Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 96: The Fated Confrontation

A muscle worked in Daisuke's jaw. It was already far too late for his own mother, but the memory of his futile pleas just before Zephyr's demise lingered like a bitter aftertaste. He had begged the thugs, offering anything to spare their lives, even promising future payment in a futile attempt to buy mercy.

Daisuke brushed aside the haunting memory before he could remember Zephyr's anguished cry as he was ripped from existence. Before he could redirect his focus, Reeza's relentless assault began—a barrage of kicks raining down on his chest, each blow driving him back further.

"If you're here for revenge, then just go ahead and do it!" she spat, her eyes ablaze with a storm of emotions—anger, sorrow, and regret swirling within them. "Otherwise, just go!"

With a dismissive gesture, Daisuke callously flung her aside without a second thought, sending her crashing to the ground in a graceless heap.

"You should come with us," Petula implored the girl, her smile fragile but hopeful as she gestured towards Daisuke. "He's agreed to help me and my husband. With all of us working together, we'll have a much better chance of rescuing your mother. And about Casimir... don't trust him; he won't honor his agreement with you, I'm certain of it."

Reeza's gaze flickered between Petula and Daisuke, a flush of color returning to her cheeks along with a defiant gleam in her eyes. "This is my problem," she argued, her tone flippant as she absently rubbed her slender neck. "I'll handle it myself. I don't need your help."

The Florian's brows knitted together in a scowl, but beneath her disdainful glare, a turbulent sea of regret churned. After the unspeakable deeds she had committed against Daisuke, she couldn't possibly bring herself to accept his aid; she felt unworthy of it. And what if he wasn't strong enough to save her mother?

She couldn't help but recall the one-sided assault that had led to Zephyr's tragic demise. Was his anger and thirst for revenge clouding his judgment? Did he truly believe he had grown powerful enough to rival those thugs in such a brief span of time? The thought gnawed at her, a seed of doubt taking root. What if his attempts to rescue them only served to provoke further danger, potentially leading to her mother's death?

Reeza slowly pushed to her feet and swept a hand to wipe away the blemish from her cheek. Casting a sidelong glance at Daisuke and then Petula, she spoke with a hint of warning in her tone. "...If you don't want to end up dead, I suggest you both turn back now. You're both way in over your heads," she cautioned before departing.

Rage churned within Daisuke as he watched her depart, but beneath his seething anger, he couldn't ignore the parallels between the girl's plight and Petula's. If he harmed her in any way, it may soothe his anger now, but the deed would undoubtedly leave a bitter taste in his mouth afterwards.

***

Daisuke didn't hesitate to unleash his pent-up anger and frustration on the two heavily armored sentries guarding the imprisoned slaves. Petula, who would normally freeze at the sight of violence, hurried past the incapacitated men and into the dreary chamber.

The Florian women within the cells stirred like frightened sheep at her arrival, their faces drained of color. Petula's gaze swept urgently over them, absorbing their desperate pleas for aid and freedom. Despite their cries, she continued down the line of cells until she reached the last one, which housed a mix of human men and women.

At her soft call, a man staggered forward, reaching through the metallic bars to tenderly encase her small hands within his own. For a fleeting moment, they shared a tranquil oasis amidst the turmoil, finding solace in each other's touch before the harsh grip of reality reclaimed them once more.

"Pet," he breathed, his eyes wide with alarm. "What're you doing here? How did you manage to get past the guards?"

Petula offered a small smile, gesturing to the silver-haired boy who approached them. "This is Haxks. He's agreed to help us escape."

The man's gaze swept over the small child who was a year shy of becoming a teen and found himself less than impressed. For a moment, he questioned whether the gravity of their situation had clouded his wife's judgment. "Honey—"

The man's next word caught in his throat as the boy effortlessly materialized a menacing-looking dagger in his hand. Daisuke's eyes flicked to the metallic bars of the cell, contemplating whether the Lipanthyer's Fang could breach the thick alloy.

BOONGGGG!

With a mighty swing, he brought the dagger down, leaving behind only a faint dent in the metal. A collective wince rippled through the chamber as everyone instinctively covered their ears, the harsh reverberations piercing the air and foretelling of ominous consequences.

In anticipation of what lay ahead, the slaves instinctively ducked their heads and retreated deeper into their cells, seeking solace in each other's presence as they braced to weather the impending storm.

"Y-You! What have you done?" Petula's husband rebuked, his voice laced with panic. "Honey," he whispered urgently, his eyes wide with fear. "You must flee right this moment," he implored, then turned his accusing gaze towards Daisuke. "You've sealed our fate!"