Chapter 342

"Why yes. That is actually our ticket out of here," Caster replied with a beaming smile.

The group exchanged brief shocked glances with one another before looking back at Caster, Felix, and of course, Nebula.

"What do you mean by that?" Chloe asked with a raised brow.

Felix cleared his throat then looked at the group.

"Uh... we can’t keep standing here and discussing. Let’s return back to our crib and have some roasted meat, and then we can discuss."

Ray stared at the werewolf for a few moments then at Nebula, who was still smiling.

He just shrugged and pointed ahead.

"Sure, lead the way."

Nebula smiled wider and then turned around with Caster and Felix flanking her; they began walking ahead, leading the group to wherever they had taken shelter.

Chloe rushed ahead and pulled Nebula from the midst of the boys, therefore startling her and the boys for a moment as Felix’s hands twitched, but the next second, he calmed back down and continued on the way.

Chloe held Nebula’s hand and began chatting excitedly with the girl while the two boys were leading the way out front.

Trisha stared at Chloe’s arm interlocked with Nebula’s out front and the way the girl was all over the new girl.

"Hope those boys didn’t do something weird with you? Because you are so beautiful. Not gonna lie, I’m also jealous here," Chloe chuckled.

"Oh no. They didn’t. In fact, they have been respectful and treating me like a...uh sister. Been protecting me and not letting me do much. They are really darlings, I must say."

"Oh," Chloe uttered then slowly leaned in and whispered,

"Still, be careful of Felix. That boy irks me out and I don’t trust him one bit. He is a pervert."

Nebula chuckled.

"Oh don’t worry about that. He can never do such to me."

"Hmph. Just thought to warn you," Chloe muttered and then continued speaking with the girl as if they had been best friends for years.

A flash of emotion flickered in Trisha’s eyes as she looked at the way Chloe was basically throwing herself at Nebula and they were both gisting like long-lost friends.

"Jealous?" Ray suddenly whispered from behind the girl.

Trisha’s cheeks heated up in embarrassment like someone who had just been caught stealing.

"N-N-N-No? Why would I? And what are you doing sneaking up on me like that? You should be lucky I haven’t shot you with an ice shard yet."

With that, the girl quickened her pace, trying to avoid the Tribrid who just chuckled.

Kai was also gaining speed with the others out front.

Only Van slowed down to match Ray’s speed as the Tribrid chose to hold down the rear guard.

"Ray? You good?"

Ray turned to stare at his best friend with a cocked brow.

"Of course. Why do you ask?"

Van looked ahead and thought for a few seconds.

He could see Felix and Caster occasionally looking back.

"I don’t know, but I’m confused."

"About?"

"Nebula," Van replied calmly and with a slight whisper, knowing that Ray would be able to hear him.

"Hm? What are you confused about?" Ray was obviously intrigued as he slid his hands into his pockets.

"I don’t know if it’s just me, but I don’t think an eighth member was kicked into the gate too. I mean, it was only us seven who were very close to the gate when it activated and sucked us in, so how come she’s here?"

"...."

The corner of Ray’s lips twitched into a smile as he lifted his head to stare straight ahead.

"How am I supposed to know? I was knocked unconscious by the force the gate exerted on me, and maybe you were too, so we couldn’t know. Besides, in case you forgot, I got a brief glimpse."

Van looked at his friend with a raised brow.

"Of?"

"Before I was knocked out, I saw how powerful the suction of the gate was. It even pulled the dead beasts around the area into it, so maybe she had been nearby and we didn’t notice."

"...."

Van thought for a few seconds but then shook his head.

"Even so, I don’t think I have seen her in the Corps before."

"Have you seen Felix before?" Ray asked.

"Huh? What does that have to do with this?"

"Just answer."

"Well, no."

"Good. It was later on he was introduced to you through me. He joined the Corps later on after he was found by members of the Iron Corps and brought down to the Aspirant Corps. So similarly, she might have joined late. You must be overthinking things."

"...."

Van thought about it for a few seconds then shrugged with a sigh.

"Maybe you are right."

"So tell me something; why did you refuse to shake her hand?" Ray questioned as he looked at his friend.

Van cocked his shoulders.

"It was just my instinct. Besides, I don’t know what kind of an ability she possesses, so I couldn’t take any chances. What if it messed with mine?"

Looking ahead, Ray could see Felix and Caster rounding a corner, and it seemed like the whole group was about to do so.

Maybe their shelter was just right around the corner.

Smiling softly while looking at Nebula’s back intently for a few seconds, he saw the girl turn her head around to look at him.

Then she flashed him a beautiful smile before looking back ahead while continuing to chat with Chloe.

Ray smirked.

"Maybe you are right."

Van lifted a brow.

"Huh? About what?"

Ray looked at him, then closed his eyes for a moment before lifting his head to face the sky and continuing ahead.

"Nothing."

With that, the whole group cut around the corner, and now, they were met with a wide cavern sitting in front of a mountain.

It was incredibly wide, looking like it would accommodate all eight of them comfortably.

Without any hesitation whatsoever, they all walked in.