B2 - Chapter 86

B2 - Chapter 86

William winced as he shielded his eyes from the bright light. He couldnt see the light's source, but it felt as if stage lights were shining directly at him.

This was the opposite extreme of darkness, which might be even worse. It felt like something was scanning the surface of his body repeatedly. Thankfully, it didnt last too long.

The extreme light and the invasive scan disappeared the moment he passed the massive entrance. He turned to see the wall close with a rumble and shook his head.

There were too many things here that didnt follow common sense.

A fake Lord Paddlington who acted like a steward and the projection of the corrupted avatar greeting him before trying to lure him somewhere. However, with that disembodied voice in control of the passage, William didn't know how they expected to succeed.

Kae had arrived early enough to demolish hundreds of Stone Puppets before advancing. It hinted at the gate delaying his arrival, even though William entered at the same time as Kae.

He looked down at the spirit beast egg and frowned. Did you cause a problem with the gate?

If the egg could blink innocently, it definitely would have.

YOU! YOURE BACK! DID YOU BRING MORE WITH YOU?

William jumped and snapped his head up to see Berserker Kae charging straight at him. He instinctively sent the egg to the spatial stone, which he regretted immediately, but had no time to focus on.

I RAN OUT OF THE ROCK MEN!

Wait! Kae, you already killed all of them! William sidestepped, or rather, ran to the left to avoid his grasp.

AGAIN? DAMN IT!

Yes, William nodded rapidly, eying him warily. How long have you been here.

He realized he hadnt had the chance to take in here before he was accosted by Berserker Kae.

TOO LONG! Berserker Kae roared. NOTHING TO KILL! ONLY STUPID MAN ASKING STUPID QUESTIONS!

The few trees that had likely been planted for aesthetics had been uprooted, their roots the only thing intact after the fury they had to withstand. Even the soil bore deep, erratic gashes as if Berserker Kae couldnt handle knowing nothing was left to destroy.

William shuddered in fear, imagining what that scene must have been like. At the same time, a significant part of him hoped that the massive difference in personality and temperament between Berserker Kae and human Kae meant that memories didnt merge smoothly.

He had stored his spirit beast egg in a panic, which had to stay secret.

Done, Kae announced with a hoarse voice as he moved to stand next to William. I have no idea how you got here, but thank you. I would have died without the pill.

I would ask why you used the elixir so early, but I saw one of the automatons.

There wasnt any time to think. I was dropped in the middle of a group of those stone monsters, Kae said grimly.

Yes, I saw them all destroyed.

I remember some of that, Kaes grimace grew more severe as he flexed his fingers from phantom pain.

William fist-pumped mentally at being given direct confirmation that Kae had spotty memory while transformed. Then, he immediately felt guilty about being happy about it.

Right, William cleared his throat. What was all of this before it was destroyed?

Kae looked around blankly before shrugging. Couldnt tell you even if I tried. I was trying to conserve as much energy as possible, so I relinquished all control over my body to the beast.

Thats an actual beast?! William asked with alarm.

Well, yes, Kae looked at him strangely. How else do you think I can change into it.

He thought back to the voices disgust at Kaes transformation. It should have been obvious.

Lets get to figuring out how to get out of here, William said, pushing Kaes nonhumanness aside. It wasnt a priority. Hopefully, you didnt destroy the automatons that would have made it possible.

Oh, there were some here, too? Kae looked around in surprise. I didnt even realize till now.

William chuckled as they walked to what had previously been the largest structure. Now, it was just the largest pile of rubble.