Chapter 496

"Your legs are starting to hurt and ache by now, kid."

Noa turned her head slightly, her azure pupils calm and unwavering. Adam couldn't tell if she was feigning composure or if this kid was truly brave, resourceful, and calm under pressure.

Noa remained silent in the face of Adam's sarcasm. She turned around, picked up Helena, and continued to run at top speed in the direction they had come from.

"Interesting. I'll play with you a little longer, you little devil."

Having said that, Adam picked up his warhammer and continued the chase.

In the chase, where the two sides were vastly different in strength, Noa had gradually recovered from her initial fear.

Noah's 'lightning speed' in dodging the hammer's fatal blow gave Noa some confidence.

In terms of raw power, she was indeed no match for that monster, but that didn't mean she had no hope of escaping from him.

My Dad always said that having a glimmer of hope in a battle is the key to turning defeat into victory.

Noa didn't know under what circumstances a powerful person like her Dad would need to turn defeat into victory, but she did silently keep those words in mind.

After a few more rounds of fighting with the warhammer monster, Noa led Helena to hide behind a small waterfall.

The sound of flowing water could mask their frantic breathing and also slightly conceal their scent.

After settling Helena, Noa leaned against the damp stone, exhausted, and breathed heavily with her eyes closed.

She just opened the Gate of Nine Hells several times. As Adam said, this kind of technique that grants power in a short period of time does indeed put a great burden on the body.

This was also the first time Noa had ever tried using the Gate of Nine Hells for such a long time.

In the past, she would only briefly strengthen her body and then use 'Lightning Rush' to deliver a fatal blow to the enemy.

But it was clear that the monster with the hammer couldn't be dealt with by a single 'Lightning Rush'.

Engaging in close combat with him would be tantamount to suicide.

"Noa... are you alright?" Helena asked with concern.

Noa shook her head. "I just need to rest for a bit."

She quickly adjusted her breathing to recover her strength and condition more quickly.

At the same time, they didn't forget the essence of this chase. "We're less than a few hundred meters from the center circle. If we keep pushing, we'll escape soon."

It's only a few hundred meters, but they've only run about a hundred meters from where they found the dangerous creature's corpse, yet it's already taken them a lot of effort and time.

Will they be able to continue on the road ahead?

Helena realized this.

She sat on the ground, curled up with her legs drawn up and her arms wrapped around her knees, silently looking at her best friend.

Although Noa was still trying her best to maintain a cool expression on her small face, Helena could tell that she was already very tired.

After a brief silence, Helena bit her lip, and finally, as if she had made an important decision, she spoke.

"Noa... how about... how about you run away by yourself, and I'll distract that monster."

Upon hearing this, Noa frowned. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I'm not talking nonsense, Noa. Bringing me along will only be a burden to you. You almost got caught by him several times just now because you had me with you."

Helena said, "If it weren't for me, you probably would have already escaped... So, you go out by yourself to find the teacher for help later. I'll stall for time here, or... or I can run out through another exit, and we'll meet at the forest entrance."

Helena wasn't in a rush to sacrifice herself; she genuinely realized she was dragging Noa down, which is why she said those words.

From the very first tree hole, Noa unleashed the Gate of Nine Hells.

After witnessing that speed, Helena understood that if it weren't for the fact that Noa had to take her with her, she could have escaped on her own using that move.

So... they can't all die here.

One of them must leave alive.

If she insists on having Noa take care of her, then neither of them will be able to leave.

"Helena, I told you, don't—"

"Noa".

The blue-haired girl gently interrupted Noa.

She adjusted her posture and knelt gracefully in front of Noa.

Noa was taken aback, blinking blankly. "What...?"

"Do you remember what I told you earlier, that if we couldn't get out, I had something I wanted to say to you?"

Noa's pupils trembled slightly, and she nodded. "Yes, I remember."

Helena smiled, then slowly reached out and took Noa's small hand in her palm.

Soft and delicate, with long, slender fingertips.

Do you know why I became your friend?

Noa shook her head.

"Because in you, I always see the image I yearn for most."

"I...don't quite understand what you mean," Noa said.

Helena lowered her eyes, smiled faintly, and continued speaking.

