As Haru looked over the stone, he heard branches snapping. Looking up, he saw three strange men approaching. His brows furrowed; he had chosen a secluded spot, but their expressions were disgusting and not to mention his body's intention radar was going off. These guys were up to no good. As they got closer, he recognized that look. It was the same look he'd seen on his relatives' faces after his parents died. The look of predators.
"My, my, what's a fledgling like you doing all alone out in the woods? Say, if you're lost, we will help ya out. Just hand over the little stone there," Razor spoke in a feigned nice voice. Haru almost laughed. 'Did these idiots think he was slow?'
"Hey my partner is offering you his good graces. Don't refuse a toast, only to drink a forfeit." The
Haru knew they were only after the stone. How long had they been watching him? If it were one of his games, he would have never let his guard down so easily. He needed to stall to figure out a plan.
'I don't know if the stone worked, so I need to stall.'
"Haven't you idiots ever watched anime? You you came upon a weird boy in the middle of the woods and didnt find it strange? And since you're looking at me weird, I'm sorry, I don't swing that way. I like girls. But since you have two partners there, I'm sure you all can figure something out. I do find it awfully strange three men are just out alone in the woods together," Haru smirked.
When Needle heard Haru's remark, he nearly coughed up blood. This brat dared to question their manhood?! Needle was set to rush in, but Razor held up his hand.
"Good, very good. Initially I was simply gonna kill you quickly and get a move on. We have places to be. But since you like using that foul mouth of yours, after I cut out your tongue, I'll make sure to go to that little village and find your people. Maybe do the exact same to them."
Haru visibly tensed and Needle rushed forward with his swords drawn.
"Sword arts: Death Mincing!!"
Needle's swords started to move in a weird, circular motion. Once Haru made eye contact with the blades, he felt as if he became drunk. He tried to dodge but stumbled. 'What is with this body? Is it the effect of reincarnating?'
Due to Haru recently waking combined with being bed ridden, the muscles were severely weakened. He slightly moved his head as the sword barely missed his face. That was close! He suddenly remembered he had weapons! Right before Needle's swords cut into his face, a pickaxe summoned, and not only blocked the strike but Needle's swords cracked when they made contact. This action left everyone, even Haru, shocked.
Unknown to the bandits, this wasn't due in particular to Haru's strength. It was the pickaxe's ability to mine any material activating. It making contact with the steel of the swords registered as the material being mined and started to break the swords' foundations down.
Haru quickly activated his system and confirmed his suspicions.
[ **Pick Axe**]
- Class: Epic
- Note: Can mine any material up to Legendary rank
Can be used 5 times per day.
[Uses: 4/5]
Haru smiled. 'So it can even do that? Good to know'
Needle stumbled back, his face in pure rage. "My swords! You brat, you're going to pay for that!" Razor and Snake now joined the fray. A shadow appeared above Haru, as he looked up, he saw Snake's body flying through the air, saber drawn.
"Venom Magic: Viper strike"
Snake's mouth opened, and poison mist came spewing out as Haru got to his feet. He swung the axe, but it had no effect. "So this is magic?" The mist hit Haruto, and he quickly received a message from his system.
[You have been poisoned. Body movements will become sluggish for the next 30 minutes.]
Damn, this thing can even read my body signs? He then coughed up blood, some of it landing on the Awakening Stone.
SCREEECHHH!!!!!!!
An ear-piercing noise spread throughout the forest followed by a shockwave that knocked the bandits back. Haru slowly lifted off the ground as the Power Awakening Stone started to become absorbed.
——
In the City, the King was reading over notes as he suddenly felt the wave pulse through the castle. "Hmm? It seems someone or something has found something quite interesting. To feel the effects even through these walls, that awakening stone must be at least at the Unique level, maybe even Legendary. And right before the Initiation… what an interesting find indeed." The king leaned back and smiled. Suddenly a woman burst through the door clad in a battle suit.
"My king, pardon the interruption, you felt it too, correct?!"
The King smiled. "I did indeed. But it was not of the Ancient Grade. I'm almost disappointed. I thought I'd have to pay them a personal visit." The woman scoffed. "You have that freak. You don't need any more friends." The King burst into hearty laughter. "That is true and don't call your team members freaks, though I suppose I wouldn't have another word for him." He suddenly grew intense and back to business. "So tell me. What did you have in mind for this year's Initiation?"
——
Back in the Forest, the three bandits stood in shock and awe as Haru looked like a mythical being getting summoned. Fear slowly crept into the bandits as one thought crossed all their minds.
What level stone was that?
As he landed back down, Haru looked up as a message appeared from his system.
[Power stone has been successfully absorbed. Poison has been cleansed. New Magic found: Elemental being. Grade: Unique.]