Eternal Saṃsāra: The Wanderer of Worlds, Book 2

[233] A Wrong Choice, Indeed

Chapter 233: A Wrong Choice, Indeed

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The world had changed. The news of such a major Chief God's defeat spread across the realms to solidify that fact. The implications spoke for themselves, as tension rippled around.

It reached the Occult Research Club too. Unfortunately, their members had bigger things to worry about at the moment.

The atmosphere inside the Occult Research Club was thick with tension, suffocating even.

Akeno paced back and forth, her usually calm demeanor shattered by the sense of dread that gripped her heart. Every few seconds, her eyes flicked toward the window. The scene made her gulp.

Outside, the magical barrier surrounding the entirety of Kuoh High School shimmered under the relentless assault from outside.

Each strike against the barrier sent a ripple through the air, proof that their defenses were weakening. Things were looking bad.

"Damn it... damn it... Fuck!" Akeno muttered under her breath, her fingers twitching in nervousness. Her gaze darted to the closed door of Rias Gremory's room.

After a month of going missing, having left a mere letter behind, the club president returned a day ago and had locked herself inside. Even during this tense situation, she hadn't bothered to come out since. Akeno had tried knocking, pleading for Rias to emerge and take charge, but there had been no response.

In the center of the room, Gasper Vladi hid in a corner, his body trembling. Akeno could understand why he was scared. The boy's usually pale face was ghostly white, his eyes wide with terror. After all, all of this was because of him. The enemies were after him.

He knew they were after him—whoever was attacking the barrier outside wanted him specifically. His fear radiated through the room, making the atmosphere worse.

Kiba and Saji were crouched beside him, trying their best to calm him down. Kiba's gentle voice was laced with concern as he spoke softly to Gasper, but nothing seemed to be working. Saji's attempts were no better; the usually brash and confident boy was at a loss for words, his frustration evident in the way his fists clenched and unclenched.

"Koneko, what do we do?" Akeno asked, her voice tinged with desperation as she turned to the small, white-haired girl standing by the door.

It made her feel bad that she was trying to get validation from the little girl, but she had no choice. She didn't know if staying back here was smart, she wanted to hear someone else's opinion.

Koneko Toujou, although the smallest, was still a formidable member of the peerage, her opinion mattered as much as anyone else's. She was in a battle stance, with her golden eyes narrowed and her fists clenched, as if enemies might jump her anytime. Her senses were sharp, every fiber of her being attuned to the threat outside. So she didn't answer Akeno immediately, her gaze fixed on the door.

"...Let's just hold your ground," Koneko finally said, her voice calm but firm. "If the barrier breaks and they defeat Sona's group, then we fight."

Akeno sighed and nodded. The reassurance did little to ease the tension in her chest.

Outside the mansion, Sona Sitri's peerage was assembled, ready to be the first line of defense should the barrier fall.

Sona herself stood at the front, her face was serious. Beside her were her Queen, Tsubaki Shinra, and the half-werewolf Loup Garou, along with the rest of her peerage.

Issei Hyoudou, with his Boosted Gear ready, was there too, his stance tense as he prepared for battle. The air around them buzzed with anticipation and fear. They were just kids, after all.