Chapter 7: Ch:7 No Escape
But then Dila laughed—nervously, awkwardly.
"Haha... ha... what are you two talking about? I'm fine. Totally fine... hahahaha..."
Her laugh cracked toward the end, brittle as glass. She pushed herself up on shaky arms, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
The knight tilted his head slightly, watching her. "Umm... kid, are you really sure about that? Or are you just pretending you're okay?"
The priestess took a step closer, her concern evident. "You're not okay," she said softly, her voice calm but firm. "You're pale. And your aura—it's trembling."
Dila's smile twitched, faltering for a moment. Her fingers curled weakly into fists.
"...It's just the mana pressure," she muttered, avoiding their eyes. "I'll manage."
Dila's thoughts spiraled as her body wavered, the weight of the corruption pressing harder against her chest.
God... I feel more nauseating than I thought. My head's spinning... my limbs are heavy... if this keeps up, I'll black out right here. I can't—I can't pass out now.
She looked up—eyes unfocused—just in time to see the Veil pulse again, its veins throbbing with a deep, violent red, almost like it was alive and watching them.
That pulse... it's stronger than before. And it's accelerating...