Chapter 403: Worry, Fear and Frustration

Brandon had experienced death, hell he dared say twice even.

Yet here he was, nervously pacing before the door of the girl he loved.

Of all the horrible things he had experienced in the abyssal zone, there was nothing he regretted more than the fact that he wasn’t strong enough to protect his friends.

His heart ached even more at the fact that Elaine had to go through so much to protect them all.

He was determined to get stronger, especially since an opportunity seemed to have opened itself to him...

[Congratulations, Heir of Flames!]

[You have gained access to the first floor of the Nine Hell Infernal World...]

Brandon’s breath hitched, an opportunity to venture into a realm where he could grow his strength and seek a chance to break beyond the awakened realm!

What was beyond? Even he didn’t know...

But the description for this realm clearly stated that he had a chance to harvest enough x-gene to initiate an evolution of life.

Not only that, as long as he could kill enough, maxing his stats and class level wouldn’t be a problem.

It was a golden opportunity, one that came to him at the perfect moment.

But before he could go, he not only had to wait to confirm Seth’s and Uriel’s fate, he also had to...

His eyes shifted towards Elaine’s door as he sighed, ’Leaving things as they are would be too stupid...’ he declared inwardly.

Footsteps rang out, a shadow looming from beneath the door, growing darker as it grew close.

Elaine... she was finally ready.

Brandon swallowed hard, his palms going sweaty as creaks rang out and the doorknob began to turn.

His heartbeat accelerated by the second, his emotions all over the place and his mind flustered.

The semblance of composure he had managed to gather dissolved that very instant.

Elaine’s door suddenly swung open, her frame standing right before the doorway, their gazes meeting.

Both parties went stiff and silent, just standing there staring at one another for a moment.

Brandon stood mesmerized, basking in the splendor of the beauty before him.

She was dressed in a royal blue gown, her unblemished, pristine features accompanied by entrancing winter blue eyes holding his reflection, all the epitome of perfection in his eyes.

His mind went blank, as the intense longing in each side’s heart rose with the tension.

Brandon had to snap out of it, shaking his head and feigning a cough, his gaze going intense as he focused on Elaine.

"We need to talk..." he said softly, watching her bashful expression.

Elaine shyly averted her gaze and stepped to the side, making room for him to pass.

He walked in, closing the door behind him, stopping right before Elaine, who anxiously fiddled with the hem of her gown, her eyes on the ground.

Brandon’s resolve hardened, and he didn’t let the silence reign for long.

He took a sudden step forward and took Elaine by the hands, his gaze softening, and Elaine didn’t resist.

"We have unfinished business..." he muttered softly.

And finally she looked up, meeting his gaze, "I know," she replied, her voice low yet soothing to the ears.

Elaine was doing all in her power at the moment to mask her current condition, hoping Brandon wouldn’t catch on.

She feared he would worry too much...

Yet despite her attempts, Brandon sensed something wrong as seconds passed.

He could feel the strange force conflicting in her body, the moment he took her hands.

And though he couldn’t diagnose the problem, he could clearly tell something was wrong.

Brandon frowned, his brows furrowing, his lips parting in an attempt to speak on the issue when suddenly...

He felt Elaine’s muscles go tense abruptly, her frame suddenly collapsing forward into his embrace.

Her veins bulged black, her eyes lost focus, and her stifled breaths drew into pained gasps.

Brandon’s arms shot out to hold her properly as she convulsed uncontrollably.

"What’s happening?! Are you okay?!" he asked, his voice cracking, his heart racing as he held onto the woman he loved while she writhed in pain.

Helpless to do anything but just watch...

He dared not send even a sliver of essence into her body...

Seeing as her state was induced by a problem caused by her own energy, he feared meddling would only make it worse.

Especially since he didn’t know what was wrong, his hands were tied.

Seconds passed, his anxiety climbing as his helplessness grew into frustration and his frustration birthed fear.

Was she dying or not? He had no clue and that terrified him even more.

He had barely confessed his love and he was about to lose her just like that?

Brandon’s mind raced with a million thoughts, his breath held as he stared down at her frozen, helpless frame.

He didn’t know what to do...

A knock rang on her door behind them, but he paid no heed.

His focus remained trained on Elaine, monitoring her condition as the death essence wafting from her seemed to reach its peak.

Before the commotion finally began to recede, the black veins slowly deflated, her body growing calm...

Brandon let out a shaky breath, ’She will live!’ He didn’t care about anything more at the moment...

The moment her lids cracked open, his hold on her tightened as he pulled her into an embrace, his eyes reddening, a tear breaking loose.

Relief flooding his veins...

She was alive!

Elaine’s lips moved slightly as she gathered all the strength she could and wrapped her hands around him, accepting his embrace.

Her lips parting into a faint, helpless smile, she muttered... "It’s okay... I’m okay..."

Brandon finally jerked backward, releasing himself from her grasp, a stream of tears marking his face.

He stared at her seriously, scanning her from head to toe to confirm that she was okay...

Then finally he spoke, worry rife in his tone, "Are you okay? Is it an injury?" he asked.

Elaine sighed at his question, her shoulders drooping low, her gaze evading his, and she shook her head.

"It’s not an injury... it’s a problem of balance, as for the cause..." She paused, pressing her lips as she thought back to that presence once more.

Then she continued, an uncertain note in her voice, "I’m not sure yet..."

Brandon remained silent, about to ask her if she knew how to solve it when another voice, Jack’s voice, came from behind the door.

"Um, guys! I don’t mean to disturb, but I just got news, it’s Seth and Uriel! They have regained consciousness!"