A few minutes ago, Dren and his comrades finally located another vault containing energy crystals. Just before storing it in his spatial ring, a huge explosion had occurred, sending uprooted trees and rocks towards them.
From within the trees, some group of students had surrounded them with more coming out and a guy with a mohawk hairstyle leading them.
"Now, what do we have here," he said with a jeering smile. Looking over at the place the crystals supposed to be, a frown was slowly etched on his face. Dren had quickly utilised his shadow ability and had been able to store the crystals.
"Who took them... hand them over now if you want to live!" He said with a growl.
"Hand what over?" Dren had been the one answer back.
"Don't feed me that crap! Hand the crystals over, else your head will roll," he threatened, jamming his gauntlets over the other.
"That won't scare me. You have to do more than that."
"I wouldn't ask twice," he said, clenching his fist. Dren stood his ground along with Garrick, who was a little panicked.
"Why should I hand it over, we found it first," Dren replied, standing before the guy.
"You asked for it!" He threw his fist, and a ripple could be seen as his hand moved towards Dren at an astonishing speed.
A hand covered in flames appeared behind Dren's side, clashing onto the incoming hand. At that instant, a large blast of energy pulsated from the attack. Those nearby could feel the intense heat along with the wild wind hitting their faces.
"Shit! This guy is strong," Will said with a smile as his mangled hand healed quickly. Finally, the cloud of smoke was gone, and Will was seen standing before them with his hands by his sides.
[ Broken hand have been fully healed ]
[ -55 energy points ]
"Who the hell was that?" Dan, the guy with the mohawk hairstyle, thought. His hands were trembling from the clash, and he could also feel a throbbing pain. 'My gauntlet amplifies my strength by a high amount, yet someone within this ragtag group had stopped me! Impossible!'
"What's the problem, what do you guys want?" Will asked, appearing before them, although already aware of the situation. "Don't tell me... you're trying to steal from us."
"Who the f*ck are you, get out of my way!" Dan said with seething rage. 'Hold on! This guy wasn't here before... it can't be... was he the one that stopped my punch?'
Tsk. "What a nice way to ask, huh? These guys here belong to me,-"
"The crystals... hand them over to me and I would let you all live." He pointed at Will. "You... you're the leader right... tell him to hand them over!"
Tsk. "Saying same thing over and over again. You don't think we're deaf, or what?" He asked with a smile as he walked forward.
"Don't act tough, you guys won't be able to fight back, we are more than you guys."
Will wasn't new to this, he had experienced this countless of them, both within his family and in the academy back then. But this time around, it was different. "Who told you this just the lot of us," Will asked with a smirk.
"I believe the rest of the group is probably close by and would be here within five minutes. Also, I don't think they are needed to handle you guys. All I see are a bunch of weaklings standing in my way!"
"F*cking pig! I'll spread your brain right before your dead body," he exclaimed as he swung his hands. Will had been prepared for this and he quickly drew out his sword slashing down at the incoming hand.
A Clang was heard as both struggled to gain the upper hand. 'This guy as an abnormal strength,' he thought as he struggled to pin down the hand.
'Maybe... he has the strength ability. And whats with the gauntlet, I can't cut through no matter how hard I try.'
The gauntlet emitted a blinding glow and his hands moved towards his chest. With a flip, Will had been able to reduce the impact of the punch but he could still feel a slight pain around his chest.
"This is a tough opponent, here I thought I would be able to take advantage of the situation. Anyway... nothing comes free,right?"
"Why don't we make a bet," Will said as he landed on the ground. "A duel, between the both of us. You win and you can have the crystals. But if I win, you hand over the crystals with you and also, you owe us one."
"Huh? Still acting tough, alright. I might as well play with you a little," he said readying his fists. Slowly, both group had surrounded both of them as they awaited the impending the clash.
"Will! I believe you know what you're doing," Dren thought clenching his fist.
"What are you up to now," Garrick thought observing him.
"That was a nice punch, I believe you would be able to produce more of that."
"Hmphh! Useless words! Don't fail to entertain me." Taking a stance he had charged towards Will who had shut his eyes.
"Already accepting his fate," he said with a smug look and and swung his hands forward right at his face.
Will's eye suddenly shot open his hand moving in a circular form. The punch had missed him by a large gap and with a swing of his sword had hit Dan under his arm.
"Ugh," he groaned drawing his hands back, feeling a stinging pain. 'This guy,' he thought as he readied himself for the sword heading his way.
Will didn't stop there as he moved forward swinging his sword in a vertical slash. He blocked with his forearms and swung his legs which was cladded in a thick metal boot.
Will had jumped back avoiding the kick and once again they stood apart from each other.