Freedom Jumper-Chapter 172: Obvious Hiding Spot

Over the course of the night, Elijah found himself twiddling his thumbs and thinking about his plans for the near future.

From up until the academy starts, there would be no long missions he would participate in, and only reserving regions and roaming while also reserving specific missions close by.

A visit would finally be made to the Library of Historia, of which Elijah would most likely visit the Sohana estate first.

Overall, Elijah's goals were money, knowledge, and to delve deeper into his affinity. Knowing his core progress is going to be much slower than Astraea, he had to "optimize" everything he already had in his arsenal, while also spending time to use up his mana frequently.

Whilst noise was occurring from outside the tent, Banks had thrown the sheets off his bed dramatically. His 'routine' which gives him a 'good start' to the day was surely annoying to everyone else.

Quickly, he bent down to touch his toes — stretching his neck in the process. Elijah only admired because the man had truly found a good way to get his body started. Overnight there is a specific nerve that runs from the ankles to the neck. While sleeping, it becomes tight. Stretching in the morning directly after waking is the best way possible to release the tension on the nerve, therefore waking up the body.

Elijah decided to do the same while conversing with Niko. Yes, his eyes were a little dark, but not enough for anyone to notice.

Soon after, Elijah's bag that was only packed with clothes and snacks he had barely eaten were swung over his back.

Upon walking into the light of the morning, he smelt the flavor of eggs. Not to mention, the people of this outpost were walking around diligently — carrying beasts, food, and other such necessary goods.

Thankfully, nothing unordinary happened last night even with the sight of what Elijah would call vampires. However, in this world, it seemed to be a disease that anyone could possess.

"Elijah! Niko! I am going to see Songa in the infirmary. Would you like to join me?" Joffrey asked while walking past them.

"Hmm... sure." Elijah first hesitated trying to think where Kithus was.

A five minute walk brought them to a stone building close to the outpost hall. Bright orange lights gave the room life, and illuminated different sectioned areas consisting of very comfortable beds.

Almost every single one was occupied considering the events of yesterday.

On the bed very close to the end of the east hall, was Songa. Her shorter white hair was bunched on one side of her face, and her left arm seemed to be missing. On top of that, there was a very large bandage over her left chest — allowing the soft skin of her stomach to show.

Of course, Kithus was by her side, wishing her prayers.

"Will she be coming back with us, or staying here until fully healed?" Niko asked Joffrey who was deeply staring at her sleeping face.

"... S-she has a healer scheduled for 2 days from now. Someone with the power of healing. I'm sure she will be fine." Joffrey answered the question in his own way.

Nothing could be done, and Elijah chose not to be disrespectful and intervene. She was already slightly healed by water-based runetec. More healing water magic wouldn't help her in the niche parts of her body.

Even while passing by Henry Axemen, who seemed to only have a right arm, the group of four knew time was the only option.

Unfortunately, three of the adventurer children that came with them were confirmed to be either missing or dead. Likely dead...

Time passed, and the now group of 10 made it onto the carriage. The journey would be another 28 hours, maybe longer if they run into beasts.

...

Vibrations, rays of light, and birds flapping their wings created a peaceful start of the journey. Once exiting the dense and hilly pine tree forest, they were welcomed into a semi-open grassland sparsely populated with large oak trees and smaller rock plateaus similar to the ones in the Crosstree forest. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Elijah was lying comfortably in his own area — resting his head against his backpack while playing with his water magic.

Many different shapes were made, but what he focused on was the forceful 'swirling' that had come in handy many times in the past.

Something very similar to the pulsating water ball he had thrown at Emery, only this was far stronger. The same concept of swirling was applied to the simple water spear, and also the water shield.

Before Elijah had an orange mana core, he was just barely able to create the swirling motion of a whirlpool through the creation pattern of the spell. Now, he was able to direct the motion of the spell he was creating on top of focusing on the creation pattern. Even if he were to create a stale water ball, he would be able to turn it into a mini whirlpool or vortex – further increasing its power upon impact, and maybe even its speed when traveling through the air.

Only experimentation would reveal if any of these developments would result in a more powerful spell.

"Stop the carriage." Banks were on the lookout for anything abnormal. The evening was nearing, and the last thing they wanted to do was be caught in a bad place.

The vibrations stopped, and soon, everyone was on the edge of their toes – calmly looking into the distance around them. Searching for whatever had removed the sound from the surrounding area.

A known fact within the Wildlands is that if there is not a single sound being made other than yourself, there is most likely a group of beasts nearby.

It was as if the presence of a deadly intent was enough to scare everything in the vicinity to complete silence — including the trees.

It wasn't just the unusual silence, but a churning gut instinct. "Dammit... Why aren't they showing themselves..." Banks admitted while scratching the back of his brown-haired head.

Desperately, Elijah wanted to fly into the sky to find the beasts – if there even were any... But his ideals were still conflicted. He had told himself he wouldn't hide...

Niko broke through the awkward silence. "If we can't see them, then they are either behind the plateau's, on top of the plateau's, or behind different rocks and small hills. I say anyone with movement gear should explore and try to draw them out. We have to get moving soon..."

"Heh! You are one smart cookie!" Joffrey expressed his gratitude while attesting to his favorite snack. In fact, Elijah had even seen the man chomping on some of his own cacao chip cookies within the pine tree forest!

Finn, Joffrey, and Beckett, who had an earth affinity, carefully stepped out of the carriage. In Finn's hand was a large and oval shaped pistol with a long stock. Strapped to his back is his repeater rifle. Since this man was a sharpshooter, it was not surprising he had a pistol that accentuated his raw skill of precision.

Elijah and Niko were only thinking about the specialty spell that would exit the pistol. Explosion round, ice, or something else?

Suddenly, exactly where Elijah had thought the beasts would be hiding, were a few dozen figures sticking their heads out.

Because of Finn's line of view, he was not able to see anything on the plateau That stood to their right. Which is exactly why Elijah broke the silence, creating a small battlefield. A targeted call to put everyone on high alert – even if what he said wasn't true at all...

"Elves! Plateau!!"

While Elijah was waiting for the right moment, he was slipping on his invisible runes in hope to deal with this mess as quickly as possible.

Niko turned his head only to see Elijah fizzle into nothingness. "E-Elijah?"

Whoosh!

Adeptly moving through the air, Elijah made it high above the plateau just after the first shot was taken. A devastating shot that ripped a hole inside of Finn's chest.

These people are using runic rifles! Was this an ambush? ...Elijah was beside himself — staring at the eight individuals dressed in all black.

To their sides were an assortment of different rifles and swords. Elijah quickly drew the line to these people coming here intentionally – maybe to even ambush the caravans moving from outpost to outpost!

In his mind, a time was counting down — one that would signify the correct amount of mana coursing through his body. Albeit through a feeling of ecstasy.

After ascending to a suitable height, Elijah noticed his spatial storage on his ankle was opening and closing rapidly.

Huff... Huff...

Each deep breath was taken to the extent his diaphragm could handle. Concentration was creating fireworks of dopamine that exploded within his brain.

Memories of performing this exact same attack caused him to hesitate, but was counter acted by his confidence in controlling the release of mana. The goal was not to be injured from his own attack.

BOOM!