Chương 77: (B2) Chapter 4 - Silent draw

Ethan stood in the Broken Dawns training hall. Tomas was beside him as they waited for the potential group Leah would be dungeon diving with to arrive.

"I'm glad you took me up on the offer," he said idly. Ethan shrugged.

"It was actually Leah that wanted this," he answered while watching her spam her new skill. He had wanted her to keep it hidden, but evidently she needed somewhere to practice and get a feel for it, and the only place he thought would be at least a little better than on the street was the Broken Dawns. It also helped that they wanted to come here anyway to go over the deal once more.

"Yeah, about that. My reports said she was a Scout?"

"Not any longer," he stated, and admittedly felt relief at that. He didn't want her leading the way, checking for danger. Especially when he wasn't around.

"Is that going to be an issue?"

"Nah, it's fine. I've assembled the strongest team I possibly could to enter the dungeon. I believe among them is a Ranger."

"Good to hear," Ethan replied.

"I look forward to meeting them when they arrive." It wasn't long after he finished speaking that the doors to the training area opened, revealing five youths who walked through. Ethan immediately sized them up through [Keen Sense]. A man no older than twenty walked in front and was also the one who opened the door. He had short hair brushed to the side, along with a strong jaw and slight freckles.

He was the spitting image of Tomas and made it extremely easy to realize this was the famed brother he was building a team around. He walked with a smooth swagger that hinted at an agility-based build. Flanking him were four others. Three boys and one girl, all of them looked to be in the same age bracket, but Ethan could automatically tell Tomas had planned this right. One of the boys was clearly a tank build, while another had his core awakened and reeked of being a mage.

But surprisingly, the last man—likely the oldest, sporting a short beard—had his aura awakened. Normally that wasn't something you could pick up in other people because it was entirely internally based. However, Ethan liked to think he was an expert in that field, and so there was something about the way the man carried himself that gave it away. Though he couldn't tell how he had awakened it or what benefits it would give him. Finally there was the girl.

She looked no older than eighteen, was short, and had long black hair. Ethan recognized her, though he struggled to place where from. Just that he had definitely seen her before.

"Marcus, you're late," Tomas said beside him, stepping forward and away from Ethan. Ethan didn't bother to follow him. Instead, he watched the girl. She was clearly the ranger Tomas was talking about. He could tell that just from her attire and the bow strapped across her back. But not only that, she also had her core awakened. Though so did Tomas's brother and the mage.

"We got caught up getting the rest of our gear ready. What is it you needed? We were about to get breakfast." Only after he spoke did he seem to look around the room and notice Tomas wasn't alone. First he looked to Ethan, who was clad in full plate, then turned to Leah, who had stopped practicing and was moving over, a sheen of sweat on her brow.

"What's this?"

"This is your potential final member," Tomas stated. The young blond looked back at Ethan, eyeing him up and down. Ethan resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"We already have a frontliner," he said dismissively. Okay, now Ethan really did want to roll his eyes. Before he could respond, or think about it further and take offense, Tomas replied.

"It's not him. It'll be her," he said, gesturing to Leah, who had come to a stop beside Ethan. She raised a hand awkwardly.

"Oh." Marcus said, rubbing the back of his head.

"No offense, dude. It's just I like Miles," he said, pointing to the side where the large tank of a man stood. Ethan shrugged.

"Fair enough." He could get behind that. Why fix what wasn't broken and all that. Marcus nodded, turning his attention away from Ethan and looking once more at Leah.

"So what's your build then? Some kind of Warrior?" Leah frowned.

"It's good to meet you too," she said.

"Come on, Tomas. You can't be serious," Marcus said, turning to his brother. Now it was Ethan's turn to frown. Looks like this wasn't going to work. Immediately he didn't like the idea of Leah following this guys lead.

"Alright," he said, cutting in.

"We'll be taking our leave." Tomas's eyes widened.

"Wait!" he said, turning back to Ethan and Leah.

