Receiving the soldier team's help and protection would have been the most suitable solution to my current problem. Not only would I reach Saint Winter in less travel time, and it would also be safer. And I would not have to worry about issues arising at the entrance of the fort. Issues I suspect are more likely to happen if I were to go there on my lonesome.

It is a simple suspicion based on three facts that, on their own, are only disturbing or unusual, but when combined, they reveal that getting access to the fort may be more difficult than just passing through a gate.

The first fact is that the common people, or at least the villagers are not aware of the existence of the monster or monsters. And based on what I gleaned from the conversation, or argument, that occurred between Eric and Bart, the knowledge is deliberately kept secret.

Second, the snow and the cold. From the team's repeated use of the term "Northman", you can infer that we are on the north, at least I hope so. Imagine the confusion that will ensue if the term "Northman" is used to refer to people living in the south. That would be frankly annoying. Anyway, thinking of it logically, I or more specifically this body's appearance is from the north of the empire.

And lastly, Saint Winter is the only large settlement marked on the map Alec gave me. And it is way too far from my current position, I deduced by comparison with the village it will take four to five days of walking to reach. But here is the thing, Saint Winter is in the center of the map and It is a fort.

So with these three points; withholding fatal information from people, in a snowy cold environment where there is only one safe place in the region.

Alec only marked two villages on the map, but I do not doubt there are more all around Saint Winter. The question now is what would happen if the existence of the monsters became public knowledge. A monster capable of decimating an entire village overnight. A powerful monster, invulnerable no matter how many pitches or forks you throw at it.

The reaction will be mayhem.

The mere knowledge that such a thing exists and is out there is enough to cut your sleep short. What if you are next? How can you save yourself? How can you save yourself? What you should do? And what can you do?

Of course, if you want to stay safe then you will come to the same conclusion I have; Saint Winter. A fort surrounded by strong walls, and a strong army that will drive away anything that will cause you harm.

Scared, weak, and restless people their families in tow, all on the same road to safety. With the hope of ending this nightmare. It would take them maybe hours or maybe days, some of them may even die on the way. They just have to reach the fort, the strong walls, and all their fear would go away.

So simple, so easy... but not really.

Would the fort be able to accommodate all these people?

You see people are not easy, they have needs, and preferences and they are fucking noisy. They aren't pigs that you can dump your trash at them and then forget for the rest of the day. No, people need space, a roof above their heads, a cover for the cold, and the most essential of all; food.

I do not know if we are in winter or if it is always cold and snowy here in the north, albeit my guesses tilt to the latter, but I know that crops don't grow in winter. That may sound inaccurate, suggesting a food shortage transpiring in modern civilization. A civilization far too similar to Earth's, where they have guns and satellites.

However, having too much faith in your modern civilization is no different than a disease.

Civilizations are built by humans. And humans are no match for nature, if you add to it a sprinkling of corruption, et voila the perfect recipe for eighty percent of every human disaster.

In brief, food shortage isn't improbable as long as there are mouths to feed.

Therefore, the fort would supposedly have strict gate regulations. Not allowing anyone to get in. It's also the second reason, other than getting back the rifle, why I want to join this military team.

In other words, these soldiers are my visa.

Of course, the scenario I came up with may not be accurate. In fact, the possibility of it being accurate is extremely low. It's a situation I concluded thanks to a healthy dose of paranoia and a strong knowledge imparted by Hollywood.

It is entirely understandable if turns out inaccurate for when you don't have the knowledge, assumptions are all you've got.

"I want to come along with you." I said, with a serious face, my eyes locked on Alec.

"Stop joking kid, do you fucking think having a gift makes you invincible." Shouted Eric, his irritation visible on his face, even though it is more accurate to say it never left him.

"He is right Vic, your Blessing is suitable for military use, however, you will need training before going on missions, rashly diving in like this is dumb." Removing her hand from my shoulder, Bell took the rifle from my hand and started cleaning the mud it was covered with.

"Now, now, everyone I think you are being harsh with my friend" Zane raised his hands in placating gesture as he said with his ever-present smile "Haven't you seen that shooting without even looking, it is amazing and cool, and don't forget how he made Officer Kelliv squeal like he didn't have it in years."

Thank you. I appreciate the support but not the analogy.

"If you don't stop sprouting FUCKING bullshit, the only thing I will have is your head!" A vein almost exploded on Eric's head as he said, his index pointing at Zane "And it is sir to you, crap hat."

"Unfortunately for you Officer Kelliv, the reverse psychology bait won't work on me... I will never lose a hat to that trick ever again."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

I swear I hear a pop sound coming from Eric, maybe the vein on his forehead already burst or it was the sound of him gnashing his teeth. Wherever it is I am thoroughly impressed, and by both of them.

Amazed by Eric's control, even with the clear wrath radiating from him, so much so that his face is red and his body is shaking. However, he still restrained himself and hadn't exploded... yet.

And Awed by Zane's... ways. Honestly, I don't know if he is genuinely oblivious or if he is this good at taunting.

I made a note to not let Zane get on my nerves. It is better if he just plays with those of Erics.

Shutting both of them with a pointed look, Alec said "Do you know where we are going?"

I looked at him for a moment. I won't have stormed my brain in search of better ways, had I known of their destination or even what is their destination. Joining them is not without risk, hell joining them in itself is a risk. And I bet the armed military squad's mission is not collecting berries. For one, you don't need guns for berries, and two we are not in the berry season.

In short, I want to go with them for the most superficial reason, other than the benefit; the risk I am aware of is less appealing than the risk I am ignorant of. True, the decision is senseless, stupid even. But if you have a supernatural experience so bizarre broking all reason and logic, and still capable of reasonable and logical judgment, then bravo you just earned the stone-face achievement.

