Chapter 210: Chapter 209
[Third Person's PoV]
Cid lay nestled within his shadow realm, his body pressed against Alpha's stomach, his face gently nuzzling her warm skin as he softly rubbed his hand against it. Alpha let out a soft, amused chuckle, her hand ruffling through Cid's dark hair, a tender smile playing on her lips.
"You're so affectionate today," Alpha teased gently, enjoying the quiet moment.
Nearby, Beta watched the pair, her thumb grazing her lower lip as she bit the nail in thought. A pang of longing flickered in her chest. "Maybe I should get pregnant next," she muttered under her breath, half to herself, "so he'll do that with me, too."
Gamma, standing beside her, shot Beta a weary smile, shaking her head slightly. "Would you really get pregnant just so he'd pamper you like that?"
Beta pouted, placing her hand over her stomach as if imagining the weight of a child growing there. "No…" she mumbled, her eyes softening as her thoughts wandered. "It would be nice to have something to represent our love… A child, a beautiful bond between my lord and me." Her face flushed, and she covered her blushing cheeks with her hands, her voice growing more excited. "Kyaa!"
Her flustered demeanor didn't last long before she dropped her hands and spoke more quietly, her gaze growing distant. "I'd want a boy... A miniature version of him. I'd pamper him, dress him up…" She twirled her fingers absentmindedly, and with a flicker of icy magic, delicate snowflakes materialized in the air, forming tiny sculptures. The frosty figures slowly took shape—an image of Cid, smiling as he held a small boy on his shoulders, Beta leaning against him with a look of pure contentment.
Gamma smiled warmly, her eyes drawn to the sculptures. She found herself imagining what it would be like to be in Beta's place, her heart fluttering at the thought.
Beta turned to Gamma, curiosity lighting her expression. "What about you? Would you want a boy or a girl?"
Gamma tapped her chin, pondering for a moment. "Hmm… I think I'd be happy either way. Boy or girl, it wouldn't matter because I know… our lord would love them with all his heart."
"I'd want a girl!" Epsilon chimed in as she joined the conversation, her voice full of enthusiasm. "She'd be like a mini version of me! We'd jam out together, have our own bonding moments…" Her voice drifted off dreamily, a wistful smile spreading across her face.
From the ground, Delta, lying on her stomach and kicking her feet playfully, grinned wide. "Delta wants a pack! Lots and lots of babies! Boy, girl—doesn't matter! I'd want a whole army of them!" She laughed, her energy contagious.
Suddenly, Cid stood up abruptly, his previously relaxed demeanor shifting into one of mild annoyance. His sharp gaze turned upward as if sensing something in the distance.
Alpha tilted her head in concern. "Is something wrong?"
Cid sighed, running a hand through his hair. "More Gates have opened in the world above. I'll need to deal with them," he said, irritation lacing his voice.
Without another word, he bent down, pressed a swift kiss to Alpha's forehead, and in a wisp of black smoke, disappeared, leaving the room in silence.
...
The camp was drenched in the stillness of night when the sudden blare of an alarm cut through the quiet, red lights flashing ominously across the grounds. The loudspeakers crackled to life, and a frantic announcement echoed through the air.
"Monsters are appearing! I repeat, monsters are appearing! Everyone, get into formation!"
Chaos ensued as survivors scrambled through the corridors, their faces painted with fear and confusion. Amid the frenzy, Yuuka walked calmly, her hands tucked into the pockets of her lab coat. Her expression remained unreadable, her steps purposeful as she moved against the tide of panic, her presence almost unnaturally composed.
She arrived in front of a door, glancing left and right to ensure no one was watching before quietly slipping inside. The room belonged to Akira, who was hurriedly searching for something, his movements filled with urgency. Hearing the door close, Akira turned around, confusion flashing across his face as he saw Yuuka.
"Yuuka? What are you doing here? You should be getting somewhere safe," he said, a frown tugging at his brow.
A slow smile spread across Yuuka's lips, but there was no warmth in it. She pulled her hand from her pocket, revealing a gun, and without hesitation, aimed it sideways and fired a single shot into Akira's chest.
The force of the bullet knocked Akira backward, sending him tumbling onto the bed. His hand instinctively clutched his chest as blood seeped between his fingers, shock and pain contorting his expression. "Wh-why…?" he gasped, blood dribbling from his mouth.
Yuuka's cold gaze never wavered. "Revenge," she replied icily. "For the monster you created."
Akira's eyes widened in disbelief, but before he could say another word, Yuuka raised the gun again and fired. The sharp crack of the shot echoed in the room, followed by a sickening silence.
Yuuka calmly walked to the side of the door, leaning against the wall as she waited. Seconds later, frantic knocking rang out.
"Akira? What was that noise?" Akane's worried voice called from the other side. She banged on the door, her tone growing more desperate. "Akira, answer me! What's going on in there? If you don't answer, I'm coming in!"
When no response came, Akane kicked the door open, her eyes widening in horror at the sight before her.
"Akira!!" she screamed, rushing to his side, her voice trembling with panic as she knelt by his bloodied body, tears welling up in her eyes.
She was so focused on Akira's lifeless form that she didn't hear the soft footsteps behind her. Yuuka swiftly moved, injecting a syringe into the back of Akane's neck, pushing the plunger and sending a yellow liquid coursing into her veins.
Akane gasped, her body jerking as the pain hit her. Her vision blurred, and she weakly reached up, pulling the syringe from her neck, her eyes barely able to make out Yuuka's face through the haze. "Yuuka… Sensei…?" she whispered faintly before collapsing onto the floor.
Yuuka scoffed, glancing down at the unconscious girl. "It took me long enough to make sure your bodyguard wasn't around," she muttered, lifting Akane effortlessly and slinging her over her shoulder. With one last glance at the room, she slipped out, the flashing red lights casting eerie shadows as she disappeared into the deserted hallways.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone