Power Reconnaissance (2)
The second day followed the riverbank, providing a relatively flat marching route that everyone managed without much trouble.
“Listen up, you greenhorns. We switched to this easy path because you whiners couldn't hack it. Don't get cocky.”
Her words were harsh, but she seemed like the type with a soft heart underneath.
I'd seen Kerry poring over the map last night, agonizing over the best route.
And just like that, the sun set again.
Awoooooooo~~!!
A distant wolf howl echoed through the air, jolting Rada and Suu awake as they scrambled for their weapons.
The wolf howl didn't faze me half as much as the sound of steel being drawn.
Suddenly craving some street food. Feels like an old buddy calling me out.
Kerry grinned at the two of them.
“Good. Stay that tense, and you won't die to a night ambush. Perfect timing—Suu, you're up for the next watch.”
“Ugh, got it… Just gimme a sec to take a leak.”
“Don't go far. Stay where I can see you.”
“Eww, what? You perv?”
“Who the hell wants to smell your rookie piss? Going off alone at night is a surefire way to get jumped. I hunt guys like that myself. And you—when a guy's out taking a piss alone, tail him to check if he's got balls of steel or just hot air. No joke. Burn it into your brain.”
“Ughhh, can't wake Lirisa either. Fine. That tree over there okay? I'll keep my head out.”
Through all that, Lirisa slept like a log.
Kerry must've figured it was better for her that way.
And so the third morning dawned, this time with a climb ahead.
Lirisa followed instructions—no overdoing it, accepting help on the steep hill. She wasn't wiped out like day one and kept up fine. Sure, Rada was carrying her pack.
Still, Kerry seemed impressed, hauling her up while showering her with praise.
Once we neared the summit, Kerry ordered the rest to hold position and scouted the far slope with me.
Anyone could spot us from afar, so we hugged the ridgeline, bellies low, hiding in the brush.
I'd picked up hiding tricks from hunting, which was why Kerry brought just me.
“See anything?”
“One small tent. Five of 'em. Three goblins, two orcs. They scouting like us?”
“Who knows. But we spotted 'em first—time to handle it.”
“Knew this wasn't just recon.”
“Some big shot's probably passing through soon. That's why the rush. They're probing.”
“Recon, but hitting instead of reporting?”
“Power reconnaissance. Spot a threat, neutralize it first, gauge the reaction. Prosek Mountains border Demon King territory—monsters wander over like it's a picnic. Gotta check if these are advance scouts or just joyriding with pals.”
“Makes sense why they wanted seasoned fighters. So, just us two?”
“Nah. Not that I don't trust you. Gotta use the rookies, keep it safe, give 'em experience.”
“Kerry, you're a natural instructor.”
“Hahaha, you think? Guess it's 'cause I've got cute kids at home.”
Back from scouting, Kerry immediately called for battle prep.
We unpacked non-essentials, checked gear, and hashed out the ambush plan.
“...So. Kirgil, you've got the best sightlines. You call the shots.”
“Got it. I'll shoot arrows, rush in if needed.”
Most planning happened between me and Kerry. I filled in the details for the others.
“Rada, stick behind Kerry. Suu, you're not strong—don't charge with that dagger. Wait for openings, flank, or cut off runners. Use your judgment if no orders. Lirisa...”
“Yes, Master?”
“You can summon fire, right?”
“Y-y-yes… I shot flames and made 'em explode. I'll d-do my best.”
“Good. Tell me if you can't. No heroics—do what you can. If not, signal me or Kerry. Got it? Whisper back.”
We raised hands, murmured affirmatives, and waited out the clock.
To maximize advantage, we'd fight with the sun at our backs.
For two hours, Rada, Suu, and Lirisa stayed dead silent, tension plain on their faces.
Me and Kerry? Lounging. Vets don't tense up with rookies—better to show calm, rest when you can. With three wired kids, no night watch needed.
A light nap later, Rada's prayer woke me.
"When darkness encroaches upon us, may the sun warmly shine on all."
I'm no devout believer, but I've felt faith's comfort before—in the hospital with Hostis.
When nerves hit, even nonbelievers lean on gods.
Suu, though, scowled at the prayer.
“Rada, don't spout that crap next to me.”
“Different faith?”
“Kirgil, you just got here, so maybe you don't know. That's Kalderan prayer. Those guys are bad luck.”
Short explanation. No clue what's unlucky about it.
Kerry finally stirred.
“Hah, infamous, yeah. Kalderan Church treats brown-skinned shadowkin like darkness. Even refused treatment for Countess Prosek's first wife after a grave injury—Liard nearly razed the cathedral. Lucky they found good meds; she'd have died otherwise, and he'd have leveled it.”
