Chapter 24 The Metal Tyrannosaurus
The ground beneath Red’s feet trembled harder as the thunderous footsteps grew closer. Ahead of her, people were already running for their lives, jumping over massive tree roots jutting from the earth.
Instead of following them, Red quickly squeezed herself into a narrow gap between two giant trees, holding her breath as the deafening noise drew near.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Tree trunks cracked and collapsed around her.
And then she saw it.
A monster she had only ever heard about in history books. Or legends.
A massive creature from the Jurassic era.
A Tyrannosaurus.
Except this one was made entirely of metal.
The gigantic robotic beast let out a roar so terrifying it could make anyone piss themselves.
Red froze in horror, unable to fully process what she was seeing.
She knew the AIs created robotic animals. Feline units. Canine units. Equus units.
But dinosaurs?
The AIs had been experimenting with creatures like this all along?
How many more people were going to die because of their creations?
From her hiding place between the trees, dirt and dust rained down onto Red’s already filthy clothes. She hadn’t even had the chance to change yet.
The robotic monster lumbered forward, chasing the people fleeing ahead of it.
Fresh blood dripped from its metallic jaws, sharp teeth, and clawed hands.
Red was certain it had already ripped several unlucky people apart.
“Shit…” she whispered hopelessly.
The beast continued hunting its prey.
Once it moved farther away, Red carefully stepped out from the gap between the trees and started moving through the forest as quietly as possible, keeping herself hidden behind the trunks.
The creature’s hearing was clearly sharp, but the screams and footsteps of the humans ahead distracted it more than Red’s careful movements.
Without realizing it, Red began running while keeping her eyes fixed on the gigantic robot moving beside her through the forest.
That was why she didn’t notice the cliff ahead.
The moment her foot slipped, the ground vanished beneath her.
Red nearly screamed, but she bit it back in terror that the monster would hear her.
Her hands shot out desperately, grabbing onto exposed roots at the edge of the cliff.
Her body dangled helplessly in the air.
Below her was nothing but darkness.
No one was there.
No one could help her.
Call and Kit were probably still running for their lives from the robotic monster.
Desperately, Red thought of Ursula.
“Ghníomhact!!!”
Her scream echoed through the forest.
She prayed that Ursula could somehow hear her.
Or feel her.
Or find her.
But nothing happened.
Panic clawed at Red’s chest. Maybe this was it. Maybe she had reached her limit.
She tried pulling herself up, but her strength was fading fast.
Her palms were slick with sweat.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Slowly, Red closed her eyes.
Faces flashed through her mind—everyone who had stayed beside her until now.
But she was powerless.
There was nothing left she could do.
“I’m sorry…” she sobbed weakly.
Just as her grip finally began to slip—
A hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Cold.
Freezing cold.
The icy touch pierced straight through her skin.
With a single pull, Red was dragged back onto solid ground as if she weighed nothing.
Breathing hard, she stared blankly at the wet earth beneath her feet before finally lifting her head.
Standing in front of her was a tall, pale figure with sharp eyes fixed on her.
“Aamon?” Red whispered in disbelief.
“Are you okay?” he asked calmly, his expression unreadable.
“I… I think so.” Red nodded quickly. “Thank you.”
Now that the adrenaline was fading, her heartbeat only became more chaotic.
Aamon glanced around the forest cautiously.
“Where’s your robot?” he asked.
Red immediately shook her head. “I don’t know. I woke up here, and she was gone. I can’t summon Ursula at all,” she explained anxiously.
“That’s strange.”
“Yeah. I know.”
For the first time, Red noticed a flicker of concern crossing Aamon’s face.
“Even the Metaphysics can’t use their powers,” he said quietly.
Red’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”
That explained why Flame, Phi, and Yasmin had been running earlier.
Without their abilities, the Metaphysics were even more vulnerable than ordinary people. They didn’t even carry firearms.
No matter how strong their bodies were, they’d still die if those giant robotic creatures tore them apart.
“Find a way to bring her here,” Aamon said firmly.
“Huh? Ursula?”
“Yes. Your robot.”
“I don’t know how.”
“You can do it.” Aamon gave a small nod. “We’ll buy you time. Understand?”
“I—”
Before Red could finish speaking, Aamon suddenly reached out and brushed his fingers softly against her cheek.
“I believe in you,” he said quietly.
Then, in the next second, he launched himself into the trees, leaping effortlessly onto the trunks before disappearing deeper into the forest.
Red stood frozen for a moment, staring after him.
Then she took a shaky breath and started running again through the forest.
Without Ursula, she couldn’t do anything.
But at the very least—
She had to find her friends first.