Chapter 9: Duo's
Sin had eventually decided to make camp under a small over hang with a tiny stream running close by, Ari was still bothered by the way Sin had acted towards Alicia. It was an unwarranted way of acting to someone he had just met.
The girl wanted to bring up the incident again but also didn't want to upset Sin as he was the sole reason she was able to continue with her classmates.Ari had just finished setting up her shelter, a cloth made from waxed canvas over a wooden frame that allowed it to hold up against the weather.
Looking up Ari couldn't help but widen her eyes when she saw Sin start burrowing directly into the cliff face under the over hang, he was using one of his Trick shot crystals which burnt out quicker than what he had expected causing him to look at his Magicannon oddly.
'It was supposed to be twelve shots, is this one defective' wondered Sin as he counterfeited another and continued the process.
Ari meanwhile was wondering when he had gained this type of ability.
'Probably on one of his solo runs.....' thought Ari feeling dejected that she hadn't been there.
Sin eventually finished before putting what looked like a large round shield over the hole.
Ari just stared at the scene and couldn't help but have an interesting thought.
'He's kinda like a weasel...' thought Ari a small laugh escaping her lips.
Sin meanwhile was smiling as well, he began to take out his hoarded loot, however upon seeing it all he couldn't help feel underwhelmed.
He honestly didn't have much, at least from the long term perspective. He had maybe a dozen armor sets from the vintage gear shop. He had the junk he had gotten from the Mage Lab, he wasn't really interested in too much of it anymore other than the support gear they had developed.
'Does the school still have the Trade quarters?' questioned Sin internally, it was something he would ask Ari about.
Sin soon began organizing his possession before he simply laid out a bedroll in the center of the room surrounded by his loot.
Ari outside had expected Sin to come back out but the thief never did, sighing to herself Ari also went to sleep hoping the next day would go a bit better.
Sin was awoken early the next morning by the sound of Ari screaming, almost like a phantom the thief appeared outside of his hole only to bristle a bit.
"Ari, what are they doing here" asked Sin with a less than pleased expression.
"Oh don't be like that Sinny boy, we just wanted to make sure that you were okay. After all it can be quite dangerous for small parties" came the voice of Alicia.
"It's only dangerous if you're weak" sneered Sin as he looked at the others behind the clumsy girl in glasses.
A blue haired Swordsman sat with his hand resting on the hilt, his eyes trained on Sin as if he was prey.
There was a person in an odd get up but didn't seem to be anything special other than the utility belts covering them from head to toe, it was hard to tell the gender of this person as well and that unnerved Sin a bit.
Finally there was a woman archer, dark hair and off colored green armor were her defining features. Everything else about her was average from the bow she used to the rest of her gear.
"Sin be nice, Alicia is a good friend and she came here to check on us" cut in Ari as she felt the tension begin to rise.
"Whatever, I'm going back to sleep" grunted Sin before lifting the large shield to go back to his dwelling.
At least that was his intention until he found a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't leave now, Ari has been telling us all about how powerful you are. I must admit though, seeing you in person I can't help but feel underwhelmed." came the voice of the Blue haired swordsman revealing the owner of the offending appendage.
"You should really know your limits brat" came Sin's response as he spun a vicious kick towards the swordsman.
'Brat?' thought the swordsman before he was knocked backward.
Alas it appeared he took no damage from the attack though.
"If that's it then I can't help but wonder if Ari was dreaming up these stories" spoke the swordsman as he drew his sword and revealed a huge burst of speed the likes of which Sin had only seen once when he was a child originally.
'What the hell is this guy' wondered Sin as he tried to dodge the incoming attack but received a huge gash for his trouble.
"What a pity, such trash getting paired with a duo" sneered the swordsman flicking the blood from his blade.
Sin rolled back to his feet with a low growl.
'So the kid thinks he's hot shit, alright bastard let's see how you handle some old school gimmicks' thought Sin with a smirk.
Suddenly the area was engulfed in smoke, this quickly followed by an eerie silence.
Those watching were wondering why there was no sound of combat but their curiosity was killed when they heard the obvious sounds of conflict. Suddenly Sin was launched from the cloud and hurried steps could be heard following but suddenly a fiery blast lit up the smoke screen clearing the view.
"What the hell" cried Ari as she looked at the swordsman who was now standing perfectly still.
On his body good be seen various bombs with their pins tied to strings covering his body in a horrifying web.
"What do you know about this tactic" coughed Sin as cruel smirk made it's way onto his face his back was no longer bleeding and the bruises and nicks on his body were disappearing as the swordsman let out a pained howl.
The back of his armor began to stain red and cuts began to appear on his body.
"What kind of cheap attack is that" came the voice of the archer.
"The best kind" answered Sin as he walked up to the swordsman and started plucking at the strings tempting the bombs to release their pins.
The swordsman growled because he knew what would happen if he moved, it was frustrating to be played into someone's hands so easily.
He thought he had the thief on the run in the smoke screen but as his swings continued he realized we feeling more and more restrained in his movements.
Fearing he had been poisoned he intended to use a strong attack to finish it, it was only after he had attempted to give chase did he realize the error of his ways as his limbs were bound closer together and he saw his new accessories.
"I must say that first attack had me kind of excited but now seeing you like this I cant help but feel underwhelmed" smirked Sin as tapped one of the bombs causing it rock back and forth dangerously.
The thief dropped the smirk and turned a distrustful gaze towards Alicia and the rest of her group.
"You know there used to be a interesting practice back in the day" started Sin as knife seemingly appeared in his hand.
"Some adventurers would frequently take trophies from their opponents" continued Sin ominously as he locked eyes with Alicia, the girl however seemed unfazed.
"It could be an item, treasure, pet, .... body part" stated Sin causing the swordsman's eyes to widen in shock.
"I am the trophy taking type, so tell me.... what trophy should I take" asked Sin as he spun around intending to chuck the knife but he found his movements frozen and he even felt his esper ability leave him.
'What the hell is going on' thought Sin with frustration as he tried to force his body to cooperate.
"Sin enough, I don't know why you suddenly started acting like this but you need to stop" called Ari revealing her to be the source.
Chains extended from her body with runes dancing along their length causing Sin's eyes to widen in shock.
'What the hell is she' thought Sin as stared at Ari in horror but this was soon followed by a scathing look.
"Alicia you should gather your party and leave" stated Ari with her head hung low, her breathing showed she was beginning to feel exhaustion. It was clearly do to her usage of the chains.
"Very well, until we meet again then." waved Alicia before turning to the restrained thief.
"I'm so sad to we didn't get to spend more time together" pouted Alicia dropping the clumsy facade.
"Irene, please help Dante out of his predicament so we may be on our way" ordered the hammer wielding girl.
The member who had been forgotten in the background covered in pouches was revealed to be female if the name was an indicator.
Sin tried to fight the odd ability Ari was using on him but had eventually admitted the futility of such actions. Sin watched as the party left, it was only some time later that Ari actually released the thief allowing him to breathe easily now that he felt his ability return.
"What the hell are those chains" demanded Sin after a moment of silence between the two.
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