Gibson and fourth group circled around the fugitive to intercept him while third and fifth group laid in the ambush. Observers were to wait and control situation from behind while consumers take action. But location of the target was a bit tricky because there was not much runes and the place filled with plants and weeds. Still, Gibson decided to gamble because of base advantage.
After everyone is ready, Gibson gave the signal to start attack. Groups approached systematically to target while observer's attentions were full on the target. Target didn't react any. It was like he was on a trip walking slowly. But when they were away 15 meters from the target, suddenly everything changed. All of a sudden, target shined with blue and indigo colors and abruptly plants moved and attacked with incredible speed from every side while weeds obstructed their footing and restraint them.
" It's a trap! Defend and fall back."
Before the sound of observers reached the their ears, they were already pierced by branches and leaves multiple times and a hurricane formed from speedy movements of trees which centered from the target. People was send flying high on the air and because of the hurricane force, they shattered like small leaves.
Gibson sensed the danger and used his inhuman speed to withdraw from the range before weeds could touch him. When he felt safe enough, he stopped and looked at the direction of the target. He saw his people are flying on air. He dismayed but calmed down quickly. He felt strange because normally his crew could handle such an attack but now his crew weren't reacting, and they were falling from high altitude that could damage them seriously. He ran towards the nearest man to check and see the reason while rescuing him.
When he reached him, he saw that the man has injured from many place and sticks like metal were coming from his body. When he saw this image, someone's image came to his mind. He stunned.
'This attack! Is he? But last time I heard he was working at headquarters and there is no way he would be a spy and act like this! I need to confirm this.'
" This is Gibson. We fell in the trap. The target used whole place as a trap. Consumers got hit hard because they were poisoned that has weakening and paralysing effects.
From the attack, I concluded that we are not a match to him. Your priority is to fix transport runes and balance defensive runes against attacks and prevent possible cracks. I will lure him the edge of runes. Focus there. Observers, after I lured him, go and take the consumers."
" Roger, sir. Caretakers reported that 6 children are missing. But we found 3 of them in the grove of east side. We couldn't find other ones yet. it is unlikely that children will be in that area.
And producers from the fixer group reported that they need 1 hour to fix transportation spot. They said target screw up the most important and delicate parts. From this, they suspected he has knowledge of runes.
Rune Centers are stable. There is not any attack to main runes and no anomaly. But they sensed that runes near you got broken because of the after effects of the attack.
Please be careful sir. There might be more traps."
" Got it. If push comes shove and he tries to take control of runes somehow, let producers make runes locked. We can't let him control runes. Instead he must deal to destroy runes."
Gibson got up and smiled grimly. He had both anticipation and fear towards fugitive. If target is the one he knew, it would be bad news for him too because he knew target as well as target knew him. If he is not, then it would be still bad new because that increased the possibility of spy assumption and possibility of companies. At least, he knew that he must give his best if he want to be alive. He took a deep breath and sprinted towards the target with cloudy thoughts.
The target didn't even need to confirm the result of his attack so he continued to walk slowly. There were lots of plants and weeds even after attack. And more of them was gathering from surroundings.
Target stopped when he sensed someone was approaching rapidly. He looked puzzled. 'There shouldn't have anyone capable to walk after the attack… Then there must be someone on blue or higher level here… And he is fast, faster than normal blue rank. my weeds can't touch him because of his speed. Tch. Annoying pest.'
"*Sage… Sage… You are doing wrong again. They have nothing with me. They are innocent.*"
Target froze and excited. "HELEN! You finally started to talk me again. How are you? Do you feel anything? Don't worry, we will get away. I will find the way bring you back."
"* Shh. Sage… You are wrong again. We know there is no way -*"
He shouted angrily. " DON'T SAY THAT! I Will Make It. Don't worry. Just wait for a while. I will finish the pest and we will go to cure you."
"*Sage…*"
Target stopped talking and focused the incoming. When he saw the target, he staggered because he knew this face.
' Gibson! So, this is... So, he is...'
Gibson was also stopped and looked carefully to target. He felt complicated, mostly disappointed and despaired because target was one of his best childhood friend, Nova. They shared too much to call him just a friend. They were more than that, bros. They knew their strength, their weakness, their secrets, their everything. Their life were the one, together. They formed their team and achieved lots before the accident. They got hit hard and couldn't keep up the team together. After the separation, he kept in touch as much as possible with the members but it seems time can change everything.