Unsafe Working Conditions : A He Who Fights With Monsters 6+ Companion Story

Chapter 13 - Savage and Hungry

 Liam and Henri observed as they waited, there was a tension and urgency in the air. With the way they were ushered through the gate, it was apparent they were in the middle of something. Suddenly, there was an explosion and light that was more like a liquid flowing across the tops of the buildings. Their sounds of fighting could be heard from the direction they had walked in from. Liam watched their guard, the sound of fighting was loud enough they could hear the syllables of commands being shouted but not the words themselves, the guard watched them in turn. Holding his weapon at his side he was completely relaxed, while the sounds of fighting rose and fell he remained unperturbed.

The fighting continued for several hours, throughout which the guard remained calm, occasionally an explosion would shake the surroundings and he would make a visual inspection of the buildings. As the fighting began to die down Liam spoke up, "Is it normal to fight like this? You seem rather calm despite all of the noise." Henri had already leaned back and began to snore, he had consumed a lot of mana to keep the transport working and on course during the night, that was before having to run from the swarm.

"This is uncommon, there was a large BioConstruct near prion death that intersected with a Voip swarm. The discharge seems to have enabled its fight response which is what you are hearing. Judas is our Station Chief and has engaged the creature to lure it away from us." The guard's manner of speech was such that there was no doubt in his safety or the superiority of the station chief.

"What can you tell me about this place? You called Judas a Station Chief, what does that mean?" Liam started to pepper the guard with questions now that he had opened up. The guard was very friendly while he chatted, without giving up any sensitive information.

Liam learned that the gate that they passed through was the West entrance to one of the satellite stations of the Explorers Union. Judas was a Silver ranker, one of two, that were stationed here as part of a rotation program. The deputy chief is a fresh promotion who had reached the Silver rank during an incursion around a year ago. As they continued talking Liam was amazed at the similarity of the world and Earth. The units of time were the same with the exception of the months which were 73 days long and each ended with a lunar solstice which was visible by the moon's core emitting a burst of crimson light that completely engulfed it before receding.

"How gracious of you Carlos, I think that you should add them to your team as sherpa." The voice caused both Liam and the guard whose name was apparently Carlos to turn. The giant Ursanthrope was leaning against a nearby wall, his body was caked in soot and what looked like glitter. "What's your name?'' The imposing posture and nature of the source did not match the easy going tone.

"I am Liam and the sleeping one is Henri,'' Liam answered for both as Henri didn't even stir, the side effects of overdrawing his mana combined with the after effects of using a spirit coin had put him in a near coma.

"We watched you lure that BioConstruct into the swarm and then run straight here, was that luck or skill?" The jovial voice was accompanied with a fierce gaze.

"Luck, we didn't even know it was following us." Liam did not hesitate to answer.

Judas nodded and straightened from the wall to walk up to Liam. The man was already intimidating from a distance and when he was at arm length he was downright oppressive. He was politely holding his aura in check, but the intensity was palpable in proximity.

"Would you allow me to inspect your aura and ask a few questions? If you agree we can put you and your friend, once he is questioned and inspected, into rooms." Judas was friendly despite the intense persona.

Liam maintained eye contact while he thought, if someone were to inspect his aura and thereby his soul they would be invading his person. He weighed the choice before answering, "I will allow you but know that my soul is recovering. I experienced some sort of trauma and might react involuntarily. For Henri I will not answer for him and if you try while he is unconscious I will protect him." His gaze did not waver despite the feelings that fought within him. He guessed that Judas was probably able to read his emotions, even his fragmented memories told him his aura control was dismal.