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Bumi
Chapter 3 : Brewing Trouble Already ?

Chapter 3 : Brewing Trouble Already ?

Heyaa !, Thank you for reading thus far. Please help me by commenting and giving me some feedback. This one is long,  perhaps worth 2 chapter. Anyway I am off having a break. See ya around :)

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"Hoaam"

It was midday in Okami vilage, there a certain spirit was seen lazing around atop of his house, or to be precise his shack. The spirit had the appearance of young man, around 18 years old with no mustache nor beards. He was what can one consider as the mascot of the village, loved by everyone who live there.

There were several reason as to why he got the special treatment there. One of them was being a sole lone male, at the very least he was still considered somehow humanoid. The presence of male was severely lacking in this village. His fresh presence had helped the village younger generation to gain more vitality during their daily activity. As for the older generation, they had seen the spirit as their kindred family.

T

he spirit who Gorilla the name of Basara was summoned not long ago from other world, to be precise it was 8 days ago. When he first made his appearance, the whole village was filled with both joy, awe and fear. Joy of gaining a new possible ally, awe for the grandiose entrance along with the display of his might and lastly the fear if that very might was turned on them.

There was also one more thing that the villagers forgot as the spirit make his its appearance. They had only managed to remember it after everything was settled and the spirit disappeared from their sight, along with the chief and his aide. It was the fact that the spirit was bare naked, bashed with nature and wind that make him shine while also sometimes glimmered as the cloud shade him from the sun.

That situation last until the second day until the chief cameback from his business and brought back a black long robe that could cover the spirit elegant body without passing trough. The robe also somehow managed to suppress the grand aura that the spirit always emanating since his awakening. His lustrous green smooth long hair was covered to an extent it doesn't reflect the bright of the sun anymore. His jewel like shining green eyes were also affected, dimming the light it radiate.

Toned body along with adorned mild muscle that barely fall under the slender category, the spirit had managed to steal the glance of almost everyone in the village, man and woman, young and old. The spirit itself also was surprised at his own body after seeing his own reflection on the water surface in the river.

He didn't become handsome nor pretty, in fact his face was similar with what he had previously. However, the aura that he had right now was vastly different from before, like diamond in the mud that had its dirt washed away.

The spirit itself also rarely come out on the first day when he was still naked, seeming minding his own nakedness. The village younger girl, those who were still single below the age of twenty couldn't really sleep well at night. The image that was recorded on their memories would often reoccur and prevented them from sleeping.

In fact the sole reason  the spirit was still unable to interact that well with the girls around his age were because of the scene that happened at day one. Basara of course could interact freely with those who already had that kind of experience and those who hadn't the slightest thought about that which is precisely the older and younger generation.

As general situation in this world, noble aside and few special race.

Humans generally were already married at the age below 16, so long that their body could already reproduce.  This was made common because the rate of death was so high that if mankind were to take their time too long to reproduce, they would only be outnumbered by other races and monster. Endangering their own well being.

Even more important was the death rate of men in this world. They were the one that mainly tasked to obliterate any invasion, defending any vital area from monsters attack or participating in war. The woman role was those that not less important than the men, as survival didn't depend on kill or be killed rule alone.

They need to farm both in land and sea, forage any food that could be found in their perimeter, hunt monster or animal that were deemed save by the majority of guilds and finally taking care of their children that will Gorilla the fate of humankind in the next generation.

Victims were at large, Mainly from the population that grow farther and farther away from the main city. The city which had the blessings of medicine, knowledge that were abundant were saver than other pats of the world for humankind.  Stability and education to make life better normally could only be acquired here.

Because the rate and difference between man and woman, polygamy was  the norm here, saving those from certain race. Woman also in general was seen as disposable and had lower standing compared to man, even those that had the standing of nobility.

Truly this was a harsh time to live as woman, yet some race and state that had different view also exist. However since information was so limited, such knowledge rarely would get the chance to spread. There were also the case that when the woman had the means and strength, the men could only envy them in their hearts without doing anything.

Such was the current cultures in most of the state in Bumi. Female adventure with various class and skills began to emerge from every races. Goddess were also becoming more respected way more from before. Example were the Goddess of harvest, Vera. She was rarely worshiped around hundred years ago but right now it was as common as the field used to farm.

