The crisp sound of the Communication Pea being crushed hadn't completely dissipated when Kobit first heard the drunkard utter, "Ugh," and fall down rigidly.
He stiffly raised his head, only to see that all the previously dense crowd of Muggles had already fainted, leaving only a few Aurors surrounding him at the center, magic wands sealing off all angles, and the brilliant light gathered at the tips illuminating his face with a ghostly pallor.
"Surrender, Kobit," the leading Auror barked sharply.
However, the answer he received was the madness and resolve flashing in Kobit's eyes.
He suddenly brandished his magic wand, roaring aloud: "Confringo!"
The crimson spell light surged like Ashwinder, roaring as it charged toward the crowd.
Boom—!
The Aurors reacted quickly, wielding their magic wands:
"Iron Armor Protection!"
"Impedimenta!"
"Stupefy!"
The beams of several spells narrowly grazed Kobit's body, with one Petrification Spell hitting him straight in the abdomen.
But before the casting Auror could reveal a pleased expression, that spell rebounded, directly knocking down another Auror!
Kobit recalled the Anti-Curse Vest hidden beneath his robe, unable to suppress the mixed look of pain and relief.
Taking cover in the haze, like a wounded beast he dashed towards an opening, simultaneously casting a Silent Barrier Spell behind him to impede the two foremost pursuers for a few seconds.
At that moment, a cunning Diffindo spell lunged like a venomous snake, viciously aimed at Kobit!
"Ah!"
He cried out in agony, his outer thigh sliced open by the invisible blade, the wound deep enough to reveal bone.
Blood gushed out, the excruciating pain almost making him collapse, yet the instinct to survive dragged him, hobbling desperately toward the bar's rear area.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The Stunning Spells struck the walls and liquor cabinets in succession, bottles shattered and exploded, and the intense aroma of alcohol enveloped Kobit in the blink of an eye.
The man suddenly let out a roar, swung his magic wand in an arc, unleashing Ashwinder that ignited the surrounding spirits, instantly transforming into a raging inferno that lunged at the Aurors like a python!
"Fiendfyre!" an Auror screamed: "You dare use the Fiendfyre Curse in a place like this!"
Before the words were finished, the door burst open, more Aurors rushed in!
At the forefront was Ezra Hughes, followed by Selena Goldstein and Rex Grim, all battle elites of the Ministry of Magic!
"—Finite!"
The group waved their magic wands in unison, forcibly suppressing the spreading Fiendfyre Monster.
This spell had once successfully stopped the blue flames released by Grindelwald when he attempted to destroy Paris.
Although these Aurors may not compare to the wizards who fought back then, Kobit's skill was far below that of Grindelwald at that time.
The potency of a spell ultimately depends on the caster's own capability.
Yet in that moment of hindrance, Kobit had already forcibly Apparated again, with a "pop" sound, leaving behind a few strands of hair.
...
With a "bang" sound, as Kobit collapsed on the ground once more, he felt like he was almost shattered.
He let out a retching sound, sprawled on the ground vomiting, but after heaving twice, he cast a spell on himself, forcing his body to ignore the cramps of his convulsing stomach.
"The last time..." Kobit muttered to himself: "This is the last time..."
A wild beast-like frenzy flashed in his eyes, he lifted his clothes, raised his magic wand, aiming at the left side of his abdomen!
"Whoosh!"
A faint blue light flashed, accompanied by a muffled groan emerging from deep within his throat, a blood-soaked piece of skin fell off, marked by a dark scar.
The intense pain almost made Kobit faint, he didn't even glance at the piece of skin, hastily staunched his bleeding, and seized the brief pause before the Aurors arrived to Apparate once more!
"Pop!"
Beneath the giant banyan tree, three fingers and an ear were left behind.
...
"Ahh..."
Agonizing screams pierced the vineyard, startling several birds to take flight, flapping their wings noisily as they flew far away.
The pain surged in relentless waves, the blood flowed continuously from between his fingers, Kobit struggled to approach the vine trellis, lying down amidst the plant roots, gasping heavily.
He was so exhausted he wanted to faint immediately, but the pain firmly held his consciousness.
Trembling, Kobit pulled out a magic potion, hastily poured it onto the ghastly wound, then lay on the ground, unable to move.
Looking around, the place was incredibly quiet, only the moonlight shone through the dense branches, casting its light upon him.
For now... safe.
Kobit recalled the life-threatening pursuit just now, and the "Sir" who cut off his communication, hatred flickered in his eyes:
[As long as I can endure this time... As long as I can survive... I won't spare any one of you!]
Revenge plans surged within Kobit's heart, his consciousness though hovered at the edge of the icy abyss, continuously dragging him towards the darkness.
Uncertain how long had passed, Kobit suddenly jolted awake, the entire person abruptly regaining clarity.
Several figures silently appeared before him.
They were all dressed in uniform dark cloaks, hoods obscuring their faces, resembling a group of Gods of Death arriving to escort a lost soul in the wan moonlight.
"Cough cough cough..."
Kobit opened his mouth to speak but inhaled cold air, coughing laboriously.
Despite his lungs feeling like they were about to split apart, his face showed a relaxed smile.
"Finally... you're here... why not wait until I'm dead before coming?"
Kobit complained, his unfocused gaze reconcentrating, ultimately settling on the feet of one of the cloak figures.
The pair of exquisite high heels, even on muddy ground, remained pristine, the diamonds forming an elegant curve on the shoe's surface.
Kobit curled his lips: "Thanks for the tip-off, Laira... Otherwise, I'd definitely... cough! ...be caught by Hughes now."
"You're welcome, I'm surprised you actually managed to escape."
The person mentioned moved slightly, raising a hand to lift the hood, revealing Laira's face indeed.
She looked down at Kobit lying on the ground, expressionlessly asking: "Before sending you to treatment, I need to ask — did you speak recklessly while being chased by Ezra Hughes?"
"What to say?" Kobit smiled wryly: "If... cough cough... I wasted a single word with them... you wouldn't…see me…"
"That's good."
Laira slightly breathed a sigh of relief, saying: "Don't worry, you won't feel the pain for long!"
Kobit watched her raising her magic wand, his eyes widened instantly, extreme fear overwhelmed the agony. He struggled to sit up, trying to raise his magic wand—
"Thud!"
The sound of a blade piercing flesh came from behind.
Kobit's body suddenly stiffened, after a moment, he lowered his head and saw a slender, thorn twisted from green plant penetrating through his chest.
He didn't feel pain, but it seemed as if all his strength was drained away in an instant.
Kobit raised his head, his lips quivering, as if trying to say something.
The last scene in his view was all the cloaked figures, including Laira, raising their magic wands in unison, with the wand tips bursting with radiant light.
"Whoosh—!"
Moments later, the last ember slowly extinguished, leaving only a charred trail on the ground, along with the smell of scorched flesh lingering in the air.