CHAPTER 70: CH 70: EXTERNAL FORCES- PART 4

Kana’s fingers trembled as she pressed them against the cool wall.

Her chest felt tight, the air around her heavy—thick enough that every breath scraped against her throat.

She couldn’t stay here.

The longer she remained inside this place, the more it felt like invisible hands were wrapping around her lungs, squeezing, suffocating.

It wasn’t panic—at least, not the kind she could name—it was something deeper, a heavy, creeping dread that told her she would shatter if she didn’t move.

Her gaze flickered to the door.

The thought of running flashed through her mind, but it died almost immediately.

Even without proof, she knew she wouldn’t make it that far. Something in her bones whispered that the moment she reached for that handle, the ground itself would turn against her.

So... the window, then.

Kana turned toward it. It was open, a faint breeze carrying the smell of damp earth inside. From here, the fall wasn’t far—it was only the first floor. If she jumped, she might just land fine.

And besides... she had confidence. Even if her head told her she was just a fragile girl, her instincts—the ones that came with her maxed-out abilities—assured her she could handle a simple jump.

Her heart beat faster as she stepped closer.

One hand gripped the windowsill, the other curling tight at her side. The cool wood pressed into her palm, grounding her for a moment.

She began to pull herself forward—

"Kana—wait!"

The sharp voice snapped behind her, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.

Irielle.

Kana felt the air shift as a hand reached for her, fingers brushing just short of her sleeve.

But she didn’t stop.

Her pulse roared in her ears. The suffocating air, the walls, the invisible weight pressing down on her—it was all too much. She gritted her teeth, braced her legs, and pushed herself off.

The wind rushed past her face. Her feet hit the ground with a soft thud, knees bending to absorb the shock.

It didn’t hurt. Not even a little.

Kana straightened, brushing her hair from her face, but the relief was fleeting. That same oppressive sensation still clung to her, following her into the open air.

She began walking.

One step. Then another.

But the more she moved, the more the air felt wrong—charged, heavy.

Her breath quickened, her chest tightening again. The strange feeling grew sharper, like a gaze drilling into her from somewhere far above.

She couldn’t see anything when she glanced at the sky, but the sensation only deepened, sending a shiver down her spine.

Her pace quickened.

The streets stretched ahead, but they were nothing like the ones she remembered. The faces around her...

No.

Not faces.

Deformed—twisted beyond recognition. The people were still human, at least in shape, but their skin rippled unnaturally, and their eyes...

Every single one of them turned toward her.

Her steps faltered.

They began walking—no, drifting—closer. Their movements were slow, but their focus never wavered. It was as if her very presence called to them.

Kana’s hands curled into fists. The instinct to defend herself flared—but then... hesitation.

She didn’t know how to fight here.

And more than that—she didn’t want to hurt them.

Not when they’d already been... hurt enough.

Her pulse thudded in her ears. She took a step back. Then another. The crowd inched closer, their eyes fixed on her, their distorted limbs twitching.

Her mind spun, scrambling for a solution.

What do I do—

A sharp tug at her wrist jolted her.

"Move!"

The voice was urgent, female. Kana’s head whipped around—and her eyes widened.

Pink hair.

She knew that hair.

"Ruby?"

Kana breathed.

It was her.

The familiarity hit like a wave, relief loosening something tight in her chest. Ruby didn’t slow, pulling Kana along with a firm grip.

"Don’t look behind you. Just keep walking."

Ruby said, voice low but unyielding.

Kana obeyed, forcing herself forward, eyes locked ahead.

But the sensation... it was still there.

That oppressive gaze from above.

Her will cracked for a moment. She tilted her head up—

And froze.

A giant eyeball hung in the sky. Not attached to anything she could see, just suspended there, its inhuman iris narrowing as it looked directly at her.

Disdain.

She could feel it, even from here.

Her breath caught, and she stumbled back—straight into Ruby’s chest.

Ruby’s hand steadied her.

"Kana. Trust me."

The calm in her voice clashed with the chaos around them, cutting through Kana’s spiraling thoughts.

"Things will be fine if you just trust me. Don’t worry so much."

Her body began to glow. Soft, radiant pink light spilled from her skin, wrapping the two of them in its warmth.

Kana barely had time to process before something sharp pierced into her back—a surge of energy rushing through her.

Her eyes widened.

The light pushed her forward—not by force, but as if the world itself was shifting her away.

The last thing she saw was Ruby’s face, framed by that pink glow.

"We’ll meet again soon."

Ruby said, smiling faintly.

Kana’s mind reeled. How... how had Ruby even gotten into this place?

The question followed her as the scene dissolved, like sand slipping through her fingers.

Her feet hit solid ground again, and her lungs heaved with a heavy, desperate breath.

The weight in her chest eased.

Reality slammed back into focus.

Shouting.

The clash of steel.

The thrum of magic in the air.

Kana forced her eyes open—

And froze.

Lysera and Irielle were in the middle of a fierce battle, their strikes sharp and deliberate. Opposite them, Evaya moved with equally dangerous precision, her expression unreadable.

And standing off to the side—watching with amused detachment—was High Priestess Jenna.

Her smile was faint, almost lazy, but her eyes glittered with interest, as if this was a show she’d been waiting for.

Kana’s fingers tightened at her side. The dream’s haze hadn’t fully left her, but the chaos before her left no room to dwell on it.

Jenna’s sharp eyes caught the slightest twitch beneath the blanket, and her lips curved into an almost knowing smile. She didn’t hesitate.

"Oh? Look who’s decided to join us."

Jenna said lightly, her voice carrying across the room.

Kana froze. She’d been hoping to stay unnoticed for at least a few more minutes, to quietly gather her bearings.

But with those words, every gaze shifted toward her—Evaya’s amused smirk, Lysera’s unreadable stare, and Irielle’s sharp, assessing eyes.

Heat crept up Kana’s neck. She kept her expression neutral, pretending she wasn’t fazed, though her fingers curled under the blanket. There was no use pretending to be asleep now.

With a slow breath, she pushed herself up, the movement stiff but deliberate. The blanket slid down her shoulders, revealing the simple helper robes she still wore.

She avoided looking at anyone for too long, letting her gaze settle somewhere between the floor and the far wall.

Jenna’s smile deepened, not unkind, but far from innocent.

"There now, much better. It’s rude to lie in bed when your guests are... engaged in such a lively discussion."

Kana gave a small nod, unwilling to rise to the bait. The atmosphere around the others still crackled faintly, as if moments ago the tension had been far worse.

Awkward didn’t even begin to cover it.

Kana simply straightened her posture, ignoring the way their eyes lingered, and decided it was better to sit and endure than to draw any more attention to herself.