"Are they going to be alright?" Aurora looked back, feeling very concerned about the safety of their friends. Just to buy them some time to escape, they didn't even hesitate to fight against the monster that killed off almost everyone in the school.
Celine grabbed her hand firmly. "All three of them are at Level 2 and they have powerful Gifts. Even if they can't beat that monster, they can still escape from it. Believe in them." In truth, she was only saying this to console her.
She had seen how powerful the creature was.
Just a few days ago, a group of students with battle-related gifts attacked it, but they didn't even manage to land a scratch on the beast's tough exoskeleton. In the end, they all died and their corpses were even eaten. It was a gruesome scene that she would never forget.
"There's no exit on this side so we have to climb over the fence." Kent pointed at the fence up ahead of them.
"What about them? Are we going to leave without waiting for them?" Ericka's voice contained a trace of anger and worry.
While maintaining his pace, Kent adjusted his glasses and replied in a stern voice. "Of course not. We'll hide for a while and wait for them in that store across the street."
The girls turned their gazes at the small building he was pointing at. It was a convenience store where the students usually go after classes. The convenience store was in between the school and another building so it somehow managed to survive the damage caused by the explosion one week ago. However, most of the items inside the convenience store had already been taken by the escaping students and civilians.
The girls felt relieved upon hearing his words. Their conscience didn't allow them to abandon their friends who chose to sacrifice themselves for their safety.
"Let's go!" Kent urgently said to the girls as he climbed over the fence.
Ericka followed him after a moment of hesitation.
Celine nodded to Aurora and whispered to her. "Everything will be fine."
"I hope so." Aurora lowered her head.
Celine sighed. "Let's go."
"Mn."
After they jumped down the fence, Kent took them to the convenience store.
As soon as they got inside the store, Kent looked around and said. "Let's grab everything that we can use."
The girls nodded at his words.
There were items scattered all over the floor. The incident a week ago killed more than 95% of the city's population. The remaining few that survived became the target of the evolved creatures, forcing them to escape and hide in various corners of the city. The lack of resources also forced the people to loot from places like the convenience store to survive.
***
"Those three are quite powerful, but the monster is just too strong for them," Rendell commented as he watched the fight between the huge insect and Ralph's group of three.
Seeing their abilities made him realize that he wasn't the only person who received a Gift. Furthermore, each person has a different ability.
"That handsome-looking dude is dealing the most damage to the creature, but it seems like his fire ability is weakening. It looks like he can't use it for a prolonged period. The other two are not bad, but they are barely dealing damage to the creature. Just how tough is its exoskeleton?" Rendell was considering if he should help the trio, but even if he stepped in to help them, he knew that he couldn't offer much support.
While he was hesitating, he saw a figure being sent flying after having been ruthlessly attacked by the beast. The person crashed into the wall of the school building before falling into the ground.
"Tsk!" Rendell clicked his tongue. He only wanted to get some information, but it seemed like the deities were making it hard for him.
He dropped the backpack and pulled out the steel sword before stepping out from his hiding place.
The moment he showed himself, the huge creature immediately sensed his presence. Its pair of weird-looking eyes were staring at him, brimming with killing intent.
Rendell felt nervous after being on the receiving end of such an intense gaze, but as someone who had escaped from the gates of hell on several occasions, he still managed to stand firmly on his feet.
The sudden arrival of the unfamiliar guy confused James and Phillip, but this gave them some time to take Ralph to safety.
"Sir Ralph, are you alright?" James carefully helped Ralph sit upright while inspecting the latter's body.
Ralph groaned weakly as he muttered. "I-I think it broke my ribs."
"Who is that guy?" Phillip stared at the one-armed man who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
James followed his gaze and shook his head. "I haven't seen him. Maybe he is also a student…"
"What happened?" Ralph asked as he stood up with great difficulty.
"I think that guy came to help us," James responded.
"Help us? What can he do? Just look at him." Phillip snorted.
James furrowed his eyebrows at his words, but he didn't bother to argue with him.
At this moment, the creature suddenly lunged at Rendell and opened its huge mouth.
Seeing this, Rendell quickly moved his legs and escaped towards the school building.
The beast became angry when it missed its target. It then crawled towards Rendell with quick movements, not intending to let him run away.
Rendell looked back and was horrified when he saw the razor-like teeth on its terrifying maw. He quickly lifted his sword in an attempt to shield his body. 'Dammit!' He cursed in his heart.
The creature swooped down and crashed into him!
Rendell grunted as he pushed the steel sword with all his might. He managed to stab its mouth before he crashed into the school building with the creature.
After one side of the wall was broken, a portion of the building collapsed and fell to the creature, burying it together with Rendell.
Looking at the scene, James and the other two were stunned.
"What the hell just happened?"