Haah… as I watched the crack close, the Voidborn's eyes turned to me. It let out a large screech, as if annoyed.
Two large wings expanded from its back as it got up.
I glanced down at my state—a missing hand, blood flowing from everywhere. I could barely even move.
There is no hope. Even if I summoned Azeor, what's the point if I can't even swing it?
I let out a solemn sigh as I saw the creature coming closer, its red eyes flashing with intense killing intent.
There were a lot of things I wanted to do in this new world.
Yelena, in the original novel, had a complete switch in her personality, becoming completely cold and heartless after the dungeon incident.
Haah… I could've at least changed that…
I took the place of her brother and still failed her.
Paradox, is there any way you can help me survive this?
As I expected, no answer.
My eyes closed as I felt the creature swing its sword.
Goodbye, Yelena.
____
As the creature's sword was about to cut my neck, a simple, playful voice echoed through the room.
"Stop."
Nightmare completely froze.
A man appeared in front of me. He had grey hair and wore a white cloak.
I opened my eyes, surprised I was still alive.
"Ah, fuck… so it truly was you."
In front of me was Liro, the mad scientist.
"Hmm…"
He had a confused expression as he mumbled,
"I was originally planning to take the boy with the light affinity but…"
He looked at me.
"Boy… what are you?"
His eyes narrowed.
"Haah… what do you mean?"
"I saw you fight. Your sword skill was sloppy and mediocre at best, nothing impressive. But how did you dodge that slash by Nightmare? That makes no sense."
"And the most odd thing of all… how the hell did you freeze it?"
"It?"
"Yes. Time. I know what you did. You actually stopped time itself… that makes no sense."
My mind started panicking.
Fuck… he knows.
"Time? What the hell are you saying? There has never been an element like time."
"You're right. There has never been an element like time itself."
"But what you did there has given me all the proof I need."
"Time does exist, doesn't it?"
A mad grin spread across his face.
"You will be a great test subject, even though I originally wanted to kill you after you ruined my plan."
He walked over to me, a small black crystal in his hand.
My eyes narrowed.
"What the fuck is that?"
"Oh, this? A special project I've been working on. And I think you're the perfect host for it."
"Host?"
"Yes."
He came closer.
"Fuck off. Don't come closer."
"Or what?"
I summoned Azeor.
"Mhm… a fancy blade indeed, but it seems like you have no clue how to handle it."
He teleported in front of me.
No—
He was just that fast.
He gripped my chin.
The black crystal in his hand moved toward my forehead.
The moment it touched—
"AAGHHHHH—!!!"
My entire body seized.
Pain exploded through me.
Not sharp.
Not dull.
Everything at once.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH—!!!"
My voice tore through my throat.
My vision shattered.
My thoughts broke apart.
"STOOOP—! AHHH—! IT HURTS—!!!"
It felt like something was crawling inside my skull.
Digging.
Burning.
Tearing everything apart.
"AAAGHHHH—! GET IT OUT—! GET IT OUT—!!!"
My body convulsed violently.
I couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
Couldn't even scream properly anymore—
Only broken, desperate sounds escaped me.
"AAHH…! AHHH…! PLEASE—! STO—AAAHHH—!!!"
But he kept laughing.
__
After what felt like hours it was finally over.
"Oh my… it actually seems to have taken a liking to you."
I was on my knees, panting loudly.
"W-what the hell did you do to me…?"
He spoke with a grin.
"You will know soon enough."
Soon, he started walking away as if he was about to disappear.
Still on my knees, struggling to breathe, I spoke.
"Whatever you did to me today… I'll pay it back tenfold, Liro."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You know my name?"
I laughed.
"I'll kill you… you fucking bastard."
He grinned.
"I look forward to it, child of time."
As he was about to disappear, I spoke again.
"Hey… when you said there was a way to escape this room in those ten minutes… was there actually a way?"
He looked back, a grin spreading across his face.
"Of course not. I just wanted to see you all struggle for hope."
Then he laughed.
"…Haah…"
I forced out a breath.
"I'll truly kill you, Liro."
"I'll wait for that day."
And then—
He disappeared.
My body finally gave out.
And everything went dark.
___
Meanwhile, in the real world a few hours before,
Nia, Liam, Irina, Leon, Lia, and all the others had woken up from the pods.
It seemed like escaping the white room was the last part.
Nia gasped as she woke up, throwing open the pod and rushing towards Chrono's.
"N-no… CHRONO!"
He was still in there.
The others rushed over as well.
Meanwhile, the professors soon arrived, surprised to see us awake.
Professor Emma walked over to us.
"Y-you guys are finally awake…"
Even her cheerful self seemed extremely solemn.
Leon spoke in a serious tone.
"Yes, professor."
"We have to take you all to the infirmary and get checked. Luckily, the damages from the VR dungeon don't transfer here, so you should be okay."
"But…" she glanced around.
The rest of the cadets seemed traumatized.
Leon understood.
Liam stepped forward.
"Ma'am, were there any cases of the pods exploding?"
Her eyes lowered.
"Yes… 12 students have unfortunately passed away."
Lia spoke next, her voice trembling.
"S-so it was actually true… we truly would have died if we had died in the white room…"
The others' faces paled at the realization.
Soon, Professor Nox walked over along with Professor Clara.
He seemed angry—no, furious at this entire incident.
"Cadet Liam. Cadet Leon. I'm sorry, but I'll have to take some of your time."
They nodded.
Irina spoke up next.
"Sir, Cadet Chrono is still stuck inside. He needs immediate help please do something."
Professor Clara responded.
"Cadet Irina, we are trying everything at the moment, but if we pull him out of the simulation now, it would result in permanent brain damage… or worse."
Irina gritted her teeth in anger as she looked at Chrono.
Please
___
"—And that's how, at the end, Chrono was left remaining inside the white room."
Currently, Professor Nox was asking questions to Liam, Leon, and a few other cadets.
"I see."
"You two are excused."
He soon raised his head and gave them a small bow of apology.
"You cadets have gone through something no one should've gone through."
"We will find the culprit, and he will be punishe—no… I'll kill him myself."
Their eyes widened at his statement.
"Thank you, Professor."
"Please don't let Chrono's sacrific—"
Soon the door burst open.
"PROFESSOR! The cadet has finally woken up!"
"You mean Chrono?"
"YES!"