Boom!
The sounds of pursuit grew louder and louder behind them. The cracking of trees being torn apart and the crashing of rocks filled the valley like thunder.
The Ironclad Rhinoceros had completely lost its mind. It was frenzied, driven by rage, charging after them with unstoppable fury, following the scent left behind by its two missing rhinos and Robert.
"Up ahead! Into the rock forest!"
Bolin shouted, pointing toward an area filled with towering stone pillars and uneven ground.
That was the spot he had chosen earlier—the only place that might slow down the Ironclad Rhinoceros, even if only for a short while.
The three pushed forward with every ounce of strength they had left, racing through the terrain. Just before the raging beast could reach them, they dove into the rock forest.
Boom!
A moment later, the Ironclad Rhinoceros's massive body crashed into the edge of the rock forest. Several enormous boulders exploded into shards under the impact!
But the maze-like terrain finally hindered its charge. On the uneven, narrow paths between the rocks, the giant beast couldn't rampage as freely as it did on open ground.
"Moo! Moo—!"
The Ironclad Rhinoceros bellowed furiously, smashing at the boulders in a frenzy. Stones flew in all directions as it tried to force its way in, but for now, the complex layout kept it trapped outside.
"Move! Don't stop!" Bolin yelled.
Using the cover of the boulders, the group hurried deeper into the forest, retreating toward Blackstone Town.
Behind them, the Ironclad Rhinoceros's enraged roars echoed through the valley. The shattering of rocks and the tremors of its fury plunged the entire region into chaos. Countless smaller magical beasts fled or perished in the wake of its destruction.
Only after the three had run a long distance—until the roars had faded completely—did they dare to slow their pace.
Panting heavily, they continued forward without stopping. When the faint outline of Blackstone Town finally appeared ahead in the twilight, they all exhaled in relief.
They looked at each other—covered in dust, clothes torn, faces smeared with grime—and then burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha!"
The tension that had gripped them for hours finally broke. In the fading light, the familiar sight of the town brought comfort and warmth. Their laughter carried exhaustion, relief, and the giddy joy of having survived a near-death escape.
"We finally made it back," Bolin said hoarsely, wiping dirt from his face.
The rhino calf he was carrying squirmed uneasily, letting out faint "hmm hmm" noises.
Aid staggered under the weight of his own rhino, his steps unsteady, but his face glowed with excitement.
"Sir, these two little fellows are something else!" Aid said proudly.
By the time they entered Blackstone Town, night had fully settled. Sparse lamplight flickered in the cool wind, casting long shadows across the quiet streets.
Instead of heading to his lodgings, Robert led the others around to the stables on the outskirts. It was the only place big enough to safely keep the two rhinos for now—those "hot potatoes" needed space.
"Aid, you'll stay here and take care of them," Robert instructed.
The two rhinos, huddled together in the corner, rubbed against each other nervously but were calmer now.
"Get them clean fodder and fresh water," Robert continued. "They might not look large, but they're strong and willful."
Aid grinned and nodded enthusiastically. "Don't worry, Sir. I'll take care of them. They'll grow big and healthy—uh, I mean, black and strong!"
He chuckled at his own joke, glancing at the rhinos' dark hides.
Robert nodded approvingly. Aid was loyal and dependable. Robert intended to let him form a bond with the calves—eventually, Aid would contract them as his own companions.
Leaving the stables, Robert didn't immediately go to meet Old Buck, the town's mayor. Instead, he took a quiet walk around the outskirts of Blackstone Town, checking the small traps he had set earlier that morning.
Sure enough, several of the simple vine-and-stick tripwires had already caught something.
In the traps struggled a few plump, sandy-furred creatures—small beasts with round bodies, short legs, and beady black eyes that darted around nervously. They looked somewhat like marmots and weren't aggressive, just whimpering as they kicked at the vines binding their legs.
These were Sand Rats—common magical beasts in the Blackstone Mountains.
Robert was just about to collect them when a silver-white blur darted past his eyes like a phantom.
"Moonlight?" he murmured, recognizing the familiar figure.
He had left Moonlight, his companion beast, behind in town earlier—just in case things went wrong during the rhino heist.
Now, the lithe creature was moving through the shadows with practiced grace. Moonlight leapt lightly onto a low wall, ears pricked, scanning the darkness.
In the next instant, it sprang forward—swift as lightning!
With a flash of claws and a thud of paws, a Sand Rat attempting to dive into its burrow was snatched cleanly out of the dirt.
The stunned rat squirmed helplessly as Moonlight pinned it under one paw, its eyes wide and glassy.
Moonlight's tail flicked playfully. It wasn't hunting for food—this was a game.
Like a cat toying with a mouse, Moonlight prowled through the area, darting from shadow to shadow. Each time a Sand Rat stirred, it would pounce in an instant, dragging the creature out before it could flee underground.
Before long, the ground near Robert's traps was littered with a dozen captured Sand Rats, each one slumped over, too dazed to resist. They looked like a pile of round, furry potatoes.
Robert couldn't help but smile as he watched Moonlight's efficient "work."
Just then, a familiar voice called out.
"Robert, is that you?"
Old Buck, the town mayor, shuffled toward him, holding an oil lamp that flickered in the breeze.
"Old Mayor," Robert greeted him with a smile. "Any thoughts on what to do with these Sand Rats?"
"Sand Rats, huh…" Old Buck stroked his long beard thoughtfully. A knowing glint shone in his cloudy eyes.
He bent down and poked the fattest Sand Rat with his cane. "Don't let their looks fool you. Their meat is firm, not gamey, and when slow-roasted over fruitwood—ah, the fat drips, the skin crisps, the smell—tsk, tsk! A real delicacy!"
Robert's stomach rumbled at the description. After the day's chaos, the thought of roasted meat made his mouth water.
He glanced at the pile of plump Sand Rats, already imagining the aroma of roasting fat and sizzling skin.
Within moments, he and Old Buck had a small fire going.
The scent of roasting meat, mingled with fruitwood smoke, spread through the cool night air of Blackstone Town.
As the fat dripped into the fire, sparks rose into the starry sky.
Moonlight sat nearby, eyes wide and drool dripping from its muzzle.
Soon, Aid and Bolin joined them, each grabbing a freshly roasted Sand Rat—its skin golden-brown and crisp, the juices sizzling beneath.
Old Buck hadn't exaggerated. The Sand Rat meat was surprisingly delicious. The outer layer was crunchy and fragrant, while the inside was tender yet firm, infused with a faintly sweet smokiness from the fruitwood.
It was a meal far better than any of them had expected.
Robert tore off a chunk of meat and laughed between bites. "Old Buck, you weren't kidding. This might be the best thing I've eaten in months!"
Old Buck chuckled, his wrinkled face glowing in the firelight. "Told you, boy. Don't judge food by its looks. Even a rat can taste like heaven if you cook it right."
Moonlight, sitting proudly beside Robert, held its own roasted Sand Rat in its furry paws, nibbling with evident satisfaction. Ever since it began following Robert, it refused to eat raw meat—only cooked food would do now.
The little beast purred softly, its tail flicking lazily as it enjoyed its prize.
The fire crackled and popped, casting a warm glow across the small group.
They sat there late into the night, laughing, eating, and talking about the day's madness—the Ironclad Rhinoceros, the chase, the narrow escape.
Outside the stable, the faint, uneasy whimpers of the rhino calves could be heard now and then, reminding them of the adventure's cost.
But for now, surrounded by warmth, food, and friends, Robert felt a rare sense of peace.
The night deepened.
The stars shimmered above.
And in the quiet town of Blackstone, the scent of roasted meat lingered long after the flames died down.