Chapter 37 - Episode 37: Survived.

[Voice of the World]

[The culprit is currently at the entrance of the fortress Alenbeliard. This is the coordinate of the culprit [...]. Hurry, before the culprit move to another area.]

[Every 5 minutes, the system will reveal the culprit's coordinate.]

[10 minutes until the culprit is free from the restrictions!]

Kingstar and the rest of his members went to the entrance where the hooded guy is at. When they arrived, the hooded guy leaned on the gate and seemed to be waiting for them to be there.

Kingstar without hesitation ran towards the hooded guy followed by Queenstar and the commanders. This time, the two commanders joined the fight. They were ordered to guarding the escape route back then, but Kingstar had enough and summoned them to join the fight.

Second commander, Aleksander. Rank 6 in the leaderboards. Second highest DPS player in Supremacist Clan. He's using Halberd as his main weapon.

Fifth commander, Gunther. Rank 8 in the leaderboards. Strongest mage in Supremacist Clan. He's the first player to reach Level 8 weapon mastery in the game.

They fought relentlessly. The rest of the players were watching them from behind in awe. A lone player against seven of the top ten players in the world. They didn't know who they want to cheer on. Their leader and commanders or the hooded guy who were able to match against seven of them.

The hooded guy dodged everything and it made Aleksander and Gunther shocked. The entrance of the fortress is now severely damaged. Some of the pillars are crumbled, the walls are filled with holes, the floor is destroyed.

[Voice of the World]

[Emergency quest! (Failed)]

[The culprit is now free from the restrictions. The emperor is furious and all the players from Aarus Empire's faction are getting punishments. EXP rate and Drop rate are reduced by half, all the players will also lose the Blessing of the Sun. The punishment lasts until 2399hrs 59mins 59 sec.]

All the players in Orion are staring at the VoW with disbelieve. Diamond and Lothair are looking at each other and shake their heads. Lothair sighs.

"It's the same, huh? I guess we were right. He's stronger than them."

Diamond raises his eyebrows with an agreement.

"Yeah. The last one will be in the Alliance Kingdoms. We warned Ivonna about it, and I hope she has a way to deal with it."

Lothair nods with an agreement.

(At the entrance of the Alenbeliard Fortress.)

Kingstar is frustrated and slams his broadsword to the ground. Everyone is surprised and stopped moving. Kingstar is glaring at the hooded guy furiously.

"Who are you?"

The hooded guy shrugs and then walks back towards the entrance gate.

"How does it feel to be hopeless? It seems that the number one player in the world is not that different from the rest of the players. One day, we will meet again, and I will shove that pride of yours up to your ass when that time comes."

The hooded guy leaves the fortress. Queenstar screams and is pointing her sword at him.

"Chase after him! Don't let that assh*le escape!"

The players ran past them and chase the hooded guy. The players that were outside noticed the culprit and blocked the path. But, the hooded guy easily walked past them. Some of the players tried to block him, and death was the outcome for them. The hooded guy managed to escape from them and went into the woods then disappeared.

[Warning!]

[Avriel Scarlettblood's HP (20%)]

I hurriedly went to the southeast where Avriel was watching from. I looked around and panicked at the same time. I activated [Moon Eyes] and carefully looked at my surroundings and hope that Avriel left a mark for me to find.

I breathe heavily while walking around the woods.

"Come on, give me something..."

[Warning!]

[Avriel is in a critical condition!]

[Avriel Scarlettblood's HP (10%)]

I look left, right, and behind. I exhale deeply and go to the right and hoping I will see her when I run far enough.

I use [Moonsteps] and run in the woods. I have no idea how far or close I am from where she is. I'm pulling my hair in frustration. I'm so desperate and take a deep breath.

"AVRIIIIIEEEEEEELL!!"

[Affinity towards Trevor increased by 10%]

[Avriel Scarlettblood (35%)]

I chuckle with disbelief. She heard me, that means she's not far from here. I take another deep breath.

"AVRIIIIIEEEEEEELL! HANG IN THERE! I WILL COME TO SAVE YOU!"

[Affinity towards Trevor increased by 15%]

[Avriel Scarlettblood (50%)]

[Warning!]

[Avriel is on the verge of death!]

[Avriel Scarlettblood's HP (9%)]

"F*ck!*

I look left and right. Then I immediately choose the left side and run as fast as I can.

[Warning!]

[Avriel is on the verge of death!]

[Avriel Scarlettblood's HP (8%)]

"I'm coming..."

[Warning!]

[Avriel is on the verge of death!]

