"Take deep breaths, Rachel," I comfort her, gently patting her back to help clear the water from her system. At least for now, we've managed to evade the armed forces' pursuit, but I know it's only a matter of time before they catch up to us under cover of this night.
Those folks out there are still soldiers, no doubt about it. Our escape hinged on uncovering that secret passage and relying on our wits to navigate through that labyrinth of danger. But now, we need to strategize our next move. It's not feasible to survive out here in the wilderness alone; that's just plain truth.
I'm clueless about which plants are safe to eat and which aren't. Plus, living off the land without proper training is a recipe for disaster. I might have some survival know-how, but it's not nearly enough for the challenges we're facing in this world.
As Rachel finally finishes coughing up the water, I can't help but wonder how much she ingested during our desperate crawl through that passage. Probably more than I'd care to know. I quickly check my bag, dismayed to find the magazines soaked through, along with my grimoire.
"Any thoughts on our next move, Rachel?" I inquire, my concern evident in my tone.
Rachel coughs again before responding, "There's a small town called Wigton south of here. We could head there, but I'm praying there aren't any Aldurian soldiers lurking about. We're fortunate they haven't deployed the air cavalry yet."
"Air cavalry?" I press for more information.
"Dragons and wyverns," Rachel answers, a hint of fear creeping into her voice.
"So, you're suggesting we steer clear of those creatures?" The idea of facing helicopters on a battlefield is daunting enough, but the prospect of dealing with units mounted on wyverns or dragons sends a chill down my spine.
The 5.56x45 won't even scratch a dragon's hide. If it were effective, dragons would have become obsolete ages ago, considering they're equipped with Gatling guns and rifles. I never even considered such a scenario; my imagination falls short in that regard. Escaping from this situation seems increasingly daunting, doesn't it?
"Are you feeling alright up there?" Rachel's concern is evident as she looks at me.
I gingerly touch the spot where my head was bleeding. "It's still bleeding, but not as bad as before. I'll manage," I reassure her, though the red stain on my hand speaks volumes. As long as I'm not experiencing any headaches, there's probably no cause for serious concern.
Suddenly, Rachel's voice breaks through my thoughts. "Helen, I'm so sorry," she says, her tone heavy with regret.
"Sorry for what?" I inquire, genuinely puzzled by her apology.
"Sorry for not being able to help you back then," Rachel explains, her words weighted with remorse.
I don't hold any grudges against Rachel; she's young and has had her share of challenges, especially coming from nobility. "No worries at all. So, would you mind showing me the way, Rachel?" I ask, shaking the water out of my shoes before slipping them back on.
As Rachel rises and heads toward the nearest road, I can't help but marvel at how far we've come from the military blockade. Whoever engineered that secret passage must have been a genius, crafting it long enough for us to slip past the blockade undetected. Yet, I can't shake the feeling that its design is more likely to doom its users than save them.
Still, I need to stay vigilant, especially when it comes to those wearing blue coats. The sight of anyone in a light blue uniform sends a jolt of adrenaline through me. I know I need to either flee or eliminate them silently. The last thing I need is more soldiers on our tail for reasons I can't fathom. And what's with them turning their backs on my father? Was there something crucial I missed from Albert?
"Rachel, let's keep moving before we attract any unwanted attention near this river," I urge as I rise to my feet, retrieving my rifle from the ground. Glancing southward, I note the moon's bright glow, casting an unforgiving light that could easily expose us in the dead of night.
----------------------------------------
[Exfiltrated Hot Zone]
[Level Up!]
[Quest: First Rifle Is Complete]
[Alloying Is Now Unlocked]
[Companion Analyzer Has Been Unlocked]
[Warning: New Quests Have Been Added]
----------------------------------------
With the bazillion updates coming after me, I won’t waste time and I open the status screen.
----------------------------------------
Helen
Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
Race: Angelic Wolf-kin
Level: 5
HP: 80%
MP: 95%
Class: [Materialmancer]
Skill: [Material Manipulation I][Alloying]
General Health Status: [Minor Head Wound] [Pain] [Exhaustion] [Breathing Disorder]
[Quest {4}] [Companion Analyzer]
----------------------------------------
As I discreetly open my stat screen, Rachel's attention is fixated on the grass ahead, ensuring she doesn't stumble over any hidden obstacles. We can't afford to pause for long; our journey demands constant movement. Still, I can't resist checking my quest bar to see what challenges lie ahead.
----------------------------------------
[New Threat]
As our journey unfolds, the responsibility of safeguarding Rachel rests squarely on my shoulders. However, a troubling realization dawns upon me: my sister is allergic to rifles. Without the means to defend herself, Rachel would become nothing more than a burden, vulnerable to any threats we encounter along the way. It's clear that she needs to be proficient with a firearm, preferably an SMG given her circumstances.
