Round 25

The blue lights pulsed more urgently now, the countdown timer dropping into single digits. The demon’s voice carried an unsettling excitement as it spoke of vulnerabilities and ancient magic. Jeane’s crimson eyes flickered between Silra and the screen, her expression shifting from suspicion to strategic calculation.

“Fine,” she said, her voice carrying both appreciation and challenge as she turned to face Halie directly. “Your wisdom is noted, sister—but don’t underestimate the value of a good distraction when dealing with entities that thrive on control.”

Silra’s fingers paused over the keyboard for just an instant before resuming their blinding speed, her teal eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Oh, how delightful,” she replied, her tone mocking but laced with genuine intrigue. “You’ve managed to identify something actually interesting beneath all that posturing and surveillance theatrics.”

The demon’s words hung in the air, a promise of exploitation and ancient power. The system update continued its countdown, the blue lights pulsing in sync with the ticking seconds.