Master Of Astral Summoner-Chapter 179: He wasn’t alone

"Hey, wait a second." Theo's voice immediately stopped Shaan in his tracks. "We can't walk out looking like this."

"Huh?" Shaan scratched his head and glanced down the corridor. "But I don't see anyone out there. I'm sure we'll be fine."

Theo shook his head. "No. Don't think so naively. Another guard could wait at the end of this hallway."

"Ah… alright." Shaan nodded. "So what do we do?"

"Disguises. We need something that can fool any guard we run into."

"But we only knocked out one guard." Shaan frowned. "There are two of us. How can both of us disguise ourselves?"

"There must be something outside you can use," Theo said as he quickly removed the guard's helmet and uniform. "Hurry, Shaan. We don't have much time."

Shaan quickly scanned his surroundings, looking for any other officers, but there were none. Damn. He had to act fast before the unconscious guard woke up.

"Hey, hurry up," Theo muttered as he shoved the remaining Rye bread into the guard's mouth to keep him quiet. "Time's running out. We need to leave before he regains consciousness."

"I know, I know. Just give me a moment to—"

Shaan's eyes immediately landed on a wheelbarrow not far from where he stood. A medium-sized wooden box rested on top of it—large enough for him to hide inside.

'I'm sure this will work.'

"Hey, hey!" Theo snapped his fingers and stared at Shaan, a confused look on his face. "Hurry up. Why are you just standing there? I already finished putting on the guard uniform."

"Wait a second. This won't take long."

"Huh? Where are you going?"

Shaan didn't answer. He ran straight toward the cart he had seen earlier. He opened the wooden box on top of the cart, which happened to be empty.

"Yes… Luck still stands on my side." Shaan smiled and let out a breath. "If that's the case, I'm sure this will work."

With all his strength, Shaan pushed the cart back to the front door. Theo, who had just closed the door, frowned. His expression changed when he saw Shaan suddenly appear, pushing the cart.

"Hey, where did you find that thing?"

"Ah, I just saw it and thought we could use it," Shaan said enthusiastically. "So, here's the plan: I'll get inside this box and—"

"Yeah, yeah, that's enough explanation. I get it." Theo glanced around the hallway. "You'll hide inside the box, and I'll pretend to transport it. Right?"

'Jeez… Theo understood my idea faster than I expected.'

"Hurry up. Time's running out. That guard will wake up soon, and we need to leave this place immediately."

After hearing that, Shaan quickly opened the box in front of him. Without any hesitation, he climbed inside and sat down quietly. Luckily, the box wasn't too small, so he could still move a little—though not comfortably.

"Be quiet and don't make a sound." Theo quickly closed the box tightly. "I'll let you know if I meet one of your female friends."

"Okay."

Not long after, Theo began pushing the cart and moving. Through a small hole in the surface of the box—barely the size of a baseball—Shaan observed the situation outside. He also used that hole to whisper to Theo when necessary.

"I'm sure we'll find them.'

"Hey," Theo whispered as he tapped lightly on the box. "Can you hear me?"

"Yes, Theo. What is it?" Shaan asked curiously. "Did you find Chelsie or Nalira?"

"No. I checked several doors. Most of them hold Lunaris Revia participants—just like us." Theo peeked through a small opening in a nearby door. "But I haven't seen your two female friends anywhere. Are you sure they're even here?"

"Yes. I'm sure," Shaan said firmly. "I guarantee they're behind one of these doors. Keep searching."

"Hemm… fine." Theo let out a long sigh. "We'll check the other doors."

However, strangely, as soon as the cart started moving, it suddenly stopped abruptly. The sudden halt threw Shaan forward, and his head slammed hard against the inside of the box.

"Argh. Damn it!" Shaan rubbed his head. "Theo, what—"

"Psst. Lower your voice, or we'll blow our cover." Theo tapped on the wooden box several times. "We can't make noise and attract other guards. Remember that."

'Theo… this guy really gets on my nerves.' Shaan clenched his fists in irritation. 'I'll get back at him someday.'

"Hey," Theo whispered. "I just found something."

"What?" Shaan asked, still annoyed. "Did you find Chelsie or Nalira?"

"No. But this is even better," Theo said excitedly. "I think I found a room that stores all our weapons."

"What? Really?"

"Yes. I'm sure." Theo read the small sign attached to the door. "'Confiscated Prisoner Weapons Storage.' I guarantee they keep every captured participant's weapon in here—including mine." He grinned confidently. "Wait here. I'll check the room."

"H-Hey, wait for me."

"…"

"Hey, Theo? Theo?!"

Shaan called his name several times, but Theo ignored him and walked into the room alone. Still stuck inside the box, Shaan felt his irritation boil over. He started punching the wooden walls of his hiding place again and again until cracks spread across the surface.

'I hope there is no officer here this.'

He gathered all his strength and threw a powerful punch. The wood shattered. Without wasting a second, Shaan climbed out of the broken box, and luckily, there was no one else. That's relief. He then rushed into the room to chase after Theo.

***

"Theo! Theo!"

Shaan's voice echoed through the corridor lined with tall racks packed with weapons. Blades, spears, bows, and strange devices filled the shelves—some looked ordinary, others carried bizarre shapes he had never seen in his life.

"Damn it… where's Theo—"

His eyes suddenly locked onto something familiar. There—on the lowest row of one of the racks—lay his dual short swords.

"Ah. There you are."

Excitement surged through him. He rushed forward and grabbed the hilts without hesitation. The moment his fingers wrapped around them, his eyes widened. His heartbeat thundered in his chest. His face turned pale. He wasn't alone. Slowly, he lifted his gaze. Something else was in the room.

'Oh my god, you've got to be kidding me.'