A Small Gift

Linsey and Yarrowen made their way to the outside of the camp.

The respect that Law Knight receive for providing a safe place to live in a place like the Wasteland is simply beyond compare!

As soon as Yarrowen walked down the street, people frequently bowed and greeted him, their respect genuine and undisguised.

Even Linsey, who was traveling with them, received special treatment as a result.

The two walked all the way to the entrance of the camp.

Yarrowen dismissed the guards and personally opened the gate for Linsey before finally asking:

"Mr. Linsey, I know you've made up your mind to leave, so I won't try to persuade you otherwise."

"But aren't you going to say goodbye to the people who came to the camp with you?"

Linsey smiled and shook her head:

"No need, I only met them by chance."

"All good things must come to an end, so let's stop here."

As he finished speaking, Linsey recalled the reconnaissance he had made upon entering the camp, and casually remarked:

"By the way, Mr. Aloenya."

"You know I come from the Seven Seas Alliance, so I have some ability to discern people's true intentions. For example, do you need my help with the situation in your camp?"

Yarrowen understood the meaning behind Linsey's words—to help him identify the traitor within the camp.

But unexpectedly, the Law Knight shook his head:

"No, the people on this Wasteland are uneasy. The most important thing now is to trust each other and build a united atmosphere. Even if someone has ill intentions, I cannot use violence against someone who has not committed a crime before they take action."

"..."

Is this naiveté or admirable?

Linsey was momentarily speechless; he hesitated for a few seconds before offering his opinion:

"Excuse my bluntness, but what you're doing is not a wise move."

Yarrowen was fully aware of this:

"Yes, I know this will definitely bring danger, but it is also a principle and bottom line that I cannot cross."

Linsey couldn't help but sigh:

"In a world like this Wasteland, such principles are somewhat of a luxury."

Yarrowen also smiled wryly:

"That's true, so I can only do my best..."

Just as the two were saying goodbye.

A series of hurried footsteps sounded from behind.

Linsey turned her head and saw that it was Vivian running over from the camp.

She hid her left hand behind her back in a childlike gesture, but it didn't escape Linsey's eyes.

"Your left hand is injured?"

"The price I just mentioned, is actually to accept the punishment yourself?"

Linsey paused for a moment, while Vivian had already run up to the two of them.

She had spoken with Linsey before, and seeing the current situation, she immediately understood what was going on:

"Dad? Mr. Linsey, are you leaving?"

Linsey smiled slightly:

"As I said before, I have important things to do."

Upon hearing this, Vivian immediately used her good right hand to remove a necklace from her neck and handed it to Linsey.

"This, this is a thank-you gift!"

"Mr. Linsey, you saved my life. This necklace isn't very valuable, but it seems to be the only thing I can afford."

Yarrowen's upbringing is truly excellent.

Linsey had never seen such a well-behaved and sensible child.

He glanced at it; the necklace had only a thin cord with a red stone hanging from it, and it gave off a warm feeling.

Jewelry: Warm Stone Necklace

[This is an ornament obtained by Smelting Crimson Stone with a powerful will. When worn, it provides the wearer with a stable but minute amount of Essence.]

[A simple piece of jewelry, of low value.]

Linsey had no intention of taking the child's things.

He thought for a moment about how to answer, then bent down and touched Vivian's hair:

"Vivian, you can keep this necklace for yourself."

"But as a reward for saving your life, I hope that you will always uphold your kind heart and help more people in the future."

"..."

Vivian was completely taken aback by Linsey's response and froze on the spot.

Linsey greeted Yarrowen with a smile.

He waved and then continued walking eastward.

With Linsey's true speed, he didn't let the refugees slow him down this time either; he disappeared from the Yarrow Camp in the blink of an eye.

At the main gate of the camp, the Law Knight and his daughter watched Linsey depart.

They stood there for a long time before returning to the Yarrow Camp to settle the new refugees who had joined that day.

Meanwhile, Linsey resumed her journey.

This time, he traveled light and accelerated his pace just as he had when he first arrived in the Wasteland.

Just three days and two nights later, he crossed a plain that was beginning to desertify. Before evening arrived that day, Linsey could see the World's Edge in the distance.

It was a pitch-black sky, and the oppressive air felt like Abyss encroaching on the human world.

"No wonder it's called the Pitch-Black Abyss."

"Well, we've finally arrived."

Linsey murmured a sigh.

He had only been in the Barren Land World for a little over a month, but these experiences gave Linsey the illusion that time had been stretched out.

He was walking on the final path at this moment.

The surrounding land was no longer covered with fine sand as before; the soil underfoot had a firm yet warm feel, and the vitality of the world had not yet faded here.

"If it weren't for being caught between two dangerous worlds."

"This place will surely be regarded as a treasure land by the people of this Wasteland land."

As Linsey walked, she casually checked her Attribute Panel.

He himself was perfectly fine, and the map didn't indicate any danger. The world next door, embroiled in war, seemed to be separated by an insurmountable chasm, having no impact on the Wasteland whatsoever.

"That's not right, is it? Although the Wasteland is a barren land..."

"But the other side is also in the midst of war. Doesn't anyone want to escape and come over to take a look?"

Linsey was curious, and her thoughts began to wander.

His gaze finally settled on the empty Task Bar.

"That being said, no further action was taken in the Task Bar."

"So the next quest... might require staying at the Yarrow Camp and spending more time before you can accept it?"

"What a pity."

In the time it takes to say a few words, Linsey's figure charged forward like a galloping horse.

As the distant, gray sky drew closer, the darkness in the void stained the surrounding air black, making the oppressive atmosphere even more somber.

Linsey, however, was not surprised by this.

After all, he had already experienced this change once before, from the Hidden Borderlands to the Black Mountain World.

"The Hidden Borderlands is connected to the Black Mountain World by Vines, and the Black Mountain World is connected to the Courtyard in the Forest by a waterfall, so here..."

Soon to cross the world.

Linsey felt a rare mix of trepidation and excitement, a feeling that was common during adventures.

When he arrived at the World Boundary and stood on a pitch-black boulder, he was completely stunned.

A stone bridge stretched forward from the edge of the earth; it should have been a passage across the world.

But the pitch-black Abyss cut everything off from the distance.

The path beneath their feet extended into the void and then shattered with a crash, leaving them with nowhere to step.

Linsey's expression was blank:

"This... the road is blocked?"