"Brother, you should know how to play, right?"

The man who was impatient with Ryuto earlier asked enthusiastically, showing such warmth. Indeed, he is a friend, although his change in attitude was quite quick...

"Ah, I have a basic idea, after all, I saw how you guys play earlier. So, what's the plan for the next game?"

Ryuto glanced at the many small stones in the man's hand.

"Well actually..."

Probably afraid of being overheard by the little girl, the man whispered quietly in Ryuto's ear.

Well...

This guy is quite clever, aware that the little girl has better hearing than ordinary people.

Hmm...

Truly a teachable child, destined for greatness in the future. When he succeeds, I can also bask in his glory. After all, friends are valuable resources, like oil, no, even better than oil - clean and pollution-free, meeting the standards of sustainable development and the demands of modern society. Looks like I might even win a Nobel environmental award!

Well, although I'm not sure how long this friendship will last, I have a feeling it might be short-lived.

"Oh... You guys really came up with such a brilliant idea. You're smart. The world is indeed vast, and I'm just a frog in a well, truly feeling inferior."

With that, Ryuto clasped his hands together in admiration.

"Then, why don't you go first, since we're good brothers after all."

The man politely made way.

Oh...

It feels like someone is about to concede defeat, truly a model for young people today, a model for the times. If this can't make it to the top ten most touching characters in Ten Kingdoms, I will be the first to protest!

"Well, I won't refuse then."

With that, Ryuto took the stones from the man's hand.

Even though they were already friends, it's important to uphold certain customs, after all, there's the saying, 'Even family needs to settle accounts properly.'

Hmm...

It's a bit exciting to do this for the first time.

So, under the warm gaze of his two friends, Ryuto unhesitatingly threw the handful of stones painstakingly collected by his friend.

"Thud..."

Instead of a crisp impact sound, there was...

"Ah..."

A cry of pain from the man.

Sitting on the ground, holding his foot that was hit by a handful of stones, although one stone may not hurt much, the combined effect could be quite painful, considering he wasn't wearing iron shoes. Not to mention he was blindsided by it.

"What...?"

The bespectacled man stood there, looking stunned.

It was Ryuto who acted first this time.

"Oh... my good brother, what's wrong? Is your foot hurting?"

Squatting down, he showed genuine concern because mutual caring is crucial among friends.

"You...!"

Although Ryuto was earnest, it seemed he was not appreciated, clearly, the man was angry. Anyone would be upset in that situation.

"What's wrong? Did someone do something outrageous to my brother? Don't worry, brother, you tell me, I'll get revenge for you, I'll make sure to make him regret it, make him not even recognize his own mother."

However, Ryuto remained calm and even threatened to avenge his brother. For a brother, he would go to great lengths. Revenge is just a small matter.

Well, luckily there are no knives here, otherwise...

That would definitely hurt a bit...no, that just amounts to self-harm, two sides of the same coin.

I'm not a sadist, I don't have that hobby.