My Substitute CEO Bride (Nash Calicraft) novel Chapter 2279

Helio appeared before him, already engaged in battle with the mysterious figures.

Patrick then drew his custom-made crossbow to assist Helio. Just as he released the arrow, the scene before him changed again.

Patrick realized he needed to find the person controlling the barrier. He deduced that the controller had to be inside the barrier. Otherwise, they could not have so precisely blocked his arrow.

Patrick observed his surroundings, then closed his eyes, recalling the map from the mission briefing.

"Nine areas. The most likely location is the center, but that area could move too. If we're moving with the areas... The barrier control must have a unit, typically centered on the controller and spreading outward. This means there must be situations beyond their control."

Patrick tried to climb higher but suddenly encountered an invisible wall.

"I can't go up, huh?" He shot an arrow infused with true energy upward. As expected, it hung eerily in mid-air.

Then, he heard Helio shouting, "Patrick! Where are you? I've taken care of everyone!"

Patrick shot an arrow toward the voice. As anticipated, the scene shifted, and his arrow was embedded in a wall.

Remaining calm, Patrick fired another arrow toward the voice. He knew the layout would change again, but that was his plan as now three areas contained his arrows.

He could sense the true energy fluctuations around them. Counting in his and Helio's locations, only four unexplored areas remained. The barrier controller had to be in one of these.

Helio's voice came from the left again.

Patrick smiled slyly.

Including his three arrows and Helio's position, he was now in the factory's center. With energy signatures from different directions, the controller would have to physically move to avoid having one or more areas remain stationary in the next shift.

Then, he would discover the barrier controller's location!

Moreover, the height-limiting barrier concealed true energy, indicating a true master. Patrick tossed his crossbow and let himself be captured.

A moment later, Helio charged through, only finding Patrick's crossbow. He quickly sensed something was wrong.

A voice called from ahead.

"Hey, kid! Get over here! I've got your friend!"

Desperate to save Patrick, Helio rushed over. Yet the moment he entered the area, his powers were sealed. The height-limiting barrier had been lifted, replaced by one that sealed true energy.

Though it would only last a few minutes, that was enough time for Helio and Patrick to be killed.

Helio raised the crossbow at them as both sides stood in a tense standoff.