Everyone's defensive stance changed to one ready to attack. With no exemptions, their elements were ready to call at a moment's notice.
Suddenly, a fast wind came and was about to attack Chris. Garan quickly manifested ice picks and threw them in a seemingly aimless direction.
Suddenly, a human quickly backed away, narrowly avoiding the sharp edge.
It was a man with a wan body frame, tall, and a pale face, but he looked rather than sickly he looked more like a thin vampire that fed on blood.
"Tsk," he said, wiping the small line of blood on his cheek. The speedster then swiftly moved back—almost teleported—to a direction, where he stood.
At the same time, his new position revealed his companions—no less intimidating than him.
There were three people beside him, each with their own characteristics. "Shame," A feminine voice uttered, making the speedster tut in annoyance.
It was a woman with a strong figure and reddish-brown hair. Next to her was a muscular old man with a bald head and a short beard. He had his arms crossed, just staring at them with no emotions.
The last one had a bulky and domineering build. He had a huge body frame twice that of a normal man. The others had impassive expressions on their faces, while this man reeked of malice.
The team saw the dripping blood on one of his hands, its mark extending all the way to his arm. It was obvious that it was the arm that passed through Johnny.
They glared at him, livid, and he just sent them a toothy smile in response. He even licked the blood on his hand.
Garan's eyes narrowed, brain already churning for what they could do.
Because Elementalists were so rare, indigenous people also evolved to develop other 'elements' focused on their physical abilities. This included super strength and super speed.
This was the first time they encountered this type, let alone both.
The bulky man looked at each of them up and down, and he sneered at their low levels.
"Tsk. The team that stole our mission was so weak?" He turned slightly to the direction behind them, "Captain, I'm offended."
After his words ended, a new figure emerged from the shadows, entering their line of sight. Suddenly, the air stagnated at his entrance.
It was a handsome man with striking features appearing in confident strides. He had long locks with a unique fusion of red and black. It cascaded leisurely down his back, beautiful—but akin to snakes.
They didn't know if it was their imagination, but they could almost see some sparks surrounding him.
His piercing red eyes looked at each of them. There was a confident smirk placed upon his lips, and it felt so self-assured that it was insolent.
He moved with predatory grace, exuding an air of supremacy, and normal people would not dare look at him in the eye.
Everyone, especially the only woman, Vanessa, stared at the man exuding magnetic charm, despite the undeniable threat he showed.
The man was well aware of his effect on women, but he didn't take a second look and focused on the leading figure instead.
"Ice? That's rare." He said, an evil arrogant smile pasted on his face.
Garan's azure eyes narrowed, body tense in guardedness, meeting the newcomer's red ones.
At this time, all his guard was up and was ready to give it his all in a moment's notice.
This man… was definitely a force to be reckoned with.
…
The atmosphere turned incredibly tense—with their side brewing in a mix of guardedness and aggression. While Vanessa tried to handle Jhonny again—belatedly, as she was distracted by the newcomer. Everyone else created a wall around them in guarding formation.
The newcomers did not attack and only watched, which made everything even more tense.
Soon, Vanessa shook her head. A few people gasped as they saw Johnny's pale face, while the rest glared at the enemies in front of them.
They didn't have the time to mourn the loss of another companion, but they could definitely spend this energy to avenge him. The Terrans stared at the five people, simmering in aggression. It was as if they were ready to eat up prey and, at the same time, looking at them like ants.
It was extremely humiliating.
The man the enemies called captain only stared and looked at them, as if not noticing their piercing glares. As he spoke, his penetrating eyes observed them like a tiger surveying his target.
"You are very brave to take on a level C mission at your level." He said, words admiring but his tone mocking.
"It would've been fine if you didn't attack my people for no reason," Garan said with his low voice.
He was still thinking of whether to fight. The loss of Johnny was heavy, but losing more for revenge was impractical.
He could tell all these people were several levels higher than him. If an all-out fight were to happen, it was estimated half of them would be lost.
"If you give us the flower, then we will let you go." He said. Everyone glared, and Garan didn't refuse immediately.
Abandoning a mission would ban them from the cluster for at least a month. There would also be a lot of long-term effects, and their few weeks' effort would be for naught.
But would he risk any more lives for it? Of course not.
Seeing the boss considering, Gian reacted immediately in aghast. "They killed Johnny!"
Garan looked at the enemy leader. Although the flower or the mission was nothing compared to their lives, it would really feel like Johnny's death was null if they lost it as well.
Failing would also disallow them from taking any more missions for a time. The time and resources lost would also mean they would find their loved ones later.
And he couldn't guarantee that these people… wouldn't go on a killing spree either. While honorable strongmen (or those who wished to be seen as such) would not unnecessarily kill people with much lower levels than theirs, this was not a universal rule at all.
Garan tried to think of a compromise, "The two groups fighting will cause losses for both parties. I feel that there should be another option. " He said. The huge man scoffed, obviously thinking of them as ants. Ants had no right to negotiate.
Garan was unmoved. "What about I fight one of you to determine who owns the flower? No matter who wins, there would be no killing in either group."
The enemy team smirked at his words, and the huge man laughed out loud. "Weaklings sure have the guts!"
Garan did not falter, and Gian was held back by Gill, stopping him from doing anything stupid. "What would beating a group of weaklings do?" He asked.
The captain looked at him deeply, crossing his arms. A moment later, he opened his mouth and his velvety voice uttered out, "Well, it is more interesting to see a hopeful struggle." The man said, shrugging.
"But, to change things, if you lose, you will be beaten by my men without question."
Garan's jaw clenched, opening his palm, revealing an expensive gift from Jonathan—a seal of oath.
"Yes, as long as no life is lost."