Sword Rankers
Who?

The atmosphere became quiet between the two of them, Ran and Tim again met on a giant tree far from the noise.

There was only the sound of wind blowing between the two of them filling the silence.

The first person to break the silence was Tim, "Hei Ran, from your expression you don't seem too surprised to see me well?"

"Of course, since the beginning of our meeting, I have indeed felt something strange about you."

"Hmm~ Really? I saw you look comfortable when I first met you."

"Tch, I admit, you did provide a sense of security and comfort that I couldn't figure out. But at the end, when you talked about my abilities, I knew you were suspicious by then."

Tim smiled wryly at Ran's reply, "Pfftt... You're pretty slow well Ran, ah... Or fast enough? Usually people won't realize until I tell you."

"Don't smile at you!"

"Geez, don't be too stiff dong Ran, just relax."

"How can I be relaxed if in front of me there is someone carrying a crossbow that can hole my body in an instant?"

"Hmm...? Hoo~ Apparently you are afraid of this crossbow? Geez just calm down Ran, I've already thrown it away."

The team instead threw away his weapon so casually, as if it was nothing.

Ran was of course very surprised by Tim's strange actions.

"What are you planning Tim?"

"I just want to have a light conversation, Ran, you know, I'm kind of interested in you, ah! A little wrong, rather 'That guy' is interested in you, and 'That guy' asked me to invite you to join."

"That guy? Who you mean?"

"Sorry, you can't know for now, but I'll tell you later if you want to come with me."

Glug

"Indeed, what can I get?"

Tim smiled cunningly at Ran's question, "Many! There are so many advantages that you can get Ran, even you can get the Ranker title without having to bother like this! A fortune? The department? The money? It's just a little thing Ran! Well.... Let's join me Ran." Tim stretched out his hand, as if to welcome Ran to a new world.

All the offers of Tim, for Ran, are very, very tempting. It was like a paradise that could be obtained instantly, Ran would not have to bother like this anymore, there would be no one else who would demean him.

But, the lucrative offer, certainly can not be obtained without a large payment behind it.

"Then, what is the payment required to get it all? I know it's definitely not free, right?"

"....." Tim just kept quiet and smiled.

"really right? As expected, such a big offer is impossible for you to give for free, there must be a fee, and I'm sure it's not fun."

"Geez~ I'm glad you're smart enough Ran, that way I know that I'm not trying to recruit an idiot. But... Sensitivity to this, it's a little different, it's a bitch." Tim's smile instantly vanished, his face that kept a friendly expression changed in an instant to flat and cold.

Deg

Ran immediately goosebumps looking at Tim's face, an uncomfortable feeling came just like that when he saw Tim's face.

The dangers... Thought Ran.

Bzzz....

Ran instantly created as many daggers as possible, and without the slightest hesitation, Ran instantly threw all his daggers towards Tim.

Shueungg.....

Tim just stayed in place without moving, he seemed unafraid of all the daggers that were pointing at him. Tim raised his hand, then he swung to dismiss all the dagger attacks.

Prangs...

All the daggers that Ran threw were smashed to pieces.

However, Ran was not at all surprised, he was aware of the level difference between him and Tim. His original purpose was when his dagger was destroyed.

Ran pointed his right hand forward with his palm open, he looked like he wanted to reach for something invisible.

"Wmmm..." Ran closed his palm, like he was pulling an invisible lever.

Bumm...

All the dagger fragments Tim had destroyed exploded, not a huge explosion, but the explosion created a smokescreen that covered Tim's gaze.

This is a new trick learned by Ran after graduating from school, he learns from Mr. Bob to control his homemade weapon. Technically, each weapon created by Ran is Mana energy compacted and formed.

Through that fact, Ran developed the ability to separate back the Mana energy that had been solidified into weapons into formless energy.

The process from it would cause a small explosion, not strong enough to injure a person, but it was enough to create a smokescreen that could cover the view, especially if it exploded in the form of flakes.

When Tim's view is covered, Tim will be shocked for a moment, that's when Ran immediately ran to the branch that was stepped on by Tim to attack him.

Ran did not jump because of the distance that was too far, instead, he made use of the surface of the uneven tree trunk, and had many bumps as a foothold to run on it.

However, it is quite extreme because there are several flat surfaces, so Ran must run with a very extreme slope and increase the risk of falling. But, Ran bravely took that risk.

Taps... Taps... Taps...

Ran ran as fast as possible towards the tree trunk, seeing there was a lump on its surface, Ran used it as a foothold to run, Ran ran as fast as possible, Ran, he was lucky enough to find some footing that was enough for him. But, the longer Ran the harder it was to find a foothold.

Not wanting to linger, Ran ignored the risk of falling, he ran as fast as possible without a foothold on the trunk of this giant tree with a very extreme slope angle.

But at the end, with a distance of a few more centimeters...

Slippp

In that dangerous condition, Ran's survival instinct rose, without thinking, Ran made use of his one leg that was still treading on the trunk of the giant tree as a booster for his nearly fallen body.

