The passage was thick with the stench of blood.
Reis’s body lay in a pool of blood, a clear hole in his forehead.
He never could have imagined, even in his wildest dreams, that while boasting about a one-on-one fight, Chenxi would shoot him from behind!
He was still being so cautious, even now?
Well, what more could be said? His life was now hers!
Akun and Karl’s bodies were not far off, the scene chaotic and grim.
Hongxu wiped the blood from the axe blade and muttered one word, "Satisfying!"
The boss was right, this was how it should be!
Her eyes were fixed on the young woman standing in the corner, clutching a staff and dressed in tattered robes. It was Lina.
Hongxu’s gaze remained fierce—this should be the end.
She took a step forward, and then another, slowly approaching the girl.
She didn’t care about whether this girl was beautiful or not.
She didn’t care, and neither did the boss!
The massive double-edged axe gleamed with a cold metallic shine in the dim light.
Her arm muscles tensed, and the axe blade slightly rose, the target clear.
“Wait.”
Chenxi’s voice suddenly stopped Hongxu’s movement.
Hongxu froze, the axe just a few inches from the girl’s head.
She turned her head in confusion to look at Chenxi, her yellow eyes filled with questions.
Though puzzled, her body instinctively halted, standing still.
Curious, but... the boss is right!
She didn’t ask why, only expressing her confusion through her eyes.
Why keep someone like this around, someone who showed up with those bastards?
Chenxi’s face was expressionless, but inside she was terrified. Good grief!
What was she doing? If it was time to kill, hadn’t she already shot me in the head by now? Why would she need you?!
The third character slot!
Forget about everything else—having her would let me try to clear the fifth level.
Just use her for a bit. If it turns out she’s unsuitable as a teammate, I can just dispose of her later!
What a waste, such a waste!
Lina kept her head lowered, her long hair obscuring most of her face.
Hearing the wind from the axe stop, she slowly raised her head.
Under her golden hair, her face, gray and tired, showed signs of exhaustion.
Her lips were pale, and her eyes met Chenxi’s gaze, though they seemed to look past him, distant and unfocused.
Her staff had fallen at her feet.
“Don’t you have anything to say?”
Hongxu raised her axe again, “Once you’ve said your piece, I’ll send you on your way!”
Chenxi glanced at Hongxu, silently signaling her to keep quiet.
“Uh, I was joking, the boss has the final say!”
Seeing Hongxu’s silly grin, Chenxi sighed helplessly.
Lina’s gaze slowly swept over both Chenxi and Hongxu’s faces before eventually dropping back to the ground.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what else to say. Please, go ahead. I’m truly sorry.”
She smiled faintly, with no intention of resisting.
Since joining this mercenary group, she had been waiting for an opportunity, to find a chance to kill Reis.
Now, she had finally succeeded.
She could die in peace now. She had bought insurance for herself. Once she was gone... her sister would be well taken care of.
A smile appeared on her face. "For someone like me, a filthy rat, this is probably the best ending, right?"
She finished speaking, as if she had exhausted her final strength.
Her head dropped once more, and she no longer looked at them, quietly waiting for the end.
She had truly given up completely.
After her parents passed away, she had fought hard until now. She was simply too tired, too exhausted. She wanted to rest for a moment.
Hongxu listened to her words, furrowing her brow. She muttered under her breath, "What’s going on? Are you seriously not afraid of death? Is your brain...?"
The boss is a fool, but you’re the real idiot.
She didn’t understand, but she was deeply shocked!
People who knew thought she was going to die, but those who didn’t would think she was going to enjoy life!
Chenxi’s gaze lingered on Lina for a few seconds.
"What did your earlier warning mean?"
Lina smiled. If Chenxi had to describe it, she had burned out!
You didn’t actually think this guy would say anything profound, did you?
"Well, I was warning you to run. At that time, you weren’t Reis’s match. At least that’s what I thought. But you’re really strong, I was short-sighted."
"Why follow a guy like him?"
Chenxi’s eyes narrowed, "Did you want to join, or were you forced to? I’m curious."
"That doesn’t matter. Please, do what you must."
Lina bent her head, exposing her thin neck.
"If you strike here, I’ll definitely die. If you can make it painless, I’d be truly grateful."
Hongxu was shocked. Isn’t humanity supposed to be wild?!
This confused Chenxi even more. What was this? You’re not afraid of death... How am I supposed to handle this?
“Join us.”
Chenxi’s voice was steady. “You joined Reis’s team, there must have been some kind of leverage. Now that he’s dead, you can start a new life. My team is short a mage.
If it was a secret, he’s dead now.
And I helped you deal with him, as thanks, you’ll join my team.
If he had someone important to you, he’s gone now.
And I helped you deal with him, as thanks, you’ll join my team."
"My class is Holy Light Priest."
"… We also need a healer."
Chenxi looked at the girl, thrilled. A Holy Light Priest! A treasure!
An advanced class, far stronger than my pathetic adventurer class!
"If there’s someone important to you, even they wouldn’t want to see your death. If you’re short on money, then you should definitely join my team."
Lina’s expression finally showed hesitation.
Chenxi tilted her head slightly, motioning for her to walk behind Hongxu. "What do you have left to lose? You said you’re not afraid of death, right?"
Lina blinked, as if... that was true.
"Yeah."
"Alright, Hongxu, let’s go back to the seventh level. We haven’t collected all our materials yet. Now that we’ve got an extra person, one more hand will help."
Chenxi walked at the back, Hongxu leading the way.
【Task Completed, Reward Dispensed!】
With the sound of a lock opening, the third character slot was finally unlocked!
Whee, here we go!
The annoyance from being interrupted by some unknown person vanished instantly. Now... let’s take a look at this guy’s stats!