Chapter 38: Provocation

"Theo, can we talk about this first?" Even with trembling lips and a frightened tone, Pif still spoke to his enemy. He lowered his bow and walked slowly towards that man. "I'm sure you're not a murderer."

"Shut up and stay there, you traitor!" The attacker named Theo tightened his hold on Seb's neck even more. "You tell them to give them their valuables, then you will come with us! Do all that, or this man will die!"

"Fine if that's what you want." Pif raised his hands.

"No, Pif." Leva snorted. "I don't mind having our resources taken by them to save Seb. However, I will not let you return to them. I've seen the bite marks on that bastard's thigh. He's the person you're referring to, right? The one who was attacked by your own tribe's dog, right?"

"Leva..." Pif was at a loss for words.

I admire you even more, Leva.

Egan laughed again. "It turns out that you guys have a powerful bond! Great!"

"Shut up, bastard!" Manu snaps at the leader of the attackers.

"But, why are you so stupid, Theo?" Ignoring Manu, Egan stared at Theo. "Don't let him go, I want to do something for his friends."

Shit.

Theo could only gulp and couldn't answer. Egan looked at his rusty machete, then said, "You know, no one in our tribe can actually make iron objects like this. This is the loot from the tribe we raided. So are the clothes I'm wearing."

Indeed, the garment worn by the ponytailed man was not what a cave dweller would typically wear. It was a t-shirt and pants, though still crudely made. Similar to what Tosa and Reha wore when they brought Leva here.

"Sigh, you talk a lot, motherfucker." Leva provokes. "Shut your mouth and fight with me."

"I won these weapons and clothes from a fighting contest in my tribe. However, I don't really like it that much." Egan threw his machete far away, then pointed at Leva, Manu, and Pif in turn. "You you and you. Throw your weapons away, or your friend dies. We fight bare-handed to make things more interesting."

I don't know if this will benefit my colonists or not.

Despite their apparent reluctance, the three colonists threw their weapons away. Egan grinned widely, starting to massage his fists while looking at Leva. After licking his lips, the man said. "I love it when my fist hits someone, especially a woman. Their screams and cries are so sweet to my ears."

Disgusting.

I looked at Leva's face, the veins were so tense, and the eyes were so sharp. Her breathing intervals have also become wild. Please, don't be provoked and do anything reckless, Leva. That's what he wanted.

"I won't make the two of you stand by as targets for my attacks. I'll let you guys attack me first." Egan started walking forward while spreading his arms. However, having just walked a few steps, he stopped and frowned. "Wait. Where's the other woman?"

"Arrgghhhh!!!" Theo screamed in pain and subconsciously loosened his hold on Seb. An arrow suddenly pierced the attacker's back.

Excellent, Kat. You followed my plan well.

Seb immediately fled from the enemy. Theo was about to give chase, but a second arrow pierced his back, making him scream again.

"Don't kill him, Kat!" I gave an order in the girl's ear.

Yes, I want to save this man named Theo by having him join my colonists.

Kat came up to the man and twisted his arm behind his back. The girl had a little trouble holding back Theo, who kept squirming to free himself.

On the other hand, Leva and Manu had stepped forward to give Egan a combination of kicks and punches. However, Egan was able to dodge almost everything. The attacks from my two colonists did little to hit the ponytailed man. Even if an attack hits him, it doesn't seem to have any effect.

"Take your bow again dumbass!" I snapped at Pif, who was standing still in his place.

The skinny young man ran up and grabbed his bow, aiming straight for Egan. However, he couldn't shoot clearly. His two fellow colonists were still so close to the enemy. If he tried to shoot, there was a risk that Manu or Leva would be hit by the arrow.

"Well, these attacks are pretty decent." Egan chuckled, still dodging and blocking the attacks from my two colonists. "However, you two can't beat me."

Huh? Was he deliberately holding back? Did he want to toy with my colonists?

Egan punched Manu in the head so hard he fell down. Then, the lead attacker lifted Leva's body and slammed her to the ground with the back of her head landing first. The woman was immediately helpless and could only moan in pain. Egan sat on her and started beating her in the face.

Manu comes and tackles the man. The two of them rolled on the grass for a while. Until finally, Egan was on top of Manu's body. And once again, the ponytailed man beat up my colonist, this time Manu.

On the other hand, Leva tried to get up, but the woman couldn't. Her face was covered in bruises and blood, and her gesture was like that of a drunken person, making her unable to stand up straight.

This is terrible. The impact on her head must have had quite a bit of an effect.

Pif had actually shot his arrows many times. However, none of them have hit Egan yet. While his ranged attack stat was still low, his hands were shaking as well.

"Come on, Pif! You can do it!" I encouraged the young man, though not sure that my voice would reach him. This is not an order, after all.

"Dieeeeee!!!" Pif shouted while aiming for the umpteenth time.

Zap!

"Arrrgggghhh!!!" Egan groaned in pain as the arrow pierced his right arm. The man looked at the arrow in his hand, then looked at Pif, causing the skinny man to flinch.

Egan then growled and left the battered Manu. The leader of the attackers pulled the arrow out of his arm as he started walking towards Pif.

The skinny man was about to shoot again. However, when he reached for the quiver, he couldn't hold anything. He checked the arrow carrier and choked.

The quiver was empty, even though Egan was getting closer.