The first day was mostly over at this point.
We had successfully managed to cover over six kilometers since we began and had exterminated already, a large number of monsters within our path. At this point, our fragments and Cores were numbering a little close to the hundreds.
A little over six kilometers might not seem like much, but if we took into consideration the time we spent exterminating large groups and packs of monsters, our end results of the day could be considered a great first day.
We had even come across Group 1 along our path once, and i managed to meet up with Don even if it was for a short while as we quickly separated.
It was at least refreshing and nice to know he was being treated well and in one piece. So happened the members of Don's group were deep admirers of his sister, Lucia, and so in order to get well on his good side, they treated Don as close as a little brother.
Even without the sister part, Don already had a particularly closer and deeper relationships with the guards that one wouldn't even believe the age difference considering how they spoke to each other.
Don also didn't miss the chance to brag about how much Cores and fragments his group had managed to obtain over the course of one day; they seemed really confident that they'll be the ones coming out on top during this friendly competition.
Eventually we had to part ways and go our separate directions.
Judging our progress as acceptable so far, Group 3 retreated for the night by sunset. Mr. Roan decided against continuing after the sun was down due to or reduced visibility and higher risks, so we found a small forest clearing and made camp underneath the night sky for the night.
Night duty was shared and split amongst us accordingly; first batch was I, Mr. Roan and Borris. Second batch was held by Skylar and Bowen.
I found myself silently refining some hours into midnight as I laid in my makeshift futon. I reflected over the events of the day so far, and messed about with my mental Waves by constantly releasing tiny and small pulses around into the environment.
My mental waves were relatively imperceivable by others, perhaps maybe it was simply because of my current level or not. Repeatedly, I had released my mental Waves when around Mr. Ridge and others and they all seemed to remain oblivious to it.
In the first place, brainwaves couldn't be perceived by humans.
By releasing small pulses of mental wave, I was training myself to be capable of instinctively deploying my mental energy at a moments notice.
So even while I pretended to be asleep, my improved perception was further heightened by the small pulses of mental wave I deployed. But as they were only small short burst, the details I perceived were only within a short few meters around me and only gave a general description.
That was how I was the first to notice Borris get up from his futon and walk away into the forest.
Without moving an inch from my position, I observed Borris's actions as he walked further and further away from the camp, using the wide range of my perception. And then, further deploying my mental waves, I judged his precise distance and location.
I remained still, with my eyes close until finally, the the new recruit left the full range of what my mental waves could reach.
It was then I got up and moved.
The camp was still and quiet with only the sound of our partially burning fire in the middle. To one side was Mr. Roan, seemingly asleep. A few distance away was Skylar and Bowen who were in charge of guard duty for the rest of the evening.
Except, Bowen was no where to be found as well.
Slowly approaching the spot Skylar and Bowen were supposed to be keeping watch, I found the young blonde man fast asleep, and his side was empty of his partner.
I released small bursts of my mental wave once more, scouring the area for any signs of Bowen but to no avail.
'He's in deep sleep, ' I tried shaking Skylar up but the young youth wouldn't budge no matter how rough I became.
It was strange.
If I didn't know any better, I would think that Skylar was rather irresponsible to fall asleep during guard duty. But Bowen wasn't here either.
I contemplated heading back to alert Mr. Roan, when I immediately perceived the added presence of a newcomer.
My base perception covered vastly over a fifty meter radius, and further enchanced by my mental waves, the range could easily surpass a hundred meters, depending on the circumstances.
Borris was slowly and more slowly exceeding my current range, leaving Skylar behind for now, I decided to go after the man.
I walked calmly into the embrace of the night forest, seemingly randomly. I was in no rush, Borris was moving, but so was I.
The range of my perception with my mental waves surrounded me with I as the center. Boriss was threading along the perimeter of my ability as long as I was moving also, I wouldn't lose track of him. Or the other person.
Since I took my time to come after him, the distance between the two of us was wide, enough so, I couldn't even spot his back despite my improved vision. But I could easily perceive his location, distance and direction.
Eventually, Borris's came to a stop. Side by side a new and different individual. Then came along the person I detected from before.
I coated my body and shrouded my presence in a thick layer of my mental wave and continued forward.
This was another trick I learned my mental waves were capable of; diminishing and erasing my presence by shrouding myself in a layer of mental energy.
With my mental energy, my boosted hearing was the first to pick up the voice of someone.
"... What was that all about earlier today? You know we shouldn't attract too much attention to ourselves." The voice said, and I judged it to belong to the missing Bowen.
Eventually, I caught sight of the three with my own eyes. Shrouding my presence, I sank into the darkness and stoically observed from a reasonable distance.
I didn't get closer, not because I was cautious to risk getting found, but because there was no need. I could see and hear them perfectly as if they are just before me.
Facing the rebuttal, Borris lowered his head slightly.
"I know. I'm sorry, I'm just stressed we still have to be playing guard in this backwater countryside. Tsk."
" Deal with it for a while longer. We'll be over with the job soon, " saying so with his arms crossed, Bowen directed a detached look to the third person among them, and said;
"Anything from the Boss?"
The third man, which I recognize to be a part of of Don's group nodded with a grin.
"Aye. I've also kept contact with the others left behind at the village, and I've been sharing info with the boss and the main force. The boss will begin the raid shortly, It's all going according to plan," he chucked deeply.
" Hell about time, " Borris snorted.
Bowen ignored this and continued with the third man instead.
"How long until execution?"
"Well begin at first light. The plan remains the same; we'll cause a Stampede with the Monsters and throw 'em at the village guards. With a good number of them out on this silly game, their overall man power should be cut in half, making infiltration for our main force easier. Ah, but, we'll also have to deal with the guys in our group, to reduce further their numbers and prevent any possible chance of reinforcements. " The third man explained jovially, and Bowen nodded, seemingly in agreement and understanding.
"Understood. Then we play along with them for the next few hours until the 'signal'. Do make sure to keep in touch with the others and inform them of the progression. If we're going to capitalize on the monsters of the forest, we have to do it quick; I'm genuinely concerned about the rate our group has been clearing the forest, these bumpkin guards are unpleasantly efficient, "
The third man laughed Bowen's concerns off and pulled something out of his clothes.
"Don't worry about that. As long as we have this, the amount of monsters won't be a problem. " In his hand was a strange egg like device about half the size of a soccer ball.
Bowen observed the device for a little then said to both of them.
"We all have our emblems synchronized, don't we?" They nodded. He continued.
" Return to you group, the drug should be wearing off."
'Drug? '
That was why Skylar was unconscious so deeply.
Saying so, the third man ventured back into the forest to his group, while Bowen and Borris returned back to our camp at different intervals.
I watched...or observed...their retreating backs using my Mental Waves from a distance. My figure still clad in darkness, and my eyes were unmoving in the embrace of the forest shadows
Reviewing what just happened, a chilling coldness made it into my mind, my fingers unconsciously began to drum against the tree back
"Now...what to do?"
***
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
100 chapters! The first milestone along this journey. It may seem small, but being able to have my first one hundred chapters means a lot to me. Thank y'all who have read this far, and I hope you continue to come along with me; up until the 500 mark and beyond!