However no matter how strong the new wind blew, there will always rejection. Hundred Thousand years of custom were struck with this new custom, how can it shake ? Like a massive tree that was deeply rotted into the ground, standing strong for countless years, how could it be affected with the stroke of a newly formed grass that grew beside it ?

Certainly our beloved spirit, Basara didn't know all this. He had only lived here for a short period of time. Interacting with the locals was already a challenge for him, how could he know all of this. He would of course had some repulsive feelings had he know how this world works, but such thing would require time and experience to accept.

***

It was now the ninth day, the village was strangely busy in the morning. This had piqued Basara interest. He then went out of shack, eyeing a group of villagers that was heading out from the village from the western gate of the village.

Basara had seen this group were mainly composed of mature women, majority being around thirty years old while some young girls also tagging along. Each person carried their own armament with majority carried spears and bows. From this sight alone and with what they also pulled behind them , which was empty carts, Basara could guess where they were heading.  Of course Basara wouldn't let this chance go and he quickly left his shack, running towards them.

With almost no sound, Basara managed to cross the distance quite fast. Had others seen him running, they would describe him as flowing with the winds, rather than running crossing the winds.

" All ready ? none left behind ?"

" All here Merusa."

" Then began counting and make sure we return back with the exact number."

"one,two... fourteen, fiveteen."

" Sei, Sixteen !"

Suddenly out of nowhere Basara had joined their conversation. This had surprised most of them, including Merusa, the group leader with years of experience in detecting presence and hunting. However since the sound which suddenly joined them was familiar, bringing  such calmness and joy, they immediately recognize the owner and turned their head towards Merusa.

Merusa, being thirty six years old with much experience in the forest both as forager and hunter were now thrown with many silent pleads to allow their 'Sei' join them. Such occurrence weren't rare anymore in the village, their 'Sei' which they had seen as whimsical being often joined them during their activity out of nowhere and suddenly leaving after doing some gesture to continue their work.

In actually, when all of them interact with their 'Sei', no one really feels they were disrupted. Rather they were happy to an extent they willingly stopped their work and chose to stay silent, pleasing and adjourning their 'sei' with whatever he wishes. It was of course counter initiative to what their 'Sei' substantively wanted.

However this time was different, this time life could be put in danger. Hunting and foraging weren't a novice job which anyone can do. Training and experience were vital, so brining an extra person could potentially risk their safety, so rarely they would be willing to take an extra person during their hunts. This time though, it was a special case, who was asking them to tag along ? It was their 'Sei'. A mighty being that they believe to be the protector of the village.

Merusa was no different, although she had plenty of experience and high amount of dexterity, managed to successfully completed numerous hunt, she herself felt far inferior compared to their 'Sei' Basara. However how could they know their savior was even more novice and clueless compared to the young girl that was tagging along.

" What's with that looks ? Do I dare to even refuse his request ?"

At that instant the group was full of smile, even the nervous youngest girl Anya calmed herself down.

" Anya, you are so lucky, our Sei want to accompany us in this journey."

" Hihihi."

To this Anya could only smile, her aunt had secretly teased her. She herself of course was aware that that her nervousness had disappeared and this had slightly annoyed her aunt. She was only 11 years old but in this village, being cultivated during young age was a custom. No one had the right to only idle around outside those who were disabled and sick. She was no exception, and originally her interest to join hunting was piqued by her aunt.

She had been training archery since she was nine years old. Her aunt was her personal instructor, her aunt tales during hunt often intrigued her to such an extent that stars could be seen her eyes. Outside archery training, finesse to handle dagger was also important. After all Skinning a bait or hunted prize required  dagger mastery to a certain degree.

Knowledge about the danger in forest along with many creatures that dwell in it was also imprinted into her head and much more.

However no matter how prepared you are and trained you are, the real things will always be different, thus her nervousness was a normal things.

