God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

Galip gritted his teeth, "Oi, Cain! What the hell do you think you are doing?!"

Even Floki who had remained calm all this while finally snapped,

"Trying to steal our men from user our noses like this has to be crossing some lines, or don't you agree?"

The faces of the two beastmen showed that they were anything but pleased. However, they didn't get the reaction they were expecting from Cain.

Turning to face them, a dark flame burned in the depths of Cain's eyes. He spoke with a frigid coldness that froze the blood flowing in those who heard his voice,

"Let's forget the fact that you both once attempted to use the lives of these men as discardable cards to play with... I'll ask you a question now. If you fail to give me a satisfactory answer, I'll kill you both."

Floki, Galip, and the beastmen we're all too stunned to say anything. Although the regular beastmen resented Floki and Galip for trying to use them as bait, they had concluded that they wouldn't be able to do anything against them, as the difference in strength was just too much.

However, things became very different when Cain was added to the mix...

Floki grimaced, "This... What question do you have for us?"

Although he didn't want to admit it, Floki knew he was scared of Cain. Because he had never faced any Devils before, he didn't know that the aura Cain gave off was very similar to that of a Devil. And not just any ordinary Devil...

Cain glared at him, "Do you own their lives?"

Silence...

It was truly a question that couldn't be answered. On one hand, if they answered with a yes, that would be the peak of arrogance that would make even the cowardly beastmen speak up at the unfairness. After all, that would mean that Floki and Galip saw them as slaves because they were stronger.

However, if their answer was no, then that would mean they were opening these beastmen to a choice...

A choice that would more likely than not end with them being removed from their defacto positions as the head of the beastman company.

Galip gritted his teeth as he glared daggers at Cain,

"What does that even matter, huh? Why ask stupid questions like that? What's it to you?! You just show up out of nowhere and decide to ruin things, huh?! Who gave you the freaking balls to pull these stupid stunts?"

Perhaps it was because the power had gotten to his head...

Before the apocalypse, Galip had been like any normal human. He had worked as a clerk at the school. Although he had learned a bit of martial arts, so had a majority of people since martial arts training was looked at as a normal exercise, although it was much more popular.

His skills were also below average...

But when he had been shown the path to attaining an ungodly amount of power, his soul had already been sold.

Power corrupts...

A phrase that had origins buried in the annals of time was best used to describe Galip's position.

When Cain arrived to rescue Hunter, his existence had been completely overlooked by the arrogant Galip. Once Cain had shown what he was capable of, the cowardly clerk who had managed to hide under so many layers had finally peeked his head out.

Cain looked at him coldly, "Is that your answer?"

Seeing that things were taking a bad turn, Floki sighed and spoke in his signature baritone,

"Of course, we don't own anybody. It's just that we have risked life and limb to keep these good men alive all this while. We protected them during the escape from Stingè. We even fought to protect them during the recent battle. I think you know what I mean..."

It was true that Floki and Galip had taken on a lot of burden for the group of beastmen. They had also participated in the battle against Stingè and his {Blood Abomination} army

Cain sneered, "What's all this unnecessary beating around the bush for? If that's all you are going to say, you should have made it more brief..."

Cain then turned to the company of beastmen,

"As you can see, these two men, regardless of what they have done for you in the past, do not own your lives. Only you... you are the sole owners of your lives. As such, you can make a choice today."

Cain's glare became serious as he swept his gaze across the beastmen,

"Choose to become cannon fodder, or choose how you want to live and die."

Everyone was speechless...

On the outside, Hunter had an unreadable expression on his face, but on the inside, his brain trembled with shock,

'This is... something else. I didn't know he had it in him.'

Hunter had always seen Cain as more of the adventurous, power-hungry type. Although he acknowledged his intelligence he had no idea he was skilled in manipulating human emotions so...

His eyes narrowed, and his lips stretched to reveal a pearly white fang,

'If he can convince them, then there will be no longer any valid reason for me to doubt his skills...'

Suddenly, someone stepped out of the crowd of beastmen. It was Jutè, the man who assisted Hunter in managing his own camp of beastmen.

He had a grave look on his face, but he spoke up loud and clear,

"I want to determine how I live and die."

Although Jutè had access to the system, he was much weaker than Hunter, Cain, and the others for various reasons, one being that he wasn't as lucky when it came to facing mutant and aether beasts.

