Sky's shrouded in darkness, shooting millions of drops towards the ground, giving life to Mother Earth.

*footsteps over leaves*

"Achoo! *sniffs* Ugh! The rain doesn't help and not to mention it still feels like being stung by bees thrice the pain". Limping around the woods, checking on the interface for contacting the others but it doesn't work. Lost, not knowing where to go back in the woods, i kept on marching.

While i do want to memorize the layout of the area, it'd be more helpful if this Helmet, the only functional tech i have left, actually incorporated it. (I know it's in-development and things like this'll be left out of the picture because of restrain and whatnot.

Since i'm not a tech-savvy, ain't nothing i can do out of their gibberish language about coding, programming and circuits.

Even now, my head spins just from trying to think off them.

Wish i can fly and toss my own self out of here, it's just that i'm barely above the 3rd rank in terms of magic, never mind my hideous scouting ability, melee combat and survival experience.)

On the way, i remove some armor parts because of how they were hindering me while walking.

Having the bracers and pads around the arms and legs gone in exchange for applying treatment for the broken and numb bones, they are now exposed and naked bareskin, leaving them more vulnerable to flesh wound. (Least it feels lighter... Won't matter much if i'm bleeding, though they are broken, leaving them behind is the best i can think off)

" *belly growls* ... What's for dinner, i wonder?". Taking a break, lump myself at another tree, looking around before continuing to take the Emergency Food Supply.

Opening it, taking a look inside at the contents, choosing which to snack first :

Stored Water : 1 Rubber Bottle

Protein Bars : 2 Pcs

Dried Beans : 1 Sachet, 8 Pcs

Oatmeal Drink : 2 Sachets

Taking the bars, ripping the top to the side, and chew it to restore my vigor. ( *munching* Mmm, wish it's more salty, too much sugar and honey in it.

For the Oatmeal drink, i'll just have to empty the water bottle, grabbing some fresh water and heat it with Fire magic on some dry leaves before putting it on the bottle so i can enjoy myself some nice and warm dri-)

*wolves howling*

(... *gulps* Tch, terrific!

If i were to recall from our briefing, some parts of the forest near Shaarik are still uncharted, and it's starting to get dark. Still haven't found a safe place yet.

Can i even last 'till dawn?

Well, long as it's not a pack of them... Wolves Never howls alone, and if it is a Lone Wolf, it'd be a battle-hardened one. Just what i need in this kind of situation). Sinkering these negative thoughts, i close the box and put it back before walking through the woods again.

Going forward, i hear sound of a stream over the raindrops. (! Is that a water source i hear? A river's nearby... And it's mostfully gonna be watched over by animals.

Gotta stay low and sneak towards it)

On the way, smearing dirts and muds, leaves and bushes all over my body up to the head as to make sure i am not jumped by some ferocious beast, in which case i'll possibly be seeing real soon.

. . .

*water streams*

Going downhill, following the sound, i take the little bottle inside that can only fit 500 mL from the volume of it, and chug down it's insides. (*gulps* Phew, all this suspense isn't good for my heart, need to hurry up find a safe place to lit up a fire or i'll die from the cold). Shuddering, swaying high bushes, i see a little pond where the water streams from my right far away.

There are 3 wolves guarding the cave inside, and from here i'm watching over them, silently with the lingering pain i have now.

. . .

*Thunders*

(Uwaah, can't stand hearing it in this cold). Watching over the place for more than an hour with the pain i'm having now.

The cave is not that large but sufficient enough for a whole pack of 7 wolves to fit inside, but i don't see any other around on my way here. (Maybe they live somewhere nearby? I don't wanna find out *munches* That's the last bar, and i need to refill the water bottle. Already got some dry leaves, but all these scouting stuff had my chests aches)

For now, i have a plan : I'll distract them with some pebbles and my Sound magic mirroring a pig's squeal.

I carved said pebbles using the knife that makes some rough cuts and write some inscription made from mud that'll make the Sound and also Delay them a few second after i flow in Mana. (Didn't knew you don't have to Ink to Carve inscriptions, gotta give a gratitude towards my tutorer from the academy if i were to actually survive this!)

After they're distracted, i'll sneak to take some quick swim to mask my smell from their noses. (At least i can dive underwater around 30 seconds top after the last training session? Not sure whether to deactivate the Helmet or not)

When i get inside, i'll close off the entrance with Earth magic to form a high wall almost reaching the ceillings of the cave just enough so that they can't get inside and also to let air flow so to not suffocate myself when i'm inside

(*sighs* Here goes, It's do or die!)

I throw off the pebbles, to their left which goes to the left and is obscured by the thick lush bushes. *faint rock clacks*

*Pigs Squeals*

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" ? *curious growls*

*Authoritative, Commanding grumbles* ". The one that directs the other two wolves is a one-eye scarred white-fur wolf.

" (low-voice) Zoom-Out". My field of view that was zoomed-in 2X now goes back to it's original state.

Sliding up the face-shield, the interface is now deactivated.

As i creep towards the water, slithering like a snake or alligator, holding my breath while swimming towards their hideout. ( ! It's freezing, and it doesn't help that i'm still feeling tension from the thought that the wolves are still nearby)

Clawing out of the water slowly, i prone towarda the entrance before sliding down the face-shield. (Alright. I'm almost there now, it's gonna be okay. All that's left is just to clo-)

" *wolves grumbling menacingly* ". Looking at where i threw off the pebbles, i didn't know one of the wolves stayed behind and now he notices.

