Confrontation

A/N: Yo, I already changed the notice to chapter 16, so if you haven't read that yet, check it out.

It was at dawn when they arrived at the forest.

"We are here. Being able to fly sure is convenient" Mary said up in the air with Zhang Xiu's flying sword.

As swift as they could the remaining member of the groups started descending back to the ground. One by one they carefully descended.

Mary, who was used to this fast descent was unfazed by the fall. He could fly generally before he returned to Earth so this was normal. But, for the people in the group, it was not.

"It looks like it's not your first time being able to fly while riding the sword." A person in the group asked provocatively.

Still feeling guilty for the deaths of the other members, Mary decided to stay silent and not answer. Because the members of the group came from another world he couldn't save them with the emergency spell as it considered them as intruders.

Noticing Mary's silence, the group member started to get annoyed.

"Tsk."

Zhang Xiu saw the group member's annoyance and decided to speak out.

"He already decided to help us without having something to return. So, just be grateful that you survived and live in the name of those that died. I can't forgive him either but it was also my fault, so if you want to be annoyed be annoyed at me too."

"But Zhang Xiu, He-"

"No buts! It already happened, focus on retrieving Qi'er for now. The more you think about the past the more it would bite you back. We're about to arrive at the ground"

As there arrived at the ground the swords used returned to either the group's space rings or their sheathes.

Jumping off the flying sword, Mary stretched out his leg. Sensing the air of the familiar forest he breathes.

*breathe in* *Breathe out*

'Just like Zhang Xiu said, I should just focus on retrieving Shea back. Although it's quite a bummer that I can't come with them to return, it's not like that was my only option.

'As long as I get some mana back, I don't care about using some different methods.'

Maru started stretching not just his legs. Noticing him, Zhang Xiu began to approach.

"You know how to get to that rift right? Can you please help us get there?"

Looking at her confused, Mary said.

"Didn't you guys scan this area first before you know, looking for Shea?"

"First off we were getting chased so we didn't have enough time to scan the area. Second, I'm using this as a chance for you and my group to make up. I can't just have the death of others ruin the mentality of our group as a team."

Mary looked at her and started thinking. But before it could get long he immediately decided.

"If you say so, then why not."

"Good, just don't disappear this time. Remember this, I'm watching your every move. And, if you ever think of disappearing again this time I would hunt you till the end of the universe if I have to" said Zhang Xiu threateningly as she turns around, to say something to the group but before she gets there she stopped. To her irony, she remembered something that made her return to Mary even after the threat.

"Just before we went off you said that your mana or in our terms your 'qi' is depleting. How are you going to fight with such a small amount left?" Awkwardly whispered by Zhang Xiu

Seeing her actions, Mary couldn't help but laugh.

"Hahaha. You don't need to worry, fighting with magic spells isn't the only thing I could do. Plus, it's not like this small amount of mana can't do something." Said Mary confidently.

"Are you sure about that? As a leader, I can't do anything but worry since it seems like there would be some strong enemies ahead."

Zhang Xiu looked toward the looming darkness of the forest. Behind the darkness of the forest, a dark and Gorey aura was inside it. If it were put in the demon ranking, it would be an aura of someone in the feared tier.

"Are you worried about me?" Mary said while he looks at her teasingly

"What? No! I don't want you to die before you can repay me! Gee, what is going on inside your mind" Zhang Xiu said while trying to hide her shame.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. So, do you know anyone that could be waiting for us behind the darkness of this forest? Someone who you know that could be as strong as a feared tier demon?"

"There's only one demon that I know of, and it's not going to be good fighting them."

"Why do you think so? Is he that strong? if so I need to rethink my fight here..."

"It's not that his strong, it's his way of fighting that's going to make this hard. If I remember correctly, he could make the enemy weaker and himself even stronger. Are you sure you could fight someone like him?"

"A debuffer that could buff himself huh? This could get interesting..." Said Mary as he started to think of options to fight an enemy like that.

'A feared rank, someone that strong would be hard to fight with my current status. Especially now, since my mana is low. But, my low mana is something that isn't useless at all. Even a small drop of mana could be used for something. It would seem like I would need to use my permission later from the looks of it.'

"Heh," Mary smiled.

"I'm going to remind the group now, prepare to go."

After a while, the group finished their preparations to head out. Being the only one with the ability to use detections, Mary was leading the group.

"Three demons straight of us. two low tier, and one medium tier."

"Understood, you two go first. Take care of those three and hurry back. We can't waste time."

"Yes ma'am"

Mary called out the enemy's location using the detection spell to scan the area. From the callouts, Zhang Xiu would lead the team and pick the most fitted person to fight the enemy detected. This way, all of the enemy was executed precisely.

"There's 3 on the right ready to flank us and 4 straight of us. All low tier high level."

"Okay. You 2 take care of the right, the others go on the front and take care of the 3 straight of us."

""Understood!""

Using this technique, they managed to arrive deep in the forest unscathed. No one was injured and most especially everyone still have energy to spare. Mary's detection spell made it easier for them to detect traps and avoid them while also telling the enemy's position. Because of this Zhang Xiu took advantage of it and started preparing counterattacks against the enemy's plan.

'This boy... Is actually really competent'

'Zhang Xiu is a good leader that's for sure. The way she easily broke the enemy's plan while leading a group of people while maintaining order between them was really good. No wonder she's the leader of this group'

All of them started going deeper and deeper into the forest. The enemy started to get harder to kill as their tier go up. However, that wasn't enough to stop them, and easily pierced through the demons.

"Everyone stop!" Yelled Mary

Hearing this, Zhang Xiu raised her right hand and the group following him all stopped with the signal.

Mary just now had detected an enemy stronger than the one that they faced off inside the forest. It was possible that this enemy was stronger than the long demonic reptile that they faced in Mary's neighborhood.

"Mary why did you stop," asked Zhang Xiu

Under the detection spell, Mary knew the plan of the monster. It would wait until they would pass by and easily wipe them off that's why he stopped them. However, the monster probably isn't stupid to notice that something is off.

"It's a Medium level high-tier. It's probably stronger than the one we faced off." Mary whispered

"Medium level high tier... As far as I know that reptile is the only one that was high-tier that was chasing us... Unless!"

"Everyone, duck!" Zhang Xiu screamed

Everyone followed her order without hesitation and ducked, including Mary. Then out of nowhere a scythe stuck in chains flew over their heads and destroyed all of the trees currently above them.

"I knew it! It was your feared-tier father that appeared in this forest! Mukoo!"

"Oh, so you already knew. How smart of you Zhang Xiu." a creature with goat-like horns on its head, a face that resembles that of a cow, and a half body like a human. Apparently, this creature's name is Muko as screamed by Zhang Xiu.

"Everyone spread out!" Ordered by Zhang Xiu. Everyone in the group started running in opposite directions from each other.

"Kekeke, just like how I like it." The demon said laughing.

"Now then. Time to hunt!!!"

-

A/N: Im really sorry for the late update, I'm still on vacation after all.