"Damn it," Lucas hissed under his breath, his body freezing as the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the narrow path. The air felt heavier, the tension wrapping around him like an invisible chain.
"Who's there?!"
The voice rang out sharply, cutting through the silence like a blade. There was no mistaking the hostility behind those words—it wasn't just a question; it was a threat. Lucas's heart pounded harder, every beat reverberating in his chest. His muscles tensed, and his breath hitched.
His mind screamed one command.
Run.
Without a second thought, he pushed off the ground, bolting forward. The world around him blurred as he sprinted, his feet pounding against the dirt path. The rustling leaves overhead seemed to mirror the chaos in his mind. It reminded him of that day in the forest—the goblins, their snarling faces, their relentless pursuit. He had outrun them then, hadn't he?
But even as he ran, doubt began to creep in. 'Crap, crap, crap! When am I ever going to learn my lesson?!'
The footsteps behind him—he expected them to grow louder, to signal his pursuers gaining ground. But there was nothing. No crunch of dirt, no hurried shouts, no sound of anyone following him.
Lucas frowned, his feet still moving, his breath coming in ragged gasps. 'That's strange… Why does it feel like no one's chasing me?' He glanced over his shoulder, expecting to see figures tearing after him, but the path behind him was empty. The silence felt unnatural, suffocating.
'Well… isn't that a good thing?'
He was about to let out a sigh of relief when a faint sound broke through the stillness. It was distant, but unmistakable—a low, crackling noise.
Lucas's stomach dropped. His thoughts raced. 'Hold on… Is that…?'
The realization hit him hard. His head whipped around, his eyes searching desperately for the source of the sound. Then he saw it.
A flicker of orange light. A ball of fire streaking toward him, its glow illuminating the shadows of the forest.
'Wait… That's magic!'
His voice trembled as he said it aloud, panic surging through him. The fireball grew larger as it approached, the heat searing the air. Lucas's chest tightened, his body instinctively moving.
He threw himself to the side, the fireball roaring past him, missing by mere inches. The wave of heat grazed his cheek, and he hit the ground hard, dirt scraping against his palms. Pain shot through his side as he rolled to a stop.
"Damn it!" he groaned, his hands trembling as he pushed himself up. His eyes darted toward his attackers.
They were standing further down the path—five of them. Teenagers, by the look of it, their faces smudged with grime and their clothes tattered. They looked rough, like they had crawled out of the slums. Despite their unkempt appearance, there was no mistaking the hostility in their eyes.
Lucas's mind scrambled for a solution. 'Think, think, think!'
The leader stepped forward, his expression sharp and cold. "What the hell are you doing here? Are you with that kid?"
Lucas blinked, confused for a moment. 'Kid? What kid?' Before he could piece it together, the others reacted.
"Wait… hold on!" one of them stammered, pointing at Lucas with a shaky hand. "Are you... a human?!"
"Crap," Lucas muttered under his breath, his pulse quickening.
The group exchanged uneasy glances. Their confidence wavered, and something else crept into their expressions—fear.
"Hey, isn't this bad?" one of them whispered.
Lucas straightened slightly, his thoughts racing. 'Wait… are they scared of me because I'm human?' He remembered the stories he had heard. Humans weren't just uncommon in these lands—they were feared. Anyone who managed to cross the barrier forest and survive was considered dangerous, a force to be reckoned with.
He swallowed hard, a new idea forming in his mind. Fear was something he could use.
Taking a deep breath, he forced a grin onto his face. It wasn't a friendly grin—it was sharp, almost cruel.
"I won't say it again," Lucas growled, his voice low and deliberate. "Get out of here. Now."
The group froze, their bodies visibly trembling.
"Should we… run?" one muttered under his breath.
"Run? Are you an idiot?" the leader snapped, glaring at the speaker. "Most humans who survive the barrier forest are A-rankers or higher!"
Lucas took a step forward, his grin widening. The motion made them flinch. He felt their fear growing, and for a moment, he thought his plan was working.
But the leader wasn't backing down. "No!" he shouted, raising his hand. "I'm not running! So what if he's an S-ranker or whatever? I'd rather die than run away!"
Lucas's grin faltered. 'Shit, this is bad. Really bad.'
The leader's hand ignited with flames, his magic casting an orange glow on the others. They cheered him on, their fear momentarily overshadowed by reckless bravado.
"You're so cool, boss!"
"Yeah, we've got this!"
Lucas's heart sank. His bluff was crumbling before his eyes.
The fireball launched toward him, its speed blinding. Lucas barely had time to react. His body moved on instinct, leaning sharply to the side. The fireball grazed past him, close enough that he felt the heat singe his skin.
He froze, his chest heaving. For a moment, he couldn't believe what he had just done—or how he had done it. But there was no time to process it. If they attacked again, or if they all charged at once, he wouldn't stand a chance.
The group stared at him, their faces pale.
"Maybe we should surrender…" one of them muttered, his voice wavering.
"Surrender?" the leader snarled. "There are five of us! Let's take him down together!"
With a battle cry, they surged forward, their eyes filled with determination.
Lucas's breath caught in his throat. 'This is bad. Really, really bad.'
Without hesitation, he turned and ran.
The group skidded to a halt, blinking in confusion.
"Wait… seriously? He's running?"
"Is this some kind of trap?"
"So what?! Keep chasing him!"
Lucas ran, his legs burning and his lungs screaming for air. His thoughts raced. 'Damn it! This is the second time this has happened!'
Just as his strength began to waver, a figure appeared ahead of him.
The boy was tall, with striking red hair that caught the light. An eyepatch covered his left eye, and a black cloak draped over his shoulders, concealing a sword at his side. His single visible eye locked onto Lucas with an intensity that made him stumble to a stop.
"Wait… Kael?!" Lucas gasped, his voice a mix of relief and disbelief.