The Systems Challenge

Chapter 303: Returning to the Others

Chapter 303: Returning to the Others

Kim wasn't sure how long she'd expected Sonya to take in finding the others. When she'd approached them after having dropped Heather off to heal them, after having shifted back to being human, the sun had been still been a good distance in the sky overhead. Though, when she left, it had been at least an hour after they'd discussed how poorly the fight against the bear had gone. As well as how ineffective their attacks had been.

Though, now that Sonya had returned with the others, Kim felt like Sonya should have been back sooner with them, but she didn't really care to press the point. Especially since she really couldn't say for certain that Sonya had taken her time with the

"It'll be easier to show you," Jonas said. "Hold our your hands out with your palms facing down, okay?" Elin did so and Jonas moved over next to her.

"Elin, don't," Patrick advised. "You'll regret it."

Kim didn't disagree, but she also wanted to see how far this was going to go. Elin, however, didn't show any signs of backing down.

"Now, I'll go first. It'll be your turn when I go to hit your knuckles and you pull your hand away first, okay?" Jonas asked and Elin nodded, though Kim could see uncertainty starting to appear in her eyes.

Jonas immediately moved his right hand and smacked Elin's hand before she could even blink. It was clear on Elin's face that the strike hurt, but she didn't seem to be that worried. Instead, her expression hardened and she continued on. Though, Kim couldn't help but think that Elin looked like she was saying something under her breath, though it wasn't clear what that might have been.

Elin didn't move at all during the next four slaps Jonas gave her hands, though Kim wondered if he was using less force or if there was something else going on. Regardless, she couldn't be bothered to watch the entire time. She didn't see the point of the game, but if Elin wasn't going to complain about it, she didn't see the need to do anything about it herself.

Then as Jonas moved again, Elin's hand moved so fast away that Kim realized that she'd used her magic. First it was likely to reduce the amount of damage she'd take from Jonas' hits, then it was to increase her speed. Kim wasn't sure if she'd done anything beyond that, but she didn't see how it mattered at that moment.

Then, while Elin's slaps on Jonas' hands, or knuckles, didn't seem to be very strong, she at least seemed to be quick enough that Jonas didn't seem to have a chance to get another turn before the stew was done. Though, Kim also wondered if Elin even knew about some of the rules that involved trying to get the other person from moving their hand when you weren't going to strike.

Not that it mattered. For what it was worth, Elin seemed better at that game than she would have otherwise thought.