Chapter 37 Shadow Lizards

Time passed, Mercury and the other hostages have been in Tenebrosity for over a year at this point. Weaving Metal called Mercury into her office.

“Greetings Teacher.” {Mercury}

“…”

“What?” {Mercury}

“We have a problem. The Cultivators from Luminescence are wanting to explore more of Tenebrosity.” {Weaving Metal}

“Is that not a good thing?” {Mercury}

“The problem is that they want to go on missions, not just visiting places. Their safety cannot be guaranteed. Which cannot be done because of the agreement.” {Weaving Metal}

“What are your thoughts on this?” {Weaving Metal}

“Why mine?” {Mercury}

“I think you would have the best thoughts on what to do.” {Weaving Metal}

“…”

“I think that overall letting them go on missions while reducing danger would be the best.” {Mercury}

“I agree with you, but how should it be done?” {Weaving Metal}

“Small groups with a higher level Cultivator from Tenebrosity to act as a guard and guide.” {Mercury}

“Do you think that will work? Would they trust each other?” {Weaving Metal}

“If they want to go on missions, then it would be the best thing to do.” {Mercury}

“I am still reluctant to just send people out.” {Weaving Metal}

“How about each mission is once or twice a month? And to qualify for the mission to need to be tested on their knowledge of the area you would be going to.” {Mercury}

“That way each Cultivator can know the area and decide if they want to go or not. And we can better manage which ones are leaving. Good idea.” {Weaving Metal}

“But still such a system may not be popular with Cultivators who prefer their freedom when doing missions.” {Weaving Metal}

“We can make the first mission a show of sorts. Have the first area be randomly picked from a list during the day of the test. Create the expectation of surprises and unease. Reinforce this on the mission. That way the people will be happy that an experienced person is with them.” {Mercury}

“But still, what if people think it is a trap?” {Weaving Metal}

“I could go on the first mission with everyone. Everyone already knows how much you value me.” {Mercury}

“That still shows the first problem, how dangerous it can be. Even at the best of times we cannot control all danger.” {Weaving Metal}

“Can you contact the Sacred Light Sect and get their option? That way we can work out the details better and get their permission.” {Mercury}

“I think I will have to.” {Weaving Metal}

The next day Weaving Metal announced to the students about the plan for missions. They would be held once a month with only the top scorers being able to go. The first one would be for a Low Mortal Core level area chosen at random from a list. If the first few missions went well, more would be sent out at the same time in the future.

With the Coffee Wars over, this became the next big news in the school. Many of the Luminescence Cultivators read up on all the areas that could be chosen. Some went out of their way to ask the Tenebrosity Cultivators at the school about their experiences in them to get a firsthand account. Mercury was no different and studied up on each area. Clover on the other hand only studied the areas with Earth Qi. Mercury just accepted that other areas would not be the best for Clover to fight in.

The day for the test quickly came. Many people gathered for which area would be announced. Each person would be called into a room where they would be told the chosen area. That way the tester can ask the questions without other people interfering and the person could not attempt last second studying. For fairness Mercury also did the test, but with his memory he passed easily. The area chosen was known as the outer area of Juvenile’s Jungle. Or its full name of Juvenile Shadow Lizard Jungle.

Juvenile’s Jungle is a rainforest like environment where Shadow Lizard Monsters can lay their eggs. While there are many animals and plants the Shadow Lizards are the main thing to worry about. The Shadow Lizard is the monster species most closely associated with Tenebrosity. There are many sub species related to the Qi Affinity that they are born with. Which is normally Darkness and one other. They can blend into the environment and the closer their Affinity with that  environment the more easily they can do so. The higher their Cultivation the better they can hide as well as strength, speed, etc.

The Juvenile’s Jungle is where the juveniles will live until they reach a high enough Cultivation base, typically Low Nascent Soul. They are born with Foundation Establishment Base Cultivation and will normally live in the outer areas, going deeper as they reach Mortal Core. They normally will not attack first unless they can be sure they can kill their target. There are more places around Tenebrosity where they will lay their eggs but Juvenile’s Jungle is where Wood Affinity Shadow Lizards will do so, hoping their offspring will also be of the Wood Affinity.

