Let me be a mob! - Chapter 37- Fiona\'s conflicted thoughts!

[Fiona’s POV:]

It was not the first time I was witnessing how Jin dealt with dangers above his ranking but still, I was not able to help myself from marveling at the sight my eyes were granted for the fourth time ever since we separated from the group and began the search for our classmates.

He indeed was strong, that he had proven long back when I saw that bisected C-rank Illusion monkey lying dead in front of a boy who was supposed to be on the same power level as mine, as from what I have researched on him on the first day.

It might be creepy and something I would not like to disclose to anyone, but knowing that Jin might be a possibility of being my savior who rescued me back then, allowed my conscience to have some investigation to put behind the fifth ranking first year.

He was a D-rank, that was for sure but the resilience he was showcasing was anything but justifiable of what level he was evaluated with. Everything aside…he was able to fight a C-rank monster without mana! Absurd it may sound, but that was the truth that not only me but Dia and others have also witnessed.

Not to talk about the circumstances in which he was free to utilize mana and the creatures we were facing were on the lower league C-rank. I only stared from the sidelines and helped the students since whenever Jin landed to take a fight, he mercilessly annihilated his enemy…no, prey would be the right word. Those who get the chance to fight back are considered enemies. But in the case of Jin…he was just massacring whatever posed a threat to our classmates’ lives.

He never left me behind and was mindful of whether I was alright because I found myself in the crossfire several times. Him being so considerate toward me was a little frustrating since he seemed to be undervaluing me. But in a way, his concern for me shows what kind of person Jin Carter actually is.

“Here. Hold this thread and follow the trail without halting even once in the path. Whatever you hear or see, just follow the tread and it will lead you to a safe location, okay?”

It was an artifact that Rena offered to each of the rescue teams. The Fate Thread or whatever she calls it. It’s an artifact that only could be visible to those who possess the ring to attach on either end of the ropes. It has other features like it can be extended endlessly and also never breaks whatever force is applied.

We were handing rings to every classmate we saved and directing them to follow the thread which would lead them directly to Dia who had hold of the other ends of all the rings our team and Aiden’s team were carrying. Those who were able to walk properly or were not in urgent grave danger were the only ones whom I offered the ring, and the others—which were only two until now—were being carried by Jin and me.

These two students are part of Silvie’s team One of them had received heavy damage on his torso and the other one was low on mana and had fallen into slumber. Potions didn’t help much so we decided to carry them wherever we go. The rest were already on their way back to Dia’s group or maybe they might have already reached their destination.

“That makes the count to seven.”

Jin said with a hushed tone, with a slight frown over his silvery grey brows. Every time I look at him, especially his mane, I get reminded of that night, and the urge inside of me to ask Jin whether he was the one who saved me that day elevates. But I have grown accustomed to restraining my wishes and masking my inner thoughts like I was doing right now.

“Including five of the team captains, Brad and Dia, and all those we have saved along with your fallen team members… it makes sixteen in total. Only nine students are left.”

I made a quick calculation when suddenly my throat went heavy as I recalled that I forgot to include the dead member which Silvie mentioned. Subconsciously I gulped hard and was not able to utter that count out.

Just thinking how that girl must have felt or what her parents would go through when they hear about their daughter’s demise, makes me shudder and shades me in regret for not being present there when that girl needed help. Who knows how many other students have passed away in this trial or whether they were on the verge of death even now when I was pondering about the situation.

I may have trained to become a warrior and such, but death was never an easy task for me to face. I know many people die every day. Some sacrifice themselves for others and some get killed because of varying circumstances. But we students were not in the position of retiring out of life just now. No one, including me, had ever thought that just on the second day of the academy we had to face something this big which would take a miraculous being such as Jin to tackle it.

“Fiona.”

“Ah!”

Startled, I never noticed when Jin approached me this close and brought his hand over my shoulder to pull me out of my daze. His face was inches apart from mine and his warm hand gently squeezing my shoulder sent a warming sensation to course through my entire being for some reason.

I couldn’t help but look into his deep eyes which were filled with unmasked concerns locked at me. His lips moved in slow motion or I just imagined since I was reading his face quite intently now that I realized.

“I suggest you retreat since you don’t seem well.”

“No, I am fine. Don’t underestimate me just because I didn’t get to show my skills in the fight.”

