As I stood spaced out from Jackson, I found myself nervous for several reasons. The main one was the fact that they had almost 3 times the mana that I did, and even if that wasn't the problem, they had a combat soul skill, and an A rank one at that.
"You asked to do this why again?"
Will asked in my mind as I could also picture the nervous worry etching into his bones as he looked through my eyes.
Because we have to fight Ymer and his group whether we have a level difference or not, it is better to see what we are up against now, rather than when we are in a situation where they are trying to kill us.
I thought back as I spun my spear behind my back, more as a calming motion than anything. Jackson drew out their twin revolvers from their holsters as they met my eyes.
"Hey Aiden, you sure about this?"
"Why does everyone keep asking that?"
I grumbled to myself as I nodded and started my revolution core.
As we both began to move, Jackson seemed to hum with latent speed as he said.
"Ill give you the first attack."
I felt a twinge of irritation run through me as I rushed forward and said with strain on my voice.
"Just how much are you looking down on me!"
Jackson dodged to the side of my spear as he rolled over my back and kicked off me.
"It's not looking down, there is a 20 level difference, if I didn't this would be bullying."
"Oh how charitable of you."
I hissed as I shifted my spear back, the pommel striking Jackson in the side as they rolled and sprang up to their feet with a surge of electricity arching around themselves.
Enemy "Jackson" has used skill Burst of Agility(E)
Enemy "Jackson's" reflexes and speed have been enhanced
You have used item Revolution Core
The Revolution Core V2 is online
You have shifted the Revolution Core V2 into Idoling
Your Strength and Constitution are increased by 30
You have used item Spear of the Seven Hunts(D)
Your attack has missed
You have used item Spear of the Seven Hunts(D)
Enemy "Jackson" has taken 46 damage
There was a moment of stillness as Jackson took a moment to feel their now probably bruised side as they looked up with a look that was probably not meant to be, but felt insulting by just how surprised they looked.
"AIDEN, DODGE!"
Will Roared in my head as I snapped to Jacksons guns that were raised, they dashed to the side, trying to begin circling, as I rushed to follow. I heard a shot strike the ground where I had been as I ran, but I wasn't fast enough to keep pace. Jackson rocketed ahead, practically triple my speed as he began circling, his outline beginning to blur as I readied my spear to block.
"JUMP"
Will yelled as I leapt into the air, the shot flying as I watched Jackson stumble, dodging their own bullet as they continued around the circle. I spun to swing my spear down like a glaive as I felt my spear miss. I looked up, trying to find where they had gone as I felt the cold barrel pressed to my left shoulder.
"You did well, but I think this is game."
I spun my spear, trying to spin the revolver away from where it was pointed, and I felt my spear connect. A surge of hope before I found myself sitting bolt upright in a small circle of flowers, Beatrice next to me had a paw out as the healing magic mended my shoulder. Across from us I saw Jackson sitting on his knees, both arms raised over his head as he had a pouty expression on his face, standing over him yelling was the rabbit girl who had said her name was Emi.
"What part of sparring didn't you get? That last shot would have killed him if you didn't jerk your gun away, non-lethal intent or not!"
Groaning I pulled up the combat log to see what I had missed.
Enemy "Jackson" has used skill Overcharge(D)
Their shots crackle with lightning
Enemy "Jackson" has used item Double Tap Revolver(D)
The attack has missed
Enemy "Jackson" has used item Double Tap Revolver(D)
The attack has missed
Overcharge(D) has granted "Jackson" speed to attack again
Enemy Jackson has struck a vital point, CRITICAL HIT
You have used skill Parry(E)
You reduce the damage by 42 damage
Enemy "Jackson" has attempted to reduce the damage
The damage done is halved
You have taken 64 damage
You have taken too much damage and pass out
Current HP: -23/41
I found myself just sitting there for a stunned moment.
"Dang, we got owned, like badly"
Will said unhelpfully in my head. I took a moment while Beatrice was healing me to drift inward as I stared at Will and crossed my arms.
"Your comments…. Are not helpful or constructive."
I grumbled as I saw Selene and Thalia giving me worried looks, though I could hardly comment. I barely exchanged a single blow before I would have been killed, even a shot reduced by my new parry skill, and by Jackson trying to reduce damage left me unconscious. I had thought I had grown stronger, but it seems I am still severely lacking. Hell I even heard that Selene went toe to toe and almost beat their tank. While on a fundamental level I understood. She has a combat class, its what let her go toe to toe with their tank. Jax has a combat class, its why he almost beat me in a single punch that shattered my ribs. Yet as I looked to Jackson I saw the situation. Jackson was a courier, a production class like myself, all the combat skills they had were from a class evolution, and yet it was enough to defeat me in a single shot.
