Chapter 144: The Game: Hawk Chasing the Rabbit

"Huh? So that's how it is..."

Upon hearing Barik mockingly point out his flaws, Viel showed not even a flicker of shock or anger. Instead, he pondered the words with genuine seriousness, as if he were carefully ruminating on them for a moment. Only then did he slowly lift his head, offer a smile to Barik, and say, "I always felt this method had its shortcomings, but I could never pinpoint the source of the problem. Hearing you say this today, I’ve realized where my own weakness lies. Do you know that famous saying? Man can only achieve the greatest gains and the most perfect growth through constant battle. That statement is certainly true!"

"Oh? You can still say such things at a time like this? You are an interesting fellow!"

Although there was a smile on Barik's face, his eyes held no trace of emotional fluctuation. Given his personality and strength, he was naturally not genuinely interested in Viel as he claimed. The gray-white aura in his hand suddenly coalesced into a slender, white blade. With a dead, icy gaze, he swept his right eye over Viel and his companions standing before him, then said indifferently, "In truth, I had no intention of killing you all, but you brought this situation upon yourselves. If you want to blame someone, blame that fellow Joe!"

As he spoke, Barik suddenly took two steps forward, looking as though he were truly prepared to strike.

Viel turned his head to look. Rosty, that unfortunate soul, had been knocked unconscious once again. Rodin was covered in wounds, his eyes locked onto Barik, his face filled with resentment and anger. As for the girl, Pepero, her expression was much simpler: anger, and nothing but anger. If it weren't for Rodin holding her back with all his might, this little leopard cub would likely have charged at Barik without a second thought.

Watching Barik walk toward them in an unhurried manner, Viel instinctively touched his own neck. Though he could not see it, the lingering pain reminded him: here, the enemy had left a scar.

"The Alpha of the Rotting Wolves, the Pale Bear Barik—I believe I have the name right, don't I?"

At that moment, Viel stepped forward. With a faint smile on his face, he asked Barik.

"It is I. What, are you hoping to beg for your life and pledge your allegiance to me?"

Barik gave a cold, mocking laugh. Pepero was so infuriated by this that she nearly lost control, but Viel didn't seem to mind; he waved a hand at her, signaling her to stay calm.

"Of course not. Barik, given the current situation, it is impossible for us to defeat you, and it would be an effortless task for you to wipe us out. But there is one thing that has bothered me from the very beginning... Barik, what exactly are you afraid of!?"

Viel’s words were soft, yet each syllable struck Barik’s heart like a heavy hammer! Especially the final question—"What exactly are you afraid of?"—caused the indifferent look in Barik’s right eye to shift instantly!

There was no reply, but Viel had already received the answer he sought. He smiled faintly and continued, "Heh, it seems I was right!"

"Barik, you are indeed afraid. Just like us, what you fear at this moment is death, isn't it? You fear death; you fear being killed by your opponent! You have been hesitant and timid from the start, afraid that if you make a move, you will draw death closer to yourself. You dare not act because you are terrified of losing the initiative!..."

"Shut up!"

For an instant, Barik looked like a maddened lion, roaring furiously at Viel.

"Huh?"

Viel put on an exaggerated expression. "Is what I said incorrect? If not, why are you so agitated right now? Heh, Barik, let me guess who it is that makes you so afraid. Ah, yes! Tell me, were the wounds on your body caused by that lord?"

Viel gave a cunning smile, then suddenly turned his head to glance at Pepero. The girl responded in perfect coordination: "The wounds on his body were caused by our leader, Joe. Barik, the person you are afraid of is Joe!"

"Bullshit! Why would I be afraid of Joe? What is Joe? He is merely one rank higher than me... just one rank..."

Barik's lips trembled slightly. As he reached this point, his bravado grew weaker and weaker, until eventually, his voice failed him entirely. He took a deep breath, then locked his gaze firmly onto Viel. His eyes, sharp as blades, scanned Viel’s body layer by layer, causing Viel’s skin to feel a stinging pain!

"Very well, very well!"

Barik licked his lips with a scarlet tongue, his eyes filled with thick, murderous intent. He looked at Viel and said in a tone that sounded distinctly inhuman, "Who are you?!"

"A mage, Suoluo Viel!"

Viel said unhurriedly, "Leader Barik, since things have reached this point, why not play a game? I think you will like it!"

"Speak!"

Barik, unable to discern what Viel was planning, coldly demanded.

"The name of this game... is Eagle Chasing Rabbit!"

...

The night was dark, and in the forest, one could not see their own hand before their face. Rodin helped Rosty along while running for his life toward the distance.

The game of "Eagle Chasing Rabbit" that Viel had proposed was, in reality, a desperate attempt for his group to flee while Barik pursued. If they could escape, that would be for the best; if not, the outcome of being caught was all too obvious.

Even now, Rodin could not understand why Viel had proposed such a game. Even if it were meant to help them escape Barik's clutches, it seemed impossible. With Barik’s speed, even if he were to wait in place for five minutes, no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't possibly get very far in a short time. Even if it were Pepero... wait, no. If it were Pepero, perhaps she could escape...

Rodin’s mind was in turmoil. He turned his head, wanting to ask Pepero, but when he looked to his side, where was Pepero?

"Hell! Where did that girl Pepero go?!"

Rodin shouted in anger!

...

Let us turn the clock back to when Viel first proposed the game.

Barik’s face revealed a strange expression. He looked at Viel and asked with a sneer, "Kid, do you really want to play this game?"

"For us, this is a game of life and death. If we escape, we are lucky; if not... well, with your strength, you certainly wouldn't let us escape, right?"

Viel smiled faintly at Barik. "How about it? Do you want to play?"

"What is your goal?"

"It is very simple. Just like you, everyone here does not want to die, and neither do I—at least, not here. So I propose this game. My goal? Simply to save my life. Is that not a goal?"

Viel spoke naturally, with not a single change in his expression.

"A struggle of ants?" Barik sneered.

"Why not compare it to a gamble? We are simply gambling with our lives right now!"

Viel smiled faintly. At some point, a golden ball of light had appeared in his hand. Because Viel’s body blocked the view of Rodin and the others behind him, they did not notice it. Of course, what Viel never expected was that Pepero was not standing behind him at that moment; she had already broken free from Rodin and was standing to Viel’s side. In other words, two people witnessed this action: Barik and Pepero.

Viel pressed his palm to his injured neck. In just a moment, the stinging pain vanished completely, and not a single scar remained on his skin. Seeing this, the corner of Barik’s eye twitched uncontrollably.

"How about it? Want to play?"

Viel’s gaze met Barik’s, waiting for his answer.

"How do we play?"

"Five minutes. You only need to stay in place for five minutes and let us run. After five minutes, you may pursue!"

"Very well. Then, let us begin!"

Barik licked his lips with a hint of excitement. Viel reacted with lightning speed; before Barik had even finished his sentence, his figure flashed once and vanished into thin air...