"Defeat him?" Josh was appalled. Ren was the organizer of this event.
He was the one who figured out Maze Forest and the very first player to step foot in the lands of Elves and open the portal to the Fey Realm. What's more, he was also the holder of the original World Quest.
Wasn't he supposed to be strong?!
And Princess Elena wanted them to defeat the guy?
That's impossible! Josh lamented.
But the allure of those [Tents] was hard to resist. They would surely come in handy in their future travels.
However, the question was . . . could they defeat him? Or even have a slight chance to defeat him?
"We will take your deal," Zack said without regard to anything. He was quick to make decisions and was often times the source of their trouble.
"Eh?" Josh whipped his head in Zack's direction before he shifted his eyes to Ren and Elena. "Uhm . . . could you excuse us for a sec."
Josh didn't wait for Ren and Elena's reply and pulled his group in the far distance, making sure that Ren and Elena wouldn't be able to hear their conversation.
The four friends huddled together in a tight circle, whispering to one another. Josh and Kylie both looked hesitant, but Zack seemed determined.
Zack spoke up first, his voice low but firm, "Look, guys, I know Ren is a tough opponent, but we can take him down. And think of the rewards we'll get if we do! We'll be set for the rest of our travels here!"
Kylie shook her head. "I don't know, Zack. Ren seemed to be a pro at this while we . . . we're just a bunch of kids playing for fun . . . Can't we just buy those tents here?"
"They don't sell 'em," said Zack.
"How do you know? Did you check?"
Zack rolled his eyes at Kylie's question. "Duh! The Princess said so. Those aren't your regular everyday tents. It's one of a kind. Didn't you hear the Princess said so?"
"I'm talking about a regular tent."
"Who needs a regular tent if you can have that special one?" Zack argued.
Lily remained quiet, fiddling with something in her hand. Zack noticed and pointed at her.
"Besides, Lily has that."
Kylie frowned. "Her item is only reserved for emergencies."
"This is an emergency," Zack retorted.
"With her item, our win is guaranteed," said Josh. "But it's Lily's item. Not ours. She's the one to decide."
Lily hesitated for a moment before she said, "Let's use it."
"Are you sure?" Kylie asked, surprised that she had agreed.
Lily nodded. "I'm sure. I wouldn't get the chance to use it if we die anyway. Best to use it now than later."
Zack's face brightened. "I know Lily would make sense. Unlike you."
Kylie made a face and glared at Zack.
"Are you sure, Lily?" Josh asked the second time around. "Your brother acquired it, paying millions for it. It's supposed to be your life-saving item."
"It's fine," Lily replied without a care with her usual lethargic voice and face. "My brother could buy another one."
"I think it's a one-time item only," Josh explained. "After all, your brother acquired it through the auction, right?"
Lily only gave a dull shrug.
"Stop changing her mind. She already said yes," Zack said. "It's time to man up. We can't always run away from a fight here."
"It's because of your rash actions and no retreat, no surrender attitude that got us in a lot of trouble this past days," muttered Josh at the side.
Zack ignored Josh and grinned. "With that device and our skills, we can definitely take Ren down. Are you guys with me?"
Kylie looked at the others, then back at Zack. "Okay, let's do it. But let's be careful."
The four friends huddled together once more, discussing their strategy for the upcoming battle. They knew it wouldn't be easy, but they were determined to give it their all. And with Lily's ace item, they just might have a chance.
Meanwhile, at the side, Ren yawned and told the Princess, "Can I not fight them?"
"What? I did you a favor, and you're not going to take it?"
"Favor?"
Elena peered under her long-lashes, grinning from ear to ear. "You seemed like you wanted them gone."
"Did you hear our conversation?" Ren asked with a flat voice.
Elena gave an elegant half-shrug. "I might have. I might not have."
"Tell me you're just bluffing about that item. There's no such thing, right?"
Elena merely gave Ren a toothy smile, confirming his thoughts.
"And I thought nobility doesn't lie."
"It's the Fairy nobilities that don't lie."
"And what if I lose?"
"Loose?" Elena smirk. "Are you going to lose?"
". . ." Ren didn't reply.
"Too late to back out now; your contender looked determined to take you down. Here they come."
Zack and the others returned from their talk, and Ren didn't know if he liked what he was seeing. Their faces were serious, and it seemed like they were rearing to fight.
"We'll accept your offer," said Josh, blushing at the Princess.
"Splendid." Elena clasped her hands. "That's the spirit. Life is all about fighting and taking everything that you want."
Ren could only wryly sigh.
"Oh, is there going to be a fight?" the Mayor asked in glee. "There is no fighting inside the village. You can take it outside by the sands while we will be your audience."
"Ah, Fight?"
"Fight?"
"Did someone say a fight?"
"Is there a fight?"
"What a fight?"
The villagers went out from their huts and croaked in unison, excited in their voices.
"You guys are so bored," Ren said dully.
"All kinds of entertainment are welcome here!" the Mayor said. "Come. Come. I know just the place where you can take your battle."
Ren and the others were exited out of the village, and every Frogfolks were following not far behind. They had taken to themselves to bring their leftover food, and some even lit up the bonfire and stood ready by the side, their snacks in hands.
When they saw how many their audience was, Josh wanted to flee, while Kylie was too shy to move. Lily wasn't bothered like always, she was used to it, and Zack was the loudest and proudest of them all.
