Chapter 6: Cover Blown: Infiltrating the Kannon

I had just teleported to one of the highest branches in the forest that granted me a great view of the village and the plan was in motion. I adjusted the Light Sphere to its maximum brightness and got their attention. For once, the plan was going the way I wanted. That was until the branch started to creak and eventually snapped. I brought the Light Sphere with me as I fell down from 50 feet in the air with each branch and twig breaking my fall on the way down.

I landed on the floor and grunted in pain while I laughed at myself for a moment. Then the soldiers started rapidly entering the forest. I instantly got back on my feet and ran in the other direction. They started firing at me because they focused on the direction of the Light Sphere I had following behind me. In order to become a threat, I had to engage in combat, so I sent the Light Sphere elsewhere as I hid atop the trees.

The soldiers traveled in packs so I waited for one who had been alone. I waited for a larger group of soldiers to pass while the lone soldier was trying to catch up. When he was a good distance from the rest, I jumped behind him and struck his head to knock him down instantly. I swiftly equipped his gear and hid his body as I caught up to the group and passed myself off as one of their own.

The others were keeping watch of the front and sides while I watched the back. Because of my role in this group, I could see that they didn't send anyone else into the forest. This was a great opportunity for me to take care of this group and attract the others into the forest, leaving the villagers alone.

One of the equipments that I stole was a belt for artifacts, almost like a grenade belt. One of these artifacts allowed me to concuss anyone within a small area. I let them lead the group further and further away before I threw the artifact towards the center of their formation. A bright flash appeared and they were all abruptly concussed.

I stood there satisfied by my own plan before I snapped back into reality. In which case, I dropped my weapons, turned off the Light Sphere, and quickly ran out of the forest yelling for help. I grab the soldier's attention as I make my way out of the forest.

The captain takes notice of me and asks, "What's wrong, soldier?" I point in the direction of the forest and warn them about a man with a level five artifact. They all looked at me disturbingly, like I was psychotic or something, while the captain ran to alert the commander. The commander questioned the credibility of the claim but sent his men into the forest anyway. This bothered me deeply.

I ran towards the trucks while everyone gathered in front of the forest, everyone but the commander. I had successfully drawn the soldiers away from the villagers but now, I was in trouble. I desperately searched through one of the truck's stashes and found nothing but level two artifacts and Teleporter Beads. As I was about to give up, I saw Roger from the corner of my eye. He was climbing out of the well and tried to sneak his way towards one of their trucks.

"Roger! What are you doing!?" I quietly whisper to myself.

I quickly made my way around the truck in an attempt to stop Roger but I stopped once I saw the commander. He had seen Roger coming out of the well also, he was on his way to investigate him. At this point, I panicked. I had nothing but a Teleporter Orb on myself and I couldn't find an artifact that'd be useful.

I stopped for a second and thought of something else, something crazy. I didn't have time to waste thinking about the repercussions, I just wanted to save Roger at this point. I made my way back to the Teleporter Beads and used one. My plan here was to infiltrate one of the Kannon's bases and return with something that'd change the tide of the situation.

After crushing a Teleporter Bead, I found myself at the barracks in one of their bases. I took out my Teleporter Orb and took note of the time limit on it. The orb said '1' meaning that I could teleport in one minute. I had to be careful with the orb because it had a five-minute timer after each usage.

I looked out of the window and saw a large white building at the center of the grounds. Assuming that the white building was the main building, I left the barracks and tried to find my way to the main building. I silently rushed to the main building through clean-cut bushes while I constantly checked over my shoulder in case my cover was blown, but it was silent.

I couldn't see any soldiers near the barracks and I couldn't find anyone near the front of the main building. I carefully make my way up the steps in the front and open one of the doors on the side. I peeked through the cracks and found no one. Confused, yet relieved, I open the door wider and investigate the interior of the main room. At the center of the room, a beautiful staircase going up, and priceless objects are displayed around. While I look at the decor of the building, a maid startles me from behind.

"Soldier, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out with the commander?"

"Yes, but he sent me back to get an artifact. It's urgent." I replied, flabbergasted and nervously.

"An artifact?" The maid questioned me with a doubtful look.

"What is he asking for my dear?" Another maid, one with a different uniform, from atop the staircase asks. I claim that the commander demands an artifact and the maid from the staircase gives me the same dubious look.

"Really? Already?" The maid made sharp eye contact with me and doubted my every word.

Concerned that they wouldn't believe me, I confidently said, "Please, he needs it right away." Both of the maids made eye contact with each other then back at me. Their attitudes changed rather quickly and they started to look anxious. The maid on the staircase apologized and offered to show him the way at once. Still bewildered by the confrontation, he carefully follows her.

She steadily rushes through the hallways, almost like her life depended on it, and continues to apologize for the previous engagement. This whole time I mind my own business while observing the building and its layout. We reach the commander's office and she politely offers me to enter first, then makes her way to his desk after closing the door on her way in. She activates a button underneath one of the drawers behind the desk then makes her way to each bookshelf. She pulls on different books here and there from each shelf located in different corners. I try to memorize this 'secret code' but there is too much for me to even comprehend.

"Sir, it's ready." She politely says and gestures towards the center of the carpet.

A secret vault underneath his office opens up, but one artifact in particular, is securely displayed and rises to the surface of the floor. It was a golden crown, a level five artifact. And underneath the display case, a label that reads: "Level 5: Wukong's Curse"