415 Descent! (1/2)

Having already turned around after reaching the Withering Forest's periphery, the faces of the two running figures were full of dejection. Even though they both acted nonchalant about it and didn't believe that 'prophecy' on the surface, deep down both of them really hoped that it would be true enough to manifest out of nothing, that was especially the case for the subordinate who wanted to leave the forest before they even got here.

Now that they really found nothing, the non-caring facade that made one assume that he only cared about his life could no longer be recognized as his speed was starting to slow down while sorrow covered his face, he deeply contemplated just giving up trying to escape from their chasers.

”...Hope or whatever, at the very least we finished the mission and confirmed the objective. No matter what, now that this false hope has vanished, we can finally steel our hearts and decisively give our all even if it means taking those traitors down with us!”

Looking at his leader's resolute face, the subordinate gave himself a tight slap as he shook his head a few times before giving a firm nod.

”Yes, it's not time to give up yet, those frenzied chasers should at least lose a few of their gray heads before they take our lives!”

As the leader was just about to nod in satisfaction, his head dropped down, resisting the urge to smack his subordinate's head…

”Fool! Why are you slowing down?! We still need to be alive to report our findings so that we can all move on with decisiveness, it's not time to die yet. We are almost back at the center of the forest, we should be able to get out if we use the Towering Rock Trees there as a distraction, speed up!”

”...Right!”

Feeling a bit weird about his resolution being logically refuted like this, he gave it a deep thought before strengthening his resolution even more.

'That's right, only I should sacrifice myself so that Leader can have a few more chances at escaping!'

Just as they were a few dozen meters away from the concealed center of the Withering Forest, the subordinate was about to stop his movement completely as his claws started to lengthen, but just as he turned back and was preparing to dash in the opposite direction, he realized that the leader didn't even notice what he did.

'That's how it should be!'

Believing that the leader has accepted his sacrifice for the greater good, the subordinate smiled and took a deep breath before taking his first step, only to stop in the next second…

'Something's wrong!'