Free Web NovelChapter 223: Chapter 222 - Drastic Measure
Point-of-View: Neo Cronje
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"It’s time now, we’ve wasted enough time as it is."
"We’re seriously going through with this? I’m not too sure about this, you know. It’s a seriously drastic measure, they could die," I responded with a frown.
"Oh, we are very much serious about going through with this. And if they die, then so be it, it only means that they were never going to be of any help in the first place," Came the frank reply, before hanging up.
Tch, those damned higher ups, they have absolutely no regard for the Outliers...but I also can’t deny that the situation does call for drastic measures, as much as I hate to admit it. Today’s the 10th of November, and the higher ups had decided that it was time to send the Outliers out to train with selected Deities.
I would be transporting them to the locations where the chosen Deities are currently residing, and from there, the Outliers will have to convince the Deities to train them.
Well, they do have the option of what Aurora and Fenris are doing with Bastet, and instead of asking or persuading, just attack them. But that’s way too dangerous, Aurora and Fenris can only do so because they’re strong enough.
Speaking of the two of them, I suppose I’ll leave them at the campsite since they’ve occupied themselves with Bastet. I guess I’ll ask them if they want to go with another Deity instead, just in case.
I bet the higher ups wanted to do this sooner, but they were probably waiting for the results of what Inoka was working on with the help of Serafine. They may not like him, but they’re not so stubborn that they’d ignore the potential of a weapon that could weaken Demons.
And as of yesterday, it was a success. Inoka had successfully created the smoke bombs infused with light energy, and it’s highly likely to be effective against Demons.
But once the higher ups realized that any Light Skill users will suffice and the only necessity is Serafine with her Infusion Magic, all the Outliers are now freed up to go train.
I let out a sigh as I stood up and opened a portal to the Outliers’ campsite. The likes of Kiyana and X will undergo more conventional training, along with the Category 0s and others like Mike, who’s been busy lately training some of our talented but young and more inexperienced members.
"Oh, hey, Neo. What’s up?" Zoraiz greeted me, as I stepped out of my portal.
"Go gather everyone, I have something important to discuss," I remarked, getting straight to the point.
"Huh? You sound pretty serious...alright, then, I’ll go call them," He nodded, as he jogged over towards the RVs.
Within a few minutes, all of the Outliers had gathered out here, along with Kiyana and X, plus Bastet watching down curiously from a nearby tree. I also spotted Serafine watching on from a distance.
"What’s this about? Zoraiz said you sounded more serious than usual," Spoke up Inoka curiously.
"I’ll cut right to the chase, guys. All of you Outliers will, today, each be sent out to the locations of various Deities and persuade them to train you. If you fail, contact me and I’ll transport you to the location of another Deity.
We’ve only chosen Deities who, historically speaking, have been relatively docile towards humans, particularly the ones that caused few to no casualties in the recent Monster hunt.
Admittedly, there aren’t a whole lot of such Deities, and at best, most of them are just neutral towards humans. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
It’s also possible that, after Vapora and Cereberus were attacked by us during their rampages, some of those neutral Deities may now have a more negative opinion of humans, so most of you are probably not gonna have an easy time convincing the ones you’re sent to. Still, do your best to persuade them," I surmised with a sigh.
"So, wait, we’ll each individually be sent out to a Deity?" Inquired Alexis in bemusement.
"Yeah, that’s right. Oh, but as for Aurora and Fenris, you two can stay here if you feel like you can benefit just as much from training with Bastet instead of looking for another Deity," I informed them...we have located a Deity who might be ideal for Fenris, but...if he’s fine just continuing to train with Bastet, then it’s less work for me, so yeah.
"Ahem, do not call what they do ’training’, it is nothing more than assault!" Huffed Bastet indignantly.
"Actually, if possible, I’d like to train against an Elemental Deity instead," Remarked Aurora eagerly.
