Chapter 80: I will offer you to it

Chapter 80: I will offer you to it "S-S-Sorry, I didn’t hear you knock." Selina stuttered out an apology as she stared at the huge man blocking her door. The man ignored her lie and motioned for her to follow—his master had waited long enough. "Hurry up." He barked with annoyance when he noticed her slow movement. Selina flinched at his harsh tone and quickly walked down the rocky stairs, almost stumbling over a jagged edge. The man’s gaze remained cold as he followed her. Leaving the building, Selina’s eyes darted around the dim street, hoping for someone to save her. Selina spotted a group of armed men walking past. She opened her mouth to call for help but froze when cold steel pressed against her throat, her screams stuck in her throat. Her eyes moved downward to see a sharp steel nail pointing very close to her neck. She mechanically looked over at the man to see his fingers slightly raised and his gaze cold with warning. Her eyes dilated with fear, and her knees almost buckled under her, seeing how close her throat could be pierced open. From her side view, she watched the group of men pass by and go out of her reach, and a tear slid down from her eyes. "Next time you pull that stunt, my nails will pierce through your brain." He warned in a menacing tone, causing her to break out in cold sweat. Selina could only nod as he withdrew the nail. Hugging herself, she followed him quietly, her body trembling. They walked through the alley, passing more people, but Selina didn’t dare call out; his threat was still fresh in her mind. After twenty minutes, Selina saw the minibus, and her body tremors wrecked through her body; her steps slowed to a stop. The man didn’t hear her steps and turned to see her place figure collapsed on her knees and quaking terribly. Without a word, he lifted her to her feet and carried her onto the bus. The door opened, and he dropped her onto the seat without care. Selina froze as she felt a pair of probing gazes; her gaze darted around the bus to see four people seated with no signs of Caiden. Her heart lightened slightly at his absence. But before relief could settle, his soothing voice cut through the silence, nearly making her faint in fright. "You are finally here." His tone was gentle but tears welled up in her eyes, her heartbeat deafening her with its loud thumps. Caiden said nothing else and signalled for the man to drive as he rested his eyes. Selina waited for him to continue his words, but the bus remained silent; the four others removed their gaze on her in disinterest. She could only make her presence small and move deeper into her seat, hoping this day would end. Her nerves were so strung up that any slight sound would make her flinch; after some time passed, her eyelids grew heavy, and she rubbed her eyes to keep her awake, but to no avail. The motion of the bus lured her to sleep. After an hour passed, she was startled awake by the sudden pat on her shoulder. With drowsy eyes, she blinked as the strangers stared at her, but meeting the pair of dual-coloured eyes, the haze of sleep cleared instantly from her mind. "Give her an oxygen mask," Caiden instructed one of his men, before focusing his gaze on her. "What power do you have?" He asked, his gaze indifferent as it held hers only changing when it fell on her hands. Selina hid her hands behind her and responded with a shaky voice. "Healing." Cadien nodded to himself and left a remark, "You seem useful." Picking up his mask and strode towards the entrance of the dungeon. The others followed his actions instantly while Selina fumbled with her mask--putting it on, she ran after their figures. They stopped as two people out of the four stepped forward and opened a space for them to pass through. Selina gripped the ring between her palms, her heart sinking as she walked through the tear in space. ..... They walked cautiously through the dimly lit dungeon surrounding; they had walked for a while and hadn’t chanced upon a monster. No one complained and continued travelling through different floors. Only Selina prayed for a monster to appear. She has to prove the usefulness of the ring; her hands are on the line, and with every minute that passes without any sight of any monster, her heart sank deeper. Sweat soaked her clothes under the damp, cool air of the dungeon; she even made sounds by intentionally kicking a rock, but nothing. She peered at Cadien who remained calm, his expression unreadable, frightening her the most. After what felt like centuries they finally heard a shrill sound as they passed through a hallway. Selina burst into tears of relief as she stared at the ’Hollow stalker’ with gratitude in her eyes. But fear quickly replaced it as she hid behind them. The hollow stalker stared at them with its hollow eyes; its tall, gaunt humanoid figure leaned forward as its elongated limbs lay loosely on the ground. A loud, deafening shriek left its skeletal mouth; Caiden and the rest glanced at Selina with a frown. This S-rank beast was known for becoming excited at the fear its prey showed. Seeing Selina quaking on her feet and practically oozing with fear made their faces turn grim. "If you hold us back, I will offer you to it," Caiden warned, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent. Selina nodded and covered her mouth as she pressed herself against the wall. Cadien couldn’t pay her more attention because the monster instantly blended into the shadows and glided through the wall toward them. "Red! Bring out the Crystals," Cadien ordered the spread around; the two space users guarded Selina while the others summoned the powers to face the monster. Red quickly returned every crystal he had in his space bag, instantly lighting up the room. The hollow scream caused them to wince; Cadien dodged the long claws aiming for him as he retrieved a whip from his bag. As he slashed forward, the whip became sharp steel, tearing into the body of the monster. The pain made it attack crazily; its body trembled, and a black shadow appeared, making it become two. Cadien’s expression turned ugly, and quickly forced his attacks on the main one before it created another. The second one was handled by the driver and two others, while Cadien dashed towards it. He flung his whip on the body, turning a piece of its skeletal skin to silver. "Bang!" He dodged its claws and retrieved a wooden stick from his bag. The monster sensed danger and slit into the ground, hiding itself in the shadow as it launched an attack on Caiden. Cadien rolled away from the attack; with a swift movement, he slammed the stick on the monster’s body before it could fully blend with the shadows. Selina watched the battle, her eyes widening in amazement. This was an S-rank monster—its tough skin and flexible limbs made it a nightmare to fight. The way he dodged effortlessly, never breaking a sweat as he landed his strikes, left her stunned. Forgetting the fear she had for him, she watched the exciting fight, rooting for him to win.