Is Seele Going to Help Him?

Seeing the "Frigid Prowler" stop in front of him, Jing Yan was taken aback. After thinking it over, though, he understood what was happening.

He had a rough idea why the mechanical construct in front of him had stopped.

It was because even mechanical constructs had a small chance of malfunctioning and awakening emotions like those of humans.

There was one such being in Rivethown, an area abandoned after being corrupted by the Fragmentum: a mechanical life-form called Pascal.

Mr. Svarog, the leader of the Robot Settlement, had believed Pascal might help all robots develop emotions, so he had erased him.

In short, this case was enough to prove that even a machine could become a sentient being with humanlike emotions.

It seemed that once his divine power reached a certain level of strength, it had helped the Fragmentum creature before him complete its transformation. Then, by controlling its desire, he had managed to control it as well.

That meant his power could do more than just fight or influence humans. It could also affect nonhuman beings.

It really was an incredibly powerful ability.

Meanwhile, after Seele noticed that the Frigid Prowler had stopped attacking, she saw Jing Yan standing ahead with one hand outstretched and immediately understood.

She realized Jing Yan had used some kind of power to make the Frigid Prowler stop moving.

A flicker of surprise appeared in Seele's eyes.

She hadn't paid much attention to the young new medical worker at Natasha's clinic. Though they'd met a few times, she'd assumed he only had some medical skills.

Now it seemed that wasn't the case.

This guy was no ordinary person. His strength was probably on par with hers. She'd have to find a chance to spar with him and see for herself.

At the thought of having a new sparring partner, an excited smile tugged at Seele's lips.

Not bad, hiding your strength so well!

Of course, there were plenty of people with unusual powers. Everyone had their secrets, and Seele didn't want to start grilling him right after he'd saved her life.

That would probably come across as rude.

Whether it was to recruit someone talented and strengthen the Underworld Fire, or to arrange a sparring match sometime, she stepped forward and struck up a conversation with Jing Yan. "Thanks, Jing Yan."

"What are you..."

Seeing the bandages and medicine in his hands, Seele momentarily forgot that Jing Yan was actually a medical worker at the clinic.

"Come on, let me bandage your wound first." Jing Yan sighed.

Then he couldn't help making a quiet remark. "Miss Seele, didn't you once say you were as good at fighting as ten Hooks when you were a kid? But now that you've grown up..."

Seele looked awkward for once. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Well..."

"Jing Yan, what's that supposed to mean? Don't think that because you saved me just now, you can say whatever you want and look down on me. I'm plenty strong, cough..."

"It's just that I'd only just gotten back from a mission. First, I got into a fight with those vagrants in the mining area to stop them from messing with the ore. Then I ran into these Fragmentum creatures. I haven't slept or eaten much for days. And I heard something happened up there, too—something about 'outsiders'—so I have to go there as well. So..."

Seele's words made Jing Yan's eyes light up. He immediately understood who she meant by "outsiders."

The "outsiders" were the Nameless of the Astral Express, who had come to Jarilo-VI to resolve the Stellaron crisis.

They included March 7th, Dan Heng, and the Trailblazer, Stelle.

Since Cocolia, the Supreme Guardian of Belobog—the only surviving city on this planet—had allied herself with the Stellaron, the "visitors from beyond the heavens" who claimed to have come to resolve the crisis were viewed as a threat and an enemy.

They were to be captured and kept under control.

Originally, Sampo, a trader who dealt in goods between the Overworld and the Underworld, had been rescued by March 7th and the others in the snowfields. Unable to bear being in their debt, he brought Seele to help the "visitors from beyond the heavens"—the Nameless who followed Akivili, the Aeon of the Trailblaze—when they were in danger.

He also unintentionally brought along Cocolia's goddaughter from the Overworld, Bronya, who was both a commander and the future Supreme Guardian.

After that, the Fragmentum spread, Hook got into danger, Seele came to help, and Jing Yan showed up to lend a hand.

But none of that had happened yet—or, rather, it was about to happen.

Seele looked a little uncomfortable. She had always prided herself on being the strongest fighter in the Underworld Fire.

Now, because she'd let her guard down and wasn't in good shape, she'd nearly been carried off by the Frigid Prowler. Then a new medical worker at the clinic, Jing Yan, had saved her and even taken down the enemy she hadn't been able to handle. If people heard about it, it really would be embarrassing.

At the thought, a faint blush crossed Seele's face, but it quickly faded. She looked at Jing Yan, who was performing CPR on Hook, pursed her lips, and said, "Um, Jing Yan?"

Jing Yan was busy treating Hook with his head down, so he hadn't noticed Seele's expression. Only after hearing her speak did he look up and ask, "Hm? What is it?"

"Um, could you keep what happened here to yourself? I'll keep the power you used just now a secret, too. How does that sound?"

Seele asked.

At that moment, Jing Yan saw that Hook still hadn't fully recovered despite the CPR.

Her heart had stopped and her breathing was suppressed, so he immediately began giving her rescue breaths.

Julian watched from a distance, feeling quite envious.

Before long, Hook began breathing again.

Jing Yan let out a sigh of relief, looked up at Seele, and asked, "What? What did you say just now?"

"You'll keep what happened here a secret?"

Jing Yan paused, then replied, "Sure."

Seeing how readily and frankly Jing Yan had agreed, Seele felt a little bad. Then she thought of something and continued, "How's Hook? Are you all right? Oh, right, Jing Yan..."

"I remember you're pretty close with Big Sister Natasha at the clinic. You wouldn't happen to have feelings for her, would you?"

Seele stood with her hands on her hips, giving Jing Yan a knowing look.

That only left Jing Yan even more speechless.

Seele wasn't much older than he was and had no experience with romance herself, yet she was putting on airs like an adult.

Was she seriously trying to lecture him?

Just as Jing Yan expected, Seele continued, "In exchange, I'll help you with something."

"Do you know what would make Natasha fall for someone?"

Seele said with a knowing air.

"You're going to help me win Natasha over?"

Jing Yan was stunned.