Chapter 2: Simple mission ?Mark eiing for duty“Apon hearing this, the rge man sitting in the back of the room stood up and walked towards Mark and Hilda.?It looks like everyones here. The’s start with a quitrodu.“ the man said while positioning himself in front of everyone in the room. He stood slightly taller than everyone else with short cut hair, crossing his arms behind his back.?I’m Boris Slowinski and I will serve as captain for this team during the mission. To crify, this mission is a simply escort and resathering mission. To that extent the higher-ups have decided to provide us with one of the trucks.“?Really?“?Sweet“?Thank god, we don’t have to run another marathon.“Hilda turo Mark with a fused face. ?Aren’t they exaggerating a little to much?“?Aah, you might not know but since fuel is very limited, we rarely use vehicles anymore. We’re used to walking everywhere, no matter if it is close or not“ Mark whispered.?Ahem, for this mission the head of botanical researd development will apany us. If you would give us a quitrodu“ Bave Hilda a nod.She took a few steps forword, standing besides Boris ?Hello everyone, my name is Hilda Rosenkranz and i’m the Head of botanical research as you’ve heard“ giving a small bow she tinued ?o work with you“?So she be professional, when she wants‘ Mark though to himself.?Do a final equipment check. We will set out shortly, so get motivated boys.“??Yes sir““A few mier the group were iruck passing through the settlement gate. As they exited, Hilda noticed all the raid-team members turning serious.?Alright, we’re outside. Mark keep your eyes open, everybody else be ready for a at moments notice“ Boris announced.?Yes sir“Hilda suddendly started getting nervous ?Is there … a problem? Are we getting attacked?“ she asked, her eyes darting bad forth lokking outside the wind to spot something.?Hm, oh no. This is just standart protoark answered from the passenger seat.?Mark is right“ Boris added ?You have to be careful, when you’re outside.“?But aren’t we just ouside the settlement?“?What do you see around you?“?The remnants of the city?“?Exactly, this is no longer our city. Look at all those broken doors and windows. Those are because of looters and animals. Once we’re outside the settelment it’s no longer safe.“?I … see“ Hilda shot a look towards Mark and saw him nod.Sileuro the truck, while the group tiraveling.Mark kept his eyes open for any signs of danger as the buildings of the city gave way to rowation.After the awakening the animals and the flora around the world suffered simir causualties, just like humans. Those that survived, however ged in many ways.The trees grew in size, creating a se that would have been unreal before. In just 1 year they had gone from an average of 20-30 meters to 50-60 meters.This too was one of the reasons raid teams were so cautios. The world around them was ging at a rapid pad they were doing their best to keep up.?What’s it look like Mark?“ the driver Sebastian asked.?Nothing so far, quiet on all sides“?Nothing at all?“?None, not even the small ones“?I see. Captain should I tinue like this?“?What’s our current speed?“?50 Km/h“?Drop down to 40 km/h, Mark as you were, everybody else keep watch of the perimeter“ boris ordered??Yes sir““?Uhm … isn’t it a good thing if nothings there?“ Hilda inquired.?Not quite. Animals are no longer scared of us like they used to, so if something made them run away, then we should be careful of that something.“?Captain, we’re now only 2 kilometers from our destinatioian interjected.?This could be a problem. You guys better be ready fht.“?Captain, I see movement up ahead“?Sebastian stop the truck, Mark descibe what you see“?I see two … no three threats walking on all fours. sidering their shape I would say es. If they’re es around this area … they must be dreadwolfs“?Their territory is close enough for them to wonder over here but for what reason?“ Sebastiaioned.?I heard the other team found this area because of some deer they huhis must be a group of scouts“ Mark replied.?… I have made my decisioio us closer. I will take them out iack before they notice us, while the rest of you protect miss Hilda. Keep your eyes open and make sure nothing ued happens“ Boris ordered.Ohey got closer, the truck stopped so Boris could step outside.?Is it alright to let him go alone? ’t you guys just just shoot those wolfes from the truck?“ Hilda asked Mark but Sebastian spoke first.?You really are out of the loop, huh?“?Since you’re part of the botanical team, you probably don’t know but we rarely use firearms anymore.“?Huh? But itelment-“?Yes, there are a few exceptions. They are the ones with prior experience like police officers or military members. However most raid team members use meele ons and newfound abilities.“?Mark is right.“ Sebastian added ? We ck the resources and mao massproduce firearms and ammunition. That’s why only a few people use them and those people are statioo defend the settlement.“?Why is captain Boing alohen?“ Hilda questioned again.?Because of the dreadwolfs ability [Intimidating roar]. It’s an ability that let’s them strike fear into their eo stop them from moving. It’s not particury strong on it’s own but when used as a group , they amplify each other making it many times stronger.“?Boris is in dahen“ Hilda excimed in shoot a problem, just watch the captian work“ Sebastian answered with a smug grin.?Look, he’s starting“While the versation iruck was happening, Boris had begun sneaking towards the dreadwolfs. Since he crouched to sneak, he used the ce to pick up a stone.He khat if he got to close, they would immediately sniff him out and gang up on him.Thus he would strike before they had a ce to. He observed them from behind a bush, watg as they got clheter.Once he was less than 100 meters away, he clutched the stone in his right hand and swung his arm.The storaveled in an ark through the air and nded with a thud behind the wolfes.As they turheir backs to Boris, he broke out into a full sprint towards them.5 seds, that’s how long it would take Boris to cover the distahe dreadwolfes took 2 seds to notice him and turn around. Then another 2 seds for them to take a deep breath and unleash an [Intimidating roar] in unison.Assured of their victory they stood motionless, like a deer in front of a car’s headlight as Boris kept charging at them. Just before impact Boris spread his arms, doing the pose of a flying riat. He kept his posture low, aiming for all three heads at once.CRACK!CRACK!CRACK!The bodies of the dreadwolfes flew back a few meters before ing to a stop. Their necks and spines were visibly twisted in ways that were painfully unnatural.Boris kept a close eye on the wolfes, only to watch them twite final time. Seeing this, Boris rexed and sighe true over.?What happehere?