Bloodline Evolution: I Can Choose Opposing Paths-Chapter 83: The Mother’s Claim

They didn’t have to walk far before they found what the vendor was talking about. Well, they heard her voice before they saw her.

"I TOLD EVERYONE! I TOLD THEM SHE WOULD SHINE!"

The two of them rounded the corner and spotted her immediately.

She stood hunched near the far wall of the tunnel. Her clothes were ragged and worn, the coat she wore hung loosely from her thin body with several holes torn through the fabric.

Her hair was a complete mess, matted and unkempt like it hadn’t been brushed in weeks, maybe even months.

But it was her eyes that stood out the most. They were unfocused and wild...like she was staring at something no one else could see.

"...I told them she would make it," she muttered to herself, rocking faintly where she stood. "I told them she would be perfect..."

Daniel leaned slightly toward Aren.

"Yeah...that’s definitely her," he whispered.

Aren didn’t answer immediately. They remained where they were, standing far enough down the corridor that the woman hadn’t noticed them yet.

She rocked faintly where she stood, her hands trembling as she spoke to no one in particular.

"My daughter..." she murmured.

"...my beautiful daughter..."

Daniel folded his arms.

"Yeah...that’s not unsettling at all."

The woman suddenly lifted her head slightly.

"Miu Harmonia..." she whispered hoarsely. "They all come to hear you sing, my precious daughter..."

Aren’s eyes narrowed.

The woman’s posture straightened slightly as if she were addressing an invisible audience.

"I made her who she is," she screamed loudly. "I MADE HER AN IDOL!"

She’s claiming to be Miu’s mother...There might be some truth to it.

But at the state that she’s in? It’s unlikely we’ll get any decent information from her.

Aren turned slightly before telling Daniel.

"Let’s keep moving, there’s no way—"

Footsteps echoed faintly through the tunnel behind the woman. Aren immediately pulled Daniel as they hid behind a nearby pipe just large enough to obscure them.

He peeked out to see what was going on.

Several figures had entered the corridor from the direction of the market chamber, all wearing black suits and sunglasses that covered their face.

"Ma’am, we need to remove you from the premises," The one in the front said slowly. "You’re causing too much of a disturbance."

Daniel followed his gaze and frowned.

"Public security?" he muttered. "Since when were they involved in the Underground Market?"

Aren squinted his eyes and barely managed to see the insignia stitched on their sleeves.

"That’s because it’s not Public Security..." Aren said quietly. "That’s Argent Shield."

"NO!" the woman screamed. "I MUST BE HERE, THIS IS WHERE MY VOICE WILL REACH HER!"

One of the men stepped forward and grabbed her by the arm while another quickly tied a cloth around her mouth.

"MMMPPH! MMPPH!" the woman struggled, but it clearly wasn’t enough.

Why would Argent Shield kidnap this one woman? Unless she’s actually...

"Hey, Aren?" Daniel whispered as he leaned out from cover. "You might need to decide quick."

"They’re getting away."

"Shit..." Aren muttered under his breath before committing to it.

"Chase them."

Daniel didn’t hesitate.

The moment the words left Aren’s mouth, he pushed off the wall and sprinted down the corridor. His boots splashed against the damp stone floor as the two of them burst from cover.

One of the suited men turned his head slightly. Even behind the dark sunglasses, Aren could feel the brief moment where he decided what to do.

"Split the route!" the one in front said sharply.

Two of them veered sharply into a side tunnel, pulling the woman along while the remaining men slowed just long enough to block the main corridor.

Daniel groaned.

"Oh you’ve got to be kidding me."

Aren reached up and tapped the small earbuds on his right ear. A faint static buzzed before the line connected.

"...Hello?" Emily’s voice came through, slightly distorted.

"Emily," Aren said quickly. "We’ve got Argent Shield operatives in the Underground Market. A group just split off with a woman who we think is Miu’s mother."

There was a brief pause.

"...Wait—Argent Shield?" she said. "What are they doing down there?"

"And Miu’s mother?! How?"

"No time," Aren replied. "Track them."

"Track them?" Emily repeated nervously. "Aren, I’m not exactly sitting in a command center here—"

"Use the street cameras," he cut in. "The sewer exits connect to the Market District above. If they surface, I want to know where."

Emily hesitated for a second longer. Then he heard rapid typing on the other end.

"...Okay, okay," she muttered. "Give me a minute."

"Make it fast."

The call went quiet except for the faint sound of keyboard clicks.

The three guards stepped forward. The one in front tilted his head slightly.

"You two should turn around," he said calmly. "This matter doesn’t concern you."

"Funny," Daniel replied. "Kidnapping usually concerns me."

For a moment, neither side moved before the guards summoned their Bloodlines first.

Faint silhouettes flickered behind the guards as a variety of Bloodlines were summoned. A hawk’s wings seemed to beat once behind one of them as wind gathered along his arms. Another’s hands glowed faintly red as heat rippled through the air like the tail of a scorpion.

Frost crept along the floor beneath the third guard’s boots, also creeping up his shoulders like the shadow of a monkey.

Daniel blinked.

"...Right," he muttered. "So we’re doing this."

The guard with the wind hawk moved first. He lunged forward, his hands forming a wind blade as he struck at Daniel.

The senior stepped back just enough to avoid it before raising one hand. Ether gathered along his palm as a metallic shape began to form from light itself.

Aren’s eyes widened slightly as the weapon finished taking shape. A long lance materialized in Daniel’s grip, the weapon easily taller than he was. Its blade looked like molten metal layered with dark steel that gave it an intimidating presence.

Daniel spun it once with casual ease before slamming it into the guy that attacked him. Despite its size, the massive weapon moved through the air like it weighed nothing.

Aren stared at it, eyes wide. "You can use Morphing too?"

Daniel rested the lance over one shoulder before giving him a smug smirk.

"You’re not the only genius, you know?"

A stomp echoed through the chamber as cold surged across the damp floor. Jagged spikes of ice burst upward toward them.

Daniel quickly shifted his grip on the lance and swung once. The heavy blade cleaved through the air, shattering the ice instantly.

"...That it?" the senior asked confidently.

One of the guards clicked his tongue and lunged forward, fire ether gathering along his arms as he tried to punch Daniel.

But just as quickly, the strike was parried effortlessly. Daniel pushed him back with a lazy twist of the weapon before glancing sideways. Aren was still standing where he had been, watching the exchange.

Daniel raised an eyebrow.

"You gonna fight," he asked casually, "or watch me do the entire thing?"

Aren exhaled quietly. His Elements flickered faintly along his arms.

"Relax."

Ether condensed around his hands. His twin blades formed instantly, one crackling with surface electricity while the other coated with a small veil of water.

Aren rolled his shoulders once before stepping forward. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"...I’m in."