Chương 50: 050

The hallways lay eerily empty, broken only by the occasional dazed figure staring blankly into nothing, just as when I'd passed through earlier. It made tracking Henry easy. His cloak vanished around a corner, and we followed, barely keeping pace as he barreled forward, wrenching doors open, glancing inside, then charging on. At least he wasn't shouting. That would've been the perfect cherry on top of this disaster.

His concern is understandable, Time said quietly, emotion threading his tone in a way I couldn't quite name. Any parent worth their salt would react the same… though a touch of tact would certainly help. I grunted, lungs burning, pain throbbing through my jaw with every breath. Good lord. I knew I was out of shape, but this was embarrassing. And yet you accepted a role that would require crossing Nexus itself? Time's voice held no judgment, which somehow made it worse. I shrugged, assuming he could feel it.

I figured I'd have time to train. Build the muscles I'd need. I didn't expect to get tossed headfirst into a dumpster fire right out the gate. Still, I'd hit the ground running. I always did. You have adapted admirably, all things considered. This situation is… far from ideal. My snort came out as a wheeze. Story of my life. When this is over, I will explain how stats function, and how to improve them. You will need it. Relief cut through the pain. Yes, please.

Karma had given me the basics, but a deeper dive would help. And don't act like you'd do better, I shot back. You'll be in a human body soon enough. We'll both go running, and you'll be just as miserable as me. A small, petty spark of satisfaction flared at the thought. We will see. Focus, he has stopped. I snapped back to the present. Henry stood at the top of a staircase, chest heaving. The air here was cooler, the once-ornate décor giving way to bare stone and function over beauty.

Torches lined the stairwell, their flames casting long, twitching shadows down into darkness.

"This leads to the dungeon," Dominicus murmured, expression grim.

"Be wary. There may still be guards loyal to Silas below." I thought of Dura.

"We sent an orc woman to guard your daughter earlier. She should be fine." Given Dura's reaction to that asshole on the wall, I couldn't imagine her letting the girl come to harm. Henry nodded, already tensing to charge, but Dominicus caught his arm.

"Careful," he warned.

"If we rush in, they could use your daughter, or anyone else, as leverage." This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The words landed hard. Henry inhaled slowly, one hand settling on the hilt of his sword.

"They won't hurt her," he said, voice low and lethal.

"Or anyone else. I won't allow it." The promise rippled through the air. I used the pause to suck in a few precious breaths, only for Henry's sharp gaze to swing toward me.

"Are you well?" he asked.

"Surely such a short run wouldn't wind the man who slew the Dread King." Would everyone stop assuming I'm an all-powerful god? I snorted, fixing him with a glare.

"I had the element of surprise. And for the record, I'm a healer. Sprinting until I puke isn't in the job description." Was I snippy? Absolutely. Did I care? Not even a little. Henry raised his hands in surrender, wisely retreating.

"Fair enough. Then stay toward the back. If you're not trained for frontline combat, I'd rather not see you hurt." Dominicus nodded.

"Do you have any spells that work at range?" His lips quirked.

"Preferably ones that won't catch us along with the enemy." I rifled through my options and nodded.

"One. It'll immobilize them. Possibly poison them, too." Dominicus's grin flashed, sharp and approving.

"Perfect. Ready?" Henry and I nodded, following him down. The dungeon hit like a punch to the senses. Cells lined the walls, iron bars slick with grime. The air reeked of urine, rust, and rot, thick enough to taste. Groans and sobs echoed through the stone, layering over one another until my ears rang. Instinct took over, I clamped a hand over my nose and pressed my ears flat. Dominicus mirrored the gesture, his expression twisted in open disgust. Two guards stood watch.

One slouched in a chair, head lolled at an awkward angle, snores rattling out of his slack mouth. A deep bruise darkened his jaw. The other stood alert, flipping a blade between his fingers with bored precision. Behind them, shadows shifted. Prisoners. At least half a dozen. And among them, was Dura. Her arms were crossed, fury practically steaming off her. Thankfully, she bore no fresh injuries. She probably gave the first guard that bruise before the second subdued her. Damn it.

If the standing guard raised the alarm, things would spiral fast. Dura could probably stop him, but… An image of her lifeless eyes stabbed through me, a blade buried in her chest. She was mortal. Just as killable as the rest of us. No. We had to be smart. Dominicus seemed to reach the same conclusion. He drew his sword and nodded to me. I inhaled, focusing inward, imagining thorned vines erupting from stone, coiling and crushing. Magic surged. With a sharp crack, the spell took hold.

The standing guard barely managed a strangled cry before both men were yanked off their feet, vicious red thorns biting deep.

"Good work," Dominicus said, striding forward.

"Now-."

"Adan!" Terror and relief tangled in the voice, sending ice down my spine. I spun, and my stomach dropped. Across the dungeon, inside a cell opposite Dura's, a man pressed a knife to Maya's throat. His eyes flicked wildly between us, breath coming fast and shallow.

"Maya!" Henry's shout thundered through the chamber. The blade pressed closer.

"Don't move," the man screamed, voice cracking.

"Or I'll kill her!" Henry went still. Rage rolled off him in waves, but he didn't take a step. Maya's wide, terrified eyes locked onto mine. I raised my hands slowly, palms out, heart hammering as my mind raced. We hadn't considered a guard hiding among the prisoners. Judging by Dura's expression, neither had she. And now we had the worst possible outcome. A hostage situation. Perfect.