“I see, I see. So we went to save our stag. Then you will find your lioness there also. And then the reward for the Lioness will only be shared between you two,” Alquin smiled, then his face twitched. “Like hell that’s fair! We wanted in on the reward, too.”

  As indicated by Alquin's tone, negotiation did not go well.

  “There’s no guarantee the lioness will be there.” Rue battled his sigh.

  “Doesn’t matter, we’re a group now. Besides, why would you need the lion class change? You will get one from the stag!" said Gilbert, a fellow warrior. His age was slightly older than Clerence's. His hair was dyed light blue, which caught the morning sunlight easily.

  “I could sell it for points,” Rue pointed out.

  “That is being too greedy!” Gilbert barked, his hand clenched on the sword sheathed at his hip. The warrior class offers a variety of weapons at random. Another reason why it's the best class to choose at the start.

  This entire conversation is unreasonable. The quest wouldn’t have been initiated in the first place if it weren't for him. What’s so wrong with claiming something that was offered to him? Why did he need to share it? “You will get your own reward upon completion, won't you? A Frost Chest and Frost skill option. Are you willing to give the chest to me?”

  Gilbert spat on the ground. “Ridiculous. You do not need all the rewards you will get! Those should have gone to another member.”

  “I don’t recall joining any group. We just stumbled on each other, Nothing about any arrangement whatsoever,” Rue shrugged.

  “He got a point,” Clerence smiled. “Oh, come on, Gil, don’t look at me like that. The kid got the right to his own reward; none of us were chosen by this stag, he does.”

  Rue raised his eyebrow. These two were together before they even met Paxwell, according to Pax, and she takes Rue’s side over him. He nodded in appreciation, to which she shrugged her shoulders.

  “Look-“ Gilbert was about to start again. But Pax coughed out loud, cutting him off, earning a pointed glare.

  “Let’s just vote, all right? There are seven of us, so there will be no tie. Let's just put it to an end,” Paxwell said.

  “All right, in favor of each keeping their own reward?” Rue raised his hand, followed by Clerence and Paxwell.

  “Hah! Three against four,” Gilbert laughed. “Now-“

  “In favour of plundering my reward?” Rue cut Gilbert again.

  Gilbert clicked his tongue on him, then raised his hand. Alquin's hand rose as well. Then another one, the one named Benedict.

  Three hands rose and nothing more. All eyes went to Emily, who just sat down, hugging her knees. Her bow dropped precariously on the ground, along with her quiver with arrows spilling all over.

  “Raise your hand, girl! What are you waiting for?”

  Emily stared lifelessly at Gilbert, then it became a glare. “I voted for each of us to keep our own reward.”

  Gilbert's jaw dropped. Emily gave him a middle finger.

  He seethed; his hand went to his sword yet again.

  Benedict tapped Gilbert on the back, slinging his hand around his neck. “Let’s not be stupid, yeah?” The man has dark curly hair that looks like small dark waves entangling each other. He looked to be just a couple of years older than Rue.

  Gilbert, for some reason, shuddered. He quickly pushed Benedict’s hand off him. Strange reaction for someone who is so ready to fight. Benedict, on the other hand, is strangeness itself. Where did he get all of those weapons? A couple of long knives, a sword like Gilbert’s, and a bow on his back.

  “Well, it's decided then,” Alquin said. “Let’s get going, but if the lioness is not in that camp, then I’m not following, ye hear me? It’s up to two of you.”

  “Of course,” Rue said. It only made sense.

  As they started to move toward the camp, once again, Gilbert spoke up.

  “Hold on!”

  Rue turned, glaring at the men. What again?

  He pointed to Eve, Rino, and Yom, who occupied the watchtower. “Won’t they also get the reward even if they did not do anything?”

  “You’re very petty, aren’t you?” Emily said.

  “What was that?”

  “Just leave them be already, Gilbert!” Alquin groaned.

  “No, No! If they’re not going, then I might as well stay here.”

  Rue had suspected the blue-haired man did this, so at least he could feel he won something. He stifled a sigh. Deciding to just let others deal with it.

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  “I’m going ahead,” Rue said softly, not wanting to get locked in another argument.

  Paxwell massaged his temple, looking over Clerence and Alquin, who were trying to knock some sense into Gilbert. “Right, just wait for us near the foliage, you three, we old folk will settle this.” He turned toward the screaming Gilbert.

  “Hilarious, aren’t they?” Benedict laughed, pointing a finger. “Come on, I'd rather make sure no Kobold is nearby.”

  Three of them settled under a tree, beyond which is the vast forest. Now that the sun is up, it will be a completely different ground they need to tread. Part of Rue wondered if sneaking in was even possible.

  “So,” Benedict started. His eyes went over to Rue and Emily. “This stag of yours, any chance I could make a deal with him too?”

  Emily, who had been solemn the whole time, raised her head at this. “Wait, that is possible?” She stared at Rue.

  “I don’t know, but if ice power interests you, just take it in the next skill option. Well, if we completed the quest. You can shape your class from there on.”

  “But, that will be different, isn't it? You will be offered progression through this Frost questline.” Benedict pointed out. “This Permafrost class thing.”

  “He said something along the lines of, It’s only possible because he just chose me,” Rue said, briefly remembering what Cel told him. But it was murky. “Well, if he appeared, I could ask him, I guess.”

  “Ah, Yes! Make sure you mention my name!”

  “And me too,” Emily muttered. She seemed ashamed to ask it.

  “I will mention everyone who contributes,” Rue said.

  “Even that guy?” Benedict pointed to the blue-haired guy.

