Before they head out:
Jaina can be seen rummaging through everyone's inventories.
"Erika, Fiona, David, have Joura pack you a good bunch of healing potions and some dustshells."
"Dustshells?"
Erika inquired.
"Dustshells are projectiles which explode upon impact, producing a unique smoke dust."
Fiona answered.
"Then why would we need it?" ← Erika
Fiona lightly handchops Erika after seeing her not knowing about their own unique creation, well, their alchemist's (Joura's) creation.
"Were you not there when Joura presented it to us? The smoke dilutes the ocular sense. The longer someone stays there, the more their sense of sight weakens."
David added-
"And we're not talking about literal vision, but their senses."
Erika playfully brushes her hair.
"Hehe, okay okay I get it."
Fiona and David both narrow their eyes down as if not trusting Erika.
[Shadow Core] are mostly made up of assassins and fighters who have fairly high agility attributes. Their sharpened senses without relying on their field of view is something to note about, especially…Erika. Which is why using an item that will blind both them and their opponent is an advantage for them.
Fiona then turns to Jaina.
"Leader, any word for us?"
After sorting her inventory, Jaina faces her guild members with a serious expression. After all, the expedition they will set out to leads to danger and a possible death.
"We have been tasked to sweep the Forest. That means we identify the danger, eliminate it if possible, if not, report it back immediately. I believe with our combined efforts, every hurdle that comes our way will be dealt with swiftly."
As everyone nods, Jaina continues-
"But remember, we are not the only ones fighting here. I am sure {Fate Threader} and the others are going to have a battle in a different way which is why he chose to send only us. You know what that means right!?"
"YEAH!"
"We are chosen because it is us, [Shadow Core]! Sweep missions are our agenda! Let's do this and return with great news!"
After her short speech, Jaina and all her present members swiftly march towards their destination. As they travel, Fiona nudges Jaina and asks another question–
"Leader, what's your evaluation of things so far? I'm sorry but I still can't comprehend what {Fate Threader}'s plans are."
Jaina chuckles.
"And what makes you think I can get a read on him? I'm not so sure but, you know me right? I tend to judge based on instincts and I often get it correctly. But somehow, upon conversing with him, I feel like I'm speaking with someone who was already informed of everything."
"Word has it that he has foresight after all…"
Jaina seems quite troubled.
"I wonder why he hasn't been proactive if that's the case. But then, I remember Meiren telling us about a mole inside Telmaris."
Fiona then concur-
"Then he's just being cautious."
"Surely. This mission is dangerous since I think the enemy already knew we were coming, however, his eyes do not just show trust but also concern."
As they converse throughout their march, a flock of birds high up the sky seems to be following them. The birds follow a normal routine on flight which is why they don't stand out much and it's hard to notice that they were summons.
–Fritz Forest, Remnants of the Hollow Cavern–
Celaeno can be seen focusing under the shade of a tree.
"Hm, they're moving quickly. Those hunters are much faster than I anticipated."
"Hooh? They're that agile huh? It might be a good challenge!"
Ajax pumps his fist as he's always ready for a good fight. He then grabs his spear and proceeds to walk towards a random direction.
"You go there and you will find nothing."
Celaeno stops his tracks.
"Then point me to them!"
Ajax immediately responds as he points the spear towards the sky, signifying Celaeno to use his birds to lead him to them.
Celaeno was already planning to do so but after hearing it from Ajax as if he's being pushed around, his irritation of him becomes worse that he almost bit his tongue after gritting his teeth. He controlled his emotions successfully however.
"Good riddance…"
'I would have ended him already, but I still need his fighting capabilities! Tsk, though it pains to say that I'm not sure if I'm capable of putting him down.'
In this generation of hunters, one can safely assume that Ajax was one of the pinnacles of strength in terms of raw fighting ability. It's just unfortunate that he has more interest in fighting humans than monsters. Ajax is a monster of his own that he can actually take on a group of talented hunters and still come out victorious. His mastery of weapons and battle intelligence combined with his attribute skills are enough to earn him a spot to [Grim Fate]. But then again, Ajax enjoys the fun of hunting humans which violates the tenets of guilds which is why he was not recognized as an official hunter.
The very reason he became a part of the Institute is that while he can use them to hide his presence from the GEO, the Institute's goal was also somewhat aligned with Ajax's personal goal of being the top hunter.
"Go. Follow this hawk and let those hunters know that the Institute…no, that- YOU, are never to be messed with."
Ajax displays a wide grin after hearing Celaeno's speech.
"Here I thought you're going to burst out in anger. Turns out you still know how much I am worth."
As the crow bursts forth, Ajax follows suit, keeping up with the crow in terms of speed.
While holding his anger, Celaeno heard a chuckle from a distance. As he looks towards the direction from where it originates, he can see Heimer walking away with his members to guard the perimeter.
"I am surrounded by inferior monkeys!"
The black hoods were startled after hearing Celaeno's outburst and continued their work afterwards.
Two hours have already passed since [Shadow Core] has been dispatched to scout the underlying issue within Fritz Forest. It can be seen that Jaina and her members stopped for a while to preserve energy whilst scouting the perimeter.
"So far, I notice no signs of the enemy. It's just the usual ecosystem."
Fiona reported.
"Hmm…"
Jaina takes out a pocket watch and observes the time.
"We spent half a daytime hour travelling from Telmaris to here. And looks like we already spent an hour and a half surveying this forest. To sum it up, it's been two daytime hours."
"No sugarcoating it, this Forest really is as big as they say."
David commented. Jaina then stands up and calls all her members.
"Everyone. We'll continue our survey in a minute, pack up and get ready–"
As soon as she announces the continuance of their mission, Jaina as well as Erika, felt a disturbing presence.
"Jaina!"
Erika shouted, startling every member of their guild.
"Yes, Erika. I can feel it too."
As soon as Jaina and Erika draw their daggers, the remaining members who have not felt such a presence also draw out their respective weapons.
"Someone's coming. A highly talented and dangerous individual."
Fiona and David's eyes were narrowed down after hearing Jaina's words. When Jaina lauded such individuals, it means that the certain person or hunter is indeed highly remarkable.
Like a sharp wind that passes through the dry grasses and bushes, the individual in question drops off in front of them in a stylish manner. Slowly spinning his spear around, he smirks whilst his eyes are being covered by his hair which makes him more terrifying in the eyes of [Shadow Core].
'Such bloodlust. Is this the hunter that almost killed King Crow?'
As the hawk turns around to return to its master, Jaina notices this.
'Don't tell me…we are being observed from the very beginning..? And they have sent one person to deal with us?'
"Nice to meet all of you, hunters."
As Ajax speaks up, all of the members raise their weapons as a sign of wariness.
"Do remember the name, {Hunter of Hunters} Ajax. Hammer it into your head as I send you all down to your graves!"
His spear generated a gale as it stopped spinning.
Despite being alone against a Blood ranked guild, Ajax arrogantly displays his confidence as he announced his victory in advance.