Chapter 74: Senior

Zach couldn't believe his eyes. He didn't want to believe them.

The underworlder held Yanael by the back of her head. He was so tall that when her head was next to his, her feet dangled the length of her calves over the floor. Her arms hung limply by her side, and blood streamed down her face.

The sounds of crashing Zach had heard were clearly from when the underworlder smashed Yanael against the wall to knock her out.

"Let her go." Zach was still scared out of his wits. But Yanael was more important.

The underworlder glanced at the unconscious angel in his hand.

"I suspected she was yours. Don't worry, I only knocked her out." The underworlder smiled and tossed Yanael at Zach.

Zach opened the barrier and let Yanael fly inside before closing it again. Unfortunately, he couldn't catch her, and Yanael landed on the floor before sliding up next to him.

Zach looked at the underworlder again and finally took a proper look at this frightening being.

He didn't look that much different from a human, at least compared to some of the other underworlders Zach had come across.

He was tall, had long black hair, pale green skin, a leather vest that didn't do much to cover his chiseled muscles, and black pants. When he looked closer, Zach also saw a pair of wings and a tail.

"You're Zacharia Evandiel, right? I'm Jigak. It's an honor to meet the Academy's third S-rank summoner." Jigak smiled and nodded slightly in greeting.

Zach frowned.

"What do you want? If you're going to kill us, just get on with it." Zach glared at Jigak. However, Jigak saw through Zach's glare and noticed the fear behind it.

He chuckled.

"I'm not going to kill you or your friends for that matter. As a rule, I don't kill students, especially not ones from the Academy. I respect the principal too much. I also treasure my memories of that time. So, you don't need to worry. If anything, I'm going to help you.

Unless you want to join the Underworld?"

Zach shook his head, extremely doubtful of Jigak's words.

"Guessed so. Still, I had to ask. If I hadn't done at least that, the Great Ugor probably wouldn't be too happy."

"..."

"Not the talkative type, huh? I'm not surprised. Kami wasn't much of a chatter, either." Jigak reached into his vest.

"Here. Something to eat." He threw something at Zach. It pierced his barrier even without seemingly using much force. Zach frowned and hid his discomfort. He let the object fall to the ground next to him.

"It's not poisoned or anything. Consider it my treat to a cute junior on our first meeting. It should help you get back on your feet." Jigak looked at Zach. Zach looked at Jigak without moving.

Jigak didn't seem like he held any malicious intent. But he was so scary and powerful that it was difficult for Zach to tell.

"Well, this is awkward. If it makes it any easier, I'm not here for you and your friends. We had a recent experiment break free in this Locale. That's why I'm here. That's also why the Great Ugor doesn't mind me letting you go.

As part of the containment protocol, the Locale shut down, and we couldn't access it without needing to break through several miles of solid rock." Jigak nodded toward the arrow room.

"But when you guys opened up that training room, the Locale's protocols were overridden and I could open up the path here again. I've already secured the experiment, thanks to you guys. If it hadn't been for you, it would have taken weeks or months. By then, the experiment might have already died, which would have been a shame."

"..."

Jigak awkwardly rubbed the back of his head.

"Well…—"

"...What's the experiment?"

Jigak's eyes widened.

"Oho, you're curious?" Jigak looked around.

"I probably shouldn't tell you too much, but it's a chimera. It's not one of those patchwork things you see every now and then. It's…we can't be sure yet if it has succeeded, but it might be the first created life. I'm not very good at the research things, but it's pretty exciting, no?" Jigak had a bright expression as he talked with Zach.

Zach shrugged.

"I guess." He wasn't sure what to think or what Jigak meant. But he had gained some information he could bring back if Jigak were really letting him go. seaʀᴄh thё NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Jigak gave Zach a friendly smile.

"That's about all I can tell you. I'm sure the principal will also be excited about it, even if he doesn't like the Underworld, so don't forget to tell him. Jigak took a step back and glanced into the corridor.

"...I'll leave a marked path you can use to find your friends and leave later when you're ready. And since I'm guessing this place wasn't quite what you were looking for or to your satisfaction, I'll give you another treat. Do you have a map on you?"

Zach nodded and took it out.

Jigak walked over. Zach didn't even bother trying to keep him out since it didn't seem like Jigak had noticed his barrier. Even Zach's strongest barrier wouldn't do anything to stop Jigak.

Jigak grabbed the map and drew a dark circle on it with his fingernail.

"Without spoiling the surprise, I'll just say that there's something waiting for you here." Jigak winked and handed back the map. He turned around and started leaving.

"I don't think I need to tell you since I'm sure you learned from this trip, but remember to prepare. Then, until next time, Zach." Jigak waved to Zach before disappearing. Zach couldn't even see him move.

'...Holy shit.'

Zach was exhausted. It had been stressful just being close to Jigak. It was even worse when he was right in front of him when drawing on the map.

Zach was lucky.

If Jigak had wanted to kill him or torment him, Zach wouldn't have even known what was going on before it happened. That was why Jigak had intentionally walked slowly and with enough force to make sound but not enough to make a lot of noise. He was trying not to scare Zach. Probably.

Zach still wasn't sure what to think about the encounter other than it being strange, so he decided not to think about it for now and look at the treat.

Zach unwrapped the paper package to reveal a dark red chocolate cake.

'Red velvet?'