The Strongest Body Customization System

Barseagle, always steady, was leading the way, his dark cloak flowing behind him. Rurik, however, walked a little faster, keeping just ahead of Barseagle, his eyes never staying still. His focus wasn't on the lake, though—it was on making sure everyone knew just how "battle-hardened" he was.

"You know," Rurik said, voice smooth and calculated, "back in the day, I single-handedly took down an entire werewolf pack. Bare hands. No weapons. I wasn't even out of breath."

Barseagle raised an eyebrow. "Interesting," he said, a calm smirk playing on his lips. "Once, I took on three True Vampires in a single night. Bare-handed too. I could hardly remember the last time I even felt tired."

The two leaders exchanged a look—neither one willing to back down.

Ian, walking just behind them, let out a soft, low chuckle. He didn't care much for the bickering, but it was amusing to hear them try so hard.

Kate, who was walking next to him, leaned over, eyes filled with curiosity. "Hey, Ian," she said, her voice low enough so the others wouldn't hear, "how do your claws feel when you retract them? Like, is it weird?"

Ian glanced down at his hands, the claws flexing just slightly at the mention. "It's not bad," he replied, his voice deep and steady. "Feels like stretching, but with more... resistance." He paused, his sharp eyes glancing at her. "Ever tried it yourself?"

Kate shook her head quickly, a small laugh escaping. "Not in a million years." She raised her eyebrows. "What about the exoskeleton? I bet that's weird."

Ian smiled a little. "It's like armor... but underneath the skin." His fingers lightly touched the edge of his collarbone, where the exoskeleton blended seamlessly with his skin. "At first, it feels heavy, but you get used to it. It makes me feel... stronger. Like nothing can get through."

Liz, who had been quiet up until now, piped up from behind. "So, you're basically walking armor?"

Ian nodded. "Something like that."

"Man," Xean, a team 8 member, said with a grin, "imagine if Ian went into battle with that thing and his claws. He'd be unstoppable! Just walk through a whole army and they'd all turn to dust."

Kate snorted. "Yeah, I can already see it. Ian the unstoppable force. I'd just stay behind and watch. No way I'm getting in his way."

Rurik, who had been listening in, turned back to them with a sharp look. "Enough with the jokes," he said, voice cutting through the night air. "This isn't a time for jokes. We're going into the nest of true werewolves. You'll be lucky if you're still walking out when we're done. So focus."

Barseagle, who had been quietly amused, finally spoke up. "Oh, Rurik, I'm sure it'll be just like the time you 'single-handedly' took on a whole pack, right?"

Rurik shot him a glare. "You think you're funny, don't you?"

Barseagle shrugged casually. "I try."

The two leaders exchanged a tense, but knowing look—almost like a rivalry that neither of them could fully let go.

"Alright, enough of that," Daniel chimed in, clearly wanting to move past the tension. "So, Ian, do you feel like... special or something? Like, with all your freaky traits? You know, your claws, exoskeleton, size... It's kinda freaky."

Ian chuckled, shaking his head. "It's just my constitution. I was born like this. Not everyone's lucky enough to get all the special stuff," he said with a grin.

"Well, you definitely got the 'special' part down," Daniel said, his voice light with laughter. "You're like a walking, talking tank."

Kate added, "And we're all just little mosquitoes buzzing around you."

Ian raised a brow, his lips twitching in amusement. "Just be glad I'm on your side."

They all burst into laughter at that, the tension of the travel melting away for a moment. Even Rurik, despite his annoyance, let out a reluctant chuckle. The two members of team 8 look amused.

"That's true," Rurik muttered, shaking his head but with a smirk. "You're a walking tank, alright. Maybe I'll need you to watch my back when the real fight starts."

Barseagle laughed softly. "You've got it all figured out now, don't you, Rurik?"