Strongest Among the Heavens
Chapter 276: Two Peas In a Pod

Chapter 276: Two Peas In a Pod

The stone partridges didn’t come again. Kazi did not figure he was wrong. No, there were more monsters; just not for tonight. Kazi deactivated the Waterfall Barrier after the fourth attempt, dropping to one knee when he realized he was low on mana.

"Haa...haah..." He raised a hand to his breath. It was hot, unnaturally so.

His mana returned to him in a minute. He got up back, hand on the pommel of his stationary blade. Couma was busy telling everyone to get back home; that they should end the festival early today.

"More enemies will come," Couma explained. "Kazi will protect us!"

"Inside! Inside then!"

The houses were backed up against the hill, thus making it furthest from the perimeter and any potential threats. Couma returned to him fifteen minutes later with over thirty Yumboes behind her. Given their height, it was almost cute. The determination in their eyes was anything but that.

"Kazi!" Couma said. "We would like to help! All of us have volunteered!"

A smile. These Elves were too cute to fight. "Are you sure?"

"The Guifairo is dead," Couma replied. "It was the only thing we feared. The birds and the Fating’ho, we can fight them!"

"Fating’ho? The primate?" Kazi curled a finger around his chin, thinking.

"Yes, them! They live in the forest too. They don’t attack unless provoked but..." Couma looked him up and down. "You see, they are very curious creatures. The waterfall you summoned, I am sure they saw it."

"Can’t there be a peaceful resolution?"

Couma was surprised. "I...no one has tried."

Kazi smiled. "Then let’s try that."

Peace, apparently, wasn’t an option. Kazi sensed two decently-sized sources of mana. If he could, he would have activated his Foresight to see who they were. He went forward and stepped onto the moist dirt from which the waterfall erupted. He waited.

The darkness was thick and heavy. From the forest, a figure walked. Kazi narrowed his eyes, seeing the glint of a broadsword.

"Lord...what in god’s name are these things?" The approaching figure was a rugged male with short brown hair and mud on his cheek. The broadsword he wielded jerked left and right, eyeing the small elves. Seeing Kazi, he relaxed slightly. "Sorry, pal, are these, er..."

"Yep, these guys are who we’re supposed to protect."

[ Name: Jackson Callahan

Level: 28

Class: Amateur Swordsman ]

"You should probably lower your weapons," Kazi said, stepping forward. "You’re scaring them."

"My bad, my bad! Just not used to..." Jackson stared at the elves. "...critters like these. I’m more of a horse kind of a guy." He cleared his throat and unequipped his broadsword. "Kazi, eh? Nice to meetcha. I’m Jackson. Call me Jack."

Kazi gave him a look. "Are you sure?"

"Oooon second thought, Jackson works too. I ain’t no serial killer."

The elves were elated. "Another foreigner?"

"Oh, yes! We are saved!"

Jackson strode forward, big and confident, and shook Kazi’s hand. The Yumboes were thrilled by Jackson’s appearance. Kazi figured as much. In legend, they enjoyed foreigners and human presence to the degree rivalling that of a trickster. In the case of the Yumboes, they laughed and colluded with humans after they stole their corn.

"Firm grip," Jackson remarked. "Pleasure to work with ya."

"Me too—"

"I smell beeeeeer~!"

Kazi blinked twice and looked over Jackson’s shoulder. A woman was emerging from the forest.

"Lots of interruptions today," Kazi mused to himself.

The loud voice belonged to a tipsy brunette swaying side to side. Her cheeks were rosy red while her auburn hair was in a ponytail with the strands framing her face white. She looked mature while also being neither old nor young. "Beer!" she repeated. Sylvia Fitzgerald was her username and she stopped to put her hands on her knees and catch her breath. "Beer...!"

Jackson turned to look at the new player. "Wait a minute..."

"Huh?" Sylvia sobered up fast, eyes squinting at the man in the cap. "Wait a minute..."

"You!" they hissed, simultaneously pointing at each other. "Not you!"

"So you know each other." Kazi clapped his hands together. "That’s great. We can work together better that way."

"No way!" they replied. They promptly glared at each other.

"See? You’re like echoes."

"Echoes? Says who?"

Jackson’s southern accent and Sylvia’s hoarse voice clashed beautifully. Kazi applauded them like a king to a pair of jesters. "Like I said, an echo. You’re perfectly in sync. Two peas in a pod."

Neither of them responded, preferring to glare at each other, then Kazi. Jackson took a deep breath, scowling. "I ain’t no pea, and she sure as hell ain’t my pod."

Sylvia’s lips curled into a sneer. "Likewise—ahem!" She cleared her throat. She opened her mouth but then—

"Mmmph!" Sylvia vomited.

Jackson shook his head, arms crossed. "See? Sylv is the type to vomit on enemies rather than kill ’em."

"I—" Sylvia was interrupted by her own vomiting. "Haa...I heard that!"

"Stupid, of course you were supposed to hear that."

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