Chapter 36: A Girl
Eric stared at the blue System Window that had suddenly appeared in front of him, his heart still beating fast from the surprise. The happy feeling from discovering his new strength vanished, replaced by worry. Why had the System popped up without him asking?
Text appeared quickly on the screen.
[System]: Eric, be careful! Someone is hiding nearby. I can feel them.
Eric’s eyes widened. Hiding nearby? Here, in the royal gardens? His first thought jumped to the legendary Royal Shadow Guards – protectors said to move unseen, guarding the King and the royal family.
But he quickly dismissed that idea. He’d heard stories that the Shadow Guards only operated outside the palace walls or directly for the King himself; they weren’t supposed to be active inside the palace grounds like this, especially not watching him, the ’useless’ prince.
He looked back at the System Window, his expression turning serious. "Someone’s hiding?" he whispered, feeling a new kind of energy – nervousness – prickle his skin. "Where? Can you tell where they are?"
Inside Eric – Adam’s Domain
Adam, still watching through Eric’s senses, focused intently on the faint energy signature he had detected. It was definitely close. He pinpointed its location. ’Millenia,’ Adam sent a quick mental command to the System, ’Tell Eric. The presence is up in that large tree directly in front of him. On one of the thick branches. Doesn’t feel very old, whoever it is.’
Back in the Garden
New text instantly appeared on Eric’s System Window.
[System]: Look up! Someone is sitting on a branch in the big tree right in front of you. Their energy signal is weak, but it feels... different.