91 This Hero Begins the Operation! (1/2)

”H-Hey hold on just a minute!” Jaq quickly fell forward from his seated position and crawled towards me, ruining the dirt map that we had used for our plan beforehand. ”You seriously still plan on following through with this? How do you know it will work?” He clutched at me and stared directly into my eyes.

”I don't know if it will work. That's why we need to gather more information.” I pushed Jaq off of me and stood up, brushing off the dirt that had accumulated on me as I did so. ”Right now, our plan is the only working method anyways. Your plan involves us giving up… I just don't like giving up until I am certain I can't win, that's all.” I began to turn and walk towards Kany who had already began to step out of our pseudo camp before I had an idea.

”Hey, Yuna you should come too. You're a monk, right? You can use the ability boost skill like I can?”

In response to my questioning, Yuna hopped up from her previously laying down position. Her face could be best described as similar to that of a fox that was ready to have some fun.

”Perhaps I am! Why do you need my help?” She cheekily sidled up closer to Kany and myself. ”Could it be that you could tell how cool I am? I swear, very few people really understand how great I am. It's truly a sad existence.” She gave an exaggerated slumping over motion, her smile not wavering in the slightest.

”Yeah! I know exactly how you feel!” Tael rushed over to say this. His expression was that of someone that was finally understood after searching for recognition for the longest time.

”Y-Yeah… Look, I just need you to help me scout out the area. If you can use the ability boost skill then you can boost your vision to see better. I'd bet you could see better than any of us if someone of your level used that skill.” I slowly backed away from the now affirmed duo. Something tells me that if they get too close to each other then there will be trouble.

”Hmph. Fine. I'll go along, but it's not because I'm bored or anything but because you'd fail if you didn't have me, got it?” Her personality took a sudden shift. For some reason, I feel like her hair used to be twintails.

”Don't mind her. She's just like that.” A voice that was as raspy as nails on a chalkboard said behind me. I immediately leapt in response and prepared to attack, but instead of an enemy, I was greeted by the sight of the man that was wrapped in what appeared to be belts. It was only now that I realized that he hasn't talked this entire time.

”U-um… Hi. I'm Kenji.” I let out meekly. What the hell was that? I was taken aback so much that I couldn't even muster a proper greeting.

”Hello Kenji-san. I am Kilin. You can just call me… Kilin.” He looked downwards as he said this. A lack of confidence is an understatement.

”Well… Kilin, are you going to come with us to help? Actually, come to think of it, what class are you? Also what level are all of you? I know Jaq is level 16, but what about the rest of you?”

”Cleric. Level 15.” Ron raised his hand upwards.

”Monk! Level 15!” Yuna did some stretches as she said this, as if she were preparing to show off her skills to affirm to me that she is what she says.

”Warrior and you already know.” Jaq listlessly lied back down.

”You probably have no idea about my class, but I am a Jacksnips, level 16.” Kilin said.

”What's a Jacksnips?” I instinctually let out before I could even realize what I said.

”We specialize in summoning weapons and we mix it with stealth. Our power resides in managing the residual mana in the air and manipulating it around our opponents.” Kilin said in as clinical manner as he possibly could.

”Neat. How do I get it?” My collector side had already begun taking control.

”It's unique to his people, kid. As much as I'd like to be able to dip into it as well, you just can't.” Jaq said with his eyes closed. It seems that he's explained this many times before, unlike styles.

”Dang.” I couldn't stop myself from expressing my disappointment.

”It is alright. I am used to it.” Kilin stepped towards Kany, Yuna, and myself.

”Okay… Looks like this is our information gathering group, assuming that Erana can come with us. Kany, I want you to go with the other group and lead the stealth for them... Speaking of... for the rest of you, I need you all to go around the camp as best you can and find the best place to start a distraction. I'll leave the distraction up to you all, you just need to make sure it's big.” I clapped my hands together, indicating for us to split. ”Oh, and Tael…”