Chapter 43, Fawn

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Inside the island filled with Jungle

March 21st

6:04pm

"Important announcement, we'll immediately vacate all contestants due to a threat happening." The announcer said with a worried tone.

All contestants were puzzled until they heard a very large sound which made most of them cover their ears.

A terrifying dread was felt by some of them. As if puzzled. What followed was the horrible and loud that paralyzed them in place.

Tengfei clutched his heart, crumpling the shirt in between. Every part of his body is screaming out danger. He knew very well that something horrible will occur.

Though the first thing that came to his head was... 'Lihua.'

Just gets to show how he feels at the moment.

Suddenly, the space in front of him distorted.

A portal appeared in front of him before a person he recognized came out of it.

That person was the one responsible for helping him around, an administrator.

He had a serious look while having an attire that suited more for combat as compared to his previous one.

The man approached Tengfei before saying, "I never introduced myself before. For now, since the situation is dire, just call me 'Four'."

Four then handed a leather set of armor before continuing, "Wear this, we'll need as much help as we can get."

Tengfei was confused as he asks, "What exactly is happening?"

"No time to talk here, wear the armor and follow me into the portal." Said Four with a tone filled with worry. His expression shows that he's exhausted.

Tengfei looked at him before doing as told.

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March 21st

6:05pm

Zhou Huan eyed the administrator in front of him. He then thought that the situation is truly horrible if they would cancel the contest. Even bringing his equipment.

He wore the armor, gripped his spear and shield before saying, "Well, I'm prepared now."

The administrator who introduced herself as 'Three', nodded. She then looked at Quafilia who was trying her best to wear her set. Though horribly failing as she complains, "Did I get fat in this short set of time... Damn."

Three gave a look at her before saying, "We don't have much time, follow me now."

Quafilia forced the leather vest on her before nodding energetically with her messy hair.

She showed a bright smile before jumping up and down.

Zhou Huan was puzzled about something before asking her, "Don't you have a weapon aside from your rings?"

Quafilia held his arm, "Aww, you don't need to be worried about me... I'll get flustered ❤~"

Huan cursed, shoved her aside, before following Three into the portal.

When he exited, the first person came to his view was Tengfei. Wearing a leather set that covered most of his body. He had an expression as if deeply confused about something.

Looking around, he could recognize that all were present. All eleven contestants from before. Each having their original gear already worn. Actually... he couldn't find that Masked Lady. Weird.

One of the administrators step forward before saying, "Good, almost everyone is here. I'm called 'One', so feel free to call me by that." The man who called himself 'One' gestured at his friend, before whispering something to him. His friend nodded before entering the portal that everyone exited, again.

He then revealed a gem. The gem slowly glowed in light before revealing the picture of a whale.

"This right here is an invasion by those pesky people. They have an objective and a really important one as you can tell form the tier Five beast they brought along."

The person then continued after placing back the gem, "Now then. We want to separate you people into two groups. Helping out anyone you pass by. We're not asking you people to fight but instead try and help anyone as you escape. It will help our jobs a lot."

Zhou Huan and Tengfei nodded with each other. Quafilia joined the nodding before staying close to Zhou Huan.

Tengfei looked at Quafilia before wondering about something.

A long-haired man with a lady joined the group too.

The same couple who ambushed Tengfei.

They had a complicated look as if asking for forgivance from him.

Tengfei sighed before giving out a hand. The long-haired man shook his hand before saying, "I'm Ifol and this lady beside me is Zian Fei."

Quafilia bowed slightly before introducing herself too.

"Since everyone is ready, we better move out." He then pointed at the group which has Tengfei in it before continuing, "You people will be directed by Three and Four. Follow their orders in escaping this place from the right portal."

The group agreed. Zhou Huan though... came forth before asking, "We still didn't get a proper explanation." He then stared at the person before angrily asking, "Who the hell are those people?"

Most of the contestants around Zhou Huan, also want to know.

The individual who called himself 'One', gave a cough before saying, "They are called 'Quail'."

His answer puzzled them.

He then elaborated, "Quail, the infamous troops. Backed by an unknown powerful figure. Mass producer of certain drugs. Best known for their quality of slaves. And not to forget... Their plundering. They seek something today, and we're here to stop it."

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Spectator's place

March 21st

6:06pm

The princess eyes were glued upon the huge whale above. Seeing as to how cracks appeared on its skin. Followed by blood flowing out of them.

