Clichéd

"Heizen," Sarah called him softly while walking to his side.

Heizen turned and looked at her haggard face, which still had faint traces of tear. He felt even more guilty inside his heart.

"So, what was that all about?"

Hearing her question, everyone also perked up their ears. In fact, they all wanted to ask him, but they didn't want to disturb him immediately.

"Sigh," Heizen took a deep breath, arranged his words, and said.

"A week ago, when we returned from the Forbidden Forest, I went to the trading area. I was thinking of selling some goods to gain mana crystals. However, during that time, I found that someone was stalking me." Heizen solemnly continued.

"The person stalking me was in the same attire as those dark-robed figures in the Altar. So, when I saw them, I immediately knew they were here for me."

"I don't know what that lord-level figure wanted from me. But it was definitely not a good thing."

Heizen didn't tell them about "Deathwalker" as he himself wasn't sure.

"So, since we were no match, I acted like that to distract her attention while you guys could run away from the danger. I asked Bernard to run when I slammed him down on the ground." Heizen looked at Bernard apologetically.

Bernard waved his hand to convey he didn't care. He didn't want to bring up that embarrassing incident. He was pressed down to the ground and patted on the face like a girl.

"Hu.hum.." Bowen who was next to Bernard was having a hard time controlling his laugh. Seeing his look, Bernard snorted in dissatisfaction.

"Hehe, your acting was really bad. If we weren't in danger, I would have laughed out loud." Sarah giggled remembering Heizen's acting. 

"So, after you guys left, I used a special treasure to destroy the Altar forcefully. Thank God, I was successful and there weren't any other issues." Heizen quickly diverted their attention to ease his embarrassment. He also thought that destroying the Altar with a special treasure sounded more plausible.

After all, who would believe that he killed the projection of a lord-level figure? Moreover, he even stole her Authority. It was better to let such a secret rot in his stomach.

After hearing his explanation, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Though the conditions were very dangerous, they were alive and fine and that's what actually mattered.

Moreover, they knew Heizen was hiding something but they didn't press him. Sometimes, knowing too much would bring disaster. He would inform them if it was important.

"Thank God, you have such a treasure. I thought you sacrificed your life to protect us. I was feeling so guilty." Sarah said while Sophie was nodding at the side.

Bernard and Bowen also showed guilty look in their eyes. If the situation wasn't dire, they never wanted to abandon their friend and run.

Heizen looked at them and felt very warm in his heart. He also believed they were telling the truth as he experienced two scenarios himself.

Though it hadn't been long since they were acquainted, they went through so much that they could rely on each other. At least, Heizen thought so since nobody ran alone even in his vision.

"So, are you free from danger? Will that lord-level figure trouble you?" Bernard asked. After all, Heizen foiled the plan of such a high-level being. It would be weird if he wasn't counterattacked.

"I don't know." Heizen scratched his hair in confusion.

He knew that Melaphine hated him greatly and she wouldn't rest until he got completely destroyed. But, when such a counter-attack would come, he didn't know.

Speaking of which, he did absorb a part of her power. So, maybe she would be weakened. If so, she may not trouble him immediately. Or what to do if she directly descended to this realm and hacked him to death? Thinking so, Heizen quickly asked in his mind.

"Hey, System, what would happen to Melaphine after I absorbed her Authority? She won't come directly to kill me, will she?"

Just when he questioned, the cold and robotic sound in his mind appeared again.

[Absorbing the Authority of a projection will weaken the entity for a period of time.]

[No, a higher life form cannot directly manifest in a lower plane. But it is possible to appear in a projection state or order their subordinates.]

Heizen heard the direct and concise reply and began to think in his mind.

"It seems there is no need to worry for now. As long as I am not caught off guard, there should be no problem. I hope those dark-robed figures were the only subordinates of her in this area."

While they were talking, they quickly arrived at the stone gate of the catacomb.

Bernard pulled out the door and went outside with his teammates. Finally, they left the dangerous place. However, now there were some problems.

They actually returned in two days while the exploration lasted for seven days. So, now they either had to wait for other members outside or returned alone.

But returning alone was very dangerous as they didn't have a guide.

Heizen was also thinking about this issue when Bernard began to explain after seeing their face.

"You don't have to worry about returning. Though the team leader said seven days, there will be many people who want to return like us. Moreover, other adventurer teams are active in this area. We just need to pay a few mana crystals and follow them outside."

While following a strange team was risky, it was better than returning alone. 

"Yo, isn't this a member of the Seeker Adventurer team? Are you returning from the catacomb? Why don't you share some spoil with us?"

While Bernard was explaining, suddenly a rough voice full of teasing came from the front.

Heizen looked in the direction where the voice came from. He was eager to know who was teasing them with such a cliched line. This was the first time he experienced this kind of scenario after transmigration.