Chapter 119: Onward

Chapter 119: Onward

The scene at the city wasnt pretty.

Jie had managed to get the majority of people away in time, but it was an impossible task to get all of them. Chance distributed the rest of his healing pills amongst everyone and they all set out, rushing through the crumbling buildings to find and help everyone they could.

Unfortunately, that number wasnt anywhere near as high as Chance had hoped. The immediate area around where the dragon had erupted was decimated. The wall and its surrounding buildings had been largely demolished, shattered into waves of projectiles that had ravaged the rest of the area.

Rubble covered the streets and buildings had crumbled, landing in dust-filled piles. It was like a bomb had gone off at the edge of town. In a way, Chance supposed, one had.

Chance found almost countless people or rather, parts of people with no strands of Karma connected to them. Even though he wasnt able to locate the rest of their bodies in the rubble, he didnt need to.

Anybody without Karma was gone. Even still, Chance didnt let that stop him. He raced through the streets, running from building to building in search of anyone that he could actually help.

His efforts werent wasted. He stumbled across a group of servants that had taken cover behind a thick stone wall and had suffered several broken limbs and some serious cuts, but nothing that had been immediately fatal.

Chance distributed healing pills and raced off, letting his Essence guide his steps. Hours raced by like minutes as he worked his way through the worst parts of the city. As bad as the damage had been, he didnt stumble across as many wounded as hed expected.

That could either have been attributed to Jies work or to his failure to give Jie enough time to get everyone out of the area. But, one way or another, there were soon no more people left for Chance to aid. They were either treated or dead.

Nobody tried to stop him, but not many thanked him either. Most probably had no idea who he was. And, if anyone did, they didnt mention it. Chance didnt blame them. The majority of those he found were servants, and after having been enslaved, he imagined they had more important things to worry about than his identity.

Chance turned a corner, circling back on an area hed already worked through in case hed managed to miss someone. In the process, he nearly ran face first into Bella. They both skidded to a stop. Quinn and Jade stood behind Bella, with Jie just behind them, his arm wrapped in a bandage.

Ive got this area, Chance said. You can check

We already did, Bella said, putting a hand on Chances shoulder. Weve already done what we can, Chance.The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.

There might be more people trapped in the rubble. We need to keep checking, Chance insisted.

Dont you think your Essence would have found them already if there were? Bella asked gently. We arent omnipotent, Chance. I know better than anyone else. You cant bring back the dead.

But what if someones still there?

They arent, Jade said, her face weary. Its done. Bellas right, Chance. Weve done everything we can.

Chances hands clenched at his sides for a moment. Then he let his shoulders slump and sighed, nodding his understanding. Yeah. I guess we have. How how many were you able to save?

Used up all your pills, Jade said, holding up an empty vial. Bella and Quinn nodded.

Were out as well, Quinn said. Youve genuinely done just about everything I think you could have. Far more than anyone else would have, Ill say that. Healing pills arent cheap when youre away from the scholar cities or large sects. You spent a lot of money.

Money hardly matters in the face of life, Chance said with a shake of his head. At least it was useful, but I wish we didnt have to do it at all. I should have lured the cultivators farther from the city. I didnt realize

Let me deal with it. I can take care of myself. You need to be more concerned about your own wellbeing, Jade said.

Dont bother, Bella said with a sigh. You wont get through to him.

All of them laughed. It was a laugh born more of relief than anything else, but there was a hint of freedom in it.

Make sure you dont get yourselves killed or captured, Jade said. Im going to track you down once you get back to Gleam, okay?

Will do, Bella said, holding her hand out. Jade grabbed it and they shook once. While youre at it, could you look into how Yeo is doing? Hes a goofy idiot, but he was also being chased by the Shikari.

Jade inclined her head. Ill see what I can do, but Im still just a Knight. There are pretty serious limits to what I can do. But, if theres anything, then Ill do it.

Thank you, Chance said. He took one last look around the rubble surrounding them, then pressed his lips together. I think we should leave as well. If theres nothing else we can do for these people, then I dont want to mistakenly bring down the Shikari on top of them if they figure out Bella and I are here.

We can get you some supplies for the road, Jie volunteered. There should be more than enough to spare for just two people.

That would help a lot. Thank you.

Jie shook his head. I dont think its anywhere near enough to repay any of you, but its the least we can do.

Jade raised a hand in farewell. Safe travels, all of you. Well meet again.

Same to you, Chance said, raising his own hand. He and Bella followed after Jie and Quinn as Jade headed in the other direction, making for the exit of the city.

Jie took them back to Drayans manor. It had been undamaged by the explosion, and Jie clearly knew the locations of just about everything. It took him just a few minutes to put together two travel bags and shove them into Chance and Bellas hands.

He and Quinn then accompanied them to the back edge of the city, walking them all the way up to the gate. They paused there for a moment, Chance and Bella just beyond the gate and Jie and Quinn within it.

And to think this is all because of Nimea, Quinn said with a shake of her head. Its hard to believe how recent that was. It feels like weeks.

Karma works in weird ways, I guess, Chance said.

I find it slightly amusing that, after I realized you werent a terrible person and you spared my life, I was trying to think of ways that I could manipulate you to help me, Quinn said sheepishly. And then you ended up doing more than I ever even wanted to ask for. Thank you again.

Chance rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. One thing he hadnt been prepared for was a proper goodbye, especially since every time theyd left somewhere in recent memory, it had been in a panicked rush.

Jie and Quinn both bowed to them again.

We have much to do, Jie said. If theres ever a way we can repay you, please let us know.

Together with Quinn, he headed back into the city.

Bella exchanged a look with Chance. Then they turned, heading out into the grassy plains and leaving the Brackern Sect behind.