Because of the blade strike unleashed by the angry Senior Sister, Lin Luo seized the chance to bring Feier back to camp under the pretext of danger outside.
After all, Feier had been startled, and the heated atmosphere had cooled slightly. Yet being protected by Lin Luo—having been effortlessly swept into his arms—only made her heart warm even more.
The tall girl shyly tugged at Lin Luo’s sleeve as they reached the camp entrance.
The gesture stirred something in Lin Luo. Feier was undeniably beautiful, radiating a mature charm that captivated him.
At the camp gate, their eyes met. Both felt a jolt in their chests, then looked away, flustered. Feier, ever considerate, knew entering like this would only draw unwanted attention to Lin Luo. Reluctantly, she loosened her grip on his sleeve.
Night had deepened. Most classmates missed the subtle exchange—but Ziwan, waiting anxiously by the gate for Lin Luo’s return, saw it all.
Her heart sank. A girl’s intuition told her that tiny gesture spoke volumes about their relationship…
*"No one ever got close to him before. I was the only one who noticed him, who talked to him. Why now? First the class rep, then Han Lianfei…"* Ziwan’s lips pressed into a thin line, caught between a smile she couldn’t force and tears she refused to shed.
*"We used to walk home together. I live right next door to you. But now… what am I? I’m no class rep. I can’t even use magic. When you fought the Goblins alone… I mean… it was unexpectedly cool… But could I ever fight beside you? In this world… am I just dead weight to you, Lin Luo?"*
This time, Ziwan didn’t want him to catch her gaze. She turned away, pretending she’d seen nothing. Lin Luo was perceptive—uncannily so, almost like a girl in his sensitivity. She had no right to burden him further. Staying quietly in the shadows, not disturbing him… maybe that was the only way to help.
Ziwan’s thoughts tangled in worry.
"Good night."
"Good night."
Feier glanced back at Lin Luo, her eyes holding a trace of shyness and something warmer, before slipping into the girls’ quarters.
Returning to the boys’ sleeping area—where bodies sprawled haphazardly—Lin Luo had sensed strange looks the night before. But dwelling on it would only make *him* seem odd.
*"Damn it. I’m a man. A God Emperor. I kicked Leviathan’s ass. What’s there to fear?"*
Lin Luo found a corner beneath the boys’ shelter, leaned against the wall, and closed his eyes. A being like the God Emperor didn’t need sleep—but acting human mattered. He rested.
---
Next morning, before dawn.
Mist curled through the forest, ten miles from camp.
A band of adventurers stood tense before a field of charred Goblin corpses.
A broad-shouldered knight in tarnished silver armor crouched, examining the bodies. His expression turned grim.
"Killed by magic. Burned to ash in an instant—barely struggled. The flames were scorching hot, devastatingly powerful." He scanned the scorched earth. "This destruction… no third-tier Fireball could do this. A master mage used a low-tier spell with terrifying skill."
Behind him stood three figures: a golden-haired mage, a hulking barbarian warrior wearing a wolf-pelt hood, and a Black ranger woman with a nose ring and tiny braids woven into her shaved head.
"Look—drag marks here." The ranger traced symbols in the air, whispering a prayer to the Forest Unicorn Goddess. Her tracking magic flared. The faint trail glowed faintly before her eyes, even through thick underbrush.
