"Hurry!!"

That was the only thing Serena could mutter under the severe influence of gradual Soul Corruption which was burning her inside painfully.

It was strange in many ways that Serena was able to hold up such massive arms of a living creature that was actively trying to counter her skill.

Levitation has many uses, other than to lift things but Serena never thought she would be resisting a minotaur one day.

There was a reason why she previously was having a hard time just lifting a single flame torch out of its holder yet now she was able to restrain a giant creature.

Serena did not doubt that her core has strengthened with time and the major factor behind such a phenomenon was the wolf meat she had an hour or so ago.

It wasn't like she was now comfortable using her energy, but the corruption rate has decreased to some extent.

"It's happening! Just hold it!!!"

Amidst her partial vision and the ear-numbing roars of the only inhumane present in the vault, Serena heard Seth's voice resonating heavily.

Serena foolishly nodded as she forced every last inch of her strength to keep the minotaur's limbs in place and provide as much time as she could to Seth.

**GHUOOOOOOOHHH**

But something unexpected occur and the minotaur seemed to glow in crimson hue as its counter to Serena's skills multiplied enough to throw the skill user meters away.

"Ah!"

A yelp only left her lips before Serena collided with the wall beside the entrance and lost consciousness soon after.

The last thing she remembered was the raging monster and how useless she ended up to Seth…

…

…

(Time skip: 2 hours)

'Umm…. '

Serena had no idea how much time has passed and for the first some moments, she even forgot where she was or how she ended up fainting.

Her vision despite her eyes open wasn't responding in the usual manner they should have. She rubbed her eyes while remembering what happened when it suddenly clicked!

"Seth! Where are you?!"

There was no longer any footstep of the creature nor any battle cry which echoed violently until the very last second as she remembered.

Quickly Serena forced herself onto her feet as she tried to clean her eyes properly and see the things in front, but all futile. The darkness wasn't ready to fade at all.

She….lost her eyesight.

It was no surprise since the amount of Curse she swallowed must have taken something out of her. Not to talk about that collision she felt on her head before fainting.

But at the moment she didn't care about such a matter as her priority lay in Seth's safety.

She couldn't even think what she would do if something happened to him…

"Seth…are you there? Please respond to me. If you can't speak then make any sound. I can't see anything, so please…."

Tears were spilling uncontrollably as Serena kept on shouting his name in hopes of hearing at least something in return.

She fell in the rush quite a few times due to the rubbles of walls and floor which signified how much of a severe battle must have taken place.

While she just lay there like a rag…

"Ah! "

Serena again fell on her face but the thing which stumbled her feet was identical to human limbs and her landing also felt comfortable enough to differentiate it from the Temple's floor.

"S-Seth?"

She slowly raised her hand and touched his face to assure the person was the same as she was expecting. She was aware that in this vault, there was only a single human other than her.

But Serena was not left with such cool to properly think anything at the moment.

She didn't know why but his eyes and lips made her feel that this person could be none other than the President.

The next thing Serena did was to check his pulse after she collected herself off him and sat on the ground with his wrist held in her hand.

Her heart felt heavy as she somehow pressed her two fingers over his veins with anxiety reaching over the top.

…

…

A blooming smile spread on her lips as she felt his pulse still pumping life in him before Serena again began to sob but this time in relief.

"Oh lord… thank you…thank you…"

________________

The gate of the vault finally began to make the same screeching noise before it parted steadily.

Valarie and Anabelle were standing in the front but all the others had their undivided attention gathered on the entrance as well.

Lots of thoughts were crossing every individual's mind but there were no words ushered as they waited for the faint figure from the other side to come to light.

But when the image did become visible, several gasps resonated heavily.

From the other side, a blond girl wearing ragged clothing was walking straight to the exit while carrying a tall man who had his eyes closed on her back.

The girl was undoubtedly Serena who after facing so many things in there seemed a completely different person but that wasn't part of Valarie and Anabelle's worry.

"Seth…"

Valarie had her eyes open wide apart as she saw her unconscious son in such a condition that made her heart numb to even glance at him.

Anabelle was able to keep herself collected since the first thing she felt was Seth's weakened soul energy which signified that he was alive but in a miserable condition.

The condition of her heart was no better than Valarie but she chose to move first and treat Seth as soon as possible.

"Don't come near whoever you are!! Identify yourself first!"

Arata felt a heavy lump caught in his throat as his eyes went wide in shock upon noticing Serena's actions which portrayed a single thing…

'Serena…no… '

"It's me. Anabelle. You can relax now."

Anabelle felt bad for the girl as she somehow evaluated what was wrong with Serena. But her attention was soon refocused on Seth as she urged the girl to hand him over.

Serena lowered the extinguished lamp she had in her hand and nodded before lowering Seth toward her left where Anabelle was.

The said girl used a low-grade skill before Serena lost consciousness. Anabelle had an idea of how to deal with her but it would be painful for Serena as long she remain awake in such a condition.

Anabelle was about to hold Serena from falling when suddenly Arata appeared and lifted his friend in his arms.

"Thank you."

With tears moistening his eyes Arata muttered under his breath as he stared at Serena in utter concern and anxiety.

Anabelle just nodded before she focused her gaze on the man who has made her so troubled these days.

Her heart ached painfully but the relief of his return bloomed a small smile on her face as she whispered gently for only Seth to hear.

"Welcome back."

_______________

A/N: - There would be a time skip and then we will jump to another arc.

Drop a comment if you are looking at the story so far~