" Anya, if you are too scared, you can stick close with the 'Sei'

"Ooo  hehehe, Yay~"

she then suddenly move towards the Sei which was still wondering whether he was allowed to join or not when suddenly Anya grabbed his robe and tighten her hands around it. Happily she clinging around him and said

" Master Sei~, please protect me~ "

" ????? "

Basara was full of question now whereas the other younger girl in the group stare at Anya full of jealousy. So far none of the female in the village dare to act closely and merrily with Basara like this, as such Basara was confused  unable to understand a thing ...

***

' Uhhh this is so tiring walling non stop wth this rough terain ...'

'I thought it would be an easy journey, went out a bit and before sunset we would have been back in the village, preparing the dinner together and I can brag with the others.'

Such thing clouded Anya minds. Anya being an only child never had truly experienced hardship in the village. Although she had never met her mother when she was young, she had still been showered with enough love from her father and his mother's sister, Merusa.

She was being doted by her father so hard that she was envied by a lot of her friends. The village back than was larger than it was right now, naturally she had much more friends. She was such a spoiled child at that time and only know to have her wants fulfilled.

She would cry and whimper nonstop if she didn't get what she wants. Although normally such treatment would result in overly dependent children with not so much maturity, Anya was different. What she truly wants was to have her dead Mother to be alive and dote her since she felt no matter what, a mother can't be replaced. There exist that single spot empty in her hearts that no one able to fulfill, not even her beloved aunt who showered her with loves. As such the whimpering and cry she had done was merely a distraction for herself.

Although She understand that was impossible however ever since she had seen her friends playing with their father and mother she began to crave more for her wishes. Luckily Anya was also bestowed with kind hearts along with cleverness, she was even more exceptional in reading situations,  capable to feel what other tried to hide if they weren't careful.

Her Aunt showered  Anya a lot of loves like what a mother did to their children  and Anya could accept it as she was being compassionate towards her out of her relation with Anya's mother, however one day Anya realized something else. Her aunt had slowly grow to love her unconditionally, like a mother should towards their daughter. Anya though stubbornly refused her.

Inside her hearts there was an empty place that should have been filled with his mother love, yet now someone else although still blood related, tried to snatch that spot. Anya had seen how close her friends towards their mother, seeing this huge envy was born in Anya hearts. Such a strong desire and envy prevents her from accepting her Aunt advances.

Such thing was going on for years until Anya was seven years old.  As she grow older, so does her wisdom. She know how hard and painful it was to refuse someone advance with kind intention over the years. At that time Anya had actually resolved herself to accept her Aunt as someone who will replace her mother in her hearts.

However as she was prepared to surprise her aunt that she would willingly accept her as her mother, she accidently saw her aunt being passionate with her father. They were kissing, sharing such blissfulness atmosphere between them self. Yes, only them self and they never told Anya.

In the middle of their passionate sessions, her aunt apologize towards her father. She said something about trying be close to Anya to get his hearts, his attention and she was feelings sorry about it although she had no regretted it.

Anya father loves his wife dearly that he had never considered to take other woman as his wife. It was actually

considered a taboo in their village, yet he refused it and chose solely Anya mother. Merusa all this time also happened to love the same man and had tried everything to get his attention, even as far as pledging help from her sister. yet after all was done, it didn't budge him a bit.

Their conversations continued until Merusa mentioned an opportunity had arise as her sister died during childbirth. She tearfully told Anya father how sorry she felt about that and how disgusted she was at herself seeing that moment as a chance more so than a dismal moment. Towards this, Anya father could only smile bitterly.

Then she continued her story, she placed her hope in Anya. She wanted to use her as a mean to get closer to him. She wanted to take the place in Anya hearts so that someday she would ask her father to marry Merusa.

However no matter what Merusa did, Anya never bulged a bit. She didn't gave her any chance, even so still she continued showering Anya with loves. Until a moment arrived when she had given up trying to use her instead a new will sprouted from her hearts.

She had come to truly love Anya as if she was her own child. She still love Anya father as she had also  stubbornly decided that Anya father was the only man she would love in her entire life. Truly such a stubborn person much like Anya father should suit him just fine she said with self mocking smile.

However, realizing Merusa true honest intention, slowly he opened his hearts as he had no means to defends against a woman who showered him with that kind of love with all dedication everyday, throughout the years until this moment arrive. Full of love they shared their night and all of it was under the gaze of sneaking Anya who was still immature and egoist despite her cleverness.

