62/Beastly night

The members of the church remained stunned for a moment, frozen by this unexpected event. Taking advantage of the situation, Aria discreetly seized the opportunity to slip away with Logan. They headed towards their inn, with Aria supporting Logan, who had fallen unconscious along the way. Carefully, she laid him on the bed and administered two healing potions in an attempt to revive him. Then, gently and affectionately, she wiped his bloodied face with a handkerchief that turned red.

After a few hours in a coma, Logan slowly regained consciousness around midnight. He took the time to sit up gently on the bed, but suddenly held his head in pain. An intense headache pulsed through his skull, and his eyes burned slightly.

"So, this is what happens when I greatly exceed my computing capacity. My health and physical integrity end up severely threatened, and I fear that pushing too far could lead to irreversible damage. The main area of this damage would be my brain, which could leave me paralyzed or reduced to a vegetative state. It's similar to the principle of a computer: if you overload it beyond its capacity, the motherboard ends up burning. Here, it will be my brain that permanently fries." (Logan)

His gaze fell upon Aria, who had her head resting on the edge of the bed and the rest of her body lying on the floor. There was no doubt she had been watching over him. Gently, he tenderly stroked her head, filled with gratitude and affection. Then, with caution, he carefully lifted her and placed her on the bed with tenderness, ensuring she was comfortable without waking her.

After this caring gesture, he went downstairs to have a quick meal and also took the time to relax in a rejuvenating bath. Returning to his usual chair, he let himself be lulled to sleep, leaving behind the torments of the day.

The next day, Aria and Logan found themselves immersed in an atmosphere of intense concentration. They mentally and physically prepared themselves to face all possible scenarios, aware that the success of their mission depended on their determination and ability to adapt to changing situations. Every passing minute brought them closer to their mission, a mission that carried a crucial stake: saving everyone in danger in a single night. They were aware of the magnitude of the task that lay ahead and the considerable risks they faced. No one knew what could unfold during that night. Everything could succeed, but it could also go terribly wrong and turn into a nightmare because the risks were enormous, and the slightest misstep could have disastrous consequences.

Aria and Logan knew that the outcome of that night would determine not only their own fate but also that of many others. They were ready to face all obstacles, to overcome all difficulties, to accomplish their mission successfully. Their minds focused solely on their mission throughout the entire day. As the night drew its curtain, they were like the main actors in a theater play. The hour of the rendezvous approached, and they left their inn to reach the meeting point.

There, in a dark and empty alley, stood an individual waiting in the shadows that person was Marie. She looked into their eyes and immediately sensed their determination to carry out this mission. They all put on black robes, similar to those of the men. They also equipped themselves with masks and secret necklaces so that no one could read their status.

"Where are we going first?" Asked Logan.

"We will go to the outer mining camp first, then to the Alchemist's Guide, and finally to the Beastly Palace." (Marie)

"How are we going to get to these places? They are far and remote. We should have started earlier in the day instead." (Aria)

"That's why I'm here, my dear Aria." Marie replied, making hand gestures.

In an instant, just in front of Marie's feet, a blue hole formed, perfectly sized for a human.

"A Spatial skill." Logan said, intrigued by the strangeness of this opening in space.

"Exactly. It's called a Relay Point. It allows me to connect places I've marked beforehand." (Marie)

"So, you've been there before." (Aria)

"What do you think I did the rest of yesterday and today." She declared confidently, with a beautiful smile.

Thus, in a state of intense concentration, they prepared to embark on this decisive night. Marie was the first to jump into the hole, followed by Aria, and finally Logan.

They landed at the edge of a forest, overlooking a large ravine. In the distance, below them, they saw the mining facilities where slaves were forced to work in deplorable conditions.

"What's the plan?" Aria asked, focused, finally getting the chance to save her family.

