James nodded, acknowledging the assignment. "Understood, sir."
As they hurried outside into the brisk air, a large van awaited them, its engine humming and ready to go. The vehicle, modified to accommodate the specific needs of Awakener teams, was spacious yet utilitarian, with reinforced armor and an array of communication and scanning equipment.
Team 0 and members of Team 24 and 76 quickly piled in. The moment the last door slammed shut, the driver, a seasoned operative in his own right, wasted no time, and the van shot off towards Elmsford with urgent speed.
James, seated at the front with a tablet, accessed a detailed map of the area. The satellite images showed a sprawl of abandoned buildings and overgrown vegetation, a ghostly reminder of a once-bustling suburb. Elmsford, now mostly deserted, still harbored a few souls too stubborn or poor to leave their homes despite the dangers.
With a siren blaring atop the van few cars blocked their passage, and they made good time. As they neared their destination, James turned to address the assembled teams. "Listen up," he began, projecting his voice to ensure everyone could hear. "Elmsford is near enough to ground zero that we must be prepared to fight. We don't expect many civilians, but those there will need our help. A shuttle should be set up by the time we return with the first few to take them back to the city. Our primary goal after that is to prevent these monsters from advancing further into populated areas, which means setting up ambushes. They might be C-rank monsters, but if we attack them at the same time, they won't be able to resist for long."
This was the textbook response for a reason. Monsters were not stupid animals, but they weren't coordinated soldiers either. They acted alone most of the time and were vulnerable to ambushes in an urban environment they were not used to. While their individual strength would be above the Awakeners present, they would still die if their heads got crushed by a falling building.
James strongly suspected Team 0 would be able to handle most of these creatures individually, but now was not the time to experiment. The rescue mission in Tomkin Cove had shown that everyone had grown significantly since the last time they fought together, but they would need to spend some time getting used to each other again before doing anything foolhardy.
He pointed to the map, highlighting three sectors. "We'll divide the area into three zones. Team 24 takes the east end; Team 76, you're on the west. Team 0 will handle the central sector and spearhead the search and rescue efforts."
Some members of the other teams, notably their leaders, looked slightly miffed at being directed so decisively by someone not officially their superior. However, the gravity of the situation and James' confident demeanor quelled any overt complaints. They knew that clear leadership could mean the difference between life and death in emergencies like these.
"I have a strong sensory ability," James continued, sensing the need to justify his plan. "I'll be able to scan for human presences effectively, which will help us organize our efforts. Time is of the essence, and we need to work smart and fast."
The other team leaders, a burly man from Team 24 and a sharp-eyed woman from Team 76 exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement. "Alright, Team 0 leads the way," the man conceded. "But let's keep communication open. We need to be prepared to offer assistance if someone is being overwhelmed."
The van approached the outskirts of Elmsford, slowing down as they reached the perimeter established by the AA's rapid response units. The area was eerily quiet, the silence only occasionally broken by distant sounds of destruction and chaos.
As they disembarked, the desolate landscape of Elmsford loomed before them, its abandoned buildings standing like silent sentinels to a bygone era. The once-thriving suburb was now a war zone, its streets and structures potential hiding spots for the monsters they were tasked to contain.
James stepped out, his senses immediately expanding to survey the area. He could feel the echoes of the creatures they were hunting, their malignant presence marring the landscape. He relayed the information to his team and their temporary allies, his voice steady and calm.
"Keep tight formations," he instructed, "and stay alert for any movement. These monsters are from a C-rank dungeon, which means they're cunning and dangerous. But we have the advantage of numbers, as far as I can tell. There should only be ten of them scattered through the neighborhood." With that, he placed indicators on their shared map, earning grateful nods from the others. While he couldn't micromanage their every movement, having real-time data was more than most could expect in a situation like this.
Team 24 and 76 fanned out to their assigned zones, their movements coordinated and precise. James led Team 0 forward, their steps silent but swift as they moved through the dilapidated streets.
As they advanced, the occasional sounds of distant roars and the crackle of lightning became more pronounced. James' psychic net, cast wide and deep, began to pick up not just the monsters but also the faint, desperate pulses of human life clinging to survival amidst the ruins.
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"Got some signals," he murmured into his comms, marking the locations on their shared tactical map. "Civilians in these sectors. We’re gonna prioritize their extraction."
Suddenly, a shrill scream pierced the air with jarring clarity. Without a word, Team 0 broke into a run.
They arrived at a roundabout where an elderly couple was desperately trying to flee from a massive feline creature with grey fur. The beast, ten feet long with a sinewy build that spoke of deadly agility, was obviously toying with them. Its wickedly sharp fangs and claws gleamed ominously in the faint light, and the spent revolvers lying discarded on the ground told a story of futile resistance.
The creature barely had the time to turn its attention towards the newcomers that Maria acted, sending a powerful fireball arcing through the air. It exploded at the creature's feet, sending it painfully rolling back with a yowl. Seizing the moment, James used his telekinesis to lift the elderly couple, whisking them away to safety behind their defensive line.
