The Empyreal Gem Master

He thought about it again and again before he nodded and crouched down, tapping his back as he called out to Claire.

"Hop on."

He spoke to her nonchalantly as she blinked.

"Huh?"

"You've spent a lot of your life force, reserve your power and recuperate for now. Hop on." Alexander spoke with seriousness as Claire naturally came behind him with her cheeks slightly tinged red, her reply low and barely discernible.

"Mm…"

The brilliant blue wings of Lightning behind her faded as she climbed on Alexander, her legs wrapping around his waist while her hands went over his shoulders and held tightly on his chest.

Claire felt her heart beating just a little faster at this, her face burying itself behind Alexander's back as he began to move forward.

The only thing Claire could think at this moment…was how warm Alexander's back felt.

And…was it always so muscular?

A passing thought.

Even she didn't know that inside his body, he carried a total equivalent of 10 Socketed Gems. Each of them were providing a constant increase in life force and power.

Six from one Gem Recipe, and Four from another!

And the second Gem Recipe of the Corrupted Lightning King…Alexander was already analyzing which three other Support Ability Gems could be Socketed into it to make a terrifying combination.

But yes. At this moment, his back felt warm.

Inside a Tier 1 Breach that had something life changing occur.

A girl rested her head on the dependable back of a guy.

A simple moment in these times of great danger, but for just this moment, everything felt okay.

No matter how fleeting this moment was.

Everything was okay.

—

"Do not let a single one through!"

"We need a Three-Link Gem Master here!"

Shouts were constantly booming out across the Inner and Outer Barracks- inside and outside the Breach.

A few dozen Black Furred Gorillas were being pushed back by Gem Masters at this moment, with no one shining as brightly as a Gem Master who seemed to be surrounded by a sea of blood.

The Blood of a Barbarian was burning as Gem Master Azazel used his bare hands to grasp the jaws of a Three-Link Black Furred Gorilla before he ripped it open!

He seemed to be releasing his anger at the fact that the attacks of Richard, Todd, or himself never even stood a chance against the Four-Link Black Furred Gorilla.

The monster that he left a child to deal with- someone he should've been protecting!

"OOH!"

He roared out as every so often, he would look behind into the depths of the Jungle Grounds and fear he would see the massive shadow of the one called Bobo.

But it never appeared.

His fists swung like a hammer as they smashed onto the bodies of two Two-Link Black Furred Gorillas, their chests bursting as they fell down, his rampage continuing.

The injured Awakened Gem Masters were moved outside of the Breach- with all defenses raised as not a single Beast was allowed to go outside.

With the cooperation of all the Three-Link Gem Masters here along with the raised bastions of defenses, only a bit over 20 Black Furred Gorillas remained as they should be cleared within a few minutes.

But what about the cloud of the rest of them that were coming out of the Breach?

Why did so few reach the Barracks?

'Young Master Alex...Lady Claire…'

Gem Master Azazel was filled with immeasurable guilt as at such a time.

"Azazel."

…!

His head rose as he crushed the neck of a Two-Link Black Furred Gorilla.

He heard a voice in the wind.

A voice that was of nobody else other than…

"Young Master!"

He nearly shouted out at the top of his lungs as he looked around him, but he saw nobody.

Amidst the heavy shouts of battle, his words were barely heard as he breathed out while looking for Alexander!

But the only thing he heard was his voice ringing out beside his ears, his senses barely catching a flash of crimson lightning with this voice.

"I'm going more for a covert route, Uncle Azazel. Claire and I are okay, the Four-Link Black Furred Gorilla is taken care of."

…!

Unbelievable words echoed out as Azazel nearly stopped in place.

But the words in the wind continued.

"News of Claire has been spread to Beasts of Corruption, and we don't know who is spreading it, or how many there are. They could even be here in these Barracks. To ensure Claire's safety, I want to propose something…"

Words in the wind.

They continued as a battle slowly ended, a plan unfolding to ensure the safety of a Five-Link Gem Master!

After a few minutes passed, bodies of Gorillas littered the Barracks of the Jungle Grounds as Gem Masters breathed heavily.

The Three-Link Gem Masters looked at each other with stern eyes as one who was stationed in the Barracks couldn't help but shout.

"What do you mean a Breach within a Breach?! Where is Lady Claire? Young Master Alex?! And where the hell is Azazel?!"

Words burning with a tinge of fear and rage as nobody truly knew what was happening.

But…one mile away from the Barracks.

Shrouded by trees, Gem Master Azazel carried two green robes with hoods in his hands as behind him, the confused and fearful figures of Charlie and Rachel followed

After passing a few more trees, their eyes nearly bulged out of their Sockets as they came to a clearing that showed the figures of Alexander and Claire!

Unharmed.

Fully in one piece!

"Lady Claire!"

Charlie nearly shouted out while rushing over and stopping a few feet away from Claire, his gaze coming to hang on Alexander as he remembered the terrifying Beast of Corruption that this young boy had stayed behind to battle.

If he was here in one piece…

"I am filled with joy at your safety, Young Master Alex, Lady Claire." The figure of Gem Master Azazel came and spoke, a lot of emotions lifting from his shoulders as he came to place his hands on Alexander.

"How is this possible? Just what is that Variant Life Socket you Awakened?"

Gem Master Azazel had many questions, but Alexander shook his head at all of them as he replied lightly.

"Did you brief them about it?"

He asked while looking at Charlie and Rachel who seemed to be shell shocked as Gem Master Azazel replied with a wry smile.

"A little. They didn't believe me until now."

The bodies of Charlie and Rachel came to as they pulled to attention.

Alexander looked at them as he spoke calmly.

"It's entirely your choice to do it, and you will likely be placing yourselves in a level of Danger. But if you agree…you can enact a play and take on the roles of Alexander and Claire in returning to Carthage. Return in our place as we figure out who has betrayed the Asmodeus Bloodline and is communicating with outside forces- Beasts of Corruption nonetheless!"

…!