Salem pov
Currently I was sitting on a wood 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 a cloaked individual who 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 plumber 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 wandering 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 wandered into young Shupiwe 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 an extra hour 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, I'm 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, causing me to narrow my eyes a bit inspecting him but quickly stopped
"Salem Shupiwe." I answered with a small wave and went back to 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 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 introduce 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, Salem?" Maroon asked me.
"I was just thrown there." I answered in half-truths that they all looked at me with widened eyes 2-while Lily just looked at me in pity.
"Thank you for helping George-kun Shupiwe. Am Lily Smith" Lily introduced herself.
"And I am Mathew Locknut." The plumb man 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 guards you." Lily said to George.
"Nah a fine I'm 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 be bodyguards, we got a job to do." Maroon said, drinking some water. "And besides me I couldn't lie and say I am also not interested in this elephant creature right whisper?" She continued and Whisper just nodded and I got surprised by the mentioned name.
"Wait what?" I asked, looking at me in shock and got their attention.
"Do you know Shupiwe?" Locknut asked me with a little excitement in his voice.
"This 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.
"Yeah it's called a grootslang." I nodded.
"Grootslang intresting name." He wroteit down
"You're lucky to be alive right now kid. The creature is said to be an A class monster." Maroon 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." Maroon said and 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 , what do you want?" Ivory asked me and I could tell he was hoping for something.
"Well, I just want a good amount of money, like enough to get me by after this is done." After I said this the three researchers sighed in relief, maybe relieved 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 needed 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 in 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 of them in a fight right now.
"So Salem how much further?" Lily 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 to 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 gunshot and its head was blown clean off.
"Thanks." I thanked Whisper and she just nodded and gave me a thumbs up.
"Good job Whisper, your reaction time has improved." Maroon praised her and she silently thanked her.
After that we reached the river where most creatures, ordinary or extraordinary, gather.
"OH M-…" Ivory yelled in excitement and I quickly covered his mouth with his hand.
"Don't yell 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." Leonardo commented 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 and the grootslang came out in all its glory. "There's your man." The researcher group looked at it in awe.
After they got over the shock of seeing the grootslang the group came up with a plan to get close to the freaky elephant ,while I just just hung out while re They asked me if I knew any of its mannerisms and I just shook my head as I didn't want to get close to that thing.
"We should just knock it out and capture it, which seems easier." Leonardo said, cracking his knuckles.
"No Ashton-san we need to observe it while in its natural environment to get a clue on its behaviors." Lily said getting her equipment ready.
"Lily, I have to agree with Leo here if you three want to study this thing wouldn't it be a better idea to catch it and take it to the labs in Hercules city." Maroon put in thoughts as she leaned back on a tree.
"Normally yes but we still don't fully know what the grootslang is capable of. I know you and the saberwolves are strong Maroon-chan but it might be more dangerous than we give it credit for." Lily reasoned with her and she just shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, this is your field research. I won't say much." She then sat down and just watched them do their thing.
Ivory was taking pictures of it and since we were further away and at a safe distance it was a little fine especially since the grootslang was munching on a large animal and was occupied. The scientists got their equipment ready and went a little closer with the Saberswolves following behind weapons out.
"Aren't you coming?" Whisper asked me when she noticed I wasn't following them and I just shook my head.
"You guys do you. I did my part, just tell me when we're leaving." I said jumping on a brunch then closing my eyes, then began training my magic flow.
Third person POV
Whisper just looked at the boy as he just relaxed on a tree branch though she could tell he was training his magic control by gathering etherano. Maroon taught her that a while ago and she wondered how far he got without a prepared master to instruct him on the fundamentals, but she just shrugged it off and went to her companions.
"The kids not coming?" Leonardo whispered to which she shook her head. "Hm training his magic flow I see but whatever he can do as he pleases." He said as he noticed something strange about the other creatures.
"Hey guys you notice how submissive the other creatures got when the grootslang came?" He asked the rest of the group.
