Lola turned to her friends who were busy choosing their weapons. Her eyes seemed to say that she also wanted to take a weapon.
However, for someone who was always been protected by her friends and never picked up any weapons, Lola didn't know what to take.
Clyde studied the girl from her side. When he was looking at Lola, Clyde felt her resemblance to Asqa.
They are both nervous and uncourageous girls. Asqa has indeed changed quite drastically after being with him for six days at the Selection Stage. And now Asqa has even become one of Archangel Uriel's followers.
Clyde felt a bit of pride when he saw Asqa's progress. Knowing that he is a person who plays a big role in her development.
Asqa also never held a weapon. But she has turned into a skilled healer. Asqa knows when to give healing and when to get away from the battlefield so as not to disturb her friends.
However, based on what Clyde had previously remembered, Lola's ability wasn't healing but she can see the future. With that ability, Lola can actually become a great fighter if she is able to utilize that power with her fighting skills.
"Hey, are you still confused about the weapon you should choose?" Clyde asked her, making Lola flinch a bit.
"Yes. I'm sorry." Lola scratched the back of her head with a guilty smile.
"No need to apologize," Clyde said. "Let us see... you might be good at wielding long-range weapons."
Clyde was just spouting something that suddenly popped up in his mind. With Lola's power that can see the future, with long-range weapons she can have a big advantage over her opponents.
However, with the power to see into the future, one should be at the advantage of their enemy regardless of what weapon one's equipped.
To be honest, Clyde didn't have a clear idea about what weapon Lola should use because he only got his weapon handling ability from his [Skill: Weapon Mastery]. He didn't get that ability from hard training.
However, Lola is a timid girl. Making her fight enemies at close range is not the right choice in Clyde's mind. At least if she wields a long-range weapon, Lola can keep her distance from her enemies and use her ability to see the future better of her enemy's movement.
"Is that so? Then... uhm... I'll take a bow," said Lola.
"Uhmm, young lady." Suddenly Hammer interrupted. "If I may make a suggestion. How about trying a crossbow?"
Hammer had also overheard their conversation earlier. And he could also see how Lola looked scared and doubtful.
She was also not a muscular girl who would be able to pull a bowstring quickly while in the middle of a fight. So, Hammer suggested the crossbow.
Clyde, who heard Hammer's suggestion, nodded. "He's right. It looks good on you."
Clyde thought to himself. 'If only there were guns in this place.'
Maybe the presence of guns in this place can spoil the setting of the story where everything is traditional fantasy. However, at the Selection Stage, they can get guns as weapons. So it shouldn't be impossible, right?
'But, can Hammer make firearms? If he could, wouldn't that be amazing?' Clyde felt excited just imagining it.
Hammer led Lola to a crossbow as soon as she agreed. It was a medium sized crossbow that suited Lola's thin build.
"You only need to channel your Mana into this crossbow, then the arrow will create itself," said Hammer with a smile.
"But it seems my mana hasn't fully recovered," Lola replied.
"Oh about that…" Hammer turned to Clyde.
"Just give her a normal arrow for now," said Clyde.
"Right!" Hammer took out a quiver filled with arrows. "There are fifteen arrows here. That should be enough. I'll make you some more."
"Thank you." Lola accepted it in a graceful manner.
Clyde saw that they had all gotten their weapons. He then whispered to Hammer.
But Hammer immediately pulled his ears away from Clyde and stared at him with eyes wide with disbelief. "Are fucking crazy?!"
"Don't shout," Clyde said while rubbing his ear with an irritated face. "And don't worry. They are with me."
Hammer turned to Leon and his friends. Then returned to speak in a low tone to Clyde.
"Even so, it's too dangerous! They might die!" Hammer said.
Clyde shook his head. "I might sound arrogant. But this is the only way to convince you.
I've gotten stronger than the last time we met so I won't let anything happen to them."
Hammer looked at Clyde with a troubled expression.
"Listen," Clyde said. "I'm doing something important and I need their help."
After a while, Hammer finally chose to give up because he knew he would not be able to change Clyde's decision.
"Fine. But I won't defend you if something goes wrong," said Hammer.
"I told you, you don't need to worry about that. I will also bring you more materials."
~~~
A portal opens in a ruined world. The remnants of the destruction floated in this place without being bound by gravity. This was the Ruin that Clyde had visited a few months earlier when he was first looking for iron ores for Hammer.
From the portal, six people came out with their weapons and equipment. Apart from Clyde, they all looked around with astonished looks.
"T-This is..." Rosie stuttered.
"Yeah. This is one of those worlds that have the same fate as our world. But for some reason, the World Masters forgot to completely erase it from existence so this is how this world became," Clyde explained.
They are still busy scanning around. So Clyde continued. "Here, you all will start training for the fight."
"I-Isn't this dangerous?! Everyone warned us not to set foot outside the Fortress no matter what!" Wiley said, genuinely feeling scared. He was starting to regret that he had agreed to Clyde's proposal.
"I'll protect you. And I want to try something we couldn't do in the Fortress," Clyde replied.
~~~
