As Hazel used her healing ability to stop Lucille's bleeding, Ashrik took off his black jacket. He reached for the bones, his action gentle as if he was holding something precious.
Ashrik collected every bone, including the skull and the dirty dress. He also picked up the jade pendant hidden within the dirt. Then, he wrapped them up in his jacket.
A heavy, suppressed breath slipped from his trembling lips. Under his ribs, his wildly pounding heart bled.
After so long, he didn't expect to be reunited with his younger sister in this way. Despite having already expected her end, he couldn't easily numb the pain.
The image of a little girl who always followed him with a bright smile changed into that of a young lady. Unfortunately, he would never get to see her grow old.
'Vivi, don't be afraid. Your brother's finally here.'
Ashrik closed his eyes, forcing his sorrow and heartbreak down. He focused back on Lucille. Through Hazel's flashlight, he saw that her bleeding had ceased.
But...
"Brother Zhai, I've healed all her wounds. Her life isn't in danger, but..." Hazel hesitated, her brows furrowing. "She's still significantly weak. Her core is broken."
Ashrik's eyes widened.
If her core was damaged... she might lose her ability for good!
Espers heavily relied on their abilities to survive this apocalyptic world. Once their cores were shattered, they often fell into despair.
Because of the long and strenuous process, they rarely attempted to cultivate to heal their broken cores.
Would Lucille be like that?
No! She couldn't! He wouldn't allow it!
He clenched his jaw. Dust rose when he stood up abruptly, sprinting toward the screaming Captain Gao. He swiftly grabbed the middle-aged man's head, his nails digging deep into the latter's skin.
"Argh—! It hurts!" Captain Gao hollered.
"How did you break her core?" Ashrik growled, his dark eyes blazing with flames. "That damn Genesis taught you tricks, huh?!"
To break an esper's ability core was hard, and such a situation was rare. In those few cases, the ability users damaged their cores by overexerting themselves during a very, very extended fight.
Lucille's core was broken in a few minutes!
This damn old man surely did something!
"W-what... what are you saying? I didn't break her core!"
Captain Gao hurriedly shook his head. He almost wet his pants facing this infamous Frozen Hell Yama.
Damn! Why did they run into Ashrik here?
If he knew that this Yama was also looking for the relic, he wouldn't ever get involved, no matter how generous the compensation was!
"Brother Zhai, don't bother with him. I think he used this. I found it with the relic core."
A young man, Felix Ji, came forward. He returned after dragging Captain Gao's men out. He held the dagger stained with blood.
Taking the blade from Felix, the already low pressure around Ashrik sank further. With just one glance, he knew this was an ancient relic, capable of breaking one's inner core easily.
"What do you wanna do?" Felix asked. A sneer curved on his lips as he looked at the terrified Captain Gao. "Kill the young and spare this old man for interrogation?"
"N-no! Save me! I didn't mean it!" Captain Gao quickly shook his head, begging for mercy.
Ashrik's frosty eyes glinted maliciously. "Don't kill any yet. Let's put this dagger to good use."
Felix punched his right fist into his left palm. He rolled his neck, as if preparing himself for a fight.
"Good. We have three victims. Save one for me."
"Nooo! Argh—!"
Felix knocked Captain Gao unconscious. Then, he hauled the middle-aged man out of the cave.
Ashrik hurried back to Lucille. Hazel had been staying by her side.
"Brother Zhai, we have to bring her back with us. She won't survive if we leave her here. She can't protect herself. And what if Genesis still has people around?"
Ashrik knew Hazel was worried, even though Lucille was practically a stranger to her.
Before barging into this cave, they had eradicated the lurking danger. Genesis had sent a group of espers to watch over Captain Gao from afar. None had managed to stay alive.
"We'll bring her along. She'll be targeted if she returns to her base."
"Great!" Hazel beamed. "Your space is the perfect place for her to cultivate!"
He agreed, "Yeah. We're leaving. Carry my jacket."
"Okay."
While Ashrik carried Lucille, Hazel held the jacket. They hurriedly left the cave, reuniting with Felix outside.
Captain Gao and his team were already blindfolded. Now, they lay unconscious in the backseat of the former's truck, still trapped in ice blocks.
"We shouldn't leave this good thing behind." The mischievous Felix patted the truck. "Adding another vehicle to our inventory isn't a bad idea."
Ashrik didn't care. "Return to our previous point."
"Yes!"
Ashrik carefully laid Lucille in the backseat of his truck while telling Hazel to keep an eye on her. Once he drove, Felix followed from behind.
They rode for almost one hour before they entered the forest from where they emerged. Everyone checked their surroundings before deciding that no danger lurked nearby.
Ashrik focused his power on the jade pendant hanging around his neck. It was shielded within a metal casing. In a second, the two trucks disappeared from the forest.
The scenery outside changed, revealing a verdant field with two cottages, a gently flowing river, and a bright sun hanging in the sky. It was a stark contrast to the barren land of the apocalyptic world.
Instead of any survival bases, Ashrik and his team returned to his secret space. This place was a thousandfold better than any base.
"B-brother Zhai! There's something wrong with her!"
Hazel suddenly called in a panic. Perplexed, Ashrik hurriedly looked back.
"Argh—!"
Lucille's body jerked violently, convulsing as if seized by an unseen force. Her brows furrowed in pain and her skin lost more color. A strangled gasp escaped her lips.
Hazel hurriedly used her healing ability, but Lucille shook more forcefully.
"W-what should we do?"
Without hesitation, Ashrik slid to the backseat and pulled Lucille into his arms. He acted driven by his instinct.
The moment their skin touched, he felt a pulse, the one he had been familiar with over three years ago. It seemed to resonate with them both.
An invisible wave of energy surged between them, seemingly connecting his core with her broken one. His pupils constricted as another instinct kicked in.
Ashrik swiftly carried Lucille out of the truck, leaving the startled Hazel behind. His boots crunched against the dirt road as he rushed to the grassy field ahead.
A tall tree stood near the river. Ashrik knelt and gently laid Lucille beneath it. The lush grass seemed to embrace her frail body.
Ashrik grasped Lucille's right hand tightly. Her fingers twitched and her body was still trembling until she eventually calmed down.
He could feel it. The resonance between them deepened. He could also sense the severity of her broken core.
But... why?
Was it because the relic had resonated with her, like him?
Ashrik's heart shivered. He glanced around the verdant space. This mysterious place had an abundance of pure spiritual energy, which would greatly benefit Lucille for her cultivation.
"Lucy, you'll return stronger," he said, voice breaking. "In the meantime, I'll be your sword and shield."
The gentle breeze carried his voice, unknown to everyone else but him. He smiled faintly at the sight of her brows easing.