Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer
Vol. 4 - Ch. 180 - A New Plan

Kujou was by no means a pushover, and certainly not one that lacked experience about the battlefield, yet the situation appeared incomprehensible even to her.

Hell, it was her charisma that brought together the band of people as they---and their guild---ascended to Japan's one of the top 10 guild. However, it's just the shocking development that had shook her to the core that she couldn't wrap her head around.

Then, as if she already wasn't shaken enough---she received another bombshell information.

"That's looking for you? How did you even know?"

Kujou persuaded herself to appear calm and asked back, looking at the young man. His face was laced with a shaky expression. Not just her, the other explorers around were harbouring a similar confused expression at his words.

But instead, it was Tenji getting surprised by seeing Kujou and the rest of member's confusion.

"What? I mean, didn't it say my name?"

"Yes?"

A silence ensues when Tenji explains.  Of course so. No one except Tenji had managed to understand that monster's incomprehensible howl. They had thought it was a language unique to its own, so they were at loss of words when someone claimed they, the only person, managed to comprehend the words.

The question was natural; why was it only the young man who understood the monster's words?

"H-Hold down for a moment. Sorry, I think my mind is too jumbled to make sense out of it. You know what, whatever. Tenji......I want to hear one thing. You have the means to hurt that monster, right?"

"Yes, I believe so."

Confirming Tenji's affirmation, who nodded with a serious look, Kujou then turned to glance at the explorer, tasked to be the messenger in this battlefield. This gaze was enough for the said explorer to understand the meaning as he got himself into the running stance.

"Alright, that's all I need to know. Hey, Pravirna's. Tell your leader we will attract that monster. He will know what to do then."

"Roger, Kujou. I pray for your safety."

Once clear what he needed to convey, the said explorer immediately took off from there with an extreme speed. With him disappearing into the horizon momentarily, the only one left on the spot was Chariot's member, a coma state Limey, and the healer from Pravirna tending to Limey.

Kujou looked at their faces, their mental state and battle power and concluded her decision.

"I am going to call out a few names now. Everyone except them should retreat immediately to the Transfer Gate, protect Limey there at all cost and help out other guilds in their preparation. Alright, the names are---"

Kujou's word met with silent nod from her guild members.  Then she paused for a moment, seemingly thinking of something, and replied while looking at the indomitable spirit lying in her guild member's eyes.

"Honnou Itagaki, Chisato Shiranei, Fuyuki Kurou and---Tenji Amagi."

These were the names of explorers with exceptional firepower---meaning those, whose names weren't called, were lacking in strength. A tinge of lamentation appeared in the eyes of explorers present for a moment, but they knew not to mull over it for longer and immediately started thinking about their own task.

By the time her guild members had renewed their determination, Kujou started passing her instruction.

"Your foremost priority is to protect Limey no matter what. Remember, we would have nothing to protect should Limey were to fall here. Illonica will brief you about the rest there, understood?"

" " " "Yes Mam!" " " "

"Great. I am relying on you all."

The guild members felt a sense of duty surging inside them as they looked at Kujou's trustful gaze.

Their guild leader had always been someone whose words were laced with uprightness, and hardly they had seen her praising others---but her words that she's relying on them and that dependence gaze. That was all they needed.

" " " "Yes Mam! " " " "

The explorers immediately started their preparation and in just a minute, departed for Teleport Gate.

The remaining five members watched them leaving. Only three of them were having professional licences, while the remaining two were students. Though, that said, Fuyuki Kurou was someone everyone believed would reach zero-grade explorer in future. And Tenji Amagi, he was strangely full of confidence.

Kujou also swiftly decided on the strategy centred around them. The strategy, in all its meaning, was nothing but a 'fool's plan.' Yet Kujou considered it worth a shot---a gamble with the chance of victory.

"Are you all already? Let's set off."

" " " "Yes!" " " "

With that, the five---now a team---ran into the forested depression.