84 Deep wound.

Confused and alarmed, she called out for Bugak as she hastily got dressed and began searching for him. Being sure he wouldn't abandon her, she was frightened by his absence. 

Her body suddenly froze mid-movement.

Where does this noise come from? Anna rushed forward, scared and nervous. As she moved closer, the noise grew louder, a chaotic mix of weapons clashing accompanied with muffled cries.

Suddenly, amidst the chaotic sounds in the distance, her heart skipped a beat as she spotted him fighting against a large group of skilled players.

Her heart stumbled.

Without hesitation, she sprinted towards the battle, ignoring her own safety as she rushed to his aid. Barefoot, with her skirt lifted high above the thighs.

Three knights, a fighter, and several paladins held him back, supported from a safe distance by two hunters, a wizard, and six healers. No, they even had a priestess there...

A few thick arrows were sticking from Bugak's back, and his left arm hung limply from a crushed joint. He was covered in blood, his breath labored as he already reached his limits.

The lifeless bodies of over two dozen fallen players covered the area, but the odds were stacked against him.

He wanted to avert his eyes when he noticed a familiar figure. But as he wiped the blood from his eyes, he realized she truly came back to him, that she was not a vision cast by these wicked witches.

But it was too late for them to meet, they were too far from each other to exchange one last hug, one last kiss.

"No! Run away - Please, run!" He whispered with a hoarse voice when he saw her rushing to his help. She came. She didn't forget and that was all he could think of when yet another weapon pierced his tormented body.

Holding back a startled yelp, Anna froze on the spot when he dropped to the ground, among the other corpses. The knight staggered from the weight that threw him out of balance when he tried to pull the sword out of his enemy's rib cage. 

There was nothing to confirm, especially after the single heavy melee warrioress in their team chopped his head off with a loud blow just to be sure her enemy was truly dead.

Only then, they saw her. They knew they were here together, waiting for an opportunity to strike. She was their prey, their paycheck. Not him. He was just the one they had to pass to get what they wanted. 

Anna turned on the spot to run away. But their hunter was too good, and by the time she reached the willow, three arrows were sticking out of her back. Two stopped by her shoulder blades, but one went through her whole rib cage, pierced her right lung, and emerged a few inches below her breast.

Crippling pain spilled out in waves from that spot. Anna coughed and felt an undeniable taste of blood filling her mouth.

As she stumbled further, forcing her body to every step, she grabbed a backpack full of legendary herbs she managed to harvest through the last week and got through the shore.

The Caymans raised their heads curiously, already used to their new neighbors, but when a group of players approached, they hid under the surface and waited for an opportunity to attack.

She hurried, whining through her clenched teeth. They would kill her and take it all from her anyway, there was no point in dwelling on the high worth of these plants. She spat a chewed-up Red Whip flower into her palm, smearing it around the peeping arrowhead from her chest. It eased her pain a bit, but it was still much more than what she would be willing to endure.

Another arrow hit her, sending her to her knees. It was hard to stand up again, but she forced her body to move.

The water was splashing above her thighs while her stamina was rapidly diminishing. Her enemies were close, but all the monsters that attacked them along the way kept them busy.

Anna swallowed the roots of the Red Whip, one after another, to gain XPs and so that they wouldn't get such good loot from her body.

Anna stopped behind one of the trees and quickly set off again after catching her breath.

Aren't they exhausted yet? They chased after her regardless of being held back by monsters, with a promising vision of a huge payday.

She was already on the island covered with buttercups, but didn't hold back and jumped right into the deep water on the other side.

Another arrow missed her, swiftly delving into the water right above her shoulder with a destructive power she would never expect.