Among those who suffered such a terrible fate, it seems that one of Eko's friends was among them.
This incident convinced Linda that although Aiko lied, spied, and stole her pants, she wasn't inherently a bad person. Considering Aiko's childhood environment—the devilishly strict Rochelle and the elite education system of Bervis—Aiko accumulated unimaginable pressure in her early years. Her rapid spellcasting ability was not only due to her innate talent but also to more than ten years of hard work.
Growing up in such an environment, it would be abnormal for someone to have a normal personality.
Ahead.
The desert was blasted into a huge crater by the holy hammer.
The corpse of the Devouring Ant Lion disappeared, leaving behind a small pile of gold coins and three pieces of level 32 orange equipment.
A system message box appeared in front of Linda:
[Completed the sixteenth level of the Mystic Realm, White Bone Desert. Results are in progress.]
[Successful run: +3 stars]
[Complete within 20 minutes: +3 stars]
[Light-based damage output accounts for 90%: +3 stars]
Kill the Secret Realm Guardian within 50 attacks: +1 star
[Completion Rating: Perfect!]
A deep purple bracelet fell out of the ball of light.
Linda picked it up and looked at it, exclaiming in surprise, "An epic four-star piece of equipment!"
The equipment is level 33 and is named [Antlion Bracers]. It provides a significant strength bonus.
Overall, the [Chroma Ring], a level 36 epic three-star item, is just as good as his.
The higher the quality, the greater the improvement brought by each additional star.
However, since Linda and the others are already at a relatively high level, wearing the [Antlion Bracers] is somewhat redundant, so selling them is a better option.
As the golden light descended, Linda cleared the sixteenth floor and gained 100,000 experience points, breaking through from level 37 to officially reaching level 38.
They were only two steps away from the moon steps.
"Congratulations." Ai Ke smiled and shook Linda's hand. "Don't forget me when you become a legendary adventurer."
Linda nodded: "No, it won't."
After a short rest, the group entered the 17th level of the secret realm.
The 17th floor is called the "Trap Jungle," which is filled with many bizarre and deadly plants. If you're not careful, you might get caught in the vines or be eaten by the morning glory.
There are also many venomous snakes lurking in the jungle. If an adventurer is bitten and does not have the corresponding antidote ready, he will die within five minutes.
At this point, the thief class, Kafni, comes in very handy.
Kafni possesses the skill [Danger Perception] and excellent mental strength, enabling her to scan for potential monsters like a radar and point out the direction for Eiko to attack.
In just 11 minutes, they arrived in front of the guardian of the secret realm, the [Venomous Fang Chameleon].
"Wait, let me show you my skills first."
Kaphni licked her lips, rolled up her sleeves, opened her right hand towards the venomous chameleon perched in the tree, and shouted, "Super Thief!"
A dazzling golden light flashed by.
The next moment, a purple fang as thick as an arm appeared in Kaphni's palm.
The poison was coated with sticky saliva. When the saliva fell to the ground, it hissed and corroded a hole in the soil.
Linda looked at it and exclaimed, "An epic one-star material can sell for around 500,000 gold coins."
“This is my personal trophy.” Kaphni chuckled and put the venomous fangs into her spatial ring.
Linda did not stop her.
The spoils obtained from defeating the Flame Giant using [Super Stealing] cannot be kept by Kafni.
Before that, he tried his best to please Kafni, so that she wouldn't feel comfortable monopolizing the 19th floor. Although Linda, as the captain, could also force Kafni to do so, he hoped that Kafni could consciously consider the team's needs.
After a battle.
The venomous chameleon was easily defeated.
Linda's level has reached 38.
Swoosh.
A blue recall circle appeared before me.
As agreed, with the raids on floors 16 and 17 completed, it was time for Eko, the temporary team member, to leave.
Linda took out a bulging little bag containing 200 purple gold coins and handed it to Ai Ke: "This is the reward."
"No need, I'm not going to be an adventurer anymore, so I don't need the money. Can I change the reward to something else?"
After saying that, Ai Ke suddenly leaned over, stood on tiptoe, and kissed Linda on the cheek.
"Now I have no regrets."
Seeing Linda's dumbfounded expression, Ai Ke said with a grin.
…
afternoon.
South Gate of Baige City.
Outside the city gate lay a desolate, barren land, devoid of any greenery.
The weak monsters had long been killed by adventurers, and only birds occasionally flew by in the air.
All members of the Phoenix and Snow Goose clans came to see Aiko off.
As the sun set, a group of people surrounded Ai Ke, saying words of farewell.
Linda had been feeling agitated ever since she entered the secret realm. Standing there, she subconsciously touched her cheek, where she had been kissed and felt a little itchy.
"Remember to contact us if you encounter any problems in the future."
Even after retirement, we will still be comrades.
"Aiko, are you really leaving? Can't you stay?"
Xueyan's group surrounded Ai Ke, chattering amongst themselves.
Kaine and Chrona cried, and even Oru, a grown man, wiped his eyes with the back of his hand against the wind, saying that sand had gotten into them.
Even Captain Lia softened her tone and told Eko that she would miss her in the future.
“I’ll miss everyone too.” Aiko’s smile was stiff.
How will this end?
Aiko doesn't know either.
We can only hope that the plan will proceed smoothly.
"But shouldn't we go over and say something?" Lulu walked over to Linda and whispered, "After all, she's been my teammate for three years."
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