Way of the Knights

---

Time passed by and Unit-17 continued on their not-so-merry towards the depths of Devil's Cradle. 

During their way, they encountered similar breeds of Devils that assaulted them before. It was great boon for them that they figured out what these things could do before going deeper, thanks to that, they didn't have any casualties and the rest are getting more used to fighting them.

The atmosphere around the unit is still a bit tense but through the subsequent battles, an initial bond between them were starting to form. They could now work as a team, albeit only in the initial stages. 

Somewhere along their journey, Raven brought up the topic of setting up the camp. Some were startled by the suggestion by when they heard his reason, they were surprised.

"If you haven't noticed it by now, let me remind you that there is no sun in this place. The sky is perpetually covered in dark clouds and there's only a huge ass moon present. Our perception of time is blurred in this place, there is no night and day here, only doom and gloom."

"I've been tracking the time, and as I speak, it's already twelve hours since we started this journey." 

And as if confirming his words, some of his teammates felt either fatigued, hungry or lethargic. It was only then that they noticed that, just like Raven said, they weren't aware of how much times has passed. If it weren't for him informing them about it, they'd probably just collapse out of nowhere. 

"Let's take it easy." Raven suggested, "Even though we could last long since we're cultivators, for now we're not really in a any heist for any battles, we already had our fair share of that today."

His words caused them to ponder a bit before eventually agreeing. His words made sense anyway, specially the part when he said that there's really no reason for them to search for fights since they already fought many devils earlier. 

Unit-17 had faced at least thirty devils at this point in time, although all of them are of the same breed, devils are devils at the end of the day. For a group of people to be thrown in an unfamiliar territory crawling with creatures like this, is already stressful on its own. Add the fact that they have to fight consistently, makes this trip more exhausting that they originally expected. 

The team searched for a relatively clear and inauspicious spot to set up camp - which, thanks to Juniper's great sense of smell, they are able to find. This place doesn't reek off of any scent of Devils, there are no traces left or whatsoever, making it a fine spot for them. 

Without saying anything, Raven took out a disk from his spatial ring and silently activated it. 

To everyone's surprise, a huge dome of blue light encapsulated them in no time. Some of them saw some floating runes here and there on the surface of the dome. And while they weren't very knowledgeable when it comes to runes, it doesn't mean that they could not recognize what this is. 

"A Formation! Nice idea. What does it do?" Juniper asked curiously. 

"It conceals our location and completely erases our life signals. It also has misdirection runes so that anyone or anything shouldn't accidentally discover this location."

"Shouldn't?" Floyd raised a brow. 

"Well, this is the first time I'm using it against Devils, so I have no idea if it'll work." Raven replied honestly, "If it does, then yay. If it doesn't, then we'll figure something out." 

"Oh, do you guys have tents and sleeping bags?" Raven asked, causing majority of his teammates to freeze where they stood. 

Just from that reaction alone, Raven already knew the answer. Without saying anything unnecessary, he took out several supplies from his spatial ring and placed it carefully on the ground. 

"Here. Do remember to return it after this trip." He said as he held one and started walking on the spot where he planned on erecting his tent. However, he remembered something so he turned around and said: "Right, if you're going to eat, then suggest to consume dry rations or ready made foods instead. The smokes and stuff will pass through the Formation, that might alert some unwanted attentions."

"Additionally, we also have to make sure to always have someone guarding the camp, just to make sure. You guys decide on who but I suggest at least three people. Just inform me once your done." 

After saying his piece, Raven casually swaggered away to his preferred spot to build up his tent, leaving the rest at a loss on what to do next. They looked at each other before sighing. 

"Man, he's something else isn't he?" Franklin commented as he picked up a tent and a sleeping bag from the pile.

"I 100% agree with you on that one." Jason added while he too took a sleeping bag and a tent from the pile that Raven left for them. He was then followed by the rest. 

"Do you guys know him?" Michelle asked.

"His name is Raven as far I can remember." Franklin replied. 

"No, that's not what I meant. Do you guys knew each other, I mean like you know, are you guys long term friends or something?"

"Oh, no." Franklin shook his head while chuckling, "Today is actually the first time I interacted with him. Maybe Jason does."

"I only met him during the exams. He's not really the 'social' type from what I understand so far. Aside from that, he's a puzzle to me." Jason replied, he then looked strangely at Michelle and asked: "Why, are interested in him?"

"Yes, but not in the way you think." She replied, glaring at Jason for a bit. "I mean, is it just me or do you guys also think that he's still downplaying his actual strength." 

"I get you. I also feel the same way." Franklin agreed while Jason nodded his head as well. 

"Right? But what I don't understand is that, why didn't he participate during the tournament, or the mini-contest for that matter?" She wondered, "He's strong and he won't really lose out on anything but he extricated himself. I wonder why that is?" 

"Ah, I actually know why. Well, I guess I know the answer to that." Jason commented, pulling the attention of the two. "I mean, he told me that he didn't join because there are no Merit Point rewards - that, or he lied to me. Either way, not my place to question him so…"

"That's it?" Franklin was a bit shocked, "Just because there's no merit point rewards? Isn't that a little shallow?"

"Hey, it's not really as shallow as you think." Michelle disagreed. "Did you take a look at the bamboo slips he handed us back at the base?"

"How can I not? I'm still feeling lightheaded by the amount of awesome things listed on it." Franklin emotionally stated.

"If you observe carefully, the total number of items are available by using Spirit Stones won't even amount to five percent of the list. The rest are only available through Merit Points. If you think of it that way, then there must he something on the list, which by my guess is extremely expensive, that he wanted to buy. Since there are no Merit Point rewards for those events, then it would make sense why he wouldn't participate since its just going to be a waste of time for him."

"Well, I do have many things I want to buy as well." Franklin added, "But meh, I mean what's done is done. It's not our business anyway so let's not pry. Anyhow, we have to decide how long we're plan on resting before dividing the rotation to guard. I'm fine with guarding first. Thought I'd let you know 'Leader'." 

Franklin smirked as he patted Jason's shoulders. He then started walking towards his preferred spot, unaware of Jason gaping at him. 

Michelle chuckled and did the same thing as Franklin, saying: "Do your best Leader, we're counting on you."

"Y-you guys…" Jason could only smile wryly and sigh in defeat. He couldn't help but glare at Raven's direction before going to his preferred spot to build camp. 

Despite the gloomy atmosphere, the camp was surrounded with a peaceful mood. Everyone was resting on their tents, some were either eating, sleeping, getting to know each other, meditating or etc. 

By the virtue of drawing lots, the team already decided on the guards. Raven was exempted on the task much to his surprise, but he was told that this is the least they could give with him providing so much for the team. Raven didn't say anything and just accepted this. 

Due to his reminders, everyone was now paying attention to the time in their own methods. No one cooked anything and the people who were tasked at guarding has a specific rotation pattern. All in all, the first day of the hunt was coming into conclusion. 

The team went through a lot of things today that they completely forgot that Henry was tailing them. And while the array hid them well, it was completely transparent to Henry.

Nevertheless, he didn't disturb them nor showed himself.. He silently observed them with a content smile on his face.