Chapter 600: Remember One Thing

    To say that Noir was surprised would be an utter understatement. This offer had come so randomly that he couldn’t conceal his shock and astonishment. "You even know something like that?" he asked with a hint of doubt creeping into his tone.

    Since when did the Divine Oracle concern himself with the player’s personal life?

    "How much do you know?" Noir asked again.

    "Not much, to be honest," the man let out a brief snicker, as though elated with the fact that he had successfully drawn the emerald-eyed man’s attention. "I also don’t know the details; I’m not omniscient, contrary to popular belief. But I do know of a surefire method for you to regain your past memory. How about it? Are you interested?" He tipped his chin up in a slightly provoking manner.

    Noir did not take the bait and inquired once more, "What’s it to you?"

    "Haven’t I said it already? It’s an exchange for your life-saving favor."

    Despite the oracle’s repeated appeal, Noir’s heart was not moved. His first reaction upon discovering there was a way to regain his memory was not joy, but doubt.

    Why would XXX do this? The two of them knew very well that the situation earlier was far from being life-threatening. Even without Noir’s cooperation, XXX could certainly escape just fine— after all, his rank on the leaderboard was not for show.

    Putting on an act was nothing but a more convenient means. It was not enough to warrant the man’s so-called gratitude. Which was why Noir was being wary and alert. He had a hunch that there was a far deeper reason behind the oracle’s action.

    Realizing that he had been seen through, XXX wasn’t embarrassed even a bit and simply spread his hands with a regretful look. "Alright, fine. I just feel like it will be more interesting this way, okay?"

    Noir’s expression eased. Now that’s more like it. But unfortunately, his answer was bound to make the other person disappointed. "Sorry, not interested."

    Without sparing a glance to the dumbfounded oracle, Noir turned and walked away.

    "Hey, are you—are you for real?! Goddamn it, how could you just—"

    The door closed behind Noir, cutting off the oracle’s sputtering words. He offered another nod of acknowledgement to the guards before striding down the corridor, his expression as tranquil and serene as the calm surface of spring lake.

    XXX was sorely mistaken if he thought that throwing out such a bait was enough to hook him. The forgotten past held little allure to him. He had lived all these years perfectly fine without knowing, so what did it matter whether he remembered or not?

    As for the sense of curiosity... Noir had none of it.

    Sometimes, he felt like his entire existence was akin to the seeds of dandelion, floating whenever the wind carried him— unbound and unfettered, without even a single worldly attachment, utterly relaxed and carefree.

    ...No, that’s not right, he was not quite relaxed and carefree right now.

    Pausing before the window, Noir gazed at the darkening sky outside and the glimpse of land seen floating amidst the clouds.

    The garuda territory, huh?

    Noir’s lips pursed. Unfortunately, he had no valid reason to pay a visit there— not with the betrothal banquet tomorrow. He checked the novice protection and confirmed that it would still be effective for another six hours, just as the clock struck midnight.

    He hoped nothing would happen to Gu Luoxin until then.

    ***

    At the same time, at the main residence of the Master of the Sky, Gu Luoxin was also checking the duration of the novice protection secretly.

    Good, there’s still six more hours, he tried to reassure himself despite the constant anxiety gnawing at his heart.

    Six hours— it would be nice if no accidents happened. But Gu Luoxin would not cling to this whimsical thinking. This was a high-level Cycle, after all! Each second of the protection was meant to benefit the players in gathering more information. He would have been more flustered instead if the whole day had passed by uneventfully, as wouldn’t it make it seem like he had let such an invincible cheat go to waste??

    Alas, as things stood, Gu Luoxin didn’t even know where to start.

    Roaming freely was not an option thanks to his secret identity as a human. He could only stay by Young Master Ares’ side pretending to be his personal servant, wearing a garuda mask on his face and fake wings clipped to his back.

    The fake wings Ares had prepared beforehand looked so unrealistic; it could have passed off as real wings if one didn’t know any better. So far, Gu Luoxin had had everyone fooled, much to his relief.

    It also proved how serious Ares was in keeping Gu Luoxin as his body double.

    Was this how all young masters behaved, or was it just Ares? Gu Luoxin couldn’t even begin to guess the answer to that.

    Since the incident in Ares’ room where he was almost discovered, he had stuck to the latter’s side all the time, accompanying the young master as he went about his daily schedule. It was also then that Gu Luoxin found out Ares wouldn’t go anywhere without an entourage of servants trailing after him, which explained why they became so agitated once they lost sight of him. Each of the servants wore similar garuda masks, making it effortless for Gu Luoxin to blend in.

    But it also came with a huge downside— so far, Gu Luoxin had not encountered even a single player. Of course, it could also be because he hadn’t interacted with anyone else, or maybe it’s the omnipotent effect of the novice tutorial that caused no one to stand out.

    While Young Master Ares was attending his flower arrangement lesson, the servants knelt outside the room in a neat row, awaiting orders.

    It was fortunate that the residence was designed in the style of a traditional household, granting Gu Luoxin a clear view of the beautiful courtyard. Aside from appreciating the scenery, he also kept watch for any passersby. But much to his disappointment, there was nary a soul on sight. The whole building seemed to be the young master’s private dwelling.

    Should he start with the servants? Gu Luoxin hesitated, fearing that his incessant questions would give his true identity away. But before he could make up his mind, the servant on his left suddenly broke the silence with a whisper,

    "Are you the new one the young master brought in the day before?"

    Gu Luoxin’s heart gave a jolt, followed by a surge of delight. Here comes the opportunity! Lowering his voice, he made sure to sound timid and respectful, like a fearful newbie wary of offending his seniors. "Y-Yes... Young Master was kind enough to take me in after my parents passed away."

    "Poor thing..." the servant—a young woman, judging from her voice—sighed softly. "Don’t worry, your life will be better from now on. Young Master is the kindest garuda I’ve ever known; he will never mistreat us. Just remember one thing— don’t ever let the Master notice you. No matter what you see or hear later, keep your head down and stay silent."

    Gu Luoxin froze. "...Why?"

    It was apparent that the other servants had been eavesdropping on their conversation, for the one who answered Gu Luoxin was the one kneeling to his right.

    "Master is... very strict," she whispered, her voice trembling with a hint of suppressed fear. "He demands nothing less than perfection. Because of that, Young Master Ares—"

    Their hushed chatter was abruptly cut off short by a series of footsteps stomping across the wooden floorboards, as if the other person wanted to announce their presence before even speaking. Following that, a tall servant appeared in their line of sight, his voice booming across the courtyard,

    "Master Grinu has come to visit! Requesting Young Master Ares to be present at once—"

    Like a large boulder thrown into a lake, the tranquility of the courtyard was shattered by a flurry of activities. The servants, acting as if they had seen their worst nightmare, flusteredly straightened their sleeves before pressing their foreheads to the ground, hands nearly folded beneath them.

    Upon closer inspection, their bodies were trembling subtly— out of fear.

    Recalling the kind warning he had just received earlier, Gu Luoxin only froze for a second before mimicking their movements to a tee.

    He held his breath sharply and listened as slow, deliberate footsteps approached, his heart racing in nervousness. Why are they so afraid? He wondered to himself.

    But soon, he got the answer.

    .

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    A/N: happy 600th Chapter, dear readers! *cheers* *pulls confetti* thank you so much for staying with WBNC until now! Love you guys to the moon and back 333