The trio traverse the forest. With their experience from the road, it became easy to go back.
In addition, because the three were now using purified energy they had more stamina than they used to have. Unexpectedly, Sho also was able to keep up with the group. Now, it became unnecessary for them to stop and rest for a while or slow down. And since no wolf blocked their way, it became twice as easy, almost a leisure.
However, those thoughts of leisure broke when they heard Miya's fear and disbelief.
"No…" hours later, Miya broke the silence.
Sho looked at the girl and saw her pale face. He wanted to ask her what she saw, but before he could, he heard Alpha suddenly groan.
"This is bad. Someone from the Savior Gang went out first. There are not that many. But from the looks of it, they were the elite of their team," Alpha gritted his teeths. He pointed at tracks Sho noticed but didn't pay attention. "These are clearly human tracks. The tracks left are brutal, just like how I saw Savior Gang's trails. I didn't expect them to send out their elite ahead of time. When I scouted, there was no word about it. It seems the Savior Gang's elite doesn't trust their normal members. I hope Ross is already in the camp or our camp would be doomed."
Sho's face suddenly drained when he realized why the two had a sudden reaction. The best of the camp are out scouting and gathering materials. And since Alpha was also out, the next best weren't really fighters.
Almost all of those in Alpha's camp lacked fighting experience–Sho included.
He had no hope for the Savior Gang's mercy. If the cruel Savior Gang invaded the camp, they knew 100% that their side would hesitate to retaliate. In usual circumstances, they would try to reason out the Savior Gang. But from Alpha's information, the Savior Gang didn't really care about the weak. They love to find those strong and kill anyone else. They lack the reasoning of normal human beings.
It was too ironic that they named themselves Savior Gang when all they wanted was to conduct murder and massacre. From Alpha's description, it felt like a cult that a sociopath created and any sociopath was welcomed.
On the other hand, their camp was composed of normal humans. Those who just got thrown into the zone, they just lived their normal lives. Most of them were still hoping they could continue living back like they used to after exiting the Zone. Even if they wanted to survive, they would try their best without hurting others. Many have no thoughts of hurting others. They were just waiting for the government to rescue them.
Sho was sure of it based on his observation.
And it was reasonable. The people in their camp haven't experienced anything gruesome at all. They were just thrown into an unknown place. They didn't know how horrible monsters were. Even if they did hear from the guards and patrols, they couldn't wrap their head on that reality yet. They all felt like they were still dreaming and after all the events, everything would return to normal.
Sho's face became grim. He remembered when the news about the Savior Gang being cruel circulated on their camp. From what he knew, everyone was grim and they had fear. But they were keen to talk to the Savior Gang if necessary. If possible, they would cling to the group to exit the zone for them to return to their respective lives.
He even heard one person say, "Savior Gang? That sounds cool. They should save lives because they're saviors, right?"
They were seriously dreaming, almost delusioning themselves.
It wasn't as easy as they dreamt. Even if he didn't see the Savior Gang's cruelty, he wanted nothing to do with them. If he would try to cling with that group for survival, he would die much faster than being alone.
It was both what Alpha's information and his instinct was telling.
"Miya, you go first. With your ability, you can go faster than us without you being noticed. We would need to make sure that we won't alert their group. Upon arrival, if Ross wasn't there, assume command. This might be too much work for you. But try your best. We will be there as soon as we can."
Miya opened her mouth as if to say something. But then, she decided to close it and just nod. She quickly left the two behind barely making any noise as she ran gracefully and agilely.
Alpha followed. But compared with Miya, he was not as quick as her. Sho noticed how even when he was running, he was very quiet. He knew he could go faster than Miya, but they didn't want to alert the Savior Gang. That's why they were treading carefully as fast as they could.
Sho instantly copied their quiet moves.
***
Miya traveled as fast as she could. She even passed the Savior Gang's elite. But she didn't stop to hinder or confront them, instead, she used her power to coat her presence. She kept her power until she was out of their range.
Honestly, she barely cares about the people in their camp. She didn't know them.
But after their scouting mission with Sho and Alpha, she somehow felt ashamed for being selfish. Although it was reasonable that she just wanted to survive, afterall, compared to the people on the camp, she had seen far too cruel things while scouting alone.
Her only thought was to survive and get to her family. She didn't care about outsiders and strangers.
That changed after battling Fenrir.
She saw how a leader like Alpha could both protect and attack. She felt astonished and wanted to be someone like him.
But Sho's performance far exceeded her judgment of him. Even when he was the weakest of the three, he didn't cower. Instead, he tried his best to be of help. And in the end, he was the one who saved them all. He became the hero who drove Fenrir away.
She acknowledges his perseverance and his determination. She admired how he chose to remain and try to do miracles.
Because of those two, she decided she also wants to help if she can. If she has the power to do it, why not? Sho, who doesn't even have a strength for it, tries his best.
When she reached their camp, she was breathing heavily. She had overtaken the Savior Gang but she doesn't know how many minutes before they reach the camp. They were fast. They didn't even cover their tracks and ruthlessly marched forward.
She needed to prepare for the cruel enemy.
Miya quickly got inside the camp, asked the guard for information. She looked grim when they said the Ross group hadn't come back yet.
"Please be ready for combat. The Savior Gang is on their way here. Try not to let them in. I'll talk with our people."
"C-can't we talk with them?" All of them looked hopeful.
"If you want to be a murderer or die, go ahead." She said in a low voice, her eyes were sharp, telling how stupid the idea was. Those who wanted to question her for age shut up.
The assigned guard instantly looked nervous at what he heard, he unconsciously tightened the grip of his baseball bat. "O-okay."
Miya secretly sighed as she ventured to Mister Glum, he was the one assigned to take over while Alpha was gone. After reaching the old man, she explained the situation to him. She also requested for them to immediately pack and move out. She would try to hold off the coming enemy with half of the guards while the other half would escort the rest.
The group should travel to the south and try to trace Ross's group. If they can, let Ross take over the command.
There was little time so she immediately left after talking with Mister Glum. Her next destination was to talk with the guards so they would be prepared for what is to come and what is to expect.
She asked them to prepare for combat. They clearly weren't happy that she was the one commanding. But knowing she came with Alpha, they still listened to her after a few minutes of argument.
But when Miya thought everything would be fine, she heard screaming outside the guard's tent.
"H-help! S-save me! Aaghh!"