30 You Can Leave if You Wan (2/2)

Unlike the other Targets, the user can mold the bore into the desired weapon with greater specificity.

What weapon will the user like to mold?

<Ding! >

James almost wanted to laugh as he read through the system's notification. Although he had never heard of the Ospian ore and did not know it value, the fact it had a Good rank from the System meant it had a significant value.

”System, read my mind for the specification of the weapon, and send it to my inventory the moment it's created. What is the estimate residual damage I would incur?”

<Ding! >

I have saved the user's preference!

Weapon Modification using the user's template Initiated!

Estimated time until completion: 40 minutes

The user will lose 30% of HP from the residual damage.

Congratulations!

A new Skill has been projected to the user's brain.

Name: Light Barrier.

Rank: Poor.

Path: Light.

Uses: Ability for the user to form barriers from light.

Limitations: The user cannot form over two barriers at once.

The density of the second barrier will be weaker than the first barrier.

The user can only use this Skill three times in a day.

The Necromancer System can convert the Skill to the path of Darkness.

Estimated time until completion: 48 hours.

Will the user like to convert this skill?

<Ding! >

James's chuckled as he saw the system's message. 'What a beautiful gift. It's a good thing the system can covert the skill, if not, it would have been fairly useless. I wonder what skills the others are receiving?' Jame mused.

Just like him, the others had varying spells projected into their minds and they each received a lump of Ospian ore to do as they pleased. Since the blinding light of the pentagram covered them, Henriksen and the others could not see what was happening. However, unlike the clueless newbies, Henriksen understood what was going on. In fact, he subconsciously stroked his axe while waiting for pentagram to disappear.

An hour later, the blinding light dimmed and the figures of the youths seated at the extreme became visible. ”Hahaha… It's almost time to choose my prize. Hmmm… I think I know who I'll choose,” Henriksen muttered as he stared at the dimming light.

The moment he said these words, a strong wind blew past the grassy field. At that moment, the pentagram disappeared, revealing the weakened bodies of the youths who sat and laid on the ground.

”They survived?” A Demon who fled earlier asked in astonishment.

”Wait… what are they holding? Are those weapons?” Instead of answering the question of the Demon, the female Beastman from earlier responded with a question of her own.

With eyes opened wide in disbelief, they stared at the others who sat and laid on the ground while clutching various weapons in their hands. They could see glistening spears, majestic swords, beautiful bows, oddly shaped halberds and other intricately designed weapons. At that moment, they remembered the words Henriksen said. They could not help but stare at him with their bloodshot eyes, however, Henriksen giggled while daring them with his eyes.

Since they were not idiots, they ignored his provocations. Because, they knew a brutal death awaited them if they attacked him. However, they could not disguise the greed in their eyes as they stared at the weapons. Because, all the weapons looked like magical artefacts.

At that moment, those who did not bathe under the light of the pentagram regained control of their lower limbs. Just like them, the weary youths also regained access to their legs, but they were too tired to stand. Noticing this, and with the seed of greed planted in their minds, the others gradually stood to their feet while staring at weary youths like predator staring at weak prey.

”You guys can only blame yourself. Don't blame us, blame the people who sent you to this place,” a young man said as he stared at a beautiful saber on the hand of a Beastman.

”Hahaha… For a human, you're smart. We bide our time, and now it is time to reap the harvest,” a Demon added while staring a rapier. Even in such a scenario he could not hide his derision for humans. Although the words of the Demon angered him, the young man showed no reaction. He would first steal the saber from the Beastman, before putting the Demon in his place.

Just the duo who ogled the weapons they desired, the others had the same reaction as they shortened the distance between themselves and the weary youths. With a few meters separating the two groups, they heard familiar laughter and voice, ”Are you guys this stupid? How did you even survive the selection? As much as I would like to watch the action, I'm afraid I must stop you here,” Henriksen declared.

”Don't think you can stop us. There is only one of you, do you think you can take all of us?” a Demon snorted.

”I'm seriously tempted to take your offer, but I must decline. Even if I do nothing, she would have killed you,” Henriksen said as he pointed to the crazy redhead, ”and him, and him. Him too, oh and him, too,” he added while pointing to different people.

