"Dīdā…"
Crimson droplets of blood descended, splattering the ground in a vibrant display of color.
Fang Li clutched his wound, desperately trying to catch his breath as he stumbled upon the dark-red Hayajiro. With each faltering step, he left a trail of blood in his wake.
His body burned with agony.
Pain coursed through his veins, relentless and unforgiving.
His stamina dwindled, draining away like a dwindling flame.
His power waned, gradually losing its grip on his weakened form.
It felt as if Fang Li could tangibly sense the ebbing of his life, a relentless torment that gripped him without respite.
Yet, even in the face of such dire circumstances, Fang Li's grip on the dagger remained firm, his expression chillingly serene.
But to call it serenity would be a misnomer.
For Fang Li, there was no real sense of life gradually slipping away.
Despite the ceaseless agony, which served as a grim reminder of his dire situation, his heart remained untouched by the specter of death.
Thus, Fang Li could analyze the present predicament with a state of mind that bordered on tranquility.
"The wound… seems impossible to fully heal…"
That was Fang Li's current reality.
And it was hardly surprising.
Though the Injury Recovery Potion possessed the ability to mend injuries, its effectiveness was limited to minor wounds. It proved utterly insufficient to mend such a grievous injury that seemed to cleave his body in twain.
Moreover, Fang Li had already exhausted three-quarters of the Injury Recovery Potion, with less than a quarter remaining. After partially closing his wound, its efficacy had dissipated.
Thus, while Fang Li's injury was no longer as critical as before, a grim gash still marred his chest.
"Is there no way to staunch the bleeding?"
Fang Li pressed his hand firmly against the wound, his palm already dyed a deep red.
A substantial loss of blood caused his vision to blur.
But that was not the worst of it.
"Look! There's blood on the ground!"
"Over there?!"
"Hurry! Catch up with him!"
"Be cautious! That monster surpasses even Chief Head's abilities!"
Amidst the clamor, a chorus of footsteps drew nearer.
Fang Li barely had time to react before armed Samurai burst onto the scene, their gaze fixated on the blood-soaked figure of Fang Li.
"————!"
The Samurai swiftly raised their Steam Guns in unison.
"Tch!" Fang Li clicked his tongue and swiftly sought refuge behind a nearby steam boiler.
"Bang bang bang bang bang————!"
In an instant, a volley of gunshots reverberated through the air.
"Clang clang clang clang dang————!"
Sparks erupted, and steel clashed, as the steam boiler bore the brunt of the gunfire.
Bullet after bullet from the Steam Guns rained down upon it, each leaving its mark and denting the metal surface.
But this was not unexpected.
Mumei's Steam Pistol had proven capable of penetrating a Kabane's steel heart membrane with multiple shots, showcasing the hunters' formidable arsenal against the Kabane threat.
Thus, it stood to reason that the Steam Guns wielded by the Samurai possessed a similar level of power. A barrage of shots could pierce the heart of a Kabane.
Given the potency of Steam Guns, one could only imagine the intensity of their combined firepower.
"Bang bang bang bang bang————!"
Amidst the relentless gunfire and unyielding assault, the steel boiler became a pincushion of bullet holes.
"Did they intend to shoot me through the boiler?"
Fang Li, concealed behind the punctured boiler, did not succumb to panic. Instead, a smile played upon his lips.
"Well then, allow me to lend you a hand."
With those words, Fang Li turned around, his ice-blue Mystic Eyes materializing. His dagger sliced through the air as he struck the steel boiler before him.
Empowered by the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, even steel crumbled like delicate paper in Fang Li's hands.
With a resounding "Pū" sound, Fang Li's dagger sliced through the steam boiler in front of him, effortlessly cleaving it in two as if it were mere fur.
"Boom————!"
The entire steam boiler erupted instantaneously.
A deluge of steam gushed out, escaping from the severely compromised boiler.
In the blink of an eye, a thick cloud of steam enveloped the space, billowing like erupting smoke, swallowing the relentless Hunters' Samurai who had been firing their weapons.
"What?!"
"It's hot!"
"I can't see a thing!"
Panic gripped the Hunters' Samurai in an instant.
The steam shrouded the entire area, robbing them of their vision.
Within the expansive veil of white, aiming became an exercise in futility, causing the Samurai's ceaseless gunfire to come to a halt.
"Damn it!"
"Cease fire!"
"Be cautious, don't hit our own allies!"