“ Hilda whispered in Mark’s ear.?That’s the captain’s ability [Wregball], it allows him to preserve momentum and bee a human wreg ball like the name says.““That’s incredible”“Yeah, it is but there are limit’s to his ability”?Nicely done, captiaian said leaning outside the truck’s window.?Yeah, what’s it look like Mark?“?The area is safe, captain“ Mark leapt out of the truck.?Good, it’s miss Hilda’s turn now“?Y-Yes“ Hilda hurried to leave the truck, only to trip over her ow. She closed her eyes thinking she’d hit the ground with her face.She felt her her body uandly e to a stop before hitting the ground.?You okay?“As she opened her eyes, she realized Mark had caught her. Their faces were close enough to feel each others breath on their skin.?Yo, are you hurt?“ Sebastian peaked his head out the trucks door.?I-I’m fihank you, Mark“ Hilda, who was still staring into Mark’s eyes, turned aut some distaween Mark and herself.Sebastian watched it all happen with a curios look as he stepped out.?Alright“ Boris adressed everybody ohey gathered outside ?We’re going to split up for this part. Sebastian and Stefan will stay and guard the truck, the rest grab a bucket and e with me.“?Captian, I switch with Oliver?“ Sebastian asked suddendlyBoris turo Oliver, prompting him to answer.?I don’t mind“ Oliver said.?Very well, then it’s settled. Stefan and Oliver stay. The rest e with me.“?Yes sir“…The group stood fbbergasted in front of a massive and weirdly shaped berrybush.Their destination was within eyesight of the truck, thus they had already seen it from afar but it gave off a different feeling up close.The bush stood alone, as if all other pnts were avoiding it, creating a circur area that was otherwise empty.It’s branches were oddly thid sprouted from the ground, twisting and turning like the tentacle of an octopus. There was no foliage ihe branches were adorned with thornes like a rose. At the end there was a batch of berries, with each berry being the size of a tennisball.?Now I uand why the higher ups were adamant about testiher this is ediable.“?Indeed“ Boris agreed ?Now then, miss Hilda, if you would“?Y-Yes, I’m on it“ Hilda took out a small testing kit from her backpad walked forward.As Mark was about to follow Hilda, Sebastian grabbed his shoulder from behind.?Hey, Mark. I’ve been meaning to ask, but are you and Hilda like … a thing?“?Huh? What do mean?“?I mean are you guys together?“?No, I just met her today.“?Hm, then you won’t mind if I shoot my shot?“?Do as you like“?Mark,e over here“ Hilda called.?What is it?“ Mark asked as he walked over.Hilda pointed up ?See the batch up there? I want you to give me a lift, so I reach it.“?Is there a point iing the ones up there?“?I want to pare different batches, so I get a better reading on them.“?I see, alright then“Once she collected the batches, Hilda started taking samples. Meanwhile Sebastian asked Hilda a bunch of questions about her work.Mark could’ve swor some point, that Hilda gave him a look as if to say [Get this guy of my back].After Sebastian’s little talk, Mark was now feeling rather awkward. Not knowing what to do, Mark debated with himself, until Hilda gave the results of the samples.Seeing as the berries were deemed ok for ption, the group began filling the buckets.Hilda wao take the whole bush at first, but the three men mao vice her otherwise.The whole ordeal took them nearly an hour and with buckets filled to the brim, the group headed back to the truck.Suddenly there was a rustle ing from the bushes, making everybody alert.?Found you, finally“?Julian? What are you doing here?“ Mark excimed in surprise.?What’s going on?“ Boris jumped iween.?Captian Boris, sorry for the disturbance“ Julian gave a quick salute.?No matter, what happened?“?Yes, our team was on a hunt-mission today, when we were ambushed by a pack of dreadwolfes“?Dreadwolfes? Captian, could it be…?“?Yeah, probably the pack those scouts beloo. tihe report.“?We hahe wolfes with minor hiccups. However it seems ht lured in a bigger predator.“?redator?“?A Behemoth bear“? That’s quite a problem“?The team te in a nearby cave but as long as the beast is around we’re going to need Mark’s ability to get them out safely.“?Captian“ Mark gave a small bow towards Boris ?Please let me go help the other team“Instead of Boris it was Hilda who spoke first.?Mark, that’s a behemoth bear we’re talking about“?I know but my best friend is part of that team and he needs my help“?Hm, we don’t have time for long discussions.“ Boris chided in.?Mark and I will go with julian to save the other Team. Sebastian will take temporarily take and. Make sure everyos home. Mark , Julia’s go.“??Yes sir““As the two groups split up, the three men broke into a sprint, running to the other team’s rescue.After a few minutes of running Julian spoke up.?Ohe forest stops we’ll be in dangerous territory. Up ahead is a good spot to stop and scout“Julian tinued running in front, while Mark was in the middle with Boris bringing up the rear.?We scout from there“ Julian pointed up ahead.Mark was about to slohen he felt a prig on the skin of his back. He immediatly extended his left arm ging to a tree like a monkey, using it to make a sharp 90° turn.He barely dodged, as he felt a force pass by behind him. He rolled on the ground twid stood up looking in front of him.?Tch, I was sure that would work. I guess [Danger sense] is more ridiculous than expected.“?What’s the meaning of this?“ Mark looked on with a stern expression?Oh, we’re just taking out a problem“ Boris said as he pushed aside a tree he actly felled.?Now then, it’s time for you to die Mark“ Julian added.