End of Days Game: I'm the Only One Who Can See the Hidden Cues - Chapter 132

Chapter 132: Kean’s Desperate Escape
During their recent confrontation, Kean had come to the stark realization that he was no match for Jeremy.

Nevertheless, Kean was not one to surrender so easily. He thought that if he gave up now, he would never be able to face Jeremy again with his head held high.

Kean opted for the most ruthless strategy—using Jeremy’s friends as leverage against him.

With a sinister grin, he unlatched the miniature prison he held in his hand, releasing Jeremy’s three friends from its confines.

Without hesitation, Kean seized Emma and held her in front of him as a human shield. He bellowed in Jeremy’s direction, “Drop your weapon immediately, or I will kill her on the spot!”

Kean’s actions incited a wave of fury among everyone present.

Benjamin shouted at Kean with palpable anger, “Enough! Stop this madness right now!”

Ella, Kean’s fiancée, also pleaded with him, “You’ve already avenged yourself against Jeremy in your previous actions. Now that Jeremy has returned, there’s no need for the two of you to continue this fight.

Both of you are crucial assets to the Federation. If you persist in this senseless battle, the consequences for the entire Federation could be dire. It could also jeopardize humanity’s stance in the face of the apocalypse game.”

Though she was trying to de-escalate the situation, Ella didn’t place all the blame squarely on Kean. As his fiancée, she felt compelled to be somewhat partial towards him.

However, Ella’s words failed to persuade anyone present.

Neither Jeremy nor Kean believed it was the right moment to back down.

Kean, his eyes alight with defiance, taunted Jeremy further, “What’s the matter? Do you really doubt that I would go through with it?!”

Jeremy’s expression remained composed, yet he chose not to heed Kean’s command. Instead, he advanced two steps toward Kean.

“Stop right there! I must warn you, if you take another step, I will kill her!”

At this moment, Kean had pressed his dagger against Emma’s neck.

A thin crimson line had already appeared, indicating the blade had cut through her skin.

Despite the peril, Emma merely gazed at Jeremy, her eyes filled with unspoken words, yet she remained silent.

“Let her go immediately!”

Jeremy halted after a few steps, his voice hoarse but resolute.

It was evident to everyone that Jeremy was seething with rage.

Benjamin instinctively took two steps back, sensing that the impending clash between Jeremy and Kean might engulf them all.

Observing Benjamin’s reaction, Howard couldn’t help but chuckle.

“It seems even you realize these two won’t reconcile easily. So why did you bother trying to mediate earlier?” Howard’s tone was tinged with irony.

Benjamin cast a somewhat helpless glance at Howard. “Instead of mocking me, perhaps you should think about how to resolve the predicament we’re in. The conflict between Kean and Jeremy will undoubtedly bring the Federation’s wrath upon us.”

“What can I do? I already did everything I could to stop Kean. Now, am I supposed to stop Jeremy? If I did, Jeremy would definitely think I’m siding with Kean.”

Howard replied, fully aware that failing to stop Kean meant he had no grounds to hinder Jeremy.

Though Howard’s words were blunt, they carried a certain logic, prompting Benjamin to decide to watch the situation unfold for now.

Faced with Jeremy’s furious outburst, Kean showed no trace of fear.

Kean’s objective was to provoke Jeremy. Only by enraging Jeremy to the point of losing his composure and then defeating him in the ensuing battle could Kean consider his revenge fulfilled.

“And what if I don’t let her go? What can you do about it?”

Kean asked, a sinister smile twisting his features.

Jeremy did not dignify Kean with a response. Instead, he launched an attack with unparalleled swifness.

In the blink of an eye, before anyone could react, Jeremy was right in front of Kean.

Kean had no time to further threaten Emma.

In the flurry of the confrontation, Emma was shoved aside by Kean, who used the momentary distraction to create distance between himself and Jeremy.

“You may be incredibly strong, but I am no weaker. I can defeat you!”

Having just evaded Jeremy’s attack, Kean didn’t hesitate to shout loudly at him.

Kean was deeply worried that Jeremy would look down on him.

Especially after a series of previous failures, Kean felt that he couldn’t afford to be defeated by Jeremy again.

However, Kean’s current actions were somewhat redundant.

Because Jeremy was not even focused on him. Jeremy’s attention was entirely on Emma.

