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nThe service attendant glanced at Vivia, paused for a moment, then nodded, “But you know, we have rules against divulging adventurers’ information lightly. It’s a serious matter.”

n“Can’t you make an exception! He’s really important to me! Please!”

nSeeing the attendant wavering, Vivia pressed her advantage.

nLooking at Vivia and considering her behavior over the past few days, which didn’t seem threatening towards the young man, the attendant thought of a workaround.

n“How about this: I initiate a temporary quest for you. Complete it, and I’ll tell you his information.”

n“What kind of quest!”

nVivia’s eyes almost sparkled upon hearing the attendant’s willingness to disclose the information.

n“Errand running.” The attendant rummaged beneath the counter and produced a hefty bag, placing it on the table.

nThe bag emitted a jingling sound the moment it landed, sounding like a whole bag of gold coins!

nVivia was momentarily stunned.

nHow much was in a whole bag of gold coins?

nAt least five thousand, right?

n“This is what I need you to deliver. It’s an adventurer’s bounty, but he never came to claim it, so you might as well deliver it.”

n“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t deceive you. The amount in here is definitely correct. I’ll write down the address for you.”

n“Come back after delivering the bounty, and I’ll tell you where the person you’re looking for is.”

nVivia left with the bag of gold coins.

nShe didn’t have many options; any information about Howard was too valuable to pass up.

nEvery detail mattered.

nFrom the moment she met Howard, she knew he wasn’t someone to act carelessly.

nThis was an excellent opportunity to find him.

nIf she missed this chance, who knows where she could find him next.

n…

nAs Vivia made her way towards the inn, Nula once again stood outside Howard’s room.

nKnock.

nKnock.

nNo response.

nSighing, Nula pushed the door open and entered.

nHoward lay in bed, covered with a blanket, his eyes shut tight, appearing to be asleep.

nBut what kind of person could sleep for five days straight without waking?

nIf it weren’t for the assurance that Howard was not in danger, Nula would have sought out a magic potion maker to examine him.

nApproaching the bedside, she observed Howard’s rosy complexion, her brows furrowing deeply. 𝘪𝑎.𝒸𝘰

nThough Howard hadn’t awakened in five days, his wounds had completely healed, and his body seemed stronger, undergoing some intense change deep within, yet she could discern nothing.

nThis was the first time Nula felt utterly helpless.

nShe didn’t know what Howard was experiencing, and even if she wanted to help, she didn’t know how.

nActing rashly now could likely worsen the situation without the correct approach.

nWas this due to “Two” awakening?

nThe consciousness lurking deep within his soul, causing him to fall into this slumber?

nBut it wasn’t like this last time in Lorinda, was it?

n“Two” had awakened then too, but afterward, Howard was as lively as ever, showing no signs of distress.

nSitting beside the bed, Vivia watched Howard’s face and sighed silently, standing up to leave.

nSuddenly, a knock sounded.

nNula instinctively looked towards the door, momentarily stunned.

nIt was noon, just after lunch; the innkeeper wouldn’t usually come up at this time.

nBesides the innkeeper, who else would actively seek out Howard?

nPeople from the Rodel branch guild?

nHadn’t she sent them away already?

nNula didn’t immediately open the door but waited instead.

n“Is anyone there? Is anyone in?”

nA voice both Nula and Howard were all too familiar with, Vivia’s voice!

nHow had she found this place, and who had informed her? 𝑖𝘦.𝑐𝘰𝘮

nNula was surprised for a moment, then decided to pretend no one was inside, waiting for Vivia to leave on her own.

nBut then she suddenly remembered, she hadn’t locked the door! The moment she stepped forward to correct this oversight, the door was pushed open from the outside.

n“The door… wasn’t locked…”

nNula’s gaze met Vivia’s.

nDespite Nula’s quick halt in motion, there was no longer a chance to hide herself.

n“Nu…la?”

nVivia’s eyes widened in shock at the sight of Nula; she could never forget this woman, the one who had taken Howard away.

nIf not for her, Howard would probably still be working as a waiter at the Gold Coin Tavern.

