SSS Awakening: I Can Create Skills By Will

Chapter 126: When Two Fell Silent

The sincerity in the captain’s tone was obvious. No pride. No reluctance.

Arthur held his gaze for a second, then shook his head lightly.

"We all did our part," he replied. "You finished it."

The captain gave a small smile. "Don’t be modest. We’ll still need you ahead."

Arthur extended his hand.

"I’m not going anywhere."

They shook.

It wasn’t dramatic. Just firm.

But Arthur felt the weight of it.

When the captain walked away, Arthur became aware of the eyes on him.

The rest of the squad had seen it.

He could almost feel their thoughts.

Earlier, some of them had doubted him. He had felt it in their stares when the battle began. A bronze member stepping into their formation, giving instructions.

Now those looks were different.

Acknowledgment.

Maybe even respect.

Arthur scratched the back of his head lightly and muttered under his breath, "Don’t look at me like that. It’s awkward."

A few of them chuckled softly.

The tension eased.

Ryn stood nearby, arms folded, watching the exchange with a faint smirk.

"You’re getting popular," he said.

Arthur glanced at him. "Not my goal."

Ryn raised a brow. "Then what is?"

Arthur shrugged. "Getting stronger."

It was simple. Honest.

Ryn studied him for a moment longer, then looked down at his own sword. His grip tightened slightly.

Being around Arthur did something to him.

He couldn’t explain it well, but it pushed him. Watching Arthur adapt so quickly, read the battlefield so calmly, it stirred something competitive in him. Not jealousy. Just drive.

I can’t fall behind.

If Arthur was going to climb higher, then he would climb too. He wanted to see where Arthur’s path led. And he wanted to be strong enough to stand there when it did.

The quiet moment didn’t last long.

The captain’s voice cut through the air.

"We’ve rested enough. Prepare your things. Check your weapons and armor. We leave in five."

Immediately, the relaxed explorers got to their feet.

Straps were tightened. Blades cleaned quickly. Shields inspected for cracks. The healer finished with the last of the injured and drank a potion of her own.

Arthur adjusted his grip on his weapon and checked the edge with his thumb.

Still sharp.

He glanced at Ryn. "Ready?"

Ryn nodded. "Always."

Soon, they gathered in formation.

The captain stood in front of them, his presence steady as ever.

"We keep the same formation from the last battle," he began. "It worked."

No one disagreed as expected.

So he continued, eyes shifting to Arthur.

"Arthur, you handle the second class ogres again. Interrupt their skills."

Arthur gave a small nod. "Understood."

The captain then called a few names. Two heavy hitters stepped forward, explorers whose attacks carried serious impact.

"If the numbers increase or things get messy, you two prepare to assist in finishing," the captain said. "We don’t drag fights longer than necessary."

They nodded firmly.

Clear instructions. Clear roles.

There was comfort in that.

Once everything was set, the scout moved ahead quietly. The rest followed at controlled pace, weapons ready but movements disciplined.

The dungeon corridors twisted deeper, the air slightly heavier the further they went. Faint growls echoed from distant tunnels, and the stone floor trembled once in a while from movement they couldn’t yet see.

The scout returned quickly, landing lightly before the captain.

"Five ahead," he reported in a low voice. "Two second class. Three first class."

A ripple passed through the squad.

Last time, those words had caused fear.

This time, they only tightened their grips.

Arthur felt the shift clearly.

They were serious, alert.

But not panicked.

The formation adjusted smoothly. Shield bearers moved slightly forward. Ryn shifted to the side where he could intercept flanks. The heavy hitters positioned themselves within reach of the captain.

Arthur stood where he had before, eyes scanning the corridor ahead.

"You good?" one of the explorers beside him asked quietly.

Arthur glanced at him and gave a small grin.

"Just make sure you keep them busy," he replied. "I’ll handle the loud ones."

The explorer let out a short breath of laughter.

Confidence spread like fire.

They advanced carefully.

The tunnel widened into a rough cavern, dim light revealing the silhouettes of massive figures waiting ahead. The ogres stood in loose formation, their thick bodies blocking the path forward. Two of them, taller and more composed, stood slightly behind the others.

Second class.

The moment the ogres noticed them, a low rumble filled the cavern.

The squad stopped briefly, adjusting distance.

Arthur narrowed his eyes, studying the positioning. The second class ogres were closer together this time. That meant quicker support for each other.

"They’re tighter," he murmured.

Ryn heard him. "Problem?"

Arthur shook his head. "No. Just means I’ll have to move more."

The captain raised his axe slightly.

"Remember your roles," he said calmly.

No long speech or dramatic words.

Just trust.

The squad moved forward as one.

Step by step.

And this time, even as the ogres roared and charged, there was no chaos in their hearts.

They believed in the formation.

They believed in each other.

And as Arthur stepped forward, eyes locked on the gathering mana of the second class ogres, he felt his mana steady settle inside him.

As he focused on the monsters ahead of him.

"Alright," he muttered softly.

"Let’s do it again."

The fight began the moment the captain raised his axe.

"Move!"

His voice cut through the cavern, and the squad reacted without delay. Shields came up. Casters stepped back. Blades angled forward.

The ogres moved first, just like before.

The three first class ogres roared and charged straight at them, heavy feet shaking the stone floor. Dust kicked up with every step, and their crude weapons swung wildly as they rushed the formation.

Arthur didn’t rush in with the others.

Instead, he took one smooth step to the side and used Intent Step, slipping into a position slightly elevated on broken rock. From there, he could see everything. The shield line. The captain. Ryn. And most importantly, the two second class ogres standing behind the front line.

He narrowed his eyes.

"They’re closer together this time". "Strange".