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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 77: Hua Ran (3)

Chapter 77: Hua Ran (3)

– Clip-clop! Clip-clop!

The​ mounted bandits were‍⁠ speeding through the​​​ road on their‍‍⁠ horses. On top​ of the running​ and wavering horse,​ Hua Ran had⁠ to gasp for‌​‌ breath. The wind‍⁠ was cold to‍​​ her skin and‌ her hands shivered​⁠‌ without moving the‍ way she wanted‍​​ them to.

As‍‌‌ a side-effect of‍‌⁠ swallowing a portion‍⁠‌ of the peach​ tree, cold beads​⁠‌ of sweat were​ traveling down her​ cheeks and she⁠‌⁠ shivered every time‌⁠ those sweat drops​⁠ came in contact‍​ with the chilling​ wind.

“You…⁠‍ What are you‍ doing?”

Vacantly,​‍⁠ she uttered the‌ same cold words‌⁠ as usual but‌​​ they sounded half-hearted‌ and powerless.

“I​ heard you made‌⁠⁠ some trouble while‌‌ I was away.‌ I came to‌⁠‌ save you while‌‍⁠ I was at‍ it.”

“…You​‍​ are wasting your​⁠​ time.”

She⁠​ said with a gaze that seemed‌ to be asking‍​ what the point​​ was.

In⁠ truth, he had⁠‍ attacked the VIPs‍ from Purple Hawk‍‌‌ Academy and had​‌⁠ kidnapped an Academy⁠ student. He was​‌⁠ bound to be⁠​ caught very soon.​⁠‌ Regardless of Josephine​‌​ and Chairman Eriu’s‌‍‌ opinion, it was‌‌​ a matter of‍​‌ time for Korin⁠​‌ and herself to‌ be caught again.‍‌‍

“…”‍

Korin​‌‍ was skillfully maneuvering​​‍ the horse with⁠ Hua Ran still‍ in his arms.‍

The‍​⁠ bad-tempered gaze and‍​ tone he had‍​ when attacking the‌‍⁠ carriage were gone,⁠​ and Hua Ran​‍ could see through‍ the small gap‌‌⁠ between the mask‌‌‌ that his eyes​‍‌ were very calm‍‍ and poised.

“You​‌ won’t be going​ through anything good⁠‍‍ if you get​‌ taken there.”

“I​⁠⁠ know.”

“That’s⁠ why I helped⁠​⁠ you. Any problems?”⁠‌

“You…⁠‌‌ have nothing to​ do with this.”​⁠

“I​ do have something‌ to do with‌​⁠ this as someone‌⁠‍ living under the​ same roof as‍‍‌ you.”

“…”​

Hua​ Ran didn’t reply‍‌ to him.

“We’ve‍⁠ arrived, boss.”

Before​⁠ long, they were‍ already out of​‍ the city and‌⁠ arrived at an‌⁠ intersection that either‍ continued off to​​ another road or​ the forest. There,​ Korin carefully placed​​‌ Hua Ran on‍ his shoulder and‍‍ got off of​‍‌ his horse.

“Don’t​​⁠ forget the contract.”​

“We⁠‍ will leave as⁠​ many traces as⁠ possible and buy​‌ time, boss.”

Korin‍​ gave a purse‌​ of gold coins‍‍⁠ over to the‌‌ mounted bandits.

“That’s‍‌ the remaining half⁠ of the payment.”​

“Thanks​ for the business,‌‍‍ Mr. Immortan.”

“Live⁠⁠ a normal life​ as good people.‌​ I hope we‍⁠​ don’t cross paths‍ again.”

“Of‌‌ course. We usually​​ do legal things‌​‌ for a living,​ you know.”

These​ people were mercenaries‍​ that he hired‍⁠ through the Intelligence‍ Guild. Now, they‍ would go as⁠​​ far away from‌ the city as⁠​ possible and draw⁠​ the pursuers’ attention.‌‍⁠

“…Do⁠⁠ you think that⁠​‍ will help?”

“About⁠ half-half, I suppose.”‍​

Holding‍⁠⁠ onto Hua Ran’s‍‌⁠ hand, Korin walked‍‌ into the forest​‌ but in less⁠ than 10 meters,‍​‍ she fell to⁠⁠ the ground.

“You⁠⁠ don’t look very​‌​ good. And your⁠‍​ chains aren’t really‍‍ on you either…‌ Did they feed​​ you something?”

“Peach…⁠ tree.”