(Shit! I've been spotted! Fire away at them to scare them!). Sprinting, i could not give less than a rat's ass on how painful it is for my still recovering bodies. (This is the worst, It Is Just The Worst!)

" *Bark Bark Bark! * ". Looking behind, followed with the spotter is the two wolves that looked over my thrown pebbles.

(Gotta blind their eyesights!)

"Tch! [Flashlight] = [Wide]! ". Suddenly appeared wide arc-ing lights that flashed the hounds eyes for a moment.

Two of them, including the Leader are still shut in motion. " *Cowering Bark* "

Having this oportunity, i'm thinking of a chant that'll sway them out of here while still holding the knife on my right hand. "Grant me power to convert mana to high-concentrated Wind in my right hand and high-concentrated Fire in my left hand!" Lights of faint blue turning into greenish nigh invisible wind on my right hand and red burning fire on my left.

"Diverg-"

" *Growls* ". Lunged by the wolf that's way behind the other of his own, he bite my left arm.

"AAGH! Damned Dog! ". I stab him, times and times again because of the instinct to simply Survive.

I hear the signs of it's life vanishing. " *Wimpers* "

(Sorry for this, but i ain't got a choice in this weather)

" *Threatening Growls* " I am reminded of the growls of the other two wolves that i am not safe yet.

"DIVERGE!!" Spewing out the fure that goes towards them like a fire tornado, it hit the Leader which doesn't move after, and the last one scurried off.

"Yeah you got that right! Now Scram You Little Puffers !"

Standing, in shock of how i really did Survived, then realizing i have something to tend to.

"Ugh, gotta close the entrance before they came back.

"Grant me power to convert mana to Earth in both hands!". Lights of faint blue turns into brownish soft dirt on the ground where i am touchinf.

"Converge from the ground to the ceillings and stop until i say so!". Just as i commanded, it goes up slowly, and the lights of faint blue lets out more with time.

"Halt!" After, stopping quite sudden, i sit down and tend my wounds from this horrible deeds of mine towards the wolves.

. . .

*muffled thunders*

(Glad i'm here and not out there, felt bad for the last one, though). The walls and ceilings are lit by the moss and plants, i put down the helmet while still have it's flashlight on to the walls.

Wiping off the blood with the Wet wipes, treating it and drinking the oatmeal to regain my strength. (Now that i think of it, it's like i'm drifting out a little child from his parents, and i've killed them... Would it be different if i just shared some meat? I don't know, i'm just really tired.

I'll give them their burial tomorrow)

Shivering, i notice how wet my body is.

Releasing the buttons accordingly, i leave the armor on the walls alongside all the other boxes and the now wet tablet.

Half-naked, wearing only an underwear boxer and a white t-shirt, i slump my back on the walls. " *sighs* How am i gonna contact the other with the tablet now gone haywire?"

*walkie-talkie beep*

Hearing the sound coming from my helmet, i pick it up " ! No way, for real?"

" [ C.O Bannifer : Calling ] *buzzes* -ieg! -ou there? Tell u- -live! Some- - et the jammer done rig-"

Hearing how much static is in the com, i think on why it is. "Fuck's happening? Jammer? Did i hear that right? Can this be a start to a breakout?"

" [ C.O Bannifer : Calling ] *statics* Sieg! Ar- -u safe right now?"

Relieved from hearing his voice, i want to let out my thoughts out loud by wearing the helmet. "Captain, yeah i'm here! It's good to hear from you!

Listen, Erzen suddenly starts to change his behaviour when we're-"

" [ C.O Bannifer : Calling ] I'm sorry but i'll need you for an important task!

The devices starts to malfunction and the wyverns are back to their senses, i need you to get to Shaarik to contact the Aeon team responsible for developing the devices and have them help Stop This Madness!"

Confused because of how chaotic it sounds from his side, what with all the metal clashes and gunshots. " Huh?! Okay, i'll get to that but is there something else i can do for you over there, Captain?"

" [ C.O Bannifer : Calling ] *Cough, cough* I want for you to live to tell the tale and make sure this is won't cause further chaos and have it not repeated in history.

Everyone here is dying, there's only me and 3 other in the base but i know we won't survive for long.

Damn lizards making a havoc all over, but i swear i will Not go down without a fight!"

"What are you talking about?! You sound like you're a dead man walking! That's suicide, Captain! "

" [ C.O Bannifer : Calling ] Yeah, sure is.

I'm sorry for having you in this matter Sieg! Tell my family about the message i've just sent you in this pad!"

[Message received from Contact : C.O Bannifer]

I have my eyes widened, not believing what's happening in the moment. "Oy oy oy, you gotta be kidding me! "

" [ C.O Bannifer : Calling ] Goodbye, Sieg! Been an honor teaching you along the way!

*Sheathe blades* C'mere You Scoundrels!!! For The Glory OF-

[ C.O Bannifer : Callout ] "

"Alright, Captain. I'll do it. I'll have your wish fulfilled, Captain. Surely, i- *sobs* ". Tears overflowing, i didn't know i've cried all along the talk with him.

" *sniffs* Damn it, Captain. For Your Sake, I'll Do It! *hiccup*. DAMN IT ALL!!"

*Constant Thunders*

. . .