THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

In the early night. After everyone went to sleep and the dorm is completely silent and dark. I put on the chainmail and the black clothes we received from Frankher as well as the chain tag he gave us. Those tags have numbers on them and are supposed to be used for identification in case we meet our end during a mission. Frankher told us they also contain poison in case of emergency. So that we wouldn't be able to divulge any info.

As I get out of the dorm through the window, I can hear the heartbeat of somebody below me.

"You ready?"

As soon as I land, the shadow figure of Peter appears from the dark. There is no moon in the sky today so everything is really dark. I don't particularly have a problem, though.

"Yes, let's go.."

We get out of the academy and the town by jumping through roofs. Then we meet the two knights outside the city. They had already taken K'nor from the pet's house during the day so that it wouldn't look suspicious.

"Woof!"

When I arrive, he comes to me and licks the mask on my face a bit.

"Okay, guys. Our objectives are simple: We infiltrate the cave, find out what is happening there, retrieve some proofs and get out. We mustn't engage in battles unless it's absolutely necessary."

"Sir…"

"Yes, I know. If we can, we will recover the tags of our fallen comrades as well. Master will then handle the rest. Are we clear?"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Let's move out!"

***

We run through the forest like ghosts, even K'nor is somehow is making barely any noise. He must understand that we can't be discovered. You are really the best K'nor.

As we are reaching the location, I feel something. That weird feeling, just like when I first fought the Longinus.

"There is a powerful one here."

"Yeah, I think so too, Cissa."

The sensation is stronger than that time as well. Should I report it? K'nor suddenly stops, making us do the same. He was a bit ahead of us all.

"What is it?"

"I think he felt something. There must be something ahead."

I answer Esteban while reaching K'nor and patting his head. His ears are dressed up and all his attention is focused in front of him.

"I see. Peter, Pedro, support."

Peter and Pedro immediately fly to nearby trees and disappear in the dark. Then Esteban, K'nor, and I advance slowly. As we do, we see two corpses cleaved in two, resting on a trunk.

"Tch! Spread out."

Esteban gives his orders then goes to the right. I can feel the crystal of the Longinus in front of me so I continue that way. Then I finally find it: a dog-like dark monster, with a sort of orb sticking out of his dog face, and longs fangs on his arms and legs. A Longinus SLOIN.

It is silently munching on something. Like a bone, holding it with its sharp fangs.

"Human…Bone...No tasty."

It talked?!! That's the first time I see a Longinus talked. The Longinus turns in my direction and as it sees me, tries to scream. I launch my raizen before that and it hits the orb of his head. The book said that it was his only weak point. It fades gradually, leaving a crystal that is rounder than the others I have seen so far. It is glowing as well, a brighter glow.

Esteban comes to me and pats my shoulder. Then, we continue advancing, watching out for other Longinus in the area.

***

Ten minutes later, we have killed three Longinus Sloins. Pedro and I killed one while Peter and Esteban killed the other one. It seems they were the ones who killed all the other guys.

"Regroup."

We all meet in front of a sort of cavern, or more like a crack on a hill's side. Esteban doesn't look calm at all. His breathing is rough, he is almost panting. But he isn't sweating though.

"The situation is worse than I thought. To meet Sloins here is a bad omen, a very bad one."

You can say it again. I can feel at least ten or so Longinus beneath our feet now.

"Then we should retreat, right? If they are here, it's proof that they are cooperating with someone. Sir Frankher said to retreat in this case." Pedro seems even more scared than him.

"It's not enough to retreat. We need sure proofs like documents to back up our investigation."

"But…"

"Are you afraid?" Peter, you didn't have to ask him that, you know.

"Of course! Longinus aren't easy to deal with and we are only three and a dog."

"Hey. I am here as well!" The fuck is this guy's problem?!!

"Oh, please, somebody who can only physical Angas won't be of help."

"Enough. Kevin, leave your wolfider outside to guard the entrance just in case. We all go in."