Successfully Escaped

It's been several days, We've been moving in zigzag routes to confuse those who could possibly pursue us. And yet, Axel has just been....."

"One hundred.... Two.... Huff... One hundred... Three...."

He has been exercising nonchalantly amidst our current situation." Erza mumbled through her head, Staring at Axel who kept exercising like crazy.

"Phew!" Axel gasped and got up from the ground, Wiping off all of the sweat in his body.

Axel has been diligently exercising nonstop at every occasion we'd stop and camp out for the day. I don't know what's gotten into him but he's been acting weird after he fought against that centaur." Erza pondered, Confused about Axel's strange behavior.

*Quest Finished! You have successfully received 10 STR Points, 10 AGI Points, 10 VIT Points*

*Updating Skill Status Window*

Meanwhile in Axel's thoughts.

I've finally finished the quest. And my stats have risen by fifteen, Five from the exercises I've been doing and ten from the quest rewards."

*Beep*

*Status Display [User]*

[Name: Axel Echevalier]

[TITLE: N/A]

[Level: 12 (0/20)]

[Ego Skill: Greed (Permanent)]

[Skill Rank: E]

[Skill Type: Growth]

[Mana Core Level: Master Realm (12/100)]

[Mana: 1000]

[User Stats: (STR: 26) (AGI: 25) (VIT: 26) (INT: 52)]

[Active Sub Skills Acquired]

[String Absorption LV.5]

[String Marionette LV.1]

[String Creation LV.5]

[Alter Ego LV.1]

[Passive Sub Skills Acquired]

[String Manifestation LV.3]

[Resistance LV.3]

[Profound Wisdom LV.1 (10%)]

[String Materialization Acquired]

[Solid String, Sharpened String, Steel String, Diamond String, Wooden String, Poison String, Regeneration String]

*Skill Status Display [Greed]*

[Name: Leviathan (Seventh Prince)]

[Level: 12 (Based on User's level)]

[Ego Skill: Greed (Permanent)]

[Skill Rank: S]

[Skill Type: Growth]

[Active Sub Skills Acquired]

[Power Absorption LV.???]

[Total Authority LV.???]

[Profound Creation LV.???]

[Return User LV.???]

[Passive Sub Skills Acquired]

[Body of Leviathan LV.???]

[Demon King Aura LV.???]

[High-level Resistance LV.???]

[Profound Wisdom LV.???]

Except for my INT though... I guess it'll increase once my passive sub skill: Profound Wisdom increases its percentage progression." He mumbled to himself.

Anyhow, Now that I've finished my quest. I should keep on exercising if I have some spare time. Increasing my stats is also important."

Axel then noticed Erza staring at him intently, He then asked, "Erza? What's wrong? Why are you staring at me like I'm some kind of celebrity?"

"Celebrity? What's that? I was just wondering on why do you keep on doing exercises everyday? You've never been like this before... Even when we were stuck at the Cave, You always wore a displeased expression once your Physical workout starts." Erza responded, Stating his behavior.

"Oh, Its just that I needed to exercise since I noticed that I lack the strength I need in order to overpower an opponent such as that centaur from before." He replied in a serious demeanor.

Erza then went infront of Axel and flicked his forehead, "Young one... You shouldn't be thinking about something like that. You can rely on me more." She said.

Axel rubbed his forehead and replied, "But still.."

"There are no buts! You should just focus on escaping once we are being surrounded by alot of numbers. Especially when you can feel that they're stronger than you. There's no point on fighting them. You still remember your goal right?" She said, Reminding Axel what his true goal was.

"It was to go home..." He mumbled whilst looking at the ground.

"That's right, So don't engage onto unnecessary fights and just let me handle it. Okay?" Erza said and patted Axel's head gently.

Axel smiled and responded, "Yes."

Escaping was our top priority anyway, There's no need for us to fight. Once we reach the western region, We'll be able to leave laplace and return to Helium." Axel pondered, Telling himself what he had forgotten.

