Chương 22: 22 Humiliation
All over the outer-circle of Yellow Bone mountain different scenes were occurring everywhere. Some students were crying, some fighting, some trying to figure out why this happened to them. Yet what each and every one of them had in common was the thought, Why? stuck in their head. What they didn't know was that the same thing was happening else where all over the mountain base.
Vanessa dropped down to her knees crying about how their future predicament would be. Eight of them sat round where they made the bonfire last night. No one spoke for a while, just staring at the ashes and coal in the floor.
Suddenly someone couldn't take in the silence anymore and asked "Why did they steal our food? Who must have planned this?" Mia asked in a soft voice. Silence ensued again.
"It was planned right from the start by the Captain of the Hunter squad, to see how we'll survive without our homemade food. And I bet they are watching us right now." after a few minutes passed Ben said every word slowly. This brought a great shock to the group, but, like always there will be someone who doesn't agree with it.
"The fuck, Ben, you better watch what comes out of that filth you call a mouth." Flash angrily yelled.
This time Ben was infuriated by the way Flash kept behaving towards him. "Flash, you better know what you're position is around me. Don't talk to me like that again." Ben calmly and leisurely spoke slowly then continued, "I don't think our training instructors knows what was or what has been installed for us, but I do believe the same thing happening to us must be happening everywhere. Besides, they did this to see how long we can last. One thing is for sure, our team captain will lead us to victory, guys, it's just some food, well get more along the way." Ben said trying to cheer them up. "come on we still have a mission to complete. First let's eat." Ben's words acted like magic calming them down.
With everyone calm who would have thought someone among them was about to explode from anger. "You fucking piece of shit! Who do you think you are, daddy's boy? I'm going to beat the crap out of you goddammit!" Flash stood up and charged forward throwing at punch Ben's way.
Flash was really furious right now, he couldn't believe a no-good-for-nothing brat would threaten him, much less, with both of them in the woods where there'll be no one to protect the brat. This was a perfect opportunity to show this brat what he deserves. He really can't let this grand opportunity pass him by. No one expected things to escalate to this and wasn't prepared for a sudden attack. Mia was about to step forward to help block the incoming punch, but stopped remembering how Ben had fought last night, she likes to see it during the day.
Vanessa see Mia's action and was angered. "Help him!" she yelled.
There wasn't a person who knew Ben was the 'weakest' of them all. That's why Vanessa asked Mia to help. Since Flash was the strongest in terms of strength, the only person who could stand a chance against him was non other than Mia. With her domain only she stood a chance. However, it confused them Mia had no intentions of helping Ben out. What happened next left all their mouth agape.
Ben quietly stood up watching Flash charge forward like an angry bull about to crush him. There wasn't a hint of fear or nervousness that could be seen on his handsome face. When Flash's fist was a foot away from colliding with Ben's face he raised his left hand using it to catch Flash's wrist, then he sent his right hand with his palm spread wide flying towards Flash's face.
Pa!
One single slap. Ben sent Flash back with a slap. Flash was forced to take five steps back before stabilizing himself. While at the side Ben was standing still like a mountain. The scene that just played in front of them stunned every single person that see it. Even Mia wouldn't be confident to engage such an attack if she wasn't prepared. All those who were stunned could not compare to the attacker, Flash.
"Flash, you should be grateful I wasn't serious during your duel with me, I highly doubt you'd be off your sickbed by now if I wasn't lenient with you. So please, watch it."
Humiliation of the highest order. Being one of the top ten students was no easy feat at all. It is like this, every person/student has a ranking and if you want to be known, popular, strong etc, all you have to do is challenge the person above you in the ranking table, if you win you'll replace that person while the person would have to drop to your previous position. However, it doesn't happen as you please that is why the training instructors placed such eventful matches at the end of every three month.
Flash has completely lost it due to anger and humiliation, he just wanted to tear Ben apart with his bare hands. The only reason Flash is able to as much as lay a finger on Ben is because his father being Old Williams elder brother is also an elemental Knight. Not a swordsman, knight.
He tried rushing one more time to attack with all his might, but was unfortunately held back by everyone. They had just witnessed the first exchange and knew that for some reason Ben was much stronger. How is it that Ben's much faster and stronger? They thought to themselves.
That isn't the main issue now, all they need to do is calm down and look for a way forward. A total of ten minutes passed before the team had calmed down, they began to unpitch their tents.
"Since all but two of us are elemental swordsmen we can last longer, but for you two, things would get tricky from there once food runs out." Flash spoke rationally.
"Don't worry about us, we'll survive, all we need is to get the eyes of the Spirit Colossal Rat then we can get the hell out of here." Ben said indifferently.
Occasionally bumping into a few E and F rank wild cats, winged snakes that were as long as five metres and a D rank Two Tailed Wild Cat and a Redstone Bear. Because of their synergy they were able to kill these beasts with little to no injuries.
The group was happy killing the Redstone Beat but at the same time depressed. Fighting a Redstone Bear with their current strength was something you could call impressive. They were depressed because even though they've gotten a huge game they couldn't even rejoice. Like the name implies its meat is as hard as stone. This was one thing that made them not to attack the Redstone Bear, but as warriors they won't allow themselves to be chased by a brainless creature. And for the Two Tailed Wild Cat they didn't take it once they found out it was still pregnant. Although it was a demon creature, humans still had conscience.
The group has crossed three miles up the mountain in just one day. It was amazing, Kate was able to last this long courtesy to her training giving her higher endurance and stronger vitality. However, even she had her limits. Without any element to support her vitality she can't go on.
"Here, take a jerky." Seeing signs of fatigue Ben handed her a jerky.
Since he was the one who offered she wouldn't refuse. She took the jerky and said her thanks. Although you can she was hungry she didn't wolf it down like an insane person.
From the side Ben watched her as she took each and every bite meticulously. It was kind of cute. It took Kate five minutes to finish the jerky, when she was done her hands and the corner of her lips had a bit of oil on them, and as a lady it would be inappropriate to rub them on her clothes. Ben who was leaning on a tree walked up to her knowing she was in need. Noticing someone approaching Kate tried to clean the oil on her mouth with her sleeves but was immediately stopped upon hearing what the person said.
"hehe, take this, here... " reaching into his pocket he handed her a handkerchief to clean her mouth and hands.
"Thank you... again." she said taking the handkerchief from Ben.
"You look cute when you eat." without waiting for her response or reaction he turned and left.
"Humph, what an idiot, trying to woo a girl with a handkerchief." Parker who saw this harrumphed.
It was already getting late so the group looked for a clearing to set camp. "Guys we'll be setting camp here." Flash announced after they walked another five kilometres, then they settled.
"Is it me or is he acting different?" Vanessa couldn't help whispering to Mia.
Mia too didn't understand the sudden change of character and attitude. "Nope, it isn't only you." she agreed. They were actually talking about Ben's new behavior.
When they were all done setting their tents. With Parker, Bob and Kate sent to get the wood for fire, they just sat there with gloomy faces doing nothing but staring at the fire and hearing the rhythm at which they burn.
Grrr
Kate was the first to express how she felt. Well it was her body that expressed, yet no one responded or looked at her in disgust, because they were having the same feeling. Having energy provided from the elements in the air was good and all, but was too negligible. It was like being fed a spoon of rice every hour. In short, they couldn't take it any anymore. They needed food!
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