Chapter 302: Is the Girl I Told You About Before

’Favor?’

Julian disliked almost everything that came out of that bastard’s mouth.

With that sly face and honeyed tongue of his, Julian would rather believe a snake than trust that Loden had approached him without some hidden motive.

Still, suspicious or not, the offer was clearly beneficial to him as well. So, Julian slowly lowered his sword.

"Speak. And spare me your usual games this time."

"Of course~"

Loden bowed slightly before straightening again. This time, however, the playful glint in his eyes faded, replaced by a rare seriousness.

Then, he reached into his dimensional storage and pulled out a broken bracelet.

"The reason I’m alone is because all four of my teammates have already been eliminated. Now that the elimination phase has begun, I doubt I can last until the tenth day entirely on my own."

He glanced at the broken bracelet before returning his gaze to Julian.

"So I’m in deep need of an ally, Julian. Or, to put it more accurately, I want guaranteed protection for my poor self."

Loden calmly stored the bracelet away again.

"And fortunately for me, I happened to see you and your teammates traveling through this area. So, despite knowing the risk of approaching you, I decided it was worth offering you an arrangement."

Julian stared at him with open skepticism. Then, without warning, he raised his sword once more, this time with no mere warning behind it.

"I see... but how did you know that I was in need of that card?"

Julian hissed as he gauged his expression.

Loden was smiling, clearly aware that he had been caught, yet somehow still managed to play it off naturally.

"It was obvious, Julian. You’re not the only one capable of reading what’s happening across this island. I’ve heard the notification. You had placed a bounty on him with every intention of eliminating him yourself, yet when the time came to claim his head... you were nowhere there. Funny isn’t it?"

"I couldn’t imagine someone like you wasting a {Bounty} card and thousands of points just to let others handle your petty business. You’re not that generous. So something must have happened, something troublesome enough to make you abandon your hunt."

A knowing, almost devious look crossed his face. "Then, I came to the most reasonable conclusion. You must have lost your {Executioner} Card."

His narrow eyes settled on Julian.

"Am I right?"

’Tch. This sly bastard really knows how to use his tongue...’

"But what if I simply take it from you by force?"

"You can’t. I already tried that myself. Once the bracelet’s enchantment activates, you can no longer take any cards stored within it."

Although Loden’s tone remained playful, Julian could tell that, this time, he was speaking the truth.

Julian frowned.

"Fine. I’ll accept. However, you will have to follow everything I say. If I order you to kill a Voidspawn, you will do so, and any Voidshards you obtain from those kills will belong to me."

Julian’s gaze hardened.

"And if you dare try anything suspicious... I’ll eliminate you without a second thought. Is that clear?"

"Hoho~ I get it. So I’ll be your errand boy, and you’ll be my shield? I like it, you’re—"

Before he could finish, Julian thrust his sword directly in front of his face.

"—Speak another word, and consider the deal off."

Loden immediately raised a hand to his mouth, signaling that he understood. Yet after a brief pause, he still spoke anyway.

"Wait... but I do have one more thing to say."

Julian Scowled.

’Ugh! What else does this bastard want?!’

For some reason, he felt as though Loden was deliberately testing his patience. If he did not need that card, Julian would have already eliminated him on the spot.

Taking another item from his dimensional storage, Loden casually tossed something toward Julian. Julian effortlessly caught it without even glancing at what it was.

Then, he looked down at his hand.

’A potion?’

Julian looked back at him, silently waiting for an explanation.

"Now that I know you’re planning to go after that commoner, I thought you might need this as well. It’s a healing and strengthening potion that one of my teammates left behind for me."

Loden smiled deviously.

"Of course, I’m not suggesting that you couldn’t defeat him~ But just to be safe, you know? That guy just survived being jumped by nearly five squads at once."

His smile widened slightly.

"So perhaps it would be wise not to underestimate him, even if he is from Class E."

