Chapter 67 - The jig is up!

Adam remained silent as Park Zhen stood before him, his enigmatic smile faltering for the briefest moment. It was so quick that the boy could have sworn he imagined it, as the Don's smile returned almost immediately, its usual calm confidence restored. Yet, something about the moment felt charged, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken tension.

Park Zhen sighed, his shoulders shifting slightly as if burdened by Adam’s words. His response came in a tone laced with resignation, though his words betrayed nothing.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He said, his voice soft yet firm. Without another glance, he turned his back to Adam, his long, deliberate strides carrying him toward the exit.

“There’s nothing more for us to discuss.”

Adam’s mind raced as he watched Park Zhen walk away. Was he wrong? Or is he just refusing to show it? A storm of uncertainty churned inside him. He knew his approach was inherently flawed—guessing Park Zhen’s motivations using tenuous patterns and circumstantial logic. It was, by all accounts, illogical. Yet, perhaps that was the very flaw he needed to embrace. Maybe the absence of concrete information wasn’t an insurmountable obstacle; perhaps it was a call to expand his scope of investigation, even if it meant grasping at fragments.

Would it work? The question gnawed at him. Adam wasn’t skilled at reading people—he knew that about himself, in truth, he was terrible at it. But he also understood that failing to act now might mean he wouldn’t get another chance… If he didn’t take this risk, it would be over.

Steeling himself, the boy took a deep breath, his voice cutting through the quiet with a calmness he didn’t entirely feel.

“You know exactly where Lord Varek’s power comes from.”

Park Zhen didn’t pause or turn, but Adam pressed on. His words, though speculative, were sharp, each syllable carrying the weight of his calculated gamble.

“It comes from the system. Whether he’s a user or something else entirely, his power is tied to the same rules and limits as ours. That’s the closest anyone will ever get to actually opposing him.”

The Don continued walking, his steps steady and deliberate, but Adam could feel the air grow heavier with each passing second. He heard him... He was listening.

“Thinking about it…”

Adam continued, his tone growing more confident as he pieced together his reasoning aloud.

“Why would Lord Varek care about the strength of every fighter here? He doesn’t need you to gather that information. He’s been watching the entire fight, hasn’t he? He’s seen everything, that’s why he could use Plot Devices remotely.”

Adam knew the moment had come. The risk he was about to take had no foundation in certainty, only a fragile probability, but it was all he had. If he was wrong, this might be the end of him.

“You weren’t asking us about our powers for him. You wanted to confirm the strength of the people who managed to take down Bai Huolong.”

Adam said, his voice unwavering. Then, with a sharp inhale, he added.

“And that’s why you don’t have a stat window, isn’t it? Because, for some reason, you’ve never been influenced by the system like the other Dons have.”

For the first time, Park Zhen’s footsteps faltered. He didn’t stop completely, but his stride slowed just enough for Adam to notice. The Don stood still for a moment, his back still to the boy, the silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. Adam’s pulse thundered in his ears, but then, Park Zhen exhaled softly, a barely audible sigh, and resumed walking as if nothing had happened.

He didn’t look back, didn’t acknowledge Adam’s words, but just as he reached the exit, he spoke.

“Almost correct…”

The word was laced with something unplaceable, a mix of curiosity and perhaps even a hint of admiration.

“If you manage to get out of here alive, we’ll talk.”

With that, Park Zhen exited, the heavy doors of the prison zone closing behind him. Adam stood frozen, the weight of the exchange bearing down on him. Did he just… get it right? The confirmation wasn’t explicit, but the Don’s final words hinted at something undeniable. He didn’t deny it. Not entirely.

In the other room, Park Zhen’s footsteps echoed through the corridor outside, his usual smile once again firmly in place. To anyone watching, he seemed completely unaffected by the previous conversation, his expression unreadable. Was he truly impacted by the exchange, or was it just another layer of his inscrutable facade? His thoughts were an enigma, hidden behind that ever-present mask.