“Wood‌⁠ from a peach‌⁠‍ tree, huh. I guess it’ll be​‍ hard for the‌​ next few days.”‌⁠⁠

It​‍‌ was a powerful⁠‍⁠ sorcery tool that​​ was critical against⁠⁠ jiangshis. Even coming⁠ into contact with⁠ it was detrimental‌‌ and she was‍‍ only having flu‌ symptoms despite consuming​ it, because she‍‌‍ was Hua Ran.‍‌

Right‍‌ now, she was​ even weaker than⁠‌ girls of her‌⁠‌ age. Her sweats​​⁠ were falling like​ raindrops; her shivering​‌⁠ hands couldn’t function‍‌ properly and she‍ no longer had⁠⁠‍ the lofty appearance‌​ of an absolute‌⁠​ powerhouse.

“That’s⁠‌⁠ fine. I’ll just⁠ carry you then.”‍

“What?”‌⁠

Without​ even giving her‌​ the time to‍​‍ be surprised, Korin‌‌ lifted her up‍‍​ into his arms​‍ and started running⁠ forward.

——————‍​

Hua​ Ran was shocked​ by his sudden‍ decision. They were‍⁠​ running faster than‍⁠ a horse but⁠​ she didn’t even‌ have the time⁠⁠ to worry about‌‌​ her chilly skin.‌⁠

“W,‍‌ wait…”

If‌‍​ it was Korin,​ he wouldn’t have⁠ trouble running while‌‌ holding someone as​⁠ small as Hua‍‌⁠ Ran. Even though‌⁠‌ the forest had‍⁠‌ unpaved and dangerous​⁠‍ roads and a misstep could be‍⁠‌ detrimental, that mattered‌‍‍ not to Korin.​‌

“Let⁠⁠‌ me… down. I can run by‌‌ myself…”

“Don’t‍ bluff. I know⁠‍ you can’t even⁠‌ walk properly. Well,​ you’re as light‌⁠‍ as a feather‍ so you don’t‌ need to worry‍​ about anything.”

“…”⁠

That​‍‌ wasn’t the thing⁠‍ Hua Ran was‍​ concerned about. She⁠ was unsettled by​​‌ the very act⁠ of having to​‍‍ completely rely on‌‍ someone else.

“…”‌

Several​‌ emotions were being‌ suppressed inside her​ throat: her pride‍‌ that didn’t allow‌⁠​ her to fully⁠ depend on someone⁠‍⁠ else; her common‍⁠ sense that told​‍⁠ her she should⁠​⁠ show gratitude at​‍‍ a time like​​​ this; as well​‍​ as her mind‌⁠​ that lingered on⁠ his mention of⁠ her weight.

The​​ reason she swallowed⁠‍ all those emotions‍‍ without letting them⁠​‌ out was also‌ in correlation with‌‍​ her pride.

And​‌ the reason why‍ she somewhat liked‌‍⁠ his last remark‍‍‌ about her being‌⁠⁠ as light as‍ a feather… was‍ something she wouldn’t‌ realize for a long time.

“…Feels⁠‌ unpleasant.”

With​‍ the instincts of‌​ a beast, she⁠⁠ simply expressed her⁠‍‍ faint sense of⁠​⁠ displeasure, but;

“You‍​ can do whatever‌⁠ you want later.”‍⁠‌

Korin⁠ adeptly dealt with​‍⁠ it as always.‌‍​

– Tadadak!

His‌‌⁠ speed as he‍‌‍ raced through the‍ forest was already​ double the speed​⁠ of a horse.⁠ As expected of​ a knight, even​​‍ though his physical⁠⁠‍ ability was still​‍​ below Alicia’s despite‌‌ being a Grade‍‍ 1 Knight, Korin‍‌‍ was still at‍​ the pinnacle of‍ knights nonetheless.

He⁠ was already further​ away from the⁠ intersection than the‍ mercenaries on horseback.⁠‌

This‍‍​ was the reason​ why ‘knights’ were⁠ classified as living‍ weapons, but… there​​‌ was someone behind​ him that was​⁠⁠ approaching him regardless‍⁠​ of his superhuman​ speed.

“Already?!”‍

The‌⁠‍ black-haired pursuer was​​ wearing the unique​‌ clothing of the‍ east. The fairy⁠‌‍ of swords was‍ running at the‍ same speed as⁠ him through the⁠ dense woods of‍‍ the forest with​​ her eyes stuck‌​ on him.

“Slow,‍‌⁠ aren’t you.”

“It‌‍ didn’t work huh!”‌

Korin​‍‌ was thinking how⁠‍‍ the mercenaries didn’t⁠​‍ serve as a good enough bait‍‍⁠ but by the‍‌ time he came‌⁠‍ to himself, a sharp dagger was‌‍ already flying at⁠​ him.

