Bored.
Is this the monotonous life of the rich?
After entering the Underground City, the nearly hundred guards vanished, secretly watching from the shadows.
Adeline carried a small bag of snacks and water, walking beside Filin.
Wait, isn’t this a bit off?
While the nearby civilian squads were struggling, it felt like we were on a spring outing in the Underground City.
“Filin, look! There’s a magical beast up ahead, and it’s injured.”
Huh?
Why is Adeline still acting like it’s “coincidentally injured” at this point?
Shouldn’t those guards be better hidden so I don’t see them?
Filin walked forward. It was a Level 4 Magical Beast, with a chance of containing a Level 4 Magic Crystal.
One Level 4 Magic Crystal was worth 100 Level 1 Magic Crystals.
“Filin, finish it off.”
The Royal Capital had devices that could detect who hunted the beast through the Magic Crystals.
Otherwise, a young lady from a prestigious family like Adeline wouldn’t bother hunting herself.
Filin stepped forward and saw his reflection in the beast’s eyes.
“Wanted to show off my cheat, but no chance…”
Spell Seals were tools for storing Divine Arts.
For those who hadn’t mastered Divine Arts, Spell Seals were their only weapon.
When playing this game, someone on the forum discovered a bug.
If you overlap two Spell Seals of any level, activate them simultaneously, and then stop them together, the system would glitch.
The two Spell Seals would then randomly unleash effects of a Level 1-7 Spell Seal, but only count as using one.
If the caster made physical contact with another person, the game system would become even more chaotic. The larger the contact area, the higher the chance of triggering a high-level Spell Seal.
Filin had hoped to touch his teammate to boost the odds, but it seemed unnecessary now.
Filin took out a Level 1 Spell Seal and ended the beast’s life.
“Not bad, got a Level 4 Magic Crystal.”
Filin wiped the blood off his hands with a handkerchief and gave Adeline a reassuring smile.
Spell Seals were weaker than Divine Arts and expensive. A Level 1 Spell Seal cost 1,000 crowns. Level 4 and above were hard to buy, even with money.
Filin could only afford a few Level 1 Spell Seals. A Level 2 Spell Seal cost 5,000 crowns—way out of his budget.
So, Spell Seals were just supplementary tools. To gain real power, he needed to go to the Royal Capital and learn Divine Arts.
Along the way, Filin and Adeline “accidentally” encountered a few injured Level 3 Magical Beasts.
“Now I have enough Magic Crystals. Filin, how many more do you need?”
Filin counted the crystals in his bag. A few more beasts, and he’d meet the Royal Capital’s admission requirements.
But here’s the question.
When was Adeline going to make her move?
Was she waiting for him to collect enough Magic Crystals, only to stab him when he was overjoyed?
Was she really that evil?
Filin glanced at Adeline.
She’s the type to hold a grudge from kindergarten—she’s absolutely that evil!
“What are you thinking about?”
Adeline looked at Filin’s serious face and smiled slightly.
No need to guess; Filin was probably just feeling moved by her kindness.
How noble of her—even though she hired him, she still treated him so well.
“I was just thinking, Adeline… you’re so kind. Even with your family’s wealth, you never look down on someone as unlucky as me.”
“To me, you’re like a goddess. Really.”
“G-G-Goddess? Hahaha, you’re exaggerating too much, lol.”
Adeline was fanning her flushed cheeks with one hand, her tied-up ponytail swaying along.
He thinks of me as a goddess. He loves me so much.
Filin squinted his eyes, watching Adeline sway mechanically like a doll that’s been wound up 30,000 times.
Is this girl even okay?
Just as he was thinking that, another magical beast appeared in front of them.
This one was at least healthy enough to run.
This Level 1 Magical Beast was the weakest in the Underground City. It charged at Filin and Adeline, roaring and venting its fury.
Wait, here’s my chance.
“Lady Adeline, be careful!”
Filin grabbed Adeline’s hand and shielded her behind him.
Her soft chest pressed against Filin’s back, causing Adeline to widen her eyes, forgetting to even gasp.
Yup, I took the chance to cop a feel, the ol’ accidental-grope move.
Finally, a moving beast. All I had to do was act like I was worried about Adeline, grab her hand, and test if my cheat code worked.
If Adeline really came at me later, at least I’d have a chance of survival.
Filin pulled out two Level 1 Spell Seals he’d been saving, activating and terminating them simultaneously.
Then, keeping a tight grip on Adeline’s hand, the bug activated!
Blue spell patterns began to appear, only to quickly spiral into chaos.
A glow that absolutely did not belong to a Level 1 Spell Seal erupted, spewing fierce flames.
A Level 4 Spell Seal, ‘Blazing Tempest!’
It worked!
The Level 1 Magical Beast was instantly reduced to ash.
“Lady Adeline, are you hurt? Sorry, I was so worried the beast would harm you, I got a little carried away…”
Filin’s voice trailed off.
Adeline sat on the ground, her head slightly lowered.
She tucked the stray hair behind her ear, revealing her blushing cheeks.
Her eyes flickered towards Filin, then quickly looked away, breathing softly as her body rose and fell.
Adeline was in utter chaos.
Wasn’t that a Level 4 Spell Seal?
Filin’s so broke, that seal must’ve been something he kept since his family’s downfall, a precious lifesaving tool.
And yet, over a mere Level 1 beast charging at me, he used it without hesitation.
If this were just a hired relationship, he wouldn’t go this far.
He must’ve panicked, instinctively wanted to save me, and used that precious seal.
From the boy’s bright, innocent smile, Adeline felt the fiery confession burning through.
He loves me so much!
In the small Underground City, both their brains were working at lightning speed.
Just… in completely opposite directions.
As Filin reached out to grab Adeline’s hand again, he saw her expression change.
Her eyes widened, her lips parted.
In an instant, a figure appeared before him, blocking Adeline. In that blur, Filin caught sight of the Claude Family crest.
Then, he heard a loud explosion, felt a wave of dizziness, and his vision began to blur.
So… she did come at me after all?
—