”Why?! You should have let them come. Do you know how hard it's pretending to be weak?” the crazy redhead grumbled while pouting her lips. She looked a shadow of the youth who looked fatigue a few seconds ago. Although the others who were pretending did not complain like her, they had a sinister gleam in their eyes as they stared at those who wanted to attack them earlier. Meanwhile, those genuinely fatigued, heaved a sigh of relief. They too pretended as if they were knowledgeable of the ploy from the beginning.

Only James continued panting while clenching his chest, the reason he did this was because he saw Henriksen staring towards his direction earlier. He did not know what he wanted and did not care, but he did not want to stand out just yet. Unlike the others who held beautiful weapons, he was the only one with an old knife which had traces of blacken blood on it rusty surface. This was James's trusty knife he used in dissecting corpses for the Army of the Fallen. Pretending to be ashamed of the knife, he used his tattered robes to hide it.

Meanwhile, the youth who wanted to rob the others earlier had panic-stricken expressions on their faces as they retreated in hurried steps. However, they did not go too far, because they did not want to enter the forest. And they did not want to come within range of the smiling Henriksen.

With the tensed atmosphere gradually rising, Henriksen suddenly clapped his hands while approaching the youths seated on the ground. Those who stood quickly made way for him, not daring to look him in the eyes.

”There is really nothing much for me to tell you guys. Oh, that reminds me. The wisp invades the forest every three weeks and retreats the following three weeks. However, it does not have a defined pattern. If you survive the first three weeks, then you'll learn a lot. However, it's likely only 5% of you will survive, and trust me, I'm being generous. Well, it's time to claim my prize,” Henriksen said as he towered above James's figure.

After his declaration, the youths all had stern expressions on their faces. Especially when he said it was time to claim his prize. Meanwhile, James who laid on the ground was already manipulating the Mana in the surrounding forest through the Skill - Mana Manipulation. If Henriksen reached for him, a black smog would cover the area and he would change to his Grim Reaper form instantly. However, he was not interested in fight a losing battle. Instead, he would use the cover of the artificial darkness to flee to the nearby forest.

”Hahaha… I've had my eyes on you since I came here. I've been searching for you for a long time. Don't blame me for choosing you, I've worked hard to earn this prize,” Henriksen said as he reached towards James.

Agitated, James was ready to enact his plan, however, the unexpected happened. With a gentle sweep of his legs, Henriksen brushed James's body away while reaching for a beautiful Forest-Elf holding an intricate bow. She too had thought Henriksen came for James. Because of his sudden actions, she did not know how to react.

At that moment, Henriksen's excited laughter echoed, ”A Forest-Elf… Hahaha… Wonderful. I've always imagined this day. What's your name, lass?”

”Lil… Lilis,” the Forest-Elf blurted out in shock. Just as she told her name, she realized the mistake she had made, and several disgusting thoughts flooded her mind. With no delay, she reached for her dagger. She would rather die than live to experience being violated. However, Henriksen reacted quicker than her. With a simple touch to the forehead, Lilis lost control of her body as she slumped to the floor with tears streaking down her cheeks.

”Whoa! What are you trying to do? Why are you reaching for your dagger, and why are you crying?” Henriksen said with a bewildered expression on his face. Raising his head, he saw the apprehensive looks on the faces of the other females which had traces of disgust, too. At that moment, he realized what they were thinking. Shaking his head vigorously, he said, ”No… no, no! I'm not into that. Trust me, I really don't want to do that. I used to be a monk you know. Sure she is beautiful, but she is not my type. If she was a human with fox ears and tail, then I might have considered, but…” Henriksen suddenly paused at this point because he realized his words were only making the situation worse.

With a gentle sigh, he picked up the sobbing Lilis. Saying nothing, he placed her on her back and suddenly dashed into the forest. Those who were watching could not believe what they had just seen, however, it reminded them of the seriousness of their situation.

While they pondered what had just occurred, they suddenly heard Henriksen's voice from the distance, ”I forgot to tell you guys, the three weeks retreating cycle will end by noon tomorrow. If you don't want to die, better move! Oh, I'm seriously not that kind of person. Until we meet again!”

While his voice still echoed, the youths broke into a dash as they ran into the thick forest. Who cared what Henriksen wanted to do with Lilis when their lives were their main priority.