After that small argument, the group discussed a few things without Arnold before finally going their separate ways.

Lucas overheard Damian telling Carol just how important it was to have strong people like Arnold on the team, and that maybe she shouldn’t always respond to all of his remarks.

Although Carol didn’t seem pleased about it, she accepted the advice through her clenched teeth.

As they walked back, Lucas was tempted to ask questions, but it didn’t seem like the right time.

"Lucas, how soon can you be combat-ready?" Carol suddenly asked.

"Combat-ready?"

He figured she meant ready to fight in an actual battle.

"I haven’t really thought about that yet."

Mostly because his ability wasn’t meant for direct combat. He needed some time to understand how best to apply his ability and also test it out a few more times.

"Well, start thinking about it, because we’ll need a strong member if we’re going to get rid of Arnold."

"Why didn’t Damian just let him leave? I’m sure no one would miss him," Elena said.

"Because there’s a mission in the Bronze Rank that says to find a group and prepare for the Second Impact."

’So different ranks see different missions... I need to hurry and advance to the next rank’ Lucas thought.

Other than more skills, he realized that people with higher rank had access to certain information, the kind that would let him get ahead or prepare for incoming danger.

"So that’s why Damian insists on keeping Arnold around? Because he’s worried about a second impact?" he asked.

"Not just that. The other members don’t have a problem with Arnold. They’re even insisting that the group bend to his wishes. That old man especially."

"Then why don’t you just do it?" Lucas wondered.

Carol looked at him as though he had said something terrible, but to Lucas, it was a genuine question.

After all, Arnold wasn’t asking for much. He wanted to fight without the extra caution, but he truly didn’t need any permission to go out on his own fight.

The whole conflict didn’t make much sense to him.

"If he wants to put his life in danger, and dog it out on his own, why don’t you just let him?"

"One of his demands was that we don’t let you join because you’re too weak and would only slow us down. Sounds good, right?" she asked.

"Well, not for me. But it would end all the arguments, and you’d have a combat-ready squad."

"It wouldn’t end anything. There’s no ending arguments with Arnold. An asshole like him will always find something else to complain about. The best solution is to cut him off while we still can, and for that, I need you."

She paused before continuing.

"You can’t see the bigger picture, so I’ll explain it. The system suggested that we form groups. That means it’s a structure the system supports. In that case, groups are only going to grow larger as time goes on. Eventually, we could become a small force, and when that happens, the people who were there from the beginning will have the greatest influence."

She looked directly at him.

"Allowing someone like Arnold to hold that kind of influence in my group sounds like a disaster waiting to happen."

"What makes you so sure I’m any better?"

She shot him a glare so intense that he almost apologized on instinct.

"Just a hunch," she replied calmly, her expression softening.

A small grin appeared on her face.

"It’s nice to see that you do have some fire in you. It means I won’t regret choosing you."

Lucas didn’t know how to respond to that.

At least now he understood where Carol was coming from.

She believed he was the answer to her Arnold problem.

All he had to do was grow stronger and become combat-ready.

’Easier said than done’, he thought. ’How am I supposed to do that with my ability?’

Defeating those spiders before could easily be dismissed as luck. There was no guarantee he could pull it off again.

Back then, he had even tried to command the Queen Spider at the last minute, but there was no effect.

’Maybe it’s because my Innate Karma was too low’ he reasoned.

Then they heard it.

BOOM!

A massive explosion erupted somewhere nearby.

"Come on!" Carol shouted, already sprinting toward it.

Elena followed without hesitation.

Lucas, on the other hand, wondered why they weren’t running away from the explosion. Instead, they were heading straight toward it.

Still, he followed.

Surprisingly, he managed to keep up.

’Or maybe they’re slowing down for me...’

That certainly seemed true for Carol, but Elena was clearly putting in effort.

’Her Agility can’t be much higher than Level 5, he guessed. ’Then what about Carol?’

He could only wonder.

When they reached the intersection, they found Arnold locked in battle with a black horse whose mouth leaked streams of fire.

He was covered in bruises and barely able to stay on his feet.

He raised his shield as the horse charged.

The beast reared onto its hind legs before crashing down with tremendous force.

Even with his shield raised, the impact knocked Arnold to the ground.

He barely managed to roll away before the horse stomped down again, trying to crush his skull.

[Defend yourself against the Hell-fire Mare]

"Shit! He actually challenged a boss monster by himself," Carol cursed.

At that moment, the rest of the group arrived from another street.

"Don’t just stand there!" the old man shouted as he drew his sword and charged.

His blade carved a wide arc across the monster’s side.

Sparks flew.

The horse didn’t even flinch.

A powerful back kick sent the old man crashing into a wall.

Damian moved next, green flames burning around his fists.

He landed several clean strikes to the monster’s face, but the attacks barely seemed to register.

The Hellfire Mare opened its mouth.

A blast of fire exploded outward, sending Damian flying.

Carol seized the opportunity.

She dashed in, grabbed Arnold, and pulled him back to Elena.

"Fix him up quickly," she ordered before launching herself back into the fight.