Location; Head Quarters Main Estate; Fumengji Facility
"So?" Chandler wondered, "Why did you suddenly call us?" they are walking on the hallway, with the rest of the squad plus the newcomer, Han Dae.
Daniel, "I've received a notification from the Main Estate." he said while pointing his bracelet pass.
They all understood at once. They need to get a job done.
Entering to the Head Quarters and presenting the message, Daniel and his squad reach the room where the Shihan in charge of them is waiting, sitting on a chair, reading a book.
They all lowered their heads, stretching their arms forward, with right hand close fist, and the left holding the right fist.
"Greetings Shihan." Daniel said politely.
Their Shihan nodded and they stood straight. "Accompany the family of merchants in crossing the Dream Forest in the East."
Daniel, "This Zushi would like to trouble Shihan in a question."
Shihan, "Go ahead."
Daniel, "This is an errand then, right?"
Shihan, "I wouldn't call it an errand." closing his book, he said, "There seem to be a disturbance happening in that forest that is why people are afraid to cross there."
Truly, this is not an errand at all. If it is only helping the merchants cross a forest safely, then it is. But if there is something peculiar going on, it is already considered as a mission.
Their Shihan continued, "I am planning to assign a squad of Hashis but due to some circumstances, I have no other choice but to bother you."
"What kind of circumstances?" Han Dae asked without asking permission to speak at all. One can't blame him, he doesn't even consider this Shihan a Shihan. This world's knowledge about spiritual energy are really low that he don't know whether to ask for permission to speak. Still, that doesn't mean he doesn't respect him.
Well, he did bow to him, right?
Luckily, this Shihan isn't a boastful one so he let it go and answered, "That is not for you to know."
Han Dae just stared at him suspiciously.
Before someone offend someone, knocks echoed the place and the door opened. Younger youths lowered their heads. They are five altogether, ages thirteen to fifteen.
"You're just in time." their Shihan said. He faced Daniel saying, "Take them with you. They need to gain experience and I'll be checking their reports afterwards."
Daniel lowered his head once again to make up for Han Dae's behavior saying, "As Shihan's wish."
They are now walking outside the Head Quarters back to Fumengji Facility with their juniors.
"Ugh!" one of the juniors shouted, "Of all people, why them?!"
Everyone faced him, his fellow juniors shocked, while Daniel's squad is irritated. Well, who could it be other than Asher's dearest di?
In front of their Shihan, they had no choice but to keep quiet. Who would want to argue in front of someone so respectful? Now that they left the room, every one of them looks like they will explode in any minute now.
Chandler glared, flipping her hair, she mocked, "What? You've got a problem? We're your seniors. Show some respect."
"Kneel down you lowly peasant!" Trijah backed her up.
Hannah joined the fight, "So he says."
Asher wiped his face and rolled his eyes. He wants to disappear. He faced Han Dae who is standing beside him and whispered, "Hey, do you have invisibility powers? I wanna disappear!"
"Unfortunately, I don't." Han Dae shook his head.
Asher sighed in disappointment. He can still hear Chandler, Hannah, and Trijah bickering with his half-brother, Nathan. He then thought, 'A group of sixteen and seventeen year olds ganging up on a thirteen year old harmless baby chick.'
Asher stepped in front of both parties and said, "You guys! All of you." He said while pointing at each and every one of them with his left hand on his waist.
"Don't you have anything else to do?" he first looked at his friends, "How old are you guys?" then he faced his di, "And you! When will you behave? Your parents may spoil you, but here it won't happen. We're your superiors right now. Show some respect. If you don't, then don't tag along. I'd hate to bring someone who doesn't know how to follow instructions."
What a boss!
Nathan is about to reply back because he feels offended, but he knows that when he did so, he won't be able to come with them. He is a proud guy, he cannot let this chance of watching his Zushis act on a mission. So he kept his mouth shut, but his face is still irritated.
Hannah approached Daniel and whispered, "I don't think you'd keep quiet."
Daniel chuckled, "Well, you guys look cute so I decided to watch instead. It's quite enjoyable."
Hannah turned to see Han Dae when she noticed him looking straight at Asher. She wondered, 'Han Dae is really attached to Asher huh? He won't even talk to us if we don't talk to him.'
Daniel clapped his hands saying, "Alright, we all had our fun. We have to get going or else we'll be late."
"Right." Asher answered, "It'll take us half a day to reach Dream Forest right? Are the merchants even there?"
Daniel scanned his thumb on the scanner of the bracelet and there appear a simulation of a map. There's a green dot near the red dot.
He said, "They are staying in a pub near the Dream Forest."
