Chapter 374: 374: The Start (5)

Chapter 374: 374: The Start (5)

Chapter 374: The Start (5)

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Looking out the plane window, one could see a vast expanse of fluffy, white clouds illuminated by the setting sun. The clouds that were in different shapes and sizes, constantly shifting and changing, were being blown around by the wind. Patches of blue sky provided a contrast to the white clouds, while rays of light shining through created a mesmerizing effect.

It was an awe-inspiring experience that offered a glimpse into the beauty and majesty of nature.

Not that Neji was affected by such a measly show. This was nothing compared to what he had seen in the rest of his life.

Lucille, however, did enjoy the scenery along with the quietness of the private plane. The air hostesses, who were hotter than usual, served them food, coffee, and snacks. The two of them sat in seats that faced each other, eating in mostly silence – unless Lucille brought up a topic. Though Neji's unwillingness to talk much ended all the topics quite fast.

"..."

Lucille turned her face from the window, where the sun had set behind the clouds and the dark blanket of the night had swept in. A cold blue glow cast on the inside of the plane, because lights were turned off due to Neji's request, as Lucille's blue eyes matched the same intensity.

"You have changed, Neji."

"I was out for sixteen months, it's natural."

To her surprise, he replied right away. He had his chair leaned backward as he lay on it, staring at the ceiling with his hands interlocked over his belly.

"Is it, though?" Lucille sounded skeptical. "You are like... a different person. You always tried to keep up a conversation with me before, flirting and hitting on me, complimenting me beyond belief. But now you're so quiet. It's like you've aged a few decades."

For the first time, Neji's eyes focused on hers. They interlocked their gazes for a short while before he smiled and looked back at the ceiling.

She was an uninteresting, boring, hard to like, and a crybaby person. He had to work around all that to keep her entertained so that she would be his. Now there was no point, and beyond that, he had other things to worry about. For example, even if he reached Iraq and entered the portal, would he return to the Cube? It didn't make sense why Celestine would keep such an opportunity open to him. She was playful, true, but not as playful and dumb as her daughter – she wouldn't keep such a path for him.

Unless, of course, the Gate was created by someone else. Perhaps the Cube Omniverse's Will had opened a door to itself. Perhaps it was Lady Luck. It could be anything.

Further beyond that, how would escape work? It had already been two days since he had been here, would Celestine still be in Uruk? A time difference was the only thing he could rely on, but again, why would Celestine allow that?

Lastly, assuming he could indeed return, what then? What can he do against that woman? He already lost. After giving his best, after using everything. He had no cards left, no Trump card, no Joker card, no hidden card... Neji's hands were clean; he was already defeated.

Neji pushed the door of the car open and walked out, while the girl blinked behind him.

"Huh? Hey, where are you going? Let the car be parked first. We will go meet Father after, and then we will go to the Gate."

Neji ignored her yapping and looked around. Although the white building was pristine and all that, the surroundings were merely a desert, though not one of sand but of yellow rocks. The gate wasn't here, apparently, it was in a cave nearby. The Association called on a lot of strong hunters to quickly raid the gate, that's why Lucille's father was here.

Unfortunately, Neji had no time to waste by doing this and that. He would just find the Gate and walk into it. Problem solved.

Jogan didn't work. His other sensory abilities were also down. His dragon biology only helped with smelling things, and also feeling danger. Thankfully, the high-human part of his biology came in clutch this time, he sensed the condensing of extreme mana in the far, seemingly connected to something deep. Like the ocean, but deeper.

Obviously, that was it. That was his door home.

"Neji? Neji!"

"Goodbye."

Neji called forth his Dragon Wings and kicked the ground. He shot through the air, his wings flapping to further boost his speed, as he flew like a rocket and burst into a mountain two kilometers in the north.

Into the mountain's body, a deep cave was what greeted Neji, and within that cave, a dark purple gate of spinning mana caught his eyes.

Unfortunately, he wasn't alone there. Obstacles finally appeared before him.

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