"RUUNNN!! IT'S AN ACTUAL MONSTER!!"
Damn! This monster do like to appears out nowhere! I shouldn't have jinx it!
The calm atmosphere accompanied by a few cars honking around, has turned into complete chaos. People's getting out of their car and running for their makes me super anxious. What kind of monster did they saw?
Not trying to find the answer, I rushed back to thr the bus. Hana, Ryan and Alice is helping the elderly passenger getting down, and it seems like the youngs behind them is becoming impatient.
"Dude! Get down quick!" One of the passenger said.
"They can't help it you fu*k! Just wait a little!"
Hana screamed.
"There's fu*king monster hurry it up!"
Geez, I know there's monster nearby but they are still out of sight. I kinda understand them tho.
When the elderly has descend the bus, the rest of the passenger star running like crazy.
Hana met my eyes, seemingly hesitant to say something.
"... Kaiden? Your friends already runs away together, shouldn't you catch up with them?"
"What?"
They left me? Wha-... Forget it.
"I just met them, they're not my friends"
"... I see. Then shouldn't you booked it by now?"
I should, but somehow, the sight of the elderly couple and 2 kids makes it harder for me to do so. Just thinking of how helpless they're if left alone pains me.
"... Let's get them out here, where's this shelter you mentioned earlier?"
"It's still pretty far away, about 10 Kilometres or so down this block?"
"That far?!... Let's be quick then!"
With that, me, Ryan, Alice, Hana, 2 old man and woman and also 2 kids runs together, in the slowest pace imaginable for running away from a monster!
If we keeps up with this pace, the monster might catches up!
"AARGHH!!"
Right on time! Here they comes!
For a moment, I almost mistook them as oversized monkeys. They're equipped with large clubs, have the height of a full-grown man and are covered in fur. The only way I could distinguish them from a monkey monster is with their exposed skull on the top of their head.
For the first time in my life, I get to see a man's head exploded from getting hit by the beast. It shocked me so bad Hana has already called my name multiple time.
"Kaiden!"
"Huh?"
"Focus! You take care of them, we wil cover you!"
"A- alright!"
They're fine with that? They adapted so quick, I guess I should follow their example.
[ Store ] [ 60 gold coins ]
★ Skill ★
[ C Class Skill ]
( Danger Sense - 15 GC )
( Sprint - 10 GC )
( Battle Instinct - 15 GC )
( Dagger User - 15 GC )
[ B Class skill ]
( Pierce - 25 GC )
( Thruster - 20 GC )
[ A Class Skill ]
( Future Sight - 50 GC )
[ You've purchased the skill "Danger Sense" and "Battle Instinct" ! ]
This is the best skill for this situation. I shouldn't buy any Magic for now, since I might've passed out much quicker than if I'm only using Flicker.
[ You've purchased 2 Elixir! ]
I should have this to avoid passing out.
Shortly after, as if my leg is itching to jump forward and something's pushing my body, I unconsciously obey this feeling.
[ «Flicker» ]
We scattered! They are too close for comfort!
I dodge an attack delivered by the beast using Flicker. As a results, I ended up several meters away, leaving behind the grandpa... While the grandma's head is crushed by the wooden club of the beast.
The old man is then grabbed by the beast, struggling to get away. From this distances, I couldn't hear if he was screaming.
Actually, the world seems quiet and the time moves slowly, the looks of horror on the old man face as he's about to be slaughtered is haunting.
As of now, I have no idea which urges I'm actually fighting. Do I want to run away or save him, perhaps both. As a result, I'm just standing still, watching as the old man is being battered and beaten to a pulp by a bunch of beast with a club.
After the beast is done with their barbaric action, they turn their heads to me. The ugliest smile could be seen in their face. It's obvious who's next.
[ «Flicker» ]
I ran without looking back. Right now, the only thought i have is to escape.
[ Warning ]
[ Fatigue have passed 80. You physical capabilities is now halves. ]
[ If it reaches 100, you will fall unconscious! ]
I take an Elixir out if my inventory and quickly drank it. I need to create more distance!
[ «Flicker» ]
As I ran along the sidewalk, I finally catches up with Ryan and Alice. Hana and the kids is nowhere to be found. We must've split after being overrun.
Alice is currently kneeling, seemingly exhausted, while Ryan is watching out for monster.
I should regroup with them.
"Ryan!"
He flinched, but relaxed after seeing it's me.
