The Mission

Noah awoke in the early morning, his mind focused on the impending mission. He swiftly dressed and left his residence, making his way to the headquarters of the Mercenaries. Upon entering the building, he was met with a group of approximately ten individuals. Among them, a pair stood out, engrossed in an intense discussion at a table towards the back of the room.

One of the individuals was an older man, his distinguished gray hair adding an air of wisdom to his average stature. His attire, reminiscent of a military uniform, was unassuming yet hinted at his authority. His brown eyes and slightly tanned skin spoke of experience, and the touch of gray in his beard added gravity to his appearance.

The second individual who captured Noah's attention was a red-haired woman of medium height. Her vibrant locks cascaded elegantly against her slightly tanned complexion, accentuating her presence. Her statuesque, slim figure exuded both grace and strength, a fitting match for her resolute military uniform. Her piercing blue eyes commanded attention and conveyed a sense of determination.

The rest of the soldiers bustled around the headquarters, their camaraderie evident as they readied themselves for the mission that lay ahead. Their conversations filled the air with anticipation.

"New recruit, come this way," the receptionist called, motioning for Noah to approach. "We're still waiting for a few more to arrive, but once everyone's here, the boss will brief you on the mission."

Noah's curiosity got the best of him. "Will the boss be joining us? I've heard rumors about his impressive strength."

The receptionist's knowing smile greeted Noah as he entered. "You'll find out soon enough. I'm not sure if he will be either."

Noah found an unoccupied table and settled into a seat, his patience tested by another 20 minutes of waiting. Eventually, it seemed that everyone had arrived, and the man Noah presumed to be the boss started addressing the gathering.

"Welcome to the Mercenaries. I am Matthew, your boss. You can refer to me as Boss Matthew. Today's mission holds exceptional importance. Normally, I would lead it myself, but due to the threat posed by the Wandering Seven, I've gathered those of you who possess cores. This mission isn't for any client; it's a step towards enhancing my own power. Of course, success will be rewarded generously. But let's not waste time. The mission at hand involves taking down a beast-level pavito. For those unfamiliar, a pavito is a giant type creature resembling an elephant. Its immense power can trigger earthquake-like tremors and, at the beast level, it gains the ability to create substantial crevices in the earth. Despite its formidable strength and resilience, it's quite sluggish. Typically docile, it only retaliates when provoked. Leading this mission will be Squad Leader Freya. If anyone wishes to opt out, you may do so now. Are there any questions?"

A soldier, appearing somewhat less imposing than the rest, chose to depart. Silence filled the room, indicating that no one had further inquiries.

"Very well," Matthew continued. "Take the time to make your final preparations. Departure is imminent."

With that, Matthew ascended to the second floor, and the room buzzed with renewed chatter among the soldiers.

"Hey, come join us!" A soldier gestured to Noah, welcoming him into their midst.

Noah approached the group, a friendly-looking soldier addressing him. "You're one of the new recruits, right?" the soldier asked.

"Yeah, that's me," Noah confirmed.

"Quite unlucky to have this as your first mission. Most of ours were way easier. I'm Will, by the way," the soldier introduced himself, extending his hand for a shake.

"Noah," he replied, firmly shaking Will's hand.

"Tell me, Noah, what's your power?" Will inquired with curiosity. "I got my core from a sandworm."

"I obtained mine from a large puma-like monster," Noah shared.

"Never heard of that one," chimed in another soldier.

"Same here," Will agreed. "What category does it fall under?"

"It's a control type, I believe, though I'm not entirely certain," Noah admitted.

"A control type, huh? Fancy," Will chuckled. "But I can't deny my curiosity. What can it do?"

"I can ensnare up to ten creatures with an energy chain that doesn't harm them, and then I can choose an effect to apply. Freezing, burning, healing, and a few other things, as long as they're ensnared," Noah explained.

"Sounds pretty versatile," Will remarked. "Glad to have you on the team."

Continuing to converse with Will and the fellow soldiers, Noah and the squad made their final preparations before setting out on their mission. They gathered their gear, departed from the headquarters, and began their journey toward the oasis where the pavito was said to reside. With the group's combined efforts, navigating the wasteland became notably smoother than Noah's usual solitary travels. Typically, his tasks included dealing with monsters and securing food and water, but in the company of the squad, these challenges were met more efficiently.

Over the course of the journey spanning a couple of days, Noah's understanding expanded significantly. He witnessed firsthand the diverse array of powers wielded by individuals in the wasteland. Combat experience grew as he faced monsters alongside his comrades and observed their techniques. With each passing encounter, he increasingly recognized the potency of his own power. Both in terms of physical prowess and the versatility of his abilities, he surpassed most of his fellow soldiers. The only missing piece seemed to be additional combat experience, and then he would stand confident against any adversary. He found it puzzling that the squad leader rarely engaged in combat, attributing it to her perhaps displaying an air of arrogance.

Survival wisdom also found its way to Noah. He learned practical skills such as identifying oasis lilies—small, purple flowers near oases that aided in locating nearby water sources. This knowledge not only facilitated water collection but also provided an advantage in hunting, given that most animals gravitated to oases for hydration. Reflecting on this newfound knowledge, Noah realized how much easier his wasteland journey could have been with these insights.

Upon reaching their destination, Noah laid eyes on the colossal creature. Resembling an enormous elephant, it boasted massive hooves and piercing crimson eyes. Additional monsters occupied the oasis, their presence seemingly held in check by the imposing figure. Following a brief discussion, the squad reached a consensus: they would establish a camp nearby, using the night to devise a comprehensive plan of attack.

Once their camp was established, the group convened to strategize. After deliberation, a consensus emerged. The primary approach involved a specialized team with defensive abilities attacking the creature while it slumbered. Their objective: target its vital points and attempt a swift elimination. However, given the notorious resilience of the beast, success was far from assured. In case the creature awoke, the squad leader held a crucial role. Her power, capable of freezing the creature momentarily, would provide a window for the attack team to retreat. Simultaneously, those equipped with ranged attacks would engage from a safe distance, while a soldier named Finn would draw the creature's attention. Finn possessed the unique ability to craft sand-based mimic versions of himself. The remaining soldiers would be responsible for fending off any additional monsters that dared to intervene, as well as facilitating the retreat of their comrades if the initial plan faltered. The success of the strategy hinged on gauging the creature's true resilience and whether or not it would be distracted by the mimic decoys.

While Noah recognized the merits of the plan, a sense of yearning remained within him. He wished for a more substantial role, yet he hesitated to challenge the experience of those who had served longer, as this was only his first mission. With the conclusion of the meeting, the soldiers, including Noah, retired to their rest.

The night settled in, embracing the camp in a blanket of tranquility.