Jack was dead.
The Slave Contract transmitted the last thing Jack had seen before he died to Gong Qiying.
The killers were two young men, both human and wearing fervent expressions. Their actions looked premeditated: one stabbed Jack through the heart, while the other cast some sort of soul-affecting spell to prevent him from being revived.
The two men were pinned to the ground by concerned bystanders, then taken into custody by the guards. The final image showed Jack lying on his back, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers.
Maybe it was an illusion, but two transparent threads seemed to flash into view behind Jack's killer. They appeared for such a brief moment that Gong Qiying wondered if he'd imagined it.
"."
Either way, he was a little angry.
He had no idea whether those two had a grudge against Jack or had killed him over some other dispute. All he knew was that someone had killed a subordinate he'd just finished training. It was as good as slapping him in the face.
Once he got out, he'd have to find those two and tear their hoods off.
He still had plenty of plans he hadn't put into action. Did he really have to train another one of his own people?
"Forget it."
Gong Qiying lay on his back on the altar and muttered to himself:
"Doing it myself is more reliable anyway."
With Jack dead, there was no one left to help him gather the magical materials required for the ritual.
Getting in touch with adventurers was something he'd have to do. Thinking it over, who among the people he'd met so far could he trust?
He glanced at the image in the Crystal Ball and nodded.
You're the one!
Swamp Area, in front of the gargoyle.
After using the Summoning Finger Medicine, Sithran stared at the ground expectantly. But things didn't go as she'd hoped. The familiar Summoning Mark failed to appear.
"He hasn't come today either."
She sounded a little disappointed.
Ever since Gong Qiying had helped her that day, she often came to the underground city to use the Summoning Finger Medicine, hoping to see him again.
It wasn't that she had feelings for him. She was just curious—curious about how he managed to handle himself so easily in the underground city, curious about his background, and curious about why he helped people there.
She was absolutely just curious!
But she hadn't seen the Summoning Mark once since then, and she'd begun to wonder if the Summoning Finger Medicine she had was expired.
Fortunately, the Summoning Finger Medicine wasn't consumed unless she summoned an assistant. Otherwise, at the rate she was using it, she'd have run out long ago.
"Let's go back and find Aili and the others," Sithran sighed.
She and her companions had heard that a Hidden Map capable of producing special ingredients had appeared in Sain Underground City, so they'd agreed to explore it together. She'd simply gone ahead to see if she might run into Gong Qiying.
As for her companions waiting to explore with her—
They'd forgive her.
Just as she turned to leave, golden light flashed behind her!
"Huh?"
It was the familiar Summoning Symbol!
Overjoyed, Sithran summoned without hesitation.
The next moment, Gong Qiying appeared in a dazzling burst of golden light, going by the alias "Mareda."
"Long may the sunshine!"
He raised both hands and struck a pose that looked full of youthful energy. Sithran couldn't understand what he'd said, but somehow, it sounded impressive.
"It's you! We meet again."
Gong Qiying put on a surprised look and smiled. "What is it? Do you need my help again?"
With her heart pounding and her hands trembling, Sithran took a moment to compose herself before speaking. "I still have so many questions about what you taught me before. Could I—could I ask you about them? Do you have time?"
"Of course."
At his affirmative reply, Sithran couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. She'd been afraid he might think she was wasting his time and leave.
"I've come looking for you several times, but I never ran into you." She casually started walking ahead, heading toward Blighttown. She'd already taken care of the gargoyle.
As for the companions waiting for her—
They'd forgive her.
Gong Qiying walked beside her. "I only come here once in a while to help people who are having trouble."
At those words, the image he'd built in Sithran's mind shone a little brighter.
"I remember you said you were traveling to train yourself. Is it really a good idea to stay here all the time?"
She regretted saying it as soon as the words left her mouth. It sounded as if she were telling him to leave.
Did I really make up a backstory like that?
Gong Qiying had indeed forgotten. He fell silent for a moment, then said, "I was planning to leave, but I've seen too many people stumble over the challenges here. So before I go, I've decided to help others."
Whatever the case, there was nothing wrong with making himself out to be a good guy. Most people liked good guys.
