The boy moved straight toward them.
Not left.
Not right.
Not away.
Straight.
For a moment, even they didn't react.
That was enough.
He closed the distance in an instant, his steps sharp and fast, his body low, eyes locked ahead—not on the strongest, not on the fastest—
On the gap.
A small one.
But enough.
The heavy man reacted first.
"Wrong choice," he said, stepping forward.
His arm moved to grab—
Too slow.
The boy slipped past him, barely a breath away, his shoulder brushing air where the man's hand almost caught him.
The girl turned immediately, faster than before.
"You're getting annoying," she said, her voice calm—but this time, there was effort in it.
The spear man finally moved.
Not fast.
But precise.
He stepped once.
Then again.
And somehow—
He was already in front.
The boy's eyes widened for a split second.
That doesn't make sense.
He didn't stop.
He couldn't.
Stopping meant losing everything.
So he changed again.
At the last second, his body twisted, feet sliding across the ground, turning sharply in a direction that didn't exist a moment ago.
The spear man's attack missed.
Barely.
"…Good," the man said quietly.
The boy didn't reply.
He was already gone.
This time, he didn't follow any path.
He didn't think about direction.
He didn't think about distance.
He just ran.
Branches hit him.
Rocks cut his steps.
The ground shifted under his feet.
None of it mattered.
His breathing became louder.
His legs burned.
His chest felt tight.
But he didn't slow.
Behind him—
They followed.
Not as close.
But not far enough.
The girl was still the closest.
Always her.
"She's the problem," he muttered.
He changed direction again.
Hard left.
Then right.
Then straight through thick trees.
She didn't copy him anymore.
She adjusted.
That was worse.
Minutes passed.
Or maybe seconds.
It felt the same now.
The boy finally jumped onto a large rock and pushed himself up onto a higher ground.
From there, he could see more.
Trees. Slopes. Open space in the distance.
And them.
The heavy man slowed down.
The girl stopped completely.
The spear man stood still.
None of them rushed.
That was wrong.
"…Why did they stop?" the boy whispered.
The answer came quickly.
"They don't need to rush."
The voice wasn't from them.
The boy turned.
Another person stood there.
A man.
Tall. Thin. Wearing simple clothes.
No weapon.
No armor.
Nothing special.
But his eyes—
Calm.
Too calm.
The boy stepped back.
"…Who are you?"
The man smiled slightly.
"Someone who was waiting."
That word again.
Waiting.
The boy's chest tightened.
Behind him—
The three were still there.
Not moving.
Watching.
"…So you're together," the boy said.
The man shook his head.
"No."
That made it worse.
"Then why—"
"Because," the man interrupted softly,
"…you're interesting."
The boy didn't like that.
Not at all.
He looked around.
Front—blocked.
Back—blocked.
Sides—no clear escape.
For the first time—
His legs didn't move immediately.
Not because they couldn't.
Because he didn't know where to go.
The man took one slow step forward.
No rush.
No pressure.
Just… control.
"You've been running for a while," he said.
The boy stayed silent.
"Let's see," the man continued,
"…how long you can keep it up."
The wind moved through the trees.
Everything felt still.
Heavy.
The boy lowered his body slightly.
Ready.
His mind raced.
Faster than his legs ever had.
Then—
He smiled.
Just a little.
"…Long enough."
And moved again—
But this time—
Even he didn't know if it would work.
End of Chapter 16