265 Escape? (1/2)

Jack, the last of the four people to have climbed onto her back, let loose a long sigh of relief. ”Finally… It's over.”

”Jack, don't relax yet,” stated Rydel. ”It's not over until we're gone and out of Limneer.”

”And don't forget about Trank,” Dirk added. ”He and his best men weren't hidden among the army. They stayed silent and hid in order to search for you guys. If he's caught onto our trail, then we won't escape without a fight.”

Seeing Dirk unsheathe his sword, Jack understood how much the former assistant feared the famed bounty hunter of Limneer. ”Dirk, do you know Trank's level?”

”It should be at the cusp of lv. 39, but he's always kept it hidden. All I know is what's on his official report, but he's well-known within the criminal underworld so that record was probably falsified.”

”Do you think he's on our trail?”

”Yes, he's too skilled to make it this easy.”

”Is he fast enough to catch us?” Jack's relaxed expression faded.

Dirk simply nodded. ”He's known for his expertise with lightning, making him inhumanly fast and powerful. If anyone could catch up to this beast, it would be him and his men.”

”It would be best to remain vigilant than to accidentally fall into an enemy's hands,” said Rydel. ”Don't let Eliza and Keela come out yet. Let them stay hidden for now.”

”I guess that might be best,” Jack agreed.

'Eliza, Keela, stay hidden for now. We may have someone on our tail.'

'Okay… But what if you need support?' asked Eliza. 'Without us, you three will be much weaker in team combat.'

'That… If we're attacked, then you can come out. But until that happens, we don't want anyone finding you. It's better for them to attack us and have you come as support than for you to be attacked while we hurry to help you.'

'So, you're that worried about your wife?' thought Keela. 'Then I'll make sure she and I are safe in our hiding place.'

'Thank you, Keela. Please, Eliza, don't do anything without getting permission first,' Jack plead.

'Fine… But if my husband is in trouble, then I'm coming to save him.'

With that worry suppressed, Jack returned to his conversation with those on Ayden's back. ”Daliea, how are you feeling?”

”I'm fine.”

Jack shook his head. ”Daliea, be honest. If you're not honest with yourself, that will only make things worse if a battle breaks out.”

”I've got the Flame Tiger so I can hold my own,” replied the goblin girl.

”No fighting for you,” Rydel added his two cents. ”Daliea, you're in no condition to fight. The Flame Tiger should be your means of retreat, not your means of defense.”

”But--”

”Daliea, if we get into a confrontation, we'll create an opening so you can flee. If not, then you'll just be a burden to the rest of us,” Jack insisted, making sure that Daliea felt a sense of duty in retreating.

”Fine… I'll flee if necessary.”

”Thank you.” Jack bowed his head to her.

”Here he comes.”

When Dirk said that, a bolt of lightning flew past Ayden, clipping a piece of her wing. Trank's figure still remained hidden within the trees below, but his presence was now unquestionable.

Ayden was already being burdened with four people on her back, so the minor damage to her wing was all the more prevalent. With each flap of her wings, she grew slower and slower. It was only a matter of time until she would be overtaken.

Rydel ran his hand through Ayden's soft feathers as he looked back with a grim expression across his face. ”Jack, I don't think we've got anymore say in the matter. He's better than we estimated.”

While Jack tried to imagine the possible scenarios-to-come in search of a means to escape, Rydel added, ”We should call Eliza and Keela. Wouldn't it be better to fight on our terms instead of theirs?”