Defiant

Chapter 8

Clifford remained looking at the shattered blade, still processing on the mistake he’d made. He was certain he had increased the weapons’ durability before using it, but cannot get around why it broke.

He can’t help but ponder, trying to understand the error he did, coming up with speculations and realization in regard to the limits and capabilities of his system.

“Are you well, sir Clifford?”

Malver had moved closer to their now celebrated hero, curious as to the reason for his long silence.

For the past hour after their encounter, the man had remained silent during their entire walk into the dead of the night, although everyone was in high spirits, celebrating their recent victory.

Soldiers continued to talk about the feat as they made their way into the darkness of the forest, yet they no longer showed any hints of fear.

Influenced by what they’ve seen, all of them had this renewed energy and courage. Each one becoming much vigilant and active than before.

So it became a mystery to him why, among all the warriors who were there, the person who should be most proud of was remaining quiet.

Jolted from his deep thought, Clifford was quick to put on a smile, raising his head to meet the knight’s eyes to show his respect.

“Oh, yes. I was just thinking about something.”

He forces a chuckle, not wanting to be seen as someone odd.

After their encounter a while ago, he can’t help but tinker with his system, wishing to study it more, as it piqued his curiosity.

Also, this had already been the second time he faced danger and barely survived, giving him a good idea of how dangerous the world they were in.

“And what can be troubling a brave warrior such as yourself?”

Malver raised a brow, noticing the deepness in the man’s gaze. A view he usually sees on people who carried such deep burdens within them.

That caused an actual laugh to come out of Clifford, as he couldn’t hide the sudden gush of blood to rise from his cheeks.

“Please don’t refer to me that way. I didn’t do much.”

He’d rather not be called something that he wasn’t, considering his actions were an effect of a flaw far from that of valor and heroism.

It was a thing that had been plaguing him even when he was in the other world, a clouded reaction which resurfaces in certain circumstances.

Even if he’d been keeping it under control for the past years of his life, picking at him to the point it is becoming harder to shut.

Proof of that is his recent actions. Though they were all calculated, it is still reckless.

As of now, it stayed manageable, as he remains aware of it, but there were times that he was beginning to drown in the depths of that void.

His memories and logic fading, as the need to surrender it all was taking over, clawing at him like a monster within the deep confines of his subconscious.

“Apologies, I do not mean to offend. But there are no other words to describe a man such as yourself. Fearlessly facing a dreaded beast.”

Hand on his chest, puffing it out. Malver gave out a bow, letting out a smile in appreciation of the deed. For him, such an exploit is something worthy to be remembered and discuss for generations to come.

The image of the fellow fighting left a mark on him, recollecting how he faced the monster head on with nothing but a sword, together with saving the lives of two people all at once.

“From where I came from, it’s considered reckless.”

The smile on Clifford’s face slowly faded, remembering his previous life before. Along with the reason on why he develop such a reaction.

A pained laugh escaping him, all the while being haunted by those unpleasant days of enduring torture and anxiety.

“Well, in this world, it’s a deed worthy to be called heroic.”

Marvel proudly states, letting out his chest, which made his armor clank and chimed in his motion.

Cracks and dents filled the piece of suit, but this did not bother him, as those broken pieces were a sign of their valor and victory.

“Thank you.”

Was all Clifford could say, aware that because of the possible timeline they were in, such behavior remained honorable and good.

He was keen to shrug off those notions he had in mind, reminding himself that they were in an unfamiliar land, with far unique customs and belief as they had.

“It is you who needs to be praised, not me.”

Marvel was quick to point out, leaning towards his companion as he chuckled upon the humbleness.

He’d never met a person whom were so adamant for compliment, along with the calmness of a wise man though they were about the same age, making him think if the fellow was actually a sage.

It made him quite unique from the youths who got summoned earlier, boasting of their sheer strength and power, and showing an immense kind of enthusiasm.

“Anyway, where exactly are you headed before you encountered me?”

Clifford, becoming awkward from all the talk about his action, returns to gather intel.

From the looks of it, the cluster of carriages was a mix of travelers, merchants, and soldiers. Which made him wonder the exact purpose of the travel.

“There’s this town at the border of the kingdom to the south. The king sent us to investigate the recent problems there, along with providing supplies for the new settlement.”

Malver nods, no longer having any doubts about sharing information with the man, as he now considers him a comrade-in-arms after being saved by him.

This was the least he could do after all that, as they wouldn’t have survived that attack if it wasn’t for the bravery and quick thinking of the person.

“Then what’s this about a team I’m hearing from Jack?”

He asks.

It was the first thing that came to mind, his gaze turning to the two youths who were in front of them.

Seems the youngster finally recovered from the shock and stress of it all, as they were now laughing with joy while chattering about all the stuff that’s happened.

The knight nods, hands brushing his chin upon remembering the word the lads used.

