Close Combat Mage

Chapter 275 - Peak Battle Part 1

Following the guard’s lead, Suo Jia and Nicole finally met Picolo. Although he was already over 40 years old, he only looked around 30 years old because he had trained for so long.

His body was exceptionally healthy and sturdy, and it could be said that he had a tough and stocky build. His arms alone could already rival Suo Jia’s thighs. His whole body was bursting with muscles. It was clear to see that he was an extremely mighty person.

The host and guests all sat down. Suo Jia hesitated for a bit, before getting right to the point as he said, “Mister Picolo, I came here today to invite you to become our companion and go experience the Greater Trade Routes. I wonder if Mister Picolo…”

Picolo was taken aback first, but he then coolly and calmly picked up the teacup in front of him to take a slow sip. After placing the cup back down, he smiled at Suo Jia and said, “The Greater Trade Routes? I’d definitely go, but…it wouldn’t be now, or with you two.”

Picolo swept a glance over Suo Jia and pursed his lips. “Young friend, I greatly admire your courage. But as a person, you must be able to assess your own capabilities. I believe it’s best that you train for a few dozen more years before reconsidering visiting the Greater Trade Routes.”

“Mmm. What…does that mean Mister Picolo doubts my strength?” Suo Jia couldn’t help but say.

“No, no, no…” Picolo hurriedly waved his hands and laughed, “I didn’t mean that. In reality, I’ve already been invited by countless groups to join them. But I believe that my own strength still isn’t enough; I’m not yet qualified to advance down the Greater Trade Routes.”

Suo Jia gazed deeply at Picolo and said, “You’re already the champion, yet you still don’t have enough confidence? If you don’t have the qualifications to, then who in the world would?”

“That…” After stuttering for a bit, Picolo bitterly smiled and replied, “Of course I can go now. But…I don’t think you guys are suitable to be my companions. I’m sure you understand what I mean.”

“Oh.” Suo Jia nodded. He knew that no matter how much it was sugarcoated, Picolo simply thought their levels were too low in the end. Even if they did go to the Greater Trade Routes, he’d have to find some stronger companions.

Suo Jia couldn’t stay any longer. He smiled as he stood up and said, “Alright. In that case, I won’t keep trying to force Mister Picolo.” Suo Jia shot Nicole a glance, then stood up to leave. Picolo didn’t bother trying to hold him back.

After leaving Picolo’s residence, Nicole asked in confusion, “Suo Jia, I don’t really understand. I feel like you’re not someone that gives up easily. If you had a proper conversation with him, and had given some more money or briefly displayed our strength, he might’ve agreed. Is that not so?”

Suo Jia pursed his lips in disdain and said, “It looks like you still don’t get why I left. Let me ask you, what’s the most important characteristic a warrior must have?”

Nicole looked at Suo Jia and said curiously, “Is that even a question? Of course it’s courage. Without courage, one couldn’t possibly qualify as a warrior.”

“That’s right…” Suo Jia nodded in agreement, and stated in contempt, “The current problem is that Picolo is lacking in precisely that. Think about it, even you and I dare to go on the Greater Trade Routes, but he’s already over 40 years old and still so cowardly. It’s fine if we don’t have this kind of companion.”

“Ah!” Nicole cried out in astonishment, “Now that you mention it, that’s true. His courage does seem to be a bit lacking; he’s too afraid of dying. No matter how strong a person is, it won’t be of any use if they can’t summon it during critical moments. There’s no ‘strongest’ on the Greater Trade Routes, only ‘stronger’. Nobody is unrivaled. Any person could experience a life or death situation at any moment.”

“Mhmm…” Suo Jia nodded and continued, “Think about it. The reason he turned us down was because we were too weak. In other words, regardless of what group he joins, he plans to rely on others, not be the one relied on. This kind of group member would become an outstanding figure when encountering some minor catch, but they can’t do anything when they encounter a true expert.”

“Mmmm…” Nicole furiously nodded and firmly declared, “You’re right, you can’t be any more correct. We wouldn’t want to accept that kind of person as our companion anyways. If one wants to join us, they must first be unafraid of death. Otherwise, they aren’t qualified.”

“Thump…thump…” Just as the two were discussing this, the clear sound of footsteps rang out from in front of them. When they looked up in surprise, they saw a tall and upright figure currently turning around the corner and heading towards them.

“It’s him.” When Suo Jia saw the figure with seven weapons on his back, he couldn’t contain his low cry of astonishment.

Suo Jia and Nicole watched as that upright body lowered its head slightly, and brushed past Nicole and Suo Jia once more. For a moment, they both seemed to have forgotten to move, and they simply stared blankly at that strange person.

The strange person carrying seven weapons on his back walked up to the entrance of Picolo’s home, and lightly knocked the door. Afterwards…he closed his eyes and quietly waited at the door.

Soon afterwards, the same guard as before rushed over and welcomed that strange person in. Seeing this, Nicole couldn’t help but clap her hands and laugh out loud, “How about it? I was right after all. That guy definitely heard the other party was the champion that had earned a great amount of gold, and so he came here to sell weapons.”

Suo Jia’s expression remained solemn. After some hesitation, he firmly stated, “Nicole, go back with me now. That guy isn’t there to sell weapons. Although he purposely hid it, I can sense from his body that he has the intent to fight.”

Nicole stared at Suo Jia in disbelief and said, “How is that possible? He doesn’t have any hint of battle qi or magic power. Why would he challenge the champion? That’s too ridiculous…”

Suo Jia shook his head and said in a low voice, “Whether it’s funny or not, we’ll know as soon as we go back and look. From the first glance, I felt that this person wasn’t simple. It looks like…my feeling was correct.”

Suo Jia suddenly turned around and rushed back to Picolo’s residence at full speed. Seeing this, Nicole reluctantly followed him. The two of them hid their tracks, and jumped over the walls to re-enter Picolo’s courtyard.

Since they’d already come before, the two of them already knew what the layout of Picolo’s home was like. After entering the courtyard one by one in their concealed states, they peeked into the house through a crack in the rock garden.

There was a vast training ground in the large courtyard. At the moment…Picolo was facing the strange person carrying seven weapons with a relaxed expression on his face.

After standing in silence for a long time, Picolo shot a lazy glance at the strange person and said, “Young man, although I admire your bravery, it isn’t wise to be over confident. At the moment, you still aren’t my rival. It’s best if you just leave now.”

Faced with Picolo’s taunting, the strange person carrying seven weapons slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out a fire-red wristguard. “I’ll bet this wristguard from the Legendary ranked Fire Dragon equipment set. If you beat me, it’s yours.”

Picolo looked at the fire-red wristguard and his eyes lit up. He sharply gasped and trembled, “You…you’re really betting that? You’d better not regret it.”

The strange person lowered his head, his long black hair covering his eyes. The corners of his mouth lifted to show a trace of a dark smile and he replied softly, “There’s no way I’d regret it. As long as you don’t, everything’s OK. Come…let me taste the strength of Banja’s greatest.”