  “Yes, even him, if he comes,” Rue said, he is not that petty. The thought of keeping the power to himself does sound cool and all. But cultivating relationships for what is ahead is important.

  “Ugh, they will take a while.”

  Rue wondered if this was a chance to ask what happened. How Emily ended up killing another human. He eyed her, then she caught his gaze. Her head dropped, and she began to hug her knee again.

  A pang of guilt went off inside him. But if he apologizes, that will just remind her of what she had to do.

  Not now, maybe someday.

  He really should ask Pax if they had time alone.

  Rue felt himself drifting apart. His eyelid gets heavier as time goes on. How come Gilbert is still shouting? He glared at the blue-haired man who threw a tantrum like a child. The trio Eve, Yom, and Rino now gathered down to join the other four.

  “It’s seven against one argument. Pretty impressive,” Rue grumbled.

  Beside him, Emily let out a chuckle and shook her head weakly.

  “Humans are pretty easy to kill, huh?”

  Rue blinked. What was that?

  He did not even register who said it. He looked toward Emily, who in turn stared with hatred palpable behind those eyes. She stared at Benedict.

  Benedict smiled. He’s playing with two knives, juggling them in one hand. “Slit over their thorax, you disable their need for breathing. Cut open the vein then-“

  “Shut up,” Emily gritted.

  He stopped, and both long knives clattered down. Benedict offered a smile. he looked kind, very much so, so much so it's eerie. Yet, behind that smile is an obvious hidden emotion he is holding. “I’m sorry. It’s the doctor in me.”

  “You’re a doctor?” Rue asked, still eyeing the man, deciding whether to shove the spear beside him into him.

  “Yes, I was in residence, to be more exact. Before we were mysteriously transported here.”

  “Ah, that suck.”

  “Why?” Benedict tilted his head. “Should it be?”

  Why? What do you mean by why?. Rue wanted to ask back. But Emily spoke out aloud. She stood eyes blazing toward Benedict. “You! Because of you! I-“

  “You what?” Benedict smiled, one that did not touch his ear. “Kill someone? I had to do that also, if you forgot?”

  “Huh?” Rue blinked.

  “We were ambushed,” Benedict shrugged. “Emily here, and I was tasked to cover our rear. Then three people came at us. It is so obvious they meant harm.”

  “But, you taunted them! We could’ve talked them off. Get them to go away. We have the number. The others are not far behind us.”

  Rue eyed the two knives he had, the sword that was supposed to be held by the warrior class, and a bow that slung across his back.

  It’s a looted weapon… from other humans.

  “If you hate it that much, you could let me take them alone,” He sighed. Then grinned.

  Chill thrummed inside of Rue. The Kobolds have caused him fear when they almost killed him. Cel’s had instilled the fear of mystics by his mere presence. But Benedict is different; he fears him purely for his capability and blatant disregard for lives.

  Or maybe he is the normal one here?

  Emily clenched both of her hands. She looked like she was about to burst into a mad rage at Benedict.

  Benedict let out a sigh, and he stood, stretching his body. “Rue, want to trade me that spear of yours? I’ll give you this sword for it.” He tapped one across his hip.

  “You sure? It's just a common spear.”

  “And this is just a common sword, the tutorial given,” He laughed, jovially.

  “Sure,” Rue pushed the spear to him, to which he handed Rue the sword along with its sheath.

  “Well, I’m not one to keep a pretty face crying.” Benedict walked toward the forest. “I’ll scout ahead,” he waved, not bothering to look back.

  What the hell.

  Emily plopped down by a tree trunk. She pushed her head into her knees.

  Rue eyed her before attempting to joke. “I see you guys didn't get along.”

  She did not give any reaction except for tears.

  “They’re fighting?” Paxwell hissed. “We just finished solving the Gilbert problem!”

  Eve, Rino, and Yom have come with the others. The deal is for them to stay in the backline while the rest of them fight in front.

  Under normal circumstances, Rue would have no complaint, especially since one of them is a healer. But three of them looked down; fear was obvious in each of their bodies. If they don’t want to fight, they shouldn’t have to.

  “All seven of you lost against him?” Rue asked, a bit too loudly for what he intended. Pretty much everyone heard him.

  “What was that, you brat?” Gilbert growled.

  “Enough!” Alquin shouted, massaging his forehead. “I’m even more tired than facing three Goblins by myself already.”

  “I got to admit, that was impressive, Gilbert,” Clerence said with a tint of obvious annoyance behind her tone.

  Gilbert, to his credit, at least blushed on this.

  “Let’s go! You sent the scout already, smart kids, both of you,” Alquin said, clearly eager to go.

  That’s not what had happened, but oh well, it doesn’t matter.

  They made their way to the familiar forest. Once they entered, Rue immediately went into finding mode. The tall grasses, on top of those thick branches, he made sure to examine everything.

  Gilbert and Alquin take the front line. Rue is behind them, among the ranged class; he is the best at melee combat.

  “Dead Kobold!” Gilbert called out. A spear wound holed the kobold’s throat. Another corpse had its hand cut off and throat slit.

  “Benedict works,” Paxwell said.

  “Good boy!” Alquin commented.

  Passing both corpses, not long beyond them, are another two corpses. Both have a spear hole through their back.

  “Is that guy just a scout?” Rue muttered, examining the precise wound.

  “He had a special class, just like you,” Someone said beside him. It’s Rino the water mage. “Well, I don’t know what constitutes ‘Special Class’. Unlike yours, the class he gets is from the system called ‘Rogue.’”