Chapter 28: Good Boy
Lucas declared a rest day. In other words, a do-whatever-you-want day — just don’t die. In two days, once their injuries had fully healed, they would assault the fortress nearest to the Goblin King’s Castle.
Before dismissing everyone, he made a second announcement.
"Ahem... As I’m sure you’re all aware, things aren’t as hopeless as they once seemed."
Some people cheered. Others laughed.
Lucas continued:
"But the Goblin King is an unknown threat wielding unknown power. Sadly, there will most likely be no testing the waters against it. We’ll probably have to fight the moment we encounter it..."
Lucas paused and swept his gaze across the crowd.
"In a fight against a single being, there is only so much each person can contribute. If we continue dividing our power equally, we’ll put ourselves at a disadvantage. So, I’m making a rule..."
Some faces paled, already sensing what would come next.
"...Only Claire, Maks, Zayn, Axel, Connor, and Ryon are to absorb Aether Shards. All shards will be funneled into those six."
The reasoning behind his choices was simple. Connor was tall and strong — a natural tank. Axel and Maks were capable of stepping in to relieve some of his pressure. Ryon and Zayn were quick and would hopefully inflict meaningful damage while harrying the Goblin King. Finally, Claire was essential as the only one capable of ranged attacks. While she didn’t necessarily need the shards, strengthening her would improve her chances if she were forced into close-quarters combat.
Of course, none of them knew what kind of entity the Goblin King was — its size, its power, or how many goblins surrounded it.
All the Summoned could do was assemble the most adaptable group possible.
Lucas himself would have been a better fit than Ryon. However, if he’d included himself among those receiving shards, people like Cory and Cynthia would have torn him apart for it.
Even without including himself, they were far from satisfied.
Cory was the first to complain.
"What the fuck, man? Are you telling us to die?"
Cynthia added:
"You’re power-hungry and trying to get us killed so you can hog the shards, aren’t you?!"
Lucas, long since tired of Cynthia’s complaints, shot back:
"Cynthia, pipe down. I’m not even the one absorbing the shards, you dolt."
She shrieked in protest:
"You’re giving them to your most loyal dogs! It’s the same thing! What the hell?!"
A vein bulged on Lucas’s forehead.
"Think about it! They will be the ones in the most danger! They’ll be the ones fighting the Goblin King! If anything, they should be the ones protesting!"
Cory scowled.
"You’re telling me to put my life in their hands?"
Lucas tried his best to remain calm outwardly. He almost succeeded. But on the inside...
’I just want them to understand for once in their worthless lives.’
Although he’d been fulfilling the role of leader, the ’real’ Lucas wasn’t cut out for it. He could inspire others, demonstrate strength, and drag people from the depths of despair.
But there was one thing he lacked...
Patience.
Lucas had none.
Everyone had known it since the first day. It was his one major flaw.
His impatience extended beyond his eagerness to fight the goblins. He simply had no tolerance for what he considered ’bullshit.’
Lucas knew that and had been trying to rein himself in.
He had nearly blown a gasket the last time people, namely Cynthia, had exploded on him. Now, with the task timer bleeding away and feeding his mounting urgency, he finally snapped.
"Yes! Have we not already been doing that? You think I haven’t noticed those of you hiding at the back while everyone else fights? There are people among us who haven’t even killed a single goblin!"
Lucas speared Cynthia and Kakeru with his glare.
He didn’t let anyone else speak.
"I would’ve allowed you to usurp me! I told you before! If someone capable presented themselves, I’d willingly step down and follow them. But nobody did. You damn cowards! If you really hate my leadership, then do something about it!"
Cory stepped forward and planted himself in front of Lucas.
"...Maybe I will."
Axel had merely watched and absorbed everything up to that point. He hadn’t been told anything in advance, so hearing that power would be funneled into him must have caught him off guard.
’But surely Axel understands. He’s smart.’
At the same time, unlike Lucas, Axel would understand Cory’s side. Putting your life in the hands of strangers wasn’t easy. Moreover, they would still have to fight on the front lines while forfeiting the power they might have gained.
Lucas understood that too...
He simply didn’t care.
Axel stepped between them.
"Calm down. Before you say it, I didn’t even know this was happening. I’m just as surprised as you."
Cory stopped and glared at Axel before speaking in a calmer voice.
"Then make me one of the six."
Lucas replied from the other side of Axel:
"No. No matter who we swap you in for, it would ruin the composition."
That was a lie, and Amaya, Zayn, and Axel saw through it immediately. Cory would have been an acceptable replacement for Ryon.
Hell, he might have been better.
But Lucas couldn’t voice his true reasoning.
Cory was the only person opposing him who had any chance of becoming a genuine challenger. He could kindle the spark of discord and rally others against Lucas.
Lucas had claimed he would willingly relinquish his position, and he knew he wasn’t fit to be a true leader.
However, he could also recognize when someone else was even less suited for the role.
He saw Cory as self-serving and cowardly. Not to mention, Cory was only seventeen. He had no business leading adults.
To Lucas, Cory was a threat who, if left unchecked, could endanger everyone.
He wasn’t about to hand him another source of power.
Cory slowly raised his sword.
Lucas answered the gesture with a cold stare.
"I see..."
Axel frantically threw up his hands between them.
"Whoa, whoa, hold on now!"
But it was Zayn who finally broke the tension by sneaking up behind Cory and snatching away his sword.
Then, quietly, Zayn said:
"I’m sorry, but you need to calm down."
"Let go of me, you asshole! You think you’re better than me?"
"At least you’re not a disaster."
"Huh? What the hell are you saying? Just get off of me!"
Everyone watched as Zayn pinned Cory down and straddled him.
"I will... if you name ten car brands."
"That’s easy! T-Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen. Wait... why am I even doing thi—"
Zayn flashed Cory an evil smirk.
"Good boy..."
"You ass!"
All the tension among the Summoned evaporated, replaced by laughter. The only person left utterly confused was Jade, the deaf girl. Still pinning Cory beneath his knees, Zayn explained what had happened to her in sign language.
Cory’s face flushed with embarrassment, distracting him enough for his anger to fade.
Thanks to Zayn, the situation had de-escalated.
However, it was merely a temporary bandage pressed over a festering wound.