Ren was glad that the [Clockwork Dragon] had appeared early. And in the hands of an inexperienced player, no less.
The twenty million-plus dragon was instead used in a PvP fight where nothing could be gained from it. It was only a one-time kind of item. He almost felt sorry for the dragon that it wouldn't be used to its full potential.
"Hmm . . . they have that. Things aren't looking any good for you, Ren. Do you need my help?" Elena hooted at him, grinning from ear to ear.
"No. Don't bother," Ren replied with a flat voice. He knew that the Princes wouldn't help him anyway. Not that he was going to ask her help or anything.
Josh breathed easy and said to Ren, "You lose, Ren. I suggest you accept defeat, and we can maybe spare your life."
Ren laughed a little. "Lose? Do I seem dead to you?"
Josh grumbled under his breath. He was curious as to why Ren could still act like he was winning. Did he also have some special item up his sleeves? Josh hands wet at the thought.
Kylie pressed on. "We just want that tent. We don't want your life. Though you killed Zack, we will forget about it since we're the ones who initiated the attack."
At least they were nice. Ren thought.
"Just kill him. He might have valuable drops if we kill him," Lily urged. Her face was a mask, but her voice was a whip, and each word was firm. "He's so arrogant. This ought to teach him a lesson."
Kylie and Josh looked at each other before they sighed in defeat. "It is your dragon. You can do whatever you want with it."
Lily gave the order, and the dragon obeyed. "Kill him!"
The mechanical creature charged toward Ren with deadly intent. The group watched expectantly, waiting for what would happen next.
Ren was studying the clockwork dragon, analyzing its abilities and weaknesses. Besides its high ATP, the dragon only had one spell: Chrono Trigger, a skill that could stop time for a minute.
Ren knew that in the right hands, the dragon could turn the tide of battle in any war. He was all the more disappointed that such a powerful item fell into the hands of a girl who didn't even know the value of it.
Ren was so sure that Scar had gifted that to his sister as a lifesaving item, but once Scar knew what his sister did to it, the man might burst a vein from anger and frustration. A scene in which Ren would gladly pay millions to have a front-row view.
As the [Clockwork Dragon] attacked, Ren summoned Pii without a second thought. He was no match against the dragon, and it was only right that a beast would battle its fellow beast.
Too bad that the [Clockwork Dragon] was summoned first. If it was summoned last, it could have copied Ren and Pii's stat.
Too bad.
"Pii!" Lily's eyes rounded when he recognized the little black foxy thing.
"He really is the Ren that we've met in the desert!" Josh exclaimed.
And when Pii transformed into its evolved form, everyone gasped.
"That!" Kylie was lost for words.
"Isn't that the beast who defeated Jibblinplip?" Josh muttered in disbelief. "He's the one who owned it?" Just who the hell is he?!
The Frogfolks watched in awe as the [Clockwork Dragon] and Pii collided in a fierce battle. Sparks flew as they exchanged blows.
Despite the [Clockwork Dragon's] impressive abilities, it soon became clear that Pii was the more skilled combatant. To begin with, the dragon simply didn't have a chance. Pii was able to dodge the dragon's attacks and strike back with deadly accuracy.
As the battle raged on, the Frogfolks watched in cheers. In the end, it was Pii who emerged as the clear winner. It was no brainer. Pii had doubled ATP than the dragon.
With a final burst of energy, Pii unleashed a devastating blow that struck the [Clockwork Dragon], sending it crashing to the ground. Lily's group watched in fascination and horror as Pii stood victorious, its body still humming with energy.
The Frogfolks erupted into cheers, their voices echoing across the beach.
"A pity," Ren uttered when the [Clockwork Dragon] was thoroughly destroyed, and Pii went back to its little self and flew on his shoulder.
Ren then faced Josh and the others. When he took a step forward, they took a step back, their faces white, already accepting their inevitable fate.
"Shit. This is all Zack's fault," Josh hissed under the gap of his clenching teeth.
Kylie was on the verge of crying. "All those money . . . and already dead on the second day."
Lily was tight lip, eyes shining at Pii with greed.
"Since you've been nice, I'll let you two go," Ren said to Josh and Kylie. Their color returned.
And then Ren pointed a finger at Lily. "But not you. You will die."
Lily's mask cracked, and her face was drained of colors. "Y-you. If you kill me, I will tell my brother Scar! You'll be wanted. Black Lion will hunt you down."
"Oh . . . I'm so scared . . . ," Ren said, voice flat.
"That's right. You should be–!" Lily didn't finish her words when she burst into fire. A startled cry shot out from her lips before she was reduced to nothing but particles.
"Lily!" Kylie screamed, horrified.
"What have you done?!" Josh couldn't believe that a player would really kill Lily. The Lily?! Not to mention the good looks that often saved her, but she was the daughter of a tycoon and the little sister of Scar, the leader of Black Lion!
No sane player would even think of hurting her!
"I'll count to four, and if you don't scram from my sight. I'll kill you on the spot," Ren said. "One . . ."
Josh blinked, and Kylie was still startled to know what was happening.
"Two . . ."
"Y-you'll pay for this!" Josh threatened his words like cascading waters and he couldn't stop it. "Black Lion would definitely get you. Now we know who you are, we will put a bounty over your head, and every player will hunt you down."
Ren's eyes squinted, and Josh took a step back with a yelp.
"Three."
"Let's go!" Kyle pulled Josh away while the latter still yelled when they were far enough. "You'll rue this day! Remember that!"
Elena shook her head as she approached Ren. "A final bark of a dog to save whatever his pride left."
