Apocalypse Baby

Chapter 115 - 115: Line Barrier

How fast do you have to move to do that?

Freya thought, her mind racing to make sense of what she had just heard and witnessed.

Alex, smirked and casually explained, "Blitz. It's a movement skill."

Freya's jaw stayed open.

A skill.

The explanation didn't help much.

"Blitz?" she repeated, trying to wrap her head around it. His movement didn't look like running at all. It was more like teleportation.

Unable to shake her disbelief, Freya turned her attention toward Baranga.

Even the monstrous beast seemed to be grappling with what had just happened.

Baranga's glowing eyes darted around, its expression an almost comical mix of shock and fury.

One second, its attention had been locked onto Freya as she safely crossed the finish line.

In the blink of an eye, its focus shifted to Alex, but by the time it turned its massive head, he had vanished.

Gone. Just like that.

The beast's nostrils flared, and its three irises flickered wildly,

Her heart pounded as she forced herself to stand, her legs shaky but functional.

She glanced back at Baranga, who was now clawing and scratching at the impenetrable barrier like a wild animal trapped in a cage.

Despite the separation, the beast's feral rage sent chills down her spine.

She couldn't believe Alex could just walk away so nonchalantly.

She hurried to follow him, her eyes darting between the monstrous creature and the man in front of her.

As they neared the entrance to the second trial, something caught her attention.

There was a strange tattoo on the back of Alex's neck.

The dark, intricate markings pulsed faintly, almost like they were alive.

Freya's breath hitched.

This guy… He's not normal. Yep he's definitely dangerous.

Her mind raced with questions.

What kind of person was he? What kind of life had he lived to gain this level of strength and confidence? What had he sacrificed to become the way he was?

As these thoughts consumed her, Alex suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Freya froze, nearly bumping into him.

Her heart jumped at the unexpected halt, and she instinctively glanced around, half-expecting some new danger.

Alex muttered under his breath, "Oh... I almost forgot."

Freya blinked in confusion. "Forgot what?"

He turned to face her, his piercing gaze locking onto hers.

His towering presence made her instinctively shrink back, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Tell me," Alex said, his tone calm but edged with something dark, "what kind of predator lets their prey live?"

Freya hesitated, searching for the right answer. "A... bad one?"

"Exactly," Alex replied, his expression unreadable.

"I was going to say a kind one. But no such term exists." she laughed.

But Alex raised an eyebrow, giving her a look that made her glance down awkwardly.

Why the hell did I say that? she thought, heat rising to her face.

Turning his attention back to Baranga, who was still relentlessly attacking the barrier, Alex observed the beast's frenzied attempts with an almost pitying gaze.

"If there were no barrier," he said thoughtfully, "you might've been able to put up as much of a fight as I allowed you before I decided it was time to end it."

Alex shook his head with a faint, regretful sigh.

He then raised his hand slowly, almost as if commanding some unseen force.

"It's too bad," he murmured, barely audible, then he snapped.