"ENOUGH!"BOOM!A blast of crimson-colored energy exploded out from the epicenter of the battlefield.Jayden could be seen blocking the attacks of Cade and Myles with his shield and axe. Layers of crimson energy formed a wall that protected him from harm but managed to stop all the force behind their attacks."I can't have you two acting like children anymore. This stupidity is going to endanger the entire group!" Jayden said to them, a hint of annoyance already starting to build up in his voice.Jayden was finally fed up. He wasn't normally a confrontational person, so he had been letting it slide for a while now.'He finally snapped.' Rhys realized early on that this moment would eventually come. Although Jayden was trying his best, he wasn't usually a confrontational person, so he was forced to put up with their behavior. It was without saying that he would eventually snap.'The only way to earn the respect of these strong-headed guys is by showing your capabilities. If you aren't

Rhys took a moment to realize that this would be the first time he would be using his newly acquired powers to fight. Before he and everyone else had gained the ability to level up and absorb power from slain mutant beasts and devils, let's just say he had had his fair share of combat.He knew that the way humans and beasts fought would be different. The beasts, although they had become more intelligent, wouldn't be able to just suddenly display human-level intelligence. A human just like Cade would be more difficult to defeat, not just because of his strength, but because of his wit as well. And Cade was as witty as they came...Everyone expected the fight to begin with a bang just like it had been with Myles and Cade, but instead, the two simply drew their weapons.Rhys drew {Devil's Broken Claw}, while Cade summoned his bow from his inventory. Placing an arrow on the bowstring, he drew it back into a full arch, the arrowhead looking Rhys dead in the eye.In response, Rhys activated

'I lost...'Cade felting his mind hover between consciousness and unconsciousness. Rhys didn't kill him, but he still beat him half to death. During the short timeframe of fewer than 10 seconds, Rhys struck him with the blunt edge of his blade.He didn't even see what happened. All he was was a flash of color before he found himself beaten to the ground.'To think that I, Cade, would be reduced to such a state...' Cade thought to himself as his hazy sight began to darken, and the last bits of his consciousness faded out.***City Z... 29, Black Cross avenue...These parts of the city were infested with lowlifes, petty criminals, and of course, the real players of the game, the denizens of the underworld.These individuals built their entire lives on all sorts of activities that would be deemed criminal in a court of law. Drugs, alcohol, prostitution, gambling, and various other illegal means of entertainment formed the foundation of this part of the city and its environs.Cade was a p

01:40 am...Rhys cautiously drew {Devil's Broken Claw} once again, pointing it at Cade who was struggling to get up to his feet..."Fuck. That hurt a lot..." A groan escaped from Cade as he tried his best to steady his shaky knees. Rhys had done a number on him, but since he had fairly good defense stats, and Rhys didn't intend to take his life, he was still breathing. Wounded, but breathing...Rhys stared him down for a while. Suddenly, he slowly let a smile creep onto his face.He re-sheathed his blade, then placed a finger on his chin as though he was in deep thought.Curiously, Rhys asked, "Who taught you how to fight?""Hmm?" As this question was unexpected, it truly caught Cade by surprise.With a raised brow, he asked, "Why do you want to know?""Well, you fight well. I want to know who your master is."'This just might be a lead...'Rhys owed his life to the mysterious man that had taught him how to stand up for himself and defend his pride. He had tried looking for him, but s

Rhys emptied his mana reserves all in one go'Fuck!'He felt a little lightheaded, nauseous even, but forced himself. Overusing mana and stamina could have negative effects on the body, and Rhys was experiencing them firsthand.This had happened to him before, but not on the scale he was experiencing now. His muscles spasmed, and throbbing veins appeared on his head, as a terrible headache began building up. But regardless of how bad it was, he forced himself to stay off his feet, eyes wide open as he observed the events that would determine whether he lived, or died."Shield of frost!""Earthen barrier!""Steel Rampart!"Light blue, grey, and Golden speckles of light gathered from all directions towards Bryan's outstretched arms, forming various circular magic rune arrays that rotated around his forearm, down to his fingertips as he conjured up barrier after barrier. All 9 barriers were created in the blink of an eye."Alright... I've done my part." Bryan wiped down the sweat from hi