Chapter 5 Boosted Gear

As two girls were running through the forest without looking back. A desperate look was on Wu Lan's face while Wu Xiao had a look of worry.

They were both looking for Issei so he could help Wu Ying beat the bandits.

They started to lose hope when they found the sound of an ax chopping wood. When they finally found him. Tears could be seen in Wu Lan at the relief of finding help.

Issei's POV

"Damn it!" I've been here for hours trying to chop this tree but because of this stupid Axe I never got close to the center. This is all Wu Ying's fault, if only she'd let me cut the trees in the back of the house. I wouldn't have to go all the way here. But no something about cutting the trees in front would bring unwanted guests. Don't even mention this ax with no edge.

"Rustle, Rustle" The sound of leaves being stepped on brings my attention to it. Probably some animal trying to sneak up on me. But when I turn around I'm surprised to find Wu Lan and Wu Xiao here. I was going to ask why they were here. But stopped when I noticed the tears and anxiety on their faces.

"What happened?!" I quickly leave everything and try to comfort them.

"Bandits!" Wu Lan yells as if that explains everything. (Kind of does)

"Big bro I'm scared!" Wu Xiao cries, probably frightened and quickly hugs me.

As I looked at the two the only thing on my mind was. "Where's Wu Ying? Why isn't she here?"

"She stayed to fight two bandits that came to our home. Giving us time to run away and find you. You have to go and help her. Please." She begs she actually begs me to get her sister. That was not necessary, of course, I'll help her.

"Okay!" I responded knowing nothing about the enemy or the situation but that doesn't matter. I will save her.

"Th-thank you!" She says with relief. "Come I'll take you there."

"No. If you go, Wu Ying's sacrifice would mean nothing."

"I would agree but do you even know the way back?" She says with a smirk that freezes me in my tracks.

..... Shit, I really didn't know the way back. If this didn't happen, how would I return back?

"(Sigh) Thought so. Well, let's go." She goes with resolution.

"B-but if I take you with me that would slow me down and I would have to worry about your safety." I try to give my reason but how would I go back.

"Hyoudo Issei you aren't thinking of leaving us alone in this forest are you?" She makes a fantastic point.

"Ya bro. That would be really irresponsible." Wu Xiao finally calms down and says her share.

"Lucky for you I have an idea." Wu Lan says with a ridiculous idea.

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"Wheeeee! Faster Bro." And there we go with me running towards danger while carrying Wu Lan on my back. While she carries Wu Xiao on hers. I really am just a pack mule for these girls.

Oh well. On the bright side, I get to grope Wu Lan's ass all the way. OW! She kicked me. Doesn't she know how dangerous that is? I'm going at full speed while running through a forest. I just wish they weren't so heavy. OWW! How did she know? Did I bring the ax?

Little Village center

Wu Ying POV

"Where am I?" As I opened my eyes I wondered what happened. Why did I feel extreme pain in my stomach? Where's Wu Lan and Wu Xiao? Until it hit me, the bandits. Two small-sized men came into our home looking for trouble. I came and beat them until a swordsman came with the same cultivation as me. I was about to beat him but then a red-haired man came and with one palm thrust I was beaten. He must've been a Second stage Fighter. He came quickly and I wasn't prepared thinking he was in the same stage.

"Finally awake little bird." A masculine voice broke my thoughts. As I looked up I noticed a bear of a man, bald and with a scar on his chest. When I saw his face I just knew he had the most vicious intentions. He truly scares me.

"Where am I?!" This time I raised my voice to ask the same question and try to get up and confront him.

"Don't you know? Look around you." He says with arrogance and mockery as if I wasn't even a threat. But I did as he said and looked. I noticed the familiar village now with homes destroyed and some on fire. As I looked behind me I noticed the terrified villagers. The men with bruises and some women with soiled expressions. When I looked at the women I quickly knew what happened and that truly scared me. Will they do this to me or Wu Lan? I must get out of here and leave with Wu Lan and Wu Xiao.

"If you're thinking of escaping I guess you can. I mean you're not tied up and unlike the rest of these fools, you aren't weak but would that be the best decision. I would hate to think of what would happen to your two sisters."

That quickly causes me to freeze.

"Where are they? You better not have touched her or I swear I'll kill you!" I was truly furious at the thought of them being hurt.

"Bwa ha ha ha haa!"

