After going far away from the Auction House and entering the woods, Kael left the wolf's back and started running. "Nyx, go into invisible mode and try your best to keep up." A thick dark aura covered his body, making him look like a black mass of energy.
"Understood, master."
"Let's go." Kael's boots pounded against the earth as he sprinted through the woods, his mind focused entirely on catching up to the kidnapper. His heart raced, but the adrenaline coursing through him kept him steady. He had to rescue the Princess—no matter the cost.
Behind him, the spectral wolf, invisible and ethereal, moved in tandem with him. The beast's presence in the shadows made Kael feel more connected to the fight, though he knew it couldn't stay invisible forever. Time was running out, and he needed to act fast.
The Supreme realm expert also sensed Kael's presence and he slowed down, changing his direction to a more open space filled with wildflowers and bushes.
The mysterious expert and Kael came face to face. The former spoke through his demonic mask. "I knew that the palace would send a shadow to protect the princess. But do you think an 8-Tier like you can take her away from me?"
Kael, continuing to stay in his Aura Armor, gave his response by summoning his curved twin daggers. "I'm not confident in protecting someone. But, I'm confident in killing anyone."
"Such great confidence?" The mysterious expert smirked under the mask. He threw her aside like a sack of rice and stretched his arm toward her. "Save her then."
"No." Kael charged toward her at his peak speed, aiming to pick her up before the enemy's attack reached her.
He almost reached her in a fraction of a second, but at that last moment, he saw a lightning beam erupt out of the enemy's hand, aiming at his back instead.
The lightning beam was so fast that Kael didn't have time to pick her up and evade it. Either he dodges it and lets his wife hit by the attack or he shields her. The thought of Amanda trying to leave him occurred to his mind but his body moved faster. Kael hugged her and let his back get struck by the lightning beam.
The attack made a hole out of his aura armor like glass and caused a heavy injury to his back. A fist-sized injury was caved into his flesh, letting the bloodstream flow out. The bone in the back was cracked and Kael couldn't help but scream in pain. The lightning sparks started running all over his body making him paralyzed for a moment.
Looking at his back, the enemy aimed his hand at it one more time, conjuring lightning in his palm. "There is a substantial difference between the Legendary realm and the Supreme realm, young man. As an assassin type, your defensive prowess is even more of a joke. I only used 30% of my power and you are like this. The next one will be over 60%. Let's see how you will protect yourself and the princess."
It was at this moment something suddenly jumped out of the shadows. Just as he was about to attack, the spectral wolf bit his arm, its teeth sinking into his flesh. The enemy couldn't help but groan in pain.
"Master, go." A telepathic message was sent to Kael. The latter could sense its loyalty but he could only give a nod, not even a farewell message, and used his every last bit of his mana to nullify the effects of the lightning and teleport away.
"No…" The enemy roared in anger, throwing away the wolf. As the spectral wolf crashed onto the tree, the enemy charged at it, grabbed its neck and raised it high. "You fuc*ing dog. I will… Hmm? A young spectral wolf?" His expression behind the mask suddenly changed, and instead, a wicked laugh escaped his mouth. "Hahahaha… I encountered a treasure. This beast is far more worth than that piece of potion. Let's tame this before the others catch up to me."
Meanwhile, Kael carried the Princess in his arms, his heart pounding as he fled deeper into the forest. He needed a place to rest. They couldn't stay in the open. After running continuously for half an hour, moving deeper into the forest instead of looking for an exit and going into the city, he finally saw a cave in the distance—a place to hide, at least for a while.
Once inside, he gently set the Princess down on the cold, rocky floor. Her breaths were shallow but she looked unharmed. Kael quickly assessed the situation. He needed to summon the spectral wolf again, but there was a problem.
But, before that, he needed to recover.
He swiftly took out a health potion and gulped it down, proceeding to meditate and using his mana to speed up the healing process. Once the injury was healed, he tried to focus on the bond between him and the wolf, but nothing happened. "I could sense that it was alive but the connection between us was cut off. Dammit." Kael cursed under his breath.
"The wolf is imprisoned," he muttered to himself, frustration mounting. "I can't recall it, and neither I'm strong enough to free it. I need to release the corrupted spirit of the adamantine dagger. It might help me in this situation."
As Kael sat in the cave, trying to regain his composure, he felt the Princess stir beside him. He swiftly took out his black robes and covered himself, protecting his identity. She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze falling upon his back.
"It's you, after all…" She hesitated, looking at him as though she had just come to a realization. "You were the one who saved me."
Kael stiffened at her words. Did she recognize him? He couldn't help but wonder. He didn't turn around and spoke. "We are meeting for the first time, Princess. Who do you think I am?"
"Ah, I apologize." Amanda bowed slightly. "You are assassin K, right? I once saw you while you were leaving the imperial court. I didn't see your face but I recognize those daggers." She said, pointing to the curved daggers that Kael put on the side while he was healing himself.
Kael sighed in relief upon hearing her words. She didn't recognize him, and he became confident that she had no reason to. He had kept his identity hidden thoroughly.
Amanda, still maintaining her cool, summoned the storage ring to her index finger, which is bound to her soul unlike normal storage rings, and pulled out a bottle of elixir. "Actually, I heard your murmurings earlier, although not clearly. But, I think I have something that can help you become stronger. Consider it as a way of thank you." She placed it on the floor and pushed it to his side.
Kael glanced at the crystal bottle on his side. "The Elixir of Immortality?" He was so shocked that he wanted to turn around and look at her, but remembering his identity, he tried to keep his coolness and said, "It cost you 200 million gold coins to acquire it. Why are you handing me such a treasure?"
"Because I don't want to fall it in the enemy's hands," she said simply, her tone cool while offering further explanation. "You sacrificed your summon for me. You protected me by using your body as a shield. The least I could do this is give you the Elixir. Perhaps once you make the breakthrough, you can bring both of us out of this precarious situation."
"Wha…"