"""
In just a few words, Yuri quickly explained to Lynch everything he knew.
"We need to leave this place immediately!"
"It's Richard!"
"That damned bastard is still in the Dark Forest—he's hunting us!"
Lynch was startled at first, and then he felt a chilling dread run through him.
Lynch didn't have much connection with Richard; he had only seen him once during a public lecture and barely knew him, other than the fact that he had arrived at the Tower six months ago, essentially making him a junior to them.
So, when rumors circulated among the apprentices about the story of him discovering ruins during an expedition, Lynch spent quite some time trying to figure out who Richard even was.
Yet no one could have imagined that this guy would turn out to be a spy sent by the Black Wizard. When news spread that he had used such a simple trick to deceive more than a dozen apprentices, it left everyone utterly shocked.
What Lynch couldn't fathom even more was that, after committing such a heinous act, this guy not only didn't retreat to his dark hiding place but had the audacity to return. Did he really fear nothing?
After running desperately for over ten minutes with Yuri pulling him along, Lynch suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"No..."
Barely able to catch his breath, Lynch gasped to Yuri, "I... I can't go on. You... you go ahead..."
Unlike Yuri, Lynch couldn't sustain such long-distance sprints without losing his breath or turning red. Those ten minutes of nonstop fleeing had already pushed him to his limit; it was physically impossible for him to keep running.
Yuri furrowed his brow deeply, his voice urgent as he said, "What nonsense are you talking about? This is no time for such talk. That shadowy black rat is searching for us everywhere—he could catch up at any moment. You have to keep going!"
Lynch waved his hand dismissively. "No... no chance..."
It wasn't a matter of persistence—it was a physical barrier. If he kept running, forget Richard chasing them; his own heart might burst, leaving him dead right here and now.
As he struggled to adjust his breathing, he shook his head and said, "You... you go ahead..."
Following Yuri at this pace would only drag him down. It was better to part ways and find another solution.
"You..."
Yuri's forehead veins bulged, his face flushed red in anger.
For him, the optimal decision was undoubtedly to abandon Lynch and escape alone. After all, he didn't have much of a relationship with Lynch, and it definitely wasn't worth risking his own safety for someone so useless.
But to Lynch's surprise, Yuri didn't leave after his brief bout of anger. Instead, he seemed to make a firm decision, gritting his teeth before crouching down and gesturing for Lynch to climb on his back. "I'll carry you."
Lynch froze for a moment, genuinely taken aback.
Yuri spoke sharply, "The day I took up the sword, I swore an oath not to abandon my comrades, no matter if it's a dragon or death itself threatening us."
"I am a knight. Even though I've become a wizard, I will not forsake my vow or my faith."
"Never."
Yuri was only a few years older than Lynch and still very much a youth, yet at this moment, Lynch saw something rare in Yuri's eyes—a decisiveness and resolve, as if he were truly bearing some great burden.
"Thank you."
Words felt hollow at this point, so Lynch chose to silently keep this gesture in his heart before beginning to climb onto Yuri's back.
However, just as he was about to get on, Lynch froze, his entire body stiffening as if he had sensed something.
Yuri urged him, "Quick! We don't have time to waste."
Lynch didn't comply. Instead, he frowned and said bitterly, "Sorry, Yuri, but we can't go any further."
Yuri froze, about to ask why, when the sound of rustling filled the air, and the surrounding trees began to sway.
Under the ink-black night sky, faint figures could be seen converging from all directions.
Yuri's expression darkened.
"Whoosh!"
In no time, shadows emerged from the brush and trees, forming men ranging from their twenties to their forties. Each was clad in studded leather armor and wielding Cross Swords, bearing the look of elite warriors.
But like Alice before them, they were already long dead. Their bodies were stiff and desiccated, resembling jerky, their exposed skin marred by corpse spots. They were unmistakably Dead Spirits.
1... 2... 13... 16!
Lynch counted—a total of sixteen Dead Spirits!
They encircled Lynch and Yuri tightly, like hunters waiting to capture their prey alive.
"Damn it!"
Yuri's face grew ashen, but there was no point in saying anything now. They had no choice but to carve out a bloody path.
At this thought, he couldn't help worrying. Yuri had undergone rigorous training and battlefield experience; while the situation wasn't promising, it was manageable for him. But Lynch? This fledgling was likely already scared stiff; if a fight broke out, he'd be nothing but a burden.
Turning swiftly, he said to Lynch, "Listen carefully. In a moment, I'll engage them—then you run as fast as you can. Don't look back...!"
Before he could finish, his voice abruptly stopped.
That was because he suddenly noticed that Lynch didn't appear as he had expected—legs weak, face pale, crumpled on the ground. He could tell Lynch was still frightened, but Lynch stood firm, gripping his Magic Wand tightly and resolutely remaining by his side.
Lynch said, "No, I won't leave."
Fleeing recklessly in this situation would be nothing but a death sentence.
He raised his Magic Wand: "Let's fight side by side!"
Yuri was stunned, momentarily speechless, hardly expecting such words from Lynch.
He furrowed his brows, about to reprimand him: "What are you talking about...?"
But soon he noticed Lynch's gaze—a strong, deliberate gaze that wasn't joking in the slightest.
Yuri froze.
He asked hesitantly, "You're serious?"
Lynch nodded. "I am."
Yuri re-evaluated Lynch, realizing he might have underestimated this unsophisticated farmer. Most people wouldn't muster this courage now—like Alice, who screamed and fled and whose current fate remained unknown...
Yet this seemingly simple and gullible man, often regarded as nothing more than a passive figure, had proven unexpectedly brave at such a moment.
Looking into Lynch's determined eyes, Yuri found that the irritation plaguing his heart started to dissipate, replaced by calm.
If even an unremarkable farmer could display such bravery, then what reason did someone like Yuri, who had sworn to become a Great Knight, have to fear anything?
To draw the sword, face combat, and dye the battlefield in blood—wasn't this what he had dreamed of since childhood?
"Side by side... side by side... side by side..." Yuri softly repeated Lynch's words, looking at the enemies surrounding them.
"Haha!" And as he spoke, Yuri suddenly began to laugh.
Lynch looked at him questioningly.
Yuri shook his head. Lynch noticed that the anxiety and frustration previously gripping him had inexplicably vanished, replaced by a calm demeanor with a hint of eager resolve.
Staring ahead, Yuri drew his Cross Sword and said, "I've imagined fighting heroically countless times, protecting my homeland or defending the woman I adore. But I never thought my comrade in arms would be an unsophisticated farmer."
"....." Lynch was silent for a moment before shrugging. "Sorry to disappoint you."
"No."
Yuri shook his head. "Quite the opposite. I think you're incredibly brave."
After a brief pause, he nodded firmly and said, "Alright then, let's fight!"
Just then, a beam of moonlight perfectly pierced through the treetops, falling upon the two of them like a spotlight gracing the heroes before a performance. The wind rustled past, causing the leaves overhead to whisper and sway as though an invisible audience were applauding their imminent act.
As the breeze receded, the world grew silent. A profound stillness enveloped them, as if the world itself had stilled to witness this unfolding scene.
After this fleeting calm...
"Ding!" With a crisp sound, a glass bottle etched with unique runes floated into the air, scattering pea-shaped seeds that quickly bloomed and sprouted into an assortment of bizarre plants.
Then came the sound.
"Flap! Flap!" The flutter of wings echoed.
Parker rose into the air, his scales shimmering like burning embers beneath his raised neck, radiating a blinding red glow.
The next moment, Lynch's cold and commanding voice rang out, officially commencing the performance.
"Parker, fire!"
"""