"Duke, we need to move!" Miya urged the guy that was sitting on the dirty floor and was currently in a dazed state.
Miya knew he was currently inside his skill creation process. He was inside the System that's why he was defenseless.
"Damn. Ross is not here. I'm the only one who can protect Duke…" she gritted her teeth and summoned her dual dagger. It was a special dagger that could be created as a double bladed sword upon connecting both handles together.
"The situation is dire, Duke! Wake up!" she hissed but it was futile. "Damn, Savior Gang! Fuck that stupid bitch turning against us!" She was full of hatred when she remembered the person who betrayed them.
She should've seen the sign! But she was blinded by her trust! She thought because they came together from the same camp when the Super Phenomena happened, she wouldn't be able to betray them.
She was too naive.
*I miss you, Alpha and Sho. I wish both of you are here.*
She knew all too well how the two sheltered her from the unnecessary thought of distrusting humans even after fighting the Savior Gang before. They showed him the side of humanity she wanted to see, that she forgot there was another side of humanity. The dark and disgusting side.
*No use thinking about it. I just have to suck it up. Duke is not even waking up. It means he is near completion of the Forum.*
All others had already evacuated to their other secret bunker. It was only known to few so she was assured that anyone who evacuated would be safe. Even the traitor won't know where their secret bunker was.
But the problem was her and Duke.
She couldn't move Duke because of his skill.
Duke was vulnerable when he used his skill because the moment he got moved, he would be unconscious for two days to one week. It was a side effect of not being able to exit in his World of Creation.
She had no choice but to defend and wait for reinforcement.
One silent inhale and all her worries vanished. She calmed down as her eyes focused on the fight ahead.
She was not a mere teenager anymore.
She was a warrior born from this new chaotic world.
She is now Miya Tanaka, survivor of Super Phenomena who had honed herself from countless battles of life and death.
***
[Master, you need to hurry. Miya is in danger.]
"What? What happened? This is not good. My skills are still having an on-off moment. I thought it was fine before I decided to go out. But it's having trouble again. System said it's analyzing the new Unknown Source."
[Master, at your speed, you'll reach Miya in forty minutes. I'm afraid…]
"I won't reach in time? Damn."
*Maybe this is a retribution for me trying to escape my utmost responsibility.*
"Damn it, System! When would you let me use my skill?! What is the use of upgrading you if you're not helping me? Maybe I shouldn't have upgraded you."
He hissed in gritted teeth. He was frustrated. He didn't want to feel powerless again. He might have taken the long way, but he knew he grew stronger than he was when he got here at Sho's world. However, if he failed to protect the people he cherished once more…
He really doesn't know what might happen to him.
One thing was sure. He would have his Soul crumble the moment his memory came back as he was now. He needed to mend his Soul before he could even dream of remembering his past.
And if a trigger like failing to protect someone happened once more. Instead of fixing his Soul, it might add another crack to it instead.
*I can't rush everything. But if I fail to protect Miya… I don't know if I can take it. Damn, why is this happening?*
Even though he was shocked by the sudden turn of events, he still didn't pause or stop. He continuously followed the predetermined path Sanctuary laid out for him. He was also trying to "start" his Qi.
Because of the malfunction after his experiment, the only way for him to activate skills related to Qi, Mana and Energy was to control his miniscule muscles and cells.
And so, he was doing his Breathing Technique to see if he would be successful in igniting his Qi. The downside is that if he stopped once he activated his Qi, his body would experience some kind of backlash that makes him unable to use anything Qi related for three days.
"System? Can't you even do something about this? This is too unfair!" He hissed as he knew the System is taking note of his comment because he had the Customer Service Suggestion Box opened. "Why are you lacking Report Services? This is a freaking bug! Why of all people do I have to experience this?"
~Bzzz~
"Hm?"
*Wait… the System was protecting me all along?*
He felt shocked. He remembered what Alpha once said. That the System was their ally. That it was protecting them. And now, hearing the list of notifications he got. He finally understood Alpha.
The System was really protecting the User.
He created a technique that should be harmful to himself, but the System saw potential with the technique and instead of just making him forget about it, it started decoding a safe path.
He was an idiot for not noticing it quickly. He should have seen the sign the moment he felt weakened after using the technique.
"Thank you… and don't worry, I won't use that technique again until you give me a go signal."
He smiled.
*In this world that I thought was unknown, a place where I don't have any connection or attachment, here comes the System that had been with me from my previous life. It's good to know that the System has been protecting me all along.*
*It might have been protecting me even in my past life. And in this life… It restricted my memories because it knew my Soul would dissipate once I remember everything when I'm not ready.*
He felt weirdly touched. Or maybe because he really couldn't open up to anyone here about his secrets. And knowing that the System knows his secrets and still is protecting him touched his heart warmly.
He felt he found a comrade within the System, even if it was just imaginary.
*Can I think of System as my long time friend, then?* He chuckled at the thought as he used his Qi to speed up.
He felt more relaxed knowing that it would only need at most ten minutes before he reached Miya.