My Substitute CEO Bride

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.noveldrama

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!

"Come on!" Patrick drew his bow again.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from behind him, and Patrick quickly stepped aside.

The mastermind appeared before him, and they were now in the same area.

The person wore a hat and mask, concealing their face. Patrick did not care about that. He drew his

bowstring, knowing he had guessed correctly. The barrier user could not adjust freely as each area had a cooldown period.

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The changing areas around him were proof. If the opponents were truly powerful, they could have kept the two wandering endlessly. Clearly, they were not that skilled.

Patrick threatened, "Surrender! If you cooperate, I might consider using an arrow that kills instantly."

Just then, he detected true energy from his right arrow. He quickly looked up.

"Shit, I was careless!" Patrick

realized the person before him could not control two barriers. The factory barrier and the height-limiting barrier were created by different people.

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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.