Chapter 241: A price of promise

The clash of steel rang in Shaan’s ears, growing louder and more intense with every passing second. His heart pounded. He didn’t need to look back to know the battle had grown fiercer. He had to keep moving until he reached the black box.

"Time to close this portal."

With all his might, Shaan pulled both keys from the box. A violent tremor shook the entire cathedral, making its walls shudder. The portal’s swirling vortex gradually dimmed before vanishing completely.

’Th-thank goodness.’ Shaan let out a deep breath and slumped to the ground. ’At least everyone is safe now—’

"No! What have you done!" The Resistance leader glared at Shaan, his face twisting with rage. "You... You’ll regret what you’ve done!"

The Resistance leader lunged at Shaan and swung his sword. Shaan quickly crossed his dual short swords in front of his chest, blocking the attack just in time.

’Clang!’

Sparks flashed before Shaan’s eyes. The Resistance leader immediately unleashed a flurry of strikes. Shaan parried each blow, but his strength continued to fade with every exchange.

’Ding!’

[Aspira Ignis remaining: 59%]

’Ding!’

[Aspira Ignis remaining: 58%]

’Ding!’

[Aspira Ignis remaining: 57%]

’This is bad. Aspira Ignis is draining fast.’ Shaan bit his lower lip. His hands kept moving to fend off the resistance leader’s brutal attacks. ’I can’t keep going like this; I have to find a way to—’

"Shaan, watch out!"

Miss Khaya’s warning made Shaan whip around. A pile of rebar lay directly behind him. Damn it. He hadn’t realized the Resistance leader had deliberately driven him toward the metal debris. Without a second thought, Shaan spun around and threw himself to the ground.

"Argh!" Tiny shards of gravel pierced Shaan’s shoulder, drawing fresh blood from the wound. "D-damn it." He stretched his arm forward, desperately reaching for his dual short swords, which lay a short distance away. "I-I have to—"

Shaan’s eyes widened. His body froze as he saw the Resistance leader’s sword poised directly above his head. At such close range, there was no way he could escape the incoming strike.

"Die, you bastard!"

’Clang!’

Miss Khaya rushed in and raised her spear to deflect the blow. She then spun the weapon swiftly and launched a counterattack, forcing the Resistance leader away from Shaan.

"Shaan, the medical team is waiting outside the door. Take Miss Daisy and the others out of here." Miss Khaya glanced at Shaan. "My team and I will handle the Resistance leader."

Shaan nodded. "I-I understand."

Miss Khaya launched another attack at the Resistance leader, giving Shaan an opening to move. Without wasting any time, he slowly got to his feet and helped the others out of the room one by one. He started with Miss Daisy, followed by Theo, and finally Chelsie.

"Just a little farther..." Shaan kept moving, supporting Chelsie as they approached the exit. "Hang in there, Chelsie. We’re almost there."

At the doorway, several Resistance medics wearing Red Cross insignias on their left sleeves rushed forward. They quickly placed the injured on stretchers.

"Excellent work. We’ll get them medical attention right away." One of the medics glanced at the bruises on Shaan’s hand. "You need treatment too."

"I’m fine. They need help more than I do." Shaan turned toward the cathedral. "I have to help Miss Khaya.

"All right, if you say so." The medic fell silent for a moment. "Be careful."

As he started to leave, someone grabbed his wrist.

"Chelsie?"

"S-Shaan..." Her weak voice stopped him. "P-please, don’t let—"

"I know." Shaan smiled gently and patted the back of her hand. "I won’t let your father die. I promise."

Chelsie’s dark eyes widened. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small potion bottle. "Th-thank you. Take this. It’ll restore some of your mana."

Shaan uncorked the bottle and drank the potion in one gulp. "Thank you, Chelsie."

She gave him a faint smile before the medics carried her away with the others. Shaan watched until they disappeared from sight. At least they were safe now.

’I need to get back. Miss Khaya can’t hold out forever.’

He turned and rushed into the cathedral.

***

The Resistance leader’s sword flashed toward Miss Khaya’s chest, but she swiftly twisted her spear and deflected the blade away from her body. Her hands moved quickly, spinning the spear around before launching a counterattack against the Resistance leader.

"Clang!"

"Damn it!"

"Haha, you think you can hurt me like that?"

’The Resistance leader was far stronger than I expected.’ Miss Khaya tightened her grip on her spear and glanced at her members, who were still busy fighting Ronin. ’I need to find an opening and break through his defenses.’

"What’s wrong? Already thinking of giving up?" The Resistance leader smiled when he noticed Miss Khaya’s tense expression. "I told you. You’ll never defeat me."

’Damn it. I need someone to distract him while I land a decisive blow.’ Miss Khaya bit her lower lip. ’But who could—’

"Miss Khaya!"

Hearing someone call her name, Miss Khaya turned around. "Shaan?" She immediately unleashed a powerful strike, forcing the Resistance leader backward. "What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here!"

"Relax. Chelsie gave me a potion, so I’m feeling much better now." Shaan swung his dual short swords and fixed his gaze on the Resistance leader. "The cursed object’s effects are still active, and I can still use its power to fight."

"All right, then you can—" Miss Khaya suddenly stopped. Her brows furrowed. "W-wait a minute. A cursed object?"

"That’s right. I found it while traveling through the forest on my way to Twilight Sanctum."

Miss Khaya fell silent for a moment, shaking her head. "Shaan, have you lost your mind?" She folded her arms across her chest. "That thing has extremely dangerous effects. It could kill you."

"Yes, but... at least it can help me—"

"Enough. We’ll discuss all of this once this is over." Miss Khaya turned her gaze toward the resistance leader. "Right now, I have an idea to beat this guy, but I need your help."