As the three of us left the cave, Fang started picking up on the presence of trackers all around the place. The scenery was a little foggy as it was early morning, and the ground was wet from the rain. If we are to sneak through, it would be ideal to do it now.
“Ember, can you leave another clone as a distraction? I plan to do something…”
If we were to travel on foot, then we would surely leave traces, even if we didn’t want to. So, I was planning on traveling by air. I explained the plan to Ember, and with a confident smile, she claimed, “Please leave it to me, Master!”
Ember used three of her clones to create a slim and aerodynamic frame, then two of her clones to add a long, thin, triangular wing on both sides. Using the last one, she added a propeller to the nose, and a glider was easily completed. She then manipulated the clone’s body to emulate a lightweight material similar to carbon fiber, giving the whole contraption a black hue.
It was slightly modified so that the three of us could ride at the same time. However, we were basically squeezed into it like sardines. As the one in the middle, I was feeling like I had found heaven on Earth, though.
“Ember, I leave the launch to you. Fang, concealment.”
“Okay, Leader!”
“Yes, Master!”
The two gave lively replies, which put a smile on my face. With the two like this, I may even forget that we were being chased by the Luo, aiming to take my life.
Ember’s last clone used [Expand] and changed shape to something like a giant crossbow. After the string was stretched to the fullest, the glider was launched, making us fly high into the air.
“Woah!!!”
Fang, who was experiencing traveling through the air for the first time, looked excited. Her ears kept twitching, and her tail was wagging wildly. I wish she would stop, though, as her tail was right in front of my crotch, grinding at it.
“This feels good…”
Ember muttered from behind me, which almost made me think that my inner voice had leaked out.
The fight was peaceful, as we were surrounded by Fang’s presence erasing veil. Although there were close encounters with other flying beasts, as we kept our distance, we avoided their detection.
“Master, my clone got destroyed.”
Ember muttered from behind. It hasn’t even been an hour, and they’ve already caught Ember’s clone. They should have a pretty good tracker with them.
“…”
I pondered for a moment.
Even if we head straight for the Seimei territory, we don’t have any guarantee that they won’t attack us like the Luo just for having their bloodline. However, if we dilly-dally like this, then the Luo would definitely gain on us.
“Change of plans! Let’s head for the northeast!”
If we’re not sure if we can trust the Seimei, then we should just be strong enough to be able to run away just in case anything untoward happens!
To the northeast is the closest area to the frontlines, and it was as dangerous as it could be. No tamer below the 5th level would dare tread through there, not to mention one with only two 3rd-stage beasts.
It may look suicidal to others, but for us, it’s a piece of cake. The gun, repaired by the dwarves, should be powerful enough to injure even a god-level monster. As long as we aren’t surprised by those above the 7th stage, then it shouldn’t be hard to survive in there.
“We’ll be stopping over in the farthest town there to buy supplies. Ember, I’ll leave this to you.”
We can’t just go down there and show our faces to the populace. It would give the trackers a good lead on where we would be heading. With Ember’s clones, however, she can make them shapeshift and act like a different person to purchase the supplies for us.
The glider was good and all; however, it is only a “glider” in the end. Our altitude slowly fell, and after a good 3 hours of flight, we crash-landed in the forest near the town we were aiming for. ．𝘦𝘵
“This…”
One thing, though: the landing spot we ended up in was in the middle of another Dark Forest. Furthermore, it was a level above the one near our starting town.
“Run!”
I shouted without hesitation. If it was one or two, then Ember and Fang could definitely fight those demons, even if they’re a level below. But after a quick count, there were over a hundred crazy-looking demon skeleton knights with plate armor and a broadsword that had power equivalent to the 4th stage of evolution.
Fang and Ember looked over in doubt but followed my orders nonetheless.
“Master, can’t you just clear them up?”
Ember asked from behind as we sprinted to match her speed.
“What do you mean? No, I can’t.”
I had the gun repaired, but the bullets I had were only enough for 30 shots. We don’t have enough to wipe them all out.
“No, didn’t you wipe out a swarm of thousands of 5th-level demon ground worms before?”
Ember added, her voice filled with doubt. However, although I felt bad for her, I really couldn’t. I don’t even know how I managed to do that before, not to mention that I am missing that specific part of my memory.
If I really was able to do that, then I wouldn’t be running away like this.
“Leader, stop!”
Fang’s shout made us halt our steps.
“There’s a worse enemy in front…”
Fang’s tail’s fur was standing on end. If what she said is true, then there’s a being above the 4th stage in front of us. A hundred 4th-level enemies or an unknown number of more powerful enemies…
“Argh! F*ck this sh*t!”
I shouted as I ruffled my hair in irritation. This week, I felt like the world was trying to get me killed. Did I do something? Or was I cursed by someone?
“Fang, Ember, let’s kill those damn skeletons!”
Anyway, there’s nothing scarier than the unknown. Rather than risking it to go forward, we’d be better off risking our lives fighting hundreds of 4th stage. At least Ember and Fang were confident enough to even smile at my decision.
We stood our ground as we faced the incoming mass of demonic skeleton knights.