@Doodads : player can’t control the NPC’s move path. So even if they run very fast, there is still chance the NPC will bump on enemy on their path, and receive damage.
In normal case, it’s much safer for the player character to stay close to the Quest NPC and ward off all the enemies approaching.
Would be funny though if it’s high Agi build like Sally or Dread taking the quest, they run very fast, and the Quest NPC just crash through trees and other obstacles to catch up ^^;