Rise of the Rejected Deity from Chaos-Chapter 55 - 54: The Bloodied Path to Freedom VIII | Plans Set in Motion VI

"Suhei… Suhei is dying," the boy cried as he slid down Hayne’s body, tears streaming down his face. Upon hearing this, Hayne’s heart lurched, his body seizing with panic.

His gaze shot to Seiya, who had been blasted across the room by the elite with vitiligo. A swirling vortex of wind spiraled from the elite’s palm, the same wind that had hurled Seiya away. The wind twisted, pressing against Seiya’s chest and pinning him harshly against the lab equipment. Had Seiya’s body been that of an ordinary person, the gale would have surely caved in his chest, but being Seiya, a being unlike any other, the impact merely shredded his shirt in a circular pattern.

This one elite proved stubborn and difficult to defeat.

As Seiya slowly rose from the wreckage, Hayne’s sharp voice pierced the air. "Seiya, Suhei is hurt! Suhei…" His words cracked with panic, his body trembling.

Seiya didn’t respond, nor did he spare a glance in Hayne’s direction. He simply stood up, plucking the glass shards he got from crashing into the lab equipment from his skin and face, his arms and face bled. When he had nearly removed all the shards, his hand still pressed against his blood-smeared forehead, he lifted his head slightly, his eyes downcast, as if high or floating in a haze. "Hah?!" he spat, his voice dripping with irritation.

"What should I care about one human dying?!" Seiya’s eyes flashed cold and deadly as they locked onto Hayne.

Hayne’s expression slowly shifted to one of confusion, as if struck by an unseen blow. "It’s… it’s not just anyone, it’s Suhei!" he cried out, desperation lacing his voice.

Seiya’s expression remained unmoved, his tone edged with impatience. "You’re really pestering me right now. Want to die next?" His eyes, sharp and gleaming with menace, bore into Hayne.

Stunned, Hayne could only watch helplessly as tears fell from his eyes before he turned and fled with the boy who had delivered the news.

Seiya, unbothered, shifted his attention back to the elite who had sent him crashing moments ago. Lifting a hand, he pointed at him. "Let’s continue."

Planting a foot firmly into the ground, Seiya crouched, channeling power into his legs before launching forward at blinding speed. The elite barely had time to summon another gale before Seiya seized him by the collar. His voice was low, unwavering. "Got you."

Then, without hesitation, he drove the elite into the ground with bone-crushing force.

The elite struggled to retaliate, but Seiya was faster. He stomped down on his wrist, the sickening crack of shattered bone ringing through the air. Before the elite could process the pain, Seiya did the same to his other hand, rendering him completely defenseless. With measured weight, Seiya pressed his foot against the elite, ensuring he remained pinned and helpless beneath him.

Seiya stood over the fallen elite, his presence looming like an impending wall. His gaze, sharp and unwavering, held a dangerous gleam—an unspoken exhilaration thrumming beneath his skin. The thought of crushing the man’s skull beneath his foot, reducing it to nothing but bits, sent a shiver of anticipation through him.

But Seiya held back. He decided that would be too easy a death.

With measured ease, he extended a hand, calling his staff into his grasp. If he was to end this, he preferred to do so with a weapon capable of bringing absolute devastation.

He pressed the tip of the staff lightly against the elite’s chest. His lips parted to give the command, but just before he could speak, Ibyu’s voice interrupted.

{Sei, no!}

Seiya exhaled sharply, irritation flickering across his face. "Why?"

{You know this elite is stronger than the others, right?}

Seiya remained silent, his thoughts already knowing the answer. This elite had proven to be the strongest of the lot.

{Just because you easily defeated them doesn’t mean you’ll defeat every opponent you encounter from here on out with ease. You’ve been confined here too long. You’ve gone on missions, yes, but you haven’t explored the world out there yet,} Ibyu explained.

Seiya’s fingers curled tighter around his staff. "What are you getting at? Don’t waste my time with these pointless words. Get to the point,"

{What I’m saying is this: Don’t kill him. Take him in as one of your own, so that when you start exploring the world, you’ll have someone to fight by your side when trouble arises.} Ibyu’s voice was urgent. {I know Hayne might accompany you, but he has no combat ability. He’s useless in that regard. This one, however, gave you quite a challenge. Use him until he becomes useless.}

"I don’t want to though. I don’t need anyone by my side. They’re annoying," Seiya muttered, his face scrunched with exasperation.

Ibyu bristled within him, frustration flaring. Its presence throbbed against Seiya’s chest, forcing a sharp inhale from him.

{Why don’t you listen to anyone anymore? You’re even mean to me! Don’t kill him! If you don’t want him, then I do!}

Seiya sighed, dragging a hand over his face. He knew Ibyu wouldn’t stop—this argument would last for days if he resisted.

"Fine," he muttered, resignation heavy in his voice.

{Great! Now tell him you spared his life, so he should work under you now, not that revolting man,} Ibyu instructed, satisfied.

With a sigh, Seiya crouched beside the elite, who lay gasping for breath, drained from their battle.

Seiya’s voice was cold and stern. "Listen closely. I’ve decided to let you live. From now on, you serve me."

The moment the words left his mouth, he scowled. The very idea was irritating—cringing at his own words.

"Well, stay behind me," Seiya rose, gripping the elite by the leg and dragging him aside. "I’m about to bring this place down."

"You too, unless you want to die," He addressed his father who limped over hastily.

With them behind him, Seiya strode forward, his staff scraping lightly against the ground. Then, he lowered himself into a squat, the tip of his staff pressed to the floor.

{What are you about to do?} Ibyu inquired.

"Destroy the facility, what else?" Seiya answered bluntly.

{And how exactly do you plan to do that?}

"Bring it down to the ground," he replied with indifference.

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{Huh? But what about the children still inside? Hayne and the others are on the third floor with Suhei!} Ibyu’s voice wavered with panic.

Seiya removed his sleep mask, letting it fall to the ground. "I already told Hayne to gather everyone in one place. I can see the multiple children gathered in a single room—I’ll spare that," he said flatly.

{But what about those on the third floor?! It’s clear not everyone has made it to that room yet! What if they die?!} Ibyu cried out.

"Not my problem. I did tell Hayne to round up everyone. If they don’t make it, that’s on them," Seiya retorted without hesitation.

His gaze widened slightly as he remained motionless, his focus sharpening. He envisioned the entire building, noting the one room where multiple hearts pulsed in unison—the sole exception.

Pressing his staff firmly against the ground, his eyes shimmered with an eerie light. Then, in a voice as soft and delicate as if uttering something beautiful, he murmured, "Catastrophe."

The moment the word escaped his lips, cracks splintered across the floor with breathtaking speed. In an instant, the facility crumbled, collapsing as if an earthquake had torn through its foundation.