Chapter Two: The Embrace of Flames
In the realm of dark magic and mythical beasts, the Black Flame Leopard is a creature akin to a high-order demon, feared and revered for its scorching inferno. Its prowess in tracking prey is unmatched, a skill that has earned it a notorious reputation. Yet, here was a young man who had managed to slip through its deadly grasp. How could he have escaped without the power to back him up? In that fleeting moment, Eileen's thoughts turned to the forbidden bloodlines, much like her own. Hidden until one reaches the higher echelons, these powers are not only undetectable but also terrifying in their might.
"Funny thing is, ever since I arrived in this place, my stomach's gone all mutant on me. I've got this crazy craving for fire!" Carson realized he'd slipped up and quickly concocted an explanation on the spot.
With a nonchalant wave of his hand, he reached into the campfire and plucked a handful of flames, bringing them to his lips. To the little girl's astonishment, the fire vanished into his mouth as if it were a mere morsel.
Not only was he immune to the flames, but he could consume them as well. Such an ability was unheard of in Eileen's knowledge. Her delicate brows furrowed in thought, as if she was piecing together the puzzle of a formidable and peculiar power.
"But how did you escape the Black Flame Leopard?" she pressed. Even if the flames couldn't harm him, the leopard's strength and speed were not to be trifled with.
A high-order demon could stand toe-to-toe with the city's defenses, and if there was a special and powerful bloodline involved, even the Duke himself might take personal interest.
Carson frowned, unsure of the specifics regarding the leopard. All he knew was that after he effortlessly consumed the flame it spat at him, he ran for his life, his path erratic. There seemed to be no concept of a sun here, and the two moons in the sky paid no heed to time. All he could discern was the distinction between night and dawn, and a rough sense of direction.
Of course, the flame within his chest, akin to a fire seed, was a secret he dared not share with the girl. If word got out, his life would be forfeit. Despite the tragedies that had befallen him, they had also given birth to Carson's cheerful disposition. If anyone else went without human contact for weeks on end, they'd likely go mad.
"Well, it's like this. The leopard spat fire at me, but it didn't do a thing. Just singed my clothes. And I ate the flame. When he was stunned, that's when I ran!" Carson chose his words carefully, hoping the girl would understand. He himself didn't know why he had the flame in his chest or how he knew to wield the fire of this place.
The girl's brows furrowed deeper, whether in disbelief or contemplation, Carson couldn't tell. Suddenly, he felt the fire seed in his chest stir, as if responding to some unseen threat.
This had happened a few times over the past days, signaling danger. It was this unknown force that had kept him alive in the abyss of the demon realm.
"Danger's coming. Do you know a way out? I think we need to leave now!" Carson hesitated before speaking, but the fire seed in his chest flickered more intensely, signaling the approach of danger.
The girl was taken aback, unsure why this man, who seemed human with his black, sinister hair, would say such a thing. But she too sensed something and stood up abruptly, staring intently in one direction.
"Wasn't the red moon tonight... missing a piece, like it had a notch?" she asked.
Carson's dark eyes widened in surprise. Indeed, the red moon had risen with an unusual缺口——something he'd never seen before. The white moon that lit the night was always full, and the red moon, as bright as the sun, should not have been missing a piece.
With a nod, the girl's brows furrowed deeply. "We're in trouble! We need to get out of this abyss and head for Dark Moon City!" Without waiting for Carson, she sprinted in a direction.
Carson was bewildered but felt the fire seed in his chest leap even more. Danger was indeed drawing near. So, he turned and followed the girl, his speed惊人.
For a girl her age, she displayed an unusual speed, but Carson was even faster. In no time, he caught up to her and hoisted her onto his back. "Hold on tight! I'm about to speed up!"
To the girl's astonishment, Carson's speed increased even more once she was on his back. Despite her injuries, she had faith in her own speed, but it seemed utterly outmatched by this man.
Even a high-order demon wouldn't have such speed. It seemed this guy's talent was extraordinary. Of course, if Carson knew, he'd be laughing his head off.
This wasn't even his fastest speed. That title belonged to the day he'd escaped the Black Flame Leopard, a speed that was truly breathtaking.
The girl clutched Carson's collar tightly, peering back over her shoulder. At the same time, Carson felt a sudden urge to look back as well.
Just one glance was enough to make his heart leap into his throat. The dense shrubbery seemed to burst open, and out poured a swarm of magical beasts like bees from a ruined hive.
Wolf-like creatures were the fastest, charging towards them with alarming speed.
"Bad news, the beast tide is coming faster than expected. Head in this direction, and hurry!" The girl pointed, her eyes filled with anxiety as she时不时 glanced back.
Carson's speed immediately kicked up a notch. A roar that was dangerously close made his heart race. He couldn't help but look back.
Just one glance was enough to make his heart race even more. It was the black leopard, as large as a calf, and it was faster than him by far. Immediately, his mind flashed back to that day.
He was walking when the black leopard leaped out from the woods. It looked at him with a smile like a gust of wind. Carson would bet that in his old world, he had never seen such a human-like beast's head.
Then, a fireball as big as a tire was spat towards him. After he inadvertently swallowed it, he took the opportunity when the leopard was not paying attention and ran for his life.
Now, seeing the leopard again, Carson's speed increased once more. And it was clear that the leopard recognized him as well. Otherwise, it wouldn't have detached from the herd to chase him so desperately.
Fortunately, the little girl on his back wasn't heavy. It was almost as if he didn't feel her weight at all. Carson's increased strength was a key factor, and the girl's own body weight was another.
So, with the black leopard in pursuit, Carson could be said to have exerted two hundred percent of his speed. However, two legs seemed to really be no match for four. In less than an hour, the leopard was gradually catching up.
It was only a hundred meters away from Carson. It seemed that with an acceleration, it could catch up immediately.
"Oh my God, who did I offend? If I ran at my speed in a marathon, I would definitely come in first," Carson muttered to himself, a joke that the girl didn't understand. It was a saying from Carson's old world!
However, as the leopard got closer and closer, Carson's heart was about to jump out of his throat. What lay ahead was a stone forest-like circle of strange rocks. On a whim, he thought that if he was lucky, he could use these rocks to temporarily shake off the black leopard's pursuit. But if he was unlucky, of course, he would be caught and torn apart by it. He didn't feel it before, but the leopard's speed was really good.
The last time he escaped from the leopard, it was also because the leopard didn't pay attention. Or it could be said that he was lucky.
Gritting his teeth, he looked back. But what he saw was a huge fireball. At such a high speed, he could still feel the scorching heat on his back. At the same time, the wind was whistling, which also gave the fireball a rotating force.
The little girl also turned her head to look, which scared her quite a bit. Because, perhaps in a breath, this fireball might touch her back. She was not like Carson, who could swallow flames.
Just such a high temperature, under this fireball, she would definitely die.
The little hand holding Carson's collar tightened. It seemed to be very unwilling, and at the same time, her big eyes were red. The dark green hair tips seemed to start curling. Immediately, this fireball might touch her.
At the same time, over the years, she seemed to have no hope of living. In such a moment, the little girl's tears slid down into Carson's collar. She thought of many, many things...
It was still that night of flames, still that night of shouting, crying for help, and anger. At the same time, it was also the night when she started to wander. It was still that pair of big hands, always like to pinch her face warm hands. In front of her, it suddenly fell down.
...
Too many memories came, it seems that she was