They started walking.
"Zushi-chou! Zushi-chou!" one of their juniors said. Daniel faced him and he continued, "Are we spending the whole day accompanying you?"
Daniel answered, "Shihan told me to take you to the hometown of the merchants and then bring you back here afterwards. I guess it would take a whole day."
"Then! Then!" one of the juniors answered, "Are we skipping today's other subjects? It isn't considered as cutting classes right?" he faced Trijah.
Trijah smirked, "We got you guys covered!"
The two juniors in the back gave each other a high five exclaiming, "Yes!"
The other approached Han Dae who's keeping quiet, "Zushi-ni, tell me, how strong is your squad?"
Hannah, Trijah and Chandler got shocked upon hearing the question and seeing that Zushi apprentice casually talked to Han Dae who, for them, is hard to talk to. Daniel also wondered that, but he isn't as shocked as the other three.
"Umm..." Han Dae wondered with a stiff face, "Strong enough to beat a large monster pig?"
All the juniors got surprised.
"Are you the squad who killed the giant pig?!"
"Teach me! Teach me!"
"Shut up! Let them tell the story first!"
Nathan wants to listen to how they killed it too but he acts as if it's a waste of time, although it is already painted in his face as clear as day that he wanted to know how.
"How did you youngsters know?" Asher asked raising a brow.
"We heard our Rabbis talking about it! Even they are amazed! That monster is a Hashi level!"
"Yeah! They said that the Hashis arrived but you guys already killed it!"
Chandler, Trijah and Asher exchanged looks and then grinned.
Trijah, brushing his hair, exclaimed, "Well what can you do? We're the best Zushi squad!"
Chandler, swinging her hips, continued, "You brats are so lucky to breathe the same air we breathe!"
Asher, crossing his arms, added, "No sweat! That monster ain't even strong!"
Daniel smacked Asher's head lightly and Hannah smacked Chandler and Trijah's head without holding back.
Then they both said, "Stop fooling around!" Hannah exclaiming and Daniel ordering calmly.
Asher faced Daniel and laughed while brushing his head, "You don't have to smack me."
Trijah, "Yeah!" he shouted at Hannah while holding the bump on his head, "You don't have to!" he faced Han Dae to ask for help but he saw him looking only at Asher.
He blinked in a wonder when Chandler shouted, "You ugly witch!"
"You better shut your mouth before I forget you're my shi." Hannah threatened.
Chandler shivered. She's terrified when Hannah does that. Hannah is a sweet girl and has a lot of patience, so when she snapped, every word she says is true.
Asher faced Han Dae, "Tired?" he asked.
Han Dae shook his head.
Asher stretched his arms while they are nearing the station, "I am."
"I can draw an array for us to teleport there." Han Dae stated looking a bit worried, "Since you're tired..."
Asher gasped, "You can do that? Like, teleportation?"
Han Dae nodded, "It requires blood and spiritual energy. Blood to draw the array and spiritual energy to make it work. We usually use it when it is urgent but I can draw one."
Asher smiled, "I would love to see that, but we can't. There are other people here, besides, it's not so urgent."
Han Dae looks even more worried, "But—you said you're tired..."
Asher smirked, "Nah, I'm just lazy. Gotcha!"
Daniel faced Asher to talk to him when he saw him and Han Dae talking normally. By that he meant, Han Dae's face isn't stiff at all. He is worried, then embarrassed, then mad. It's a first for Daniel so he decided not to interfere with them.
"Ah! We're here!" one of the apprentice said.
They are now riding a clear train from above ground. They can see the floating cars and other vehicles below.
Han Dae wondered and asked Asher, "How did the A-jins obtain great improvement and Jinjis are left behind?"
Asher answered unenthusiastic and embarrassed, "It's the power of science."
Location: Dwarf Town
"Waaah!" Chandler and Trijah, together with the juniors, exclaimed in amazement.
This town is really different compared to where they live. Here, not much change had happened. There are no floating vehicles, no trains, and they still use horses too. But it is not that old fashioned. It is the style of a small yet elegant town back in 2020.
While they are walking, the juniors can't help but to look into different stalls and peculiar places. Daniel is a considerate one, so he walked slowly so that they can have their fun. Asher, Chandler and Trijah are wandering everywhere too. Taking pictures, buying food, and such.
Hannah then called them, "Guys! We're not here for sightseeing!"
Han Dae saw an herbal stall. He went there to take a look. After a while of looking around, he finally decided to grab a chamomile.
"You've got a keen eye there, Chou!" the vendor said, "Chamomile is known for its effectivity to cure sore muscles and tiredness."
