Chapter 152 - Ten Seconds (1/2)

With Alexander on his back, Chen Nan ran out of breath after running nonstop for ten minutes. Seeing him pant heavily, Ariana noticed that there was indeed someone behind them and that person was getting closer.

She took a few steps forward and saw the exit not too far from where they were resting. After staring at the two men, one unconscious and the other panting with great difficulty, she decided to make a sacrifice.

Seeing Alexander's deteriorating condition, she knew that he needed emergency care. Even if she trusts Chen Nan's stamina and ability to run, she knew that he wouldn't be able to escape in time with a full-grown man on his back. If Alexander was conscious, then there might be a chance, but his full weight is slouched on Chen Nan's body.

She thought to herself, 'Two out of three people escaping is better than one.' When she took a peek at the exit earlier, she realized that the exit had a similar design to the first secret path that led her to the bloody room.

Crossing her fingers, she hoped that luck was on her side for once.

She saw the rock around the corner of the route and a small crack that seemed to fit the rock's shape. If she was correct about this, then once the rock is stuffed into the crack, the exit should close right away.

”Are you alright?” She whispered and rubbed Chen Nan's chest.

He nodded and said, ”Is the exit far?”

A tiny smile curved on her face, ”No. It's around this corner. Listen, there is someone behind us. I'm going to count to ten, and we both run. We can't look back because if we do, we might get caught. Okay?”

Taking a few seconds, she observed his sharp features and smiled, ”We need to go.” Following her words, Chen Nan waited for her to count down. She counted rather quickly and once the number ten was released from her mouth, he rushed towards the exit like the world was going to end if he didn't.

He didn't notice that in the middle of running, she had slowed down and picked up the rock from the side. Once she was certain that they had gotten out safely, she stuffed the rock into the crack and watched the exit close.

She could finally settle her heart as she knew that they were able to escape. The second she picked up that rock, she felt a chilling breeze coming towards her direction. Once the exit closed, an old man appeared in front of her and grabbed her by the neck. It was only a difference by seconds like she had calculated.

Before she could even retaliate or protect herself, his hand already held onto her neck and slowly increased its power.

The man's breath stunk from a bloody stench. His body was skinny to the point that the outfit he worse looked like it was on a skeleton. His eyes were sharp and dark as if he had no soul. The color of his outfit ranged from red to brown.

At the moment, she figured out that this man must have been the same person from Chen Nan's description. The old man whispered and mumbled lowly as if he was chanting a spell, ”I don't want to die.”

His voice gradually became louder as his eyes widened. The grip around her neck also tightened. She could feel his enormous strength trying to lift her up. If he were to continue his actions, her neck would definitely snap and she would join the bloody tub in no time.

While gritting her teeth and holding her breath, she bent her leg and swung it between the old man's legs; his crotch was her target. Since he was distracted, she managed to attack him a few times.

”Oooarghhhh” His grip loosened, and she took this opportunity to run back to Alexander's room; hoping to close the route and trap the man inside. Unfortunately, in the middle of running, she realized that Alexander's fingerprint was the key to opening and closing this route.