Chapter 34: Escaping the city (3)

"Whity brought another core!" excitedly, Reem said to the four of them.

"Magical core or life energy core?" Ramie asked.

"Life energy core…" She responded to him, while casting an apologetic look toward Neil.

This was an idea that came to Ramie when Reem had taken them to see her summoned beast atop the building few hours ago.

His idea was that since the tier-2 dog beast that controlled this part of the city was weakened at the moment, and didn't dare to attack her summoned beast directly, it naturally meant that her summon was the biggest 'dog' around, so, he suggested that she should take advantage of this fact and order her summon to initiate attacks on nearby beast for their cores before the dog beast recovers.

Before, Reem had order her beast to protect her and her father, which meant that he couldn't leave this area and attack other beasts. She was afraid that other beast might attack her and her father while her summon was away.

Following her orders, the azure gazelle king beast did just that. Even the two magical cores that he brought to her had come from magical beasts that he caught overstepping inside his territory. After all, not all the buildings in the city were occupied by beasts, so, most of the beasts would roam the city in the night to look for territory or hunt for food.

Now however, there were two artifacts holders as well as life energy user with Reem, which meant that even if another beast attacked, then even if they couldn't kill it, they can at least hold their own until her summoned beast returns, which was why Ramie had suggested this idea to her.

Ramie felt that Reem ordering her summon to stay here and not hunting for more magical cores wasn't the best course of action on the long run. As, if she were to order her summon to hunt for magical cores, then it would help her level up her artifact faster and get new spells. That would mean that even if the tier-2 dog beast dared to attack her later on, she would have more options to defend herself.

Anyway, with her summoned beast imminent advance in tier, he had no real need to absorb tier-1 beast magical core, as the magical energy in these cores were not enough to help him advance.

Of course, if the azure gazelle king can get a tier-2 core, then he can advance his level immediately.

However, even if the dog beast was injured, he was still tier-2 beasts. Even if Reem's summon could hold his own against the dog beast, in the end, holding his own against a beast and killing it were two different things.

In the first place, for a peak tier-1 magical beast to advance in tier, a magical core of a higher grade is needed for it. Without it, going through countless battles over a long time and the absorption of tenths of cores from weak magical beasts is needed. Luckily, her summon has already went through all of this, and now, he didn't have much of use to the low tier-1 beasts cores, which is why Reem was the one to utilize those cores.

As for life energy cores, and unlike magical cores, anyone could actually use them to ignite their life energy and become warrior. So, if she were to get cores, then it wasn't out of question for Jeffry to awaken his life energy.

However, after getting one life energy core for Jeffry two days ago, he has yet to ignite his energy. So, this piece of information seemed now less unreliable to Reem.

Anyway, with Lance around, the life energy cores became very important for them. As they would allow Lance to increase his life energy ignition percent, which would correspondingly increase his power, and ultimately, increasing their survival chances.

Although, magical cores would be a great welcome, unfortunately, all magical beasts below the 2 tier now avoid the Azure gazelle king like plague, as he's too strong, not to mention their low numbers to begin with. Which was why she had casted an apologetic glance toward Neil, as he was really eager to find a magical core and advance his level and get new spell.

Right now, Lance was sitting on a chair with closed eyes, while holding the two life energy cores that Reem's summon had brought earlier from two unlucky beasts close by. However, his absorbing speed of the life energy stored in these two cores where much lower than the artifacts speed in absorbing magical energy. As in the past hour of absorbing, he had only raised his life energy ignition percent by only few points.

The others were observing and hoping that he would raise that percent as high as possible, to increase the strengthening effect of his life energy, which would undoubtedly benefit their chances.

Jeffry on the other hand was sitting with closed eyes, and holding a core in his hand, hoping to ignite his life energy and become a warrior.

Ramie and Lance were sitting on the couch, waiting to spring in action the moment he senses any aura closing in, while on the same time, hoping for the summoned beast to find some magical beast. After all, Neil's first spell had proved its significance, so, they couldn't help to wonder what kind of spell the next one would be. furthermore, when Neil's artifact levels up, his magic energy reserve would increase by another 5 points, which would naturally mean that he'll be able to cast his fire burst spell 5 times consecutively, instead of the current two times, an advantage that would be extremely helpful to them.