As he walked, he encountered Abbess Xinhui, whose irritation was palpable. Her robes swayed as she approached him, her movements sharp and impatient.

“When is Lord Varek coming?”

She demanded, her tone clipped and nearly devoid of restraint. Park Zhen regarded her with his typical calm, his smile unflinching.

“Change of plans, Lord Varek has issued new orders.”

He said, his voice smooth and unhurried. Abbes’s eyes widened, her frustration morphing into a manic glee.

“And what are they?”

She asked, her voice trembling with anticipation. Park Zhen’s smile widened ever so slightly, his tone as calm as ever.

“Kill them all. They’re useless.”

The Abbess let out a cry of joy, her expression alight with unrestrained excitement.

“Finally!”

She exclaimed, her hands clenching with barely contained fervor. Park Zhen remained composed, his enigmatic smile unshaken. He watched her reaction without a hint of surprise or emotion, his thoughts as elusive as ever. Did Adam’s words truly matter? Did anything? Whatever the truth was, it remained locked behind his calm exterior, leaving a trail of questions in his wake as he walked away.

———

Kazue paced restlessly in her cell, the faint echoes of her footsteps absorbed by the oppressive silence of the prison. Her eyes flicked repeatedly toward Nikolai, who sat cross-legged on the rough stone floor of his cell, his head bowed as he meticulously worked on his shackles. The faint scraping of his tools against the metal echoed through the corridor, mingling with the dim flickering of the torches mounted on the walls.

“Are you done yet?”

Kazue asked impatiently, her hands gripping the bars of her cell as she leaned forward to get a better look.

“You’ve been at this forever!”

Nikolai didn’t look up. His expression was one of sheer focus, his brow furrowed and his jaw set.

“If you want it done faster, maybe try doing it yourself.”

He snapped, his voice edged with irritation. From the adjacent cell, Chloe leaned casually against her own bars, arms crossed and a smirk playing on her lips.

“Oh, come on, Nikolai. Aren’t you supposed to be some kind of master criminal? You should have had those shackles off ages ago. What’s the holdup?”

Nikolai’s fingers paused mid-motion, his shoulders stiffening. He shot Chloe a sharp glare.

“I told you before, I’m not that kind of criminal, I’m a con artist, not a thief! Jesus, it’s the last time I drink with you lot.”

He said defensively, Kazue tilted her head, her curiosity piqued.

“What’s the difference?”

She asked innocently, her wide eyes locking onto him. Nikolai let out an exasperated sigh and set down his tools for a moment.

“The difference…”

He began, gesturing with his hands.

“Is that a con artist manipulates people, deceives them with charm and cunning. A thief—”

*Click*

The sound interrupted him, and all three froze. Nikolai blinked in disbelief as the shackles around his wrists sprang open with a loud clatter, the heavy metal pieces falling to the floor. He stared at his freed hands for a moment before breaking into a wide grin.

“Yes! I told you I could do it! Who’s the best? That’s right—me!”

He exclaimed, pumping a fist into the air; Kazue gasped in amazement, her eyes shining as she clutched the bars of her cell.

“Nikolai, you’re incredible! You actually did it!”

Before the guy could revel in the praise, a series of sharp clicks echoed throughout the room. Both Kazue and Chloe flinched as their own shackles popped open and fell to the floor, followed almost immediately by the creaking of their cell doors swinging outward.

“What the—”

Chloe started, stepping cautiously out of her cell. Kazue, on the other hand, stared at her freed wrists, then at her open cell door, before turning to Nikolai with an expression of pure awe.

“You did all of this?! That’s amazing!”

Nikolai opened his mouth, clearly intending to claim credit, but Chloe cut him off with a dry laugh.

“Oh, please. Look at him. He didn’t do that. This wasn’t his doing.”

Nikolai bristled at her tone, though he didn’t deny it.

“Okay, maybe I didn’t mean to unlock everything, but come on! It still counts!”

Kazue clapped her hands together, her excitement unabated.

“Who cares how it happened? We’re free! Let’s get out of here before someone comes!”

