"Stop, stop now! I really don't want to become a girl and do something as filthy and tiring as vanquishing the Demon King, which could easily cost me my life!"
The voice of despair in the golden light had turned into a soft feminine voice.
Hearing Kafni's words, Linda's head was filled with question marks.
So, vanquishing the Demon King is a filthy, tiring job that risks one's life?
Wasn't it guaranteed earlier that with divine help, vanquishing the Demon King would be very easy?
It turns out it was all nonsense!
The little sympathy Linda had felt for Kafni disappeared.
A moment later, his attention shifted to Kafni's body.
Or rather, should this deity now be called 'Princess Kafni'?
The Kafni part of the name meaning hibiscus.
Princess Kafni's appearance was entirely formed by Linda's XP, featuring a teardrop mole at the corner of her eye and a beautiful, mature-looking face.
But what attracted most attention was Princess Kafni's hands crossed over her chest and the tearful, embarrassed look in her eyes.
She looked like a precious princess who had fallen into a Goblin cave, both scared and unwilling to give up her dignity, shielding her front as she faced the magical creatures.
The déjà vu was extremely strong.
Linda walked over, smiled broadly, and appreciating the whiteness in front of him, nodded and said, "Pretty good."
Princess Kafni's face turned blood red, and grinding her teeth, she reached for Linda's neck.
Just then, a majestic voice echoed through the dark space.
"Hero's induction time has ended; God's Space is closing."
"Chosen hero, with the power bestowed upon you by the deity, go and save another world!"
Two beams of light landed on Linda and Kafni.
Before they could react, their figures reappeared at the entrance of the World Tree Secret Realm in White Dove City. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel✶fire.net
Due to a different flow of time, it was already the next morning in the outside world.
The Secret Realm Square in White Dove City was bustling with noise.
Adventurers were jostling against each other, their armor and swords clashing, producing a sobering metallic sound, as they began their new day's journey of exploring the Secret Realm early in the morning.
This was a gourd-shaped square covering thousands of square feet, and at the deepest part of the gourd was a sky-high tree shimmering with magical light—the World Tree Secret Realm.
Many adventure teams were purchasing strategy materials and recruiting temporary members in the square.
The square was packed with people.
Yet, one team occupied a clear space on their own.
The surrounding adventurers preferred to squeeze elsewhere rather than venture into that group's territory.
"Look, it's the Snow Goose Adventure Team; they're preparing to conquer the ninth layer!"
"Miss Lia's red hair is still so stunning!"
"Their team seems off by one member, aren't they?"
There were only a few well-known squads in White Dove City and the members were relatively fixed, so someone quickly recognized:
"It's the 'Eye of Wisdom' Healer Linda who's missing!"
Everyone looked intently, and there stood Miss Lia with a greatsword on her back, her fiery red hair tied in a ponytail, looking strikingly heroic.
The blond mage Miss Aiko.
Chloe with pink twin ponytails, wearing heavy armor, and carrying a short-handled battle axe on her shoulder.
And the dark green-haired Elf Archer Kenny and her boyfriend, Heavy Hammer Warrior Oru.
Only Healer Linda was nowhere to be seen.
Lia crossed her arms over her chest, fingers anxiously drumming on her arm, and she cast a sidelong glance at the towering clock tower in the square, which showed exactly nine o'clock.
The usual practice for the Snow Goose Adventure Team was to gather at eight-thirty, yet now, half an hour had passed, and a certain someone still had not appeared.
That Lin Da definitely knew that the Snow Goose Adventure Team was entering the Ninth Layer Secret Realm today.
She had also told Lin Da that if he did not show up soon, she would really find another healer to replace his position!
"Perhaps, another day for the Ninth Layer?" Aiko, observing Lia's gloomy expression, lowered her voice.
However, deep down, she was secretly sneering, hadn't they agreed yesterday that no one was to sympathize with Lin Da?
Lia had asked them to come early at eight-thirty, while she purposely arrived half an hour late, claiming she had suddenly remembered that her weapons needed maintenance.
In reality, she wanted them to wait here first to see if Lin Da would show up.
If he did appear, Lia would arrive 'fashionably late' and nonchalantly say, 'They waited here for you, letting you, this lost dog, come back, but I haven't agreed yet; I'll have to see your performance in the secret realm.'
Aiko saw through Lia's brain-shrinking leadership.
It was now past nine, and Lin Da still had not appeared, Aiko caught a glimpse of Lia's fingers tapping faster and faster, and she couldn't help but feel schadenfreude.
Continue waiting for Lin Da? she would like to see what lame excuse you could come up with.
"Miss Lia, why aren't we going yet? We've been waiting for Lin Da for half an hour and he still hasn't come, let's just go by ourselves."
Chloe, who had finished her snacks, licked the oil from her fingertips, and spoke with dissatisfaction.
Urged by others and fearful that her thoughts might be exposed, Lia immediately blushed.
Giving someone a chance, and yet he doesn't take it, huh?
Lia sneered and said, "Olu, go fetch that healer named Phyllis and tell him that I, Miss Lia, have agreed, and from now on, he will be the healer of the Snow Goose Adventure Team!"
"Ah? We're not waiting for Lin Da anymore?"
Olu was a burly and tall fellow with a simple appearance, serving as the team's Heavy Hammer Warrior.
He had a good relationship with Lin Da, and this morning, after hearing about Lin Da's departure from the team, he had spoken highly of Lin Da in front of Lia.
"Just go when I tell you to, no need for so much talk."
Lia glanced at the dark green bobbed-haired elf girl Klyne, pointed ears showing, and said, "Control your boyfriend, I'm the team captain, and he needs to listen to me."
Klyne smiled embarrassingly and gave Olu a look.
Olu silently found a carriage and headed to Phyllis's residence.
Another half an hour passed, and Lin Da still hadn't arrived.
"Let's set out." Lia commanded, expressionless, leading the team and their new healer into the World Tree Secret Realm.
Time flew by, and soon it was noon.
On the Secret Realm Square, the appearance of a man and a woman drew the attention of many adventurers.
They appeared out of nowhere on the platform outside the World Tree, somewhat like adventurers returning using a Teleportation Stone after successfully conquering the secret realm.
The man was Lin Da, a somewhat famous healer known as 'Eye of Wisdom' from White Dove City.
With his handsome and rugged looks, tall stature, and membership in the renowned Snow Goose Adventure Team, Lin Da was quite popular.
However, today, the woman by his side was even more dazzling.
Kafni, in a pure white long dress, had golden hair that reached her waist, and her outstanding chest could thin a veil by ninety-nine percent for women.
Added to that was a shy yet charming face, causing many men's gazes to heat up.
Just moments ago, a debacle happened here, as an adventurer set his sights on Kafni and planned to use a certain 'little trick' to knock her unconscious.
Lin Da had promptly discovered this and used his reputation as the 'Eye of Wisdom' to frighten the aggressor into hurriedly fleeing.
Kafni coughed, speaking somewhat coyly, "You did help me, it's true, but the deity I am will not thank you."
The intervention by Lin Da had eased the tense atmosphere somewhat.
"It's nothing, after all, we are 'partners', aren't we?"
Lin Da remarked wistfully.
After exiting from that God's Space, they landed directly in the Secret Realm Square, and the time had come to noon.
Otherwise, he might have seen Lia nearby, her face flushed with embarrassment.