Chapter 389

Brielle’s barrier was successfully installed.

The protected area extended 500 meters in radius from the center of Crocodile Village.

Brielle transferred the authority to control the barrier to Zetoya.

Now, no one could pass through the barrier without Zetoya’s permission.

Thanks to the barrier, Crocodile Village had become much safer.

The villagers were relieved.

They no longer had to fear sudden attacks from raiders.

Crocodile Village had changed so much that it was unrecognizable from before.

Numerous houses had been built, and the surface regularly supplied them with ample resources.

Thanks to the magic crystal generator, they now had electricity, and all sorts of electronic devices became usable.

As a result, smiles never left the villagers' faces.

Especially the children—there was much more laughter.

Children born in the Crocodile Den had always been somber by nature.

The harsh environment simply didn’t offer many reasons to smile. But the children who had moved to this place were different.

For the first time, they could eat until they were full and enjoy the conveniences of civilization.

The hope that they could live a better life than before, the anticipation of preparing for the future—those feelings made the children optimistic.

They ran through the alleys between the newly built homes, laughing.

The sound of children's laughter spurred the adults to work even harder.

Those who were not Awakened built houses and voluntarily participated in village affairs.

While they worked for the village, the Awakened expanded their patrols, killing raiders or rescuing those in distress.

Of those who came into the village, the ones in poor condition were treated by Lemura.

People who had suffered from the unique illnesses of the Crocodile Den recovered completely after receiving her care.

Those she cured became ardent followers of Lemura and Zetoya.

Now, even without Zeon's involvement, Crocodile Village operated smoothly on its own.

Zeon stayed a few more days in the village before returning home with Levin and Brielle.

Once they were home, Brielle shut herself in her room and didn’t come out.

She seemed to be making something—perhaps a gift to take back to her hometown.

Even Zeon didn’t know what she was preparing.

It wasn’t until nearly a week later that Brielle emerged from her room.

She looked noticeably thinner—as though she had poured her entire spirit into her work.

Brielle wore a pointed hat and a robe made from the hide of a Sand Maw.

Zeon immediately sensed that today was the day she would leave for the High Elf village.

“You’re leaving?”

“Yeah. I think today’s the day.”

“Should I go with you?”

“No. I have to go alone. That’s the rule of my village. They’ll never accept it if I bring an outsider.”

Brielle shook her head.

Levin, standing nearby, was startled and asked,

“What? You’re going to cross the desert by yourself?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s way too dangerous. What if I tag along? I’ll ghost so no one knows.”

“Thanks, but I’ll have to decline.”

“Brielle!”

“I have to do this alone.”

“But it’s really far, isn’t it? You’ll run into monsters on the way. How do you plan to handle that by yourself?”

Brielle was a B-rank Awakened, but as an alchemist, her combat magic wasn’t all that impressive.

She couldn’t even handle mid-level monsters on her own.

She had Liri, a spirit, but Liri was still low-tier and couldn’t be of much help.

Brielle smiled at Levin’s concern and said,

“I have Gaia, so what’s there to worry about?”

“Ah!”

“I’ll just ask Gaia to fly me close to the village. So stop worrying.”

“I didn’t think of that. If it’s Gaia, then yeah, you’ll be fine.”

“Did you really think I’d go off alone without a plan?”

“Sorry. It’s just… I haven’t seen Gaia in a while, so I forgot.”

“Dummy.”

Brielle’s scolding left Levin scratching his head, lost for words.

Zeon spoke to Brielle.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you as far as outside Neo Seoul.”

“Okay.”

Brielle nodded firmly.

Since meeting Zeon, she had never traveled the desert alone.

Zeon and Levin had always been with her.

Because of them, she was able to stay calm and composed even in dangerous situations. But now, leaving them behind to return to the High Elf village, she felt a sudden wave of fear.

Still, she had no choice.

She had already absorbed too much of the human world.

The High Elves never accepted kin tainted by the human world. Not even their own blood.

Even if she made it back to the High Elf village safely, countless trials likely awaited her.

How long it would take to overcome those trials, she didn’t know.

The three of them walked shoulder-to-shoulder as they left the slums.

Brielle said nothing as they crossed the desert.

She kept her mouth tightly shut, eyes fixed on the ground—clearly deep in thought.

Levin, too, fell into silence.

They walked for a long while.

Once Neo Seoul had vanished beyond the horizon, Brielle came to a stop.

“This should be far enough. I’ll go the rest of the way on Gaia. Call her for me.”

