going to survive even a single attack from this body, and even then, just barely. Also that Krusher guy, but I don’t really bother with him.

  “Are you more of a padin or something? Why are you good on both fronts?” He asked as he got back up.

  “No, you’re just… in the learning stage.” Almost said something rude there. It felt like ever since that day I got a bit more bold with my words.

  “Hey!” He pyfully compined. Never a guy who took something a bit mean-spirited to heart.

  *Shing*

  Suddenly, a scythe made of darkness appeared and locked Jeff in pce. He is obviously spooked out and crank his head back to look at the obvious culprit.

  “Leave. I have business with him.” Emmie chillingly said before dispelling the scythe and moving towards me. Always an excessive gal.

  “Jeez! You could’ve asked nicely!” Jeff said, sounding slightly frustrated. “Buddy. Make sure to come out of this alive!”

  Such encouraging words… Alright then, let’s see why she is acting like this.

  “Okay, Emmie. What brings you to me today?” I awkwardly said, not really sure how to act. I’m not really certain what her motivation for today is.

  “I’m going to make you talk, even if I end up squeezing all the life out of you.” She said as the mana in the area spiked due to her leaking it out.

  *Dim*

  She re-summoned the scythe made of darkness. Is she not even going to let me prepare or anything!? Why is she even in this kind of mood right now!?

  “Begin!” She gave me no time at all and was already preparing to strike.

  *Swing* *Block* *Swing* *Parry*

  She doesn’t hesitate and starts attacking me with the scythe. It isn’t that impressive of a weapon since it looks like she intentionally makes it in a way to consume very little power, which also means even with the practice sword I can block and parry it without worrying that it’ll immediately break. If she brought her personal scythe it would probably shatter already.

  We keep exchanging blows and being at a stalemate for a long while. It would probably be better for me if she keeps this up since my stamina and mana constantly regenerate at a rapid pace, she would lose the war of attrition without me even using a fraction of my strength.

  Sure, she is no pushover. She is the strongest out of everyone else, already surpassing Karra and Kenni in raw power alone.

  “Pying defensive, are you!?” Unfortunately, it seems that she already realized what kind of game I’m pying.

  *Smack*

  Suddenly a fsh of red and bck covered her body, and she hit me in the chest and sent me flying, almost hitting the wall.

  “You think you could hide your intentions? My intuitions are sharper than ever, you know?” She said with a bloodthirsty smirk. How in the world is she even suspecting me? At least with Kenni she has some clues to go off on before getting all smug. Why is she even targeting me in this persona anyway? Go harass Kenni for something. “Tell me. Everything Karra and Kenni knows, what do they know that I don’t. Why am I excluded?”

  “Huh? Why ask me of all people, shouldn’t you-

  *Swing* *Evade*

  Before I could finish my sentence, a beam was shot out of the scythe, forcing me to shut up and dodge it before continuing the conversation.

  “Don’t py coy with me. I know you are hiding something.” She said with an even more deranged look, yet somehow her beauty never truly fades. It’s kind of a shame she’s not one to be interested in romance, I’m sure she can find a few people who are into that.

  *Dash* *Csh* *Sm*

  Her aggression ramps up as more attacks come out and she gets a few solid hits in. It doesn’t do any actual damage to me, but it does paint the idea that at least she isn’t losing.

  I think she’d be mad at me to find out, or maybe she’d be mad either way. She’s always been hard to read.

  *Grab* *Throw* *Crash*

  She then threw me into a wall, which basically did nothing aside from creating distance between us. Getting back up let me see her continuing to power up.

  “Seriously, all of you women are so damn scary.” I sarcastically said. Obviously it’s rather awkward for me to say that, but I think it’s fair to say that here.

  *Dash* *Smash* *Snap* *Throw* *Crash*

  A fist to the head and a neck snap came next, then a throw into another wall. Is she seriously trying to kill me here? …Wait. Ah crap. I forgot to put my act on.

