Chapter 215

EP.215 The Sprout of Growing Doubt

“…..”

“…..”

We were walking without saying a word.

Currently, there was nothing at the Grand Canyon except for green slime.

The slime had completely melted the tentacle demons.

Using large leaves as makeshift umbrellas, I occasionally glanced at Silvia’s ankles.

Seeing this, Silvia spoke up.

“I’m really fine, so worry about your own wounds.”

“I’m fine too.”

“Alright.”

With that, we walked in silence for a long time.

I pretended to be embarrassed, while Silvia felt guilty for rushing into the experiment first.

Honestly, I was surprised. I never expected her to ask me to touch her first.

It was a good thing for me. If this got out and I ended up fighting Adeline, Silvia couldn’t blame me.

Tragedy always follows good fortune… but not this time.

Everything worked out well.

“Hey.”

Silvia suddenly poked my side with her elbow.

I frowned and said, “Don’t touch my wound. It hurts.”

“Ah… I’m really sorry. Are you okay?”

“Yes… Why did you call me?”

“Well… you know what happened in the cave, right?”

“The experiment?”

At my calm question, Silvia flinched.

She hurriedly replied, “Yes. The experiment… let’s keep it a secret.”

“You mean keep it a secret from Adeline too?”

“Right.”

Silvia was fully aware of what she had done.

She must be worried about the huge repercussions if her soul partner found out.

I grabbed Silvia’s wrist and stopped her, asking, “Are you sure you won’t tell?”

“I won’t. It’s you I’m worried about.”

“I won’t tell either.”

“Then let’s keep it a secret?”

“Understood. Now we have a secret between us.”

It was a statement that could sound meaningful.

And Silvia, perhaps taking it as I intended, swallowed hard and scolded me.

“Wh-what do you mean, a secret between us… Just keep your mouth shut. Take it to the grave. Got it?”

She was visibly flustered.

I nodded and let go of her wrist, continuing to walk.

She, who had been walking beside me, was now following behind.

She seemed to be pondering my words, trying to figure out their meaning… Good luck with that.

Will you find an answer?

Before we knew it, we had arrived at the place with the slime.

Seeing the still-spreading slime, I made a despairing expression.

“I’m sick of it… so sick of it…”

Silvia, who had approached me, spoke calmly.

“I told you. What if there’s more… Let’s hurry back. If we get attacked again, it’ll be a real disaster.”

“Understood…”

Looking up at the sky in frustration, I turned around at Silvia’s urging.

When we reached the midpoint between the cave and the slime, I staggered like someone at their mental limit and threw the makeshift umbrella off the cliff.

Then I sat on the edge of the canyon, where a rapid stream flowed, and muttered.

“It’s tough…”

Silvia, sitting beside me, comforted me.

“You’re doing well.”

“Me, who carelessly destroyed a fighter jet?”

“Careless? It was an attack no ordinary person could react to. I barely managed to borrow Aiter’s power. So don’t blame yourself. Don’t break down.”

“Haah…”

Silvia patted my shoulder, which was heaving with self-reproachful sighs, and moved closer.

Then she placed a leaf on both our heads.

I gave a weak smile at her actions and expressed my gratitude.

“Thank you. It gives me strength.”

“I’m grateful too.”

“Can we stay here a little longer?”

“Of course. There are no demons here. We’re far from the slime, so stay as long as you want. But… I’m a bit worried your wound might get worse.”

“It’s fine. I can get treated with medical devices.”

“You’re thinking of going back? I’m glad you haven’t given up yet.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Silvia.”

Stretching my arms back, I alternated between watching the rapid stream and the opposite side, passing the time.

Silvia slowly turned her head to keep the leaf from falling and surveyed the Grand Canyon’s scenery.

After a while, she exclaimed in admiration.

“The atmosphere is amazing… isn’t it?”

“I have to admit that much. If there were no demons, I’d want to come here for a trip. On a rainy day like this, I’d like to set up a tent in a cave and grill some meat.”

“Your travel plans are so specific… It sounds romantic when I imagine it.”

“Silvia.”

“Yes?”

“When this place is back to normal, would you like to come here with me?”

Silvia’s head snapped around.

I caught the leaf that was about to fall and faced her directly.

“With me…?”

“Yes. We really suffered here. It’s one of the few remaining natural wonders on Earth, so we should erase the bad memories.”

“I… don’t mind. I only exercise anyway, so I have plenty of time…”

“Is that a promise?”

“Yes. I promise.”

Before we went through this hardship together, she might have refused, but seeing her answer like this, it seems she’s become very interested in me.

Going through adversity together has built camaraderie, and protecting her when she was sick and stimulating her erogenous zones has made her see me as a man.

I really like how this turned out. Though my body is exhausted, nothing strange happened in the middle, and it went as planned, so I feel proud.

It’s also good that Adeline isn’t mentioned in our travel plans.

It’s about time to head back.

