ALL NOVEL Chapter 16: Heart of the Demonic Dragon I
[ Time remaining before the opening of the portals: 7/14 D ]
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The next morning, the sunlight filtered through the kitchen curtains, creating an atmosphere that was both warm and tense. Elysia was already there, sitting at the table, her fingers nervously playing with her toast. She seemed absent, lost in her thoughts, the echo of yesterday's conversation still resonating in her mind. Akira entered the kitchen, as usual, with a relaxed attitude that contrasted with Elysia's palpable anxiety. In one swift motion, he headed towards the fridge, paying no attention to the lingering tension.
Yumi, on the other hand, observed the scene discreetly, her steaming tea cup in her hands. She felt the weight of the silence but preferred to stay in the background, waiting for the dynamic between Akira and Elysia to unravel on its own.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Elysia placed her toast with a loud thud on the plate. She turned to Akira, her gaze determined. "Listen, I know you want to go to the Hunter's Association, but at least let me accompany you."
Akira stared at her for a moment, his dark eyes scanning her face. After a while, he nodded curtly. "Fine... Just try not to slow me down," he said, turning to leave. "Don't get in my way."
Elysia smiled, but her smile was tinged with a slight sadness. "I promise!" she replied.
At that moment, Yumi set down her cup, immediately drawing the attention of the other two. "I'm coming too," she declared in a firm tone.
Akira shrugged indifferently. "As you wish."
Three hours later, they found themselves in Elysia's car, speeding through the bustling streets of the city. A tense silence filled the car, each occupant lost in their own thoughts. Elysia gripped the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles turned white, wondering what she had gotten herself into. Yumi, sitting in the back, watched the urban landscape pass by. Akira, on the other hand, was lost in his thoughts, his face impassive.
When the imposing building of the Hunter's Association finally appeared on the horizon, Elysia parked in an adjacent alley, cutting the engine with a sharp noise. A ball of anxiety formed in her stomach.
They got out of the car, with Akira leaning nonchalantly on the hood. He wore a white shirt under a black hoodie, and dark joggers that highlighted his athletic silhouette. His long strands were gathered in a messy bun. Yumi approached, her confident demeanor accentuated by her brown leather boots and black fitted pants. Elysia, standing back, wore a simple red t-shirt and dark jeans, her shoes similar to Yumi's. Nervousness was clearly written on her face.
"Well... they don't skimp on resources," commented Akira with an ironic smirk, his eyes fixed on the building.
"L-Listen Akira, I understand your desire to go there, but how do you plan to get in?" inquired Elysia, concern evident in her voice.
"Their barrier seems rather robust," added Yumi with a hint of admiration, examining the imposing structure.
"What if we go there?" suggested Akira, straightening up from the hood and starting to walk towards Elysia.
"Why are you going in the opposite direction?" she asked, looking confused.
"Tsss," Akira clicked his tongue, visibly annoyed. "Stop asking questions, you're annoying me."
Reaching Elysia, he suddenly took her in his arms like a princess, making her blush like a tomato. She hadn't seen that coming, and the shock of the situation made her forget her anxiety. Akira then took off, followed by Yumi, who headed towards the building opposite the Association. They landed smoothly on the roof, and Akira carefully placed Elysia before focusing.
"Tell me, elder," he addressed Yumi, his hands still in the pockets of his hoodie. "Could I use your dimensional displacement?"
"Yes, for what purpose?" replied Yumi nonchalantly, but with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"I will need your help," explained Akira, his expression serious.
"I see," Yumi nodded, her face softening.
Without wasting time, Akira activated his Byakugan, his eyes lighting up. Yumi, intrigued, watched him closely, while Elysia remained silent, absorbing the scene. Akira scanned the building, scrutinizing every corner in search of a solution. Finally, he stopped abruptly at the base of the building, a satisfied smile forming on his face.
"Elder," called Akira, pointing to the ground. "Can you take us there?"
"I thought I told you to stop with the honorifics," growled Yumi, furrowing her brow. "It's starting to get awkward."
Finishing her sentence, she turned her head towards the designated spot and, surprised, turned to open a rift in space. They all entered.
A few kilometers up, in a room adorned with dark and imposing decorations, President Smith sat in a chair, his eyes closed. Suddenly, he turned his head, frowning.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" asked Steven, who was a few paces away.
"Hmmm... but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared," Smith replied gravely. "We must stay on guard."