My threat was ignored and laughed at.

"You, a little girl who couldn't even beat one of my First stage Fighters and lost to Hai, think of killing me. Do you know what I am? I am a Fourth Stage Fighter even if you fight back nothing will be gained and in the end, you will be raped by me."

Hearing his words truly gets rid of any thoughts of attacking him it truly would be useless even if dad was here he couldn't beat him.

"But don't worry you have another option. Work for me and your sisters will not be hurt. Work for me and you shall have power."

His words do make me think but how can I trust a bandit they are known for backstabbing. "I refuse."

"Fine, I'll give you time. I don't have your sisters yet but my First stage Fighters are looking for them. Hai, go and help find them faster."

"Yes sir!" Said the red-haired man that defeated me. He was lean next to a house listening to us talk with a bored expression.

"And Yong, watch over her while I have fun. Don't you dare touch her, I'll be the one to break her in."

"Fine. Damn it." A new bandit was shown truly dispirited at the thought of his fun being ruined. He was a man with a broadsword on his back and short black hair. He must be as strong as Hai or else they wouldn't be making him watch over me and the villagers.

Wu Lan wherever you are, don't come back. They'll hurt you.

Issei's POV

I've been running for minutes while grabbing Wu Lan. While it has been fun touching her I can't help but worry about Wu Ying. I hope they haven't hurt her or worse. I never met bandits before but if I remember from the help of anime and games they usually rape beautiful women like Wu Ying. These thoughts cause me to speed up. I never had a good start with Wu Ying and she hasn't treated me with much kindness but still, I will help and protect her. After all, the three sisters have given me food and shelter when I had nowhere to go.

"Oww!!"/ "Fuck!!"/ "Ahh!"

What the heck did I just hit? It made me drop Wu Lan and Wu Xiao. As I looked up I noticed a burly and dirty ape. Wait, the dizziness stopped and I was able to see an unclean man with blood on his clothes. Running through the woods is truly dangerous just as I dodged a tree. I happened to run into a guy also running through the woods. What a coincidence? Luckily I was shorter than the guy and hit my forehead unluckily for the other guy. I think I broke his nose.

"Well, well. Guess we found them." My vision soon catches someone new. The man was shorter and strangely also had blood on his clothes.

"I do see the resemblance between them." Now another guy came but this one carried a sword by his side.

"Owwie!"/ "That hurt." Came the voices of Wu Xiao and Wu Lan. I quickly forgot about them and went to help the girls up. Fortunately, they didn't hit any rocks or trees.

"Sorry Wu Lan." I say as I help them stand and clean their clothes of dirt.

"It's fine. Forget about it. We must help Wu Ying."

"So you're the sister of that feisty girl!" The voice of the swordsman brings our attention to them. Did they know Wu Ying?

"Who are you?" Says Wu Lan as she notices the people who blocked their way. When she looks at their clothes she notices the blood on them and recognizes them as the bandits that invaded.

"Take a guess?" One of them sneers and that brings my thoughts to who they are.

"You're bandits!" I say out loud. How dumb am I? They are clearly coming from the direction we're heading too and the blood on their clothes should be a dead giveaway.

"Dumbass"

"I'm going to kill you!" Finally, the last one spoke with murderous intentions while holding his bloody nose.

"I'll make this simple. Give us the girls and we'll kill you." The man with a sword says.

"Don't you mean? Give us the girls and you'll let me live?" I asked

"Nope." He says with a smirk.

"Oh. Doesn't matter. I'll never give them to you. Tell us where Wu Ying is?"

"Give my sister back!" Wu Xiao interrupts

"Her? She's with the boss. Maybe already fucked." Says the short one.

"No!!" Wu Lan says with shock.

"Now little miss? Come with us and we'll take you to her. My boss will leave her alone if you come with us." The swordsman lies.

"Never." Wu Xiao says, sounding pretty righteous.

"We tried." The swordsman says with a shrug. "Let's use force."

"None of you touched the brat. I'll be the one to kill him." With that, the man with a broken nose charges straight at me angry

"Issei be careful." Wu Lan supports.

I guess I made him truly angry since he completely ignored everything and charged straight at me. Luckily for me, he must have thought I wasn't a First stage Fighter or he wouldn't charge so recklessly. Right, when he was close. I duck to the right and just as he was on top of me. I throw an uppercut straight to the chin sending him flying back and surprising his teammates. He sure was fast, just as fast as Wu Ying. Maybe he was a First stage Fighter too.

