Way of the Knights

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"Gather up, you guys." Henry alerted Unit-17. His junior disciples formed a tight circle and all paid attention to him.

"I have a few things I want to say before we leave for the hunt." Henry looked at them sternly, "First things first, you all are a part of one Unit-17, therefore I am expecting you to work together. The purpose of this hunt is to give you some experience not to one up each other, so cover each other's back and communicate."

"Secondly, I'll only be watching you from a far." Henry stated much to the shock of the disciples. "Unless you're on verge of certain death, I won't step in. Remember that this is your hunt, not mine. If you plan on staying in the sect for a very long time, then you will have to deal with a lot of Devils, and firsthand experience will go a long way."

"Finally, this hunt will only last for two days. How far you venture into the Devil's Cradle and how many Devils you killed will ultimately depend on your decision, which will also reflect on how Merit Points you'll gain by the end of this trip. If anyone has questions for me, ask now since you won't even see me travelling with you."

There was a brief period of silence between them. No one raised a hand to ask questions, they either genuinely had none or were just to overwhelmed by their emotions to ask. Needless to say, Henry already gave them a chance, they missed it so they only have themselves to blame. 

"Alright, since no one has any questions, sign off and move out Unit-17." 

Each member of the unit proceeded to leave a mark on the nearby array leaving an imprint as a signature and acknowledgement that they went out to the Devil's Cradle to, of course, hunt Devils. 

It wasn't just them actually, in fact there are other units who ventured earlier than they did. Some of which were the other units under Henry's team. 

Tartarus is a place where outer disciples and other staff of the sect were located. It forms a ring that encircles the Devil's Cradle, preventing the stray devils from going out. Deeper within the Devil's Cradle is where the first few floors of the Devil Emperor's Pagoda could be seen. Nevertheless, Raven and the rest of Unit-17 weren't dumb enough to have any thoughts of heading there. At least not yet. 

The humongous iron gate opened as soon as the rest of Unit-17 signed off. As soon as they saw the world beyond Tartarus, some disciples couldn't help but feel jittery. 

At the moment they took their first step out, chills ran down their spine. Everyone's nerves became taut, some even drew their weapons out while surveying the area around them. 

There's was no mistaking this feeling. Everyone here had their fair share of battles and doesn't need anyone telling them what this was. What felt just now was killing intent. However this time around, the feeling was unlike anything that they've felt before. 

This killing intent was raw and incredibly dense, it was vile, suppressive and extremely disgusting, nauseating even. It was just pure and sickening evil, it was something very repulsive and was beyond saving. 

It wasn't surprising that almost half of the unit became paralyzed as soon as they were exposed to this kind of killing intent. Even those who were holding their weapons felt their grip trembling under the density of this killing intent. It feels as if the grim reaper's scythe was pressed on their necks, ready to behead them at any given moment. 

…well, that's until they someone's voice…

"Okay, okay. Woohooo! Dense killing intent, scary…" Raven spoke with a deadpanned voice, his face didn't express the same sentiments of what he just said. "This just the first step outside, this is just sad."

Many eyes looked at him, and seeing his disinterested expression caused some of them feel offended.

"Guard your heart." He said while cleaning his ears, still using the deadpan tone and a bored look on his face. "We're on the enemy's turf, of course we'll be at a disadvantage. This is the Devil's Cradle, and for the love of everything unholy, we are dealing with devils. Devils, the kind that messes up your brain or something. If something's still not clicking, then that not my problem anymore."

Raven's 'encouraging pep-talk' was more than enough to trigger some weird reactions from his teammates. Nevertheless, the point was made and it came crystal clear. Those who were affected by the dense killing intent on their surroundings pacified their hearts guarded their will. 

After doing those, imagine their surprise to find out that it wasn't so bad after all. To some, they felt as if the density of the killing intent subsided but in truth, it wasn't that strong to begin with. They were just caught unprepared. 

Raven saw them easing up and sighed, he then clapped to get their attention and said: "Alright, a few things before we move forward."

"Who died and made you the leader?" Raven couldn't even state what he wanted to say because of this side comment from the person that annoyed him to most during these past few days. 

His eyes turned incredibly cold yet his lips were curled into a ridiculing smile as he said: "Excellent question! Come to think of it, I absolutely have no need to anything. I could've just let you guys pass out in fear and then boom! Hunt is done. Easy right?"

"Tch. Your presence is completely unnecessary. We could've come out of it without your help." Mira fired back. 

"Oh, I'm sorry for ruining your chance to prove something to us. Believe me, it's not in my purest intentions to step on your pride even though I could sense that you were on the verge of passing out a few moments ago, possibly with your lips covered in white foam." Raven's words carried a great deal of relentless sarcasm. He just about had it with this violet haired witch. 

"However, it would seem as if you and your sister are against me and my ideas, as well as my overall existence if I may add." Raven's word oozed with sarcasm, causing the twins to glare at him venomously. "Please, by all means. Suggest something useful. Don't hold back. Just imagine that I don't exist if helps."

Raven crossed his arms, raised a brow and looked at the twins with amusement. He didn't want the situation to develop this way, but this witch was just asking for it. 

There was a tensed and awkward silence between the team. It was that Jason decided to step in and mediate: "Alright, let's take it easy. Let's not fight. Why don't we hear Raven's idea first. We can always talk after that."

Since Jason was acquainted with everyone, his mediation was somehow effective. He turned around and gave the twins a warning glare before gesturing for Raven to continue. Raven sighed and started talking.

"Be a dear and raise a hand if you have advance spying techniques in your arsenal." He asked, there he saw Jason, Michelle, Juniper, Nelson and Edward raised theirs. 

"There's six including me. Unfortunately, something's suppressing my spying techniques here. My range is down to five miles. However, I don't have any problems of keeping it up at all times. How about you guys?"

Jason was the first one to answer him. "Mine's like seismic-sensing I guess. My range is just about the same as you, suppressed as well. I could also keep it active at all times."

"Mines just a regular optical enhancement, my range is wider, ten miles in diameter but it draining. Three hours is my limit, after two hours of rest I can activate it again." Michelle added. 

"Same as hers, optical enhancement. Mines eight miles, suppressed too. No issues keeping it active all the time." Nelson explained using a few words.

"Mine's a bit different. My sense of smell is sharp, I can stretch it to ten miles but I need to get a scent of the enemy first. Fair warning though, since I'm relying on smell, it can get a bit inaccurate. Just keep that in mind when you hear things from me." Juniper stated. 

Contrary to what he was expecting, no one chided him for revealing the weakness of his technique, which in a way, made him feel grateful. 

"Mine's just a regular optical enhancement, my range is five miles but I can see through disguises and illusions. I also have no problems of keeping it active at all times."

After the six of them exchange information, Raven briefly gave them suggestions about their position as they moved. The plan was to take advantage of Michelle's wide range so she will be leading the group. The others were placed at sides in order to cover more ground, Juniper has no use yet since they haven't encountered any Devil yet, Raven covered the rear just in case. 

The rest were to remain alert, Raven make it a point that they are to never loosen their grip on their weapons. He reminded them once again that they are in the enemy's turf, anything goes here and if their not careful they will die before they know it. 

"Okay, I think we're good to go." Raven said, he still had that disinterested face and tone. "Move out, I guess."

And just like that, Unit-17 were headed towards the Devil's Cradle.