“Alright.”

At Zeon’s reply, he summoned Gaia silently.

They were connected by spirit, so simply thinking was enough to communicate.

Moments later, Gaia pierced through the clouds and appeared.

She descended to the ground in an instant.

“Gaia!”

―Pii!

Brielle spread her arms wide and hugged Gaia.

“You’ve grown again. You’re so cool.”

―Pii!

“You’re asking what’s going on? Yeah. I’m heading home. Will you give me a ride?”

―Pii! Pii!

“Thanks, Gaia.”

After greeting Gaia, Brielle turned around and looked at Zeon and Levin.

“I’m off, then.”

“Yeah. Travel safe.”

“Hang in there, squirt!”

Zeon and Levin answered with smiles.

Brielle looked at them for a moment, then climbed onto Gaia’s back.

Before taking off, she said one last thing,

“It might take a while, so don’t clean out my room.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll leave it just as it is.”

“Okay. See you.”

Brielle waved, and Gaia flapped her tail and soared into the sky.

Gaia circled briefly above Zeon and Levin’s heads, then shot off into the distance at terrifying speed.

Levin watched blankly and muttered,

“There she goes.”

“Yeah.”

“Tch. That damn squirt.”

“Feeling sad?”

“Me? Nah. It’s kind of refreshing, actually.”

“Oh? Your face says otherwise.”

“What’s wrong with my face? Look. I’m smiling.”

Levin forced a grin.

The sight made Zeon chuckle.

“Don’t worry too much. She’ll come back safe.”

“Who said I was worried?”

“Exactly.”

“I said I’m not worried!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Ugh, hyung!”

“I get it.”

“Seriously…”

* * *

You don’t always notice when someone’s around, but the moment they’re gone, it’s obvious. Zeon’s house was like that.

With just Brielle gone, the entire house felt hollow and empty.

Levin had gone out to meet friends, which only added to the loneliness.

Zeon chuckled and sat down on the sofa.

“Guess I’ve grown attached. She’s only been gone a few hours, but it feels this empty.”

They first got involved because of the elf pact.

Brielle made the pact in desperation to survive, and that landed them all in the same house.

It started on a ridiculous note, but over time, the three of them—Zeon, Brielle, and Levin—had grown close.

Even without a drop of shared blood, they had become like family.

Zeon found the change oddly moving.

He hadn’t said anything to Levin or Brielle, but he knew—Brielle would surely face many trials and humiliations in the High Elf village.

Whether she’d be accepted back as one of them, or be cast out in disgrace, even Zeon didn’t know.

Maybe that’s why she refused their company—so they wouldn’t see her fall.

Whatever the case, it was her choice. And she would have to deal with the consequences.

Zeon respected her decision. And he believed in her.

No matter the outcome, she would come back here eventually.

After gazing around the empty house for a moment, Zeon stepped outside.

He headed for Old Klexi’s food stall.

Old Klexi grinned, revealing his yellowed teeth as he greeted Zeon.

“What brings you here at this hour?”

“I’m hungry.”

“Feeling lonely without the squirt, huh?”

“Well… something like that.”

“Hah! That’s how it is. When someone who’s always been there isn’t, the hunger hits harder. Just wait a sec. I’ll get you a bowl of soup.”

“Thanks.”

Zeon sat down and waited for the food.

Just then, someone approached and sat next to him.

“I’ll have a bowl too, please.”

“Huh?”

Old Klexi paused mid-prep and turned to see who it was.

The voice belonged to a beautiful young woman in her early twenties.

She wore a tight-fitting qipao, her long hair pinned up, exposing her pale nape—exuding an alluring presence.

She flashed a white-toothed smile and said,

“Could I have what he’s having too?”

“Well, as long as you’re paying, I’ve got no reason not to serve you.”

“Then I’ll take one.”

“Sure thing.”

But Old Klexi’s expression soured ever so slightly.

From his reaction, Zeon realized he knew who she was.

Zeon turned to look at the woman sitting next to him. At that moment, she also turned to him.

Their eyes met. She smiled softly.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Lord Zeon.”

“You know me?”

“How could I not? You’re quite the center of attention.”

“That’s not fair. I don’t know anything about you.”

“Curious about my name?”

“…”

“If you come with me, I can tell you a lot more. So… will you come?”

“Sorry. As you can see, I just ordered soup.”

The woman’s face hardened.

She’d just been rejected—for a bowl of soup.