Julian then inspected the potion with [Identify], and its description was indeed exactly as Loden had claimed. Reluctantly, he stored it inside his dimensional storage.

"Huh? How generous of you."

He clicked his tongue.

"Let’s go. But walk in front. I’d rather not have a creepy bastard like you wandering behind me."

Loden smiled while raising his both hands like a yielding prisoner.

"True, if I was you, I would rather not as well~"

*****

[Ruvian’s POV]

There was only one place he could think of where he could hide from everyone while enduring the repercussions.

The hidden cave behind Vasta Waterfall.

With his speed pushed to its limit and [Body Enhancement] cast to its fullest extent, Ruvian managed to reach the cave with only two seconds remaining.

’Morvayne... just as we discussed.’

[Of course, child. Do not worry.]

[Time remaining: (00:01)]

Gritting his teeth with grim resolve, Ruvian braced himself for whatever repercussions would follow from using [Assimilation].

’Haa... this better not last that long.’

[Time remaining: (00:00)]

[Your assimilation has ended.]

As soon as the countdown hit zero, searing pain tore through Ruvian’s muscles and bones, as if a violent current was coursing through his body while countless needles were stabbing into his flesh.

"Hugkkk...!"

Ruvian held back the urge to scream.

Even so, the pain was still unbearable.

’Damn it...!!’

Pressing one arm against the cave wall, Ruvian desperately tried to keep himself upright. Saliva spilled from his mouth, then his legs finally gave way, forcing him down onto one knee.

The agony continued for five grueling minutes.

By the time it finally faded, Ruvian collapsed onto the ground and stared blankly at the cave ceiling. His breathing came in ragged gasps while sweat drenched his entire body.

But at last, the pain was over.

However, a deep soreness still lingered throughout his muscles, like he had pushed his body far beyond its limits.

Ruvian tried to lift a finger.

He couldn’t.

[You alright?]

Ruvian was too exhausted to even answer Morvayne aloud.

’No... I’m not.’

Slowly, he recalled the System’s description of [Assimilation], particularly the part about its repercussions depending on how much his body and mind could tolerate.

Still, this was far worse than he had expected.

Ruvian tried to assess the effects. So far, the repercussions seemed entirely physical, with no pain or exhaustion affecting his mind or Spellcore.

’Was it because I relied heavily on Rosalin’s physical abilities?’

Perhaps it was.

Either way, one thing must be noted.

[Assimilation] should only be used when absolutely necessary.

’Either that... or I need to slowly build my endurance, so that I can tolerate this repercussion better.’

As his breathing gradually calmed, Morvayne’s voice suddenly turned alert.

[Child, someone is coming.]

’What!?’

Ruvian immediately grew tense. He was certain he had covered his tracks and made sure no one nearby had seen him enter the cave.

’How many?’

[One.]

Hearing that, Ruvian relaxed slightly. If it was just one, he could already tell who it was. But to confirm his suspicion, he decided to ask:

’Are they strong?’

[Stronger than you, yes. But not stronger than me.]

Ruvian simply smiled at that.

’I see... then we’re fine.’

Before long, footsteps echoed through the cave. Ruvian could barely sense the approaching presence, which meant whoever it was had concealed themselves remarkably well.

Then, a low, indifferent voice came from the entrance.

"You weren’t replying, so I came to find you."

Ruvian immediately recognized the voice. A few moments later, the woman stopped several steps away from his exhausted body.

Ruvian did not even have the strength to laugh. He simply remained sprawled on the ground, staring at the cave ceiling.

"Sorry... I’m not exactly in a good state... right now."

"I can tell."

Seeing the woman, Morvayne suddenly grew curious.

[Child... who is this rather lovely young lady?]

Ruvian remained silent for a moment, gathering what little energy he had left to answer.

’That’s Calyra, Morvayne.’

He inhaled slightly.

’And she...

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[Chapter 302: Is the Girl I Told You About Before]

Plot Points= 52,000 PP