The mercenary was about to pull the trigger, when a wolf's howl, or was it a dog's, echoed through the air?
He couldn't quite tell.
But he knew he couldn't delay any longer.
The mercenary aimed at Grace's direction, searching for an opening—that woman was incredibly fast, always hiding behind trees when she fled, perhaps a seasoned warrior who had spent a long time on the battlefield?
But no matter how fast, there were always flaws.
From one tree to another, there was a 0.08-second window where her body was exposed to the air, completely unprotected.
If only he could seize that 0.08 second...
The mercenary lay still on the ground, feeling the wind speed at that moment, judging Grace's escape trajectory.
Just 0.08 seconds.
Grace was running fast, she was running through this forest, and below there was a river. She could escape along the river.
Soon, she would be able to jump into the river.
She only needed a few minutes, to hold on for these few minutes...
"Awooo—"
Xiao Jin's cry came through the air. Had it succeeded? Had it brought Christiano's people?
Grace felt a sense of relief.
But at this moment.
"Bang—"
A bullet was fired towards her back.
At the critical moment, Xiao Jin leaped forward, blocking the bullet for Grace.
"Bang—"
The bullet struck the jackal's body, and blood exploded in the air.
It splattered all over Grace's face.
"Xiao Jin!"
Xiao Jin!
Grace's eyes widened in horror. At this moment, her gaze was fixed, and her heartbeat seemed to stop.
Time slowed down, frame by frame.
"Xiao Jin!"
The jackal's body plummeted downwards. Grace's mind had frozen, but her actions were faster than her thoughts. She quickly scooped up the jackal and hid behind a tree.
"Awooo—"
It hurt so much. Something shot into its body, and it felt like it was exploding inside.
Was it going to die soon?
The jackal could feel its life draining away bit by bit. It wouldn't survive...
"Xiao Jin, don't be afraid, I..." I will save you... I will never let you die... just like she saved it many years ago...
Grace trembled, holding the jackal, tears welling up uncontrollably in her eyes.
She took off her clothes and tried to stop the bleeding.
But the blood flowed more and more, unstoppable.
Grace's heart panicked, her mind in disarray. "I must save you, don't be afraid!"
The bullet had hit its abdomen. She didn't know how severe the internal injuries were. If the bullet was removed without anesthesia, could Xiao Jin endure it? It...
The jackal seemed to sense Grace's distress, whimpering softly, and then licking Grace's face with its tongue.
Then, it raised its head and, with the last of its strength, roared into the sky.
"Awooo—"
"Awooo—"
"Awooo—"
Qin Yunxi watched the raging inferno before him, the crackling flames making his heart race.
"Grace!"
Speak, damn it!
He wanted to rush into the fire to save her, but the flames were too intense, he couldn't get in.
Going in meant death.
Qin Yunxi was extremely agitated and terrified, but the more so in such a situation, the calmer he had to be. Even though he was trembling with fear, even wishing he could kill the kidnappers' ancestors for eighteen generations.
*Grace, you better not be hurt!*
*Otherwise, I'll make everyone pay!*
Qin Yunxi frantically searched for a fire extinguisher, calling for a helicopter to put out the fire while also looking for—
Suddenly, the jackal's roar echoed through the air.
Xiao Jin?
Was that Xiao Jin?
Qin Yunxi strained his ears, listening twice, confirming it was Xiao Jin's voice. It—
Was on the mountain?
So Grace was also on the mountain? Not in the fire?
Qin Yunxi excitedly flew towards the mountain.