Trunulesia Forest,
Shortly after Zack left, Compton summoned the vice leader of the exploration team to his tent.
Valerie Lyons walked into the tent. She knows it's the time for ruin exploration. When he saw the leader sitting in the chair, she gave a small before standing in the same position.
Compton nodded at her before opening his mouth to say, "I have some instructions for you."
Hearing that, Valerie blinked her big eyes but still she nodded and was ready to obey the orders.
"Zack will be heading to the premise of the trunulesia forest. So go and protect him from shadows," Compton said in a solemn tone.
Valerie widened her eyes in disbelief. She thought the discussion would be about the ruin. But what is it with Zack Lockwood? She furrowed her eyes in confusion.
She didn't know why the leader is giving too much importance to the kid.
On the other hand, Compton noticed the doubtful expression on Valerie's face. He sighed inwardly.
He looked at Valerie and said, "Just, do as I say. That kid came here to gain combat experience. And his safety is more important."
Hearing that, Valerie nodded and gave a bow before walking out of the tent.
Then she immediately glanced at the last tent from the left side. She knows this is the tent of Zack Lockwood. After realizing that, she walked up to the tent and waited for the kid to exit.
But suddenly she heard a voice from behind. "Don't let him know that you are his protector"
Hearing that, she turned around and looked at the leader's tent. After pondering for a few minutes, she left the place.
Soon after, Zack Lockwood walked out of the tent and head straight towards the trunulesia forest.
Seeing that, Valerie Lyons also began to act.
...
(From MC's perspective)
I slowly walked towards the trunulesia forest. Though I'm glad that Elder accepted my request without making things difficult but I still feel his concerns were genuine.
The changes inside the trunuledsia forest were real and I need to be very careful about it. That's why I'm walking at a slow pace. And my senses were all sharp.
One hour later,
I reached the outer area of the forest. Looking at the forest, a trace of apprehension appeared in my eyes. I recalled how we walked out of the forest with exhaustion.
Then I used my perceptual ability to spread my sense around.
"Hmmm," My eyes gleamed with surprise when I found a silhouette is following me secretly.
But soon I recovered myself and didn't stop my movement and it will alert the person who is following me.
Valerie Lyons? Why is she following me? A trace of doubt appeared in my heart. But then a look of understanding dawned upon me.
Considering, how Elder Compton was worried about my safety. I guess, she must have been sent by the vice leader to protect me.
After gaining some clarity, I sighed in relief. But again I'm not at all okay with the protection. If I had known earlier about this, I would have strongly objected to this.
But it's a pity, I can only do something after entering deep into the woods.
After a few minutes, I came across the first mutated monster. Thanks to my exceptional perception ability. I caught the location of the monster.
Seeing that, I didn't immediately act rather I began to observe the monster's movements slowly.
The mutated monster looked completely pitch black. When I saw its green pupils, I realized it was a snake monster.
The snake monster is currently coiled around the bushes. But its big head is continuously monitoring the surroundings.
Seeing that, a wide smile spread on my face. Before attacking, I decided to check the surroundings once more.
On the other hand, Valerie Lyons observed Zack's activities from distance. As per the leader's order, she didn't want to expose her whereabouts.
But after seeing the monster, she quickly became alert. She saw the appearance of the monster and recognised its level in an instant.
"Class 2 Peak level," She thought to herself. But the mutated snake monster can fight across the ranks. But she knows Zack's combat power. He can easily take care of the monsters.
Just as she expected, she saw Zack dashing towards the monster to attack. At this moment, she realised something. "I don't know what element that kid has?" She thought to herself.
She recalled the past fights. But she never saw Zack's element at all. So a trace of curiosity appeared in her eyes.
But to her disappointment. Zack has killed the mutated monster with brute force. It all happened in a blink of an eye.
She saw him smashing the snake's head. The next second, the snake's head burst into blood mists.
Seeing that, a look of approval appeared in her eyes. She felt Zack doesn't want to consume his elemental essence. Since he can kill the monster with body strength then wasting elemental essence is unnecessary.
Time passed,
After one hour, there were no mutated monsters around their area. Now, she saw Zack is going deep into the woods.
Seeing that, her expression changed drastically. Even she has no confidence in going deep into the inner area.
There will be more monsters in that area. If two of them were besieged, then it will become difficult to escape from that area.
Realizing this, she decided to stop Zack. She quickly disappears from the spot and dashed towards Zack at full speed.
A couple of seconds later, she appeared in front of him.
On the other hand, when I found the area is clear. I decided to go a little deeper. But I believe Valerie Lyons won't let me go. Yet I made up my mind to see what's her reaction.
Whoosh
When I began to walk towards the inner area. A few seconds later, she appeared in front of me.
Seeing that, a complicated expression appeared in my eyes. If she tails me, then it will be impossible for me to practise peacefully inside the forest.
I began to hatch a good plan in my mind.