A rare meeting

I walk briskly with Aera and Aegis to finish my survey request. I have already left the city and am on my way to the survey site. I can't read a map that well but Aera has already pinpointed the location.

I am taking my sweet time. Because I won't actually survey the whole area. It would be too tiring. Rather, Aera will do the actual survey.

Obviously because she can scan it and make a map of it. She can also locate the living beings as well as threats. Having someone like Aera is pretty handy at times like these.

"Master, we will reach our destination in 5 minutes." (Aera)

"We are here then! How about we take a break first? You don't need much time to do the survey, right?"

"No. I have already completed the survey. As of now, I don't sense any threats in this entire area. I have searched the underground as well." (Aera)

"If you say so. Now, let's take a break. This area is a bit plain and the wind feels nice."

I make a cloth with . It's really handy, having . Aera and Aegis sat down. I am planning on sitting as well when I notice something.

(System, is someone spying on us?)

(Yes. Although Aera didn't notice it because the person spying isn't actually a threat but they are nonetheless spying on you.) (System)

(Who is the spy?)

(The person you saw.) (System)

I see. I had pushed that into a corner of my mind but it seems, they noticed me.

"Aegis, deploy a barrier."

"Eh…master, what kind of barrier?" (Aegis)

Ah…true. She can deploy many kinds now.

"The one which blocks perception from outside."

Aegis deployed a barrier. Before, it looked like a transparent film but now, it's completely invisible. But I can sense it.

All perception from outside should be blocked. What will they do?

I sit down and relax. Besides, I don't have to overthink. If it boils down to fighting, I am more than happy.

"Master, why did you erect a perception blocking barrier?" (Aera)

She hasn't noticed, just as I thought.

"We are being watched. The perpetrator isn't harboring any ill will at the moment but I took some precautions."

"For you to notice while I am actively searching for enemies in 5 kilometers radius. Just as I would expect from master." (Aera)

She misunderstood but I can't tell her about System. I just stay quiet and wait for the real person to show up.

Who would have thought, some of them would be here? I notice a presence.

"Come out, your camouflage doesn't work."

The person in question is trying their best to hide. However, I can see through any and all falsehood with my . Kidding! I can just sense their mana. It's hidden but if you have it becomes meaningless.

Aera and Aegis became stiff. They hadn't noticed as well. I don't blame them.

"How did you notice me?"

They canceled their camouflage. I canceled my barrier as well. We come face to face. She couldn't see me. Just using her intuition, she located where I was.

She is someone who should be dead. And she did die. How she is here, on Jupiter? Is it a coincidence?

Nay, this is a well orchestrated plan. I have already figured it out. But the person in question, her, is still in the dark.

"Been a while, eh? How've you been, Monica?"

I ask her. Name: Monica. She was one of the students at my elementary school and a witness to my crime, I guess. She got the best look when I stabbed that pedophile and the first one to faint.

"What are you doing here, Clive?" (Monica)

She has become cocky. Before she couldn't even look me in the eyes. But now, she is looking me in my eyes. Maybe because, she got some blessings.

To sum it up, it's a cliché. The gods killed everyone and reincarnated some in another world to become their pawns in exchange for blessings. How old and beat up is this plan?

"Monica, just because you have a divine blessing doesn't mean you have the right to be cocky and spy on others."

"Answer my question. How are you here? Only 30 of us were chosen. You are not one of them. How are you here? How did you notice me?" (Monica)

She brings out a black sword from her item box.

"Master, should I kill this annoying and disrespectful woman?" (Aera)

"No. Calm down. I don't want to kill another human. Not someone I know if I can avoid it. Let me just incapacitate her."

I release my mana. I got a good idea of how much mana she has. It's disappointing. It's even less than Fay when I first met her. Fay has become even stronger than that time thanks to my influence, I guess!

The mana in my body is akin to a natural disaster. The wind started howling and clouds gathered to make a dark scene.

Like a rising storm, wind enclosed me and swirled around me. Monica is shivering. She has become pale. Her hands are shaking and her sword has already slipped out.

That's enough, I think? I stop my mana and everything goes back to normal. So having this much mana will interfere with the natural mana to create supernatural phenomenons. I take note of that.

"You get it? I came here on my own. Not because I died."

But she isn't answering. She is foaming from her mouth and I believe she is unconscious.

"Such a hassle. Aera, search for a place where people with powers similar to her are gathered. Then teleport her there with a message."

"Yes, master. Located, it's the castle. What message should I send master?" (Aera)

"I will send it to you telepathically. Make sure to heal her a bit as well. I don't want to damage her psyche."

I sent her the message and she was teleported. Now, let's focus on finishing this quest. It's going to get busy once they get the message. I will probably withdraw a bit of from System.