"It's right time to implement your strategy and see if it is worthwhile for our purposes or not." Aria lacerated her bindings, squinted her eyes at her surroundings - Strode towards the pitiful captive.
"If we failed… We will either face death or great level violence from them." Failure is out of the question as they need success to get their freedom. Nor is either of them a type of person who has an aversion to being sold like a doll. It won't just hurt their ego but they will also kill themselves out to be that imbecile or worthless: At least Aria still owns her pride that will never let her bow down to anyone else.
Johnson asserted her with a self-assured grin. "I swear - It shall succeed because goblins are stupid race."
He reclined on the ground, feigning lifelessness as if sleeping or dead as she stared at him for a few seconds before calling out those poltergeists. "Hey, Green skinny eunuch. I'm about to end your slave's life."
Thus, Both goblin raiders' glanced back at her and halted their prison wagons — This reaction caused those ambling behind her to stop.
"Isn't this pity you're giving up your profit," Aria goaded, pressing a sharp knife against the throat of the elderly woman from behind as Aria knelt behind her on both knees.
Blood started to trickle down the woman's neck, but no one around seemed to care, as if it meant nothing. Old woman before Aria was shivering in fear as Aria clenched her jaw in defeat, ignoring the old womens' shaking body.
"Fine. I'm doing it."
"H-H-Hold on!" The elderly woman exclaimed; Her eyes swiping here and there — About frantically in search of assistance.
"Please, spare m-!"
"Shut up, ma'am. Not concerned about being a human being I am using you as a sacrificial lamb." Aria nastily whispered in her ears. "However — My safety takes precedence over everything-"
—Grahhh!
Immediately, blood spurted from the wound and spread fast in every direction.
And other people in the wagon remained horror-stricken, moving backward away from her as they feared possibly being her next target. Aria let go of the corpse, which thudded on the ground, and set her sharp stare on the goblins as they looked at her with adorations that seemed to express themselves as intending the worst damage at her.
She thought calmly with no guilty expression. 'Looks like our target is triggered.'
"Farrraaahhh!" The goblin was indifferent but they observed the spectacle: Was salivating in detestation.
"I warned you…" Aria — Gaze lifeless — sneered and approached another old aged gentleman who was heavily panting.
"Help... me...
"Ok!" Aria completely ignored his desperate look but honestly did not care.
They are going to die anyway. Moreover, things can get really substandard, then they'll probably be tortured or something. If she is giving them a quick death, then they should actually be a little grateful to her.
She moved behind him and pressed the sharp edge of her blade against his neck. Droplets of red liquid seeped out as goblins exchanged knowing looks and nodded in unison.
"Release me or else..."
"Stayyy…. ttthheerree!"
One of male goblin leapt from the rider's perch — armed himself with a sword and shield — unlatched the gate of prison wagons.
"I'll... settt... yyyyou... frrrree..." Goblin walked slowly towards her. And the next second, Johnson's eyes flickered open as he stood close to the disgusting creature: Dagger ready at goblins' neck.
"Gotcha! We trapped you, fool-"
—Shlick!
"... Curse you!" Johnson slashed its throat, green fluid spraying in all directions as the goblin fell to the ground.
"Gw Aaargh!" The goblin clutched its injury — Bullshit tried to staunch the flow of blood before it died.
"May our paths never cross again." Aria dispatched the life of elderly man - Exited from the prisoner wagon.
"Huh!" Johnson incredulously stared at her. "Do you… have you any idea where you should head from here?"
"No." She honestly responded.
"Damn it..." Johnson's vein popped in the temple at her poker profile. He tugged her towards the north; Grasping her arm firmly — dismissing the automatic quake coursing through her overwrought frame.
Bunch of goblins also dismounted from the creaking prisoner wagons - Their misshapen figures swarming towards the fleeing captives.
Few shrill cries pierced the air after the creatures perceived Aria and Johnson were escaping.
"Cut them off! Don't let a single one slip away!" A fatty goblin bellowed.
