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DC X Rider Ch 63
🕑 Added 2024-11-11 03:29:32 +0000 UTCHaruka's heart raced as he scanned the alleyway, his grip tightening on the unconscious Atlantean woman. Suddenly, a familiar blue screen materialized before him.
"Ada?" he whispered, recognizing the AI's presence.
[Urgent Mission:
Objective: Prevent the war between the sea and the surface.
Rewards: 20,000 points, 2 gacha draws.]
Haruka's eyes widened as he read the mission details. "What?"
Glancing down at the woman in his arms, Haruka knew he had no choice but to act. This was his mission, and he couldn't ignore the potential consequences of a war between the surface and the sea.
Gripping the woman securely, Haruka hurried towards his hotel, his mind racing with questions. Who was this Atlantean, and why had she been attacked? As he approached the lobby, the female clerk eyed him curiously, no doubt wondering about the unconscious woman in his arms.
Haruka didn't have time to explain or correct any misunderstandings. He simply offered the clerk a nod and rushed towards the elevators, his sole focus on getting the woman to safety.
Once inside his hotel room, Haruka gently placed the woman on the bed, letting out a relieved sigh. "Phew, we're safe, for the moment," he murmured, his gaze fixed on her serene face.
Haruka took a moment to study the woman, searching for any signs of recognition. But her features were unfamiliar to him, and he realized she was a complete stranger. Still, he couldn't ignore the gravity of the situation. Whoever she was, she was now caught up in a dangerous conflict, and Haruka knew he had to protect her.
Stepping back, Haruka ran a hand through his hair, his mind whirling with the implications of this new mission. Preventing a war between the surface and the sea was no small task, and he had no idea where to even begin.
Haruka wondered about the connection between the unconscious Atlantean woman and the potential for war between the sea and the surface. He had no idea who she was or why she had been attacked, but her presence here was clearly tied to the urgent mission Ada had presented him.
As he studied her features, Haruka couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility. This woman, whoever she was, had been dragged into a dangerous conflict, and he knew he had to protect her. But without more information, he was unsure of how to even begin preventing the looming war.
Haruka paced the room, his mind racing with unanswered questions. What did the Atlanteans want? Who was behind the attack? And most importantly, how could he possibly stop a war between two powerful forces when he knew so little about the situation?
Haruka watched as the woman on the bed began to stir, her eyes fluttering open. He cautiously approached her, raising his hands in a placating gesture.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked softly.
The woman's eyes snapped open, and Haruka saw the alarm and confusion in her gaze. In a sudden, fluid motion, she surged forward, grabbing Haruka and pinning him down on the bed, pressing her forearm against his chest.
"Where am I?" she demanded, her voice sharp and distrustful. "Was it you who attacked me?"
Haruka struggled to breathe, the woman's weight bearing down on him. "You're in a hotel," he managed to say, his words coming out in a strained gasp. "I saved you from those black-armored men."
The woman's brow furrowed, but she didn't relent in her grip. "Black-armored men?" she repeated, her tone laced with suspicion.
Haruka nodded slightly, wincing as the pressure on his chest increased. "I... I don't know who they were," he admitted. "But they were attacking you, and I couldn't just leave you there."
The woman's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Haruka feared she might not believe him. But then, something in her expression shifted, and she slowly eased the pressure on his chest, allowing him to take a deep breath.
"You're telling the truth," she murmured, her gaze searching his face.
Haruka nodded again, relieved to be able to breathe more easily. "I am," he assured her. "I'm just trying to help."
The woman studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, with a slight nod, she released her hold on him and sat back, allowing Haruka to sit up.
"Thank you," she said, her voice softening. "I... I'm not sure what happened, but I'm grateful you came to my aid."
Haruka nodded, rubbing his chest gingerly. "Of course," he replied. "I couldn't just leave you there." He paused, then added, "Do you have any idea who those men were or why they were attacking you?"
The woman shook her head, her brow furrowed in thought. "No, I... I don't know," she admitted. "I was... I was just on my way to do an investigation when suddenly they…" She trailed off, a look of distress crossing her features.
Haruka nodded, his brow furrowed in concern. "Who are you, exactly?" he asked gently. "And do you have any idea why those men were after you?"
The woman straightened, her posture regal and confident. "My name is Hila, and I am the princess of Xebel," she announced.
Haruka blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Xebel?" he repeated, the unfamiliar name rolling off his tongue. "I'm afraid I've never heard of that place."
Hila's lips tightened into a thin line. "Xebel is an underwater kingdom, not unlike Atlantis," she explained. "We are a proud and ancient people, though we have remained largely isolated from the surface world."
Haruka listened intently, his brow furrowed. "Atlantis? I thought that was just a myth," he said, his curiosity piqued.
Hila nodded, her expression serious. "Atlantis is very much real, though the surface world has long dismissed it as a legend."
Haruka nodded, his brow furrowed in thought. "I'm Haruka," he said, introducing himself. "It's nice to meet you, Princess Hila."
Haruka watched as Hila greeted him, her regal bearing and confident tone betraying none of the distress he had seen moments earlier. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Haruka," she said, her voice measured and refined.
Haruka studied Hila, concern etching his features. "Are you sure you're alright? Those men really did a number on you."
Hila nodded, her posture unwavering. "I am quite resilient, Haruka. As an Atlantean, my physiology allows me to recover quickly from such encounters." Her lips quirked slightly. "Though I must admit, I am unaccustomed to being caught off guard in such a manner."
Haruka couldn't help but marvel at her composure. Despite the ordeal, Hila carried herself with an air of regal poise. He nodded, somewhat relieved to hear that she was unharmed. "Well, I'm just glad I was there to help. I'd hate to think of what might have happened if I hadn't stumbled upon you."
Haruka nodded, his brow furrowing with concern. "Do you have any idea who those black-armored men were or why they attacked you?" he asked Hila.
The Atlantean princess shook her head, a troubled expression crossing her regal features. "No, I'm afraid I do not know," she admitted. "Their assault came as a complete surprise to me."
Haruka's lips pressed into a thin line as he processed her words. If Hila didn't know the reason behind the attack, that meant he had even less information to go on.
Haruka furrowed his brow as he studied Hila's troubled expression. "What do you remember about the attack?" he asked gently. "Anything that could help us figure out who was behind it?"
Hila's gaze grew distant as she searched her memory. "I was... I was on my way to investigate some suspicious activity when..."