Tap

Although weak, the impulse was enough to push Ran's body up a little, Ran immediately hugged the branch of the giant tree in front of him.

With great effort, Ran climbed onto the branch of the tree. However, Ran wasted too much time, the enemy in front of him was not one who would tolerate his enemy by letting his enemy approach him.

Shungg.... Stab

An arrow of light flew towards Ran, the arrow stuck onto Ran's shoulder, however, instead of exploding, it just stuck and pushed Ran's body into the tree trunk behind him.

Brakes

The arrow was at once stuck in the tree trunk as well, making Ran unable to move, Ran like on a nail to the tree trunk by the arrow.

In front of Ran, Tim seemed to hold the crossbow that he used to shoot arrows of light, even though the crossbow should have been discarded by Tim at the beginning.

"Khhhkkk..." Ran grimaced in pain.

The team with a bored expression commented on Ran's condition, "Hahhh.... I'm disappointed Ran, I thought you were smart, but it turned out to be stupid, too. Your decision to narrow the distance to the long-range fighter type is correct. But it must be aware also with the place dong, do you think with your cheap speed and tricks, you can reach my place before I'm ready huh!?"

Ran grimaced with pain, his shoulder was burned by this arrow of light, he tried to pull it out, but instead his hand burned.

Tim's expression that initially gave off a comfortable impression, turned into fear. He smiled, but not a smile that felt warm, instead his smile made goosebumps until all the fur was sitting standing.

"You.... Lied to! You said you'd throw away your gun, but you lied, right? I don't know what tricks you're using, but you're just pretending to throw your gun away."

"Umm... seems like you don't know about 'Other World Artifacts' well?"

Ran wore a puzzled expression on his face when he heard the term.

The team immediately understood seeing Ran's confused face, "Haha! As expected, you don't know. Heh, well do you know about the events of 'Monster Attack'. On that occasion, many powerful monsters appeared carrying various deadly weapons. Most were destroyed in times of war, either due to fierce fighting, or some were lost when the monsters were exterminated. But there were also weapons that were not destroyed and scattered everywhere, that was the 'Other World Artifacts'. Not only weapons, there are a wide variety of useful items that fall into this classification. Unlike blacksmith weapons that can change hands easily, this weapon is like having the awareness to choose its master. No matter how far, I can call him again and he will just appear. It's like William's sword."

A surprised and amazed expression appeared on Ran's face, only the first time he heard about this. As far as he knows, the government only processes the remaining objects to be used as other items such as building materials or weapons. And only this time he knew there was a weapon that was fully obtained from the monsters.

"You seem interested Ran, how? If you want to join us, you can get weapons that are even stronger than this. It's better than using a weapon created from your abilities, right?"

Once again, Tim persuaded Ran to join.

But Ran still remained in his stance, "Haha, shut up! If you could give me the whole world, I wouldn't join you."

The team seemed disappointed by Ran's refusal, he pulled his crossbow and pointed it at Ran, "Well already, 'that guy', if you don't want to join willingly, anyway, I'm just gonna take you by force."

A light arrow formed in front of the Team's crossbow.

Glug

This situation is very stressful, Ran's life is on the edge, I don't know what Tim will do to Ran if Ran is taken away.

But, for one reason, Ran's anxiety disappeared.

"Heh, it looks like I need to thank you Tim, thank you for bothering to explain about your weapon."

"Why indeed? Whether you understand it or not, you won't be able to use it."

"Not that, thanks to you, the hero can come."

"Huh? Whatchu mean?" Tim was confused by Ran's words.

But a moment later, Tim felt an extremely powerful aura from behind him. Then he understood what Ran's words meant.

Tang

A sword swung towards Tim, Tim swiftly holding him back using his crossbow.

In the back, William has come.

"Wowwww... Take a look at this, isn't this the famous William Austin? What business are you coming to me for?" Said Tim with a cynical tone even though his mouth was smiling.

"I came to save my friend"

"Currently, I never thought I would hear such a heartwarming remark with a flat expression."

William and Tim twisted his position, William pulled his sword and retreated a few steps back.

"Are you okay Ran?"

"Well not so good, but at least I can hold it."

"Hold on, I'll beat him quickly."

William strengthened his position, he added a powerful mana energy into his sword, making his sword appear larger as it was covered by mana.

The team also prepared, he improved his shooting position and emitted a strong aura as a marker that he was ready to fight.

"If I think about it, this is a little strange, I have deliberately chosen a place that is difficult to reach so as not to be easily detected, Ran can reach this place because I did deliberately show it to him. But, how did you get to this place, William? Did you get Ran to put up some kind of sign so you could come here?"

"Not entirely wrong, I've asked Ran to let out a radiance of aura from where he belongs so that I can get to his place if there are unwanted events."

"Ahhhhh... Means a little trick to blow up his own weapon is only used as a beacon for the marker well. Then I can conclude that from the beginning you didn't believe Ran could beat me right? That's cruel."

"No, I fully believe that Ran can find your place."

"Ah~ Pretty upsetting answer, I'll destroy you."

"Try it!"