章 21: Run
Meanwhile, Ivan, carrying the twins, sprinted down the dirt path. His boots thudded against the ground as he ran. From a distance, he heard numerous explosions, indicating that the siblings were currently engaged in combat with the Cerus. "I need to hurry up."
Ivan quickened his pace. Alisa, trying to keep up, stumbled and fell to the ground.
"Hey! Are you okay?!" Ivan asked, his voice filled with concern and a hint of panic.
"Ugh..." The little girl slumped to the ground, lifting her dirt-covered face. Then she began to cry. "I'm sorry."
"No, no, it's okay. Can you stand up?" Ivan knelt down, still holding Reona, and extended his hand to Alisa.
"It...it hurts," Alisa grunted.
"Come on, try to stand." With Ivan's support, Alisa struggled but eventually managed to stand. Ivan checked her injuries: a bleeding knee and scratches on her arms and elbows.
Ivan's heart sank a little, but he knew he had to do something if he wanted to save them. While kneeling, he turned his back to Alisa. "Come on, climb up on me."
Alisa hesitated. "B-but I will slow you down..."
"No, you won't slow me down. It's alright. So come, climb on and hold tight. I'm going to save you both," Ivan said, his voice soft and comforting.
Despite her hesitation, Alisa decided to climb onto Ivan's back. "I'm really sorry... I've become a burden. You're already carrying my sister, and now you have to carry me too..." Alisa cried.
Ivan gave a slight smile. "Not at all. It's alright, okay? I used to carry two little girls before while running across a huge field... So it's no big deal at all, okay? Just hang on to me tightly. I'm going to run now."
"T-thank you. Big bro," Alisa said, and even Reona, despite her pain, managed a light smile and whispered, "Thank you, big bro."
Hearing this, Ivan's eyes widened, and they suddenly became wet. He never thought he would hear those words again... Finally, even in the midst of chaos and war, Ivan gave a wholehearted smile to the twins.
"Leave it to big bro! You two will be alright, so hang on tight. Here we go!" With that, Ivan dashed at full speed.
With determination burning in his chest, Ivan ran as fast as he could. His legs pounded the ground with relentless speed, each stride long and powerful. The sound of clashing weapons and explosions behind him only fueled his urgency, spurring him on faster.
Although Ivan's physical strength and endurance were not on par with Armstrong's, his body is still strong and capable. His muscles strained and his breath came in rapid gasps, but he refused to slow down. He had to make it to the tank with enough time to save the twins and the adventurers.
Over the minutes, exhaustion began to set in from carrying two children. His arms burned, and his legs felt like lead. He gritted his teeth, pushing himself harder. The rage of determination surged through him, keeping him moving forward. His breath came in rapid, shallow gasps, but he refused to let the twins see his fatigue.
His mind raced with memories of his past, the faces of those he had lost and the promises he had made. This was his chance to make things right, to be the hero he always wanted to be.
"Come on, Ivan. Push harder. Don't let them down." His legs pumped faster, his heart pounding in his chest. Sweat poured down his face, mixing with the dirt and tears. The open area where the tank awaited came into view, still a distance away but within reach.
"Argh!" Ivan's determination reached its peak as he pushed himself even harder, his muscles screaming in protest. "Just a little bit more! I can do this! I'm gonna save them all!" he gritted to himself, his voice a mix of desperation and resolve.
The landscape seemed to stretch and elongate with each step, but Ivan kept his eyes fixed on his goal. The sound of his heartbeat echoed in his ears, drowning out the chaos behind him. Each breath felt like fire, but he didn't care.
The open area grew closer. Ivan's legs felt like they might give out, but he pushed through the pain.
Finally, with one last burst of energy, Ivan reached the open area. His legs nearly buckled, but he managed to stay upright. "We made it," he panted, relief washing over him. "We're going to be okay."