"It's most likely the strongest in this area; the others don't want to agonize over it." Matthew answered while they finally set their equipment.
"So, it's the top dog around here, nice." Leonardo nodded but he was still on high alert.
The zoologists began recording the massive amount of food the grootslang was consuming and George zoomed in and saw it was producing an acid like substance in its teeth before as it tore the tough flesh of what seemed to be a wyvern.
"Interestingly, it has high pH levels of acid in its teeth." He said writing it down. "It seems to be a little calm." He noted moving a little closer but was brought back by a hard pull by Maroon.
"Don't be stupid Ivory-san." She told him as her too was getting an easy feeling from the surroundings like Leonardo the thing seemed too calm to her like it was planning something.
Once it finished its meal and drank some water it went off into the forest not giving the humans any form of attention and this got question marks appearing on their heads. From what they heard the grootslang was very vicious and attacked ruthlessly.
"Well let's not just stand here we have to follow it." Locknut said packing his stuff fast and the other two followed in suit and the group chased after it.
"HEY KID LOOK AFTER SOME OF THAT STUFF!!" Leonardo told Salem while he ran to catch up with the rest.
While they were running the grootslang was incredibly fast that the zoologist, especially Locknut, couldn't keep up but the saberwolves were fine. Soon the Scientists fell behind and the rest just stopped to wait for them.
"Man, that thing was quite fast wasn't it." Leonardo said as he watched the remaining three catchup with them and out of breath and the fat one collapsed on the forest floor making chuckle in amusement.
"W-where did it go?" George asked, catching his breath.
"We don't know." Maroon answered.
"W-why-y d-didn't y-you go after i-it?" Matthew asked, trying his hardest not to puck.
"Our job is to make sure you guys don't die and not be junior researchers." She answered back, rolling her eyes.
They then walked deeper into the forest and saw bones of dead animals and humans which freaked Matthew and the other two tried their best to ignore it and push forward.
"Leo Whisper, get ready." Maroon informed her two companions and they nodded getting battle ready. "You three get in a safe distance now." She told the zoologists and before they could question what was going on Whisper moved at high speeds and pushed them out of the way and the grootslang attacked.
The creature seemed to have shaped its lower body to appear more snake-like and appeared longer. It lunged at them yet again and Maroon grabbed Lily while Leonardo put his axe on his back and grabbed both George and Matthew and they all ran at high speeds. The grootslang was even faster and nimble than they thought as it kept up with them no problem and even slithered past the trees.
"Gun magic: Blazing bullets!" Whisper chanted as she shot eight fire-like bullets from her gun. The bullets did burn the creature a bit but it was still on their tail. "It withstood my attack, the scales must be some sort of pseudo-armor." She told them.
"How tough?" Maroon asked her.
"Well, my fire bullets seemed to have some very slight damage." Whisper told her boss, getting her to nod.
As they were running the creature overtook them causing them to change direction. The thing then blasted them with a powerful sonic boom attack from its trunk.
"Wind Magic: Dogoda's protection!" Maroon quickly made a wind barrier around everyone which also decreased the amount of sound blasting in their ears. Though the sonic boom was so powerful that it not only blew them away but a huge proportion of trees and blasting off dirt from the ground.
With Salem.
Salem back at the large river heard and felt the aftermath of the attack as he was eying a fire wyvern which came by. Most animals began fleeing from the area and the boy just stayed there a little flabbergasted.
"What the fuck are they doing!?" He questioned getting over his shock.
Back to the others.
Maroon's shield had managed to minimize the damage they took from the attack and the mercenaries got up while the scientists remained on the ground shaken up from the attack.
"SHIT SHIT!!!" Matthew swore scared out of his mind at what he was experiencing and began hyperventilating.
"Locknut-san breath try to take it easy." George tried to calm his colleague down before his heart burst but it didn't mean he wasn't scared as well.
