Ch 34: Biting chill [pt2]

'I don't think there is anything else I can do for now. I need to make my exit and leave this body behind.'

When Rook realized his position, he knew he had to leave his new body. His influence was starting to break the dungeon and expand it. But he had reached his limit for the time being.

"I had fun joining you guys, but unfortunately, I must head back now. I hope you will like my gift."

Rook stabbed his *cough* he tried to stab his throat. But ice got hold of his limbs and froze Rook in his place. 

"And what do you think you are doing with my boyfriend's body? You must go through me first if you are trying to harm him."

Shiva walked toward Rook's frozen body. He tried to move through the shadows, but the ice held him in place. The last thing he saw was a pair of cold blue eyes looking back at him.

Luca shivered and cringed as he watched. He looked at Terry's sleeping face and then at Shiva.

"Hey Shiva, are you angry at me? Or are you pissed off at me? If there is anything you want me to do, tell me."

Luca pretended like he was ready to fight Shiva. But she was not in the mood to deal with him. She walked past Luca, picked up Terry's unconscious body, and walked out. That was Luca's indication to get out of the school.

He would also have to report to Elias and tell him what happened inside the school.

'I hope young master will not lose his temper this time. I do not like it when he gets angry at me.'

Since the creator of the dungeon had collapsed, it slowly faded away. In about 10 minutes, it will erode, leaving no traces behind, and anything trapped in this dungeon will also get eroded.

...

"Finally, you all made it. We just received the signals from the dungeon, and it looks like it is about to collapse. You all made it out in time."

The dungeon began to collapse behind Rachael once she walked out. Within a minute, the other students trapped inside were rescued as well.

There were a few casualties, but the major problems had been dealt with. The dungeon was disappearing.

Neither Shiva nor Luca came out of the dungeon in time. Rachael wanted to ask what happened to them, but her common sense said she should not say anything.

"Nooo! My school! What happened to it? It used to be beautiful, and I invested so much time and money into it."

The principal cried dramatically, trying to gain everyone's sympathy. However, the local workers were used to such theatrics. They had faced indifference to mental breakdowns because of property loss.

"Please register with the government and file for property damage. We will get back to you as soon as we can."

That could mean one day to never. Rachael was not too optimistic about her school getting restored. And the government could have been more enthusiastic about paying more money, too.

In any case, the school was over.

"I wonder when Emily will come and pick me up. She is not going to be happy with what happened today."

Rachael sighed. But it was not her fault she ended up in this situation. Dungeon breaks were an unpredictable phenomenon. 

Slowly, more and more parents began to show up. Some kids were hugged, and some parents cried when they noticed they got hold of them.

After an hour of parents coming to pick up their children, Rachael was the only one left. People looked at Rachael with troubled eyes. Some even tried to approach and ask if she was alright.

The relief workers decided to be the first to approach her.

"Hey, kid! Were you able to talk with your parents? When will they come to pick you up?"

The relief worker asked, looking at Rachael with sad eyes. She understood the looks and why she was getting them. But she did not want to be looked at with a pitiful look.

"My guardian works long hours. She will be here soon, so you must not wait with me."

Rachael assured the relief workers and continued to wait. Since Emily was this late, Rachael doubted she would show up today. Rachael would have to walk her way back home.

But she doubted the relief workers would allow her to do that.

'What to do? What can I do to head back home? These workers will stop me if I say anything.'

Rachael's mind was working in overdrive. She looked around, but no one was there to help her. 

Ultimately, she gave up. She was about to ask for a phone to call Emily when a familiar figure. Her mind worked in overdrive, and she decided to take a chance.

"That person is my escort for today. My guardian is a little busy, so she sent my cousin to get me. Ah, you are finally here."

Rachael grabbed Luca's hand and pulled him back. Luke was startled, and he turned around in alarm.

Luckily, he noticed Rachael before he could attack her, and his power fizzled out. He looked calm once more and forced himself to stand up.