– Thud!

The‍‌ dagger collided with‌ a piece of​‌‍ stone. The stone‌‌‌ with a rune⁠‌⁠ letter carved on​ it crashed into‌ the dagger at​‍⁠ a rapid speed​​ as they both​​​ fell powerlessly on​ the ground.

“A‍ dagger from the‍​‌ start? I thought‍⁠‍ you were a nicer person though!”‌‍

Korin‌⁠​ said, even though‌ he had driven‍​​ his carriage into‌⁠​ theirs first.

While⁠ dashing at a speed faster than​ a horse through‌‍⁠ the dense trees,‍⁠‍ they each prepared‌⁠ daggers and rune-carved‌​ stones to throw​​​ at each other.‍‌

—!​‌ —! —!

—!​ —! —!

The⁠⁠​ stones and daggers‌ traveled like lightning‌⁠‌ bolts.

– Thud!

The⁠ one who first⁠ allowed an attack​‍ in that ranged⁠ battle of the‍ forest was Korin.⁠

“Kuht…!”‌‍⁠

He‌⁠ frowned while looking​ at the dagger‌‍⁠ piercing through his⁠ shoulder. He had‍‍ stopped 2 of‌‍⁠ the flying daggers​​ by matching them​ with his stones‌​ but his last​⁠‍ stone grazed past‍⁠​ the last dagger.‌‌​ Even with the‌‌ assistance of runes,⁠​‍ there was a big difference in​ accuracy between stones‌⁠ and daggers.

“…Are‌ you alright?”

“She’s‌⁠‍ not the type‍⁠‌ to put poison‍ on her daggers‍ so…”

“Do​‌ you think that⁠‍ was the last⁠‍ one?”

Countless⁠​ daggers were floating‌ behind Kang Yuhua‌​⁠ like flower petals⁠ blooming in the⁠‍​ sky. Those daggers,‍‍‌ which had the‍⁠ power to suppress‍‌ aura, rained down⁠‍​ after a prediction​‌‍ of his path.‍​

– Pababak!

The​‍ daggers dug into‌‍ the thick trees‌⁠‌ and leaves of​​‌ the forest. After​‍ barely hiding himself‍ behind a large‌‌‍ tree, Korin placed​‍ Hua Ran down‍​‍ on the ground.​‍⁠

“Stay‌​ here for now.”​‌‍

“Have⁠ you finally decided​ to stop running?”⁠

Along‌‌⁠ with the weightless‌‌​ and quiet footsteps⁠‍ on the dry‍⁠ leaves, Yuhua approached⁠‍ the tree as⁠‍ Korin stood face-to-face‌‍ with Hua Ran⁠​‌ behind his back.‌

“I‍​​ guess so…”

Since‌‍ it was unlikely⁠‍⁠ that he would‍‌ be able to‌‍ run away from​‍ her, Korin decided⁠ to fight her,‌‍‍ as Hua Ran⁠‍⁠ stared at that​‍‍ back of his​ with a set‌‌⁠ of absent-minded eyes.​​⁠

****​⁠

– Kang!

The​ steel blade collided​​⁠ with the steelhead​ of the spear⁠ and created sparks‌‌ along with various⁠ screeches.

The​ spearman carrying a silver spear poured⁠‌‌ a violent set⁠ of spear moves⁠​ at the sword-wielding⁠‍ fairy.

Korin​⁠⁠ Lork’s spearmanship had​ a dominating characteristic.‍‍ His distance control​‍⁠ with the spear,‍ constant stabs at⁠‌⁠ the weakness as⁠​​ well as his​ destructive swings.

Each‌⁠ of his attacks​ was seasoned and​⁠⁠ menacing. He was⁠‍ an expert of‌‌‍ spears, and even‍ Hua Ran could​​ tell that every‍ one of those‌⁠⁠ skills must have⁠ required countless repetitions‍⁠ and a back-breaking‍​ amount of effort.​

“Yuhua…”‍

Hua​‌‌ Ran turned to‍⁠‌ the blood relative⁠⁠‌ of the original​ owner of her⁠​ body. She was⁠ a feeble-looking girl‌​‍ that was at​⁠‍ least a head‌ shorter than Korin.‌​ It would only​⁠ make sense for‌ the fairy of‍ swords to barely⁠⁠ hold off against‌ the merciless torrent⁠‌​ of the spear⁠‌‍ but…

‘How…’​‌

Parrying​​⁠ the stab away‍‍ to a side,⁠‍​ she easily pushed‍ away the incoming​‍​ shaft of the‍ spear. Over time,​⁠ it was Korin⁠‍ who had to‍⁠ retreat after every‍‌ attack.

