Chapter 232: Beneath Our Feet

Through blurred vision, Shaan watched as the resistance leader simply walked away from them. He had absolutely no idea why the resistance leader was looking for that key, but it was clear it had something to do with taking control of the Twilight Sanctum.

’I... I have to...’

Shaan’s body finally gave out. He collapsed onto the floor as his vision grew increasingly blurry. Fresh blood continued to pour from his wounds, and a numb sensation slowly spread throughout his body.

All he could do was lie helplessly on the ground and watch the Resistance leader’s footsteps disappear into the distance. Then, everything went black.

***

’What... what is this feeling?’

A strange warmth flowed through Shaan’s entire body. He slowly regained control of his fingers, moving them one by one. His eyelids trembled before he finally opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw was Theo.

Theo wore a serious expression as he opened a small brown glass bottle.

"Th-Theo?"

Hearing his name, Theo paused for a moment before placing the glass bottle on the floor. "Finally, you’re awake, weakling."

"W-what happened?" Shaan slowly looked around. "Where’s the resistance leader?"

"I don’t know. When I arrived here, I only found you and that stiff woman lying helplessly on the floor."

"Stiff woman? You mean Nalira?" Shaan’s expression immediately tightened. He slowly pushed himself to his feet despite the pain coursing through his body. "Nalira is badly injured. We have to—"

"Don’t worry. Miss Khaya and several other Daemonists have taken the girl to a safe place along with the injured guards."

"O-Okay."

"Now, we need to go back and meet Miss Khaya. She’s waiting near the entrance with the other Daemonists." Theo slowly stood up and looked at Shaan. "Can you still move, weakling?"

"Yeah, of course," Shaan said confidently. "I’m not some weakling like you—"

’Crash!’

"Argh, damn it." Shaan cursed in frustration as he fell to the floor. ’The medicine hasn’t taken full effect yet.

’Theo could only shake his head at the sight. Without a word, he grabbed Shaan’s hand and helped him walk back out of the room until they reached the entrance.

"Theo?" Miss Khaya immediately turned around when she heard approaching footsteps. How is he?"

"He’s better. But his strength hasn’t fully returned yet."

"The medicine’s healing effects do take quite a long time, and we need to be patient until he’s fully recovered." Miss Khaya slowly turned her gaze toward Shaan. "But at least you’re conscious now, Shaan."

"What about Sir Walter?" Shaan asked curiously. "Did you manage to defeat him?"

"Oh, that old geezer..." Theo smiled. "Yeah. We managed to take down that rotten traitor."

That’s right." Miss Khaya smiled faintly. "We worked together to bring Sir Walter down."

"Definitely." Theo smirked. "That old geezer was tougher than I expected."

Miss Khaya turned to Shaan. "And you? What happened with the Resistance leader?"

"I tried to stop him, but..." Shaan’s gaze dropped. "He was far too strong. I couldn’t do anything against him." He tightened his fists. "If only I were stronger... I could have saved Nalira and put an end to all this."

"Don’t blame yourself, Shaan." Miss Khaya’s voice softened.

"The Resistance leader possesses overwhelming strength. Even with our combined forces, we can’t afford to underestimate him." Theo glanced toward the vast halls surrounding them. "Then how are we going to find him? This place is enormous. Searching every room could take hours."

Miss Khaya considered the problem for a moment before turning back to Shaan. "Did you see which way he went?"

"Unfortunately, no." Shaan shook his head. "I had already lost consciousness when the Resistance leader left after obtaining the key."

"Great. Another dead end." Theo sighed in frustration. "Looks like we’ll never find out where he—"

"Wait. The key?" Miss Khaya suddenly stiffened. "Oh no... So the Resistance leader wasn’t only after the Twilight Sanctum. He was after that as well."

"Miss Khaya, what are you talking about?" Theo frowned. "I have no idea what you mean."

"The Umbra Core Gate."

"Huh? I still don’t—"

"It’s a portal that connects the Dark Realm to the human world," Shaan interrupted. "Dr. Marshal told me about it."

"That’s correct," Miss Khaya confirmed.

Theo’s expression changed as the pieces finally fell into place. "W-Wait... Then the Resistance leader is trying to..." He paused. "Damn it. He’s trying to take control of the Twilight Sanctum so he can use the portal to conquer the human world."

"I was thinking the same thing. We need to stop him before he can use the portal." Shaan turned toward Miss Khaya. "But where is the portal located?"

Miss Khaya said nothing. Instead, she slowly pointed downward. "Right beneath our feet."

"Then we should go and—"

"No. You’re staying here." Miss Khaya cut him off. "Your wounds haven’t fully healed. Theo and I will go to the basement and stop the Resistance leader."

"Miss Khaya is right." Theo crossed his arms. "Don’t become a burden when we confront the Resistance leader."

"B-But I..." Shaan let out a long sigh. "I understand."

"Stay here. Someone will arrive shortly and take you to the examination room so they can—"

"Miss Khaya!"

One of her members suddenly rushed toward them from behind.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I have something important to report."

"What is it?"

"One of our members located the Twilight Sanctum leader and several other Daemonists."The man struggled to catch his breath before continuing. "They’re being held inside a room, and several Resistance members are guarding them."

"All right. I understand." Miss Khaya nodded. "Send all our members there. The safety of the Twilight Sanctum leader is our top priority now."

"Understood."

"Shaan, Theo, you two should head to the basement," Miss Khaya instructed. "Follow this path, and you’ll find a staircase leading down."

"Keep going and take the stairs down."

Theo nodded. "Got it. I’ll remember."

"But listen carefully. Don’t do anything reckless. Wait for me until I return." Miss Khaya gave them a stern look. "Understood?"

"We understand."

A moment later, Miss Khaya ran after her member, leaving Shaan and Theo behind. The two of them immediately headed toward the basement, unaware that something was already waiting for them below.