Chapter 863: 863
Chapter 863: The Tinder Origin
It wasn’t always a good thing to have a pair of lucky hands .
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Although Marlene had indeed found this rare treasure, it was also a hot potato for Rhode . The value of an Illusion Crystal on this continent was enough to break nations into wars . Rhode was confident that if news of him obtaining an Illusion Crystal leaked, the Country of Darkness would definitely come for him . After all, this was the most precious gem in the eyes of Undead Creatures who relied on spiritual powers . Besides, if the Undead Creatures were able to get the Illusion Crystal in their hands, the strength of their army would rise without a doubt . A person’s talent would arouse the envy of others and this was true for Rhode, as he had snatched the Illusion Crystal from others in the game . He knew what dangers this would bring to him . Back then, Starlight dominated two-thirds of the Light Mainland and was second to none in strength . However, there were still players who brazenly attempted to steal the crystal . If Rhode were in the game right now in this current state, perhaps he would be the focus of hatred of every other guild .
Fortunately, only Marlene and him knew about this as he immediately put it away into his spatial bag . Of course, Marlene was also aware that many people would go crazy for it and it was the source of many conflicts . Besides, the Illusion Crystal was extremely rare and many people didn’t have the chance to see it at all . If it weren’t for Rhode’s system which prompted the item’s name when it landed in his hands, perhaps he would have treated it as one of the rarer magic crystals .
Currently, Rhode didn’t know what to do with the Illusion Crystal . Although it was possible that he used it to create a set of armor with full immunity to physical, magical, and skill attacks, he also knew that this was rather risky . Besides, perhaps even Lapis was incapable of producing such a set of armor . It would be great to use the crystal on magic equipment like the Mage Association . But now, Rhode didn’t have the required technologies, so he could only take one step at a time .
This wasn’t his current goal and he was only a distance away from the Tinder Origin . But…
“I hope you can teleport us directly to the Tinder Origin this time . ”
Rhode gazed sternly at Bell . The latter pondered in silence before raising her right arm and showed two fingers .
“I understand . It will be safer if we teleport twice instead . But I can’t guarantee that we won’t face the same situation next time,” Rhode said .
Although Rhode previously hoped to meet a few more of Serras’s projection to get more Illusion Crystals, he knew that Marlene was extremely lucky to find it . Besides, Serras was considered one of the easier targets among the devil bosses . Currently, Rhode’s group was about to reach the core of the Land of Chaos . Even though the Tinder Origin’s protection barrier kept out all Chaos Creatures, the creatures would still be lurking outside . Although the Chaos Creatures might not be as powerful as a projection of Serras, a stronger opponent might also appear instead . Such a surprise was enough once and Rhode couldn’t handle it if it were to happen twice .
“Can you succeed in one try?”
This time, Bell didn’t respond immediately . She lowered her head and gazed at the ground . After a few moments, she looked up, clenched her fist, and drew a huge circle with her arms . Then, she nodded and shook her head .
“You can give it a try if you have sufficient strength . But, you can’t guarantee that you’ll succeed?”
Rhode didn’t know that he always had the talent in reading sign languages . He was surprised . Even though Bell’s hand gestures were completely random, he basically understood her thoughts . Bell nodded in response . Then, she raised her hands again, drew a circle on his body, and did a tugging motion . She put her hands down and gazed at him in silence .
Of course, he knew what she meant . In fact, as a being with the strength of Order, she theoretically could succeed in one attempt . No, it could be said that theoretically, Bell could teleport them to their destination after they entered the Land of Chaos and didn’t need to waste so much time .
But this was only in theory .
Just like in theory, motorcycles could overtake the high-speed rail . However, the prerequisite was that it must contain the engine of an airplane . This was a meaningless theory . Bell could succeed in one attempt, but she would die as her petite figure wouldn’t be able to withstand the tremendous pressure . In fact, such signs were already visible on her . From the start, she felt a little giddy after each teleportation . Thereafter, as the Chaos energy increased, she had to exert more strength of Order in order to break through the Chaos obstacles . This was also why she became incredibly weak at the later stages, where she had even fainted before the battle with Serras . Of course, she was also under the influence of Serras’s presence . Currently, she clearly indicated to Rhode that if they were to do it, she might be hurt to a certain extent .
On the other hand, Rhode was also aware that this would be rough on her . Although the elder seemed to have sealed the strength of Order in Bell from a young age and her body had acclimatized with the flow of strength, she was still too young, after all . Even though she didn’t know how old she was due to living in the refuge, judging from her appearance, perhaps she was only around 10 . No matter how strong she was, she couldn’t make up for the flaws in her body, unless she was an exception like mix-bloods like Anne, Sol, Lize .
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“Wait . ”
Rhode patted her head, stood up, and waved to Lize . The latter uncharacteristically curled her lips and went up to him .
“Is… Anything the matter, Mr . Rhode?”
“Hmm?”
Her stiffened tone caught his attention . He knew that some things were better off knowing than neglecting .
“What’s wrong, Lize? You seem to be in a bad mood . ”
“Nothing . ”
Lize stared at him in resentment before placing her hand on her chest .
“Mine isn’t as huge as someone else’s, anyway . ”
Ah . I see .
Rhode shrugged . But he let out an inward chuckle after hearing her grumbles . Since she was willing to complain about it, it meant that she was no longer angry . Besides, he sensed that although she didn’t sound happy, she seemed much better after talking about it . Women’s hearts were just indeed like needles at the bottom of the sea…
“Being small also has its benefits . ”
Rhode embraced her gently, at the same time sneaking his hand into her robe and caressing her soft skin . Her knees weakened and she fell into his arms .
