’Ugh, my head is killing . Just what happened? What was I dreaming about?’
Rin’s head was throbbing and his body temperature felt higher than usual. He was not soone who got sick easily, but he was sure he was sick this ti.
But this minor illness was not going to keep him down. Rin drank a potion bottle before getting back to work.
Rin had a strong feeling that he was forgetting sothing, but it grew fainter by the second until he stopped noticing it altogether.
Madam Yao also decided to contact him during this ti, sounding excited. And that was how Rin ca to entertain her and her people.
...
"I know this is a rather sudden visit after what happened, but I had a feeling I needed to tell you about this anyway. It concerns Alex’s core."
Rin tried his best not to think about how he had treated the core during the last mission. Madam Yao seed more than aware of it, but her smile remained nonjudgntal.
"I am well aware that you did what you had to do to pass the last round. I am sure Alex would have approved as well."
But so of the people standing behind Madam Yao looked like they had a problem with how Rin had handled the last task.
’Why don’t you try handling it yourselves if you have such a problem with it?’
Fortunately, no incident took place and things were handled without much fuss.
"So, Madam Yao, what brings you here today? You told my butler that you found a way to hatch Alex’s core? Can you explain further?"
Rin asked, trying to get more information out of Madam Yao. And luckily for him, she was far less irritating and much more willing to explain things compared to the system.
"I used my position from the last round to find a way to hatch the calamity core and turn it into a monster core. But even this was only possible thanks to your efforts. So I won’t mind if you decide to take Alex as your guardian once you crack its shell."
Madam Yao’s offer sounded tempting, but it was easy to see that she expected Rin to do most of the work for his reward. anwhile, she was likely only going to provide information.
Rin had let her get away with it until now because he needed her help. But for the first ti, he felt like he needed to put his foot down.
"Madam Yao, regarding this collaboration, you don’t expect to do all the work, right?"
Rin asked suspiciously. But Madam Yao only smiled in that sly way that suggested she had far too many plans brewing in her mind.
"I won’t ask you to do all the work, my dear. Just most of it. A guardian spirit would be a huge help to any base. If Alex chooses you as its owner, then you’ll receive a power boost. Isn’t that exciting?"
So there was a chance he would not even be selected in the first place? What a cunning woman. Madam Yao knew about Alex’s attachnt to her and her base, so she was counting on him choosing GBF.
’The right thing to do here would be to reject this ridiculous demand. Only a fool would agree to such outrageous terms-’
...
[Rookie, didn’t you say only a fool would agree to such outrageous terms? What does that make you?]
The system asked Rin in a mocking yet affectionate tone. It was trying to sound sympathetic while failing miserably at it.
And yet, Rin did not get annoyed, and there was only one reason for that—his skill list.
Myth was likely a guardian spirit as well and had bonded well with Rin. So, if Myth could beco his familiar, then Alex’s hatched form should be able to as well. At least Rin hoped so. He would hate for all this effort to fall into GBF’s lap without them doing much.
"But we’re working hard behind the scenes too. Not only did we arrange this eting, but we are also providing a smoother setup. Cut us so slack here."
Rin was not the only one making unfair expressions, so Madam Yao felt the need to clarify herself. The bodyguards around Madam Yao also prepared themselves defensively.
"Oh my! Sour relationships are the last thing I want. Especially when I plan to make use of you in the future as well."
Madam Yao, ever the calculating person, tid her words carefully so that no one had anything they could say back to her.
The door to the prison-like facility opened and they entered another unfamiliar area.
At first, everything seed to be going well, so Rin let his guard down. And that was when things went wrong.
"Everyone, put your hands up and explain the purpose of your visit. Otherwise, we will blow your heads off."
Rin imdiately followed the instructions the mont he saw Madam Yao doing the sa. But he could not help feeling disappointed.
He was not the only one who felt betrayed, because even her daughter exclaid,
"Mother, you said they were friends. I don’t feel any friendship here."
"Well, even mommy makes mistakes sotis, so can you cut so slack? Things will improve if we get a chance to speak face-to-face with the current leader of this place."
"Unfortunately, she has no intention of eting outsiders. Since you have not done anything yet, we can allow you to leave. Otherwise, this place will beco your grave."
This was a serious threat with no room for negotiation. Rin needed to answer carefully, not only for himself but for his people as well.
Unfortunately, he forgot that he was not the only one making decisions here.
"Sorry, but we cannot leave without eting your leader. Won’t you at least consider the possibility?"
’Madam Yao, what are you doing? Can’t you see where we are? You’re going to get us all killed!’
But the woman in question did not seem to care and continued glaring at her captor.
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