chapter 114.5 bonus chapter
Abbyrose's attention suddenly shifted toward Blaze.
He was lying on the bed with his eyes closed, looking as though he had no intention of participating in the conversation. While Ryze, SK, and Volt discussed their next move, he seemed perfectly content to rest.
However, Abbyrose couldn't help but feel curious about him.
She had heard the rumors.
A powerful player had supposedly managed to tame SkyRealm's Reaper, SK, and save Ryze from the Empire's grasp at the capital. The same mysterious player had apparently confronted Administrator Orion himself.
At first, Abbyrose had assumed the rumors were exaggerated. Stories tended to grow more ridiculous every time they passed from one player to another.
But now that she was standing in the same room as the person in question, she wanted to see for herself.
So this is Sir Blaze?
Abbyrose carefully examined him.
She tried to sense his presence, searching for any indication of his strength. Usually, experienced players gave off something that could be noticed by those familiar with combat. It wasn't necessarily a literal aura, but there were subtle signs that could reveal a person's experience, confidence, or danger.
Yet, as she examined Blaze, she found nothing.
No intimidating presence.
No obvious killing intent.
Not even the slightest hint of the overwhelming strength she had expected from someone capable of fighting an Administrator.
He simply looked like an ordinary player taking a nap.
What?
Abbyrose narrowed her eyes slightly.
Am I missing something?
She continued observing him, trying to figure out whether he was deliberately concealing his strength or if there was something else she couldn't understand.
Then, without even opening his eyes, Blaze suddenly spoke.
"Well, it's not exactly nice to stare at people, even when they're sleeping."
He smiled faintly.
Abbyrose froze.
"W-Wait!"
She immediately pulled back, her eyes widening.
He sensed me?
She hadn't touched him or made any obvious movements. She had merely been observing him, trying to assess his strength.
Yet he had noticed her attention without even opening his eyes.
How much did he actually notice?
Embarrassment washed over her face.
"I-I'm sorry!" Abbyrose hurriedly bowed her head. "I didn't mean to be rude. I was just curious because of the rumors I've heard about you."
Blaze finally opened one eye and glanced at her.
"Rumors, huh?"
"Yes. About what happened at the capital, and how you managed to save Ryze from the Empire."
He closed his eye again.
"People talk too much."
Abbyrose straightened slowly.
She wasn't sure whether that was a complaint or simply his way of dismissing the subject.
Before she could ask anything else, SK approached the bed.
"Sir Blaze."
Her voice carried a hint of concern.
"Are you really all right? Are you sure you aren't injured after fighting Orion?"
The moment Abbyrose heard that name, her expression changed.
"Orion?"
She turned toward SK.
"Wait. You mean Administrator Orion? The administrator of SkyRealm?"
SK glanced at her.
"Yes. Who else would I be talking about?"
Abbyrose stared at her in disbelief.
Administrator Orion was one of the most valuable targets the Resistance could possibly hope to understand. As the administrator of SkyRealm, he possessed Authority over the world he managed. Information about his movements, abilities, and weaknesses could be extremely useful to the Resistance.
And Blaze had fought him?
Her gaze shifted back to the man lying on the bed.
Wait a minute.
She looked around the room.
Ryze was alive and apparently unharmed. SK was standing beside Blaze, Volt was still in one piece, and none of them appeared to be suffering from the aftermath of a devastating battle.
Of course, she couldn't be certain of what had happened just by looking at them. They might have escaped, or Orion might have withdrawn for some other reason.
But considering the reports she had heard about the city's sudden lockdown, she could guess what might have happened.
Did they actually defeat him?
Abbyrose's eyes widened slightly.
That would explain why Helios Reach is under such heavy security.
She looked at Blaze again, this time with a completely different level of respect.
Whatever his true strength was, there was clearly more to him than she had first realized.
And the fact that she couldn't sense anything from him made him even more difficult to understand.
Impressive, Sir Blaze.
For the moment, Abbyrose kept her thoughts to herself.
There were more urgent matters to discuss, and with the Empire tightening its grip on Helios Reach, they couldn't afford to waste any more time.