Chapter 179: The Three Monsters
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hey! I told you to move when you are charging your skill! Stand still and you''re an easy target!” Drake roared, throwing a water ball at Chelsea.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah! That is bullshit! It''s hard to focus on the skill if I have to run!” she shouted back, taking the waterball to the face, shaking off the water.
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s why you have to do it. If you can do what others can not you are a league ahead of them and the rest! Your skill does not specify that you can''t move while charging. It might be hard but you won’t always have us to help you after the tutorial,” Drake replied.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re open!” a voice shouted, the sound of several bullets ringing out.
<span style="font-weight:400">Drake turned to see the mana-filled bullets traveling towards him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“<i><span style="font-weight:400">Bulwark.”</i>
<b>Shield Bearer of the Battle Hall Proficiency 3 [F Rank] 2/2</b>
<ul>
<li><b>A battle tested frontliner of the furious halls of the Asurans</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Passives: +15% to Vitality and out ofbat Stamina regeneration. (+15% Endurance) (Increased based on Proficiency)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Actives: Bulwark P3 (0%), Unbreakable P3 (0%)</li>
</ul>
<b>[Bulwark] Proficiency 3(0%)</b>
<ul>
<li><b>The active ability to summon a temporary shield around yourself based on your Vitality. The Shield Bearer of the Battle Hall is the shield that takes on and advances through any adversity.</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Skill: Bulwark - “I am the shield, I am the rampart. Bulwark.”</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Skill can be quick-casted for half benefits - “Bulwark.”</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Temporary Shield skill. Creates a barrier of health based on a 1 to 1 per Vitality. Shieldsts 10 minutes, or until broken. Cooldown does not start until the shield has expired. (Increased based on Proficiency)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Moderate Stamina Cost.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>5 Minute Cooldown.</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-weight:400">In a sh of green, a shield was made around Drake, and the bullets were stopped in front of him battling with the shield before sputtering out unable to prate them.
<span style="font-weight:400">Drake pointed his fingers back at Sato with a smile on his face behind his mask, “Nice try, next time don’t shout out ruining your ambush. This isn’t an anime Sato,” Drakeughed, shooting two bullets of water right at the man hitting him in the forehead and stomach doubling him over.
<span style="font-weight:400">Sato rolled over on the ground in pain but was still in good health.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ahhhh, Shishou…. Why the stomach! And it isn’t fair! You out level me by so much!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“True, but who said your enemies are going to be fair and pull their punches!” Drake shouted back.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Weren’t you just the one who said he was going to go easy on them…. Come on bro, you’re supposed to be helping them,” Bjorn reprimanded as he deflected Tom’s shield with his hand and threw a punch for him to block.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ok, I might have gone overboard letting off some steam…” Drake shrugged, “What can I say, I’m a man-child and I saw an opportunity for payback.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What did I even do!?” Sato shouted from the ground.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t remember, but I’m sure it was something worthy of the punishment you received,” Drake smirked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Shishou….”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Haven’t you bullied poor Sato enough…?” ire asked, walking up to Drake.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Not nearly enough. That bastard won one of my rare cards off me earlier,” Drake grumbled.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So it was something! I won it fair and square!” Sato shouted.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah, and that’s why you still have it! I didn’t take it back, did I?!” Drake yelled.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I think maybe it might be time for a break….” ireughed, “It’s almost dinner time either way.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Drake sighed and nodded, “You guys can go eat, I want to do my own thing some more.”
<span style="font-weight:400">He looked over to Bjorn and Shigure who were still sparing with some of the others, “Are you two going for lunch or do you want to spar some more?” he asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Are you cooking first?” Bjorn asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Naw,” Drake replied.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m good to wait then. No offense,” Bjorn said to ire.
<span style="font-weight:400">“None taken, no one can reallypete with his food. It isn’t just me,” she sighed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“If you are staying I will stay as well then, I do not wish to fall more behind than I already have,” Shigure added walking to the forming group.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright then,” Drake nodded, “Guess you guys are eating without us. How about two on one?” Drake grinned.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh no I’ll be staying as well, I’m not letting you out of my sight after what happened before,” ire smiled, looking at Shigure and then at Drake.
<span style="font-weight:400">“R-right…” Drake grimaced.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What makes you think you can take on both of us?” Bjorn frowned.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why don’t you prove me wrong then,” Drake sneered, “I did beat the big bad bug after all.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“True, but that was after a Dragon Lady put her hand inside you and yed around with the parts bro. That’s hardly just you winning. We both got our asses handed to us before that if you don’t remember,” Bjorn scoffed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sorry, I don''t remember that part. Only remember saving the day.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Really?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Lla I can’t hear you!” Drake yelled, covering his ears.
