บท 31: Mr. Murderer
Amber, commanded her men to encircle the two individuals standing defiantly before her. With a wave of her hand, she unleashed a barrage of powerful spells, forcing the duo to dodge and weave amidst the chaos of the ongoing battle.
Despite the dire circumstances, the two protagonists were determined to minimize harm to the innocent villagers. They skillfully defended themselves against their attackers, all the while pleading with Amber to cease the onslaught.
"Amber, please, let us talk and find a peaceful resolution," Adam implored, his voice filled with genuine concern. However, his words seemed to fall on deaf ears as Amber remained fixated on her single-minded mission—to eradicate the perceived threats standing before her.
Meanwhile, Dean, positioned at a distance with Luna by his side, turned abruptly upon hearing the escalating tumult. The cacophony of shouts and clashing weapons propelled him into immediate action. Without hesitation, he retrieved a new sword from his concealed arsenal and sprinted toward his embattled friends.
Luna, ever watchful and fiercely loyal, followed closely behind Dean, her own sword at the ready. Her unwavering gaze focused on the villagers who posed a threat to those she considered family.
Caught amidst the encirclement, Adam skillfully evaded the villagers' attacks, his agility on full display. However, his attention shifted as he spotted Dean approaching with his sword drawn. Reacting swiftly, Adam activated his "Time Acceleration" ability, propelling himself out of the circle. He intercepted Dean before he could draw nearer, determined to prevent the situation from escalating any further.
"Please, Dean, stay back!" Adam urgently pleaded, his voice laced with a mixture of concern and desperation. He did not want the already tense situation to spiral out of control.
Adam's words hung in the air as Dean, with a firm grip on his friend's arm, pushed him away, causing Adam to stumble and fall. In that moment, a well-aimed magical spell struck Dean's face, leaving him momentarily disoriented and in pain.
"Master!" Luna cried out, her voice filled with worry and urgency. Her relief was palpable as she observed Dean swiftly rise to his feet, seemingly unscathed by the attack.
"I'm alright," Dean reassured Luna, his voice calm but determined. He stood tall, his unwavering resolve on display as he shifted his focus to the individual responsible for the spell that had struck him. Luna's concern lingered, but she trusted in Dean's strength and resilience.
However, before Dean could address the imminent threat, Amber raised her staff once again, her eyes filled with fury and vengeance. Flames erupted from her staff, hurtling towards Dean with alarming speed. In a split-second act of heroism, Jasem, who had remained within the circle, stepped forward, intercepting the deadly fire spell with his own protective abilities.
Realizing that further attempts at dialogue would prove futile, Adam made a swift decision. He acknowledged the harsh reality that these villagers would not be swayed from their violent course. With determination etched across his face, he turned to his companions, his voice resolute yet tinged with sadness.
"It seems talking is no longer an option. Let's retreat and escape from here," Adam declared, accepting the painful truth that their only chance for survival lay in fleeing the wrath of the villagers. The group of four—Adam, Dean, Luna, and Jasem—swiftly embarked on a desperate run into the depths of the surrounding woods, their pursuers hot on their heels.
As they raced deeper into the forest, Adam stole a moment to glance at Dean, his frustration evident as he confronted his friend about his actions earlier.
"Why did you do that? Couldn't you have just walked away if you disagreed with him?" Adam's voice held a mixture of confusion and disappointment.
Dean, keeping his gaze fixed ahead, remained silent for a few moments before finally uttering a single word, "Sorry."
Adam recognized the brevity of the response, understanding that Dean's apology was an attempt to halt any further discussion on the matter. It became apparent to Adam that Dean harbored no remorse for the old man he had killed, a stark contrast to Dean's earlier response when Jasem had addressed the men who had fought them.
Adam, eager to speak, was just about to open his mouth when Luna and Dean abruptly pivoted and brandished their swords with swift precision.
"Sto-"
The clash of metal interrupted Adam's words, as Luna and Dean skillfully deflected a volley of arrows that had been hurtling towards them. Without skipping a beat, the pair resumed their frenzied sprint.
Dean cast a brief, piercing glance at the astonished Adam before refocusing his gaze ahead, speaking with an unexpected calmness.
"Don't fret, I have no intention of adding to the body count today, unless it becomes a necessity."
