SSS Awakening: I Can Steal Attributes-Chapter 9: Pursuer, Pursued

The explosion around this particular area was not a good sign for Desther.

The lizard-like creature described in the information was not on its usual spot as well.

The answer was already obvious. The creature should be one of the perpetrators responsible for the explosion he just heard.

Desther gritted his teeth as he pushed forward. He just hoped that he was not too late.

Anyway, he did not give a damn about the lizard-like creature. What he wanted was the dungeon core, which was also conveniently in the creature’s hand for this particular dungeon.

By tracing the sound, Desther arrived in the area where he heard the explosion earlier.

The scene that greeted him was utter chaos. Trees and grass were strewn everywhere. Rock debris was all over the place and one particular area even had a small crater and some cracks around it.

Surprisingly enough, Desther did not see the lizard-like creature, much less anyone else trying to harm it.

The wreckage around the area, though, suggests that there was intense fighting here just a moment ago.

He scanned the surroundings and looked for any obvious sign.

Reaching with his left hand, Desther felt the cold handle of the revolver touching his fingers.

Strangely enough, the cold handle seemed to let him feel warmth in this current situation.

He had a dagger at his left waist as well; however, he trusted his old revolver more compared to this melee weapon he just got.

A moment passed before Desther heard another rustling sound as he continued to move forward.

’Someone’s coming...’ He thought as he hurriedly hid behind a tree.

A moment later, his eyes widened in surprise as he saw a familiar figure appear in his vision.

’Lexie?’ He muttered under his breath, continuing with his observation.

’She’s injured? Is she the one fighting with the dungeon boss?’

Her words from earlier replayed inside his mind. Desther could not help but think that maybe this was what she meant when she asked for help.

Desther calmly observed her actions.

Blood dripped off her head, sliding toward her neck. From the looks of it, her mobility seemed to be affected as well.

She looked ragged and dirty. She no longer has the clean face she always had. Though, the dirt and blood just added another kind of charm to her face.

’The fight must have been intense.’

At this moment, the revolver has already been retrieved from the compartment and is now being held with his left hand.

According to the records, there would be clear signs once a dungeon was conquered or cleared. Since there was no obvious sign right now, it could only mean that she had not cleared the dungeon yet.

There was a high possibility that she had already killed the lizard-like creature, or maybe she was being pursued by it.

Thinking of that, Desther heightened his vigilance over the area. His eyes, of course, did not leave her as well.

Especially since she was actually limping toward his direction.

Whether intentionally or not, Desther knew that this might create either danger or opportunity for him.

Either way, he was prepared for whatever will happen next.

Struggle was visible on her face as she continued forward.

A few meters more and she would reach Desther’s location.

Just then, another rustle was heard.

It was from behind her. The area where she came from.

Desther tensed but remained calm.

He adjusted his viewing angle, and there, what he saw was something he did not expect.

’Who’s this now?’

Instead of the lizard-like creature, what entered his vision was instead a man of hulking muscles.

Wearing a tight black shirt and tight white pants, he walked toward the struggling Lexie with a slow and steady pace.

Aside from that, the huge mace he was dragging was also a sight to behold.

’This dude looks like he came straight out of a fantasy anime or something...’

From his stride and confident action, it was clear that he was not a Tier 0 awakener like him.

"I told you, you’re not getting away!"

His voice was deep and forceful, complementing with his oversized muscles.

Desther frowned upon hearing his remarks.

It seems that his initial assumption was wrong. The man surely did not have any good intentions toward Lexie.

’Is this the real reason why she asked for help?’

As they say, a damsel in distress needs a knight in shining armor to save her.

Unfortunately for Lexie, Desther was wearing leather armor.

He was not someone to meddle in others’ affairs, even more so if he didn’t gain anything out of it.

And besides, how could he think of saving others when he was barely saving himself from his own predicament?

Not to mention, one quick glance allowed Desther to judge that the man pursuing Lexie was a Tier 1 Awakened Professional already.

The lizard-like creature was not here. He must find it as soon as possible, or else he’d be a goner.

Desther did not plan to stay and waste his time here any longer.

He still had a creature to find and a dungeon to break.

Just as he prepared to run away, though, the Tier 1 Awakened Professional suddenly lunged toward the struggling Lexie.

Seeing that, Desther widened his eyes in horror.

Lexie was just a few meters ahead of him.

A huge mace, from a presumably Tier 1 Awakened Professional, was not something he or Lexie could take.

Even with such a distance, he would still get caught up in their fight if he did not move now.

And from the looks of it, he was not the only one worried about the man’s power.

As he moved away, Lexie also gritted her teeth as she stepped to the side.

The only difference was that her body became a blur, and then she reappeared a few meters away.

BOOM!

An explosion, the same kind as what Desther heard earlier, resounded the moment the mace came into contact with the ground where Lexie was standing earlier.

Debris flew around as a huge depression formed on the ground.

Seeing such a scene, he could not help but gulp a mouthful of air.

Professional Awakeners, especially the combat-type ones, were truly one of a kind.

Right after the explosion, the dust was swept as the man waved his mace around like he was waving a toy.

It was also at that exact moment that his head tilted and looked toward Desther’s location.

Lexie’s eyes were also glued toward him; hope seemed to light up her eyes as a slight smile blossomed on her ragged face.

Feeling their gazes, Desther could not help but put up an awkward smile.

"Would you believe me if I said that I’m just passing by?"

Both of their eyes moved toward the revolver in his hands.

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A/N:

Sorry for the delay. Late update due to power outage. Will post compensation Chapter later.