"Marcus. Shut up. This was never up for you to decide." Ethan paused in his step, willing to hear the man out. The mage beside Marcus also stepped up beside him, elbowing his side lightly.

"Sorry about him," the young boy said.

"I'm Rian. This is Bert, Colin, and Tilly," he said, gesturing at the aura user, tank, and archer.

"Marcus here can overspeak sometimes. He's good to those he knows though."

"I'm Leah. I like your name. Where's it from?" He smiled.

"Scotland. And you?"

"We're from the US," she said, pointing between her and Ethan.

"And what's your name, fella?" the tank—Colin—asked. Ethan sighed. Looks like the rest of the team could understand that Tomas wanted her on the team for a reason. He guessed he could play it nice and at least give them a chance. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Ethan," he stated, looking between all five of them, his eyes lingering on Tilly. She narrowed her eyes at him, and he realized it might have looked like he had been staring.

"So what's happening here?" Marcus asked, saving Ethan from embarrassment and pulling the attention back to him.

"Leah here is in need of a team to run some dungeons with. I want her to go with you lot. If she's willing, that is."

"I understand that, but why?" he asked.

"We already have a well-rounded team and have been working together for months now."

"That'd be because the dungeon I want you lot to attempt is fit for a six-member party. But I'm not so sure she will want to join now. Perhaps I can find a different team for her?" Tomas asked, directing the end question to Ethan. Ethan looked to Leah, happy to let her take charge. He wasn't sure if he would like her joining this group, but at the end of the day he'd leave it up to her.

"Let's spar," she stated abruptly, looking directly at Marcus. He looked taken aback for a moment. But then a smile crept onto his face.

"That's more like it! Let's do it." Ethan frowned beneath his helmet.

"Are you sure you want to do that?" he asked Leah, while getting a better feel for Marcus through [Keen Sense]. They were probably an even match. Both had their cores awakened and had upgraded their class.

"It's fine. It will be good," Leah said, stepping away from him and back toward the training hall. Marcus laughed and followed along, while the rest of his team looked toward Tomas with mild uncertainty. But when he said nothing, they too moved toward the open space in the building. The training hall was still in the guild building, high up on one of the top floors. Large glass windows looked out at the city below and the other towering buildings. Ethan briefly looked across at the other guilds. He let out a sigh.

"Don't worry. My wayward brother may be impulsive and run his mouth, but he's a good boy. He won't hurt her, and if you want, I can set up another team for her to keep the deal going," Tomas said, stepping back beside him as they followed the others. Leah stood in the open space, her sword still sheathed at her side and her dagger on the other hip. Marcus moved with her, stopping only a few paces away.

"I'm not worried for her," he replied with the utmost certainty. Tomas frowned slightly.

"You want to make a bet?" Ethan smirked under his helmet and gave a slight nod.

"You're on. What's the terms?"

"If Marcus wins, then you've got to tell me how you knew about curing Mia," he said in a light tone. Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly. He thought this was just going to be a bit of fun. Still, it was the perfect opportunity for him as well.

"And if Leah wins, you've got to find her some decent gear for the dungeon run." He paused for a moment, looking at her in her baggy clothes and starter sword.

"And a better blade."

"Ha, deal."

"Deal." As they both looked at each other, a little heat entering the conversation, Marcus attacked, a spear materializing in his hand. Leah's eyes widened, not expecting a weapon with such a long reach. Ethan watched patiently. It would be a good lesson for her. Never allow someone in close, especially when you don't know how they fight. The spear thrust straight toward Leah's shoulder with frightening speed.

Leah reacted quickly, stepping back while drawing her sword in the same motion, steel ringing out as she knocked the attack away. But Marcus didn't stop there. The moment the thrust was redirected, the spear twisted through his grip and swept low toward her legs. Leah barely managed to jump back in time. But again, Marcus didn't let up. The spear became a constant blur of movement, thrusts chaining into sweeps and feints so naturally it almost looked effortless. Ethan realized he may have a problem here.

