Adrian''s reflexes kicked in as he saw the three vials of poison hurtling towards him. He moved swiftly, sidestepping one and deflecting the other two with a well-ced swipe of his arm, sending them crashing harmlessly to the ground. Well, they almost evaporated the ground, calling them harmless would be idiotic.


    ''Damn, that was dangerous!''


    "Yes, we are," Adrian said, his voice steady as he advanced on Selene.


    But just as she prepared to retaliate, Selene suddenly lost her bnce. Her eyes widened in shock as she stumbled, her legs giving out beneath her. Ice and Earth had trapped her.


    ''Thanks Aria!''


    Taking advantage of her momentary weakness, Adrian lunged forward, grabbing her wrist and twisting it, causing her to drop her dagger. With a swift motion, he knocked her to the ground, pinning her with his weight.


    Selene struggled, her eyes zing with anger and frustration. "How... how are you doing this?" she gasped, her voice filled with disbelief.


    Adrian''s grip tightened. "I told you, we''re smart. And we''ve nned for every contingency."


    As he held her down, he noticed a faint glow emanating from a small pendant around Selene''s neck. It pulsed with energy that seemed to sap her strength. "Your own artifact turned against you," Adrian murmured, realizing that her loss of bnce was due to the very tool she had used to enhance her abilities. It had overloaded, leaving her vulnerable.


    Selene''s eyes widened as she realized what had happened. "You... you knew..." she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of confusion and resentment.


    "I also know you are from the ck Hand."


    "!"


    Selene''s eyes widened in shock at Adrian''s revtion. Her struggles ceased momentarily as she processed his words, the implication of his knowledge hanging heavily in the air.


    "How did you...?" she began, but Adrian cut her off.


    "That''s not important right now," he said, his voice firm. "What''s important is-Hm?"


    Adrian stopped speaking, looking at the entrance. The next second, a figure rushed inside, panting for breath. "E-Ev-Everyone! E-Enemies areing!" The figure, Ardel shouted. "P-powerful and monstr-!"


    Before Ardel could finish his words, a deafening explosion echoed through the cavern. His body was hurled through the air, crashing against the cave wall with a sickening thud. Hey motionless, blood pooling beneath him.


    Two monstrous figures stepped into the cavern. One was tall and muscr, his skin a mottled mix of scales and fur. His eyes glowed with a feral intensity, and sharp ws extended from his hands. The other figure was of medium height, lean and fit, with elongated limbs and a snout-like face. Both exuded an aura of primal power.


    "Well, well, well," the taller one growled, his voice deep and resonant. "What do we have here?"


    Adrian''s grip on Selene lessened as he took in the new threats.


    ''They finally came, huh...''


    He could feel the raw power emanating from them and knew the situation had be a bit difficult.


    While Selene was also surprised by their appearance, she noticed the snout-face figure staring at the elf girl - Rhea. ''They are ''the receivers''?'' She asked herself. She has seen many beastmen before but not these types...


    However, it was clear to her the advantage had fallen on their side.


    "Haha, don''t regret it now, handsome," Selene muttered trying to move. "I gave you a choice remember?"


    However, Adrian ignored her, his grip tightening once more. His focus was entirely on the neers.


    "Which one is the target?" The tall one walked toward Irithel who was helping Rhea to move to safety.


    "Ke, don''t remember." The snout-faced one replied still standing at his spot. "So, let''s get both."


    "The rest?" Tall one asked, ncing at the others, a flicker of madness and anticipation shing through his eyes.


    "You can eat them-"


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    Before the snout-faced one could finish its words, Selene shouted, "Are you here to receive the elf girl? We have already secured her. It''s the blonde-haired one!"


    The snout-faced one hissed and looked at Adrian, then at Selene. "Are you from that organization?" it asked, its voice dripping with suspicion.


    "Yes, I have been waiting for you, but we were attacked by—!"


    Before she could finish her words, she felt herself being pulled away. Adrian had retreated a few meters back, taking her with him.


    "What-" Selene wanted to retort but she saw Adrian''s serious expression. Then she turned where he was looking.


    Her eyesnded on their previous spot, and she saw a horrifying scene: green acid was evaporating the ground where she had just been. The snout-faced monster sneered wildly, green liquid leaking from its monstrous mouth. "How dare you interrupt me?" it snarled, its voice filled with venom.


    "!" Selene couldn''t process what happened but she realized the neers weren''t on their side either.


    Meanwhile, Adrian didn''t waste any time. "Everyone, fall back!" hemanded, his voice steady and authoritative.


    Adrian''smand was clear, and everyone moved back, even though it was a dead end. As long as they could put some distance between themselves and the monstrous neers, they would have a slightly better chance of being safe and reacting to any attack.


    However, just as they began to retreat, the tall monster suddenly mmed his fist into the ground with a powerful punch. The entire cave trembled violently, causing the herbalists to lose their bnce and fall. Rocks and debris rained down from the ceiling, adding to the chaos.


    "Hahaha, run if you want, but there''s no escape!" the tall monster sneered, his voice filled with sadistic glee. He then charged toward the group with rming speed, his eyes fixed on the nearest target.


    Meanwhile, the snout-faced monster advanced toward Adrian, its gaze filled with hostility. "You dodge my attack earlier, right? Then... Try this one!" it growled, its voice a menacing hiss.


    "Selene, listen closely," Adrian whispered while focusing on the approaching enemy. "Do you want to live?"


    "Huh? O-Of course," Selene whispered back confused as to why he was asking such a question.


    "Good, then help my friends when I leave."


    "What do you mean-?!"


    "Just don''t betray them." With a decisive move, he flung Selene towards the other side of the cavern, away from the immediate threat. Shended roughly on the ground, her eyes wide with confusion and fear as she tried to regain her footing.


    Before she could react further, Adrian vanished from his spot, using Phantom Step three times to instantly appear beside Rhea. His expression was a mix of urgency and apology.


    "Sorry," he said just before he struck her with the hilt of his weapon, sending her into unconsciousness. She crumpled to the ground, her body limp and unresponsive.


    Adrian wasted no time. He swiftly lifted Rhea''s unconscious form and activated Phantom Step again, moving with blinding speed towards the exit of the cavern. His focus was solely on escaping with Rhea.


    "H-Huh? S-Sir Adrian?" Irithel was left dumbfounded at his actions.


    "What are you doing, Adrian!" Aurelius who was guarding Aurelia, L, and Aria, screamed from the back.


    However, Adrian didn''t reply and continued moving. There was no time to exin.


    Behind him, the tall monster and the snout-faced one noticed Adrian''s sudden departure. The tall one growled, his gaze tracking Adrian''s retreat. "The target is leaving!" he roared, his voice reverberating through the cavern.


    The snout-faced one''s eyes narrowed with mockery and curiosity. ''Thinking of running away...''


    "Take care of these," he ordered the tall one, his eyes locked on to Adrian''s leaving figure, his voice sadistic and joyful.


    "I''ll handle this one."