Chapter 17: Last resort.
Mark stumped on the gas pedal and the engine roared, followed by the squealing of the wheels before the vehicle suddenly surged forward, thrusting the passengers into their seats.
In just a few seconds they reached the first floor of the underground parking lot. The entrance was in front of them and the blinding light coming from it masked the outside scenery.
Mark had already steeled his heart so he headed straight for it without stopping. The real challenge would start the moment they're outside and he couldn't waste a single moment.
'This is it!'
The darkness was dispelled and the light blinded them for a moment. Mark kept his calm and spun the steering wheel to the left.
He only planned to make a turn but the SUV continued to drift. Only when he saw the road did Mark realize that he made a miscalculation.
While chasing them the black dragon flooded the street with his flames. Mark was just relieved to have escaped them so he never stopped to consider their effects on everything else.
More than an hour later, the flames still burned in the street. The asphalt had melted, creating a layer of viscous matter that caused the car to slip.
Mark felt a greater sense of urgency and quickly stabilized the vehicle without slowing down, using a trick taught to him by the maid －or brought to his attention by her, to be more accurate－ to ensure the vehicle didn't become useless.
Mark didn't stop to check whether the dragon had noticed them coming out and put all his focus into getting them out of the burning street as fast as possible.
Pebbles shot around as the car wheels dug into the ground and took off in the direction opposite to the one they first came from. Mark already had their potential escape routes memorized so he went straight for the closest, hoping it wouldn't turn out to be blocked.