The system offered nothing.
No quest window. No reward prompt. No threat assessment notification of any kind.
Not even a popup. Marcus kept his eyes on the skull mask. Either the criteria to unlock one doesn't exist or whatever this is sits outside what the system considers a manageable scenario.
Different thoughts raced through his mind but they all pointed to the same conclusion.
First I survive. Everything else after.
"Liz." He kept his voice steady. "Step aside."
"Marcus—"
"You can feel it too." He didn't look at her.
"Whatever that is, it's not something your Threadreading is going to give you answers on. Step aside and let me handle my business."
A pause. When she spoke her voice was softer than he expected, carrying something underneath it that she didn't fully release.
"I can't just leave you like this."
"You're not leaving me. You're giving me room." He finally glanced at her. "Trust me."