"Yeah, me too...against a creature like that, I can work on mastering my Crimson Werewolf form without worry," Nodded Fenris in agreement, a determined look on his face.
"Isn’t this, like, really dangerous?" Frowned Adelmira skeptically.
"Well, if you really don’t want to, then I suppose you can opt out," I replied, after a brief pause.
Yeah...regardless of what the higher ups decided with this, if any of them truly don’t want to do this, then I have no intention of forcing them.
"Hm...I guess I’ll give it a try. I know that, as things stand now, I won’t be of any help when the Demons come," She responded after mulling it over, looking like she’d steeled her resolve.
"Count us in too," Chimed in Petra.
"But if it’s okay, could we stick together instead of being split up?" Added Dieter sheepishly.
"Sure, that’s fine," I nodded in response, before looking around, "What about the rest of you?"
"I’m all for it, let’s do this," Replied Zoraiz affirmatively.
"Mhm, I’ve got no objections either," Remarked Alexis with a nod.
"Personally, I’m not too sure about this...but I guess I’ll give it a try, at the very least," Mused Inoka thoughtfully.
"Alright, great. In that case, pack up any essentials and meet back out here in about half an hour. I’ll drop each of you off by a Deity, and the rest will be up to you," I declared, before they all split up to go get ready and prepare themselves...
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Point-of-View: Zoraiz Rafayet
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"Alright, who wants to go first?" Inquired Neo, after we all got back, having packed and gotten ready.
No one responded, as we all glanced at each other nervously...worst case scenario, a Deity doesn’t take kindly to this and tries to kill us.
Guess one of us is gonna have to go first...the order doesn’t really matter, since by the end of it, all of us will be relocated for this training...
"I’ll go," I volunteered as I stepped forward.
"Okay, then, let’s head out right away," He nodded in response.
"Good luck, dude," Grinned Inoka, as he gave me a pat on my shoulder.
"Yeah, go kick some ass," Added Fenris with a thumbs up.
"And, you know, don’t die," Chimed in Aurora wryly.
"Hey...," Trailed off Alexis, as she grabbed my wrist, meeting my gaze with a worried look before shaking it off and putting on a warm smile, "Be careful, okay? And come back safe."
"Sure, will do. I’ll...I’ll see you soon," I replied, as I placed my hand on top of hers and gave it a gentle nudge to prompt her to let go.
And as Neo opened a portal, I took in a deep breath and walked through, stepping out into a jungle, the sounds of frogs croaking and birds chirping ringing out all around me.
"This is the Amazon rainforest. The Rival Terra Deity, Titan, is currently hiding out in a cave about a hundred meters that way. Here, take these," Said Neo, handing me a duffel bag that was filled with something, after taking it out of a portal.
"Uh, what is it?" I inquired in bemusement.
"A variety of rare types of bananas. Considering how persuading Bastet worked, the higher ups decided to get items that could help convince these other Deities to help," He remarked, as I took the bag from him.
"Hey, on another note...isn’t the Amazon rainforest supposed to be, like, super dangerous? Poisonous frogs, venomous snakes, crocodiles, piranhas...I’m, uh, I’m not so sure I want to be here," I frowned warily.
"Oh, relax, you’ll be just fine. Just don’t touch anything, keep an eye out for anything that might try to kill you, and uh, what else...I’ll bring you food and water a couple of times of day, so don’t eat anything if you don’t know whether it’s safe or not. Alright, I’m gonna go send the others out to their destinations. Good luck, kid," He responded as he gave me a pat on the head, before leaving through a portal.
Hmph, well, that was kinda patronizing...why’d he have to treat me like a child? Oh, well, it’s not important, I’ve got bigger problems to worry about. Just a hundred meters away, is a Deity, and I’m supposed to convince it to train me...talk about nerve-wracking.
I’m not gonna accomplish anything just standing around here...let’s go find this thing and see if I can talk it into cooperating, shall we...?
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