"What a surprise. Guess he's a First stage Fighter. That makes two."

"Anybody else." I threaten to try to discourage them from attacking me.

"Fuck!" To my surprise, the man got back up. "Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"It's your fault for charging in." The man with a sword says with a smirk full of amusement.

"Should we tell the boss?"

"Never. He is going to die by my hands today."

"The boss is going to get mad."

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him."

"Fine. But if he finds out you're taking the blame."

"That's fine." They do know I'm standing right here.

Soon my attention is caught on the three sudden movements. Are all three going to attack? Hey, where's the sportsmanship? What happened to honor and manly pride?

I wish I could complain out loud but soon all three charge. I try to fight back but fighting three at once is difficult. I try attacking the one on the left but I am blindside by a punch to my right and front. I try backing away but soon one clutches one of my arms and throws me to the ground. I tried standing up and received two kicks, sending me into the air and hitting a tree hard. I couldn't fight at all and just kept receiving punch after punch. God this hurts.

3rd POV

"No!" Finally, reality settles into Wu Lan as she watches Issei's hopeless struggle. If only she listened to Wu Ying and left. Issei wouldn't have to suffer this abuse. Were her thoughts as Issei kept being brutally beaten?

"Big bro." Wu Xiao shivers as she watches the boy she calls brother get hurt.

"Please stop." Thinking Issei was suffering enough, she steps forward and tries to stop them. The bandits ignore her as they enjoy their fun.

"Please stop!" Finally, she raises her voice, making them hear her and stopping them. "I'll do what you say just stop."

"Fine" the swordsman says as he stops and comes to grab her and leaves. The shorter one stops too as he goes to grab Wu Xiao, who was shivering while watching Issei's body.

But one doesn't move. The man with a broken nose stays in place and watches him.

"But you promised." Wu Lan shouts as she figures out what the other man was about to do. She tries to struggle free and save Issei. Unfortunately, she could not break free.

"Big bro!" Wu Xiao shouts and tries to escape.

"Issei!" Shouted Wu Lan.

Issei's POV

It hurts. Damn it hurts. Is this how I'm going to die unable to help and protect my friends?

"Issei!" Wu Lan's scream causes me to open my eyes and look at her.

Damn it. They're going to hurt them and it's going to be my fault for not protecting them. If only I was stronger. Strong enough to beat them.

3rd POV

"Brat this is what you deserve. Now die." The bandit says as he takes a dagger from his back. "What!"

But is soon shocked by a red flash of light coming from Issei. Even the other two bandits are shocked, not to mention Wu Lan and Xiao.

Unknown by any of them even the azure marble was shining.

They were shocked further when Issei, the boy they thought to be dead, stood and right before their eyes, his bruises were lightly healing. If they had any form of self-awareness they would feel the slight red aura coming off of him.

Boost

Soon a green shine came when a red gauntlet appeared in his left arm. On the red gauntlet was an emerald gem. If they looked closer they would notice the roman number of one inside the gem.

Before the man that was about to kill Issei could do anything, a fierce punch to the gut quickly brings him to his knees.

This shocks both since it should take more than just a punch to bring their comrade down with the strength of a First stage Fighter. They were so busy watching their comrade, that the one holding Wu Xiao didn't notice the extra weight leaving his arms. Before he could react a flying kick sends him to the trees causing them to break and land on him.

"Big bro that was scary." Wu Xiao felt the familiar warmth of Issei holding her. Quickly cries her heart out now that she is safe with her bro.

"Listen, Wu Xiao. You have to be strong. I'm going to get Wu Lan and together, we'll go save Wu Ying. So please stop crying, I'll protect you."

"Okay. (Sniff, sniff)"

The swordsman just stayed frozen at the boy whose strength doubled. ‘How? How did he become just as strong as a Second stage Fighter?’ Then his thoughts went to the Red Gauntlet as it appeared magically. He was about to use Wu Lan as a hostage but before he could an intense pain came from below. It was not Issei but Wu Lan seeing her chance at the man's horrified expression at Issei's strength. She saw her chance and kicked his balls to escape.

While becoming a First stage Fighter does toughen and harden the body. The balls were still a weak spot. To completely have no effect of being kicked there from a normal person they must be at least a Third stage fighter.