[Avriel Scarlettblood's HP (7%)]

I'm squinting my eyes and I can see a figure two or three hundred meters from me. It's Avriel! She's on her knees.

[Warning!]

[Avriel is on the verge of death!]

[Avriel Scarlettblood's HP (6%)]

Then I see another figure in front of her, and another one behind that figure. They must be Diadre, and the guy behind him must be Ardalec. I'm running as fast as I can.

[Warning!]

[Avriel is on the verge of death!]

[Avriel Scarlettblood's HP (5%)]

Less than a hundred meters left!

[Warning!]

[Avriel is on the verge of death!]

[Avriel Scarlettblood's HP (4%)]

I put one of my daggers in the inventory and grab a health potion. Then I realize that she might also need a stamina potion. In just a split second, I open the health potion and put it in my mouth, then grab a stamina potion and hold it in my right hand.

[Warning!]

[Avriel is on the verge of death!]

[Avriel Scarlettblood's HP (3%)]

Diadre is looking at me and he smiles. Ardalec stands up and is pointing his staff at me.

"No, you don't..."

Dozens of fireballs came at me and I dodged them. I knew that they will try to stop me. Thanks to my current stat, one dagger is enough for me to have 100% dodge now. Ardalec surprised and cast another spell, but none of them hit me.

[Warning!]

[Avriel is on the verge of death!]

[Avriel Scarlettblood's HP (2%)]

Diadre blocked my way and thrust his spear at me. I dodged them and ran past him. He turned around with disbelief. I jumped and carefully grabbed Avriel's body and hugged her. I put her on top of my body while my body is dragging on the ground.

[Warning!]

[Avriel is on the verge of death!]

[Avriel Scarlettblood's HP (1%)]

I immediately put Avriel on the bottom and grab her jaw and pull it down. I kiss her and pour the health potion from my mouth to her mouth. I'm carefully watching her and then she gulps the health potion into her throat. Then I open the stamina potion bottle and pour it into her mouth.

[Urgent Quest! Avriel is in danger. (Completed)]

[Avriel is safe thanks to you.]

Avriel opens her eyes and smiles weakly.

[Affinity towards Trevor increased by 20%]

[Avriel Scarlettblood (70%)]

"I thought I was hallucinating when I heard your voice. But turns out it's not."

I chuckle with relief.

"Maybe you're still hallucinating right now."

Avriel smiles.

"Is that so? I guess it is nice to be kissed by someone for the first time, even if it wasn't real."

I smile and exhale deeply. Avriel then closes her eyes.

[Keep Avriel safe. (In progress)]

[After a long and impossible fight, Avriel will be in a comatose state for a few days. Keep her safe until she wakes up.]

[Reward: None]

[Failed: Avriel's death will be permanent]

A clapping sound is coming from behind. I turn around and Diadre is amazed.

"A hero came to save the princess. But this time, a thief and an assassin."

I stand up and fix my equipment. I raise my eyebrow. Diadre is pointing his spear at me.

"Well, I don't care about your dramatic entrance. But hey, you came here, so I don't have to waste my stamina to find you."

Ardalec is walking towards Diadre.

"Give us Krestan's limbs that you stole."

I scoff.

"Why should I? Try and get it."

Diadre is looking at Ardalec and then nods. Ardalec casts a spell and a barrier is surrounding the area. Diadre stabs his spear on the ground.

"You can't leave this area. Just give it back. You are going to regret it if you are not."

I have no idea what are their levels. In the past, Diadre managed to defeat Avriel without a scratch, and this time is the same. If I can make a guess, his level must be around 600 to 700. It's the same for Ardalec as well. It won't be a problem for me to try and fight both of them, it's just going to take days to defeat both of them. I guess it's fortunate for me since I have the time until Avriel wakes up. But that also means that I have to keep an eye on them and Avriel at the same time if they're trying to harm her.

I look at both of them.

"Why? Are you guys not confident with your skill to take these from me?"

Ardalec is laughing so hard and wipes his tear from laughing.

"You are funny. But, if you are serious, then don't beg for forgiveness later."

I scoff and point my dagger at them.

"Let's make a deal then. If you both really confident in taking these from me, then don't use such cheap tricks like trying to harm her while we are at it. How about that?"

Diadre and Ardalec are looking at each other and then scoff. They both nod and Diadre pulls his spear.

"Okay, we can promise you that."

Got them. Now I don't have to worry about Avriel.

I grab a sickle from my inventory and swing it around.

"I can play for as long as you both want."

They both chuckle and Diadre immediately thrust his spear at me.