The book had no name, no description, and not a single hint as to what it could possibly contain.
Nonetheless, just by looking at it and feeling that suppressive might of it, Virus could guarantee it was nothing ordinary.
‘Do I just grab it?’ Pondering that, Virus just reached out and touched the book.
The instant his middle finger touched the book, however, the book seemed to have vaporized as it became a golden fog that launched into his forehead and disappeared!
“Huh? That’s it?” Subsequently, Virus muttered in confusion. Even though the book seemed to have entered his being, for some reason, he could not sense any knowledge or difference anywhere in his body.
While he was feeling lost and uncertain as to what was going on, a line, at last, revealed itself.
‘The book shall materialize itself once during the time of breaking through to Sublimity Emergence.’
That was the only piece of information that was dumped straight into his head. Afterward, there was nothing at all.
To be truthful, now Virus felt even more lost, albeit, there wasn’t really anything he could do except wait for the right time when he reaches the peak of Liberation and breaks through to the next stage.
Soon, Virus’ silhouette started to dematerialize since he had chosen a book.
However, when he was about to fade completely, a voice directly traversed to his brain, “Return once you think you’re strong enough to at least defeat the Sphinx from your trial. This place might surprise you even more. At that time, I may even consider telling you about the Emissary Flesh you offended earlier. So long.”
Virus quickly figured out that it was the archaic being transmitting a message straightly into his brain. He recognized it since the tone was just like the archaic voice itself.
…
When Virus’s sight was restored, the first thing he discerned was that he was already outside the Invisible Ancient Fortress World.
Following that, he was about to decide his next course of action when someone else took shape beside him.
It was Hellarose.
“Hmm? You’re out? Did you pick a book?” Virus inquired coolly.
“Yep. I had long targeted a book but didn’t touch it since I wanted to see how you do in the staircase test first. Then, seeing you vanish, I also selected my book.” With fluttering eyelashes filled with excitement, Hellarose elaborated.
“I see…” Meanwhile, looking around in some expectation and suspense, Virus searched for any barbarian that may be around.
“Congratulations, by the way! I can’t believe you reached the top, hot face! Damn, you’re the hottest guy ever!” With her eyes slightly narrowed, she voiced flirtatiously.
“Thanks.” Albeit, Virus was too busy to pay her cheekiness any attention.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard he examined the area, other than the party of the cloaked individuals, the monstrous beasts, and the academicians, there was no one else around.
“Hahaha, he must’ve fled with his tail between his legs.” Virus uttered at Hellarose.
Listening to him, Hellarose knew exactly who he was talking about, however, her focus had been locked on the monstrous beasts for a few seconds now.
“Look at the monstrous beasts… they are glaring at us with unusually hostile eyes, hot face.” She notified while throwing sideways glances at the beasts.
Indeed, currently, all the monstrous beasts were staring in Hellarose and Virus’ way while some were growling even like they would lunge at them any moment now.
“Shit, that fucking Ra must’ve already notified them of everything before taking off.” Virus inferred effortlessly. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what was happening.
“You need to leave as swiftly as possible then! They’re probably waiting for backup, that’s why they’re not directly stampeding in our way!” Hellarose warned with a bad premonition alerting her heart.
“Hmm, what about you, then? Won’t you be in danger?”
“Don’t worry about me, there’s someone around that will protect me, furthermore, they won’t target me since I’m not the true culprit. Go!” Declaring anxiously, Hellarose urged Virus to leave.
Quite casual, however, locking gazes with Hellarose’s, a grin covered Virus’ countenance. “I guess this is goodbye then?”
“Y-yeah…” As if Hellarose finally understood what that signified and how they were about to be separated from one another, there was a slight tremble in her tone. After going through all the life and death situations together with Virus, Hellarose didn’t want to truly leave his side anymore.
Since the day she came to be acquainted with Virus, she knew this moment of separation was bound to come, it’s just that she didn’t expect it to be here already.
Although she had this slight urge to leave everything else behind and just tag along with him for a while at least. Still, being conscious enough, after taking her responsibilities and life into account, she knew she had to go back asap.
“Can’t you just come with me?” Abruptly, before she had even realized, she spat that question out loud.
“Huh? With you? Nah, I have a matter I need to take care of.” With a wave of his palm, Virus rejected the invitation.
“Ah, right? Of course, you wouldn’t want to come with me, you must have your own life waiting for your return, that was so silly of me.”
“Anyway, you saved my life and I need to repay-” Before she could even finish, however, Virus put his index finger on her lips from over the veil and reminded her, “Did you forget how we met in the first place? You also saved my life at the time. I was just repaying the favor by saving you in the treasure room. So, don’t talk about payback again since we couldn’t be more even.”
“Ah, is that so… so this is really goodbye.” A lopsided grimace was visible on her face as she said that.
“Yeah, see you when I see you, bye.” Patting her head once, Virus turned around and was just about to leave when his hand was grabbed, stopping him in his tracks.
“What is it? Did you forget about something?” Looking at Hellarose’s expression, Virus queried.
“W-where are you going to next?” While tilting her head downward, the veiled Hellarose’s clench became harder.
After a little deliberation regarding his next plan of action, Virus opened his mouth and stated, “Before I tell you that… by any chance, do know where the Poison Deity Clan’s situated at?”
A contemplative light exuded from her pupils before she put a question of her own doubtfully, “Poison Deity Clan? Are you talking about that clan that controls one of the islands in the wild islands area?”
“Hmm, that should be it.” Nodding, Virus affirmed.
“You should head north if you wanna get there. I believe it’s in a city called Ricando on that same island they control. Why are you asking though? Are you going there? Why?” Full of curiosity, Hellarose was dying to know more details about what was up.
“Is that so? Okay, and yeah, I’m going there to gather some intel before deciding any further on my next course of action.” With a gentle rub of his jaw, Virus pointed out his puzzlement, “But why are you so curious about where I’m going, woman?”