"Big sis is so cool!" Wu Xiao says as she watches her sister escape by herself.

"S-sure." Issei nervously says and tries to cover his balls from Wu Lan's sight.

"Wu Xiao!" "Big sis!" The sisters soon hug with relief after escaping that horrible experience. Of course, Issei was happy too. They were also hugging him since he was almost beaten to death and caused them a fright.

"You bitch!" Said the swordsman now with the pain gone. Ruining the happy moment. He quickly forms a stance and places his hands on his sword.

"Wu Lan, move. I'll finish this quickly. When I'm done we'll go and rescue Wu Ying." Issei reassures her that he will win and Wu Lan responds with a nod, taking Wu Xiao and stepping back.

Like that both parties charge. The bandit with a skyward swing coming down on the boy. Issei quickly uses the red gauntlet and punches towards the swordsman hoping to block the sword. When they collide sparks start flying as both objects try pushing the other away. But how could an ordinary iron sword ever cut the scales of a dragon? The sword is quickly broken and soon without anything to stop the force of Issei's punch. The gauntlet comes landing on his opponent’s face breaking teeth and cutting his skin. Soon the swordsman is sent flying, knocking him out. Truly the Boosted Gear is a hack.

Wu Lan is still astonished by the strength Issei has gained. It hasn't even been a few seconds since he was on the verge of death. But now Issei looks unbeatable.

"Wu Lan, get on." Issei quickly crouches down waiting for Wu Lan to get up.

"Huh?" Wu Lan says confused.

"We have to hurry or we'll never get to Wu Ying quickly. I'm going to run it."

"Are you not hurt?" Wu Lan says worried from the beaten form he used to have.

"I don't know. I mean I was in total pain but I just got better all of a sudden. Maybe it's this thing. But that doesn't matter, we have to save Wu Ying first."

"Ya big sis. We have to save her." Says Wu Xiao ready for action.

"R-right." Wu Lan says, unsure if this is safe for Issei. But Wu Ying comes first.

Soon the three are in the same position they were before with Wu Lan on top of Issei and Wu Xiao on top of her. The difference is the speed they were going at was twice as fast.

"Please slow down!"

"Hahahaha. Faster big bro faster."

The good thing about the situation was Wu Lan couldn't handle the speed and had to keep close to Issei's back to keep the wind from her face. This caused his back to keep feeling her wondrous oppai. While Wu Xiao treated it like a ride.

Wu Residence

The red-haired bandit Hai can now be seen lounging around at the home of the Wu sisters. Eating their food, while waiting for the three First stage Grunts to appear with the girls. Completely ignoring the boss's order. Finding it too much trouble to help the three stooges. Unfortunately, his sleep was rudely awakened by three brats.

"We finally made it."

"We're one step closer to rescuing Wu Ying."

Their voices came from the back of the house in the direction that the First Stage grunts came from. Did they fail was the first thing that popped to the mind of Hai.

"Where do you think she is?" But the masculine voice confirmed that they were beaten by whoever that is. With a sigh, he gets up and goes to do his job in getting the two girls to the boss.

Issei's POV

"Well, this is a surprise." As I settled Wu Lan and Xiao on the ground. A voice I never heard came from the house and out came a red-haired man walking slow steps. With a face that said I would rather be asleep.

"Where's Wu Ying?" I said, trying to get answers from this bandit. Not going to make the same mistake. Wu Lan quickly backs away to not get caught between the crossfire.

"Her? She's right there." The man says pointing towards the village. "Let's make a deal. Come with me peacefully and I'll take you to her." He says coming closer and closer.

"I'll never trust any bandit after what you did to our home." Wu Lan says.

"Yeah get lost!" Wu Xiao yells.

"Come now you wouldn't like my boss getting angry. There's no telling what he'll do to your sister if you don't cooperate. Just come with us and you'll be taken care of."

"Why are you guys so interested in Wu Ying?" I said the question that's been bugging me.

"Except for her cute face, she's nothing really special. If we were the same bandit tribe we were before, we wouldn't even care about a single First stage Fighter. Unfortunately, the Black Bears ran into some bad circumstances and almost got annihilated. Lucky for us, we survived but our strong group ended up with only 10 members. So the boss said any cultivator we'll recruit. They will either join us or die. So how about it, join us or else." The red-haired man says, looking straight at me.

