Steven ran nonstop as he kept trail of Nathan. On his back, Alab felt relentless itching in his skin. The death aura was getting violent as they dig deeper to the Southern part of the Planet Dem.
"It hurts", Alab mumbled as he tried his best not to scratch his skin and just endure the intensifying itching.
His mortal body would never conform to death aura.
"Help! Please help us!"
As they got closer to Arabelle, a pack of people waved their hands toward them as they blocked their path. They were already drenched with blood and injuries were apparent on others.
There were 8 people in total.
There was an old guy in farming clothes, a kid wearing a school uniform, his mother with severed arm, a college boy who was trembling from fear, two mid-age married partners, a man in corporate attire, and finally a police officer who bathe in his blood.
They all suffered extensive injuries. Traumas were reflected in their expressions as they ran towards Nathan. Their bodies were either burned, or frosted with only the mother losing her left arm.
The man in corporate attire hastily approached Nathan as he waved the steel case in his hand. No words needed, the man tried to bribe Nathan.
"This, save me, I am the CEO of Tnovel! I can give you millions of money! Just save me", the man demanded
Despite his tattered clothing, Nathan was deprived of bruise nor injuries. The man assumed that Nathan was strong thus he had suffer no injuries so far. The rapid speed of Nathan also made him believe that he had a high stat attributes.
The man clinged unto his last thread of hope named Nathan. The other people also reached out to Nathan, begging him to save their lives.
Only the police, the mother and her kid didnt approach Nathan. The kid was about to walk forward when the mother stopped him. Her eyes fixated on the orange shirt that Nathan was wearing.
Despite the clothe being tattered on only the "NER" printed text prevailed in the chest part, the mother was all familiar with the shirt. After all, she was the one who had sent her abusive husband to prison and had seen him wearing the exact identical shirt.
"You, you are the escaped prisoner, Nathan Fury, arent you?", the police muttered as he raised his burned arm, pointing his pistol towards Nathan.
He had exhausted his bullets since entering the portal. Now, he was only fooling, trying to trick Nathan. He was also the similar police who was chasing Nathan before they get sucked into this dreary portal.
The people who swarmed towards Nathan, widened their eyes in shock. Their eyes lured into the orange shirt that they had dismissed earlier out of desperation. Immediately, they let go of Nathan, retreating with their cold feet.
"KIKIKIKI, aint you all so naive?", Nathan laughed as he glared furiously at the bunch. Their faces alert at Nathan's prospect assault.
Nathan, however, just took a step as if the gun pointed his way didnt bother him. He walked past the group who was holding their breaths.
"Let me give you all an advice, if you really want to survive, you should never let go of any last thread of hope. No matter how thorny that thread is", he stated before he proceeded sprinting, his figure vanished from everyone's sight.
Not giving the people a breather, a large blazing entity carrying a young boy in his back stopped in front of them. The bunch felt horror just gazing at the unusual entity ablazed in fire, their eyes constricted as they hold their breath.
"What happened to you guys?", Alab asked.
He was certain that they were fellow Earthlings dragged into this portal by the suction force. With that, he wished to help them in any way he could. His desire to be a hero was again lit up in him.
He repeated his questions once more and then again and again but the people were beyond stupified by Steven.
As Alab saw that their injuires were not fatal aside from the mother who was constantly losing blood, he decided to just proceed on chasing Nathan. The latter's figure was becoming smaller as he sprinted forward.
"Steven, Lets go---"
Alab was unable to finish his words as someone from the bunch finally recollected her courage.
"W--wait!", blood dripped from her left arm, the mother took the courage to reach out to Alab.
Alab was about to decline her, certain that she would ask him to heal her. He didnt have a healing skill at the moment nor any potion at hand. He further doubt that Nathan would be willing to help her. Alab fell in dismay as he didnt have the capacity to help her.
However, the mother's selfless request threw his gloom off.
"The hero... Please save him", the mother requested as she bowed her head.
At this point, a Mandala effect seemed to occur as the people regather their courage one by one. But, their requests differ from one another, reflecting their individual personalities.
"Who cares about that hero?! He is as good as dead by now. Me, just save me, I will give you all my money!"
"That monster... Is that your skill? Please, save me and my wife"
"I... I still have a partner waiting for me at school, please save me"
"I am too old, please save me, kid"
Their selfishness were reflected in their requests. Though, Alab thought that that was normal, after all, it was inherent to humans to prioritize one's life in face of death.
He couldnt help but be astonished by the mother's selfless request. With that, Alab glanced at the mother who was now turning pale, eyes getting drowsy as she looked at Alab.
"Mother, are you okay? Mother?", the kid uttered as he looked up to his mother, shaking her right hand discreetly.
The mother revealed a faint smile as she patted the latter's head.
"Im fine, really"
"About that hero, where is he and who is he?", Alab asked as time was of utmost significance now.
"He is about 50 meters ahead, just keep going to the Southern part. And as for his name---", the mother was cut short by her son.
The son took out a keychain from his pocket. Held by the chain was a small crocheted figure of a man. Looking at thay figure, Alab couldnt help but feel nostalgia. His eyes dazzled with golden light as he widened his mouth in thrill.
Then, the kid uttered...
"Its golden hero!"