27 Two can play that game!

Slightly knitting his brows, Jake couldn't agree with Beetle's logic.

Mage's wall bought this guy time to thicken his armor. The wall also blocked off the first round of fireball blasts.

Without Mage, if Beetle just charged in, he couldn't have survived that blast.

No. In that scenario, Beetle would have fled by himself. The newbies could buy him some time. But he wouldn't get any loots this way.

If it's not for Reaper... If Reaper was not here... Emm.. Beetle would have had an easier time.

The two newbies didn't object. Jake couldn't care less about the loot. If he wanted, he could use his monthly budget to get it for free. None of the drops here were useful to Jake anyways.

Start a quarrel, get some drops, and then what? Sell the drops for money?

Just a week ago, Jake could have never imagined himself becoming like this. But now, Jake could also confidently say:

Money is just a number, I don't care about money.

Or.

Money is the least important thing to me.

Every time Jake thought of this, he had to nod at himself for a moment, and accept the reality.

'What a magical world...'

Sure. Jake didn't care about the loot. But he still had a temper.

Jake was fed up with the attitudes from Reaper and Beetle.

'Now that we are even, don't expect any more warnings from me.'

'Also...' Jake squinted a little. His gaze became a little dangerous.

'If there is no taunt quest... Before leaving this realm, I would like some form of compensation then.'

'At least return the bad experience, just so we are even.'

After all, Jake was just an explorer, not a saint. These guys' god(s)/godess(es)/God can do the forgiving.

Seeing no objections, Beetle nodded in satisfaction at the newbies.

'Oh?' Jake flicked his brows.

Jake was certain that he caught the subtle change in Beetle's gaze.

'Why does he look a little disappointed at me.'

'For what then. Not dying? He expected me to die from that volley of arrows? Maybe the blast shockwave?'

'For not objecting? So he can kick me out?'

Jake shook his head. He couldn't care enough to think further.

This guy wasn't a threat anyways. After tomorrow, Jake would never see this guy ever again.

"Let's rest for a moment." Beetle dropped his backpack to the ground.

"Mage. You want to advance as a defender class. Correct?"

Mage tiredly nodded.

"Then you need to be sturdier than this. As a defender, you are expected to fend off much stronger hits."

"Also, when defending against arrows, try to make umbrella shaped structures. Or at least, leave a few sight holes. A plain wall is more dangerous than an aid."

"I'll try next time." Mage weakly replied.

Beetle turned to the big guy in a black tight suit. "Reaper. Fast casting time."

"Yes. I know." The big fella tiredly nodded.

After a brief moment of resting in silence, the group set off again. It's just the group travelled in silence now.

After the two battles, and long hours of hiking, the two newbies were starting to looked drained already.

Beetle was clearly not interested in explaining anything new.

Just like this, resting and eating every once in a while, it was afternoon already.

After some rest, the two newbies became lively again.

"Say. Why is it so hot in these realms." Reaper wiped some sweat off his forehead.

"Man, I wish we took a cooler path."

"We should arrive the settlements soon right?"

"I don't have much water left."

"Water sold at the settlements is not THAT expensive right?"

Cutting through ferns that blocked the way, the group walked down a hill. Then, out of nowhere, the trees cleared up. A lake was in front of them now. The air here actually felt a bit cooler.

Jake took a glance at the big fella. Reaper? This guy should be called a prophet or something.

"Are you sure you can't drink the water here?" Reaper gulped at the lake. The water here looked rather clean. A crystal clear green.

Sparse clouds in the sky reflected off the surface of the lake.

"You can give it a try if you want." Crossing his arms, Beetle looked even more displeased.

Apparently, the water here would turn into dust if people drank it. But then again, the dust would quickly dissipate into nothingness, so it's not toooo bad...

Either way, it's not a fun experience.

"Bad news. We got lost."

"Good news. There is a distinct landmark right in front of us."

"Rest here. I need to check the map." Beetle dropped his backpack onto the grassy ground. There were even patches of small white flowers around.

In general, it's a nice view.

Kneeling on one knee, Beetle's light armor made clunking sounds.

This warrior then pulled random stuff out of his backpack. Clothing in plastic bags. Snacks. Water bottles...

"Hey. Mage. Boil me some tea." Beetle took out a small gas stove, a box of tea, and a kettle.

Finally, Beetle found the map. He needed to locate a series of landmarks, identify their location, then set out a path leading up to the nearby settlement.

Jake lightly flicked his brows. Something felt off.

An experienced explorer like Beetle got lost in a familiar realm? A cautious explorer like this would just rest on unknown territories?

Taking a closer look, Beetle was ready to escape at any time. Not very out of character. But if it's dangerous here, why's he telling Mage to boil tea?

What next? Sip on some hot tea in a squatting position?

This just seemed a little unreasonable and unreal to Jake.

While thinking of this, Jake casually dropped his backpack as well.

'Casually' looking around, as if enjoying the view, Jake concentrated on his gaze.

The pine trees could not block his vision anymore.

Jake squinted in one direction.

It's a long way off.

Around the distance of 4 football fields away, there was a bright figure of light. The mana inside this thing was 10 times higher than Beetle.

Looking closely, it was an ape-like figure. Being able see it from this far away... that monster had to be huge.

'Oh?' Jake faintly smiled. The gaze under his squinting eyes turned cold.

'I smell some kill intent here.' Jake took a glance at Beetle. 'Trying to kill me through the hands of a field boss?'

'If I'm really that defenseless, you think I'd enter this realm?'

Jake: ...

Ok. Jake had to admit, the answer was yes.

Just one week ago, he was still that immature hot-blooded idiot. That Jake would jump right in without second thought.

Lightly shaking his head, Jake chuckled at himself. 'If I didn't transmigrate over... this would be my end in this parallel universe right?'

'But I'm here now.' Jake took out two billiard-sized balls out of his backpack. One was bronze. The other was a dim crimson color.

'You want to use the monsters?' Jake turned to look in another direction.

'Two can play that game!'