Chapter 124: All Living Beings

Chapter 124: All Living Beings

The first to flee Sandstone City was not Kkel’s family, but his friend Baixian. After being warned by the Dragon Rider last time, she had thought a lot and recognized reality. Unlike Kkel, she had no family to take care of her. Back then, if she hadn’t directly returned to the Sword and Shield Tavern, what would have happened?

She was young, but not stupid. Kkel was later taken to the Dragon Rider Camp by his grandfather and then came back as if nothing had happened, continuing to boast and chat. Could she do the same?

She was like a real sparrow, wandering alone after reaching adulthood. She wandered from Twofold Mountain to this city and finally found her own flock. But the last incident gave her too many reminders—this flock did not belong to her.

When Bran entered the city, her sparrow followed by his side. The sparrow made her notice something strange. Whenever the sparrow got close to Bran, it would lose contact with her. Thankfully, as long as it moved out of a certain range, the connection would reestablish. After several attempts, she thought she had figured out this Little Wizard’s details. His ability was average, and its effective range was only a few meters in front of him. Kkel was just unlucky to have entered that range. The abilities of Wizards were ever-changing, so being countered occasionally was normal.

However, when the two Northlanders entered the City Lord’s Manor, things began to change. She wanted the sparrow to continue following, but found that as soon as it approached the entrance, the sparrow lost contact.

What was going on? How was this possible! She felt things were becoming unusual. She circled the City Lord’s Manor, testing from multiple directions, but the result was exactly the same. Something big was about to happen! But how long could that Wizard maintain such control? Her curiosity drove her to stay nearby.

Time passed bit by bit. People began to come and go from the City Lord’s Manor, and private soldiers started to gather. What was the Wizard waiting for? Even if they were Northlanders, just two of them couldn’t possibly escape facing an army formed up in ranks. She even foresaw the defeat of the Northlanders. But the opposite happened. When the gates of the City Lord’s Manor closed, just as she thought the fight was about to begin, everyone in the courtyard quietly fell down without any warning. This sent a chill through her whole body, even though she was standing in the sunlight.

She instinctively drove her sparrow closer to get a better look. But this time it wasn’t just losing contact; the two sparrows that got close instantly turned to dust. Terrified, her face turned pale. Run! Run as far away as possible. That was the only thought that rose in her heart.

She knew what Kkel had done; she was one of the accomplices. Although she couldn’t be sure if these two Northlanders had come for that reason, the timing was too coincidental. So she ran without looking back, without any hesitation, without any attachment. Sparrows were just like that—when danger came, they scattered instantly. After the danger passed, they would gather again. Only this time, she would not return.

Compared to her, Kkel’s grandfather was slow to realize. By the time he entered the tavern, Baixian had already left Sandstone City.

…

When Kkel fled, he passed right by Ruoti’s house. He ignored Ruoti, who was standing there at the time. He even gave only a cold glance in response to her greeting. This made Ruoti feel somewhat puzzled and a little uncomfortable. Then she comforted herself, finding a small excuse for him: “Maybe he has urgent business.”

She guessed right. It was not only urgent but life-threatening. By the time she got the news and wanted to run with her family, it was too late. Using her own ability, she hid on a rooftop and escaped disaster.

At that time, the turmoil had just begun, and everything was still relatively calm. She wasn’t too frantic. She would find a chance to rescue her family. For now, she needed to gather information. Only by understanding the specific situation could she decide how to act. She was merely an accomplice, and her family knew nothing about it. There shouldn’t be a big problem.

Yes, there shouldn’t be a big problem.

If not for the bodies being carried out one after another from the City Lord’s Manor. People realized it was no longer just about cheating a Caravan. Even with a life for a life, they couldn’t pay the price anymore. Run. Save whoever can be saved. Everyone involved came to the same conclusion.

Where there was flight, there was pursuit. Where there was pursuit, there was resistance. At first, both sides were somewhat restrained. After all, those fleeing were fighting for their lives, and those pursuing were just following orders. In this city, people were somewhat familiar with each other, so they didn’t want to push too hard. But as the families of the deceased joined in, the truly deadly part arrived. The little restraint left between pursuers and fugitives finally vanished completely.

Throughout the city, people were tangled together in groups. Neither side had any room to retreat anymore. Everyone began to fight for their lives, and the bloody struggle truly began. The smell of blood gradually spread, and the city’s vicious energy was activated along with it.

By the time Ruoti reacted and rushed toward where her family was held, it was all too late. She hadn’t wanted to kill anyone. Now she hated herself for not acting sooner earlier.

Kill! After losing her sanity, her ability finally showed its true terror. A shadowy, invisible hunter, only giving a fleeting clue the moment a blade was pulled from a body.

Everyone deserved to die, including myself. The pursuers deserved to die, and the fugitives deserved it even more! If no one had run, my family wouldn’t have died. She gradually became crazed.

“Kkel!” she whispered this name. Then she turned and headed out of the city, thrusting her blade into every person she passed.

…

When Ruoti decided to hunt down Kkel, Shajia was being cornered at her doorstep. Her jet-black hair danced like countless sharp blades. The tips of every strand of her hair were now as hard as steel needles. Anyone trying to approach her was pierced and bled.

Soon after learning her father had died in the City Lord’s Manor, the following news plunged her into deep self-blame. Others could run, but she didn’t want to. Her father’s body still needed to be collected.

The people sent to capture her arrived. She could only struggle and beg, hoping for a little more time. These people capturing her were once familiar to her, but now they felt strange. It wasn’t their fault. She had not only caused her own father’s death but also the deaths of their family members.

But she still felt furious! My father is dead. I just want to collect his body. Why are you doing this! This put her in a strange state.

Her relationship with her father had always been tense. She had even wondered if it would be better if her father died? But when she truly lost him, she felt an indescribable sense of loss and grief. She regretted it! Her long hair began to dance wildly, like her current mood—frantic and helpless.

“I won’t run!” she shouted. “I said I won’t run! Don’t push me!”

As people kept closing in, despair gradually filled her heart. It’s all because you forced me! Her hair finally shot out strand by strand and did not retract.

…

Kkel followed his grandfather out of Sandstone City and quickly made for Twofold Mountain. Once they crossed Twofold Mountain, they would be safe. Then they would go to the Royal Capital to reunite with their family.

Now his mood relaxed a little. He even felt some excitement. He had finally left Sandstone City and could see the outside World. With his own abilities, he believed money could be obtained anytime; there was nothing to worry about.