Her‌⁠⁠ attacks were heavy.​

In⁠ terms of appearance,‌ she should be​⁠‍ a lot weaker​ than Korin and​​​ yet each strike⁠‌ of Yuhua’s sword​‍‍ was oppressing and‌⁠ pushing him back.‍

“Huhp…!”⁠‌

After‍‍‍ a short breath,‍‌⁠ Korin took another‌ half a step‍​‍ back.

Twisting​​ the spear in⁠‍ his hands into​ a diagonal angle,⁠‍ he parried Yuhua’s​⁠‌ sword to stop⁠ her from closing​ the distance.

– Pang!

The‍‌​ air popped like‍ a bomb. Sparks⁠ erupted from that‌‌ attack and Korin⁠ was pushed back‌​‍ by 10 steps.‌⁠‌

The​ identity of that‌​ destructive weight was‌ the highly dense‍​ aura covering Yuhua’s​⁠⁠ blade. The ridiculous‍‍⁠ supply of aura‍ made it visible‍⁠⁠ to the naked‍‍ eye and was‌‍‌ powerful enough to‌ push the opponent‌ back from just​ a short contact.‌‍

Sword​⁠‌ Lord.

The‌ strongest knight of⁠⁠​ Purple Hawk, who‌⁠ was also called⁠‍ the fairy of‌‌⁠ swords, had the‌​ Aura Rank of⁠⁠​ 『High』. In other‍⁠ words, it meant‌ that she had‍‍‌ an Aura Core‌ that she gained‌‍‌ through a legitimate​ method.

“You…‌ You should have⁠ an Aura Core‌​​ as well. Why‍ aren’t you using‌ it?”

But​⁠​ Korin Lork wasn’t​ too different from‌‌ her. In fact,⁠⁠⁠ he had double⁠‌ the Aura Cores​​ of Yuhua. There‌⁠‌ was one he​​‌ gained after consuming‌‍​ the White Silver‍‍‌ Mandrake, as well⁠⁠‌ as the Aura‌ Core of a demonic nature that​​​ he inherited from‌ Sebancia Duke, the​‌ great hero.

“It’s‍​‍ not my original‌‌ one, you see.”​

However,‌⁠⁠ because he didn’t‌​ earn them using​‍‍ the legitimate method,‌⁠⁠ the usability of​ his cores was⁠​‍ very limited.

The‌ Aura Core from​‌ the White Silver⁠ Mandrake was his⁠ very last resort‍‌‌ that he had‍‌‍ to keep until⁠​‌ the very end,⁠⁠ and the Core⁠ of demonic nature‌​ was like a treasure box he‌​‌ couldn’t open. Like⁠ a closed-off pot,‌ it contained a bunch of aura‌ but he couldn’t⁠‌ open the lid.‍⁠

Well,‌ he might be‌‌‍ able to if‍‌ he wanted to​‍⁠ force it open⁠‍ but… he had‍⁠ an instinctive feeling‌ that this core‌‌ was slightly different‍​ and was thus‍ choosing not to.​‌

Thus,‌‌⁠ the only aura‍​​ he could use‌​ right now was​⁠ that of his‌ own. It was‍ therefore inevitable for​⁠ him to be‌ pushed back by​⁠⁠ Yuhua, who was‍ at the level​‍‍ of 『High』 for‍ both quality and​​ quantity.

“Well,‍‍⁠ sure. If you​‍ are holding back…‌⁠​ that means I just have to⁠‍ force it out‌‌ of you.”

Yuhua‌‍⁠ charged forward like‌ a lightning bolt​⁠ as Korin activated‌ his secret arts‌ in response.

Ominous‍ Snake: Secret Arts⁠​ – Distorted March​

The⁠⁠ spear carried out‍‍‌ three sharp stabs.‍‌ Like a gymnast,‌‍ Yuhua dodged those‌‌ fiendish stabs by‍‍ jumping into the‌‍‌ air on the​‌‍ spot. Her movements‍​​ were refined and‌ light as if⁠⁠‌ there was no​‌⁠ weight to her‍ body.

“Huhp…!”‍

As‍‍ soon as Yuhua⁠‍ collected her breath⁠ and quietly landed​⁠‍ behind Korin for‍⁠‍ an attack—

Spinning⁠‌ Heaven: Second Move‍‌ – Rotating Demon‍ Spear

The‍‌​ spear rotated at⁠ a tricky path⁠‌ at the foe⁠⁠‍ behind his back.⁠‍​ Right when the‍ spear was about‌ to travel up​ after digging through​⁠ the dry leaves⁠​ of the ground,‌‌

– Pak!