Instantly getting out of my previous depressing thoughts I turned to my left, brushing off his hand from my shoulder in the process, with that complaint. Was I being serious? Why did I do that? No one but only Dia knows how I generally behave and I seemed too out of character just now.

Do I want to stay with him longer that was why I used such words. Or maybe I am concerned about him? Either reason, I just know that I didn’t want to leave him like that until I ensure that he returns to safety along with me.

I didn’t turn to look at him but he seemed to be smiling at me with his shoulders slump in resignation, I guess?

“I never underestimated you, and am somewhat aware of your capabilities lighting princess. It’s just I could understand your current emotional condition that’s why I asked you to return. Trust me, if not for the training my master has instilled in me, I would also have been freaked out by the prospectus of having my classmates dead just on this causal field trip slash representative selection test. So please, don’t take me wrong, Fiona.”

My eyes narrowed at the way he regarded me initially but soon I quit whining and turned to face Jin with a sigh and calmed my complicated heart.

“Even though, I have no motive of turning back away from here so please don’t insist and let me accompany you.”

I knew I was being stubborn and seeing the prowess Jin held in his limbs, he would be very much comfortable and independent if he was to fight alone. No holding back nor any stress of being weakened by targetting his comrades along the way. But I can’t help it.

This might be the dormant Fiona I have been suppressing all these months which might have been falling out. But I dont hate it….not in front of the person I was showing this side of mine.

Maybe it was just verbal verification left since my subconscious has already accepted Jin as the man I have only dreamt about up until now.

Jin gave out a helpless sigh, much to my elation of having a win over him before he uttered the words I could have allowed myself to follow.

“There’s no helping then, huh? Well, make sure to be cautious and don’t stray away from me, okay? ”

I nodded just as I had done whenever he warned me like this. At the start, I was annoyed at being treated like some delicate girl, but soon I realized that it was a part of his true nature…to care about everyone around him like they were his responsibility.

…can’t say I hate it.

******

[Third person POV:]

By evening everyone had gathered back at the entrance of the Jungle. As prior decided Aiden shot a flare in the air to alert Jin that it was time for them to retreat which rhe latter did while carrying the two fallen students on his back and the other one tied around on his front.

Since it was dark Jin didn’t let Fiona carry them since she was in charge of navigation and since Jin was fast on his feet even with extra luggage, Fiona didn’t argue and let him carry both of them.

Aiden was able to rescue five students which makes twenty-one students in total. Leaving the student Silvie saw ending up dead because of her futile attempt to breach the barrier, three students were nowhere to be seen.

Two from Aiden’s team, one from Rena’s, and one from Fiona’s.

There was a brief mourning period the group was dyed in for the fallen students the rescue teams were unable to save but they couldn’t have helped every one of them, that was given.

Fiona treated the students with her potions and Silvie healed them through her skill. There were other healers in the groups as well so the students were relatively healthy and not in any fatal danger. Some were still unconscious due to heavy exhaustion and those who had their mana drained out.

“Shall we get going now?”

Jin raised his brows in direction of the protagonist who still looked troubled because of students he was unable to save but he knew staying there would cause even more casualties.

With a heavy sigh, he nodded, much to Brad’s relief.

Jin nodded before he walked toward the barrier as he summoned his dual axe in his hands making Rena marvel at the sight once again and feel the envy she thought she has already thrown into a grave.

Every eye was focused on Jin as they stood up and carried their fallen comrades on their shoulders, ready to depart any second without wasting a single moment, as per what Jin directed. Those who were unable to use mana at the moment were also being carried by a stronger student since they couldn’t take the chance of leaving anyone behind just in case they doesn’t make it out.

Jin closed his eyes and gathered his focus on the things revolving around him, much to Silvie’s fascination before some unrecognizable words left his lips.

“@%#&#&@-&#&#&@-#”

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A/N: – I was going to continue but when I scrolled up I found I have already passed 1.5k words lol. Don’t worry I will have another pov in the next chapter to describe what Jin was about to do.

Fiona’s inner monologue seemed wavering alot and I intentionally made it that way since it reflects the way she is. She would grow mature by being Jin’s side so hang in there…

By the way, this first-person pov…how was it?

Lemme know in the comments~