My System Just Exploded, And You Ask Me to Become a God?-Chapter 46 --Ran Into Someone

"It’s nothing, just wandering around,"

Joad’s response left them all rather stunned.

The middle-aged man raised an eyebrow, a trace of disdain flashing across his face, but he didn’t speak.

The young man beside him, however, snorted coldly and warned with a sharp tone,

"Kid, I don’t like your attitude. When we ask you something, just answer properly. Got it?"

"So, are you blaming me?"

Joad shot back without hesitation. The young man’s face darkened at his words.

"Are you trying to provoke me?"

Joad shrugged, looking completely indifferent.

"You’re full of yourself."

There was no one else around. A mere tier-2 junior archmage was hardly worth mentioning.

But Joad’s answer immediately filled the young man’s face with rage.

"Damn it, do you even know who I am? I suggest you recognize the situation and watch your tone, or else—"

Hmm?

Joad glanced at the boy,

when suddenly the girl beside them spoke out sharply,

"Jake! Who taught you to be so rude?"

After being scolded, the boy named Jake just snorted and turned his head away, saying nothing more.

At that moment, the middle-aged man also opened his mouth.

"Young man, I suggest you not be so arrogant. Remember, there’s always someone stronger out there."

"You have no idea who you’re talking to, and yet you dare speak like that!"

Joad furrowed his brow and glanced at both the man and Jake.

The girl, clearly dissatisfied with the two, took a moment to organize her thoughts before speaking slowly,

"Hello, we’ve just arrived here too, so we’re unfamiliar with the area. We were hoping to ask you a few questions."

A flicker of surprise flashed across Joad’s face. They were clearly traveling together—why was the girl so polite and actually likeable?

"Ask away,"

Joad replied, pleased with her attitude and not at all opposed to helping out.

The girl hesitated slightly, then said,

"It’s actually a bit strange. We came here looking for magical beasts, but after walking for so long, we haven’t seen a single one."

"What do you want magical beasts for?"

"To be honest," the girl replied, "this junior student of ours has never left the academy. So we came out hoping to find him a magical beast to gain some real-world experience."

Jake, impatient, interrupted,

"Senior, there’s no need to waste so many words. Every sentence you say to someone like him is a blessing he doesn’t deserve."

"Oh really? Then why are you even asking me?"

The middle-aged man instantly flew into a rage. He stepped forward and shouted harshly,

"Boy, do you even know your place? How dare you speak to us like that? Are you tired of living?"

A surge of aura burst forth—clearly the power of an archmage.

Joad frowned and stepped forward, but the pressure suddenly vanished. The girl had stepped between them and was now glaring at the two men.

"Is bullying people your only skill?"

"Relying on your power to intimidate others—what exactly do you think you’re doing?"

Her expression was grim as she scolded the archmage, and, surprisingly, the man didn’t argue back.

The girl turned to Joad and gave him an apologetic smile.

"I’m sorry, my friend. I apologize on their behalf."

Though Jake’s face was filled with displeasure, he didn’t say anything else for now.

Joad glanced at the girl with interest and asked,

"Where are you all from?"

"We’re from the Pyrothian Kingdom, currently studying at Pyrothian Royal Academy."

Her tone was calm and composed.

Joad’s face revealed a hint of surprise.

Why does it seem like I keep running into people from the Pyrothian Kingdom? What kind of weird karma is this?

Jake saw Joad’s expression and grew even more scornful.

"Now you realize how foolish you were, huh? You dared to offend people like us!"

The middle-aged man sneered as well. He had seen too many arrogant nobodies like Joad—

Always acting high and mighty, but the moment they hear the name Pyrothian Kingdom, they grovel like pathetic bootlickers. Truly disgusting.

But Joad only frowned. Before he could respond, the girl shot a glare at her companions, then turned and asked:

"My friend, have you seen any magical beasts around?"

"Lately, a terrifying magical beast has appeared. Because of that, all the others have fled."

"So there really aren’t any magical beasts around?"

The girl looked surprised.

Joad glanced at her and replied seriously,

"Not exactly. I saw one earlier, but it was incredibly strong. I suggest you don’t go after it—you won’t stand a chance."

"With your backwater ignorance, who do you think you’re looking down on?"

Jake sneered with mockery.

Joad didn’t bother responding.

Even the girl was starting to grow annoyed with the way they were acting.

Once the atmosphere eased a little, the girl smiled and asked,

"My friend, could you tell us where the magical beast is? Don’t worry—we’ll be fine."

"You really shouldn’t go. You’re just not strong enough."

Jake’s eyes widened at that, fury all over his face.

"You bastard, who are you saying isn’t strong enough?"

"I mean all of you," Joad replied flatly.

"You idiot! Do you even understand anything? Do you know how powerful the Pyrothian Kingdom is? It’s just a magical beast—how strong could it be? In front of our mentor, it would be like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered!"

Even the girl frowned at that.

Jake’s words were arrogant and unpleasant,

but not entirely wrong.

In a backwater place like this,

there really shouldn’t be anything that could trouble them—let alone a mere magical beast.

"If you insist on going, suit yourselves. But you’re really not strong enough."

Joad pointed toward the direction he’d come from.

The more he warned them, the more dismissive they became.

Only the girl looked back and offered a polite apology.

Jake, on the other hand, smirked with disdain and said coldly,

"You got lucky this time, kid. But you’ve already pissed me off, so I’d suggest you start running now."

"Once we’ve taken care of that damn magical beast, I’ll be coming back for you. If you’re still here, don’t blame me for being ruthless."

"Spare me the pointless threats. If you manage to survive the beast, that’ll already be a miracle,"

Joad replied with a grin, completely unfazed by the provocation.