Han Dae nodded and gave it to the vendor. The girl took it to wrap it in a cloth. Han Dae paid her before taking the herb.
You might be wondering, where did Han Dae receive his money? Asher is giving him some pocket money and this is the first time he bought something from it since Asher is preparing Han Dae's every need such as clothing, food, and such, he doesn't have the need to buy something else.
"Han Dae! We're leaving 'ya!" Asher shouted. Han Dae turned and saw that he's the only one they are waiting for so he hurried to their side and they reached the Festive Pub.
They immediately noticed the merchants. Daniel approached the woman, in her late twenties, and asked, "Good day Jia, are you the merchant family that asked for our assistance?"
The woman immediately lowered her head as a sign of respect. The others followed her.
Now sitting, Daniel asked, "May we know what kind of trouble you have?"
"Yes." The woman answered, "Yesterday morning, after we finished trading goods here, we decided to go back to our hometown in Bartolome Village but as we are crossing the Dream Forest, some of our family members disappeared without a trace."
"Disappeared?" Daniel asked and the woman nodded.
"At first we thought they were just fooling around, but then, we saw a person literally disappeared in front of our eyes. There's no sound, but definitely he went underground as if he's fallen into a pit!"
Something is indeed wrong – that's what everyone has in mind.
"So you're telling me that the ground of the forest bury people?" Asher questioned.
She nodded, "My husband and other men dug the part where we saw the person fell, but what we saw afterwards is a human skull and bones without a flesh." Meaning, a skeleton.
"Hold on." Hannah asked, "How come a lot of you are spared?"
"We aren't." she uttered, "We managed to escape because my husband and the men lured them elsewhere."
Han Dae found it quite unbelievable.
"How did you manage to lure something that is unseen?" is what he asked.
The woman shivered but then continued, "After we dug it out, there's a tremor. Then more and more people are being dragged underground. My husband decided that we go back here but it attacks us when we are in one group!"
"So," one of the juniors said, all of them are taking down notes already. "That 'whatever' attacks people in large groups?" he asked respectfully.
She nodded hastily, "That is why my husband and a lot of men decided to run deeper in the forest while we run the opposite direction..." she hugged her four-year-old daughter tightly.
"Less than half of us escaped..."
"How many are you?" Daniel asked.
"More than thirty. As you can see, there are only twelve of us here..." she answered. "I don't even know if they made it alright." Her voice quivered as her eyes watered, "My husband is with them..."
Daniel, closing his eyes, put his hands together, resulting into a clap. His squad is attentively waiting for him to speak. He had a habit of doing that when he already came to a conclusion of what should be done.
"Got it." He uttered before opening his eyes. Facing his squad, he said, "This is how we're helping them. I, Hannah, and Asher will take care of that 'whatever' if it shows up. Chandler, Trijah and Han Dae are in charge of taking care of the merchants if we ever split up."
"Roger." Hannah, Asher, Chandler and Trijah answered.
"What about us?" Nathan asked in a not so good way.
"You can be the bait." Chandler grinned.
Nathan got pissed in an instant, "You--!" luckily, Daniel stopped them from arguing by talking over him.
Daniel smiled awkwardly, "Sadly you guys don't have the permission to fight so you'll help these merchants in carrying their luggage. Of course, these three will protect you." He said while pointing at Chandler.
Chandler snubbed. Nathan rolled his eyes.
"No more questions?" Daniel asked, "Let's go!"
Location: Dream Forest
They are walking carefully. Daniel knew that this mission is supposedly for the Hashis to deal with. Therefore, they can't risk provoking that 'whatever' thing underneath. It might not be their level. And obviously, they won't escape unscathed.
The juniors are taking care of some horses while the females are carrying luggage.
"Aren't you guys supposed to carry one too?" Nathan said. He's carrying a luggage because he refused to walk a horse. First, the horse hates him either, second, he doesn't want to be kicked by a horse.
Trijah faced him and said, "Are you an idiot? If you let us carry that and that 'whatever' appeared, do you think we'll have time to toss it?"
"Correct!" Chandler exclaimed, "You brats should know how to act! Would you let this beautiful maiden carry that?"
Daniel sighed and took Nathan's luggage. Nathan's hands are red, clearly he doesn't do this kind of work at home. What a spoiled child!
Daniel somehow managed to tie it like a sling bag and said, "Let's continue."
Nathan is surprised. Everyone continued walking.
"Daniel!" Hannah exclaimed, "That guy deserves it! He should learn the hardships in life!"
Daniel, "His hands are sore already." He smiled at her and said, "This is quite heavy for him."
