Chapter 63: Chronos

An incredible scene unfolded silently before Xueqiu.

One second, Shadow Ghosts crawled from the elevator door.

Nearly ten of them, with razor-sharp claws and crimson eyes, jaws wide to tear at the throats of the four, craving flesh.

The next second, the surging Shadow Ghosts collapsed.

Time seemed to skip a beat.

In that fleeting moment, they were eradicated one by one.

Strictly speaking, those two seconds weren’t silent.

Bullets hissed through the silencer, piercing Shadow Ghost flesh. Blades sliced, tips driven into nerve centers…

They didn’t even have time to scream. It ended abruptly.

Beside Xueqiu, Zena’s position had shifted, no longer supporting Hishiro Nagi.

She did this? Xueqiu was stunned.

What kind of power was that?

If Xia Yin could slice through air, this polite principal’s assistant could kill invisibly before a cut was made.

“Rule-based Contract… Number 008, Chronos, discovered by Bombavik University in the early 20th century,” Hishiro Nagi’s faint, cold voice said.

Zena maintained her polite smile, though her breathing was heavier than the Shadow Ghosts’ last gasps.

“We shouldn’t reveal Contracts—it exposes weaknesses. Keep mine secret next time, okay?” she said, smiling.

Xueqiu, wanting to check the scene, stepped forward but was yanked back by Xia Yin.

“If you’re tagging along, stay behind us. You’re barely half a healer, not a combat one. No one’s dead yet—since when does the healer rush in first?”

He fired at the cooling Shadow Ghost corpses, then checked the elevator for survivors or stragglers.

“Hey… this elevator’s not busted. Might still work,” Xia Yin said, gun to the door. “We’ve got no choice but to take it up, unless you all can climb vents or pipes. Forget the injured poker face… Or we wait here for rescue.”

Zena didn’t respond, waving Xia Yin to take over supporting Hishiro.

Though reluctant, Xia Yin glanced at Xueqiu and complied without chatter.

Ten days ago, Xueqiu had been here once, brought by the principal.

Thirty meters underground, no stairs existed.

As Xia Yin said, the elevator was their only way up.

Zena approached the elevator, clearing Shadow Ghost corpses and leaning in to check it.

“They came through a corner breach. The main body and traction system use special materials—it’s still functional,” Zena said, her Siamese-cat-like green eyes scanning the three. “We can go up.”

“Nice, having a pro helps. But if it breaks halfway, we’re screwed, right? Falling thirty meters versus a bullet—which hurts more?” Xia Yin quipped.

“Speaking of, that knife in Hishiro’s shoulder isn’t ordinary, is it? Should I pull it out, see if it’s been tempered with a ‘secret technique’?”

Xia Yin rambled, helping Hishiro into the elevator. Hishiro stayed silent, as if pondering what went wrong.

Xueqiu saw a hole in the elevator’s ceiling corner—the Shadow Ghosts’ entry point.

What monsters, surviving a thirty-meter fall.

Did the girl trying to breach the archive climb back up this way?

Or through vents or pipes?

Xueqiu didn’t know.

She glanced at Zena, who stared at the damaged but closing elevator door—or something beyond it.

—

Library Fifth Floor, Emergency Command Center

Chang Yi’s soft voice came from the speaker nearest Chen Qiyun.

Since last night, when cracks appeared in the barrier separating the Academy from Youdu, Chang Yi’s management of campus surveillance had been disrupted.

By morning, all intact cameras were back online.

In the following hours, contact with weapons control and security was restored.

Now, Chang Yi reported real-time updates.

“As of 2:34 p.m., Shadow Ghost numbers in the Academy are down to six, located at West Gate, North Gate, and the library. Latest update: the barrier is repaired, and Principal Ling has lifted Contract restrictions…”

Being on the fifth floor, the command center couldn’t fully monitor the ground level.

The underground archive was a top protection priority. Chang Yi had deemed it safe, but now, extra personnel were needed there.

“As of 2:35 p.m., Shadow Ghost numbers are down to five. Library area is secure…” Chang Yi added.

Over twelve hours had passed since the invasion.

With Shadow Ghosts and Antidote waning, this incident would spark a board meeting.

Chen Qiyun paced anxiously by the console, not for his future, but for his students.

Xia Yin, held back three years in his sophomore year, and Xueqiu, who needed special care.

Normally, Xia Yin could handle Shadow Ghosts alone. S-rank, with over 35% Shadow Gene concentration and high purity.

But the Contract restriction was lifted only half an hour ago.

Until then, neither Xia Yin nor any student could use their Contract powers.

Beside Chen Qiyun was a chair.

On it, the shrimp-like old man slept, slumped over the console.

His bald head, lit by the lights, looked like a desert with sparse cacti and camel grass.

Lu Hong hadn’t rested since last night, age wearing him down.

Only when Chang Yi rated safety as “low” did the stubborn old man collapse in his unwashed lab coat.

This Youdu-built Academy, over a decade, had become a creaky, outdated machine.

Without the “Qingtan Death” three years ago, the board would’ve funneled more resources into Youdu exploration.

The Pivot training system, cultivating talent for branches, would’ve aged and faded.

A knock.

Chen Qiyun stopped pacing.

He didn’t need to open the door himself.

Others in the command center, still in lab coats, could’ve done it.

But something urged him to go.

Outside, Xia Yin was drenched in sweat, sword gone, gun tossed at his feet.

“Damn… Professor… Knew you’d be here. Finally opened the door—let me and Xueqiu in…”

In his arms, he held an unconscious Xueqiu, her face flushed.

ps: Trying for a recommendation boost. Readership’s been low lately—how’s it going? Still stockpiling chapters? Anyone still following? Peek out…