【Wait, Master... Do you really understand the situation you're in?】

“Yeah... My skills have been reset. I know. But at least Pal and you are here, so I should be...”

【No. As you are now, even a small beast could kill you, let alone the monsters beneath the Abyss of the Underworld.】

“Tsk!”

Pal was powerful, but without any Authority, things would still be difficult. And now all of Li's Authority skill points had been reset. If Li put points into anything now, there was only the first skill to choose from—and that was just physical enhancement.

Li opened the skill menu.

“Hm? What's going on?”

Li looked over the Authority skills and realized that, despite never having put points into any of them, physical enhancement was already almost maxed out.

“Norton? What's going on?”

【Master, that's because your body has already reached the peak of what a human body can achieve. This is something you already possess, not power gained by activating an Authority. In other words, you've reached the human peak—but only the peak of an ordinary person. You've never paid attention to this stat before. If you want to get stronger, this stat will evolve. To put it in terms you can understand... your body refinement has reached its limit.】

“Ah... I get it.”

Li understood. There was no time to waste here. Judging by the drag marks, the trail led that way. If she was dead, then she was dead. But if she was still alive, Li would bring her back no matter what. There was no way Li would let her die in comfort.

There weren't any weapons here, so Li grabbed a thick branch to use as one.

There were some metal objects in the cave, too, but none of them were any use. This wooden club was more practical.

【Master... You're really going to get yourself killed. I advise you to let go of your hatred and at least strengthen your power first. You're not the same person you were back then. If you destroy your Authority again, there'll be no one to restore your body and Authority this time.】

Li knew. But there were some things Li would regret for the rest of their life if they didn't do them. This was the one thing—this one thing—Li couldn't let go. Li didn't want to let her get away with it. Not this. Not this!

【Master.】

“I know. I understand exactly what I'm doing. Look at these beast tracks, then look at the drag marks. It's probably just a small monster. If it were strong, there'd be no need to drag her. I'm furious, sure, but I haven't completely lost my mind, Norton.”

【Master...】

Li said nothing more. This was Li's decision, so no matter how difficult the road ahead was, Li had to keep going. Because this was Li's decision.

Gripping the wooden club, Li hurried toward the direction they'd settled on. But after running less than five meters, Li stopped.

Li glanced behind.

“Norton, did you see that?”

【Yes, Master. Your body has been greatly strengthened.】

Come to think of it, Li had snapped that branch off just now. It was thicker than Li's arm, but Li hadn't thought anything of it at the time. Li's body really had been greatly strengthened!

And to an absurd degree, too.

“So, Norton, does that mean I'm allowed to cut loose a little now?”

【Master... I just hope you won't do anything reckless when you run into trouble...】

“Hmph... Let's go!”