After catching up with each other, Irva departed. Fortunately, the rules sheet for Sunset Garden was still on her.

  If for whatever reason, they find out that the white-cloaked man is a red herring, he can just make Irva take the blame. But there's no reason for her to know that yet.

  He threw himself back on the bed. Sleep drowned him in seconds, until everything went dark.

  ***

  Viraka or Kura were absent for the next couple of days. Not even the energetic horn-girl made her appearance. The peace was nice, and he really was not in the mood to satisfy their questions. He could only thank the dumb-ass for giving him an out.

  During this time, he implemented the other contact lens. His adaptability was second to none, but he couldn't tolerate the disorientation forever.

  The pain was miserable, and he thought his yelps were contained. But those servants sure had sharp ears. The humiliation, when they busted through the door and saw him squirm like a fish without water, wasn't his best moment.

  He rested his arms on the terrace rail as the morning rays peeked just above the mountains. The mild breeze was soothing, comforting in a way that he couldn't find on Earth. The card deck was always with him—sure, defense was part of it—but it brought a particular warmth that couldn't be replaced.

  His vision was sharper than before, confident he wouldn't get caught off guard like last time. It only strengthened his belief that Jin was beyond incompetent if he couldn't defeat him with the X-lens.

  "Yo! What's crackin', weak bones." Cetika flew into view, except she wasn't using her wings this time. A metallic slate hovered in the air, humming as lights pulsed beneath her feet.

  "I thought using your wings was easy. Are you too lazy even for that?"

  "Huh? C'mon, don't pretend you don't find this cool." She poked.

  Hezekiah rolled his eyes. "Never thought you'd go out of your way to impress me. I'm so honored."

  "I'll let you ride it."

  Hezekiah didn't answer right away. He had never flown before, not even on a plane once. A small spark tingled in his chest, yet his tone remained neutral.

  "I mean, if you insist, but don't cry if I sue you."

  Cetika smirked. "First cross-dimensional lawsuit? Sounds like something Insydious would write." She guided the hovering slate, landing right by him. "Ikas is so dead-set on whipping her back into shape. If only he understood that Viraka seriously doesn't care."

  "That's cool, so how do I fly this thing?" He stepped on before Cetika could fully get off. Pulses rippled through his feet; the plate vibrated like a drum.

  Somewhat taken aback, she grinned at his eagerness. "Mental input is the car keys. Pretty sick, right?"

  "Seriously?" With a small thought, he hovered a couple of inches off the ground. "Whoa-ho-ho." A smile cracked, he quickly found his balance while he ascended higher into the air.

  I'm actually flying! Does flight always feel like this!?

  He never had to travel anywhere too far; a train or bus was all it took.

  Cetika flew up to his level, her wingspan about twice his height. They were about five meters in the air.

  "Is this magic?" he asked.

  Cetika shook her finger. "Please don't insult me. My Levalynk is pure wizardry-free, crafted with the finest materials by yours truly."

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  He squinted in doubt, rotating the platform to face her. "For real? You made this?"

  "Jeez, don't look at me like I'm some wandering idiot." She scratched the back of her head before snapping it up. "Hey, Hezekiah, stand still."

  Perplexed about what she was up to, he froze as she grabbed the back of his shirt. "Your cheeks clenched?"

  "Excuse me?"

  Without warning, she threw him off the Levalynk.

  His stomach dropped, his death dozens of meters below. He was about to hurl curses at her, but the Levalynk zoomed beneath his feet.

  "Damnit!" He almost tipped over after he landed and settled himself after fighting for balance. Is she insane?!

  Containing his irritation, he took in his surroundings. They were just above some shallow mountains. The creatures he noticed the first day were definitely a lot bigger than he expected.

  Cetika advanced from below, resting her hands on her hips. "Those sweet safety measures are ingenious, aren't they? Can I get an amen?"

  Hezekiah blinked in dismay. "Don't play with my life."

  For a second, he thought he would have to use the portal cards or stick healing cards on himself to survive, and neither looked optimal.

  "Quit being stiff. I test-ran everything on myself first."