n“You… why are you here! If you’re here… that means… Howard!”

nVivia’s gaze shifted to Howard lying on the bed, her bag falling to the floor and spilling gold coins.

nAlthough not a matter of pride, Vivia had secretly watched Howard sleep before, and he never looked as neatly arranged as he did now.

nThe sight of Howard with his eyes tightly shut reminded her of Greg.

nDuring the time Greg was in a coma, he looked exactly like this!

n“Howard… what happened to him!”

nHer gaze naturally fell on the other living person in the room.

nVivia’s expression turned hostile, and a dagger somehow found its way into her palm as she stepped forward menacingly.

n“Did you do something to Howard!”

n“No! I haven’t done anything! Howard became like this on his own! I’m just taking care of him!”

nFacing Vivia’s menacing gaze, Nula knew she needed to clarify the situation quickly, or Vivia might act rashly, with Howard’s comatose state pushing her to the brink.

n“Good, since you’re here, help me check on Howard’s condition. He’s been like this for five days!”

n“Five days?”

nThe number made Vivia pause.

nIt was the same number of days the service attendant mentioned the adventurer had been delaying.

nWas the adventurer mentioned by the service attendant Howard?

nHad she known all along that Howard was here, merely using this opportunity to inform herself?

nHad Howard participated in the monster tide defense battle a few days ago?

nAnd had he performed so notably, returning from the battlefield in blood-soaked clothes?

nHoward’s descent from the city walls a few days ago, despite his staggering steps, his calm and confident demeanor offered a strong reassurance to all the citizens of Rodel.

nIt made them realize the defense situation wasn’t as dire as imagined.

nThough Howard himself might not have been aware, it was precisely his presence that stabilized the mood in Rodel City, allowing it to weather this crisis smoothly.

nHad the citizens panicked without anyone to calm them, Rodel City might no longer exist.

n“Has Howard been in a coma like this for five days?”

nVivia checked Howard’s pulse, which was strong and steady, not at all indicative of someone who had been in a coma for several days.

n“Yes, exactly like this. He seems to be sleeping, but no matter how much you call out to him, he won’t wake up.”

n“This is very similar to Greg’s situation in Lorinda,” Vivia concluded.

n“You mean Howard’s soul is in trouble?” Nula’s expression became somewhat peculiar.

n“Yes, do you have any clues?” Noticing Nula’s expression, Vivia pressed on.

n“More or less.”

nNula paused, then briefly recounted the events of five days ago when she and Howard infiltrated the Eternal Flame and destroyed the entire underground stronghold.

nShe omitted the part about Two awakening, only mentioning that Howard entered a special state, absorbed all the mana, and eliminated the cultists of the Eternal Flame.

nAfter listening, Vivia’s face was beyond troubled.

nTaking a deep breath, she said, “You should be glad you’re still useful to Howard, otherwise, I’d be preparing to poison you right now, believe me, you couldn’t escape it.”

nStanding up and exhaling, Vivia continued, “If it’s as you say, then I can’t help either. Matters involving the soul aren’t something I can resolve, unless those magi who have mastered divine techniques intervene. But Howard is extraterrestrial, his soul’s structure might be completely different from ours.”

nThis was Nula’s greatest concern as well.

nHad she not been worried about this particular issue, she would have sought help on the third day of Howard’s coma.

nVivia stated, “Now all we can do is wait for him to wake up on his own.”

n“I believe he will be alright; he’s that kind of person. He won’t easily die before accomplishing his goal.”

n…

nIf lifespan were reduced to mere numbers and resources became the matter of cycles, where would humanity find its path?

nWould they endow death with meaning and then establish a religion around it?

nHoward had never been able to envision such a scenario.

nNor had he ever felt that his lifespan was sufficient; there were too many things he wanted to do, and each day provided too little time, wishing each day had thirty-six hours.

nBut just as resources could not be infinite, a day could not stretch to thirty-six hours.

nThen, until he had that direct encounter with Two, making that request.

n“I want the same power as you.”

n…

nUpdated from .𝘤𝘰

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