Despite being injured, Trunks still fled at a quick pace. Some old, broken tree roots and thick overgrowth of shrubbery seemed to have no effect on him.
Except, the injured Trunks was unable to deploy his maximum speed, whereas Han Shuo was in peak condition and was leveraging the surveillance of the original demons, following Trunks like a tight burr on his back. The distance between the two grew continuously closer.
The arrow in his butt had long since been yanked out as Trunks started running. Heâd planned on dressing his wounds first, but when he discovered Han Shuoâs pursuit, he had to give up cleaning his wounds first out of resignation and flee heedlessly, whether or not his injury was still bleeding.
And so they continued this chase for more than ten minutes. Trunksâ endurance was astonishing as he grit his teeth and continued to run. Every time Han Shuo appeared in his vision, he would tap deep into his potential and bring forth another burst of speed, attempting to shake off Han Shuo.
It was a pity that having trained his magical yuan, Han Shuoâs originally weak personality had long since been trained to the peak of fortitude after repeated baptism via pain. Apart from the stubbornness of Han Shuoâs will exceeding Trunkâs imagination, his speed never decreased throughout the entire pursuit and in fact he seemed to be growing addicted to the chase and relished the chase more and more.
Although Trunks was exceedingly familiar with the surrounding terrain, with one of Han Shuoâs original demons hanging around him, it was as if a pair of hawk eyes were circling him, observing everything. No matter what Trunks did, he was still unable to shake off Han Shuo by virtue of him being familiar with the terrain alone.
Finally, after half a day of pursuing and running, Trunks gradually realized that this couldnât continue in the face of his continued blood loss. He was unable to shake off Han Shuo, and with the increasing speed of circulation of his blood combined with the inability of being able to treat his bodyâs injuries in time, Trunks had a short spell of dizziness.
He leaned against a tree trunk and stopped, wiping away blood from the corner of his mouth and panted as he watched Han Shuo approach with decreased speed. He huffed as he said, âSo itâs only been you whoâs been following me. I think youâre looking for death.â
Panting twice, Han Shuoâs fiercely beating heart, due to sprinting during the pursuit, slowly recovered its calm. He was already grasping the Demonslayer Edge in his hand and the expression on his face was neither joyful or tragic. He stared coldly at Trunks and was in no hurry to approach Trunks. He slowed down the rate of his footsteps considerably.
Although Han Shuo knew that Trunks was heavily injured, but as injured as a swordmaster was, he was still an exceedingly dangerous existence. A lethal attack could come if he let his guard slip. It was precisely because Han Shuo couldnât be certain how severe Trunksâ injuries were. Therefore, he didnât actually dare make a move now that his prey had stopped.
âIf you werenât injured, Iâd have no chance of facing you alone, but with the current situation, weâll have to see if you still have any ability to do anything to me.â Han Shuo suddenly stopped roughly fifteen meters from Trunks and roved his eyes over Trunksâ body, opening his mouth to speak faintly.
Han Shuo once again took out the crossbow after speaking, loaded it with a crossbow bolt, and then took accurate aim at Trunks, using this to test Trunksâ current body condition.
âDo you dare only test me from far away? If you have the same amount of guts that you displayed last time, you would be rushing at me with no hesitation whatsoever.â Trunks planted his back against the tree and watch Han Shuoâs movements with cold eyes, speaking disdainfully.
âDo you take me for a fool or are you the fool? You should know that our identities have been reversed. Youâre now the prey and Iâm the hunter. I control how the game is played.â Han Shuo was completely unconcerned by Trunksâ mockery as he decisively shot out the bolt after taking aim with the crossbow.
The tip of the bolt gleamed with a bit of a cold light in the duskiness of the evening sky. A sharp sound abruptly whistled through the air as the bolt shot towards Trunkâs chest like electricity.
Trunksâ expression didnât show anything out of the ordinary as his body flew out at almost the same time that sound whistled through the air. The crossbow bolt nailed firmly onto the big tree that Trunks had been leaning against just now. Having dodged the blow, Trunksâ body soared through the air for a few meters as he adroitly crossed a distance of fifteen meters and landed in front of Han Shuo, his speed greatly outside of Han Shuoâs imagination.
Milky-white fighting aura filled Han Shuoâs vision in the span of an instant, like he was residing in the center of a tornado. Han Shuoâs body was enclosed in milky-white fighting aura as his muscles instantly became taut. It seemed incredibly difficult to even make the slightest move and he could only watch as he drowned in fighting aura.
