"Can you go faster?"

Reece asks as the distance between him, Hugh and Azure were almost 5 hours away. By the time they get there, something might happen to Azure.

That guy seems to want to push fighting as he wants the Acting Chief's item.

'With him dead, it will only make things more difficult.'

Azure has to live so that Hugh will become a hero.

'Now that I think about it, did this happen in the original?'

The original 'past' of Hugh and Azure without Reece showing up and giving them a hand.

[Unfortunately, no. They both escape and run away together without Azure chasing after the trade team.]

'I see.'

Because of the sudden appearance of Reece, Azure wanted to use this chance to seize the Chief's possession that was originally gifted to the Chief by Azure's mother.

"What? Answer me."

Reece looks down on Hugh whose still fast running while still being cautious of the surrounding.

"U-uh... can't! I have to go back to my original size! Would that be okay?"

"No."

Immediately, Reece denied it.

If Hugh flaunted his lion body in the middle of the forest, everyone will surely spot them and they have to avoid being spotted at all cost.

As Reece was about to think of a way to arrive faster, Daniel brings a piece of unexpected news.

[Warning!]

"Huh!?"

Reece jolted up and Hugh ended up leaving him behind. But the lion mutant quickly notices and looks back. Reece was still there flying steadily while having a huge frown on his face.

"Reece? Are you okay?"

It asks and goes near Reece. However, the fairy was lost in deep thoughts.

'What is it?'

This was the very first warning he had received from Daniel since their arrival a week ago.

[Report. Another person from the 'List' was detected nearby!]

"Huh!?"

'So sudden?'

They are in the middle of running away from both the birds and other predators in the forest, but now someone from this 'list' is just kilometers away?

Reece felt his head began aching from stress.

"Um. We have to hurry..."

Hugh was reluctant to speak, but he was too worried that he had to question Reece hastily.

"Right. Let's go."

After settling down on Hugh's head, the lion mutant resumed running. However, he was faster than usual.

Reece did not care as he was too busy in his head to worrying about the wind harshly slapping his entire body. Of course, Hugh was lessening the impact of the wind by protecting Reece with his fur.

'Shit.'

Reece cursed. He then resumed asking.

'What do you mean by another from the list is nearby?'

[That is correct. The person in question is currently at the entrance of the forest and is going inside with three others.]

Three others. Probably this being's companions or something.

'Why did you not tell me earlier?'

It was so unexpected. Reece was flustered by the sudden appearance of another one from the list. Not to mention, he was currently worried about his survival to think about this now.

[Unfortunately, not the entire world is on my watch. My current limit is the entirety of the forest and what is beyond is unknown to me.]

Daniel is not omnipotent. He also has restrictions to boot.

'Sorry.'

Reece sighs as he calms down.

'Currently at the entrance huh... Just how far is it?'

[Approximately 103 hours of normal pace traveling.]

He almost choked. However, it was also a good thing considering they won't bump into each other while he, Hugh, and Azure were on the run.

'Still, what to do...'

Nevertheless, Reece thought it was also a good opportunity to bump into them and make Hugh and the other one acquaintances and be familiar with each other. That way, he can strike two birds with one stone.

There is a problem though. A huge one at that.

What if the other one loathes the mutants like the others?

According to Azure, he hates mutants until he found out that he was one of them. There is a high chance that it was not just a coincidence that he has quickly forgotten that he hates mutants and began to pity his race instead of getting depressed by the fact that he was one.

No one does that. It was suspicious however you look at it.

'Should I go for it?'

It was not easy to choose. And with how Daniel chooses to not speak for a suggestion in this emergency they are in, Reece knew that the voice wanted him to make the decision himself.

"Hmm..."

Reece hummed as he contemplated.

'Reece seems out of it.'

Hugh has been feeling Reece since 20 minutes ago. However, the fairy that is usually talkative, asks and complains a lot is too quiet.

Right now, since it is an emergency, he should have already got irritated and grumble but he was not. Instead, he keeps everything to himself.

'I am worried. Is something bad happening?'

But he has no way of knowing, which is why he chose not to ask and continued running without complaining. It's the only thing he can do.

'But I trust Reece.'

Hugh trusts Reece so he will obey.