Rachel’s Bullets Hitting Targets During Training [0/50]
Tips: SMG will fit Rachel better than a regular rifle.
Reward: Replace [Paralyzed By Fear] With [Enraged By Fear] for Rachel
----------------------------------------
"Paralyzed By Fear" seems like a trait that Rachel might possess, given her timid nature, but "Enraged By Fear" is unfamiliar territory for me. I wonder if it indicates a drastic shift in her character under extreme stress or fear-induced circumstances. It's a concept I'll need to explore further to understand its implications fully.
----------------------------------------
[Run, Now!]
There’s no way the Aldurian armed forces will leave you alive, after the slaughter and shooting you have done back at your mansion. Now, they’re angry and coming after you and your sister. You must run towards the western border before they catch you both.
Go To Wigton [0/1]
Reward: [Mana Efficiency I]
----------------------------------------
The perk sounds more underwhelming than the previous one. Then again, that’s our main objective at the very least. We want to get out of here before someone catches us and kills us. So, I think we’ll naturally achieve that, sooner or later. I then open the third quest.
----------------------------------------
[Discover New Threats]
With every single unit in Aldurian Military hunting you down, there’s a chance you need to know what’s the best course of action to counter them. Of course, most of the extraordinary and unconventional threats are the biggest threat to you and your sister.
Beat Heavy Infantry Soldiers [0/20]
Beat Air Cavalry Soldiers [0/2]
Beat Magical Artillery Unit [0/1]
Beat Specialist Soldiers [0/4]
Reward: +5 Levels. [Magic Missiles Barrage I]. [Ice Beam I]. [Icicle Barrage I].
----------------------------------------
Now that reward is not underwhelming like before. However, how do those four types of enemy units appear? That’s quite concerning. The rewards are great, the threats must have been great too, right? Well, I prefer to know about them sooner than later. Hopefully, I have enough preparation to face them. I shouldn’t ever underestimate my enemy.
----------------------------------------
[???]
You feel unearthly as if people are watching you. Who are those people?
??? [0/1]
??? [0/1]
Reward: Body Enhancement I. Rune Enhancement.
----------------------------------------
As I glance around, I find solace in the fact that no one is observing us except for my sister, Rachel. So why does the quest screen issue such a warning? I ponder this as I shift my gaze from the burning mansion to the distant horizon, both offering nothing but darkness against the backdrop of the night sky and endless grasslands.
"Checking your status screen?" Rachel's voice breaks the silence.
"Yeah," I confirm with a nod, turning my attention back to her.
The chill of the night wind cuts through our drenched clothing, making our discomfort palpable. The fabric clings uncomfortably to our skin, and I can't shake the worry of succumbing to hypothermia if we don't find a way to dry off soon. But starting a fire isn't an option; it would attract unwanted attention.
"Mom... I hope you're safe," Rachel murmurs quietly as she continues to lead the way.
It strikes me then that our mother is gone. Yet, strangely, I feel detached from the situation. Our time together was brief, and my focus has always been on Rachel and Albert. Despite this, I can sense the sadness in Rachel's voice, a reminder of the bond they shared that I may have overlooked.
I draw nearer to Rachel, concern etched on my face. "Rachel? Are you okay?" I inquire softly.
Her response is to lean her head against my shoulder, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Mother is gone, isn't she?" she sobs, the weight of her grief heavy on her.
I wrap my left arm around her, holding her close while keeping my M4 rifle at the ready in my right hand. "I'm sorry, Rachel. I wish I could do more," I murmur, feeling utterly powerless against the relentless onslaught we face. No matter how many firearms we produce, this attack feels inevitable. I can't shake the sense of failure, failing to protect the innocent child now weeping on my shoulder.
My own heart aches, and I struggle to breathe as emotions threaten to overwhelm me. Why did this tragedy befall Rachel? I push aside my own pain; she's the one who's truly suffered, losing everything—her family, her home, her future. I have to be strong for her; I'm the older sibling after all.
Rachel notices my labored breathing and offers comfort. "Helen, if you need to cry, it's okay. No one can see us," she reassures me, her hand patting my back as tears stain my left shoulder. Despite her attempts to appear strong, I know she's hurting just as much as I am.
A child as kind-hearted as Rachel shouldn't have to endure such suffering. The world has dealt her a cruel hand long before she's even had a chance to fully grow up. Finally, unable to contain my own sorrow any longer, tears begin to flow from my eyes. My sister's embrace tightens around me, offering solace in our shared grief.
"That's right, Helen. It's okay to feel sad," she whispers, her words a balm to my wounded soul.
That night, I feel the weight of my perceived failure, finding solace in the embrace of this brave, yet vulnerable, thirteen-year-old child.
----------------------------------------
One of The Mysterious Figures:
image [https://i.imgur.com/zIBQWL0.jpeg]