Chapter 140 Giant statue shed

Chapter 140: Chapter 140 Giant statue shed

On the other hand, crawling up at the base of an enormous statue was Rowan, his arms wrapped tightly around a bleeding Luna. She was drenched in blood from head to toe.

Rowan was coughing and gurgling seawater from his mouth and nose, desperately trying to keep himself conscious as the waves continued pulling at his body. He had almost been swept away several times, but somehow, in the middle of the chaos, he had managed to grab hold of Luna. And once he had her, he refused to let go.

He held her so tightly that it felt as though the moment he loosened his grip, even for a second, she would disappear beneath the waves and drift away from him forever.

The ocean had carried them farther than he could understand. But somehow, they had been lucky enough to find a massive statue rising from the water. Its enormous feet stood high above the surface, creating a small area where the waves weren’t hitting as violently. Rowan had floated beneath it and managed to pull himself and Luna toward the base.

It wasn’t exactly safety. But compared to the open ocean, it was the closest thing they had.

Rowan stayed there, holding Luna against his chest while looking around desperately. There was no sign of Kai. No sign of Adrian. And most importantly, no sign of Ethan.

"Luna, are you still with me?" Rowan asked, his voice trembling with worry.

Luna didn’t answer. Her breathing had become shallow, almost frighteningly so. Her body was getting colder by the second from the freezing water, and Rowan immediately pulled her closer against his chest, trying to share whatever warmth his own body still had.

"I’ve got you," he whispered. His arms tightened around her. "I’m here. I’ve got you. Nothing will happen to you. Just hold on." He looked around again. "Let Ethan reach here."

He was practically begging for it. Ethan had to be somewhere. He had to be alive.

Rowan looked down at his own body and noticed blood staining the front of his clothes. Luna’s blood had soaked into him because of the way he was holding her. His stomach twisted.

The ice shard was still lodged in Luna’s chest. Removing it without Ethan’s healing ability could be fatal. If Rowan pulled it out himself, the wound could open completely and she could bleed to death within seconds.

So he couldn’t do anything. All he could do was hold her. Wait. And pray.

Luna’s eyes remained open, though barely. She struggled to keep them that way as she stared at Rowan.

Was this the end for her again? After being given a second chance at life, was she really going to die in the middle of another disaster?

Her mind filled with memories. Her first life. Her death. The people who had betrayed her. The loneliness. The fear. Everything she had tried to change.

And now she was here again. Cold. Bleeding. Trapped in the middle of the ocean. Surrounded by creatures that could kill them at any moment.

Just why was her life like this?

She had done everything she could. She had prepared. She had hoarded supplies. She had gathered powerful companions. She had built a home. She had tried to change the future.

Yet here she was, clinging to life beneath a gigantic statue in the middle of a sea filled with monsters.

And the most painful part was that she knew she had chosen this path. She had left the protection of her home because she wanted to raid the supermarket. She had ignored warnings. She had brought everyone into danger.

And now the others were nowhere around. It was just her and Rowan.

Her lips finally moved. "Where are your fellow companions?"

It was the first thing she had said in what felt like forever.

Rowan’s eyes widened. "Luna!" He almost laughed from relief. "You’re alright. Don’t worry. I’ll find a way to make you better." His voice shook. "As you fought for us, I’ll do the same thing for you."

Luna almost laughed. Almost.

The situation was so absurd that she didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

When she had fought for Kai and Adrian before, things had been different. She had her system. She had her resources. She had Ethan. She had everyone around her.

But now? Her system was gone. Her companions were scattered. The ocean had swallowed everything. And she had no idea whether the others were even alive.

"Unfortunately, Rowan, you can’t do anything about it," Luna whispered. "This is different from the other time." Her voice was lifeless. "I had my system. I had you guys. But now, without that system..." She paused. "I’m nothing."

Rowan’s expression immediately hardened. "No."

Luna looked at him.

"We are useless, Luna." His voice was filled with frustration. "Despite everything you did for us, despite bringing us to your side and trying to protect us, we still couldn’t protect you."

Luna slowly shook her head. "No."

They had tried. That was the truth. They had done everything they could. The problem was that the danger surrounding them had multiplied beyond anything she had experienced in her first life.

Things weren’t the same anymore. Sea monsters. Dungeons. The ocean disappearing. Creatures emerging from beneath the earth and sea.

None of this had happened in her previous life. Back then, there had been natural disasters, monsters, zombies, and the occasional mutated creature. It had been horrible. But at least the rules had been somewhat understandable.

This time, everything was different. The world itself seemed determined to become more terrifying with every passing day. And somehow, she had walked directly into the middle of it.

