Chương 12: That's Enough

Tuly didn't seem to care that much. "Anyways, there are a few other jobs where you don't need to come out and fight. However, you'll probably have a hard time finding anything."

"Why?" Lian asked, puzzled.

"Because you're descenders. Usually, all descenders have no idea how to use Star Energy. Just so you know, Star Energy is the most required thing when finding any job. Take shops, for example. What if someone starts to cause trouble? This is a world where Star Energy reins, so you need to be able to defend yourself and fight back. Yet, none of you know how to fight at all. Lian knows how to use Star Energy due to his talent, but he just started on his path. How long will it take for him to get used to it and learn how to fight?" Tuly explained.

He continued, "You must understand that Star Energy Warriors are definitely the fastest way for you to improve. You will learn how to fight, use your abilities, increase your level, and everything else."

Grisa also added, "There's also one more reason why Lian should join our group. The law of the jungle. It doesn't matter if you're in the city or not. If others find out that you're descenders and that you have no idea how to use Star Energy, I can guarantee you that the slave market will be your final destination. Perhaps there won't even be a need for a market. Someone stronger might simply force you into becoming a slave for themselves."

Duran couldn't help but ask after that. "Say... is there no way of going back to our world?"

Hira shrugged his shoulders in response. "I've never heard about any descender being able to return to their world. First of all, the portals that connect this world to the other ones only open once, or so I've heard. Since the portal to your world has closed, it'll never open again."

Tuly mentioned something else. "Well, if the thought comforts you, know that the portals always bring all the living beings from their world to this one. Even if you were able to return to your world, there would be no one there waiting for you. Of course, this is also something I heard about. Perhaps I'm wrong about that. But then again, the best way for you to find more information about this topic is to become stronger yourself."

With that, Tuly offered once more. "So, how is it? Willing to join our group now?"

-You should do as they say,- Lugg suddenly spoke in Lian's mind.

'Why?' Naturally, Lian had to ask back.

-Because I don't think they're lying. Think about it. Would they come and do such a dangerous thing just to get some payment? They truly got very close to dying and most likely would have been killed if not for you. Besides, we do need to learn how to defend ourselves. Don't forget how strong that Lizak was before it was killed, and it was just a kid.-

Lian still had his doubts. 'I've never really fought before, though.'

-So what? Everyone has to start somewhere. Besides, they're only extending this invitation to you, not your friends. You will have a certain degree of protection if you join them while at the same time being able to help Carol and Duran.-

Lian looked at Duran and Carol for a moment before looking back at Tuly. "Sigh... fine... However, I truly know nothing about battles, Star Energy, and things like that. I'm definitely several times worse than any level one Star Energy Warrior."

Duran and Carol immediately asked back. "Are you sure? This truly seems too dangerous. We don't even know if what they said about the city and becoming slaves is true or not."

Tuly snorted after hearing that. "Hmph! If you doubt it, then how about we head back to Tuma City now? In any case, we finished collecting the Lizak parts that mattered. Just so you know, we've been doing fine without Lian so far. Sure, he saved our lives, but it's not like we must have him in our group."

Lian raised his hand. "Alright, there's no need to insist. I already said that I would join you. However, I will not leave my friends behind. Since you will teach me how to use Star Energy, you have to teach them as well. Also, you have to guarantee their safety."

Tuly immediately shook his head, saying, "It is impossible to guarantee their safety."

Lian narrowed his eyes in response. "If you can't, then there's no deal."

Tuly still shook his head, clarifying, "Seems like you misunderstood what I said. I'm not saying that we can't protect them because we don't want to. Instead, we can't protect them because we can't even protect ourselves."

Grisa, Hira, and the others nodded in agreement. "We don't know how safe your lives were in your world. However, things are different here. It's not uncommon for someone much stronger to decide to attack you in the middle of the street just because he didn't like your face. Sure, it's many times safer in the city, but it's far from not having danger. Even we aren't exceptions to that. Perhaps only the City Lord's people and the other big powers of Tume City could be said to truly be safe. But then again, that's because they're strong themselves."

Tuly patted the shoulders of Lian's group after that. "There's only one way to guarantee someone's safety. They must become stronger than others. If they're stronger, they will obviously run fewer risks," said Tuly with a smile. "However, I can at least guarantee that they will be safer with us than if you three decide to stay alone. We have our own gathering point, and we know a few people. Also, I don't mind teaching what I know about Star Energy to all of you. That's as far as I can go. If you're not satisfied, then we'll simply leave you behind and pretend to have never met before."

Lian shook his head once he heard that. "That's enough. Please, bring us to the city."