“Watcha’ doin’ brat?” the oldest of them said, spitting the side. “Mommy ain’t here.”

Why does every one of them spit so much? Kara thought, shaking her head. Humans.

“Not here for my help. I’m here for yours,” she said nonchalantly, eyeing the group. Four warriors and one Bowman. They were a pack of Cubs. Extremely weak, considering the second Phase already passed. They likely avoided fighting.

“Ay? Here to shine mine shoes from all the shit and muck? Or mine nails with your kitchen knife?” the man said, lifting his feet and then wiggling his arms forward. It was an amazing feat of dexterity, as he seemed to be in his forties. At that age and two Phases past, and only a Cub? People like him had no chance.

“Your nails, ankles, and a decent portion of your face,” Kara said ignoring his remark to deliver the punchline. It will increase your chances of wooing the Ghouls. No promises, though."

No one laughed, unfortunately. Yet another good reason to off-them. Their faces went dark when they saw her Danger Rank. Or, at the very least, a lack of it. Hiding her Life Force hid her Danger Rank.

“An unknown Danger Rank, you bastard.” the oldest of them whispered. “Can’t be higher than a Wolf.

“Alright, alright you mutt. You got a clever tongue and a sharp sword. Go away now, before I come over and spank you. Shoo, shoo!” he said, waving his hands dismissively.

“What? I’m challenging you pricks to a fight. Are you seriously going to cower from me?”

“Wait, you were being serious?” one of the younger men said, his chuckles still escaping his lips.

“You actually thought we’ll charge you, thinking your easy points? Best case scenario it's a trap--you might be a Tiger, for all we know. Worst-case scenario we get a dumb child’s blood on our hands,” he said.

“Bro, take it easy. He’s just a kid. Doesn’t look older than 18 to me.”

“Nah, probably older. If he can hide his Life Force, then something is up with him. Seems to be using some type of skill; the way he moves and speaks is too odd. Probably a Disguise skill and from a well-off family,” one of the others said, scratching the beard on his chin.

“Seriously? Must be great with the ladies, if he can do that.”

“Family groomed him for The Game, probably,” the bearded man said, shrugging. “Suck’s he’s an idiot though, if he thought we would just charg’ in.”

Well, this was always a possibility. Kara shrugged. "You would be surprised how many people fall for it."

“Yea,” the old man said, putting a hand on one of his teammates. “You not wrong about that, mutt. These fools are top clowns. They would have shat with you if it weren’t for me, Dylon save mine sad soul.”

“Let the bastard Dylon take all of you,” the Bowman said, nervously glancing over his shoulder. “We have a storm coming. How about we kindly bugger off?”

“Right. Good riddance, mutt.”

“I know it’s hard, but try not to make an ass out of yourself,” the younger man said, walking away with the rest of his teammates.

“I wouldn’t go that way,” Kara said. If they were smart enough to not be Kara's points, then having them dying to some Ents would be embarrassing.

“Pulling on our leg again? What is it this time?” the young man said, turning one shoulder to her. He cleaned his ear with his pinky, not looking particularly interested.

“Narlam, you prick. Stop wasting time on the brat. Monsters could pop out anytime!” the Bowman yelled again.

“I hear you! Stop hollering! Just stay alive for a few more moments you irritating dickhead,” Narlam said, but when he noticed Kara staring, he bowed. “My apologies, your great highness for the vulgar words.”

“Forgiven,” Kara replied, waving her hand. “You see those trees over there. Looks suspicious, don’t you think? The spaces in between them, and the dirt under. Almost as if trees can wal-

“Damn Ents!” Narlam said, slapping his head. “I was wondering where they popped from. You were going to lure us towards them, weren’t you? Probably get a ton load of points for getting us killed.”

Kara withheld her answer. It was only natural to play the Game the way it’s meant to play.

“Don’t feel bad about it,” Narlam went on, “I would have probably done the same.”

It was a lie. She didn’t need her Notes to tell her that. Their Souls were too mellow. From their reaction towards her, they purposely avoided any conflict with the others. The Second Phase had been a purely PVP conflict—someone who did not want to fight other humans did not gain anything from it.

“Narlam, damn it! Whatcha idling for? I don’t want to be caught by that damn storm!”

“I’m coming! And I got news! Better pay me a silver if you want to live,” Narlam said, facing away from Kara.

She could have caught him down right then. A small burst of Life Mana into her legs, or even tossing the blade at his back.

“See you, kid,” he said, walking away. “Luck be with you.”

Kara scratched the back of her head, wincing when her fingers felt the crunchy sensation of the lice.

This was exactly why she avoided non-rankers. They just did not understand what it took to live through the Games. They might be fine now, but each Phase will get progressively harder. Most Phases scaled with levels to a degree, but barely any of them scaled with points earned or Danger Rank.

That meant people that blindly leveled up will eventually face opponents much stronger than them, while people that farmed the most points while gaining the least levels will always out-power their opponents.

Kara shook her head. She needed to find a party that realized the disparity of their situation.