章 64: Luca
Modeus stood over Selena's lifeless body, panting after the brutal fight. In his hand, the quantum sword still glowed faintly, a remnant of the intense battle just moments ago. Neumann, now fully in control of Modeus' body, sent a notification through the augmented suit attached to his head.
"Modeus, I've discovered something interesting," Neumann's voice was calm, almost cold. "Selena was one of the fugitives listed on the Old World Network. Her bounty is 10 million nexbit."
Modeus glanced down at Selena's corpse, his cold eyes sharpening in focus. "10 million nexbit, huh? That's quite the sum," he muttered, kneeling down to wrap Selena's head in a cloth he pulled from his bag. The fabric tightened around her head, concealing her lifeless face.
"We can't just leave this behind," Modeus said quietly to himself. "If she's worth that much, we take the head."
After securing Selena's head in the cloth and placing it in his bag, Modeus stood, while Neumann began scanning the surrounding area. "I'm detecting two life forms nearby. One of them is Abigail."
"Good. Take me there," Modeus replied, preparing to move. His body, already accustomed to the weight of the augmented suit, moved swiftly in the direction Neumann pointed out. Despite the energy drained from the previous battle, Modeus knew the mission was far from over.
After running through the ruins for several minutes, Modeus reached the location Neumann indicated. What he saw there startled him.
Luca, the woman responsible for orchestrating Selena's attack, hung suspended in the air. In front of her stood Abigail, but he had transformed into something far more terrifying. Two black horns protruded from his head, and his body was enveloped in dark armor with a long, serpentine tail trailing behind. The demonic transformation had completely changed Abigail, his aura radiating immense power.
Luca dangled helplessly, choking under Abigail's grip, his hand glowing with dark magic. Her face was pale, streaked with tears of fear as they flowed down her cheeks. "Please… spare me… I can be useful!" she begged, her voice trembling and hoarse. "I'm part of the intelligence unit for The Outcast Collective! I can give you information… be your spy anywhere! Please… don't kill me!"
Abigail glared at Luca with seething hatred, though a flicker in his eyes suggested he was considering her desperate offer. As Modeus approached, he calmly stood next to Abigail.
"Let her live for now," Modeus said evenly. "If she tries anything suspicious, we can kill her anytime."
Abigail turned to face Modeus, his gaze sharp and intense, but he gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. But I won't let her go without a price." His voice was deep, infused with the power of his demonic transformation.
He raised his hand, and with swift, deliberate movements, began to cast a demonic contract spell. A glowing red circle of magic formed in the air, slowly rotating before Luca's still-choking body. Abigail's voice filled the space as he chanted words in an ancient tongue, the very air around them vibrating with dark energy. Luca trembled in terror but dared not resist.
"Ancient magic?" Luca stammered, her voice shaky. A demonic symbol appeared in the air, and with a flick of his hand, Abigail sent it straight toward Luca. It seared into her abdomen, and she screamed in pain. Heat surged through her body, binding her to Abigail's will.
"Ahhh!" Luca whimpered, her body trembling as the burning sensation coursed through her. The mark slowly faded, but the lingering heat continued to sting.
"Now you're bound by a demon's contract," Abigail stated coldly, releasing his grip and letting Luca collapse to the ground. She gasped for air, clutching her stomach where the searing mark had been.
"If you try anything—betray me in any way," Abigail continued, his icy gaze piercing her, "I'll kill you instantly."
Still trembling, Luca nodded weakly, tears streaming down her face as she shook in fear. "Y-yes… I understand," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Modeus, who had been silently observing, then opened the bag he was carrying and revealed the cloth-wrapped bundle inside. He showed it to Luca. "Look closely. Selena is dead."
Luca's face went pale as her eyes widened in horror, recognizing what was inside. "S-Selena…?" Her voice cracked, her breath coming in shallow gasps. The fear she felt toward Modeus intensified, and he, with a calm yet threatening tone, continued speaking.
"She was a fugitive on the Old World Network," Modeus said, his gaze locked on Luca. "And now, I'm claiming the reward. Selena's worth 10 million Nexbit."
Abigail's eyes lit up with a pleased smile. "10 million Nexbit? That's a hefty sum," he remarked, glancing at Luca, whose fear deepened with every passing second.
"You'll return to your base, and I'll contact you again later," Abigail commanded Luca, his tone authoritative. "Remember, if you break this contract, you'll die. You're bound to me now."
Luca nodded frantically, her body weak with resignation. She understood there was no escape, no path forward except obedience. She had become a pawn in something far beyond her control.
Abigail turned to Modeus. "Let's go. We need to report back to the Old World Network and hand over our bounty."
Modeus gave a brief nod, and together they left Luca behind, still trembling on the ground, paralyzed by a mix of relief and overwhelming terror. The weight of her survival settled heavily on her, knowing that her life now belonged to Abigail, with no room for rebellion.
As they walked away from the ruins of the battle, Modeus slung the bag carrying Selena's severed head over his shoulder. Abigail, having reverted to his normal human form, still radiated a faint aura of demonic power, a reminder of the deadly force he wielded.
