-Next Day-
Kaito and the others met in class . He handed them the potions each and explained them the details behind these potions and the reason they gave it to them .
The mission they decided on was a B2 Grade Mission . The location was atleast 21 km east of the City and in the interior parts of the Starlit Forest . The forest is not only a dangerous location due to the monsters but half of the forest was covered in a deadly mist known as the Death Mist .
The Death Mist holds many secrets because very less number of people actually ever survived the mist . The Awakeners who return from their either had severe injuries which lead them to a coma or they would lose their mental stability .
Kaito knew all this as well as the others and that is the reason why he wanted to take this mission . The Death Mist although described as a natural phenomenon but it isn't natural in the slightest . It was a artificial environment created by someone in the ancient times .
The mist itself isn't dangerous or poisonous but rather the creatures or traps inside the mist is the one responsible . This mission was set near Shinano River which passes through both the demon and human territory . There is an abandoned town near the river known as the Lizhou City . It not only is close to the river but one part of this city is covered with Death Mist .
"So , what is the task ?" asked Kendo
"Exterminate the demons" replied Kaito while surfing through his phone
"Which area ?"
"Lizhou City" replied Kaito with the same attitude
Kaito then kept his phone on the table and projected the map of Lizhou City .
"See here , this area is swarming with nightmare-level monsters" he said while pointing in the east
"So , we will exterminate the monsters here ?"
"Correct but … this area is more special" he said while pointing in the north
"Why ?" asked Seina
"The report which I received showed that this area has some hell-level monsters . Moreover , this area is covered by the Death Mist"
"Which side is the Shinano River ?"
"Here" he pointed towards north-western side
"So , that's why the more powerful monsters are here ?"
"Quite possible . The influence of the River Water can draw more demons but the Death Mist makes it difficult"
"Why so ?"
"The Death Mist has a particular region inside it which is abundant of Demonic Miasma"
"What !?" everyone exclaimed
"Yes . The report has a warning sign in that place . Demonic Miasma is dangerous for Awakeners below SSS-Rank"
"But , then why is the mission just a B2 grade ? Its easily a B3 grade mission" exclaimed Seina
"Because , the real threat here are the nightmare monsters . The hell-level ones aren't many and most of them are low-grade ."
"Quite understandable"
"Get Ready . The mission is in 3 days . I will collect the potions . Kendo , you are responsible for supplies and food"
"How many days do we need to spend ?"
"5 days maximum . The number of monsters we have to collect will decide our teams points . Here"
Kaito gave them a scientifically advanced watch . These watches are made by the research center for indivisuals who go to the wilderness . These watches keep the Awakeners condition in check , provides a map and communication to them and also responsible to track them down in cases where they go missing .
They wore the watches . As soon as the watches came in contact with their wrists , the straps closed completely without a possibility of opening them . They are required first to scan the biometric signs of the indivisual and search their information in the database . Only then will they be applicable and can function after the confirmation .
"These watches can't be released once worn and can only be released after properly unlocking it by the user"
"Understood" all of them said in unison
"Now , let's get to work"
*****
Three days later
The four young 2nd year students crossed the main gates of the city and are forwarding towards the wilderness . They were provided a military bulletproof car by the City . Kaito who was driving kept his eyes forward on the road . Kendo who was sitting on the passenger seat handles the weapons provided in the car for emergency . These military off-road vehicles are very expensive with each costing over 15 million yen .
Seina , Akane and Kaori were sitting in the back as they were watching the surroundings . Kaito provided each of them with a spatial bag which has the potions they needed . Each bag had 10 HF3 healing potions which Kaito brought . The suits provided by the Academy during this missions were much better than the ones they received during their 1st year . The suits provided that time had a B1 defense system and A1 amplification system but these suits were provided with B3 defense and A3 amplification .
These suits were more difficult to equip than the previous ones and each person needs to have an sync rate of minimum 30% to use them . Kaito's sync rate was currently 59 % , Kendo's sync rate was 52 % , Seina's was 57% , Kaori and Akane had 49% and 47% respectively .
They were almost near the Lizhou City when Kaito suddenly stopped the car .
"What happened ?" asked Kendo
"Why did you stop ?" asked Seina
"Get off the car . We will cover the rest of the distance by foot"
"What ?"
"But , why ?"
"This is the east side of Lizhou City"
They all understood that Kaito had some plan and thus they got off . Kaito turned off the car and got off . He took out his sword as he started moving forward , the others following him . He stopped and took off his blindfold . He scanned the entire area but to his surprise he didn't found a single life trace .
"What's wrong ?" asked Seina
"Take off your blindfold"
She did as he instructed as she too found the area to be awfully quiet . They both understood that something was wrong . Kaito forwarded a bit more as he crashed against something . He retreated two steps . With a confused look , he forwarded his hand and surprisingly touched a wall which was invisible .
This wall was blocking them out . But why ?
Kaito tried pushing it as his hand slowly started crossing the barrier . After 15 seconds , his hand entered but he immediately pulled it . Others saw that his hand was burnt like it came in contact with a strong acid .
"Kaito !!" said Seina as he went towards him
She started to take out a potion from her bag when Kaito stopped her . His hand started healing automatically . It took him 3 seconds to completely heal . The others looked dumbfounded .
"I have a healing skill" said Kaito without changing his serious expression
The answer was short but the others had to satisfy themselves with just that . They knew Kaito won't speak furthur when there is a serious situation at hand . Kaito placed his hand again as he felt the wall .
"It's a barrier"
"But , why is there a barrier here ?"
"I don't know . This isn't any normal barrier . It blocks if people meet a certain condition"
"What is the condition here ?"
"Maybe being an Awakener or being someone with pure mana . But their can be another condition too"
Kaito signalled Kendo to cross it . He gulped before following the orders . Kendo crossed his hand inside but to everyone's surprise nothing happened . Kaito's face was like 'I expected this' .
"Just as I thought . People who are above S-Rank can't enter"
"This is interesting"