All of Daniel's squad glared at Nathan like wild beasts and the juniors said,
"Nathan you go get it back!"
"Yeah! You're not tending to the horses! Why don't you make yourself useful?!"
"Don't you feel ashamed?"
"You should help!"
Nathan got furious and ran in front where Daniel is, "Give it back! I didn't tell you to carry it for me!"
Everyone thought, 'But you sound like you wanted someone to carry your things earlier!'
"It's fine!" Daniel smiled, "I am planning to carry a luggage either way."
"I said give it back!" Nathan exclaimed.
"I will." Daniel said, "Once that red mark disappeared." Looking at Nathan's arms that are bright red.
"Hmph!" Nathan snubbed.
On the other side, Han Dae seems unrest. He is feeling uncomfortable by how peaceful and quiet this forest is.
"What do you call this forest again?" Han Dae asked Asher.
"Dream Forest. Why'd you ask?" Asher asked.
"Back in the day, we call it Evergreen Woods." He said. "We used to hunt pheasants here when we were at training."
Asher chuckled, "So you still remember this place? You have quite a memory!" Tapping Han Dae's shoulder, he saw how serious Han Dae is.
That's when he realized what Han Dae truly meant.
He giggled and faced the woman, "Jiajia!" he exclaimed and said, "Do you know why this forest is called Dream Forest?"
"Me! Me!" her daughter, who is currently walking, answered while raising a hand, and the other one is tightly holding her mother's skirt. "It is called 'dream' because there are a lot of beautiful plants and animals here. Papa said they're rare!"
Asher caressed her head saying, "You're so smart!"
She laughed and said, "I saw one! I saw a big red bird with a long colorful tail!"
"Oh you did?" Asher smiled and faced Daniel. Daniel approached them and asked, "When did you see it?"
"When we went here." She answered.
"How many times?" Asher asked.
"Many times." She answered.
Nathan got irritated, "Why bother asking? You should focus on what you should do!"
Chandler shouted at Nathan, "Shut the fuck up!"
Nathan rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Did you see it yesterday?" Asher continued, ignoring him.
The girl nodded, "But big bird isn't here today..."
Daniel and Asher nodded at each other and thanked the young girl.
"Okay!" Asher smiled at the juniors, "Pop quiz time!" and they stopped their tracks. Chandler and Trijah became aware of what is going on and they prepared their talismans. Chandler put her right hand on her right thigh that is wrapped in a black thigh belt where she hid her talismans. Trijah on the other hand put his right hand in his pocket.
Chandler and Hannah are both wearing their school attire, white long sleeve-polo and an outer white long sleeve blazer. White skirt, and a white fitted high knee boots, three inches heels.
Upon hearing that, the juniors look excited. Nathan, on the other hand, is still mad about being ignored, but excited as well.
Asher, "What can you see and perceive in this place?"
The other junior said, "That's easy Zushi-ni! This is a forest, naturally there are trees and plants, flowers and fruits!"
The other interrupted, "It's a healthy forest. One can see that it is still green, the flowers aren't withered, fruits are plenty and the leaves are pretty as well!"
"The mood too!" the other one said, "It is peaceful and quiet!"
Asher, "Good answer." Upon hearing that, they all rejoiced. Why not? They are, after all, Zushi apprentice, and a junior. If a Zushi complimented then, it is a great honor for them.
Asher continued, "According to the girl's explanation earlier, what do you think is peculiar?"
They all faced one another questioning what is peculiar, of course, the 'whatever' thing is out of the question.
"Zushi-chou," one of them said, "I don't think there's anything peculiar other than 'whatever'."
Asher looked disappointed, pouting for a second, he insisted, "Think harder!"
Nathan then realized, "Animals..." he uttered, "The girl said there's no big bird, but the animals aren't here as well! I haven't seen one!"
"True!" one of them said, "It's too quiet!"
Asher smirked but then they heard a shout of a woman. Han Dae immediately pulled her upwards and they saw their new friend, 'whatever' being dragged out in the light. It immediately let go of the woman and crawled back underneath.
Chandler and Trijah pulled out a white talisman muttering the word, 'Release!' just then, the talismans glowed and turned into a big net on the ground below the feet of the merchants. Nathan saw this and avoided it. Without wasting a second, they threw it on the opposite directions and the merchants are suddenly caught in their net like a fish.
Chandler hopped on a tall tree and secured one side of the net. Trijah hopped on another tall tree to secure the other.
"Wha-?!" Hannah shouted when Nathan is still with them. "Why are you still here?! You should be up there!" pointing to other juniors.