Luca remained frozen, trying to calm her racing heart, her mind already grappling with the knowledge that her life would never be the same again. Freedom was no longer an option—her existence was now tethered to Abigail's will.
Meanwhile, Modeus and Abigail made their way toward the Old World Network, prepared to claim the 10 million Nexbit bounty. With Selena's head as proof of their success, they were one step closer to their goals in this treacherous world of power, danger, and shifting allegiances.
***
Luca stumbled forward, her steps unsteady, head bowed, and eyes vacant. The fear she had just endured still clung to her, strangling every breath she took. Behind each slow step, her mind raced wildly. Abigail—someone she had always viewed as a distant, untouchable threat—turned out to wield unimaginable power. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined he was a descendant of the Einzvil family, the legendary heroes long lost to history.
Luca understood the value of this information. The possibilities danced in her mind. If she could deliver this to the right people, perhaps to the Old World Network, she could be rewarded with wealth and connections beyond her imagination. But then, her hand instinctively touched her abdomen, where the mark of Abigail's demonic contract still radiated warmth.
The pain had subsided, but Luca knew the symbol was far more than just a mark—it was a bond, a constant reminder that her life now hung in the balance, controlled by Abigail. She couldn't act freely; even her anti-magic devices were useless against this ancient contract. Any strange move, any hint of betrayal, and the contract would activate, snuffing out her life in an instant.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her racing heart. There was no way out. Her future now belonged to Abigail, and the chains that bound her were unbreakable.
Luca finally reached a large hidden cave nestled among the barren hills—a rebel base for The Outcast Collective, where she had spent most of her life as an informant and strategist. Yet this time, the place didn't feel like the sanctuary it once had. The haunting image of Selena's decapitated head, sliced off by Modeus, played on repeat in her mind. With every step closer to the base, a creeping terror grew within her. It could be her head next.
As she entered the cave, a familiar guard greeted her casually. "Luca, you look exhausted. What happened?" he asked, smiling warmly.
She nodded, forcing a weak smile, but it was a futile attempt. Her eyes, filled with anxiety, betrayed her. "Just a long day," Luca replied flatly, her voice hollow.
The guard seemed to sense something was wrong and chose not to press further. Luca continued on toward the small home she shared with her younger sister, Elena, at the far end of the camp. Each step felt heavier, her heart sinking deeper with every pace.
As the door swung open, Elena greeted her with boundless energy, a bright smile lighting up her face. She rushed toward Luca, wrapping her arms around her in a tight embrace.
"Sister Luca! I missed you! How was your day? Did the mission go well?" Elena asked, her voice bubbling with excitement and curiosity.
For a moment, Luca froze, gazing at her sister's joyful face. She forced a smile, but behind it, her mind still spun with the horrors of what had transpired—Selena, Abigail, Modeus. Every second weighed heavily on her.
"Yes, the mission's done," Luca said softly, stroking her sister's hair. "Everything went according to plan." The words came out, but they felt hollow. Nothing had gone according to plan.
Elena beamed, clearly satisfied with Luca's answer, and eagerly pulled her toward their small dining area. "Come on, let's eat! I made dinner. You must be starving after working all day."
Luca followed without resistance, though the thought of food didn't appeal to her at all. As they sat at the table, Elena began chattering away, recounting all the little things that had happened while Luca was gone. To Elena, the world still seemed so simple, so bright. She had no idea what her sister had just endured, and Luca didn't want to burden her with those horrors.
As she watched her sister's cheerful face, Luca felt her mind drift. Selena had been more than a teammate—she'd been a friend, someone Luca had relied on. Now Selena was gone. The memory played vividly in her mind, Selena's head wrapped in cloth, carried by Modeus without a hint of remorse. The closeness of death felt suffocating, like she was teetering on the edge of a cliff where one wrong move could send her plummeting into oblivion.
Caught in her dark thoughts, Luca interrupted Elena's chatter, needing a distraction from the dread that had consumed her.
"Elena, have you ever thought about… our future?" Luca asked abruptly.
Elena's brow furrowed, a hint of confusion crossing her face. "What do you mean, sis?"
Luca looked at her seriously. "I mean… have you ever wondered what would happen if I didn't come back one day?"
The question hung in the air, heavy, transforming the lighthearted atmosphere into something tense.
Elena let out a small, uneasy laugh, trying to brush it off. "Luca, don't say things like that. You always come back. I can always count on you."
Luca smiled, but it was weaker this time. "Yeah, I hope so," she murmured softly.
Deep down, Luca knew that after what had happened today, nothing in her life was certain anymore. She was entangled in a game far beyond her control, and her future now rested in Abigail's hands. There was no clear way out, and each day ahead felt like a gamble between life and death.
After dinner, Luca excused herself, saying she needed an early night. Lying in bed, staring at the dark ceiling, her thoughts returned again to the symbol on her abdomen. The demonic contract was a constant, terrifying reminder that she was now under Abigail's control. There was no escape, no place to hide. Her fate rested in the hands of someone else.
