Andrey's hand shot out, fingers wrapping gently around Hope's wrist.
Hope stopped mid-stride, her golden ponytail swaying with the sudden halt. She turned back, her blue eyes wide with surprise. A faint blush crept across her cheeks, though her voice remained cheerful, deliberately light.
"Andrey? What is it?"
Andrey released her wrist, his expression calm but serious. "The power you borrowed during the fight. The temporary amplification. It came with a cost."
Hope's smile faltered. She blinked as the memory of the system's warning and the pink holographic screen mentioning the risks resurfaced in her mind. Her blush deepened, but she forced her tone to stay casual. "Oh, that. The system mentioned side effects, right?"
"Correct," Andrey said, adjusting his cracked glasses. "We need to resolve this before you leave."