Come to think of it, Liard flat-out rejected clerics at first meet.
'Clerics don't move without a 'mission.'
Wait, that culty girl pushing 'mission' on me—was she Kalderan? If that's priest-speak for 'join us,' maybe I misjudged based on my experiences.
“Alright, gear up. Rookies, lock in mentally.”
Sunset aligned perfectly behind us.
Kerry led as shield, Rada and Suu behind. Me and Lirisa moved to the overlooking hill.
Two orcs out front. I signaled Kerry's advance team quietly.
Nocked an arrow. Lirisa gripped her staff in nearby brush, deep breaths.
My shots wouldn't one-shot, so I'd distract and pin while Kerry ambushed.
Kerry crept behind an axe-wielding orc, dagger out—backstab starter.
Then—
Clang!
A sword hit the rocks. Rada's longsword.
Nerves made sweaty hands slip? Damn, should've wrapped the hilt.
Both orcs' eyes snapped to Kerry and Rada.
“You idiot! I said stay sharp!!”
Kerry cursed Rada, bashed the axe orc's shield up.
The spear orc lunged at sword-grabbing Rada, but thunk!! My arrow pierced its side.
“Kaaak!!”
Spear orc spotted me, yelled.
“Kraa, hill! Sun side!!”
Shrieks drew three goblins from the tent. Per orc orders, daggers out, hands shading eyes, they charged our hill.
I called to the panicking brown girl.
“Suu!! Take the goblins coming our way!!”
Suu snapped to, dashed in, stabbed one.
Her speed impressed even me. Goblins hers for now.
Kerry's side was trouble.
Shield-blocking two orcs left no openings.
“Rada, you moron!! Attack now!! Push up!! That rhythm's worse than my daughter clapping!! Sync up!! Fall back!! Ah! Shit!! Move!!”
Mouth had slack. Lips fiercer than shield.
But no attacks possible.
I peppered arrows, drawing shield orc's gaze my way.
Rada's moves weren't clumsy—they were swordless.
“Never seen such a retard! Swing the whole blade!! Hack 'em!! You think you can lop a finger with that?! Hey! Fuck!! Just stab!! Stab, damn it!! Not with your arm!! Drive with legs and body!! Ah, shit!! For real!!”
Kerry's frustration boiled over in swears.
No relying on Rada.
Last resort, to avoid friendly hits...
“Lirisa!!”
“Prep magic!!”
Lirisa popped from brush, chanted.
"[Here, I beseech the wrath of my hot hatred.]"
⟨ Flame Orb ⟩
As Lirisa focused, a fist-sized fireball bloomed before her staff.
Awkward pronunciation, but intent sparked miracle-level magic.
“Lirisa!! Target the axe orc!”
“Ughhh… M-Master, o-okay… [I convey my h-hatred.] Wh-what now… [Th-that…]”
Like fumbling foreign words mid-convo. Knew what to do, couldn't fluent ancient tongue.
Maybe no live-fire practice.
Got her spell logic.
No time to critique.
“Lirisa!! Repeat after me! [I convey this hatred to the foe. Go!!]”
“[I… Huh!?”
Flame guided by will—direct hit!
The fireball launched pre-chant, engulfing the axe orc dead-on.
No way. Did my will steer it?
“Kyaaaak!!”
Blazing orc rolled screaming. Kerry pinned it shield-down, dagger to heart.
“Mage!! There's a mage!!”
Spear orc fixated, charging full.
It hurled its spear—straight at Lirisa's gut.
Like I'd let that fly!!
Time Stop → Spear deflected!
Clang!!
“Kyaaak!!”
Spear ricocheted; throwing orc gawked in disbelief.
“Lirisa! You're fine—chant again!!”
Fireball formed; I yelled.
"[I hurl this hatred at the foe!!]"
“Huh? Master, again!?”
Orc's shocked face vanished in flames.
“Kraaaaaak!!”
Then a blade tip burst from its screaming gut—Rada's sword.
Kerry's rage-fueled coaching sparked his first real hit.
Not over. Suu vs. three goblins afar.
One near death, but numbers held; Suu tiring, pushed back. No big wounds visible, but her HP bar screamed danger—to my eyes only.
“Lirisa! One more!!”
“B-but… more than twice…”
Mana drain sapped her.
“You got this! Try!”
Her stats said otherwise.
“Y-yes! [Here, I beseech the wrath of my hot hatred.]”
I guided flames; one goblin charred.
Last fled—Suu tackled, beheaded it.
First fight done.
“Master!! Amazing!! Blocked the spear! Even my magic…”
“Shh!”
I signaled silence.
“Shh…”
Good girl. Cute.
Ruffled her hair roughly as reward.