บท 18: 18. Choice
There were two choices in front of her, one was to join hands with him and doubles-cross her friends whom she had many adventures with, chatted with, and went through the ice and fire with and the second one was to stay right here and fight alongside them.
If she chose the first and easy one then she would be like Scott and if she chooses the second one then it's hard to say who will be the Victor.
Their team has Scott and three bandits and on the other hand, they have Rex, Rena, and Amalia, and a kid who is still learning how to wield a sword with no real battle experience at all.
It is difficult to win against them but not impossible.
There was a hope that they could work together like they always did then the outcome would be within their grasp.
They have an understanding of working together unlike their enemies who consist of bandits and a traitor, this could be their advantage in the battle.
Then again the cunning Scott had made his move considering the same fact and had taken steps to deal with their unity first. He proposed a secure exit for one person and made sure to shake the foundation of their trust in each other.
According to his strategy, the doubts and fear regarding their friend's motives had already curbed that opportunity.
"You want to hear my thoughts right?" Amalia replied. "I would rather burn you alive"
"sheesh. Just like expected this brat, really reminded you of your small brother" Scott shook his head. "suit yourself then, even if you had joined me I wouldn't have let go of him... he almost blew up my plans by telling you all of their identities"
Noah stiffened as he thought, 'There was no exit for me either way it seems'
He remains silent watching everything and observing their reactions.
"You have no idea, kid how much this guy wanted to gut you down" Scott spoke to Noah in a rather enjoyable tone. "I had to keep them in check just like I told you"
Amalia stood in front of Noah, making the Bandit women grin ear to ear.
"What a sight! I would like to see your reaction when I kill him with these blades" She laughed moving forward but Scott stopped her.
"It's not the time yet. Rex what about you my friend?"
Amalia shuddered. She had made her choice but what if Rex the strongest among them chose to side with him? Will they be able to fight against them? Or more likely how long they will be able to breathe.
"Fuck off Scott, I won't betray my friends" Rex announced.
Amalia heaves a sigh of relief. At least Rex stood his ground and was thinking the same as her which means they could turn the tables if they wanted. There was hope.
"That's a shame. I was looking forward to working with you but no worries you will all die like-"
"I will join you" Shouted Rena.
She interrupted Scott and was selected to stand on his side. She stood by Scott's side taking hesitant steps.
"Rena don't do this" Rex said softly. "if we stay together we can win-"
Rex got interrupted again by Rena as she responded with a much louder tone.
"Shut up, you chose your path and now it's my turn." she glimpsed at Scoot's amusing face. "and I chose to live, I will do everything as long as Master Scott orders"
Scott was entertained by the show she had put on and the words she used.
"Master huh, Does that mean you are ready to become my slave?" He pulled her close. "I like it"
"Yes, master" She stuttered.
"Good then let me give you a gift" He kissed her, pressing himself against her. She leaned on and followed without taking a step back.
Noah. "..."
Rena's eyes widened in fear and pain. The tip of a red sword penetrated her abdomen and struck out from the backside.
He pushed her away as she struggled to understand what had happened.
"Why-"
"Because you are not useful anymore," He said giving a slight push so she hit the ground with the sword intact inside her. "I hope you like her blood"
The expression of horror could be seen on Amalia and Rex's faces. Their friend got killed in front of their eyes.
Their heart shook as they thought about what would have happened if they had fallen for Scott's treacherous trick.
"Two kills remain" He laughed as he summoned his sword, "Don't you get it, I am a lier and I'll always lie to you"
It took seconds for Amalia and Rex to come back to their senses. He had lied about needing to kill only two people, his goal was always three kills... To get someone off guard he arranged the wicked scheme of his...
"You fucker, you will die today" Rex shouted jumping toward him.
Scott blocked his strike with efforts but the smile stayed as if he was satisfied with the results.
"Show me what you got Rex," He said.
Fireball got smashed on the ground as the two bandit men jumped away.
"Keep her occupied, I will attack" Dan ordered but had to evade the upcoming blast on his way from the mage. "she is tricky"
Noah jumped back seeing a crazed manic with a blade in her hands.
"Come to me, dear boy!" she said.
A dagger appeared in his hand as he prepared himself for the upcoming fight.
This time he was calm knowing he had a little mastery over the blade, it was no longer unfamiliar to him.
"Noah don't worry, I will protect-" Amalia evaded the slash as she moved back.
"Think about yourself first" The bandit laughed but soon he regretted it after she used fire breath on him.
He jumped away but his hand and leg were burned badly, he yelled in pain.
The bandits had no means to protect themselves against the mage like other warriors who attended the Academies.
Everyone who joins the academy learns a basic protective spell that they can use against magicians. It is only effective when a magic attack is hurled at the individual so then as a defense major he or she can cast the spell to protect himself from basic-level magic attacks but even it is dependent on the warrior's skill on how much longer he can maintain the barriers.
It gets tiresome as it consumes the mana as well as the stamina of warriors, unlike mages who only lose mana. There is a difference between warriors who could barely use mana and mages who were efficient in that regard.
Just like a mage can use a sword but cannot master it like a warrior.
Only if we ignore some cases where a person can become a mage as well as a warrior due to their capabilities.
Noah ducked avoiding a swift blow as he struggled to match her footing, she was fast as well as using her limbs more than her weapons.
He watched her feet and forwarded himself for a thrust but she grabbed his hand and elbowed his face.
Noah stumbled back as a trail of blood began dropping from his nostrils. He felt a burning sensation but did not dare to look away from her.
The blade spun in her hands swiftly as she shook her head. "I don't even need these to kill you"
"Then how about putting them aside" Naoh replied.
Her expression became tense, and one dagger went inside the ring in her hand. "I wish to see fear in those eyes"
She jumped on him as he backed away further hoping to avoid her punches but one sudden kick connected to his ribs and threw him off the ground.
Noah had noticed that she was not better at sword but her physical prowess was better than his and superior. She was agile as well as strong while he lacked agility and stamina.
Even if he ignores swordplay for him it's getting tiresome to hold against her punches and kicks.
Noah pressed his hands down as he stood up, eyes back at her. He felt the hilt of the blade and even its sharpness of it, the desire to press this blade against her abdomen rose into him.
He shifted forward but she avoided slicing his right arm instead, he groaned.
He realized her damage had been minimized by the necklace given by Amalia. It certainly prevented the blade from going further down into his skin.
"Are you wearing armor?" she gave a glance at her dagger, "I felt like something prevented my blade"
Noah did not reply.
It was a blessing to have that necklace with him and as well as his previous choice to invest in skin refinement also came in handy. They were protecting him but it was not going to last long if he did not find a way to kill her.
Having those things with him was like having armor on a sheep's body and No matter how much longer it will take sooner or later the wolf will tear the sheep apart.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง