Chapter 16: Banquet (4) {Difference}
As the spider slowly stirred awake, still groggy from its interrupted evolution, it was at its weakest. A rare chance, but also a dangerous one. Without hesitation, I grabbed Alisa's small, delicate body and slung her gently over my shoulder.
I ran. And kept running.
The light at the end of the cave seemed both close and impossibly far. Behind me, Alisa, regaining a shred of her strength, raised her hand and conjured a massive dark orb—almost the size of a Boulder.
It shot forward like a meteor, colliding with a crumbling ancient rock formation. The spider dodged it effortlessly, but the blast disrupted its path, buying us precious seconds. Without it, we'd have been devoured. No doubt.
Panting, I forcefully deactivated my Exorcist form. The exhaustion was overwhelming, threatening to collapse me on the spot. If I didn't cancel it now, I'd be unconscious before we made it out.
Alisa was in no better shape. Her breathing was shallow, her skin pale. She had used every drop of her remaining strength to help us escape. Still, she managed to smile weakly and hugged my neck from behind, whispering with gratitude.
"Thank you."
I only nodded, too focused on running to respond. But deep down, her gesture struck something inside me.
She smiled bitterly, seeing my exhausted face. Would anyone else? she thought. Would a mere 2-star risk his life for someone like me... in front of a near-7-star beast?
Her usual emotionless expression cracked ever so slightly with guilt.
Eventually, we returned. Alisa, not wanting to cause a commotion at the banquet, sent a mental transmission.