Osric left the guild after hearing Franklin's training plan for Jayson.
'Guess they're starting with his body. I kind of feel bad, I have to train my body less thanks to the system, although I can't neglect it either, or else I become stiff and unable to use my body properly.'
'But technique always has to be trained and refined.'
'Of course that also came easier to me, thanks to possessing mastery skills.'
On his way home, Osric started thinking about everything that still had to be done.
'One recruitment is already done, arguably the most important one.'
'William is also working on his target.'
'Now my focus goes back to the arena. I can put Adam to the side for now, since I already have a favour from him to cash in later.'
'Now three things remain. First is to just keep growing my reputation and hopefully make it above elite rank and become one of the champions.'
'By doing that, recruiting people will become much easier. The second thing is to get closer to Alice and the third is my other target among the elite.'
—
Later that same day.
Osric was walking through the dark streets in Lowbrook, towards a more abandoned area.
His breath could still be seen because of the cold.
He took a turn towards a big alley that led to a large and old stone building.
The familiar sight of the underground arena was starting to get old.
One of the guards patted him down to check for weapons.
'I hate this part.'
Osric entered and the heat hit him again. It was particularly intense tonight, because he arrived later than last time and many fights had already happened.
'I'm really sick of this place.'
But despite how much Osric hated this place, nothing great was achieved with comfort.
He looked around and took a seat near the pit, where mostly fighters sat.
There weren't many regular fighters remaining.
'How many elite fighters will be present today?'
It was rarely more than 10 a night.
"Kill him!!"
"Make me money!"
"Yeahh!"
Osric frowned faintly.
'How loud and annoying.'
One spectator behind him yelled as loud as he could.
"Knock him out!!"
The drunk man that looked like a beggar, was standing while yelling with his hands raised. He then looked down in front of him and immediately started sweating as he shut up.
Staring at him with intense killing intent, was Osric.
His slightly narrowed, piercing grey eyes made the loud drunk almost piss himself. He quickly sat down.
"S-sorry." He said with his head bowed and his sweaty hands clinging to his trembling legs.
A couple people near him noticed what happened and started whispering.
"Wow. That's Osric the new elite that's closing in on the high ranks." Someone muttered.
"He just looked like he was about to kill that guy." Another added.
"What did he expect? He practically screamed in his ear. People should be more aware of their surroundings."
"Yeah, especially when there's so many scary fighters and criminals here."
"Still, from what I know, Osric isn't like most guys here. He's an adventurer with a good reputation and potential. Apparently he's started his own party already and is recruiting capable people."
"Really? That's amazing. He's so young."
A third guy then added. "I heard he just recruited a talented youngster from the arena here."
"Then maybe he's here to find capable recruits?"
"Sounds possible."
"That's cool."
"But he really looked scary just now. Maybe his good reputation is false?" Someone else interjected.
Osric of course heard everything, but ignored it.
'Haa.'
'That was unpleasant, but I shouldn't have reacted that way. I normally don't care what others think, but I'm here to grow my reputation.'
'This place is starting to get to me. To think I would get irritated so easily.'
'But why did he look so terrified?'
'No matter. My reputation just needs to be about me being strong, not a good person or anything like that.'
Of course he still needed to make a good impression on people he planned to recruit, but he wasn't too worried.
Osric preferred being himself and maybe a little direct, rather than wearing a mask all the time.
—
A short while later, the referee who also acted as the mc of the arena, called for the elite fighters to step up.
"Here they come!"
"Let's goo!"
"Wait, how many is that?"
"I count 17 elite fighters."
"That's crazy. When was the last time so many appeared in one night?"
The crowd went wild with excitement.
"This is going to be fun." One of the fighters said.
"Very interesting." Another one said.
'I honestly agree with them.' Osric thought.
What surprised him even more was seeing who was among them.
Not only was his other recruitment target present, but so were Alice and Adam.
'Adam's recovery speed is unbelievable. Maybe even more so than his endurance and strength.'
'He has everything necessary to become our party's tank.'
Osric was determined to get him, no matter what.
Tonight was going to be another action filled night.
"Ding!"