Rebirth: The Shadow Of Greed

... The sun had already risen, everyone within the camp had woken up, the strength of the barrier started to weaken as well.

Everyone was gathered and briefed about the things that happened the night before, before they left the camp everyone's heart was on high alert, worried about the danger that they faced.

The formation was more packed together, with David and Odrunn in the front, shields on the ready, preparing for an attack to come. The rest of the Vanguards surrounded the sides, with everyone else in the middle, with the offence team in the centermost sphere.

The situation was tense, they had already encountered a few unusual situations, random beast attacks not to mention there had been a death the day before. This all taught the recruits that they shouldn't take things for granted.

Team 15A made their way through the jungle on their path, trudging through the path, they had killed a couple of rat beasts, and a salamander that was hiding in the tall grass. Eventually, after half a day, they managed to reach the cut-off point where they are supposed to be. Reaching the cliff, they all breathed out a sigh of relief, their journey inwards had ended, but it's time for the journey out of the forest.

The cliff extended for a few kilometers, just below it was a steep drop into the basin, there was hardly any vegetation except for the forest they had just come out of, that surrounded the left side.

Everyone dropped their guard for a bit as they started to relax. The view was stunning, like something you'd see out of a movie. It was kilometers of foliage as far as the eyes can see with tall trees sprouting out here and there. It was an endless pasture of green when the wind blew across the rustling of the leaves made it seem like waves in the ocean.

"Beyond these boundaries, lie more than just trees and grass, beyond this lies beasts stronger than your imagination, they control the domain out there and down there only strong hunters venture out there into the jungles. The reason why strong beasts can't escape is because of this basin here, it acts as a wall preventing the stronger beasts from climbing out, other than those beasts that can fly, they are mostly retained within the canyon.

Lieutenant Raff explained as he looked over the basin letting the recruits know about the beautiful yet dangerous expanse.

"But sir, since this basin is so large, how do the hunters get inside to hunt the wild beasts?"

David asked with a genuine interest.

"Well, you might already know this, the hunters are an association that stands alone apart from the holy capital and the military, they control the only gate to enter and exit into the basin. Of course, with the control of the gate, they are also tasked to defend it."

Lieutenant Raff replied as he took a drag of his cigar.

"If there are such strong hunters, why don't they just join the military instead, they could play a huge role in helping us defeat our enemies."

This time, it was Veros' turn to ask the question. The noble families didn't really mention much about the hunters nor were they interested in speaking about them, this left the idea of hunters very much open to the imagination in most of the nobility.

"Hunters are made mostly of selfish money hungry individuals, I'm not saying every hunter is that way, I'm saying most of them are. Hunters give their lives for credits, there are even some dark hunters who would accept credits for some shadier means. It's good if hunters could join us in fighting, but most of them would spoil the cohesiveness."

Team 15A nodded, it would indeed be a problem if the hunters who were wild and free joined up with the military. Just as their thoughts were focused on the conversation, Z felt uneasy, his instinct was kicking in again. This time, he didn't need to take action and let the team know, in an instant Lieutenant Raff turned around and shouted for everyone to get back in formation.

"There are multiple beasts coming from the left side of the forests! I estimate around 400 beasts coming."

Lieutenant Raff shouted out loudly. Letting everyone hear what he had to say and for them to get into position.

"Vanguards, get into your positions and prepare to divert the beasts away! Scouts and supports stay behind and prepare for battle. Offence team, ready your manifests. Its time to fight!"

Immediately, everyone swung into action, their Artefacts started to give off a glow as they braced themselves for the attack.

A few seconds later, huge armored rhino beasts started appearing out from the trees, they dashed forward with such ferocity and abandon, that it felt impossible to block them.

"Steady your shields!"

Scarlett shouted, giving the orders to the Vanguards who were already preparing for the attack.

The beasts approached step by step, creating a dust cloud as they passed,

'crash'

The first beast rammed into the shield, David and Odrunn tried their best to hold up the shield as it shook from the impact. A second wild beast crashed, the duo was knocked back slightly but continue to persist. At this point, Kyzil had already created a barrier right behind the two of them as David went into metal form.

After the 2nd impact, they waited again, this time no impact was felt, like a rock in the stream the wild beasts chose to avoid them and run past them from the sides.

"This... Is this another abnormality?" Private Tristan, looking confused started to ask the rest as he watched the beasts pass him by.

"No, it's not an abnormality, but... The only time beasts act like this is only when they have a beast tide, or... When there is an alpha predator chasing them."

Lieutenant Raff answered, there was a chill in his eyes, he knew what it had meant, strong creatures were coming.

'Roar!'

A deafening roar could be heard, the group felt a chill run down their spine as they waited for the beast to show itself.