Jinn BLADE
Chapter 137 | The Deal

Chapter 137: Chapter 137 | The Deal

"So? You done?" Jinn raised a brow, his voice calm but edged, giving a stern look toward the masked individual who stood quietly in front of him.

The masked individual didn’t answer right away.

Instead, they hummed faintly under their breath, the sound muffled beneath the elegant, golden mask that concealed their face.

The gaze was hard to read, but Jinn could feel it—those eyes were peering through the slits of the mask not to look at his face, but at something deeper.

As if the mysterious individual was staring through him... into him.

"So you are the one who had inherited... Venedix’s eidra. Sunder Surge?" the masked individual finally asked, their voice low but clear.

Without waiting for Jinn’s reply, the masked individual stepped closer, reaching out and gripping Jinn’s right arm.

The hand was surprisingly cold through the glove as the individual lifted Jinn’s limb slightly, examining the muscle, the tension in the veins, the flow of his eidra.

It wasn’t just physical inspection—there was something more.

It felt almost like a test.

"Mhm," the masked individual muttered again, seemingly satisfied, and then let go.

They stepped back and glanced once at Venedix, nodding slightly.

"Very well. You all may continue."

Zendrell exhaled, rolling his shoulders with a sigh.

"Damn, finally."

Without another word, Venedix turned and began walking forward.

Her stride was steady, composed, yet filled with quiet power.

Jinn followed just behind her, the rest of the group moving in rhythm.

Troy and Zendrell flanked the group, while Garan, Biyo, Orin, Hector, Vox, Kain, Ophelia, and Verhedyn walked with a shared sense of tension.

It was strange returning to Juggernot XII, stranger still to walk in its inner zones as slaves.

As Jinn took another step, a subtle whisper entered his ear.

"Apprentice of Venedix... you have been marked, my child. See me at the temple whenever you see fit."

The voice was faint yet distinct, threading through the noise like a shadow.

Jinn’s eyes widened slightly, and he turned to glance back—but the masked individual was gone.

Disappeared.

As if he’d never been there to begin with.

"Marked...?" Jinn whispered under his breath.

What did that mean? Another mystery to solve.

Another shadow lurking behind every answer he found.

But for now, he pushed that aside and hurried his steps to catch up with the others.

The group moved through the rest of the docking area, which was only one of many scattered across the Juggernot’s surface.

Their boots clacked against the cold stone and steel roads as they exited the docking zone, finally arriving in front of a massive building adorned with imperial banners and the unmistakable sigil of House Sorellia.

It was clearly a headquarters—a command hub of some sort for high-ranking military personnel.

Venedix stepped forward and climbed the short stairs, her movements smooth and unhesitating.

Two heavily armored guards stood at the doorway, instantly straightening upon her approach.

Without hesitation, both guards raised their arms in salute, their helms reflecting the dim overhead lights.

One of them, recognizing her immediately, tapped a switch at the side of his helmet, likely communicating her arrival.

Moments later, the large metallic doors before them rumbled and hissed as they slowly opened,

*Vrrrrrm!

revealing a warm crimson glow from the interior.

A wave of warmth struck their faces—welcoming compared to the sharp chill outside.

With a soft exhale, Venedix entered the facility.

Jinn followed behind her, his eyes taking in every detail of the massive entryway they stepped into.

The room stretched out like a hallway that funneled into a central command floor.

Soldiers, all of them decorated and likely high-ranking officers, paused from their duties the moment they spotted Venedix.

In unison, they saluted.

Their armor was pristine, custom-painted with crimson and gold, their helms slightly different from the common infantry—more intricate, more ceremonial, signifying their rank.

This wasn’t a place for average soldiers.

This was where orders were made, not received.

"Officers... or high-ranking soldiers no doubt," Hector muttered under his breath, his voice quiet but alert.

"Why would we be here?" Kain asked, eyes scanning every detail of the place without turning his head.

"Dunno," Verhedyn whispered back with a shrug.

"Why don’t you ask the red-haired woman—Venedix, yourself?"

Jinn remained quiet, but his curiosity was building.

"Whatever it is, hopefully she actually follows through on the deal," Verhedyn added, his tone carrying a mix of sarcasm and mild concern.

"Deal?" Jinn asked, his voice low but confused.

It was Orin who answered him, quietly, "We’d be granted our freedom... in exchange for helping her rescue you."

Jinn blinked. "What? Really?"

Orin nodded. "Yeah. That was the condition. We didn’t think twice."

"Well... hopefully she’s good on her word," Vox murmured, his tone uncertain.

And there it was.

The answer to Garan’s words.

The "deal" he had spoken of earlier.

The reason everyone was here and not still enslaved.

The reason they had risked everything to come back.

Jinn’s chest tightened at the realization.

They all had bet their futures on saving him.

A spark of warmth flickered inside him, followed by a flood of responsibility.

But even then... something didn’t feel right.

"Let’s not get our hopes up," Jinn said.

"Not trying to be negative, but... they wouldn’t release us without something in return, there will surely be strings attached on this deal."

"Of course," Ophelia nodded. "Still... whatever happens, we stay together. Like always."

The group nodded in silent agreement.

They walked a few more paces, guided by Venedix’s steady pace, until they stopped in front of a large door at the far end of the hall.

With a press of her hand, the door hissed open, revealing a decently-sized office.

The walls were decorated with crimson drapes and golden designs.

Swords of different kinds, each beautifully crafted, hung like trophies.

Venedix entered first, not turning back as she spoke, "We shall now decide all of your fates. A great decision... shall commence."

Jinn stepped in after her, his friends following close behind.

The door closed behind them with a solid, final

*Thud!

Now comes the decision.

And whatever it was, Jinn knew that from here on out, nothing would ever be the same again.