“Petty⁠‍ tricks.”

She‍ trampled on the⁠⁠ neck of the⁠​ spear with her‌‍ right leg, causing‍⁠ the spearhead to‌​ dig into the‌​⁠ ground.

“…?!”​​

The‍​⁠ spearman’s final resort‍​‌ had been blocked,‍‌⁠ which meant all⁠‌⁠ that was left⁠‌⁠ was his defenseless‍​ back. Yuhua stabbed‍ at his back⁠ like lightning.

『 ᚲ 』 – Kenaz.

But‌⁠‍ it was then.⁠‌ Flames soared up‌​‍ from the ground⁠‌‌ beneath. The rune⁠‌ stone that Korin‍⁠ had dropped on‌ the ground during‍​​ their first bout‌ had just then‌ been activated with‍ the silver spear.⁠‍

“Tch…!”⁠⁠

Yuhua​⁠‌ had to jump‌‍‌ back to dodge​ the soaring flames.⁠‍‌ Without letting her⁠‍ distance herself again,​⁠ Korin chased after‌⁠ her with a sharp stab.

But⁠ Yuhua was also​‍ prepared to fight‍ back as soon​‌ as she landed​​ on the ground.⁠‍​

————!!⁠‌

In⁠ that split moment,‌‌​ the head of‌​ a venomous snake‍ collided against the‌⁠ sword that threatened⁠​​ to behead a dragon.

Two-faced​⁠ Ominous Snake: Dragon⁠‍ Blood

Dragon‍‌‍ Slaying Sword: Second‍‍‌ Move – Killing⁠ Stab

————?!!‍

Their​⁠⁠ bout lasted 1 second.

Even‌‌‌ after the clash‌ of their powerful‍​‌ moves, they passionately​‍ continued swinging their​ weapons and collided⁠⁠ 7 more times​ in just 1 second, as the⁠ aftermath of their⁠‌‌ aura flung the‌‌ two away.

Korin‍​​ skidded across the‍‍​ ground whereas Yuhua⁠​​ flew off into⁠​ the air.

After‍ barely keeping himself​⁠​ on his feet,‌​ Korin gazed up⁠‍ at Yuhua who​ gently landed on‍ a twig of​ a tree that⁠ was less than‍⁠‌ 1 centimeter thick.⁠

Both⁠ of them had‌‍ discontent looks on‍​ their faces.

That​ attack just then‌⁠ was supposed to‌ be the deciding‍⁠‍ move for both⁠ of them, and‍‌ they weren’t expecting​‌⁠ their attacks to​​​ be completely offset⁠‍‍ without leaving any‌‌ wounds on their⁠‍ foe.

The‍‌‍ spearman and the‌‍ swordswoman unintentionally ended‍ up creating a distance as they​⁠​ began to quietly⁠⁠⁠ glare at each‌‍ other. Eventually, Yuhua‌ couldn’t help but‌​ raise a question.⁠​

“Why⁠‍ are you trying‌⁠ to protect her?”⁠​

“What‍‍⁠ do you mean,‌​ I wonder? I’m‌ just a kidnapper.”‍

“…Playing‍⁠‍ with words, aren’t​ you. I am​ her cousin.”

“Ohh~.​ Can I talk‍‍ about the ransom​‍ then? I’ll think‌‌‌ about releasing her‍ if you give​ me 1 billion⁠ white gold coins.”⁠​‍

Ignoring‍ the words of⁠ the self-proclaimed kidnapper,‌​ Yuhua continued with‍ a frown.

“The⁠⁠ one behind you‍ is a demon‍ that stole the​⁠ body of my⁠‌​ younger cousin, my⁠‍ sister. It is‌​ not worthy of‌‌‍ your sympathy, Korin‌ Lork.”

“…Like‌ I said, I’m​‌ a kidnapper. My​‌ name is Immortan.”⁠​

“A‌​ spearman of your‍ level is not​⁠⁠ going to be‍ that common. Did⁠‌​ you really think‌⁠ you could deceive‍⁠ your way through?”​⁠⁠

Korin‌ didn’t reply, suggesting‍​‍ that he wasn’t‌ going to admit‍‍ his identity ever.‍‌‍

“That⁠⁠‌ is a demon,‍⁠‌ and not a human – a wicked and heartless​ Yaksha. Don’t tell​‌ me you don’t⁠‌‌ know about the‌⁠‍ disaster that hit‌​⁠ Moonlight Castle.”

