Genesis Code: The Genetic Awakening-Chapter 94: He’s Back (1)

Caleb let out a soft sigh and turned to the knights, gesturing for them to approach.

"The demons are no longer a threat. You can decide what to do with them, but I’d suggest taking them in for questioning."

Axel had recovered enough to witness the final moments of the battle. He recognized the man as the one Commander Fred had brought along. Who would have thought he was this powerful?

The commander slowly approached Caleb, stopping a few meters away. His gaze shifted from the mysterious man to the demons lying in the crater.

’He really did all this with just his fists?’ Axel would have been in denial if he hadn’t seen part of the fight himself. ’He’s dangerous...’ The commander swallowed hard.

"You should all return to the capital. The priestess is with the king," Caleb said suddenly, ignoring the commander’s wary stare. "You’ll get the treatment you need."

"A-Are you not coming with us?" Axel snapped out of his thoughts. "I’m sure His Majesty would like to meet you."

"Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be seeing the king." Caleb’s lips curled slightly. "For now..."

He turned toward the distant dungeon. Then, without hesitation, he bolted forward—disappearing inside.

"What the—?"

Axel barely saw him move.

.......

BOOM...!

A distant explosion jolted Jess out of unconsciousness. The catwoman sat up abruptly, her ears twitching as she scanned the unfamiliar room.

"What was that...?" she murmured. Then, as her eyes darted around, another question followed. "And where am I?"

The room was simple, unrecognizable. It wasn’t hers—she was sure of that. And the moment the thought crossed her mind, the memories came rushing back.

’Shit!’

Jess sprang to her feet, pressing herself into the corner behind the door. Her instincts were razor-sharp now. If her gut was right, her kidnappers had taken her out of the city.

’Fucking hell...’ she cursed inwardly. ’Now of all times...’

Her fingers curled around the doorknob, ready to act. But in her haste and anxiety, she had overlooked something—the open window.

Distant noises filtered into the room, drawing her attention.

’That’s odd...’ she mused. ’I would’ve thought they’d choose a quieter place to keep me locked up.’ Of course, she was grateful for the ineptitude.

She twisted the knob cautiously. To her surprise, the door creaked open.

Jess froze, expecting someone to rush in at any moment. But after several tense seconds, no one came. The only thing that changed was the growing intensity of the sounds outside.

’...’

Suspicion coiled in her chest. Was this some kind of trick? A false sense of freedom to make her drop her guard? Then, a subtle breeze came into the room.

Her eyes flicked to the window.

Jess gently closed the door, her gaze locked onto the window. Something felt off.

Stepping closer, she peered outside—and her breath caught. The familiar cityscape stretched before her, marred by rising plumes of smoke from the destruction.

"I’m still in the city?" she muttered, surprise flickering in her eyes. Then another realization struck. "Wait... how long have I been out?"

She wasn’t sure, but it couldn’t have been long. If she remembered correctly, she had taken a brutal hit to her back and head. And yet... there was no pain. Not even a lingering ache. In fact, she felt stronger than ever.

"Was I even abducted?" The thought gnawed at her. Maybe someone had rescued her. "But who?" No one came to mind.

Taking a slow breath, Jess scanned the area outside the window, piecing together her surroundings. Then, recognition dawned.

"I’m at the temple."

Below, knights and nuns rushed about, tending to the wounded and doing everything they could to ease their suffering. This wasn’t some elaborate trick—no one would go to such lengths just to deceive her. Someone had saved her.

The image of a certain tigerkin flashed in her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. She barely knew him, and Crusher had no idea where she lived in the city.

Shaking off the thought, Jess turned toward the door. This time, she didn’t hesitate. With her left hand on the knob, she twisted it and stepped out, making no attempt to hide.

A small corridor stretched before her. Sunlight poured in through a stained-glass window to her left, casting colourful patterns on the floor.

She glanced to her right. Several rooms lined both sides of the corridor. But there were no guards. No cloaked figures. No one was watching her.

"Someone definitely intervened," she murmured, her certainty growing.

Jess eventually made her way to the courtyard. Everyone was busy with their duties – no one paid her any attention. The catwoman was free to go.

But then she noticed one of the nuns rising to look at her. The nun began walking over to her but Jess decided to be cautious, even if this was in the open.

The nun saw the caution and understood how she must be feeling. She came to stand a few meters from Jess – not too close to be perceived as striking distance.

"Miss Jess." The catwoman heard the nun call her name. "I apologize for not staying by your side, but as you can see..."

The nun gestured around her to make her point. The catwoman remained silent and waited for her to say what she intended.

At the back of her mind though, Jess believed this woman would have been knocked out or even dead had she been the first person she saw when she recalled her kidnapping.

As for the fact that she knew her name, she chose to wait for the woman to finish.

"My name is Evelyn and your partner, Mr. Caleb, brought you here..." Evelyn said. "He told m—" Before she could add anything else, Jess interrupted.

"Ca-Caleb...?" Jess muttered in shock. "He’s alive...?!" The catwoman almost yelled, drawing several glances over.

"Erh... yeah?"

Evelyn wasn’t sure why her reaction was this strong, but she nodded nonetheless. She quietly watched as the catwoman went through different emotions until she finally settled on a small smile.

’So he survived, huh.’ Jess didn’t know why but she felt great relief. ’And he saved me... again.’ The catwoman felt her heart thump softly as an unknown feeling took root in her heart.

"Where’s he now?" Jess asked after several seconds of digesting.

"He and the priestess went to the Royal Palace." Evelyn continued her explanation. "I was told to inform you to go there once you woke up." She looked towards the castle in the far distance.

"You’ll find him there..." She turned to Jess and added. "And don’t worry. When asked, just tell the knights the priestess wants you there."