7 Chapter 6: Beginning of Field research
Salem pov
Currently I was sitting on a wood tree log thanks to the resident axe man and chewing down my 6th bowl of delicious beef stew thanks to that Lily woman. I wasn't a good cook so eating something properly made really hit home for me. I was sitting next to cloaked individual wo was a girl mind you about 14 years of age, tanned skin, dirty blonde hair, and blue eyes. She took off her mask so she could eat her food. Mr. Ivory was sitting on a log opposite of me with the Lily woman. The axe man was sitting next to the sword woman just next to me and the sniper girl and the plumb man was by himself next to Ivory.
"So, Ivory-san now that we're settled a little tell us what happened after we got separated." The sword woman asked putting her bowl down.
"Ah you see after the wyvern attack; I spent a day wondering the forest. Whenever I used the compass, I got attacked by an animal making stray from the direction more than on then on a second day a crystal wyvern snatched me but dropped me when it got into a fight with another wyvern and at night time I was running from a bear than I wondered into Shupiwa-san's tree." He explained but how was it possible he didn't run into a ware-beast, another wyvern, Vulcan or anything else?
"Hm that explains why it was hard to pinpoint your exact signal." The sword woman sighed. "It would have taken us a least extra hours to find you today and that's if an animal didn't kill you first." She bluntly said causing Ivory to laugh nervously.
"Don't worry Ivory-kun am sure Maroon-chan was just joking." Lily said trying to lift the man's nerves.
"Hey kid what's your name." The bulky man asked me eyes narrowed.
"Salem Shupiwa." I answered focusing on my stew and I saw the girl looking at me curiously for some reason.
"That's a very unique name." He said scratching his chin. I don't blame him though I mean I don't think a there is an African cultural representation from my knowledge in earthland. "Haha! I can tell you're a very strong mage for someone your age." This got me by surprise.
"You can tell that I can use magic?" I asked and he simply nodded with a grin on his face.
"Yeah, I simply sensed it let me introduced myself and my comrades. Am Leonardo Ashton and..." Before he could finish the lady interrupted him.
"Leo, we can introduce ourselves Leo my name is Maroon Queens." The sword woman said.
"Whisper." The cloak girl said her name in a quiet tone and I just nodded at them.
"So why are you in this forest Shupiwa-san?" Queens asked me.
"I was just thrown there." I answered in half-truths to they all looked at me with widen eyes 2-while Lily just looked at me in pity.
"Thank you for helping George-kun Shupiwa-san. Am Lily Smith" Lily introduced herself.
"And am Mathew Locknut." The plumb mand introduced himself as. Well. "I must thank you for helping Ivory-san young man." I just gave them a thumbs up and finished my food.
"So, now that Ivory-san is back we should talk about how we should tackle the rest of our research." Locknut said putting down his bowl.
"Are sure you can continue on Ivory-san? You can wait here while one of the Saberwolfs guard you." Smith said to Ivory.
"Nah a fine I've am not going to miss out on researching that creature!" Ivory said full of determination.
"That's great to hear Ivory-san." Locknut grin wanted to continue with their research or something.
"Boss do honestly think they will survive the rest of this trip." Leonardo asked Maroon. Guess I know who is in charge here.
"Let them be Leo as long as the university is still paying us to bodyguard, we got a job to do." Maroon said drinking some water. "And besides me I couldn't lie and say am also not interested in this grootslang creature right whisper?" She continued and Whisper just nodded and I got surprised by the mentioned name.
"Wait what?" I asked looking at I shock and got their attention.
"Do you know it Shupiwa-san?" Locknut asked me with a little excitement in his voice.
"Really big elephant, its body was like a snake but with spikes, green skinned, four tusks and ram like horns." I asked when I finished describing it and they looked really surprised.
"YOU'VE SEEN IT!?" Ivory seemed really surprised.
"You're lucky to be alive right now kid. The creature is said to be a A-S class monster." Queens said making me pale a bit.
"Hold on I are guys sure you want to get close to that thing?" The big man just laughed at my question.
"We're not some weak bunch kid we can handle ourselves." Ashton boasted twirling his axe and Maroon sighed.
"Despite that you helping us will make this job easier." Queens said an I thought about it.
"What's in it for me?" I asked them.
"E-Excuse me." Locknut said in mild surprise.
"You expect me to lead to a potential S-class monster thus endangering my life for nothing without a little something? Come on man." I deepened at him and before he could utter a word.
"Hm fine well what do you want?" Ivory asked me and I could tell he was hoping something.
"Well, I just want a good some up of money like enough to get me by after this is done." After I said this the three researchers sighed in relief may be in relief that I didn't want anything crazy.
"That's reasonable." Locknut agreed.
"That's honestly all you want?" Whisper asked me and I just nodded because I was going to get out of this forest eventually and I need cash to get by.
"Well now that lunch is done let's watch these plates and carry on." Maroon stated.
Sometime later
I was taking the lead I the forest as the others followed to get some data on the grootslang. I've seen the thing a couple of times now but just didn't want to mess with it and when we find it, I'll keep my distance.
The Saberwolfs were keeping their guard up and every time we came across a creature one of them would kill it fast. I don't know their magic types yet because they used their weapons to fight but I can tell that I could beat any off them in a fight right now.
"So Shupiwa-san?" Smith asked me as we just ran into our fourth wyvern and likely it was still very young and weak so Whisper disposed of it with her sniper-rifle but it did take some effort from her.
"Not far the river should be ahead. And by the way what time is it?" I asked them and Ivory just looked at his watch.
"3:15." Good we will still be able we catch it.
I heard a rustle from on top of a tree and a man-sized bat came rushing at me at high speeds. Before I could act, I heard a gun shot and its head was blow clean off.
"Thanks." I thanked Whisper and she just nodded gave me a thumbs up.
"Good job Whisper your reaction time has improved." Queens praised the her and she silently thanked her.
After that we reached the river where most the creature ordinary or extra ordinary gather.
"OH M-…" Ivory yelled in excitement and I quickly covered his mouth with his hand.
"Don't yelled dumbass I like not being chased by crazy looking monsters." I hissed at him and he nodded.
"Majority of them don't really carry out much strength C to B class at most but it is still a sight to witness." Ashton commented will and the other two researchers began taking pictures and Queens and Whisper just seemed to be scanning the area.
"Yeah, speaking of which." The ground began to shake the grootslang came out in all its glory. "There's your mans." The researcher group looked at it in awe.