Of‌ course he did.​⁠‍

It‌ was the infamous‍​‌ incident where one⁠ of the castles​⁠ of the conquerors‌⁠ of the east,‌⁠‌ the Empire, was‍ destroyed single-handedly by⁠‌‍ Hua Ran with‌ tens of thousands‍‌​ of casualties.

Sa‍‌​ Jinhyuk was one‌‍ of the victims​‍ of that incident.‍ He lost his​‍​ sister and mother,⁠‍ and Kang Yuhua⁠‌ lost her cousin⁠ due to Hua‌⁠​ stealing her body.‍

“The‌ guy responsible for⁠ everything is somewhere‍‍ else, and yet⁠‌ they’re just fighting​‌‌ between themselves,” Korin​​​ murmured.

“What‌​ was that?”

“Nothing.”‍⁠

Korin‍⁠ wasn’t expecting to‌⁠‌ be able to​⁠ persuade her here.‌ Even if he‍‌⁠ were to share⁠​ all the things​​ he knew from‍‌ the game, they​‍‌ would sound like‌⁠ nonsense without any‌​⁠ evidence to back​​‌ them up.

“Hey,⁠⁠⁠ Miss Kang Yuhua.​⁠ You know what?”‌​⁠

“…”‌‌​

“The​‍ dojos in this‍⁠⁠ place are quite⁠ brutal. They challenge⁠ other dojos every​ time, and it’s‍ just crazy!”

“What‌ are you…”

Fastest⁠‌ Slash, Instant Flash.‌​‍

An⁠​ aura shot forward‍⁠‌ like a blade‍⁠⁠ of wind. Yuhua‌‍⁠ jumped from the‍‍‌ twig after noticing⁠‌ the attack but⁠‍‌ the blade of⁠​ wind had been​​‌ aiming at the​‌ twig beneath her‍‍‍ feet in the⁠‌ first place.

– Pagack!

The‍​​ twig fell on‍​⁠ the ground. Yuhua​‍‍ gently landed back⁠‍ down on the‌⁠‌ ground as if⁠​ nothing happened, but‍ her face didn’t‌‌ look very bright.‌‌

“…Alicia⁠ Arden.”

One‍​ of the successor⁠‍‍ candidates of the‌ Arden family, Alicia‌​ Arden, was slowly‍ walking up to‍‌‍ her.

“Now‍‌ you’re just blatantly​⁠ trying to…”

“H,‌‍ Head Instructor of​ Alicia Dojo, Alicia‌ Arden! Hereby requesting​ the Sword Lord⁠ of Purple Hawk,‍​‍ Kang Yuhua, for​‌ a friendly duel!”‍

“What…?”⁠‌

The​‌ duel request came⁠‍‍ suddenly out of‌​​ the blue. That‌ shameless and brazen​ statement made Kang‌​ Yuhua turn speechless.‌

“Woww~.​⁠​ As expected of‍⁠ elegant sword users,​⁠‍ ey! Requesting a duel at a place like this?‌ You guys are‍ very passionate!”

“D,⁠‍‌ do you think​ this makes…”

“President‍‍ Kang Yuhua! I,‌ I have been⁠‍ admiring your abilities​ for a long‍​ time! Please teach⁠ me a lesson!”⁠​

Alicia⁠ said in the⁠⁠⁠ midst of her​‌​ dash after unsheathing‌ her sword.

“Do‌ you think something‍ like this is⁠⁠⁠ okay!”

“I‍ don’t know who‍⁠ you might be,​⁠⁠ Mr. Kidnapper, but‌ please continue on‌ with your business!”‍‍

“Oh⁠‌​ dear, what a kind and gentle‍⁠‍ lady. I wish‌ the two of‌‌ you all the‌ best! Farewell!”

“Korin‍‌ Lorrrrkkk…!!”

The⁠‌​ scream echoed across‍⁠ the forest but‌​⁠ it failed to⁠​ reach the ears​​‍ of the thick-skinned⁠​ Immortan Lork.

………​⁠

……‌⁠‌

“U,‌ ughh… I, it’s​⁠‌ my defeat.”

The⁠⁠⁠ fight was very‌⁠‍ one-sided. It was​‍ a complete defeat​​ of Alicia Arden.‍⁠‍

It‍ was partially due⁠​​ to the difference​​‍ in the two’s‍‌‍ capabilities, but the‍‌ most important factor‍ was that Alicia⁠​‌ quickly admitted defeat‌ without even fighting‍ till the end.‍

“W,⁠​ well then. Let⁠ me take my‌⁠ leave!”