"What happened?"
"Her Fatigue is over 80 and we didn't have any elixir" he said without looking at me, still looking out for the monster.
"Here"
I handed her my last elixir, I could still buy them so it's not a big deal. But Ryan instead grabs it and pushed it back to me.
"Bring her out of her" he said with a straight face.
Alice is shocked by his request, looking at him with confusion.
"But, why?!" She asked loudly.
"... I don't think I can fight them"
"Then let's run away!"
"You get tired too quickly, they would catches up with us and kill us both... This for the best"
"But that means you will die!"
"... Grow up well honey, even without me, ok?" He said wearing a bitter sweet smile.
"No! Let's-"
She quickly stod up but trip and fall on her father's arm.
"Kaiden?" He faced me, with the saddest smile I've ever seen.
"Please take her... Quick"
I froze for a bit, this is a crazy request! I've never been given such request. Being trusted to take care of someone who I didn't even know well.
It was cut short by this sharp feeling suddenly emerging, as if it's telling me something is on the right. It's the foul beast, they are nearing.
"GO! QUICK!" Ryan Shouted to me.
He frees himself from his daughter embrace and pushed her to me. I catches her and quickly stopped her from going to his father again.
"DAD!"
"KAIDEN! QUICK! RUN AWAY!!!" He lounge forward, fending of multiple beast.
This feeling is sucks!
[ «Flicker» ]
I runs away while carrying Alice, leaving Ryan behind. Alice is still screaming and on the verge of crying. I don't know what to do except running.
***
Chugging my 2nd Elixir, we continue to run along with other people. I don't where this shelter is located exactly but if this people is here for the same reason then it's a good idea to follow them.
Carrying Alice, although she's light, is giving me trouble! My arms getting numbs, there's people left and right, so I had to dodge them a few times. Funny enough, it isn't as tiring as using Flicker twice.
Still, if this goes on, I might ran out if Elixir.
I stopped for a while to catches my breath and scoping the area. There's a small apartment down the left road.
If i go there, I might found what I want.
Approaching said apartment, There's a few bicycle parked under the building. You know what I'm going to do.
Alice looked at me with disbelief, as I'm taking one of the unchained bike that has a seat on its back.
"Why are we stealing?!"
"Because we need them, I don't want to do it but I'm getting too tired from carrying you. They won't mind"
"They do mind!"
This girl is too kind for her own good. It's not like I wanted this.
"Get on now Alice, or I'm leaving you"
I had to be a bit mean to her, I'm sorry Ryan.
She's hesitant, but in the end, she decided to go along with my mischief.
She sat down on the back, and off we go.
Luckily, there's no one from the building stopping us, even the security. Did they also went to the shelter? Who know.
She's light, so the paddling is a breeze!
As we go down the road, there's les and less people running. Some is sitting and resting, while other is walking.
I stopped and checked my phone. I haven't had any chance in checking it since I'm too worried about the monster.
A lot of uncheck notification, from the government notice about the shelter and safety stuff, and my parents messages. I should check it, but I don't have the time.
Not answering any, i looked at the map. We are close, if I keep on going for 30 minutes or so, I will found it.
"Just a little more Alice, be patient."
She's hugging me from behind with her head resting on my shoulder. I feel like she just nodded.
I never got to see her status, but I could guess she didn't have any offense spell or skill.
Not like i have anything better.
"By the way, Alice"
"Yea?"
"Where's Hana?"
"... I don't know, father just dragged me away from the monster and I didn't see her again"
"Hopefully she survived"
"... Yea"
".... Where did you live?"
"...."
She didn't tell me. Understandable tho, I'm still a stranger to her. We didn't even know each other for a day.
"Where's your mother? Once thing settled down, I will help you get to her"
".... She passed away when I was a kid"
"Oh..."
This is getting complicated.
"Well... Any other relatives? Did they live nearby or?"
"..... I don't know...."
This girl.... Did she even know anything?
"What do you mean you don't know?"
"..... Father and mother ran away together from their home to get married . I... Don't think I have anywhere else to go..."
Elopement, huh. What am I supposed to do with her then?
".... I will.. help you figure it out somehow, or something"
It's Ryan last wish, I'm indebted to him for saving me. I feel like I'm responsible for separating her and Ryan. But what am I supposed to do then? Run away from his request?
Without me realizing it, We are nearing a military checkpoint.