“That is what you all seem to call it. In this land, there’s a requirement for a subjugation party, and it needs to include five members of exceptional skills.”

This was common knowledge within their kingdom, and he thought to share it, considering the man had also come from the other world.

He understood well why this question arose, so he was not hesitant to answer.

“Thus you consider these kids as such?”

Clifford notions to the youths upfront.

Somehow, seeing how the two laughed with such carefree and glee, giving out a sense of peace and joy.

This brought this unexplainable feeling inside of him, one that he was quite familiar with family members, but not with those who he had only met.

“Yes, beings from another world are all known to possess immeasurable talent. The kingdom can only summon twelve individuals in a certain period, leaving two people as reserves.”

A sudden grim expression etched on Malver’s face, recollecting on the first time he’d laid eyes upon the so-called other worlders.

The innocence, confusion, and fear among those youths left an unpleasant taste in his mouth, which lead to him agreeing to go with them, as there was this clawing guilt that continued to haunt him for allowing some clueless children to wander into their world. Even if they are more powerful than them.

“From what I’m told, they are within the hero class. Am I correct?”

Clifford asks.

If memory serves him right, Jack mentioned this a while ago, as they seemed excited for him.

“As per the sorting mirror, these are their results. It showed they are people of legends that would change our world.”

Malver let out a heave of sigh, nodding in agreement.

There was a sudden silence that came between them, as Clifford was once again brought into deep contemplation, shifting his attention to the new option that appeared in his window.

From the moment he had the chance, he’d immediately tinkered with his mode, ‘character’, yet it seems to pale in comparison to the other two he had.

The only thing worth mentioning was his own status, having some boxes for skills of sorts. Also, he now had a title showing, though it differed from the youths who had a much more amazing class.

With Jack boasting the moniker of ‘berserker’ while Arty had ‘acolyte’, both classes had a passive of increase leveling, along with some formidable abilities.

They were both at the level of twenty, yet they seem more powerful than the knight who was already at fifty.

This got him thinking about the notion of the man a while ago, about heroes being considered more skilled than those born within that place.

“And what exactly do you want them to do?”

Clifford finally cuts the silence between them, being plagued by the idea. His eyes turning somewhat dark upon the mention of it.

“Mainly, quell the unrest which is plaguing this world right now.”

Was all Malver could reply, giving a bow of apology.

“And what is this problem you speak of?”

Clifford’s brow raise, noticing how the knight’s voice stuttered along with the sudden avoidance of his gaze. He sense something was off, but of course, he could not catch on what it was.

“The probable rise of a demon king which will bring destruction to the world.”

Malver’s tone became grim, low, and trembling at the thought of it.

For hundreds of years they only considered such a thing to be bedtime stories and legends, but now that they such a situation has resurfaced, he cannot help but feel a sense of terror.

“I see. Though I still can’t get a past the idea of why choose such young people? Wouldn’t it be better to find older and mature individuals for this?”

Clifford pursed his lips.

From how one of the youth acted a while ago, things would have been fatal for all of them if he didn’t intervene.

This gave him more reason for him to understand they were not ready for such a hardship.

“We do not question the deities will.”

Malver shook his head.

Even though such an idea came to mind, none of them dared doubt the knowledge and choices of the higher beings.

“Oh, so it’s left to their decision.”

Clifford’s face twisted in confusion as a memory flashed before him.

Images of those two giant orbs segregating those who got sent into that unknown void appeared before him, reminding him of how the selection was done.

This gave him this odd uncertainty, along with more doubts about the so-called higher beings.

“We only follow. But if it was up to me, I would have chosen someone with much age and experience such as yourself, rather than bring youths into such hardships. You’ve seen what it does to them.”

Malver heaved a sigh, understanding full well the concern of the man.

Even if he was in his place, he’d have the same thoughts, as he never understood why youngsters need to be thrust into that kind of way of living.

“True, which truly makes me question a lot of things.”

It disturbed Clifford that the greater powers that were the reason they were there were unaware of him during the selection. Also, they did not seem to bother with him at all, which got him thinking more.

“Alas, of course, these are matters in which mere mortals like us could never understand.”

Malver reminds himself of the one truth which was told to them.

He became so enthralled with conversing with the man that he’d forgotten his place, remembering how foolish it was to challenge these beliefs.

“Indeed, it may be something beyond our comprehension.”

Clifford mutters, brushing the bottom of his chin as he pondered.

He wanted to believe such a simple-minded thing, but at the back of his head, there was this nagging voice which told him not to.

With all the influence and knowledge he had from their world, he is accustomed to the idea that there were things that needs to be challenged, together with mysteries to be solved and answered. Else they would end up into remaining into nothing but fools.

Thus, he became more enthralled in finding out the true reason they got thrust into that place, along with the mystery of those odd-looking spheres who gathered all the teens there.