The three quickly regrouped outside their cells, wasting no time in heading toward another nearby cell where Katya was restrained. The girl hung limply from her chains, her head bowed, her pale hair obscuring her face.

“Katya!”

Kazue called out, rushing toward her with concern. Chloe followed closely, her hands glowing faintly as she activated her [Lifeweaver’s Gaze]. A warm light enveloped the blonde, illuminating her small frame.

“She’s still fine.”

Chloe said after a moment, frowning.

“Her vitals are normal. There’s no reason she should be this weak.”

The chains binding Katya released with the same mechanical click, and she fell forward with a soft cry. Kazue was immediately at her side, catching her before she hit the ground.

“Katya, are you okay? Can you stand?”

She asked, gently supporting her. Katya let out a faint whimper and clung to Kazue’s arm, her fingers trembling slightly.

“I… I don’t think so…”

She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Chloe folded her arms, offering her help as well, however, Katya glanced at her briefly before turning her attention back to Kazue, her cheeks flushing as she buried her face in her friend’s shoulder.

“P-please… just you.”

She stammered, her voice trembling with what seemed like fear and vulnerability. Kazue blinked, her concern deepening.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

She said soothingly, helping Katya to her feet. Chloe rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath.

“She’s laying it on thick?”

She didn’t press the issue, though, as they had more immediate concerns. Nikolai waved at them from the entrance to the cell block.

“Alright, ladies, enough chit-chat. Let’s move! We don’t have time for this.”

Kazue and Chloe exchanged a glance before supporting Katya and heading toward Nikolai.

“With the speed buff from my attire, I’ll scout ahead. Stay here until I give the all-clear.”

The pink-haired girl glanced at him with a smirk.

“Let’s hope you’re better at scouting than you are at lockpicking.”

Nikolai ignored her, his focus shifting to the corridor ahead, but he had barely taken a step when the door to the prison area burst open with a deafening crash.

The sound of splintering wood echoed through the chamber, and all four froze. Standing in the doorway was Abbess Xinhui, her figure illuminated by the flickering torchlight. Her grin was wide and unsettling, her eyes gleaming with a manic light as they scanned the room.

“Well, well.”

She said, her voice sickly sweet and dripping with malice.

“Dunno how this happened, but you weren’t planning on leaving so soon, were you?”

Her gaze locked onto Katya almost instantly.

“Finally!”

She exclaimed, her voice ringing with both triumph and venom.

“Finally, I’ll settle the score with you, you little blonde vermin! You’ll pay for everything—everything!”

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Her words dripped with fury, and her voice rose in pitch, nearly euphonic in her rage. Katya, still leaning heavily against Kazue, flinched at the venom in Xinhui’s tone. Her body trembled, but she refused to look away from the woman whose very presence made escape feel like a hopeless fantasy, even Nikolai muttered under his breath.

“We’re screwed. There’s no getting out of this now.”

Chloe shot him a sharp look but said nothing, her face pale and tense as the woman moved closer to Katya.

Xinhui’s movements were deliberate, almost predatory, as she began to step closer to the group. The hem of her robes barely swayed with her precise, confident stride. Her gaze never left Katya, and her smile twisted further into something that could only be described as sadistic delight.

“You thought you could run, didn’t you? No… no, I won’t let you off so easily. This isn’t going to be quick. I’m going to enjoy every second of this.”

Xinhui continued, her voice softening but losing none of its malice while licking her lips, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. The group stood frozen, each one paralyzed by the overwhelming aura of dominance that Xinhui exuded, even the air seemed heavier with her presence.

But then, in the tense stillness, Kazue took a shaky step forward. Her legs felt like lead, and her heart thundered in her chest, but she clenched her fists tightly, forcing herself to move.

“I won’t let you touch her.”

She said, her voice trembling but resolute. Xinhui stopped in her tracks, arching an eyebrow.

“Oh?”

The woman said, amused. Kazue raised her right hand, and in an instant, her gauntlet materialized over it, crackling with arcs of bright blue electricity.

“You’ll have to get through me first!”

