Chapter 507 Leaving the guild
With the biological supercomputer now looping the cameras, he had some assurance that his departure wouldn't be recorded. But he was still far from invisible, with people moving about who could witness his departure.
He then activated the Chameleon Veil brain crystal power, which made it possible for him to vanish from public view. His body began to shimmer, becoming as transparent as a glass panel. His outlines were difficult to make out against the steel walls that had been polished.
This did not completely hide him, but it was an effective form of camouflage because it allowed him to blend in with his surroundings.
Erik had a good understanding of the boundaries of his power. He could be discovered by sudden movements or direct contact with another individual.
In addition, anyone with heightened senses or the appropriate equipment could still detect him; as a result, Erik also wore a mask to conceal his identity.
He briefly thought about using the mask, but no one really did, as they craved attention.
Still, no one did so because they craved attention. If he only wore that, he was bound to gather more attention than he would get without wearing the mask.
His steps became soft, deliberate, and cautious. His heart pounded, echoing in his ears, but he forced himself to remain calm. Even the slightest mistake could give him away.
The corridor ahead led to the guild hall, a grand area where guild members and hopefuls gathered. From the distant chatter and shuffling of feet, he could tell many people were gathered there. He'd bet anything that most of them were there waiting for him to appear.
He didn't feel sorry about the fact he was going to disappoint them.
As Erik walked down the corridor and his Chameleon Veil blended him in with the metal wall behind him, the monotonous hum of the building's machinery was broken by the unexpected opening of a door further down the corridor.
His heart skipped a beat as he heard voices and the distinct sound of boots clacking against the hard, metallic floor.
Erik immediately flattened himself against the wall, his figure blending in with the surrounding infrastructure.
The voices became more audible, and soon a group of people, most likely examiners like him, emerged from one of the adjacent rooms, joking amongst themselves.
They were guild members, their rank badges gleaming in the dim light.
Erik held his breath, every instinct telling him to stay completely still. As the group approached his position, his heart pounded violently in his chest, the sound deafening in his ears.
Suddenly, he noticed one person breaking away from the group and walking directly toward him.
His footsteps echoed ominously in the quiet corridor, each step hammering into Erik's skull.
His figure was broad, and his uniform was immaculate; he was a high-ranking officer inside the guild, probably escorting these people out of the building.
His gaze was fixed ahead as if he were looking right through Erik.
The young man braced himself; his breath caught in his throat, and time seemed to slow. The officer was now just a few steps away.
Erik's body screamed at him to move, to run, but he forced himself to remain still. His Chameleon Veil was his only shield now, and he had to rely on its strength.
He remained pressed against the cool, metallic wall, unable to breathe. The officer continued his approach, striding towards Erik's hidden form, his rigid uniform denoting high rank.
Each step made Erik sweat in nervousness, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the corridor, accompanied by the laughter and chatter of the people walking there.
Just as Erik was bracing himself for the worst, the officer abruptly changed course, heading for a door a few meters to Erik's left.
He stepped through, the door swooshing shut behind him as he palmed the door control.
Erik released the breath he'd been holding, his muscles slowly relaxing from their tense grip.
The encounter made him appreciate the power of his Chameleon Veil even more.
Still, it also served as a stark reminder of the risk he was taking. He pushed himself off the wall and continued on his way, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline rush of the near-miss.
Erik followed the examiners, keeping a safe distance while remaining close enough to blend in with their group.
These people were in good spirits, chatting about the day's tests and their delight at their increased ranks.
Erik could see a crowd gathered in anticipation as they approached the corridor exit. He had a prickling feeling of unease because they were looking for 'Erik Kay,' the latest sensation.
As soon as he entered the main hall, he was able to make out the gradually increasing decibel level of the crowd's murmurings.
They were waiting for the group of people emerging from the corridor. Erik walked purposefully behind them in such a way that it would be difficult for anyone to notice him.
The Chameleon Veil brain crystal power hid him from anyone eager to pry into his identity, and the mask provided an additional layer of anonymity in case the first one failed him. He seized his opportunity and moved stealthily through the throng of people, expertly navigating his way through the mass of humanity. As the crowd pushed forward toward the examiners, he went unnoticed and faded into the background as the chaos that was occurring around him served as the ideal cover.
He turned his head quickly in the direction of the examinees and saw a swarm of people surrounding them, all of whom were hoping to catch a glimpse of him.
He gave off the impression of having a wry smile on his lips. He had successfully avoided getting caught, which was already a win in and of itself. Now that he was living in Etrium, it was imperative that he conceal his identity. He picked up his pace and vanished into the bustling activity of the city.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