Bloody Odyssey

Chapter 74: Madeka II

"You injured me with your attack, Nadia."

Nadia jolted at Dax's voice. She opened her mouth to apologize, but Dax continued before she could speak.

"You are growing at an incredible pace." He glanced toward the distant hallway where Level 1.5 had been flung. "You would have injured 1.5 badly if I hadn't intervened."

Nadia lowered her head, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Dax's tone stayed calm but firm. "Nadia, I advise you learn how to hide that aura of yours—or find an artifact that blocks your physique completely."

Madeka leaned toward Nadia, her voice dropping to a silky, dangerous whisper.

"If anything happens to my man because of you…" She drew her index finger slowly across her own throat in a beheading motion. "…I'll."

She pulled back with a sweet smile, as if she'd just complimented Nadia's hair.

Dax reached over and casually pinched Madeka's ass. She jumped in surprise, then saw his questioning look and smiled, leaning into him again.

"Crazy woman," Nadia muttered under her breath—soft, but very audible.

Madeka's head snapped toward her, ready to fire back.

Snap.

Dax snapped his fingers.

The world no-clipped.

In a brightly lit lounge, the team of four waited—each lost in their own thoughts. The air felt thick with unspoken tension.

Then Dax appeared in their midst.

He sighed. "I honestly don't have words to tell them."

His eyes were cold as they swept across his team.

He sat on a nearby sofa, spreading his arms along the soft cushions and leaning his head back.

"The mission to the Sky City is over. I see no point in settling world matters while our home crumbles."

He let the words hang for a moment.

"The reason this was done to us today is because we were perceived as a dying clan. Our clan—once known for drawing blades against the gods—had fallen to such a state."

He met each of their eyes in turn.

"So we will return to the clan. As you all know, I have the capability to make the whole clan stronger."

His voice hardened.

"I assure you—this will not be the last time you encounter beings like that. If I'm not there during an event like today… what will happen?"

Madeka leaned in, resting her head gently on Dax's hanging arm.

No one spoke.

There were no lies in his words. Their ancestors had earned the name "Godfall" by killing a shattered god. In the peak of his life, he had eaten the flesh of the god and drunk the dews of life from Oshun's bowl.

Hanna nodded slowly, recalling the stories told to her as a child.

"Forgive me, everyone. Everything that happened is all because of me."

Nadia knelt, bowing her head deeply, her tone solemn and heavy with guilt.

Mimi and Hanna stepped forward, gently helping her up.

"We don't hold anything against you," Mimi said, smiling beautifully. "Your background must be deep."

Zain nodded in quiet agreement.

But Anastas couldn't hide the disgust that flickered across his face.

Nadia noticed. She didn't understand why, but the look stung. She stayed apologetic, eyes downcast.

Anastas clicked his teeth. He walked past her, trying to stay calm as he moved through the group.

Mimi reached out to stop him, but Hanna placed a gentle hand on her arm.

With worry, Mimi watched Anastas's retreating back.

"How lonely…"

Anger welled deep in Anastas's soul with every stride.

"Bastards! I fucking hate this church bastards so much. Disgusting light—you see yourselves as purer than all. I will kill you all and quench the regret in my heart."

His jovial mood was gone. The deep-rooted hatred toward the followers of light had begun seeping into anyone who wielded the light element.

"Anastas?"

Mimi's soft punch landed on his arm. Her gaze was tender.

He didn't answer.

She stepped in front of him. Mixed emotions swirled in his eyes—rage, grief, helplessness.

"Ooh… Ani."

She took his hand and stayed silent, simply standing with him.

In the depths of Anastas's soul, memories burned.

Burning buildings. Chaos. People clad in golden armor cutting down women and children, young and old alike.

In the sky, a man in a white robe hovered, holding a sword like he oversaw justice itself.

Inside one burning building, a woman held her crying son, singing to calm him. Her beautiful voice carried traces of weeping.

She looked toward the rubble surrounding her.

The boy looked just like Anastas.

As the child cried, he inhaled smoke unwillingly. Not far away, young Anastas struggled under burning rubble.

He pulled himself free without care for his scorched hands. Tears streamed down his face. He screamed at the top of his lungs.

"Ani, please leave!"

His mother pleaded, still singing.

Before him, his mother and brother burned. His heart ached. He wanted to join them in death.

The fragments of that past still lived in Anastas to this very day.

"I'm sorry."

He squeezed Mimi's hand.

Instead of speaking, she hugged him, resting her head against his chest.

"I understand you better than anyone."

Hearing those words, Anastas's rage quieted.

"Please forgive him. You may not know this, but his family was eliminated by the Church of Light."

Dax was surprised. Nadia didn't know what to say—she only felt a deeper sense of guilt.

"I see." Dax's tone remained calm, but he noted every detail. "Don't worry, Anastas. I will give you the power for your revenge."

He filed the information away in his mind.

"By the way, Captain… who is that woman?" Hanna pointed at Madeka, who was casually playing with Dax's hair.

"Her aura is powerful." Hanna watched intently. Her eyes began to glow.

Not long after, her face filled with deep shock.

"Ooho?" Madeka looked back at Hanna. Her own eyes glowed red. An immense wave of pressure rolled out.

"How dare you try to peek into my secrets?"

Madeka's voice was calm—but dangerous.

"Appraisal?" Dax turned to Hanna with a strange gaze. "This team is truly wonderful. One with the eye of foresight, now another with appraisal. What next, really?"

"But something strikes me… I believe this eye power should be linked to our clan. I have to make time and read the clan's records."

Hanna trembled but didn't back down. Instead, she began to chant the most vile spell she could muster.

From her core, Dax saw a hidden black current flow outward.

"Enough!"

Dax poured out his World Ki, crushing their auras in an instant.

"Madeka, introduce yourself. Why do you always have to be stubborn?"

Dax spoke cordially—surprising Hanna.

She was used to his cold side. But this softer tone… it fit. Dax was a man of many personalities.

Madeka straightened slightly.

"I am Madeka, the Ten Thousand Queen. You may not know my title, but you can remember me as your captain's wife."

She rested her head on Dax's shoulder, expression neutral as she looked at them.

"When?" Zain was stunned.

Hanna remained quiet, but jealousy flickered in her eyes.

She looked at Dax — hoping for denial or explanation. He stayed silent.

That silence shocked her most of all.