บท 48: The Real Reason

"Lucy?" Nakata exclaimed, visibly shocked to see her there.

When he regained his composure, he hurriedly spoke, "Asher, he—"

"Don't worry, I expected this," she cut him off, and walked into the elevator.

"Take me to him," she ordered.

Nakata pressed the button for the lower level and the elevator doors slid shut with a soft whoosh.

Lucy crossed her arms. "How hard has he been training?"

"Nonstop for a week. I told him to rest, but he insisted he didn't feel sleepy or tired at all."

She sighed, shaking her head. "I know he's impatient, but to think he consumed all that energy meant to last him over a month—it's reckless."

"Energy?" Nakata raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

"It's nothing—just some complicated demon stuff," she said, quickly changing the subject.

Nakata didn't push further. He understood her well; she only shared what she was willing to disclose.