Chapter 56

"BASTARD!! CALL ME BY MY TITLE!!"

Blake's roar reverberated through the forest, his anger casting a heavy tension over the group.

Aether met Blake's furious gaze for a fleeting moment, his mind racing with the realization that now was not the time for pride or defiance. With the other men scrutinizing Stella intently, he knew he had to tread carefully.

"Mr. Blake, I assure you that I am returning to my master," Aether spoke calmly, his voice steady despite the storm brewing around them. "This girl agreed to help me, that's all."

Stella flinched at the tension, her gaze shifting to Aether, but she remained silent.

"Hmm? I know that, dumbass," Blake responded with a smirk. Then, his expression turned sinister as he continued, "You know, hunting humans is more useful than hunting monsters."

"W-What do you mean...?" Aether asked, his suspicion growing as he began to grasp the situation.

"I mean... It's much easier to level up by hunting humans than monsters!" Blake declared, his tone sending a chill down Aether's spine.

Aether instantly understood what Blake was saying.... Player Killers!!!

"B-But she's helping you--" Aether attempted to protest, but Blake cut him off. "That's why we're letting her go... though she might as well help us with some 'other' needs," Blake explained casually.

"You bastard, she's just a child, You fucking old man!" Aether's voice cracked with anger as he confronted the middle-aged man's callousness.

"Child?... What are you talking about brat? She is a fresh fruit that is waiting to rip" Blake's smile grew wider as he began to advance towards Stella.

Sensing danger, Stella prepared to fight, however,

"You think I trusted you, dumbass?" Aether's voice rang out confidently, a smirk evident in his tone.

Blake frowned at the sudden display of defiance from a slave. Before he could react, however,

"PUUUUFFFF!!!!!" Aether swiftly slammed his leaf-masked face, unleashing a dense cloud of white smoke that enveloped their surroundings. Panic ensued as the smoke obstructed their vision, causing discomfort and irritation among Blake's group.

Some felt a burning sensation in their eyes, while others especially women experienced itching and redness on their skin. Amidst the chaos, Blake leapt towards where Aether had stood, sword drawn, ready to strike. But to his surprise, there was nothing but empty air...

/Blaze/

Blake muttered under his breath, feeling the wind swirl around him as it dispersed the lingering white dust. When the smoke finally cleared, revealing the empty space where Aether and Stella had stood, Blake's frown deepened.

As the smoke cleared, Blake's prediction proved correct. Aether and Stella were nowhere to be seen. Frowning, he turned to his teammates, who were suffering from various skin problems and eye burns.

"B-Blake, I-I can't see... It's burrnnningggggg!!!!" One man cried out, rubbing his eyes frantically as tears streamed down his face.

"Lane, my pristine white turned bright red!!" A woman exclaimed, horrified by the appearance of pimples on her now-red skin.

Faced with his team's disorientation, Blake's anger boiled over.

"YOU FUCKING SLAVE!!" he roared, then immediately directed his team towards the forest exit. He was certain that Aether and Stella would head in that direction due to its proximity.... But as they ran, something nagged at the back of his mind.

"-huff-huff-huff-" Aether panted heavily as he dashed through the dense forest instead of heading towards the exit, his breath ragged from the exertion.

"Y-You can put me down," Stella said, her face flushed with embarrassment as she realized she was being carried like a sack.

Indeed, Aether had hoisted her over his shoulder, carrying her swiftly as he navigated the forest.

After what felt like an eternity, Aether finally came to a stop, his senses telling him they were at a safe distance from Blake's pursuing team.

"Thud"

Setting Stella down gently, Aether leaned against a nearby tree, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath.

Suddenly, a surge of energy coursed through his body, accompanied by a familiar chime.

!~Ding~!

+1 Agility

Agility: 7↑

+1 Strength

Strength: 6↑

With hazy eyes, Aether glanced at the black transparent log before him, a sense of satisfaction washing over him, "I guess... -ha- running for your life -ha- while carrying a weight is really... -ha- worth it," he muttered to himself between gasps for air.

But suddenly,

"ssshhhhh"

A hushed sound filled the air, drawing Aether's attention. His body began to glow brightly, and in an instant, the fatigue and strain that had weighed him down were washed away as if they were nothing but dirt.

"Cool..." Aether murmured, marvelling at the sensation of rejuvenation that swept over him. Turning to Stella, who wore a concerned expression, he couldn't help but express his awe. "You can not only heal but also rejuvenate lost energy? That's awesome!"

Instead of answering, Stella's tone turned serious as she questioned him. "Why didn't you run away by yourself?" Her words were sharp, filled with frustration and confusion.

"Hmm?" Aether tilted his head, puzzled by her sudden change in demeanour.

Stella's frustration boiled over, and she grabbed his sack dress, her voice rising in agitation. "If you had run away by yourself, you could have already exited the forest!!"

"W-Wait!" Aether attempted to protest, but Stella's grip was firm, threatening to tear his old sack dress.

'Drip, Drip'

As tears welled up in Stella's eyes, Aether halted his struggles, his concern piqued. "What happened?"

In a flood of emotion, Stella broke down, her sobs echoing through the forest as she confessed,

"aawwww.....T-They lef-t me.... They left me in the middle of n-night b-because I-I am useless H-Healer..awwww"

Aether was taken aback by Stella's revelation, unsure of how to respond to her sudden emotional outburst. But he knew one thing for certain..... he needed to listen.

"Who left you?" Aether inquired gently, his voice soft and comforting.

'sob,sob'

But Stella was unable to answer, overcome by her tears and grief.

Aether sighed, surveying their surroundings before slowly embracing her with his large hands, offering solace as he softly patted her back. "It's okay, little girl. You can tell me."

At his words, Stella cried even harder, clinging to him tightly for comfort.

"..." Aether sighed once more, resigning himself to simply being there for her, offering support as she allowed herself to release her pent-up emotions.