books44 Chapter 146
Chapter 146
Chapter 146
— Grrrrrrrr!
In the distance, a giant hedgehog-shaped monster rolled toward them.
“Aaaaaaah!”
Running ahead with tears streaming down her face was Elena, serving as bait.
“Elena, lead it this way!”
“Kyaaaa! Save me, Brother!”
The monster was nearly upon her when Elena managed to leap to where Ian was gesturing.
— Thud!
While the hedgehog-like monster floundered in the trap, Ian gave the command.
“Got it! Fire, Danya, Lina!”
– Whizz!
– Fwoosh!
The smell of roasting filled the air as the monster stopped moving.
[ 40 Coins ]
They earned 40 coins.
Considering they usually earned 1 coin per minor monster, this was a significant haul.
And since they had to wander around to hunt minor monsters, it was an even greater gain.
In just one day on the central island, they each collected 100 coins.
Now, only 100 coins remained to reach the stable threshold of 400 coins for Aether promotion.
‘Considering the schedule of the remaining promotion battles...’
Reaching 400 coins seemed quite feasible.
The sun was now beating down strongly in the afternoon sky.
Since they’d been running since dawn, it was time to rest.
They also needed to find a place to stay for the night.
“Alright. Well done, everyone. Let’s call it a day for hunting.”
Ian nodded in satisfaction.
“I thought I was going to die...”
Elena finally slumped to the ground.
Ian chuckled and handed her some coins.
Today, Elena’s role was bait.
For some reason, the monsters here lost their minds at the sight of divine power.
Tap, tap.
Ian brushed off the dust from Elena’s head.
“You did well as bait.”
“Then pet me more, Brother.”
“Alright, alright.”
He continued to gently stroke Elena’s head.
As he handed Lina her share of the coins and moved on to the next party member, Lina grabbed his arm.
“Aren’t you going to pet me too? Hehe.”
“Lina, you...”
“What?”
Lina looked up at him with a sad, pouty face.
She looked so cute that Ian couldn’t help but sigh.
Just as he raised his hand to stroke her red hair, Lina stood on tiptoe and stretched her slender neck forward.
“You can grab me here tightly instead.”
“... I’ll just pat your head.”
I’m afraid that if I talk to Lina, I’ll open my eyes to some strange tastes.
Ian feared he might develop a strange preference if he continued talking to Lina.
After petting Lina’s head, he noticed Danya pouting her lips.
“I’m not upset. You weren’t going to pet me anyway. Hmph.”
“...”
Ian stood still for a moment.
What should he do?
After the incident where Danya suddenly kissed him, Ian was certain.
‘Danya is in heat right now.’
Though she never explicitly said it, Danya must be experiencing her heat period, a kind of mating season.
Given that, her avoiding his touch and suddenly brushing against him made sense.
Ian was in a dilemma.
In the game, he could resolve things differently, but for Ian, this was reality.
His current relationship with Danya was that of invaluable comrades.
But Emilia paid no mind and tossed a small glass vial to Victor Jan.
“Catch.”
Victor Jan easily caught the vial with his thumb and index finger.
He held it up to the sunlight, examining the yellow liquid inside.
Victor Jan snickered.
“An excellent quality berserk awakening potion.”
“Who made it?”
“Is this an exclusive contract?”
“Of course. As long as you faithfully carry out my orders and eliminate the target.”
“Good.”
“Ian will definitely attack as a group. The professors cannot obtain detailed images or audio from the central island, but they can check the location information and whether it is in an emergency. We must attack quickly and escape.”
“As you command.”
Emilia stretched out her hand.
— Flap flap flap!
A swarm of yellow birds, conjured from electric elements, took flight behind Emilia.
These summoned creatures began to thoroughly search the island.
Soon, a black-haired figure came into view.
Ian Blackangers, who had started walking separately from his party.
“Perfect opportunity.”
Slowly.
Emilia took a step forward.
Without looking back, she coldly muttered.
“Leave no witnesses.”
◆
Blocking Emilia’s party as they rushed toward Ian was a woman.
“Stop.”
She drew a long sword, and the cold aura she emitted froze the surrounding grass white.
A formidable opponent.
Emilia frowned.
“Sharon Pierce?”
“Long time no see, Emilia. You can’t pass here. Stop.”
“Do you know where I’m going?”
“Ian.”
“You know well. Then step aside.”
“If you want to pass, you’ll have to go through me.”
“Are you seriously blocking my way?”
Sharon shook her head in response to Emilia’s question.
“I’m not blocking you. I’m protecting what I must.”
“Pfft.”
Emilia let out a derisive laugh.
No.
“Pfft... Hehe... Hahahahaha!”
She burst into hearty laughter.
Tears streamed from her eyes as she laughed.
Wiping her tears with a trembling hand, Emilia spoke.
“Listen. If someone heard you, they’d think you’re a tragic heroine.”
“I’m just doing what I must.”
Sharon replied calmly.
Emilia’s lips curled into a mocking smile.
“Hmm. Is it penance? Well, it fits with your type. People with a rigid moral compass often can’t function once they’re broken.”
Sharon flinched.
Emilia’s eyes narrowed as she observed.
“But you know.”
Emilia’s voice dropped to a near whisper.
Seeing Sharon lean in, Emilia whispered.
“... Do you think Ian will ever acknowledge you for this? He won’t. Ever.”
Heh.
A sly grin spread across Emilia’s face.
Sharon’s brow furrowed.