A red flare light up and its location pointed at the central area.
“Release the next batch of slaves!” The captain’s loud voice echoed out.
Clank! Clank! Clank!
The simultaneous sound of metal chains being dropped down echoed out right after the captain’s voice died down. Five middle aged men were pushed forward and they only wore ragged clothing and old shoes. Similar to us, they should also be used as meat shields.
One of the soldiers at the back handed out a bunch of wooden bat with metal spikes as weapon. He also gave me a torn brown cape, I looked at him deeply. I’ll remember him. As I’m only in my swimming shorts, this tattered cape could do me a favor.
“Next batch set forward! Run towards the central area!” As the captain’s loud voice echoed out, the armed soldiers pushed our bodies forward. Given that force, we had no other choice but to run or else the spear and swords would hit our backs!
Hiss! The sharp rocks were painful to the feet yet I could only follow the other’s rhythm. In the group, I was the only one barefoot!
Looking back, the soldier’s weapon where thrust out and they were ready to kill anyone who runs back. “Fire your flare once you have met up with the previous group!” The resounding voice of the group’s leader echoed out.
The armed soldiers were only slowly following us, I could already tell that they would stop once we have entered the smog. Discretely adjusting the goggles, I peered with my left eyes and I could say that we still have at least a meter to go until we entered the smoggy area.
Placing back the goggles, I swept my gaze along the uncles running with us. Their expression tells me that they have long given up! Even the two who came with me showed despair and fear!
Damn it!
“What are you good at?” I asked the big man beside me in between running.
He only glanced at me but did not respond. Getting no answer from him I looked at the other guy at my side. “What are you good at?” Seeing that there was little bit trace of anger, I realized my question was wrong. “I don’t mean anything bad. I just want to know what your characteristics are. We will be fighting to our deaths so we should at least know our capabilities for us to survive!”
The guy stayed silent for a while but he then eventually speak. “I’m one from the landscape club Senior.” His voice seemed to be gasping for air as we were running.
Oh… This guy recognizes me at least.
Hmmm… music was categorized as wind… Landscape should be… soil…plants…Earth!
“That seemed to be something useful… When we came here do you notice anything different around you?”
He shook his head and despair was once again vivid in his face. He also doesn’t have anything with him that I could clearly see. For now, getting to know each other should do.
“I’m Dylan, what should I call you?” I extended my hands but he looked at it truly surprised. He then once again focused on running. Silence once again permeated our group as we moved forward. Little by little I could feel that our pace has been toning down.
Right now, we were only walking… slightly lifting the goggles, I found that we had finally entered the smog! Readjusting the goggles, I looked back and the soldiers following us really stopped in their tracks.
“Guys let’s stop. Let’s form into a circle.” Right after that, I halted my footsteps while grabbing the two people beside me. This caused chain reaction and the others did the same thing unconditionally – causing the entire group to halt.
I could see that we are at a safe distance from the swarm of Orcs. Even the monsters seemed to have only moved towards that certain area and they have no plans to advance just yet.
“Senior Dylan you…” the voice of the guy beside me holds a lot of confusion.
“We will only meet our deaths if we don’t form a proper stance at least.” I could not really tell them that I could see everything clearly here. Blindly trusting them is idiocy.
“Yo, this kid sure has some brains.” One of the uncles moved towards me while dragging both guy beside him. Finally right now, all of us were faced with each other. Seeing that the look in their eyes slightly changed, I have this foreboding feeling.
“You’re Drifters aren’t ya?” The Uncle who initiated the conversation once again spoke out.
I don’t know what Drifters is but I’m sure I heard it in the tower before…
Nodding my head, he laughed and extended his hands. “I am Muris. We are group of slaves and leaving this cliff alive would ensure us freedom. Kid, we are hoping you could give us a hand.”
“Dylan.” Taking his big rough hands, I knew he only wanted to live so this should be fine.
Anyway now is not the time to be picky!
Survival comes first.
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Yume Neiji's Works 