New Skills

 "Ada, Brian stun the boss!!!" 

 "We got it!!" 

Ada and Brian channeled their skills and aimed them at the rampaging skeleton boss. The skeleton boss hacked its sword to the ground, smashing it into pieces. 

Everyone stood calmly, trying to balance their body from the constant shaking of the floor. Ada and Brian exchange meaningful gazes before nodding in agreement. 

"Frozen World!!!" 

"Vines Entanglement!!!" 

A chill breeze escaped from Ada's hand until the ice began forming on the boss's path. Frozen World is a B-rank skill so its effectiveness was off the charts. The ice crawled on the skeleton's foot until it slowly climbed to the knee. 

The boss monster tried to get rid of the ice by wiggling his feet but suddenly vines protrude from the ground wrapping its limbs. It attempted to move, unfortunately, the vines were too tough. 

"Team leader go!!" 

Jason squeezed his sword and charged towards the monster. Yellow mana surrounded him, forming a mist of clouds behind his tracks. 

"T-that's Mana Property!!?" 

Mana property. It seemed Jason hid this very well. Everyone thought of this. 

"I didn't think Jason would have this." 

"Eh? It's given you know. His father is a former Awakened and they're rich as hell."

"Aahhh, I'm envious." 

Due to the small supply of treasures that gives mana properties, some Awakened wouldn't even want to sell it and just keep it for themselves. 

Jason leaped into the air and lifted his sword above his chin. Positioned in a stance, he muttered. 

"Golden…" The sword glimmered in golden lights as mana began swirling into it, "... Dawn…" Jason swung the sword, "... OF JUDGMENT!!!!" 

Shu—

Shring—

Booom—

The ground collapsed at the force being released from the sword. The boss monster tried to escape but unfortunately, the control skills didn't let him. The Golden sword energy slowly approached his sight until it swallowed its whole body. 

"Kuaaaah!!!!" 

Bits of rocks fell from the ceiling all through the team's location. 

The skeleton boss cried out a deafening screech before its body broke down into smithereens. 

"Haah—, finally."

"Pant—, pant— my back hurts so much."

"Uh, should I go to the spa after?"

Jason landed on the floor. His golden hair swayed with the wind as he walked towards others. With a pleasant smile on his face, he spoke. 

"Although the boss was killed by me. You can take its loot." Jason turned to the gleaming items left by the disintegrated monster, "I'm sure it's enough to give you 2 Million each." 

"As expected of Jason. Still generous as ever." 

"Haha, small things."

The boss room was destroyed. Any minute now, the dungeon would close as well. Jason pondered for a while before turning back to his teammates. He needed to clear up something first. With a sinister smile on his lips, Jason gathered everyone. 

"Do you have something to announce or what?" 

"Are we raiding another dungeon?" 

"Man, let's get out of here first."

Jason cleared his voice and spoke. 

"Before we go out, I would like to recruit you all in my group."

Confused, Brian asked. 

"Group? Like a guild?" 

"Yes, like a guild."

Wayne listened to the side but after hearing Jason's offer, he couldn't help but voice his thoughts. 

"We already have guilds, Jason."

What's more, their guilds wouldn't just let them quit whenever they wanted. That's just not how it works. 

"If you're worried about your guilds coming for you, don't worry, our group will protect its members."

Upon hearing Jason's words, the group had a change in their expression. Some showed hesitation while a few were undecided. Jason's offer was a big deal. The James Corporations behind him was a massive and powerful group, with its CEO being a former retired S-class Awakened. 

Having acquainted with the son of an S-class was like being the friend of a president. 

However, Kyle and Wayne were not impressed. In fact, they didn't even flinch when Jason flaunted his power. Their guilds were famous too. Additionally, their guild master was an S-class as well. 

Sensing their reaction, Jason shifted his attention to the two. It seemed like there was no way to convince these two guys. 

"I-I will not leave, I'm sorry Jason." The first who bravely spoke was Hendrick. 

Jason's face turned into a frown. Hendrick had an A-class potential as far as he knows. To be honest, he didn't want to lose such a strong asset. 

Like a chain reaction, one by one, everyone just declined honestly except for Ada who's Jason's girlfriend. 

"I'll pass for now, I guess."