It‌⁠ seemed that Alicia‌ wasn’t as thick-skinned⁠⁠⁠ as Korin; she‌‍ hurriedly ran away‌ after a quick​⁠‍ farewell. Seeing that,⁠‍ Yuhua gave a sigh.

“Seriously…”‍

At​‍ this point, it⁠ was too late⁠ for her to‍ chase after him.‌‌ The forest full⁠‌⁠ of demonic beasts‍ outside of Merkarva‍‌‌ City was massive,​‌​ and she would⁠⁠ most certainly lose‍‍ her bearings if​ she were to‌‌‌ go deeper into⁠​​ the forest by⁠​ herself.

– Kugung!

On⁠ top of that,‍‍⁠ a thundering layer⁠‌‍ of dark clouds​ were coming her⁠ way. Even though‌​ she was a knight, chasing after‍​ them through a forest in a weather like this​ wasn’t a wise​ option.

“Firstly,‍‍​ I should go⁠⁠ back to Uncle‌‌ Kang Ryun…”

『The​ guy responsible for​ everything is somewhere‍‌ else, and yet‌‍ they’re just fighting‍ between themselves.』

Throughout‌‌ her way back,‍ Kang Yuhua reflected‌⁠​ on that implicative‌⁠ murmur of Korin.‌‌ Wondering what he⁠ meant by that,‌‌‍ she started ruminating⁠ over those words.⁠

****​

Darkness​ befell the forest.‌

– Kugugung! Kugung!

Rain⁠‍​ fell with a thunderous roar. What‌⁠‍ was fortunate was​⁠​ that there wasn’t‌‍ a tornado accompanying​​‍ the storm, but⁠​‌ the two civilized⁠ people that visited‍ this barbaric forest‌ ended up being⁠‍ drenched by rainwater.‍​‍

“Huu…‍‌ I have no​⁠ idea if I should say we⁠ were lucky or⁠⁠​ unlucky…”

This‍ storm was definitely‌⁠​ a plus for‌ the escape, because‌‍ it would play‌‍​ around with the‌‌​ sharp senses of​ the securities and‌⁠​ knights that were⁠‍⁠ chasing after the‌‍ kidnapper. The sharp‍ raindrops were splattering​ all the way​⁠‌ to my ears​ so it might​​ even slow down​‌ the pursuing process⁠ itself.

But‌ what was unfortunate‍⁠ was that the⁠‍ kidnapped hostage wasn’t‌ in a good‍‌‌ state.

“Are⁠​ you okay?”

“…”‍‍

She‍⁠⁠ didn’t say yes‍‍ as if that​ wasn’t an option.​ Her sweat was‌⁠‌ mixed with the‍ rain and at⁠ this point, I couldn’t even tell‍ which was sweat​‌‌ and which was‍ rain.

“Let​‌ me measure your​​ temperature.”

Hua‍ Ran was gasping​ for breath with​‍ a vacant and‌​ dreamy look on‍ her face, so​ I rustled her⁠ hair and lifted‌‍ her fringes to‌‍‌ place the back⁠‌ of my hand​ on her forehead.‍​ It was fairly⁠‌​ hot.

“You⁠ have a high⁠ fever.”

I took out the‍‍ ‘made-by-Marie’ elixir from⁠‍⁠ my bag.

“Open​ your mouth.”

Supporting⁠ the back of‍ her neck with​⁠ my left arm,‌ I poured the⁠ elixir down her‌⁠ throat. Like a baby bird receiving‍‍ a bug from‍ its mother, Hua‌‌ Ran barely opened⁠⁠ her mouth to⁠‍⁠ swallow the elixir.‍‍⁠

“Good​‍ girl, good girl.‍ Drink it away.”⁠

“You…‍ Be quiet.”

She‍⁠ looked a bit⁠ better after swallowing​ the elixir, but‌⁠ this was just​ a temporary measure.⁠⁠​ This probably wouldn’t‍ last long if⁠ we couldn’t find‍ shelter from the‌ rain.

“You…”‌⁠

“Hmm?​‌​ Do you want‍ some food?”

“…Blood.”‍

Her‌⁠ eyes were on​ my bloodstained right‌‌ arm.

“Don’t⁠ worry. It’s all⁠ healed back up⁠​ now.”

Regeneration​⁠ was a really‍⁠‌ convenient ability after‍ all.

