PAID

At the border of human and dragon territories, deep in the forest, a young girl was running for her life, glancing back every so often.

Her face was filled with fear as if someone were hot on her heels. Though there was no one behind her, she couldn’t afford to stop for even a second.

Not only was she trying to escape from her pursuers, but she also had to lead them far enough away to keep her father from being discovered.

However, long-distance sprints weren’t a strength of hers, and before long, the three figures behind her picked up her trail.

Above, the rustling leaves sounded like an invisible cage tightening around her, inch by inch.

Suddenly, a man’s voice echoed through the shadows of the forest.

“Stop running, Rebecca. Just surrender and come back to the empire with us.”

Rebecca reacted instantly, raising her pistol and firing three shots in the direction of the voice.

The gunfire startled birds out of the trees, but it didn’t hit her pursuers.

She knew her weapon was essentially useless against these three.

Still, she kept running, even if she had no idea where she was heading. As long as she could stall for time, maybe her father would have a chance.

Fueled by that belief, she pressed on, sprinting deeper into the woods, despite her exhaustion.

High above, the three pursuers watched her retreating figure. To them, her small frame looked like nothing more than a mouse desperately clinging to life.

“She must know where Leon and Tiger are meeting, along with information on this ‘Lionsheart Society.’ Lord Scott wants her alive. Remember that,” said the leader of the trio, Kini.

“Yes, Captain.”@@novelbin@@

After a pause, Kini noticed he hadn’t received a third response and looked up.

“Kimei, did you hear the order?”

A man named Kimei stood on a branch across from him. He glanced down at his empty right arm and muttered, “Captain, can’t I at least take an arm off her for payback before we bring her in?”

“The one who cut your arm off was Tiger, not the gunner. If you want revenge, focus on the right target,” Kini replied with a cold snort. “Fine, as long as she’s alive and breathing, do as you please.”

Kimei’s face split into a grin. “Thanks, Captain. I won’t hold back then!”