Alex boarded a vehicle with his team and the girls happily surrounded him in the back of the vehicle. Zoro just made himself scarce as he happily slept while resting on the front.
His three Katanas were in his arms as Alex could feel that his Haki was at full blast and he was alert even while sleeping.
"Dear, how are we going to arrange the formation?" Hancock asked as she was glued to Alex's arm.
All the girls stopped talking and started to pay attention. Even Zoro started to listen in on the conversation.
"Zoro, I and Astolfo will be at the forefront. Saeko and Zero-Two will change with us on the frontline. Hancock and Alice will be the snipers, Hinata will be the scout with her special eyes. Ye Lian and Robin will handle any strays or Beasts that somehow manage to slip past us". Alex closed his eyes as he thought about the formation and then replied.
The girls nodded their heads as they thought that this is quite a reasonable formation. They could work efficiently without hindering each other through this way.
After dealing with the formation and some more important things. All of them started to chat about various things.
Hancock and Hinata were mostly glued to Alex while talking. Others on the other hand were sitting normally and chatting with each other.
"Looks like we are here". Alex said as he perceived that they had reached a new place when the convoy stopped.
On the way here, the convoy stopped a couple of times but Alex could tell that it was some beasts hindering the way but they were swiftly dealt by the mercenaries.
The convoy entered a barricaded city that had broken infrastructure and rubble everywhere. This was the true face of Apocalypse.
The cities in the old era were all broken with a huge overgrowth of weeds and vines. Plant life was everywhere.
Some of the carnivorous plants in these days also had a lot of power behind them. They were harder to deal with than some monsters or beasts.
Only saving grace was that their growth rate was slow and they weren't many in number but any grown plant monsters were a menace that everyone deals with together.
The convoy slowly entered the area and stopped before the check stations to make sure that everything is smooth and authenticated.
After the various verifications, everyone disembarked the vehicle and got in line for the start fo the activity.
The soldiers in the post came up and started to distribute the rations to the party leader without saying a word.
"Now that everyone has gotten their rations. It is time for you guys to start your exercise. This exercise will last for 6 nights and 7 days.
You guys will have to sleep in the city and you cannot come back here if you don't want to get disqualified.
The post should not be in your line of sight or you will be disqualified immediately. Now get a move on and begin with your exercise". The leader came out of the post as he stood there to give instructions and begin the excursion.
Everyone slowly left the post in different directions and made their way into the city. Their job to hunt beasts had finally started.
"We should find a shelter to reside before starting the hunt". Robin suggested as she was following the party alertly.
"That building looks good enough. It is not fully broken and will be bale to withstand attacks". Hinata said as she looked over with her Byakugan.
"Lead the way". Alex nodded as he instructed her.
All of them came to a half broken building and quickly settled in. Alex took out the sleeping bags and laid them down on the ground.
Alice and Hancock were on top keeping a lookout on the surroundings while the rest were cleaning up a little to make it liveable.
"Okay, this is done. I will go with Zoro and scout out the surroundings. Alice will stay here with Robin and Saeko to keep our spot secure.
The rest will make another party and scout out the surroundings monster groups and their numbers for easier hunting". Alex instructed as he got his Axe out and started walking out of the building with Zoro.
Alex quietly started walking as he observed his surroundings with Haki. Some beasts with special stealth abilities might have a chance to bypass but not here.
He looked back and saw that Zoro has already disappeared. 'Should've bought someone else'. He thought in his mind and continued his search.
'Hmm'. Alex looked ahead saw a massive Python coiled around a small building. 'Didn't they say monsters here are all weak'. Alex thought and quickly bypassed it.
'This fucking idiot'. Alex saw Zoro leisurely walking towards the Snake while looking around absentmindedly.
The snake spotted Zoro and started hissing at him. Zoro quickly noticed the snake and slowly took out his Katanas and got in position.
"Let me make you into meat strips". He said as he quickly held two blades parallel to the left and took his stance.
As soon as the snake lunged towards him, Zoro moved. "Dragon Twister". He said as a literal twister of sharp wind surrounded the snake.
"Hissss". The snake hissed as small cuts appeared all over its body.
Alex quickly moved as he invoked his ability and in a flash cut off the snake's head before deactivating his ability in a flash.
"You fool, we haven't started our hunt. You alerted all the monsters in the surroundings". Alex quickly pulled his ear and dragged him back to the base.
"Hey what's the big deal. We'll just kill them all". Zoro said care-freely as he let himself be pulled along.
"Shut up". Alex glared at him and took him back to their temporary base.
They had just went out for an hour and had already come back because of Zoro's recklessness. Alex got in as he found out that the others hadn't returned yet.
"You guys take care. I will look for others. I am a little worried". Alex said as he quickly took his leave.
Saeko and Robin smiled at each other as they saw his worry. They also felt touched that he cared so much about them.