"The offer is good but the place is far from home so…" 

"My guild was built by a friend and I can't just leave him. Maybe next time?" 

Jason glared at them coldly. Like a snake with a petrifying gaze, everyone felt their body go numb. Jason said nothing more, turned around, and started walking at the room exit. 

The group exchanged helpless gazes and shrugged their shoulders, before quickly following suit. 

At that moment. 

"No one's leaving…" 

Jason blocked the exit and turned around. 

.........…

"You'll really rank up!!?" 

Even though tired, Hans didn't rest and asked immediately. Perhaps, once Plundy ranked up, he'll be able to gather more info. 

[Yep.]

Since Plundy affirmed his statement, Hans immediately opened his status window where 3 messages were blinking. Hans tapped the air, opening its content. 

[Do you wish to plunder the skill, 'Dragon Kick (A)'] 

[Yes / No.]

[Do you wish to plunder the skill, 'Turtle Shell (B)'] 

[Yes / No.] 

[Do you wish to plunder the skill, 'Flame Control (B)'] 

[Yes / No.] 

After confirming the contents of the message, Hans reflexively jumped out in joy, followed by a boisterous laughter. 

"HAHAHAHA, finally!! An attack skill."

It felt like an dream. He had so much raw power but didn't have any defensive and attacking skills. Lacking such things, Hans felt like a car without gas. 

"Two B ranks and one A rank… HAHAHAHA." 

Hans let out his beaming joy first and after just a few seconds, his face returned to its cold and calm attitude. Hans inspected the skill by reading its descriptions. 

[Dragon Kick (A) 

— By channeling mana into the bones and flesh, you can release a kick with 2 x (Strength Points). 

Mana Cost: 20 per cast. 

No cooldown.

Plundered from: Dos.] 

"So this is why he's not using his fists at all."

Surely with this skill, Dos would have two times his strength every time he kicks. 

"It would be awesome if it's Dragon Punch."

Hans sighed in regret. 

[Turtle Shell (B) 

— Strengthen your bones and flesh density by 50%. Slight resistance to magic attacks. 

Plundered from: Uno.] 

'Hmm…' 

He also lacked a defensive skill so with this in his arsenal, he wouldn't have to worry about having to tank full damage. 

This skill just came at the right time. 

[Flame Control (B) 

— Flames can be generated and controlled at Intermediate Proficiency. 

— Adds 'Burning Effect' to every attack which would slowly burn the target's mana. 

Mana cost depends on the usage. 

Plundered from: Tres.] 

"This…" 

He didn't expect that such skill would only be rated as B rank. 

"Perhaps limitations?" 

Aside from that, Hans couldn't think of any reasons why it had a low rating. But anyway, it's still a good skill. Having such skill would also somewhat make him a mage.

After Hans was finished plundering the skills, a familiar electronic sound rang in his head. 

[Endless Plunder is being upgraded… Core resonates… memories unlocking… complete.] 

[Endless Plunder (D) > (C)] 

"You good?" 

[Yeah, I feel better. Some of my most important memories hadn't been unlocked yet but I got some information.]

"Really? Can I hear it?"

[I...think you're not ready yet.] 

Hans picked up the bodyguard's weapons and raised his head in amusement. 

"Why make it more mysterious?" 

He couldn't understand. 

[Some things are better left unsaid.]

Although he somehow understood what it meant, Hans couldn't understand what Plundy meant with 'Not ready'. 

Could it be the end of the world? Or perhaps another alien species would visit the planet once again?

But since Plundy became silent, Hans didn't dwell further. Indeed, maybe Plundy's info might cause quite a shock to him. It's really better left unsaid. 

Hans rubbed his hand and ripped his shirt from his body exposing his dense muscles. Fortunately, for some odd reason, his pants didn't get damaged. 

At that moment. 

Shruuum—

The dungeon vibrated. The ground began tilting in all directions while the ceiling dust continued to fall from the floor. However, Hans still slinked towards the boss room's door while skillfully balancing his body. 

The fight was not over yet. 

............ 

"Why are you blocking the exit?" 

Currently, Jason's mood was overwhelmingly terrible. Not only do these shits decline his offer, but they still have the guts to exit the dungeon.

This was unforgivable! No one had ever rejected him like this. 