Chloe’s eyes widened.

“Kazue, no—”

But before anyone could stop her, Kazue lunged forward, electricity flaring around her glove as she aimed a punch directly at Xinhui.

The Don didn’t even flinch, and with a single, effortless motion, she swept her palm across the air in front of her, a dismissive gesture more fitting for swatting away a fly than fending off an attack, however, the result was devastating.

Kazue’s body was flung sideways with a deafening impact, her momentum carrying her into the iron bars of a nearby cell. She struck them with a sickening thud, and a pained cry escaped her lips as she crumpled to the ground.

“Kazue!”

Chloe shouted, rushing toward her, but Xinhui’s cold laughter stopped her in her tracks.

“Don’t worry, you’ll have your turn soon enough. But first—”

Xinhui said mockingly, tilting her head toward Kazue’s motionless form. Her gaze snapped back to Katya, her smile stretching impossibly wider.

“First, it’s her.”

Katya’s breath hitched as Xinhui closed the distance in a flash, her fist glowing faintly with the unmistakable charge of Ki. The speed was beyond comprehension. Neither Chloe nor Nikolai saw the motion until it was too late.

But Katya didn’t move. Her trembling had stopped entirely, her hands still clutching her chest as her wide eyes remained locked on the spot where Kazue lay.

And then, abruptly, Xinhui’s fist stopped…

It hovered mere centimeters from the blonde’s face, the raw energy radiating from it so intense that it stirred the strands of her pale hair. Xinhui’s smile faltered, just for a second, before twisting into a sneer.

“Ah, there it is again.”

She tried to pull her hand back slowly, but couldn’t, her gaze flickering with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity.

“That invisible force… That’s your little trick, isn’t it? Some nonsense from those bastards at the ‘White Flower Divination School’.”

Katya’s expression didn’t change. Her gaze didn’t flicker to the halted attack or to Xinhui’s furious face. It remained fixed on Kazue. Xinhui chuckled darkly, shaking her head.

“You won’t catch me off guard this time, little flower. Whatever this pathetic excuse for a defense is, I’ll tear it apart.”

Katya’s gaze finally snapped away from Kazue and locked onto Abbess Xinhui. Her face, which had been pale and timid only moments ago, was now utterly devoid of warmth. Shadows seemed to gather around her as her expression darkened. Her eyes glowed a faint, eerie red, bloodshot and unblinking as though she hadn’t closed them in ages. The effect was haunting, transforming her youthful features into something almost monstrous.

Xinhui, initially poised and smug, froze momentarily as those unnerving eyes bore into her.

"How dare you?"

Katya's voice cut through the heavy air like a blade. It was no longer the meek, soft-spoken tone everyone had come to associate with her. Instead, it was sharp, trembling with unrestrained fury.

“How dare you lay a hand on Kazue… on MY Kazue?”

Her words carried a dangerous emphasis, the possessiveness dripping from her voice like venom. Kazue, still slumped against the bars, blinked weakly as though trying to focus. Chloe and Nikolai, standing at the edges of the cell, stared at Katya in stunned silence, their minds racing to process the sudden transformation.

"Katya…"

Chloe muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, what the hell was going on? Nikolai shook his head, unable to tear his eyes away from the blonde, he had no idea, suddenly the girl didn’t seem like her at all.

Katya paid them no mind. Her attention was fully consumed by the Don, her trembling hands now steady, her lips curling into a wide, unsettling grin.

“You think you’re so untouchable, don’t you?”

She hissed, her tone teetering on the edge of madness.

"Last time, you got lucky. That pretty boy—what was his name again? Ah, Park Zhen—was there to save you, but guess what? He’s not here now, and I’m done playing your stupid games.”

Her furious expression widened, exposing her teeth, Xinhui’s confidence faltered, if only for a moment. The abrupt shift in Katya’s demeanor and the intensity of her words left even the seasoned woman momentarily speechless. The blonde took a single step forward, her presence radiating menace.

“Kazue is MINE.”

She declared, her voice echoing in the confined space.

