16 Survival Training 5 (1/2)
Only the sound of the buzzing insects could be heard as Han and Kuro moved through the forest. They stopped upon hearing a noisy crowd in the distance.
”Sssh.”
Han placed his index finger upon his lips. Kuro gulped his saliva and silently followed behind Han.
Han used his fingers to snap off the overgrown weeds blocking his way. They could see Karl's gang who had made a base out in the wide open.
”The situation doesn't look good.”
”Seems like they're fighting.”
Han and Kuro whispered. Karl's gang were exchanging menacing looks as they yelled at one another.
”You secretly ate our food stock, right?”
”I did? You make me laugh. You're the one to have eaten it all and now you're trying to blame it all on me! I heard crumpling noises last night.”
”What? I didn't like you ever since you shared only small bread crumbs with us. This Ba***.”
Karl's gang were bickering over their emergency food supplies. No matter how much they stole from others, it was impossible for seven people to eat their fill. Rather, they began to mistrust each other due to their high number.
Everyone's tempers had become fickle now that they were all starved.
This had been a harsh survival drill to carry out for these youths. They could find nothing to do but mistrust and blame one another.
”Bring it on! I'll let you throw up all our food you ate.”
It seemed they would end up fighting any second now. It seemed nobody would be satisfied until they saw blood. Now that they had not eaten properly for the past four days, it was only logical for some of the boys to start losing touch with their sanity.
Karl's gang consisted of mostly elites. They had all grown up without facing any form of poverty. Nobody had ever starved in their life.
”Stop wasting your energy! Shut up!”
Karl yelled. All the youths shut their mouth in an instant.
Karl was the gang's leader. He was a handsome European boy who sported blond hair.
He had heard rumors that Karl had been a child actor.
”But Karl…”
”Shouting will only get you hungry. Damn, those crazy drill instructors. Let's make another round when the sun rises. There should be more people hiding away their food supplies.”
The youth's disturbances settled at once. Karlheinz influence with everyone was huge.
Han who had been observing Karl's gang from a distance spoke in a low voice.
”What a wasted opportunity. Their numbers could've been reduced.”
Han waited until everyone fell asleep. Han was also sleepy but resisted the urge. Kuro was already nodding off to sleep in the back.
”Haaa~”
Karl's gang used their parachutes as blankets and slept peacefully.
They didn't even bother to set up a night watch system. It seem they didn't fear people daring to steal their supplies with seven members in their gang.
Han squeezed his wooden spear tight. He could still remember Jose's bruised up face very well.
'There was no reason to beat him up to that degree. Those scoundrels.'
Han shook Kuro awake. Kuro snapped awake.
”Ah, I fell asleep. Sorry, Han.”
”It's ok, you need to be able to focus. Do you think you can focus okay?”
”I'll try.”
Kuro took out the stones he prepared from his backpack. Han stood up, on guard.
”Now, throw Kuro! Let's avenge Jose!”
Kuro's eyes glowed bright spilling out psychic energy. The rocks floated and fiercely flew across. The rocks accelerated, no longer needing the aid of psychic energy.
A rock bopped a sleeping youth. The youth who had been hit started rolling and screaming. Blood dripped from his forehead.
”Ugh…”
Kuro flinched upon seeing the bloodied youth. Han gently punched Kuro's chest.
”Remember Jose, Kuro. Remember all the times the guys bullied you.”
With Han's encouragement, Kuro nodded and focused again. The rocks flew across one after another. His accuracy was frightening.
”Ack! Who is it?!”
”Everyone wake up! It's an attack!”
Karl's gang woke up one by one. They were too busy trying to hide from the flying rocks. When Karl's gang gained their senses, they all faced toward the forest.
”The attack is coming from the forest!”
Karl's gang all armed themselves with a weapon and charged. One youth even had a knife wrapped around the end of his spear. If anyone were to be stabbed by that, it could end their lives.
”H-Han. Their coming.”
”It's okay. Kuro, believe in me! Just keep your focus.”
Han shouted. To Kuro, Han's back felt dependable. They were of the same age, but Han felt like an adult.
”Who are you?”
A youth with blood dripping from his forehead shouted, all the while charging forward with his fists ready.
Another rock flicked onto a member of the gang.
Karl's gang had just woken up, and were not fully alert. Han stood strong, fending off everyone who got close. He calmly took care of the students, one by one.
Kuro continued shooting stones, preventing Karl's gang from organizing properly.
”The guy behind is the one throwing the stones! Go around!”
Karlheinz yelled. Two youths promptly circled to the back.
”Tch, they've noticed.”
Han retreated back. He used his wooden spear and fended off those coming after Kuro.
”This bastard!”
Another youth jumped at the chance to attack Han's back at that moment.