Chapter 60- Run (Part 1)

Chapter 60: Chapter 60- Run (Part 1)

Chapter 60- Run (Part 1)

Rize knew that whatever this conversation was, it had to do with the attack that happened at the amusement park. But, for some reason, his gut feeling told him it was not as simple as merely trying to take revenge on Sagardia and the Royal Family; there was something brewing in the shadows that he couldn’t really fathom.

Vigil stared at the screen with a tense expression; he kept trying to crack his fingers while also moving his leg in a jittery motion. Even an idiot could tell that this man was worried and perhaps even scared. Whoever he was talking to was making him scared.

’Tsk, I can’t see who it is he’s talking to. I might risk being exposed if I get too close.’ Rize frowned as he closed his eyes and listened to what was being said carefully.

"You had a timeline and a plan, Vigil. I expected better." The person on the call replied. His voice was distorted and heavily mixed, making it impossible to distinguish whether he was a man or a woman.

"I am aware, sir. We really didn’t expect those two to appear out of nowhere. Everything was under control... Until it wasn’t..." Vigil said as he looked down with a sigh.

’He’s talking about us.’ Rize pursed his lips. ’We really screwed their plans up. No wonder he wants to tear me apart.’

Rize was certain that this plan probably took months or even years of planning and meticulous steps, and when it came to finally clicking a button and unleashing hell on the empire, two kids stopped them and ruined everything.

Rize himself would be beyond furious if such a thing happened to him. However, he shook his head and continued listening.

"The intended goal was to deal irreversible damage to them. Now, because of what happened, things will get messy. In the next few days, expect some unwanted visitors knocking at your door."

"..." Vigil’s expression darkened as he clenched his fists. "Sir... We need your help..."

"Hm? Help? Do you think I could stop the retaliation that the Empire will unleash upon you? You didn’t strike me as a fool when we first met, Vigil."

"I am aware, sir... But, please... There has to be a way. We can’t afford to fall now. We are so close to taking them down, I-I can feel it." Vigil said with hope clear in his eyes.

"..."

Silence took over the room. Even though Rize wasn’t in there, he could feel the palpable tension in the air. It was suffocating, as if danger was constantly coiled around his neck. He could only imagine how Vigil was feeling at that moment.

"I will see what I can do." The anonymous person finally broke the silence. "I will update you if there is anything new. For now, return to your land and lay low. I don’t need more trouble."

"Yes, sir."

Then, the call finally ended, and darkness swallowed the room again. Vigil sat there for a few moments, staring blankly at the screen before he exhaled a long breath and leaned against the table.

"Dammit..." He whispered to himself. "Dammit all."

Rize watched the scene silently; his expression was solemn and calm, but in his head, he was feeling something odd. Vigil was a criminal and a monster who caused the death of many innocent people with cold blood. Rize wouldn’t hesitate to slice his head off.

But he could understand what that man was feeling at that moment. Suffocation, fear of the future, isolation, not knowing what to do. Rize knew all those feelings because he experienced them himself before.

’It seems all that front crumbles when you’re all alone, huh? You pathetic fool.’ Rize thought to himself as he was about to retract Endless Hunger and try to figure out how to escape. However, at that moment, the Gift saw something that was on the table. Looking at it, Rize frowned.

’Wait, is that?’ He thought to himself. From the shape of it and some particular details, he knew what that was. ’My phone!’

Rize couldn’t believe his own eyes. That was definitely his phone; he had memorized every detail of it in case he ever needed to identify it. The fact that it wasn’t destroyed was a shocker but also great news.

The boy contemplated for a moment as he watched Vigil. He wasn’t aware of his presence at all. But picking the phone up could truly be a huge risk.

’Maybe I should wait a bit. He might fall asleep or something.’ Rize gulped. It was late at night, and unless Vigil had other plans, he should sleep soon.

So, Rize decided to sit there and wait. ’One hour. If he doesn’t sleep in one hour, I will have to take the risk and grab the phone.’

He nodded as he lay against the wall and closed his eyes, watching the man intently. Vigil remained in his spot for a long while, not moving, not making any noises. Rize could only guess that he had fallen asleep or taken a nap.

’It has been 30 minutes. Maybe he has already fallen asleep?’ Rize gulped as he finally ordered Endless Hunger to get closer to the table. The black substance started crawling on the ground quietly and slowly. Reaching the table, it climbed up one of the legs.

’Please, no noise. Just grab the phone and slide back.’ He thought to himself as he intently focused on trying to guide the substance to the best of his abilities. Rize could tell that his control of it was incredibly sluggish and slow. He was still getting familiar with the Gift.

When it reached the top, it approached the phone. Vigil didn’t move the entire time. The black substance wrapped around the phone slowly.

’Now, just grab it tightly and pull it back. Make sure not to click the button.’

[Endless Hunger is learning.]

[Progress: Tier 1 (10%)]

Rize felt satisfied seeing the Gift listen to him so obediently. He could already see the potential of such an ability in the future. He just had to escape this place first.

The substance gripped the phone and slowly lifted it up. Vigil didn’t move that entire time. At that point, Rize was certain that he was deep asleep, and it gave him some relief. Slowly, Endless Hunger pulled the phone back, inch by inch as it grew farther and farther away from the table.

’Come on, come on!!’ Rize felt like every second was an eternity as he waited for the phone. That was his last hope of survival. If he could alert Venera and send her his location, they were all done for.

Eventually, the phone reached the small gap under the door. Rize sucked a deep breath and focused. He had to pull it in without causing noise.

’I can do it. I can do it. Just easy and slow...’ He scrunched his face.

Meanwhile, Endless Hunger flattened on the ground and started moving backwards. Rize felt like he had control over the situation, and his confidence increased.

’I almost got it!’

Just as the phone was passing the gap, for a split second, Rize lost control of his powers. It was a split second, a moment caused by exhaustion and pain. And yet, it was all that was needed.

*BANG*

The phone hit the upper side of the gap, and since the doors were metal, the noise was far louder than it should’ve been.

"Hm?"

He heard a hum inside, and all color was sucked out of his face in an instant. A single thought emerged from his mind at that moment.

’Run.’