Read Novel Full Chapter 388: DUTY COMES FIRST
Chapter 388: DUTY COMES FIRST
He stretched out his hand.
The limb transformed in an instant, flesh rippling and darkening as it became a devil’s arm, thick, corded muscle covered in obsidian scales that gleamed like polished volcanic glass.
Long, razor-sharp claws extended with a soft metallic scrape, each one curved wickedly, promising agony to anything they touched.
The air around the arm seemed to warp, heavy with the faint scent of brimstone and something darker, more primal.
Jordan remained still.
Not the least bit rattled.
His starry eyes watched the transformation without a flicker of fear, the constellations within them swirling slowly, calmly, as if cataloging every detail of Nick’s fury.
He stood with the quiet poise of someone who had stared down worse shadows and walked away.
He moved quickly as well. In a blur of motion too smooth to track fully, Jordan lunged forward and grabbed Nick’s transformed arm.
His grip was iron, fingers clamping down around the scaled forearm with unyielding strength.
The contact sent a faint ripple through the air, the collision of two immense powers creating a low, resonant hum that vibrated through space.
"How dare you touch me," Nick said coldly.
His voice dripped venom, each syllable laced with outrage.
He raised his second hand, human in form but already beginning to shift, scales spreading like ink across skin intending to knock Jordan’s grasp away with brutal force.
Or that was his plan.
But Jordan read through the move.
He released Nick’s arm with precise timing, fingers uncurling just as the counterstrike whistled past.
In the same fluid motion, he sidestepped, body flowing like liquid shadow.
Nick’s claws sliced through empty space, missing Jordan by the barest margin.
The strike ended in a sharp crack against the platform grating, gouging deep furrows that sparked and smoked.
Nick stood still.
Slowly, irritation began to boil into something hotter, more dangerous.
His chest rose and fell with controlled breaths, the reptilian slits of his eyes narrowing further until they were mere lines of glowing amber.
"I guess I will have to deal with you properly," Nick said coldly.
His voice had dropped to a dangerous whisper, each word deliberate.
He locked his gaze on Jordan, pupils contracting as the petrifying power began to gather.
The basilisk heritage stirred, a subtle shimmer in his irises like stone turning to glass under pressure.
The air grew colder, heavier, as if reality itself prepared to harden around Jordan’s form.
"Enough." Lilian’s voice cut through the tension like a blade of ice.
She stepped forward swiftly, positioning herself directly between Nick and Jordan.
Her slender frame blocked the line of sight, robes flowing with the motion, her dark hair catching faint glimmers from the overhead lights.
"You don’t have to go that far. Besides, we need him to understand the enemy we are after."
Nick’s eyes flicked to her, surprise flashing briefly before irritation returned.
"You have to keep your emotions in check," Lilian added firmly.
Her tone held quiet steel, a reminder wrapped in duty.
"Duty comes first." She met his gaze without flinching, her own expression calm but unyielding, the weight of her words settling between them like an unspoken boundary.
Everyone, including those still forced to their knees stared at the confrontation in absolute silence.
The general’s face was flushed with a mix of fear and resentment, his knees aching against the cold metal.
The administrator’s breath came shallow, eyes darting nervously.
The special forces remained bowed, muscles trembling, none daring to speak or even shift.
Nick stared at Jordan angrily over Lilian’s shoulder.
His facial expression twisted with reluctance, jaw clenched so tightly the muscles stood out beneath the scales.
For a long moment, he seemed poised to ignore her, to push past and finish what he had started.
Then, slowly, he exhaled.
"Consider yourself lucky," Nick said coldly to Jordan.
The words were venomous, grudging, as he dropped his aggression with visible effort.
His devil’s arm retracted, claws retracting with a series of soft clicks, scales receding like retreating shadows until the limb returned to its human appearance.
The petrifying shimmer faded from his eyes.
He reined in his aura.
The crushing pressure lifted abruptly, like a storm cloud retreating.
Those on their knees gasped, bodies sagging forward as they finally drew full breaths.
The air lightened, the oppressive weight vanishing, leaving behind only the lingering chill and the acrid scent of scorched metal.
"Since we are done here," Nick said, voice flat and authoritative once more, "we’ll be leaving at once."
He turned slightly, addressing the administrator without looking directly at him.
"Clean up the mess, Administrator. And I want a proper report sent to Aiz. Detailed, timely, and without excuses."
"Yes, my lord," the administrator replied quickly.
He rose to his feet with visible effort, bowing low, relief warring with lingering fear on his face.
Nick gave Jordan one last, lingering glare, the glare was cold, promising unfinished business before turning on his heel.
The rest of the group followed suit, Lilian casting a brief, unreadable glance toward Jordan as she moved past.
The confrontation had ended, but the tension lingered like smoke after a fire, thick and slow to dissipate.
"Good. Now let’s leave. You will be coming with us," Nick pointed at Jordan.
His finger jabbed forward with deliberate authority, the reptilian gleam in his eyes still carrying the embers of earlier anger.
Jordan nodded his head in acknowledgment.
The gesture was simple, unhurried, carrying no trace of submission, only calm acceptance.
He adjusted the grip on his black blade, the weapon’s oppressive aura dimming slightly as he fell into step with the group.
They were led by Nick to the teleportation gate.
The massive arch loomed ahead, its crystalline frame pulsing with deep violet energy that rippled like liquid starlight.
Technicians scattered to prepare it, holographic panels flickering to life with precise coordinates.
The air grew thick with ionized ozone, a sharp, metallic taste settling on the tongue as reality prepared to fold once more.
One by one, they stepped through. Space twisted around them in a dizzying spiral of light and shadow, the journey brief yet disorienting.
When the distortion cleared, they emerged into a new realm entirely.