The feline, however, was far from defeated. Enraged by the attack, it recovered quickly, its muscular body coiling like a spring before launching at them with terrifying speed.
James, ready for the counter, met its charge. His fist, enhanced with explosive mana, collided with the creature's claw. The impact sent both combatants tumbling backward, but Team 0 didn't give the monster a moment to recover.
Acting quickly, Daniel erected a sturdy barrier around the rescued civilians, shielding them from the fray. Meanwhile, the rest of Team 0 launched a coordinated onslaught. Lauren's shadow tendrils snaked forward, aiming to bind the beast, while Maria followed up with another barrage of fireballs, scorching and burning its tough hide.
Abruptly, a golden beam pierced its skull, ending its struggles. Ezekiel took in a few deep breaths, recovering from the effort, but waved away the offer of any help. "I'm fine; casting that spell just takes a lot out of me."
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have defeated a Level 241 [Adult Grasstalker]!
You have leveled up!
This one is still D-rank, though it’s close to C. Something tells me they won’t all be this weak.
James dusted himself off, proud of the efficiency his team showed. Despite not having fought together for months, they were still able to coordinate with each other seamlessly. "Good job guys. Let's take them back to the barricades, and we'll continue." He placed the points evenly, following his build, and sighed as new power swept through him.
The elderly couple, having watched the fight safely behind Daniel's barrier, were visibly shaken but unharmed. James approached them, his expression softening. "You're safe now," he assured them, helping them to their feet. "We'll get you out of here soon."
With her ever-compassionate nature, Maria immediately engaged the couple in conversation, her voice light and soothing, trying to distract and keep them moving. "What are your names? Have you lived here for long?"
The woman, her silver hair disheveled and face lined with age, managed a weary smile. "I'm Helen, and this is my husband, George. We've lived here all our lives. I never thought we'd see the day when monsters would roam the streets. We didn't get many, even during the Apocalypse."
George, slightly stooped but with a spark of resilience in his eyes, nodded. "We thought we could wait it out, like the old days. But these creatures..." His voice trailed off, a shiver running through him at the memory of their recent ordeal.
As they walked, James remained silent, his attention divided between the couple's chatter and his psychic scan of the surroundings. Every so often, he would update the tactical map, marking where he sensed a monster had moved or where a person was hiding.
Reaching the designated rendezvous point, they found it guarded by AA personnel, who quickly took charge of Helen and George, leading them to a secured transport vehicle. With the couple now in safe hands, Team 0 didn't waste any time lingering.
“There are two presences half a mile from here. Human, but there's a monster stalking them," James reported, urgency lacing his voice as they sprinted back into the danger zone.
The house they approached was typical of the area, two stories high with a quaint front yard, now marred by the signs of a monster's interest. Another feline creature, similar in build to the first but with a sleek black coat, prowled around the property, its senses alert and focused.
It was evident the beast knew someone was inside. It took its time, pawing at the door, its growls and chuffs causing intermittent cries of fear from within the house.
James watched from a distance, analyzing the scene. The feline's methodical stalking, while showcasing its predatory nature, also highlighted a flaw in its intelligence. It had the power to rip through the neighborhood, yet here it was, fixated on a single target, savoring the fear it induced. It hadn't even noticed their presence, which told him these creatures, like most natural hunters, concentrated on their prey with all their senses, leaving them open to counter-ambushes.
He began pooling ether at his fingertips, taking his time to ensure a single blow would be enough once the energy coalesced into a beam. Lost in its hunt, the feline remained unaware of the danger growing just yards away.
Manipulating the ether was becoming easier and easier as time went by, and James wouldn't mind experimenting with substituting it for his regular mana attacks, but now was not the time. A single, deadly attack would have to be enough.
With a grunt of effort, James unleashed the ether beam. It cut through the evening air, a brilliant streak of destructive power that struck the feline square in the chest. The creature didn't even have a chance to scream before most of its body was obliterated, its form disintegrating under the overwhelming force.
It's becoming easier. I should be able to attack repeatedly with the ether by the time I get to C-rank.
The area fell silent, the only sound the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind. James motioned to his team, and they approached cautiously, ensuring no other threats lurked nearby.
Maria was the first to reach the door, knocking gently. "It's okay to come out; we took care of the monster. We're here to help," she called softly.
The door creaked open, revealing a young woman clutching a child to her hip. Her eyes, wide with fear and relief, filled with tears as she beheld her rescuers.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
James, stepping forward, offered a reassuring smile. "You're safe now. Let's get you somewhere secure."
The woman grabbed his arm like a lifeline, dragging her toddler with the other. Her eyes were wild as they scanned the empty road, but she had stopped trying to dig her nails into James' arm by the time they returned to the barricades.
"Let's move; I can feel Team 76 engaging with a monster and being pushed back," James ordered.