Lynel's Turn

They hasten their steps. There are a few rooms left that they need to get through. The problem is the more room they pass through, the more green liquid is present. They cannot comprehend how much destruction that Lula has done.

The final room before the slope where Shervo was, is literally a hellscape. The green liquid has already destroyed the whole floor. Leaving only the cave walls that connected to the walls below. Niva can see the pool of sinister green liquid that is currently consuming the floor below.

He is so glad that the green liquid only consumes the floor. Imagine if it actually consumed the walls that supported this structure. More the reason to actually stop her. But he never imagined what happens if the cave system collapses. And somehow he wanted to see it to some extent.

Lynel immediately jumps to the other end of the room. Leaving Niva across from him.

"Well, that is not really fair," mumbles Niva.

"Just walk off the floor edge. I promise it will be fine," said Lynel, somewhat sneering towards Niva.

There are only remnants of the floor that is supported by the cave wall. It is possible to cross. But you must stick your body on to the wall and watch you step at the same time.

Finding an alternative route would mean taking the risk of getting lost in the cave system again. Not only that, there might be some golems nearby.

Niva is really skeptical about crossing through the floor edge. He is blessed with a calm demeanor and confidence. But not in the physical prowess category. Especially when his stats are cut by half by the effects of division of soul in compfreund-making.

It is also noted that Niva sometimes overthinks things. But it is either he successfully crosses, or plunges to the green liquid below.

'Ah, darn it.'

Niva tries to take a first step. Gradually tries to shift his weight towards the left leg to test the floor platform. Later step by step moving towards the end of the platform. While sticking his head and stomach to the wall.

"Watch out!"

At the same time the platform near the end falls. Lynel quickly grabs Niva's hand.

"T-thank you Lynel, now can you pull me up?" Niva asks Lynel politely while he is suspended in the air.

Lynel smiles and shakes his head. "No, no it's not that simple my liar [Bard] friend. You think you can fool me again, huh? I thought we were partners, but you and Lula kept stabbing me in the back."

"This is not the time, and by the way, what the hell are you talking about?" denies Niva. He should have known that a person like Lynel can wait for the right moment to put Niva in a pinch. He let his guard down.

"There is no way a golem would willingly jump to its death, isn't it? The essence that was left from its footprint indicating that they were not lured to their deaths. You are not that smart, huh?"

Niva is silent. Denying any longer will only make him more untrustworthy if Lynel somehow finds the fault in Niva's statement. He is considering telling Lynel the truth. But risks giving away his trump card in the process. He should have used [The Puppeteer] to Lynel and put him under Niva's thumb forever.

"Answer my question! Or I am going to release my hand and watch you drowning in acid while I laugh at your dead body. And of course I will sell your precious compfreund, the source of all this mess."

Niva exhales loudly. "Okay-okay there is something I wanted to tell you. I have unlocked a secret ability."

There is an unsettling silence after Niva told the seemingly ridiculous answer. He can feel Lynel's hand itching to let him fall.

"Explain!" His face is stiff like a rock. Refuses to be played anymore by his friend.

It is already coming out from Niva's mouth and might as well just spill all in. Maybe Lynel knows what this mysterious ability that he possesses.

"I killed the golem with this strange ability. I found it sometime when we inspected each other. A new tab called [Perks] tab in my slate."

"Open your Slate and show it to me!" demands Lynel as he is speaking near Niva's ears.

"Yeah, but lift me up first. You surely won't leave me hanging like this forever," bargain Niva being submissive to the [Tracker]'s demand.

Lynel easily lifts Niva like it was nothing. Offensive class strength is no joke. He could throw Niva with one hand if he wanted to.

"Now tell me!" Lynel keeps his pressure.

Niva suddenly thinks of something. An idea that will put Lynel under his thumb. But it will fail if Lynel finds out about this charade.

The blue haired boy looks deeply at Lynel's eyes. "I don't want to."

His face grows red with veins popping all over. Lynel eyes glowing in hatred. His tail stiffen. Niva must be prepared for whatever things he will do to him.

"You asked for it." Lynel unsheathes his dagger and begins applying force to stab Niva.

Niva closes his eyes. "Stop!"

The dagger stops just as the tip is an inch close to stab Niva's chest. Lynel's grip to the dagger seems to be loosen. Suddenly, he trembles and his dagger falls off of his grip. His hand then holds his own chest. Slight gasps at first but then felt like he was choking on the air.

"H … h-help!" Lynel is having trouble articulating. The effect of [The Puppeteer] is already in effect. Lynel has to be submissive to the answer that Niva is going to ask. He hopes that Lynel is capable of answering the question in the critical moment.

"You are having a seizure, please calm down. I'll help you but don't threaten me like that ever again, understand?" Niva pretends to be panicked.

He nods aggressively while Niva is singing a random hymn. He presses Lynel's chest in a circular position. Lynel's heart rate gradually stabilized. He is no longer sweating. The terrified face gradually calmed.

"T-thank you for saving my life," said Lynel while struggling to hug Niva in weak condition even though he barely escapes death.