The King of Grey Forest

Only Aeon was capable of what he was currently doing because he was the only person who could pierce through the thick skin of the colossal beasts.

Aeon continued jumping around, assisting anyone who was caught up in a difficult battle. He was burning his energy really quickly, but he ignored his exhaustion.

After stabbing eight more beasts with his coated swords, the remaining Galaxy Solution on them finally disappeared, washed away by beast blood.

….

After 5 minutes, the battle had finally been settled. They encountered about 4 colossal beasts and 12 large ones. After they had regrouped, they found out that they had lost two people.

Then, Aeon informed Montis that he had already saved the researchers from the cave and that they should already be on their way to the others.

"Are you sure they are safe?" Montis asked seriously.

"Yes, I looked ahead with my Tenro and I'm sure that they would be safe throughout the way if they maintained their speed," Aeon responded.

Hearing this, Montis heaved a sigh of relief. Just to make sure, he also checked the stones inside his bag one by one. All of them were still glowing, signifying that no researcher had died.

Seeing the result of the battle, Montis was now having second thoughts about proceeding to the peak. It was already very clear that the mountain was infested with magical beasts. If not, they should not have encountered that many beasts in one go because they don't usually stay together too close.

With that, there was only one more person to save. Two for Aeon.

Montis turned towards Aeon and folded both of his behind his back. "Aeon, your special mission is not really a secret, you know?"

Aeon who was still resting on the ground looked up towards Montis. The latter didn't seem to be joking. "Really? How so?"

Montis took a seat beside Aeon. "We know that the Principal's target is the Head Researcher. Mainly because he wants to find out about something."

And the whole time he thought really had a secret mission. He heaved a sigh then replied, "I don't know Mr. Montis. I think it's an impossible mission, to be honest."

"Your target is at the peak, too?" Montis asked.

Aeon slowly nodded.

"Gather around!" Montis yelled as he stood up.

The other 26 members of the rescue unit immediately fell into formation. Aeon scrambled to get to the back as his rank dictated.

"From here on out, this is the Academy's business," Montis Leroux said as he looked towards the peak, his back facing the people. "There are only two people left to rescue, and I won't pressure you all to lay down your lives because, as we know, there are a lot more beasts up there."

Aeon listened intently, it was the longest time he heard Montis speak, and It seemed like he wasn't over with his speech just yet.

"Those who don't want to proceed, please step back and I will have you leave," Montis turned around to face the members of the rescue unit, "this is permitted under my jurisdiction and none should be punished for it."

For the first twenty seconds, no one stepped forward. But after one person finally found the courage, the others immediately followed. None wanted to be left behind, or them stepping forward later will become really awkward.

A total of nine. And all of them belong to the military.

Montis nodded at them. "You are dismissed! Regroup with the researchers on the western side of the mountain."

The soldiers saluted then left the formation. They scurried down the mountain at a really fast pace, taking advantage of the fact that the beasts around the area were recently cleared.

Aeon scratched his chin. Montis was too lenient. He didn't even take those people's potions and solutions. Oh well, they might need it in case they bump into any magical beasts.

"All 21 of us will head up the mountain after a short rest. Sort out your supplies and drink the necessary potion you need! Dismissed!" Montis turned around.

The members of the rescue unit didn't really have much to sort out anymore. They had used many of their supplies in the recent battle. They had even used most of the potions they had been provided with just to survive that bout. Thankfully, their effects were still working.

Aeon was the only person who had yet to save all of his potions. He even had more. Now, he was wearing two fanny packs on his waist.

After resting for a good 10 minutes, they proceeded forward.

If Montis were to use his Tenro, he would've reached the peak already. For the past 10 minutes, he had been thinking really hard. He continuously asked himself the same question. How would he be able to preserve as much life as he can and at the same time, save the remaining two people?

There was nothing much to think about, really. He just had to move in first, lure every beast away from the peak, and have the others save their targets.

However, if he put the King of Grey Forest into the equation, everything would fall apart. First, he didn't know of its capabilities. Was it in human form or was it in beast form? Would it be able to exert its beastly strength when in human form?

He didn't know.

There were too many variables to consider.

In other words, he could only gamble. The problem was, he was gambling with his own life.

Montis sighed. There was really no good solution. The only thing he could do now was to proceed and have faith in his Tenro.

After 50 minutes of walking and running without encountering a single beast, the rescue unit had finally arrived near the peak. If they looked up, they could already see the sharp tip of the mountain that pointed towards the sky.

Montis had been especially quiet during the trip, and Aeon didn't bother him.

Once more, the group huddled together. Montis told everyone about his plan of luring away the beasts while Aeon saves their targets. The others would then lie in wait for an ambush. He elaborated on his expected scenario and the places that everyone should look out for.

The plan will ultimately end with everyone escaping safely together.

Montis reassured everyone that he would be alright with the help of his Tenro.

However, Aeon was not very convinced. As the others prepared, Montis Leroux stayed by the corner. It didn't seem like he would be putting his life on the line after a few minutes. It simply looked like he was just marveling at the lushness of the mountain, the trees that surrounded them, and the beautiful night sky.

He looked like a wise man who was sightseeing with his hands folded behind his back.

"Are you sure about your plan?" Aeon asked from out of the blue.

"Not really," Montis answered honestly. "But someone has to have faith."