"The outer mining camp is guarded by about a hundred guards, and inside the mine, there are about thirty guards with only one entrance and one exit. The slaves work tirelessly day and night with very little rest. At night, they all gather inside to work, and during the day, they bring out what they've extracted. We will sneak to the entrance and quietly neutralize the four guards who are watching it. Then we'll infiltrate the cave. Be swift because there's not much space to hide. If you're spotted, quickly disable your opponent to prevent them from raising the alarm. When we've gathered all members of Aria's family, I'll connect my portals to escape." (Marie)

The plan was set, and now it was time to put it into action. They descended the cliff with discretion and speed. They arrived at the outskirts of the mining camp, where the guards were patrolling but didn't seem particularly alert. The reason was quite simple: they had never experienced an external attack, and who would dare to attack them? Most of the slaves had accepted their sad fate and only sought to survive a little longer, knowing that any rebellion could cost them their lives or serve as a cruel example to others.

In these oppressive conditions, the slaves lived in a state of resignation and despair. Endless working hours, malnutrition, and inhumane treatment reduced them to mere interchangeable objects, worn-out toys that could easily be replaced once broken. They were deprived of all value and rights, condemned to a miserable existence, painfully awaiting their last breath.

Taking advantage of the guards' lack of suspicion and preparation, the small group skillfully sneaked through, carefully avoiding the guards' field of vision and attention. They finally reached the entrance where four guards were stationed. Hiding behind large mineral crates, they observed them closely for a moment. The mine guards seemed slightly more vigilant than the ones encountered before, although some yawned carelessly and rudely. Marie, Logan, and Aria tensed their muscles as their vision sharpened, knowing that their coordination needed to be perfect to neutralize the guards swiftly. Each had designated their respective target, ready to act at the opportune moment.

Marie gave a slight nod, the signal to pounce on their enemies. In a smooth and coordinated motion, they leaped out of their hiding spot without making a sound, moving at an astonishing speed. Logan, who had accelerated his own speed, arrived first, catching the guards by surprise, who only noticed him at the very last second.

"What?!" (Guard)

Logan delivered precise and powerful strikes to the neck of two guards, causing them to collapse unconscious to the ground. The other two guards, entirely focused on him, failed to notice the two other shadows approaching them discreetly. Caught off guard, they were quickly subdued by Marie and Aria, who demonstrated perfect coordination. The situation was now under control, at least temporarily.

"You could have taken out all four of them with that speed." Marie remarked, surprised by Logan's swiftness.

After all, she had only seen him fight once before, and he hadn't shown the full extent of his abilities back then. Moreover, he had become even stronger since then. This mission was also an opportunity for her to finally observe him and report the details to the guild master.

"I could have, but by sensing their intentions, I gave you the opportunity to neutralize them more quickly." Logan replied while beginning to hide the bodies.

After quickly concealing the guards' bodies, they entered the cave. The path was illuminated by luminescent crystals, and they proceeded cautiously. However, Logan was the one leading the way, using his radar and keen perception to anticipate any potential surprises.

Warned by Logan, Marie became alerted to the presence of a man around a corner in the cave. Acting with lightning speed, she brought him down with a precise move and delivered a blow to his head, knocking him out instantly. Logan's ability to precisely detect the positions of enemies provided their team with a considerable advantage, allowing them to act with deadly efficiency.

"What an incredible and terrifying ability! Even other detection skills aren't as precise as this." Marie thought, watching Logan.

As they continued their progress in the mine, Logan astonishingly revealed the location of every present man, as if he had omniscient abilities. His incredible capacity to detect enemy movements and presences proved invaluable, enabling their team to navigate the twists and turns of the mine with increased confidence. Thanks to him, they avoided any unexpected encounters and could plan their actions strategically, maximizing their chances of success in their mission to free the slaves.

"At the next intersection, 200 meters ahead. Then, at 100 meters to the right. Three men on the left, spaced about 10 meters apart." Logan stated calmly and precisely.

Even more astonishingly, Logan began to keep Marie informed of the situation outside the mine. Thanks to the improvement of his statistics, Logan's radar gained more power, allowing him to cover the entire camp's area and keep an eye on what was happening outside. Thus, he could warn Marie of any suspicious movements that would indicate they had been discovered. In real-time, Logan shared crucial information with her, allowing her to make the most appropriate decisions. Moreover, Logan had already spotted the location of all the slaves and knew exactly how many guards were watching over them.

