ELITES' PROJECT
***
<*00:00:00* >
<*Hidden mission complete!*>
<*Reward has been acquired!*>
<Skill [Map(LVL 10) has been upgraded to a master class skill!*>
<*New skill name [Master Map(LVL 1)]*>
<*New features of the map:< p>
1. *Range has increased to cover nearly half of the giant planet!*
2. *User can view the HP and level of a beast or monster without the help of appraisal, using the map skill. The closer the beast is, the easier it is to look at it. This new passive skill doesn't work on targets stronger than the user. *>
–––
[Oh, I think I'm in love with this new map!]
<You fell in love on an inanimate program?>
[Yeah! Wait, No! I mean... You know what I mean!]
<No I don't actually know what you mean>
[Go cry your lonesome self to sleep, Bradley. Can't even let me enjoy my new skill in peace]
<.... >
***
If ever I've welcomed the rising sun so happily, this has to be the best. In fact, the beautiful sun rose with all its glory, making me shield my eyes due to the powerful rays, shining its light below the bones of the dead beasts that were later chomped up by other beasts. Truly this place was all about survival.
Since it was my turn in the last watch, I firstly woke Earl, who was not at all too happy with that decision, seeing that we've been exchanging watch for the entire night. I don't know about him, but I feel well rested. I let Pine sleep in a little more as we came up with a plan with Earl.
"We have around one week before Mrs Kelly becomes suspicious of our activities, so I've come up with a plan. Let's join forces with the other two of our group. Cause if we really plan on facing the elves head on, and judging by the way Pine described to me how protected the entire area is, it would really be a bad idea for us," I whispered to him.
He nodded his head, but still looked at me doubtful.
"How are you sure that us four can handle this by ourselves? Why don't we tell Mrs Kelly, she wouldn't be so heartless as to chase the kid away. And besides, I'm sure she will help in saving the other Furrhas trapped in their. Maybe even summon the other four elites so it can be a joint operation," he said.
I shook my head, "They are grown ups. They will try doing this the right way, by not hurting them or at best just knocking them out and saving the other kids. But this young Furrha of ours wants something a little more, and I sure as hell going to support him fully,"
Earl looked at me hard before he asked, "It's because of what happened to him, wasn't it? I also saw your scars, Max. Listen, if you want to talk about it–"
"Never, and I mean NEVER, bring this subject up again. And act like you didn't see anything yesterday, OK?"
"My lips are sealed. Jeez, you get so worked up when it's about this. But I just want to know, you are doing this because you wish someone would have done the same for you, I'm I right? All you have to do is ask, I'd deliver. Just say when. I'm not so evil as to leave one of my comrades hanging like that,"
I looked Earl up and down the put up a slight smile on my face.
"Don't you have somewhere to be right about now?"
"Fine. I'm leaving, but only because the kid still can't stand an elf around,"
I nodded my head for him to move out, then explained to him where I think they would be, or knew they were, courtesy of the system. He was soon on his way, and when I knew he was a good distance away, I finally chose to wake up Pine.
I tried tapping his shoulder, and he suddenly jumped upright and immediately went on the defensive, staring at me with killing intent, probably something he had to learn the hard way out here in the world. Man, he's too young to even think about killing much less have that defeated but desperate look on his face. He slowly started to calm down.
"Max?"
"Yup. I'm still here,"
"To be honest, I thought you two would just leave me here or worse yet, were playing with me and I'd find my self back in that horror house," he said as he rubbed the sleep off his eyes.
"Well you don't have to worry about that anymore. How did you sleep? I can tell the bags from your eyes are all nonexistent. Must have been a good sleep,"
"Definitely. Wait, why are you talking to me so casually? More importantly, I can't sense the elf around. He dead?"
I smiled at Pine's shiny eyes when he added death and Elf together in one sentence and looked really happy about it.
"Unfortunately, he's still alive, gone for back up only,"
"Back up?! Oh gods, I have to get out of here!"
Pine stood up immediately and almost shot away before I could explain that it wasn't 'that' kind of back up he was thinking. I tried stopping him but he suddenly disappeared.
"What the–"
He appeared immediately in the next branch, paused for a bit, then came back the same way he left. He had this worried look on his face too.
"We have to leave now, Max! Or they'll come for us!"
I was still speechless on how easily he did that disappearing act of his. Guess there's no need to ask him how he survived without getting killed all this time. More importantly, it's nice to see that he trusts me enough to even wish I go with him.
"Calm down, Pine! No ones coming with the back up you are thinking off. More like the back up we need to do what you requested of me yesterday,"
"Wait, you were serous when you said you'd help me kill those fu*cking–"
"Language! Jeez, where did you even learn such a word?"
"I lived in an abusive household, I thought I had already explained this. Anyways, you seriously want to help me?"
"If you want our help, of course,"
"Yeah, I mean, Yes! Obviously I want your help. Um... I don't know how to repay–"
"No need. Take this as a charity service from me. Believe me, I'm going to enjoy this more than you will,"
"Not likely. Hey, Max? Will we–"
"Don't worry. I'm not planning to leave any survivors. Now quit your talking and get over here!"