Two large, monster like arms them emerged from the Whale's body before forcing the barrier to open wide. Trying to fit its entire body inside.

Mass amount of blood fell to the ground, and some even covered unfortunate people. The blood wasn't normal as Lihua saw their bodies started melting.

She averted her eyes immediately as she grits her teeth.

The princess's speed was hindered until her friend reassured her. She gave an apology before following Li Meixiu.

A signal was given by her friendly doll. Pointing at something far away. Lihua understood immediately for what she meant.

And that was to go through the exit portal.

People around where panickly going after the main portal. Which was at least the size 18-foot-high and wider in length. Being crowded with panicked people.

The easier course was to take the portal which only requires a bit of hike.

Lihua's focus was steady and she knew that being beside Tengfei was a priority.

Alas her eyes focused at one point. Little far away from her, down the stony stairs. She recognized someone familiar.

Her aunt.

She was on the ground, with haggard breathing, and was getting help from someone.

At first, she ignored her, thinking that Tengfei was high priority.

But she remembered long ago as to how she cared for her, but really vaguely. Lihua decided on something, 'even if this is foolish like last time. My family member is in danger... Just wait a bit Tengfei. I'm sorry.'

She then thought about her actions before thinking, 'He truly is affecting me...'

Her master, who was reside the black necklace, didn't rebuke but instead, 'Just... do it fast.'

She nodded to her master's request.

Li Meixiu stopped before noticing her friend running for someone. She thought that her act was foolish, but... The princess is still her friend. She then removed a gem before speaking onto it, "What's the status?"

It took a little short number of seconds before someone replied, "Lady, it seems the spectator's chamber has been affected the most, but lots of infiltrators who bypassed the guards from the main portal are entering."

Li Meixiu coldly asked, "...You didn't listen to my request of tightening the guards?"

The person immediately replied, "W-we did, but they brought someone that's hard to deal with..."

The doll gave out a sigh, "Anyhow, put all priority in escorting the people out. These islands are going to turn into a bloody mess." She kept the gem inside her storage ring before following Lihua.

The princess went up to her aunt before gently picking her up.

A sense of relief engulfed the retainer of the middle-aged woman. He then, alongside Lihua, helped the princess's aunt get up.

Li Meixiu covered all of them in her Thunder barrier before leading towards the portal direction.

Though before they could reach near to it, A huge figure came in between them.

A towering shadow. Further inspections find that it was just a normal human... but a tall one at that.

Wearing a dear's head with twigs protruding out of its eye sockets. Bulky physique with strength overflowing. Wearing animal pelts mixed with heavy looking iron, protecting every part of his body.

Behind his back, hides a large looking weapon.

That human like beast then announced politely, "I'm sorry to trouble you, but I will need that lady you're escorting. It's a task handed to me and so please comply."

Lihua and the other three was surprised by his way of conduct.

The princess then asks, "What if I say, no?"

"If so, I'll have to get her forcefully." The huge man gave a haughty laugh before pulling out his weapon. A great giant axe. The weight of the axe is not actually heavy compared to a great sword. Its weight comes from the metal blades at the tip.

Lihua recalled her last battle with the bandits and felt her stomach churn.

Her master then spoke, 'It's alright, you're not fighting alone this time. And unlike before, you have one of my arts now.'

The princess nodded. She then dropped her aunt slowly and prepared herself.

The doll, Li Meixiu, gave a look at the giant before asking her friend, "Will you join me in this dance?"

Lihua was puzzled until she realized the meaning behind those words.

She revealed a smirk before replying, "This will be our first, right?" With a playful tone.

A nod was replied. Li Meixiu then thought about something before channeling her mana into the mark on her cheek bone.

Sparks engulfed from head to toe, as if she is brimming with electricity. Her heart beat resounding inside her head.

Two golden horn came out from her forehead. Having a white aura surround them.

Eyes emitted a light resembling the color of the horn. Making her already golden eyes look more stunning and at the same time, deadly.

Her body felt light. Mana pool temporally expanded while increasing the speed of refinement. Her strength was overflowing.

She brought out her chain sickle before saying, "Cover me Lihua."

The princess broke out of the state of admiration. She then replied back with confidence as she ready herself.

Before Li Meixiu could move a bit, the huge giant inserted mana into an inscription paper. He then slammed his hand alongside it, on to the ground. This caused the earth to shift before sending the man flying from a sharp pillar erecting below him. The force was so much that it allowed the large man, alongside his well-timed jump, to be like an arrow. Let loosed from a great bow.

