Gabby was now running through the dense forest, her breaths heavy and muscles strained. In her arms, she cradled the unconscious figure of Kaya, carrying her in a princess carry. Draped across her back, in a fireman carry, was Jason, his limp form adding to the burden.

The weight of both bodies made her movements labored, yet she pressed on, driven by a fierce determination. Thanks to the level up thingy given by the system, Gabby possessed enhanced strength and stamina, making this Herculean task possible, though far from effortless.

The events leading up to this frantic flight replayed in her mind with vivid clarity. Moments before the blank eyed man had unleashed his sudden, brutal counterattack. Gabby had watched in horror as Kaya was violently sent flying. Kaya tumbled across the ground, her body battered and bloodied, finally slamming against a tree.

Without a second thought, Gabby had activated her stealth skill, becoming nearly invisible, and then used another skill to teleport behind Kaya.

Teleportation was not as straightforward for Gabby as it might sound. Her ability required that she first mark her target, a process that necessitated a physical interaction lasting about 15 seconds. This was not easy to accomplish in the midst of battle. However, foresight had led Gabby to mark Kaya earlier.

During a conversation near the edge of the settlement, where the forest loomed ominously close, Gabby had subtly marked Kaya when she grabbed her shoulder. It was a precautionary measure that Kaya might not have approved of, but it ensured they would not be caught unprepared if things went awry.

As Gabby teleported behind the unconscious Kaya, she quickly began to draw runes on the ground. Her fingers moved with practiced precision, tracing the symbols for illusion and concealment. These runes, once activated, created a powerful illusion of Kaya lying there, while concealing the real Kaya and herself. Satisfied that the runes were working correctly, Gabby grabbed Kaya and dashed towards the forest.

The blank eyed man had used his domain skill or whatever that skill is just as Gabby began her escape, providing the perfect distraction. The illusion held, and the concealment kept them under the radar.

As Gabby carried Kaya through the forest, her sharp eyes spotted another figure, Jason. He was bloodied and battered, lying motionless on the forest floor. Gabby recognized him immediately. She hesitated, considering leaving him behind to focus on Kaya's safety and healing her injuries.

Gabby paused, a sigh escaping her lips as she weighed her options. She knew Kaya would be furious at her for taking her away, even if it was to save her life. Abandoning Jason would only add fuel to that fire. Gabby muttered a string of curses under her breath, scratching her head in frustration.

"Fucking hell... I'm doing this once for you, alright?" she said to the unconscious Kaya, her voice a mix of resignation and determination.

With a final glance at Kaya's still form, Gabby hefted Jason onto her back and resumed her run. Each step felt heavier than the last, but she pushed forward, deeper into the forest. The branches clawed at her skin, the underbrush tripped her feet, but she did not falter.

Time goes by, she didn't know how much time had passed, every breath was a struggle, every muscle screamed in protest, but Gabby did not stop. The weight of responsibility bore down on her just as heavily as the bodies she carried. The forest around her was thick with shadows, the air filled with the distant sounds of battle and the cries of the fallen. Yet Gabby kept on running and never look back.

Gabby navigated the treacherous terrain, her senses on high alert. She knew she had to find a safe place quickly. After what felt like hours of running through the dense forest, she stumbled upon a small, hidden cave, obscured by thick foliage.

Her instincts told her to be cautious, so she carefully approached the cave's entrance and began a thorough inspection. The darkness inside seemed impenetrable, and she listened intently for any signs of life. The cave's silence was comforting, but she couldn't afford to take any chances. Step by step, she ventured inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light, searching for any signs of beasts or other dangers.

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Once she was satisfied the cave was empty, she decided it would serve as a momentary shelter. She carefully laid Kaya down first, then Jason, her hands trembling from the effort and her muscles aching from the exertion. Kneeling beside them, she checked their pulses, her relief palpable when she felt the steady thrum of their heartbeats.

