So that was why even the loose-lipped Shura never spoke of it.
Yoshino Aruven realized the reason for their reserved behavior. He decided to ask the young man in question.
"Then what exactly is the mission, Captain?"
"To apprehend someone. This was the task given to I. That is all that I can divulge."
The Captain might have only said a few words. But they were quickly processed by Yoshino. It was similar to finally receiving the important pieces of a puzzle you have been working on for a long time.
His thoughts sped up as he tried to put the pieces together.
The task given to I.
This would mean that the Trogan Militia had given the mission to the Captain. He was already at Tier 3. He was probably at the peak of as well.
A mission which could reward a possible breakthrough!
No wonder the number of members of this platoon was too small. Because this was a test for the Captain. This also explains why Shura was still a lieutenant despite being a Tier 3 herself. She was the replacement in the occasion that the Captain succeeds.
A chance to reach Tier 4!
Yoshino could not help but feel envious. How rare was it for someone to reach Tier 4 at the age of 20's?. Extremely hard!
Look at the situation of this platoon for instance. Mink, Budi, Toba and Driff were at their late twenties. And yet they were still at Tier 2. Even Adled and Nawnu, they were probably at their thirties yet they are also at Tier 2. Heck even Klein was stuck at Tier 1.
The abnormal ones here were the Captain and Shura. Perhaps they might think that their development was too slow but that would be wrong. Any one who thinks otherwise does not know what he or she were talking about. There was no doubt that the cultivation rate of these two was really outstanding!
And now this person is about to reach Tier 4, are you kidding me?!
Anyway, Yoshino set aside his gripes and continued with his thoughts.
To apprehend someone.
They were looking for a person which was probably hiding inside this dungeon. That would explain why the Captain was suspicious of Yoshino. Who else would be lurking inside this location aside for their target?
Unfortunately it was not really him. But then why did they not found anyone else? Even Yoshino had not met anyone else inside.
Not unless,
"Captain."
"What is it?"
Yoshino called out the Captain when he was about to return to the front. The young man replied in annoyance.
"Could it be that this 'someone' has the power of stealth?"
"?"
The Captain raised an eyebrow. Perhaps that possibility is wrong. But wouldn't invisibilty solve the problem of not seeing anyone else? Yoshino tried another,
"Teleportation?"
This time entire the platoon reacted with derision. They seemed to consider the thought as something silly. Perhaps they were even cursing him at their minds.
Despite their disdain, Yoshino continued,
"Then what about the skill to control dungeon creatures."
"!"
The Captain this time narrowed his eyes. It was like he suddenly remembered something that he had forgotten. Indeed, why did nobody from this platoon considered this?
The monsters were not allied because of a common threat. They were allied because someone was controlling them!
But that was still not enough to explain their lack for considering this possibility. The Captain seemed to have pondered on this factor before. But somehow it slipped from his mind.
Then what if you 'tweak' this skill of controlling creatures a little? Could a more plausible solution be revealed?
For example, replacing the word 'creatures' with---
Yoshino looked at the stunned expressions of every one in the platoon. Perhaps they were beginning to realize their error by now. He then asked,
"What if the skill is about controlling the mind?"
The Captain returned a shocked expression. Then the shock was replaced by rage. He rushed towards Yoshino.
He had just conjured an orange-colored flame sword in his right hand.
Slash!
The flaming slash was executed without mercy. The target was---the binding on the hands.
Yoshino Aruven was freed. The Captain then turned his back to the young man. He was now looking at the corridor where they came from.
Awoo! Awoo! AWWOOOO!
Screech! Screech! SCCREEECHH!
Skree! Skree! SKRREEE!
Numerous noises could be heard heading towards them. If these monsters were indeed manipulated, there was no use running away from them.
"Are you telling I that we have been running away from that someone?"
"No."
"?!"
The Captain seemed confused upon hearing the answer. Yoshino quickly added,
"I'm saying that there are no other person here. The someone you have been looking for is among us!"
