I Raised A Black Dragon

Chapter 50: Narrow Escape

At the investigator’s cue, Muell hastily cast the spell upon himself after Park Noah clasped her fingers around his arm and turned invisible. To get above the train, they must climb through the vent or at the junction of the train and the locomotive. After weighing both choices, Kyle Leonard decided on the former.

He led Park Noah and the child into a private room situated furthest among the first-class compartments. Then, he locked the door from the inside. “Please give me the magical key that you brought.”

Park Noah rummaged through her suitcase and handed him the key that adapted any form. As soon as it left her palm, the key materialized as if the spell was a paint that washed away. Kyle Leonard hurried to the vent and unlatched it.

It didn’t take long for the vent to open. At the edge was a propeller, rotating rapidly, and beyond the tunnel of ducts, the sky painted blue was visible.

“Isn’t it blocked? I think I’m going to get stuck.” Park Noah muttered, grimacing at the spinning blades of the propeller.

Click.

The three of them turned their heads towards the door at the same instant time. Someone was twisting the knob, attempting to open it. Soon, a suspicious silence ensued, the trio frozen in suspense.

Then, Kyle Leonard immediately hoisted Muell into the vent, followed by Park Noah.

“Miss Noah.”

Park Noah guided his arms around her waist. With ease, Kyle Leonard lifted her towards the vent as if she was a paper doll. She thrust her body into the narrow ducts, and immediately after she inhaled, dust irrupted into her nostrils. But, she had no spare time to cough.

She strengthened her arms and climbed through the vent, which was barely wide for her body to fit. If it were narrower by a little, she would have been crushed.

Attached to the ducts were cables that ran electricity. Hence, they crawled through the ducts with extreme caution lest they are electrocuted.

“Stop the propeller.” Kyle Leonard slipped the dagger inside, which Park Noah barely caught. She stared at the propeller across her. Fortunately, it wasn’t rotating terribly fast. Then, after murmuring a prayer, she carefully inserted the dagger in between the blades, and the propeller came to a halt with a squeaking sound.

She yanked the propeller with her remaining strength, but to no avail. After several failed attempts, she muttered, “Mu, just rip it off.”

A tiny black flame emerged from thin air and advanced towards the propeller, the seams beginning to crack. Soon, the steel sheets started to shatter. Simultaneously, the rattling door intensified with each second. Behind her, Park Noah could hear Kyle Leonard loading a revolver.

“Proper exercise helps you improve your physical strength. You just have to go up and climb five more steps.” The investigator’s voice echoed inside the vent.

“If you keep talking cr*p, I am really going to file a civil complaint against you!”  

Suddenly, a roar erupted outside the room. The entire compartment shook. Passengers in the vicinity began to buzz as if they felt something strange. Kyle Leonard pointed the revolver at the door.

Bang. 

The first gunshot rang in their ears, and at the same instant, the roof of the vent unlatched. Blue skies draped over Park Noah as the iron bars swished outwards, her apricot waves instantly tousled by the strong winds. Overcoming fear, she pulled herself out of the vent, Muell trailing behind her.

“Mommy!”

Park Noah struggled against the powerful blow of wind, constantly stumbling. If Muell hadn’t clung to her, he would have flown away.

The wind shrieked in their ears, continuously overwhelming them. Because of the invisibility spell, Park Noah still had to locate where Muell exactly was. She was worried over the child, but upon feeling a heavy weight, Park Noah thought he must have clung to her securely.

“Ah!”

Or perhaps not…

Muell, who held onto Park Noah for his dear life, got carried away by the harsh wind.