Chapter 374: Trapped
Chapter 374: Trapped
The mechanical hiss of the Aegis-V suit faded entirely as the heavy plating slid open, releasing a cloud of stagnant, pressurized air into the hollow clearing. Elara’s eyes cracked open, her pupils dilating rapidly as they adjusted to the oppressive, crimson hue bathing the ancient cavern. She didn’t panic, nor did she scream. Her realization of where she was was instantaneous; the heavy, toxic gravity of planet Kraken was unmistakable to anyone who had crossed its threshold.The only reason she had been unconscious in the first place was because she had stayed on this planet for a duration far exceeding the natural safety limits for a baseline human. The exposure had taken a catastrophic toll on her internal mana reserves, entirely draining her spiritual core to the point of near-collapse.
Yet, the moment her feet touched the root-choked soil, her raw survival instincts overrode her deep exhaustion. In a flash of fluid, practiced movement, she rolled backward, putting a considerable distance between herself and Kyle. Her breath came in short, measured gasps, her hands instinctively forming low, defensive mudras hidden beneath her tattered cloak. Her guard was entirely up, her eyes sharp, calculated, and predatory. Kyle watched her closely, remembering the vivid blackout vision he had experienced previously—a vision that had unmasked her true nature not as a helpless civilian, but as a formidable witch and a practitioner of the dark arts.
[Host, her spiritual readings are fluctuating wildly,] Snow’s voice cut sharply into his mind, accompanied by a flickering holographic display visible only to him. [The system is picking up micro-bursts of kinetic mana around her lower limbs. She is actively calculating escape vectors based on the localized terrain data. She’s planning to flee.]
Kyle gave a microscopic nod, his muscles instantly tightening as he went on full guard. He wasn’t about to let his only active lead slip away after everything he had sacrificed to keep her breathing on this godforsaken rock.
*’A fierce one, isn’t she?’* The Rootcrystal Deer’s telepathic voice suddenly echoed inside Kyle’s head, completely unbothered by the escalating tension. *’Tell me, young demon... do you and this little witch share a romantic interest? The dramatic resonance between your souls is quite exquisite.’*
Kyle’s composure nearly cracked. *’Shut up,’* he retorted internally, a faint, sudden flush of embarrassment crossing his features before he forcefully suppressed it. *’This isn’t the time or place for your commentary.’*
*’Fascinating...’* the deer murmured, its voice trailing off into a deep, melodic tone that made Kyle’s intuition prickle. There were definitely hidden motives buried within that beast’s words, layers of calculation he couldn’t yet unravel. But he had absolutely no time to parse the psychological games of a parasitic soul-bound companion right now.
Shifting his focus entirely back to Elara, Kyle stepped forward, the crimson glow of his demon eyes cutting through the dimness of the grove. He didn’t hesitate, abandoning all pleasantries.
"Where is Yua?" he demanded directly. "Tell me her whereabouts right now."