"How could I trust those two?!" Nathan shouted, "I thought they were playing pranks on me!"
"There's no time to argue!" Daniel shouted.
"That's..." Asher said and Han Dae nodded, "Dirt Ghouls, also known as Earth Sirens."
Hannah, "Tck! This is a Hashi level prey!"
"Once we ensure an escape route for them, we can already leave." Daniel said. He faced Nathan and said, "Nathan-chou, please climb a tree."
But before even finishing his sentence, Nathan is suddenly being dragged down. Asher immediately grabbed his arms but finding it difficult to raise him up.
"Shit!" Asher said, "Don't tell me there are more than one?!"
Daniel and Hannah gave each other a nod and jumped on the tree. If there are more than one, surely there's a mutated one! Han Dae, flying, helped Asher in pulling up Nathan who's lower half is already buried. He then felt intense pain on his feet. He groaned and accidentally let go of Asher, gladly, Asher caught his wrist but the body that's buried already reached his stomach.
Han Dae then whispered to Asher, "I'll leave everything to you," he said and jumped on the hole like pulling Nathan up and he, being buried underneath.
Han Dae used a lot of force in pulling Nathan up so they flew but Hannah caught Asher and Daniel caught Nathan.
"Your feet..." Daniel said upon seeing his feet with deep scratches and bite marks. Bleeding a lot, Daniel immediately tore his blazer to tie it.
Asher is still dumbfounded. Han Dae is underneath with earth ghouls.
Daniel faced Chandler and Trijah, "Now!" he shouted.
Trijah and Chandler undo the talisman effect. Trijah led the merchants and Chandler is behind. The juniors rode the horses they are guarding earlier while Trijah, riding the other horse with a wagon of women.
Chandler, standing on a horse being controlled by a junior, noticed that the ground behind them are cracking.
"Trijah faster!" she shouted when one of the earth ghouls hopped in front of her. Summoning her sword with the word 'Release!', she jumped from the horse's back. Spinning, she decapitated its head and the blood did not drip, it splashed all over her white clothes.
The moment she stepped on the ground, another one appeared and she used her spiritual energy, focusing it to two of her left fingers and hit its forehead, "Purge!" and it turned into ashes.
She started running towards the horse and hopped there once again.
The junior who is with her is in awe, "Zushi-ji you're so cool!" with eyes twinkling, he is truly amazed.
Chandler smirked, "You rotten kid is so lucky to see me in action!"
Trijah saw that the ground in front of them is also cracking. "Turning left!" he shouted and turned the horses left. The merchants inside braced themselves in a bumpy wagon. The juniors followed Trijah's command.
"Two!" he shouted.
"Got it!" Chandler answered.
Trijah let go of the handle, "Release!" he said and daggers appeared on his hands, three on the right, three on the left. He threw them to the ghouls that are about to reach the wagon. They got stuck to the trees.
Chandler reached those and killed them in a slash. The daggers flew to her hands and became one.
On the other hand, Asher is ready to jump down to check on Han Dae but he doesn't know if he is still on the same spot when a huge amount of spiritual energy blasted from below reaching the skies.
"Release!" Asher said and two swords appeared from each of his hands. He quickly jumped down putting his spiritual energy to the sword and slashed the ground. It made a huge tremor slicing deep, four earth ghouls are chopped.
Hannah is trying hard to see what happened while Daniel shielded Nathan. Before the smoke clears, Asher jumped to another tree carrying Han Dae who's full of dirt and blood.
Asher got worried but Han Dae coughed saying, "This isn't mine."
Han Dae removed his bloody blazer and raised his long sleeve. Rope darts appeared on his lower arm, "I plan to finish them underneath, but I ran out of breath before I could do so."
"What did you see?" Asher asked.
"There is a big one." Han Dae said, "But we cannot get it unless we finish the small ones. What I fear is that we'll be out of spiritual energy before we face that thing."
Asher smirked, "Don't worry. That's why Da-ni and Hanna are here. They plan to slay that mother ghoul."
"I saw an array underneath." Han Dae said, "Someone deliberately put the ghouls here."
"Hmm..." Asher grinned in a wonder, "What a bastard..."
He stood and said, "Da-ni! We're taking care of the littles! Can you take care of the mom?"
Daniel laughed, "Silly A-di, that's the reason why we're here! And don't worry, I'll take care of your little brother!"
"Please do!" Asher teased and Nathan blushed in embarrassment.
Han Dae stood, "You're coming?"
"Why not?" Asher smirked. Han Dae smiled in relief and faced the deep crack Asher did on the ground.
"Let's go then!" he said and they both jumped down.