"Oh god, kid. It would be best if you were careful when you touch me. You can get injured by me if you touch me freely."

Luca scolded and straightened Rachael out. 

Rachael noticed how the relief workers stopped slack-jawed in their places and looked at her with uncomfortable looks on their faces.

They had recognized Luca and were unwilling to approach him. Luca needs to do better in this regard.

"Kid, I can tell that you want something from me. Quickly please tell me what you want. I need to head back home soon."

Luca noticed how uncomfortable the people around him were and decided to relieve them. Rachael saw the same thing, but she chose to use Luca instead.

"Luca, take me home. My sister will be late, and I do not want to stay here."

Rachael tugged at Luca's sleeve again and looked him in the eye. Her bold lie took Luca aback, and he coughed at Rachael's audacity.

"Excuse me, but what? You do not have a sister. And I am not taking you home with me. You need to wait for your guardian to show up."

Luca tried to wash his hand off Rachael before she could get to him. Staying with her was trouble, and Luca wanted nothing of it.

But Rachael did not let him go. She tightened her grip on his arm, and Luca feared hurting her.

"E-Excuse me, but are you this child's guardian? Or at least someone who knows her guardian? She's been here for an hour now, and we would appreciate it if you take her home."

The relief staff was tired and wanted to go home as well. They looked at Luca like one looked at their savior. 

"I am sorry, but I am not here to take her home. It would be better if you wait for her guardian and-"

"He means that he will take me home."

The relief staff let Rachael go with Luca. An average person feared Luca and would mess up in front of him. But Rachael was different. 

She was not afraid of Luca and even dared to touch him. And since Luca did not push her back, the relief staff decided to hand her over.

"T-Thank you so much."

The relief staff fled before Luca could order them to come back. Luca looked down at Rachael with an irritated expression, but it softened once he noticed how tired she looked.

"Kid, this is the last favor I am ever doing you. You better appreciate my generosity and stand up for me in the future."

Luca was stuck with Rachael for the time being. So, he needed to milk it for all it was worth. Rachael could get him out of a few sticky situations in the future.

"I doubt it would come to that. But if you want my help in the future, I will give it to you."

Rachael promised, and Luca pulled her into the car. No one questioned Luca when he pulled Rachael into his car. But he did notice a spy of Dark Matter reporting his every move.

Within seconds of the report, Luca got a call from Elias, and he picked it up. 

"Luca, are you picking up my phone while driving? Do you need me to remind you about the safety regulations again? Maybe you need to be reacquainted with the safety bureau."

Elias's voice sounded calm, but he was unhappy in spirit. Luca felt his young master's frustration and decided to stay silent. He did not want to agitate Elias anymore.

"Is that Elias? Cut the phone. You are driving, and you should pay attention to the road. Otherwise, you will be pulled aside by the police."

Rachael's voice made his young master Elias fall silent. Luca was ready to bow before Rachael for her timely interruption.

But Elias issued another order before he could cut the call and concentrate on the road.

"Make sure she reaches back home safely. Once you are done, come back. Grandfather has assigned us another mission, which will take some time to finish. We might need to leave the country for a few years."

Luca had heard about the mission. But he was surprised to see Elias considering taking it. As far as Luca knew, his young master had no intention of following his grandfather's orders.

Rachael also listened to the conversation but pretended she was not interested. 

"Don't come back yet. First, get some food and make sure our guests eat as well. Then come back, and we will pick up the strategy meeting from where we left it off."

Elias ordered. 

It was one surprise after another. But Luca also knew this to be the calm before the storm. His young master would be unbearable for the next few years.

Once Elias cut off the call, only Luca and Rachael were left in the car.

"Looks like we are going out for dinner, kid. Any recommendations?"

Rachael looked at Luca, and he shivered at the look she had. Somehow, he knew that Rachael would make him regret this dinner offer.