Kiara's mind burned with conflict.
For several long seconds, she stood silent on the cracked dungeon floor while the faint rotor hum from Noah's helicopter vibrated through the sky above. In front of her floated the translucent projection. The ancient emperor patiently waited for her decision, yet the real battle was happening entirely inside her mind.
The system's proposal still echoed there.
[Trade Zion.]
Her jaw tightened instantly.
For someone like her who had seen nothing but betrayal in both of her lives, someone like Zion is indispensable.
Even a Celestial weapon would never equal that.
Kiara exhaled slowly through her nose.
Then she answered internally without hesitation.
No.
Her decision came with absolute certainty.
"If that's the case," she said inside her mind, her tone cold and firm, "I refuse the sword, System."
Her thoughts hardened further.
"For you, he might be a rank-5 Android. For me, he is family. His value cannot be measured by some sword or money."