How can Anya digest it easily, she who had resolved her hearts to finally accept Merusa now felt betrayed.  Tears welled up in her eyes as another scar was carved in her hearts. She was afraid at the moment her aunt become his father wife, she would receive less love. Even more so when she born her own child, surely she would be neglected.

Long had that night passed until one day the ruler on their location had forced conscription upon the villager's men. Anya father was one of them and since then Anya hadn't seen him nor hear from him anymore.

As fates will it, the accident that night when Anya fled from Merusa rooms silently had actually been known to her Aunt. Out of her deep love towards Anya, She had prevented herself from marrying her love.

Anya was always thinking at the time, before the forced conscription came to take his father away, her Aunt had fight with her father and in the end wasn't a fit couple for her father. She had seen her aunt distancing  herself from her father whenever they met, and she too ends up began to heal herself up as she was felling more secure. She didn't realize how evil she was at that time.

Yet right now all the feelings she had for her Aunt was love and regret. The love she bore for her were much deeper than perhaps towards her mother that exist only in her memories. Anya had accidentally heard her Aunt painful cry during the night after her father was taken. She had heard Merusa painful, aching cry. Anya had heard the truth about her father and her Aunt during that moment. Her aunt had recalled the moment and the promise she held between herself and Anya father. She had unknowingly said it loudly, allowing Anya to hear it.

Her Aunt still loved her father deeply, and so does her father towards her aunt. However once they learned the pain that Anya felt after learning about their relationship, they had deliberately stop them self. They fear that Anya would break, broken beyond recovery.

Anya was so touched, however she was late to realize.  Regret and only regret was all she could felt but that didn't stop he from running towards her Aunt crying. Repeatedly she apologized towards her Aunt and all she was told back was that she did nothing wrongs. That night was the night the two truly reconcile and became close.

Anya had since that time wanted to call Merusa as her mother, but Merusa refused that. She told Anya that no matter what she couldn't take her mother place however she also said that her love wouldn't lose to her. Toward this Anya could only smile bitterly. She had refused something so precious before without realizing anything  and hurts two of the most important people in her life.

Ever since then, she had resolved to be cheerful and stay true to herself no matter what as to not worry her aunt. She also decided to stop being egoist and spoiled. She started working hard, learning archery from her Aunt while absorbing knowledge about plants and monster from the other woman in the village. She grow to be loved and accepted by her surroundings. Sadly she didn't realize that unknowingly she had grown to be more stubborn than even her father or aunt, whomever she loves in the future surely will be troubled...

***

" Anya this is  a ruse trails, based on the size of the footrpints should be one year old at most. Do you think you hunt it alone ?"

" Eerrr alone ?"

" Yes, you should be able to do this much right ? What were you training for ?"

" B-but this is my first time."

" Precisely, you need to experience it so you can grow."

" Bb-but this..."

No matter how prepared and strong resolve she had, being alone for the first time doing the task after only watched couple times what the other did was of course to much for Anya. The anxious she didn't have before began to appear again.

" No but, you can do it. The 'Sie' will come with you afterall... and don't embarrass yourself, the 'Sie' will see you."

" Ohhhh !!!  of course not ! ."

As the magic words appeared, she suddenly become fearless, much like a Professional.

Quickly she follow the ruse's trail while making sure she step as lightly as possible. The ruse that she was following right now would be recognized as a deer back in Basara previous world with not much disparity.

One of disparity was the ability to merge itself with the surrounding with some mimicry magic. Beside that it could also use *wind step*, a similar skills to wind run however it was slower and couldn't be maintained for a long of time.

There are also one  more trouble that one should be carefull when hunting a ruse. The adult version of ruse could use both of their skills at the same time, meaning it would be useless to chase them. It was either a hit or miss therefore being hidden and having huge accuracy to one shot kill the prey was the key of success for the hunt.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Basara silently followed Anya movement. He had actually wanted to leave her alone as he wanted to join the other more experienced hunter and forager. They were utilizing various skills and spells that he had never seen before. He didn't think such thing was possible  before. However, the fact was different and this world  was filled with magic and fantasy, akin to one of the story book he had read.

