26 Teamwork

Just outside of Eksu's city walls in the nearby forest, five people are sprawled out on the dirt in a desolate state. Blood stains on their clothes have been caused by the blood that was spit out during a battle. A few fractured bones are easily identifiable by the distorted angles that limbs were laying in. Low aching groans had been interrupted by the cough up blood.

"You guys actually impressed me. You almost made me use my full strength. While that might sound good. Its unacceptable. Where I come from, you lot would not survive for a day with your current strength," Leo started as he studied those under him.

"Just..where..[cough].. are..you from?" A struggling hoarse voice interrupted Leo.

Leo's eyes shifted onto Sozoth and continued, "Sozoth right? I am from an extremely distant place that you do not need to worry about. But, I, your kind-hearted leader, will help bring out that untapped potential and raise your strength to a new level. For now take the time to recover."

Dax saw the entire fight between the two sides from a nearby tree. His attention was split between the fight and protecting them from any higher-level beast in the Kaholo realm entering the area. From the small moments of the fight that he seen he could tell that Leo was not using his full strength in the fight against him. He guessed that he used ninety percent against him, and his full capabilities right now.

One thing that Dax had taken notice of is that Leo is more of a straight forward fighter. While his strength is top notch for his cultivation, his skills would only be in the middle. If he was to go up against an opponent that is nimbler and more versatile than him, he would at once be at a disadvantage because of how robotic his moves are. His ability to adapt in battle is not a strong point of his. In simple terms, he is a brawler.

"Sozoth is right, where does he originate from? Is he from…no way, that is not possible? Maybe I can finally get to see this group reach the dreams that they deserve." Dax thought to himself. Before making his way towards the rest of the group.

"Say, Leo, how exactly do you plan on bringing out this potential that we have? Do you have any battle skills for us?" Dax inquired from Leo. While Leo might be powerful, it could be because of his natural ability. The only way to help others is to have the knowledge on how to train everyone individually.

As the former leader of the squad he will do all he can to help protect them as if they are his own kin. Since Leo has said that he will raise their strength he wants to make sure that he follows through with it. Dax continued to question Leo on what plans he has for twenty minutes. All the while, Leo stood in place and listened obediently.

Leo scratched the back of his head and said leisurely, "Well, that is the problem. I do not have any idea yet. I just planned on getting into a bunch of fights."

Those on the ground tried to complain but were in too much agony to respond verbally to Leo's remark. Instead they let out moans filled with anger and disappointment.

"Are you kidding me? You just want to simply fight? Obviously this is one of the best ways to build up your strength, but what about the battle skills and refining what has been learned? Do you have skills to teach all of us? You must have some type of training regiment that has lead to your current strength. While simply being in combat all the time will increase your strength, you need to supplement that strength with different areas. So tell me seriously what do you plan to do?" Dax exploded with anger towards Leo.

"No need to worry, I might not have a plan, but I do have an idea on how to take our first steps. You guys rest here and heal your injuries. As your new leader I will not let all of you fail," Leo confidently responded towards Dax before turning towards the injured posse, "Dax and I will protect you all as you heal your injuries. No need to worry about any foreign disturbances." Leo confidently said in response.

…

Three days later, Gror, Grary, Grak, Ithaa, and Sozoth had healed completely. The group of seven headed out into the wilderness in search of beasts. Leo lead the way and passed up anything that was not up to expectations. If it was a solo beast it had to at least be at the eight level of the first star realm. If it was a pack of beasts, the minimum number total beasts had to be five per each level of the star realm.

The unit fought many battles of the next couple of days and the improvements could easily be seen by both Dax and Leo. Dax started to realize the benefits of fighting repeatedly. The teamwork displayed by the original six had started to come together and work as a whole. While the battle prowess of each person only improved by a little, the overall efficiency and strength as a group sky rocketed. Dax said to Leo that they had been fighting as individuals before, but now, they are working together as a team.

With Leo's strength he would only take part into the fighting in critical situations or if a beast in the second star realm had appeared. Most of the time he would shout encouragement and helpful tips from the sideline.

At one point the group came across a pack of Red Stripped Snakes. At birth, these snakes are ten feet in length and two feet in diameter. Their bodies are extremely resilient as they are born with tiny black slippery scales. As they advance in the realms, their size doubles, and the fire they breathe becomes purer and the temperature rises. Typically, snakes do not travel in packs, but an abnormality in the Red Stripped Snake causes them to.

The pack of snakes included the leader at the beginning of the second-star realm, one at the eight of the first-star, and five at the fifth level of the first star realm. This was the hardest battle that they had to go through up till this moment. Everyone had gotten injured, but no one suffered any major or life-threatening injuries. It took them two days to fully recover.

At one-point during the battle Leo had thought about taking out his God level artifacts that Arbor had bought for him. But he decided against it, as he did not want to show them until he had enough strength to protect himself. He knows that he cannot fully trust those in his group yet. There is always a possibility of gossip happening if they return to the city.

Dax made sure that they collect valuable parts to sell and use what else they can from the snakes. The scales can be made into armor and the meat is beneficial to those who have an affinity for fire. As mercenaries, they counted every spirit stone that they can get their hand on.

Sozoth requested for some meat to be saved for her snake as its beneficial for its cultivation. Her simple request went over easily with everyone.

The group gradually made their way deeper into the forest and closer to the mountain range. The deeper they traveled in, the stronger their opponents had become. They had now been in the forest for eight days. On the night of the eight day they decided to set up camp along a cliff wall at the base of the mountain.

Leo sat with his back up against the rock wall and surveyed the area in front of him for any would be predators that thought of his squad as a meal. The small fire did not help hiding their current location. Small chatter and laughter filled the area around the crackling fire. Leo slowly got to feel out who each person is and what their backgrounds are.

The triplets were Dax's late relatives that he took in as his own. The three turn into simple trouble makers if they are unsupervised. For this reason, Dax forces them to join him on his adventures through the guild.

Ithaa was adopted off the streets by Dax a decade ago. She was stealing everything she could get her hands on to survive. As much as she can remember, she has never known her parents or who raised her before Dax had taken her in. Dax is her father in her eyes.

Sozoth does not talk much and keeps mostly keeps to herself. Dax recalled that she showed up to the guild one day and was assign to her team. No one knows what her story is, and her dark demeanor gives people second thoughts about asking.

Leo respectfully declined any questions about his background or gave vague details about it.

Eventually an eerie feeling drifted along the rock wall and swept past Leo as if he was not there. This deathly feeling caused Leo to stand up and put the fire out. The other six went silent and followed Leo's lead towards the direction that the feeling came from.

Leo eventually found himself at a small crack in the wall just wide enough for one person to fit through. The same feeling was leaking out of the crack that had drifted by Leo. Dax pointed out there were two sets of foot steps and paw prints on the ground in front of the crack.

Leo studied the tracks for a minute before he realized who they belong to.

"Lets go, we don't have time to waste." Leo said as he hurriedly motioned for everyone to move into the crack.

"Are you fucking crazy? Im not going in there." A stern reply from Grary.

"I am not in the mood to die today." Gror added on.

"You bunch of cowards." Sozoth scoffed as she went through the crack first.