As for Reem, she was sitting on another chair, while devouring the last piece of chocolate in the food pile, nervously. After all, there was still a chance that the tier-2 wicked dog beast might attack her summon, or them.

Minutes ticked by slowly… all them except Lance who was concentrating on raising his life energy ignition percent, were on high alert, in case of something lurking on them while the summoned beast was searching the area around for a weak tier-1 beast to hunt for cores.

Reem had ordered her summon to only attack beasts that he can kill with the minimum effort, as she wanted her summon to be in top condition and not spend his magic energy wantonly, in case of a strong beast takes advantage and attacks either him or them.

As Reem was chewing on the last piece of chocolate, all of sudden, her face went pale, as a terrible expression spread on her face.

This change didn't go unnoticed by the rest of them, immediately raising their alarm.

His heart palpating, Ramie wanted to ask, but before he could do so, Neil asked first in nervous and hurried tone:"What's wrong?"

Fear in her eyes, Reem spoke in a quivering tone:"the tire-2 beast controlling the coast area is attacking another nearby tier-2 beast!"

Everyone's heart jumped at this news. The implication of this action was obvious to all of them. Even Lance broke his concentration as his expression changed.

According to Reem summon, this beast was the strongest in this city, and him attacking tier-2 beasts that control adjacent areas to the coast means that this beast has started devouring new lands to expand his. This was a crisis to them, considering that this area too was neighboring the coast area.

Of course, there might be another reason for the beast attack, but if this conjecture was true, then it meant that the tier-2 wicked dog beast was about to be attacked too, which naturally meant that this area would fall under the control of a very strong beast, a one that could very easily kill and eat them with them unable to put up the tiniest resistance.

Judging by the aura of the tier-2 dog beast, Ramie estimated that they would have an 80% chance to ward him off, considering they give it their all, along with Reem's summon. And that considering that this beast is injured and weakened. As for how strong its aura can be once he heals, Ramie didn't dare to imagine.

But now, a beast way stronger than that dog might take control of this area, which was beyond bad news for them.

"We have to leave the moment that the coast beast attacks the dog!" Ramie said firmly, in urgent tone.

No one objected. In fact, the moment Reem spoke those words; the same idea had come to everyone.

No one asked Reem how she knew this news, as everyone knows by now that she had mental connection to her summoned beast.

Afterward, Reem summoned her beast back, and everyone started preparing to leave at a moment notice. The pile of food in the kitchen floor was soon packed, as well as bottles of water and other necessities.

In few minutes, the plan of running to the harbor and using boats to escape was revived once more. After all, escaping through other areas means going through the territories of other tire-2 beasts, which was simply too dangerous. More ever, running through these territories in daytime brazenly will definitely be considered as an act of challenge to the authorities of the tier-2 beasts controlling these areas, which was the reason why no other beast below the second tier dares to roam the outside or make any noise during daytime.

On the other hand, the way to leave this city through sea was the shortest route. More ever, if they took that rout during the beast attack on the dog beast controlling this area, then they could probably escape without having to confront that monstrous coast beast.

As for the threat of the beasts below the second tier making a move on them…they didn't worry much by it, as they had the summoned beast along with them. Not to mention, these tier-1 beasts probably wouldn't dare to attack them in daytime as long as they don't step inside the building structures controlled by these beasts.

Though the situation seemed to be boiling with danger, the truth is that this was a golden opportunity to leave the city without having to confront any beasts in the second tier. After all, when the coast beast attacks other nearby areas beasts, the thing would have to leave its territory for the duration of the attack, which would mean an open window for the Ramie and the group to escape through the sea.

Since the military force Ramie had seen in the harbor retreated through the land, it meant that the boats were left in the harbor. And that was precisely their mean of leaving this city.

Minutes ticked by slowly, until…

Howl!!!

A blood-curdling beast cry of unwillingness and despair rang in the distance.

ROARRRR!!!!!!!

