'An additional task? Is this… the task you told me about? For… another power-up?'
Eli's thoughts stumbled over themselves, eyes wide, his heart hammering as pain from his danger detection pounded mercilessly against his skull.
Ding.
The chime rang again—so casual, so calm it almost mocked him.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
> Yes.
Eli blinked, disbelief flashing through his face. 'Okay, then tell me! What's all this suspense about?!' he snapped mentally, the irritation barely masking the fear clawing at his chest.
Usually, the system didn't play games. It just showed him the task—cold, efficient, immediate.
But now, of all times, when the world was literally shaking apart around them, it had decided to go cryptic?
"Eli, we have to find a place to hide," Kairo's voice cut through his thoughts—steady, commanding. His grip shifted, one arm tightening around Eli's waist as he adjusted his hold.
