I dodged a large branch on the way down to the spring. When I arrived, I firstly tasted the water, then when I confirmed it was good to drink, gulped in down in quick strides.
*Ahh..*
"One thing is certain. The water in the spring is fresh enough and healthy for everyone to drink," I said as I wiped my mouth. I pulled about a canister and filled it to the brim, then took out the map and marked exactly where this spring was. That's one down.
I began my journey back to the camp, hoping beyond hope that the good streak I've heard for the few hours with no beasts coming in sight to face me will continue.
First basic rule of camping, find a suitable water point. Especially when you are sure you're going to be staying for a while in that said camping area.
I had ordered my group to go searching for different things we'd require for the time we were to spend here, which Mrs Kelly approved of a good idea. Seeing that the elves were more suitable in searching for good wood and food, I sent then to do exactly that, and tasked Queen in exploring more about the planet like where we could find the monsters, the safe zones around and also somewhere suitable to set up camp for the day.
Mrs Kelly chose to go with her, and I was the one left with the task of searching for a suitable water point, which I've already done.
I pulled up another watch handed to us by Mrs Kelly for communication and tapped it twice to get the attention for the group.
"Hello? Anyone who can hear me?"
A few seconds later, and someone replied.
"Loud and clear, Max," Alvin answered. I noticed three more blinking lights and realized everyone else was listening in. Good there was a short memo on how to use these things.
"I'll report first. I've already found a suitable water point. Alvin and Earl?"
"Yeah, we've found some fruits for the night. Some meat would be good too but we are still to know what kind of beasts and animals reside here. So I think it's best we avoid them all together," Alvin reported.
"Queen?"
"We've found the beasts, alright. Thankfully, they are not as large as we thought. Seems like the only large things in this giant planet are the trees themselves. I can't exactly explain to you all how they look, I think you will have to see them for yourselves. But there's something I'm certain off. These beasts don't look as easy to deal with. By my estimate, the lowest level I have seen from them would be a grade A,"
"Ah, I see. Keep me updated on that. Mrs Kelly, anything to add on?"
A soft voice answered my question, "Since you've all had a rough estimate about the planet, I think it would be great to assess your skills right after we meet up at the agreed spot. We begin trying today,"
We all groaned before I shut down the transmission between us. Even here, she's going to train us to the bone. I'm very sure I'm NOT the leader when it comes to that. Since I'm alone, I guess some system company will do me some good as I make my way back to the agreed upon meeting point.
***
[Bradley, are you done with the scanning?]
[It's that large huh?]
[Be original. Anyways, I have a question. How can the beasts of this planet be smaller than the trees? I thought they would adapt to the environment and even be larger than the trees themselves. What's going on?]
[How can I forget. I almost died you know.]
[The gravity, radiation, toxic fumes... speaking of which, how come non of that ever happened here. I mean, the toxic fumes and radiation I can understand. The gravity though... Isn't this supposed to be a giant planet?]
[Well... no. Is there any chance than other than the beasts that reside here there are monsters living in this planet?]
[Is that right. Then this planet is more dangerous than it looks. If this is in the day, then what about the night?]
[...sure]
***
I found Alvin and Earl placing the wood down, probably their Storage ring was too full of foodstuffs. Mrs Kelly and Queen joined us later and we four sat down, ready to listen to Mrs Kelly's instructions.
"First of all, I think you've already understood each others powers, and have some idea on how to combine those powers together. From my assessment, I've determined that Max is more compatible with Queen, Earl you are more compatible with Alvin. I'm not sure if it's a race thing or something, but this in a way might be a huge disadvantage,"
"In the case of the weapon the demons plan to use against the elves, there may be a situation where it will just be one monster and one elf on one team due to being split up for some reason. After all, the war zone is unpredictable. So today, I'm going to give you a teammate who you are least compatible with,"
When she was done talking, she brought her hand out.
"Hand them over,"
We all stared at each other, confused before I asked her, "What exactly should we be handing over?"
"Well, your storage rings of course. And also, I'm remaining with your bags. But you can keep the watches on. Its best that you take out the weapons you are to use. Max, I see two watches on your hand, you handing one over?"
"No Mrs Kelly. I'm going with both of them," I answered while handing over my rings together with the group. She took them carefully, then her eyes lighted in recognition.
"Is this the ring of the dungeon spir that I gave you a while back?"
"Yes it is,"
"Making good use of it?"
"At the tenth level, Mrs Kelly,"
Her eyes widened in shock, "All by yourself?! In that short amount of time?!"
"Y–yeah,"
Not gonna tell her of my secret weapons, the wolves, I'm I? But there goes the only chance to communicate with my wolves with the other ring I was handed by the Spir. At least I hid the ring of the 'H' shop in one of my storage rings. I really have no idea how I would lie about that ring. Thankfully, Mrs Kelly wasn't one of the probing type.
"Aren't you going to use your adamantium weapon?" Queen asked me as she took hers out.
A hand sized sceptre made of adamantium with a glow of blue at the top, glittered in the evening sun. On closer observation, it was a diamond in the middle, another rare find. The entire thing pulsed with power, and I somehow felt it resonating with the spear merged with me.
Come to think of it, this is my first time ever looking at her weapon since knowing her. I've heard tales about the sceptre. It's rumoured to carry a huge amount of mana, almost endless, as long as the user had a will to fight. That's what its special ability is. If you ask me, compared to my spears endless formation of spears at will, I'd say she had the better weapon. Though it does matter how she would use it.
"I am, but only in emergencies," I answered her question, but something appeared in my page that made me raise an eyebrow in question.
***
<*Adamantium spear wants to be activated*>
–––
[Oh? It can do that? Talk to me?]
[Yeah, whatever. Any particular reason it wants to be activated right now?]
[Hmm... Interesting. Activate it]
[Oh really? On your way to activate, call your creator for me too, we still haven't had that discussion of ours]
[I love it when you sack up to me. Don't call him... for now]
<...yes, Max.>
***
If I remember correctly, I've been using the adamantium spear for the past months only in the dungeon Spir. But it has only been on occasion, since it's more of a trump card, a last resort sort of thing.
I came to realize just how powerful it was, when used right, and have been practicing with it all the way, but since the main goal since the demo might was to level up, the adamantium spear would reduce my chances of hardships.
***
<*Adamantium spear has been activated!*>
***
As usual, I felt a warm feeling from my chest and the spear slowly pulled up from it. The spear came up, shining metallic but with a different appearance suitable to me.
Its spear shaft was more narrow, the edge more sharper, and it's height around the same as mine. Though it could be large if I willed it.
Ever since it became compatible with me, I have never needed to place it in a storage ring. It has always been with me even and not ever once left me. If it got overused, it would just go back in my body.
"You have the spear?! The rumoured one million?!" Queen exclaimed in shock.
"As you can clearly see, I do,"
"Man, that's one weapon that I loved!"
The sceptre on her hand curved and hit her in the shin. I take it it didn't like her words.
"Ow! Jeez, sorry!"
"Alright enough of that. But before I give you your training for the day, can I ask Alvin to tell us what the Leaves of life were given as a weapon," Mrs Kelly asked the elf.
"Oh, us? We became more a tune with nature itself. Kind of like getting a major power up for a elf," he answered.
"OK then. For your groups, I'm pairing Max and Earl. Queen and Alvin. OK?"
We nodded our heads.
*sigh*
What else could go wrong today?
"Well then, kids, your mission for the day: fight ten beasts before evening with you partner. You have until the night. Failure to well... guess you'll have to find some other means to feed yourselves other than the food in your packs,"
Guess I spoke too soon.