Chapter 160 - Kalaripayattu Style (1/2)

Whoosh!

A group of five people was chasing a spirit beast at full speed. The chased creature was a 1.5 meters high caracal. It was a feline characterized by a robust build, a short face, and long tufted ears; its fur had a sandy color instead, while the ventral area had a lighter color.

”Henry, are you sure is it a good idea to continue? I have a bad feeling about it.” One of the pursuers asked the person in front of the group.

”Sergio, what are you saying? Right now, that the caracal is about to run out of energy? We are five, while that is just a stupid spirit beast. If it weren't for its speed and agility in its movements, we would have already killed him. Don't overthink things; I've already told you.”

”Henry is right. We have to hunt as many second-level spirit beasts, or we won't get anything good. I'm not satisfied with just passing the test.”

”Okay. I am sorry about my doubts. Let's proceed then.”

Once the quick discussion was resolved, the group speeded up even further. They had been chasing that spirit beast for more than half an hour at full speed and were beginning to lose their patience. However, they couldn't give up their prey, especially not one that was so easy, and it was right in front of their eyes.

Fortunately for them, the caracal collapsed shortly after that on the ground. The upper part of its body was descending and rising as it tried to catch its breath. The caracal was by now exhausted from the long chase, and it could no longer continue. The only thing it could do was to lay on the ground waiting for its end. In its eyes, one could read regret and hatred for those two-legged creatures who had chased it so obsessively up until now.

”Excellent! It's exhausted now. Let's finish it quickly and recover the spirit core. We don't need the rest.”

The team leader Henry warned his teammates, who simultaneously pulled out their weapons. On their faces, one could see expressions of happiness and relief because their long pursuit was about to end.

Whoosh!

The team leader Henry had extracted from his ring space his weapons - a normal-length sword and a round-shaped shield. As he was in front of his companions, he was also the one who would reach the caracal first. However, when his sword was about to descend on the spirit beast's neck, a purple glow suddenly flashed from his left side. Instinctively, he raised the shield he was holding with his left arm to block that glow as he suspended his attack on the caracal.

Peng!

The tip of a purple spear with red veins crashed on the metal shield making a loud noise. The impetus of the spear was so strong that Henry, despite having blocked the blow, was pushed backward by a half meter.

”What!?” Henry exclaimed as his eyes widened. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

In front of him, there was a young man with brown skin who was holding the purple spear that had pushed him backward. Even more incredible was that the person wasn't alone, but other people were keeping at bay his companions.

*

A few minutes before

”They are chasing a spirit beast, but as the smell gets closer and closer, it is evident that the spirit beast is running out of energy,” Lang informed the rest of her companions.

”I understand. Previously, I heard the sound of five people. Do you confirm that there are still five?” Hei asked while formulating the plan of action.

”Yes. Fenrir only senses the smell of five humans plus that smell of the chased spirit beast. He says that according to him, the spirit beast should be a caracal, a type of feline with long pointed ears.”

”Oh, yes. I know what kind of spirit beast it is. It is a gorgeous creature.” Mia added briefly before realizing that it wasn't the right time, and she remained silent, waiting for orders.

Hei took a quick look at his companions and communicated his decision. ”There are five of them, so I, Lian, Leon, He Fen, and Lang with Fenrir will take care of them. Ye and Xing will remain in their petite form while Mia, Lilian, Mareo, and Haruno will remain hidden nearby. Make sure not to be identified and do not activate your spirit power.”

”Aren't we going to fight? Is it because we are supporting martial artists? I advise you not to underestimate us so much. We aren't at the same level, but we can fight without problems.” Lilian intervened resentfully because of the orders issued by Hei.

”It isn't for that reason. You know very well that I value your skills a lot, and I know that you are strong. And it is precisely for this reason that I cannot risk revealing all the cards available to us, especially if they are cards that can affect the flow of battle itself.”

”Hei is right. We are martial support artists. Our task is not to fight but to support our companions. We will do as you say then. But if things should get ugly for you, we will still act, regardless of your orders. Is it okay for you?”

At Mareo's question, who always managed to maintain his rationality, Hei smiled and replied, ”Okay. It seems reasonable to me.”

'Big brother, what about us? Xing and I want to fight too. '

'Yup. It's not fair that Fenrir can play, and we can't.'

”Hahaha, it's not like we're going to play. You know this, don't you? Fenrir is Lang's partner. I can't give orders to him. Furthermore, I think he wants to stay with Lang to protect her all the time. As for you two, I can't reveal my best cards in front of the rest of the first-year students, can I? We have worked so hard to keep your transformative ability hidden. Unless it is necessary, you will remain hidden when confronting other humans. If we are in trouble, you can go out and fight. All right?”

'Okay, big brother. Remember, though, that if you are in danger, we will go out and fight seriously.'

When Hei had finished making arrangements for the group, the caracal had collapsed on the ground, exhausted by the long chase. Mareo led Haruno, Mia, and Lilian to a tree not far away from there. From that position, they could observe the progress of the clash. Instead, Hei led his remaining companions to surprise the group of five humans who were slashing against the caracal.

Hei aimed for the first person in the row who also seemed to be the group leader. He drew his spear and activated Spider Run - Two Legged Mode, to increase his speed. Then he directed his spear against the shield that person held on his left arm.

'We are not here to kill but only to prevent them from hunting an excessive number of spirit beasts. If it is possible, I would like to resolve things through dialogue, but this is almost impossible. Besides, I can't impose that they don't kill any spirit beast. After all, there is expulsion if you haven't enough spirit cores. It's really a thorny situation.'

”You! You are part of our first-year class. Why are you attacking me?” asked the group leader Henry while he couldn't understand why a human had just stopped him from killing a spirit beast. He could understand if it was a rare spirit beast, but the caracal slumped to the ground was just an ordinary second-level spirit beast. There was no reason why others should push themselves in for such a meager loot.