Chapter 125: Mana Perception

Surprisingly, at some point, the leader of the team decided to speak. At once, the party came to a stop, and we were told that we should talk about "it." Everyone came to a stop including me, then. The monster hunters sure seemed to hold their leader in great esteem: our whisperings ceremoniously ceased.

"I don't know about that cheat ability the little man is selling us... but he's right all the same." Those words were what marked the beginning of his solemn speech. And thus, the man talked. With a steady, low-pitched voice and a set jaw, the leader continued on. At first, I finally felt unconcerned about the matter I brought up to the party. There was a problem—namely, today's hunt wasn't going anywhere because of the abnormal lack of monsters across the low-level area—that problem needed to be fixed, I tried myself at it, but no can do. Slightly bothered, I thought there was no real issue there. In the first place, I was just that random guy who was allowed to tag along since I didn't really know where to go myself. Presently, I felt happy. My eyes lit up as I joined my hands on my chest, thinking that I could get to see what I came to see—life. Or rather, lives. Some were smothered and some burgeoned.

In the end, a question was asked by the standing leader. "Why not go for it?" It had been around an hour since we patrolled the usual spot. The monster-types being so scarce was probably not just due to luck. That wasn't very likely at all, one could say it was impossible, even, but there might have been a significant drop in the demographics. Whatever be the reason, the goblins and other prey must have retreated deeper into the dark woods, maybe in the green creatures' caves. So why not try and go deeper into the forest, "just like the little man proposes, eh? ...Just so we be clear, you guys think it's not a good idea and we simply call it a day, all right? For the sake of it, let's consider it, why don't we...?"

In the end, the leader's speech grew evidently less affirmative and more speculative. The feeling wasn't so much anxiety but rather doubt. Now that his words were out anyway, the leader uncomfortably looked away, shoving his hands in his pockets. For a second, everyone was silent. Suddenly, the silence was struck down so loudly like a hammer had just shoved it deep, deep below the earth. The damage dealer, the noisy guy who got angry too easily when we first met, expressed his complete and utter approval by shoving his fist into the air with a jump. Observing the human's excitement, the monster's eyes grew wide as he studied human social behavior.

It was the first time someone reacted as happily to that situation, but funnily enough, the damage dealer was effectively ignored by the whole team as they all thought it through, still still and silent. When the party members spoke, the sorceress, the priestess, and the tank, their voices were filled with insecurities and doubts... yet, somehow, their eyes also shone a faint light of determination. My babe confessed that the idea had already flashed through her mind more than once when I'd gone and proposed it, but she was too unsure. Eventually, the two others said the same.

The matter was decided—today could be the great day for "one of the weakest groups of adventurers of the Guild" to shine more brightly. I didn't have time to laugh at how they easily qualified themselves as the "weakest" like it was no big deal. From my experience, claiming that you were weak so light-heartedly was akin to saying you were okay with dying, but oh well.

"Tell you what, team!" the leader shook his fists cheerfully. "We'll even have the occasion to see whether the little man can spot the monsters before they hit, ha-ha!"

Though doubtful, everyone was intent on making the leader's prophecy come to light. The weak fighters were about to push themselves. The only guy who didn't go along with what the leader had professed was the volatile damage dealer. No way he'd trust the leader on that, he said, cackling on his own and striking a weird pose. If he was going to put his life at risk, "it shall only be with my own approval! Hear that, leader?! My... OWN approval and benediction! It's been days since I'm telling you guys we oughta run deeper, guys! With or without you, I was going to go today, lemme tell you!"

Under the leader's lead, our ranks were tightened, our formation unchanged, and before he reassuringly cheered the whole team on to a challenge, the weak adventurers were off. With a monster in tow. The new fighting environment urged us to be careful. Going off the usual hunting spot wasn't so long a task: we walked toward one direction without straying from our path and... Ring!

❮ "Learning the ropes of the job!" Quest — With the Party, inside the forest of Riverwood, hunt monsters for the Guild. ❯ A second AR display let it be known what specific monsters should be targeted. 10 goblins and 3 gray-claw wolves.

And now, we really were on the lookout. I mean, the party was. I wasn't. I didn't need to. Using Mana Perception in such a peaceful and quiet environment which allowed me to concentrate on the task of expanding my senses across the area, I could see around. For now, there was nothing. A minute passed, and unsurprisingly, we had a catch.

Monster-types showed up. It was only a matter of time before they did. So, quite naturally, I told everyone to stop and gave them indications about the enemy's position. At this point, I hesitated as I thought I should have maybe kept "Mana Perception" a secret, just like I hid everything unusual about me, a unique monster, but now was probably too late anyway.

Two groups of two and two goblins hid about such bushes and such trees. The leader was firm when he nodded at his comrade, the damage dealer, and went on with his partner to inspect things. By now, I guess the Kickass Goblin Detector skill couldn't possibly be a lie to the party, or I otherwise would have confessed it.

If there so happened to be monsters there, the priestess whispered to me, the two front fighters would go fetch them before the whole party dealt with them. "You will have to stay behind my back, okay, Aoi?"

I nodded again, and then the fight started. I could confidently say I was the readiest guy of the team, even though I wasn't about to be part of the fun or anything. Sharpening my senses, I carefully observed as the leader, going alongside his colleague, approached the two corners I indicated to them. They tried to be silent so as to not be detected by the goblins, but I knew the little hideous creatures knew and were ready to apprehend the two humans going their way. It only occurred to me now I should have probably told the adventurers about that fact, but whatever.

The two humans were slow. Carefully stepping forward, leaning in with each footstep, they sure took their time. If it were me, I thought, I'd have already made mincemeat out of the putrid goblins already. Ah, but I endured it anyway, thinking it was probably true they were one of the weakest parties out there.

And the leader's pace picked up at once. Going one way, he quickly approached his two goblins. In the meantime, the damage dealer passed by the shrubberies, too.

"Goblins!"

Why, of course.

The hideous-looking tiny creatures jolted in place before they squeaked out shrills. The leader turned to the damage dealer in a hurry, his face harboring a perfect harmony between edginess and great calm, and silently nodded. When the four goblins came out of both hiding spots, every party member was ready.

The hideous creatures' long, dark-green blemished noses had shown up. The tiny goblins the height of children wore rags and were angry, shrilling uglily some more. Today was my first time seeing those.

The leader was responsible for his comrades' safety, which meant he would always play it safe, and at all costs avoid doing stupid things. He turned back to us with great calm and alacrity. Swiftly, his eyes met with the damage dealer's, and he expressed two things. The first one was to nod acknowledgingly, and the second was to motion for the damage dealer to retreat back to the party immediately, as per the plan.

The next second, he was already running back to us, with goblins in tow. The plan was the plan. As a team, they could defeat the goblins. One of them on their own, they could most certainly not. First, the two adventurers came to check up on the goblins. If there were some, they should immediately run back to the team and regroup.

As a matter of fact, goblins were here, and the "Mana Perception" skill was confirmed. The two goblins, behind the running man, jumped up and down like rats going all crazy. Waving their little daggers at the man's back, missing to scratch him, they were unable to reach the man, and that aggravated the goblins' mood even further. The screeching yells didn't stop, quite the contrary, and together with their hatred, they ran their way up to us.