"Don't worry Locknut-san Maroon-chan has fought tougher monsters than this, we'll be fine." Lily also tried to comfort him even though she too was terrified.
"So do you still want this thing alive?" Maroon asked and Lily still nodded. "Alright Leo Whisper take it but don't kill it." She ordered him and he grinned.
"You got it boss lady." He charged in and Whisper followed suit while she casted another wind barrier around her and the zoologists making sure they don't get in the crossfire.
Leonardo jumped at the creature attempting to hack at it but the grootslang swiftly dodged and smacked him with its trunk which he blocked with his axe but sent him flying across some trees. The creature then flinched in pain as bullets hit its head and it turned to see Whisper snipping at it from a distance.
She then fired another bullet at it and as it was about to dodge it exploded in a flashing light blinding the creature. Leo then came above its head and smashed his axe on it but it did cleave though it still drew blood making it shriek in pain and with its speed it slammed its trunk flung its trunk to Leo who dodged the attack.
It then picked up a large tree with its trunk and flung it at Whisper fast and barely managed to dodge but the creature smacked her hard with its long hard tail smashing her to the ground and charged at her at high speeds to which she could counter in time.
"Body reinforcement!" Leo chanted as his body developed green lines and he dashed after the grootslang faster than before. And caught its by the tusks making a crack in the ground.
Whisper, not wanting to waste an opportunity, shot it straight in its eye making it back off and roar in pain and anger and fled in the forest but the two were hot on its tail. Whisper shot some ice bullets to make it change its course and then it camouflaged itself in the tall trees making the two halt there.
"Stay alert Whisper it's here somewhere." Leo said as Whisper and he got ready for a surprise attack.
The grootslang than went straight for whisper again but this time she evaded and Leo punched it hard with a reinforced uppercut sending its upper body in the sky and making a strong wing. He than sung his axe at it but it quickly recovered and caught the axe with its teeth and bite on it breaking it. It then proceed to eat and swallow it.
"Fuck that was my fifth weapon this week!" He yelled in frustration and dodged the monsters' tusks.
Whisper was trying to think of a way to bring the thing down as her current range of bullets don't seem to be doing much. Its skin was tough.
The grootslang then used its large bodies to coil around multiple trees and fling them at the two. As they dodged it pointed its trunks at Leonardo and fired its sonic boom attack.
"FUCK!!" He cursed as he put a lot of magic in his defensive properties of reinforcement but he still got heavily injured by the attack and was bleeding, especially his ears and his shirt was tattered off. But he still got up and spat some blood in the ground.
"T-That a-all you got?" He taunted as he flinched at the pain caused by his injuries. He reinforced his body to help fix some moved bones. The creature then grew annoyed and pointed its trunk at Leonardo again to fire another sonic boom.
Whisper's eyes began to glow as she took aim with the sniper rifle.
"Epoxy shot!" She shot a bullet straight to the grootslang's nose before it fired the attack splat into a glue-like substance completely blocking its trunk nostrils.
The sonic boom was blocked off but caused damage inside its trunk causing it to get blown off the grootslang. Didn't stop there though as Leonardo grabbed its tusk and with the help of, he reinforced magic he broke it off and fling it into the creature's body.
The grootslang began thrashing around in extreme agony and collapsed onto the forest floor but still not dead.
"I said don't kill it." Maroon said, making her way to the two with the other three following very close behind her. Leonardo just looked sheepish while Whisper bowed her head in shame.
"Relax boss, it's still barely alive." Leonardo said but whispered the last part causing Maroon to sigh.
"Will this still be enough for your research?" She asked.
"Oh yeah there's plenty we can work with back in the city." George said, looking at the defeated creature.
"How powerful was Ashton-san?" Lily asked.
"Hm am sure it had more tricks up its sleeve but if I had to guess A-rank at best." He answered.
"Hey guys!" They all heard a voice in the sky and saw it was Salem but he looked like an owl harpy. "How are you going to carry that thing?"