"Um... Miss Lin, right?" Linda looked at the pink-haired girl in front of her with a strange expression.
This person seems a bit too overly familiar.
As the saying goes, "Don't speak too deeply with someone you don't know well," discussing adventure objectives is usually only done with teammates or very close friends.
Who would open up to you about these things when you're a complete stranger?
Celine didn't mind Linda's wariness and, like an unreasonable and emotionally unintelligent adventurer, continued to press, "Have you considered the possibility of failing at some level and losing an important partner?"
"This kind of thing happens every day."
"Captain Linda, you've achieved great success now. If you retire directly, none of us will have to take any risks, right?"
Yes, stop being an adventurer.
I might as well become a demon.
That's what Celine thought.
Of course, she was also worried that the Phoenix Flower might capsize in the World Tree.
Despite her seemingly lively and optimistic nature, Celine is actually a pessimist at heart.
Others take risks because they're thinking about making a fortune.
When Celine went on her adventure, she was worried about whether things would go wrong.
Linda joked, "Miss, you're not here to lecture me, are you?"
“You can think of it that way,” Sirin said with a smile. “I gave you a rare orange-grade monster core, and you got so much for just a lecture, it must have been worth it, right?”
Linda was taken aback.
This young lady is quite good at making excuses.
He thought for a moment and said, "Ms. Lin, your question itself is actually wrong."
Xilin tilted her head: "What do you mean?"
“We’re all connected by adventure. It’s the adventure that comes first, that makes us important partners. Without the adventure, we might still be strangers,” Linda said slowly.
Celine thought for a moment about her encounters with Linda, Lia, and others.
It was indeed an adventure that brought everyone together.
Without the adventures they shared, she would remain a commoner and gradually drift away from Linda. Even if they were once related by blood, their bond would fade with time and distance.
It was because she had adventured with Linda and witnessed firsthand Linda's dedication to the team and to herself that she valued Linda even more.
There's also Leah, Echo, Chrona... they all came together because of their adventures.
Sirin's expression changed slightly.
Linda's voice was gentle, as if she was thinking of her teammates.
He said, "Our bond will be strengthened through adventures. There are definitely risks, but I will try my best to minimize them."
"Looking at the bigger picture, if no one reaches the summit and draws the Hero's Sword, who will fight the Demon King? When the Demon King descends, all adventurers will die."
"Only by taking risks, and only by continuing to take risks, can I protect my teammates and comrades."
Sirin said coldly, "What you say is very good, but the Demon King is invincible."
"You have never seen the Demon King with your own eyes. If you had, you would be filled with fear and despair, and you would lose the courage to wield a sword."
After saying that, Xilin lowered her head, and thick black mist welled up in her eyes.
It was as if a force was controlling her soul, constantly reminding her: the Demon King is invincible. In order to realize His Majesty the Demon King's great wish to conquer the Secret Realm Continent, she should become the Demon King's sword and eliminate all enemies!
But Linda's answer was: "Nothing is absolute; you only know by doing it."
"Besides, I have another matter to attend to, which requires me to continue taking risks."
Sirin: "What is it?"
Linda turned to look out the window.
From this vantage point, you can see the lush, verdant trees standing to the east.
Linda looked somewhat dejected, but her dark eyes shone with unwavering determination.
His calm words seemed to contain the power to pierce through rock: "Because I have important family members waiting for me on the 20th floor."
The dark mist in Celine's eyes flickered violently, and she said unwillingly, "But now you have a new family, and you've even written down new adventure goals with them."
They've probably forgotten about themselves long ago.
That's just a nice way of putting it!
Linda laughed: "My family is irreplaceable. How could I forget her just because I have new teammates? Besides, I still have to go to the 20th floor and bring her back. Taking risks... is something I absolutely cannot give up."
This time, Sirin's defenses were completely breached.
My nose tingled, and I almost turned into a sobbing monster.
It turns out that Linda had never forgotten her.
Even with that little werewolf and the big loli... for Linda, she is still irreplaceable!
The holy mark on Celine's lower abdomen quickly cooled down, respecting this pure and flawless affection.
From then on, unless Sirin actively preyed on Linda, the Holy Mark would not develop a fever.
"Still the same as before, a stubborn mule." Xilin wiped her eyes with her sleeve, her tone reproachful.
Although she was scolding Linda, the corners of the girl's mouth turned up, revealing a faint smile, and the dark mist in her eyes quickly disappeared.
Linda didn't do anything; she just voiced her thoughts.
Little did she know that this unintentional act had built an indestructible wall around the girl's heart, a wall that even the Demon King's corrupting power could not destroy.
"Miss, if I may ask a question..."
Do we...know each other?
Linda said in confusion.
Celine's expression returned to normal, and she raised her glass of orange juice: "I wish you a smooth adventure."
Worried that Linda would discover her identity, Xilin chuckled and made a hasty escape.
It left Linda with only a cloud of doubt.
"What a strange person."
Linda chuckled.
Although it was a nonsensical conversation, he found that he didn't dislike the pink-haired girl.
If we meet in a Greater Rift, we might become allies fighting side by side.
After Sirin left, other adventurers came over to offer her a toast.
Among these people were adventure team leaders who wanted to forge a friendly relationship with the Phoenix Flower, and female adventurers who were curious about Linda.
After Linda used her ultimate move, "Poison Dragon Roar," her fan count doubled.
Xueyan's group also came over with their wine glasses in hand.
Echo was in the lead, while Lydia was drinking alone in a corner.
Aiko wore a white halter-neck dress, elegant and conservative, looking every bit the part of a well-bred young lady.
"Linda, congratulations on advancing to level 23."
Aiko smiled and held up the orange juice.
"Your levels have improved quite a bit too." Linda looked at everyone with mixed feelings.
After the collaboration during the monster tide, the estrangement caused by his departure from the team quietly disappeared. Although they could never return to the relationship they once had, they remained normal teammates.
Kay said, "I'm about to challenge the 13th floor, and I'm a little nervous."
Linda smiled and said, "I believe Phyllis can do it."
Xueyan's future strategies will still depend on their own efforts.
"Y-yes," Phyllis chuckled awkwardly, "I guess I can manage it?"
While Linda and Xueyan and the others were exchanging pleasantries, chatting, and reminiscing about the past, Liya sat in a corner with a sullen face, drinking one glass of ale after another.
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