<span style="font-weight:400">“At least your dumb personality is intact…” Bjornughed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t find that to be a good thing….” Shigure sighed, “I am fine with two on one. I suppose you have no problem with us going all out then?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Drake smiled, “No problem, kid.”
<span style="font-weight:400">—-----
<span style="font-weight:400">Drake, Shigure, and Bjorn took to an open space outside the camp and outpost, a small group of onlookers forming from Drake’s party as they returned with food in hand.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So who’s winning?” Tom asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Would have to be the pup wouldn’t it, can’t see him losing nothing after whatever happened. He did kill that damnned bug after all,” Hudson answered forking his meat.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No way, it’s two on one! Shigure and Bear have this in the bag!” Chelsea sneered, raising a spoon.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright let’s bet on it then, 1000 F-Rank Cores on Shishou,” Sato grinned.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll take that bet ya daft idiot, Shot is strong but he ain''t strong enough to take on two of them monsters at once!” Jacqueline yelled.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t know, he did take on the bug all by himself… And he did beat the crap out of Shigure before,” Julia offered.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Damn,” Jaqueline clicked her tongue, “You shouldanded earlier with that Jules! I take it back!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“There’s no takebacks here! What are you four?” Satoughed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“3,000 Stones on Shigure,” a voice said next to them.
<span style="font-weight:400">Everyone’s head turned to see Uta crossed armed looking out onto the field.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Y-you sure about that Uta? Do you even have that much?” Sato asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">Uta only nodded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ok… anyone else?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“1,000 on Shot,” Megan said, surprising everyone.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What?” she shrugged, “He’s strong, and it''s a good bet, that''s all…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You know he’s dating ire right?” Tom told her, only to get hit by Jacqueline, “Ow! What?!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s a bet nothing more!” Megan said embarrassedly.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Theo? Care to bet?” Sato asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“This one would findeth it most unhonorable to bet in such a fixed game. It is impossible for my Lord to lose in any capacity!” Theodore exined only to get hit by Harley.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What are you saying, love? Here, cough up your stones, there’s nothing wrong with free money, think of our future!” Harley demanded.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Y-yes, dear…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh! We have some pretty skewed odds here! Looks like four to one on Shishou,” Sato announced.
<span style="font-weight:400">—------------
<span style="font-weight:400">“You hear that? Looks like I already won,” Drake smiled.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah, yeah say that when you actually won bro,” Bjornughed, “I may not have leveled up, but I did get quite a few quest items from those Ants,” he said wiggling a new ring on his hand.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh, I didn’t see that before. Did you have it when we fought the Prince?” Drake asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I did, sadly, didn''t do much against him. But I’m sure it will help against you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Why’s that?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You’re human.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Drake gave a forlorn grin, “Sorry man, that ship has sailed. Don’t think I count anymore. Don’t you remember? I’m a whole other beast now.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes well, you were quite the animal before. So I suppose it matches now…” Shigure scoffed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s not nice. Also, bad form to insult the one who’s going to beat the crap out of you,” Drake sneered back.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Whoever said we were going to lose lying down? This is practice to push past our limits isn’t it?” Shigure said calmly, lowering his stance.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We will see about that. I have someone to show off to now, so no hard feelings alright?” Drake replied, cracking his knuckles, “Damn it, I forgot I only have one ring… Oh well, I''ve been there before.”
<span style="font-weight:400">In an instant, Drake summoned ayer of earth to cover his left arm solidifying above it in the color of obsidian.
<span style="font-weight:400">Flexing his earthen arm, “Been a while since I’ve done this. You two ready?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Bjorn ced his ymore from his shoulder to a guard stance in front of him, “Oh you know it, bro, unfortunately, I was born ready.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Kenzo, Shigure. Kensei! Maeru!<i><span style="font-weight:400">”</i><span style="font-weight:400"> Shigure shouted.
<span style="font-weight:400">“<i><span style="font-weight:400">I am the shield, I am the rampart. Bulwark! I am the wall on which my enemies billow. Unbreakable! </i><i><span style="font-weight:400">On blessed wings. Guardian’s Reprieve!”</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">Drake lowered his stance as well putting up his own guard and pushing mana into his sole tattoo, his hair and tattoo shifting to a vibrant yellow.
<span style="font-weight:400">“<i><span style="font-weight:400">For the thrill of battle!”</i>