Chapter 31: Escaping

"Now," Rio muttered as he sat in the floor while his head leaned on the stone walls of the windmill. "What should I do?"

Indeed, what should he do? The situation was fraught with danger. People, not just any normal people, judging by their conversations they were more or less people with no good intentions.

Bandits, or murderers. Whatever they were called. The bunch who would prey on the weak if given the chance. They were those who didn't give a damn about other people.

He would be a fool to expose himself and expect they would just let him off. They already saw the corpse of the Cyclops, the moment they see him alone, they would easily arrive to the conclusion that he was the one that caused the commotion.

Greed was the cathartasis for trouble and disaster. The corrupted core he had was something coveted by many.

"Damn, bright light..." Rio grunted as he complained. Next time, he would be careful of using skills that gathered too much attention. However for now, he had to think of a plan and make sure he gets out alive.

So what were his options?

He could fight back, try and attack them all, and rely on the extremely slim chance that he could beat them. Slowly weed them out, one by one and be the last man standing.

Rio shook his head at that thought. No way. He was no mad fool. He might have been able to destroy the numerous servants that tried to attack him in the city previously. But this time, it was different.

Most of his magic reserves were depleted, before he could slowly weed them out he would lose the ability to even cast a skill. The village was small, unlike the large city, he had very little advantage on the terrain. And most importantly, the numbers were far, far greater.

The people downstairs easily numbered around twenty. Or more, he should add. He couldn't properly see and count them from the small narrow window in the windmill.

So, by that the notion of hopefully defeating them and knocking them out all is nil. No chance at all. Then, so if he couldn't attack, then retreating was the best option.

On one hand, he could try to stay here and leave it to luck to not get caught by the new people. But it wouldn't take a genius to realize that the plan was too passive, and unreliable. The moment they casually decided to check upon the windmill, he had no escape.

On the other, he could try to escape while they were busy, however this plan would include him risking himself to getting caught and fail to escape. It was viable, but too risky. Risky was better than passive and unreliable, atleast that's what he thinks.

Now those were two options to consider, what was the best choice?

Time ticked as the visitors entered the village, their predatory eyes searching for something, or anything of value to find.

—

At the village, several people were looking at a hole in the ground. The ground was filled with cracks, in the middle was a blasted hole, inside it was the body of a large demon that lay dead on the barren land.

"Well, well, isn't this something?" A rough and husky voice came from the group. He took a step forward, showing his appereance to the rest. His skin was black, his head bald and face scarred in the eye. An intimidating person, to say the least.

"A Cyclops, eh?" Dallas said with a smile, "Would be a good haul, but it seems the Corrupted Core is alread' looted."

"Boss, the body is new! The person might still be somewhere here!" An impatient voice came from the side. The man was short in height and had an ugly face. The man's face was like an ugly caricature.

"Do you think I don't know that, Gobo?" Dallas said, staring at the short man.

"N-no!" Gobo hastily apologized as he bowed his head. Arrogant bastard, he thought as he gnashed his teeth while bowing. "I'm sure you would know it boss! I apologize if I was too ahead of myself!"

"The man is most likely still here, nearby, hiding at someplace." Dallas said as he smiled, this person wasn't going to escape them. "Find him! And bring him back alive! We need to give them to those insane bastards. He should fill the quota."

"W-what about the loot, boss?" A person asked, with his eyes narrowed and tone filled with greed.

"Idiot, of course it's ours!" Dallas berated as he looked at the dead demon in the ground, "Others, take this demon and make the best of it! As for the rest, go find the person...quickly."

"On it!" Several voice responded with glee, excited to rob and plunder. Each of them running off to search the whole village.

—

A man was walking in the corners of the wooden structure, his eyes carefully looking every nook and cranny. Searching for something, or maybe someone.

After this, he could enjoy his life as he pleased. The comissioner this time was generous as hell, he might add. He did read an article that most rich people were insane. He believed that, upon seeing the maddened cult leader.

A small noise suddenly echoed, coming from the back.

Alarmed, the man snapped out of his daze and suddenly turned his head to look at where the noise came from. However, as his head turned, his mind felt a sudden shock. A bolt of psyche. Fast, and unrestrained.

Unable to react, the man fell into the ground. Eyes closed, and mind unconsciouss. His body made a small thud as it fell. The sudden noise attracted someone.

"Hey, are you there?" A voice resounded, taking a turn step forward. The person was looking for his accomplice, he looked at the corner, catching a glimpse of his comrade's unconscious body.

"What th—" The man exclaimed in shock, his eyes widening. However before the words came out of his mouth, he fell pray to the same attack. His mind experiencing sudden shock, making it messy and chaotic.

Realizing that he was going to fall unconsciouss, he suddenly grasped the item he was holding tightly. The item was a small radio, he pressed the button hastily before he fell.

As his body fell directly to the ground, a loud ringing sound suddenly rang beside his body. The loud sound resounded, making everyone hear the sudden ringing.

A blonde man suddenly exited the dark corners, his face was young and charming. He ran a hand down to his face, caressing it carefully. In an instant, his appereance changed to a different and familiar face.

The man took a knife from his pocket, grasping it tightly he suddenly stabbed the body beneath him. Blood erupted from the body. Splashing it to the ground and clothes.

He brought down his hand, spreading the fresh blood in his palm.

Afterwards, he walked to the corner of the wooden house. He leaned in at the wooden planks, making an exhausted expression. He raised his arms, casting a skill that was connected to illusions. Rio waited, patiently.

Luckily, his wait wasn't for long. As he leaned in, he heard the steps of several suddenly walk in.

"Over here! Over here!" A short and thin man walked forward, waving his hand to the other people.

"Is this where the signal was?" Another man stepped forward, questioning the other man.

"Most likely, look Donovan is dropped dead." The short and tin man replied as he pointed at the body below.

"Ha! Sucks to be that asshole." The other man said, chuckling.

"...Hey..!" Rio shouted to them as he leaned at the wooden house with a pained expressions.

"Oh, Ganbu! You're still alive!" The short man exclaimed in suprise, a smile blooming in his face as he approached.

"He...help me..!" Rio said as he clutched his arms filled with blood in his clothes.

"First," The other man approached, putting his hand on the shoulder of the short man. "Where's the assailant?"

"..Help me...first, goddam—" Rio cursed as he continued to clutch his hand filled with blood. However, before he could finish the other man slapped his face.

"Tell us now, or else," The man threatened, his voice enlarging as he stared at Rio, "We'l kill you ourselves."

'"Okay...okay!" Rio gulped as he nodded quickly. He raised his hand and pointed to a direction, "He ran there...!"

"Let's go." The man said to his companion as he walked away.

"Curse thine fate, Ganbu." The short man said wistfully as he casted a pitying look at Rio, "Curse thine fate."

Rio gnashed his teeth as they slowly retreated.

Once they were gone, he relaxed his guard. They were gone. Bastards really had no intention of helping. Well, he had no complaints it was better that way.

"Ha.." Rio sighed in relief as he stood up, overlooking the dead body in the ground. He stared at his hand and chuckled. He really was a monster. He didn't hesitate one bit.

In his defense, those people were chasing after him to kill him off. He had no choice at the matter.