As Tuziku reached the shore of Hinkon, he bolted toward the forest. Mayku broke away from the others and pursued him alone.
He sprinted through the trees.
How far is he gonna run, dammit?!
Bleeding and terrified, Tuziku pushed deeper into the secluded forest. His lungs burned as he drew short, ragged breaths.
He glanced over his shoulder.
To his horror, a single soldier was closing in at incredible speed.
"Don't think you can escape from me, criminal!" Mayku shouted.
Huh? It's just one guy?!
Augh… this is bad. My wound won't stop bleeding! I have to escape!
FWOOOSH!
A towering wall of flames erupted in front of him, engulfing the trees and blocking his path.
Tuziku skidded to a stop.
Thud…
He collapsed to the ground.
"Sh—shit… he's got powers?!" Tuziku gasped.
Don't tell me that's why he came after me alone…
Mayku stepped through the smoke, emerging from the opposite direction of the flames.
"I finally caught up to you…" he said, grinning.
They locked eyes. Mayku tilted his head, studying Tuziku with curiosity.
"You didn't think you were the only one with Abyssal abilities, did you?"
Tuziku stared at him blankly.
Abyssal… ability?
"Did you know?" Mayku continued. "You've officially been labeled a fugitive Underdog."
A twisted smile spread across his face.
"And like any Underdog… you have to die."
FWOOOSH—BOOM!
A blazing fireball shot toward Tuziku. He dove to the side.
"Ahhh!"
Thud!
Before he could recover, another wall of flames surged toward him.
FWOOOSHH!
Tuziku lunged away—but his leg was caught in the crossfire.
"Arghhh—ahhh!" he screamed.
The burning trees crackled, sending thick black smoke into the air.
My leg…! I have to escape!
With raging fire behind him and Mayku in front, Tuziku desperately searched for a way out.
"Would you stop jumping around already!" Mayku shouted.
Then Tuziku saw it—to his right was a steep slope descending into the forest below.
Without hesitation, he ran for it.
"Wait—!" Mayku yelled.
Tuziku leaped.
Only then did he realize the slope wasn't a gentle incline—it was a fifty-foot drop.
"AHHHHHHH—!"
His scream faded as he vanished below.
Mayku stepped up to the edge and peered down.
"He actually jumped…"
A grin tugged at his lips.
"He's got balls, I'll give him that!"
He turned away.
"There's no way he survived that fall with those wounds…"
Tuziku slammed through branches before crashing into the ground. A tree broke his fall.
Thud…
"Ughhhh…!" he groaned.
I… can't feel my leg…
Suddenly—
Rustle…
"Hah—!" Tuziku froze.
Did he find me?!
Rustle…
Tuziku heard a noise rustling from the nearby bushes.
His eyes locked onto the rustling bushes.
CHAPTER END