"You thought you could hurt her and get away with it? No. Not this time. Not ever again."

Before anyone could respond, a deep, guttural growl filled the air. It was low at first, but it grew rapidly, reverberating through the cell and sending shivers down the spines of everyone present. Suddenly, something began to materialize in front of Xinhui’s frozen fist. The air shimmered, and then, as though emerging from a nightmare, a monstrous claw became visible, its jagged talons easily twice the size of a human hand.

The creature stepped fully into view.

It was horrifying—a towering, humanoid figure with limbs so long and thin they seemed unnatural, folding awkwardly against its body. Its exoskeleton glistened like dark, polished chitin, segmented and razor-sharp in places. Its wings, translucent and insect-like, twitched and spread slightly, casting grotesque shadows across the cell. Its elongated head lacked eyes or a nose, but its enormous mouth stretched wide, revealing rows of human-like teeth too perfect and too white, making its visage even more unsettling.

Chloe gasped audibly, her knees nearly buckling.

“What… is that?”

She stammered. Nikolai swallowed hard, his face pale.

“A monster… A real, honest-to-God monster.”

He whispered, his voice trembling. The creature let out another guttural snarl before swiping its clawed hand toward Xinhui. The motion was fluid and terrifyingly fast, its talons aimed directly at her.

The woman leaped backward with incredible speed, narrowly avoiding the attack. The air screamed as the force of the creature’s swipe created a visible shockwave, slicing cleanly through the stone floor and the metal bars nearby as though they were paper.

Kazue, Chloe, and Nikolai shielded their faces as debris flew toward them. Dust filled the air, but the damage left behind was unmistakable—deep, jagged gashes carved into the ground and walls, a testament to the sheer strength of the monster’s strike.

Just as the chaos settled, glowing text appeared before Chloe, Nikolai, and Kazue, hovering in the air like a system notification.

⌠The ruse has been exposed! The effects of UR-Class Plot Device ‘Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’ will now dissipate.⌡

The message lingered briefly before fading away. Chloe and Nikolai exchanged wide-eyed glances, the implications of what they’d just seen were still alien to them.

Xinhui, however, put her attention on Katya and the monstrous being standing protectively before her. A dark laugh escaped the Don’s lips as realization dawned on her.

“Finally, I can see you for what you really are.”

Her eyes narrowed as she studied Katya intently.

“So, that’s how you’ve been hiding, until now, all I could see was some other girl—different face, different hair, dressed in that ridiculous garb from the ‘White Flower Divination School’. But now? Now I see the truth. Just a child. A pathetic, little girl.”

Her anger boiled over, her lips curling into a snarl.

"And you’re the one who scarred me?”

She roared, her voice trembling with rage.

“A child dared to wound me?”

Katya tilted her head slightly, her unsettling expression still in place.

“Scarred you?”

She echoed, her voice dripping with mock innocence. Then her grim look widened, her eyes glowing brighter.

“You will be begging me to kill to escape what I will do to you.”

The monster lunged at Abbess Xinhui again, its massive claws carving through the air with terrifying speed. Each strike shook the ground, the force of its blows sending shockwaves that made the walls of the prison groan under the strain. Abbess, unyielding, parried with her staff, the hardened wood reinforced with her ki holding strong against the creature's onslaught. She struck back, her movements precise and deliberate, her expression calm but her eyes blazing with fury.

Between the sounds of claws meeting wood and the cracking of stone, the creature’s laugh suddenly broke through. Its tone was guttural, deep, and mocking, resonating with an inhuman cadence that made the air feel heavy. It growled, a hint of derision dripping from its words.

“A wounded little human pretending to be untouchable?”

Xinhui’s face twisted in anger, her staff smashing against the creature’s claw and forcing it back.

"Insolent filth, you’re nothing but an extension of that brat’s will.”

The battle intensified, and with a deafening crash, one of the prison walls gave way. Dust and rubble exploded outward as the two combatants moved through the breach, their ferocious battle carrying them further from the group.

