Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part Two]

CHAPTER 202: The Elven Exodus - A Flight to Safety

The guards spilled into the chamber, their boots crunching against the debris left in the wake of what seemed like a monstrous battle. Their eyes darted around, struggling to comprehend the smoldering wreckage—the furniture was reduced to charred splinters, the walls and floors scarred with deep craters and fissures, the ceiling blackened with scorch marks. The lower-ranking men hesitated, murmuring in confusion.

"By the gods, what happened here?!"

"What kind of demon caused this?!"

The higher-ups who were clearly more briefed on the situation and the true purpose of the estate quickly regained their composure. The moment they spotted the door where the children were being held, they barked orders like a well-trained strike team.

"Move! Secure the room! Neutralize the threats inside!"

As the guards stormed toward the door and got into position, one of them caught sight of his own shadow shifting unnaturally. He squinted, rubbed his eyes, and shook his head, blaming the one too many puffs of the pipe he had earlier.

But before he could dismiss it as a trick of the mind, his shadow twisted violently and a small leather pouch popped into existence from within its depths—only to explode in a cloud of fine dust.

"What the—?"

"Agh, what's this powder?!"

"It—it smells like sleep incense—"

The men stumbled, swayed, and, one by one, collapsed on their face in a heap, snoring before they even hit the floor.

As the dust settled, Daisuke, Tiphanna, and the children—cloaked in dark hoods—slipped silently out of the room.

In a blur, Daisuke effortlessly incapacitated several guards stationed at the main entrance, his movements too quick for the terrified children to fully comprehend.

"Keep moving," Tiphanna urged, her voice gentle yet firm. "Don't look back! Just keep running!"

Their small feet pounded against the cold stone floor as they charged down the long, dark corridor. Ahead, flickering lanterns heralded the arrival of more guards.

"There they are! Stop them!"

Before the men could react, Tiphanna clenched her fists and a gust of wind howled through the passage. The guards were yanked from their feet and flung against the ceiling, their bodies bouncing off the stone like ragdolls before crumpling to the ground in a dazed heap.

"Run! Now!" she commanded.

Daisuke, barely breaking stride, glanced down at his shadow with a sinister frown. "...You know what to do."

Midnight's olive-green eyes shimmered once before vanishing into the darkness.

As the group burst into the courtyard, they found themselves surrounded. Dozens of armored men encircled them, weapons drawn, their expressions grim.

"Nowhere left to run, scum."

"Says who?" Daisuke smirked. "Everyone, close your eyes!"

DING!

[Activating the skill «Mana Flare».]

[Mana Flare]

[Rank: Normal

Classification: Active Skill

Lvl: 1

Proficiency: 0%

Unleashes a concentrated burst of raw mana, creating an intense flash of light that momentarily overwhelms enemy vision.

Skill Effect: