Chapter 71 - 70 - The Crushing Weight of Love
Rocky was gasping for breath, his chest heaving with each inhale as his heartbeat pounded erratically. Sweat clung to his temples, and his body still hummed with the fading remnants of stone affinity energy. But the moment his eyes landed on Riven’s collapsed figure on the ground, the fury etched into his face was replaced with shock.
That gaze.
Riven’s eyes were still open—staring at him, sharp, unyielding, as if refusing to surrender.
But his body didn’t move an inch.
Rocky clenched his teeth and rushed toward him, a mix of panic and frustration surging in his chest. He knelt beside the man, inspecting him closely. No response. Riven didn’t blink, didn’t twitch his fingers, didn’t make a sound.
"What the...?"
He pressed two fingers to Riven’s neck, searching for a pulse. It was there—faint, but steady.
"H-Hey... Riven!"
He waved a hand in front of Riven’s face, but nothing happened. Those eyes stayed wide open, gazing into the void—like a statue molded by pure defiance, refusing defeat even in unconsciousness.
A chill crept up Rocky’s spine.
He shivered—not just from fear, but from something deeper... a growing respect. Riven, who looked like a mere servant, had passed out with his eyes open—because his will wouldn’t let go even at the end.
Rocky quickly examined Riven’s injuries. The bruises on his chest and abdomen were severe, and when he pressed gently on the man’s side, he felt the unmistakable dislocation of broken ribs—at least two or three.