Katya stood frozen, her crimson eyes locked onto the chaos beyond the broken wall. Her focus was unnerving, her breathing steady despite the carnage. Her lips moved slightly, as if whispering to herself, her entire presence unnervingly calm amidst the destruction.

Chloe, trembling but desperate, slapped her own cheeks to snap herself out of her stupor. Then, with determined urgency, she grabbed Nikolai by the shoulders and shook him.

“Hey, snap out of it!”

She hissed, her voice barely steady. The guy blinked rapidly, his gaze darting from Chloe to the destruction outside.

“What?... R-Right. We need to move.”

He muttered, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. They both hurried to Kazue, who was still leaning weakly against the bars. Together, they helped her stand, each supporting one of her arms. Chloe’s face was set with determination, though fear lingered in her eyes.

“Katya!”

Chloe called out sharply.

“We don’t know what’s going on, but we need to get out of here. Now!”

Katya didn’t respond. Her gaze remained fixed on the distant fight, her body rigid and unmoving.

“Blondie, come on!”

Nikolai added, his voice laced with frustration, but still nothing.

Kazue, wincing from the pain but regaining some strength, managed to speak.

“Katya…”

she said softly, her voice trembling.

“I don’t understand what’s happening. We can… talk about it later. But right now… we have to go.”

That seemed to break through. Katya turned her head slowly to look at Kazue, her crimson eyes softening just slightly. But before she could say anything, her body jerked violently.

Blood sprayed from her right arm, staining the ground beneath her. She gasped in pain, clutching her arm as the wound seemed to appear out of nowhere. At the same moment, the sound of splintering chitin echoed in the distance. Xinhui had landed a devastating strike with her staff on the monster’s claw, forcing it back with a sickening crack. Though the creature roared in defiance, its movements were slower, its injuries apparent.

“How the hell are we supposed to escape if she keeps targeting us?”

Said Nikolai cursing under his breath; Katya, clutching her bleeding arm, gritted her teeth and shouted through the pain.

“I’ll hold her off! Just go! Get out of here while you still can!”

Kazue, despite her own pain, grabbed the blonde by the shoulder. Her grip was firm, and her voice, though weak, carried conviction.

“We’re not leaving without you, Katya.”

For a moment, Katya’s resolve wavered. Her focus shifted to Kazue, and her face turned a deep shade of red. The sheer intensity of Kazue’s words sent her into a flustered state that she struggled to hide. Chloe and Nikolai exchanged a brief look, their expressions a mix of confusion and disbelief. They didn’t say anything, but their shared glance conveyed everything: What the hell was going on with her?

Katya exhaled sharply, her crimson eyes darting back to the chaos beyond the wall. She nodded, her voice unusually soft once again.

“F-Fine… Let’s go.”

The group began moving, Nikolai leading the way with his enhanced speed. He stayed slightly ahead, scouting for any obstacles. Chloe and Kazue hurried after him, with Katya bringing up the rear.

Just as they reached the edge of the corridor, a deafening crack echoed behind them. Xinhui had noticed their retreat. She crouched low, then launched herself into the air, her staff glowing faintly as she propelled herself toward them with alarming speed.

Katya spun around, her crimson eyes blazing.

“Second Tulpa!”

She screamed…The air shimmered, and a second monstrosity appeared, materializing directly in Xinhui’s path. This one was even more horrifying than the first. Its humanoid body was devoid of any facial features, its head smooth and blank like a polished stone. Its limbs were unnaturally long, its hands ending in clawed fingers that twitched with an unsettling rhythm. Its torso seemed to pulse faintly, as though something inside it was alive and moving.

The creature’s appearance forced Xinhui to halt mid-air, her staff raised defensively. The new monster lunged at her without hesitation, forcing her to retreat several steps.

From behind, the first monster, though visibly injured, roared and struck at her exposed back. Xinhui dodged, but the double assault pushed her further back, buying the group precious seconds.

“Go! Now!”

