But... your friend studies this field?
Rayelle curiously blinked her eyes.
The girl’s words seemed rather vague.
“What does your friend do?”
“You want to know?”
“Mhm.”
The blue-green-haired girl propped herself up on her hands, gazing at the starry sky. Her eyes seemed to mirror the entire galaxy.
Rayelle had expected her to stay silent, but unexpectedly, the girl spoke.
“I’m sure you know Extraordinary Power is a unique force. It liberates human souls, unleashing immense strength—but it also corrupts them. It can even twist Extraordinary beings into strange creatures.”
“Mhm.”
Seeing the girl’s serious expression, Rayelle nodded.
She did know this.
The corruption from Extraordinary Power was a key reason for the world’s division.
Different factions had formed over it, warring endlessly.
“My friend researches this. She believes there’s a way to break the corruption—and she’d give anything to find it.”
“Wow... your friend sounds amazing.”
Rayelle’s voice held a hint of admiration.
Studying corruption was risky; Extraordinary Power itself was unstable and dangerous.
The blue-green-haired girl smiled faintly, turning to Rayelle.
“How’s your body feeling after eating so much?”
“Pretty good!”
Rayelle patted her stomach, satisfied.
“Hmm... ordinary people can’t eat corrupted Extraordinary creatures. Their Extraordinary Power concentration is so high it could kill humans.”
The girl narrowed her eyes, a soft smile playing at her lips.
Rayelle caught the implication.
“You’re saying... I’m not human?” she whispered.
The girl didn’t answer, still smiling.
“Do you feel comfortable now?”
Rayelle blinked, sensing inwardly. A gentle warmth seeped through her body. Her once-barren magic channels now flowed smoothly, like soil nourished by spring rain.
“It’s warm... really comfy.”
“Mhm.”
The girl half-closed her eyes, a faint smile on her lips.
“We might be the same kind.”
“Huh?”
Rayelle tilted her head curiously, studying the girl.
Most of her body hid under a black robe. Rayelle only saw delicate hands and bare feet.
She noticed gray cloth wrapped around the girl’s clean feet, and bandages on her hands.
So mysterious. Rayelle grew more curious.
But she saw no non-human traits—no horns, wings, or tail.
The robe clung closely to her frame, unlike Rayelle’s loose cloak.
“Are you not human? An Extraordinary being?” Rayelle asked.
“Yes and no.”
“Mmm...”
Rayelle nodded thoughtfully.
She didn’t really understand—but she didn’t want to seem clueless.
Honestly, she didn’t care if the girl was human.
As long as she was an adorable little girl!
By the way, Rayelle, the Dragon King of Lies and Deceit, had a sharp nose for falsehoods.
She’d sensed no lies from this girl—that’s why she stayed.
“Are you from around here?” Rayelle hugged her knees, watching her.
“No.”
“Huh?”
“I’m on vacation.”
The girl sat up, nibbling roasted meat as she replied.
“Vacation, huh...”
Rayelle looked up at the stars. Suddenly remembering something, she stood.
“Oh right—it’s late. I have things tomorrow. I’ll head back.”
“Go ahead.”
The girl set down her meat, smiling.
“Let’s eat roasted meat together next time. It’s more fun with company. Eating alone is boring.”
“Okay!”
The thought of free meals made Rayelle grin.
But she paused.
“How do I find you?”
“I’ll be hunting near Bonn City for a while. Just look for campfire smoke.”
The girl tapped her lips.
“See you tomorrow!”
“See you.”
After waving goodbye, Rayelle slipped into a shadowy corner. She shifted her appearance from cherry-red hair and crimson eyes back to white hair and blue eyes. Then she hurried through the woods to Bonn City.
With a map, she quickly reached the Adventurers Guild.
It was late; the guild was nearly empty. Only the diligent Miss Vera sat at a corner table, scribbling notes.
“Good evening, Miss Vera.”
Rayelle glanced over. Vera was studying a tiny slip of paper—too small to read from afar.
Hearing Rayelle, Vera smiled, waved, and tucked the paper away.
“Good evening, Rayelle. Get some rest.”
“Mhm.”
As Rayelle headed upstairs, the guild’s front door creaked open again.
A strange, heavy gloom swept in.
Rayelle froze, turning.
To her surprise, a familiar figure entered.
“Aerin?”
Rayelle’s eyes widened at the silver hair.
Why was Aerin back so late?
Her face looked troubled, anger flickering in her brows.
Bad encounter? Probably the Chaos Sect.
Rayelle dashed over, helping Aerin off with her pack and the Holy Sword’s scabbard. She brushed dust from Aerin’s clothes.
Good to stay on the protagonist’s good side.
“Aerin-nee, why so late?” Rayelle asked.
“I took a commission. But I ran into a nasty trickster on the road. Got played—wasted hours dealing with it.”
Seeing Aerin’s frustration, Rayelle patted her back comfortingly.
“A trickster? Who’d dare mess with our Aerin-nee? If I see them, I’ll flatten them!” Rayelle declared fiercely.
She couldn’t afford Aerin turning dark—that’d be her first nightmare.
Inside the Holy Sword, Lulu nearly burst out laughing.
She alone knew Rayelle was ranting about herself.
