Limitless Undead System! I can Copy all Undead attributes.-Chapter 71: Time running Out

The two Awakened finally reached the top of the spiral staircase, their boots scraping harshly against stone as they came to an abrupt halt. Their breathing was heavy, chests rising and falling as rage simmered behind their eyes the moment they laid them on Steven.

"There is a way out there," Steven said calmly, lifting an arm and pointing past them, down toward the descent of the stairs. His finger rested lazily on the far wall below. "I don’t know where it is in particular, but it’s a door. Well hidden."

He lied.

The two men exchanged glances at once, hesitation flickering across their stern faces. Their gazes returned to the wall Steven had indicated, eyes narrowing as suspicion warred with desperation.

Time.

They were running out of it.

The tremors from the throne room above, low, violent pulses that shuddered through the stone, reminded them of that fact far too clearly. Whatever monstrosity waited above was not something they could stall forever.

Grinding their teeth, the men turned and rushed back down the stairs, boots hammering against the stone in reckless haste.

Steven followed, deliberately slowing his pace to match theirs, his steps measured and unhurried. Behind him, Nott moved silently, his presence heavy and unnatural, while Shawn trailed close, fear written plainly across his face.

They reached the bottom of the staircase and immediately began searching. The two Awakened split apart, each moving toward opposite corners of the ornate wall, hands brushing over carved patterns and ancient engravings. Steven took the center, running his fingers over the elaborate stonework with exaggerated focus.

He pretended to search.

Moments passed. Then—

"Hey," Steven called out suddenly, voice cutting through the tense silence. "I found some kind of door!"

Both men froze before whipping around, excitement instantly replacing caution. They hurried toward him, nearly stumbling in their rush.

They gathered beside Steven, who stood with one hand pressed against a jagged, uneven portion of the otherwise elegant wall. At first glance, there was nothing unusual about it. Only after squinting, after really looking did the faint outline reveal itself.

A seam.

A hidden door.

"Wow... there really is a door," one of them muttered, awe slipping into his voice.

"Well?" the other urged sharply. "Open it!"

Steven nodded and wrapped his hand around what appeared to be a crude handle embedded into the stone. He pulled.

Nothing.

He pulled again, harder this time, his arm tensing slightly. Still nothing. The door didn’t budge, not even a fraction.

Again.

And again.

Each attempt carried more force than the last, yet the door remained unmoved, stubborn and silent.

"It’s stuck," Steven said finally, letting his arm fall. "I’m not strong enough—"

Before he could finish, one of the Awakened roughly yanked his hand away from the knob.

"You fucking weakling!" the man snarled.

He stepped forward, fingers closing around the warm, oddly smooth handle. There was something unsettling about its texture, almost like skin but he ignored it.

With a sharp twist, he pulled with all his strength.

The door swung open effortlessly.

Too effortlessly.

Even a simple tug would have done it.

The realization struck him instantly, his excitement evaporating as his eyes snapped toward Steven in confusion.

Steven’s expression shifted.

The corner of his lips twisted upward, just slightly.

A smile that was subtle, crooked, and unseen by the other Awakened standing behind him.

Only the one by the door saw it.

{Condition met: Soul will now be collected}

Splurt!

The man’s head detonated.

Blood exploded outward in a violent burst, splashing across the wall, the floor, and Steven himself. Chunks of flesh and fragments of bone scattered through the air, wet and heavy, before slapping against stone.

The body collapsed without its head, twitching once before going still.

Blood drenched Steven’s face, dripping from his hair, streaking down his cheeks and soaking into his clothes. The remaining Awakened staggered back with a shout, horror freezing him in place.

"You bastard!" he roared, drawing his sword in a single fluid motion and falling into a battle stance. "How dare you!"

His killing intent was raw and unquestionable.

But Steven didn’t react.

He didn’t flinch.

Didn’t raise his hands.

He only shrugged, wiping a smear of blood from his cheek with the back of his hand.

"Oops," he said lightly, his tone almost playful. "Didn’t know that would happen."

"You insane bastard!"

Steven remained relaxed—too relaxed.

He stepped past the corpse and moved to the open doorway, standing deliberately within view, making sure the man could see the dark passage beyond.

"Would you be worried enough to kill me," Steven asked calmly, "or let your righteousness guide you—run back up, tell everyone there’s a way out, and settle this later?"

He paused, eyes meeting the man’s.

"I’ll let you choose."

The Awakened trembled, jaw tightening.

As much as he hated Steven—despised him—he knew the truth of those words.

His duty wasn’t vengeance.

It was survival.

It was warning the others.

With a sharp breath, he sheathed his blade, casting one final glare at Steven, resentment burning hot and unrestrained.

"You demonic snake," he spat.

Then he turned and ran up the stairs.

Steven smiled.

"Righteous doer!" he shouted after him, the mockery clear.

The man stiffened but didn’t turn back. He couldn’t afford to.

With that done, Steven turned toward Nott and Shawn, who had just reached the escape route.

"You two should head on first," Steven said casually. "Nott will protect you—mostly. Until he gets too injured. Then you’re on your own."

Shawn swallowed hard.

Steven’s gaze lifted past them, up toward the throne. From here, he could see the massive back of the Eldritch King, unmoving yet oppressive.

"I have a fool to save."

—

The Awakened burst onto the upper floor moments later, lungs burning as he climbed the final steps. He didn’t stop.

Didn’t hesitate.

With everything he had, he screamed.

"Everyone! The way out is here! Hurry! It’s been found!"

The remaining members of the Cohort turned as one. Their numbers were thin now—many had already died to the traps scattered across the throne room.

Still, hope ignited.

They rushed toward the staircase.

Silva watched it all, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"He really found a way out," she murmured. "He’s insane."

Her gaze shifted back to her own predicament.

The spear.

Frozen mid-air.

A breath away from ending her.

And beyond it, the Eldritch King.

Even if she survived the spear, how could she possibly escape past that?

"I’m sorry, Silva," the Awakened guarding her said quietly.

He slid his blade back into its scabbard and turned away, joining the others fleeing toward freedom.

Silva said nothing.

She understood.

This was her sacrifice.

[Time left: 1 minute]

She exhaled slowly.

’Now or never.’

The Eldritch King trembled, its enraged eyes twitching violently as it fought against the bindings of her ability.

"Y—YOU INSOLENT BRAT!" it roared, its voice cracking reality itself. "WHEN THEY ARE ALL GONE, YOU WILL BE ALL THAT IS LEFT!"

The spear quivered.

"I’LL LIKE TO SEE YOU ATTEMPT YOUR ESCAPE THEN."

Silva didn’t answer.

She only tightened her grip strengthening her resolve.