Apocalyse: Marked by Chaos
Chapter 69 - 68 The Underground World (3)

Chapter 69: Chapter 68 The Underground World (3)

’Something precious, a secret, a memory, a piece of me?... But I have no such things... except for a memory about the academy’s secret," Olivia quickly shook her head, stopping her trail of thoughts.

She had no idea who this monster was, if he was a friend or a foe. Giving out such a secret is too high and risky for her own sake, and the others.

"I’m sorry, but I don’t do those things you are requesting," Olivia nervously said, avoiding his eye contact. Staring at his amber eyes felt as if she was baring herself at him. At that thought, a bolt of shivers ran down her spine.

’It’s okay, I’ll find another way to find the answer,’ she thought inwardly, her hand balling into a fist.

Abigail, who stood beside her, had a look of relief washing over her. Abigail was concerned by what choices Olivia would choose. If she chooses to give a secret or a memory, another person can easily get it.

The secrets exchanged here are made known to anyone who could afford it. And if the secret should fall into the hands of someone with evil intentions, then she was doomed.

"Let’s go," Olivia’s voice broke Abigail’s trail of thoughts.

As they turned to leave, a red screen appeared in front of her.

[Time remaining to accomplish the mission: 35 hours and 10 minutes.]

Olivia felt cold washes over her as if a cold blade was pressing against her throat. Her heart hammered in her chest.

She was running out of time. She had no time to find any other clues. Should she take the monster’s deal?

Her doorstep faltered slightly. Her gaze darted around, unfocused. She swallowed, but her throat felt parched and dry.

’Should I make the deal or not?’ She chanted inwardly, but she didn’t stop, neither did she turn back.

The monster’s eyes glinted with amusement. "Wait," his hoarse voice halted them midway.

Olivia turned in the span of a heartbeat, and she immediately regretted it when she saw the smirk on the monster’s lips.

"I have another deal, I think this will be more beneficial for both of us."

"And what could that be?" Abigail frowned, this was strange of him.

Olivia sighed out of relief, she turned towards him, she would listen to what he had to say, before she would decide if she should accept it.

"How about I tell this secret now, but in return..." he paused, gauging her reaction, but when he did not get anything from her, he continued. "You’ll owe me a favour, what do you say?"

Olivia’s hands twitched by her side. The skin between her brows knitted together. This was not a deal, it was a trap. A trap she couldn’t escape from.

’A favour. That could mean anything. It could be nothing... or it could cost her more than her life.’

’Should I give up now? No... I’ll just agree now, in the future I will find a way to break out of this,’ she assured herself.

Before Abigail could intervene in the conversation, Olivia’s voice rang. "I accept your deal."

Abigail was taken aback by her response. "Are you dumb or crazy?" she said in a hush voice to her.

As if the man expected it, a smile crawled on his lips, his claws tapping leisurely on the table. He knew she would agree, she was like an impatient fly. ’Good. Very good. I will use this opportunity very well,’ he thought to himself.

"Now that you have agreed, all you need to do is sign... with your blood." He brought out a parchment from his pocket.

Olivia ignored Abigail’s words, heading to the monster. After they had both signed on it, the monster retrieved the parchment back to his pocket.

"Now spill it out," Olivia said, but it sounded more like an order. A lump formed on her throat, as a spider-like feeling of unease crawled up her spine. She knew this was a big no, but she was willing to take a risk.

"Tell your friend to excuse us, you are the only one qualified to hear it."

Olivia hesitatingly turned towards Abigail, who was staring back at her with different emotions swirling around her eyes.

"I will wait for you." Abigail left before Olivia could say anything.

Olivia stood frozen as the man leaned closer, his words a low whisper, unheard by anyone but her.

Her eyes widened. Her lips parted, but no words came out. For a second, everything around her—the flickering lights, the murmurs in the background, even the distant laughter faded into silence.

Whatever he had said... it shook her.

The monster leaned back with a satisfied look on his face, watching her absorb the weight of it. "There," he muttered. "A fair trade."

Olivia didn’t respond. She barely nodded and turned away. Her feet moved on their own, slow and stiff, like her body was still trying to catch up with her mind.

Abigail was waiting near the corner, arms folded, eyes sharp with questions. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words seemed to die on her lips the moment she saw Olivia’s expression.

"Olivia?"

"I got what I needed," Olivia’s voice barely left her lips. It wavered, like it wasn’t sure it wanted to be heard.

Abigail’s eyes searched her face. "What did he tell you?"

"...I’ll tell you later." She didn’t mean it to sound cold, but even she could hear the distance in her voice.

Abigail didn’t push. She only gave a small nod, stepping into pace beside her as they moved through the dim market.

They didn’t speak for the rest of the walk.

But Olivia’s mind was spinning. Her fingers twitched by her side, brushing against the corner of her hood as if trying to hold something together.

Olivia gasped as she almost lost her footing. She froze mid step, her eyes catching a familiar figure in the crowd.

"Lucian?" She muttered underneath her breath. What was he doing here?

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