Their massive bodies were a grayish-blue, like rock, draped in white Greek-style clothing. Their hands were poised, ready to pounce. These were the Condemnation Gladiators, underlings of Nikador, the Titan of Discord.
There was also a tall, slender figure holding a long hunting bow – a Condemnation Hunter, also one of Nikador's minions.
Two of them didn't sound like much, but as they stood there, the aggression radiating from them made Jason, Derick, and the others feel their scalps tingle.
The caravan guards, seeing this situation, also felt it was tricky, but they still remembered their duty, brandishing their short swords and attacking these creatures. They hoped to repel them, or at least hold out until reinforcements from Okhema arrived.
These guards had undergone considerable training and were much stronger than ordinary Okhema citizens, but the gap when compared to the Condemnation Gladiators was too vast. Moreover, their short swords could hardly damage the tough armor of the Condemnation Gladiators. The fight between them lasted only a brief encounter before the caravan guards were all pushed back, many of them sustaining significant injuries.
"Jason, these minions of Nikador are stronger than we imagined. What should we do?" One of the seriously injured guards retreated and anxiously asked Jason.
"What to do? Can you still hold on?" Jason asked the guard.
"It's difficult. We can only say we'll do our best." The guard shook his head, his voice strained as he replied.
These caravan guards had little chance against the Condemnation Gladiators. And now, with so many Condemnation Gladiators and Condemnation Hunters here, they were truly in a desperate situation.
"Then what should we do?" Jason clutched his hair, his face filled with despair.
Derick watched from the side, knowing that if this continued, they would have no way to get past these creatures. He himself didn't need to worry; even if the Condemnation Gladiators attacked him relentlessly, they couldn't kill him. But Jason and the others who had taken him in would all be killed here.
He couldn't just stand by and let this happen.
Anyway, his avatar was immortal, so he couldn't die. So, to repay Jason and the others for taking him in, he would naturally step up to be a hero this time.
He reached out to Jason, "Jason, do you have a weapon? Give me one."
Looking at Derick's thin frame and youthful face, Jason shook his head, "You're still young, don't try to be a hero. Stay behind us for now; it's not your turn to be the hero here."
He thought Derick intended to fight alongside them. Jason didn't believe such a young boy could be of much use on the battlefield.
However, at this moment, Derick had already picked up the injured guard's short sword and was rushing towards the Condemnation Gladiators.
"Hey, come back!"
Jason shouted loudly from behind.
But Derick didn't listen and instead rushed to the other side of the caravan guards. These past few hours of fleeing for his life had also significantly improved Derick's evasion skills.
"Hey, you two, come and get me!" He made a provocative gesture towards the Condemnation Gladiator and Condemnation Hunter and shouted loudly.
His vigorous movements drew the attention of both monsters entirely to him.
Seeing this, Derick picked up a nearby stone and threw it at the Condemnation Gladiator, then made a motion as if to flee.
The two monsters immediately charged towards Derick.
Seeing them rush over, Derick immediately shouted to Jason and the others, "Quick, run quickly."
At this moment, the Condemnation Gladiator's fist was already approaching Derick. Fortunately, Derick was still in his youthful form and not very tall. He easily rolled on the ground, dodging the Condemnation Gladiator's fist.
Then he quickly fled in the opposite direction from Jason and the others.
The Condemnation Gladiator and Condemnation Hunter, seeing him flee, immediately chased after him.
"Jason, what should we do?" The other guards, watching their retreating figures, quickly asked Jason.
"We can't waste his good intentions. Go, let's go quickly, find help, and then go rescue Derick immediately," Jason thought for two seconds and quickly said to everyone.
In this situation, Derick certainly couldn't escape easily. Instead of wasting time here, it was better to quickly find others from Okhema to rescue Derick.
"Yes."
No one dared to delay and quickly headed towards Okhema. Even the Earth Beast, under the command of Jason and the others, exerted all its strength and ran towards Okhema. Its huge limbs landed heavily on the ground, creating massive tremors.
While running quickly towards Okhema, Jason continuously prayed in his heart.
Derick, oh Derick, you mustn't get hurt. If you survive this time, I will definitely help you settle down smoothly in Okhema.
Running rapidly, the surrounding brightness increased. Jason knew they were about to reach the vicinity of Okhema. However, thinking of Derick, who was still in danger, Jason dared not delay at all, his running speed not decreasing in the slightest.
Just as Jason felt his lungs were about to explode, he finally saw two figures appear on the road ahead.
One was a small, child-sized red-haired 'girl', and the other was a purple-haired young woman standing beside her.
Seeing these two, Jason's eyes lit up with ecstatic joy.
He knew these were Lady Tribbie and Lady Castorice from among the Golden Ones. He had originally hoped to encounter Okhema's patrol team but hadn't expected to meet Golden Ones here. The strength of the Golden Ones was unquestionable, not to mention the demigod Lady Tribbie among them.
This time, Derick was saved.
He quickly mustered the last ounce of strength in his body and ran to them.
"Lady Tribbie, Lady Castorice, please save Derick quickly."
"Hmm? Jason, what's wrong?" Tribbie asked quickly upon hearing Jason's words.
"My companion, to cover our escape, lured the enemy away alone. Lady Tribbie, please go save him quickly." As he spoke, Jason pointed in the direction they had come from.
Hearing his words, Tribbie and Castorice's expressions changed. Tribbie quickly said to Castorice, "Little Castorice, go save him quickly. I'll stay here and protect Jason and the others."
"Yes."
Castorice didn't delay and quickly headed in the direction Jason pointed.
Seeing Castorice leave, Jason and the other caravan guards breathed a slight sigh of relief. Tribbie stood beside them and comforted them, "Don't worry, with Little Castorice there, she will definitely find your companion as quickly as possible."
"Yes."
Jason nodded, continuously praying for Derick in his heart.
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