When we defeated the aerial army and entered another forest to escape the reinforcements pursuing us, Daisy let out a sigh.

She was riding on Iana, the Iron Boar. She had somehow modified it to have a steel body, and it even crackled with lightning as it bulldozed through everything. Rather than resembling an undead, it was more like a futuristic cyborg.

She looked incredibly relaxed for someone riding on a vigorously moving boar.

Daisy grumbled, “Annoying. The whole world…has those bugs?”

“Yes. Almost all the monsters in this world became like that decades ago…. Crown Prince, who is this dazzling beauty!?” Mesmerized by Daisy’s figure, Ren answered before I could, then whispered in my ear with a flushed face.

If you want to say something secretly, just message me! Are you doing this on purpose to get Daisy to notice you!?

“Why are you so popular with beautiful women, Crown Prince!?” he wailed quietly.

But isn’t there a beautiful woman who loves you too!? She’s right next to you! Think about where Tyltyl and Mytyl found their bluebird[1]! Ah, now that I think about it, that means that my bluebird is in my house too. I couldn’t help but be shocked at the fact that even the world-famous fairy tale was pointing to Yua being my bluebird of happiness. But that was beside the point. There was something I had to tell Ren.

I coughed and said, “Ren, Daisy is my guild member. We aren’t in a romantic relationship. We’re just friends.”

Ren immediately retorted, “Don’t say that, Crown Prince. What kind of idiot would come to a ruined world because she was worried about a friend!? Don’t make excuses!”

I pretended to be angry. “Are you calling me an idiot? Didn’t I come to help you? Do you want to die?”

He stuttered, “Ah, y-you’re right. I’m not calling you an idiot. I’m not doubting our friendship either…”

When I formed my aura around my gauntlet and glared at Ren, he waved his hands in denial as he sweated. He was brave when he fought, but I didn’t know why he became so pathetic whenever we talked about something like this.

“Crown Prince, you and I are both men, but a pure friendship between a man and a woman is harder to find,” he preached solemnly.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re too old-fashioned…”

However, he wasn’t entirely wrong. I had once thought the relationship I had with Hwaya and Ye-Eun were of pure friendship, so I couldn’t deny him directly. Though I believed that pure friendship between members of the opposite sex existed, I couldn’t be bothered to argue with Ren at the moment. As such, I simply smiled bitterly.

At that moment, Daisy’s boar slowed down and Daisy said nonchalantly, “Kang Shin promised me. To save my world.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I did.”

She continued slowly, “Meeting Kang Shin, I felt…strength and hope. I resolved…to rise, once again. Can’t let him die here. So I came to save him.”

She was talking about why she came to help! It was more or less what I was expecting. More importantly, it was a pure and wholesome reason! It felt more genuine than saying we had some deep friendship as we had not known each other for long. In a way, it made me happy. I stuck my tongue out at Ren, then answered Daisy, “Thanks, Daisy. You saved us.”

She shrugged. “Beyond’s 13th floor cleared, then came. That’s why I was late.”

I smiled. “You weren’t that late. It was the perfect timing.”

“Mm…I also obtained a good weapon.”

Daisy held up a silver chain whip with a satisfied expression. It didn’t look that different from what she had before. If I remembered correctly, she said she used a unique enchanting method from her continent or perhaps from her race. No matter what weapons she obtained, she could fuse their functions into a single weapon. It was slightly different from how the Chaotic Spear worked, but it was still an infinitely growing weapon.

Of course, the weapon she enchanted to her chain whip was the Million Tentacle. I didn’t really want to see what Million Tentacle looked like, and apparently Daisy had thought the same way as she immediately used the weapon as a material to strengthen the chain whip.

Ren asked curiously, “What was the reward you got, Crown Prince? I got the Epic-grade hood.”

I winked at him. “I won’t tell you.”

As I had the highest contribution in the fight, the others couldn’t tell what item I chose. However, as there were two Epic-grade items left after I made my choice, Ren was extremely curious about the reward I got. On the other hand, Lebuik, who got the Elixirs, didn’t look all that interested.

Ren continued, “Could it be a Legend-grade item? Is it truly a Legend-grade item that I’ve only heard about in stories?”

Lebuik muttered, “Legend-grade can’t be that easy.”

I shook my head. “Of course not. I’ve never seen one before.”

Daisy murmured, “Legend…Very few owners. I only have one.”

She was probably born with her Evil Eyes, so she was probably talking about something else. I couldn’t help but be curious about her Legend-grade item, but I stayed silent. Then, I told the two of them.

“It wasn’t Legend-grade. Maybe you guys will find out later.”

Of course, the reward I chose was the Mana Absorption Magic Book. The skill was registered the moment I obtained it. With this skill, my plan was now flawless. I even thought that meeting the Mana Eater was a blessing in disguise. Now, if I just had time to use Skill Synthesis, everything would be perfect.

“How long do we have left, Ren?” I asked.

