Chapter 15: A World Not Mine
"Vital... Crest?"
Velren muttered under his breath, flicking his gaze to the lingering projection of the system interface before him. The words glowed faintly, searing into his mind.
"You brat!" the mercenary's voice cut through the air, snapping Velren back to the present.
'Shit!'
His heart lurched. He quickly dismissed the Codex, vanishing its translucent window with a faint shimmer. With no time to process the words flashing before him, Velren did the only thing he could—run. Tightening his grip around the unconscious girl, he bolted through the trees.
'Focus, Velren... focus!'
He flowed his Ka into his legs, coursing the energy through his veins in a warm rush. His footfalls grew lighter, and his strides became longer. It wasn't much—but even the smallest edge mattered. He could feel it: the subtle push forward, the way his muscles responded more fluidly. Faster, just a bit faster.
Behind him, the branches snapped, and the leaves rustled under a heavy chase.
"Stop there, you fucking brat!" the mercenary's enraged voice echoed through the trees.
'Fuck no!'
Velren didn't dare to glance back. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to move!