Back at the Lin Estate
As DK leaned back against the cot, exhaustion finally began to claim him. The system's warnings echoed in his mind, a constant reminder of the fragile balance within his body. Yet, his limbs were heavy, and his mind too clouded to act further. The events of the day—activating his Nexus Core, confronting the corruption, and narrowly avoiding collapse—had drained him entirely.
He allowed his eyes to close, the faint blue glow of the system interface fading into the darkness of the room. Somewhere outside, the city hummed with life, but DK's breathing steadied as sleep took hold. His body craved the reprieve, though even in slumber, faint dreams of mana surges and glowing veins haunted his rest.
When DK stirred the next morning, the first rays of sunlight were just beginning to creep through the cracks in the boarded window. He sat up slowly, his muscles stiff but functional. The weight of the day before was still present, but he felt marginally steadier. His Nexus Core pulsed faintly in his chest, a steady reminder of the ongoing battle within him.
Lucy knocked lightly on his door before stepping inside, her expression grim but focused. "We need to leave," she said simply. "Before Viktor or anyone else gets any ideas."
DK nodded, already expecting her words. The old man might have been cryptic and surprisingly helpful, but the longer they stayed, the more likely they were to draw unwanted attention. "How do we get out without raising suspicion?"
"I've already handled that," Lucy replied, holding up a set of simple traveling cloaks. "There's a carriage waiting for us in the lower market. If we leave now, we'll be on the road before the city wakes up."
DK swung his legs over the side of the cot, slipping the dimensional pouch around his waist and ensuring the drained orb was secure. "Let's not waste time, then."
The two moved quickly, their footsteps light as they descended the creaking staircase. The shop below was eerily quiet, the old man nowhere in sight. DK glanced around uneasily, half-expecting him to appear out of the shadows with another cryptic warning. But the shop remained still, save for the faint hum of mana in the air.
They slipped out the back door, the early morning chill biting at their skin. The streets were mostly deserted, save for a few vendors setting up their stalls for the day. Lucy led the way, her pace brisk but cautious. The carriage was waiting exactly where she'd arranged, a simple vehicle with no markings that might draw attention.
As they climbed aboard, DK cast one last glance at the shop in the distance. He couldn't shake the feeling that the old man was watching them somehow, even if he wasn't physically present. The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
Later that morning, the shop's door creaked open as Viktor stepped inside. His cloak billowed slightly as he moved, his sharp eyes scanning the cluttered space. "Where are they?" he asked, his voice cold and clipped.
The old man looked up from a desk piled high with scrolls and trinkets, his expression unbothered. "Gone," he replied simply, not even bothering to elaborate.
Viktor's jaw tightened, his calm demeanor cracking slightly. "You let them leave? After everything we discussed?"
The old man chuckled dryly, leaning back in his chair. "Let them? I'm not their keeper, boy. They made their own choices. Besides, you seem to forget—this is my shop, not your interrogation room."
Viktor stepped closer, his tone dropping to a dangerous low. "What about the dungeon core? What did you find out?"
The old man met Viktor's gaze with an unreadable expression. "It's drained," he said casually. "Nothing but an empty shell now. Whatever energy it held has been absorbed. Beyond that, I'd suggest you ask DK directly—if you can catch him."
Viktor's fists clenched, frustration flashing in his eyes. "You're playing a dangerous game, old man. Conrad won't like this."
The old man smirked, his tone laced with amusement. "Conrad's a busy man. He has bigger problems than chasing after a boy with a Nexus Core. And if you want my advice—don't underestimate DK. He's more than you think."
Viktor's glare lingered for a moment before he turned on his heel and stalked out of the shop. His mind was already racing, piecing together his next move. If DK and Lucy had headed toward the Lin estate, he'd find them there.
By the time the carriage rolled up the long road leading to the Lin estate, the sun was high in the sky. DK and Lucy disembarked quietly, avoiding the main entrance to slip in through a side gate. The estate grounds were sprawling and well-kept, the towering manor casting long shadows across the gardens.
DK sighed as they entered, the familiar surroundings a strange mix of comfort and unease. "Home sweet home," he muttered, though the weight of his Nexus Core kept him from fully relaxing.
"You need to rest," Lucy said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Whatever's going on with your core, you won't figure it out if you collapse halfway through."
DK nodded, too tired to argue. He made his way to his room, the plush bed a welcome sight after the chaos of the last two days. As he sat down, his mind drifted back to the system's warning.
He brought up the interface, the faint blue text materializing in his vision once more.
—
SYSTEM
NEXUS CORE ONE IS STABILIZED TO 85%. TO FURTHER STABILIZE THE NEXUS CORE, YOU NEED TO FLOOD YOUR BODY WITH PURE MANA ENERGY. THIS ACTION NEEDS TO BE PERFORMED WHILE YOU ARE STATIONARY TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF MANA. USER IS ADVISED TO AVOID ANY EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE. FOR NOW, USER CAN UTILIZE MANA AND ACTIVATE SPELLS BUT THE EFFECTS WILL DEGRADE OVER TIME UNLESS CORE IS FULLY STABILIZED.
—
DK groaned, running a hand through his hair. "So I'm stuck at 85 percent? After everything I went through?" His eyes narrowed as he reread the instructions. Flood his body with pure mana energy—where was he supposed to find that without putting himself in more danger?
He leaned back against the headboard, staring at the ceiling as the weight of his situation sank in. "Do I need another dungeon core?" he muttered aloud.