The Incubus System Chapter 1024. Me and My Thoughts

The Incubus System Chapter 1024. Me and My Thoughts

We returned to Mia’s room, her steps light and cautious, as if she were trying to keep her thoughts from becoming too heavy. I could sense her nervousness, but I didn’t say anything. Not yet. Once inside, I used my teleportation skill, taking myself to the agreed-upon spot just outside the palace. This was it. The waiting game.

Normally, I had plenty of patience. I knew that sometimes the best things—victories, secrets, power—came to those who could wait. But tonight was different. My heart raced in my chest. It was a strange mix of anxiety, nervousness, excitement, and curiosity twisting inside me. It churned like a storm, pulling me in every direction at once. Despite having more than enough time to do… Well, anything really, I couldn’t focus. The waiting wasn’t just wearing on me—it was eating me alive.

I teleported to a nearby rooftop, one of the highest vantage points close to the palace. From here, I had a perfect view of the building. The barrier shimmered faintly in the darkness. But I knew better. That thing was a fortress, designed to keep threats like me out. And soon, Zalira would bring it down. If only for a brief moment.

I leaned against the railing, my eyes locked on the palace. The cool night air did nothing to settle the restlessness inside me. My fingers drummed against the railing.

‘I wonder if I can break my angelic seal tonight,’ I thought to myself.

The hope was thin, almost transparent. What were the odds, really? Considering what I had promised Zalira, my chances of unlocking that part of myself were small. I’d given my word to keep things calm, to make sure this didn’t turn into chaos. And yet, the urge was there. It was like an itch I couldn’t scratch.

Mia had suggested a few ideas to Zalira, potential solutions to replace the serpent kingdom’s reliance on Puriel’s angelic power. Some commodities that could keep their economy stable, maybe even thrive. But none of it had been agreed upon yet. Nothing felt solid. And that left me with this gnawing irritation. It was like hoping for the best but not entirely sure what awaited us on the other side.

I clicked my tongue in frustration. Impatience wasn’t something I often indulged in, but here I was, practically vibrating with it. The desire for my angelic power, the unanswered questions, the mystery of what would happen once the seal was broken—it all buzzed in my mind.

Would I change? Would I still be myself, or would the angelic power transform me into something else? Something purer, something… less demonic?

The waiting, the anticipation—it made me feel like I was walking a tightrope, unsure of where the next step would take me.

I’d been let down before. The first time I thought I might unlock the seal was when the Demon Hunter Association gave me their special vaccine. A serum supposedly crafted to elevate demon hunters beyond their limits. I thought that would be the key to unlocking the other side of my nature. After all, my system had been nudging me in that direction.

But it didn’t. Somehow, it all failed.

Now, here I was again, wondering if tonight would be any different. And that, more than anything, was what made the waiting unbearable.

It was the longest one hour I had ever experienced. There was nothing but me and my thoughts, which wasn’t exactly the most peaceful company. The silence around me was thick, oppressive, leaving me to wrestle with my impatience, my anxiety, and the growing anticipation that churned inside my chest.

I kept staring at the palace in the distance. My eyes tracked the entrance of the palace, scanning for any sign of movement.

Then I caught it—a car pulling up to the gates, escorted by several others. My pulse quickened instantly. There it was, the serpent tribe crest gleaming on the front of the car. Zalira.

‘She’s in,’ I thought, narrowing my eyes. It was strange, how just seeing her car made my heart race, adrenaline surging through my veins. This was real. It was happening.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to steady myself. I took several deep breaths, feeling the cool night air fill my lungs. My hands gripped the railing a little tighter than necessary, but I needed the grounding sensation to keep myself from spinning out. When I opened my eyes again, I was calmer. Focused. I couldn’t afford to lose my nerve now.

I reached out with my mind, using telepathy.

[You have connected to Zalira.]

‘Zalira, can you hear me? Don’t make any unnecessary movements. I’m talking to you using telepathy,’ I said, keeping my tone as neutral as possible. Even though I couldn’t see her, I knew she was listening.

There was a brief pause before I heard her voice in my head, cool and composed as always. ‘Yes, I can hear you,’ she said. Then, with a touch of curiosity, she added, ‘You even have something like this?’

A small smile tugged at my lips despite the situation. ‘Yeah, some conversations need to stay confidential, especially since I’m the most wanted creature in this world,’ I replied, throwing in a bit of humor to ease the tension. ‘It’s pretty useful.’

I could almost imagine her rolling her eyes at that, but there was no time for banter. I shifted back to the matter at hand. ‘I saw you enter the palace. Let me know as soon as you manage to bring down the barrier.’

Zalira’s response was quick, though I could sense the tension in her voice. ‘You’re certainly very persistent,’ she remarked. ‘This would be a lot easier if you weren’t trying to dismantle a centuries-old magical defense system without anyone noticing.’

I chuckled softly. ‘Trust me, I’d prefer not to make things difficult for you. But we both know this is the only way or I need to make an open attack.’