Mid-air, he removed his large axe weapon from his leather wrap before aiming to land a heavy blow on Li Meixiu. He even yelled out, "Fawn, is my name!!"

Li Meixiu managed to create a mana barrier in time, but to withstand the brute force of his, she had to deplete a considerable good amount of her mana. She would've dodged if it weren't by the fact that two individuals were behind her.

The princess didn't stand still as she sent a large sword, made of her special affinity of darkness and wind, towards the man.

Using Li Meixiu's barrier as a foot step, he jumped backwards before crashing his axe on the earth. Dodging skillfully the flying sword of Lihua.

His eyes glowed in light, as large amounts of pointy rocks started protruding from the ground. Being deadly to anyone unluckily stabbed by them.

Each aimed to pierce Li Meixiu and Lihua. It was easy for doll to dodge them due to her increase in speed. But she was worried of the others.

Strangely the rocks kept away from the middle-aged lady and her old retainer. Which puzzled Li Meixiu.

Luckily, Lihua's affinity has wind in it which allowed her to vault over the spiky rocks, using the massive force of the wind striking below.

Though this was the plan of the huge giant as he thinks, 'It's hard to dodge on the air you know.' Before he was again sent flying by his fine control.

Lihua saw the blade coming right at her, immediately her master told her something which she complied.

A wind gust blown forward, causing her to move away from the man's axe.

She felt like it wasn't enough, but Li Meixiu's chain which wrapped around the giant, prevented any contact.

Her enhanced strength allowed her to slam the huge person on to the ground.

Without giving any time to waste, she then inserted mana into her ring before activating the technique. Lightning arc.

This allowed her to shoot out a lance made out of mana, refined with electricity, at her opponent. Making a majestic looking monochromatic rainbow. Golden in color.

It was really fast, that even the quick thinker Fawn, couldn't stop the spear like attack from piercing his thigh. Not to mention as to how he got soaked by a small fluffy creature nearby. He gritted in pain as he resists the jolt through his body.

Fawn admitted that it was a devastating combo. He gave a wide smile before inserting mana into his Eternal soul ring.

His body got engulfed by the earth below. As if he sunk downwards and leaving no traces behind. This act saved him from getting a large blunt great sword made of darkness and wind, onto his body. Only harming the poor ground as it ravaged it.

Lihua and Li Meixiu, looked around but couldn't find traces of him. It's as if he disappeared. She understood that her pet was also hiding with the use of his invisibility power.

The doll, Meixiu, was a bit worried as she thought about something.

As if her prediction was right, the moment her Drake's power ran out... Fawn appeared behind her. Brandishing his large War axe before delivering a fatal blow at Li Meixiu's back. She was a little too slow to react.

Her emergency locket appeared around her neck. It glowed in white light before breaking to pieces.

Even with the effect of minimizing the damage done from the axe, it still left a nasty wound on her.

She grimaced in pain before jumping away from him with every last ounce of her strength.

Fawn watched as his axe slowly turns to dust. A curse was inflicted on it.

He felt sad, as that weapon kept him company for a very long time. Fawn already guessed what type of amulet she had with her. Sadly he didn't anticipate it.

Fawn then entered inside the ground again.

Lihua heart pained when she saw her friend on the ground. But she didn't forget. Closing her eyes and remembering everything.

This time, Fawn appeared behind the princess.

About to crush her with both his hands which were held together in the form of a hammer. Enforced by his earth magic.

Li Meixiu, even in pain, yelled her to look out.

Though unlike her who was surprised, the princess was still calm.

She knew this would occur and already prepared transferring her mana onto the mark. The black insignia on her hand.

Lihua then elegantly twirled with her blade, aiming to horizontally slice the body of Fawn.

He reacted in time, and backed away. His expression became serious as he realizes something really off.

Fawn couldn't see the upper top part of Lihua's body. As if she became invisible. Not only that, something like black sticky goop was sprayed on him, hidering some of his movement.

His eyes could only witness her legs moving.

Before he knew it, he felt a familiar sharp pain on his body. The results of getting stabbed on the thigh. The spot where Li Meixiu landed her Lightning arc.

It was the only part of his body where it's not covered by his equipment.

She twisted her blade before putting all her strength in horizontally cutting off his leg from the middle part.

This was the first time that Fawn grunted in pain.

