In a frantic and anxious manner, Felix hastened towards the woman, his voice betraying a sense of panic as he bombarded her with a barrage of inquiries, delivered with rapid-fire urgency, "Are you unharmed? Any injuries? What should I do? Please, enlighten me!" Observing Felix's visibly distressed demeanor, the woman responded with a composed sigh, assuring him, "I'm intact. Just fatigued. Focus on checking the others for signs of life."
Acknowledging her directive, Felix complied, albeit concealing his true thoughts behind a façade of confusion. Internally, he mused, 'I've adeptly portrayed vulnerability and helplessness. She believes I'm nothing more than a frightened and feeble individual, adept only at evading danger.' With this calculated notion, he approached the fallen comrades, starting with the unfortunate blond-haired man who met an untimely demise due to his initial slumber.
The lifeless form of the blond man bore unmistakable signs of brutality inflicted by the wolves. Limbs severed and a gory wound across the abdomen, his demise was indisputable. A gruesome tableau unfolded, with body parts strewn a few meters away and a pool of blood surrounding the torn corpse. Felix, after confirming the irrevocable loss, moved somberly towards the duo targeted by the formidable bright blue wolv.
Upon closer inspection, Felix noted that their leather armor, designed for protection, had succumbed to the ferocity of the wolv's assault. This realization led him to infer the formidable nature of the wolv, speculating it to be a pinnacle high-rank creature, perhaps a sovereign entity reigning over these woods. Contemplating the strength of the adventurers, Felix surmised that they likely spanned the spectrum from low to pinnacle high rank, facing a foe that outmatched even the strongest among them.
Surprisingly, amidst their seemingly lifeless forms, Felix discerned faint breaths emanating from the wounded pair. Despite lying in pools of their own blood, a thread of life clung to them. Recognizing the vital role of healing potions, Felix, bereft of any personal supply, seized the adventurers' bags. With deft hands, he retrieved two vials containing a vivid green elixir, symbols of their restorative potential.
Dispensing the elixir into their mouths, Felix facilitated the revival of the beleaguered adventurers. The rejuvenating liquid offered a glimmer of hope amid the grim aftermath. As the two men stirred, life gradually returning to their battered bodies, Felix harbored a silent acknowledgment of the fortuitous possession of healing resources within the group.
In this sobering moment, Felix navigated the delicate balance between deceit and necessity, concealing his true capabilities while orchestrating the revival of his comrades. The woods, now shrouded in the aftermath of a fierce battle, echoed with the subdued breaths of those on the cusp of rekindled life.
Inquisitively examining the wounds of the recently revived adventurers, Felix marveled at the astonishing speed with which their injuries began to mend. Witnessing their return to normal breathing patterns, Felix acknowledged the efficacy of the healing potions. With a subtle nod of approval, he retraced his steps towards the prone form of the woman. As he cast his gaze upward, a sudden realization gripped him with wide-eyed shock — he could still see.
The revelation stirred a cascade of thoughts in Felix's mind. His eyes darted around, and a profound realization dawned upon him: the light emitted by the vibrant red-haired man persisted. A perplexed sentiment welled up within him, 'Am I being manipulated? My cognitive processes should have deduced that the red-haired man survived! Why did I not notice this earlier? Was my focus too immersed in the heat of battle? No, that cannot be. I've been vigilant since the outset. Perhaps my paranoia is justified, but I cannot fully trust these adventurers. The possibility of an illusion potion or a mind-manipulating elixir infiltrating the food lingers in my thoughts. It failed, though, as I played the role of a cautious coward, attacking from a distance and only managing to take down Maria. Are they aspiring robbers, or do they harbor the covert intent of banditry? I must remain vigilant; in a world governed by magic, every possibility unfolds.'
Adopting a guise of mental subservience, Felix assumed a demeanor akin to a dog in need of guidance. He followed the lead of the adventurers, adhering to their instructions as conveyed by the woman named Rose.
Together, Felix and Rose patiently waited for the remaining two companions to regain consciousness. After an hour had elapsed, the groggy pair stirred, their awakening marked by inquiries directed at Felix and Rose, eager to unravel the events that transpired during their unconscious state. Through their conversation, Felix gleaned the names of his companions: Rose, the enigmatic woman; Mark, the man with piercing green eyes; David, the radiant red-haired individual; and the fallen comrade, Alex.
As the night enveloped the surroundings, Felix sauntered towards the carriage, only then realizing the conspicuous absence of the horses. Maintaining an air of feigned ignorance, he settled into the carriage, feigning rest while harboring a latent curiosity about the events that would unfold on the morrow. The anticipation of the unknown stirred within him as he drifted into the realm of sleep, prepared for the mysteries that awaited the dawn.
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Morning sunlight spilled over the verdant landscape as Felix stirred from his slumber. Stretching his limbs, he stepped out of the carriage, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. To his surprise, the horses that were absent the night before now grazed peacefully nearby. A subtle smile graced his lips, and for a fleeting moment, his eyes betrayed a glimmer of a more sinister intent. However, he swiftly composed himself, reverting to the guise he had carefully crafted the previous night.
Taking a casual stroll, Felix observed the adventurers engaged in the familiar act of cooking. A synchronized greeting rang out, "Good morning, Young Master Felix!" Acknowledging their salutation with a reciprocal smile, Felix responded, "Good morning to you guys too."
Seated in a circle, the adventurers extended a plate of food toward Felix. Accepting it graciously, he expressed gratitude with another smile, "Thank you." Just as he prepared to depart, Mark invited him to join them, urging, "Why leave? Come, sit and eat with us." Though the others seconded the invitation, Felix politely declined, citing a mild apprehension of the woods and a preference for enclosed spaces. Understanding his rationale, the adventurers granted him permission to retreat to his carriage.
Within the confines of his private space, Felix sought guidance from the system. "Can you discern if something is poisonous or not right with the food?" The system promptly responded, "[Host is correct; the food possesses a poisonous effect. The system advises against consuming it.]"
Perplexed, Felix questioned the system, 'Why didn't you inform me about the poison earlier to prevent its effects? I could have been forewarned.' The system retorted, "[Host didn't inquire. Should the system provide such information in the future?]" An annoyed click of the tongue preceded Felix's nod of acknowledgment.
Engaging in further conversation with the system, Felix sought insights into the bright blue wolv. The system elucidated, "[The wolv encountered by the host belongs to the azure wolv beast race with rare potential. Azure wolvs are renowned for their formidable claws and impressive speed. Even in the awakened rank, they match the velocity of Epic-ranked descents in the awakened ranks but exhibit average performance in higher ranks.]"
Armed with this knowledge, Felix mused, 'They must have tamed this beast to assail our carriage. The adversary is beyond the awakened rank, likely reaching the 1st or even the 2nd rank. Facing a 1st-rank opponent might be feasible, but a 2nd-rank adversary poses greater challenges. Despite my sword art matching the potency of a rank 2 attack, I can only use it to defend against low-ranked spells. If faced with high-ranked spells, survival becomes doubtful. Haa, my luck.' A bitter smile played on his lips as he harbored a fragile hope, yearning to escape the clutches of the family and kingdom that seemingly sought his demise.