Author's Note: Do Not Unlock Yet. Chapter Is Still Under Construction.
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Meanwhile—
The Sylrith fell silent.
Their laughter died.
Their luminous screens flickered with confusion.
"How…"
"How did he know that to end the game with the Root Child, you had to slap the offering away..."
"He disrupted the exchange."
One of them leaned forward slowly.
"He refused the game."
Another narrowed its glowing eyes.
"He attacked not the being—but the rule."
A murmur spread among them.
"The Root Child only continues when the exchange is accepted... and stops when it is refused in that specific way..."
"He broke the acceptance."
Silence again.
A low voice spoke from the center.
"He understood the nature of the game… without being told."
They watched Victor carry Aria down the newly opened path.
"Interesting."
"Very interesting."
Back in the Veilwood Playground, the forest grew quieter as they moved away.
Aria rested weakly against Victor's shoulder.
