Chapter 7: Is This a Moth?

"Since you insist, I won't question Master Makarov's judgment," Mayor Volke said, gazing into Alex's determined eyes. Gildarts nodded approvingly in the background, silently applauding Alex's resolve.

"Let me explain the situation," Mayor Volke continued. "A week ago, Gidoken first appeared in the city. It was late at night, so no one noticed until the following day when neighbors reported several people missing. Over ten people disappeared overnight."

"We launched an investigation, initially thinking it was just a series of missing persons cases. It wasn't until the third day that someone saw the beast. Based on descriptions and our records, we identified it as the monster Gidoken."

Mayor Volke sighed, "Our city doesn't have a wizard guild. Most of our residents are poor and no match for such a monster. So, I issued a request for help from nearby wizards. Even the wizards who came to help have gone missing."

"As for how strong this monster is, I can't say for sure. But considering the wizards who've vanished, it must be quite powerful."

Mayor Volke looked at them with hopeful eyes. "That's the situation. You can decide whether to accept this mission."

Alex smiled. "Mayor Volke, we'll take the mission."

Gray chimed in, "Fairy Tail doesn't back down just because the enemy is strong!"

"Haha, as expected from Master Makarov's guild. None of you are ordinary," Mayor Volke praised.

...

Night fell, and the bustling city of Volke became eerily quiet. From the highest rooftop, Alex and his team had a clear view of the entire city.

"Do you think the monster will really show up if we just wait here?" Gray, shirtless as usual, asked.

Alex sighed, "Gray, where's your shirt?"

"Huh? When did that happen?"

Shaking his head, Alex replied, "It should come. If only we knew its lair, we could go directly. For now, we have to wait for it to show up."

Gildarts leaned against a pillar, eyes closed. Alex suspected he was asleep, given he didn't react when Alex waved a hand in front of his face earlier.

"We've been here for hours. I'm getting sleepy," Gray yawned.

"Just a bit longer..."

At that moment, Gildarts suddenly opened his eyes and said, "It's here."

Alex sensed the magical disturbance too and stood up, watching the giant moth approach from the distance.

"Is that a moth?" Alex's eyes widened as the enormous creature drew nearer.

The moth's wingspan was a full five meters, and it was heading straight for a house.

Without hesitation, Alex drew his Zanpakuto and slashed.

Hitotsume: Nadegiri (First Strike: Mow Down)

Without fully releasing his Zanpakuto, this move was perfect for the situation.

An invisible slash cut through the air towards Gidoken.

Sensing the imminent danger, Gidoken turned its eyes towards Alex and the others, flapping its wings powerfully to change direction. Not only did it evade Alex's attack, but it also charged towards them.

Gildarts, observing from behind, had no intention of intervening. This was Alex's mission and a valuable training opportunity. As long as he ensured their safety, it was fine.

Alex didn't expect any help from Gildarts. He stepped on the rooftop's railing, breaking it with the force of his leap as he soared into the air.

Gidoken had reached the rooftop by then.

But before it could attack, it felt an enormous pressure on its back, preventing it from flying.

In Gray's eyes, Gidoken approached rapidly, but before he could react, Alex appeared mid-air, delivering a powerful kick to the monster's back.

The force drove Gidoken into the ground, creating a massive crater with cracks radiating outwards.

The crash startled Gray awake. He turned to Gildarts, his hand trembling as he pointed to Alex below. "Is... is he that strong?"

Gray hadn't sensed any magical energy from Alex during the attack, meaning he had achieved that terrifying power purely through physical strength.

Recalling his earlier challenge to Alex, Gray shivered. It seemed Alex had held back a lot then.

Gildarts shrugged, "I don't know either. After all, you're the only one who's fought Alex."

Below, Alex showed no hesitation. He grabbed Gidoken's wing and started spinning. The beast, still in pain, hadn't recovered and now found its surroundings constantly changing.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Gidoken's massive body smashed into the narrow streets, its head colliding with walls repeatedly, making it see stars.

"Holy crap!! What is he doing? What is he doing?" Gray's jaw dropped in shock as he watched Alex, like a human juggernaut, swinging the gigantic monster around.

The scene was just too astonishing—an eleven-year-old kid wielding a monster many times his size as a weapon.

Gildarts, seeing Gray's stunned expression, said, "Your face doesn't look like a wizard's. Let me see." He got up from the pillar he was leaning on and walked to the edge of the roof.

His eyes widened immediately. "Wow, this kid's tough. Who's the real monster here?"

Alex, feeling a bit tired from swinging, finally released Gidoken, hurling it far away and raising a cloud of dust.

Gidoken got up, shaking off the rubble, fury blazing in its eyes. But seeing two more wizards on the rooftop, it hesitated. It barely handled one; fighting all three was certain death.

With that realization, Gidoken didn't hesitate, flapping its wings and fleeing.

Alex's lips curled into a smirk. "Just what I was waiting for," he murmured.

Gildarts and Gray joined Alex, and Gray, panicking, asked, "Alex, how could you let it escape?"

Alex's eyes narrowed. "If it doesn't run, how can we find its lair and rescue the captives?"

He then quietly followed the retreating Gidoken.

Gildarts smiled, patting Gray's shoulder. "Learn from him; the kid's got skills."

With that, Gildarts followed suit.

"Oh, I see! Wait for me!" Gray finally understood but saw the two already vanishing from sight and hurried to catch up.

In a desolate mountainous area outside the city, mostly barren rock with sparse trees, Gidoken flew into a large cave. Alex, trailing closely, noted the location.

"This must be Gidoken's lair. I hope there are still survivors. The mayor mentioned about a hundred missing people, but their fate is uncertain," Alex thought, frowning. A hundred lives were no small matter.

Just then, Gildarts and Gray arrived. Alex turned and said, "Gildarts, if there are survivors inside, you and Gray rescue them. I'll handle Gidoken."

"No problem," Gildarts nodded.

"Leave it to me! See, I told you I'd be useful," Gray said, patting his chest confidently.

"Alright, let's go." With that, the three entered the cave.

Inside, the cave was dark but large enough for some light to filter in. The trio soon saw the full extent of the cave and were stunned.

There were three Gidokens, seemingly a family, and suspended from the ceiling were numerous cocoons. Alex roughly counted over fifty.

Below the three Gidokens lay many torn and bloody cocoons, likely the remains of those already deceased.

"Do moths spin cocoons?" Alex wondered absently.

"What now?" Gray asked Alex.

"The number of targets is more than we expected. Should I step in?" Gildarts suggested. Three Gidokens indeed exceeded the anticipated difficulty, making this more akin to an S-rank mission.

Though Alex had beaten one Gidoken, that was because Alex was exceptional. Any other guild wizard would struggle. Given the stakes, Gildarts considered intervening.

"No, you and Gray rescue the people. I'll handle the three Gidokens," Alex said firmly.

Seeing Alex's resolute expression, Gildarts didn't argue. Trusting teammates was a Fairy Tail hallmark.

Alex then vanished from his spot, charging straight at the three Gidokens.