Code Collector

The exit was getting nearer and nearer. Allen felt his breathing get heavier as they approaced the metal gates and the large men that guarded it.

It was now time for them to exit the camp and hunt in the forest as a team. He finished his training the day after and he was now fully ready on exiting the camp, his Bodies were now functional like actual human beings.

"Who are you?" one guard asked. A blonde man that had long hair that reached up to his back. It was tied on a low ponytail while a thin group of stand was left on the side of his head that acted like bangs.

"We're a group of Hunters and we want to Hunt," Allen made Vince say. Among his three Bodies, he was particularly focused on improving Vince since he was the one who acted like their leader. The Body would handle most of the conversations if they would be asked by authorities or other people.

The least one was Oliver since he was the youngest and his personality was timid and silent. In his bio that Allen created, he is an introvert and he doesn't talk much. The only people he talks to are his teammates and close friends.

Stacey on the other hand talks in normal amounts and has a loud mouth when triggered. She's silent to new people, but she talks a lot to the ones she is close to.

"A group, huh?" the blonde guard hummed. "Show me your ID. And leave one ID here, preferably your captain's. We will list your names on today's date and check whether you returned. Once you did return, come here and retrieve your ID."

"Okay, sir," Vince said. "My name is Vince Vaughn and you can list it there. We'll be back after a week, the maximum days a group of Hunters is allowed to go."

"Yeah," the blonde guard slolwy nodded. He shrugged and then left them there for a couple of seconds. When he returned, he said that they were now free to leave.

"Thank you, sir," Stacey said with a smile, making the blonde guard blush. "Cute."

Allen, Jeremy, and Allen's Bodies left the camp and went further into the woods before Allen stopped his control. He fell to the ground and grunted in frustration, feeling exhausted after a few hours of controlling the Bodies.

"I can't do this all day," Allen sighed. "Good thing that the guard didn't give us a hard time when we were about to exit. Or else, it would be hell."

"Yeah," Jeremy chuckled. "You control your Bodies well. They were that convincing that the guard didn't ask too many questions."

"That's good," Allen sighed. He raised his hand to collect the Bodies, ceasing their physical forms so he could regain his energy. Creating a Body required a bit of his energy, controlling one requires more. Controlling three Bodies was strenuous that Allen even laid down to rest.

"I'm gonna walk around," Jeremy said. "You stay here and rest. You need to replenish your energy so we can hunt. We may have more time in the forest, but we don't have all the time in the world.

Allen just nodded. He didn't even try to say anything, he just agreed to what Jeremy had to say even when he was barely hearing a word that the man was saying. He was exhausted, and he couldn't focus on anything.

The plan was that Allen would stay in the forest for a week to grind. He already changed his deal with Hilda and the date for his delivery after he was stalled for four days in training the bodies. The woman gladly agreed, but Allen still gave her some Codes so her week wouldn't get wasted.

Hilda tried to decline, but Allen was tenacious that he didn't stop until the woman gave him her hand and he transferred the Codes. Hilda was low-key happy that Allen did it. She was worried after Allen said that he'll be gone for a week. All her products were sold out, and without any Codes to sell, her store would perish.

"You look calm." Allen opened his eyes to see Jeremy standing above his head. The man was looking down on him as he laid flat on the ground. 

"You're back quickly," Allen said. He stood and pat his back to remove the leaves and dust that he accumulated while laying down. "That was quite a short walk."

"I walked for an hour," Jeremy said. "Then I waited here for about half an hour. You sleep like a log."

"I must've drifted off," Allen said. He sighed and was about to say something when a growl interrupted him. It sounded like it came from the forest of thick trees that was near them. "Did you hear that?"

Jeremy conjured his spear and snorted, "Only a deaf person wouldn't be able to hear that. It was a loud sound."

"What do you think it might be?" Allen asked, but Jeremy just shrugged.

"Beats me," the former police officer said. "But it sounds strong. Let's look for it."

"Can we handle something like that?" Allen asked, to which Jeremy answered with a sigh.

"You basically hunted a beast that even a Bearer was having a hard time hunting," Jeremy deadpanned. "I think you can do it."

"There are two things wrong with that statement," Allen said. "One was that I wasn't the one hunting the beast, and two is that Bernard wasn't having a hard time when he fought the Fire Dragon."

Jeremy looked at Allen with baffled eyes, "You mean he intentionally not fight well?"

"He held himself back, yeah," Allen agreed. "I think it was because they wanted to see how much I would do when I was the one facing such beast."

The two continued their conversation while walking to the path of the source of the sound. It was getting darker on their way as taller and thicker trees were showing instead of the smaller ones on the area they were previously at.

"Do you know the reason why they wanted to test you?" Jeremy asked. "Is it because you're the Wandering Trader?"

"Bingo," Allen said. "They tried to measure my strength. Bernard and Sebastian could've easily killed that beast if they wanted to. You saw the shield Sebastian created, it could withstand ten more Fire Dragons. Bernard on the other hand provided less force. He could injured the beast in a critical spot with just a single swing. You think he can't do something like kill it with another strike?"

"Wow," Jeremy breathed out. "You're really impressive. I didn't know you could analyze a situation like that so easily."

Allen shrugged and pursed his lips. Actually, it was because of his Intelligence attribute that he was able to think like that. The attribute gave him ten times more brain power that he could analyze situations.

This and his Instincts were his greatest weapon. There's nothing more alarming than an opponent that can analyze well as well as have a great perception. He was basically the level of a Hunter in Paradise right now.

Jeremy took a step forward when a twig broke in two, creating a crunching sound that made the entire forest go silent. The birds chirping gently, and other beasts roaming free were now silent. The two narrowed their eyes and opened their senses more.

"It's coming," Allen said. Just when he did, a loud series of galloping sounds approached them. This made both men raise their weapons in a defensive stance. "Getting closer, and closer."

Just when the beast was behind the tall bush in front of them, the forest got silent once more. The beast stopped and its presence vanished. Jeremy was going to lower his weapon, but Allen elbowed him. "Don't ever let your guard down."

Screech!

A blazing horse leaped out of the grass. It was a red horse with a skin that had the similar look of a lava, its eyes were made of gems, glowing like the sun, and its mane was a blazing blue flame that majestically swayed with its movements.

"Woah," Jeremy gasped. "That's not a Rare grade beast!"

"It's not," Allen said. He returned his Fervent Glaive and replaced it with a new weapon he got along with the Body Creator Code.

< Aqua Lance >

Type: Weapon

Grade: Rare

Effect/s: (1) Active - Every three successive strikes to a single opponent, the next strike will deal 40% more damage and will cast Drown on the target.

Drown - Casts a water mark on the target.

(2) Passive - Targets that are affected by Drown will take 30% of the user's damage as a water attack.

(3) Passive - If unleashed underwater, the user shall gain 70% more damage.

Allen held a large lance in both of his hands. The horse didn't seem to be fazed after seeing weapon that was a counter of its element, but Allen also didn't mind. The beast knows that it was stronger, but Allen will show it who's the smarter one.