The concept of magic, skills, spells and technique weren't strange anymore for Basara now after he had seen and confirmed it. He had actually find it hard to believe that most things could pass his body. However since now he had seen the full utilization and possibilities the skills or magic held, he was assured. Heck, he even tried to mimic them directly. They were useless attempt though but still, he didn't gave up and wanted to see them doing it again.

Sadly, he felt luck was on his bad side as he was dragged by Anya, someone he had regarded as inexperienced hunter with few skills and to top of it  he no longer could  leave her after they separated from the rest. Basara also was unaware that he was followed from atop of the tree some distance away, quite far in fact as the rest had acknowledge the sensing capabilities of Anya. The rest of the group then proceed to follow Anya silently.

This situation was actually made as a test rather than first experienceof solo huning, albeit only for a moment. However such things was needed to determine whether someone was suited to hunt and forage or not. The trial was supposed to be done alone and it was designated not to be easy. Even the 'Sei' who will not assist Anya as they believed weren't supposed to be there, around Anya.

However as customary the test was decided by the group leader, in this case Merusa. She had seen the glitter in Anya eyes as she cling towards the 'Sei'. It was much similar to her seing the eyes that her sister had towards Anya Father, as she first saw him and ends up faillings in loves with him. Such bitter sweet memory and yet this time, it happened to her nephew.

Merusa then decided to help Anya a little, giving her a head start. The other young member could only smile bitterly at this but nevertheless they accepted it. Family over man ? of course family was more important to them.

" This trail ended here and  its abruptly gone umuu...."

Anya had suddenly stopped, her eyes wander and basara who was nearby become confused, wondering what were she doing. The other had never stopped until they find the target and he had naively judged that she failed to follow the trail properly.

" This ... this is an half eaten leaves, the tooth mark precisely the same as what ruse should have ..."

she began to move slowly, carefully as if she had realized something.

" Even if I followed a wrong trail and failed, ruse rarely leave half eaten leaf outside of hmm"

"Ahhh  Could it be a predator ? around here should be the area where striped tigra hunt."

She keep moving while crouching even when her senses kept telling her to turn back and return. Nevertheless she continue as she ddin't want to embarrass her aunt moreover in the presence of their 'Sei'.

" Weird, the striped tigra should never miss their target, even if it's a ruse. They had perfect stealth against the ruse... and yet there are no sign of fighting or carcass left behind. No sign of blood from bleeding either."

Sealing her sense of fear, pride was filling her up instead. The will to return successfully had made her misjudge her abilities and situation.

'Grrrhhh'

On top of three not far from was a fire baraga. A type of monster that  Basara would consider as a gorilla. It had massive claw, huge sturdy body while its mouth spit flames. It has excellent climbing ability even with its massive body. It has a high nature affinity after all and that helped him to reduce the impact it had when it climb or jumping between trees.

Although it couldn't be as agile as monkey, it could still move just fine, considering its size and beside the tress here were are so big, that even with three human trying to hug it, it wouldn't be enough.

It also needed not the agility of monkey, after all with a thick hide and one shot kill ability, such things were nothing but a hindrance. It had adapted, becoming a waiting predator, laying a trap while hiding its presence. When the unfortunate victim passed trough. It could only die helplessly as it corpse disappear, leaving no trace consumed by this monster.

Right now it was resting after it killed and obtained a fair amount of refined mana from its prey. It had downed its guard since it didn't believe that anything here could endanger him. Its presence leaked, blending and become one with the nature although if one searched for it and when they have an adequate amount of skills, they could find it the fire baraga easily.

A monster  was different from an Animal. Monsters had the ability to use skills, technique and even magic much the same like animal, however it also posses intelligence, tough not at the level of human or sub human species. The way it preserve it life was also different.

A monster could go on for a long period of time without eating or drinking. They didn't hibernate though, they were cultivating mana, nature mana in accordance with their affinity, treating it as their main nutrition. This way they become stronger as time went on.

The number of monsters spread in the wilderness were usually so scarce that it almost impossible to find them, the monster normally prefer a place which was rich in mana such as a mana spring, mana condensed  part of the inner forest, lava pool, deep sea and even dungeon.

