Extra's Ascent

Chapter 184 184: It's Not Over Yet

"You saved my life?"

The voice came from ahead, soft but steady, carried on shaky breaths that barely masked the awe laced within. The young mystic approached, eyes wide with gratitude, limbs trembling slightly from exhaustion and adrenaline. His steps faltered as he neared the group, gaze fixed on Xander, the man who had intervened during the chaos.

"I just did what needed to be done, kid," Xander replied with a dismissive wave, brushing off the moment like it meant nothing. "You've got some solid moves yourself. For a mystic without any training, you're not half bad."

The youth stood there, modest and worn. His appearance suggested he was native to this place, clad in torn garb, his dark hair unkempt and tangled, face marked with soot and effort. There was nothing externally striking about him, yet something lingered in the way he carried himself: resilience. Grit is born of survival and necessity.

Despite his appearance, he had proven his mettle. He'd engaged the greater taratect with impressive fortitude, keeping it occupied long enough for the others to arrive. It wasn't a small feat. His actions had bought precious time, preventing the creature from rampaging unchecked through the settlement.

In usual circumstances, a predator-class walker arriving unannounced would be catastrophic. The streets would've run slick with blood, and buildings reduced to twisted rubble. But thanks to this mystic's effort and that of another, devastation was averted.

"I appreciate the words, but I wasn't alone," the mystic corrected. "My brother and I held it back together. Have you- have you seen him?"

His tone shifted. The initial relief crumbled beneath a rising tide of worry. His wide eyes frantically

Though one could argue Xander needed to practice composure. Joseph was clearly baiting him and succeeding. If Xander could learn to shrug off the jabs, their spats wouldn't escalate so frequently.

Then again, Joseph probably knew this and did it all the more because of it.

"Enough, both of you."

Gerald's voice cut clean like a honed blade. Deep, commanding, unamused.

"Search the area. Check for survivors. Count casualties. Move your asses and stop acting like squabbling children."

The reprimand landed hard, but before anyone could react—

"Don't bother. You won't find anyone else."

A new voice chimed in, soft, laboured, yet reassuring.

The young mystic returned, this time aiding an older figure with a limp. His brother. One arm slung over his shoulder, the other clinging to him for balance. Both looked battered, but alive.

"Hey!" Xander exclaimed, both relieved and vindicated. "See? Told you I was careful!"

Gerald, however, focused on something else. "What do you mean we won't find anyone? Were you able to evacuate them? Or…"

His voice trailed, daring not to finish the grim possibility.

"Evacuate?" the older brother chuckled darkly. "They didn't need help. The moment that thing crawled out from its pit, they scattered like birds. Vanished without so much as a scream. All of them made it out."

"Then why did you stay behind?" Joseph asked, genuinely puzzled. "If the civilians fled, you had no reason to fight."

Both brothers exchanged a glance.

"We had our reasons," the elder replied cryptically. "But more than that, we believe there's not just one of those creatures down there."

That one sentence changed everything.

Gerald, Joseph, and Xander froze.

Their expressions aligned, shadows darkening their features as realisation sank in. A silence followed, heavy and cold, hinting at the scale of the danger they might still be facing.