Chapter 301: Ch 300: Escape from Darkness

Kael could not help but look back in the direction from which he felt those eyes on him. But no matter how much he twisted and turned around, he could not pinpoint an accurate location.

This was getting on his nerves and making him extra sensitive.

It almost felt like someone would reach out and grab him at any second. It was making him nervous and—

"Are you alright?"

Kael grabbed the hand on his shoulder and twisted the wrist, forgetting where he was and who was with him.

"Ouch! Let go right now!"

The other person complained, and only then did Kael let go of the offending arm he had been holding.

He blinked and slowly started to come out of his daze, only to realize that he was holding Officer Tyson’s arm way too tightly, making the man yell out in pain.

"Ah, I am sorry. I did not mean to cause you pain. I was just a little preoccupied with my thoughts."

"I could tell. So, what were you thinking so hard about that caused you to lose focus?"

Officer Tyson asked, and Kael opened his mouth to tell him, only to feel like he could not. What was he even going to tell the officer? That he felt like he was being stalked by some supernatural force?

Kael had a feeling that Officer Tyson would believe his words. But what would happen after that?

Even if Officer Tyson believed him, there was little he could do to help him out.

"Don’t worry about me. Being at a funeral must be messing with my mind a little. I will head out for now."

Kael told the officer before he quickly decided to head out.

He could feel those eyes moving with him, making sure to keep an eye on him at all times.

Kael had a feeling that something bad was about to happen because of him. And that was why it was important for him to get out of here.

He only made it halfway out when he heard a tearing sound. His instincts warned him not to look back.

But Kael’s curiosity had always been bigger than his sense of self-preservation, and he turned around to check what that noise was.

It was...a normal woman? She looked around his age, with black hair and black eyes, along with a pale complexion.

But she felt really familiar. Kael was sure he had seen her before.

"Do I...know you?"

Kael asked as his body took a step back and the other woman took one forward.

"Are you...asking me if you...know me...? Hehehe...you don’t recognize me...? That means...I succeeded...I did it...now we can be together without any worries..."

The woman sounded unstable as she kept walking toward him. Kael’s heart was beating too fast from fear of what was happening.

He needed to get out of here. But where would he go?

"Kael...my dear Kael...we can finally be together now. I am sorry for what I did. I did not mean to stab you. But I did not have a choice in that matter. You forced my hand."

The woman continued to speak, finally making it clear who she was.

"Sera?"

Kael asked in a small voice, but the woman walking toward him just giggled in reply.

"My dear Kael. You are my treasure. I felt like I died when I heard that you stopped breathing. But I did not give up. I knew you would come back to me one day."

The woman had lost her mind as she zoned in on Kael like a zombie. There was no way to reason with someone like her...and yet...

’I feel like she can still be saved. Darn it! I must be losing my mind as well.’

Kael’s breath hitched as he suddenly felt the corruption rushing toward him, trying to grab his leg and drag him back.

His magic protected him as he tried his best to run away. His mind quickly reminded him that the best place to go would be outside and away from this funeral.

He needed to find a place where there were not a lot of people.

’Darn it! If only there were not a lot of people around...or if this world had abundant mana, I would have no problem casting a protective spell.’

Unfortunately, this world lacked both of those things.

"Ah, is this a game of chase? I love chase. I love what comes after this chase even more. So run all you want, my dear. I will catch you soon."

Sera was faster than humanly possible. Kael was genuinely struggling to keep up with her speed at this point. He wanted to blame his lack of health for it, but he knew that he was not athletic even before that.

’Ugh, I don’t think I have ever regretted my decision to not exercise until now. How close is she—’

Kael looked back, only to notice a pale hand reaching for his face. He ducked to the side and ran down the hallway, avoiding the hand by inches.

"This is fun, but how long are you going to keep running for? Sooner or later, I will catch up to you—"

Kael finally gathered enough magic in his hand to create a barrier between him and Sera. Since this was a one-way corridor, the only way she could follow him was by breaking through the wall.

That was going to give him some time to get away.

The bigger problem was the space around him. It had twisted into an endless corridor, intending to trap him inside. But even these paths could not hide the path of light that was shining for Kael on the other side.

"I won’t let you leave."

Corruption began to cover the exit, but Kael broke it apart using his divine power.

However, instead of looking unsteady, the corruption was smiling broadly at Kael, making him feel like he had fallen into a trap.

And his instincts proved to be right because when he forced the next door open, instead of heading outside, he headed deeper into the darkness.