As for this fire baraga, luck had it forced away from its original cultivating places. It had felt a imminent threat that was looming there and opted to follow its instinct to escape. Now he cultivated in the forest near the Okami vilage, it made its new cultivating spot. It hadn't been long too, no one knew it was here.

Since the mana concentrations that suits his affinity were noticeably lower compared to its original place, it grow impatient and start hunting. Although the overall result won't be as effective compared to the original cultivating place, it was still much better then cultivating normally. The ruse that Anya followed had unfortunately fall as victim for this fire baraga.

" Umuuuu ... what is this strange feelings."

" I am sure I am being attracted by something here ...'

*crisp-crsip*

" This ... now I know what I was following, this is cinder. It had the aroma of burned  ruse, I unconsciously smell it and followed the source."

Anya fortunately realized something was amiss, and realized it was actually the smell of burned meat of ruse. She had smelt something like this before as she tried to cook it and failed. She had burned her share to cook to an ash ....one had to wonder just how hot and long one need to make  a delicious ingredient into a pile of ash.

" Did someone manage to catch it before me and cook it ?"

"

umuuuu ... impossible .. why is my task so hard, should I gave up ?"

" Butttt I felt I was almost there ... umuu forward! ."

she had forgotten to stay silent and amuse herself with thinking out loud. This amateurish mistake had managed to attract the attention of fire Baraga.

Once it saw Anya figure from distance atop of three, it became happy. It had met a human, such a good source of mana. One whole refined human mana could be compared to twenty ruse. That was only if the human was normal, if they had skills, technique they would only become much higher prize if one managed to kill them. It then began to control its presence and making it completely vanish.

" This ... "

Anya quickly moved her head up, towards the direction which she suddenly felt something was amiss. The fire baraga decision to completely erase its presence turned out to be a mistakes. How can it  know  that someone would notice it if its presence disappeared, becoming undetectable. However Anya was a little special, with her own gift to read atmosphere, she had reacted fast, fast enough to notice the ripple of presence that suddenly gone.

Basara too, after sensing Anya quick aggression along with her movement as she immediately put an arrow in her bow, pulling its string, Basara followed Anya sight.  

Anya quickly concentrate as her technique allowed the nature to assist her unleashing her most practiced powerful ability. The arrowhead began to shine as Anya pulled the strings further and further to maximize the speed and power. Accuracy and everything else hadn't entered Anya mind. It was her reflex that told her shot her most powerful ability or die.

Seeing the energy or rather pure mana that began to gather, swirling on Anya arrow, the fire baraga quickly decided to use its own technique. Truthfully  the fire Baraga wasn't that old. It would still be considered as a toddler in its packs, and hating the fact that he was belittled so much he had escaped from the group, opting to cultivate alone. So in terms of strength, it wasn't that powerful. Still should it face a group of common adventurer, it alone can wipe them.

Fire mana began to gather on the surface of its stomach, producing a fiery flame. It prepared to use its secret ability immediately, fearing for its own life if anything was wrong. As the fire grow hotter and bigger, it finally launched its technique. A second mouth make its appearance from the surface of its belly that was covered with furs. It was actually the part of its body that launched the skills that had the resemblances of a grapping hook made of pure flame. It all happened in instant, two second at most.

The fire baraga had managed to complete its technique first, seeing this basara reacted quickly. He pulled Anya aside right at the moment Anya launched her arrow.

Basara suddenly felt as if something was sucked out of his body. It was actually Basara mana that high affinity win wind element. Some of Basara trait were also absorbed into the arrow, covering it with a mist of green aura.

" Powershot !!!"

Finally Anya released her arrow. As the arrow flew, it gained a magnificent boost in power and speed. It flew twice or even thrice as fast as it should normally be. The tip of the arrow become light green, filled wind destructive wind mana. Basara hadn't realized all og this, his only thought were danger and protect the girl.

Anya being pulled aside suddenly by Basara stumbled and fall down to her butt. She can only now look as her arrow flew towards the Gorilla. facing the Gorilla skills, the arrow didn't budge at all, in fact as if nothing, the arrow flew pass trough it towards fire baraga.