"I'll never join scum like you."

"Why not? We bandits can do whatever we want. Sleep, eat, rape, plunder, and kill. It's an easy life. You just need to be strong and you'll gain respect."

"I will never hurt people for fun and I won't allow you to keep hurting anybody else." Truly to use people for their own selfish gain was the worst.

"Guess we're done. Oh well. I'm sure I can satisfy the boss once I deliver that shiny red gauntlet of yours."

With that both take a stance and get ready to fight. They both charge toward the other and when they are a few feet away, they strike. A palm met fist. The exchange between both parties' strength was evenly matched. But something strange happens when Issei feels his arm go numb. When he saw the smirk coming from Hai. He instantly raised the gauntlet to block another thrust and used the force to step back.

"What did you do?" Issei says, alarmed at the numbness of his right arm.

"Like it. There's a reason I'm respected by the group and treated the same as Yong. I know a Martial Skill unlike the rest of the idiots."

"Martial Skill?" Didn't I hear Wu Ying mention something about this?

"That's right? The skill I learned is called Paralyzing Thrust. Every palm strike that hits my opponent causes them temporary paralysis. Now wasn't that helpful, die." With that, the man charges again.

Damn it. I can't move my arm. All I can do is keep dodging his palm thrust over and over. Luckily his attack has no effect when I use the gauntlet to block. I would have fought back but didn't want to risk getting close to him.

Boost

Suddenly I heard the familiar unknown voice coming from the red gauntlet and just like last time a sudden surge of power coursed through me. Just what is this thing? Actually I can also start feeling my right arm.

I also noticed the red-haired man stopped his onslaught. Guess he's wondering where that voice and the green light came from. Not wasting an opportunity I punched out with the red gauntlet. It looks like he noticed because a palm came to intercept my metal fist.

"Ahhhh!" I really did get stronger. The moment we collided. I instantly broke his arm. Not giving him a chance to escape I went for the head and knocked him out. (Not going to lie, I think he killed him.)

"Wu Lan, you two stay here. I'm going to find Wu Ying. After that, I'm going to make these bandits leave."

"Stay Safe."

"Big bro we'll wait for you here."

With that, I drag the bandit with me and head for the village. Why am I taking the bandit? Because I couldn't leave him next to the girls.

Little Village

All the villagers were truly frightened; how could they have expected a bandit tribe to raid them? They were unfortunate for not being able to resist them. If they ever get the chance they will brutally murder them for hurting them.

Wu Ying has been filled with frustration if only she was stronger. She wouldn't be feeling this dread. She was hoping the pervert would be able to keep Wu Lan and Wu Xiao safe. Even if she never meets them again as long as they were safe that was all that mattered to her.

She then looked at the man they called Yong. Trying hard to look for any weakness. But couldn't as the man kept a watchful but bored eye on them.

"Wu Ying!" She finally heard a very familiar voice that she thought she would never hear again. Coming from the direction to her house.

When she saw the person coming closer and closer. Tears came into her eyes as she instantly knew why he came.

"You idiot, why are you here? They'll kill you!" She shouts back knowing it would be futile with Issei's current strength. Knowing that victory is impossible and all his courage will lead to his death and it would be all her fault for not being strong enough.

Unfortunately, Yong heard and saw the intruder and took his broadsword out. With a sneer, he thought it was just a villager that came to save the hostages. He stayed in place and waited for his prey to come for him.

Wu Ying couldn't watch. She knew he would die. She has sparred with Issei many times and knew he wasn't anything extraordinary. She has always defeated him. Now a man that was said to be stronger than Hai who defeated her was going to kill Issei.

But when Issei was close to Yong and threw a punch with a red metal glove. The opposite happens. It wasn't Issei who was split in half. It was Yong's broadsword that broke and then the metallic fist met face. Metal crushed skin and sent him flying to the villager's homes breaking them.

Wu Ying was stupefied. The villagers were shocked. Yong was in immense pain. But Issei just kept running.

Issei's POV

I found her. I finally found Wu Ying. I was so excited I called out to her and dropped the bandit I was holding to the ground. She started shouting but I didn't pay attention because suddenly some idiot stepped out and blocked my way. I was tired. Seriously tired of all these guys standing in my way. The moment I got closer to the douche I hit him with the gauntlet and sent him flying. He must have been weak since it ended quickly.

