[ CONGRATULATIONS to the group MICHAEL’s TEAM on getting first blood from defeating the Hidden Boss, RAKUSHA! ]
Michael? Evie’s brows crumpled. The distaste was apparent on her sour face when Michael and his team revealed themselves from a distance.
“Ahahaha.” Michael laughed while his group all had a grin on their faces. “I never expected that your little group could defeat Rakusha. Good thing that our sniper got the last kill.”
Ren looked over at the guy with a long-range rifle in hand. Another class that he didn’t like. They could KS the Boss from meters away, and you wouldn’t even feel their presence because they had a particular skill that let them blend in their surroundings for a certain period of time. You wouldn’t even know that they had already come close and sniped your beast.
The guy’s ATP must be high for him to acquire that skill at this time — another reason why Ren wanted to recruit Isolde into his mercenary group.
Ren’s attention then went to Michael. He was looking at Evie like he wanted to eat her. He was familiar with that look. There were people like that. They exclude confidence and authority like the world belonged to them and the other people who didn’t belong in the same social standing as them were lesser beings in their eyes.
“Don’t worry, Evie. Like I promised. I’ll give you a rare item in exchange for that dinner.” Michael winked.
He was portraying himself as mischievous, but Ren and the others only sensed that Michael was motivated by his selfish desires.
Michael tried hard to be nice, but he only sounded arrogant in everyone’s ears. “How about it?”
Michael’s group all looked at Ren and the others with belittling eyes while Emerald and Lyka stared at Evie like they wanted to claw her hair out from her head.
Ren simply shielded Evie from Michael’s view. This was the first time that he wanted a PvP at this exact moment. Even Lily, the spoiled brat, didn’t get him this mad.
Ren was furious that his fingers were shaking. Whatever firstblood item was in there, it was one of a kind, and it should belong to Evie.
“Y-you . . .” Roxy didn’t know what to do. She wanted to shout at the top of her lungs and storm the other party, but she knew that KS wasn’t illegal. And if she were in Michael’s position, she would have done the same thing too.
Still, happening it to her firsthand was really infuriating.
“That’s our kill, asshole!” Rox snarled.
Gilbert laughed. “KS is common here. You got to admit that if it’s you in our position, you’ll do the same. So don’t be a hypocrite now and accept your loss.”
Rox gritted his teeth, but he could do nothing but contain his anger. That was how the game works. There was nothing they could do but swallow their indignation. Unless they wanted a fight to break out. Five against Fifteen? The odds weren’t in their favour.
Evie was helpless and angry too. And Ren and the others even helped her, but the prize just got snatched right under their noses. She needed that item. She needed Meriyaah’s item to get ahead from the other Blue Mages. But . . . could she really do nothing but accommodate Michael to have that? Just thinking of being alone with the guy for even a second sent hives to her skin. Even if it was a dinner in a public place.
“Be careful . . .” Ren suddenly spoke. His voice laced in threat and spite that sent shudders to anyone who heard. “You might want to constantly check your head when PvP is introduced.”
Ren would have accepted the lost loot if it was just him. KS was expected, and he wouldn’t fault the other party for doing it. But it didn’t mean that he would just let it go either. He was mad because whatever rare item was inside that chest, it should belong to Evie. That was his promise.
A fiendish smile made its way to Michael’s lips, designed to belittle and cow. “Well, aren’t you a pity guy? This is part of the game, man. Don’t be a sore loser.”
Ren didn’t budge. “So what if I am? What are you going to do about it?”
“. . .” Michael and the others were surprised that Ren accepted his insult without care. Now Michael was feeling a little embarrassed because he felt like he was brushed off and he had no come back to what Ren said.
“Are you threatening me? Me? Don’t you know who I am?” Michael said instead and used his trump card. No one threatens him and gets away with it.
“Actually . . .” Ragnar stepped in after being silent for a while. “I do know who you are, Michael Abalone.”
All attention shifted to Ragnar when he spoke in a deep serious tone.
“But I wonder if you know me?”
Michael read the name on top of the Orc’s head and sneered. “Ragnar? I’m sorry. Should I know you?”
“You should.” Ragnar stepped forward and stared at Michael under the bridge of his nose. He was tall, and with his Orcish race, he was very intimidating. “If you don’t want Gudiv Abalone, your grandfather, to disown you, I suggest that you give back all the chest that you stole from us.”
Michael was silent for a moment, and fear crossed his eyes, for Ragnar knew his grandfather, the man behind the success of Abalone Corporation. But no matter how hard he rummaged through his memories, he couldn’t recognize the ugly Orc.
“I’m contacting your grandfather as we speak,” Ragnar said after sending a message to Gudiv Abalone. “I’m giving you a minute to decide your fate.”
“He’s bluffing.” Gilbert laughed while shaking his head. “It’s their last pitiful attempt to gain our loot.”
“Let’s just go,” Lyka grumbled.
While the other members of Michael’s group seconded.
“We’re wasting time here.”
“Let’s distribute the loot and go home. I have a movie to watch.”
“Forget about those losers, and let’s go.”
Michael shrugged and winked at Evie. “I’ve sent you a friend request. Message me when you change your mind. I’m a nice catch, and once you get to know me, I promise you that you’ll be hooked by my charms.”
Evie wanted to puke from the cringe. She could tolerate other men’s advances because they weren’t so full of themselves like Michael.
Michael was the type that didn’t know the word ‘no.’ He was overflowing with self-assurance just because he was rich and handsome to the point that it was annoying and he didn’t even knows it.
Michael took his leave before giving Evie one last wink while he grinned at Ren and the others. Their laughter soon boomed as they chat merely.
But not a second that Michael took his first step forward, he was stunned at the sudden call that rang on his notification. And what paralyzed him in place was the name of his grandfather. The man that not once called him since the day he was born.
For the first time, fear so visceral registered on Michael’s face. It crept to his veins and seeped deep into his bones. And he couldn’t help but look over at Ragnar, shaking and in horror.
Ragnar merely smirked. “Go on. Take the call.”
“Michael . . . what’s going on?” Emerald asked, worried when Michael’s face turned white. Gone were his confidence and arrogance. He was even trembling from where he stood.
“Let’s GO.” Lyka insisted with a high-pitched voice.
“Shut up!”
Everyone was stunned when Michael shouted, and his cool façade was thrown into the window.
“This is important.” Michael pressed [ACCEPT] without a second delay. A barrier engulfed him, and for a time, he was logged out of the game.
There was an awkward silence lingered between the two groups. Not knowing what was happening.
Ren had an inkling of what was going on. Ragnar might have used his family’s power to make Michael bend his knee. Something that he couldn’t do at the moment.
Ren’s hands fisted at the thought that he was still powerless in his current state despite everything else, despite his high ATP and knowledge about the game.
All the more so to reach his goal faster.