The weapons started being distributed and shortly after everyone was wielding some kind of blade, except Oliver.
The axe went to Lucas and almost everyone took spears. The swords that resembled a Roman gladius were redistributed and almost like a plague, nobody wanted the crossbow.
"Of course, who would choose a weapon that will leave you hanging after 10 shots." He grabbed the crossbow and the quiver. Its wood was dark and its system was pretty simple, reloading would still be a pain.
Looking around, everyone was already prepared and small groups formed.
Some gathered around Nikki and others around Samuel.
"This time, it looks like Luísa decided to go with him..."
"Let's move and try not to separate from each other. Always in groups and watch out for ambushes," Nikki was the first to speak. She seemed even fiercer today and her wounds were almost fully healed.
Oliver guessed thanks to David, but natural healing still had something supernatural about it.
Soon, Oliver felt a hand touch his back as the group started moving. When he looked, it was Lucas and David.
"We made something for you. Early this morning, when we went to get more meat, I managed to take the fangs from the serpent you killed. Lucas used what he knew about making weapon handles and we created this," David pointed to Lucas's hands.
Lucas was holding two ivory blades and handed them to Oliver. The blades were primitive, the handles a mix of twisted roots, and the blades irregularly sharp.
Their size wasn't much different from a short sword.
"Damn, those centimeters went deep inside that creature's mouth. If that had hit me, I'd be dead before the venom took effect," a slight chill passed through his stomach.
"Are you sure? This could be a good backup weapon for you..." Oliver said, reluctant to let go of the blades.
"You're the only one without a melee weapon and besides, this is a thank you for saving my best friend. Plus, it's comforting to finally be able to act like a blacksmith. Hehehehehe," Lucas answered quickly and he was right.
Oliver needed something to defend himself, these blades might not be as strong as bronze, but it was still better than nothing.
"Thanks then," with a satisfied smile, Oliver tucked the two ivory blades between his belt and pants and began to follow the group that was finally descending the hill heading south.
Aline joined his side and then Gael; soon the five of them were walking together. This didn't go unnoticed by the "Captains," but they continued leading the way.
Finally, they reached the tree of bodies. Purple and blue leaves fell over the green grass, where Nicolas and the two girls lay. Their bodies were already decomposing and their skin was a dull gray.
Many turned their eyes away and did not look at the corpses. Aline was not one of those people; her eyes lingered on the two girls for several seconds until Oliver gently pulled her away and she managed to break free from the trance.
"We're going into the forest from now on, so everyone stay alert and watch your step. These vipers could be everywhere," Samuel's voice showed no sign of fear.
"Thanks, Samuel!!! That really helps calm the nerves. Idiot!"
With the warning from the former futsal captain, they entered the forest. Just by passing through branches and dead plants, the heat began to annoy them and it wasn't even noon yet.
Samuel's and Nikki's teams led the way, a few meters behind in the rear was Oliver and the others. The first minutes were a pain, but soon they began to adapt and after the first half hour, everything became more natural.
"Do you really think it's a good idea to go on like this, Oliver?" David's voice came close to his ears, whispering so no one ahead would hear.
"Honestly, no. But we can't do much, staying behind after almost 30 hours have passed and without weapons—that would be suicide."
"Hmm... Okay, but if something happens, our priority is our group. We can't tolerate any more losses, don't you agree? Capitán," Oliver's spine shivered again at the name and by now it was starting to bother him.
No one was supposed to know that name, no one except Ana Laura.
"Do you think the short one is okay? She must be... She's not weak!"
He nodded affirmatively. They were already falling behind and that would draw attention from the rest of the group.
Beep!
"A notification?"
Oliver quickly looked at his forearm and noticed his Scanner was active and that almost unconsciously, he had been using it all along searching for new herbs.
[Herb Rank – 1]
[?????????: Tannin Properties Identified...]
"The description changed. It might sound silly, but this gives me information that this herb might have more than one property. So, as long as I do more experiments, I can improve the Scanner's understanding and get better descriptions?"
"Oliver, you're falling behind," Aline's voice reached him and she cast a worried look his way.
"Just a second, I found something related to the Scanner," his eyes nodded in understanding and she stayed there, standing still, like his bodyguard, ready to defend him from any nasty snake.
"Okay, now that was way too cute. Hehehehehe." Soon he found it, a vine with some nuts hanging.
Unfortunately, he couldn't carry the whole herb, so he took just the nuts. Six brown nuts were put into his pants pocket.
"Okay, now let's go back to my powerful bodyguard!"
He soon reached Aline and they jogged to catch up with the group. Gael and David were deliberately behind. Soon they entered formation again.
"Well... everything is calm, it feels like a school trip on a trail. Not so bad. We'll be fine!"