Endless Debt

Scorching bullets ricocheted within the enclosed room, punching holes after holes into the walls, shattering wooden boards and windows. The icy wind carrying toxic mist surged in, swirling violently around noses and mouths.

Kemp pressed tightly against the cover behind him, checking the remaining ammunition in his pistol. Scorching light flickered in his eyes. With a deep breath and gathering courage, he swiftly leaned out, firing back at the enemy at the end of the corridor.

Fire quickly, retreat quickly; just as he had learned in training. Yet even so, a stray bullet grazed him, tearing his fabric and leaving a shallow blood mark on his calf.

Vision dim, amidst the violent gunfire, Kemp leaning against the wall, faintly heard the wail of the enemy, seemingly hit by his gunfire.

But soon more footsteps came, several guns were set up again at the end of the corridor, closely watching his position.

For Kemp, this should be the worst day in his brief career, and if he was any unluckier, it might as well be his last day of service.

"Shelley, are you alright?"

Kemp asked nervously, holding onto his gun, to the partner beside him.

"I'm okay, it should be manageable."

Shelley's voice came, sitting on the ground, pressing wooden boards against her injured calf, tearing her clothes into strips, tightly wrapping them around to fix the injured leg.

She struggled to stand up, though every movement brought intense pain, she gritted her teeth to hold on, for compared to dying here, this pain was nothing.

"These lunatics," Shelley cursed, her pale face covered with sweat.

"I'm sorry, it was my mistake."

Kemp apologized briefly; the current scenario was insufficient for him to express more apologies. They had to think of a way to survive.

"It's all because of the Alchemy Armament sold by the Gray Trade Association, which makes these guys troublesome." Shelley also picked up a pistol, ready to throw into battle again.

In the past, dealing with these thugs was not difficult for the two of them, even if the opponent had a Condenser, ending the battle was just a matter of time. But this time was different, these thugs took out one strange Alchemy Armament after another. The nature of these weapons was not strange, but like explosives, each had tremendous power, forcing the two of them to keep their heads down.

In comparison, their counterattack seemed so powerless, but there was nothing they could do about it. Kemp and Shelley were Origin School Condensers, inherently lacking means of direct kill, even if they could use Ether to launch some impact. But as First Stage Condensers, the strength and distance of attacks were strictly limited.

The most important thing was that according to the plan, the two were just here to gather intelligence and had no preparation for direct confrontation with the enemy. But with Kemp's mistake, they got exposed during the operation, attempting to flee, they got trapped here, with no retreat.

"Leader, how long until you arrive? If you don't hurry, you might need to collect our corpses soon." Shelley muttered to herself.

In the dim tunnel, the subway whizzed past, in the swaying carriage, the fully-armed Yas responded with a grim look.

"I'm on my way, hold on."

Yas' voice echoed in her mind, Shelley smiled bitterly, then the strong Ethereal Fluctuation made her gloomy emotions vanish. The rushing flow of Ether gathered together, as if accumulating something.

"Get down!"

Shelley shouted, pressing Kemp to the ground. At some point, the suppressing gunfire disappeared, replaced by gradually rising high temperatures, as faint sparks emerged in the dark hallway.

Spark expanded and enlarged within breaths, as if a Red Dragon roared loudly, spewing out scorching dragon breath. The soaring flames illuminated the darkness, engulfing everything around.

High temperatures and heat waves rushed into the room instantly, Shelley struggled to raise her hand, an ethereal white shield wrapping around her and Kemp. Countless fine pure white lines whirled crazily, isolating the flames and heat.

This was Shelley's mastered Ethereal Skill: Ether Barrier, capable of creating a shield through Ether control, either around her or outside, to fend off external attacks.

Blinding currents flashed on the barrier, accompanied by constantly erupting sparks, until Shelley couldn't sustain it anymore, the barrier shattered, the remaining flames roared out the window, spitting massive black smoke with sparks.

The room was completely filled with black smoke, burnt odors filled the nostrils, making Kemp cough violently. He looked at the barely alive Shelley beside him, laboriously lifting her onto his shoulder.

The two stumbled, leaping out of the window, repeated battles had left them exhausted. Rolling in the thick smoke, they fell onto the muddy ground, surrounded by swirling mist, each breath brought a slight burning sensation.

"Kemp, are you still alive?" Yas' voice echoed in his mind.

"Still alive... but almost dead."

Kemp dragged the injured Shelley; during the fight, Shelley had released the Ether Barrier several times, each time only ending when she couldn't sustain it anymore.

At this moment, Shelley's Ether was nearly depleted; in such case, she was no different from an ordinary person.

Kemp didn't plan to leave Shelley behind, as this operation blunder was caused by him. He had underestimated the opponent's vigilance, leading to the current predicament.