St Chaos Healer

Ch 79 - The Surgery

As they stepped into the portal, Ben and Damien found themselves in a strange corridor. The narrow path ahead led to another portal just a few feet away. The ground beneath them felt solid and stable, but the walls were an entirely different story. Surrounding the corridor was a chaotic, unstable dimension that seemed to swirl and writhe, giving off a menacing aura as if it were trying to consume the passage.

Ben paused, captivated by the spatial anomaly. The chaotic energy reminded him of his time in the abyss, where he had lingered as a soul.

Damien's firm push jolted him back to the present. "The portal could collapse at any moment. Keep moving."

Finally snapping out of his reverie, Ben hurried along the corridor. Behind them, the barrier holding back the chaos began to crack as the energy started to erode the corridor.

They reached the portal just in time. As the two of them exited the strange dimension, they found themselves in a gloomy cave far from the Citadel.

The air inside the cave was thick and damp, carrying the scent of earth and moisture. It was spacious, large enough to accommodate about fifty people comfortably. Torches, placed at intervals along the walls, cast eerie shadows across the rocky surfaces, giving the cave a haunting atmosphere.

Ben surveyed the area curiously. He noticed several beds set up against the walls and a few desks and tables cluttered with papers. It was clear that this cave served as a base for Damien and his allies.

Before Ben could take another step, a figure suddenly lunged at Damien. The attacker was none other than Vex, whose arm had transformed into a steel gauntlet with claw-like sharp blades, aiming a lethal strike straight at Damien.

Ben quickly dodged away from the two combatants. But Damien, seemingly prepared for the attack, stood his ground. His arm morphed rapidly, swelling into an enormous grotesque shape that caught Vex's steel claws. The claws lodged into Damien's monstrous arm and got stuck, leaving Vex suspended in midair.

Vex's eyes burned with fury, still enraged at Damien for tossing him into the portal. He seethed at the missed opportunity to fight the powerful foe heading to the Citadel.

Damien met his glare with a cold, irritated expression, "I don't have time for your tantrums."

But Vex wasn't about to back down. "I've had enough of your impudence! It's time you learned what happens when you disrespect me."

As he spoke, the claws trapped in Damien's grip began to heat up, glowing a fierce red. The searing blades quickly melted through Damien's overgrown flesh, slicing his hand like it was butter. For the first time, Damien's typically calm demeanor faltered, a flicker of pain crossing his face as Vex's burning blades cut into him.

But Damien wasn't about to let go. He tightened his grip on Vex's claws and, with a powerful swing, hurled Vex into a stack of supply crates in the corner.

"That's enough! Respect is earned, not demanded," Damien growled.

Vex sprang to his feet, refusing to be beaten. His other arm began to transform, morphing into a long rifle. He aimed it squarely at Damien, his eyes full of intent.

"Enough talk," Damien snapped, his voice brimming with resolve. "Let's fight."

Mana began to gather in the rifle, the weapon humming with power, ready to fire at any moment.

Damien's morphed arm reverted to its normal form as he calmly walked past Vex.
"I've wasted enough time already. I have surgery to perform," Damien said coolly. "If you want to attack me, go ahead. But I'll just report you to the leader and make sure you're back at the base doing chores again."