Sung Li's hand instinctively went towards his pockets again to search for another stash when realizing how foolish the situation is considering their dire situation.

"Alright! Don't worry, I got it now!" snarled Sung Li in desperation while the scene played itself out again with another pouch thudding against the assassin's chest.

However—this time there was a faint reek of rotting meat filling everyone's noses instead of the sound of coins clinking together.

"Agh! Something smells awful," both the assassins backed away unsteadily and started gagging profusely clutching their noses to contain the pungent smell before eventually collapsing face down on the ground holding their mouths tightly.

Sung Li blinked several times before taking several steps backwards to observe them closely, "Phew, that worked brilliantly."

He grinned broadly at the sight of them vomiting everywhere.

Ijohen couldn't help but laugh out loud at his friend's antics, "Why didn't they dodge or defend themselves?"

He looked around quizzically as if trying to figure out what just happened.

Rihan chuckled lightly as well, "Because they didn't think that three kids without any cultivation or martial training could possibly defeat them and dropped their guard."

Rihan couldn't help but burst into laughter since this absurdity made him forget all about what had happened just moments ago. All of them heaved sighs of relief as they relaxed from the tension within their bodies.

"So much for a surprise attack," grumbled Ijohen with a frown. "Are you sure we'll be fine once outside?"

Sung Li chuckled dryly, "Now that we're out of danger, let's hurry and find ourselves a safe place."

"Stop! If we run outside the dorm we'll just get captured by more assassins and then it won't matter where we are anyway; why not come with me?" suggested Rihan with a hint of concern on his lips.

"What's your plan?" asked Ijohen suspiciously.

Rihan thought for several seconds, "We'll just hide inside the building and wait for the Institute's Guard and Soldier from the Palace to clear the area by morning so we can leave safely. "

Then turning to Sung Li, "The assassins would be busy looking for us thinking we've escaped. What do you think?"

Ijohen and Sung Li pondered for some time until finally nodding in agreement, "Sounds like a good idea!" They smiled at each other.

Afterward—the three of them quickly moved deeper into the building, hoping no one will notice their presence if they stay quiet.

They didn't encounter any more assassins until reaching an open door at the end of the corridor where one could hear voices coming through from the other side

They crept towards the door to eavesdrop on what was going on without making any noise whatsoever to avoid drawing attention.

Suddenly, the sound of battle from a distance intensified as the sounds reached their ears suddenly!

What on earth?

Did the enemies reach here too?

Rihan pinched his eyebrows together pausing to listen intently upon hearing familiar screams and fighting echoing throughout the halls.

Is it possible that our pursuers have already gotten deeper into the building?

He stares into the doorway curiously trying to figure out which direction the fight came from.

He's just about ready to turn back when footsteps approach them hurriedly along with voices screaming franticly in desperation, "Kill them all! Stop the intruders!"

Rihan cursed quietly under his breath knowing they were trapped inside the building with nowhere left to escape.

Maybe they have to confront the assassins and group up with the guards, and Silver Beard.

But with our current uncultivated bodies, we won't even last long, thinks Rihan, we won't be as lucky as we did earlier.

A strange voice echoes behind him; there seems to be a great commotion somewhere close by but the only thing receding from this world is the soft shuffling of feet from inside the room.

"…what's that noise?" A gentle voice spoke calmly from the room while stifling a yawn which had likely woken up early because of the commotion from the battle.

The door opened slightly revealing a figure with long black hair in an oversized robe stumbling in their sleepy state.

"Larissa!?" Rihan called out in surprise—the girl turned her head around pausing mid-yawn to look at them, "…Who are you?"

"Ah, no one important." Sung Li waved at the woman.

She stumbles again pausing to straighten herself up, "Wait, Rihan!? What are you doing here!" Larissa stared wide-eyed at Rihan for several moments before blinking and stuttering repeatedly.

Rihan glanced briefly between both his friends' faces before speaking quickly, "We need to hide ourselves until morning—" He hesitated when noticing something different about Larissa's appearance.

He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat upon realizing that she's wearing a white dress instead of the school uniform. He didn't hide his desire to see the young woman's body as well.

His expression remained stern though as if nothing happened but it was apparent from the sudden redness of her face and quickened breathing from having noticed what has changed from her usual attire.

She wore loose pajama pants with a thin cloth covering her chest, however, due to the heat outside her outfit is completely drenched with sweat causing it to clings tightly to every curve on her beautiful body making her feel sticky all over.

The puffy fabric clings firmly to her large breasts which strain against their confines as they jiggle like two soft melons. She wears black cotton socks underneath which only makes the outline of her thighs even more noticeable.

Sung Li stares intently into Rihan's eyes while trying to suppress the smirk that appears in spite of himself; while Ijohen stares at the floor staring at the ground in utter disbelief. Both men have become painfully aware of this girl's naked beauty hidden beneath her clothes.

"Uh, uh, no! No, no, no! You can't be here," Larissa stutters and stumbles backwards away from them reeling unsteadily—but Rihan had already sprung to action by covering her up with his cloak so nobody would see anything under it.

He places his hand gently upon the young woman's arm guiding her back to the room behind him where they will find a hiding spot. He couldn't help but smile as the sweet scent of her sweat permeated the air around them.

Rihan spoke softly, "Come inside before anyone sees us. I'll explain everything later."

Larissa pauses mid-step as if frozen stiff, "Rihan—" she pauses again, "What are you doing here?"

"Shh! Someone's coming…" Sung Li pulls the door close after stepping in with Ijohen following after him closely. They stand silently facing each other waiting for the assassins to pass.