"I'm a wreck…" Ryan stopped the sled, panting as he leaned on his knees, watching the sun rise in all its splendor on the horizon. Its light and warmth had never been missed so much before.
[ Debuff: Fear has been neutralized. ]
Ryan stared at the message in silence. Without a doubt, he had been the victim of some kind of mental ability. As for who had cast it… he wasn't sure, but if he had to guess…
There had been a second creature watching him the entire night, searching for an opening to attack. The Silent Stalker, as Ryan had named it. Amid the forest, it had followed him step by step for miles on end, keeping complete silence. Waiting patiently for the right moment. Without ever blinking for a single instant.
Possibly, the deer had realized that he was already under surveillance by another aberration and under the effect of a strong mental attack, and therefore tried to take advantage of that opening, believing he would be an easy target.
That proved to be a grave mistake.
Ryan was never an easy target, and they learned that the hard way.
Likewise, the Silent Stalker had assumed him would be mentally exhausted from resisting the [Fear] instilled by it, and physically drained after a brief yet intense battle with the deer. Therefore, an opening would soon appear, and Ryan would fall with a single blow.
Once again, it made a grave mistake.
Hours passed, and no opening appeared.
Ryan endured both the physical and mental battles, despite his extreme exhaustion.
But more importantly, while the others failed to accomplish their goals, Ryan achieved his.
"This was certainly the longest night of my life… but we finally made it." Ryan looked at the crossroads of three paths.
"Yes… we really did." The slave's eyes began to shine as tears welled up.
"Don't cry yet… we still need to get out of the sights of those damned bastards." Ryan said, staring at the signs ahead.
To the left was a Death Zone. Home to bears comparable to calamities, bloodthirsty barbarians, demons, and witches, not to mention the even more merciless climate.
In the middle was a long and exhausting road, filled with bandits, abominations, and every kind of disaster imaginable for the two fugitives. At the same time, it was their only real hope of returning home, a warm and verdant continent.
To the right, there was a human city hostile to their kind, with drink, food, and even merchant caravans that, sooner or later, would travel along the middle road, resuming their journeys.
"Where do we go?" the slave asked tensely.
"Where would you go?" Ryan shot back, already having a plan in mind. "You had plenty of time to think during our journey, now tell me what you came up with."
The slave lowered his head for a moment, thinking deeply, then raised it with a sigh. "The middle path is ideal, but we have a problem called time. If it weren't for our pursuers, that path would be perfect." Ryan nodded. "However, there's another path just as good."
Ryan smiled silently, having expected that answer. The slave continued:
"We need to disguise ourselves, get rid of any and all beast-like traits we have. We'll pass as humans, and after contacting traveling caravans, we can journey with them toward the center of the continent via the middle road. In a group, which is much safer." He took a deep breath and exhaled. "I-I'm not sure how far we'll need to go to disguise ourselves… I mean, our tails stand out and are hard to hide. Maybe we'll need to—"
"No, we are not doing that. We're not mutilating ourselves." Ryan sighed. "Your idea is good, but overall, we'd still be taking too many risks. Just because we have a plan doesn't mean things will go the way we want." He turned back to the signs.
"When the slavers reach the city, the first thing they'll do is inform others about their search and likely put a bounty on us. Before long, we'll be searched and found. Our escape ends there. The idea is good, but it's not realistic."
The slave considered his words for a moment, then looked back at him. "So what's the plan?" he asked with genuine curiosity.
Ryan's eyes fixed on the sign pointing up the mountain, towards the Death Zone.
The slave's eyes widened as cold sweat ran down his forehead.
"We're going into the Death Zone. We'll climb the Uriel Mountains and reach the clouds," Ryan said flatly, then turned to face him. "Up there, there's a barbarian tribe and calamitous beasts… and the demon itself." He looked him straight in the eyes.
"If they persist in chasing us, they'll die by the dozens each day they remain there. A group that large draws too much attention, they'll be forced to give up on us." Ryan took a deep breath. "There are only two of us. We're more agile and easier to hide. Besides, the beasts will be far too focused on that massive disturbance…"
"We just need to endure for a day or two. After that, we can try the middle path or even attempt a disguise and find a caravan." He exhaled, bracing himself for what came next.
The slave watched in silence, his expression shocked and conflicted. That plan was far too absurd, far too suicidal, and yet it directly solved their greatest problem: The Slavers.
They would die soon enough, like insects drawn to a flame.
But nothing said they also wouldn't die in the meantime as well.
"T-that plan… it's…" His voice trembled, but he swallowed hard and nodded. "If you think that's what we should do, then I'll follow you." Ryan stared at him briefly, then nodded in return, appreciating the vote of confidence.
"I hope you're feeling better," he said nonchalantly. "Because I can't afford to carry you anymore. I need you here, by my side."
The slave nodded and immediately jumped off the sled, approaching with a sword in hand.
"I'm not exactly healed," he said, gripping tightly the sword that once belonged to his slaver. "But I certainly won't be a burden to you from now on… and if I am, please don't hesitate to use me as a stepping stone. At least that way, I'll be of use to you."
Ryan frowned deeply, but then nodded slowly. "Let's focus on getting out of this alive… both of us… together… in one piece." He coughed dryly, then handed him the sled rope. "Help me pull."
Ryan then looked ahead and soon noticed a narrow ascent leading to a cave in the mountain.
"It's a good place to hide, and an easy position to defend…" He nodded. "Let's go there!"