Scale of Reality

Blood Moon Forest: Part 9

Muji POV

"Damn it there's no end to these things!!"

Jax swung his axe once again, cutting up over 7 wolves in one swing. I cut down more of them as they fell over and died to my poison.

I let out a sigh and fell back, another wolf jumping at me. Ray showed up and pushed the wolf back, turning to around to face me.

"Scoundrel, you can't fall here. I haven't bested you in a duel."

I laughed a bit and stood back up, the two of us battling the army of wolves in front of us. After a long fought battle, everyone collapsed to take a break.

Even Ms Shimon looked a bit tired.

"Is everyone ok?"

"Yes mam!"

"Good! Don't sit on your assess too long or your legs will go stiff."

During the last 15 hours, we've experienced countless wolf attacks, all in great numbers too. We've had little time to rest, and my body was still sore from getting attacked by the werewolf.

At this point all I was doing was holding the party back...is what I would say if everyone else weren't tired as well.

Adjest could only use one arm, and everyone else were in the same condition as I, if not worse. Even the mana based class members got attacked a few times due to the main attackers being low on stamina and energy.

It was like something was deliberately making them consistently attack us. With every passing hour things were getting worse and worse, we wouldn't hold out much longer.

"Muji."

I looked to see Lapis standing beside me.

"Yeah?"

"Something weird is happening."

He looked around, I wondered what he was thinking about.

"These sound waves..."

"Sound waves?"

Lapis let out a sigh before yawning and laying down once again.

"What was that about?"

I ignored Lapis and walked over to Adjest.

"How are you holding up?"

She laughed weakly.

"Terribly. It's pretty hard to battle with one arm."

I looked at her other arm, it was currently being held up by an arm sling made by Iris.

"We'll be out of here this time tomorrow. We just need to hold on for a bit longer."

"Hopefully we can, without anyone dying."

I nodded.

"Hopefully."

"Heathen."

I looked up, Ray was standing there.

"What?"

"The party leader requested your audience."

"What?"

"He means Ms Shimon wants to talk to you."

I nodded and stood up, waving goodbye to Adjest. I headed over to Ms Shinmon, she seemed pretty calm even in the situation we were in.

I guess that's what real hunters were like.

"There you are kiddo, just the guy I was lookin for."

I nodded.

"What is it?"

Ms Shinmon scratched her head a bit.

"I'm choosing you because you seem like you'll be able to handle this information. I don't want anyone else panicking but I need some help here."

I raised an eyebrow.

"What's going on?"

"Since you all have never been on a hunt, I'm sure most of them didn't notice, but I'm confident you did."

"Notice what?"

"That these attacks aren't random."

I hummed.

"I had my suspicions."

"Well your suspicions are correct, they aren't. Awhile back when I was fighting two of the werwolves, they said something about an alpha figure. Ive never heard that term before, but it's safe to say that they were depending on this thing to kill us."

"So, you're saying that this alpha thing is leading the wolves to attack us?"

"I am. These attacks are too coordinated to be random. This means the alpha knows our position and it's purposely weakening us. If things goes according to its plan, we probably won't last."

I nodded, understanding the situation.

"Ok, but why tell me all of this? Me knowing won't change the outcome of everything. Why not tell everyone else so we can prepare?"

"Listen Muji, if I were to go and let those brats know they'd start running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I chose you because you seem to be the most trustworthy and calm individual here given our circumstances."

I nodded once again.

"But still...what does that-

"Muji, I'm going to fight the alpha, and someone will need to be party leader while I'm gone. If you all weren't in such poor condition, I'd bring you all with me but with my destructive mana type it's probably better I go in alone."

"Do you know where the alpha is?"

"I know the general area. I'll go and battle the wolves, so keep everyone safe."

"....Alright."

Ms Shinmon winked and dashed off without a trace, leaving me there. I let out a sigh and walked over to where everyone was resting, clearing my throat.

"Everyone listen up."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked to me, after succeeding in getting their attention I began to speak.

"Ms Shimon has left us here to go deal with the enemy forces and secure our survival. While that may sound wonderful, don't be so naive as to think we're safe. With Ms Shimon gone, our attack power has dropped significantly. Until she gets back, we need to protect ourselves without her. I will act as the party leader-

"Why do you get to be party leader?"

Zeke stepped up, his arrogance was annoying.

"I think I should be party leader!"

Everyone looked at Zeke and then back to me.

"Does anyone else think they're qualified to be party leader? If so, step forward so we can vote."

Mateo stepped up, his arm being held up in a sling as well.

"I believe I will be a much more capable party leader than you Muji."

I nodded.

"Like I said, were voting here. If you want me as your party leader, raise your hand."

Mya instantly raised her hand, Jax, Adjest, and Iris following up. Mari, Shanna, and Sky ended up raising their hands as well. Vas raised his hand after seeing his sister raise hers, and Lapis raised his hand as well, he was surprisingly still awake.

"Looks like I have 9 votes, meaning I already have the majority, making me the party leader. We voted, so I don't want to hear any objections. It's just until Ms Shinmon get's back anyway, so don't be throw a fit about it. Understood?"

"Yes Sir!"

"Good, now be ready to move out."