"Wu Ying" I was finally here and she is safe.

"How?" Something was wrong. Wu Ying had a face full of shock. Did they traumatize her? Those bastards.

"Wu Ying. Are you okay?"

"How, how did you beat him?"

"That doesn't matter. Are you okay?"

"Doesn't matter! If you had this strength, why didn't I know about it? Have you been making fun of me this whole time?" Thank goodness. Looks like arguing with me brought her to normal.

"I don't know." I said the only answer I knew.

"You don't know." She says furious looking at my face. (Sigh) "Where's Wu Lan and Wu Xiao?" Don't know why but she suddenly calmed down when she looked at me.

"I left them at home."

"You left them alone? There are bandits chasing after them."

"Don't worry. I took care of those bandits before coming here. They're safe, I promise."

Wu Ying responds with a nod accepting my answer. I was really tired both physically and mentally. I can finally relax but why do I have this nagging feeling that something wasn't right.

(Move!)

Not thinking twice on who that is and why I have a freaking second voice in my head. I take Wu Ying and dive. I touch her carefully since I could break her bones if I'm not careful.

When we moved an ax came flying where I was standing on the ground. If I stayed there I might have lost my head. That was close.

"I was wondering what all this racket was. But imagine my surprise, I find Yong laying on the ground and the hostage getting friendly with a brat. Who are you?" A bald man with a scar on his chest came out and on his right hand was another ax.

Was this man the boss all the bandits were talking about? He does look the part. I would be pretty intimidated if it was before but now I was just pissed off.

"Are you the boss?"

"That's right."

"I'll give you one chance. Leave or else."

"Bwa hahaha ha! To think some brat would be ordering me around. You must be strong to be able to beat Yong. Join me and together we can rule this region."

"I'll never join trash like you."

"Then accept death."

3rd POV

Wu Ying is now shown an amazing sight as she watches the battle between Issei and the Boss of the Black Bears. Punch after punch were exchanged and intercepted as a test of pure power began. When the bandit swung his ax to cleave Issei, a red gauntlet came to her view, making her wonder where he got it and blocked the attack. Unlike the last time, the ax didn't break under the durability of the Boosted Gear.

Each swing got faster and faster, but still, no scratches can be seen on the Gauntlet. Soon Issei could now be seen becoming slower and slower, unable to counter back, while the Boss was still getting stronger. It appears that Issei has reached his limit as exhaustion can now be seen on his face. It got to the point that Issei could only keep blocking blows from the man.

"Wu Ying! Leave. I'll hold him off while you take the rest and leave." Knowing he was losing the fight. Issei hopes that Wu Ying could escape. While he talked the man's ax kept trying to chop him to pieces but the boosted gear pulled through.

"I can't just abandon you."

"Listen, I don't think I can win. Please take Wu Xiao and Wu Lan and leave. Please."

Wu Ying, having no choice, ran to her home.

"Where do you think you're going?!" The bandit sees Wu Ying escaping and tries to grab her.

"Don't you touch her!" Luckily his distraction worked for Issei as a punch hit his face and sent him flying to the homes of a villager.

Unlike the grunts, the boss can handle pain. Because he got up and looked more furious than ever. He quickly comes charging like a bull and swings his ax. Issei keeps using the gauntlet as a shield. Wishing for a power boost right now. What he doesn't know is that if he received another one because of his loss of stamina the gauntlet would reset bringing his strength down to First stage Fighter.

Step after step. Each step back makes it harder and harder to stand still. He was quickly losing his footing. Until finally the last swing breaks his defense and sends him to the ground.

"I'll give you one last chance to join me."

"Never."

With Issei's response, the man raises his ax and swings to chop his head. As the ax came closer and closer. Issei expected his death. But soon something unexpected happened just as death was about to come.

A flying dagger.

"Ahhhhh!"

A dagger came flying toward the Black Bear boss. The dagger hit the eye of the bandit causing him extreme pain. As Issei turns to see who it was. He noticed it was Wu Ying that threw it. With a smile, Issei stood up and didn't waste the chance Wu Ying gave him. He started throwing punch after punch at the bandit to bring him down causing him to lose his ax. The last punch sent him flying.

