Reborn: Earth Online-Chapter 97 98: That’s not a bad sword

Rafael nodded once, his expression unreadable. "You mistake my intentions. I can fight you, but I don't want to fight you. Too much blood has been spilled in this new world. We should not be fighting each other, we should be cooperating to survive in this new world."

Kaden smiled and stood as he had already activated the challenge by standing within the radius of influence of the settlement core. He dropped the huge, makeshift beast leather bag he had carried over here.

Several beast bodies tumbled out, their blood staining the ground as they landed in a heap. Some of the corpses still sizzled with residual heat from the volcanic region, their scales cracked from exposure to extreme temperatures.

The gathered men tensed instinctively, their hands tightening around their weapons. The sheer number of beasts Kaden had slain was enough to make even the bravest one weak in his knees.

Some of the creatures weren't ones they had even seen before—massive, charred reptiles with obsidian-like skin, molten crabs fused with rock, and a few that looked like nothing short of monsters.

Kaden dusted his hands off and tilted his head slightly, eyes locked onto Rafael. "You say we should cooperate?" He gestured lazily to the pile of bodies at his feet. "Then tell me, Savior, what exactly have you done while I was gone? How many creatures have you killed? How much have you actually contributed to keeping these people alive?"

Rafael remained still, but his jaw clenched slightly. "The settlement needed structure. It needed order. I provided that."

Kaden clicked his tongue, his smirk widening. "Order is nice. Rules are nice. But rules won't keep people alive in a world that's actively trying to kill them." He took a step closer, and for the first time since he had arrived, the men around Rafael took a step back.

Kaden's gaze sharpened. "You might've played leader while I was gone, but let's be real here. If you were truly strong enough to own this settlement, I wouldn't be standing here right now."

"I do not question your strength," Rafael said evenly. "But strength alone does not make a leader."

Kaden let out a sharp laugh. "And what exactly does, Rafael? A title? A speech about unity?" He gestured toward the settlement core. "This thing doesn't give leadership to the most likable guy in the room. It recognizes power. It recognizes dominance. That's the only language this world understands now."

Rafael exhaled through his nose. "You're saying we should let chaos reign."

"I'm saying," Kaden said, taking another step forward, "that without me, this place wouldn't exist. Without me, you wouldn't even have the luxury of challenging me for leadership."

Some of the warriors who had surrounded Kaden looked uncertain now, some exchanging uneasy glances, others gripping their weapons a little too tightly.

Kaden didn't need to look at them to know. The doubt was already creeping in. This was why he had entertained this moron until now.

Then, Rafael did something Kaden hadn't expected.

He sighed, his expression shifting slightly. "I don't want to fight you," he said again. "But I will, if that's what it takes."

Kaden arched a brow. "You really think you can win?"

Rafael didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached behind him—and with a single, smooth motion, he unsheathed his sword.

The blade gleamed under the fading sunlight. It was well-crafted, reinforced with runes that faintly pulsed with magic.

"That's not a bad sword." Kaden whistled. Now he knew why this bastard was being so cocky.

"The sword doesn't matter. The man who weilds it does." Rafael said simply.

Kaden stared at him for a moment. Then he grinned. "Man, do you piss me off. Alright. I am done with this shit show now. Let's get this over with." The system prompt hadn't appeared yet, but he did not care. He did not have the patience for this anymore.

"Nature's Grasp." He mouthed slowly, and the ground under Rafael started to crack. Thorny roots and vines burst out, and before the man could make a move, they lashed around his legs, binding him in place.

Kaden's smirk widened. "You talk a big game, Rafael. But that's all it is, talk."

Rafael gritted his teeth, his arms flexing as he fought against the restraints. His runed sword glowed faintly, reacting to his intent. With a grunt, he swung it downward, slicing through the vines and freeing himself in a panic.

"Oh, good. You know how to use the sword. By the way, I am very curious. Where did you get that sword? Good things never come alone, you know. There might be more than just the sword." Kaden was not lying.

He too had obtained a staff from a kobold mage, but that was trash when compared to this sword. This was a genuine, rune-inscribed sword. It had to be at least a D-Rank rare grade sword.

Rafael's confident appearance finally started to change. His eyes widened in shock as he saw how casually Kaden was dealing with him. "I can share many things with you. We do not have to be enemies. I know many secrets. We can be partners together." He tried to negotiate again. "You talk to him, Niera. I have treated you well. Tell him what is the correct path here."

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Kaden's gaze finally shifted to the woman. While Rafael struggled to free himself from yet another cast of Nature's Grasp, Niera trembled nervously.

"Mr. Kaden, let me explain."

Kaden shook his head. "You don't have to. You can simply come to my side and stand." To Rafael's shock, she nodded with a grateful smile and did just that.

"What are you doing? You are a traitor!" The man shouted in anger.

Niera shook her head. "I am not a traitor. I know what Mr. Kaden needed, and I simply acted to his benefit. I did my duty as the manager. I did not let anyone die, and I did not allow the total population to decrease." She looked at Kaden as she spoke, hoping that he would understand.