Chapter 36 - Insanity

Unlike the previous days, after having eaten our afternoon meal, we did not get back to training. The reason for this is because, as I had mentioned to my followers before, it was time for us to prepare for what was to come from the enemy's side. It is obvious that at this point, we were nearing the climax of what our captivators had planned for us. 

For this reason, we could no longer continue our training. The people who were the reason why we were being held captive in the underground town could launch an act of offense at us at any time. It could be soon. 

I was certain they would do it soon enough, thanks to the glaring clue that I had gotten while I was walking down to get my afternoon meal earlier.

I could only hope that the enemy would attack sooner. I hoped because there was a chance that the enemy would only show up to strike after they had finally stopped providing us with food. 

Although it is good to be given extra time on many occasions, in this scenario, I found it not to be so. More time would mean our rations getting scarce, our body getting less nutrition, and as a result of all of this, our battle power would eventually end up insufficient. 

With our trump card especially being the extra usefulness of eating food, a scarce amount of rations would definitely mean no good in a forthcoming battle!

"For now, we rest. Whether it's sleeping, daydreaming, or taking care of your boredom in whatever way, go ahead. However, don't go for a walk. We can not afford to get separated at all, not at this time when there might be an enemy hiding in a corner. Just stay around the cauldron, be united, don't forget to stretch your body now and then, and… Yeah, that's it." I instructed.

At the moment, we were all camping around the cauldron after having returned from the spot where we had our lunch. The bunch of us were having small conversations, some were playing with pebbles to ease boredom, while I would give valid preparatory advice now and then.

Eventually, as time passed, we all grew bored as we ran out of topics to discuss the more we conversed. No one had seen much in their life after all, hence, they didn't know what to talk about other than topics such as their imprisonment, the ones who imprisoned them, and the curiosity of a free life.

Fortunately, it was already nearing nighttime. Just a few more hours to kill, and then it would be time for us to sleep. 

At last, these few hours of silence came to pass and as I had feared, ingredients for another good soup came falling from the sky.

"Yay, the food is here." Hazel cheered as she watched water being poured into the cauldron.

"Ha… Finally, a change of pace." Brolee, who woke up from Hazel's loud cheering, spoke while stretching his arms and back.

"Wow! I thought it would be rotten food today. We already had fresh food yesterday, so that's a surprise." Brolee spoke again after no more ingredients came falling into the cauldron and the food started cooking.

Soon, the soup was starting to boil. Not long after, the cauldron stopped generating heat. The food was ready to be served…

Carrots… This time we had carrot soup for dinner with the bones of what I assumed to be that of rabbits as broth. It was delicious, a satisfying meal before going to sleep. However, unlike the previous days when we were so tired from training for a whole day, every day, it was hard for us to sleep not too long after having had dinner. Perhaps it was another two or so hours before our eyelids finally started closing on their own.

"Ah!"

I was abruptly woken up by a painful kick to my waist.

Everything was happening fast. I was getting kicked and stomped on at least two times, and when that was over, I was grabbed on the neck and lifted in the air. I struggled to breathe as this unknown person squeezed my neck while holding me high. Having all of this happen to me when I had been sleeping soundly not too long ago, was too much!

'Damn it! Why are they being so frontal and aggressive all of a sudden?! And why me?! Did they realize what I'm doing, that I'm ruining their plans?!' I tried to think, but it was difficult, as the amount of air that my brain was getting was at its all-time low!

"Leader!" The concerned voice of Hazel caught my ears. She was to my right, running up to me to try and do something to get me out of the pathetic situation that I was in.

"Agh!" Before she could arrive at my side, she was spartan kicked by someone. There wasn't just one enemy, but four of them, and unfortunately, Hazel had run right towards one of them.

With all the turmoil that was happening, my other followers naturally woke up. While this happened, the man who was holding my neck, stopped looking at me with his menacing eyes as he turned to face his comrade who had some kind of bell in his hand.

The man gave a nod to his comrade to which the comrade responded with a nod before hitting the bell on his hand with the little hammer that he had in his other hand.

*Ting!*

The bell sounded, and when that happened I couldn't help feeling uncomfortable from the noises that were erupting in the surroundings.

"Ah!... Ah... Ah!..."

Wails and cries of extreme pain found their way into my ears. These were my followers! The mere sound of a bell was hurting them that much!

'Is… Is that some kind of magic? But why am I unaffected?'

While in thought, it wasn't long before I heard another set of cries that sounded familiar to me. 

"Rahh!"

Groans, to be more specific…

Groans of a zombie!