But still, that wasn't enough to knock him down. When he got up. Anger wasn't the word you'd use to describe what he was feeling because he soon charged towards Issei. The brown-haired boy was truly exhausted to the point he couldn't even stand. Luckily another dagger came flying toward the bandit's other eye but used his arm to block it. With a final push, Issei grabbed the ax that was dropped on the ground and swung a weapon for the first time at another living being. That was the last blow for the ax. It hit the neck.

Issei stood there. Watching as the last bit of life leaves the eyes of the bandit. But before he could think or do anything the gauntlet responded.

Reset

(Boom) With that Issei was out like a light hitting the ground and slept.

"Issei!" Wu Ying watched as the boy fell. She quickly ran towards him in worry. She didn't know what to do but saw him breathing showing he was just asleep. A sigh of relief comes but is soon astonished as the red gauntlet shines and disappears.

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Good thing Issei was asleep for this because the instant the villagers knew they were free they celebrated and soon bloody murdered Yong and Hai who were still unconscious. Then they burned the bodies of the rest of them.

If you wonder about the three grunts in the woods...

"Huh" The man with the broken nose woke from his concussion and looked around to see his two comrades. He was about to wake them up.

""GroWl!!!""

The sound of wolves caused him to turn around and the number scared him as more than twenty wolves could be seen. The pack soon starts to surround the grunts. Only a scream was heard as the pack attacked and viciously tore them to pieces.

Wu residence

"Damn it!" Wu Ying can now be seen dragging the unconscious boy to their home. He saves her, the least he could do was sweep her off her feet and bring her home but no, the guy has to fall down and sleep. Not that she wanted that, just saying. At least she was almost there.

"Sis!" The voice of Wu Xiao is heard with excitement at her sister's safe and sound return.

"Wu Xiao!" Tears come falling as she drops everything and rushes to hug the little sister she thought she would never see.

The hug was sweet and full of emotion. It would be perfect if you ignore the boy lying on the ground full of injuries and asleep.

Soon another member of the sisters came from the house and went to see her sister's safe return. Wu Lan was clearly happy towards them returning. But where's Issei? She spots him on the ground sleeping and rushes off.

"Sister Wu Lan!" Full of joy at seeing her big sister rushing toward her to give her a hug. She extends her arms waiting any minute for her sister's warm embrace.

But to her surprise her sister completely ignores her and rushes to where Issei was laying in the ground.

"Issei! Are you okay?" She asks full of concern at the selfless boy that helped them again and again. But no matter how she shakes or yells he wouldn't wake up. "Wu Ying, what happened to him?"

"Ahhh! Big bro!" Wu Xiao finally notices the sorry state of her friend and rushes to his side.

'Sister have you forgotten about me? I was the one who was a hostage.' Where the thoughts of consideration for her. But she did feel bad for dropping him after all he did. "He's fine, Sister. He's just exhausted and tired. We should take him home and let him sleep.

"Alright. Oh, I'm happy that you're home and safe." Wu Lan says and gives a brief hug that brought Wu Ying to tears.

"Yes, I'm home."

With that, Wu Ying grabs Issei and follows Wu Lan.

______________________________________

Issei's Mindscape

Fire

Fire as far as the eye can see. A burning world of flames. That was all Hyoudo Issei could see. Until the flames started to move and change. The flames soon took the form of a dragon and out it came.

The dragon was red, the same color as the gauntlet that appeared and disappeared magically. Looking at its size made him feel like an ant. Fear soon took place as he saw the mythological creature. It radiated power that he never knew existed.

"Hyoudo Issei" It talked. "We have much to talk about."

"Who are you?" Issei says after mustering the courage to speak.

"My name is Ddraig. The Heavenly Red Dragon Emperor or the Welsh Dragon. The Red Dragon that has stood at the top of the world and even made the gods feel fear. Until I was defeated and sealed."

"Were you the bastard that took me from my home?"

"I was not. I have been living inside you since the time you were an infant." That surprises Issei in knowing a giant dragon has been inside of him for that long and also saddened him in having no clue where he is.

"Who put you there?"

"As you should have figured out from our encounter. The supernatural is real. That means gods are also real. One of them is the Biblical God as told in the bible. There was once a Great War between the Biblical God and his angels, the fallen angels, and the devils. But it was soon interrupted by two dragons causing a mess. Knowing that their war would never be finished if the dragons weren't stopped. They came to a compromise to fight the two dragons together. When it was done the two dragons were defeated and then sealed into mystical items called Sacred Gears. Which were then given to humans to fight the supernatural."

