Partner Keys Part 3
1085 Words
Chapter 6
Travelers living in the locked world will go through the cycle of weak souls. They will be transported to the center after death and experience rebirth.
However, some of them were heavily tainted. It unconsciously corrupts the next world until all those connected worlds reach their dead ends. It will then fall in the dead branch category.
Luckily, strong and mediocre Q-lights that experienced rebirth before corruption have a chance to get stronger in every transmigration. Enough to change categories, some even develop special abilities, which includes Nephrite's Key.
Key was one of the ultra-rare skills.
Xei could not understand the overwhelming feeling inside him right now. He was not used to not being able to control his emotions.
Aside from that, he was fully aware of the danger connected to Nephrite's lack of "Enter" ability. Director Lu's remark earlier ignited his rage.
Despite Xei racking his brain, he still couldn't find a reason why he has this strong desire to protect Nephrite. In the end, he settled with pity as a reason.
"This was just a trial. After all, the information we've got was still not proven. After we confirmed that Nephrite and I were indeed partner keys, we can first go back to the Core for preparation. After that, we can return for the quest."
Xei stopped walking and turned to him, grabbing Nephrite's shoulder with his free hand.
"Accompanying you to these worlds is now my top priority. I will help you with your quest so don't hesitate to rely on me after we successfully open the first world."
The surge of warmth inside Nephrite's chest caught him off-guard. Staring at Xei's eyes, he realized just how much he felt lost these past few days. He smiled and nodded.
With that, they both headed to the lab for preparation.
The first thing Nephrite noticed was the twin capsule surrounded by few monitors. Some were the familiar ones used to monitor vitals, while the others were more complicated ones.
"Master Xei," Zireon approached them along with Professor Ram, "our men are ready. We had some doctors and researchers deployed as well."
Professor Ram bowed and explained. "We prepared this twin capsule temporarily for this experiment. After you return here, we can record all the information acquired from the world. Master Xei, Mr. Nephrite, please be careful not to damage your souls. Once both of you enter the world, you will directly rebirth as the contracted vessel. Mr. Nephrite, we attached a chip on your nape earlier after the seminar. Though you can't bring that body into that world, you will still be able to use that chip's function. It will show you your vessel's information, his wish you need to fulfill, and task progress. It will also notify you if your original self was within five meters. Whatever happens, don't cross paths with your original self in that world. You can observe it but never show yourself, please don't forget that."
Nephrite nodded. Back in the seminar, it was said that two same souls in one world are taboo. The original soul seeing the other soul, despite being in another's vessel, can cause either the destruction of the soul, the world, or the whole branch, depending on how strong his soul's effect was with that world.
"Also, your main quest is to acquire that world's strongest soul's memory fragment. Once you acquired the memory fragment, your return function would be available. However," he stared intently at the two of them. "This is the first time we will do this kind of mission that requires two people. You might experience unexpected circumstances. Please be alert and note any strong occurrence."
Zireon gestured his hand to the hospital gown on each of the capsule's beds. "Please prepare first. Remove all metallic accessories on your body and wear only this."
This?! Nephrite almost blurted it out, his cheeks turned red.
"How can you attach the electrodes if we wear those?" Xei casually asked while walking towards the door of the next room where the nearest bathroom was.
Zireon grinned, "You don't need to wear it if you don't want to." The usual formality was instantly changed to a teasing, friendly tone.
Xei just looked at him and didn't reply before leaving.
"I guess I should not wear this, too." Nephrite said despite his embarrassment.
Zireon laughed and patted him on the shoulders, "It's alright. Don't force yourself." He took the clothes and gave them to Nephrite, "It is actually a hospital robe. I just tricked him."
Nephrite calmed down.
Zireon was too comical. Even the serious Professor Ram was trying hard to contain his laughter.
Nephrite can't help but wonder why Zireon acts differently in front of other people, though.
However, all the laughter got stuck in Nephrite's throat the moment Xei returned.
Xei entered the room while combing his bluish silver hair with his fingers.
Forgive Nephrite, but he was also a man who likes men. Awestruck, his eyes unconsciously traveled on Xei's body in a daze. His greedy eyes looked on the other man's wide shoulders down to his thick broad chest then to his toned abs, as if everything was in slow-motion.
Xei cleared his throat, snapping Nephrite back to his senses before he could further his sins.
Embarrassed, Nephrite ran towards the next room, his face burning in shame.
"Dry your hair properly," Xei reminded before he was able to close the door.
Xei was already on the right side of the capsule when Nephrite returned, electrodes connected on his chest, arms, and legs.
Professor Ram saw him and gestured to the bed. Nephrite followed.
Xei was talking with Zireon. Nephrite did his best not to look at Xei anymore. Once settled down to the capsule bed did Nephrite finally calmed down.
"Do I need to remove this earring?" Nephrite asked. It's the new earring Xei gave him after he woke up in the Core. The one before got damaged after he got electrocuted."
"Yes, the chip also has the same function as this earring."
After taking it off, they attached the electrodes to his body. His vitals appeared on the nearby monitor.
A warm hand enveloped his right hand. He didn't need to look to know it was Xei.
"You can start," Xei told Professor Ram.
Professor Ram had a weird expression on his face while looking at their intertwined hands but he did not say anything to them. Instead, he turned to the doctor beside him,
"Start sedation."
- Writer
