Chapter 553

There was no time to hesitate—their pursuers were close behind. Everett and Rafael exchanged a glance. Even though it was stupid and risky, only one method remained: flying while carrying their burdens.

Dylan and Jacob could fly unaided, but the other eleven men needed to be carried. This meant Everett and Rafael would need to make at least five or six trips each. Under extreme fatigue and with their internal force severely depleted, it was a life-threatening task.

"Sir, I'm truly sorry for the trouble," Rafael said, his eyes full of remorse.

Everett sighed. "You're my only apprentice, and you've married the most troublesome girl in Meadow Ridge. If I don't feel for you, who will?"

Rafael wanted to say he was happy, but under his master's compassionate gaze, he swallowed his words. They would simply have to carry their burdens. He knew his master's stubborn streak—if Everett had disagreed, he would have made it clear.

There was no more time for words. Rafael first carried Felix, while Everett took Thomas. The remaining men attended to Lawrence and waited for their return.

Rafael instructed Felix, "Hold on tight. Don't move except to breathe."

Felix nodded and clung tightly to Rafael's neck. Immediately, he felt himself lift off the ground, soaring toward the cliff face.

Rafael managed to grasp a small tree, but couldn't rely on it entirely for support; he still needed to make several more trips. He used his knees to brace against the cliff, searching for footholds but finding none. He shifted sideways, finding only a tiny protrusion to hold onto. He used this leverage to climb further, angling left to grab another small tree. As he reached, those below held their breath, their hearts in their throats.

From below, the angle made it look as if Rafael was dangerously close to missing his grasp—but he held on.

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The group's anxiety slowly eased as Rafael secured his hold. Everett took a different route, essentially using a different set of small trees. No one knew how deeply their roots were planted or if they could withstand repeated strain. Everett's path was even more perilous; he could fall at any moment. The ascent was steep and risky—one wrong move…

Scott patted his chest and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Oh my god, this is so dangerous."

Everyone held their breath, silent. Scott's words only increased their tension; eyes remained fixed on the scene.

Despite the danger, Rafael and Everett reached safety with their burdens. Once Felix and Thomas were settled, Everett and Rafael slid down the cliff. Descending was relatively easy. Reaching a certain point, they grasped small trees and slowly turned around. With a final leap, they made their way down.

Jacob and Dylan waited below. They would ascend only after everyone else had been safely carried up.

After just one trip, Rafael and Everett were breathless. They rested briefly before continuing. Everett made five trips; Rafael made six. The last trip was for Lawrence, who needed to be secured to Rafael's back as he was unable to hold on himself. Therefore, even though Everett didn't need to make another trip, he descended with Rafael for the final ascent.

"You carry him up. I'll follow behind and watch your back," Everett said. Sweat soaked his back; his hair was damp and plastered to his scalp.

"Understood!" Rafael had to bend low for the final ascent, making it more difficult. Dylan and Jacob accompanied him, providing protection for Rafael and Lawrence.

Those above watched with anxious anticipation. Lawrence couldn't support himself, and tying him up would limit Rafael's agility, making this the most dangerous trip.

Chapter 553 +25 BONUS

Everyone held their breath as they watched Rafael leap to grab a small tree. Catching his breath, he leaped to another tree, securing a firm grip. This process continued with the third and fourth trees. However, Rafael's bent posture made the ascent extremely challenging.

Reaching for the fifth tree, his hand brushed against it, but he couldn't grasp it firmly. His heart skipped a beat as he spread his hands to brace against the cliff, straightening himself against the wall. This caused Lawrence's head to tilt backward, throwing Rafael off balance.