Katya yelled, her voice cutting through the chaos. Taking advantage of the distraction, Nikolai led the group into a sprint, his enhanced speed allowing him to guide them through the prison’s winding corridors. The sounds of combat echoed behind them, but with every step, the distance between them and the battle grew.

The group stumbled out into the open corridors of the prison, where chaos reigned. The air was thick with shouts and the clanging of weapons, punctuated by distant explosions that reverberated through the crumbling walls. Guards sprinted past in every direction, their faces twisted with urgency and confusion. It was clear that something far larger than their escape was happening.

Kazue, breathing heavily but determined, kept pace despite the lingering pain in her body. She cast a glance over her shoulder to ensure Katya was still behind her, noticing the girl’s increasingly labored movements. But Before they could get far, several guards spotted them. The group froze for a split second as the armed men drew their swords and dashed toward them with inhuman agility, their movements sharp and calculated.

“They’ve seen us!”

Nikolai yelled, pulling his companion Chloe back instinctively. However, Kazue’s expression hardened.

“Keep moving!”

She shouted, stepping forward and raising her gauntlets. The guards reached her first. One swung his blade in a wide arc, but Kazue ducked under the strike, her right gauntlet flashing with energy as she drove her fist into his chest. Sparks erupted on impact, and the guard’s body convulsed violently as electricity coursed through him. He crumpled to the ground, spasming but still conscious.

Another guard came at her from the side, slashing downward. Kazue pivoted sharply, her left gauntlet igniting with a sudden burst of flames as she swung at his weapon. The metal hissed, and flames licked up the blade, forcing the man to drop it with a cry of pain. She followed through with a quick uppercut that sent him staggering back, his armor scorched.

“They won’t stay down for long!”

Kazue called out, pulling her companions further along the corridor. The brief skirmishes continued as they moved, each clash buying them a few more seconds but draining the girl’s energy. Meanwhile, Katya stumbled again, her body jerking violently as if struck by an invisible force. This time, she fell backward, landing hard on the stone floor. Blood trickled from her nose, and a dark bruise was already forming under her left eye.

“Katya!”

Kazue rushed to her side, dropping to one knee to help her up. The blonde groaned, trying to steady herself.

“It’s… the Tulpas, they’re taking too much damage. I can’t keep up.”

She muttered through gritted teeth, only to be answered by her friend.

“Lean on me.”

Kazue said firmly, wrapping one arm around Katya’s waist and hoisting her up.

Despite her condition, the blonde’s face flushed hardly as Kazue supported her, but she said nothing, allowing herself to be helped. Chloe and Nikolai exchanged a quick glance once again, Nikolai raising an eyebrow at the odd dynamic, but neither commented as they pressed forward.

Around another corner, a larger group of guards appeared. There were too many—at least a dozen—and their weapons glinted menacingly in the dim light.

Chloe immediately cried out, panic edging into her voice. Before anyone could react further, a loud whistling sound cut through the air. Kazue’s eyes widened as she spotted the source: missiles streaking past them. The projectiles slammed into the ground at the guards’ feet, erupting in fiery explosions. The force of the blasts sent the men flying in all directions, their bodies colliding with walls and crumpling to the ground.

The smoke cleared just enough to reveal the figures standing at the other end of the corridor: Li, Drake, Gregor, and Sebastian, with Falk perched on the latter’s shoulder. Their faces were hardened, their stances ready for battle.

“About time we found you!”

Li called out, his voice gruff but relieved, also Chloe stepped forward.

“What are you doing here? How did you get free?”

Gregor, his face as unreadable as ever, gestured to the prison walls.

“The locks and cuffs just opened. We don’t know why.”

Drake nodded, his usual calm demeanor intact despite the chaos.

“When the restraints broke, we figured we’d better regroup and escape while we could.”

Katya, still leaning on Kazue, managed a tired smirk while Drake frowned, his sharp gaze scanning the group.

“Wait, those were all the ones in your room? Where are Adam and Emir?”

The question hung in the air like a weight, the urgency of their escape momentarily eclipsed by the realization. The others exchanged uneasy looks, each silently asking the same thing: Where were their friends?