"Is that the red gauntlet that suddenly appears?"

"That's right. Every time one of my hosts dies, my soul and power are then transferred over to somebody else. The Sacred Gear you possess is called the Boosted Gear. A mid-tier Longinus."

"Why did it suddenly appear now and not before?"

"Every Sacred Gear responds to the desire of their host when they need it most. When you were about to die. Your desire to protect those two girls called it out. The Boosted Gear grants you the ability to Boost your power every ten seconds and also transfer the power you collected to anything you want. Of course, it has a limit. It can only be used if the user has enough stamina to keep it running and if the user's body can handle such an increase of power. Like during your fight with that foolish bandit. You were so tired the Boosted Gear would have disappeared a long time ago if it wasn't for your endurance and stupidity. But if you received another Boost that would be it for you and it would leave you to the hands of that weakling."

"Where are we?" Really dodged a bullet.

"We're in your mind. The moment you defeated the trash you called opponents. Exhaustion took place from overusing the Boosted Gear. Remember it feeds off stamina. If it wasn't for your body's condition you would be able to fully summon it and handle the power of two Boost."

"Condition? Oh. Are you talking about me being a First stage Fighter? Were you not the person who did this?"

"That is why I said we have much to talk about. Hyoudo Issei, do you know where we are?"

"That's why I'm asking you? Where on Earth are we?" Issei says annoyed.

"Foolish boy have you not noticed or have you pretended to ignore the facts. We are not on Earth. Where we are I do not know. But even with me sealed in here I could still feel the extreme difference in the environment. This place has a higher concentration of spiritual energy than our world but unlike ours, there's no... How do I say it? Magic. Yes, there's no magic."

The answer that Hyoudo Issei didn't want to hear shocked him. After all, how was he ever going to get home if he was planets apart without knowing how he got here in the first place?

"We are all alone in a place not our own. We must rely on each other to keep us safe until we figure out how we got here. I do not know who brought us here or why your body was enhanced? But I do know this. That as long as you get stronger the person responsible will appear."

"Stronger? I must get stronger." With more motivation to return home, a fire is lit to see his family again.

"There are two ways for you to do it. One is for you to master the Boosted Gear. The other is for you to listen to that annoying girl's plan. Cultivate until you reach a higher realm."

Soon the world was starting to shake.

"What? What's happening?"

"Calm yourself. You're just about to wake up. Rest for now. We shall talk when you're alone and well."

"What should I tell the girls?"

"That would be up to you. But be warned many people will greed after you for possessing the Boosted Gear. Always keep its secrets hidden or else calamity will appear."

With that, the world fades.

______________________________________

The smell of cooking brings Issei's stomach to grumble. As he smelled the aroma coming from the fire. He quickly gets up ready to eat.

"Issei!

"Big bro!"

The shouts of Wu Ying and Wu Xiao’s surprise came, as they watched the boy sleeping suddenly shot up.

"Food!" Was Issei only thought? Until he realized the two girls in the room. "Wu Ying, why are you two here?"

"You idiot. What do you mean 'why are we here?' We were worried about you." Wu Ying shouts but Wu Xiao instantly appeared hugging him with tears that he was okay. This greatly moves Issei to tears as the girls worry about him.

"Even you Wu Ying?" Wrong thing to say.

"What do you mean 'Even me'?" She shouts even harder with her anger boiling. "Of course I'm worried. You fought for my freedom and got hurt because I couldn't help you. How could I not worry?" But surprisingly a gentle voice came next.

"Thank you." Issei says as he hugs her, making her blush.

"Issei." Wu Lan says as she comes into the room. "Are you okay?"

"Yup. Just a bit hungry." He said with his stomach growling.

"You're in luck. The food is ready so come down to eat." She says with a sweet smile.

"Right." He says and tries to stand and walk, but he almost falls if it wasn't for Wu Ying.

"Let me help." She says shyly.

With that, the group of four are now seated with bowls in their hands. Saying their prayer they dug in. Wu Ying with less enthusiasm as she considers what she wants to say?

"Issei what was that red gauntlet?"

"Ya when it appeared. Big bro, got super strong."

"If it's a big secret. You don't have to say anything." Wu Lan says not wanting to pry into Issei’s secret. 

"I trust you. So I'll tell you. But please don't tell anybody else."