Shadow Slave

Chapter 900

A somber silence settled in the conference room of the security center. Eventually, Verne was the first to break it. Straightening, he looked at sunny and said in a heavy tone:

"The... the best I can do is ask for volunteers among my Awakened. To risk falling asleep. Some of them might die, but a few should return with the news from the Dream Realm. Then, we can discuss evacuation by land."

Sunny stared at him without saying anything. His anger was suddenly gone, and instead, all that was left was fatigue, regret, and a vague feeling of dark resentment.

'Damn it all...'

If Verne indeed sent volunteers into the Dream Realm, even knowing that it would be a one-way trip for some of them... they would return in about eight hours. Finding out what was happening up north would help Sunny tremendously.

But eight hours was too long.

His growing panic was already almost suffocating. He did not know if they had eight minutes left, let alone eight hours.

"There's no time. You can't."

Verne leaned on the table and closed his eyes for a moment. It was hard to know what was going through his mind, but Sunny somehow knew that he would not be able to convince the stern officer.

His heart felt cold.

'Ah, that feeling... this bitter feeling. I have not tasted it in a while, I think.'

At that moment, Verne suddenly said:

"...A large convoy won't make it. But a single, robust vehicle probably can."

Sunny frowned, struggling to follow the line of thought, perhaps due to his exhaustion.

"What exactly do you mean?"

The older Master looked at him and shrugged with strange calmness.

"I mean that we don't have to put all our eggs in one basket. Your mission is not to protect every person in this facility, Sunless. Unlike mine. Your mission is to rescue one specific, high-value target. Both of us have to carry out our duty to the best of our ability, though. So... take Professor Obel, load up your APC, and leave immediately. This way, even if your theory is right, it won't be... a total loss for humanity."

There was a lot that had been said, and a lot that had remained unsaid. But there was no need to speak some words aloud. The two Masters looked at each other for a few moments, a silent understanding between them. In the end, the corner of Sunny's mouth twitched.

"I still think that you are wrong. People don't know what is possible and what is impossible until they try it. Well... that was often the case, at least, in my life."

Verne simply nodded.

"Then prove me wrong, Sunless. I wish you luck."

Sunny grimaced, lingered for a second or two, and then turned around. A moment later, he was gone from the room.

He had nothing more to say, and no time to waste.

There was no time at all.

Feeling a frightening sense of urgency, Sunny used Shadow Step to appear directly inside the research center. This time, Beth was even more surprised to see him.

"Are you... wait, no way... Master Sunless, do you perchance keep frightening me just for fun?"

He shook his head, looked around, and then beckoned for the young woman to come closer. What he had to say needed to be kept from other ears.

standing. Grabbing her by the shoulder, Sunny unceremoniously dragged the young woman to an

hell do you

and turned around, his sunken, manic eyes making Beth

quiet and listen. There has been

that the Professor was in danger, and that he had to be evacuated immediately. That sudden revelation was hard to digest, and there would be a potentially

Beth's eyes widened.

me? Why didn't you just approach

He would be reluctant to leave his people to save himself... so, I need you to persuade

still did

can't we just take

Her voice was small.

somberly, knowing that was something that he couldn't

Now, go and do what I said. Every

a daze, then slowly turned around,

at the scientists surrounding the professor, and then turned around in shame. However, this self-indulgence

had no time for

the Rhino. He could feel three shadows inside, while Luster,

him, they straightened

Uh... I did as

glanced at

I want the Rhino to be ready

into circles, but he swiftly dove into the hatch without asking

Sunny looked up at

was covered by white

blizzard is

moment, Quentin

am sorry, but what exactly

gallant healer

"We're leaving."

subordinates seemed

Right now?

lingered with

orders to

make them stop asking

passed, then another. His bloodstream was full of adrenaline, as though he was in the middle of a battle. Time crawled at a snail's pace, and for some reason, Sunny felt as though he was locked inside a pillory, waiting for the guillotine's blade to

'Walk faster, damn it!"

that they had to leave LO49,

appeared from the milky-white haze. Professor Obel was walking stiffly, with a troubled face. Beth was both supporting him and

and looked at him with a solemn expression. He

hear that you will be taking us

Sunny nodded.

Get inside, please. Hurry. I'll explain

was looking around with

been informed by Verne, so they opened the gate and

Sunny was certain that something would go horribly wrong. But, somehow,

white wall of the blizzard. Only when the lights of the facility vanished

on the bulkhead behind him and let

it. We

at him, Sunny remained silent. Slowly, the distance between the Rhino and the Lunar

leaving it

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