Determined to make the cave as safe as possible, Gabby began to set up a rudimentary shelter. She gathered leaves and branches to create makeshift bedding for Kaya and Jason. Her movements were quick but meticulous, driven by a mix of urgency and care.

She drew concealment runes inside the cave and illusion runes outside to make the cave look like part of the natural landscape, ensuring they wouldn't be easily found.

Once she was confident the cave was secure, Gabby returned to Kaya and Jason. She pulled out healing potions from her bag, the precious liquid glowing faintly in the dim light. She gently lifted Kaya's head, coaxing the potion down her throat. Jason was next, his injuries severe but not beyond the potion's capabilities.

As she watched, their wounds began to heal, their complexions improving visibly in real time. Relief washed over her, knowing they were getting better, even if they were still unconscious.

Exhausted, Gabby sank down beside Kaya, leaning against the cool, rough wall of the cave. She opened her status window, her eyes look at her mana points.

"Damn, almost depleted huh," she muttered to herself, her voice tinged with frustration.

She closed the window and turned her attention to Kaya, gently patting her head.

"I'm soo gonna scold you later, sister," she whispered, a mix of affection and exasperation in her voice.

As she continued to pat Kaya's head, her own exhaustion caught up with her, and she eventually fell into a deep sleep.

Some time later, the sound of rustling nearby jolted Gabby awake. Her ears picked up the noise growing closer, and she immediately went into full alert. She activated her stealth skill and gripped her daggers tightly, ready to fight. The rustling grew louder, her tension mounting with each passing second. Did they already find her? How? She was sure she hadn't left any trace behind.

The rustling stopped right outside the cave entrance. Gabby's breath caught in her throat as someone began to walk inside the cave. Without hesitation, she struck, her dagger slicing through the air aimed at the intruder's neck. She launched a flurry of strikes, each one driven by desperation and fear.

"What the fuck?! Wait! Stop!" the man shouted, but Gabby ignored him, convinced it was a trick.

Her attacks continued until the man's hands grabbed her wrists in a vice like grip. She tried to kick him, but he didn't budge. With a swift motion, he kicked her in the solar plexus, sending her flying to the end of the cave. Pain exploded in her chest, leaving her dazed and gasping for air.

The man’s frustrated voice echoed in the cave. "What the hell is wrong with you people?! Can you not trying to kill me for one fucking second?!"

Gabby struggled to her feet, still short of breath. She raised her head and saw the intruder more clearly now. He was a male with short black hair, wearing a white smiling mask, and with a rifle slung across his back.

'Am I hallucinating? Is that a damn rifle??' Gabby thought, confusion and caution mingled in her mind as she sized him up.

The man spoke again, walking closer. "Alright then, let's get this over with. I will kill you painlessly-wait, what the-? Is that Jason?" He stopped, his posture shifting from aggressive to awkward as he scratched his head.

"So, uh, you're his companions? Uh... Hello, I guess? Uh.. Not nice to meet you?"

Gabby stared at him, her mind racing. She didn’t lower her daggers but didn’t strike again either. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice steady despite her racing heart.

The man raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I’m not here to fight. I was looking to find my friends, and it seems like I found one already." He glanced at Jason.

"Can we call a truce, at least until we figure out what’s going on?"

Gabby's grip on her daggers tightened, but she nodded slowly. "Fine. But try anything funny, and you won’t get a second chance."

As the man tried to walk closer, Gabby stepped forward, her daggers raised defensively.

"Stop right there," she commanded, her voice firm and unwavering.

"Before you come any closer, I need to know who you are. You seem to know Jason, but I need to be sure of your identity first."

The man sighed audibly, the sound echoing in the confined space of the cave.

"Alright, fair enough," he said, his tone carrying a hint of exasperation.

"My name is Sam, but you can call me Persona. And no, I'm not taking the mask off."

Gabby's eyes narrowed, her suspicion evident. "Why not? What's with the mask?"

Sam, or Persona, shrugged nonchalantly. "Because I don’t want to expose my face, and besides, it looks cool as hell."

Silence filled the cave once more.