Chapter 355: Lockdown

"Kraken." Kyle repeated under his breath. The word bringing back a set of memories, he considered was reality. But apparently wasn’t, instead a fathom of his imagination when killed by the mana rain.

"That’s not right. An expenditure team was already launched to kraken, t-the mission was a success." He argued, clutching half of his face with his left hand.

Stumbling some steps back, reze awkwardly stared at him. She could see he was conflicted about something, probably a memory or something he’d seen during his death.

But more traumatizing than just a vision, which made her wonder what ran through his mind.

’He mentioned an expenditure team, how does he knows about the mission?’ The thought itself was puzzling, like playing checkers.

Sure he wasn’t wrong, an expenditure team comprising of not the strongest elite warriors in Lumia kingdom. As that would be a stupid and deadly risk to take. But more promising candidates of space guards, capable of handling the task.

’This isn’t right, why does it feel like a reality rather than a vision?’ He contemplated, eyes narrow and confused.

There wasn’t an interruption from an external force clouding his mind, or the interference from the entity. So why did it feel like he was stuck in a time lool, just like sandhill castle again?

"Are you alright?" Reze softly uttered, snapping him from his thoughts. Raising his head, bead of sweat could be seen dropping to the ground.

"When does the expenditure team leave?" Kyle asked, his gaze locked to falcon’s image silently writhing in pain.

"In about 2 days time." She replied in a rather cautious tone. "Don’t tell me you’re considering joining for the greater cause." She sarcastically muttered with a light smile.

Ignoring her infectious grin, he stepped closer to the screen. A mixture of guilt and rage burnt within him, causing the expelsion of a shadowy mist.

"How long?" Reze suddenly blurted out adjusting her glasses a bit. Her tone laced with caution, careful not to upset Kyle being at a disadvantage.

"What are you talking about?" The latter grumbled, not in the mood for games.

"You know exactly what I mean. When we first met I scanned you, and your aura was nothing like a typical human. But more distinct."

Typing in some commands on her watch, a feed popped up. Highlighting what Kyle confirmed were two gene structures, one in blue and the other black.

"This is the typical average human awakener gene structure. Similar to the nonawakeners except with some slight differences." She pointed to the first.

"Now the most noticeable feature is the colour difference. Blue indicating mana, the primary source of energy for all living things."

"So?" Kyle butted in, getting triggered by her nose butting.

"Well, that was what we thought until you showed up and changed our perspective. This black is no doubt the energy you use when activating your skills. Meaning it vague and unidentified, with a more wild sensation like burning fire."

Looking at her, there was no doubt she was referring to his demon energy.

Sure it wasn’t a fact he tried to hide. Probably before, but not anymore. Still, he didn’t guess the woman before him would figure it out this quickly.

’She must know I’m a demon.’

[That not likely to be the case here.] Snow reply was instant.

[She a scientist. And like all these mad driven ambitious lunatics they feed on deception and proof. From the looks of things, she lacks the second. Which explains here beating around the bush and not coming out straight.] She explained with a weird low giggle. Almost like she was enjoying this scenario.

"When does the expenditure team leave?" Kyle asked, ignoring her earlier question.

Not responding, she stared at him for some seconds. "I’m not allowed to reveal the details of a crucial mission to a peasant."

Chuckling, kyle snapped his finger and an arm made of shadows, specifically Reze shadow latched onto her neck.

The grip tightening around her like a coil, squeezing harder without remorse.

"I commend your loyalty, but you’re going to die a pointless death. For what? A ruthless monster who despises everyone, including his own daughter." Stretching his left hand, he could feel a connection with her shadow.

Almost like it was now a part of him, an extension of sorts from his body.

"Do it, kill me. I’m prepared to die~ I ju-st hope your parents an-d that fox woman are willing to do the same." She barely uttered, choking on her own saliva.

[She does have a point. Killing her doesn’t change the fact falcon’s time is running out. And besides, call me crazy but I think she wants you on the mission.] Snow chipped like an excited little girl.

’And why would you think that?’ Kyle sarcastically transmitted.

[Because he’s here.]

Bam!

The next moment caught everyone by surprise, as the door came flying towards Kyle. Causing him to deactivate his shadow craft ability on Reze, swiftly grabbing the shadow dagger floating besides him.

Making a fluid motion cut in a straight line, severing the door in two as the blade simply phased through.

"I get that you’re conflicted, but killing my lead scientist and head innovator isn’t allowed." Troy calmly uttered without a shroud of malice. But Kyle could sense the cold killer motive as he spoke.

"Really? Then I guess I’ll have to kill you instead." A sick smile crept to Kyle’s lips taking a step forward.

’Ph-ough! Phough! That was fun, for a moment there I thought I was a goner.’ Slightly shaking her head, Reze helped herself up with assistance from the main terminal.

Tapping a button the whole room shifted into an ominous red background, with the control panels and screens disappeared like they were never there to begin with.

[Lockdown mode initiated!]

The hollow machine voice affirmed, with a soft hiss.

"Huh? Don’t tell me you placed the whole kingdom on lockdown just because of a friendly scuffle." Troy awkwardly chuckled, innocently scratching the back of his hair. Which no doubt irritated the bloodthirsty demon opposite him more.

"This isn’t a global lockdown. It’s only refrained to this room, I can’t have you two going on a mindless clash and jeopardizing the safety of the kingdom." Reze calmly stated, folding her arms on her two melons. Which didn’t go unnoticed by the two men present in the room.

"Lockdown or not, I’m still going to kill you." A deep scowl was etched to Kyle’s face, eyes locked on his target.

"Wait! Think this through, we all have something to benefit from here. You have a shot at saving falcon and we get the materials needed to rebuild the kingdom. It’s a win-win!" Reze concluded, all to which fell on deaf ears.

"Why don’t I just kill him and we enslave the others." Troy snickered with a sly grin, imitating a slit throat.

’Children~ I’m surrounded by a bunch of irrational arrogant brats.’ Reze inwardly sighed, noting the escalation was rising beyond her grasp. Unless she did something about it, and fast.

’Shit. I hope this works.’ Crossing her fingers, she yelled the first thing that came into mind.

"This planet is dying!" She yelled at the top of her lungs, and it worked. Her words managed to get the attention, of the two powerful figures in the room.

"What do you mean by planet dying?" Troy was the first to speak. His expression completely turned serious and sour like before.

"Well, you asked me to do a search on the potential suspects Lynn might’ve been dealing with." She paused pulling up a holographic image from her watch.

"While I didn’t get any potential suspects, I did find this out. As you can see, this is what is known as a core. The life force of every living thing, responsible for regulating life and death." Pointing to the blue circle the size of a car, the image enlarged depicting half portion of the circle red.

"Like all living things, their cores also gets infected." Reze continued, her tone carrying a more heavy dialogue.

"And if not treated, causes an imbalance in the energy flow. Therby destabilizing the corresponding mana, leading to a disintegrating core."

Listening to her, troy’s brows crunched a bit and even the air reacted. Swirling more faster and sharper around him.

"According to your explanation, it’s clear Lynn is probably a part of this. How much time do we have until the planet gets destroyed?"

"Not long. Previous calculations suggests about a dozen years, but because of the world tears interference the process has been surged."

The screen changed into a timer counting downward. ’We have about less than 2 days before the planet explodes."

"Sighs.. Not good. That means the decimation of an entire person inhabiting Orobos, and without the teleportation pad or abundant spacecraft we’re toast." Troy finished, to which Reze nodded her head positive.

"Very well then. The expenditure team shall leave at first light tomorrow." The king paused, side glancing Kyle aware of this.

"The peasant is coming too."