My front door leads to a comic strip

Chapter 161, Section 160: The Regimental Leaders and Sisters in a Dire Situation

boom! boom! boom!

The heavy impact echoed in the cramped stone chamber, carrying with it the futility of despair.

Despite the excruciating pain that felt like his entire body was falling apart, Shakti Farma pounded his fists against the cold metal door again and again.

The door remained completely still, without even a dent.

Only the blood seeping from her knuckles left a few insignificant dark red marks on the door.

"Steel-like steel—"

She gasped for breath, collapsed to the ground, and felt her heart sink to the bottom.

As a Level 4 adventurer, she was well aware of the strength of this material; even at her peak, wielding a refined weapon, it was difficult to budge it in the slightest.

Not to mention their current unarmed state.

The strange, sweet scent that filled the air made her head feel a little dizzy.

She shook her head, clenched her teeth, and forced herself to stay awake.

We can't give up!

She turned towards the door, using the last of her strength to shout sharply, "Hey! Who are you?! Do you know what it means to kidnap the Ganesha Familia's leader?!"

Answer me!

'

"1

Outside the door, there was only deathly silence in response.

This silent indifference is more chilling than any threat.

A sense of powerlessness mixed with anger surged into her heart, almost overwhelming her.

Are we just going to be trapped here and die without knowing why?

Where is Adi? Did she also meet with misfortune?

Just as she was almost consumed by despair, a soft rustling sound rang out. A letter had been silently slipped under the door.

The letter paper was a garish pink, sharing the same origin as the cloyingly sweet scent in the air, exuding a morbid beauty.

Shakti's heart tightened. Ignoring the strange color and smell, he practically lunged forward to pick up the letter and quickly opened it.

His eyes scanned the contents of the letter eagerly.

The next second, the color drained from Shakti's face at a visible speed, turning deathly pale, and his hand holding the letter began to tremble uncontrollably.

The words in the letter, like the most vicious curse, choked her breath.

"Damn it!"

Outside the stone chamber, two slender figures nestled together, as if sharing some interesting secret.

"Big Sister Dina~ The rules of this game seem particularly interesting."

-

Vina spoke in a sickeningly sweet voice, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Dina gently stroked her sister's hair, a morbid satisfaction on her face, her voice soft yet chilling: "Last time we were too hasty, we just wanted to put that beautiful little red bird directly into a cage. As a result, we attracted the wrong protector."

She paused, then continued in that slow, deliberate tone, "So this time, we'll change the game. We won't touch her, not even a single finger. Three days later, we'll release Commander Shakti back unharmed."

"Let her go? Wouldn't that end the game?"

"How can it be over?" Dina chuckled. "Letting her go is just the beginning of the game."

"She must, and can only, persuade Alexandra Rofele to come alone to the place we have designated."

"But sister, last time—"

"Last time was last time." Dina gently pressed her finger to Vina's lips, interrupting her. "This time, I've made thorough preparations."

Her gaze swept across the stone chamber, glancing towards the deeper darkness on the other side, where she seemed to see the petite, helpless figure firmly under their control.

"Because, I've planted a little gift inside our dear little sister, Adi," Dina's voice was as gentle as a lover's whisper, "a very ingenious and complex time bomb."

"It's connected to our vital signs. If any one of us sisters' heartbeats stops, or if it's not reset by our own magic within twenty-four hours—it will—!"

She released Vina, made a gesture with her hands that looked like a flower bursting open, and her face was full of interest.

Vina immediately understood her sister's entire plan.

Ah-Huo's life was completely bound to her sisters, becoming the strongest shackle.

Even if Shakti went back and asked that powerful man for help, he would never dare to act rashly!

"Big sister is amazing!" Vina clapped her hands excitedly, her eyes filled with boundless admiration for Dina.

The two sisters looked at each other and laughed, a joyful yet eerie laugh like the hooting of an owl, echoing through the dark, damp passage and lingering for a long time.

Inside the stone chamber.

creak—

Shakti Farma clutched the letter tightly in his palm, as if he wanted to crush it.

The flames of anger burned through her internal organs, while the frost of fear froze her blood.

A mix of extreme emotions swirled and clashed within her, yet she could find no outlet.

"Thump!"

She slammed her fist against the steel door with a dull thud, her knuckles bleeding profusely, yet it did nothing to vent even a fraction of the pain in her heart.

-

Meanwhile, the Star Garden enjoyed a brief period of tranquility.

Gu Yuan led the Astrea Spring Clan through the courtyard.

"Creak—"

As soon as I pushed open the entrance door, I saw the goddess Astraea leading Lilyluka Erd out of the basement.

"Brother Gu Yuan! Sister Alexie! Everyone—welcome back!"

When Lily saw them, her eyes lit up. She immediately broke free from the goddess's hand and ran over, her face filled with undisguised concern. "Outside—has something bad happened? I think I heard a loud noise."

Even though the basement has good soundproofing, it was still audible, which shows how intense the previous conflict was.

Gu Yuan crouched down, looked Lily in the eye, and gently stroked her soft hair. His tone was calm and reassuring: "Yes, it's all over now. They were just some bad guys who didn't follow the rules; they've already been chased away."

He carefully examined Lily's eyes, those eyes that had once been dulled by the divine wine, now held a glimmer of life: "How are you feeling here? Has your craving for the divine wine lessened?"

Lily tilted her little face up, trying her best to look strong, and nodded vigorously: "Yes! I can endure it! This place—this is the warmest and safest place I've ever been."

She glanced around at the people surrounding her, including Alexie and Kaguya, her eyes resolute: "I don't want to disappoint Brother Gu Yuan, Sister Alexie, the Goddess, and everyone who took me in!"

Looking at her stubborn yet sensible appearance, a barely perceptible tenderness flashed in Gu Yuan's eyes.

If things could stay this way, it might not be so bad.

He smiled and stood up.

As everyone entered the spacious living room, preparing to report the day's battle situation and the guild meeting's decisions to the goddess, a series of urgent knocks suddenly sounded on the door.

boom! boom! boom!

Alexandra was closest to the door. Her smile faded slightly, and with a hint of doubt, she stepped forward and opened the door.

Outside the door stood a female orc adventurer with an extremely anxious expression.

She is a member of the Ganesha Familia, a close friend of Captain Shakti, and also acquainted with Alisha.

"Luca?" Alexie asked, somewhat surprised. "What brings you here? Please come in."

The orc girl named Luca showed no intention of coming in. She grabbed Alisha's hand, her voice urgent and almost tearful: "Alisha! Did you—did you see Commander Shakti today? And Adi!"

Alexie's smile froze slightly: "Commander Shakti and Ahuo? Shouldn't they be in charge of medical treatment in other, more remote areas?"

She hadn't seen Shakti at the guild before, and assumed it was just because the mission area was different and communication was inconvenient.

"They're gone! Both of them are gone, and everyone else too!"

Luca's voice was filled with panic, and her grip on Alicia's wrist tightened unconsciously. "We lost contact with them after the battle! We searched everywhere they might have gone! But they were nowhere to be found! Neither alive nor dead!"

"Um?"

These words seemed to send an invisible chill through the entire living room.

Ryu Leon, who had just sat down, was habitually reviewing the sword techniques he had used on the battlefield during the day in his mind, trying to find areas where he could improve.

But when she heard the name "Adi" and the news of her "disappearance," her deliberations abruptly stopped, her whole body stiffened as if frozen, and she raised her eyes in disbelief.

—What?

Adi was her only friend besides her clan members.

Now—missing?

An ominous premonition spread.

Breathing stops abruptly.