Amidst the enveloping steam, the Samurai shouted in a frenzy.
No one had anticipated that the wounded beast would not only lose its threat but become an even more formidable adversary.
"Chī————!"
Suddenly, from within the blanketing mist of steam, a faint sound of space being torn asunder emerged.
"Pū chī————!"
Immediately following, the sickening sound of flesh rending echoed.
"AaahAaah————!"
Soon after, piercing screams resonated, their wails akin to those of a vengeful deity.
Those agonizing cries struck at the hearts of every Hunters' Samurai like a heavy hammer.
"Hey!"
"Who's screaming?!"
"What's happening?!"
"Speak up!"
The Samurai couldn't contain their inner turmoil, and they shouted in a state of panic one after another.
Yet, no response came from their comrades.
"Pū chī————!"
Another tear ripped through the air.
"AaahAaah————!"
The screams of the second Samurai reached the ears of everyone present.
This time, even the most oblivious Samurai comprehended what had transpired.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Fang Li had launched his counterattack.
"Fire… fire your guns————!"
Accompanied by the lament of one of the Samurai, panic gripped the ranks of the Hunters' Samurai.
"Bang Bang Bang Bang Bang————!"
In the next moment, amidst the vast expanse of swirling white steam, the resounding gunshots erupted once more.
And beneath the symphony of gunfire, the screams of the Samurai reverberated, one after another.
However, this time, the Samurai screamed not due to Fang Li's counterattack, but rather the indiscriminate shooting of their own comrades.
In a situation where aiming and target identification proved impossible, blind firing only resulted in innocent bystanders becoming casualties.
And this, precisely, was Fang Li's intent.
"Let them continue tearing each other apart here…"
Leaving behind those words, Fang Li's figure darted through the carriage's exit, vanishing amidst the scorching steam.
…
"Hoo… hoo…" The panting sound gradually intensified, becoming more intense, as if echoing Fang Li's exhaustion and determination.
Inside the Hunters' Hayajiro carriage, Fang Li's relentless pursuit had left conspicuous bloodstains on the ground, painting a vivid picture of his tenacity amidst the chaos.
At the forefront of the bloodstains, Fang Li's pace gradually slowed down, and his vision became increasingly blurry. The toll of his injuries was finally catching up to him.
However…
"I can still hold on…" Fang Li's voice, though strained, carried a resolute undertone.
Thanks to his increased VIT (Endurance), Fang Li's ability to withstand injuries, even those potentially fatal, had been bolstered. His life force had become much more robust, granting him the resilience to endure in the face of adversity.
Moreover, enhancing his VIT (Endurance) also had a positive impact on his recovery, to some extent. Given enough time to rest, Fang Li could experience a substantial healing process.
"So, as long as I find a place to hide and recover…" Fang Li's thoughts raced, seeking a solution amidst his challenging circumstances. While he couldn't expect his injuries to miraculously disappear, he hoped to recuperate enough to regain mobility.
"But where can I hide when I'm on Amatori Biba's Hayajiro?" A tinge of helplessness laced Fang Li's words.
In truth, if he truly desired to escape, Fang Li could attempt to jump off the Hunter's Hayajiro, despite the inherent risks. Such a daring maneuver would allow him to evade his pursuers, at least temporarily.
"Unfortunately, it's not very safe outside either…" Fang Li grimaced at the thought. The external environment held its own dangers, and he couldn't be certain that Kabane wouldn't suddenly appear and launch an attack while he was injured.
Given Fang Li's current condition, if he were to be surrounded by Kabane, his fate would undoubtedly be sealed.
Therefore, Fang Li had to take calculated risks, weighing the chance of being discovered against finding a secure hiding spot.
As Fang Li calmly analyzed the situation, the sound of chaotic footsteps once again reached his ears, causing his heart to skip a beat.
"They've caught up?" A mix of frustration and determination fueled Fang Li's resolve as he walked forward.
Swiftly, he maneuvered through the Hunter's Hayajiro, finding solace in a nearby corner, concealed from immediate sight.
Before long, a group of Samurai wielding Steam Guns stormed into the carriage. Their initial ferocity had transformed into disheveled appearances, bearing the marks of battle. The injuries they bore varied in severity, and their numbers had significantly dwindled.
The sight of these worn-out Samurai ignited a fierce anger in the hearts of the Hunters' warriors, one after another.
