Genevieve handed him a sealed envelope. "This will grant you passage through the Guild's restricted zones. There are creatures in the Poisonous Swamp even S-rank adventurers avoid. Don't get careless."
Asher nodded as he leaned in slightly as he asked " who is this Crazy bitch?" he asked pointing at Melina.
Genevieve sighed. "She's crazy, but she's one of our Transcendent-rank adventurers. Don't mind her too much. Her ability causes her target's bones to explode. It's like she has adapted to her absurd ability, though others haven't—after all, it's quite unorthodox."
Asher nodded. "Hm, Bone Bomb, huh? Though, if I were to guess, I'd think it was more like Bone Manipulation."
Genevieve shook her head. "It's just Bone Bomb. We thought it might be some form of Bone Manipulation too, but when we tried to help her control it, every test ended with explosions. So, after many trials, we confirmed that her ability is simply Bone Bomb—a variant of Bone Manipulation."
Asher nodded in understanding.
"And that's the reason she's always alone. Though it has helped her rise in ranks and become independent so that she doesn't have to rely on others," Genevieve said before adding, "Don't think badly of her. She longs for others, but most are scared of her. After all, all it takes is for her to look at her target, and she can make their bones explode. Her personality is different—not bad or evil, just… unique."
Asher nodded. "It's okay. I've met more evil ones."
Genevieve chuckled. "I know. And I've run away from them myself," she said with a smirk.
"Where is Serena?" Asher asked.
Genevieve responded, "She's back at the guild. She insisted on coming with us, but we stopped her. She's too weak, after all."
Asher nodded in understanding.
"I guess I'm going then," Asher said.
Genevieve nodded. "Just be careful from now on," she warned.
"I'm always careful, but others don't let me be," he replied with a smirk.
Genevieve just laughed and let him go.
Asher stepped out and spotted Melina sitting nearby, swinging her legs while surveying the captured Red Fate members.
"Thank you for saving me," she said.
"Oh, it was my job after all," Melina replied, waving her hand dismissively. Then, with a sly smile, she added, "But if you really want to thank me, how about letting me have those eyes of yours?"
Asher shook his head. "I can't give them to you, but you can have this," he said, taking out a small vial.
"What's this?" Melina asked, examining the vial in her hand.
"It's an Empyrean Vampire essence. I removed the vampirism from it. If you drink it, you'll acquire the abilities of an Empyrean Vampire without actually turning into one. You'll remain human," Asher explained.
Unlike the vials he had laced with traps for the Red Fate victims, this one was pure, with no harmful side effects.
"Are you sure you want to give this to me?" Melina asked, raising a brow.
Asher simply took a step back and activated his Blood Ruler ability, causing the blood in his hand to shift and swirl. "My ability is Blood Ruler. Do you think I need the blood-related abilities of an Empyrean Vampire?" he asked.
Melina watched the blood change forms in his palm before nodding. "Okay, I'll take it," she said, pocketing the vial.
As he turned to leave, she grabbed his hand. "Do you need anything else?" he asked turning.
"Just your name," Melina said.
" Asher Magnus is my name" he replied.
"Melina Koiur. Nice to meet you, Asher Magnus," she replied with a grin.
Asher nodded. "It was my pleasure," he said as he walked away.
Melina watched Asher walk away, a curious expression crossing her face.
"What a weird kid… He wasn't afraid of me," she thought, tilting her head slightly.
Most people either avoided her or feared her abilities, yet Asher had treated her like any other person. That alone made him stand out in her mind.
She shrugged off the thought and went back to her job, monitoring the captured Red Fate members. Yet, from time to time, her gaze drifted toward the direction Asher had gone.
Even after he disappeared from sight, she found herself still thinking about him.
Asher rushed to the Guild, where he found Serena pouting in the corner.
"Yo, did someone bully you?" he asked casually, leaning against the wall.
Serena snapped her head toward him, glaring fiercely. "You bastard! You're the one who bullied me!" she shouted, drawing the attention of others nearby.
Asher sighed dramatically. "Sheesh, keep your voice down, or you'll summon the crows to harass me."
Serena huffed, crossing her arms, but she didn't say anything further.
"I told you I was fine, so why are you sulking now?" Asher asked, raising an eyebrow.
Serena exhaled sharply, her frustration evident. "Who cares about you? I was waiting for the one who promised to not risk his life anymore." Her voice trembled slightly, and Asher noticed her eyes looked a bit teary.
He sighed. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry." He reached out, patting her head lightly.
Serena slapped his hand away. "Why did you even go there? Why act as a spy for the Guild?"
Asher leaned back, shrugging. "I went because I saw an opportunity. I didn't do it for the Guild; I just wanted to grow stronger quickly."
Serena frowned, her expression filled with concern. "Why?"
"why are you so much in rush to grow stronger?" she asked as Asher fell silent , 'Why? Cause I want to return back to Volarisa' he inwardly thought as he looked at her.
He sighed again. "I'll tell you everything when the time is right."
Serena hesitated, then nodded. "Fine… But you better keep your promise."
Asher chuckled, ruffling Serena's hair despite her protests.
"Relax, I'll keep my promise. You'll know it soon enough soon enough."
Serena slapped his hand away again, scowling. "Stop treating me like a kid!"
"Then stop acting like one," Asher shrugged.
Annoyed, Serena pounced on him and began to harshly ruffle his hair. "Who's the kid now?" she asked smugly. The latest episodes are on the Novel~Fire. (n)et