The group walked through the open terrain, the darkened sky shinning down dimly on them as they moved cautiously.
The earlier battle against demons had left everyone energized, though some were grumbling about Damien’s lack of participation.
“I don’t get it,” Jallen said, breaking the relative silence. “You talk big about not wanting weaklings to slow you down, but then you don’t even bother to show us what you’ve got.”
Another member of Axiom’s group, then dual-axe wielder named Ryn, joined in. “Yeah, for someone who put us through a trial by fire, you sure like to sit back and watch.”
Axiom chuckled, clearly amused but keeping his tone neutral. “Maybe that’s his way of testing us. But I’ll admit, it’d be interesting to see him in action.”
Damien didn’t respond. His sharp blue eyes stayed fixed ahead, his mind occupied with a mental tally of his progress.
He estimated he still had about seventy demons left to kill before he unlocked his next summon. That number loomed over him, gnawing at his patience.
‘Let’s see how fast we can meet the count. Probably before sunrise.’ Damien was too engrossed in his own thoughts to even listen to their rants.
Arielle, however, wasn’t going to let their jabs slide. “Oh, come on. Is that what this is about? You’re upset because Damien didn’t join the last fight?”
Jallen shrugged, a smirk on his face. “Not upset. Just curious. If he’s as strong as you say he is, why not prove it?”
Arielle’s expression hardened, and she stepped forward, pointing a finger at Jallen, Ryn, and another member who had joined in, a spear-wielding woman named Vel. “Alright, then. Who’s up for a match with him? Any of you brave enough to take him on? Or would you all like to jump on him altogether?”
The trio exchanged awkward glances, their earlier bravado fading under Arielle’s sharp gaze. “It was just a joke,” Jallen said quickly, his smirk faltering. “We’re not trying to start anything.”
“Thought so,” Arielle said smugly. “But if you really want to see him in action, wait until we face something none of us can handle. Then you’ll get your show. Until then, maybe focus on not dying.”
The group quieted down, and Axiom chuckled, clearly entertained by the exchange.
Damien barely registered the conversation, his mind still running through his options. Hunting with the group was slowing him down.
While the teamwork was helpful, it meant fewer kills for him, which was a problem if he wanted to meet his system’s requirements.
‘Maybe I should split off for a while,’ he thought. But then he glanced at Arielle, riding atop Aquila. She was chatting with Axiom, seemingly at ease, and Damien sighed. ‘She’d probably insist on coming along. That’ll lead to more kill stealing which will in turn lead to delay in the time it’ll take me to complete my target.’
As they walked, Damien kept Luton perched on his head, the red slime wobbling slightly with each step.
Aquila, ever wary of Jallen, kept a sharp eye on the beast tamer, who stayed at the far end of the group as promised.
Arielle, always the conversationalist, took it upon herself to learn more about their temporary companions. “So, what are your ranks?” she asked casually.
Ryn, Vel, and the two others named Darrin and Kael answered first, revealing that they were all Silver Ranked Mercenaries. Axiom and Jallen, however, were Gold Ranked.
“However, I’m a newbie in the rank.” Jallen said with a lazy nod of his head.
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Arielle nodded thoughtfully. “Not bad. I’m Gold Ranked myself,” she said.
Axiom smiled. “I figured as much. Your combat style and presence gave it away.”
Jallen, however, pointed at Damien. “What about him? I can’t pin him down. His essence is all over the place—rising, falling. It’s impossible to tell.”
Arielle shrugged, a sly smile on her face. “That’s probably because he’s Platinum Ranked. Stronger than all of us combined.”
Her statement was met with wide-eyed stares, particularly from Jallen. “Platinum? That’s pretty cool if you ask me. No wonder he chose to test us all.”
“It’s true,” Arielle said, leaning forward on Aquila’s back. “And his summons? Just as strong. Especially Luton there.” She gestured to the slime wobbling on Damien’s head.
Jallen tilted his head, examining the unassuming slime. “That little thing? It barely even has any magic essence.”
Arielle’s smile widened. “Maybe. But it’s still the deadliest.”
Jallen frowned, clearly skeptical, but didn’t push the matter further.
Arielle had been with Damien longer than any which meant she knew what she was saying. If it was a lie, Damien probably wouldn’t spoken up… Or not.
They had barely covered five miles when a deafening roar echoed through the area, stopping the group in their tracks.
Ahead, a herd of mana beasts emerged from the brush, their glowing eyes locking onto the group.
There were over a dozen of them—Grade Five and Grade Four beasts, their massive bodies rippling with power.
The ground seemed to shake with their movements as they spread out, surrounding the group.
All eyes turned to Damien, expecting his lead. But Damien remained silent, his gaze distant as he continued calculating his next moves internally.
It wasn’t until another roar, louder and more furious than the first, rang out that Damien’s focus snapped back to the present.
He blinked, glancing at the beasts before him as though seeing them for the first time. “Oh? This is unexpected.” Damien said with slightly widened eyes.
Arielle raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “You want to wake up, or should I handle this myself?”
Damien smirked faintly, drawing his weapon. “Relax. I’m here now.”
As the beasts charged, the battle began, the group moving instinctively into formation even though they knew they wouldn’t be able to handle the incoming herd who’d now set their eyes on the group.
Arielle on the other hand couldn’t help but glance at Damien, wondering what had been on his mind. For a moment, he had seemed so far away, almost… distracted.
And that worried her more than any mana beast ever could. “Welp, I guess it’ll be too much for the others.”