Martin clenched his fists. He didn't have time to explain that he and Rias were only friends, and trying to clarify their relationship in front of an entire guild would only make them laugh harder. With Rias currently carving her way across the body of a giant sea monster, Plume had already decided she was Martin's terrifying girlfriend.
Before joining the battle, Martin had dismissed the Broodtide chest piece and equipped the Worldshell Carapace. The incompatible plates prevented the rest of the Broodtide Set from forming around it, stripping away the full-set bonuses and leaving his arms and legs exposed. He had gambled that fighting a powerful sea monster would awaken the growth armor, but so far, the decision had only weakened him.
Complaining about the dormant armor wouldn't accomplish anything, either. The Worldshell Carapace wasn't going to awaken just because he was annoyed with it.
He pushed the irritation aside and studied the battle instead.
