CHAPTER 201: ESCAPE

It was an impossible pull. Adam was a spirit being pulled into nothingness, his very being breaking under the tremendous strain. His spiritual arms strained, pushing back with all the strength he could muster, leaving only his head and two hands outside the black device.

There were several fronts in the war he was fighting. His grip on Adam’s physique had already become weaker due to the length of time he had been in possession.

His magical energy was constantly being drained by hidden devices strewn all over the forest. Above it all was the power of Void, Gold, and Silver combined, enhanced by the artifact created especially for his capture. It was excessive. The strain became painful.

His head and hands were drawn into the machine with a last silent cry of defiance. The world vanished. Adam discovered himself plunging into a pit of complete blackness, a familiar but horrifying void.

He was confined. Emotions he had not experienced in thousands of years, shock and despair, swept over him.

"No," he whispered into the infinite dark. "No. No. No."

It was not a shout of rage. It was the bleak sound of complete failure.

Then he saw a light. The system window. It was beating red and bright frantically.

[The master is in danger. Starting the emergency protocol.] It was a strained, distorted mechanical voice. [Not enough energy. A sacrifice is necessary.]

Adam gaped in disbelief. A protocol for emergencies? He could not recall creating such a feature for Millennia. He was actually unable to recall with clarity whether he had created her in the first place. The old, locked corners of his mind were still obstinately closed.

The window’s red light grew brighter, flashing wildly. [Energy-saving System Window sacrifice]. Moving Master to a secure area.]

The System Window vanished into light particles before Adam could comprehend the words. Simultaneously, a bright white light burst forth from Adam’s spiritual body. The darkness was engulfed in a blinding flash, and then he was gone, yanked out of the device’s prison and into the unknown.

The world fell silent outside in the forest. At last, Eric’s body, which was lying limp on the ground, became motionless. His face’s ache expression subsided and was replaced by the serene fatigue of profound unconsciousness.

Void glanced down at Eric’s chest, where the capture device was located. The violent violet color had dimmed. Now it was merely a black, drab square. With a triumphant smile on his face, he reached down and took it from Eric’s uniform.

He turned to face his two partners, who had finished their work and were now standing quietly. He displayed the device as though it were a prize. "The mission is finished. The pioneering Prince-Spirit has been apprehended."

Silver and Gold gazed down at Eric’s motionless body. "How do we handle him?" Silver’s voice was low as she asked. "Should we killing him? similar to the others?"

Silver took a step forward. Her hand was on her sword’s hilt. She had a clear intention.

Void stopped her with a raised hand. "No."

They both gave him a startled look.

"He does not know anything about the spirit," Void clarified in a composed tone. "I do not think it is right to kill him."

Gold’s eyes narrowed. "Void, have you become attached to the boy?"

Void chuckled softly and closed his eyes. He reopened them and said, "Nothing like that." His eyes were icy. "I will kill this boy myself if he causes us any problems in the future."

His words were supposed to be comforting, but Gold and Silver looked at each other doubtfully. They did not think he was real. Not entirely.

With a commanding tone, Void said, "You two should turn off the other devices and go." "My other team is returning." We would prefer that they not see you.

After exchanging glances, Gold and Silver nodded curtly. Without another word, they disappeared into the trees, turning into shadows that were gone as fast as they had come.

For a long time, Void stood by himself over Eric’s body, his face unreadable. Then he heard leaves rustling.

He turned as Robin came out of the bushes, his face etched with worry, his glasses a little crooked. Right behind him, Ryan appeared just as concerned. His and Adam’s fight must have shown them the light.

Kado emerged from the trees last, a mask of rage covering his face. He stomped forward, putting his face squarely in Void’s. He growled, "You bastard!" "You should have been with us!"

His outburst of rage was interrupted when he looked down at Eric, who was lying still on the ground. Kado’s expression immediately changed from one of rage to one of sincere concern.

He hurried over to join Eric. "Is he okay? What got in him?

Void smiled cheerfully again. "Do not worry," he said with ease. He simply ran himself into exhaustion. Too much strength, not enough endurance. He gave Kado a shoulder clap. "Have you finished your missions?"

Kado, who was still kneeling next to Eric, looked up and gave him a confident thumbs up. With pride in his voice, he replied, "Of course." "We finished all of them. It was simple."

The scene changed. Adam was gone from the region of forest. He was not in his territory. He was being drawn through a wormhole that bent space and time, a turbulent, swirling whirlpool of color and light. He was a traveler, held captive of a path beyond his control. He did not know what desperate protocol the System Window had implemented in its last moments. All he knew was that he had been teleported away from the device.

------------------------------------------------------------------

We are so grateful to each and every one of you for joining the adventure! Your assistance is greatly appreciated. I appreciate each and every one of your Power Stones, which are like mana potions that keep me writing if you are enjoying the story.

Let us have some fun now! I want YOU in this world. The new signature technique is about to be named by our hero. What ought it to be called?

Leave your most inventive suggestions in the comments section! I will choose my favorite, and it will be included in the story’s canon with a special mention for you.

I am eager to read your insightful recommendations!

Alphaboss

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------