They were summoned to this world the day before. Steve had the second-highest number of kills was the 1st runner up. He had received the suitable prize.

Four of them had received food supplies while others had received nothing. This was the way of this damnable world. Giving food supplies to a select few who were strong making the ones who were weak, to begin with, weaker by the day, left at the mercy of the strong.

But, these newbies were not acquainted with the ways of this world. Thus they didn’t bat an eye before asking the runner-ups to share food and water. And the runner-ups also didn’t hesitate much to do so.

After all, they could bait the others into forming groups to ensure better survival. There was one thing the runner-ups, Bill Ritter and Bruno Eichel had realized after their exchange with the Char Eagles.

That is if they wanted to survive here they gotta team-up. And promising the fellow survivors with food and water was a good way to bait them into teaming up.

People from various backgrounds and habits teamed up as one. So before what was impossible to do became possible cause of the need for survival.

For some reason, the winner wasn’t asked for these. After his exchange with Bill Ritter, he came off as rather edgy to everyone so everyone decided to avoid him. After all, they were receiving food from the runner-ups. There was no need to desperately beg him for food as of now.

But, to Steve, he didn’t seem edgy at all. Looking into his eyes it felt like he in a hurry running against time that caused him to not introduce himself properly to the others. The man always seems to do something or the other without giving himself much rest.

It was seeing him train with the sword that Steve was motivated even more than before to train himself.

As for whether they approached Steve or not? Yes, they did as he came off rather sociable. Being young and having looks somewhat better than average. He gave off that ‘Friendly neighborhood’ atmosphere.

As usual, Bill was the first one to approach Steve.

“You seem good at fighting. Are you experienced?”

“Well yes, when I was in high school I used to get into frequent fistfights with my batchmates”

Bill made a crooked face as if wanting to say ‘Are you kidding me?’ But seeing his cheerful and joyous expression he thought otherwise.

“Of course none of those small fries back in school could stand up against me. I was the big boss back at school after all,” he said, “Those were the days, I wish I could go back to those”

Steve’s casual rambling didn’t match the situation at all. He seemed like a city worker talking to his son reminiscing about his past.

Bill somehow went along the flow.

“Indeed, I also get nostalgic remembering my high school days. We seem to have similar ideas,” he said “Anyway, I am Bill, Bill Ritter and what might your name be?”

“What! You don’t know who I am? I am certain I am well known far and wide. Do you live under the rock?”

Bill’s brows twitched. What was he even supposed to make of that statement?

“Well, I guess… I indeed am uninitiated”

“Anyway Steve here, hope you have caught wind of my name before at least”

“To be honest no… but I will make sure to never forget it!”

“Good, good you seem to be a sincere man”

Steve showed him a thumbs up.

“Anyway Sir Steve, it is not unknown to you how dangerous a situation we are in. Thus I believe it would be to the best of our interest if we tag along and fight together”

‘Although you say that what good will a team that is not used to working together do. Making a team out of nowhere isn’t suitable for fighting these beasts’ Steve thought.

“Chill pal, no need to be so formal with me. We are souls in the same boat”

“And on the matter of teaming up. Look, you already have so many people there with you. What good will I joining do?”

Bill seemed a bit dejected in his opinion. But then suddenly one of the men among the group stepped forward and extended his arm.

“Hi, I am Christopher”

Steve extended his arms as well leading them to shake hands in a friendly way.

“Steve here”

“Steve, if you don’t want to join us then we won’t force you but it will be very kind of you if you could share some rations with us,” he said.

“As you know only 4 have received them and we are kinda low on food.”

“I see, sure” he continued, “But I can’t share them, I can only sell them”

“Sell them?”

“Yes sell them, but I don’t want the money that’s useless here. Since I can’t use any other weapon other than these babies” He said pointing at his gauntlets, “Then how about trading food for clothes?”

“Pardon?”

“Barter man… barter. Exchange something for something. I prefer men’s clothing but even ladies wear would do”

Everyone had their mouth gaping open. While the two women clutched their clothes tighter as if they were being defiled. They knew that this man here was a total weirdo.

“Pervert” one of the women finally blurted out.

“Hey don’t call me that. Normally I won’t strike a deal like this. It is only because you guys have nothing valuable on you that I am making such an offer. And it is not like I am going to do something weird with your clothes, so take your minds out of the gutter”

Steve desperately defended himself.

“What will you do with the clothes?” Bill asked.

“Why? Wear them of course. What else can you do with them?”

“Even women’s clothes?”

“EVEN women’s clothes, I don’t mind cross-dressing after all in this wilderness clothes are just pieces of fabric and have no meaning to them”

Bill at a loss of words turned his head to look at his teammates. His teammates looked back at his eyes without any response portraying how equally confused they were.

“Em.. thank you, we will think about your offer after discussing it amongst the group” Bill blurted out.

“Haha, sure sure always happy to help”

—

Author’s thoughts:

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