Catching Emma before she could fall, Jeremy’s eyes softened with concern. “Are you alright? Are you hurt?” he asked gently.

Emma, tears welling in her eyes, shook her head.

“If you’re okay, go over to Benjamin for now.” Jeremy instructed. “Kean hasn’t been dealt with yet. I need to finish this fight first!”

After confirming that Emma was unharmed, Jeremy promptly directed her to move towards Benjamin’s vicinity.

In the proximity of Benjamin, Emma would be under absolute protection. Although Benjamin’s raw power was not particularly formidable, his high status provided a significant safeguard.

Even Kean, who might dismiss Benjamin’s counsel, could not afford to directly antagonize him without severe consequences.

Having secured Emma’s safety, Jeremy turned his attention to rescuing Ritchie and Claire.

Claire’s situation closely mirrored Emma’s, they both had only sustained minor injuries.

Ritchie, on the other hand, was in a far more dire state. Among the three, he was the most severely injured and was rendered speechless by his wounds.

“Take care of Ritchie first. Once I defeat Kean, I will rejoin you.”

Jeremy instructed Claire, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. With a sense of urgency, he then swiftly advanced towards Kean’s location.

At this moment, Kean had meticulously prepared for the impending battle.

He had strategically placed a variety of tools and devices around him, each designed to restrict Jeremy’s abilities during the confrontation.

Determined to give his all, Kean resolved to wield his most prized possession—a weapon of unparalleled rarity and power.

This extraordinary weapon, capable of weakening souls, was discovered by Kean in an instance near the capital. With this formidable asset, he felt a newfound sense of confidence, ready to face whatever Jeremy might throw at him.

Fully aware of the impending confrontation, Kean steeled himself for the battle ahead, ready to unleash the full extent of his arsenal.

Any foe struck by Kean’s weapon would suffer damage on a spiritual level. Such soul-deep wounds were beyond the healing capabilities of ordinary restorative items.

“This time, I will defeat you with honor! I will prove that my strength far surpasses yours, your previous successes were nothing but sheer luck!”

Kean declared solemnly as Jeremy appeared before him.

Jeremy paid no heed to Kean’s words. He knew that the man standing before him was an adversary he had to eliminate at all costs.

Without hesitation, Jeremy launched an attack on Kean.

Despite the significant losses Jeremy had incurred during the previous instance, his attributes had been largely restored thanks to the gemstone provided by the “World.”

Although his skills remained sealed, his basic attributes alone were enough to challenge Kean effectively.

As the battle raged on, Kean found himself increasingly strained.

His weapon, while capable of inflicting spiritual harm on Jeremy, was counteracted by the precious gemstone Jeremy carried, which continuously repaired his damaged soul during the fight.

As time passed, Kean became acutely aware that victory was slipping further from his grasp. To his dismay, he realized that escape was no longer an option either.

“How are you doing this?! How can you seal the surrounding space?!” Kean exclaimed in panic as he found himself trapped.

Jeremy’s expression remained remarkably calm as he responded, “I have many skills yet to be unveiled. By coming here to challenge me, you have sealed your own fate.”

Jeremy’s words sent a wave of terror through Kean, leaving him deeply unsettled.

However, Kean did not believe that he would be utterly defeated by Jeremy in this confrontation, for he possessed a powerful life-saving artifact.

Upon realizing that the surrounding space was indeed sealed and escape was impossible, Kean decided to take the offensive and rapidly closed the distance towards Jeremy.

“In that case, I’ll send you on your way!” Jeremy declared, interpreting Kean’s aggressive maneuver as a desperate final gambit for a decisive showdown. Jeremy readied himself for the ultimate battle.

In the climactic duel, Jeremy swiftly overpowered Kean. Yet, just as he delivered the fatal blow, Kean’s body suddenly transformed into a paper effigy.

“Did you really think you could defeat me so easily? I have a doppelgänger talisman to bear the brunt of death in my stead. You may have won this round, but next time, you will surely fail!”

Kean’s voice emanated from the effigy, but Jeremy knew all too well that Kean had already fled.

As Kean’s voice echoed, the paper effigy burst into flames, reducing itself to a pile of ashes.

Despite Kean’s successful escape using his artifact, his manner of retreat was unmistakably ignominious.