Arthur didn't know what to say.
He debated whether he should lie and get it over with or speak the truth.
They didn't directly involve demons, but it was close.
'If I say yes, then we hunt a monster, then his reaction might be unexpected,' Arthur thought, considering the options.
'If I speak the truth, then I might refuse, but I can make it convincing to assist us,' he nodded.
Arthur sucked in a heavy breath, preparing himself to speak.
"Great Vulcan," he said. "It's still the grace period for us, but we need assistance to prepare ourselves for demons."
His tone was deliberately polite, feeling like excessive ass licking. He hated every moment, but knew very well how necessary it was to get approval.
'If the summoner himself is weird, his summons are most likely the same,' Arthur thought.
A few seconds passed, feeling like an eternity for the party.
Finally, Vulcan spoke, breaking the silence.
"Affrimative," he said. "Lead the way. Find monsters."
The search began following Vulcan's approval. Nate and his summons followed behind.
Arthur would find a monster, ask for approval, and then Nate would judge.
Identifying worked the same way across the system.
Stare intently at a monster, and some basic information would appear.
Monster type or name, its level, health, and sometimes its class.
Any monster below level fifteen was rejected, and non-combatants were denied.
If the class was hidden, then it was a little risky.
A gamble that Nate wouldn't allow.
Finally, they found a suitable target that Nate approved.
[Bow Storm — Level 18]
Class: Archer
Health: 1,600
It was a giant humanoid monster standing on two legs with its knees twisted forward. Its chest was bent backward, the bones were torn, extending forward.
Two gleaming crimson gems were piercing out, replacing its lungs.
Four arms extended from each side. Six held two large bone-made bows, and the remaining two held jagged arrows.
The monster was soaked in a mix of crimson and black blood, an intimidating sight.
"Are you sure it's manageable?" Oliver asked, disliking the outcome.
Nate smiled, then nodded silently.
The Bow Storm was physically weak. Easily killable as long as they avoided its arrows.
'Getting hit by one of those arrows won't be a fun experience, but it's needed,' Nate thought, knowing how fast the monster was.
A single mistake, and it could easily end up tragically. He had no intention to allow a true scenario to unfold.
'They have Alice, and I have my Wyrm,' he settled.
Sure, two healers wouldn't let things go out of control...
"Start already, go kill it!" Nate shouted, feeling slightly bored. They ignored him and spent a few minutes hatching a plan.
Oliver was the weakest in terms of strength, but his dexterity was superior to the rest.
He nodded, took the blood fang, and handed Ivy his bow and arrows.
Thankfully, the system didn't place hard restrictions on weapons.
As long as the use was basic, nothing of importance happened.
Ivy held the bow, getting used to it.
"I'm ready," she announced, pulling the strings while aiming at the monster.
Oliver nodded. Arthur said, "Go ahead," before taking his defensive stance.
*Swishhhh*
The arrow accelerated toward the monster, striking its torso.
It howled in rage, aiming the four bows angrily at them.
Oliver took the chance, he ran to the side before detouring toward it.
Four heavy arrows flew at Ivy as Arthur stood before her.
He held his axe in both hands in a defensive stance, countering the arrows that came flying at them.
'Fuck. This is rough,' Arthur gritted his teeth. He succeeded, but these arrows were no joke.
The mere clash cost him thirty health, even though no direct connection was made.
He felt it, even if it was a fleeting sensation.
A faint surge of pain in his hands as if someone twisted his fingers violently.
His eyes drifted to Oliver, wishing he could alarm him.
But knowing that such an act could ruin the attack, he held himself back and remained shut for their good.
Oliver arrived at the monster's side.
'These must be its weaknesses,' he thought, staring at the gleaming gems before nodding.
He jumped forward, pointing his sword ahead. "Die, you creep!"
Nate watched intently, then said, "That was a bad idea."
Oliver's attack appeared to be a surprise, but his sudden scream ruined it.
The monster turned its head, facing Oliver.
It roared, swinging one of its arrows like a blade, cutting Oliver's waist.
Oliver gritted his teeth and continued his attack, striking one of the gems.
The monster howled again, thrusting the arrow deep into Oliver's waist before kicking him.
"Go get him," Nate said, waving at the Wyrm and Squeeky.
Both rushed forward.
The Wyrm used his physique to block the monster.
It roared then slapped the bow storm with its claw, crushing it against the floor.
Squeeky pulled Oliver by his clothes and the Wyrm followed behind.
"I will handle Oliver's case, but he's out," Nate announced.
Oliver grinned proudly, shouting, "Its health is down to 1,400!"
The rest appreciated it, but Nate's face was cold.
Not because of Oliver's mistake or naivety, but because of the pain he was about to feel.
"If this were a real scenario, then you would be long dead," Nate said. "There is nothing to celebrate here, at least for you."
He agreed it was smart, but still reckless and risky.
Oliver lowered his head in shame.
He couldn't argue that.
Nate's hands landed on the lodged arrow, bringing Oliver's attention to it.
Oliver's face turned grim, almost crying pitifully.
He suddenly realized the arrow had to be pulled out for him to fully heal properly.
"Don't let it deter you. Just be wary," Nate said, watching Oliver grit his teeth in preparation for the pain.
With a heavy pull, Nate tore the arrow away from Oliver's waist.
"Heal him," He muttered, addressing the Wyrm standing nearby.
The Wyrm gurgled, then approached Oliver.
Its jaws split wide open as the torrent of blue flames escaped its mouth, bathing the deep wound.
The wound was getting closed from the inside out.
Just as the last of the flames died down and Oliver was fully healed, a voice echoed in their minds.
[59 Days, 00 Hours, 00 Minutes remaining until the grace period end]
A long, deafening silence followed.
Oliver looked up at Nate, blinking slowly. "What's this? We only spent about 12 hours..."
Nate frowned.
He'd been estimating it from skill cooldown, body fatigue, and overall progress.
"Fuck! Why didn't I account for the forging time and item processing?" He gritted his teeth in frustration.
He'd thought they had at least eight more hours, since he never bothered depending on the system's clock.
It ceased to exist after the grace period, so he wasn't used to it.
He appreciated it since it served as a wake-up call and warning to help him adjust accordingly.
But for now, there was something else on his mind.
He knew that message wasn't the only one coming up.
[You survived the first day of the Supremacy Games]
[Total survivors in your region: 71,571,940/72,145,363]
[Survival rate: 99.10%]
"Nice survival rate! I think we can win this war," Oliver grinned.
Nate let out a heavy breath.
99.10%? Sure, but it didn't mean it was a good outcome.
Nate said, "That's all of Europe, and it only counts the ones who are inside Infernum."
Oliver's grin faded, replaced by a cold but calm gaze.
"Should we hasten— or ...? Put more effort?" he muttered. "We've lost much valuable time..."