  "You have wings, genius. Did you forget we can't grow wings where I'm from?"

  Cetika pointed at herself as she flapped closer. "Uh, duh, that's why I tested it. And stop sweating it. Just think of me like your life jacket."

  How reassuring.

  "A thrill-seeker at heart. That explains it." He looked back at the establishment, noticing she threw him quite far out. Even the guards that patrolled the air weren't this far out. "You didn't pull an Insydious, did you?"

  As Cetika was about to answer, a ghoulish shriek slammed into his ears. A wet odor climbed his nose as he pivoted to the source.

  "Scorpion Hornets?" Cetika muttered, catching Hezekiah's attention.

  Swarms of gigantic winged insects emerged from a massive mound on a cliff. Their buzzing shot shivers down their spines. Their tails were about an arm's length, each hosting a white stinger.

  Each one was about the size of a person.

  "Where the hell did you throw me to?" Upon closer inspection, there wasn't just one nest; they were all over the cliff. Some were whizzing through the air too. And they were at the center, like a fly trapped in a web.

  Goo dripped from their hairs, their mandibles clicked as they bit and chewed it off. Out of curiosity, Hezekiah used the X-lens on one of them.

  —Facial Scan Unsuitable

  —Detected Mirror-Dimension Creature—

  —Switching Databases—

  —Automatically Performing External Analysis—

  —Type: Scorpion Hornets—

  —Physical Condition: Alive, Healthy, Hungry—

  —Mental Condition: Disturbed, Agitated—

  —Weakness: Intense Heat or Freezing Temperatures—

  It tells weaknesses now. Why didn't it do this before? Was it because it was using a public database from my world?

  A few stopped what they were doing; their black eyes shot up at them.

  Cetika clenched his arm. Hezekiah, doubtful of her intentions, was about to resist until he felt her grip tremble.

  "They're a lot faster than us. Running will only incite more of their attention." Her voice was low, as if she were afraid to be heard. She screwed up—that wasn't hard to admit—but this wasn't the time to be repentant.

  A dozen of the Scorpion Hornets took off toward them at high speed, their stingers dangling in the air.

  "We can't just sit here!" He broke her grip. "Don't you see they're coming!?"

  He drew the deck, jetting a few at the closest ones. But to his surprise, the red-edged cards bounced off. It was like the monsters were made out of rock.

  She grimaced, snatching his hand and taking his advice.

  "Why did we stand there for!? They're that much closer!" As he complained, he noticed the hornets' speed picked up exponentially. Oh shit, they're gaining on us.

  The rest took notice; their snarls shook the bones. "We're surrounded, damnit! Why'd you throw me so far!!"

  "I'm sorry! Really, really sorry!" She pivoted multiple times, her available space being reduced with each cut off. Her physical strength might be above ordinary, but at most she could only face them one on one.

  Hezekiah, with his X-lens, focused on his surroundings and locked onto where they were least concentrated. He didn't like his idea, but the alternative didn't include Cetika surviving.

  "Cetika, go straight up, now!" He pointed.

  She didn't hesitate and shot upward.

  Hezekiah had several portal cards ready. Eighteen hornets? There were simply too many, but this was the choice he made.

  "Don't stop no matter what. I have a Huska Tool." He took a deep breath. Both of his irises rotated, transitioning into a petal with complex patterns. Everything was crystal clear, and each movement was easily traced and perceptible.

  He held six cards in each hand and cast all twelve at the incoming hornets. Ten of them hit their targets and opened portals on their bodies, killing them immediately.

  Cetika raced through the small opening, yet it wasn't enough. Hezekiah had already prepared stronger red cards, locked onto the ones closest to them. One of them lurched its stinger; he perfectly deflected it before cutting its eyes. Green blood sprayed his jacket.

  Fortunately, the Levalynk kept up with them. "Drop me! It will be easier to move." He threw another card at a hornet that was closing in on them, blinding it.

  "Fighting and riding is a no-go. Your mind can't handle it!"

  He cut her hand, forcing her to let go. Her cry ignored. There was no time to negotiate—they could travel faster separately.