  “Hmph. Can’t even bother to pretend at this point?” She said with a small amount of disdain as I mindlessly got back up and put my head back in its original position. I didn’t expect her to actually go for a killing move. Even if she suspected something that was way too risky.

  I think I rushed another plot development here. Kind of a blunder on my part. It doesn’t help that I am focusing on watching the finale of the tournament. Who’s going to reach that threshold and get the win first? Trying to focus on two things is quite hard.

  “What a pain. Why did you even try to kill me in the first pce?” I asked as I dropped the practice sword. I really am not in the mood for a charade at this point.

  “Like I said. I’m going to make you talk. I’m tired of being left out, can’t handle more than those two? Am I not good enough for you!?” What the hell is she insinuating right now!?

  “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Can’t you phrase that a little better?” I asked while putting my two hands up, feeling defensive. “I know you’re one frigid dy so why even say something like that!?”

  “I don’t have time for that! I’ll tear off that disguise of you and make you spill everything out, even if it kills me!” She said, pointing the scythe at me. So we’re seriously gonna keep going!?

  *Swing* *Slice*

  In no time at all she rushed over and sliced off my right arm. I wasn’t bothering to defend myself at this point, so it came off cleanly.

  *Swing* *Kick* *Leap*

  Another swing came in and I reacted by kicking the incoming scythe away before jumping away to create some distance.

  The severed arm flies back and reattaches itself. Just like nothing has happened.

  “Is this really what you should be doing to your schoolmate?” I asked, not expecting any heartfelt answer.

  *Swing* *Evade* *Swing* *Evade*

  Move scythe swings came in and I chose to dodge it rather than confronting them. I already dropped the sword earlier anyway. A step to the side, a bit of leaning back, a few steps here and there. I can react to it fast enough to only make minimal movement.

  *Leap* *Shine* *Bst* *Block*

  I jumped into the air and threw a bst of light at her that she easily blocked. Guess I put too little power into that considering how easily she dissipates it

  *Slice* *Spt*

  By the time I nded she had already closed the distance and ft out sliced me in half. No warning or anything, she just did it.

  Ugh. Who in their right mind would feel fine doing that even if they’re confident their friend has super regeneration or something.

  *Stomp* *Crush* *Bst*

  …Okay that was just excessive. Stomping on my head and crushing it into paste, then bsting off most of my body into bits. Most regenerative creatures would’ve stopped here. She was clearly trying to tick me off in some way, or just make me stop using the persona… Fine. If that’s what she wants. Then fine. No one else is around and she’s already suspecting me anyway.

  *Shine*

  A strong pressure pushed her back as bits of my body started to reconstruct and form into a more comfortable shape. I didn't expect this to happen now of all times.

  Slowly floating back down, I gracefully nded back on the floor as the pressure was still exuded, keeping her from moving in entirely.

  *Snap* *Crack*

  I violently move around my limbs, the sounds of bones snapping into pces is so loud Emmie might overheard it. The atmosphere my presence gave is that of overwhelming pressure. No sane person should stick around against such an overwhelming sense of authority.

  “So you finally show yourself, Wiina!” Her bloodthirsty grin turned even more vicious.

  It seems to be like you need a little bit of a lesson… Then again, when has that ever persuaded her. At this point admitting to her suspicion means nothing, her bloodlust is already at its peak and won’t go down by merely saying words. Let’s just end this quickly, we don’t have all day.

  *Shine* *Dash* *Swing* *Csh* *Parry*

  I formed a sword out of light and closed the gap between us, being the one to take the initiative and swing first. She barely managed to react to them as my speed is much greater than hers. Each strike, successful in hitting her or not, is greatly draining her of stamina and mana.

  In the brief window where she loses her footing and unable to counter the next attack. In that short window of time, I dispel the sword and raise my right hand towards her chest, forming it into a fist.

  *PUNCH* *CRASH*

  A swift punch to the chest and she was sent flying, crashing into the wall and causing cracks to appear, ending the fight.