Hearing this, Aeon did not bother to dissuade him. He thought that he was right. And that was exactly what he would do if he were the one to lead the rescue unit.

Though Aeon questioned multiple times how important his mission was to the Academy. What was so special about the Head Researcher?

Everyone finally fell into formation. After Aeon gets the hostage, they would rain hell on the magical beasts that Montis lured, then run for their lives. Montis, the leader of the group will do the same, though his situation would be quite different.

He would be trying to outrun the colossal beasts.

Aeon and Montis moved towards the peak, just the two of them.

The top had a wide-open area near the mouth of the cave according to Montis. There the other beasts should be residing. Possibly, the King of Grey forest should be there too.

After arriving at the large open area, the two could only see the colossal bodies of the sleeping beasts. They didn't spot a gray lion amongst them. The two inwardly heaved a sigh of relief.

Though they couldn't determine the exact number of beasts there from their point of view, it shouldn't exceed 10. Their mission was doable.

Montis nodded at Aeon. He showed them the Burst Solutions in his hands. Earlier, he had asked for Aeon's share too, to make his plan work. Now, he had nine of them.

Aeon nodded in response. He circled around towards the side and position himself nearest the mouth of the cave that was now covered in large rocks stacked on top of each other.

Montis breathed in deeply and activated his Tenro. Then...

He ran.

Whoosh!

Montis' figure blurred, and only a flash of white light could be seen by Aeon from a distance. Though the objects that he threw did not escape Aeon's eyes.

The bottles shimmered as they headed straight towards the beasts at the edges of the clearing.

Four Burst Solutions.

Clink!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The bottles exploded one after another. The power behind the explosions completely betrayed its size.

The beasts caught up in the huge explosion roared in pain forcing Aeon to cover his ears. They all looked left and right, trying to find the ones that caused them harm. However, they couldn't see him!

Not until Montis Leroux deliberately stopped.

He stopped on a spot completely opposite to Aeon. Three more Burst Solutions in his hands.

The beasts finally saw him and started chasing. The ground beneath Aeon shook violently. It shook really hard that the boulders at the top of the mountain began to slide down.

Boom!

A huge boulder fell. Luckily, it was too far away from Aeon. Nor was it heading in the direction of the others below them.

At that moment, Montis Leroux threw the three solutions towards the magical beasts.

Aeon also headed straight in, knowing that all of the beasts had finally turned away from him. He activated his Tenro and slashed at the boulders covering the cave entrance from a distance. Two sword light emerged from his blades.

Zing! Zing!

Then! Two more!

Zing! Zing!

Shua!

The boulders covering the cave entrance crumbled.

The attacks Aeon had sent had arrived even faster than the bottles thrown by Montis.

BOOM! BOOM!

Montis Leroux was already running away when he noticed something wrong. The sound of the explosions rung inside his ears one more time. He threw in three bottles.

So, why were there only two explosions?

Whoosh!

Montis sped forward! He was about to head back towards his formation where the others were when he suddenly saw something flash by the corner of his eye. It glimmered in the night light, accurately heading straight towards his direction.

In a split second, Montis was able to stop his advance. The little object that was supposed to greet his face if he continued running whizzed by and missed. Instead, it hit the tree, right beside where Montis had stopped.

Clink!

BOOOOOM!

Montis was thrown on the ground, rolling as he tried to stabilize himself. He was extremely puzzled, but his logical mind had already told him what had happened. Someone threw the bottle back at him.

The beasts were almost already upon him!

As Montis was trying to stand, he threw his two remaining bottles on the left and the right. One of the bottles was thrown a bit later than the other. He measured the strength of his throw so that could calculate the exact time that the bottles would explode.

As he had expected, only one bottle erupted.

BOOOM!

The right bottle exploded!

Montis immediately moved according to his plan. Head right! Since it was the right bottle that had remained uncaught, then the King of Grey forest should be on the left side. It had the ability to catch a projectile, so it was obviously in human form!

Montis ran at full speed.

Thankfully, the other members of the rescue unit had noticed that Montis was running late on their planned schedule. Instead of waiting, they all headed up the mountain to see what was happening.

As soon as they saw the beasts scrambling to catch up with Montis, they immediately threw all of the solutions they were holding on to!

Burst Solutions first!

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

One explosion after another, creating massive chaos!

Galaxy Solutions second!

Shatter! Splash!

Third! Petrify.

Clink! Clink! Clink!

Crystals formed on the beasts that had been attempting to pursue! Their charge had been immediately halted!

Montis heaved a sigh of relief as he saw the situation.

Unfortunately, it wasn't going as smoothly as he thought. At least, for him that is.

Squelch!

Montis Leroux's body folded forward due to the momentum he was running at before he was forcefully stopped by a heavy blow.

He realized that he was now being lifted up into the air. An arm impaling him through his abdomen.

His vision started to darken, but as his consciousness was about to fade, Montis was able to give one last look at the Greater Demonic Beast.

He saw a bulk man on his late teenage years with his bushy gray hair combed backward. The look on the man's face was flat and expressionless, but he had the same eyes as the lion they had slew the day before.

It was yellow-green.

It was also at that moment that Aeon exited the cave, carrying two people with both of his hands.

The moment he saw Montis, his pupils dilated in shock and terror.

"MONTIS!"

….