Chapter 235: The second key

Lightning crackled along Theo’s body. A faint smile crossed his face as he advanced step by step. Sparks danced around his arms while the Resistance leader stood several meters ahead.

"It’s time to take that bastard down for—"

"Th-Theo."

Shaan rushed over, one hand pressed against his chest.

"W-Wait."

"Huh?" Theo frowned. "What do you mean?"

Shaan bent forward, struggling for breath.

"W-We..." He drew in a deep breath. "W-We can’t attack him head-on."

Theo fell silent. The lightning surrounding him gradually faded.

"We need a plan if we’re going to defeat him," Shaan said. "We won’t stand a chance without one."

"A plan?" Theo let out a quiet laugh. "That’s completely unnecessary." His grin widened. "My lightning can take him down with ease. Trust me. I know what I’m capable of."

"He’s not an opponent we can defeat that easily."

Shaan stared intently at Theo. "I’m serious."

Theo let out a long sigh. His gaze fell on Shaan’s face, which remained serious. "All right, weakling. What’s your plan?"

"We have to wait until the resistance leader pulls out the key to open the Umbra Gate." Shaan pointed toward the resistance leader standing in front of the monitor. "One of us will distract him. The other goes to grab the key."

Theo folded his arms. A faint smile crossed his face.

"Hmm... I’ll distract that bastard." He grinned. "That’ll be easy."

"All right."

Shaan nodded and turned his attention toward the Resistance leader.

"Now we just have to wait."

The Resistance leader activated the monitor in front of him. He tapped something on the screen. A hidden compartment opened, revealing a small black box.

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a key.

"What the hell is that bastard doing?" Theo narrowed his eyes, trying to see more clearly. "I can’t make out what he’s doing."

"I don’t know either."Shaan shrugged. "But we need to keep watching him. Don’t let anything slip past us."

"Understood, Weakling."

’My plan is almost complete.’

The Resistance leader inserted the first key into the small black box and turned it.

"I only need to activate this portal." A sinister grin spread across his face. "Once it opens, I’ll unleash terror upon the human world, just as I did here." He laughed and turned toward them. "And you two will be the first to witness it."

"Damn it!" Miss Daisy glared at the man. Behind her back, she struggled to break free from the restraints around her wrists. "You bastard! I won’t let you touch this portal."

"M-my friends are coming." Chelsie lowered her head slightly, but her eyes remained fixed on the resistance leader. "I-I’m sure... they’ll definitely defeat you."

’Miss Daisy? Chelsie?’ Shaan fell silent for a moment. ’Oh, no. What exactly is this man planning?’

"Oh... really?" The Resistance leader folded his arms and let out a quiet laugh.

"Unfortunately, your friends aren’t coming." Chelsie’s expression tightened. Her lips trembled. "W-What do you mean?"

"I’ve already taken care of all of them."

"N-No..." Chelsie’s shoulders sank. "T-That can’t be."

"Don’t worry. You’ll join them soon enough."

The Resistance leader snapped his fingers. A mutated Doppleshade leaped down from above and landed nearby.

"Kill them."

The creature lunged toward the two women.

"Mi-Miss Daisy!" Chelsie cried out in panic.

"N-No." Miss Daisy pushed herself backward with her heels, trying to keep her distance from the creature. "Stay away from me!"

"Good." The Resistance leader watched the Doppleshade attack them before reaching into his other pocket. As long as that creature keeps you busy, I’ll insert the second key."

He pulled out another key and held it up. "Then everything will be over."

"Theo is our chance." Shaan nudged Theo’s arm without taking his eyes off the resistance leader for even a moment. "We have to stop this man no matter what."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." A flash of lightning instantly surged through Theo, completely enveloping him. He smiled. "Well then, it’s time to take action."

Just as the resistance leader was about to turn the second key, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck him. In an instant, the resistance leader was hurled through the air and his body landed hard on the pile of rocks nearby.

"WHAM!"

"That was an amazing attack, Theo!"

At Shaan’s shout, Theo glanced over and flashed a faint grin. "See? I told you from the start. My punch can—"

"Not bad." The Resistance leader rose from the rubble and wiped the blood from his lip. "But I will not let any of you destroy my plan."

Dark energy swirled around him. Then he vanished. Neither of them could see where the resistance leader was, and suddenly, he appeared right in front of Theo. He swiftly launched an attack at Theo.

"Theo, watch out!"

’Cling! Cling!’

"Argh, damn it!" Theo clenched his teeth and tightened his fists. ’This bastard is much stronger than I expected.’

"Theo, hang in there. I’ll—"

"No, weakling." Theo shook his head. "The key. Focus on grabbing that damn key!" Theo kept blocking the resistance leader’s attacks. "Hurry up!"

"I understand."

"I won’t let that happen!" The resistance leader pointed his index finger at Shaan. "Don’t let that man touch the box!"

’RRRAAAAAAAAGH!’

Shaan burst forward, racing toward the box. Doppleshade appeared in front of Shaan, trying to block him. The creature raised its sharp claws into the air in a swift swing.

’I won’t let this creature stop me!’

Shaan ducked and twisted his body away from the Doppleshade’s attacks. He slipped past every slash without breaking his stride.

’Good... I’m almost there.’

Only a few steps remained. Shaan pushed himself even harder and stretched out his hand toward the box.

His fingertips were just inches away from the black container when Chelsie screamed.

"Shaan, watch out!"

Shaan turned his head quickly, and a large chunk of rock flew rapidly toward him. He immediately drew his dual short swords and slashed at the rock. But a Doppleshade emerged from behind the shattered rock and launched a powerful punch at Shaan.

"Ugh!"

The impact sent Shaan crashing into the wall.

His dual short swords slipped from his grasp and clattered onto the floor.

Fresh blood continued to pour from the wound in his shoulder, leaving him sprawled helplessly on the ground.

"D-Damn..." Shaan watched the Doppleshade’s feet draw closer. ’Ho-How am I supposed to defeat this thing?’