Chapter 167: Aisha’s Cornered!

Even with the Outerworlder woman’s death, Aisha did not have the luxury to rest.

Soon after they saw what happened to her, the Sentinels reacted immediately. The first one to charge toward her was the Sentinel with the goatee. His arms were drawn back, biceps straining against his gear before he launched his fist in her direction.

Aisha knew this wasn’t going to be an easy fight. She might even die in the process. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel a slight excitement blossoming inside her as she faced the Sentinel.

How long had it been since she had been able to properly fight? Ever since she had transmigrated into this world, she had tried everything to avoid crossing the fine line that dictated who she truly was, vowing to live as Aisha Novalis.

But all she had gone through after getting her soul trapped in this body and this world were disappointments and boredom.

Thus, knowing that this world wasn’t as peaceful as she thought it was only thrilled her.

The adrenaline was coming back to her now. She smiled widely as the Sentinel threw his punch at her. The power behind his fist sent her crashing into the wall, leaving her dizzy.

A second Sentinel was already on his way to her as well. Soon, two more would come to deal with her so they could finish what they were tasked to do in this place.

"It’s surprising you managed to kill someone like her," the Sentinel who struck her first began to speak. "But you must know... the Order won’t let you and everyone around you go because of this."

Aisha laughed, taking the Sentinel by surprise.

"What are you laughing at?"

She shook her head and looked back into his eyes. Then she smiled. "Then, I’m glad I have no one in this world."

It was true in every sense. A soul who came from an unknown place and an unknown timeline couldn’t possibly have anyone in a place she had been transmigrated to. Because no matter how many memories she restored, it wouldn’t change the fact that she was not Aisha Novalis!

But the Sentinel did not believe her.

"Hmph!" The Sentinel’s eyebrows twitched. "Do you think I believe you? You came rushing here and attacked this facility. I’m guessing we took someone of yours, and that is why you’re here. If not... then you must be out of your mind to storm right into this place without a reason."

A second Sentinel arrived at her side. They were flanking her from every direction while her back remained against the wall. They loomed before her like hyenas who had found good prey they could hunt, trapping her before they lunged at her.

Obviously, they already thought they had gotten her cornered.

But Aisha had never been someone who panicked simply because the odds were against her.

She pushed herself away from the wall, ignoring the sharp pain that shot through her ribs, and the Sentinel in front of her was already moving again, his fist cutting through the air where her head had been a moment earlier. Aisha ducked beneath it, feeling the pressure of his punch skim over her hair, before twisting her body and driving her elbow into his ribs.

It connected, but the Sentinel barely moved.

Aisha’s elbow throbbed from the impact, and she immediately understood the difference between fighting ordinary people and fighting someone whose body had been strengthened by a Sentinel core.

He grinned.

His hand came down toward her shoulder, but Aisha twisted away just in time. Another Sentinel was already behind her, and she caught the movement from the corner of her eye before dropping her body as his leg swept through the space where her head had been.

The first Sentinel turned around, and their attacks collided for a brief second. That was all the opening Aisha needed. She slipped between them.

"Don’t let her escape!"

Aisha didn’t bother looking back. She ran toward the side of the chamber where the tanks had been dragged, her footsteps splashing through the filthy water, every movement sending another wave of pain through her injured body. Farther ahead, she could see Zenick’s tank still being dragged toward the ship by the remaining men who replaced the Sentinels to move him. That was the only thing that mattered. She needed to reach him.

Aisha pulled another needle from her clothes, but her fingers were beginning to shake. She had used too much power already. The shadows protecting her were becoming thinner, and even her spiritual beast had gone strangely quiet. She could still sense the tiny creature inside her mind, but its presence felt distant, as though it was struggling to remain connected to her. She couldn’t rely on it at this moment.

Aisha accelerated.

The Sentinel with the goatee caught up first, moving far faster than his size suggested, appearing beside her before she could reach the tank. His hand swung toward her, forcing her to stop abruptly. The blow missed her face by inches.

Aisha stumbled backward, but he didn’t give her time to recover. Another punch came straight toward her stomach, forcing her to cross both arms in front of herself. The impact sent her sliding several meters through the water before her back struck the floor.

Pain exploded through her ribs.

Aisha clenched her teeth and forced herself to sit up, blood dripping from the corner of her lips as the goateed Sentinel walked toward her.

"You should have surrendered earlier."

Aisha wiped the blood away with the back of her hand.

"Would that have made you stop?"

The Sentinel frowned. "No."

Even if she surrendered, they could not allow someone who saw what they were doing right under the Association’s nose to live. They had to eliminate her no matter what!

"Then there’s no point."

His expression darkened as he raised his hand, and the pressure of his power suddenly descended on her. Aisha’s body stiffened, her knees almost touching the ground as the force pressed against her entire body, trying to force her down through sheer strength. Her lungs tightened, and the wound in her ribs screamed from the strain. She could barely breathe.

The Sentinel stepped closer.

"You killed one of the Order’s people. Do you really think we can let you leave after that?"

Aisha looked at him through strands of loose hair. "No."

Her fingers slipped into the pocket of her clothes.

The Sentinel noticed the movement, and his eyes sharpened. Before he could react, Aisha threw a small object toward his face. He instinctively raised his hand.

The object exploded.

A cloud of dust burst between them, forcing the Sentinel to cough and step backward. Aisha was already moving, shooting past him. The dust wasn’t strong enough to stop a Sentinel for long, but it didn’t need to be — she only needed a few seconds.