Watching the red dot expand rapidly as it made its way to the C.A.T.H walls, I couldn't help but frown as a feeling of dread washed over me.
My instincts, honed for centuries, were screaming even before I was face-to-face with the danger.
Ding!
[New Mission Acquired: Survive and escape Louisiana]
[Reward: 5000exp & 15 Universal Fragments]
Buzz!
My eyes dilated with shock upon seeing the series of messages from the system. This was the first time the system had shown me the reward of a mission before completing it.
This went to prove that even the system was desperate to save its host!
"What the hell could that be?" I muttered, almost wishing I never asked instantly.
BOOOM!
The building shook violently, causing dust to fall from the ceiling while the officers manning the monitors lost their footing and fell to the ground.
The vibration was intense and my legs felt weak due to my current state. I nearly fell, but Pamela caught my hand at the nick of time.
Pa!
I glanced in her direction with the intent to thank her, but Pamela's attention was pinned on the screens at the edge of the room.
Her face was pale and it looked like she wasn't breathing. Tracing her gaze to one of the monitors, I saw a vintage view of the sky above the C.A.T.H.
Thunder rained on the Aether barrier surrounding the building, while a familiar figure pressed against the barrier, trying to shatter it from outside.
At this moment, the image of the first orc who stepped out of the rift and destroyed the news helicopter flashed before my eyes, filling me with shock and terror.
"It's him!" I gasped.
So this was the Orc Champion?
"The barrier will fall first, but as long as the wall stands, the horde cannot follow," Viktor said as he turned his anxious gaze to Pamela. "We need to stop him from breaking the walls after the barrier falls, while we prepare our transport out of here!"
This time, Pamela had to agree with a nod.
"We can't attempt to escape by air with that thing around." She frowned and turned her gaze to Viktor.
"We will handle the Orc Champion first, then leave," she said before shifting her attention to me. "Take Natasha and head to the airfield. Secure a chopper for us, then hide and wait for me there."
Not waiting for my response, she turned and headed toward the exit. Viktor didn't hesitate either, nor did he bother to check with the Colonel before running past us and heading out as well.
I didn't move as I heard the elevator door slide open and shut tight behind us with a hiss.
At this point, the officers were back on the monitors, communicating with God knows who through their headsets, while the Colonel and the Lieutenant were focused on the holographic map.
Feeling someone grab my arm gently, I looked over my shoulder to see Natasha with a worried expression.
"We need to leave now!" she said hastily, her tone a mixture of fear and confusion.
Slowly, I nodded and pulled her hand off mine gently.
"Go ahead," I said as a white light appeared on my fingertips and I drew an X on her chest, which made her face redden, but she didn't move away.
[Door Post Activated]
She watched a white light glow on her chest before fading like it was never there, and she quickly understood what it was.
"I'll be with you in a minute." I tapped her shoulders gently with both arms.
Her face reddened more and she quickly lowered her gaze and nodded cutely.
"Don't take long," she muttered before turning and running toward the elevator door.
Blegh!
The loving gestures made me want to throw up, causing me to cover my lips with my hands. The disgust I felt was so strong, I was certain I had become allergic to any form of affection.
I didn't even hate Natasha. In fact, she was beautiful. Would I like to sleep with her?
Sure, I don't mind.
However, anything beyond casual sex was not for me. It was the gestures of love that I hated—not the person.
The elevator door slid open and I looked up to see her waving at me while the door closed. As soon as the door slammed shut, I let out a heavy sigh.
Sigh!
Finally, I could act without unnecessary distractions. While the situation was dire, it didn't change the fact that we had a misunderstanding with the Colonel and we even openly contemplated killing them.
Pamela was too focused on dealing with the real threat; she had forgotten the aftermath of what may follow if these people survived.
"This is where I come in." I sighed as I turned to see everyone so busy they failed to notice me.
If I wished to live peacefully in this world, they must die—and die they shall.
Based on my knowledge, most of the rooms here were soundproof. If a mere office in the medical bay was soundproof, then it was safe to expect the same from the operations room.
[Gateway to Nightfall Dominion activated!]
Buzz!
The room darkened as if the lights had been stolen, and dark matter began flowing in my direction, attracting everyone's attention.
"Die for my sake," I said to them while slowly throwing my hands open.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
A familiar haunted cry echoed within the room as space twisted and warped, while a ghastly black presence converged before me. Black ghostly beings formed, bound with chains that tied them to the twisting dark space.
Quickly, everyone reached for their weapons, and the ghostly beings charged forward while I calmly walked behind the dark rift.
Thud!
I frowned as I looked at the ground, seeing the blood flowing out of the rift. I can never get used to this sight, but I was willing to condone it since its power was unmatched.
"You!"
"What is this?!"
Bang! Bang!
Bang! Bang!
Standing behind the rift, I heard gunshots, shouts, and furious cries, but I knew it was useless. Their fate was sealed the moment I summoned the rift within this enclosed space.
"I will take you to a world where I Am God." A devilish grin spread across my lips.