"Not regretting it!"

"Really?"

"Really."

"Really, really?"

Seeing the teasing smile on his master’s face, Lily complained unhappily, "Ahhh~ Master... I’m this determined, stop messing with me~!"

"I just want to triple-check," Ink Ash said, "so you won’t blame me later." After pondering with a troubled frown for a moment, he waved his hand. "But tossing it feels wasteful... Hey, you over there—Valen, come here."

"Yes, sir? What are your orders?" Valen wanted to insist he had a name, but circumstances forced him to run over respectfully.

"Oh, do you want that fruit on the tree?"

Valen froze. "Huh?!"

"Answer me—yes or no?"

Certain the man was testing his loyalty again, Valen bowed humbly. "No! I’d never dare take it... Sir, please stop testing me!"

"I’m not testing you. Serious question! If you want it, I’ll give it." Ink Ash eyed the terrified man oddly. "It’s that simple."

Valen stared blankly. "Huh?"

"It’ll be thrown away anyway. Want it?" Ink Ash asked casually, waving a hand.

Hearing that trash-disposal tone, Valen’s forehead throbbed. This is a Golden Apple before me—not some gilded fake, right?

"Snap out of it. I’m not patient. Decide now..."

Gritting his teeth, Valen blurted desperately, "Yes! Why wouldn’t I?!"

He didn’t care if it was good or bad. He needed power—now. Or death awaited him outside.

"Eat it yourself later," Ink Ash instructed simply, then strode forward.

Mouth agape, Valen’s worldview shattered again. "That easy?"

"What’d you expect?" Ink Ash retorted nonchalantly.

Valen choked on words. "Uh..."

*Sorry, this bumpkin’s embarrassing himself.*

Lily beamed at the sandalwood box under the tree. "Master! Look—a box here!"

"Oh? A shape-shifting armor set. Comes with perks like indestructible, self-repairing, dust-proof... Sturdiness unknown, but perfect for you."

Touching its cool surface, Lily bounced excitedly. "Waaah~ So cool! Can I have it, Master?"

"Of course."

Valen watched their exchange, then bit into the Golden Apple with a sigh. His first thought: *Crisp. Juicy.*

Clearly, this poor kid had been warped by the pair’s bizarre values.

Ink Ash swept all treasures into his ring. "Done looting. Time to go."

Lily frowned at the sealed space. "How?"

"Like this!"

A milky-white light pillar crashed down from the sky—a teleportation channel.

Just as they neared the Tower of Babel’s exit, Ink Ash’s heart jolted.

"Strange... Who’s summoning me?"