Chapter 24 - Actually, I Have a Cheat Too

Translator's Note:

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The Endearing Tiger

 

 

As Ge Yan stepped closer to the Shadow Winged Tiger, it didn't shy away from him. Its dark, gleaming eyes shone with excitement, and its tail began to swish, the frequency quickening as if eagerly waiting for him to reach out. Was this really the same creature that had outsmarted Black Wolf and Raven? He felt a bit of dissonance.

 

He wasn't about to let his guard down, though. This could easily be a ploy to make him lower his defenses. After all, he hadn't forgotten the chaos the sacred beast had caused earlier, nor the fact that it had escaped Captain Locke, Black Crow, and all the others just to find them again. This creature was anything but ordinary. It was, in fact, plenty cunning.

 

A minute later, Ge Yan was squatting beside the miniature sacred beast, absently stroking its head. It blinked its eyes shut in delight. If it weren't for the wound on its belly, he might well have pictured it rolling around on the ground like an affectionate cub.

 

As he took a closer look at its injury, Ge Yan realized it was deeper than he'd first thought, exposing stark white bone. Just imagining the pain made him wince—it was remarkable that the creature had endured so much. Quickly, he urged Rex to start healing it.

 

This time, the Shadow Winged Tiger didn't resist Rex's approach.

 

A gentle glow enveloped its body, and before Ge Yan's eyes, the bleeding slowed, the torn flesh mending at a visible pace. Even after seeing this twice, he still found the healing magic miraculous.

 

However, the wound was severe, and full recovery would take some time. At least, though, the bleeding had stopped, and it was no longer in immediate danger.

 

Seeing the healing halt, Ge Yan couldn't help but ask, "It's still not fully healed. Why stop now?"

 

As soon as he said it, he understood.

 

The sound of hurried footsteps broke through the dense forest ahead, and three figures soon came into view. Their gazes fell on the wounded Shadow Winged Tiger at their feet, their faces lighting up with exhilaration.

 

They'd searched high and low, and now it had fallen right into their hands.

 

Without a word, the three lunged forward, moving with the hungry desperation of wolves. They didn't spare a glance at Rex or Ge Yan standing nearby.

 

Confidence is fine, but too much can lead to consequences beyond a simple stumble.

 

A swift flash of sword light streaked through the air with lightning speed. The first of the three, caught off guard, raised his blade in a frantic attempt to block, sparks flying as steel met steel. But the sheer force knocked him backward, his back slamming against a tree to stop his fall, his face pale with shock.

 

The other two quickly rushed to his side. "Frank! Are you alright?"

 

"A scratch, nothing serious," Frank replied, his expression cold and vicious. But his hand holding the sword was shaking, a thin line of blood trickling from his grip. While he called it a minor wound, it was evident he hadn't come away unscathed. Beneath his cool façade was a glimmer of calculation.

 

Ge Yan, observing from across the way, was quietly impressed. Frank was the first person he'd seen survive an encounter with Rex's sword. Rex's strikes were notoriously swift and brutal, almost impossible to evade without preparation. Clearly, Frank had some skill, but Ge Yan, familiar with the ruthlessness of this land, didn't trust a word of what he said.

 

His two companions, however, accepted the strategy without question. One attacked Rex, while the other moved toward Ge Yan.

 

Ge Yan swiftly scooped up the Shadow Winged Tiger and slipped behind Rex. By now, he'd gotten quite good at this maneuver.

 

The opponent's expression showed a hint of contempt; in the warrior-centered lands of Azura, hiding behind someone else was scorned, especially for a man.

 

Ge Yan didn't feel the least bit embarrassed. Being new to this world, he had no knowledge of its powers or how to wield them. Besides, he had no clue what Jimmy's innate talents were, and he doubted Rex would have any trouble handling these three.

 

And soon enough, Rex proved him right.

 

The two were clearly no match for Frank. The first, overconfident in his approach, looked up to see a flash of silver and then saw nothing at all.

 

The other tried to slip past while his companion engaged Rex, hoping to seize Ge Yan. But he hadn't anticipated his partner would fall in a single strike. Charging forward, he unwittingly brought himself within range, his vision suddenly tilting. He glimpsed his own unmoving legs, his torso severed from below, exposing viscera within a perfectly smooth slice.

 

What had happened?

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