Chapter 253: Taking Notes
Chapter 253: Taking Notes
As Jade plummeted from the portal, the first sight that greeted her was Gojaro, bloodied and battle-weary, with a claymore blade poised for attack. His face, marred by bruises and blood, bore an expression of fierce determination that swiftly shifted to shock upon recognizing Jade.
Realizing she was not an enemy, he sheathed his blade and, with remarkable agility, caught her mid-air, quickly descending back to the safety of the ground.
Landing back in the construction zone, Jade was immediately struck by the darkness enveloping them, indicating night had fallen. Concern etched into her features as she took in Gojaro's battered state. "Master Gojaro," she began, the title 'Master' underscoring her respect and concern, "how much time has passed?"
Setting her gently onto the ground, Gojaro's response came with a weary sigh. "About 8 hours maybe?" he estimated, his voice carrying the weight of the day's battles. "I just finished dealing with the creature up in Canada and got a signal that another portal was opening up."
The revelation left Jade reeling, a mix of admiration and concern flooding her. "So, you have been fighting all day?!"
Rubbing the top of his head, Gojaro let out a weary sigh. "Yeah, to be honest, I've never been pushed so far. I was also surprised to get the report on the creature you all defeated. Oscar and Rosa are still recovering back at the compound. Rosa is probably still crying about you.
She hasn't stopped beating herself up, stating she had you by a thread and let you go, so this will be a good thing." His tone softened, a mix of relief and concern coloring his words. "But I guess the more pressing matter is, HOW are you alive?"
Jade listened, absorbing the updates on her friends with a heavy heart. The mention of Rosa struck a chord, prompting a resolve to reassure her upon return. "I believe the Creature we killed, his name was Victur, and he attempted to retreat, causing some upwind with the portal, and we both got knocked in," she began, her voice steady despite the chaos of her tale.
Over the next five minutes, Jade meticulously recounted her encounter with the King of Nothing to Master Gojaro. She detailed the strange and bewildering conversation, the revelations about the wider conflicts at play, and the ominous parting words of the King.
"That's some groundbreaking information, if not scary stuff to hear. We will need to get back to the Director and update him of these details," Master Gojaro acknowledged, understanding the gravity of Jade's encounter. His voice carried a mix of concern and the weight of responsibility that came with such knowledge.
Jade, still processing her own harrowing experience, was curious about Gojaro's ordeal. "What did you fight that put you in such a bloody state, though?"
"Oh, it was a few. Five creatures came from the portal up in the Canada district, which was surprising. But if it wasn't for my ability to speed blitz them and take them down one at a time, I would have been in trouble," Gojaro explained. His recounting of the battle highlighted his prowess and the critical role his abilities played in overcoming the odds.
"I see," Jade replied, her mind drifting back to the warning given by the King of Nothing. "The King of Nothing mentioned being too dependent on powers could be a problem at some point."
At this, Master Gojaro gave a slight laugh, brushing off the concern with a wave of his hand. "Such a person living that long just wants to hear himself talk. I wouldn't concern yourself with it."
Reflecting on Master Gojaro's dismissal of the King's warning, Jade acknowledged the merit in not dwelling too deeply on the cryptic musings of beings like the King of Nothing. "I suppose that makes a bit of sense, but I guess a night of sleep will do good to overthink her words.
But let's get back first," she concluded, recognizing the importance of rest and regrouping after such an eventful encounter.
Turning her attention to the practical matter of returning, Jade pulled out her cross and questioned, "Does this still work?" The cross, a symbol of their ability to navigate the spaces between worlds, held the key to their swift return.
Master Gojaro, ever the mentor, reassured her with a nod. "Yes, just state 'Return' and it will get you back to the waiting room." Demonstrating, he pulled out his silvered cross, placed a hand on her shoulder for a moment of solidarity, and stated, "Return."
In the next instant, Jade felt the familiar sensation of deconstruction, a phenomenon that, no matter how many times experienced, never ceased to be disorienting. In the blink of an eye, she found herself back in the room, the transition seamless yet jarring in its abruptness.
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As if on cue, the same butler as before entered the room, his demeanor as composed and unflappable as ever. "Crosses, please,"
Jade, observing the process with a newfound appreciation, placed her cross on the gold-plated tray alongside Master Gojaro's. "I wasn't aware that these could be used like that, though pretty neat if I do say so myself. I have to learn how they work in the future, though," she mused, her curiosity piqued by the technology or magic that facilitated such instant travel.
In a moment of reflection, she focused on Master Gojaro, attempting to gauge his energy level, a task she now approached with a mix of concern and analytical interest. To her surprise, the reading displayed as "3,000 / 31,000," a quantification that made her wonder about the dynamics of their powers and the toll recent battles had taken on them.
Jade thought to herself, "Did it go up? I need to keep a note of where everyone is energy-wise." This consideration underscored a growing awareness of the importance of strength and resilience in their ongoing struggles.
Master Gojaro, noticing her distraction, snapped his fingers to recapture her attention. "Hey, don't doze off like that. I know, my energy levels are probably super low, but don't worry, I'm fine. Let's go check on Oscar and Rosa." His words, light yet tinged with the fatigue of their endeavors, pulled Jade back to the immediate concerns at hand.