Chapter 306: Pathetic skill
Manbaru always had a second plan prepared, one that ensured at least his own survival. This time, that plan was his mate.
He had been confident the operation would succeed, but he never ignored the slim possibility of everything falling apart. Gorrem could fail, or Lord Agram might recover in time to aid Luke and suppress him. Anticipating that outcome, he had instructed Mila to buy him as much time as possible if the worst came to pass.
And now, his greatest fear had become reality.
"Haah... I swear I’ll make you pay for everything you’ve done to me," he muttered between ragged breaths as he raced through the forest.
Darkness clung to him like a second skin. His magic remained active without pause, concealing his presence as he slipped from shadow to shadow. He could not afford even a single mistake now.
In the distance, he could already hear the warriors spreading through the forest, their voices growing farther apart as they searched for him.
Their entire plan had collapsed because of that incompetent fool who had confidently promised to keep Lord Agram occupied. Instead, he had failed spectacularly.
And now, Manbaru was the one forced to flee.
But not for long.
Scattered beneath the village were several underground shelters known only to him. He only needed to reach one. There, he could rest, recover, and heal his battered body. Once he regained his strength, he would begin rebuilding his forces.
The village would be his first target.
Agram would die first.
Then he would hunt Luke down.
His life revolved around a single purpose now.
To butcher that man.
"Haah..." Resting against a tree, he lowered his gaze and muttered, "Just you wait... one day, I’ll make you beg for death."
"Why wait for one day?"
The voice drifted down from above.
Manbaru froze.
His head snapped upward.
Perched on a thick branch overhead sat a lone figure, a pair of abyssal dark eyes looking down at him. They pierced through his flesh and sank straight into his soul, carrying a pressure that left his blood running cold.
The color drained from Manbaru’s face.
Yet he remained perfectly still.
Impossible...
Even in his current condition, he should have sensed someone getting this close. But well, with his magic still working Luke wouldn’t sense him just like before.
"Hmm." Luke tilted his head slightly. "You seem awfully confident in that pitiful excuse for a skill."
With effortless grace, he stepped off the branch and landed soundlessly before the motionless Manbaru.
"Then let me shatter that confidence."
The moment those words left Luke’s mouth, his hand shot forward and wrapped around Manbaru’s throat.
"Gah... h-how?!" Manbaru choked out.
The skill had worked before.
It had worked today.
He had slipped past the man inside the house without issue, convincing himself that this time would be no different.
Luke’s eyes narrowed with cold contempt as he yanked him closer until their faces were only inches apart.
"You can figure it out in the afterlife."
He drew his head back.
THUNK!
His forehead crashed into Manbaru’s face with brutal force.
A sharp whistle filled Manbaru’s ears.
His vision blurred, his thoughts scattered, and his body staggered backward without balance.
Before he could collapse, Luke lunged forward.
The dagger plunged straight through Manbaru’s foot before burying itself deep into the earth beneath him.
"GAAAAAH!"
A soul-rending scream tore through the forest as unbearable agony shot up his leg, pinning him in place.
Luke clicked his tongue in annoyance.
With frightening precision, he drove two fingers into Manbaru’s throat.
The man’s scream died instantly, replaced by violent gagging as he clawed desperately at his neck, unable to draw a proper breath.
Blood streamed from Manbaru’s nose and ears, and whatever voice remained in him disappeared completely.
Luke was nowhere near finished.
With a flick of his hand, four healing potions appeared. He uncorked one and held it before Manbaru’s lips.
"I’ve got enough potions to keep you alive for hours," Luke said, his voice frighteningly calm. "You won’t be escaping into death that easily."
His fingers clamped around Manbaru’s jaw, forcing it open before he poured the potion down his throat.
"So make sure you give me some satisfying reactions."
The empty vial shattered against the ground.
The instant the potion began repairing the damage, Luke swung his hammer.
Crunch.
It crashed into Manbaru’s shoulder, splintering bone and tearing flesh apart with overwhelming force.
The forest stretched endlessly, teeming with beasts that feared little.
Yet not a single creature dared approach that corner of the woods.
Only screams echoed from within.
Screams so filled with agony that even the predators instinctively kept their distance.
.....
Monica was standing beside Roxanne, her eyes always on the woman for any sign of pain.
While she looked listless, there wasn’t any other sign of concern. Except, of course, the blood that was still soaking her clothes. However, she could tell Roxanne was no longer bleeding from that wound
Whatever her mate fed her has worked like a wonder.
"What...just happened, Monica?" Roxanne finally asked, her eyes still on the ground, "Luke was so excited about this trip, always asking me what we could do here and about the village."
She let out a small laughter of mockery, "I assured him that he could just enjoy himself here, without needing to worry about the security."
"None of this is your fault. We were just at the wrong place at the wrong time." Monica sighed, "I could tell that this village otherwise remains peaceful and full of life after talking to people and experiencing the brief liveliness of the market yesterday."
"It’s just...we ended up arriving at the same time when a long planned scheme against the chief was about to be executed." Monica wouldn’t deny that she was upset with this whole trip and how things turned out.
However, Roxanne couldn’t have known something like this was brewing in the same village where she has grown up. If she knew the situation she would have never advised Luke coming here.
Roxanne shook her head. "It’s my fault too. The same sister who showed disgust to me suddenly was so loving and caring towards me...yes, I should have suspected that. But I was so happy reuniting with her that i overlook everything and ended up risking everyone’s life."
Monica crouched before her and while looking into Roxanne’s moistened eyes she said, "It’s just how we are made, Roxanne. Neglected and ignored by those you considered close to you...yes, a little attention from them makes one get emotional. So, rather than blaming yourself for trusting someone who once was your reason to smile, think about the lesson you learned today."
Roxanne finally looked at Monica, her eyes holding confusion but she chose to stay confused since a part of her already knew what Monica meant.
Monica nodded before saying, "Now, stop concerning yourself with what already happened and let’s think about the coming tomorrow."
Roxanne exhaled a sigh and nodded.
While she knew this incident wouldn’t leave her mind for a very long time...maybe never, life has always been about moving on, for her mostly.
For now, a big disaster has been subdued and everyone was alive and fine, that’s what she chose to focus on.