"You’re not useless," Luna finally whispered. "At least you tried to be a good companion." She swallowed. "You tried to keep me safe, even when it meant destroying your own comfort." Her voice became weaker. "It’s ironic."

Rowan looked at her.

"I’m dying again." Her eyes watered. "But this time, when I finally have what I didn’t have in my past life..." She glanced at him. "I have real companions." Her gaze dropped. "Real ones."

Rowan’s heart clenched. One of them was right beside her, holding her as if she were the most precious treasure on Earth.

Luna slowly closed her eyes. "I’m the problem after all."

Rowan immediately shook his head. "Don’t say that."

"Maybe if I had stopped being such a mean bitch and actually listened to you, we wouldn’t be here." She gave a weak laugh. "You warned me, remember?"

She was tired of crying. Crying wouldn’t solve anything. The damage had already been done. Maybe this was the price she had to pay for being too stubborn.

But Rowan tightened his arms around her. Then he gently cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him.

"A system isn’t what makes you useful." His voice was firm. "Don’t ever say that again."

Luna stared at him.

"Without that machine, you’re still badass." A small smile appeared on his face. "Still iconic too."

Luna’s lips twitched.

"And maybe I should have told you this earlier..." His eyes began watering. "But I’ve realized how I feel about you."

Luna’s eyes widened slightly. Rowan took a breath.

But before he could continue—GASP!

A loud gasp erupted from the water.

Both of them turned.

A figure suddenly broke through the surface, struggling desperately to reach the statue. "Ethan!"

Rowan immediately stretched out his hand. Ethan grabbed it. Rowan pulled with everything he had left. Ethan’s body slammed against the statue before he collapsed onto the stone surface, coughing violently.

He lay there for several seconds, desperately gulping air while staring down at the dark water beneath them.

The statue was enormous. Ethan had apparently climbed through the water and somehow managed to reach the higher section where they could actually stand. For the first time in what felt like hours, he was on solid ground.

But then a cough caught his attention. He immediately turned.

"Luna!" Ethan rushed toward them. "Let me help her."

Rowan immediately shifted aside.

Ethan carefully lifted Luna’s head and placed it in his lap. He examined the ice shard embedded in her chest. His expression became serious. "This is bad."

"I know," Rowan replied.

Ethan placed both palms around Luna’s stomach and chest. A faint glow began forming around his hands. "Hold her still."

Rowan nodded.

Ethan took a deep breath. Then he carefully pulled the ice shard out. Blood immediately poured from the wound.

Rowan’s heart nearly stopped. "Ethan!"

"Trust me."

The healing glow intensified. Light spread across Luna’s chest. The wound began closing. Slowly at first. Then faster. The torn flesh stitched itself together so quickly that it almost looked as if the injury had never existed.

Rowan stared in disbelief.

Ethan continued until the bleeding completely stopped.

Luna’s breathing gradually became steadier. Her tense expression relaxed. Finally, she drifted into sleep. Not death. Sleep. A peaceful sleep without pain.

Ethan released a long breath and smiled. "She’ll be okay."

Rowan’s shoulders dropped. He had been holding his breath the entire time. Then, without warning, he surged forward and hugged Ethan tightly.

"Thanks so much, man." His voice cracked. "I really appreciate it."

Ethan laughed quietly. "It’s okay."

Rowan pulled back and wiped the tears from his eyes. His clothes were still covered in blood, but he didn’t care.

Ethan looked toward Luna. "You love her."

Rowan froze.

"And I do too." Ethan’s expression softened. "I’ll never let anything happen to her if I can stop it." He looked directly at Rowan. "She fought for us." His voice became firm. "So I want us to do the same for her."

Rowan nodded immediately. "With our lives."

"With our lives."

For a brief moment, the two men stood there in silence.

Then—Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

A strange rumbling sound echoed beneath them.

Both men looked down. The water moved. At first, it was barely noticeable. Small ripples spread across the surface. Then the ripples became waves.

Ethan’s expression changed. "Rowan..." He stepped closer to the edge. "Look."

Rowan followed his gaze.

The sea was moving backward. Not slowly. Not naturally. It was retreating at an unbelievable speed. The water pulled away from the statue, revealing enormous stretches of muddy ground beneath it.

"What the hell?" Rowan whispered.

The water continued disappearing. Farther. And farther.

Within minutes, the area that had been completely submerged was exposed. Mud. Rocks. Dead sea creatures. Wreckage. Everything that had

been hidden beneath the ocean was suddenly revealed.

Ethan’s jaw nearly dropped. He stared at the retreating sea in complete disbelief. "Where..." He swallowed. "Where are the waters?"