Wait for the worst

Lian and Carol slowly moved back as the creature kept attacking the Krouses. When it turned its back towards them, they increased the pace a little. When it attacked the Krouses while looking in their direction, they moved slower. Ultimately, because the creature considered the Tricolor Flowers more important, it didn't notice Lian and Carol leaving the place.

Eventually, after the trees were enough to completely hide Lian and Carol from the creature's sight and ears, the two of them increased their pace and fled even faster.

*Roar!*

They heard the creature's roar from their back, but it was growing further and further away. Of course, they wouldn't stop there. There were a few Krouses in the surroundings, but that number was not enough to pose a danger. Krouses were a problem when many of them attacked at once. Otherwise, even Lian and Carol could deal with them with their Star Energy, especially Lian.

Thirty or so minutes later, the two stopped running as they gasped for air. "I... I think... we left it behind..."

Carol nodded, replying, "We... can't hear its roars... anymore. J-Just... what was that thing?"

Lian shook his head in response, saying, "I have no idea. All I could tell was that it was a Level Five Star Energy Creature, probably a nocturnal type since it couldn't find us when we stopped moving. It must be using sound just like a bat to decide where it goes."

Carol then fell to her knees as tears began to flow down from her eyes. "Lian... Duran, he, he..."

Lian narrowed his eyes when he heard that as he thought about the moment Duran's body was pierced through. Just because one lost their hearts didn't mean they died straight away. In fact, even if one cut someone's head, that person would still be alive for a few moments. Lian remembered how Duran's eyes looked at him, obviously desperate for help. Unfortunately, even if Lian and Carol could somehow bring Duran away, he would be dead not long after. "Tuly decided to bring you guys because he was more afraid of what could have happened in the city if you two were left alone. I should have known that it wasn't a good idea."

Carol looked at Lian but shook her head. "If you think it was your fault, don't. Even that guy called Braga easily died to the creature. Tuly said that Braga was a lot more experienced than him, but even Braga died to it, showing that he didn't expect this thing to appear here at all. Blaming yourself would only incur Duran's disdain if he was here."

Lian bitterly smiled in response. "I guess you're right." Soon after, Lian composed himself before grabbing Carol's arm. "Try to stand up. We're still in the core region, a place with a lot of Level Two Star Energy Creatures and even a few Level Three ones. Besides, we don't know if that last one was the only Level Five present. Since it was here, perhaps more like that are here as well."

*Shrshrshrshr...*

It was then that they heard the sound of something moving through the leaves coming from their side.

Lian quickly took out one of the silver coins that Tuly left in his possession, ready to throw it in the direction of the sound. If something attacked them from there, he would use the lightning attack straight away. Carol also gathered the little Star Energy she could with her ability and transformed it into poisonous Star Energy. It might take some time to work, but it was better than nothing, especially if Lian could delay the enemy long enough.

However, the thing that came from behind the bushes was not a Star Energy Creature. Instead, it was none other than Joani! "I-It's you..."

Joani looked very weak at the moment, and he even missed one of his arms. "Where are Blan and his protectors? You must tell him to not get close to the Tricolor Flowers."

Lian and Carol looked at each other and nodded after hearing that. Following that, Lian put his silver coin away. "You're talking about that Star Energy Creature, right? We just came back from the place where the Tricolor Flowers grew. Blan and all our friends died in its hands."

Joani bitterly smiled in response as he sat on the ground. "I see... we were also ambushed by that thing. Fortunately, I had a life-saving item that allowed me to avoid the creature's claws... or tail, for that matter. However, this mess you see now shows that it obviously couldn't allow me to escape unharmed."

Lian turned around, preparing to leave with Carol. "Let's go, Carol. We need to get out of here. The blood from Joani's injury will definitely attract more Star Energy Creatures."

"Wait!" Obviously, Joani couldn't let the chance pass up. He was too weak to move without help. Lian was right. The smell of blood would definitely attract more Star Energy Creatures. The only reason it hadn't happened yet was that the Level Five creature's aura was scaring all the other creatures in the area, but that certainly wouldn't last long. He had already used his Star Energy and Fire Element to cauterize the injury in his arm. However, the smell of blood around him was quite strong. "I can pay you! Please, don't leave me here."

"Lian..." Carol understood that she shouldn't try to help anyone since they weren't much better off. Then again, she was someone from Earth, and so was Lian. "Is there nothing we can do?"

Lian narrowed his eyes in response. He didn't want to help Joani since it was pretty obvious during the first encounter that Joani would order Braga's group to kill them. However, it would be a lie if Lian said he didn't feel anything. "He might get us killed, you know? I can't even tell whether we will leave this place alive."

"I know, I know that, but..." Carol simply found it even harder to do than Lian.

Lian's expression was dark as he looked at Joani before Star Energy gathered in his hands.

Seeing that, Joani's expression went pale. He didn't have the strength to go anywhere anymore, let alone flee from Lian. In the end, he could only close his eyes and wait for the worst.