91 This Hero Begins the Operation!

"H-Hey hold on just a minute!" Jaq quickly fell forward from his seated position and crawled towards me, ruining the dirt map that we had used for our plan beforehand. "You seriously still plan on following through with this? How do you know it will work?" He clutched at me and stared directly into my eyes.

"I don't know if it will work. That's why we need to gather more information." I pushed Jaq off of me and stood up, brushing off the dirt that had accumulated on me as I did so. "Right now, our plan is the only working method anyways. Your plan involves us giving up… I just don't like giving up until I am certain I can't win, that's all." I began to turn and walk towards Kany who had already began to step out of our pseudo camp before I had an idea.

"Hey, Yuna you should come too. You're a monk, right? You can use the ability boost skill like I can?"

In response to my questioning, Yuna hopped up from her previously laying down position. Her face could be best described as similar to that of a fox that was ready to have some fun.

"Perhaps I am! Why do you need my help?" She cheekily sidled up closer to Kany and myself. "Could it be that you could tell how cool I am? I swear, very few people really understand how great I am. It's truly a sad existence." She gave an exaggerated slumping over motion, her smile not wavering in the slightest.

"Yeah! I know exactly how you feel!" Tael rushed over to say this. His expression was that of someone that was finally understood after searching for recognition for the longest time.

"Y-Yeah… Look, I just need you to help me scout out the area. If you can use the ability boost skill then you can boost your vision to see better. I'd bet you could see better than any of us if someone of your level used that skill." I slowly backed away from the now affirmed duo. Something tells me that if they get too close to each other then there will be trouble.

"Hmph. Fine. I'll go along, but it's not because I'm bored or anything but because you'd fail if you didn't have me, got it?" Her personality took a sudden shift. For some reason, I feel like her hair used to be twintails.

"Don't mind her. She's just like that." A voice that was as raspy as nails on a chalkboard said behind me. I immediately leapt in response and prepared to attack, but instead of an enemy, I was greeted by the sight of the man that was wrapped in what appeared to be belts. It was only now that I realized that he hasn't talked this entire time.

"U-um… Hi. I'm Kenji." I let out meekly. What the hell was that? I was taken aback so much that I couldn't even muster a proper greeting.

"Hello Kenji-san. I am Kilin. You can just call me… Kilin." He looked downwards as he said this. A lack of confidence is an understatement.

"Well… Kilin, are you going to come with us to help? Actually, come to think of it, what class are you? Also what level are all of you? I know Jaq is level 16, but what about the rest of you?"

"Cleric. Level 15." Ron raised his hand upwards.

"Monk! Level 15!" Yuna did some stretches as she said this, as if she were preparing to show off her skills to affirm to me that she is what she says.

"Warrior and you already know." Jaq listlessly lied back down.

"You probably have no idea about my class, but I am a Jacksnips, level 16." Kilin said.

"What's a Jacksnips?" I instinctually let out before I could even realize what I said.

"We specialize in summoning weapons and we mix it with stealth. Our power resides in managing the residual mana in the air and manipulating it around our opponents." Kilin said in as clinical manner as he possibly could.

"Neat. How do I get it?" My collector side had already begun taking control.

"It's unique to his people, kid. As much as I'd like to be able to dip into it as well, you just can't." Jaq said with his eyes closed. It seems that he's explained this many times before, unlike styles.

"Dang." I couldn't stop myself from expressing my disappointment.

"It is alright. I am used to it." Kilin stepped towards Kany, Yuna, and myself.

"Okay… Looks like this is our information gathering group, assuming that Erana can come with us. Kany, I want you to go with the other group and lead the stealth for them... Speaking of... for the rest of you, I need you all to go around the camp as best you can and find the best place to start a distraction. I'll leave the distraction up to you all, you just need to make sure it's big." I clapped my hands together, indicating for us to split. "Oh, and Tael…"

"What's up?" He turned to look at me, a simple smile lashed across his face.

"Don't start the distraction until we're ready." I gave a synthetic smile to help ensure that my meaning was made clear.

"G-Got it…"

"Since when do you call the shots?" Jaq stood up quickly as he said this. Ah jeez, I hope we don't fight here.

"Do you have any better ideas?" Erana chimed in.

"N-No, but-"

"Then I say we go with Kenji-san's plan first. If his plan can't work then we will go with your plan, Jaq-san."

Everyone immediately agreed with Erana. The embarrassment Jaq felt could be clearly seen in his flushed red cheeks.

"F-Fine…" He slumped his shoulders and began heading west with Tael, Kany, and Ron. I, meanwhile, went with Erana, Yuna, and Kilin to the east. Before we left the camp area, I turned around and shouted out.

"Let's plan to meet back here in 2 hours at the latest! Tael, if you need to make sure you use Mind Connection, okay?"

Tael gave a thumbs up as a reply. While I wish he would repeat the plan back to me, I was still thankful that he answered me in any way. Knowing him, I don't doubt that he'll do something to mess it up, but I just have to put faith in him for now.

"Don't worry Kenji-san. Kany has been rather serious lately, so I doubt she'd let Tael-san mess this up." Erana patted me on the shoulder to reassure me. It seems our party healer is also good at repairing mental damage. I had better appreciate this more.

"Thanks… Anyways, I hope you guys don't mind sitting still for a while. We're gonna watch for when the guards change places. If we can figure out their shift then we'll be golden. Otherwise… Well… I hope you guys know ways to pass the time."

"Maybe we can play that shiritori game you brought up before?" Erana suggested.

"Heh, maybe." I chuckled a little bit. Despite the experience with the mulaplix having been less than a week ago, it feels as if it's been months since then. I really do need to relax. Hopefully after this is all over I can ease my troubles by soaking in the hot springs…

After around 10 minutes of walking, we came to a spot that I deemed optimal for observing. The camp was within our vision and I could see what appeared to be guards that were keeping watch. Even if I couldn't see them, I could probably tell they were there by the smell alone. I guess this is the part they don't tell you about in the books. Camps smell like shit because people need to crap somewhere. Actually, do monsters defecate? If they eat then they need to relieve themselves somehow.

Ah, I'm getting ahead of myself. The mission needs to come first. I sidled my way up on top of a rock that we were hiding behind and activated my skill.

"Ability Boost: Vision!" I uttered. My vision became so clear that it almost hurt. I could see the wind move individual particles of mist. I could see the individual blades of grass that fluttered in the wind, and I could see the hobgoblins that were standing watch as if they were right in front of me.

Following me, Yuna activated her own skill and began watching as well.

"Okay, remember, we just need to watch for when they shift. We'll keep track of it and from there we'll be able to know when to act. Let's not burn all of our energy. I'll take the first watch."

"Hmph. Got it." Yuna slipped down and quickly sat on the ground, arms crossed.

Now it's time to watch.