"The trail of blood on the ground has disappeared!" One of the Samurai keenly observed the absence of the telltale stains.
"Search the area!" The leader, his voice low and commanding, issued the order.
"Since the trail of blood has vanished, the opponent is likely nearby!" These words resonated with the Samurai, instilling them with renewed vigor. Their grip on the Steam Guns tightened, fueled by the determination to reclaim their honor.
Having been cleverly outmaneuvered by Fang Li, these Samurai were driven to regain their lost dignity. As elite warriors actively engaged in combat against the Kabane, the Hunters had never endured such humiliation before.
Thus, anger surged through the hearts of each Samurai, intertwining with a sense of trepidation.
"Be cautious, everyone! This maniac killed two of our comrades even in such a heavily injured state!" The leader's words hung in the air, adding a weighty sense of foreboding.
Yes.
Killed.
Amidst the chaos that had ensued, Fang Li's objective was to disrupt the Hunters' pursuit, yet he showed no mercy, directly ending the lives of two Samurai.
Since entering the Main God's Dimension, Fang Li had refrained from taking human lives, focusing solely on defeating the Kabane threat. However, if his adversaries sought to end his existence, he had no reason to hold back.
And precisely because of this unwavering resolve, fear took hold within the hearts of the Hunters' Samurai. The realization that their opponent would stop at nothing, even when gravely wounded, sent a shiver down their spines.
Despite suffering nearly fatal injuries, Fang Li didn't hesitate to take the lives of two individuals, successfully disrupting the pursuit and leaving the Hunters in disarray. Underestimating an opponent of such caliber would not be mere carelessness but sheer foolishness.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the lead Samurai understood the urgency of locating Fang Li. Failure to do so would eventually transform this enigmatic figure into the greatest enemy of the Chief Head himself.
Under the command of their leader, the Hunters' samurai launched an extensive search, each member remaining on high alert, tightly gripping their Steam Guns. They kicked aside obstacles and charged forward whenever they reached corners, the barrels of their weapons poised to strike at any moment.
Gradually, a group of samurai closed in on a particular corner, closing the gap between them and Fang Li's concealed position. Against the wall, Fang Li leaned, his chest heaving as he struggled to regain control over his breath. Yet, even in this weakened state, he remained vigilant, undeterred by the imminent confrontation.
Fang Li's heart pounded in his chest, not out of fear or nervousness, but rather because he knew that a clash was unavoidable. With the sound of footsteps growing nearer, he slowly opened his eyes, revealing his ice-blue Mystic Eyes once more. His grip tightened around the hilt of his dagger, preparing for the impending clash.
Simultaneously, Several samurai reached the edge of the corner, their Steam Guns' barrels coming into Fang Li's view. Just as he was about to propel himself forward, a hand emerged from the darkness behind him…
On the other side, despite their extensive search, the samurai found no trace of Fang Li.
"Could he have already escaped?" One of the Samurai pondered aloud.
"Did he jump off the Hayajiro?" Another suggested.
"Impossible. With injuries of that severity, jumping off would mean certain death," A third samurai interjected. "Besides, the external environment poses a significant risk with the presence of numerous Kabane."
"Then, did he escape to the front?" Someone else speculated.
"Why did the trail of blood abruptly stop?" The lead samurai questioned, his brows furrowing in frustration.
"He must have found a way to staunch the bleeding. It's not that surprising," Another samurai offered.
Listening to the discussions among their comrades, the lead samurai made a decision.
"Continue the pursuit! He must still be inside the Hayajiro!" The leader commanded.
With determination renewed, the group of samurai pressed on, resuming their chase through the train carriage.
Gradually, the carriage fell back into silence, seemingly devoid of any presence.
Unbeknownst to the pursuing Samurai, in that inconspicuous corner, a lid on the ceiling was quietly opened. And from that hidden opening, a figure emerged— Ikoma.
"Take it slow," Ikoma whispered, supporting Fang Li as they descended from the ceiling, carefully guiding him to lean against the wall.
Fang Li took a deep breath, addressing Ikoma directly, "What are you doing here?"
"I overheard your conversation with Lady Ayame and saw Mumei taking you away. I was worried, so I secretly followed you," Ikoma confessed in a hushed tone. "It's dangerous here. Let me take you to the safety of our Hayajiro."
Despite Ikoma's genuine concern, Fang Li declined the offer. "No, I will stay here."
…
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