Chapter 67: System's Defiance

Elio closed his eyes, bracing for impact...

But something within him rebelled. No, it wouldn't end like this. His eyes snapped open, determination burning in his gaze. The wind whistled around him as he fell, but his mind was clear, focused.

"I'm not made of fear," he told himself, his father's words echoing in his mind. He had repeated it, but it seemed it wasn't yet etched in his deepest core.

The 'ground' was rapidly approaching, the mass of monsters writhing and roaring beneath him.

The carbon in his joints prevented him from moving, but Elio realized he still had one option left.

The book.

The fourth level.

With a supreme effort, he concentrated all his will on the book he carried. If he could enter it, he would at least have a chance to live.

His health and mana weren't fully recovered after the recent events with Marcus, but he had no other choice.