Finally, with one last burst of energy, Ivan reached the open area. His legs nearly buckled, but he managed to stay upright. The corpses of dead goblins still littered the ground, and he advised, "Don't look around, kids. You two will be alright now."
Unexpectedly, a man shouted from the open area, waving at him, "Mister!"
The man approached Ivan, relief evident in his expression. "Mister! I'm glad you're alright!"
Ivan recognized the man with light brown hair, wearing a leather tunic and soiled boots, and holding a handgun. "You... you're that man from earlier. How are the other villagers? Where are they?" Ivan inquired.
"Patrolmen from Manilia came and took them to safety. And, have you seen the chief?!"
"I'm sorry, but I haven't seen any other survivors besides these two children."
Jusis heart sank. "I-I see..." He knew there was no hope left for his father. But he set aside the grief and, he spoke to Ivan, "Most importantly, we need to go now! You might have encountered it already, but there is a Cerus that attacked our town and is probably heading to Manilia."
Jusis continued, "Manilia is now preparing to evacuate. Even Manilia doesn't have the means to fight a Cerus. We have to go before we miss the caravan." A sudden boom sounded nearby, startling Jusis. "Come on, we need to go now, Mister!"
Despite Jusis's desperate plea, Ivan looked at him and spoke firmly, "I want you to take these kids with you to Manilia. Both of them are injured and can't run, so carry them, please."
"I-I can take them both with me, but what about you, Mister?"
"There are two adventurers slowing down the advance of the monster right now, and I promised them that we would kill that monster."
Jusis was shocked by Ivan's statement. "Mister, that's impossible! Cerus is way too powerful, and the three of you alone wouldn't be enough to kill or even scratch it! So we need to go now!" Jusis pleaded, but Ivan remained unwavering.
"But it still can be killed." Ivan handed Reona to Jusis. "She's heavily injured and needs immediate help." Then he knelt down to lower Alisa.
Hearing the conversation, Alisa cried and tried to convince Ivan to flee with them as well. "Big bro... you're not coming with us? What about you? Don't tell me you're staying behind... please... big bro."
Ivan just smiled. "Don't cry, kid. You and your sister will be alright. Just follow this man and don't get lost."
Ivan patted Alisa. "Big bro will fight that monster, and I will be alright. If anything happens... just be with your sister and be strong. Promise that for me, and I will be back for you both."
"But..." Alisa cried more.
"Now, now," Ivan patted Alisa more. This sensation reminded him of his past when he used to do this with his twin little sister. It soothed Ivan's already tense heart.
Ivan looked at the man. "I'm Ivan, Ivan Abrams. You?"
"I'm Jusis Bayonet. I'm the son of the chief."
"Jusis, I'm sorry if I haven't found your father... but let's hope that he is in a better place right now."
"Now, Jusis, protect these children for me."
"But-" Jusis handed the pistol to Ivan, who refused it.
"Take that with you. You might need it to protect yourselves and the kids," Ivan said.
Jusis was about to speak more but was interrupted. "I will be alright. I have a much more powerful weapon than that."
Hearing that statement gave some relief to Jusis. He already knew that Ivan possessed other powerful weapons, but would it be enough to defeat a Cerus? Jusis is uncertain but wants to trust Ivan. "I will return this magic crossbow to you in Manilia. Make sure you come back for it because I'm not good at keeping things."
Ivan sighed. "I will come back for that then, and also, that thing called pistol."
"I-I see. So this is a pistol then..." Both of them glanced at each other. "I will take care of these kids to Manilia."
Ivan nodded. "Very well, I'm counting on you." Then Ivan looked at Alisa again and gently pushed her to Jusis. "Be strong for me and be safe... now go."
Alisa clenched her fist and tried to suppress her cries. "I will wait for you in Manilia, big bro, so please be safe."
Ivan just smiled, then he looked again at Jusis.
"We'll see you there, Mister Ivan."
Ivan nodded.
"Let's go." Jusis and the kids finally left.
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