Chapter 14

The door creaked open, and the underground bunker was suddenly filled with a stream of light. As the survivors emerged, their eyes widened to the view: the village was gone, reduced to nothing but ruins, while the ground was smeared with stains of blood. In that grotesque setting, Luca stood, bloodied but unhindered, his gaze firm.

A mingling of awe and terror was upon their faces as they drew towards him; and their utterance failed at the sight of the havoc and Luca's serene countenance. As they would have spoken, the strength of Luca yielded, and he sank upon the bloody ground.

The next morning, Luca's consciousness returned. His eyes fluttered open, and he found himself lying in a makeshift medical area, surrounded by the concerned faces of villagers and Symbiote users. Psyros's voice reverberated in his mind, tinged with curiosity and incredulity.

"How did you manage that?" Psyros's tone was full of confusion. "Are you even human?"

Luca stirred; his voice was hoarse. "What happened?"

Psyros continued with, "You don't remember? You defeated the Naxon but used 40% of my power. You were fighting as if the natural flow was going on smoothly. How did you do that?"

Luca frowned, trying to piece together fragmented memories. "did I really use 40% that's absurd I remember the fight, but it's all hazy. I defeated the Naxon, then a surge of strength, and everything went blank."

"Yes, you took 40% of my power," Psyros said, confirming the fact. "You fought with a proficiency that suggested you'd done it before. It was as if you were in a trance."

Before Luca could utter a word, others started to show interest in him and reveal their observations.

"You were standing there, victorious, then collapsed," one said. "We think a high-level Symbiote user might have intervened, killing the Naxon before it finished you off."

Luca frowned, considering this, nodding his head slowly. "I remember something like that. Vaguely. It's all a bit fuzzy."

A sympathetic hand lay on Luca's shoulder. "You wanted to be a hero, and I respect that. But going up against a surface Naxon alone was reckless. We could never have defeated it."

Luca managed a weak smile. "Yeah, you're right. That was pretty dumb of me. Hahaha."

The group broke into giggles, and then continued to disperse. Psyros's voice cut through the cheer, laced by an edge of irritation. "Why do you let them think you're weak and pathetic?"

"It's better this way," Luca said, his tone serious. "I don't like attention, and I'm not trying to be a hero."

At this point, Aiko reached them, her face contorted in a look of concern. "Are you lying to me, Luca?

Luca's face met hers, puzzled. "Lying about what?"

Aiko's eyes were razor-sharp. "My Symbiote's power is sound waves. I heard you talking to the Naxon. Don't lie to me."

Luca played the nine. "I don't know what you're talking about. Maybe you're confusing me with some other guy in the middle of chaos."

Aiko's expression softened a millimeter; she was still suspicious. "Maybe. Anyway, I'll leave you alone to rest."

When Aiko was gone, truly looking concerned, Psyros' voice turned serious. "Luca, we must speak. Go to a place no one would look for you."

He climbed to the highest mountain that faced the village. During night, Psyros showed up, his figure imposing against the starry sky.

"Your body's perfect," Psyros breathed, tone dubious. "Not one scratch from my using 40% of my power. How did you handle it without direct training?"

"I. I don't know," Luca said honestly. "I'm just trying to keep up."

Psyros looked right through him. "Are you human, Luca?"

Luca replied with a touch of irritation. "Of course, I'm human. Why would you repeatedly ask that?

At that very moment, Aiko emerged from the shadows, pushing Luca away. "40%? We can't even use 5%, and you're lying about defeating the Naxon?"

Her eyes locked with Psyros', and she staggered, her legs losing strength. "W-what is this creature, Luca? What is it?"

Luca stepped forward, trying to soothe her. "That's my Symbiote, Psyros. He's different from what you know."

Aiko was horrified. "That's not a Symbiote. It's a monster!"

Psyrors said nothing but simply melted into Luca's body. Aiko looked the more distressed of the two, turning away, her face black as anger and betrayal. "Enough of this nonsense! You're a liar, Luca. I'm done with this."

Luca reached out, desperation in his voice. "No, let me explain. I didn't want attention. I went to the dungeon-unexplored one-I fought some monster and somehow survived, and Psyros told me I could use up to 20% of his power. I trained hard, and despite everything, I could use up to 25%. During the fight with the Naxon, I don't know how, but I managed 40%."

Aiko was still angry, so she asked him, "So, it's a one-time thing? How much can you use now?"

Luca turned to Psyros. "How much can I use without dying?"

Psyros said, "40%.

Luca repeated, "40%."

Aiko looked shocked. "I've trained for years and can barely use 5%. Are you really human?"

Luca irritably sighed again. "Why does everyone keep asking that? Yes, I am human."

The softness of Aiko's face, peering at him, her voice tinged with hurt: "I hope you are not lying again."

With that, she walked away, leaving Luca standing alone with the weight of his secrets and the burden of his strength upon his shoulders. Psyros' voice was still echoing in his head, reminding him of how power and responsibility could take an exorbitant toll in the face of urgency for secrecy.