NOVEL NEXT Chapter 570: Is She Alive?
From the clearing, Aira stepped forward. But her presence… was completely different now.
Alex raised a brow, smiling like nothing was wrong. "Why're you here? Thought you were resting."
"Cut the bullshit!" she snapped, her voice sharp and cold. "Who are you!?"
She took another step. Then another. And the space twisted. Reality warped like ripples through a still pond.
In the distance, the medic cried out, but in front of him, the two Evermore soldiers simply vanished.
His eyes widened in horror. "Basilea's… finished. Th-they had two more. Just like that monsters…"
Meanwhile, Alex found himself standing elsewhere.
The floor beneath him was made of shimmering crystal, clear as water, yet perfectly solid. Fish swam underneath, casting light-shadows with every turn.
Above him stretched a boundless sky, soft blue with drifting clouds.
Alex let out a low whistle. "Not bad. Nice view. Lemme guess, admin room?"
Aira stood opposite him, arms crossed, eyes sharp like razors.
"Who are you?" she demanded. "Every human on this planet is accounted for. Even rebels. You're not one of them."
"How would you know?" Alex replied, tapping his chin playfully. "Maybe I'm just using a disguise."
Her frown deepened.
"Ohh, wait," he added, snapping his fingers. "You've got another ID system, don't you? Something like aura tracing? No, life force signature. Yeah, that'd make more sense."
Aira's stare sharpened. 'He wasn't scared. Not confused. Just… amused. Was he ignorant? Or worse, was he mocking her?'
Then another thought struck her. Her voice hardened.
"Wait... You're from another city, aren't you? One of them. I knew it. That bastard Blaire finally made his move."
Alex's smile widened slightly. He didn't correct her.
"Oh?" he said. "And what city do you think sent me?"
Aira's eyes narrowed, gears turning in her head. She clenched her jaw.
"City 2525666," she spat. "You're one of Blaire's mercs, aren't you? How much did he pay you?"
She stomped her foot, the ground resonating faintly beneath her.
"To think he'd actually hire off-worlders just to sabotage us… That coward."
Alex tilted his head. "So what, you want to offer a better deal? Bit late for that. I'm already under contract."
"Ha! I know your kind." Aira scoffed, eyes gleaming. "You dogs work for credit. You'll always betray the highest bidder."
Alex's grin faded just slightly, but his tone remained light.
"You really think I can do that?"
Aira raised her hand, crystalline lines glowing around her like code ready to collapse the world.
"I don't care what you are anymore. Just know this…" Her voice dropped. "I'll erase you myself."
Alex laughed, calm as ever.
"There's no need for violence. Sure, the contract's tight… but not absolute. With the right price, I might be convinced to shift sides."
His voice was casual, but his mind was already working, fast.
He'd triggered the cheat code on purpose as a bait, and it worked.
Even after one conversation he already know Aira wasn't like the others. That's why Alex decided to do this.
He'd planned to stay hidden for longer. But if his guess were right, than Aira is one of the admin.
And his guess were correct, with a admin this close, discovery was only a matter of time.
And if he was going to be found, he'd do it on his own terms. Control the narrative. Take the initiative.
Aira hesitated. She didn't want this fight. She just wanted to finish her quota and move on.
Even knowing the man in front of her was responsible for the system breach, she felt more frustrated than angry.
She'd read the reports. Anyone who could become a mercenary, no matter the species, was dangerous. Not someone you pick a fight with lightly.
"You screwed my quota," she said bitterly. "How am I supposed to pay you credit after that?" She sighed. "Look… help me finish this mess, and I'll give you all the surplus."
Alex's smile didn't fade. But inside, a quiet fury stirred. 'Surplus.. . She means people…'
She just offered him his own kind like excess inventory. Like cattle.
'Does she have no pride left as a human? No shame?'
Still, Alex kept up the act. He tilted his head, feigning interest. "That'll be a hassle. Why would I need them?"
Aira blinked. "What kind of question is that? Are you a new mercenary or something? Don't tell me you don't know how valuable humans are out there."
Alex's eyes darkened, just a flicker. "That still counts as illegal trafficking."
Aira's expression shifted, the first hints of confusion showing.
Something was off about this man. He wasn't behaving like she expected.
If he was a mercenary, he had to have the means to extract himself, bypass security, smuggle out what he wanted. So why was he still here?
She didn't realize it yet, but the answer was simple. He wasn't a mercenary.
Not even close.
But she couldn't see that.
How could she? All her life, she'd been trained to believe humans on this planet were nothing. That survival meant accepting slavery. That rising up was impossible.
So someone like him… with confidence, power, and presence?
The only explanation she could find was: Outsider.
He'd already hijacked the system without her noticing. Completed his objective long ago.
Yet here he was, wasting time, playing around.
Which meant only one thing to her now, He wanted a deal. But the question was: what kind?
While she sank into thought, Alex interrupted with a casual question.
"By the way," he said, like asking about the weather, "do you know someone named Faerith?"
Aira froze. Her entire demeanor shifted, her posture tensed, her expression darkened instantly.
"Say that again," she said, voice cold.
Alex's gaze didn't waver. "Faerith Thalindra. Do you know her?"
Aira's pupils shrank.
Her killing intent surged like a crashing wave.
"You…" Her voice trembled, not with fear, but fury. "How do you know my mother?"
Alex blinked. "Your mother?"
His eyes widened, mind racing. Dozens of possibilities bloomed in his head,
'Was Faerith a traitor? Was she forced?
Was she being used?
Did she sell him out?
Was she even alive?'
Then one question broke through the chaos in his thoughts. He looked at Aira again, this time not with amusement, but something closer to sorrow.
"…Is she alive?"