.....

....

Meanwhile in the Grande forte, Royal Castle.

Emperor Icarus sat on his dining table, Staring at the luxurious dishes that had been served by the Royal servants of his Castle.

Chandeliers were gleaming brightly above him, While Reinhart suddenly appeared out of nowhere wearing a black robe that concealed his entirety.

"It seems that the Beast people failed to capture the targets." Emperor Icarus stated in a serious tone as he sipped on the wineglass he held.

"The Barrier won't hold out anymore, We must acquire the Drax's eyes and finish the project." Reinhart said, Worried about something.

"I understand, If we fail, Then Laplace will be..." Emperor Icarus spoke and paused, Infuriated upon thinking about something tragic.

"Make sure to succeed this time..." Reinhart uttered, In a demanding manner.

Whilst Emperor Icarus ate his meal without responding.

He then used Dragon tongue and communicated with Demise, "Demise..." He uttered through telepathy.

"Yes your highness?" Demise responded.

"Go send Barto and Gileyn and capture the silver haired wolf girl that's wandering around the southern area of Laplace. She's said to be accompanying a human child."

"That wolf girl that killed Dalius..." Demise responded, Enraged by the mention of Erza.

"I will follow your command your highness." He stated and cut off the communication.

Emperor Icarus then opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, Wondering about something.

....

...

Meanwhile, Axel and Erza continued their Journey and finally reached the center area of the Southern forest.

They wandered around, Messing their tracks in order to confuse their pursuers. And after several days passed, They finally found a Village that was located in the outskirts of the forest.

It was still in the boundaries of Asmahan, Yet the beast people who lived their were different than the Usual villagers they've met at the previous village.

The beast people that lived in the village they've found were Minotaurians. An Animal kin which had the appearance of a humanoid taurus that acquire muscular bodies. They were tall and intimidating, Yet completely composed in a way that nobody could read what they're thinking.

Axel hid behind a tree and observed the Village from a certain distance, While Erza did the same beside him.

"Should we go into that village Erza?" Axel asked.

Erza glanced at the cloth bag they've brought and noticed that they were short on food, "I guess we should buy some food since we're running out of it." She replied.

"Okay, Then we should-- Just as Axel was about to say something, A cold aura could be felt from behind that pressured both of them in an instant.

Axel and Erza immediately turned around, Searching where that ominous aura came from. But to Axel's surprise, No one was there. And just as he was about to turn towards the village, A minotaur was leaning infront of him with his unwavering gaze directed at Axel.

"A human?" The minotaur mumbled.

Axel and Erza immediately stepped back, And widen their distance from the Minotaur.

While Axel was bothered, I didn't feel his presence!? How is it possible!?" He thought, Shocked about the Minotaur's sudden appearance.

Both Axel and Erza had the same thing in their mind, It was that the Minotaur that stood infront of them wasn't an ordinary one.

"Why is a human here in laplace?" The minotaur uttered, His voice was deep and his gaze was filled with intimidation.

Axel gasped, And immediately formed his Gun. But just as he was about to aim at the Minotaur, The Minotaur that stood infront of him disappeared.

Erza and Axel were in awe, A huge guy like that suddenly disappeared in a blink of an eye.

[Above you!] Greed notified Axel through telepathy.

Axel then raised his head along with his gun and saw nothing.

"This is new..." The minotaur mumbled, Staring intently at Axel's gun infront of him.

Axel and Erza flinched after feeling helpless infront of the vanishing Minotaur who could suddenly appear infront of them without them knowing.

[Be careful User... He's not an ordinary opponent that you can handle...] Greed stated, Feeling uneasy as he observed the minotaur from his own subspace.

While Axel flinched and mumbled, "Who might you be mister?"

The minotaur stood up properly and loomed over Axel and Erza, "I am Gracius." He stated, Introducing himself.

While Axel gulped, Staring at Gracius' overwhelming appearance that made him look like a frog in comparison.

Chapter End.