2025-04-13 23:24:21
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Chapter 163
"We can't fight them directly," Vale insisted, sketching a rough map of the Academy on the bunker's planning table. "Not yet."The team had regrouped in Vale's underground laboratory—a reinforced bunker beneath the science building that had, so far, remained untouched by the chaos above. The crystal device from Hayes's locker sat in a containment field nearby, various instruments monitoring its energy patterns."The Awakened Wraith is still stabilizing," Vale continued. "That gives us a narrow window before it reaches full manifestation.""How narrow?" Liam asked, nursing a gash on his arm from his narrow escape from the possessed students."Hours at most," Vale replied grimly. "Once fully anchored to our reality, its power increases exponentially."Miko studied the Academy map. "What about the other faculty and students? We know Hayes is organizing the non-combat students somewhere.""Underground shelters, most likely," Anna said. "The possession seems to require proximity to a porta
Chapter 162
“Gosh, it’s been a long week,” Miko said as he balanced into his seat on the bus.“I’m so confused,” Miko scratched his head vigorously.Suddenly.“The transport shuttle jolted violently, throwing passengers from their seats. Warning lights flashed as the emergency braking system engaged."Please remain calm," the conductor's voice crackled. "We're experiencing unexpected system fluctuations."Miko gripped his armrest, feeling a familiar vibration in his teeth—the same sensation he'd experienced near Abyssal energy. His stomach tightened with dread."What's happening?" the elderly woman beside him clutched her bag. "Is it an attack?"Before he could answer, screams erupted from the front of the shuttle. Passengers pointed out the windows, faces pale with shock.Above the capital city skyline, the sky itself tore open. A massive purple-black rift appeared, energy crackling around its edges as it expanded. Even from this distance, Miko could see the wrongness of it—reality fraying at th
Chapter 161
"Time's almost up," he said, checking their timer. "Let's go."They exited as carefully as they'd entered, timing their departure to avoid the security cameras. The journey back through the east wing was tense but uneventful—most faculty were still responding to Vale's distraction, a convenient "equipment malfunction" in the main training arena.They'd almost reached the service elevator when disaster struck. Rounding a corner, they came face to face with Hayes himself, accompanied by Professor Meyers—another suspected possession case.For a heartbeat, nobody moved. Then Hayes's expression shifted from surprise to cold calculation."Maintenance personnel in a restricted area," he observed, his voice perfectly pleasant despite the hardness in his eyes. "Responding to what issue, exactly?""Environmental control malfunction, sir," Miko replied promptly, falling back on their cover story. "Reports of unusual odors from the research labo
Chapter 160
"You don't have to do this," Akiya said, helping Miko adjust the borrowed maintenance uniform. "We could find another way into the east wing."They were gathered in an unused storage room near the Academy's service corridors, preparing for their infiltration of the mysterious portal room. Anna was already dressed in her medical scrubs, a clipboard clutched to her chest to complete the look."This is the safest approach," Miko replied, checking that his concealed communicator was functioning. "Vale's distraction will only buy us twenty minutes at most. We need to be in and out."Liam lounged against a stack of cleaning supplies, seemingly relaxed though his eyes remained alert. "Remember, if you're discovered, you're maintenance workers responding to an environmental control malfunction. Anna's there as medical oversight due to potential air quality issues.""We've been over this three times already," Anna said, though there was no irritation in he
Chapter 159
Liam studied the frozen image on the tablet. "We need more information before we make any moves. Surveillance on that room, tracking the comings and goings of the possessed faculty, figuring out their schedule and patterns.""I can help with that," Vale offered. "My security clearance gives me access to most AAU systems, and I've developed a few backdoor methods for the rest.""Why come to us?" Akiya asked suddenly, suspicion evident in her tone. "Why not go to higher authorities?"Vale's expression darkened. "Who would I report to? Hayes is compromised. The Academy Director hasn't been seen in public for weeks. And after what you've just told me about the President's... extracurricular activities, I'm not certain who can be trusted in government either.""So you came to four students?" Akiya pressed."Four students who survived the Abyss," Vale corrected. "Who faced an Awakened Wraith and lived to tell about it. Who have more practical experience with Abyssal entities than most senio
Chapter 158
"The Cat? You're absolutely certain?" Liam leaned forward, eyes wide with disbelief.The four of them had reconvened in Anna's room, the most secure of their living spaces since she'd installed sound dampeners for her meditation practice. Miko paced while the others processed what he'd told them."No doubt whatsoever," Miko replied. "Same movement patterns, same fighting stance. He wasn't even trying to hide it once I recognized him.""The President's left hand is an underground fight promoter," Akiya shook her head in disgust. "And the President not only knows, but approves. Unbelievable."Anna remained silent, making notes on her tablet. She finally looked up, her expression troubled. "This complicates our mimic investigation. If the legitimate government is running shadow operations, how do we distinguish that from mimic infiltration?""We focus on behavioral inconsistencies," Miko said firmly. "The President matched his previous knowledge exactly. He knew details about the silver
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