Instantly, Frank disappeared from vision, his figure becoming invisible. He approached the buffaloes and revolved around them a few times. Then, he noticed something strange once he got a bit closer. A thin layer of darkness was swirling around them, the same as the cheetah.
'Is this another chaos mutation? It has the same aura as that cheetah…but I won't be able to subdue it. I'm not strong enough.'
He shook his head and backed away. He went back to hiding and deactivated his attribute. He locked eyes with his captain and said in a neutral tone.
"Captain, those buffalo have a dark aura around them like the cheetah…"
Major's brows twitched. "Really?"
He saw Harvey, frowning in the corner of his eye but ignored it. He turned towards him and asked in a whisper.
"Do we really need a live sample, Sir. Harvey?"
Harvey nodded, confirming the need for a live sample. Major clicked his tongue and began to formulate a plan.
'We need to get a live specimen somehow but Frank's the only one who can approach buffaloes without triggering them…Jasper's the only one strong enough but how…?'
He bit his lip – something was missing for him to form a plan, he just didn't know what. He thought for minutes as the animals slowly chewed away at the block. Time was ticking – would Major form a plan or would the buffaloes leave before that? Right then, it clicked. He snapped his fingers and whispered to Jasper who was behind him.
"Go around the trees, don't alert the buffalos. Stand opposite of where they came."
Jasper nodded and headed towards his destination. He signaled Frank to go into the fray once more. He looked around the corner and confirmed the buffaloes were not looking in his direction. He skipped over to the other tree and called Saul over.
"Go with jasper. Make sure no buffalo hits him."
Saul nodded and headed out. Elke called Major over and asked him a question.
"What's my role?"
Major raised a brow.
'Well…extra measures shouldn't be a problem.'
"Go with Saul. Adjust him if he can't keep up with the buffalos."
Elke grinned and trailed Saul. Major peeked over and counted down from three with his fingers. When he reached zero, Frank appeared and scared the buffaloes away. As the buffaloes ran, Jasper prepared himself for a head on confrontation. He activated his attribute and instantly, his veins budged as a rush of power overcame him. He caught a buffalo by its horns and held it there. He saw the dark aura, swirling the animal but shrugged it off in a rush of adrenaline.
Saul at the side, activated his attribute and tried his best to redirect the course of the other animals. Not being able to keep up, he started to have a nosebleed. Realizing this, Elke gripped the latter's shoulder and closed his eyes. He activated his attribute and adjusted Elke's thinking speed. Saul instantly, felt his mind accelerate. He guided the buffalo's away from jasper, barely missing him by centimeters.
Finally, the rest of the gang rushed away and Jasper put the buffalo down. Major rushed over and placed a collar on the buffalo's neck. An electric shock, jolted the buffalo out of frenzy. As the buffalo looked around in confusion, Major took a closer look at it.
'Yes…it does have that dark aura…It may be a chaos mutation.'
Harvey's brows furrowed as he saw the thin layer of darkness covering the animal.
'Do all the animals on this damn continent have the aura of those demons?! I'll report this to captain but first…'
He took out the clipboard and have points on plan execution and teamwork. He smirked before rounding up the points and putting the clipboard down.
"I would say…you did pretty good but using a block of the mineral block or just calling out to them would have been more efficient than this." He stated.
"Sir, sorry to correct you but…These buffaloes haven't seen humans for a long time. If we approached then, they would have surely run away. Second, the box was dispensing the scent of the block so attracting one with a piece would have been impossible." Major pointed out.
Harvey, surprised raised his brows. He thought for a moment and realized all of his points were correct.
"You're right. Good job."
Major smiled as Elke patted him on the back.
"Nice, man."
"Thanks…" Major wiped his face.
Harvey coughed drawing their attention.
"Now…I'll reveal your score once we get back to camp." He said,
The group glanced back at Harvey and nodded. Major gripped the collar and pulled the animal towards the camp. Elke cleaned up Saul's nosebleed. Frank carried Jasper by the shoulder who was tired from holding down a frenzied buffalo.
***
It took hours but they finally reached the camp with the buffalo in hand. Arthur was slightly surprised by it but expected no less. Maple was overexcited that her trainees had completed their first mission.
"Good job, guys. I'm really proud of you." Maple clapped.
"THANK YOU, MA'AM!!!" They all expressed their gratitude, saluting their instructor.
Arthur smiled and locked eyes with Amelia.
"Take it to the professor."
"…Fine." Amelia sighed.
She grabbed the collar of the buffalo and lead it towards the researchers. Sterling practically jumped out of the tent once he heard the buffalo had been caught. He rushed towards it and crouched down.
"Such a beauty you are! Oh, knowing you will be a great pleasure."
"Just take him already. My hands getting tired, professor." Amelia grumbled.
"Okay – Okay, hand him over." Sterling urged, standing up.
Amelia let go of the collar and the professor took over. Sterling guided the buffalo towards the tent as Amelia twisted her wrist. She headed back to her group and saw them standing around Harvey in a circle.
"Hey, what are you looking at?" Amelia joined in.
"Their results." Arthur replied.
Amelia leaned over his shoulder and peeked at the results. She smiled and leaned back. Harvey put the clipboard away and let Arthur take charge. The group of new enforcers were sweating, nervously waiting for their result. Arthur looked at each one of them and opened his mouth.
"After carefully reviewing Harvey's score and some contemplation…"
The tension grew thicker with each second as Arthur stalled the announcement of the score to perk up the new enforcers.
"You passed."
All of them sighed simultaneously, Major, Jasper and Frank clenched their fists in victory. Arthur looked at Maple and nodded. Maple's heart jumped slightly as she nodded back, proud of her recruits.