On his way to the university, Kyle continued his conversation with the system.
’Can you tell more about those underworld dwellers? The one Layena fought seed far stronger. The one I faced was weaker, yet it still managed to injure her.’
[Indeed, host. Your observation is correct. Majin are weaker than Ghouls. Not only in authority, but even the Absence they emit cannot be compared.]
[There are five types of Knull residents:
Nightmares > Majin > Ghoul > Curses > Rot.]
[Those above the rank of Rot cannot pass through a rift into the mortal plane unless they are willing to shatter the space-ti bridge and wage a full-scale war.
Back then, that Majin didn’t respond to the Ghoul’s presence which allowed it to land a surprise attack.]
The system paused, allowing the information to settle.
Kyle appreciated that.
’So what actually makes them different? Other than strength and authority?’
[Their presence. And their ability to manifest physically in the human realm. Ghouls are visible to human eyes. That is why governnts operate in secrecy regarding them.]
Kyle nodded slowly.
’What exactly is a space-ti bridge?’
[They are the structural connections linking the two worlds.]
Kyle frowned slightly. ’Then why do governnts not destroy them?’
[Because the bridges are extrely difficult to conquer, host. Celestial guards from the other side protect them.]
Kyle let out a low hum. ’So basically... a high-level dungeon.’
[That is an acceptable comparison.]
[For now, the host should focus on accumulating the required Soul Points to unlock the pending reward.]
Kyle humd softly.
Right. The armant Ethara had gifted him.
He was still wondering where he could farm Soul Points when his steps slowed.
Near the university entrance stood a familiar figure.
His mood soured instantly.
He could recognize her from a distance.
The woman who had once been his world. The one who made his heart race with just a glance.
Once, she had been his happiness.
Now, when he looked at her, all he felt was bitterness.
He considered walking past her without acknowledgnt.
"Kyle."
She called out to him.
He exhaled slowly and turned. "What is it?"
Running would solve nothing. He would listen, endure whatever she had to say, and leave.
Amanda looked into his eyes.
There was no warmth there anymore. No tenderness.
Only cold distance.
Her chest tightened. She lowered her gaze, unable to hold his stare.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag as she spoke, her voice unsteady. "I-I... wanted to tell you sothing..."
Kyle remained silent.
Students were already beginning to glance their way. He wanted this over with.
But just as she parted her lips to continue, her phone buzzed.
It was already in her hand.
Instinctively, her eyes flicked to the screen.
Kyle saw the na as well.
Ethan.
Amanda looked up.
Kyle was already walking away.
Her fingers clenched tightly around the phone, her teeth grinding together.
Just when she had gathered the courage to speak to him...
Ethan had interrupted again.
Her eyes darkened..ing between them...why...why...Kyle...he was so close...she could talk to him again...but again...Ethan...Ethan!
The phone in her grip cracked under the pressure of her tightening fingers. The shattered screen sliced into her skin, thin lines of blood trailing down her palm.
She did not even flinch.
It did not matter.
What mattered was the boiling frustration clawing at her chest.
She needed an outlet.
And if Ethan happened to stand in front of her right now, she might just...
A faint, unstable laugh slipped past her lips.
...
Kyle stepped into the classroom and imdiately spotted the person who had texted him that morning.
"Brian," he called, raising a hand.
The brown-haired boy looked up and grinned. "Well, if it isn’t the emo guy."
Kyle rolled his eyes. "You didn’t send condolences."
Brian snorted. "You expect ? I get dumped every other Saturday. Who’s consoling ?"
Kyle shook his head, choosing not to respond.
He would be lying if he said Amanda was not on his mind.
The way she had approached him. The moisture in her eyes. The vulnerability in her voice.
For a mont, his heart had nearly given in.
But she had broken him slowly, piece by piece.
And in doing so, she had unknowingly strengthened his resistance.
Now, he could hold himself together.
Soon, Ethan and his group walked into the classroom.
Amanda was not with them.
Kyle could feel Ethan’s gaze drilling into him, but he ignored it and calmly pulled out his book.
Whatever ss existed between him and Amanda was no longer his concern. And if she chose to approach him again, he already knew how he would handle it.
He was done with this drama.
A few minutes later, the professor entered.
She carried a thick book in her arms and stepped behind the podium.
"Before we begin," she said, adjusting her glasses, "I must remind you about your assignnt. During this trip, you are required to carefully observe the ancient monunts you will be visiting."
Kyle let out a quiet sigh.
So the trip really was unavoidable.
He did not want to go. He had far more interesting things to focus on now. The Aether World alone had layers upon layers waiting to be explored.
But if he skipped this trip, his sester would be ruined.
And that was not a problem he could afford right now.
Bzzz.
His phone vibrated softly against the desk.
Kyle glanced down and saw a ssage from an unknown number. Still, he recognized the last few digits.
Veronica.
{Save my number and et at the attached location around 5.}
Kyle exhaled slowly. He still had to visit his family later.
He typed back,
{Can we make it a little earlier?}
His classes ended at three. If possible, he wanted to finish whatever she had planned before heading ho.
There was no imdiate reply.
For a mont, he thought she might have gone offline.
Then his screen lit up again.
{Look at you, so eager to see . Fine. Let’s et at 4.}
Kyle rubbed his eyes, but a faint smile still curved his lips.
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