Chapter 29 · Bound to the Executioner: Leveling Up With My Enemy - Chapter 29: Overclocked Bond

"Get your hands off me before I rip them off!" Vesp screamed, but her voice was drowned out by a violent, electric snap.

Soren didn't let go. He slammed her back against the damp cavern wall, his fingers digging into her shoulders. The impact knocked the wind out of her, but the real pain was the white-hot surge of mana screaming through their shared bond. It felt like liquid lead being poured into her veins.

"Shut up and focus," Soren hissed, his breath hot against her ear. His voice was ragged, stripped raw from the burns he'd taken for her. "The mana is looping. If you don't ground it, we both fry."

"I'm trying!" Vesp gasped, her fingers clawing at the air. "The system is glitching! It's not taking the discharge—it's overclocking!"

Soren didn't argue. He grabbed her wrist and yanked her closer, forcing her chest against his. The friction of his scorched leather armor against her tunic was the only thing keeping her grounded as the world started to blur into a haze of neon blue sparks.

"Then use me," he commanded, his eyes locking onto hers. There was no room for his usual arrogance now—