“Let’s⁠​ find some shelter‍‍ from the rain⁠ first. There should‌‌‌ be a place​‍​ nearby that we​‍ can use to⁠‍‌ hide from it.”‍

“…Near‌‍​ here?”

There​ were a bunch‌ of ancient and⁠​‍ old trees in​​ this place. These‌ old and thick‍‌ trees were so‍⁠ stubbornly strong that⁠‌ most axes couldn’t​ even cut through​ them, which was⁠⁠⁠ one of the​‌​ reasons why Merkarva​ City was reluctant⁠ to deforest this​⁠ place.

“It’s⁠⁠ the habitat of‌‌‌ demonic beasts after⁠ all. There is⁠​ definitely going to‍​ be one.”

Carrying⁠‍⁠ Hua Ran in​​‌ my arms, I continued walking through​‌ the dark forest⁠‍⁠ before coming across⁠ a tree I was looking for.‍‌⁠ The old tree​ looked the same‌ as other ones​‍ but there was‌​‌ a big hole‍​⁠ on it, as‌​‍ if it had​‍‌ been eaten by‍ a large bug.​‍‌

“This‌​‍ place is the‌‍‍ habitat of owlbears.​ When there aren’t‌‍⁠ any caves nearby,​⁠ owlbears dig into​​ large trees like‍ this to create‍ their nest.”

It⁠‍ was general knowledge‌ that was passed‍ down to guardians​‌ that frequented these​ types of forests.‍

Actually,​⁠​ the reason why​‍‌ that was passed‌‌ down was to‍ have guardians immediately‌ run away from‍⁠​ the spot after‌​ seeing an owlbear’s‍ nest but here,‍ we used that⁠ knowledge to find‌‍ a shelter to‌‌‍ hide from the​ rain.

“Quite​ spacious right?”

Because‌ it was the‌‌ nest of an⁠‌ owlbear, it was⁠ relatively deep. There⁠ was enough space​⁠ even after Hua‍ Ran and I both went into​‌ it.

“…Surprised⁠​ it doesn’t collapse.”‌⁠

She⁠‍ said after personally​‍⁠ coming into the‍⁠ large hole.

“The‍‌ old trees that‍​ owlbears use as‌‍ their nest have​‌⁠ long and deep‌⁠ roots going in​‌​ all directions, so​‌‍ it doesn’t fall​ even when they⁠⁠ dig down this‍ deep. I guess‍ that’s one of​‌ the wisdom of⁠​ animals.”

The⁠ hole was very‌‍ dark. I wondered‌⁠​ if I should‌​ create a rune​​⁠ to light up​ the inside, but‍ decided not to‍⁠ because there was​‌‌ no reason to‍ irritate the beasts​⁠ of this forest.‌

If‍​ we were lucky,‌ the owner of⁠‍⁠ this nest would‌‍‍ come back sometime‍⁠ soon so I chose to wait‍ for the time‌ being.

– Pitter-patter!

– Kugung!

The‌ thick dark clouds‍⁠​ and the leaves⁠ of the forest‌ were stopping the⁠‍‌ moonlight from seeping​​ into the forest.⁠ The occasional lightning‌ bolts were the‍​‌ only source of​⁠ precious light that⁠⁠‌ allowed us to​⁠ see the surroundings‌ clearly.

– Kurung!

Light‍ flickered outside which⁠ let me see‌⁠‌ the look on⁠ Hua Ran’s face.​‌​ It was only‍ for a moment‍​ but I could​ tell that her‍ face still wasn’t‍ looking great.

I could also tell⁠‌ from our touching​⁠ skins that she⁠ was shivering heavily​ from the cold.​⁠​

“This‍ is not good.”⁠‍⁠

Saying​ that, I kicked‌ off the ground‌⁠ when Hua Ran‌ turned her gaze‌ towards me.

“Where⁠ are you going…”‍

“To⁠​ catch a bear.”​

“Why…”‌​

Because​ I wanted to‌​ create a blanket‍​ out of it​‌ for her, of‍ course. There should‌ be a bunch​‍⁠ of owlbears nearby⁠ so it shouldn’t⁠ take long.

– Grip.

It​‌‌ was then. She‍‍ tightly gripped onto⁠ my pants after​‍ seeing me stand‌ up.

– Kurung!

Lightning​‍‌ struck outside as⁠ light seeped into​‌​ the hole. The‍ girl with a pale face was​ shivering profusely in‌ fright.

“…Don’t‍ go.”

Wearing⁠ drenched nun clothes,​ Hua Ran said⁠ while gazing up⁠ at me with‍​ a desperate look​⁠​ in her eyes.‌​

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