"I grew up in a traditional Dragon race family. When I was little, I had to learn all kinds of knowledge and magic every day under my Mom's supervision."

"Over time, I became a well-behaved girl with no special characteristics."

"When people mention me, they never say my name, but rather 'Claudia's daughter.'"

"Before I met you, I felt like I was living in a cage, with no way out and no future."

"Until that afternoon, you came to me and asked if we could team up for practice."

"You said nobody wants to team up with you. Yeah, I know, because nobody can beat you."

"Of course, no one wanted to team up with me because I was sullen and looked depressed at the time."

She held Noa's small hand, gazing at the ground, as memories of the past surged within her.

"I promised you, and from then on we became best friends."

"Noa, you are different from me. You are free, resilient, and indomitable."

"I've always aspired to be like you."

"You are like a star, shining brightly around me, making me want to stay with you without even realizing it."

"I have never regretted anything I've done with you, including now."

"So... let me give it my all for you, okay? I can't hold you back anymore."

"I can't... I can't..."

Snap—

Suddenly, the hand that was holding her best friend's hand was pulled away and gently patted her face instead.

Noa stood up and cupped Helena's cheeks in her hands.

Because Helena is kneeling while she is standing, the two best friends have a rare opportunity to switch perspectives, looking up and down.

"Noa..."

Occasionally, a few drops of water from the waterfall splashed onto Noa's shoulders, and sunlight filtered through the droplets, creating dappled and brilliant patterns.

She looked into Helena's eyes, her tone firm and resolute.

"I hope what you just said will appear in the next essay competition."

"W-what..."

"I will take you away from here, Helena. We will never be apart, never."

"But--"

Boom!--

"Ah, Princess, so this is where you are! I've been looking for you for ages!"

The massive warhammer blocked the flow of the waterfall, and the boulders above the waterfall tumbled down.

Several of them hurtled straight at Noa!

"Noa, watch out!!"

Helena cried out in alarm and immediately got up to push Noa aside, narrowly avoiding the impact of the boulder.

The girls hugged each other and rolled around on the ground a few times.

Once they were out of the range of falling rubble, Helena released Noa from her arms.

"Are you alright, Noa?"

"No... no..."

"Then—ah... hiss..."

"What happened? Are you hurt?"

Noa asked with concern, her gaze immediately falling on Helena's ankle.

Blood was seeping from her ankle, and a sharp piece of stone remained in the wound.

Helena also noticed her injury immediately; the pain was excruciating, and she couldn't muster any strength.

She clenched her fists tightly, not having time to treat her wounds, and instead immediately hugged Noa's shoulders.

"Go! Go quickly! Noa, we can't all die here!"

"I won't leave you here alone!"

"Why are you so stubborn, Noa? You're not usually like this."

"I told you we would leave together."

"But if you keep doing this, none of us will get out!"

"Oh, what a touching scene of sisterly affection."

Heavy footsteps slowly approached. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you die together."

He approached slowly, carrying his warhammer like the God of Death Reaper.

With her life hanging in the balance, Helena glared fiercely at the monster, then looked away and grabbed Noa by the collar.

"Go quickly, no matter what happens, don't look back!"

After saying that, she didn't wait for Noa's reply and threw her several meters away.

Helena slowly stood up, took one last reluctant look at her friend, and a relieved and knowing smile slowly appeared on her face.

Then, she turned her head to face the Warhammer Dragon King, who had already come up in front of her.

He stood like a mountain before Helena's small figure, looking down at her insignificant form.

However, Helena had already overcome her fear. She slowly raised her head and met Adam's scarlet dragon eyes.

This surprised Adam slightly.

"Little girl, the hammer in my hand is about to smash you into a pile of minced meat. How dare you raise your head?"

Helena remained silent, simply raising her arms to block Adam's path.

This is tantamount to a mantis trying to stop a chariot, or an ant trying to shake a tree.

But what can she do now?

Following Noa would only be a burden to her, so even if it was just to delay her for a few seconds, it was worth it.

"Hmph, laughable. Since you're so eager to die, I'll start with you!"

After saying that, Adam stopped talking and swung his heavy warhammer down at Helena.

The warhammer whistled through the air, and even before it struck, Helena felt an immense pressure.

She slowly closed her eyes, preparing to face her destiny.