"Stop her!"
Shouts rang out through gaps in the raging flames.
Surging tongues of flame swept past the woman's hair and brushed across the vacant eyes of the girl on her back.
This was the edge of the sea of fire. Spreading flames crisscrossed like streams in a swamp, covering the surrounding space.
Rui Lin looked up at the raging sea of fire ahead and the towering obelisk behind it, then turned and ran along the edge of the blaze, toward where the flames were thinner.
Bang--
But before she had taken more than a few steps, rapid gunfire rang out in front of her. Bullets passing through the flames struck the ground before her, kicking up clouds of dust.
"She's over there! Catch her!"
A group of Guards in white uniforms ran out from the edge of the flames ahead. Faint dark-red radiance enveloped their bodies as they raised their guns and charged toward the woman.
The woman turned around and looked behind her. Another group of soldiers, likewise covered in radiance, had crossed through the flames behind her and were charging after her along her original path.
Facing enemies closing in from both directions, Rui Lin gritted her teeth, carried the blonde girl on her back, turned again, and ran toward the thick sea of fire beside her.
At the sight of her actions, the Guards pursuing her from both directions froze for a moment, then accelerated without hesitation, crossing through the flames to chase her.
"Catch her! Kill that beast! Protect the Saintess! Protect the Saintess!"
Fierce roars echoed at the edge of the flames, ringing in Rui Lin's ears and drawing ever closer.
The surging fire ahead brushed her cheeks. The scorching air made both her face and eyes burn.
She stared carefully into the sea