As Elena slept soundly in the next room, Luca could only close her eyes uneasily, her mind racing with thoughts of how she might survive in a world that had become increasingly unforgiving.
That morning, Luca woke with a heavy weight pressing on her chest. The sunlight filtering through the cracks in the cave walls offered no comfort—if anything, it only amplified the unease that had gnawed at her all night. She knew what needed to be done today, and it was far from easy.
She had to report Selena's death and the loss of their team to her superiors at The Outcast Collective. The problem was the demon contract binding her to Abigail, meaning every word she said had to be chosen with extreme care. Abigail could kill her at any moment if she breached the agreement or did anything to endanger him.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, Luca touched her stomach, where the demonic contract's mark was still etched into her skin. The symbol no longer burned or caused pain, but it was a constant reminder that her life was now under Abigail's control. One wrong move, and the consequences would be fatal.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "How can I report this without raising suspicion?" she wondered. Selena had been killed by Modeus, and Abigail now knew far more about their activities than he should. Luca couldn't report that directly. But she also couldn't lie outright—not when Abigail could be watching her from afar.
After several minutes of thinking, an idea began to take shape. A false report. She would craft a story convincing enough to cover up what really happened, while avoiding suspicion from her superiors. Luca had handled reconnaissance missions and information manipulation before; lying was one of her skills. But this time, the stakes were higher than ever.
She started imagining a scenario she could use. "An official extermination squad," she muttered under her breath. That could work. Extermination squads from the Old World Network often showed up at high-priority locations, like the ancient lab where Selena and her team had met their end.
The plan started to solidify in Luca's mind. She would claim that an extermination squad had found them while they were gathering quantum artifacts in the ruins. In her version of events, the squad acted swiftly, slaughtering the entire team without warning and taking their bodies to the Old World Network for examination.
This would explain Selena's disappearance and why there was no evidence left behind. With the bodies "taken" by the extermination team, there would be no way to verify the truth of what actually happened.
Satisfied with her plan and confident that she had left no loose ends, Luca left her small home. As she made her way through the rebel base, other members greeted her as usual, but she only gave a quick nod in response. Her mind was already entirely focused on the fabricated report she was about to deliver.
Finally, Luca arrived at a small room filled with communication devices and holographic screens. In the corner of the room sat her superior, Dante—a bald man with a sharp gaze. He was one of the leaders of The Outcast Collective and was known for his ability to detect lies and manipulate situations.
Dante looked at Luca with a mix of expectation and caution. "How did the mission go?" he asked directly, cutting through any pleasantries. His voice was deep and authoritative.
Luca swallowed hard, trying to steady her nerves. She had reported to Dante before, but this time felt different. If Dante suspected anything, her life might be at risk.
"The mission went… poorly," Luca said, carefully choosing her words. "We reached the lab as planned, but there were unforeseen complications."
Dante raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"
Luca took a deep breath and began to recount the lie she had meticulously prepared. "When we arrived, we weren't alone. An official extermination squad from the Old World Network was already there. They were collecting quantum artifacts from the ruins. They didn't give us any warning. They attacked us without mercy and wiped out our team. I was the only one who managed to escape."
Dante narrowed his eyes, studying Luca more intently. "An extermination squad? Why were they there?"
Luca had anticipated this question and had her answer ready. "They were likely after the same quantum artifacts we were. They didn't want any witnesses or competitors. They operate on a shoot-first, ask-questions-later policy. I was fortunate to escape with my life."
Dante nodded slowly, but his skepticism remained. "And you're sure all the bodies from your team were taken by them?"
Luca nodded firmly. "Yes. I saw them collect all the bodies, including Selena and the other mecha pilot. They took everything. I couldn't stop them on my own."
Dante crossed his arms, pondering for a moment. He knew how brutal the Old World Network's extermination squads could be, so her story was plausible. But he couldn't fully trust anyone, especially in situations like this.
"You didn't bring any proof?" he asked again.
Luca knew this was a crucial moment. She had to appear calm and professional. "There wasn't time to gather evidence, Dante. They arrived quickly and acted even faster. I barely had a chance to escape."
The room fell into a tense silence, with the atmosphere growing increasingly oppressive. Dante stared at Luca for a few moments longer, trying to read every small gesture, every crease in her face. Luca remained composed, holding her breath and waiting for the verdict.
Finally, Dante sighed. "Alright. I'll take your report at face value, Luca. But remember, if I find anything suspicious, you know what will happen."
Luca nodded firmly. "I understand, Dante. I just want to complete the mission and keep us safe."
Dante gave her one last look before turning his attention back to the holographic screens in front of him. "You're dismissed. We'll see what we can find out from the Old World Network about this report."
Luca offered a thin smile, feeling a wave of relief. She had managed to get through this time. As she walked out of the room, she knew that one small mistake could still unravel everything. But for now, she had won another battle in her deceit-filled life.
Yet deep down, she knew that the contract with Abigail would continue to cast a shadow over every step she took in the future.
***
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