Chapter 27.
"Here they come! Killer Ants!"
"Watch out for their claws! Circle up, everyone, don't get ambushed!"
Several adventurers quickly gathered together. Longswords and broadswords gleamed with cold light.
Lili, however, was left alone where she stood.
But this, on the contrary, was exactly what she wanted!
While the group was surrounded by monsters, she pulled out a small knife and raised her hand to cut the strap of the cargo box on her shoulder!
Bang!
The heavy thud instantly caught people's attention.
"Damn it, Urd!!"
"She's running!"
"Look after the goods first!"
The men immediately panicked. But as veteran adventurers, they quickly moved towards the cargo box, successfully maintaining their formation.
"That damn brat, AAAAAAH!"
Someone ground his teeth in hatred. Having become accustomed to Lili's meek obedience, they had no defense against this sudden resistance. An existence that had once been trampled underfoot was now biting back in this manner. The adventurers, enraged and ashamed, vowed to skin her alive!
"Hey, Boss!"
"The number of them is not right!"
Ganu, boiling with anger, looked at the giant ants swarming from all directions and felt a chill.
"Could it be a 'Monster Feast'?"
"No time! Everyone grab a cargo box and run!"
The men quickly nodded and sprang into action. Facing this dense horde of Killer Ants, survival was, of course, the priority.
On the other side.
"Huff, huff!"
Relieved of the heavy burden, Lili was running with all her might. This was the first time she had resisted so recklessly, and her heart was now pounding in her throat.
Please! Please let me catch up!
Lili prayed to the gods once more in her heart.
But if there truly were gods who would answer this plea, then not so many people would die in the Dungeon every day.
Squeak, squeak!!
The clamorous sounds in front were particularly chilling! Lili's eyes widened in shock!
Impossible!
The small path she had chosen was also occupied by Killer Ants!
What should I do? What should I do?
Sweat poured down her forehead like rain. Blocked in front, pursued from behind. There was no one she could rely on!
Lili hesitated for less than a second where she stood. Then she immediately turned and ran back! Compared to the bloodthirsty monsters, she might have a glimmer of life facing the adventurers.
Just a glimmer!
The young girl, turning back, held back her tears and continued her final escape. In no time, she came to a crossroad. Wouldn't you know it, the adventurers, their faces twisted into menacing snarls, just happened to appear at the entrance of the opposing tunnel!
"You wretched thing, you've come all the way back just to die!"
A vein popped out on Ganu's forehead, his voice low like a death sentence.
"No! Don't come near!"
Lili let out a terrified scream!
She reached into her arms and pulled out a short dagger. It was, surprisingly, a Magic Sword!
"Hey! You dare, damn you!"
The next second! A massive flame rushed over from the distance!
Boom!
The fireball exploded in front of Ganu and the others, kicking up a cloud of dust and smoke obscuring their vision of her.
Now!
Lili seized the opportunity and ran towards the opposing tunnel! That was her last chance for survival! The girl's expression was strained to the limit.
Ten meters, five meters, three meters!
Just as she was about to plunge into the darkness.
Whoosh!
A sharp silver light flashed from behind, and a spinning throwing knife struck her slender thigh dead center. Blood splattered!
Ganu and his men, wearing mocking, evil smiles, appeared from behind the smoke and dust.
"If that hit a vital spot just now, it would have been bad."
"Thank you so much for showing mercy!!"
"Hahahaha!!"
Lili collapsed onto the ground, excruciating pain tearing at her nerves. The heroes in stories, relying on sheer willpower, could stand up again no matter how grievous their injuries. Lili could not do this. Her small face was overcome with fear. But her body's instinct was still urging her to crawl towards the tunnel behind her.
Close.
The gem in her hand was heating up. She could clearly feel that she was not far from that person.
I must go there! I must!
The girl dragged a bloody trail across the floor. Her hand stretched forward with great effort. She only hoped to meet that person even half a second sooner.
And in the next second.
Snap!
Ganu's cruel heavy boot stomped down, completely crushing the girl's tightly clenched fist! Her tiny, childlike fingers could not withstand such a stomp. They were instantly pressed into a deformed mess!
"Gah! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
A piercing, agonizing scream filled the tunnel.
"Be quiet!"
Ganu roared, kicking Lili in the abdomen, forcing her mouth shut.
No!
NOOOOOO!!
Lili was deaf to Ganu's roaring. She desperately pried open her broken hand. In her blood-soaked palm, the gem was shattered beyond recognition, even embedded in her flesh. The light within was also slowly fading.
"Ah ah ah!!"
Lili broke down. She hugged her broken hand, curled up like an infant, and cried out unrestrainedly. It didn't matter how Ganu and the others stomped or cursed her. She had lost everything.
Tears, sweat, and blood mixed together, staining the girl's entire body a filthy color.
No one came to save me. Do I really not deserve to be saved? Why, why does putting in my utmost effort only lead to this end?
Her eyes were blinded by blood. All the painful memories flooded her mind. The only remaining, tiny fragments of beauty swiftly vanished.
Abandoned by her parents, driven out of her home, bullied, mocked, beaten, exploited. Deprived of freedom. Killed.
This is what Liliruca Arde had experienced in these fifteen years. She did not wait for her hero.
"Hey, Boss?"
"That... isn't that glowing?"
Someone suddenly alerted.
Glow...? What kind of glow? Lili couldn't see clearly.
Something near Ganu's elbow seemed to be emitting a light. Stronger and stronger, warmer and warmer.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
A figure over two meters tall, covered in full armor, stepped out from the darkness ahead. The intense aura sent a shock through the faces of everyone present. The extremely oppressive physique stood still before the stunned crowd.
Who is it?
Lili's heart contracted violently. Could it be him?
"Oh my, oh my, Boss! We finally found you!"
Ganu's hoarse voice suddenly became extremely fawning. He put on a business smile and cautiously approached the mysterious strong man.
"Look! The magic potions you ordered!"
"They're all here!"
"However, due to some reasons, there's slight damage."
"But don't worry! We've caught the culprit!"
"See! It's this despicable little Pallum!"
"We were working diligently for you, and this damned thief tried to do something bad and was caught red-handed!"
Ganu spoke animatedly, trying his best to excuse the damage to the goods. At the same time, he didn't forget to kick Lili on the head a couple of times.
However, no matter how eloquent and flattering he was, the tall figure remained indifferent. He let out a heavy breath. Then he half-crouched down. He seemed to be deciding how to deal with this petty thief who dared to mess with his goods.
And in his hand, what Lili saw was not a brilliant blue light. It was the same blood-like red as Ganu's.
"Gulp."
Swallowing a mouthful of blood, Lili smiled.
"Respected... Adventurer-sama..."
"Please... have mercy..."
Blood mixed with tears flowed from her eyes.
"Let me... die..."
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