Ivy and Scarlet looked around their street for any clues. They've encountered a few monsters but were quickly dispatched by Ivy. The two were quiet for most of the time since they didn't have anything in common, nor did it feel like they would hold up a decent conversation. Scarlet made sure to take a few glances at Ivy to make sure that she doesn't have a sudden outburst. However, Ruby did say that the outburst is likely to happen if she was betrayed or someone she was trying to protect was killed.
The two continued down a cracked road as Ivy spoke, "How long are you going to monitor me?" She noticed that Scarlet has been taking glances at her. At first, Ivy was confused, but now she realizes it was a precaution so she doesn't lose control.
("Hm...that felt too long for her to realized.") Scarlet stared at Ivy's back before saying, "Did you realize ever since we split up? Or was this just now?"
"The first," Ivy replied before flinging two knives at two wolf-like monsters covered in black fur and bonelike spines and spikes sticking out. The two wolves died in an instance as Ivy paused. "Is it because Ruby told you I might lose control?"
Scarlet stopped as she stared at Ivy with caution. She felt like something was off about Ivy, though the training exercises and fitness tests, Ivy was leagues above. However, she was always in the average range. Scarlet said in a slightly timid voice, "Yes, but you have to understand. If you do lose control, then I can get help as quickly as possible."
Ivy shrugged her shoulders before continuing their path. It was currently 1500, yet there wasn't a single clue about their mission. The two continued the silence between them as they entered a broken factory. Ivy used her Mana and controlled it to create a small flame to light the way.
It wasn't anything fancy or unexpected like most factories. There were a bunch of containers broken and leaking different liquids. Most of the place was rundown, and no longer had a function. Scarlet grabbed Ivy's shoulder to stop her and pointed towards the presumed observatory room. Ivy nodded as they made their way towards the room.
Ivy heard a crash somewhere in the factory as she stopped. She looked around with her night-vision eyes only to spot a few monsters eating something. She whispered to Scarlet about their predicament. If they continued, they would likely attract the monster's attention and others; however, if they leave now, it's possible they can look at it with the others later.
Scarlet contemplated before hearing the beasts sniffing the air. Ivy blew out the flame and grabbed Scarlet's hand before rushing out of the building. The monsters immediately chased after the two as they rampage their way through the broken equipment.
Ivy tossed Scarlet through the doorway before passing through and closing the door shut. She made sure to freeze the door as it possible they could break through. She could hear the monsters banging against the door before one of them pierce their with their tusks, luckily, Ivy didn't get hurt.
"Boarbatusks huh? How many?" Scarlet as she pulled out a burning claymore sword. Ivy shook her head as she left the door. Scarlet furrowed her brows before looking through one of the holes to see some sort of mutated Boaratusk. Something was glowing on top of their bone tusks, like a neon green with traces of red.
"Experimented monsters? Why though?" Scarlet asked before getting the answer. The liquid that was in those containers must have been some sort of test before it was abandoned. But how did they contain them, and more importantly, how did they break out?
Ivy checked the time before saying, "We should get going. It's almost 1800, the others might have seen something like this. If not, then it might be a dead lead for our mission."
Scarlet sheathed her claymore before following Ivy. The girl's senses were incredible. Her decision to throw Scarlet instead of herself was note-worthy. Scarlet looked back at the factory before getting a creepy vibe from it.
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Rose and the other talked about their findings while Scarlet took first watch. She was disappointed that her team didn't find anything besides a few odd-looking monsters. Eden kept his silence as he prepared something for them to eat. York and Neo experienced a small vibration underneath them before getting surrounded by monsters. They didn't encounter any glowing monsters as Rose was saying. Ivy quickly explained her street before speculating about the city:
"These people were likely experimenting on monsters. But some of their experiments must have gotten free and caused the people to run away."
"Alright, so now we have a possible lead on how it was abandoned. Now we have to figure out how they didn't die from the sudden outbreak," York chimed in while helping out serving of dinner. Everyone thanked him as they dug in while Ivy was still thinking. He was about to say something before Neo interrupted his thoughts.
Ivy thought a few more seconds before suddenly asking Neo, "Neo, show me where the vibration happens."
Neo smirked before saying, "Eat first, then we can look."
Ivy looked down at the bowl of soup, she thanked York before digging in. The soup wasn't bad considering the situation they were in. Plus, it was probably the best thing for the night while they were out. They had two more days to figure out what happened to this city.
Scarlet came back and looked at Neo: "Take me with you. You three, make sure nothing odd happens. If something does, throw this as high as possible." She tossed a Flare Gem at Rose. She went back to the watch post and silently listened to the banter from the others.
Ivy and Neo finished before getting up and readying themselves. Neo grabbed Scarlet before the three headed off. Their hideout and where they came from wasn't too far, but it would take some time.
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Arriving on the road that had the vibration, Ivy leaned down and tried to hear anything suspicious underground. She could hear a slight sound of machines and the sound of a train moving. She stood up before looking at the surrounding buildings.
"There's something underneath the ground, maybe a railroad, but there's also machines working," Ivy said before thinking about the next course of action.
"We should get the others then, better to have more than have little," Neo said. She had a feeling there was something odd when the ground suddenly started to vibrate. She smiled as she pulled out a Flare Gem, Neo handed it to Ivy before slowly backing off. Scarlet tilted her head before noticing Ivy's sudden possession.
Ivy quickly pulled out a silver bow and nocked an alloy arrow with the gem attached. She pulled the string back before releasing the arrow directly into the sky while the gem exploded. She kept the bow out, and a quiver appeared on her back. Ivy took a deep breath before summoning a special arrow. Gently nocking the arrow in place, Ivy processed to concentrate her Mana into the tip of the arrow as she aimed it down.
Neo tapped Scarlet's shoulder and said, "We should back off. Once Ivy finishes charging up, she'll release the arrow, which is very destructive. Also, Ivy probably won't be able to use her barriers once she finishes."
Scarlet nodded as she has never seen so much small Mana particles gather in one place. She followed Neo as they were about 15 meters away from Ivy.
Seeing that Neo and Scarlet were far enough, Ivy released the arrow. It immediately pierced through the concrete ground and caused the earth to crack. She put away her bow and quickly summoned her sword as the ground under her gave way. The sudden air pressure created by Ivy's arrow almost blew away the two if it wasn't for Neo's unexpected barrier.
Scarlet rushed into the hole after leaving Neo to herself. She knew that Neo was brilliant and doubted the girl would be as reckless as her teammate. Neo smiled before signaling the others to come. Neo was a bit jealous of how Ivy can easy show off without even trying; however, that why she loves Ivy so much.