"Whatever. For now, let's hurry to Azure."

"Yes!"

Hugh runs even faster that he looks like a flash from other's perspectives.

Unluckily, Daniel said that Azure was now meeting two other unknown individuals from a bird tribe. He was in a very dangerous situation considering those two other additions are not an ally.

[However, I do not sense negative intentions from the two birds.]

'Really?'

Then, what is their purpose of meeting Azure, who has just betrayed his tribe and cause a coup?

'I still don't feel good...'

As Daniel could not enclose those two birds' identities, they are likely individuals that are very powerful or will never ally themselves with Azure and Hugh now or in the future.

Daniel did mention he can only do a background check on the ones on the list as well as their close and trusted companions.

'What should I do?'

Reece sighs.

Meanwhile, on Azure's side.

The two have not moved while feeling the two individuals nearing them.

Though Azure was not making a move for the simple reason that he was weaker than Russell and that he was worried if it was Hugh and Reece coming their way. However, he was taking a huge risk by staying.

First of all, if it was not Hugh and Reece, and if those strangers have some dreadful intentions, he will likely die right away. But if his guess is wrong and that it was Hugh and Reece and he runs away now, those two will die instead.

His current position is helpless. He doesn't really have a choice, does he?

'Tch.'

Azure clicks his tongue in annoyance.

A moment later, two large birds appeared and landed on the tree branches and still on their bird form.

There were two birds, a pitch blackbird, and a greybird.

Judging by their dark color, they most likely belong to the Raven Tribe of assassins.

Their dark colors are very well known by the birds, that's why Azure was sure they are assassins and high leveled at that since he was not able to tell where they are or that they are coming.

Only Russell was able to tell someone was coming, so he was at their level.

Azure thought at that moment.

'How are they similar to me?'

Russell clearly said that someone similar to him was coming in their direction.

"Do you know why you are similar to them?"

The Chief, the former Chief of the Long Fangs Birds Tribe, said while not paying attention to the two new arrivals. He did not even greet them and only glances at them before shifting his gaze back at Azure.

Smile.

The redbird smile before continuing.

"Because you are also sneaky and meticulous punk, just like these two."

'Huh?'

The bluebird felt his eyebrow twisting up but did not try to hide it.

'What the hell is he saying in this situation?'

Bluebird Azure sneak glances at the two new arrivals.

'Do these three knows each other?'

They did not fight, greet nor insult each other, which means they must have a pretty good and stable relationship. Perhaps a partner or acquaintances.

"Once they found something interesting, they will follow it everywhere and be its loyal dog."

Azure stiffens at Russell's words.

"Aren't you guys so similar?"

The bluebird was not able to answer.

There was a moment of silence before someone finally speaks.

"Funny."

The greybird, now in his humanoid form, said as he jumps down. The blackbird also followed.

The greybird stares at Azure, making the Bluebird Azure uncomfortable.

'Damn. I am sandwich.'

He was a sandwich between three very powerful individuals and has no chance of escape. There is no opening for escape. And even if he tried, he will die right away. Might as well get sandwiched over dying so early. Staying still and obeying will determine whether he lives or not.

"I am glad we catch up to you."

The greybird said as he patted Azure's shoulder, making the bluebird flinches.

'Catches up?'

Azure thought this bird must have been aware of his identity as they look like they are particularly looking for him and not Russell.

"We have a lot to talk about."

The sneaky smile on the grey bird was giving Azure the goosebumps.

'Damn.'

Azure already knew what they wanted to talk about. It was about his benefactor of this so-called 'disappearing poison,' which is Reece. A fairy at that. It was unheard of before!

Now, this is big news for them, but certainly not for Reece.

'Sir Reece created a rather troublesome predicament.'

Because of his poison, which he created to help them escape easily, they now have more trouble to deal with.

'Not that, I can lie.'

Also, even if he was smart and good at acting and tricking others, such as Reece, it's not like Azure can lie when facing stronger opponents who could snap his neck if they wanted to.

And if one of the three happens to have an ability that can detect a lie, Azure is dead once he lies.

'Really. Damn.'

Really. What can he do?

'Those two...'

His gut feeling is telling him they will probably come to him. Actually, he was sure they would.

'Ah, what to do?'