Within minutes, they tied Jun up. His hands were pulled behind his back and bound tightly with rope. Then they hung him from a metal frame above the shelter. His body swayed slightly in the air and crowd gathered below.
Some men and women couldn't even handle the sight and they started vomiting. Then the mockery began.
"This is what happens to those who destroy our shelter!"
"Look at him… he won't last long."
"No one has an antidote to the Poison Queen's poison."
Stones kept hitting his body. But Jun didn't react at all. As if he was already dead. His eyes were half closed and his breathing was slow, and shallow. And from the corner of his mouth, dried black blood continued to drip.
The next morning, People had gathered again outside the shelter. Whispers filled the air.
"That guy from yesterday…"
"Is he still alive?"
"Looks like someone helped him escape…"
Then The Poison Queen stepped out. The moment she appeared, people moved aside.
She asked directly,"What happened?"
One man silently pointed toward the wall. She looked over there and for a second she froze.
Written on the shelter wall:
"I will take my revenge."
"And I will take it soon."
"Try to survive if you can."
And below it a sign
Omnis.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. Then she said calmly,"Don't worry."
Her voice was completely steady.
"Next time… he won't survive."
She turned to one of her men,"Did you check the surroundings?"
"Yes, Queen," he replied,"It looks like he escaped through the river."
She asked again,"You didn't check the river area?"
The man hesitated,"You know that river leads to the Blood-Snow Desert… and you also know how massive it is. Our enemies are there too."
The Poison Queen paused.
Then said coldly,"Fine, Spread across all of Icolis. Find out where he went. Find him. As fast as possible."
Meanwhile, Jun sat beside a river. His upper body was half-covered in bandages. Some wounds were still raw. He slowly cleaned them. The water flowed red. Jun took a slow breath.
"Red Eye…" he said quietly,"thanks, You diverted the sword in time… otherwise I would've died there."
Red Eye replied,"That is my duty, Master. But right now, you need rest."
Jun gave a faint, tired smile,"More than rest… I need energy. I'm running very low."
Red Eye responded immediately,"If you want, I can carry you while we travel. You'll be able to rest."
Jun shook his head,"No, I can walk."
He slowly stood up,"For now…"
He looked around,"…this tree is fine."
He sat under it.
Then said,"Can you bring me something? Fish… or crab."
Red Eye nodded,"Alright, Master. Stay here."
"I'll bring something for your meal."
She left. After some time, she returned and prepared the food. Jun ate a little but his condition was still bad.
Red Eye said,"Master, should we find a healer?"
Jun replied,"We won't find one here."
Red Eye suggested,"Then let me convert into the suit and cover you again. It will reduce your burden."
She added,"If we go searching for a healer, it will take too much time. And we don't even know where we are."
Jun nodded slowly,"That's true. We don't even know how far we've come along this river."
He exhaled,"Forget it. First… we need a place to stay. We can't keep wandering like this. If an alien attacks now… we're done."
Both of them started moving, searching for a hideout or a place to hide or rest. After a long time Jun spotted something. A structure that Looks like a shelter. He narrowed his eyes and look no one's around the shelther.
"Has no one claimed it yet?"Red Eye said cautiously,"Master, we should be careful. We don't know who might be inside."
Jun nodded,"Right, Go inside first and check if anyone's there."
Red Eye paused,"Master… you're sending a beautiful girl like me inside first?"
Jun replied calmly,"You're not a girl. You're a soul suit. And nothing will happen to you as long as I'm alive."
Red Eye smiled faintly,"Aww… Master, do you really care that much about me?"
Jun replied bluntly,"No, That's just the contract. Now go. It's getting dark."
Red Eye nodded,"Alright, Master."
And she moved inside and Jun waited outside on the branch of a tree. Time passed and he kept waiting.