His body was unable to move, but the magical yuan within his body was flowing freely without obstruction. Han Shuoâs mind and heart were of one thought as the Demonslayer Edge flew out of his palm, suddenly dancing in the air around Han Shuoâs body. The air around Han Shuoâs body was suffused with the light blossoming from the Demonslayer Edge in the blink of an eye.
A violent sound of metal clashing rang out around Han Shuo, accompanied with Trunksâ furious yells of incredulity. Just as Han Shuoâs ear drums were about to go deaf, all the ear grating metallic sounds vanished utterly and the previously immobile Han Shuo finally returned to normal.
âImpossible, this is impossible! How can your weapon still defend against my Restrained Dragon Slash? Just who are you?â Han Shuo immediately heard Trunksâ shocked yells as soon as his body had returned to normal.
Concentrating his gaze, Han Shuo suddenly discovered that the broadsword Trunks had been wielding all along had suddenly shattered with many cracks. Trunksâ gaze kept darting back and forth between the broadsword and Han Shuo, a look of disbelief and incredulity on his face as he kept repeating, âThis is impossible!â
Han Shuoâs shirt had been ripped to shreds all over and now hung on him like a rag. Many long superficial cuts had appeared on his muscles, revealing the red blood and flesh inside. The Demonslayer Edge seemed to have been flung away as it laid motionless in the distance, but there werenât any dings or marks on it.
âNothing is impossible!â Han Shuo suddenly bellowed and rushed forward with a sudden punch, taking advantage of Trunksâ abnormal mental state.
It wasnât until this punch had made its way to Trunksâ face before he was able to react, lifting the now rigid broadsword to block Han Shuoâs punch.
Dong rang out crisply as Han Shuoâs right hand went numb, but Trunksâ body staggered backwards. Joy flashed through Han Shuo inwardly as he knew that Restrained Dragon Slash just now had taken most of Trunksâ fighting aura. Therefore, he immediately drew close to Trunks and started raining down a crazy barrage of kicks and punches.
Renowned in the Dark Forest for being a character not to get on the bad side of, Trunks had now become the weaker side after being heavily injured. He retreated continuously under Han Shuoâs string of attacks, until he finally fell backwards, as stiff as a board.
âWait!â Just as Han Shuo had grasped the Demonslayer Edge again and was about to end Trunksâ life, he suddenly opened his mouth to stop Han Shuo and looked at him, âNo matter what youâve come to the Dark Forest for, I can help you! We donât actually have any irreconcilable differences between us, just the matter of the twin headed dragon. That actually wasnât that valuable.â
Han Shuo thought carefully after Trunks had spoken and discerned that this was the case. Han Shuo had made his moves earlier because he didnât want to be threatened by others. Now that he wanted to kill Trunks, that was because he wanted to head off Trunksâ possible revenge. To be honest, he didnât really have a deep hatred for Trunks.
He walked in front of Trunks and suddenly stabbed swiftly downwards with the Demonslayer Edge four times. He then coolly put the Demonslayer Edge away after a round of Trunks screaming like a pig being slaughtered.
The Demonslayer Edge stabbed downwards four times, piercing through the vitals in Trunksâ two hands and feet. Although it wasnât enough to cause fatal damage, it also wouldnât affect Trunksâ future training and strength, but he would absolutely not pose a threat to Han Shuo in the short run.
âMy apologies, I feel that this is better insurance because youâre a more than dangerous person.â Han Shuo shrugged and said naturally, then smiled slightly at the grimacing Trunks after a pause, âI think we can have a good discussion now, will you be able to help me if I donât kill you?â
âOh⊠it seems like another cruel hunter has appeared within the Dark Forest. Haha!â He first moaned in pain and then burst out loudly in nervous laughter, with absolutely no strength in his body. Except, his current bedraggled condition was offset by his burnt hair, and his expression was an indescribable sort of ugly.
âBehave if you want to live. Tell me what you can help me with.â Han Shuo asked with a slight smile as he looked at Trunks.
âThen I first thing I need to ask is your purpose in coming to the Dark Forest. Why have you come?â Trunksâ expression didnât have any traces of panic. Although he still emitted cries of pain, his expression was quite calm.
Starting, Han Shuo felt that there was no need to conceal anything and spoke directly, âIâm here for the Fruit of Dagmar. Can you help me obtain it?â
âIâve been in the Dark Forest for many years and have heard of all sorts of legends. I know a bit about where the Fruit of Dagmar is and can bring you there, but Iâm not certain if I can obtain the Fruit of Dagmar either. If you let me go this time, I can promise to help you with all my strength and wonât pursue this matter in the future. If youâve heard of my reputation, then you should know that I never go back on my promises!â Trunks looked at Han Shuo as he promised solemnly.
âDeal!â Han Shuo nodded and responded quite decisively.