With the clock hitting 6, the drill had commenced. Everyone was leaving the hall with their 'watchers' to their respective assigned hotspots for grinding.

Meanwhile, Klautz had ended up in a group that was too similar to his old one. Shizu had pulled some strings to get them all together.

Klautz sighed,

"Since we know each other at least it would be easier for us to coordinate,

" Klautz had no idea that he would later regret saying these words.

Klautz wasn't much in favour of this situation. If it were an unknown bunch of people in his group he could have stormed off and hunted all by himself not caring about the others.

"Let's go,

" The guard instructed.

Klautz's team was probably the only team that didn't require a guard with Klautz and Shizu being of the same strength as them. That is when considering Klautz's actual strength which was quite different from what was recorded by Gozoto.

They followed the guard to the hot spot. A long walk indeed to a dense forest.

The forest had high trees with root-like structures coming down from the branches. The ground was green here and there thanks to the moss making it green and a slippery ride.

It would be much harder to fight if you make a misstep and let yourself glide over the moss.

"The Forest of Roots,

" Klautz whispered.

He knew this place and had even trained here before in his starting years as a ninja. With its tall trees and thick branches, it served as the perfect location for newbie ninjas to do movement training.

Klautz had no fifth member but there was an unknown man following them. He seemed to be extremely interested in Klautz to the point of following him to the forest.

As soon as they entered the forest they were greeted by a huge Demonic Bear. It was around 3 to 4 feet tall and had large fangs.

"Roar!

"

With its deathly roar, it indicated that it didn't want others to enter its domain. Yet the guard took a step towards it challenging its might. It was a deliberate attempt to draw its agro.

The bear charged at the group with the guard moving away allowing them to fight.

Klautz too was quick to dodge. But alas Selena wasn't so quick to react.

*Crackle*

*Zap*

With a sway of thunder, the bear was hit, killing it in one blow.

"He He, aren't I strong?

" Shizu hopped towards Selena as she claimed.

Selena could finally leave out a sigh of relief holding onto her chest as she confirmed that the bear was dead.

But Klautz could only sigh in dejection.

"I take my words back. I was wrong, this kind of formation is bad for every one of us.

"

The Hunting ground had monsters that were too weak for Klautz and Shizu's grinding. On the other hand, they were of amicable strength for the others but Klautz and Shizu's presence made it impossible for them to counter them by betting on their life.

"I guess I have to wait for the other second gens to show up

"

The joining of the second-gen in the newbie drill marks its second stage. It is when the newbies have already fought and gained some stats and are sent to higher difficulty dungeons along with the second-gen who were already strong in strength.

It is to facilitate their fast growth all the while giving the second-gen some helping hands.

'Welp, 'helping hands' could hold different meanings for different people. But that was how it goes.'

Klautz walked up to Shizu. He ducked close and whispered into her ears.

"You want to spend some quality alone time with Selena, don't you?

" Klautz whispered.

Klautz didn't know why, but Shizu had some kind of attachment towards Selena. It was practically oozing out of her very presence and was hard to not notice.

Shizu nodded in delight. It was clear that she very much liked the thought of it.

"Then can you make this guard go away? If you can do that then I and Verona too will leave you two alone. Then you can spend some quality time with her,

" Klautz whispered.

Klautz didn't know how far the reach of this 'Shizu' went. At least from his past life, he had no recollection of someone by that name. Maybe she died before Klautz had even finished his training as a ninja. Who knows?

But one thing was certain. If she could prevent the randomization and bring all of them together. Then she could very much make the guard leave. She should have some authority over him.

And true to his guess, Shizu nodded. She walked up towards the guard, thunder crackling along her sleeves.

*Crackle*

And Before Klautz could turn around to check, the guard had left with his tails between his legs.

'Good'

"Selena, we are going to be hunting in groups. You go with Shizu, and I will go with Verona.

"

Selena's eyebrows squeezed together. She had a pained look on her face that didn't want Klautz to go. Her lips parted to ask but before she could Verona stole her words.

"But why?

"

"Because those are my orders,

" Klautz claimed.

"The way we are at the moment, we cannot hunt efficiently. We have to split up for the best. Do you follow?

" Klautz asked Verona.

Verona nodded.

"I mean, I have no problem. Just curious.

" Verona confirmed.

Verona might have no problems but Selena did!

"But if that's the case. Can't I switch up with Ver…

" her words stopped as she was pushed away by Shizu.

Shizu had a smirk on her face. For some reason, that vibrant smile appeared like the smile of a devil to Selena.

"Big Sis, let's go! We will hunt together. I will be there to protect you!

" Selena could only smile wryly as she was being pulled away.

***

Author:

Creation is hard for authors. Cheer me up with your power stones!

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