CHAPTER 88: CHAPTER 88 - RESCUED

A full day passed by as they regenerated their mana and recovered from their worst injuries.

Logan sat against the cave wall, eyes closed, focusing on the worst of his internal injuries.

’I don’t think I will regenerate my entire arm here,’ Logan thought, glancing at his damaged core.

After his injuries were healed enough to walk freely, he planned to focus on regenerating his core.

He knew regenerating an entire limb would cost large amounts of mana—something he didn’t want to use since he feared cracking his core even more.

’’There’s nothing wrong with taking it slow,’’ he muttered, looking around.

Livia sat nearby, her mana fully recovered but her body still far from intact. One leg was clearly broken in several places, and bruises lined her arms.

Her affinities were useless for healing, and Logan wasn’t even sure if his phoenix flames could help others.

Logan shifted slightly, testing the strength in his healed legs. Pain surged through his ribs, but it was manageable. He could walk, maybe even fight if it came down to it, though he hoped it wouldn’t.

"How’s your leg?" he asked, glancing at Livia.

Opening her eyes, Livia glanced over at her leg before turning to Logan.

’’It’s still broken, but the swelling has gone down.’’

Logan nodded. ’’Think you can walk?’’

’’With help,’’ she said, forcing a smile. ’’You still have one good arm, right?’’

Logan chuckled. ’’I guess so.’’

His eyes fell on the small light shining through the crevice.

’’We should leave soon,’’ he said, serious. ’’We can’t wait until the next storm hits.’’

Livia nodded in agreement, her fingers reaching for the rapier beside her.

Logan smiled bitterly, his glaive nowhere in sight.

He’d been forced to leave it behind together with his arm thanks to the two snow panthers guarding the exit.

Logan pushed himself to his feet, steadying himself against the wall.

’’Come on,’’ he said, reaching his left arm out.

Livia hesitated for a moment before taking it. She stood up, gritting through the pain in her leg as she tested her weight on it.

’’There’s no need for that,’’ Logan smiled, supporting her while she walked. ’’Just make sure you kill anything that comes towards us.’’

Giving a small nod, Livia smiled.

Together, they moved towards the blocked entrance.

Logan carefully kicked the snow aside until the light from mana crystals shone through the entire crevice from the outside.

’’How long has it been since we were supposed to return?’’ Livia asked, squinting her eyes at the light.

’’Almost two days,’’ Logan answered, taking a quick glance at his timer.

Livia let out a long breath. ’’They must think we’re dead.’’

’’I wouldn’t blame them,’’ Logan answered, walking through the crevice.

Finally outside, Logan peered into the distance, seeing the dense blue forest a few miles away from the mountain.

Together, they started hiking down the steep mountain path.

A cold wind flew through the mountain, but Logan barely noticed it thanks to his body temperature.

Livia didn’t have that luxury, clinging closer to Logan to keep herself warm.

They didn’t speak much.

Both were still in pain, and talking would only waste energy they needed for walking.

Hour after hour passed as they avoided even the weakest creatures while walking through the snowy terrain.

Once they reached the edge of the blue forest, Logan climbed into a large tree before pulling Livia up.

’’Great resting place,’’ Livia said, raising a thumb.

Logan gave a nod with a small smile.

’’We’ll stay here until we are both fully rested,’’ he said, making himself comfortable on a thick tree branch. ’’Then, we’ll continue the remaining distance to the entrance.’’

’’Sounds good,’’ she answered, also trying to make herself comfortable.

They took turns looking around for creatures while the other slept.

As time passed, they grew numb to the constant pain—except for Logan’s arm, which kept experiencing phantom pain.

It still felt like he was gripping his glaive, and no matter what he did, his arm wouldn’t relax.

Glancing into the distance, Logan longed to exit the dungeon.

’We are close now,’ he thought. ’Just have to avoid the wolf den and then we’ll pretty much be there.’

Livia was currently sleeping while he paid close attention to their surroundings.

Glancing at Livia, Logan saw her peaceful expression, and a smile formed on his face.

’Even now,’ he thought. ’She looks beautiful.’

Logan stared at her face a moment longer before waking her.

"Wake up, princess," he said, gently nudging her shoulder. "It’s about time we move."

Livia blinked a few times and stretched with a quiet groan.

’’You always wake people like that?’’ she mumbled sleepily.

’’Only when they snore,’’ Logan replied, smirking.

Suddenly completely awake, she narrowed her eyes.

’’I don’t snore.’’

Logan let out a whistle. ’’Sure you don’t.’’

Slowly letting himself slide off the tree, Logan waited to catch Livia.

Livia dropped down a second later, landing in Logan’s one good arm.

’’Woah—heavy,’’ Logan muttered, straining under her weight.

She looked at him with narrowed eyes. ’’That’s strike two.’’

Logan raised an eyebrow and wrapped his arm around her, helping take the weight off her leg.

’’What happens at strike three?’’ he asked, grinning.

A sadistic smile bloomed on her face as she smirked. ’’You don’t want to find out.’’

Logan shook his head as they started walking toward the dungeon exit.

’Seems like she’s somewhat pulled herself together again,’ he thought, glad he managed to lift her spirits.

By the time they neared the dungeon entrance, Logan and Livia were spotted by a rescue crew that’d been sent in to search for them.

Logan narrowed his eyes as the rescue crew rushed towards them.

For a second he tensed.

Then he spotted academy staff, his company’s emblem, and even a church official among them.

Exhaling, he let his guard down slightly.

’’Good gods,’’ a woman in her forties said, observing their conditions. ’’You kids went through hell.’’

Another man fired a flare into the air, drawing the attention of nearby teams.

’’Any open wounds?’’ a younger woman from the Imperial Church asked, scanning their bodies.

Logan and Livia both shook their heads.

Without wasting more time, the lady from the Imperial Church pulled out another veil and handed it to Livia.

’’Your father is waiting outside,’’ she whispered, bowing.

Livia’s face paled, immediately putting on her veil.

At the same time, Logan was pulled aside by an older man from his company.

’’Sir Silas and Sir Edric are waiting for you outside,’’ he said, smiling. ’’They are extremely worried about your safety.’’