Chapter 76: Teaming Up
"Why are you following me?"
Lucien paused. He turned around. Ryker had been trailing behind him since the fight.
The wind blew across the rocky wasteland, carrying dust and the faint smell of dry earth. Ryker scratched his head. His robes were torn, hanging loose in some places. His jaw had a bruise, dark purple and swollen. But he still followed.
"I want to join you," Ryker said. His voice was uncertain at first, then grew steady. "This place is dangerous. We’re all in the same boat. We need teammates to survive."
Lucien raised an eyebrow. "You tried to teach me a lesson earlier. Now you want to be on my side? And you’re a defeated opponent. What can you offer me?"
Ryker’s face went red. His fists clenched at his sides. He didn’t back down. "I know. You taught me a lesson instead. You could have killed me but you didn’t which means something."
The wind picked up, tugging at their clothes. The ground beneath their feet was hard and uneven, scattered with loose stones and dry cracks.
Lucien stared at him. "So you’re following me because I spared you?"
Ryker shook his head. "No. I’m following you because you’re strong. Stronger than anyone I’ve fought. And in this place, having you as an ally is better than having you as an enemy."
He paused as his voice dropped. "Also, I want to learn. The way you fought, that sword intent, your movements. I’ve never seen anything like it. I know I’m not your equal. But I can fight. I can watch your back."
Lucien stayed quiet, he knew those are bootlicking words.
Ryker kept going. "I have enemies. The Golden Crest Clan isn’t the only powerful family. There are others who would love to see me fail. After fighting you, I realized I’m weak. With you, I might survive this trial. Maybe even grow."
Lucien turned and walked. "So you want to put everything on me, a stranger, for protection and training?"
Ryker hurried to catch up. His footsteps echoed in the open space. "Yes. I won’t get in your way. I won’t ask for much. Just let me follow."
Lucien stopped. He faced Ryker fully. His black eyes were sharp and cold. "Say I agree. What do I get? You said you have enemies. That means taking you in brings trouble. What’s my benefit?"
Ryker was stuck. His mouth opened and closed. The wind howled around them, kicking up a cloud of dust. He hadn’t thought about it like that.
"I didn’t think of that," he admitted. His voice was small. He looked down as he scratched his head. "Sorry, I was only thinking about myself. I didn’t think about what you’d lose."
Lucien watched him for a while. Honestly, he was speechless with Ryker’s reply.
Ryker looked up. His eyes met Lucien’s. "But I swear, I’ll make it worth it. I’ll fight for you. I’ll protect your back. If it comes to it, I’ll take a blade meant for you. I’m not asking for much. Just a chance. Please."
The word hung in the air, leaving Lucien dumbfounded for a while. Was this person gay? This sounded more like a love profession.
Lucien studied him for a moment. The wind settled. The only sound was their breathing.
He turned and walked. "Stay close. Don’t slow me down. And if your enemies show up, don’t expect me to clean up your mess."
Ryker’s face lit up. He fell into step behind Lucien, keeping a respectful distance. The relief in his chest was warm.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "I won’t forget this."
Lucien didn’t answer. The silence between them felt different now. The crunch of their footsteps against the dry ground filled the space.
Ryker followed. His steps felt lighter. For the first time in this desolate land, he felt like he was going the right way.
Normally, Lucien wouldn’t agree. Walking alone would draw attention from the examiners watching them. But having someone around also had risks. He had thought about it carefully.
He also had the Obsession Eye. It let him sense how honest Ryker was. The guy’s words sounded dramatic, almost laughable. But the Obsession Eye told him Ryker meant it all.
There was also the system. He couldn’t fuse with the Origin Fire Physique. The Primordial Anchor Body’s requirements were too high. But the system offered an alternative. He could give the physique to others. Once they fused with it, they would have one hundred percent loyalty to him. No betrayal.
This was a chance. He could build a force of talented people. They could handle things he couldn’t. Without him lifting a finger.
Lucien glanced at Ryker. He shook his head. He would just have to see how things went.
---
The survival trial raged on.
In different parts of the desolate land, blood was already flowing.
Somewhere in a dry valley, a group of participants cornered a wounded Rockhide Boar. Its breath came in ragged gasps as its hide cracked and bled. They struck it again and again until it dropped with a heavy thud. The ground shook. They didn’t celebrate. They only carved out its core as their hands slick with its warm blood, and moved on.
In a dark forest, a participant ran for his life. His lungs burned and his legs ached. He wasn’t as lucky as others. Behind him, a pack of Shadow Stalkers closed in. Their claws scraped against the bark of trees, their growls echoed through the thick air. Unluckily, He tripped over a root and they were on him in an instant as his screams echoed through the trees, sharp and desperate, before going silent.
Near a river, two groups fought each other. Not volkoids but people of different race. They were arguing over ownership of some rare herbs growing by the water’s edge. Then blades came out. Steel clashed against steel. Cries of pain cut through the air. When it was over, three people lay dead. The ground beneath them turned dark. The rest walked away with the prize and their wounds, blood dripping from torn clothes.
The wasteland showed no mercy. Volkoids killed. Participants killed each other. The strong took what they wanted. The weak died.