8 Prologue 8 (1/2)

It was hard to explain how my power worked to them. Having to say that it was a Mutant power was a big help in itself, making the whole thing more believable.

Mutant powers are classified to be almost everything that is not the lightning, fire, water, wind, earth, light, darkness or space elemental essence. These kind of mutations of the soul are quite rare, but not unheard off. About 0.02% of all awakenings turn out to be mutant soul essence.

But having that explained, it was nice to talk with them, we had a nice meal, and I learned a lot about them. My predictions were right, Marcus was a Martial artist, a Tank. Specialized in defense and protecting the team. He had Earth soul essence making him an almost a perfect tank.

Lily is a Lightning Arcane artist. High damage with massive consumption of elemental essence and low defense. But as long you give her enough time she will kill anything that comes her way.

Havier is a bowman. Surprisingly, he has Light elemental essence. Light and Darkness elements are considered to be very weak in the early stages, but later on, with appropriate training, they become so overpowered that not many can deal with them.

Jackson. He had fire elemental essence. The most stereotypical Martial artist there can be.

They were a team for a few weeks now, but they knew each other before, attending the same university previously. They can't be considered to be veterans, but some experience is better than none.

We all met the next day in front of the Monster Control Association building. Inside we each picked up Goblin subjugation mission. Everyone was given a body camera, a satellite phone and a map of the terrain. And in the case of Jackson, he also got a simple enhanced item, its only use was to make water, in case he puts anything on fire.

Body cameras are the best way to confirm the kills. And a satellite phone in case of emergencies, but help won't be free of charge.

Then we headed towards the Hunting Ground. Before entering everyone needed to identify at the outpost, this is done to make sure that everyone is kept track of. Finally, after that, we entered the Hunting Grounds themselves.

Algonquin Provincial Hunting Ground is considered to be one of the safer ones, with only weaker kind of monsters. It is mostly forest and some lakes with the most common monster here being goblins. With a general shape of a monkey, tail, fangs, moving on all fours, but hairless and having green skin. They are considered to be one of the easiest to kill monsters.

Being stronger than an average man, by themselves or in small groups are not much of a problem. Only if a horde forms they become troublesome. And coupled with their high reproduction rate, the general practice is to kill them on sight. Missions are always up to kill them, giving a lot of people work.

And their commonness showed, as five or so minutes after entering the forest, we met a group of four. Unlike normal animals, their perception is terrible making them easy to sneak up to. Slowly approaching them, we got into a formation, Marcus at the front and Jackson right behind him. Then it was me with Lilly and Havier, protecting them, in case the goblins go past Marcus and Jackson.

First to act was Marcus, with his shield protecting him, he charged forward. Knocking into the group of goblins, he gathered all of their attention. I could hear Lily murmuring something, and Havier nocking an arrow.

'Buzz, ZAP'