CHAPTER 34: INFERNAL PURSUIT

But my conquests were halted as the following villages were abandoned. It seems that rumors of my exploits had begun to spread, and it would only be a matter of time before I’d have real trouble on my tail.

I had managed to get my hands on a semi-fine blade after that old knight fell, and soon enough, my shadow would be back as well. All I can do now is burn these lands, as it at least provided some points, though it is far too inefficient. The remnants of scorched homes smoldered around me, the acrid scent of ash clinging to the air.

Where had all these people fled to? They couldn’t have gone to the city of Aeladria, if that were the case, I’d be sure to have crossed paths with them. Did they know something I didn’t? A hidden path, a refuge beyond my grasp?

An insatiable rage boils inside of me. Why couldn’t they just stay here, fucking patiently? But at last, I’d have to change up my strategy. I’d have to do something grander, something that would allow me to grow stronger quickly, preferably so that I could bring that city to ruins before the time runs out.

As I continue my walk forth, I hear the faint sound of hooves crashing against the ground in the distance. My heart pounds in anticipation. Was it finally here? The moment I’d have to face real enemies, other than the weak and those who were nothing but mere shells of their former pasts.

Looking toward the source of the sound, I spot ten armed men on horseback. This might be way too dangerous, their levels are all pretty high, ranging between 200 to 240, with one in the front standing out particularly strong.

[Race: Tiefling]

[Level: 293 (42.3%)]

[Title: Captain]

[Skills: Captain's Command (S), Intuition (A), Swordsmanship (A), Hand to Hand Combat (B), Riding (B), Flame Aura (B), ...]

[Stats: Str-593, Agi-572, End-528, Int-313, Aura-520, Luck-144]

Its appearance was unlike anything I’d ever seen before, almost devilish. It was stronger than anyone I’d encountered before. My mind raced, calculating escape routes, but the barren wasteland I had created left no cover.

I need to escape.

But I am far too slow, and they’d be able to catch up to me in no time. I was no match for their speed, nor their mounts.

It was a gamble, but at this moment, it could be my only way out. Summoning my shadow, I give it a simple command: Kill me.

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As it charges recklessly at me, I pretend to narrowly block its strikes. It looks a lot fiercer than it actually is, so if they manage to reach it, my facade would be seen right through. After trading a few blows, I listen to the thunderous sound of the hooves closing in.

They are close enough now.

In a final desperate strike, I pierce my blade into the creature’s torso. It disintegrates back into the darkness, gone for now, but it will return in a day. A small sacrifice to pay. To really sell the act, I let its claws rake across my side, leaving a deep gash.

The pain is striking, but my pain tolerance helps, though not nearly enough.

I lay back on the scorched earth, blood slowly seeping from my wound. My grip loosens around my blade as I see the horses halt, two of them stopping right next to me. One of the riders dismounts, his face wearing a slightly weary expression as he tries to get me to respond. His words sound blurred, my vision slowly fading, but I catch the cold, calculating gaze of the captain. His yellow eyes hold no sympathy, only scrutiny.

Maybe I overdid the act once more, this wound was overly severe. As my consciousness fades into black, I wonder... would they abandon me?

When I open my eyes, my senses slowly return. The warmth of a fire emanates nearby, and my gaze is drawn to the source, a small flame crackling, illuminating the night. A piece of meat skewered on a stick slowly rotates as a hooded man turns it with a casual, practiced motion.

The meat sizzles, emitting a savory scent that makes my stomach growl. My mouth waters involuntarily. I hadn't cared much for food before, only the scraps plundered from villages, but this... this scent was alluring. Maybe some humanity still lingers within me after all.

A rough voice pulls me from my trance.

"Oye, yer up," a head leans over, shadowing the firelight. His face is rough but not unkind, with a scar running down his left cheek. "What was that thing back there?" His tone is curious but cautious.

I look up to see a younger man, his eyes scanning me warily. He isn’t the tiefling I saw earlier.

"Hello? Ya there?" he continues.

"Huh?" I murmur, quickly deciding the best course of action, feigning memory loss. Doing so would eliminate the risk of revealing too much.

"Quit it, Dren," another voice calls out.

Looking toward the new voice, I finally set my eyes upon the demonic-looking being.

His—well, I assume he is male, face has a reddish tint, with horns poking slightly out from his hood. His eyes glow with an unreal yellow light, piercing and unreadable. So this is what a tiefling is.

"Where am I?" I ask, pressing a hand against my side, feeling the damp cloth wrapped over my wound.

The tiefling stares at me, his gaze devoid of emotion, cold and calculating. "You're in our temporary camp," he says in a deep, gravelly voice.

He hunkers down, his stare growing even more intense. "So why don't you tell me what that was back there?"

"What?" I answer, feigning ignorance.

His expression hardens. "If you wish to keep your head, I'd encourage you to start speaking."

The weight of his words sinks in. I was at a loss for words. If I said the wrong thing, I could really lose my life.