"I told you, no one's leaving." After saying those words, Jason unsheathed his sword and injected mana into it. He motioned his head to Ada who's already prepared to back him up. 

"The fuck are you doing Jason!!??" Brian yelled in fear sensing Jason's murderous aura. 

"I will kill those who defy my will." As if his soul was devoid of emotion, Jason coldly spoke. 

"Are you out of your mind?" This time it was Wayne. He turned towards Ada who was also looking at them with killing intent, "Ada!? You'll tolerate your boyfriend like this!?" 

"I'm sorry, Wayne. The moment you rejected, your fate's already sealed."

"You guys…" 

The group stepped back in fear. They were just C-class. A B-class Awakened like Jason could kill them with ease. What's more, Ada was backing her up. Not only she was a mage, but she's also a healer as well. 

Jason dashed relentlessly. 

Swish—

"Everyone, don't stand there and figh—" 

Shring—

Wayne's eyes widened in shock. Slowly, his head separated from his neck until it fell to the ground. 

Thud—

His headless body also followed after. 

"..." 

"..." 

Waaaahhh—

"Kyyaaaahhh!!!" 

"Ahhhhhhhh!!!!" 

"Jason, you bastard!!!" 

One of the groups, Brian, couldn't take it anymore and lunged towards the now enemy. He raised his staff and channeled his fastest attack skill. 

But before he could fire a spell, Jason appeared before Brian. 

"Huh!?" 

Brian's eyes opened wide in shock. 

'So fast!!' 

Jason, however, was too much for him. 

Shring—

Stab—

The sword penetrated Brian's neck. Jason pulled it aggressively. Blood continuously flowed like a stream. 

Cough—

Brian kneel to the floor, grabbing his neck to stop its blood loss. Everyone watched him gurgle in his blood with horrified eyes. 

Thud—

Brian finally fell. 

"N-no way!!" 

"Ahhhhh!!!!" 

"Oh God, please!! Save us!!!" 

Brian and Wayne's death signaled the start of their timely demise as well. Kyle squeezed his shield and focused on Jason's movements. His hand was shaking while the back of his throat seemingly went numb. He's frightened too. 

Jason walked slowly, like a reaper ready to harvest lives. 

"Please Jason, I… I accept your offer. Please, don't kill me!!" 

"Is that right?" Jason moved to the one who spoke. It was Hendrick. He was kneeling on the cold floor with sweat oozing from his body. 

"Y-yes, please don't kill me!" 

Hendrick clasped his hand together while begging for his life. 

"I see…" With a slight wave of his hand, Hendrick was thrown to the side, "Stay there so you won't get killed."

Although feeling pain from his back, Hendrick still manages to utter his gratitude. 

"T-thank you."

 Everyone gulped in hesitation. They didn't know if Jason would still accept them like Hendrick but since they have no choice, it would matter if they try or not. 

Thud, thud, thud. 

One by one, the group kneeled to the ground and begged for forgiveness as well. Amused by their sudden change of mind, Jason laugh frantically. 

"HAHAHAHAHA, You little shits. Since you want to join my group then I'll accept you all!!" Jason smiling face suddenly turned cold, "But once you defy me… I'll kill you and your family as well. Got that?" 

"Y-yes!!" Everyone chanted. 

Shruum—

The dungeon began to vibrate signaling its nearing collapse. With a nudged of his head, Jason ordered the group to leave. But there's no hurry as there's still a prey waiting at the other side. 

Jason smiled at his grand plan and walked towards the door. 

.......... 

Kacha—

Hans was sitting on the Dos headless body while constantly flicking a small rock into the air. Suddenly, the boss room's door slightly shook followed by a clicking sound until it slowly opened. 

The dust settled only revealing nine members. As he was sitting in the dark corner with his 'Lurk' and 'Hide' activated, Hans was quite hidden. 

"Brian and Wayne are missing."

The door closed with a thud. 

"Hmm… seems like they were killed huh?" 

The other members trembling and horrified expression pretty much gave him a clue although it's vague. But then again, since Jason wants to get rid of him, he wouldn't let someone live and tell the tale. 

Now, these guys lived. Which was impressive. 

"Either recruited or mind controlled?" 

Either way, since they joined the enemy, he already considered them as enemies as well. 

Hans got up and slowly moved towards the group.