Chapter 33 - Chapter 33: The Escape from the Emerald Vein

Chapter 33: The Escape from the Emerald Vein

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The Emerald Vein pulsed with unstable energy, the aftermath of their battle leaving an eerie silence.

Kent clutched the newly acquired Soul Refinement Orb, its faint glow radiating warmth in his hand. 🌑✊

Lyra stood beside him, scanning the surroundings with a wary expression.

"We need to get out of here, now," Lyra said, slipping her daggers back into her cloak.

"Agreed," Kent replied, his heart still pounding from the encounter. "But give me a minute."

Kent used his spiritual clock ability on

her then said wait here I will back soon. 

Kent is looking for the fire source. System, give me the exact location.

I don't have time to wander around. 

Nothing, no response from the system.

Damnit system. What should I do? Where do I look? What can I do… wait a minute how could I forget such an important thing. 

System use appraisal in this area. No matter the cost, just do it. 

Appraisal used. Cost 25,000 SP. 

System notifications -

Corrupted spiritual land.

Man made corruption. Because of corruption and resentment of people a hell fire is created. 

Hell- fire 🔥 1/100 

What the Fu*k!!!!.. it's one one percent of the full flame. You send me here for this. 

Ding!

[Host doesn't need full flames. Host only needs to collect a part of 7 types of fire.]

.

.

.

(System tells this to readers.)😉

[If the host can collect 100% of all 7 types of flames. Host will be invincible in the multiverse.]

"Okay Okay. I get it." Let's just quickly collect the flame. But how do I collect it? Should I touch it directly? 

(Kent goes near a crystal then pulls it out. Under the crystal was a small black fire. It was very small. If you light a thin birthday candle you will get the same size of fire.)

Kent hesitated for a second then he touched the flame. He was feeling the heat and his hand started to burn a little bit.

The system says I wouldn't be damaged by any flames unless it's divine fire. This tiny fire is this powerful. 

So hellfire can also damage me. How do I collect the fire? System says something. 

Ding! 

Host is in contact with one of eight fires. Want to absorb it? 

Do it, hurry up. My hand is straining to burn. 

[System can't do it directly. Because the fire will be stored in the host body. The host needs to do it. System can guide the host.]

Host, focus your mind and think you are absorbing the fire with your hand. Channel your heart fire, it will guide you. You and fire are one. 

Kent follows the instructions. He absorbed the hellfire. He felt a Hollow space inside his heart just filled with something. 

Ding! Absorption complete. 

Fire collect- 1/7 

Host can now use fire attack.🔥 

After that Kent comes back where Lyra is. Sorry for the delay. Let's go. 

Hurry up! If they find us….

"They'll throw us in a cell," Lyra said bluntly, "and probably interrogate you until you give up every secret you have. Trust me, you don't want that."

Kent gulped. "I get it. Let's move."

The duo retraced their steps toward the edge of the Emerald Vein. The path that had been clear earlier now seemed darker, as though the corruption had spread further.

"This place feels... wrong," Kent muttered, his heart flame sparking faintly as a precaution.

"That's the corruption," Lyra said. "It's destabilizing the Vein's energy. If it spreads, the entire area could collapse."

As they approached the barrier, a loud crackling noise broke the silence. Lyra stopped abruptly, holding out her arm to block Kent.

"What is it?" Kent whispered.

Lyra pointed ahead. A group of Watchers stood near the barrier, their weapons glowing faintly with spiritual energy.

"They're reinforcing the barrier," Lyra whispered. "They must've been trying to contain the corruption."

Kent's stomach dropped. "What do we do now?"

Lyra smirked. "Follow my lead." 

Lyra reached into her cloak, pulling out a second rune-etched device. She held it up to Kent with a sly grin.

"This is a one time use short-range teleportation talisman," she explained. You have to pay for it. It's not part of the same deal. 

"It'll get us past the Watchers, but we'll have to time it perfectly."

"Perfectly?" Kent asked, his voice rising slightly. "Do I look like someone who's good with 'perfect'?"

Lyra rolled her eyes. "Just hold onto me and don't let go."

The two crouched low, keeping their eyes on the Watchers carefully. One of them stepped away from the group, scanning the forest with a wary gaze.

"Now!" Lyra hissed.

She activated the talisman, and in an instant, a swirl of spiritual energy engulfed them. The world blurred for a moment before they reappeared several meters away, just outside the barrier.

Kent stumbled, his head spinning. "Warn me next time!"

"No time for warnings," Lyra said, grabbing his arm. "We're not safe yet."

The two sprinted through the forest, the sound of shouting behind them growing louder.

"They must've noticed us," Kent said, glancing over his shoulder.

"Obviously," Lyra snapped. "Pick up the pace!"

A sharp whistle cut through the air, and Kent ducked instinctively as a glowing arrow zipped past his head, embedding itself in a tree.

"They're shooting at us?!" Kent exclaimed.

Lyra smirked. "Welcome to the world of individual cultivators, kid."

Kent groaned, summoning his spiritual clock ability. A faint barrier formed around them, deflecting another arrow.

"Nice trick," Lyra said, glancing at the shield. "Keep that up, and we might actually make it out of here."

The forest began to thin, the city lights of Metro City visible in the distance. Kent's legs burned from the effort, but the adrenaline kept him going.

"We're almost there," Lyra said, her voice strained.

Just as they broke through the tree line, a Nexus Watcher appeared in front of them, his sword drawn and glowing with spiritual energy.

"Stop right there!" the Watcher commanded, his voice booming.

Kent and Lyra skidded to a halt, their breaths ragged.

"Got any more tricks up your sleeve?" Kent whispered.

Lyra grinned. "Just one."

Before Kent could ask what she meant, Lyra threw a small smoke bomb at the Watcher's feet. The explosion of smoke engulfed the area, and she grabbed Kent's arm, pulling him into a narrow alley.

"Keep moving!" she hissed.

"Kent murmurs, thank god my spiritual clock technique is able to hide my face. That guy didn't see my face. Otherwise I will be on the morning news as a criminal."

The two finally stopped in a secluded corner of the city, both gasping for air.

"That… was too close," Kent said, leaning against a wall.

Lyra smirked, pulling out her phone, my work is done. Transfer the money. Give five thousand dollars extra.

"See? Told you I'd get you out." 

Kent rolled his eyes transfering rest of the money. "Yeah, yeah. Don't spend it all in one place."

In reality:- Kent's heart is bleeding. He never spent this much money. He is cursing Lyra for taking his money. Not giving him a discount. 

"This woman is no joke. She takes all my money. This is the first time in my life I spent over 1000 dollars at one go."

Lyra chuckled. "Good luck with whatever you're planning, kid. Just remember—Nexus doesn't play around. You'd better be ready if they come knocking."

With that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Kent alone.

Some time later...

Kent slipped back into his small house, his body aching from the night's events. Nima was waiting for him, her arms crossed and a stern expression on her face.

"Where were you?" she demanded.

"Out," Kent said, collapsing onto a chair.

Nima frowned. "You're hiding something."

"Nothing you need to worry about," Kent said, patting her on the head. "Go to bed."

Nima huffed but obeyed, retreating to her room.

As Kent sat alone, he pulled out the Soul Refinement Orb, its glow pulsating faintly.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" he muttered.

Ding!

System Notification:

New Quest Unlocked: Investigate the Source of Corruption.

Kent groaned, leaning back in his chair. "Of course. Because one mission wasn't enough."

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