Ten minutes later, Octavia joined him, her bright smile illuminating the dim winding path as she said, "Ready to confront the guardian and finally reach the first floor?"
Upon hearing her question, he checked his interface before nodding.
[Remaining time: Seventeen hours.]
She hadn't lied. This place was a gigantic maze filled with useless rooms. From the fifty-five hours that passed, forty-six were spent travelling. And that was after they skipped the empty ones.
Without her guiding him, he wouldn't have reached this far.
"Thank you for your help," he said, taken aback by his own words. When had he ever expressed genuine gratitude? Ever since he stepped foot... floated in this world, he couldn't remember thanking anyone sincerely, except for old Theo after his tragic demise.
Considering his limited interactions, how many true friends did he make in the past twelve years?
"Only one..." He muttered, a feeling he couldn't explain, grasping his heart.
The realisation struck him as Octavia answered, unaware of his inner turmoil. "I'm the one grateful here. Without you, I would still be rotting for who knew how long, guarding that rotten lab."
"Let's go," he answered, his head lowered, shoulders slumped, and heart heavy as he turned in the guardian room's direction.
Brooding in silence as he walked, he suddenly inverted his views. 'Isn't Octavia my friend, too? Actually, I've made two!' He thought, a smile blossoming on his face briefly before being replaced by a frown.
'I'm sorry, Julius, but I can't consider you my genuine friend before finding an alternative solution.' He truly wanted to, but his subconscious refused to accept it. What if, in the end, his efforts proved fruitless and if even possessing a puppet failed? Would he sentence himself to a life of solitude, his figure unseen and his words unheard for the rest of his life?
As his mood darkened, a sudden gentle tap on the back of his head forced him out of his thoughts.
"Hey, mister magic, why the long face?" she asked, her voice accompanied by a delicate giggle, sending a wave of fresh air into his lonesome heart.
"Just thinking about some random stuff," he replied, forcing a smile before conversing with her. After all, why was he torturing his mind instead of enjoying his friend's presence?
Amidst their laughter and friendly banter, they reached the floor's last room after an hour.
With his mood uplifted and their strength, his confidence swelled as he forgot his doubts and focused on the upcoming battle.
As Octavia pushed the colossal stone doors, a bizarre creature greeted their eyes. Contrary to its brethren, it was much smaller, towering only two heads above Adam. Its black chitin covered its body like leather armor as thin wings protruded from its back.
As the creature noticed their intrusion, its mandibles parted as a menacing screech echoed over the entire floor. Glinting with perverse intelligence, its eyes locked on them as it planted its feet on the ground and raised its two long arms in a fighting pose.
"What's that?" He asked in shock as the hybrid waited for them to attack first.
"Insect-based chimaera mixed with... humans," she said, her voice filled with sadness and anger before adding. "It is stronger and almost as smart as me. I'll need your full Keep reading on NovelHub - where stories come alive!"
"No problem. You haven't seen what I'm capable of when I'm serious yet." He answered with a confident smirk, unbothered by the chimaera's nature.
Then, he focused on the ambient mana and coalesced it behind his back. His light blue mana cape reappeared, fluttering behind him as if excited to be summoned.
But he wasn't done with his preparations yet. With a snap of his finger, a mage's hand materialised and hovered lonesomely in front of him before a second one suddenly joined it, finally completing the pair.
"If you can slow it down, I'll take care of the rest." He said, locking his eyes on the waiting hybrid and summoning his Beastbane dagger in one of the hands.
After a brief nod, Octavia's body disappeared from his sight as the echo of her powerful steps reverberated in the room.
The chimaera's eyes narrowed at its foolish enemy, a hint of contempt flashing through them. Despite its years as a guardian, it never knew defeat. Even its fellows on the first floor were only so-so in its eyes.
As the silly human charged unto its striking range, with her tiny hand raised to deliver a punch, it simply waited. However, once her fist accelerated towards its face, it suddenly leaned forward, an ominous glint flashing in its eyes as it swiftly head-butted it.
Octavia screamed in pain as the impact's shock propagated in her entire arm, shattering every bone in it. Her eyes widened in panic as her right arm powerlessly dangled along her body.
Subsequently, it elegantly spun on its left leg, avoiding the speeding dagger held by the mage's hand before delivering a roundhouse kick at her side. Every movement flowed smoothly, blending into a violent yet fascinating dance.
Amidst a terrifying sound, her ribcage collapsed as she was sent flying back and collided with the room's door, smashing it before being buried under the rubble.
Gazing at its work, the hybrid cackled ominously, clearly mocking her pointless struggles, before locking his eyes with Adam, causing an icy shiver to run down his spine. Yet, he was more concerned about his friend's safety.
He hastily scanned her location, his eyes darting in every direction, desperately seeking any sign of her amidst the rocks. His heart pounded in his chest as he realised she was nowhere to be seen.
Unclear about her situation, fearing the worst, and irritated by the laughing idiot, his worried expression faded. Pure rage and madness covered his features as he roared, "You're dead, fucker!"
As if to echo his fury, the ambient mana spiralled towards him, wrapping his body in a swirling grey mist. His features disappeared, obscured by it and the sheen of his brown eyes receded, replaced by two luminous holes as he ominously opened his mouth.