"Yes."

"You're coming with me on this journey," Ethan said.

Hearing that made Risa freeze in shock. All her life, she had never once left the village—let alone traveled through floors.

It was dangerous and risky. She wasn't sure if her people would agree with Ethan's idea, but knowing how much they cared for her, Risa believed they'd have a hard time accepting it.

"Why?" Risa asked.

"I just want to make sure you're safe. If you're near me, I can protect you," Ethan said.

"If you stay here, I won't be able to keep you safe."

"What if the village is attacked, and you die while I'm on Floor 50?"

Risa listened. She understood that Ethan's proposal was the most realistic response to Lord Gor's message.

Still, she was bound by her people's approval—and the village elders would surely reject Ethan's idea.

"I need to discuss this with the villagers and the elders," Risa said.

Ethan sighed. Bureaucracy like this was something he hated the most. But it was also the best way to ensure Risa's safety.

He didn't know what might happen to this village in the future.

What if players attacked and he wasn't there to protect Risa? His life was practically being toyed with by this tribe.

Even so, he couldn't rely on Risa's plan to talk things through with the elders. He needed to come up with a backup plan to guarantee her safety.

"That woman has nothing to do with this. Please, let her go," Ethan said.

Risa stayed silent for a moment, then nodded. After all, Ethan was the chosen one appointed by Lord Gor for the tribe's future.

If she offended him, he might turn against them—and the entire village would be in danger.

Their discussion ended. Risa invited Ethan to step outside the stilt house.

She said she would forgive his female companion if the woman promised, in front of all the villagers, never to repeat her mistake.

Ethan nodded. Vio had been terrified enough when they arrived at the lake earlier; there was no way she would ever return there—especially after learning that it was sacred land to the Blood-Cursed Tribe.

Risa stepped outside first, where the male guards immediately turned and knelt to greet her. Ethan followed after her.

"Release the woman. Let her and the wielder of Lord Gor's sword go," Risa ordered.

"But they insulted—"

"Do as I say," Risa cut in sharply, her gaze cold.

The men flinched, quickly bowing their heads in fear before agreeing to her command. Ethan and Risa walked down the wooden stairs and stepped onto the open ground, standing side by side.

Soon after, Vio was brought out, still unconscious. One of the men placed her body gently on the ground. Ethan glanced at her and gave a short nod.

"I'll be back tomorrow. I hope you'll have made your decision by then," Ethan said.

"Yes. I'll discuss it with the elders in the morning," Risa replied.

Ethan lifted Vio into his arms. The tribe's guards still glared at him, but following Risa's order, none of them dared to touch Ethan or Vio.

Seeing them make way, Ethan broke into a half-run toward the forest path, still carrying Vio. He managed to escape from the Blood-Cursed Tribe.

A few men came up to Risa afterward, questioning her decision, calling it strange and reckless.

Risa said nothing. She simply turned around and walked away without offering a single explanation.

There would be a time to explain everything—but not tonight. For now, she needed rest.

Elsewhere, Ethan kept moving away from the village. But night was the time when monsters became more aggressive.

He encountered several of them—kobolds again. They blocked his path, leaving him no choice but to fight.

He laid Vio gently on the ground, then summoned the Bloodblade Ashura, gripping it tightly in his hand.

"Move!"

***

The next morning.

Eastern Village.

ACHOO!

Dust from the grass had gotten into her nose, making it tickle. Vio sneezed several times before slowly opening her eyes.

She thought she would wake up in that filthy, damp, dark, and disgusting tribal prison—but when she saw Ethan sleeping beside her, she gasped in surprise.

"WHAA!"

Her scream startled Ethan, who hadn't slept much. He sat up on the grass, blinking at the campfire that had burned down to faint embers.

"Can you calm down? I'm trying to get some sleep here," Ethan groaned.

"E-Ethan? Wait! Where are we? Weren't they supposed to throw me in prison?" Vio asked.

"I freed you. That's all you need to know," Ethan replied quietly.

"You freed me? Did you kill everyone there?! No wonder you got a Red Notice!"

"Rude."

"I didn't kill them. I made a deal with their leader," Ethan said.

"A deal? What kind of deal? Did you trade your soul for me?" Vio babbled.

"Stop rambling. Shouldn't you be heading back to the inn?" Ethan asked.

Vio looked around. The area was calm in the early morning, with many other players still asleep—some on the grass, others inside the warm inn.

"Y-You're right."

Ethan nodded, lay back down, and tried to get some sleep again. But Vio woke him up once more, this time to say something.

"You've saved me three times now. I'm really grateful," Vio said.

"You can thank me by never meeting me again," Ethan replied.

"Why?"

"You tried to kill me, didn't you?" Ethan said softly.

Vio froze, her mouth open. She couldn't believe Ethan had said that so casually while lying down. How could he know?

But this was Ethan—sharp and experienced. She shouldn't have been surprised he'd noticed her movements when she tried to kill him.

"Not only are you a skilled fighter, you're also sharp," Vio said.

"A lot of people want me dead because my bounty's too high. If I wasn't alert, my head would've been on a spike by now," Ethan replied.

"Relax. I spent the whole night with you; I know what kind of person you are," Vio said.

"Really? I'm touched," Ethan muttered.

"Of course, I—"

"Alright. Good night," Ethan interrupted, turning to the side and closing his eyes.

Vio smiled. She stood up, said her goodbyes, and thanked him again before leaving.

The two went their separate ways, with Ethan already drifting back to sleep.

Time passed. Leon woke Ethan up when the sun was high—around nine in the morning.

The grassy field was now empty; the other players had already left for their next adventures.

"E-Ethan... wake up."

"What is it, Leon?" Ethan mumbled.

"You've got a visitor," Leon said.

Ethan opened his eyes and turned around. There, he saw Vio again—this time with three of her party members standing beside her.

"You?" Ethan said, surprised.

"Let's go adventuring again, Ethan," Vio said cheerfully.

"Which part of 'thank you' didn't you understand?"

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