72 Chapter 72: Watery Grave (2/2)

”You weren't obligated to step in and assist us,” Mizuno Aoi pointed out as she stepped forward. ”Yet you did so anyway, risking your life in the process. That alone is deserving of thanks.”

”Nah, I only did what anyone else would have done.” I swept my gaze over the beleaguered and battered survivors who were wearing the exact same gray uniform as I was. ”We're all fellow schoolmates from Jing Tian Academy. It's only natural to help one another.”

”Yeah, if you ever need help, let us know.” Elliot patted my shoulder. ”We'll definitely repay you the favor.”

”What favor?” I laughed, and then glanced at the monster's disembodied head. ”You helped me as well. If you guys didn't distract the Fiery Ape, I would have gotten incinerated by the damned thing a long time ago, before I can summon any soul beast powerful enough to defeat it.”

It was a sobering thought to realize that my Constellation spirits weren't enough to fight on par with a rank C monster. Well, the difference was that my Constellation spirits had the potential to grow even stronger than they were now – their growth and development were dependently entirely on me. I just had to work harder to improve them. When I became stronger, my Constellation spirits would naturally develop correspondingly.

The same went for my Celestial Guardians.

”Again, you didn't need to step in to help us. If it weren't for us, you would never have involved yourself in such a dangerous battle in the first place.”

Aoi had a point. Not that I necessarily agreed…then again, it was a waste of time arguing. Not while we were standing in the middle of a forest that was known to be a hotspot for Emergence. And unlike games, there wouldn't just be rank C and lower monsters dwelling in here. While rank B monsters and above were fairly rare, it was not impossible for them to show up. Best to get back to the city where it was relatively a lot safer and guarded by defensive wards and enchantments.

”You guys all right?” I asked as I approached the wounded. Jin Hao nodded and got up, grimacing as he gingerly leaned away from his hurt leg. The relatively unhurt Black Roses began to help up those who couldn't walk, and after accounting for everybody, we began to make our way back to the city.

There would be recovery teams here soon, to reclaim the bodies of the dead. But for students like us, who were half-dead and desperately needed to get the hell out of there, we had no choice but to leave them behind. For now. Good thing our recording devices (mine was merged with my glasses, as usual) had probably transmitted a distress message and reinforcements would be here soon, along with a cleanup crew.

”We lost about six members,” Elliot was muttering as he tallied up the casualties. Given how there were about nine left, I estimated that there were about fifteen in the party, originally.

”That's a lot,” I remarked, taken aback by the huge number. I was vaguely aware of the unusually large size of the party, of course, but it was only when Elliot actually put it into concrete numbers that I registered how anomalous it was.

”We were tasked with taking down a pack of rank D Raging Apes,” Nicholas explained wearily. ”Didn't expect a Rank C Fiery Ape to show up. If you hadn't shown up when you did, we might have lost more people.”

”We would probably be wiped out,” Jin Hao muttered darkly, leaning on Elliot's shoulders.

”You guys aren't that weak,” I assured him. ”I'm sure you would have figured something out eventually.”

”Would we?” Elliot snorted. ”There's a reason why we're banned from taking Rank C missions. The losses this time are unacceptable.”

”You guys are pretty unlucky,” I agreed. This was the second time they ended up encountering a monster that was not included in their mission details. While such things happened from time to time, and the standard tactic was an immediate retreat, the circumstances would make it easier said than done. Like Helmuth von Moltke said, no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy. In retrospect, I was lucky that I didn't run into anything bad.

On the other hand, precisely because I was going solo, it was much easier for me to run away by myself. There were advantages and disadvantages to taking missions alone, but obviously the risk was higher. If I was hurt, there would be no one to assist me. I would have died, unable to move or escape, as the monster closed in on me.

Well, there was no need to think about that now. I should worry about more important things. Like returning to the academy safe and sound. Next time I took a mission, I would more seriously consider joining a party.

But the last time I did that, I got betrayed and was abandoned.

Speaking of which, didn't Bei Pan Zhe, Lavender, Daisy and Dan Xiao Gui got expelled because of the stunt they pulled? While I wasn't naïve enough to think it would never happen again, I wasn't paranoid to the extent where I believed every single person in this world was out to betray me. Elliot, Nicholas and Jin Hao certainly didn't, and the Black Roses I met today certainly did their fair share of work in defending me while I cast my summoning spell.

In other words, there was no point resorting to extremes and either insist on being solo because I was paranoid about the whole world betraying me, or being overly naïve and trusting every stranger I met. I needed to be smart about this and find a party I could truly rely on.

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”Richard?”

”Hmm?”

I realized that Elliot was talking to me. Shaking my head, I snapped out of my thoughts and smiled apologetically.

”Sorry. I wasn't paying attention. What were you saying?” A word drifted into my mind, thanks to me vaguely listening earlier. ”Something about a party? Sure, I don't mind joining your party next time. Just let me know.”

”Not that kind of party!” Elliot laughed. ”If I'm not mistaken, President Alicia invited her party this weekend. The Black Roses will all be there, so I hope to see you on Saturday!”

”…oh.” Now that Elliot had mentioned it, I realized I had totally forgotten about that particular party. Which was ironic, given the whole reason why I went out on a mission today was to get money to buy a proper suit for it. Trying to hide my embarrassment, I offered an easy smile. ”Yeah, I mean I don't mind joining that party on Saturday. Just let me know next time.”

The snort from Jin Hao, who was leaning on Elliot, told me that I wasn't fooling anyone. Oh well. At least I tried.