Chapter 12: The Unexpected Alliance

"These people..." Louis muttered, shaking his head in disbelief as he watched the scene unfold.

Niko shared the sentiment, his lips pressed into a thin line. The desperation in the air was evident, and the survivors clung to any sign of strength, no matter how unhinged or unreliable. Many had gathered around the more aggressive fighters, hoping to secure their help. The crazy-looking man with the wild grin had attracted a small following, his confidence drawing people like moths to a flame.

The first to approach was the bald man, but with a calm smile, he declined every request. He chose to sit quietly by himself, a pillar of stillness amidst the chaotic crowd.

“Hahaha! You all saw how powerful I was! Gave that big monster a good beating!” The crazy guy puffed out his chest, laughing maniacally. “If you want my help, you’d better give me something in return! Hehe!”

Niko narrowed his eyes at the man, recognizing the danger beneath the surface. This wasn't someone you could rely on, but desperation made people blind.

“He barely scratched that beetle,” Louis said in a low voice, clearly disgusted. “All he did was distract it while everyone else did the real work.”

Niko nodded, his eyes scanning the group. "Doesn't matter to these people. They're clinging to anything that offers a shred of hope, no matter how unstable." His gaze shifted. "And it’s not just him. Look."

The fat man and Mamadi had also drawn small groups, and several from the attacking group were leading others toward the jungle. The weaker survivors were latching onto anyone who seemed like they could offer protection, even if it was just an illusion of safety.

Turning to Louis, Niko spoke quietly, “Let’s head out on our own. I need to figure out this skill, and we should be able to handle the weaker monsters ourselves. If things go south, we can always regroup with the others.”

Louis grinned. “Sounds good to me. I still don’t have full control over my skill, either. Time to see what we’re made of.”

The two had only taken a few steps toward the jungle when a voice called out from behind.

“Wait!”

They turned to see two figures approaching. A woman in her forties, dressed in what looked like a simple house dress, her dark brown hair tied back in a ponytail. Her face was lined with a few wrinkles, but her eyes were sharp, reflecting years of hard-earned resilience. Beside her stood a teenage boy, short and skinny with a shiny bowl-cut hairstyle. His thick glasses seemed too large for his face, giving him an awkward, nerdy appearance. He wore a high school uniform, the contrast between his formal attire and the surrounding chaos only adding to his strangeness.

“I’m Maria, and this is Simon,” the woman introduced herself, her voice polite but tinged with desperation. “We met in the preparation world. We were wondering if we could join you?”

Niko’s mind immediately started weighing the situation. Why us? He thought, eyeing them with suspicion. We’re support types—there’s no way they chose us over the attacking group unless they have a reason.

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Simon, the boy, adjusted his glasses and spoke up. “We could have joined the larger group, sure. But the chances of us getting a kill and securing a skill there? Too slim. Besides, we think you’re our best option.”

Niko crossed his arms, intrigued but still wary. “Why?”

Simon glanced at the orb circling Niko. “That orb, it’s got to have some kind of support function, right? Maybe protection? Healing?”

Niko’s eyebrows shot up. The kid was sharp, but Simon didn’t know everything. He wasn’t aware that the orb could transform into powerful spirits, nor that Niko could summon multiple spirits in battle. Better to keep that information to myself, Niko thought. He gave a brief nod, acknowledging the guess without offering more.

“And we don’t know what your friend can do yet,” Simon continued, nodding at Louis. “So we figured it’s worth the risk. The monsters aren’t that strong, and with four of us, we should be able to handle it.”

Louis chuckled, impressed by the boy’s logic. “Smart kid. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders.”

Simon pushed his glasses up, clearly embarrassed. “I’m not exactly smart. I failed most of my classes. But playing RPGs all day long teaches you a thing or two about strategy, I guess.”

Louis laughed heartily, clapping Simon on the shoulder. “Hey, whatever works!”

Niko, still cautious, finally relented. “Alright, you can come with us. But understand this: if you hold us back or put us at risk, you’re on your own. I’m not here to babysit.”

Maria quickly nodded. “We understand. We won’t slow you down.”

Niko gave her a sharp look, then nodded. It wasn’t about being heartless—it was about survival. He was getting closer to finding his sister, and he couldn’t afford to let anyone drag him down.

The four of them—Niko, Louis, Maria, and Simon—headed toward the jungle, walking in uneasy silence. Along the way, they exchanged a few brief stories. Maria had lost her husband in a car accident, leaving her childless and alone. Simon, on the other hand, was a gaming addict who spent every waking hour in front of a screen. Niko understood why they’d made it this far: their past struggles had toughened them, giving them the mental fortitude to survive.

As they neared the jungle, Niko glanced up at the towering trees, marveling at their size. The leaves were enormous, easily as long as his own body, and the jungle seemed alive with vibrant colors and strange plants. It was like stepping into another world—one that was both beautiful and dangerous.

“This place is unreal,” Niko muttered, his eyes wide as he took in the sight.

Louis’s voice broke through the wonder. “Get ready. They’re coming.”

Niko tensed, his gaze snapping to the swaying trees. The buzzing of wings reached his ears, growing louder with each passing second.

“Zzzt! Zzzt!”

Louis activated his skill, [Horns of the Lightning Satyr General I]. Niko watched as two small horns appeared on Louis’s forehead, crackling with dark green electricity. The transformation gave Louis an intimidating, otherworldly look. Sparks jumped between the horns, like the static charge of a live wire.

Niko stepped back, positioning himself behind Louis. “Here’s the plan. Louis, you’ll draw them in. They’re fast, but they can’t turn quickly. Dodge when they come at you, and I’ll strike them from behind. After that, Maria or Simon, you’ll finish them off. Got it?”

Maria and Simon nodded, their faces grim and focused.

Niko turned his attention to the translucent orb floating beside him. He willed it to move, and though it was slow and clumsy, the orb responded. It hovered in front of him, glowing faintly. I’ve got to get better at this, Niko thought, frustrated by the orb’s sluggish movement. But even this basic control was progress.

Simon watched Niko control the orb with wide eyes, clearly impressed. The boy’s determination grew as he saw what Niko could do, even with a support skill.

Suddenly, the trees shook violently. Just like before, insect-like creatures burst from the jungle, their wings buzzing loudly as they sped toward the larger group. But one of them broke off from the swarm, heading straight for Niko’s group.

“Get ready!” Niko shouted, his heart racing as the creature closed in. The battle was about to begin.