Speech

Since no one seemed intent on deciding, or at least not deciding to leave, Ackster continued talking.

"Everyone, let me be frank. This treasure isn't something just anyone can handle. Even if you could, how will any of you get your hands on it? And after that, how will you make sure you aren't killed for it?"

Ackster took a breath and let everyone process his words. He spoke up again before anyone else could say anything.

"I know as well as anyone here that the very essence of being an adventurer is to seek adventure. Danger is merely flavor added to the excellent dish that is discovering and experiencing exciting things. All of you rushed over here as soon as the smell of treasure appeared in the vicinity, regardless of what you might encounter. Regardless of what might happen, all of you currently present are here now because you thought—hoped—that you could at least get a glimpse of whatever the gods had sent down, if not the treasure itself, despite the unfathomable odds."

Ackster's words struck some chords and hearts as he spoke to the gathered adventurers.

"That is also why I know that it's not worth it. Cut your losses here. You've witnessed the descent of the treasure, and you were present when the local tyrants got to know that there's always someone stronger. Isn't that satisfying enough?"

Ackster's rhetorical question was finally enough to get some to reconsider their decision to challenge Ackster for nothing but the faintest of hopes of getting their hands on that heavenly treasure.

Even if they all worked together and defeated Ackster, what then? Would they draw lots and accept that whoever won, won? Regardless of what happened, their individual chances of getting the heavenly treasure were close to zero. The odds of them dying, on the other hand, were proportional to how stubborn they were and how much they wanted the treasure.

As they thought about it, more and more decided that Ackster's words held more than a grain of truth. And maybe simply being present at the heavenly treasure's crash site was enough. Then, if Ackster went on to become a great hero using the treasure, they could tell their friends, family, and acquaintances that they helped build the springboard that shot him to fame.

And if Ackster disappeared into society's cracks of obscurity, that was proof of what he had said. Even if they got their hands on the treasure, it wasn't necessarily a guaranteed ticket to prosperity.

"Who are you, then? To spout all this sophistry and hypocritical bullshit? Trying to make us leave so you can hog it all for yourself. You're just scared, aren't you? That your threats aren't enough, or that you can't enforce them, right? Hansel gave you a proper beating before you cheated your way to victory!"

However, not everyone were happy about being sent packing without even seeing what the heavenly treasure was. Ackster had expected Limm to speak up, but instead, it was a thug-looking adventurer that had sided with the Crimson Edge earlier. He had unruly dark brown hair and an unkempt beard that embodied the adventurous spirit of a man living in the wild.

"If anyone's the coward here, it's you. If you truly believe I'm too weak to fight and kill you all if necessary, step forward. Come here."

Ackster was worried that the man's words would incite the other adventurers into reconsidering their reconsideration. He had already seen several adventurers take several steps back or sit down to show they weren't going to fight. They just wanted to watch what everyone else would do.

However, this thug was jeopardizing it.

"You're just bluffing!"

"Sure. Come here and call it, then."

Ackster stared at the thug, who hid his fluster with false bravado.

As the thug felt the sharp gazes of those around him, he realized he might have to do this alone or swallow his tongue and pride and step back.

"Fine! You're just an arrow at the end of its flight, anyways. I'm not afraid of you."

Ackster raised an eyebrow and smirked as the thug unsheathed the sword at his hip while walking closer, one step at a time.

"You sure? The trembling hands there are telling a different story."

"Shut up!"

The bearded adventurer growled at Ackster while staring daggers at him.

Ackster shrugged and shoved Nash to the side and away from the pit.

"Get out of the way and remember the mercy I showed you."

Ackster then looked at the adventurer opposite him while paying full attention to the latter's stance, movements, and eyes. After all, it was his first time holding a sword, and he didn't really know what he was doing. He had hoped his opponent would cave since he wasn't as good at bluffing as Ackster. But at least he had managed to convince the adventurer that he was better.

The bearded adventurer was fighting an uphill battle from the start and had already lost any confidence of victory he might have had when he first shouted.

'Is this how you do it?'

Ackster, with the help of Keen Senses and Strong Body, analyzed and mimicked the way the bearded adventurer held his sword and positioned his body. He subtly readjusted his grip on the handle and changed the way he angled the sword and how his feet touched the ground.

He could tell that his opponent wasn't that skilled with the sword from what he had learned on his own and through Strong Body about how to move his body most efficiently. His legs were a little unsteady, and the knees pointed inward too much for the thug-like adventurer to display as much power and speed as he could.

But it was perfect for Ackster to start with. His opponent was unskilled enough that Ackster could see what he was doing and leisurely pay attention to the details without worrying about getting killed from a moment of distraction. All the while, Strong Body adapted the movements and postures of his opponent to let him learn and display the same things.

It sounded easy, and it was relatively so when his opponent wasn't much better at the sword than him. But Ackster hadn't even been able to think about trying this out when he fought Hansel or when he reacted to Nash's attempted ambush.

"Come."