Chapter 148 (2/2)

Hikaru recalled what he read. “But the moment someone enters and the indoor equipment activates, the remaining holy mana will be completely used up.” When they entered, the lights went on, using up what was left of the holy mana. The walls, ceiling, and floor trembled.

「Oh, c.r.a.p. Let's get outta here!」

「O-Okay!」

Hikaru grabbed Lavia's hand, drew her close, and carried her. With his Power Burst, he leaped towards the stairs and dropped down.

「Paula!」

「H-Hikaru-sama! Wh-What's going on?」

「We're leaving!」

He helped the crouching Paula up and they got down to the first floor. Then the lights went out. With a boom, clouds of dust rose into the air. A wall must've collapsed somewhere. The dust blocked the light coming from the magic lamp.

「Tsk.」

Soil was streaming towards the metal door. Hikaru tried to push the door open, but to no avail. It wouldn't budge. Kicking it did no good either.

「Hikaru!」

「Wh-Wh-What do we do?!」

「Get away from the door, you two!」

Hikaru produced the revolver he kept in his pocket and pulled the trigger without hesitation. The raging fire lit up the whole floor bright, the door flying in the other direction. Strong wind blew violently as the hot air mixed with the outside air.

「Run!」

Flames roared from the blast, licking at the walls, shelves, and ceiling. Unlike out there, it was dry inside which caused the fire to flare up quickly.

「Hikaru! The scrolls!」

「Run! The whole place is collapsing!」

Paula made it out first. Lavia hesitated for a second and Hikaru pulled on her hand. Then the ceiling collapsed with a loud boom. Earth and sand crushed the paG.o.da.

「Ugh!」

The shockwave pushed Hikaru forward, causing him to fall forward, but he quickly pulled Lavia close and protected her as they rolled on the ground.

「Oww…」

Hikaru touched his head. It was wet, probably with blood, but he couldn't be sure as the fall broke the magic lamp. The paG.o.da collapsing on itself also killed the flames.

「Lavia… Are you okay?」

「H-Hikaru!」

「Hikaru-sama! I'll heal you right away!」Paula, who escaped first, seemed to be unscathed.

「Let's get out of here first. The cave itself might collapse.」

They scuttled out of the cave. The sun shone bright on the valley, but when Hikaru looked back and up, he could see smoke rising from where the signboard was.

「Over here, Hikaru-sama!」Paula started healing him.

「We didn't have time to take anything.」Lavia said.

「Yeah. The cave-in might've actually saved half of the scrolls from burning. I'm sure Katy will be happy once we tell her.」

They'd find out once they inspected the cave-in. While the holy mana held tremendous power, it was energy that one couldn't have unless they got in touch with a dragon.

Even if the scrolls were all lost, Hikaru already gained important information. The Lesser Angel job cla.s.s was too good.

But rather than feel happy from his newly-acquired power, Ota's last moments made Hikaru's heart sink.

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