"Hoo… hoo…" The panting sound gradually intensified, becoming more intense, as if echoing Fang Li's exhaustion and determination.
Inside the Hunters' Hayajiro carriage, Fang Li's relentless pursuit had left conspicuous bloodstains on the ground, painting a vivid picture of his tenacity amidst the chaos.
At the forefront of the bloodstains, Fang Li's pace gradually slowed down, and his vision became increasingly blurry. The toll of his injuries was finally catching up to him.
However…
"I can still hold on…" Fang Li's voice, though strained, carried a resolute undertone.
Thanks to his increased VIT (Endurance), Fang Li's ability to withstand injuries, even those potentially fatal, had been bolstered. His life force had become much more robust, granting him the resilience to endure in the face of adversity.
Moreover, enhancing his VIT (Endurance) also had a positive impact on his recovery, to some extent. Given enough time to rest, Fang Li could experience a substantial healing process.
"So, as long as I find a place to hide and recover…" Fang Li's thoughts raced, seeking a solution amidst his challenging circumstances. While he couldn't expect his injuries to miraculously disappear, he hoped to recuperate enough to regain mobility.
"But where can I hide when I'm on Amatori Biba's Hayajiro?" A tinge of helplessness laced Fang Li's words.
In truth, if he truly desired to escape, Fang Li could attempt to jump off the Hunter's Hayajiro, despite the inherent risks. Such a daring maneuver would allow him to evade his pursuers, at least temporarily.
"Unfortunately, it's not very safe outside either…" Fang Li grimaced at the thought. The external environment held its own dangers, and he couldn't be certain that Kabane wouldn't suddenly appear and launch an attack while he was injured.
Given Fang Li's current condition, if he were to be surrounded by Kabane, his fate would undoubtedly be sealed.
Therefore, Fang Li had to take calculated risks, weighing the chance of being discovered against finding a secure hiding spot.
As Fang Li calmly analyzed the situation, the sound of chaotic footsteps once again reached his ears, causing his heart to skip a beat.
"They've caught up?" A mix of frustration and determination fueled Fang Li's resolve as he walked forward.
Swiftly, he maneuvered through the Hunter's Hayajiro, finding solace in a nearby corner, concealed from immediate sight.
Before long, a group of Samurai wielding Steam Guns stormed into the carriage. Their initial ferocity had transformed into disheveled appearances, bearing the marks of battle. The injuries they bore varied in severity, and their numbers had significantly dwindled.
The sight of these worn-out Samurai ignited a fierce anger in the hearts of the Hunters' warriors, one after another.
"The trail of blood on the ground has disappeared!" One of the Samurai keenly observed the absence of the telltale stains.
"Search the area!" The leader, his voice low and commanding, issued the order.
"Since the trail of blood has vanished, the opponent is likely nearby!" These words resonated with the Samurai, instilling them with renewed vigor. Their grip on the Steam Guns tightened, fueled by the determination to reclaim their honor.
Having been cleverly outmaneuvered by Fang Li, these Samurai were driven to regain their lost dignity. As elite warriors actively engaged in combat against the Kabane, the Hunters had never endured such humiliation before.
Thus, anger surged through the hearts of each Samurai, intertwining with a sense of trepidation.
"Be cautious, everyone! This maniac killed two of our comrades even in such a heavily injured state!" The leader's words hung in the air, adding a weighty sense of foreboding.
Yes.
Killed.
Amidst the chaos that had ensued, Fang Li's objective was to disrupt the Hunters' pursuit, yet he showed no mercy, directly ending the lives of two Samurai.
Since entering the Main God's Dimension, Fang Li had refrained from taking human lives, focusing solely on defeating the Kabane threat. However, if his adversaries sought to end his existence, he had no reason to hold back.
And precisely because of this unwavering resolve, fear took hold within the hearts of the Hunters' Samurai. The realization that their opponent would stop at nothing, even when gravely wounded, sent a shiver down their spines.
Despite suffering nearly fatal injuries, Fang Li didn't hesitate to take the lives of two individuals, successfully disrupting the pursuit and leaving the Hunters in disarray. Underestimating an opponent of such caliber would not be mere carelessness but sheer foolishness.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the lead Samurai understood the urgency of locating Fang Li. Failure to do so would eventually transform this enigmatic figure into the greatest enemy of the Chief Head himself.
Under the command of their leader, the Hunters' samurai launched an extensive search, each member remaining on high alert, tightly gripping their Steam Guns. They kicked aside obstacles and charged forward whenever they reached corners, the barrels of their weapons poised to strike at any moment.
Gradually, a group of samurai closed in on a particular corner, closing the gap between them and Fang Li's concealed position. Against the wall, Fang Li leaned, his chest heaving as he struggled to regain control over his breath. Yet, even in this weakened state, he remained vigilant, undeterred by the imminent confrontation.
Fang Li's heart pounded in his chest, not out of fear or nervousness, but rather because he knew that a clash was unavoidable. With the sound of footsteps growing nearer, he slowly opened his eyes, revealing his ice-blue Mystic Eyes once more. His grip tightened around the hilt of his dagger, preparing for the impending clash.
Simultaneously, Several samurai reached the edge of the corner, their Steam Guns' barrels coming into Fang Li's view. Just as he was about to propel himself forward, a hand emerged from the darkness behind him…
On the other side, despite their extensive search, the samurai found no trace of Fang Li.
"Could he have already escaped?" One of the Samurai pondered aloud.
"Did he jump off the Hayajiro?" Another suggested.
"Impossible. With injuries of that severity, jumping off would mean certain death," A third samurai interjected. "Besides, the external environment poses a significant risk with the presence of numerous Kabane."
"Then, did he escape to the front?" Someone else speculated.
"Why did the trail of blood abruptly stop?" The lead samurai questioned, his brows furrowing in frustration.
"He must have found a way to staunch the bleeding. It's not that surprising," Another samurai offered.
Listening to the discussions among their comrades, the lead samurai made a decision.
"Continue the pursuit! He must still be inside the Hayajiro!" The leader commanded.
With determination renewed, the group of samurai pressed on, resuming their chase through the train carriage.
Gradually, the carriage fell back into silence, seemingly devoid of any presence.
Unbeknownst to the pursuing Samurai, in that inconspicuous corner, a lid on the ceiling was quietly opened. And from that hidden opening, a figure emerged— Ikoma.
"Take it slow," Ikoma whispered, supporting Fang Li as they descended from the ceiling, carefully guiding him to lean against the wall.
Fang Li took a deep breath, addressing Ikoma directly, "What are you doing here?"
"I overheard your conversation with Lady Ayame and saw Mumei taking you away. I was worried, so I secretly followed you," Ikoma confessed in a hushed tone. "It's dangerous here. Let me take you to the safety of our Hayajiro."
Despite Ikoma's genuine concern, Fang Li declined the offer. "No, I will stay here."
…