Fortunately, Suzy had applied a Traction Talisman to the vehicle, so the thick, treacherous mud didn't pose much of a threat. Without it, a layer of slush that deep would have given her a massive headache.
Still, the wretched road conditions couldn't be altered, forcing her to dial back her speed.
As her pace slowed down, the pedestrians trekking along the shoulder came into much clearer focus. As she was passing by, a strikingly familiar figure caught her eye.
Suzy gently brought her foot down on the brake, her eyes locking onto the figure.
It was a tall, lean young man with exceptional proportions. He wore a plain gray jacket and black trousers, yet the rough, simple cut failed to hide his inherently broad, commanding frame.
At the moment, his jacket hem and pant legs were splattered with thick yellow mud. Likely due to long hours of relentless trekking, his back was slightly hunched, his unsteady stride broadcasting sheer exhaustion.
