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 do,"

then replied with a

Vivian was hot.

but he'd be embarrassed after they were so friendly to him. Giving the situation a mental shrug, he followed

...

the fourth grade of Skin Refinement! Let me

spiritual power to inflict damage to the great cat's vital areas, and using his spiritual power

...

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

days, they 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 slow to keep

harvest. A couple more and our packs will be full," Lewis

different

and the sound made them all

tongue 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 they could have been, so mother nature let

want to let

a helper? It's his

glared at Ricky, arms

finally couldn't stand to keep quiet, ' Ricky seethed

fight that thing, it's like watching him commit suicide," Lewis complained after hearing

him. He'd probably lost any chance he

he dies, we can always find another mediocre warrior," Luther said, doubling down on his original assertion.

personal squabbles. It had been steadily advancing on them as they bickered among themselves. Any closer and it would be attacking at least one

"Let me at him!"

Ricky shot towards 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 to find his

exclaimed out of

Luther said, apparently unconcerned with Ricky's