Chapter 23 - 22. Where Dangers Abound
At Bassena's words, the rest of the espers took their position, and the researcher scooted back. But there was no fear or panic, just a rightfully places tension.
Balduz took the equipment and moved away from the brook, along with the researchers. He positioned himself behind the two civilians, eyes vigilantly observing the surrounding. Han Shin put himself in front of the researchers; even as a healer, his constitution was still way higher than a normal person, not to mention that his equipment was all focused on boosting defense.
As the outsiders, Ron and Zein positioned themselves to flank the researchers, effectively putting the civilians inside a close-knit defense. Logically, Zein should be inside this protection too, but they already knew about Zein's extraordinary strength.
In the meantime, Bassena stood at the edge of the brook and peered down without making any movement. "Sierra, take care of this," he said in a firm, commanding voice.
"Yes, Sir!" the sharpshooter climbed into a rock that was as tall as Bassena, and took out her gun.
Without looking at the sharpshooter, Bassena threw her a question. "Can you see it?"
Zein looked at the man who stared at the water with an easy smile. His question sounded more like a test in Zein's ear.
"Yes Sir," Sierra answered readily, eyes gleaming and focused at the depth. It would be a disgrace for a sharpshooter if she wasn't able to see that much. The vice guildmaster would probably send her to the training camp again if she failed this.
"Can you kill it in one shot?" Bassena asked in a casual tone, armed crossed like an instructor waiting for his student's answer.
It wasn't a question to test Sierra's strength. Otherwise, he would just tell her to shoot it dead. Instead, he carried on a conversation as if they were in a simulation training module, so it was clear that the one he gauged was the sharpshooter's judgment.
And true to someone who passed Trinity's test course, she answered without hesitation. "No, Sir."