The legendary warrior

Three people made their way towards Ricky: a strong young man at the fourth grade of Skin Refinement; a pretty young girl in a light yellow skirt who could match the girl on the mountain peak just now; another young man in white raiment with a nice look but a grim gaze. The power radiating from the one in white was palpable—he was at least at the fifth grade of Skin Refinement, if not the sixth.

"Hey, buddy!" The strong one greeted Ricky with a smile.

"What's up?" Ricky asked.

"We're going hunting. Fierce beasts live deep in the snowy mountains. We could use a little practice and make some money to boot. Wanna come along?"

"I'm headed for the snowy mountain too," Ricky said with a smile.

"That's great! With four of us, we'll probably beat whatever comes our way," the girl exclaimed after hearing Ricky's response.

"So it's a done deal. I'm Lewis, by the way. This is Vivian. And that's Luther over there, the most powerful one of our little group. Don't let the mean look fool you. He's actually a good guy, ha ha!" Lewis said with a smile. "And I didn't catch your name?"

"Ricky!"

Upon hearing Ricky's name, Luther finally opened his mouth, as he gave the stink eye to Ricky. "Well, if it isn't the waste of blood.

Forget it. We don't need this guy. He doesn't have a spiritual meridian. He'd only slow us down.

Besides, this presumptuous piece of crap even wants to fight Wade!"

Luther sneered.

After hearing Luther's words, Ricky frowned, really wanting to put this guy in his place.

Lewis and Vivian were quite embarrassed by Luther's ranting. Word traveled fast, and they knew all about Ricky. He'd beaten Hurley, which was no mean feat. They thought he might be an asset.

Thinking quickly, Lewis draped an arm around Ricky's shoulders as a friendly gesture. "And sometimes Luther can be an asshole, too. Don't let it throw you."

him. We

then replied with a

thought Vivian was hot. As Ricky didn't seem to be a rival, Luther

turn them down, but he'd be embarrassed after they were so friendly to him. Giving the situation a mental shrug, he followed the three people deep into

...

Leopard at the fourth grade of Skin Refinement! Let

to inflict damage to the great cat's vital areas, and using his spiritual power to deflect the creature's claws and teeth. Before too long, Lewis smashed the beast's skull

...

He has to be a creature at the fourth grade of Skin Refinement!" Vivian exclaimed.

had encountered more than ten beats of Skin Refining, all at the fourth grade. Lewis and Vivian usually took care of them, and Ricky was too

A couple more and our packs will be full," Lewis said. Then he saw something, and his shout echoed

very different from a human shout.

and the sound

darted in and out, and black glutinous venom spilled out, melting the patch of ice and snow it fell on. The boa's constriction abilities were less useful in finding food than

as a warrior at the 5th grade of Skin Refinement, if not more. You don't want to let it bite you—its venom kills!" Watching the boa, Lewis

Don't we have a helper? It's his turn to

ironically as he glared at Ricky, arms crossed. He spat the last two words mockingly.

insult. You finally couldn't stand to keep quiet, ' Ricky

Ricky came along because he trusts us. If you let him fight that thing, it's like watching him commit suicide," Lewis complained

He'd probably lost any chance he had with her

gonna carry him. If he dies, we can always find

personal squabbles. It had been steadily advancing on them as they bickered among themselves. Any closer and it

"Let me at him!"

the Snow-scaled Boa while drawing a fine steel saber from the scabbard slung along his back,

exclaimed as he wanted to draw Ricky back only

exclaimed out of

Luther said,