I’ve been hit with a painful counterattack by a serious Nigpyura.
What are you doing? Veronica is still captured. She’s about to be killed right now.
“Karubene! Wait, we have to save Veronica. We can run after that. Hey, let go!”
I shook off Karubene’s hand. Then he grabbed my collar and pulled me this time. He’s trying to drag me away without a word. I can’t resist, my hands have no strength. My legs are entangled, and I can barely walk.
“Where are you trying to take me?”
Cecilia is waving from the bushes, beckoning me this way. Are we really going to escape into the hole Todoroki dug? But Veronica is still stuck between the trees. She’s struggling right in front of my eyes. The sun hasn’t even set yet. I can’t imagine she can escape on her own.
“Quick, over here!”
“Hey! Veronica is left behind!”
“I know, but we’re retreating for now.”
“What’s wrong, Cecilia? Have you gone crazy?”
As we reached the hole, I was suddenly dragged inside. I was taken underground helplessly. The dark tunnel was on the verge of collapsing due to Nigpyura’s attack.
“Ah, Todoroki.”
“Let’s move, this place is going to collapse.”
Todoroki started digging a hole in a nearby wall. The path ahead had already collapsed, so we couldn’t advance. He dug through the hard dirt as if it were clay.
“Come on, Brother. Let’s go.”
“What about everyone else? I can’t see them.”
“Everyone else has gone on ahead. Hurry.”
Did we really escape? It seems like there’s no other choice but to follow. After crawling through the dark, narrow tunnel for a while, we emerged into that empty room. There, frightened Earthworm Lizardfolk and exhausted Hummingbird Harpies had gathered.
And my companions were there too. An old Earthworm Lizardman approached us.
“It seems you’ve finally all gathered. Todoroki, I’m grateful for your efforts.”
“Yeah, but one of this guy’s companions was left behind. Are you okay with that?”
It’s not okay, I tried to shout, but clutched my side. My whole body ached, and I couldn’t stand up. I could barely breathe.
“Brother, are you okay? You look like you took a serious beating.”
“Shut up… What are you trying to do?”
Karubene shrugged, saying, “Who knows?” Wasn’t Veronica your close friend? How could you abandon her so easily? If my body wasn’t like this, I would have lunged at him. Cecilia came closer and placed her hand on me.
“Sigh, hey, what are we going to do? Are you going to abandon her?”
“Sharin gave the order to retreat. Why don’t you ask her?”
What? Sharin? No way, she wouldn’t say that. Sharin would never abandon or flee from her companions.
“Where is Sharin?”
“She’s talking with those two over there.”
Sharin was talking with Philiana and Nina. I spoke to the old Earthworm Lizardman.
“Um, what are you planning to do now?”
“We will dig deeper. We will proceed with the initial plan. Todoroki, you understand now, don’t you?”
Todoroki showed me his injured hand. The wound was closed, covered by new skin. Just as expected from a lizard.
“I knew too little about the outside world. Everything was beyond my capabilities.”
The Hummingbird Harpies huddled in a corner, motionless. Their faces were uniformly pale, devoid of energy. Is Nigpyura that strong? Is running away the only option? No, that’s not true. If we don’t fight, we will all perish eventually. No matter how much we run, they will find us, even digging through the earth.
I stood up and headed towards Sharin. I heard Cecilia’s voice telling me to stop from behind, but I ignored it.
“Hey, Sharin. You have a plan, right? Tell me too.”
“Ah, but you should stay here.”
What did he say? He wants me to hide here? There’s no way I can do that.
“My injuries will heal quickly. I’ll go with you.”
“No, you can’t. You can’t do anything in your condition. We’re going to search for the Hummingbird Harpies scattered in various places.”
“Then what about Veronica?”
“We’ll save her too. Don’t worry.”
Of course I’m worried! How many members are able to move right now?
“Who is going?”
“The three of us and Cecilia. Elana might have broken her foreleg.”
Are only four people going? That’s too dangerous. Before I could object, Philiana spoke.
“I understand how you feel. However, Hiro is also severely injured, and it will be difficult for him to be active outside. Hiro is always at the center of everyone. But sometimes, please believe in our efforts.”
“…Understood. Be careful.”
I moved away from the four who were discussing and left the empty room. I sat down on the cold tunnel floor. This time, I have no choice but to do this. Ah, my entire body hurts. But more than that, what is this crushing sensation in my chest?
I’m tired. I should rest for a bit. Leaning against the wall, I closed my eyes.
