It was somewhat hard to believe that we acquired the fourteenth floor entry permit and the second fragment of Frost Daiken with only a little effort.
I mean, yeah, the Mido clan could ask us to a dual like Yuukimura. Instead, they just kneeled to Shika as soon as we approached their premises. Not just Yuukihara—the leader of the Mido clan who looked much like Mr. Hiba—but the entire members of the clan greeted Shika with respect as if they had been, too, waiting for her arrival.
"I never thought the job would be this easy." I murmured as we headed back to the teleportation center, "Yuukihara, the clan leader, seemingly wasn't conspiring anything, but it felt oddly strange. I mean he could at least put on an act of being defeated after challenging us into a dual, but he didn't do any of it. And not just him, but every member as well. Was submitting themselves considerately a better option for them?"
I stared with utter bewilderment.
Of course, I did. The whole Iceborn thing was going out of my comprehension.
First of all, five clans worshiped the same belief and were competent in ice-related magic and fighting styles.
And of course, there was also the ongoing struggle within them—a conflict that surfaced time and again. Consequently the emergence of a Superior Seraphyll and the election of a leader. They promised her to abide by the rule, yet they broke their words and betrayed their brethren. And then there was the 'Unwritten Pledge'—a vow that had served little purpose until this point.
Then again, the other clans were now waiting for the successor of the Mavi Clan to resolve the situation and I somehow got entangled with it due to my deadweight title.
Such complexity! No wonder why players hesitated to play ADC before the NxGEN Engine adapted it. Even if they had improved so much, few things still remained for improvement.
"Mido Clan had always been this way."
Here we go again. I guess it's another new story that she never mentioned to me before!
"Their aura nature is green which reflects their honesty. We were made to oppose one another—to argue pointlessly and hold onto grudges that serve no purpose. Yet, the Mido Clan was the only clan that gave importance to an apology. After each verbal fight or argument, they were the ones to apologize to each other. While a few respected their honesty, others saw it as little more than a plea for pity. I think the guilt of betraying the Mavi clan must have been the catalyst for why they didn't try to oppose this time."
Then why did they betray in the first place?
It was my inward thought—a reasonable dispute that occurred to me naturally. I didn't say it out, though.
"I see."
The best way possible for me to avoid further stories.
"Well, in any case, we got the second fragment, the fourteenth heaven entry permit as well as their 'Unwritten Pledge'. We have saved much time too."
I chuckled, seeing her holding the Daiken in half of its original state. She looked happy.
Although I had no intention of giving up on the Dynastic Singularity Quest, I wondered—what if I had cleared the heavens with usual means? Would I have taken more time?
Then again, I liked how she smiled. After taking each step towards our destination or whenever something good happened, I liked how she always smiled. It sounded silly, but perhaps it was what gave me the motivation to clear the DSQ as soon as possible.
I continued chuckling.
However, the smile I had soon replaced with a different feeling that I couldn't comprehend myself. I continued walking and thinking—not like I'd let it happen—but what if I failed? Her gentle, beautiful, and graceful smile would probably shatter.
My heart ached.
I frowned.
She didn't notice me clutching my chest. I sighed deeply and halted suddenly.
"Is something troubling you, Zanthrix." Her sweet voice touched my ears. I looked at her gently. With a promising gesture, I replied…
"Shika…"
But as soon as I wanted to say that, a system message appeared.
It was a bit strange, but unmistakably a good opportunity that would help me get stronger.
[Quest Available: Avatar Exclusive Skill Upgradetion]
[Accept the quest within the given time or it will be invalidated otherwise]
[Remaining time: 00:59:58]
The countdown started already!
*****
I couldn't tell Shika after seeing the notification. If I were to say to her what I decided, it might make me look cool. But I let it slide for the moment. I wasn't a guy hungry for looking cool whatsoever.
Anyway.
We reached the teleportation center. From here, we could either go to the next heaven by using the newly obtained heaven permit, or we could go back to any of my saved coordinates.
"Next one is Rojo Clan. Let's go retrieve the third fragment from fourteenth heaven." Shika said optimistically, the gentle smile still lingering on her face.
I had no intention of denying her. However, I needed to accept the Skill-Up quest. To advance to Class Shifter (Stage III), I had no choice but to accept it. And for that to happen I needed Shika to stay in a safe place as the quest would occur in a different location. I would be teleported regardless of my position and would be sent back after the completion.
"On second thought, let's call it a day." I said, turning her suggestion down, "I've got an errand to run. In the meantime, I want you to stay at my home back in Heaven Elzoma."
She looked confused. The smile on her face was about to vanish. But keeping it as usual, she replied.
"If you say so, then yes. I think I might need a break too. I was exhausted after the Mido clan's hospitality."
Shika wasn't selfish. If anything, she was more mature than I thought she would be. She understood me without needing many words. It was good for me that she was this reliable.
Quite unlike the Seraphyll I know, who would stubbornly hold her ground in a moment like this
But she would, too, understand if I convinced her to.
In any case, we returned to my home's coordination with our mutual decision. I opened the door for her and as soon as I did, I could smell the 'home returning' sensation after a long day. Well, we did retrieve two fragments in a single day after all.
[Zariel has been summoned]
As I summoned Zariel, she appeared sprouting from within a shining yellowish orb and the shattered orb faded with sparkling thunder.
Quite the overdramatic entry, eh!
"Zariel, I'm going to run some errands. Meanwhile keep a good care of Shika and my home, will you?" I told her, gesturing with a smug smirk, "And if you stand up to my expectations, I may consider buying you a souvenir…"
"For real! For real! For real! For real! For real! FOR REAL!" She shouted joyfully, flying around me relentlessly, and halted before my face with a salute, "Count me in boss! I'll take good care of everyone here. Go wherever you wish—but don't forget that souvenir you promised, heh."
She smirked.
I would love to see her drama a bit more, but I didn't have much time. So I let them go inside while I stood outside, looking at the system one more time before accepting.
[Quest Available: Avatar Exclusive Skill Upgradetion]
[Accept the quest within the given time or it will be invalidated otherwise]
[Remaining time: 00:41:28]
As I pressed the '