"Then it really is you!"
"No it's not me! I wish it was me so I can slaughter all of you. But no, it's not me!"
"Slaughter? As I thought you really are the target!"
"No!"
The Captain and Yoshino were be bickering against each other. Despite that they had actually showed their backs to one another. The Captain was still facing the corridor with incoming noises. While Yoshino was facing the rest of the platoon.
"Captain, what are you two talking about?"
Lieutenant Shura looked worried. She took a step towards her Captain who was with the prisoner. The rest of the platoon were also now trying to approach the two.
Why were their expressions like that? Weren't they starting to realize the truth a while ago?
"Stay where you all are and nobody shall get hurt."
The Captain warned. Although he was facing the other way, he seemed to know what was going on. The platoon members heeded his words.
"Captain. What are you doing? Please lower your weapon."
"Sir. Please we could get hurt with that."
"Calm down, Sir. You are scaring us."
The officer named Adled said. Officer Klein and Officer Mink voiced their concerns too. The Captain answered with a hint of annoyance,
"Enough already. I have ordered all of you to stay. Follow the orders! And why are you not preparing for combat? The monsters are almost in front of us!"
"Sir, what monsters? Nothing is approaching us."
Adled replied. The other members of the platoon nodded to confirm the statement. This surprised the Captain. He suddenly turned around and faced his platoon. He then glared at Yoshino,
"What is the meaning of this?"
"I don't know."
Yoshino admitted. This crumbled the little trust the Captain had of him. Suddenly the voices of his platoon members sounded more soothing.
"Sir, please lower your weapon."
"Calm down, Sir."
"Please have a rest, Sir. Maybe you're tired?"
The Captain tightened his grip of the flaming sword. Then he pointed the blade to Yoshino and asked,
"You! Take I for a fool?!"
"Yes!"
Yoshino answered decisively. He also glared at the Captain in return.
Only a fool would turn his back against the monsters.
Awoo!
A Spirit Wolf jumped towards the Captain. Its maw was wide open. Ready to chomp on the clueless human. Numerous monsters were also right behind it.
Parameters and skills could be suppressed. But the proficiency and battle experience could never be restricted.
The Captain was indeed a young genius. He was still able to react even when caught off guard.
Burn!
He quickly slashed the monster. The Spirit Wolf was vaporized upon contact. The Captain then stabbed the concrete floor with the flaming sword.
"[Bunsen Wall]!"
The sword transformed into a wall made of orange flames. It reached to the ceiling and across the walls. Be it wolf, bat, or rat no monster was able to get pass the blazing construct.
He can do that?
Yoshino winced when he saw the wall. Why were they running away all this time when such thing was possible? Or are you saying that the young man had somehow gained an epiphany just now? That would be more absurd!
The more plausible reason was because the mind manipulator could affect the decision making of the target or targets.
But since the Captain was beginning to realize the truth, the effect of the manipulation was probably waning. Thus he had a clearer mind now.
"Captain what are you doing? Please stop wasting your energy."
"Sir you could end up burning all the oxygen here. We will all suffocate."
"Dear Captain, you are going to deplete your MP. Please calm down."
The platoon members gave their pleas.
MP stands for Mana Points. This is the magical gauge equivalent of SP which is used for casting spells. MP growth was attributed to the Magic parameter. A staple for the Mage class.
A person also faints when his MP becomes zero. Although it will be due to mental exhaustion rather than the physical one.
In other words, the claim of the members were valid.
"Silence!"
The Captain demanded the attention of everyone. He then stared at Yoshino.
"You. Have a solution to this predicament?"
"Only one."
Yoshino answered. There was no point in hiding the truth. If the Captain depletes all of his MP, the monsters would rush towards everyone.
"I do not trust you."
The Captain admitted in return. Yoshino replied,
"Does not matter. I'll do it anyway."