Wind, as an attribute that boasted its velocity and versatility didn't fail to show its might in this instant contest of survivability. It was so fast that the fire baraga that had thought the arrow would be burned to crisp didn't have the time to evade it.

The requirement to use the fire baraga hidden skills was to standstill while controlling the flaming grapple. It could chase fleeing target up to thirty meters easily with relatively quick preparations, however the downside of standing still was also big, so normally it won't use this method.

However given the current circumstances, it didn't have much choice and with a loud noise the arrow land  hit on the fire Baraga body. It didn't land on the Baraga head instead on its body, however the arrow wasn't a normal arrow. It was launched with a skills and even more a spells was added to it. Spells that Basara had unknowingly bestow upon Anya. The air rippled, and the fire baraga body exploded, becoming dust.

Sadly the fire Baraga flame graple was already way to near towards Anya and Basara. The group that follow them behind could only watch helplessly as the fire grape hook arrived towards Anya and Basara. They screamed but that was the only thing they could do. Merusa limbs grow weak, as her face grow pale.

Basara  now were faced with two choice. Time had conveniently slowed down for him. However that's only for his mind, not for what happened outside of it. Much like a cop who often told stories as if time flow slowly as bullet grazed their face, this happened to Basara.

Basara need to decide to either dodge the flaming grapping hook, or shielded Anya from it. Chance if he were to avoid the grape, Anya would be injured badly and potentially died on the spot. However if he shielded her, at least the chance of her surviving are higher.

'What would kazama do if he faced this ?'

' what about mother ? would she protect me ?'

Such question flashed in his mind, nevertheless Basara hurriedly rejected such a thought since he already knew, that both of them would protect Basara should this kind of things happen. Filled with resolve, Basara faced the flaming grapping hook.

"UAAAwwaaaaaa !"

He screamed, forcing his body to react and follow his command. He willed himself hard not to let anything passed him trough. At that moment, the cloak that he wore burned to crisp, it was so fast as if it was made of tissue that was burn by the fire lit from grenade. So fast as it burned from bottom to top and the material become so light until it become ashes as it flew from Basara's body.

Naked, Basara faced the flame that still hadn't died down. The flaming grapping hook now hit Basara body. Avoid, Avoid, Avoid , Basara body had automatically forced itself to become translucent, to let the strange object pass through. It was a spirit characteristic, even more a spirit that had high affinity with winds.

Suddenly an explosion of energy come from inside Basara. All of the feelings that Basara captured, telling him to become translucent and evade was pushed out from Basara's chest. His backs remained calm as if there was nothing unusual happening in front of the owner.

That sight was seen solely by Anya as she thought in front of her was the back of someone who was so reliable, it looked so big and comfortable. That sight told her that everything was fine and everything would end well eventough she was fully aware the danger in front of her protector.

At this moment, something erupted inside her hearts. Her hearts was actually screaming 'this is it', ' this is the one that you sought' and then something clicked in her heads, something was locked and bonded.

Following Basara command, that blunt force of energy containing wind mana, repulsed the flaming grappling hook. It flew upwards and as there were no more mana supplied to maintain the technique, it vanished.

If there was any high intelligent spirit around who saw Basara used his body like that, they would surrely be angry and told Basara train as right now he was a worthless spirit even when he had high affinity and good body.  basara had used such a crude method and endangered everyone presents. He also practically made himself as a place of attraction. There would be bound  many who hunted him  after this and such situation was what most spirit avoid.

Dealing with mages or the likes that tried to capture them and bind them was such annoyance. Though high, mighty and lofty they were, some of them were still captured, so being careful would be the biggest savior they could rely on.

***

Miles away from Basara current position, the troublesome adventure group  that was focused solely to freed themselves from their pursuers looked towards the sky.

" This ..."

" Iza ... do you know what was that ?"

" Why don't you ask me Lemran ?"

" Shut up Alex , you know nothing about wind magic and only know how to summmon useless things, don't disrupts us."

Strangely the always playful and shrewd Lemran showed a hint of seriousness along with murderous intent towards Alex. Seeing this Alex could only gulped his words back.

" So what about it Iza ?"