After the all the tests were finished, Mercury was lead to a room with several people. Weaving Metal was there with five others.

“Now that everyone is here, you five have the best scores of the participants. If you do not want to go on this mission, speak now.” {Weaving Metal}

“…”

“The mission will start in five days. Prepare wisely. I will hand over this meeting to your guide, Ivy. I believe she will be the best guide for this area.” {Weaving Metal}

“Greeting everyone. My name is Ivy. I am not only a Nascent Soul Cultivator but also one who Cultivates Wood and Water, as well as having deep knowledge of Juvenile’s Jungle. Let’s start by having everyone introduce yourselves. Say your name, your Cultivation, and your Elements… Element.” {Ivy}

“I am Radiant Kindling. I have a Middle Mortal Core Cultivation. I, of course, use Fire.” {Kindling}

“I am Root. Also, Middle Mortal Core. Wood.” {Root}

“I am Pond. Low Mortal Core. Water” {Pond}

“I am Rain. Low Mortal Core. Also, Water.” {Rain}

“I am Mer” {Mercury}

“I think everyone knows who you are.” {Kindling}

“Is this what everyone thinks?” {Mercury}

“I mean… yeah.” {Root}

“Your fight with Radiant Torch was seen by basically everyone.” {Rain}

“He goes by Felix now.” {Mercury}

“He should go by Disgrace.” {Kindling}

“What?” {Pond}

“You said your name was ‘Radiant’? Are you part of the Radiant Family?” {Mercury}

“No body would dare use it if they were not.” {Kindling}

“Then how do you feel about Felix being burned? How do you justify it?” {Mercury}

“TORCH was undeserving. He was given everything handed to him. So, what if he got burned a little. He survived, didn’t he? Besides, it was his father do did it. I also remember that someone else here was also his bastard.” {Kindling}

“…”

“I will not fight with you on his. We have a mission to do first.” {Mercury}

“Good. You are too weak to fight me anyway.” {Kindling}

“Kindling, you all are a team for this. You cannot fight.” {Ivy}

“…”

“Understood.” {Kindling}

“Good, I have already made a list of things that you all should get for the mission. We will meet in the morning in five days. Any questions or concerns?” {Ivy}

“No, after coffee was sold, I think everyone finally was able to sleep properly. Which would have been our only problem.” {Root}

“Good.” {Ivy}

The days came and went. It was time. Mercury and the others meet at the Teleportation Formation. The group quickly made it to the city close to the Juvenile’s Jungle. As they arrived at the overgrown jungle, they reviewed the mission.

“Pond, what is the mission objective?” {Ivy}

“Each one of us need to hunt a Shadow Lizard of at least the High Foundation Establishment level.” {Pond}

“Good. Kindling, how long should this mission take?” {Ivy}

“No longer than two days… If some people do not slow us down.” {Kindling}

“Do not start a fight.” {Ivy}

“Did everyone bring what I said you should?” {Ivy}

“Yes.” {Group}

“Good, then we will begin.” {Ivy}

They stepped into the jungle. Each step landed on large plants and leaves. They had to take out large knifes or swords to cut though the vegetation. The canopy blocking what light did come from the moon. Kindling lead while Ivy watched from behind. Mercury kept looking around, stopping on certain trees before looking around again.

(“Mercury, what is it?”) {Ivy}

(“I think I see some but they are not the required level.”) {Mercury}

(“How did you find them so easily?”) {Ivy}

(“I don’t know just…”) {Mercury}

“Found one.” {Mercury}

“What?” {Root}

“Straight ahead, on that thinker tree around halfway up, there is one of our targets.” {Mercury}

“Ha, like we would believe that you would be the first one to find it.” {Kindling}

“He is right. There is one there. Who want to be the first one to fight it?” {Ivy}

“…” {Kindling}

“How strong is it?” {Root}

“Just barely High Foundation Establishment. Perfect for Rain or Pond.” {Mercury}

“What about you?” {Rain}

“Everyone knows I have a few tricks. I will be fine waiting for another one.” {Mercury}

“Okay, I will go.” {Rain}

“Be careful. {Pond}

Rain slowly creeped up while everyone else watched on. Rain threw two knives. One where the lizard was at and one above where it is. The lizard already facing down, went down the tree to avoid the knife, leading it closer to Rain. Before Rain could attack again, it shot its tongue out hoping to grab and pull Rain in. Rain quickly pulled out a pill and let the tongue grab it instead. The lizard had no chose but to take it as its tongue came back. It quickly felt dizzy as the poison in the pill took effect. Rain threw another knife and it landed on the lizard. Rain quickly started to climb the tree to get the corpse and their knives.

