But, I Refuse

As they neared White Harbor, Jia Ruo told the somewhat tired Neeko to return to the ship first.

He himself wanted to walk along the coast. After all, he had been on the ship for so long, he wanted to spend a little more time on land.

The feeling of not swaying is truly reassuring, Jia Ruo thought.

Although he didn't get seasick, this was his first time staying on a ship for over twenty consecutive days, and he still felt a little unaccustomed.

In the dim twilight, he casually manipulated the plants by the roadside, making them grow taller and twist their shapes.

Too slow, not even half as good as Neeko.

One had to know that Neeko's true specialty was soul magic; manipulating plants was just a minor trick for her.

When Jia Ruo came to his senses, he realized he had entered a river branch.

Even more terrifying was that he couldn't find his way back.

Just as Jia Ruo was panicking, a figure emerged from the river and waddled up to him.

It was an excessively fat, giant catfish with four limbs, small, dark yellow eyes, and a wide mouth stretched into a grin, revealing two rows of unsettling sharp teeth.

"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Tahm Kench."

He took off the small top hat he wore on his large bald head. His plump body, tightly wrapped in a tuxedo, caused his bow to only tilt forward slightly.

"Don't be nervous, young man."

Tahm said, looking at Jia Ruo, who had collapsed on the ground and was trembling.

However, everyone who met Tahm for the first time reacted this way.

Slurp.

Tahm extended his long tongue and licked Jia Ruo's face.

Jia Ruo hurriedly shuffled backward again.

"It's the taste of a craving for power."

Tahm chuckled, his two barbels twitching.

"How about this, my child, we make a deal: you can return unharmed and even gain benefits... as long as you bring someone else to take your place."

"Of course, you can bring more people."

Tahm spat out three items: a gleaming knife, and two gems, one red and one blue.

"This is a fine weapon, and those two are Ruby and Blue Crystal."

He explained.

"Rubies contain magic that can invigorate your life force, while Blue Crystals allow you to communicate with magical elements more easily."

"If you bring back one person, you can choose one. If you bring back two, then they are both yours. Moreover, I have more good things in my belly if you need them."

He patted his belly, and his heavy stomach jiggled.

On Runeterra, no matter the means of attack, its essence is the power of magical elements. When magical elements are absorbed into the body, surging as magic throughout the limbs and bones, or attached to weapons and the body's surface for combat, ordinary people tend to call them warriors. Those who directly communicate with magical elements and cast spells are called mages.

Of course, many strong individuals are not limited; they embody both.

Clearly, Rubies and Blue Crystals are items that enhance these two aspects.

Tahm narrowed his eyes, his already small eyes now almost invisible.

His favorite thing was to first satisfy human greed, and then take back what he gave, with interest.

The despair emanating from these tempted souls was the best supplement to satisfy his endless appetite.

"Come on, make a decision. You can use any means, kidnapping, deception, coercion, or enticement. As long as you bring someone back."

"As long as I... I bring someone back," Jia Ruo trembled, his breathing heavy, and asked, "If I hand them over to you, will you... will you really let me go?"

"Ah, yes, it's a transaction. Of course, you can exchange for even more. Come on, agree."

Jia Ruo stood up, seemingly about to make a decision.

However, it was different from what Tahm had anticipated.

Jia Ruo's gaze suddenly became firm, and his body no longer trembled.

His voice was not loud, but steady: "But, I refuse."

When sacrificing others could save his own life, and simultaneously obtain what his heart desired, Jia Ruo was the first to decisively refuse.

Tahm possessed the ability to perceive others' desires. Jia Ruo absolutely craved power; there was no mistake about that.

"What I, Jia Ruo, like to do most is say no to self-righteous individuals," Jia Ruo added.

Tahm had never directly killed anyone. He only confiscated the lives of those who couldn't repay their debts after a transaction with him, along with their despair.

But Jia Ruo didn't know that.

All he knew was that when facing this demon that tempted humans, never, ever, ever make a deal with it.

Jia Ruo seemed to have no choice.

Tahm was somewhat enraged, he used his tongue to coil Jia Ruo up, lifting him to eye level, and stared into Jia Ruo's eyes with his dark yellow, small eyes.

After a long while, Tahm flung Jia Ruo into the river, letting the water carry him away.

Interesting, we will meet again.

By then, the choice I give you will make you bloom with the most delicious despair.

Tahm slowly sank into the water...

On the other side, Jia Ruo was washed by the river to the estuary.

And when he looked back to search, that branch of the river was nowhere to be seen.

Jia Ruo felt that this midsummer night was exceptionally cold.

This must be because he was soaked.

Unfortunately, that was an illusion.

The source of the cold came from the lingering aftereffects of his fear, from the shadow left by having his life held in someone else's palm.

He was still too weak. Just a brief moment of eye contact with Tahm made Jia Ruo deeply realize the gap between them—he was like duckweed, at the mercy of the river.

No duckweed could survive in the river, but he, he hadn't died...

As Jia Ruo, dripping with water, found the merchant ship, the moon was already hanging high.

The long wooden planks for boarding and disembarking had long been retracted. Jia Ruo could only wake the sailor on duty, who was currently dozing off.

The sailor impatiently lowered a rope. "Damn it, who comes back at this hour after entering port."

Jia Ruo climbed the rope over the ship's railing, not answering, and quietly slipped back into the room.

"Jia Ruo, what happened?"

Neeko had been waiting for him to return and immediately sat up and asked.

Jia Ruo sensed Neeko probing his Shuoma.

"Neeko, didn't I tell you not to peek at my memories? I need to maintain my privacy."

Having been nourished by the energy within the fragments for so long, he could now faintly sense it when Neeko touched his soul.

Jia Ruo was afraid Neeko would see his fear from just now.

"Hmph, stinky Jia Ruo, I was just worried about you. If you don't want me to look, I won't."

"Okay, okay, don't be grumpy."

Jia Ruo changed into another set of dry clothes, got into bed, rested his head on Neeko's lap, and then said, "Privacy is a sign of respect for me, and besides... stories are more interesting with suspense, aren't they?"

So, Neeko, holding a towel, wiped Jia Ruo's hair while listening to him slowly recount everything that had happened: the catfish-like demon, the tempting and corrupting deal, its long, sticky tongue...

Neeko was still frightened. She hugged Jia Ruo's head tightly. "It's good that you're okay."

"Don't worry, I wouldn't fall for its tricks," Jia Ruo said. "I'm a clever little guy."

Yet, that night, he dreamt of that big mouth again...