“Hmm . Soft and smooth . You’re still as sensitive . ”
“”M-Mr . Rhode!”
Lize held her collar and gazed at everyone who was resting, afraid that they would witness it . Fortunately, the Bow Knights were chit-chatting away while the others had fallen asleep . However, Lize wasn’t as ‘shameless’ as Anne . As soon as she felt his hands moving down inside her, she quickly stopped him .
“S-Stop playing, Bell is watching . ”
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Lize pleaded in embarrassment . Rhode smirked, pinched her chest, and retracted his hand . Then, the young lady hurriedly tidied her robe . She glared at him fiercely before lowering her head with a blush .
“Y-You… were looking for me just now, Mr . Rhode?”
“If I recall correctly, Bubble has taught you plenty of things, right?”
“Yes, Mr . Rhode . ”
Lize knew that Rhode didn’t ask her over just to tease her and she nodded in response . In the Land of Atonement, she had been learning from Mini Bubble Gum almost every day . Although the lessons were difficult and torturous, there were lots of skills that were useful for Lize . Players in the later stages of the game would receive all kinds of unique spiritual spells and Mini Bubble Gum wasn’t an exception . Some of the spiritual spells weren’t taught in the church and Bubble taught all of the unique spiritual spells to Lize . Anyway, Mini Bubble Gum didn’t need the low-level spiritual spells to get by her days here anymore .
“So, have you learned the Soul Merge?”
“… Yes, Mr . Rhode . ”
Although she didn’t know why he asked this question, she nodded in agreement .
“But, Soul Merge is a dangerous kind of…”
“I know . ”
Rhode waved his hand . Mini Bubble Gum was his personal Cleric and he knew her skills inside-out .
“All right . I need you to get prepared . Before we start the teleportation, cast the Soul Merge on Bell and appoint me as the target . ”
“Huh? Mr . Rhode?”
Lize asked, puzzled . As a Cleric, she knew the dangers of the Soul Merge spell . It was used to decrease the damage taken by the main target by transferring the damage to the secondary target . This was a rare technique, which was why Clerics who learned this technique formed parties with the powerful tankers . This way, the tankers would take lesser damage during BOSS fights . In the past, Rhode wasn’t suitable to take up the job . But now… there shouldn’t be much problems with his strong constitution .
“Is something wrong with Bell’s body?”
“The next teleportation will affect her body to a certain extent, so I want to share a portion of her damage . ”
“B-But, Mr . Rhode, you will be…”
“Don’t worry . Although I’m not a main tanker like Anne, my defense is still rather strong . ”
“Why don’t you just let Anne do it!”
Lize glared at Anne who was snoring away . Judging from her blissful expression, the young lady must be dreaming of a sumptuous meal at the moment .
“Mmm… No… Leader… Anne can’t eat anymore…”
… Perhaps she was eating another source of protein?
“… Mr . Rhode, I still think that it’s better to let Anne do it . ”
It was rare to hear a tone with murderous intent from a Cleric .
“All right, stop arguing . Go and get prepared now . ”
Rhode had no choice but to chase Lize away after taking a glance at Anne in order to prevent another quarrel . At this moment, he felt someone tugging on his sleeve . He turned around and saw Bell shaking her head firmly .
“No, Bell, this is my responsibility . ”
He said determinedly .
“You’re my subject, and I won’t let you die . Besides, I’m confident, so don’t worry about me . ”
Bell let go of her hand . Then, she nodded firmly at the young man .
The time has come .
Rhode stood among everyone and gazed at the powerful storms wreaking havoc outside the safety of the Order barrier . Bell stood beside him and held his hand tightly . Lize stood behind them and extended her arms forward . A translucent spiritual thread was connected between Rhode and Bell .
“Let’s begin, Bell . ”
Bell didn’t respond, when suddenly, Rhode felt a violent force striking him from within his body . That was a pain that he had never felt before as though one was dissecting him through his skin, flesh, blood vessels, bones, and organs . He knitted his brows, but he was aware that this pain was simply the spiritual presence of Bell inside him . Although he knew that this method would hurt his soul to a large extent, the difficulties of breaking through the Chaos obstacles was much more than he expected and this was something that he had to do .
He found himself drifting in the air while suffering from the agony within . Apart from that, he also felt the soft little hand holding onto his . After an unknown period of time, the dark, chaotic world around him was swept away and replaced by a dazzling brilliance and the reemergence of the land .
It’s finally over .
Rhode let out a sigh of relief after confirming that the teleportation was completed . Then, he looked at the sky .
What presented itself before him was a beautiful azure sky with drifting white clouds . Beneath his feet was a wide, verdant grassland, but what captured everyone’s attention wasn’t the scenery . Instead, it was the majestic tower standing before them . Although it seemed abandoned, the tall structure stood firmly . At the peak of the tower was a faint flare that took over the sun in illuminating brightness to this land .
That was the tinder .
“Phew…”
Rhode and Bell exchanged looks with each other . As Rhode took half of the damage, she didn’t faint like before despite her pained and pale expression . Rhode let go of her hand and stroked his fingers through her long hair . But he didn’t expect that Bell smiled at him for a second before turning around and returning to Christie’s side .
“Mr . Rhode, here is…”
Lize lowered her voice at the sight of this round, majestic tower .
“That’s right, Lize . ”
Rhode nodded .
“We’ve reached our destination . ”
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