The guy clearly had [Spear Mastery] at a decent level. Leah was forced backward across the training hall, repeatedly giving ground as she struggled to find an opening through the weapon's reach. Ethan frowned slightly beneath his helm. They had already gone over this. She should know how to deal with someone who used longer reach. Instead, she was letting Marcus control the fight entirely. Another thrust came for her chest.

Leah redirected it, only for Marcus to step in and drive the butt of the spear toward her ribs. The impact partially landed, forcing a grunt from her as she twisted away awkwardly and created distance once more. Marcus grinned.

"You sure you still want to do this?" Leah ignored him, looking frustrated. Sweat had begun sticking strands of hair to her forehead now as she steadied herself again. Her grip tightened around her sword while Marcus stalked forward at a much more measured pace this time, clearly settling into confidence now that he had the advantage. Then he attacked again. This time Leah didn't retreat immediately. The spear shot toward her face.

Leah shifted sideways at the last possible second, letting the blade pass close enough that Ethan felt it should have clipped her. Marcus adjusted instantly, dragging the spear across to catch her movement. The shaft slammed against her sword as she forced herself inside his reach. Marcus's expression shifted slightly in surprise as the spear suddenly became awkward between them.

Leah immediately swung toward his side, but Marcus abandoned the weapon with impressive decisiveness, releasing one hand and striking toward her face instead. Leah ducked underneath it. Her blade cut upward again. Marcus twisted away just in time before leaping backward completely, creating distance as he resummoned the spear into his hand. Ethan raised a brow slightly. The man was a competent fighter. Marcus rolled his shoulders, his grin still there.

"Okay. You're actually decent."

"You talk too much," Leah shot back immediately. Rian snorted quietly from the sidelines while Tomas folded his arms, clearly amused. Marcus attacked again. This time mana flared beneath his feet. He crossed the distance almost instantly, spear thrusting toward Leah in a rapid combination that forced her fully onto the defensive again.

She blocked the first strike, twisted around the second, but the third clipped her shoulder hard enough to stagger her sideways, even though there was clearly no killing intent behind the blow. He stepped heavily into the next thrust, driving the spear directly toward Leah's center mass with enough force that it would likely end the spar if it connected properly. Leah reacted instantly. Her sword moved first, knocking the spear slightly off course, then her free hand moved.

Ethan smiled, watching his plan come into fruition. Marcus's eyes widened. The dagger appeared in Leah's hand in an almost invisible blur as [Silent Draw] activated. One moment it was sheathed at her hip, the next it rested against Marcus's throat as Leah stepped fully inside his guard. The entire room went quiet. Marcus froze completely. Leah stood inches away from him, breathing slightly heavily, her sword still held low in one hand while the dagger remained pressed against his neck with the other.

Marcus slowly looked down at the dagger. Then back up at Leah.

"…That's bullshit." Leah grinned immediately.

"You lost." Ethan turned to Tomas, ignoring the rest of Leah and Marcus's back and forth.

"How about that. Looks like I won." Tomas snorted.

"A deal's a deal, I suppose. Tilly, come here." Tilly—the ranger—moved closer to them.

"How can I help?"

"Once Leah's finished up, I want you to take her to the armory and get her sorted. Let her pick anything up to uncommon." Ethan's eyes widened as he turned, looking at Tomas questioningly. Tomas ignored him and continued.

"Also, if she decides to join your party, make sure you protect her to the same level you would Marcus. Is that understood?" Tilly looked between Ethan and Tomas before giving a decisive nod.

"Yes, sir."

"Good. That will be all." He turned to address Ethan.

"What do you say we leave them all to get to know each other a bit more? We can go over a few things for your dungeon prep. I've got a spot for a level thirty-five run I want to talk to you about." Ethan nodded as he noticed Tilly pause in her retreat, eyes widening slightly.