He had also been one of those serious, workaholic types who didn't have time for engaging in anything outside of work. Although robots and machines made doing work far easier, Jutè was one of the few people who preferred getting his work done mostly through his efforts.

As such, he didn't have any interest in learning martial arts and how to fight. As such, he had an innate disadvantage to those who could use a sword when they saw it.

Although he wasn't as naive as he had been back when the apocalypse had begun, the gap between the strong and the weak continued to increase.

He also desired power...

"I'd like to determine how I live and die as well."

Another member of Hunter's camp stepped forward. Shockingly, a man with a thick, serpentine tail behind him walked forward whilst glaring at Galip,

"I'd also like to determine how I live and die."

One by one, the beastmen walked forward until every single one of them stood before Cain, chanting the words,

"Live and Die..."

"Live and Die..."

"Live and Die..."

Cain smiled calmly, however, In his mind, he let out a sigh,

'So easy?' He never imagined it would be so easy to convince these beastmen.

Then he turned to Floki and Galip with a smug expression,

"See? They've made their choices."

"I'm going for a walk..." Galip muttered under his breath before disappearing out of sight.

Floki stared deeply at Cain for a few seconds. His blue eyes burned like a magnificent blue flame. However, compared to the darkness burning in Cain's soul, he was no match at all.

Without saying any other thing, he turned around and walked through the group of beastmen who split like the sea as they watched him leave.

With the two beastmen gone, Cain finally had time to get into the details of his plans with the beastmen.

Surrounded from all sides now, Cain began,

"What I want to introduce to you all, is called Ki Plundering..."

***

After explaining what Ki was, as well as what Ki Plundering Techniques could potentially do, Cain told Hunter and the rest of their group his plan.

"That... isn't a bad idea. Really..." Susan said with a strange expression on her face.

Jenny smiled, "That's impressive, Cain. This way, they will no longer be burdens, but assets."

Ignis snorted, "Trash is still trash at the end of the day..."

Cain smiled, "Although Ki Plundering Techniques aren't cheap, it is a worthwhile investment."

Hunter nodded, "The real issue now is getting our hands on really good Ki Plundering Techniques."

"We can ask the system. According to what I know, Ki Plundering Techniques are subdivided into three main groups." Jenny said.

Cain was intrigued, "Oh?"

Clearing her throat, Jenny explained further,

"Sensory-type Ki Plundering, Weapon-type Ki Plundering, and Body-type Ki Plundering. Their names should be self-explanatory."

Cain nodded. Shifting in his seat, he spoke decisively,

"It's decided, then... We'll get one of all three types for now. We can get more once we have more system points."

Susan nodded, "That doesn't seem bad."

Then, she shot a glare at Cain,

"You aren't going to buy them yourself."

Cain who was smiling had the smile frozen onto his face,

"W-what? But I have a lot of system points."

Susan shrugged, "We will cover the expenses for the Ki Plundering Techniques. You can use your system points to get new armor, or weapons, or something..."

Cain frowned, "But the system doesn't give good stuff."

Jenny chuckled, "That is only if you shop in the general store. Have you truly never asked the system to show you the specialty items?"

Cain was beyond confused, "Specialty?"

Susan clapped, "In any way, all this can wait. I think we should set out now. They can learn the Ki Plundering Technique along the way."

Once the meeting was over, Jenny and Susan coordinated with one another to get the beastmen ready for travel.

Once all preparations were completed, they set off. Despite their obvious reluctance, Floki and Galip came along as well. It was obvious they were not mentally or physically capable of facing the dangers of the fragmented lands on their own...

***

A/N: Special Mass release of chapters incoming!!!! Just like last month, special chapters will be released till the end of the month. If we can meet the goal by the end of the month, I plan to release an extra chapter every day for the first ten days.

Conditions: GIFTS!

Yes, people... Your gifts and active use of coins motivate me to write more and more of this book I'll seem to enjoy so much. So... Here's how we are gonna do it

Gifts worth 1000 coins: 3 extra chapters.

Gifts worth 2000 coins: 6 extra chapters.

Gifts worth 5000 coins: 15 extra chapters.

I really appreciate the continuous support. From the bottom of my heart. These gifts go a long way. Cheers!

P.S: Gifts higher than 5000 will also be factored in depending on if I have the time or not. For gifts below 1000, I'll try to sum up collective gifts to make it up. If it doesn't reach the mark, I'll still release an extra chapter by the end of the month.