Benign paced around the area. Everything he had ever done always brought back consequences that bit his ass.
The Firewings, entering that cave, and now, calling himself a protector. He sighed. Maybe he would get something good out of this?
Could he say no? His 'lie' helped him get support from the elves, so maybe it would be better to make it true. It was not like he had any form of support.
He gradually accepted his fate. Six more trials to go, so he should not start sulking in trial two.
"If you don't win, your death would be punishment for declaring yourself a protector of realms when you haven't been accepted." The creature added.
Benign chuckled nervously. His lie finally caught up with him, and not even with a smack on the wrist.
"So we would be fighting?"
"We would. Trials are mandatory for all."
Benign sighed, but this time, he was not very worried about the outcome of the trial. It was not for the Legal System, so if he lost, he would just be revived again.
"Actually, I would go easy on you so you would be accepted." The creature said with a more casual tone. "We need fighters and thinkers. You seem to be both."
It was a random compliment from someone who would be handing his ass to him soon. Benign knew he would be inexperienced compared to a former protector.
"Thank you, but I heard the protectors stopped protecting. What happened?" he enquired. If he would be dying, he should get some information to go.
More quakes happened as Tuff walked forward, and the front part of the creature became visible, even if it was only the brown belly of a furry bear.
"Do you really not know of the terror of the realms and the sole reason the glitches returned worse?" Tuff asked.
So there was a reason? This was the type of information he needed.
Benign shook his head. "Not yet, but after I become the protector of realms, this information would be at my fingertips, wouldn't it?"
"All protectors of realms should gather information on a daily basis. The information is shared with all, so yes." The creature slid its large foot forward. "We can begin."
Benign did not feel his strength was ready for what he was about to do. Only the lower body of the creature was his height, and he was a little over six feet tall.
Just how easy was this creature going to make this for him? He would rather save his strength for the other five trials that might not go easy.
"I will show you my best."
As always, he only had to do his best. This fight did not even have a reward, so he was just fighting for a chance to be a protector, with his currently mediocre skills.
No rewards, but no cost since his mana points would remain. It could serve as training and would greatly help his mission as a Legal Systemist.
Commencing, a fist punch was thrown towards him. He barely missed the heavy air that came before the punch, and the punch that crashed to the ground.
Benign saw the wall behind him crack. Tuff was now in view. He looked like a massive bear with the ears of a rabbit. Nothing too weird as Benign had imagined.
He could see many blind spots on Tuff and threw his Tristab at it while avoiding being in front of the creature. His sickle bounced back, like it had hit a wall.
Benign sighed. "As I thought. Hard as a rock."
A guffaw left Tuff as he stomped on the sickle. A pang of pain hit Benign when he heard the breaking sound. One weapon acquired, another lost.
Without warning, a heavy air attacked Benign and slammed him on the wall. His elbow dislocated immediately, and he rolled out to avoid another hit.
[-24HP]
He held his broken elbow while rushing to the shadows. Those heavy air attacks might be deadlier than the actual punches, or was that a real attack?
A punch that hit twice. Benign needed to learn that. His elbow joined back despite hurting like hell, but he knew he did not have the time to stand and wait.
He discreetly took out his revolver while running towards the bear's front. He threw the blade, and it stabbed into the creature's foot.
The creature growled and bent down to see what had pierced him. The moment his head lowered within Benign's line of sight, he shot three bullets at his eyes.
An eye burst, and liquid splashed out of it. A reverberating cry echoed within the grounds, and the quakes resonated as the creature stomped its feet.
Benign grabbed his blade and rushed into the darkness. He panted heavily, as it had taken a great deal of strength to take the blade out of the creature's foot.
The creature's wail subsided to grunts. Benign knew he had not defeated the creature in the slightest and might have aggravated him instead.
"Benign Cross."
Benign jolted slightly, but did not reply, not to give out his position. Tuff breathed slowly. "You are from Earth, aren't you? Your fighting style is definitely human. Only you humans use Olien's technology so cunningly."
Benign did not know if he should be proud, but he was certainly curious to know how the creature could tell where he came from. He was the first that pointed it out.
"You humans fight dirty, as long as you win. My eyes were not my only weak points, but you would rather go for the one that would cause more disorientation."
The creature breathed heavily. "Do you see me as an animal that you could treat unjustly with no consequences?"
Benign wanted to apologise, but stayed calm again. He would not hurt anyone purposely, even if they were not humans. Hurting animals unjustly was not right on Earth either. This was just a battle he did not plan for.
"You win. I have never won a fight with a human, and I would not want you to be my first, since you have to be a protector."
With those words, Benign exhaled in relief.
"But know that I could easily kill you, because unlike other humans I have faced, you are currently at your weakest." Tuff added with a serious note.
Benign walked out from where he rested. "I am very aware you had the upper hand. You had truly gone easy on me. Thank you. And sorry about your eye."
The creature laughed deeply. "You are definitely the first to apologise too. I like you, Benign Cross."
Slowly, he marched out of the place. Benign followed him, ready to ask all his questions about the humans he had encountered.
"Your next trial would be with a member of the protectors of realms. She might not go easy on you, Benign Cross."
Hearing it was a lady, Benign became more cautious. In the military, it was an unspoken rule not to underestimate female soldiers, comrades, or superiors.
They were usually much more ruthless than their male counterparts, because it took them a lot of societal pressure to get there.
"As always, I would do my best."