Sithran's eyes seemed to sparkle, as though they held stars. Without realizing it, she edged a little closer to him.
"By the way, what did you want to ask me?"
They chatted idly for a while. They were nearly at the Giant Cursed Frog's boss room when Gong Qiying couldn't help asking.
"Ah, what?" Sithran tilted her head, looking dazed, as if she'd only just come back to herself.
"I said, what did you want to ask me?" Gong Qiying repeated, helplessly.
"Oh, right." Sithran nodded and looked at him. "What did I want to ask you?"
"."
Gong Qiying's gaze grew increasingly strange. Are you messing with me?
"Ahaha." Sithran laughed awkwardly. She realized her behavior was pretty bizarre, but the truth was—
She really didn't have anything to ask! Even if she did, it would be something about Gong Qiying himself, like asking about his past. But with their relationship as it was, wouldn't that be a little too intimate?
She'd only come to use the Summoning Finger Medicine out of habit. Then she'd been so delighted to see Gong Qiying that she hadn't even thought about asking him anything.
"Um, uh, right! I still don't quite understand how to put force behind a shield thrust!" She could only come up with something on the spot. "Please teach me."
"That's easy. Use that big guy over there as your target."
Gong Qiying naturally stepped behind Sithran and took hold of her wrist. "Put force into it like this. Don't keep your wrist too stiff. Why are you gripping it tighter the more I explain?"
Sithran's expression turned a little unnatural as she glanced at the hand Gong Qiying had placed on hers. In the end, she said nothing and adjusted her stance as he instructed.
We're perfectly innocent. Why am I thinking about things like that?
The big guy was quickly drawn over, and just as quickly killed. Only then did Gong Qiying let go of her hand and ask, "Got it?"
"Mm-hmm." Sithran could feel the armor digging painfully into her back. They'd been pressed right up against each other.
"I'll treasure this technique you taught me," she said. "I want to get as good at shield thrusts as you are!"
She'd only meant it as a polite remark. Who could have guessed that Gong Qiying would suddenly say, with a stern expression:
"You don't need to!"
Sithran stiffened. She didn't understand why his tone had changed so abruptly. Had she said something wrong?
Gong Qiying said, "You don't need to imitate me. Just be yourself."
"Oh." Sithran immediately realized he seemed to have misunderstood something, but before she could explain, Gong Qiying continued:
"You're clearly a ranger who specializes in agility. High mobility and attack power are your strengths. Shield thrusts are the complete opposite of what you're good at. I taught you shield thrusts to give you one possible approach, another way to deal with enemies. I didn't mean for you to lock yourself into it."
He went on and on, one point after another, like an experienced player rushing to save a newbie who'd gone down the wrong path.
He knew this habit was annoying most of the time, but he just couldn't help saying a few words. If the newbie could take in even a little of it, that was enough.
Sithran stared at him blankly. A moment later, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
It felt nice to have someone worry about her.
After who knew how long, Teacher Gong's little lesson finally came to an end.
"Did you understand what I said?" Gong Qiying gave her a look of exasperation. Back when he'd guided newbies in the game, he'd seen all kinds of people take the wrong path. For example, one newbie had been a little knight just a few days ago, then suddenly became a Soul Five with a little scythe in one hand and a Ringed Blade in the other. It had pained him so much that he'd developed a habit of lecturing people.
He knew the habit was annoying most of the time, but he couldn't help saying a few words. If the newbies would just take a little of it to heart, that would be enough.
"I get it, I get it."
Sithran suddenly brightened up and grabbed his arm. "I still don't quite understand shield thrusts. Could you teach me again, like you just did?"
"Didn't I just teach you?" Gong Qiying sighed again and again.
The Reincarnators of this generation—no, the adventurers of this generation—sure lacked talent.
No matter how it happened, he eventually managed to tell her about his request to have her buy magical materials for him. Although Sithran was puzzled, she agreed, and they arranged to meet in the underground city to exchange the goods in a few days.
A happy ending for all. A happy ending for all.
A note from 2025: There is no female lead. I hadn't decided on the direction of the story early on, which is why the scenes that might seem like romance appeared.
Before you continue