This surprised Andrew. How did she know that?
Seeing his reaction, Kinelle smirked and said, "I just randomly remembered. He was moving around a lot with a group of people, asking if we had heard of someone with your name."
"Where did you meet him?" Andrew asked, his tone cautious.
"A while back. He's the leader of the second-biggest camp. I wonder how much they'd pay for you."
Andrew frowned. "Oh. You plan to hold me for ransom?"
The old lady burst into laughter. "You're a smart, smart girl! Yes, yes, go do it now!"
"Right now? I'm tired," Kinelle protested.
"Now, child."
Reluctantly, she stood up and ruffled her hair. "Jessie, keep your eyes open."
Jessie nodded, giving her a thumbs-up. "I know, I know."
Kinelle turned back to Andrew. "Give me some information only someone close to you would know. We don't have cameras, so we'll have to verify it this way."
Andrew raised a brow. "And if I don't answer? Torture?"
Kinelle grinned darkly. "Badly."
"Fine. Tell Dalton this: I became friends with him in high school because I wanted a good excuse to interact with his mom—I thought she was hot. And when I told him I wanted to sleep with her, we got into a fight."
A sudden silence blanketed the room. All eyes turned to Andrew, stunned.
"No damn way," Lequi muttered under her breath.
Andrew shrugged, unfazed. Back then, he often spoke his mind, seeing no reason to filter his words. His social skills were, admittedly, abysmal.
Kinelle blinked a few times, then nodded slowly. "Alright then..."
Without another word, she left.
The old lady glanced at Andrew, her expression softer now. "I don't blame you for giving yourself up for ransom so easily. Torture is truly hell."
Andrew didn't respond. The real reason he surrendered so quickly was that he wanted Dalton and the others—assuming they were still together—to know he was alive.
---
Four hours passed. Andrew noted that the swelling in his hand seemed to be getting better. Lequi made sudden eye contact with him and then glanced at his right hand.
"In about three hours, it should be complete," she murmured.
Andrew tilted his head. He wasn't entirely sure what she meant, but he thought he had an idea. **I hope I do.**
"Good to hear, dear," Apolla said with a weak smile. "I already feel a bit better. Tired, but better."
Kinelle muttered, "Three whole hours... I'm going to nap for a bit."
Jessie yawned. "I'll stay up and keep watch. Make sure they're not up to anything."
---
Another hour passed. Jessie was struggling to keep her eyes open. By the third hour, exhaustion hung heavy in the air.
Lequi suddenly shot a sharp look at Andrew, and the world around him turned gray. Without hesitation, he opened his inventory, pulled out his spear, and drove it into the neck of the old lady before she could react.
He chose her first—she seemed like the leader. In a world like this, leaders were usually either the strongest or the smartest.
The spear hit its mark, but the difference in levels meant it didn't kill her instantly. Blood gushed as she gasped, her eyes wide. "You..."
Andrew yanked the spear free and turned toward Kinelle. She bolted awake, deflecting his spear as she stumbled back.
Time rewound.
This time, Andrew aimed for her spine. As soon as she stirred, he struck. The spear drove into her stomach.
"You!" she screamed, coughing up blood.
Andrew pulled the spear out, stepping back. **Lequi planned this well.** The delay in healing wasn't just to lower their guard but to ensure exhaustion would seep deeply into their bodies. They had been wounded, deprived of sleep, and forced to stay awake. Now, they were barely hanging on.
Andrew moved to stab Jessie, but a sudden barrier blocked his attack, the spear shattering on impact.
"Move, Andrew!" Lequi shouted, running toward him. "Move!"
Andrew leapt back, dashing away. Kinelle tried to chase after him, but her wound and exhaustion made her movements sluggish.
Apolla extended her hand, her body trembling. Controlling even that much was difficult now, but she wasn't about to let him escape. Her finger flicked, and a mass of iron materialized mid-air, shooting toward him at lethal speed.
Andrew reacted instinctively, diving toward Lequi and tumbling to the ground with her in his arms. A fraction of a second later, the iron projectile whizzed past, slamming into the dirt behind them.
Apolla froze, baffled. she wondered, How did he see that coming? Does he have eyes on the back of his damn head?!
Angrily, she summoned more projectiles, but her aim faltered. The strain of keeping her hand up made it almost impossible to direct them properly. The scattered attacks forced Jessie, who had been chasing Andrew, to veer off course.
The chaos scared off anyone else who might have tried to stop them. Guards fled as the metal projectiles ricocheted wildly.
Beyond the gates, Andrew and Lequi ran.
"Run faster!" Andrew shouted.
Lequi wanted to scream that she was already trying her best, but she bit her tongue. She decided to just focus on running and not getting killed. She nearly matched his pace—until Andrew suddenly surged ahead, moving so fast she was left behind.
He glanced back, realized she wasn't near him, and cursed under his breath. Doubling back, he scooped her up.
"Try to keep this speed!" Lequi gasped. "Don't stop, or you'll vomit everywhere!"
"From what? Killing another person?" Andrew muttered.
"What? No, no—EXP overconsumption!"
Andrew winced as a deep sickness churned in his gut, like he'd eaten something rotten. His speed dwindled, and dizziness clouded his vision. He collapsed onto Lequi, clutching his stomach.
Then, a notification flashed in his mind: **LEVEL UP!** He was now level 13. The old lady must have finally died.
Lequi quickly pushed him forward. "Don't stop for even a second!"
"I know!" Andrew growled, forcing himself upright.
They ran until their bodies gave out.