Another bestial roar reverberated a second afterward. But this time, it was a tyrannical cry of triumph and conquest. This roar was so powerful, that it caused a strong oppressive pressure to descend on the entire city. It caused the group to quiver in fear.

On the same time, Reem's expression changed. However, neither Ramie nor the other three around needed Reem to convey her summoned beast thoughts this time.

Apparently, the coast beast had defeated his opponent.

Opening her mouth, Reem spoke urgently:"The nearby beast was defeated and he had escaped! The coast beast is coming here for the dog beast right now!!"

Everyone's hearts sank at this news. Although they had expected that the coast beast might attack the tier-2 dog beast afterward, which was in accordance with the whole concept of beasts fighting amongst each other to expand their territories that has been ongoing for days now. But they didn't expect it to happen immediately afterward.

The coast Beast was too tyrannical!

Without saying a word, everyone knew what to be done at this point.

As the five of them started descending the floors of the building to escape to the harbor as fast as possible, Reem ordered her summon to observe the situation outside and scan ahead, to secure a path for their escape.

Roar!!!

ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At once, two different and consecutive bestial roars bellowed like battle cries.

One was extremely overbearing and savage, while the other was noticeably weaker and less oppressive.

Obviously, the weakened dog beast was not going to back down without putting up a fight first. Probably, its pride as tier-2 beast didn't allow it to escape without a fight. This was in the group's favor, as it would give them enough time to escape.

"RUN! RUN! RUN!"

The five of them ran out of the building toward the harbor direction with all of their might, as if hell was chasing close by after them.

They didn't care to be noticed by the hiding tier-1 beasts in the buildings, as right now, an oppressive and tyrannical atmosphere of fear and panic descended down on the entire city like a curtain, making it harder to even breathe.

Right now, the strongest beast in the entire city was waging a dominating war for conquest on all the nearby areas to the coast area. So, all the other beasts including the strong tier-2 beast were on high alarm, which gave Ramie and the rest a chance to leave this hellish, monster infested city.

The five ran in the middle of the streets as fast as they could, while the summoned beast was jumping on the buildings along their path to scan the road ahead while keeping his senses on the almost one-sided battle ongoing behind.

The battle commotion and roars behind them indicated that this confrontation will be short lived one.

As Ramie ran from one street to another, he could perceive the beasts auras emanating weakly from few buildings and shops they had gone past…This meant that there were beasts inhabiting these places.

Anyway, with the ruckus their group was making as they ran through these streets, it was hard to believe that these beasts were ignorant of their presence. Yet, no beast dared to make a move.

This fact highlighted how domineering and savage the tier-2 beasts actually were. Of course, another reason could be because of the peak tier-1 summon that was guiding them.

To Ramie, he thought that the latter played a major role in why no beast dared to make a move on them, as none of these auras he felt were as strong as Reem's summon.

Thinking to this point, Ramie felt exceeding lucky to have come across Reem and Jeffry.

As the savage battle's commotion behind started dying down gradually, the five people's hearts swayed. To them, the terrible coast beast defeating the wicked dog beast and coming back to this area before they could escape; was the worst case scenario.

Reem was the slowest among them, and was already panting. Apparently, she was at her limit. While Lance on the other hand, was the fastest, as he was using his life energy to boost up his physical capabilities.

Seeing that Reem was on the verge of completely stopping, Lance grabbed her, and then threw her at his shoulder, as if he was kidnapping her, then dashed ahead of the rest.

Lance was the fastest among them, but not wanting to leave them behind, he deliberately slowed himself down to their pace. Reem had a small statured, so, her weight didn't have any effect on his speed what so ever.

As for the rest, they were already approaching their limits. Except for Ramie, who even despite not being the fastest among them, he maintained his top speed the whole time, like a machine. He wasn't even feeling the slightest tired, and strangely, he got the feeling that he could maintain his sprint at top speed for as long as he wants to.

Although back in high school, and even in college, running speed was his fort. And he took a pride in the fact that no one within his generation had ever outrun him. But now, he could clearly tell that his running speed had dropped by a lot… another downside of his bloodline transformation…

But since his vitality had increased to a monstrous level, allowing him to maintain his top speed thus far, he didn't have any complaint.

…