Cough!
But King's fury was choked off by a crimson tide, his anger dissolving into a cough of blood. His strength ebbed away, and his body was like a fragile thread poised to snap.
King begrudged the truth, but the battle's toll had drained him dry, leaving him with crippling internal wounds. He needed hours, maybe more, just to regain enough strength to stand again.
"Don't push yourself, my friend," Jax said, his voice lipped with concern. After a moment, he shifted to a teasing tone and added, "Forgot already? You've got beaten up by that mermaid so pathetically that I almost thought you're going to die." He paused for a beat before adding with a smirk, "Thanks to me, your best friend, you're alive."
"..." King's lips parted, but it twitched in a way he couldn't utter another word any longer. His hands trembled violently as if itching to do something. But knowing that his health was on the line here, he swallowed hard and took a very deep breath.
He must endure it if he wanted to live!
That aside, Jax's words weren't baseless. Annoying as it was, they sliced from hard truth. And King knew it painfully well.
However, Jax's words were like salt in the wound. He twisted them with brutal honesty, not sparing him some face. King's pride recoiled at the taste of defeat, served raw and unflavored.
''Looks like you're really in a tight spot,'' Jax said, his nod as measured as a physician's diagnosis. A pause lingered before a confident smile surfaced on his lips and he added, ''Need anything? Maybe I can help.''
'...' King was lost for words, a sneer of mockery twisting his face. ''What help can you even give me?'' he snapped, shaking off Jax's hands from his shoulder and dusting himself off.
Then he continued, sneering coldly, "You think you've got something like a Mermaid's Reverse Scale? That's what I'd need to heal these injuries."
Well, King could've mentioned something else, but since they just came from that Forbidden Land, he brought up the rare treasure of the mermaids, the Mermaid's Reverse Scale.
"Oh," Jax murmured, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. His eyes dropped to the Scroll, and there it was, the item King had named was listed there.
"Hmph, asking to be of some help... Just stay away from me and it's already a big... he..l..p?" King was about to finish when his eyes locked onto something unbelievable. His words trailed off, eyes widening in shock. His lips parted, trembling in astonishment, as he couldn't help but stutter, 'T...this... Ha... how the hell on earth do you have that item?!'
Resting on Jax's hand was a small silver scale, about the size of the thumb's nail. He pinched it casually between thumb and forefinger, eyeing it with careless amusement. As if such a thing wasn't enough to warrant his greed.
But how on earth could that brat get ahold of such a peerless treasure?
''Mermaid's Reverse Scale, huh?'' Jax mumbled with shallow musing. A sly smile crept onto his lips as he locked eyes with King, "Is this what you're talking about? I've got three of them."
''You've got three of them?!!'' King jumped up from his sitting position as if hearing such incredulity was more than enough to jolt his adrenaline awake. This was impossible! Did he get it from the little mermaid earlier?
But a mermaid only had one reverse scale, not to mention, only the rarest few had them. It was still understandable if Jax only had one, but how could he have a whole three of them? Or was he just messing with him?
Meeting King's skeptical gaze, as if telling him 'you can't fool me', Jax shook his head with a resigned sigh. With a small gesture, a mumble, and a casual flick, he plucked the other two Mermaid's Reverse Scales from the Scroll Inventory and presented them nonchalantly to King.
''I was thinking of giving one of these to you. But since you're doubting me, maybe I should just trash it.'' Jax's sigh hung in the air, his gaze holding a hint of disappointment as he looked at King. Like he expected more, and King shouldn't be overwhelmed over something this petty.
''What? You...'' King was lost for words yet again. Each of Jax's responses stabbed like a thorn in his throat. It was hard to swallow, harder to speak.
In the end, King swallowed his pride once more, asking with a rather humbled serious tone, ''What do I gotta do for you to give me one? Just to let you know, I'm done hunting pests for you.''
King made it clear that he wasn't his errand boy forever.
''Oh? It seems you're willing to negotiate now.'' Jax smiled faintly in response, stashing two Mermaid's Reverse Scales back into his Scroll Inventory. And then he added, ''Don't worry, nothing too crazy. Just two conditions.''
After he said that, Jax muttered "description" and a paper note materialized out of thin air. He plucked it and started reading the contents in a whisper only he could hear.
Jax was curious what made King flip out like that. Just what could this item be? Depending on the description, he'd set his conditions.
''Two?'' King frowned slightly, staring at what Jax was doing with keen interest and growing fascination. And then he asked, ''And what are they?''
''Information,'' Jax responded flatly. Interest building up after reading the content of Mermaid's Reverse Scale description. No wonder King was eager to get it, his desperation made sense. This thing was definitely a treasure beyond measure.
______________________
[Mermaid's Reverse Scale]
Rarity: Legendary
Grade: Excellent
Rank: Mortal
Grants the user their top previous condition from up to three days prior, restoring them to their peak state, regardless of any injury, poison, curse, or disease they may have suffered. Whether they were on the brink of death or at the height of wellness, this treasure can revive and rejuvenate them, erasing even the most fatal wounds or debilitating afflictions, as long as a spark of life remains.
______________________
Meanwhile, King narrowed his eyes, his tone measured as he responded, ''If I know it, I'll tell you.'' He paused, then added with growing impatience, ''What's the second condition?''
'''Nothing much,'' Jax replied with a casual smile, ''Just a simple request.''
''What is it?'' King asked, his impatience grew.
Knowing King quite enough, Jax tossed the Mermaid's Reverse Scale to him with precision before he could even speak of his second condition.
King's hand snapped out, catching the treasure reflexively. Looking at it in his grasp, a dark expression settled on his face. What was wrong with this brat now? Why was he giving up the item so easily?
''Don't overthink it, it's yours,'' Jax chuckled, clearly amused by King's wariness. A grin spread across his face as he dropped the condition: "My second condition is simple." There was another moment of pause before he spoke again, "Make me stronger.''
"..." Another silence ensued. King's gaze locked on to Jax's as a calculating gaze lingered.
King's expression remained unreadable, but his thoughts betrayed him – the kid's growing on his nerves. The initial thought of taking him out had crossed his mind, and it wasn't fading. In fact, he was counting down to finish their business and... Keeping it straightforward, King wasn't fond of Jax, and plans to deal with him sooner or later were solidifying.
However, for some reason, King couldn't just make the thought happen. He didn't know if it was curiosity, admiration, interest, returning favor, or he felt indebted and grateful, but his subconscious mind was putting the brakes on his original plan.
He definitely wanted to see Jax grow stronger!
But to make him stronger using his own helping hands?King hesitated. The kid might have a talent, interesting skills, and most especially, an uncanny mind, but that wasn't enough to sway his reservations... yet.
After all, he had something else to do. Way more important, something that held far greater value. Winding up stuck with this kid wasn't part of the plan.
Or maybe not?
King thought deeply again. Should he try to see if the kid could grow stronger quickly? A sharp glint flashed in King's mind. If this kid proved valuable, then wouldn't it also be a good thing for him?
This little guy might be of some help in the near future, in the great war he'd soon stir up on their so-called Great Sacred Land.