“Good. One down. Let’s move on. Mercury want is wrong?” {Ivy}

After Rain attacked, Mercury felt that someone, something, was watching them. As the battle finished, it only watched and did not interfere.

“Nothing. Let’s go.” {Mercury}

The group quickly found and killed several other lizards. Only Mercury was the one without a kill. Mercury felt the feeling of being watched all the while. The group made their way through the jungle until Mercury found another target. But this one felt different. Mercury felt the lizard was somehow darker, yet more colorful than the others he felt.

“I found another one. Ahead. Slightly to the left.” {Mercury}

Mercury felt the gaze tighten on him.

“Mercury, are you sure? I do not feel anything.” {Ivy}

“Never mind. I do not feel it anymore. Must have been my mistake.” {Mercury}

“Humf” {Kindling}

The gaze seemed to focus even more on Mercury.

“Let’s move on.” {Mercury}

As the group moved, Mercury felt another lizard.

“Is this one fine?” {Mercury}

“Yes, this one looks good.” {Ivy}

(“You can feel me?”) {???}

(“I can feel your gaze.”) {Mercury}

(“Then you did see her.”) {???}

(“I did but did not want to upset you.”) {Mercury}

(“Smart child. Then you may live.”) {???}

(“Thank you for your leniency.”) {Mercury}

“Mercury, what is wrong?” {Ivy}

“Just preparing myself.” {Mercury}

“Too mentally weak.” {Kindling}

“Kindling, enough.” {Ivy}

Mercury readied his bow. He used a physical arrow to avoid overusing his Aura.

“I seek the Light.” {Mercury}

Mercury hand glowed with a bright light that illuminated the area. The group and what lizards were around were blinded.

“I seek the Colors of Gray and Green. The front may pierce and the back may fly.” {Mercury}

The Aura transferred into the arrow. The front half shined with Gray, and the back half shined with Green. Mercury fired the arrow and it hit the tree just above where the target lizard was. The arrow went right through the tree.

“You missed.” {Kindling}

The lizard, knowing that its life was being threatened, ran down the tree and took cover in the underbrush. Mercury took out his knife and walked to where the lizard was. Mercury felt the lizard scurry around him. The lizard fired its tongue at Mercury. Mercury grabbed it with his hand and with his other he swung his knife at the tongue.

“I seek the Orange. I seek the Poison of Wood.” {Mercury}

Mercury’s knife plunged into the tongue and a poisonous Aura spread into it. The lizard quickly died and Mercury recovered the body. The gaze was still watching well he did it.

The group not wanting to camp started heading back.

(“Child. You missed on purpose.”) {???}

(“I gave it a chance to fight or flee.”) {Mercury}

“…”

(“I will remember you.”) {???}

The group made it back to the school fairly quickly and nothing happened on the way back. Only once Kindling was alone in his room did he contact Radiant Firelight.

(“Family Head, you requested me to report.”) {Kindling}

(“Yes. What is your report?”) {Radiant Firelight}

(“Mercury is a push over. Dumbass even gave away his position and still missed his target with his first shot. He had to fight with his knife to kill it.”) {Kindling}

(“Good. I knew I could trust you with this task.”) {Radiant Firelight}

(“Thank you, Family Head. I do not deserve this praise.”) {Kindling}

(“I will have another task for you in the future. For now, keep your head low and observe. Wait for my instructions.”) {Radiant Firelight}

(“Understood.”) {Kindling}

Back in his office, Radiant Firelight was staring at his long distance communication jade.

“Mercury. It seems that you are a bigger thorn in my side then I thought. Your Formation stunt has got both sides truly talking for the first time… But… that just means that you have a bigger target on your back… Now just to wait for the right moment.” {Radiant Firelight}

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Thank you for reading.