"Your skin and muscles are mended, but we're gonna have to cast up that shoulder and have Beatrice tend to it for the next two days or so before it's fully recovered."
Thalia said as she began to weave her threads together with a few sticks to make a makeshift sling until we arrived at town. I didn't say anything and simply nodded as I refused to meet anyone's eyes, shame swirling my chest as Jax put a paw on my shoulder.
"Hey man, it's ok, nobody was expecting you to win against a 20 level difference."
I'm sure it was meant to be comforting, even kind, but at the time it felt like my ribs were being broken all over again as I stood.
"Hey Liora, how long till we plan to head out?"
Liora walked over to the door of the trailer and after a moment leaned out and said.
"Just after we make and eat lunch I would say, why?"
I nodded as I turned and began heading for the treeline.
"Just want to take a walk before we're cooped up, I'll be back in a little bit."
I could feel everyone's worried looks digging into my back as I walked, and I could hardly blame them, I just got my ass kicked and was now walking off to be alone, hell I would be worried if any of the others did this. Yet I needed this, some time to be alone and just think.
As I walked, Will didn't say anything, probably feeling what mood I was in and not wanting to add fuel to the proverbial flames. I walked for a few minutes before I found a small clearings, the terrs branches preventing sunlight from falling in as I swung my arm in a punch, my fist digging into the tree as I pulled it free with a small cracking noise as I had left a small indent in the bark, my hand bleeding slightly as I stared down at my knuckles.
Jax and Selene filled their roles, they blocked and fought at the front, Liora stood in the middle, attacking with power and range, Thalia and Beatrice fought at the back, supporting everyone else while they fought, and yet… Where did I fit?
I can't fight at the front, I got destroyed in a single hit,
I can't be a DPS, I could barely hurt someone who wasn't even a tank,
I can't be a support, my skills are too low to be able to do anything worthy of helping.
I stared down at my shaking hand, the realization of my own uselessness sinking in like a deer struggling in tar. I stumbled forward, holding my hand over my eyes as if to stop the tears from flowing. It's not fair, I don't want this adventure to end, but in my attempt to be something I'm not I became mediocre at everything. I stumbled forward, chokes sobs escaping my lips as a voice called out.
"So it seems the moth from the library seeks even more light, but are they aware that the sun may burn it?"
I felt my body freeze as the otherworldly presence that made me feel insignificant. That oppressive feeling of an ant-like presence before a mountain as floating down from a nearby tree branch, Indigo landed, the ground itself freezing as if the grass wasn't so foolish as to bend under her foot.
I dropped to the ground on a knee, a quiet shiver barely suppressed as fear coursed through me. I wanted to ask a million questions, but it was as if my mind was terrified that she would see I was questioning her and refused to move.
"Ah, so it seems that Mr. Lee has taught you about who I am, you certainly seem more reverent than this one."
As if plucking a piece of lint from clothing, Selene was grabbed from a nearby bush as she stood rigid, clear fear on her face as Indigo placed her on the ground where she quickly copied what I was doing. Indigo watched us silently for a moment before she asked.
"Aiden, it seems you didn't tell your friends about me, explain."
Once again, that sickening feeling of Will being forced to move occurred as he said.
"Because we were warned about knowledge hunters, and were unsure if you wished your presence to be known or not."
Fragmented Will(E) has taken control of your mouth to speak
The Influence of Indigo has released control of your skill
Selene turned her eyes as if bewildered as I wanted to explain, but wasn't dumb enough to move. Indigo opened a small hand fan in front of her face as she chuckled.
"Interesting, now what is a girl like you doing following little Aiden to the middle of the woods?"
Selene didn't stay silent, she couldn't, just like with me, before such a force, even their voice and requests were law, not suggestion.
"I-I wanted to check on Aiden after he lost to Jackson because he seemed to be spiraling a bit."
Indigo looked at Selene for a moment before she chuckled again as she said.
"Ah, I see, in that case would you like to be in on our little discussion, after all it involves Aiden, though I don't see why it can't involve you as well."
I felt a jolt of primal fear rush through me as adrenaline pumped, my body screamed flight flight flight, we needed to leave, but nothing obeyed. This was a deal from a being far above me, and from what I had learned she wasn't one for charity work, so this must be for a reason that may get everyone killed. Yet despite my fervent desire to run away from such an offer, a small annoying part of me, maybe even the part that had been dragging me into a spiral was drooling at the potential power such a deal promised.