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Join the ServerWe remain unaware of the precise circumstances, knowing only that a vast surge of Chaos power has erupted within the secret realm. It brought forth monstrous creatures, neither truly human nor ghost.
Gern nodded, a somber expression mirroring the gravity of the situation as they gazed into the distance. Before them, the black mist of Chaos churned and expanded relentlessly.
“Miss Mina, the power of Chaos is not to be underestimated. I urge you to contact the academy without delay.”
“Will there be sufficient time?”
Mina’s brow furrowed with worry, recalling how swiftly the Chaos power had spread before.
‘If this situation isn’t managed effectively, it could easily escalate into the second largest invasion of Chaos power in the continent’s recorded history.’
The greatest Chaos power invasion ever documented, of course, remained the one that ravaged the Olga Kingdom.
Even if this invasion of Chaos power doesn’t reach the extreme scale of previous records, the Orc tribes are not as formidable as the Olga Kingdom once was.
Should it continue its relentless expansion, the entire Orc tribe would likely be devoured by the Chaos power before any aid could arrive from the academy.
Gern, however, offered a slight smile, turning their gaze back to Mina.
“Miss Mina, do you trust me?”
“Oh? How so?”
Mina tilted her head, her crimson fox ears twitching adorably atop her head.
“I possess a method to stall, and perhaps even resolve, this impending crisis.”
Mina’s mouth slowly parted, her expression betraying her disbelief at Gern’s declaration.
This reaction was precisely what Gern had anticipated. Slowly, they raised their left hand, revealing a faint wisp of black mist coiling around their fingertips.
“Miss Mina, I was once a member of the Heretic God Cult, though I have since defected.”
Mina’s face stiffened once more. She had never imagined Gern, an academy student, possessed such a hidden identity.
“Alright, Mr. Gern, you brought them here not solely for those two pearls, did you?”
Mina had already discerned Gern’s true intentions, prompting her question.
Gern offered a helpless smile, then, without hesitation, revealed their true reason for the visit.
“To be frank, I came this time for the three of them.”
As they spoke, Gern gestured towards Lilia and their companions.
“The expansion of Chaos is utterly preposterous, and I must delve into its source to investigate. I cannot leave them outside, so I wish to temporarily entrust them to your care.”
“Given that we are all classmates, I trust Miss Mina will extend this small favor.”
“Gern, you jest. In this critical situation, I will offer my assistance to anyone I am capable of helping.”
Hearing Mina’s resolute words, Gern felt a wave of relief wash over them.
“Very well, then I shall depart.”
With those words, Gern prepared to turn and leave. Lilia, who had remained silent behind them, simply patted Gern’s shoulder, a wistful smile gracing her lips.
Witnessing Lilia’s dejected expression, Gern felt an unfamiliar ache in their chest, unsure of the reason for this sudden emotion.
‘I used to vehemently resist being with Lilia. Why, then, do I feel this reluctance to leave her now, even with a perfectly valid reason?’
Gern gave a slight shake of their head, then leaned in to whisper softly into Lilia’s ear.
“Wait for me, alright?”
“Mmm, if you haven’t emerged after a week, I’ll go in and find you myself.”
Gern was momentarily stunned by Lilia’s words, unsure how to respond. They simply nodded in silence, then slowly moved away from Lilia’s side.
“Gern, don’t die. Your blood tastes delightful.”
Gern’s mouth twitched, choosing to ignore Aivia. Observing this, Aivia grew slightly annoyed.
“Hey! A little response wouldn’t kill you, would it?”
Gern turned their head, giving Aivia a clear eye-roll.
“Pfft~”
Observing Aivia’s cheeks flush with indignation, Xiao Ying couldn’t help but let out a burst of laughter.
Aivia, witnessing this, immediately shot Xiao Ying a glare in return.
Still seething with anger, Aivia’s white light instantly fixed upon Xiao Ying, her blood-red eyes glaring fiercely.
“Uh, I apologize, Sister. I couldn’t help myself.”
“You…”
“What ‘you’? You’re a grown woman, bickering with a mere child.”
Just as Aivia was about to erupt, Lilia’s words effectively silenced her. For a moment, she was utterly at a loss for words.
She could only channel all her vexation towards Gern, vowing that once he returned, she would utterly exhaust the man who dared to disrespect her.
Gern, unconcerned with Aivia’s petty frustrations, offered one final farewell to the group before embarking alone on the perilous journey to the Chaos Land.
****
After Gern departed, Lilia stood at the very rear of the evacuation party, utterly distraught. She gazed in the direction Gern had vanished, unable to tear her eyes away for a long time.
Noticing Lilia’s state, Mina approached her with a touch of concern, then spoke.
“Miss Lilia, are you still uneasy?”
Lilia turned to Mina, offering a faint smile and a nod.
“He’s venturing alone; how could I possibly be at ease? Oh, if only I possessed an item that allowed safe passage through the Chaos Land.”
“Hmm?”
Mina’s eyebrow arched in thought. She suddenly recalled that a squad of Olga Kingdom soldiers had once left her a bottle of holy water, said to resist Chaos power.
“Miss Lilia, I do, in fact, possess an item capable of resisting Chaos power.”
“Oh?”
Lilia’s somber mood instantly lifted. She looked at Mina with a mix of surprise and a hint of doubt in her voice.
“There really is?”
“Yes, truly. We encountered a small squad from the Olga Kingdom earlier, and they gave this to me to ensure our safe withdrawal.”
As she spoke, Mina produced a bottle of holy water, presenting it to Lilia.
Lilia had seen such an item before, and thus understood its purpose.
However… there was only one bottle.
“Lilia, we have no immediate need for this. Even if we encounter Chaos creatures, our army possesses Holy Light scrolls. As long as we retreat swiftly, the black mist is unlikely to pursue us.”
“Therefore, you should take this and use it.”
Lilia hesitated, unsure whether she should accept the bottle of holy water.
In the end, emotion swayed her over reason. Lilia took the holy water Mina offered, then confirmed once more.
“Are you certain you won’t need it?”
“Yes, we’re certain.”
“Alright, thank you.”
****
After departing from the Fox race’s evacuation party, Gern swiftly reached the very edge of the Chaos Land.
They gazed upon the boundless black mist. Even Gern, with all their resolve, couldn’t help but feel a flicker of fear at the daunting spectacle.
Nevertheless, the task at hand demanded completion.
Gern drew a deep breath, and a sharp glint flashed within their purple eyes.
“Netherworld!”
Black mist, identical to the swirling chaos before them, began to emanate from Gern’s body. As a precaution, Gern also activated a core cultivation technique of the Heretic God Cult.
The Mixed Origin Art, unlike other Heretic God Cult techniques, does not directly funnel Chaos power into the body to convert one’s entire being and strength into it.
Such a method would render individuals indistinguishable from Chaos creatures.
The cultivation technique Gern had chosen in their previous life involved balancing the blood qi and battle qi within their body against the Chaos power, maintaining a state of equilibrium.
This intricate balance gave the Mixed Origin Art its name. However, the technique’s flaw was equally apparent: should control ever be lost, the practitioner would inevitably explode and perish.
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