Adam was taken aback by Dean's sudden transformation, witnessing a newfound sense of serenity emanating from him in that very moment.
Gazing at Jasem, who stood at his side, Adam detected a flicker of fear in his eyes, as though he struggled to recognize the man standing before him in this altered state.
Dean's eyes gleamed with an intensified sharpness, continuously scanning their surroundings alongside Luna. They pivoted back and forth, all while maintaining their swift pace, gradually increasing the distance between themselves and the bloodthirsty villagers.
Adam stole a quick glance over his shoulder, a smile of relief blossoming on his face as the villagers vanished from sight. Turning back to his steadfast companions, he relayed his plan.
"We must veer right from here. Continuing along this path would only make it easier for them to track us down."
The other three nodded in agreement, seamlessly following Adam's lead. Immediately, they altered their course, leaving the relentless pursuers behind, their murderous intentions fading into the distance.
========
After successfully evading the villagers, the four companions continued their relentless run for several more hours without pause. They were determined to put as much distance as possible between themselves and their pursuers before finally succumbing to exhaustion.
"Damn, it's been ages since I've felt this drained," Adam muttered, his face hitting the ground as the others came to a halt, panting heavily.
"Master, I need water," Luna pleaded, turning to Dean, who swiftly retrieved a bottle from his storage and handed it to her. Both Luna and Dean took long, satisfying gulps, quenching their parched throats. Dean then took a swig from his own bottle.
Jasem, mirroring their actions, stared at Dean with a blaze of fury in his eyes. Their gazes locked for a tense moment before Dean, having finished his water, broke the silence.
"Tsk... What do you want?" Dean snapped at Jasem, who angrily set his bottle down and confronted him.
"How does it feel?" Jasem seethed, his face twisted with anger. Dean, his gaze averted, remained silent, stowing his empty bottle away and preparing to move.
"I'll be sleeping behind this tree. Wake me up when you're ready to move," Dean stated calmly, his sadness palpable as he walked away.
Jasem, infuriated, clicked his tongue and hurled his bottle, narrowly missing Dean and striking a nearby tree. He vented his rage, shouting at Dean, "You're a pathetic piece of shit! Just because you have some power, you think you're a god now?!"
With each step, Jasem drew closer to Dean, his voice filled with contempt. "You believe you can kill anyone who dares to upset you, don't you?"
Arriving face-to-face with Dean, Jasem forcibly turned him around, their eyes locked. Dean, unable to meet Jasem's gaze, kept his head lowered.
Jasem's anger intensified as his next words were punctuated by a pointed finger aimed at Luna, who sat silently nearby. "Fuck you, and fuck that filthy thing sitting there!"
Dean's head shot up, his eyes locking onto Jasem's, a simmering tension between them. Jasem goaded Dean, taunting him to take action. "What, too much of a coward to wield that sword of yours now?"
Just as Dean was about to react, Adam swiftly interposed himself between the two, diffusing the volatile situation. He addressed Jasem, his voice calm yet firm, "He knows what he did was wrong. There's no need to escalate this further. Please return to where you were before this spirals into another disaster."
Jasem stared at Dean for a few lingering moments before turning away, his curses fading into a faint murmur. Dean let out a heavy sigh and turned, ready to depart, but Adam halted him with a lingering gaze.
"Don't think you're off the hook, but we'll discuss this later," Adam warned, his tone filled with a mix of concern and determination. Dean nodded in acknowledgment before resuming his path, finding solace behind the shelter of a tree. Meanwhile, Adam returned to his spot, resuming his position among the group.
As Adam surveyed their surroundings, he noticed Jasem lying down, facing away, while Dean rested on the opposite side. Luna sat alone, unsure of how to navigate the aftermath of the intense altercation.
Adam retrieved a pot and various ingredients from his storage, flashing a reassuring smile at Luna. He knew she must be famished after the arduous journey they had endured.
"Come and sit here. I'll prepare some food if you'd like," Adam invited, gesturing for Luna to join him. She nodded, finding solace in his warm demeanor, and settled in front of him.
"You can cut the meat into small pieces while I handle the vegetables," Adam instructed, handing Luna a knife and a piece of meat. As they worked together, cutting and preparing, the scent of a late-night meal filled the dark forest, offering a comforting respite after a grueling day.
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