"Wait what are you–"
I yanked the kid to my side and placed my hand on my head. He was about to resist, but immediately sensed that I didn't mean him harm.
***
<*Ability [saint healer (LVL MAX) ] has been activated*>
***
A green light spread around the Furrah's entire body, healing him of all the injuries he had on. I'm guessing that it has been a while since he has healed of his serious injuries, and with beasts like the red bear from yesterday roaming freely around, there's no doubt in my mind that there must have been a fee who have caught him even with his ability.
Once I was done healing him, I appraised his state in order to know if what I had done was the least bit helpful.
***
<*Pinecrest Alveria*>
<Title: unknown *>
<*Race: Furrha*>
<*Grade: A( mid )*>
<*Ability: Teleport*>
<*He is able to move from a certain place another, as long he can see it*>
<*Health: {90 100}*>
<*Mana: {350 400}*>
***
Phew! At least his health is higher than when he tried to attack us, that's an improvement. Pine was a lot stronger that his age should suggest, but maybe the situation he was in demanded that from him. As we waited for Earl to arrive with the group, I sat silently with him, waiting for them.
"...thanks," he eventually mumbled.
"Hmm...Pine, why are you trusting a stranger like me all of a sudden? Not like I'm not someone to trust, but why me specifically?"
Pine looked at me like I had asked the most dumbest of questions in the beastverse. But then he looked down in embarrassment for some reason.
"I didn't trust you at first, honestly. I was just biding my time so that I could understand why you were here. As you can see, I could have easily gotten out of those vines if I wanted, but chose not to because something told me I could trust you. And also, I would have killed you both if I wanted, anytime, anywhere, so I wasn't really that much worried about you two,"
"Oh, kill us? All on your own? Pine, you have no idea how that would have been a really stupid idea to even try. What level do you think I'm at?"
"You're at best just a level above me or something, right?"
"If I wanted to, I could have ended your existence the time I kicked you. It's just that I held back,"
"Would have put me out of my misery, but whatever, sure,"
"Wait, what?"
"What?"
I looked at him shocked, but then noticed a blinking light on my map.
"Here comes the Calvary. Be nice, Pine. There are two elves now,"
"I'm immediately regretting ever trusting you now," he mumbled. At least he didn't run away this time.
"Sup, Max. You've seen better days. And you smell bad too. And this is just the second day," Queen said as she scratched her hair. Not like she was any better. I swear I saw something move in there. Alvin was definitely much more better looking than her at the moment.
"You have no room to talk, Queen. Nature has definitely not been kind to you,"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Queen, not now. We're here on other matters. Is this the kid Earl was talking about?" Alvin said.
"Oh, forgot to introduce you. I think I'll let him talk to himself,"
Alvin turned to the Furrha and suddenly, he was no where to be found. Immediately we all were surprised, he appeared right behind Alvin, hit him behind his knees bringing him down, then with the dagger I had just returned to him earlier, placed it on Alvin's throat.
"Don't talk me on familiar terms, elf," he whispered in the very shocked elf's ears.
"Ey! Down, Pine. What did we just talk about?" I quickly tried stopping the dangerous Furrha before he did something he would regret.
"But–"
"I don't wanna hear it! Put the dagger down!" I said firmly.
"Oh, fine,"
Alvin finally breathed in relief when he was released, and took two steps away from the Furrha just in case. Pine disappeared again, and reappeared right beside me.
"As you can probably tell, Pine hear is not a fan of elves," I began addressing the group.
"I don't have a lot of faith in this team, Max. Two elves who are as always, unreliable–"
"Hey!" both Alvin and Earl protested, but Pine completely ignored them.
"A girl who I have no idea which race she is, but otherwise untrustworthy,"
"I'm sorry, who are you talking about that like that again brat?"
"And you, finally. Maybe you'll be the only redeeming quality of this team,"
"Pretty rough assessment there, Pine. But please don't judge a book by its covers. I'm sure if you went one on one with any of them, you'd have no chance," I advised him.
"I seriously doubt that,"
"Anyways, I know we're going against Mrs Kelly's trying and not staying only with the ordered partner we were, but this is a serious issue. I'm guessing you two have been informed by Earl?"
"Hardly. But I think we've got the gist of it. We're killing elves, simple as that, and this is something not to tell even the general," Queen said while bashing her fists together.
"You're a little to excited to kill my race, Queen. I don't appreciate that," Alvin mumbled, "That said, they do deserve death, in the worst possible way,"
"Hey, we're all mostly elves around here, except queen of course–" Pine shivered when I said that, "–but we all agree that this is something that those elves did that doesn't deserve mercy. How about it Pine? Why don't you lead the way,"
He seemed to ponder this before he answered, "I was already planning on ending my life anyways. Might as well go down with a bang. Elves, don't talk to me. And with that, let's march to our deaths!"