"Absolutely terrifying! How is such a thing even possible?" Marie wondered, amazed.

According to what the guild master had told her, Logan was only at level 100, which was already impressive. However, his perception and abilities seemed to rival those of someone at level 400. This disparity was both fascinating and frightening, attesting to Logan's exceptional progress and extraordinary potential. Marie couldn't help but wonder what other surprises he had in store for them.

The more Marie discovered Logan's extraordinary abilities, the stronger the intense desire to learn more, to uncover the full extent of his talents. Marie didn't consider herself inferior with her level 200, having her own achievements. Nevertheless, a persistent feeling grew within her, that Logan surpassed her despite her own advancements.

Finally, they reached the bottom of the cave where a group of slaves, comprised of beast-men of various races, were located. At first glance, it was evident that their condition was tragic. Their bodies were emaciated, even skeletal, bearing witness to their cruel and inhumane treatment. Their skin was as pale as snow, revealing the deprivation and suffering they endured.

Yet, despite their pitiful state, they continued to work. Their frail bodies wavered with every swing of the pickaxe, but they persevered in extracting the minerals. Their inner strength and resilience were admirable, despite being constantly tested by merciless living conditions.

One of the slaves, an elderly lion-faced man, succumbed to exhaustion and collapsed to the ground, trembling terribly. Instead of showing any compassion, one of the guards approached him. With merciless cruelty, he brandished his whip and violently struck the old man's back, inflicting brutal blows. The other slaves watched, terrified and powerless against the violence being inflicted upon their fellow captive.

"What are you all staring at? Keep working!" Said another man.

As the old man continued to be mercilessly beaten, the suffering and injustice of the scene became unbearable.

"Get up, old man!" (Man)

The sadistic guardian continued to ruthlessly strike the old man, the whip lashes falling relentlessly. The other slaves, fearful and resigned, looked away or continued to work in a painful and oppressed atmosphere. Despite the abuse, the man on the ground was too exhausted to get up, unable to find the necessary strength.

Then, the tormentor, seeking to satisfy his cruelty, threatened to harm what the old man held most dear. He signaled to another guard who, after a few moments, dragged a young boy from the same tribe toward them. Terror was evident in the young boy's eyes.

"Get up, or he'll take the blows in your place!" (Man)

The old man's eyes flickered with distress and pain, knowing the consequences of his failure. Their captors seemed to relish this sight, taking pleasure in the emotional suffering they inflicted. Finding satisfaction in oppressing and dominating their victims, their faces displayed twisted expressions of satisfaction fueled by the power they held over these broken souls.

"You have five seconds, or we'll whip him until he bleeds!" (Man)

The man began to count sadistically, while the old man struggled to get up. Falling several times, he kept trying to rise again and again, his frail body trembling with pain. Despite all his courageous and heroic attempts, he couldn't stand up in time.

"Well then!" declared the man, ready to pass the sentence on the poor boy.

The old man closed his eyes to avoid witnessing the spectacle, and the young boy prepared himself to endure the lashes that would tear his skin. A heavy silence settled, the tension in the air palpable. Everyone held their breath, expecting the sound of the whip to shatter the silence with cruelty.

However, after a few unbearable seconds of waiting, the slaves opened their eyes, surprised to find that the dreaded lashes hadn't fallen on the young boy. The man who was about to strike him now had a face dripping with sweat, showing his growing panic. His arm was frozen, stopped by a mysterious force. In addition to that, there was now a man in a black robe and a mask in front of him. The most terrifying part was the luminescent red eyes that looked at him through the mask, seeming to pierce his soul.

The scene froze as all the slaves turned their gaze toward the man dressed in a black robe and sporting an enigmatic mask. An ominous aura emanated from him, enveloping the scene with an atmosphere heavy with danger and power. His imposing and mysterious presence conveyed a sense of dominance, as if a formidable being stood before them. This man was, of course, Logan, who had finally intervened.

"I have a better idea: how about we whip you today!" Declared Logan in a chilling tone that sent shivers down the man's spine.