Anna had regained consciousness by the time Ashton reached the exit. Ashton filled her in on everything that happened while she was out. Except for the part where 'death' had become one with him.
Ashton was already tensed about it; there was no reason to make Anna worry about it.
"What about the staff? Where is it?" Anna's voice was still a bit weaker than before.
"Since you were busy snoring, I asked Sven to take it with him." Ashton playfully replied, "Once I get it checked out by Vulcan and he gives his clearance, then you can have it."
"Bummer, I was pretty excited about a new weapon-"
Their conversation was interrupted by a stray gunshot. The weapon was so poorly aimed neither of the two had to try to dodge it. However, a bullet was still a bullet.
As Ashton looked up, he realised Kern was standing there along with a handful of Gold Water mercs. They didn't speak a word, but it was clear they had no good intentions after ambushing Ashton.
"I was wondering when you would show up." Kern mocked them, "Since you are here now, why don't you hand the artefact over to us and get it over with?"
Ashton could help but laugh at Kern's suggestion. Even then, he thought it would be funny to let the fool think he was in control of the situation.
"Why the hell are you here?"
"It doesn't matter, does it?" Kern laughed, as did the rest of his troops, "What matters is how much pain you and your lover want to endure before handing over the artefact to me."
Well, Ashton was already aware of what had happened.
On their way out, Ashton noticed the corpses of a few people dressed in Gold Water colours. Since it hadn't been long since their death, it was easy to determine those people were the comrades of the one who transformed into Draconian.
Most likely, these people entered the cave after him and got trapped inside. Some of them decided to try and clear the dungeon, while a couple stayed back.
The barrier covering the exit was destroyed the moment Anna defeated the lich. Using this opportunity, those who stayed around the portal might have rushed to contact Kern for help.
[Well, I would assume the lad wants to die badly. Maybe it's time you grant him his final wish.]
'Maybe I will.'
That said, one thing had been bothering Ashton for a while now. Kern was acting oddly confident for someone with his tail between his legs till now. It was almost as if he knew something Ashton did not.
'Ah, I see.'
The contract the two parties had signed required them to cooperate until the beasts were repelled by Ashton. Since the beasts were no longer attacking the city, their contract was void.
Still, attacking a former employer was questionable, and no matter what explanation they gave to the association, they will be viewed in a negative light. Kern could even have his mercenary license revoked.
All things considered, there could be only one reason why Kern was willing to risk it all: The Staff of Eden.
However, that contractual flaw works in both ways. Meaning Ashton was free to kill Kern just as much as the other way around. Moreover, since he had already built quite a reputation, Ashton didn't fear being ostracised by the association. pan(da-n0vel.c)om
"Let me see," Ashton mumbled while counting Kern and his soldiers, "Twenty-seven against two; that's not fair."
"Hmph, at least you know your place-"
"Not fair for you," Ashton said before launching himself at Kern and his men.
One roundhouse kick later, Kern was sent flying into his men. Before anyone of them could balance themselves, Ashton punched the ground, causing tremors and knocking them on their backs.
"Like I said, not fair for you," Ashton said while cracking his knuckles, "This will be your only warning. Stand down. Your numbers mean nothing to me."
While the rest of the soldiers looked defeated and did not want to die, Kern was unwilling to give up. In his eyes, getting his hand on the artefact was more important than death.
Back to his feet, Kern charged at Ashton. He threw a roundhouse punch at the latter, but Ashton effortlessly grabbed his hand before throwing Kern back amongst his comrades.
Frustration was at an all-time high in Kern's mind. He was so close to his goal and yet so far away. If only he could get the staff, all of his troubles would vanish. After all, the Metal Sharks were quite generous regarding such things.
Regardless, Ashton was standing before him like an impregnable wall.
"How can you be so strong!?" Kern yelled in frustration, "You're merely a C-grader! You shouldn't be able to last against an A-grader like me!"
"An A-grader, you say?"
Suddenly a thought entered Ashton's mind. Having an A-grade servant felt like a good idea. Moreover, it would also solve the feud between him and the Gold Water mercenaries with minimal violence.
"To be honest, I don't know what artefact you are talking about." Ashton mumbled, "Since you attacked me, I thought I'd play with you for a bit. But seeing you all serious and shit, I'd rather not."
"What scheme are you cooking up now?"
Kern was rightfully being cautious of Ashton's words. After all, everyone had seen what he did to Nico after luring him in with sweet talk.
"Not a scheme, but an exchange." Ashton shrugged, "I'm willing to give you the dungeon reward since I don't have any use for it, but not for free."
"Reaper, what are you-" Anna tried interrupting, but Ashton winked at her, gesturing her to go with the plan, "Even if we don't know what it can do, it should be pretty expensive considering how difficult it was to clear the dungeon."
"You heard the lady," Ashton shrugged, "What do you say? If you, all of you, give me all of your money and a piece of equipment, I'll be willing to part from the reward. Of course, this is the only way you'll ever get this so-called artefact from me."
While the rest stared at each other in confusion, Kern did not waste any time and transferred all of his money into Ashton's account.
"The fuck are you fools waiting for!?" He barked at the troops, "Give him your money and equipment now!"
'Cha-ching!'