Iza still looking towards the sky and  then turned his attention towards his pendant. It was shining, blinking every now

and then until the wind energy influx that was spreading disappeared.

" Finally, after all of the waiting ... I found one, heh , hhehehe ... AHAHAHAHAHAHA !"

The sudden laughter of Iza had actually scared both of Lemran and Alex. They were not moving right now as they doubt their chaser would still continue moving after seeing such scene. It was actually such a baseless things but they couldn't be more right.

" Change of plan, after dumping the goblin to the village, I don't even care about their leader anymore."

" what about my payment ?"

" Don't worry, you will still get it."

" What about me Iza ? We need to return the temple immediately !"

" Heh for you, you have two choice."

At his word, Alex could only gulp, he was really scared right now looking at Iza.

" Either you follow us bounded by magic, or you die here."

Such cold words that could destroy his reputation and image he had painstakingly build were let out freely from his mouth. From the looks of it, Iza was being serious. It seems he was prepared to sacrifice anything to get what he wants.

"  What !!! Me the mighty summoner become someone else lap dog ? Never !"

*smirk*

" Then die !" without needing Iza to said anything, Lemran had jumped and aimed his daggers towards Alex neck.

" Ieeekkkk  !! Forgiv..... " Splurt ... blood was pouring  from Alex neck as he falls down. It didn't show any sign of stoping and

Alex had fall silent.

" Good work Lemran, sadly our companion Alex had fallen to the goblin horde behind us. He had bravely bought us time to escape for the success of missions."

" Hehehehe ...understood."

" Beware this could happen to you too ..."

*Gulp*

"  No matter, you had skills, and that is was all I need... I trust your silence means agreement ?"

" Yes." Plain and clean answer comes from Lemran mouth. Such things rarely happen but this was one of the moments.

" Now let's move, herd the goblin towards the village, there is a chance that the spirit was not hiding from the start and in fact was summoned by Alex, we need to be sure."

Without answering, Lemran went back towards the goblin horde scout as to barely give them a chance to follow their trails. It wasn't an easy job but it was perfect for him.

If both of Lemran and Iza used their true abilities, they could escape easily from the goblins horde behind them, but all this time they didn't do so since Alex was there. They wanted to stay low as to avoid suspicion yet also to gather  reliable supports from Alex temple.

" Now that the heaven finally give me the chance, I need to grab it and make it mine."

" I will not only become a maestro, a mere magi class for wind element, I will become a sage no, a high sage."

" Khuhu ..khuhuhu .khukuhahahahahahahah !"

" My ambitions... the heaven had showed me the path ! I WILL SUCCED."

***

*blurgh*

A mouthful of blood was spewed by a corpse. The corpse turned out to be Alex. His face was pale but determination filled his eyes. From his shoulder emerge a slug with white aura. This slug had been healing him from Lemran slice slowly.

Lemran was truly vicious, he had planed Alex to be eaten by the goblin horde, leaving him half alive with a huge amount of paralysis poison applied to him. If Alex hadn't summoned his healing slug from the start of the journey  and hidden it on his clothes, surely he would have died right now, either from blood loss or goblin attack.

" To think the elder were correct, Temple master surely was being fooled by Iza !"

" That massive energy explosion, it must come from a spirit which specialize in wind, just as I expected from me the renown genius of Amarok, summoning a mighty spirit with a mere stone hahahaha, now  I only need to report it to the temple so they will help me bind that thing."

"  And lastly that thief, Lemran just wait  I will get my revenge !"

Quickly he left the place towards the Amarok city, where his temple was located. At this time Iza and Lemran had already left Alex dying place, so they hadn't suspected anything.

***

" Leaaadddeerrr ..."

" Speak "

" Gob... scout ... huge ...wind... Mana, Spirit ... big ... chance."

With high difficulties, the goblin tried to report towards their leader. Goblin although somewhat intelligent and had also moderate war potential, they  didn't have a good speaking ability outside the few special ones.

" We kill thief, We get spirit ! For our Masterrr !!!!"

*Grah Grah Grah Grah *

All the goblin that was present hit their chess over and over, showing their determination. They wore no armor, hitting their chest directly.

" FOR MASTERRRRRR !!!!!"

***