Another goblin shed tears in panic. "Master will have our hides if they escape!"
"Those slaves are my coin, you shitheads!"
A particularly greedy goblin shrieked, spittle flying from its jagged teeth. "Capture them before they vanish into the wilds!" A quintet of goblins pursued them, undulated raucously.
"... Let my hand go…" Aria — visibly uneasy — shrugged off Johnson's grip around her wrist and sprinted ahead: Deep in the black forest.
"Hurry up, young lady, If you wish to evade from being sold out"
Johnson advised as he jumped over a shallow pit: He then extended his hand to assist Aria, who had stumbled on the uneven terrain.
—Whooshh!
—Whooshh!
A barrage of arrows rained down upon them; one of it pierced her waist.
"Shit! Not this.." She hissed through gnashed teeth. "If I don't escape today - I'll kill myself Instead of becoming someone else's maid or slave."
Furthermore, Despite her injury slowing her pace, She summoned every bit of strength to flee as her determination fuelled each step.
"There those bitches are!!! Stop, you pair of scoundrels!"
A greedy drooling Goblin shouted as another volley of arrows whistled across the air around them. After a prolonged flight; They sought refuge behind a large oak tree to protect themselves from assault and enemies.
"We must devise a distraction." Johnson muttered - Peeking at the goblins before turning his attention to his companion's wound and her grimacing expression.
"Why is the pain so intense?" Aria's vision started to blur. Johnson examined the injury, viewed the darkening skin around the wound.
"Hmph! It appears to be a poisoned arrow. The toxin will most likely impair your movement and cause unconsciousness within the next hour."
"Is this... fatal one?" Aria questioned in frustratedly.
"Well, yes and no." Johnson cryptically answered. Seeing goblins rummaging through nearby bushes, He lowered his voice and explained. "The 'yes' means you'll survive. The 'no' implies you'll soon experience agony so hard, you might wish otherwise."
Aria has an ironic smile. "Is this... why does my chest ache so much?"
"Hm?" Johnson furrowed his brow, perplexed by her words — Apologised and reached towards her forehead but she hastily slapped his hand away before any contact.
"What are you constantly fidgeting with?" She stared at him. "Very infuriating!"
After a moment's hesitation, He softly expressed his thoughts. "Could this be... your awakening time?"
Johnson doubted his allegations — Then saw her bloodshot eyes — The alarming purple hue spreading on her skin, including her irises. Waking up from this is rough but really helps down the line. Not everyone can be awakened, But whoever is one, They are very respected since they think they're better than regular humans.
"Damn it. We need to evacuate immediately and find you proper medical attention."
"Fuuuu Nnd you!!!!"
"Eh? So quickly…" Johnson glanced over his shoulder — Eyes widened — Only to find a corpulent goblin towering behind him.
Aria mockingly sneered at this situation. "My fortune truly is abysmal; Dying without a single recollection."
"Well! Tsk!" Goblin faced Johnson - Disapprovingly clicked his tongue. "This… isn't some chil… dish game of… concealment, kids or… Is it?"
Johnson's face switched into rock expression.
"You're interrupting a crucial moment." He glared and growled at Goblin — In an instant — His hand transformed into a big paw, and raked his sharp claws on the ugly looking creature's face.
—Wheezz!!
"Argh!!!"
The goblin recoiled back; Clutching its injured visage. Utilising this opportunity, Johnson plunged his talons deep into the goblin's chest, ripping out its still-beating heart.
—drip!!
Green blood dripped from Johnson's claws as he stood over the corpse. He turned to Aria, Who was distant and unaffected by the gruesome scene that had just occurred.
"Now, Wolfie…" She commanded. "... Hoist me onto your back and transport me to another location."
"... Seriously..." Johnson's mouth quirked at her tone — But her familiar cadence prompted no further comment.
Analyzing that more upcoming goblins, He exhaled wearily - Transformed into a full-fledged wolf; Assisted Aria onto his back. "Hold vehemently. And remember: Should you fall from your seat, I bear no responsibility."