CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 67 HUNTING SQUAD_2

The man with the large scar showed a bitter smile.

"The Investigation Legion did not actually send anyone, the high-level Spiritual Visionary scout I mentioned is this person right here."

His thick finger pointed at Rod.

Both their gazes converged on him simultaneously.

"Him?"

That clearly was not a tone of trust.

The girl scoffed.

"Are you guys insane? This guy looks like he hasn’t even grown all his hair out yet."

Keith angrily retorted, "You’re underestimating him! I tell you, in the name of the Outer City District’s defense chief, that his hair has indeed grown out. Don’t believe me? Just look!"

He violently went to pull Rod’s pants down, but luckily, Rod reacted swiftly and jumped away.

The large scarred man covered his face with his hands, and through the gaps between his fingers, one could see that his roughly textured cheeks were flushed red.

"Sorry, this guy’s got a screw loose; don’t mind him. Mr. Rod here may be young, but he is already a special student of Jinworth. Thirteen days ago in the sewer incident, he was the only one who emerged unharmed and successfully repelled the Black Priest of the Polluter Sect, Balistan Sermy."

Their expressions changed.

"But," the girl raised another doubt, "is his Spiritual Vision really that high? Combat ability isn’t the main issue here."

The man with the large scar finally let out a slight smile: "It’s very high. His report indicates he possesses a Fire Spark similar to an Enhancement of Spiritual Vision, making him a strong Spiritual Visionary."

"Bullshit!"

Keith had finally found a flaw to expose.

"What strong Spiritual Visionary? He’s a Full Visionary! You idiot!"

As soon as these words were uttered, the two who had begun to believe once again showed dubious expressions.

Roger hesitated, "A Full Visionary? Doesn’t Spiritual Vision need to be 99 for that? Is it possible for him to have such high Spiritual Vision at his young age?"

Keith laughed out loud: "Ha! You didn’t know? Thirteen days ago, in the Royal City’s Military War Department, in front of me, Teacher Muso, and that piece of dog shit, he was tested directly. The highest-level Mist Crystal Ball’s final image was the Sun of Thousand Golden Lights. I remember it all! The color drained from that piece of dog shit’s face, and I still laugh when I think about it now."

Although Roger didn’t look entirely convinced, he still extended his hand.

"Hello, pleased to meet you. I’m Roger from Upper Hud, a Second Level Hunter."

Rod extended his hand as well.

"Hello, I’m Rod from Redstone Village, a student of Jinworth."

The man with the large scar clapped his hands and said, "Alright, leave the pleasantries for later, let’s prepare to set off. I’ll say this once, Rod doesn’t have much in the way of combat ability right now; he’ll just be providing reconnaissance. It’s up to you to protect him."

Roger smiled and said, "Don’t worry. We’d all die before letting anything happen to him."

The girl turned her face away: "He’s the precious gem, and we’re just worthless stones."

Keith spoke up loudly: "No, he’s a young sapling, and we’re the great trees protecting him."

"For once you’ve said something sensible," the man with the large scar laughed. "Just go with them; I’ll hold down the fort here."

Keith exclaimed angrily, "Why should I go? You go!"

The two began to argue once more, and at that moment, several people wearing blue tunics pushed the door open and entered.

They stood at attention, raising their right hands, clenched in a fist, in salute.

"City Defense Legion Shi Dong reporting in."

"Conquest Legion Donner reporting in."

"Knight Order Bach reporting in."

...

"Depart!"

The big-scarred face interrupted the argument shrewdly.

"You’re in charge, Rod is all yours now. May the Holy Fire protect you and get rid of that injured Plague Demon as soon as possible to safeguard our citizens," he said.

These words, "You’re in charge," touched Keith. He pounded his chest vigorously and shouted, "Well said, no one is more reliable than I am. Hunting Squad, move out!"

"For the Holy Fire! For Trolian! For the King! Aaaaah!"

And so, amidst the enthusiastic shouts, the Hunting Squad, assembled from various forces, set out.

The big-scarred face eased his mind slightly. The squad’s average combat level was 8, with a total combat level exceeding 120. The team composition was reasonable, and it certainly wasn’t a problem to subdue a severely injured Plague Demon.

Today was a festive day that had been hard won; he couldn’t afford a mass casualty incident.

Big scar-face called back the workers who were hiding outside and resumed his tense work. With the defense forces of Royal City currently insufficient, there was just too much to do.

But amidst the hectic work, a doubt suddenly crept into his mind.

"Why did Rod show up here?"

——

——

The Hunting Squad had a total of ten members, with Rogers being the unexpectedly appointed Captain. He swiftly allocated the tactical positions to each team member.

Thanks to his previous patrol with Reslin, Rod had a rough idea of the responsibilities of the "rear scout" tactical position, and he generally understood each member’s location in the formation.

He loaded his Spirit Gun, activated the Eye of the Soul, and walked towards the middle-rear of the group, surrounded by layers of protection.

Then, under the leadership of Rogers, the Hunting Squad descended into the sewer through a well in the square.

The stench of decay mixed with the scent of blood hit their noses immediately, but Rogers unflinchingly picked up a clump of filth from the ground and sniffed it close to his nose.

"It’s still nearby. Quick."

The group started moving rapidly. Rod remembered the method taught by his instructor Karaman and, like the others, began to run. As his foot landed, he gathered Spiritual Energy in the tips of his toes and imagined it stirring up, crashing down like a pendulum onto the ground, generating tremendous force.

In an instant, his toes warmed, and he leaped into the air, barely keeping pace with their speed.

Keith’s eyes sparkled, "Not bad at all, little Rod. It took me three years to manage dynamic Spiritual Energy states."

The young girl, Eve, glanced at his wobbly posture and disdainfully said, "Can’t even walk properly, and he’s acting all impressive."

Keith was clearly angered and pointed at her nose as he shouted,

"What are you supposed to be? Trash that got expelled from the academy! If it weren’t for the King’s mercy, in which sewer would you be eating crap?"

Eve’s entire face flushed red as she retorted loudly, "Yes, we’re worthless trash, despicable rocks. You’re amazing, you’re strong, and your fists are tough. I just wonder why you stirred up the Plague Demon that was sleeping in the lower layer of the sewer and even let it escape! All the hundreds of thousands of people above are threatened by it, you’re doing a great job as the Outer City District defense chief, aren’t you!"

Keith burst into a rage, "Do you think you have the right to question the power of an elite combat group? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is in the lower levels of the sewer? If you went there, not even your bones would be left!"

Eve sneered coldly, "There’s no point in cleaning sewers, really, it’s sick."

"You don’t know shit! Doomsday believers..."

"Captain Keith!" a combatant dressed in City Defense Army gear cut him off.

Keith held back, clenching his fists.

"If you were part of the City Defense Army, I would have twisted your head off by now."

The girl offered her head forward, smirking, "Twist it now if you please, don’t be polite."

"Enough! Eve, shut your mouth!"

Rogers, who had been leading the way, shouted.

"The Plague Demon is just ahead. I can already smell its putrid scent. Second Level combat readiness, Eve, initiate the Spiritual Defense Barrier."

The girl was silent as she raised her hand, with Spiritual Energy rapidly gathering at her palms, but Rod could still clearly see tears rolling in her eyes.