Valentine stayed quiet now, listening.
“The problem with technology is how it functions. For any modern tech to work, it needs a steady, active supply of vita. A constant draw. So if we reintroduce old-world technology, cars, phones, cities filled with devices that run all day, it won’t take long before the vita runs dry. And when that happens…”
He didn’t need to finish the sentence.
Valentine exhaled slowly.
“Heh… wow, uh… that’s… wow.”
He was speechless. He didn’t know what to say.
‘Finally,’ Malakai thought. There were no follow-up questions, no unnecessary commentary.
Malakai breathed a quiet sigh of relief. ‘At last, silence.’
He sank into his thoughts, making sure to lock them away this time. He couldn’t afford another slip. He truly wasn’t fond of the man’s nosy questions.
‘Just one night,’ Malakai told himself. ‘I only need to survive one night in Ironhold.’
Then his eyes shifted toward the ceiling.
It was made of aged wooden panels reinforced with thin metal plating. Sturdy, but easy to break.
Malakai moved toward the corner of the room, right on the window wall.
He placed his scythe carefully against the wall, looked up, then let the vita surge through his limbs.
His knees dipped slightly, and he launched upward silently, anchoring himself between the two walls with his feet.
He enhanced his fingers, focusing the vita precisely, and fired them into the upper corner of the ceiling.
The edges cracked without a sound. Luckily, the material was composite bark layered with brittle alloy, easy to manipulate if one was careful enough.
He pried it open just enough. Not too much, only enough for his body to slip through.
Then he dropped down, grabbed his scythe, and disappeared into the ceiling, sealing the broken panel behind him.
Then, silence.
Malakai fell into utter stillness. He didn’t move. Didn’t even breathe too loudly.
But he didn’t stop there.
‘They can feel me attracting the vita.’
If his plan was going to work, he needed time. Every second mattered. The longer it took for whoever was coming to find him, the better his chances.
His body naturally attracted and absorbed vita from the air. Anyone with enough power would sense that immediately. It was like a beacon.
He had to stop it.
Malakai focused inward, tuning out everything else. The vita flowing through his body still felt surreal, like he couldn’t quite believe it was his. For years, he’d tried to control it. Now it was part of him.
And thanks to his control stat, which was off the charts for someone at his stage, he could do what most couldn’t. He stopped the pull. Stopped the flow of vita from surging toward him.
It took nearly all his focus to keep it active, but he could manage. For as long as it takes.
But of course, it wasn’t going to be that easy.
“Em… is this where you’ll sleep?” Valentine’s voice sounded quietly in his head.
‘Shit.’
If he wasn’t trying to stay quiet, he’d have ripped his hair out in frustration. He was trying to focus. Why was he talking now?
“I only asked a question,” Valentine said, somehow managing to sound offended and smug at the same time. “Silently.”
‘Yes. This is where I’ll spend the night,’ Malakai replied inwardly with a dry tone.
Valentine had a dozen more questions bubbling up, but even he could tell this wasn’t the right time. Malakai was clearly trying to focus.
So, finally, he went quiet.
Afterward, Malakai maintained his stationary position. He had meant every word he said to Valentine. This was where he would spend the night.
Many of the technologies from the old world weren’t being used anymore, but this was only to the general public. It didn’t mean communication between far distances was impossible.
Technology was hoarded by people of significance. They were limited, controlled. Like the people stationed at key branches, like this one he was in.
Which meant… the clan already knew.
They knew he had arrived in Ironhold. And they knew of his evolved status.
The chances of being targeted tonight were so high, Malakai was almost certain of it.
In the darkness, Malakai couldn’t see. So he used what worked.
He closed his eyes and tuned out everything else.
He listened.
Time passed quickly. They had arrived at the branch when it was almost sunset, and soon the night came.
It was silent. It was cold. Still, Malakai didn’t move an inch.
His senses were sharp, honed and alert. Listening for anything. Anyone.
Contrary to what many would think, he wasn’t planning to fight.
He was planning to run.
Anyone they sent would be stronger than him. That was a fact. Which was why he had chosen this method.
If he should hear one sound, any movement, he would break through the wall behind him, escape into the open, and alert the entire base.
Still, as time passed… no one came. And Malakai was beginning to think that it would remain like that.
However, suddenly, Malakai heard something. No, not just that, he also felt it…
The distant thump of dull booms reached his ears. And the ceiling he was in vibrated, just slightly.
‘What is happening?’
His thoughts sharpened. There was an ongoing fight.
He didn’t know how far. Or who was involved. But he was sure there was one.
‘I have to be ready.’
Still, Malakai didn’t move. He remained still with his body tense and mind focused.
As the seconds passed, the rumbling stopped.
Malakai listened harder, but no matter how much he tried, everything had fallen silent again. There was no more noise. No more vibrations. And he couldn’t even feel anything moving.
Suddenly, Valentine’s uncertain voice sounded in his head.
“Um… I can go check out what’s happening?”
It sounded more like a question than an offer. Like he didn’t even want to do it.
Malakai’s thoughts paused.
‘Why didn’t you suggest this before?’
He clicked his tongue mentally. He should’ve thought of that himself. He didn’t know the full mechanics of it yet, but still… he had a ghost. A ghost that couldn’t die.
“I-I mean… they were fighting,” Valentine stammered. “Plus, I can only leave your body within a 50-meter radius, and I can’t stay out for too long.”
“You’re literally dead. How much deader can they make you?” Malakai muttered, sighing. “Can anyone see you?”
There was a short pause. Then Valentine said, “I asked the essence. It said no. But… people might feel a slight surge of vita when I move. Since I’m made of it.”
“Alright, alright,” Malakai said. “Forget that. Can you go check now?”
Valentine hesitated, then finally muttered, “Okay…”