For some reason, Bart's face overlapped in my mind as the achievement's icon. The bald-headed soldier hardly said anything nor did he move any of his facial muscles, to the point I am starting to get worried his face got frozen in this cold. And it isn't far-fetched to happen. The poor guy doesn't have a single strand of hair on his head. He should've at least put on a warm hat.

"I don't know, but I do know against the thing that did this," I turned around and pointed in the direction of the massacred village "my gift alone won't be enough."

Not wrong.

My ability wouldn't make much of a difference as I am now, weaponless. I also have to take into account the number. Facing off against more than one monster is not a prospect I am ready to consider, if I were alone that is.

"Do you fucking think with your ass or something! Coming with us is in no way safer, we may as well be heading in for more Shredders."

Eric's words for trying to dissuade me away from joining had the opposite effect than intended. One of the many motives I want to join them is also information, which he seems to happily provide for me. I can do without the sweary words, however.

Still, I wonder who named these monsters, Shredders. Not that I don't understand where they come from. The long finger, or what I deemed to be the long fingers of the monster, serve another purpose than just pushing the ground or picking a spoon, which is one of the regular use of fingers.

I don't have a forensic science degree, and neither am I a coroner nor a pathologist, but from what I have seen in the village, the dead bodies are either losing limbs, decapitated, or disemboweled. In every case, a sharp and long object of some kind is used. And if the monster that caused the massacre is similar if not the same one that I had killed, then the long finger of the monster is the sole explanation for the sharp object used for the villagers' death, other than acquiring a sword, that is. A scary thought to have.

Regardless, it is yet another proof; getting out unscathed against that terrifying monster, with just some light mental trauma, is all luck. That thing could have killed me, with its long-bladed fingers way before the bayonet's tip attached to the rifle connected with its hide. Sure, the two prior bullets to its head definitely destabilized its thought, if it had any.

But the fact remains; I lived thanks to luck. And I am both grateful and irritated at the same time.

Anyway, Shredder is a fitting name for the monstrosity, albeit quite comical from my point of view. Yet I didn't find it funny... too much. There would be no trained ninja Testudines to fight them. And if they were, then there should be four turtles for each monster to be useful.

The second piece of information that affirmed my resolve to join them, is the word Eric used to express the possibility of encountering the monsters. This mean, one, they aren't going after the Shredder that caused the massacre. And two, they aren't certain to encounter a Shredder.

And then again, I shouldn't dismiss Eric's warning, and only hear what I want. The possibility of encountering a Shredder is still there, and not just a lone one. We may come across more but as far as I am concerned it's not that much different if I were to go on my way. At least, if I go with them I wouldn't be on my lonesome.

I looked from Eric to Alec who stayed silent for a moment then said "If it is revenge, then It is better if you drop it here kid. Those things aren't human, they don't feel, don't remember, or understand humans. And don't even think of them as living beings, they aren't. They are a disaster, calamities that swept, destroying everything in their path, leaving ruin, death, and from time to time an unlucky fellow like you."

Revenge huh? Less observant than her. I thought as I looked from Alec to Bell. The woman, after saying once her take in the matter, focused on hopefully still my rifle, looking at it with great fascination, as if it was the most marvelous thing in the world. That made me think if the rifle has some value as a collector. But I dispelled that thought, my business mind isn't helpful in this case.

"It is not revenge," I looked from Bell as she repeatedly opened and close the bolt action, to Alec "but insurance."

Alec looked at me with a slightly raised eyebrow indicating me to clarify, maybe he didn't understand or maybe he just want me to talk more than necessary, but It is quite annoying. Talking more than needed is never in my habit, not just in this situation.

I wanted to sigh but forced myself not to. It is a bad habit I need to get rid of. I heard somewhere that sighing can cause your hair to fall off. I didn't heed those words since it was too late at the time, however, I should be taking it seriously in this new me. Don't want to end bold... again.

"Certainly I lack training as Bell said, but my gift is suitable for military use and I can be of help."

"Help? If you want to be some sort of bait, then yeah I am all for it," Eric snorted, interrupting me "what? Being a bait not to your liking? Then stop fucking wasting our time already!" He said the looked at Alec "Captain, sir I think we wasted enough time, I will be waiting inside." before turning and walking to the black jeep.

"Why is he in so much hurry?" Looking at Eric's back, Zane muttered, "does he want to take a shit or something."

What crass words. But I undoubtedly agree with them, that is the comportment of someone needing to defecate as soon as possible.

"I may not be a soldier but I can shoot without missing"

"Pulling the trigger and hitting the target isn't what make a soldier, kid"

"I know that, but having someone like that is better than not." I stated with a determined look as it bore on Alec's unreadable one. We stayed like that for a couple of seconds in silence, before he shook his head slowly.

"That won't make any difference against a Shredder, trust me kid I know. Even a trained soldier with no preparation can't even hope to live through the first encounter, let alone kill one." saying that, he turned around and walked in the direction of the jeep, the other followed suit, then he paused for a moment, looked up at the sky covered with dark, ominous clouds "You would better be fast on your way to the closest village kid."

Troublesome, Convincing them to take me along is a bit more difficult than I expect. Save for Eric, the others don't seem to be much against it, even Alec. The team captain, though his expression quite hard to read, wouldn't let me talk had he not entertained the idea.

I looked at their back, looked at the massacred village, looked at Bell and the rifle in her hands, my rifle. I wanted to sigh again but gritted my teeth instead.

I decided to go with them and with them, I will go. It is just that I don't want them to think highly of my gift, or even suspect my gift may not be what I said. Hence why I wanted to keep it a secret but it seems I can't anymore.

"I killed a Shredder." I with a voice of someone who is near to folding all his cards.