Chapter 63: Escaping Shadows

As I continued my desperate escape, I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me. The men in black were behind me, pursuing relentlessly. Although they seemed slower than before, I couldn't afford to underestimate them.

With Sarah safely on my shoulder, I focused on reaching the forest. Its dense foliage and uneven terrain would give me an advantage and increase my chances of losing my pursuers. I pushed myself harder, my heart pounding in my chest.

Just as I was about to enter the forest, a sudden sound from behind made me instinctively drop to the ground. I narrowly evaded a rope net that flew over me at high speed. It was a close call, and I realized that the men in black had anticipated my movements.

Getting back on my feet, I turned to face them. I couldn't afford to keep running, as they would continue to harass me from behind. It was time to confront them head-on.

Taking a deep breath, I braced myself for the upcoming battle. The five men in black had surrounded me, but I wouldn't let that deter me. My plan was to disrupt their formation and defeat them one by one.

I focused my energy on my legs, boosting my speed, and charged towards the man at the front of their formation. However, he evaded my attack with ease, retreating to the back. Meanwhile, the other four closed in, encircling me tightly.

To my surprise, each of them drew a magic dagger from their side and launched a coordinated attack. I defended myself, blocking two dagger strikes with Darkmoon and evading the other two with quick body movements. Seizing the opportunity, I swung my sword in a horizontal strike towards the two attackers in front of me.

But before my strike could connect, my instincts flared up, warning me of danger. I abruptly halted my attack and swiftly dodged to the side. A gunshot echoed through the air as the last man in black, armed with a magic gun, fired at me from behind.

Realizing the threat he posed, I knew I had to deal with the shooter first. Ignoring the pain from the two attackers who had managed to stab me in the back, I charged forward, determined to reach the shooter.

The other two attackers tried to impede my progress, but I focused solely on my target. With a powerful vertical slash, I struck down the two attackers in front of me, clearing my path. However, my injuries from the backstabbing slowed me down.

Undeterred, I pressed on, closing in on the shooter. Evading his shots as best I could at close range, I maintained minimum injuries. With a swift and decisive strike, I ended his threat, taking him down with a single slash.

Now, I turned my attention to the remaining two attackers who had witnessed their comrade's demise. They refused to retreat and faced me head-on. In close combat, my warrior skills proved superior, and in no time, I dispatched them both.

"Finished!" I declared, momentarily free from my pursuers.

With no time to waste, I retrieved Sarah from the ground, ensuring her safety, and resumed my escape. My strength boost was rapidly fading, and I needed to find a place to hide before it completely wore off. The forest was still my best option.

Pushing through the fatigue and pain, I sprinted deeper into the forest, searching for a suitable hiding spot. Every passing second felt like an eternity, but I refused to give up. Finally, I stumbled upon a hidden alcove nestled within the thick underbrush.

Taking cover in the alcove, I carefully laid Sarah down and caught my breath. The silence enveloped us, broken only by the distant sounds of pursuit growing fainter. My boost had expired, leaving me physically drained and wounded, but the relief of evading capture for now outweighed the pain.

Gazing down at Sarah, still unconscious but unharmed, I realized the enormity of the situation. The danger wasn't over yet, and I had to find a way to ensure our safety. Determination welled up inside me as I vowed to protect Sarah and unravel the mysteries surrounding her.

In the depths of the forest, I plotted my next move, aware that the challenges ahead would be formidable. But with Sarah's well-being at stake, I must face whatever came my way. I have promised Sarah to keep her safe I intend to stick to that promise.