I Awakened as an SSS-Rank System Maker!-Chapter 21 - Tension Emerges

Darlene's voice cut through the silence like a blade. Her words, which seemed ordinary on the surface, carried an underlying current that made Kyle stop in his tracks. His grip tightened around the dragon egg as his sharp, abyss-black eyes turned toward her, studying her reaction. Something had changed. Something was off.

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Kyle, standing in his gleaming metal armor, shifted his weight nervously. The image of the black-haired, dark-eyed figure gazed at Darlene with a tone heavy with suspicion. "What happened? Why are you saying this?" he asked, his voice low, as if trying to maintain peace—or perhaps suppressing an escalating tension.

Siman, standing nearby, had his thoughts swirling. His eyes narrowed as he watched the scene unfold between the two.

Hmm, I really don't like this guy.

He thought to himself as he observed Kyle.

But I won't kill him. He's holding the egg. That would be... inconvenient, haha.

A twisted smile appeared on Simeon's face, but it quickly vanished as it had come.

Lucas, whose face was unreadable, glanced at Andre.

I've never liked this guy, not from the moment I saw him.

Lucas thought to himself. But he wasn't the type to let something trivial like personal hatred stop him. He turned to Andre, his voice as cold as ice as he spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"Andre. Kill him."

In that moment, it seemed as though everything froze.

Then, like a predator lunging at its prey, Andre moved. His speed was unreal, his form a blur as he rushed forward. Kyle's eyes widened in shock as fear overtook him from the unexpected attack. He instinctively reached out for the dragon egg, clutching it protectively while raising his other hand defensively. "What are you doing?" Kyle's voice trembled with fear and confusion, but there was no time to react. Andre was closing in fast.

Then suddenly, everything stopped.

Lucas's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "Stop!"

As though an invisible hand had gripped Andre's chest, forcing him to halt mid-strike. His momentum carried him a few more steps forward, crashing into the ground with a heavy thud, dust rising from the impact. He muttered in frustration, but the fight had drained from him.

Kyle, still trembling from the near-death experience, stood there for a moment, his face flushed with panic. He barely managed to catch his breath, his voice harsh with anger. "What are you doing?" he snapped, staring at Lucas, his eyes wild, still trying to comprehend what had just happened.

Inside his mind, Kyle's thoughts raced, running through all the possibilities of how he had just escaped this situation.

Damn you, Lucas. The only reason I didn't kill you earlier was because of Simeon, but I swear, if I have to deal with this again...

He bit back his words, swallowing his pride. He didn't want to make things worse.

"I... I'm sorry," Kyle muttered, his voice stammering. "I won't speak again. Please... forgive me."

Siman, ever calm, took a step forward. His voice was smooth, almost dull, as he looked at Lucas. "Let him go," he said, his tone not allowing for argument.

The tension that had settled over the group seemed to ease slightly. The air still hung heavy with discomfort, but for now, it was over. The other hunter, who was ranked C, appeared to be trembling. His hand was near his weapon, but his eyes never left the ground. He was terrified, and it was impossible for him to hide that. He swallowed hard, wishing he could disappear into the shadows.

The golden-haired boy, who had been standing off to the side, hadn't uttered a word. His pale features seemed frozen in place, like a statue. He didn't even blink when Andre rushed forward. He didn't move at all. His golden, distant eyes stayed fixed ahead, unwavering.

Lucas, ever observant, noticed the boy's eerie silence. He couldn't remember the last time the boy had spoken. In fact, the boy hadn't said a word since they entered the dungeon. Lucas frowned.

What's going on with this guy?

He thought to himself as he studied the boy's expressionless face. "Hah... even you, huh?" Lucas muttered, his voice tinged with annoyance. "Who are you, really? You've been silent the whole time."

The boy didn't respond. His lips remained closed, his eyes fixed.

Is he dumb or deaf?

Lucas wondered.

Doesn't matter. I'm not in the mood to babysit today.

He looked back at the others, shaking his head. "Anyway, I'm not evil enough to hurt kids," he muttered under his breath. But that didn't stop the curiosity from gnawing at his heart.

He pointed toward the exit, the path leading them out of the dungeon. "Move, Andre, Darlene. We're leaving."

Andre, who had now regained his composure, nodded silently. Darlene followed closely behind, her steps quiet yet purposeful. The others followed them, but the strange tension still lingered in the air.

As they made their way out of the dungeon, Lucas glanced back, his eyes narrowing. The golden-haired boy hadn't moved. He was still standing there, unmoving, his eyes fixed on something far beyond their reach. It was as if the world around him had stopped existing.

Siman, walking beside them, spoke again. "Hmm, this boy scares me."

Lucas stopped in mid-step, his mind processing Simeon's words.

What?

He looked back at Simeon, astonishment reflecting on his face. "What? What did you say? He scares you?"

Siman, whose expression remained unreadable, met Lucas's gaze. "There's something unnatural about him," he said, his calm tone contrasting with the tension in his words. "I can feel it."

Lucas, still unsure of how to handle the situation, looked back at the boy once more. His sense of discomfort deepened.

What's going on with this kid?

He wondered, but didn't voice it. He simply kept walking, pushing the thought to the back of his mind for now.

---

Siman's words hung in the air like a cold breeze. "Yes, it terrifies me." The calmness of his voice was unsettling, like the stillness before a raging storm. His gaze remained fixed on the boy with golden hair, who stood motionless behind them. There was something wrong. Deep inside, Seyman felt that something was dangerously wrong, something that had taken control of his soul.