Strongest Among the Heavens
Chapter 278: Familiar and Unfamiliar Faces

Chapter 278: Familiar and Unfamiliar Faces

Kazi circled the village, vigilant and alert. He possessed Magic Sensitivity, not some hyper specific magic sensing ability. He was more or less relying on his senses, intuition, and period usage of his future sight to discern potential issues. following close behind him were thirty small elves. By the first hour, the Yumboes were exhausted. They were dragging themselves out of sheer commitment. Tiny feet meant they had to jog to keep up with him. He suggested they split in half to cover better ground. The Yumboes agreed.

The sun was rising. The elves were panting and the warmth was not welcomed. They were already sweating under the moon, what was the sun going to do to them?

Kazi noticed and put a hand over his mouth to hide his smile. The splintered group of fifteen were coming close. Like always, they would intersect and report their findings.

"Nothing," said the leader of the pack. "Other than a flycatcher, there was nothing."

"Yeah, monsters don’t attack in the daytime," another Yumbo from the intersecting group added.

’Figured as much. The hidden objective mentioned this being night zero. In other words, this is likely a nightly defensive type mission.’

Kazi nodded. "Perfect. Then we can stop here."

He was met with sighs of relief. The Yumboes went to their homes while Kazi went to the one straw home where he sensed the players. Through the thin walls, he heard an argument. He opened the door and his eyes fell upon Jackson and Sylvia, locked in a heated argument that seemed on the verge of boiling over. Sylvia’s hoarse voice cut through the air as she gestured wildly at her beige trench coat, which was drenched.

"I told you, it was an accident!" Sylvia exclaimed. "Why would I purposely spill it?"

Jackson’s southern drawl was unrestrained with annoyance as he retorted, "Accident or not, you ruined my shirt, ma’am!" Sleeves rolled up, his buffalo plaid shirt was drenched on the abdomen. "And! That was my drink you spilled!"

"Then it’s not my fault," Sylvia replied.

"You were trying to steal it from me!"

"I have bad memory, okay!? Gosh."

Opposing the arguing duo were Akihiko and Kenzo, utterly silent. Another group adjacent consisted of; Sarah, Emma, and Pauline. Sitting as a duo were Kibiwott and Remmy. Kazi recognized Pauline from the murder train gate. Everyone else was a fresh face.

"Looks like you’re all lively and awake," Kazi said. "I hope you got some sleep."

"There was a lady vampire constantly asking for drinks," Jackson replied, "so half and half."

"I went twice!"

Kazi clapped his hands together. "Come on, no need to yell. We can use our indoor voices here. Okay?"

"Okay," Sylvia grumbled.

"Great. Now then, we should be safe in the mornings. According to the locals, the monsters only appear at night." Kazi cast a discreet look at Akihiko and Kenzo. "Kinda like a video game. We can consider the sunlight a sort-of break. We’re the players, they’re the zombies, and we’re supposed to kill."

"Sounds mighty simple," said Jackson.

"Maybe, but there’s ten of us here plus the villagers. We should expect a decent challenge. Then again..." Kazi scanned the room and smiled at each individual. "You all look capable. Your levels are high and I can sense your confidence. We’ll be fine."

Unprompted, the middle-aged man with curly hair stood up. "My name is Kibiwott. A pleasure to work with you all. This might be a selfish request but do you mind if I might fight on the front lines?"

Kazi waited to see if anyone would disagree. "Seems like you’re good to go. A swordsman, eh? We can use you." Kibiwott was an Amateur Swordsman, to boot, and not too physically imposing. That was fine. Kibiwott was Level 24 and his quilted yellow clothes were mighty. There was definitely magic imbued with them.

"Thank you. I, well, nevermind." Kibiwott sat back down. Kazi scanned him, tilting his head slightly.

’Oh, so that’s his plight. Fair enough.’

"Kenzo, Akihiko," Kazi called out. "I thought I heard you two whispering. Seems like you’re cooking up a plan."

"Y-yeah." Akihiko looked slightly guilty. He and Kenzo had been whispering for a good minute. "We were thinking we should divide our forces into five groups: north, south, east, west, as well as back-up for whenever a group falls behind."

"I see, I see. Add eight Yumboes with wind magic and that might be enough for protection on all angles." Kazi nodded. "Issue is, it doesn’t seem like everyone here is a fighter. Pauline?"

"Oh!" Pauline Lannes de Montebello sat with her hands on her lap, smiling almost as weakly as her body. He remembered giving her a Jacksonet because of how much she shivered at the start of Gate 8. She was lovely to talk to, kind and patient, and he didn’t have an issue with her character-wise. "Sorry, er..."

Level 19 and an Amateur Player. Sarah and Emma, two women Pauline was clearly acquainted with, were Levels 22 and Level 25. They were players that were trying. But Pauline? It felt like she could tip over and die.

"I enrolled in the Mage Tower," Pauline said, "so I’ve learned a thing or two. I-I can write out a magic circle for Fire Ball."

"Right," Jackson said. "Fire Ball. Sylv, mind speaking the truth here?"

"You’re useless, lady," Sylvia said. "You’re gonna have to sit this one out. Otherwise..." She slid her thumb across her neck. "You’re dying, plain and simple."

"I...okay," Pauline mumbled, dejected.

Kazi put a hand on his hip. Emma and Sarah looked guilty. "Do you want to fight?" he asked.

"H-huh? I mean...if I can..." Pauline pursed her lips. "If I’m not a burden."

"Then pair up with me," Kazi said, smiling. "I don’t mind doing some heavy work."

"Really? Thank you!"

"Gonna help the little lady, huh?" Jackson nodded approvingly.

"Seems like someone could learn some manners," Sylvia remarked.

"What was that?"

"And learn to hear."

"Say," Emma said, "anyone want gum?"

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