Chapter 104: The First Batch

Chapter 104: The First Batch

I can feel everyones eyes boring a hole into me. Trying to discern where she could have found such a person, that could supposedly easily discern the nature of the codes that theyve created.

Practically ignoring the unspoken question, she then moves on to her next comment.

For everyone else, that doesnt need to have their children retrieved, there will be more food and water brought in. Luckily, we had a recent kill of one of the underground beasts. So, you will be able to enjoy some more food to eat.

Two giant spiders bring in a giant smoking beetle, clearly cooked over a spit and brought over. Even as it came through the entrance, the smell wafted over and smelled delicious. Several times better than that mysterious meat that I ate near the street stalls.

Everyones eyes are now transfixed on it, as they bring it right over and begin stripping it and handing out pieces of meat.

While this is happening, the spiders take away the dog demi human, while releasing but still watching and following the bird and lizard demi humans. They seem to get the message. The dog demi humans mouth is bound, so no one can hear him scream as hes taken away.

In contrast to the majority of people, the people with kids they want to bring come over to Gong and begin asking her to bring certain people.

Most of the people who make the requests asked to do so straight out and tell her what to bring or say to the kids to gain their trust. Not everyone that came over had children, but had little brothers or sisters they want to bring as well. Which we allowed, as long as they were sufficiently young. If they were old enough to take care of themselves, or Gong didnt believe it would be a good decision, she denied the request. It appears that anyone above 13, Gong didnt really consider a child.

Since we are trying to avoid contract deaths, we also reiterated that they could die if they are looking to betray the group. To only bring people who they truly believe they can convince. But also mentioned that they might not be able to see them for a very long time.

That stopped quite a few requests at the start, but also prompted others to come forward.

For most of them, though, there were no issues, and Ive been using my scan to catch anything in the codes or the words they say, that shows anything else. It appears the scan uses historical references, and snippets of that persons relationship to figure out any other ways that this could be used or secret codes that they might be using.

Using my scan this way gives me a pretty intense headache. Not to the point where I might have a migraine or go down, but pretty serious nonetheless.

Anytime I seem to have to look up secret information, it seems to cause more effort and issues. Things that are known to everyone are pretty easy, while things that are hidden but not secret, arent that bad. Anything thats actively being obscured causes a bit of pain.

Luckily, secrets of this level can be discoveredately though, there are a few people who try to test us and Gong gives a long look to them before saying no, after I affirm they tried to pass information along. Im surprised when she gives everyone a second chance to give a proper code. Which after the first code fails, everyone who tested us, seems to give a genuine answer.

Im also pretty sure that some of the people who tested us were just seeing whether we could actually determine what their secret codes meant.

As you all might have already guessed, there is quite a bit more than is apparent to the eye regarding our alchemist here. In actuality, he has a special technique, that allows him to transfer energy and heal people of certain wounds.

Honestly, it probably is easier to show you, rather than just tell you.

From here, she has the spiders bring out a chair. She then brings up the first person to be healed to me. It appears to be the small, but confident lion demi human from before.

This guy came with the group that Gong trusts earlier. And from the look she gives him, Im pretty sure she trusts him quite a bit.

Before healing him, I give her a look. She nods back at me, confirming this is the moment. Were actually healing this person. Raising my hands over the demi human as he sits in front of me, in the chair. Using the optional glow setting, my hands glow yellow as I feel mana coursing through me and out through my palms down to this demi human. My intuitive scan shows a number of different scars, traumas, and of course the curse that every demi human has on them.

1 by 1, I get rid of each of them, leaving the curse for last. Before our eyes, we can see him grow larger, fitter, and equally surprised as everyone else at the changes hes going through.

However, its the last change, the removal of the demi human curse, that causes the most surprise in him. Causing him to snap his head back at me, in a way thats very reminiscent of what Gong had done when I had done it to her.

He knows. Its happening.

He goes silent, not saying a word. It appears no one else can tell what had happened in that last change. He gives a glance at Gong and I, before turning out of the chair and kneeling to us both. He speaks with a powerful voice, much deeper than it had previously, before he was healed.

I, Xavier, pledge myself to this group and you two.

There are some gasps, but he seems to ignore them. He locks eyes with me.

Im very grateful for what you have given me and understand now.

Gone gives him a nod, which seems to prompt him to move next to us.

It appears hes a leader for some in the group. Well be able to use this.

From there, Gong picks out each of the people from the most loyal going down to finally the people we are unsure of. All the ones who came with Gongs trusted group follow the Lions lead. Including Jenn and the fox family, with whom I also make sure to heal the dent in their foreheads. While confused at first, everyone who is healed seems to subconsciously look at Xavier, the lion man and Gong, before staying silent, and moving to stand next to us.

Even just standing next to them is a bit intimidating. It feels like theres a genuine change happening here. Making me feel even more nervous, honestly. Which is the truth, but no less nerve-wracking.

All until we get to the other group.