~STRING to SHADOW~•Solo Leveling•

~Chapter~2

Thomas laughed out loud seeing her unsightly expression, he avoided talking about the potions effect.

"It's that bad? you look like a monkey!"

"Says the gorilla."

Alora spat out those words immediately in displeasure.

She turned her head and pressed the call button placed on the bedside table with her ability, as she was in no position to walk.

And a few seconds later a tall female staff came in.

She was wearing a white uniform and a id card was hanging from her neck, in it was her name which is Aria and other basic information and boldy written 'International mana research institute'

As for how Alora got herself a apartment in here, let's just say there are perks of being the youngest S ranker even if you're a labrat.

She willing let herself be experimented on because she would not want other children to suffer the same way as her in the future, although the chance of that happening it nearly none.

The real reason was to find a clue to a cure for her bazare condition.

But unfortunately even after a year of research, nothing useful was found.

It wasn't shocking, the things done by the absolute beings isn't something mere mortals chould change.

Ths staff cautiously walked towards Alora with a polite smile.

"Is there anything you need miss?"

"Something sweet!"

Alora instantly replied still disgusted by the lingering taste of the potion.

The staff asked if she wanted anything else but Alora replied in negative.

Following that Ithe female staff turned around and left.

Alora and Thomas chatted for a little while during that time Alora was served with dessert, she enjoyed it very much and thankfully there was no traces of the potion left in her mouth.

Thomas stood up to leave as he had business to attend to, he oped the door and was about to go out when Alora called out.

"There's going to be a red gate."

Hearing her, Thomas turned around and asked puzzled.

"Red gate?"

"Yeah, around Asia I think...."

Alora answered seemingly in thought

Red gates are also dungeons but on a higher level, it holds another dimension inside, unlike other dungeons, ones someone enters they cannot exit unless they deafet the dungeon boss.

It was a plot point thought not major but still important, it's where the male lead finds out he can understand Monstar language, and there's a voice inside the beast's head telling them to kill humans.

It was a rather satisfying fight, Alora wished she could take a look herself, but alas she was sick!

As for why she told that to Thomas, of course to know what is currently going on.

"What am I supposed to do with that?"

Thomas asked clearly not convinced of her sudden prophecy.

"Nothing!"

For the first time in a while Alora smiled, her pale face lighting up.

Thomas remembered the ones healthy Alora who would bicker with him daily, and run around causing trouble.

He shock his head and smiled "Rest well" And left closing the door behind him.

Alora stared as Thomas left, her joyous smile slowly fading , she leaned on the the soft chair her demeanour softening from exhaustion.

She turned her head to look at the tree outside, her mind wondered off.

'Those fools knew i wouldn't be able to withstand it!'
Alora thought to herself but then instantly apologized in her heart, who knows what would happen if she cursed the gods.

Alora closed her eyes, even the simplest of interaction exhausted her these days.

She stopped thinking about it, it only reminds her of her vulnerability and helplessness.

- There were others before you -

A line came to her mind, a line from the novel.

Only, she wasn't a product created to be the shadow monarchs vessel, she was something the absolute beings made for other purposes.

She is probably one of those failed causes, she failed to be a proper pawn by being weak so they decided to discard her.

'And now I am left to die.'

'The shadow monarch is much more intelligent to give a system to the protagonist to level up, but what can I say I'm not gonna get protagonist perks now am I? That's reserved for my dear sung Jin woo.'

Alora left these thoughts and decided to rest, she was tired.

she rested her head on the leather chair, and her breathing evened, the warm sunlight swept through the window glass and illuminating her sleeping figure.

In her dream she saw a figure illumined with gray fog, the person was ushering her and reminding her that she was late for morning classes.

The dream quickly shattered and she jolted awake, she looked around with her sleepy eyes.

She sat straight up, quite dissatisfied as her vision was a little blurry, she rubbed her eyes and looked up.

The female staff had came in with lunch but her figure was a little blurry.

'What's wrong?'
Alora screamed internally quite annoyed, but she didn't think any further, coming to the conclusion that it's due to drowsiness.

The female staff helped Alora get to the hospital bed, wash her face, and served her the food, a polite smile never leaving her face.

'Doesn't her jaw hurt?'
Alora laughed internally.

She felt a sense a deja vu while looking at that smile, probably has something to do with her previous life. From what little she chould remember she used to be a civil servant.

She turned her attention to the aromatic food, it looked so good and appetizing.

If someone were to examine her body right now they would think she hadn't eaten for days, but that's the complete opposite, the research folks provided good food, and she loved to eat, so much so she had four meals a day, but her body refuses to take any of it.

She happily took a bite and chewed it, then abruptly paused and stared at the plate of food,  furrowing her brows she turned her head to look at the female staff.

"Why is it bland?!"