However, it seemed impossible to reach him. Were Levy and his team also in trouble, or worse, had he met his death!?
'No! Impossible! Levy wouldn't die so easily!'
John fixed his gaze on Zoey once more. At this moment, he felt distraught. If only he could create an inter-dimensional portal, he would bring Zoey out of this place.
However, he couldn't do that because he had not yet reached the Gold Star Rank. Only a Gold Star Rank like Zoey could create such a powerful portal.
"I'm sorry, Zoey. I'm not powerful enough to help you now. I'm sorry," John whispered, feeling helpless. In annoyance, he slammed his communication device on the ground and grabbed his hair tightly, his head hanging low.
"Please answer me, Levy..."
John couldn't bear to see Zoey's face, which turned dark purple.
Despite his prayers and shouts, there was still no answer from the other end. Levy remained unreachable.
After some time, John slowly lifted his head, his hand clenched into a tight fist when he saw Zoey's eyes slowly closing. Panic engulfed him. If only her chest hadn't moved, he would have thought he lost Zoey.
He felt relieved.
Lost in a trance while staring at Zoey, John was approached by a man from behind.
"Leader, I'll go to Levy's location. Maybe their communication device is broken. We need to check, right!?" the man suggested.
John immediately turned to him, realizing he had forgotten to assign someone earlier.
"Yes. Please make it fast," John instructed.
"Do not worry," the man reassured him before swiftly departing. He ran so fast that his back was out of sight within seconds.
Feeling a glimmer of hope, John retrieved the communication device and continued to contact Levy.
"Damn it!! Levy, please answer me... Please, we need you now!"
John didn't stop trying to reach Levy.
...
When John struggled to contact Levy, Lee Han, who stood far behind, finally joined the others gathered near Zoey and John. He sat on a boulder not far from them.
Seeing how bad Zoey's condition was broke Lee Han's heart.
Even though Lee Han had only known Zoey briefly, this woman had been kind to him. Her actions to protect him when Elara took him hostage had moved him.
'Zoey, I hope you can survive,' Lee Han silently talked to himself while checking his watch, growing increasingly worried.
If the traitor Elara wasn't lying, then Zoey only had eight minutes before the poison killed her.
Lee Han couldn't help but feel impressed with Elara's planning. She had killed Lyra so that no one could help Zoey. If only Lyra were still alive, she could have slowed the poison's spread.
'Elara, you are such an evil elf!' Lee Han vented his anger in his mind.
Suddenly, a deep frown formed on Lee Han's face, but it quickly turned into a bright beam of excitement as he thought of something thrilling.
'Lara, can you help Zoey?' Lee Han knew Lara had powerful magic, even if she couldn't use her full strength right now.
'Yes, I could help her if I were in my true form. But now, I can't. Sorry, master,' Lara said apologetically, feeling sorry that she couldn't assist Lee Han, who seemed eager to heal Zoey.
Lara's words made Lee Han's shoulders slump. There was no hope for Zoey now. Their only hope was Levy. He could only follow the other adventurers to pray for Zoey, hoping she could survive.
'It's fine, Lara... It's fine...'
'Master, even if I can't help Zoey, but... you can help her.'
"What... Say what!?" Lee Han, sitting on the boulder, almost fell from shock. He saw all the eyes now looking at him.
'Huh!? Why do they all look... Oh fuck! How could I forget...'
He was shocked when he realized he had responded to Lara by screaming.
"What the heck are you trying to say, Lee Han?" someone shouted, confused.
"Yes, did you successfully contact someone?"
Lee Han immediately smiled at them, scratching his head.
"Sorry, guys, I just spoke to myself. Don't mind me," He said, ignoring them again as he focused on speaking to Lara.
'Damn! Lara, next time, you better stop me.'
'Sorry, Master,' Lara chuckled. 'Master, your time is running thin. Hurry up... check your shop inventory. There's a poison section.'
Lee Han felt a thrill when he heard Lara's instructions. He immediately checked the shop inventory.
He was shocked when he indeed found a section selling high-grade antidotes.
'Yes, I found the section. Which one?'
'The black one.'
Lee Han peered at the small, crystal-clear bottle containing black liquid.
When he read the information, he agreed with Lara. This black liquid could cure even the most potent poisons ever.
Without thinking, Lee Han immediately took the antidote. Still, when he was about to pay, he nearly vomited blood upon seeing the price tag.
'What the hell, why is it so expensive?' Lee Han muttered, repeatedly checking the numbers. The price is still the same — 200 gold coins.
'Tsk... I'll be poor again if I buy this antidote,' Lee Han grumbled.
'Indeed. You'll bid farewell to all your coins, master,' Lara couldn't help but chuckle at Lee Han's misery.
He could only sigh before reluctantly selecting [BUY].
In an instant, all his coins vanished from his system.
Later, the small crystal bottle appeared in his hand. He dashed towards Zoey.
"John, I have the antidote..."
"Are you serious?" John looks at Lee Han in shock.
"Yes. I just remembered now. Princess Seraphina gave me this antidote before I came here, in case I needed it. But because General Zoey needs it more... let her drink this antidote immediately. She doesn't have much time left, John!"
Doubt flashed in John's eyes, but he had no choice now. He could only trust Lee Han.
Quickly, John accepted the small crystal bottle and helped Zoey drink the liquid.
Everyone tensed, waiting for the antidote's reaction, including Lee Han. He didn't know if the antidote would act swiftly; according to the system, the poison worked slowly.
Zoey wouldn't be in perfect condition, but at least she wouldn't die today.