He oddly felt his mana draining. Until he figured out that her affinity is mixed with darkness...

Underneath his dear mask, he had a forced smile. 'A foolish habit, bit me again.'

It was not over yet, as a flare appeared and exploded him. Damaging his equipment and scorching his skin.

With a bit of luck, he still managed to again enter inside the ground.

Lihua understood that she dealt a nasty blow while complimenting how powerful the snake 'Mini' is.

She thought it was over until a rumble occurred from underneath.

The earth shook before cracks started appearing on one area.

Multiple cracks of earth.

A really large figure then appeared out of the ground. Causing lots of debris to flying there and there. Creating a large sound.

Shadowing everything as if it was a great tree.

A man made of rock. Tall enough to make trees look like infants. Arms... wide enough that allows him to hug a large house.

The giant spoke out a loud sounding voice, "Witness my secret technique. Granted to me by him."

Lihua looked frightened at what she's witnessing. Li Meixiu raised her head and had a pale look on her.

Fawn, the rock giant, slowly moved his hands together before closing them in a prayer stance. His rock like eyes glowed in bright color before everything started shaking. A tremor that slowly increases in magnitude

He was about to release his most deadly move. Something that would cause the very earth to move to his will.

This earth giant form allows him to temporally increase his mana amount and refinement by leaps. At the cost of his life essence.

Though before he could finish his move, he noticed that someone was on his shoulder.

A lady who has her arms crossed. Having a bob haircut, black in color.

Golden eyes, red lip-stick, and wearing an expensive looking robe.

She closed the wooden fan on her hand before saying, "This can't do. I won't allow you to hurt my older sister and her dear new friend~"

The lady then did a single stomp on the giant's shoulder. Packed along with her immense amount of electric refined mana with it.

It caused Fawn's giant arm to fall cleanly off.

She then elegantly jumped away before she could get swatted by his other arm. A giggle came from her. With a look of confidence, she pointed her hand towards him, mid-air.

Two of her rings glowed. Lots of symbols appeared on her arm before a large blast of energy shot towards the giant. So large that it almost engulfed it entirely. Just enough to forcefully tear away Fawn out of the giant.

He was sent flying before crashing onto the ground, rolling till a stop.

The darkness of Lihua's blade could be seen affecting his thigh. Revealing signs of mana leeches. Black centipedes.

Li Meixiu stayed still on the ground, letting her back get tended by Lihua's Aunt. She's is gifted with both wind and light affinity. And so that's the reason why she's able to at least cause the wound to not get any worse. Closing it if given more time.

A man covered in blood went beside the middle-aged lady before saying, "They were taken cared off." He said before removing his gloves. Then slumping on the ground with an exhausted look. He grumbled, "Aging is a curse."

The aunt gave a smile before replying, "This might sound repetitive, but I really don't know what would happen if I didn't have you by my side."

"This is simply my job. You can always thank me by increasing my wages." He gave a wink at her.

Li Meixiu gave a cough. She then asked, "You could have helped us earlier."

The old man replied, "Yes, I could. But we don't know your true intentions. So, it was better for you to deal with the threat while I clean the out the filth aiming to ambush us." He then gave his apology before continuing, "Another reason is that I must always be able to dive and save this lady."

Li Meixiu remained silent.

Fawn was kept inside a multi layered box, each being strong enough to contain him. He didn't even bother to move as his body has been nearly mana depleted. Having to already accept his defeat with a smile.

The box slowly shrined in size before entering a ring. The bearer of the ring went and sat beside Li Meixiu.

She then asks, "Where's my thank you? Tehe~"

Li Meixiu averted her eyes away from hers. Without even replying back.

Her sister pouted before standing up. She then offered her hand towards Lihua who was nearby.

The princess looked at her and then her hand, as if puzzled.

As if forgetting something important, the lady then said, "Oh, I have forgotten my manners." She corrected her posture before bowing slightly. The lady who was about Lihua's age, then announced, "I am called Li Bingmei, younger sister of Li Meixiu. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Lihua surveyed her before nodding. She then replied, "I'm Xia-" She gave cough before correcting her previous words, "Nice to meet you. My name is Lihua."

She then gave a forced smile before walking past her. Having a worried look as she asks her aunt, "Will she be okay?"

The middle-aged lady completed her treatment before replying, "She'll be fine, only a little bit of re-" Her sentence was cut off when her eyes spotted Lihua.

It stayed there a while before tears started to appear.