Hearing Silvia’s answer, I grinned, but then I noticed a faint green light flickering near the canyon’s fork and turned serious.

I tapped her shoulder and pointed at the light.

“Silvia. Do you see that?”

It was embedded halfway into the canyon wall.

As if it had been swept there by the rapid stream.

Silvia nodded without taking her eyes off the light.

“I see it… Could that be…”

“It looks like a machine. The only machine here would be a fighter jet fragment.”

“I’ll get it right away.”

Silvia jumped up and took out the Aiter container.

She probably thought we were incredibly lucky.

Keep thinking that. Don’t doubt Marcella’s arrangements.

**

Back in the cave, we examined the machine with excited faces.

A communication device, dented from the impact, but still functioning.

Silvia, who had been restless, approached me as I was closely inspecting the device.

“How is it? Can you fix it?”

“It wasn’t broken in the first place. It’s working perfectly. If we modify it, we might be able to send a signal to the lab…”

“But there’s no electricity here, how?”

“The built-in battery isn’t just for show.”

“Do you need any help? Just say the word.”

“We need to disassemble it first… It’s too sturdy. Let’s find a lever or something.”

“No need. Give it to me.”

She meant to use Aiter.

Well, it’s not a situation to conserve it now.

But did you want to go back that badly? I wanted to stay here and have some fun with you… I’m disappointed.

“Just disassemble the outer part. Don’t touch the inside.”

“Got it.”

As I handed her the device, Silvia borrowed Aiter’s power again.

She then broke the tough alloy like it was nothing and handed it back to me.

I took out the contents and began modifying the communication device.

“Are you sure? You’re injured. What if you get electrocuted while modifying it?”

“It’s waterproof, so it’s fine.”

The modification was quickly done.

I walked past Silvia, who was glowing with anticipation, and set up a makeshift antenna at the cave entrance, sending out an independent electromagnetic wave to connect with the lab.

After a short static sound,

-Identify yourself.

Sehwa’s voice came through.

“Sehwa? It’s Jihyuk.”

“What, Jihyuk? Why are you sending suspicious signals… You scared me.”

“Something happened. But where’s Dr. Cash? Why are you receiving the signal?”

“Dr. Cash is in France now. Something happened with the World Union director there. She won’t be back for a few days.”

“What’s the problem that she had to fly there herself?”

“I don’t know. Ask her when she gets back.”

After reciting the prepared lines, I got to the point.

“Can you contact Adeline?”

“Yes. But it’s early morning… She’s probably asleep.”

“I’ll send the location, so wake her up and tell her to come here. Use the portal in Wyoming. And send an unmanned transport too.”

“Got it.”

After ending the call with Sehwa, I turned to Silvia with a serious expression.

“She doesn’t know about the situation here, does she?”

Silvia, who had been quiet until the call ended, nodded.

“Yes… Why didn’t you explain it to Sehwa?”

“It would take too long. Escaping is the priority now… We can explain when we get back.”

“Right… But why did you ask Adeline to come alone? Because of her divine power?”

“Yes. I firmly believe Adeline, sensing the evil energy, will purify the moths with her divine power. I asked her to come alone to foster her independence.”

Silvia nodded with a troubled expression.

She must be thinking about what happened earlier.

With “I have a secret!” written all over her face, I wonder if she can keep it hidden.

I smiled at her and said, “The phrase ‘bittersweet’ fits perfectly.”

“What are you talking about? Bittersweet?”

“What happened here was painful, but it was also fun. You might not understand… but that’s how I felt.”

Silvia’s expression brightened considerably.

“I feel the same.”

“Then that’s a relief.”

“It feels like several days have passed, but it hasn’t even been a full day. Isn’t that strange?”

“True. They say time flies when you’re having fun… I can relate to that. How about a hug to celebrate our escape?”

At that, Silvia hesitated but then came closer.

She could have played hard to get… but she has no resolve.

Well, Adeline will rush over as soon as she gets the message, so we should hurry.

With a bright smile, I stepped forward and hugged her when she was close enough.

“Hey… aren’t you clinging too tight? It hurts…”

It’s absurd for her to say it hurts when she’s the one who put her hands around my waist.

Lying while enjoying it…

I silently held Silvia tightly, and she continued.

“Don’t forget the travel promise. And you know?”

“I know. Keep it a secret from Adeline. Don’t worry.”

“You’re not very reliable.”

“What can I do… You have to trust me.”

“That’s true… Oh, and make the device as soon as possible.”

Why do you have so many demands?

“Alright.”

Even though it was time to let go, I stayed close to Silvia.

She didn’t tell me to move away either.

We shared each other’s warmth for quite a while.

Screetch-!

From afar, the roar of a demon echoed.

Then a brilliant golden light began to dispel the darkness, illuminating the Grand Canyon.

A sign that Adeline had arrived. If the transport was sent through the portal, it would be here soon.

It’s almost absurd how much we’ve gained here.

Let’s go back now.

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