Ever since Barcus stepped foot into the First Settlent, he couldn't help but be engrossed in the culture and lifestyle that Reborn had brought into this territory.
He loved the bath houses, he loved the very welcoming and accommodating Rebornians who helped him without any complaints or expectations of rewards, and he loved that people were enjoying and playing board gas together in one room.
It was the kind of camaraderie and friendship between people that he had never seen before.
And even though he had never visited other Reborn territories, it was easy to guess that it probably had the sa vibe and culture as the First Settlent. In fact, from the stories he heard, it seed that those territories were much better than he could have ever thought possible.
He realized that what Reborn brought was sothing precious. It could not be replicated by him or anyone else even if he tried.
However, he just couldn't help but feel that it was a waste.
It was clear that Michael and the Reborn company were planning on expanding their market reach and their territories all the way into the Queens region.
But Barcus couldn't help but think that this was a mistake.
Why couldn't Reborn just stay in this territory and protect what they already have?
In his mind, he couldn't help but think of the inevitable future when the Reborn company eventually butts head with the infamous Flarecorp group that had just recently conquered Batchrock Town.
If they stopped advancing today, then they could have maybe one or two years of peace and prosperity before Flarecorp tries to invade Angora City. At least by then, they could have created so kind of defensive structure to try and withstand their onslaught.
But by continuing to advance in the Queens region, Michael would only et Flarecorp a lot sooner than expected.
Barcus just couldn't understand it. The Reborn company had a lot of potential from what he could see. He couldn't just stand still and watch it fall onto an endless abyss.
"Ever since the possibility of Flarecorp invading the Grafted Cluster ca about, I have been reading and trying to find out more about them. And what I saw terrified," Barcus said.
"They are fearless and relentless in their pursuit. They will not stop until they get what they want.
If they conquer a territory, they will impose an iron rule. If the governnt opposes them, then that governnt will be gone. If a Duke or a Royal goes against their wishes, then they are disposed of. If a company is threatening their total domination, then that company is ripped apart. And if the citizens themselves are defying them…"
Barcus' words trailed off.
"Their army is built out of thousands of soldiers who go through hellish training from their youth. They have equipnt that would make adventurers go green with envy. Even their top officers are known to be masters of their own weapons!
And at the very top of the chain of command is a man from a very powerful family. He is a direct heir of the Oscrope conglorate and he is using Flarecorp as a way to try and compete to beco the main successor of Flarecorp. And it's working. He's slowly going up the line."
Barcus beca more and more disheveled as he spat out the words in his mind.
"Aren't you afraid?" he asked Michael.
But after all those terrifying words of warning, Michael just smiled.
"I want to build a world of comfort," he answered. "I know that I can make a change. Real change. And there is nothing here in this world that can or will stop ."
Barcus looked at the twelve-year-old child and saw a sense of boundless confidence in his eyes. It was pure. He could see that Michael truly believed the words that he said. He ant it with the true fullness of his heart.
And for so reason, Barcus started to believe him. He didn't know why he got this feeling, but sohow, he started to have faith in Michael.
"Hahaha! That's right, Bro Mike! Tell him!" Zion cheered. "I'll punch those Blair borps until their noses bleed silly."
"Hohoho…I don't know how many tis I have seen armies greater than Flarecorp tumble and die because of one single man. Maybe a lot, maybe a little, I don't know because I don't rember hohohoho!" Grieve laughed out loud, with his hoodie falling backwards and letting Barcus see his true appearance.
"A SKELETON?!" Barcus scread out.
"Hohoho, yes, indeed. I am just a lowly skeleton. But I can agree with young 'un Zion here. Flarecorp is no problem, hohoho!"
Fudge couldn't help it anymore and jumped onto the table, flipping the cards face-side up and toppling everyone's chips.
"Hah! Should I have my shadows kill that Flarecorp guy right now so that we can finally play the ga?!"
anwhile, Barcus couldn't help but stare at everyone as if they were all crazy! They were treating Flarecorp as nothing more than a second-rate company!
He couldn't understand where they got all this confidence from.
"They have a whole army, you know? And their officers are the equivalents of high-tiered Knights!" Barcus shouted.
"Don't worry, we have this guy!" Zion said, pointing at the evolved Red HobMankey sitting ekly at their table.
This particular Red HobMankey was one of the Mankeys that Michael recruited from Angora City. He previously worked for the Knights as a janitor, but after his awakening, beca the current leader of a platoon in the Reborn army.
Under Grieve's tutelage, the Red HobMankeys were constantly going through hellish training and practice just to beco competent soldiers in the undead general's eyes.
Of course, Michael implented modern health and training techniques such as proper protein intakes, proper sleep and recovery, and also progressive overload of work intensity to maximize their growth.
Although the Red HobMankeys didn't have a chance against the Dragonborns individually, they would definitely put up a fighting chance against them while in a group.
Even just ten of the Red HobMankeys served as proper sparring partners of Zion. They were so good that Zion ended up inviting the platoon leader to co play poker with him, which was why he was here right now.
"We're still improving, but we will do our best," the Red Mankey answered.
Michael turned to Barcus. "As you can see, we're ready for a fight."
Barcus was still reeling from the shock at their indifference, but chose not to question it any further.
"Now, let's play poker!" Fudge shouted.
And soon, the group restarted the ga, with a fresh new set of playing cards.
Right now, there was a stand-off against Michael, Zion and the Red HobMankey.
All three of them were betting all of their chips for this final turn of the cards.
It was clear that they all thought that they had the best hand in play, so much so that they were willing to bet everything they had and more.
"Bro Mike! I'll bet 10 hours of washing dishes!" Zion shouted to his opponents.
"Umm…I'll do the sa…" whispered the Red Mankey.
Michael smiled at his two opponents. "Fine. I'll bet a single customized skill for this hand!"
All the Rebornians, whether they were playing snakes and ladders, scrabble, or chess, turned towards Michael once he said those words.
He was offering a free skill!
anwhile, Barcus looked around, confused as to why everyone acted so seriously all of a sudden.
"Skill?"
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