Democracy Pt1

Sidmund would be popping a bag of popcorn right now… if he had any. This scenario was interesting.

Though Augustus Grayson wasn't exactly in top form, he was a lot better than Ben by great miles.

Both of them were inexperienced fighters, but the plump man had great pragmatism in movements.

The weight he could put in his punches also made his opponent more of a punching bag than a foe.

What made things scary was Ben's mental state…

He kept on charging at Augustus like the man had killed his family or friends. He looked raving mad!

But who said this would be a traditional 'duel'?

Julie stepped on the knife that'd fallen earlier and had gotten everyone's attention without any effort.

With only one exception…

She'd expected Augustus to panic, but he seemed to be able to keep a cool enough head to converse:

"I have a good explanation for this…! So can you stop him?" In response, she put away the knife.

Or rather, she threw it out the tram's broken window. Her eyes looked at the people around.

They looked ashamed when the tables turned…

Sneaking behind the furious writer, Julie grabbed him by the collar and threw him across the tram.

This made her former boss sigh in relief…

"Thank-" *Smack!*

A fist planted directly into his exposed face. After all, how could she forgive this evil piece of trash?

He tried to kill her… and for what reason?!

"Shtop!" Augustus wasn't able to do anything after losing his weapon. It was the only advantage he had. Without a bladed weapon, he was no match for this terrifying woman he'd carelessly employed.

The only fortunate thing for him was Ben's state.

Despite having been hit a few times with the heavy fists of his former boss, he wasn't going down.

And how could he?

What was commonly known as 'BEAST MODE' was slang for some that was similar to 'The Zone'.

However, unlike the state of The Zone in combat sports (which was similar to all your mental gears meshing together perfectly), BEAST MODE had to do with the determination to carry out an action.

It didn't matter if the person going BEAST MODE was ordinary. Their skills themselves didn't matter.

This state of mind was superhuman in of itself…

So much so that even someone as unfit for fighting like this edgy Webnovel writer was to be feared.

Since Ben's directive right now was to kill Augustus Grayson, he wouldn't allow Julie to get in the way.

Throwing away their previous interactions, all he knew was his animalistic desire to kill that person.

It was a hunger pangs that hit deep in his soul…!

"Aaaaagh!" He charged at Julie with a roar, only to be hit with an elbow from a perfect striking angle.

Augustus used this opportunity to push her away.

By positioning himself between the wild beast and female aggressor, he forced them to collide.

"What was wrong with me taking charge when you were ineffective?" She spoke while fighting them.

With her Julie's superhuman fighting rank in her stat's Evaluation, she wasn't to be underestimated.

It was easy for her to rotate between the two of them, while minimising any damage done to her.

She had complete control over the battlefield.

"You tried to take my company from me." Her boss mixed truth and lies when giving her his retorts.

"You could've fired me."

"And watch my company l fall?

No thanks. You're too dangerous. Especially if you found a job with one of our product competitors."

"How the fuck is your incompetence my fault?!" It was at that moment she finally snapped at him.

The chaotic and wild battle between the three of them became unbalanced when she struck him.

Her fist sent him barrelling into the wall.

Or was it more accurate to call it the floor?

After all, the tram was still sideways.

The seating others were on was makeshift…

The tables slowly started turning against her again when Ben was showing no signs of backing off.

A glint appeared in her former employer's eyes…

Just when another opportunity showed itself, he threw a heavy punch that'd definitely bruise her.

*Crash!*

However, that fist went straight past her and hit someone she'd once considered a potential friend.

Her eyes looked at the plump man in confusion.

"Sorry… Let's think rationally now. In this crazy world, wouldn't it be better to have more allies?"

While throwing out those words, Augustus decided to assist her. It wasn't a choice without benefits.

Rather, the alternative wasn't appealing anymore.

Julie also knew that his words were right.

It wasn't that she'd forgotten about his personality or what happened earlier, but this wasn't Earth.

And if it wasn't the place they'd call home…

'Then I have to act more rationally.' Throwing her prior animosities, she chose the better option.

[You have used 'Social Adept'. Usage has given you better understanding of manoeuvring interactions.]

Her eyes then shifted to the important person who had saved her life. The one who'd be useful.

"You better not interfere." She cracked her fingers and stretched her beautiful body while saying this.

Augustus couldn't help feeling intimidated…

Regardless of her beauty, she was too inhuman.

He'd expected to have a hard time persuading her to stop fighting him, but she adapted pretty quick.

Which meant she was the 'strongest' person here.

Augustus shivered… He once again weighed the pros and cons of following her after all of this.

And the result was to his liking.

He took a step back and let her take centre stage.

Ben tackled Julie and tried to punch her again and again, but now… all that effort of his was useless.

[Your 'Combat Expertise' is sharpening.]

Her hands and feet were like whips. They were all unpredictable… and hard to grasp after being hit.

Even coiling around his neck to twist his body.

She threw him on the ground and mounted him.

Despite being suffocated by her, Ben's conscious wouldn't wane despite the pressure on his neck.

"What's wrong with you…?" She noticed Ben hadn't even slightly glanced towards her this entire time.

He was continuing to attack without reservations.

If things continued like this, she'd have no choice but to let go of this great source of information.

Should she just do it…?

Her stamina was waning…

"Boring…" Sidmund, who was floating around in his ghostly form, saw this situation as nothing special.

That's why he snapped him out of his hysteria.

With a mere flick of his finger, Ben felt his soul shake. The sensation was like being pinched.

Except the pain came straight from within…!

"Huh?" Rather than remembering the pain, the Grand Delusionist woke up underneath Julie.

His eyes noticed the strange position they were in as she held his head down and lifted her palm high.

"W-wait!" *Woosh!*

The karate chop stopped straight in front of his face. Dust was thrown up after piercing the air.

Augustus let out a breath in relief…

He was glad he chose the right side.

Ben quickly got ahold of himself and tried to understand the situation he was in and his stats.

The new abilities he'd gained made him happy.

However, he wasn't sure why Julie was now looking at him so coldly. What was she thinking about?

And why was everyone looking at him weird…?