journey to south

Reading the map

Caius raised his head to look at Henry but said nothing. Fighting with Henry was something he didn't want—not now, when he still didn't know how to control the sword.

"What, you want to fight?" Henry asked, popping his head forward as if he wanted to fight Caius, but Caius didn't even bother looking at him.

"Fight you? Just forget about it," Caius said with confidence.

"It's just a map—what's so difficult about it?" Sonia spoke up, trying to help Caius.

"Yeah. So what if he can't use it? That doesn't mean he's useless," Kain also spoke up on behalf of Caius Hex, which made Henry Ford even angrier.

How could they stand up for Caius when I'm basically their leader? How could they choose to side with someone I brought into the group just to win Supervisor Lin's favor?

Caius smiled—this was the first time someone had actually stood up for him. He didn't know whether he should be happy or sad.

Caius was about to say something, but Kim spoke up instead.

"Henry, why are you bringing up issues with Caius again?" Kim asked this time, looking at Henry. He did not hold him responsible for neglecting Kain when Caius had told him to rescue her.

But this time, Henry was trying to make Caius look like a complete loser in front of everyone.

"Bringing up issues?" Henry asked angrily, looking at Kim. Kim used to be his most trusted friend, but now he was also siding with Caius, which made him furious.

What did Caius give you that makes you all stand up for him? he wanted to ask them, but he changed his mind.

"No matter how you try to make it look like he isn't useless, it won't work," Henry said confidently.

"Henry, you're going too far!" Kim yelled at him, alerting the monsters lurking around the woods.

"Who said I don't know how to read a map?" Caius asked, standing up from the ground. He took the map from Henry, laid it on the tent bag, and pointed.

"Exactly where we are. So far, we've walked a hundred and ten kilometers away from the northern camp."

Sonia confirmed it. This was the first time he was showing them that he could actually read a map, amazing them—and indirectly slapping Henry Ford across the face.

He didn't stop there. As he looked around, he said, "We have about five hours before we arrive at Guama County," pointing at the county on the map.

Guama County was a small village in the north; even though it wasn't safe, it had resources they could use to survive out there.

Henry Ford frowned as he watched Caius explaining, his hatred growing.

"Wait," Sonia said, drawing their attention. The scent in the area was a bit off—something was wrong.

"f**k!" she shouted. "Everyone, hold your weapon—we have monsters coming from afar!"

Monsters? Caius's face changed instantly. This was the first time he was encountering monsters—well, aside from the one at the temple,

where Ivy and Mina had killed it themselves. Oh, now they will know I really don't know how to fight, he thought, frowning in disappointment.

The first monster appeared before them. It was eight feet tall, with a bug face, a chimpanzee body, and a long tail.

Was it a multi-bred species? he wondered as his team charged against it. Caius held his sword as one monster came running toward him from behind.

He looked at the monster with fear as he took a step backward, his legs shaking.

"Oh Mummy, I'm doomed," he cried out, taking a step backward—but another was coming from behind him.

He looked back. "Oh my God," he cried out as the two monsters ran toward him.

He shifted to the side, making the two monsters crash into each other with force; they fell to the floor.

This is my chance to get rid of one, he thought as he hurriedly slashed open the throat of the first monster, killing it on the spot.

"Well done, Master," a voice whispered into his ear, making him freeze with the sword in his hand.

Where is that voice coming from? he wondered, but now wasn't the time to reason about it.

Since the second monster was still on the floor, struggling to stand up because of its bulky size, he stabbed it from behind before it could rise.

His sword burst out from its chest, making the monster roar out in pain.

As Caius dragged the sword out, the monster fell to the floor in pain, but it wasn't dead yet.

"Well done, Master—more blood to boost my powers," the voice whispered into his ear again, making him tense.

"Who is there?" he asked, holding his sword with both hands, alert, as he turned to check.

"It's me, Master," the voice said, making him look around, but the voice matched no one on his team.

"Show your face," Caius said, but he was tapped by Sonia.

"Are you alright?" she asked, making him look at her. "Did you hear that voice?" he asked, making Sonia look at him, confused.

"What voice?" Sonia asked, and Caius laughed. "Sorry, it was my imagination—I thought I heard someone talking," he lied as he followed Sonia.

They had only fought one monster, and they had all gotten injured, but Caius had fought two and was normal—without a scratch, Kain thought as she carefully examined him.

He was hiding his strength all along, Kain concluded.

"You fought two monsters without any injuries?" Kim exclaimed as Caius walked toward them.

Henry frowned. Why is Caius so lucky? And he's gaining the spotlight—something that was meant to be mine.

How did he become this good? Henry wondered as he looked at Caius strangely.

A part of him wanted to tear Caius apart and show everyone that Caius was useless and weak; another part of him wanted to keep the promise he had made to Supervisor Lin.