He calculated briefly then replied, “We’ll reach the plains in just 70 miles…If possible, I’d like to rest once before.”

I nodded. “That’s a good idea. The children must be tired too.”

Regardless of whether they were beastman or human, they were all dozing off as they rode on Ruyue. Beastmen only differed from humans in that they had animal ears and tails. Now that they were sleeping, they were folded down, making them look even cuter. They would have fallen off of her a long time ago if Ruyue hadn’t been so careful.

Daisy looked at the children and said apathetically, “Cooperation is good. Acknowledging other race, also good.”

“Daisy…?” I tilted my head to the side.

“…Let’s hurry. I want to go back quickly.”

Daisy turned away. Iana kicked the ground and began to march forward quickly. I looked at her back blankly and forgot to run for a moment.

Ren murmured, “She’s powerful and truly beautiful…Crown Prince, I might have fallen in love with her. Miss Silver Wolf is also beautiful, but she lacks the elegance that lady has.”

I stopped myself from groaning. “Don’t, Ren. Take my advice, if you don't, people around you will only end up hurt.”

Namely, you and Lebuik. Just look for your bluebird already!

As Ren suggested, we stopped to take a rest before we reached the plains. Perhaps knowing that we would arrive at the plains soon, the children started to feel anxious. It was understandable as it wouldn’t end with us simply running across the plain to the coast. I had already consulted the others about this matter.

I said gently, “Guys, make sure you get some sleep for tomorrow.”

“Oppa…I’m scared.”

“Me too.”

“Many people died.”

“Will we die too? What happens when you die?”

“I don’t like bugs…”

Elfa and the other kids barraged me with questions. I wryly smiled and consoled them until they fell asleep. Ren and Lebuik helped me as well.

After the children fell asleep, I set Elfa down, who was leaning against me, and put a blanket over her. Then, I stood up.

“Ren, I’ll be off for a bit.”

He nodded. “Got it. Um…Thank Miss Ectradion for today.”

I waved. “Sure.”

As undead monsters never needed sleep, never felt tired, and carried out their master’s commands faithfully, they were practically born for night watch. Daisy’s undead minions were guarding the area around the tent. This didn’t mean that she had to be awake. However, she must have found it cumbersome to stay in the tent with the others as she said she’d stay outside.

Sensing me leave the tent, Lotte woke up as she had only been sleeping lightly and rose.

She said quietly, “Hero, I’ll go too.”

I shook my head. “No, Lotte. I’ll be back in a bit, so sleep. You did well today.”

“Mm…If that’s what Hero says…”

I then made eye contact with Daisy, who was resting on Iana’s hard back.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

I replied vaguely, “To do some business.”

“Ok.”

I then said, “Ren says thank you.”

“Lion beastman?” she asked.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

She remarked, “I don’t like men. The feelings they have for me…even more uncomfortable. If they put them into action…Disgusting.”

She thoroughly stomped on a seed that had barely sprouted. I smiled bitterly as I said, “He said that out of respect for your overwhelming power. In your mind, he might be acting a bit forward, so please forgive him.”

“Do you feel the same about me?” Daisy suddenly asked.

I shrugged. “Not really? I do think you’re a reliable ally that I can trust to protect my back.”

She finally replied after a bit, “I see.”

Even though she was the one who asked, she nodded somewhat apathetically. Then, she looked at me and asked, “Is it really okay, like this?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

“…Okay. About battles, you're a genius. I trust you.”

“Tomorrow, protect the children,” I reminded her.

She commented, “Existences with potential, I like.”

I muffled a sigh. “Just call them children, really.”

Daisy shook her head resolutely and added,“Children aren’t…only ones with potential. Others have potential too, like you.”

I smiled wryly. “Thanks for the compliment. For the record, you have it too. Potential.”

“Yes, I know. Now, I like me too.”

I scratched my head. “Y-Yeah, that’s good.”

The corner of Daisy’s lips curled up in a smile. I fell in a daze for a brief moment as I was caught off guard by her mesmerizing smile. I coughed dryly and walked off after saying goodbye. Daisy sent me off by weakly waving her hand.

Monsters were active even deep into the night. In the short period of time I walked, I felt like I had crushed at least thirty of them.

I let out a sigh of relief. “I’m finally alone… Skill Synthesis.”

I’ve been using it quite a lot in this world. A circular stone slab appeared in front of me. I then opened my skill window and took out the skills I needed. In the supplement skill slots, I placed Heavy Armor Mastery, Death Counter, then Mana Absorption.

In the base skill slot, I placed Soul Guard.

I rubbed my face. “Whew…That’s it, right? Good. Skill Synthesis!”

The materials were there, and the circular stone slab began to spin as it shone with a golden radiance. I looked at the slab in a daze, forgetting to even breathe. It didn’t take long. A transparent, dazzling symbol appeared, then jumped into my face as if it couldn’t wait any longer.

[You have obtained the unique skill, ‘Absolute Soul’!]

When I read the skill description, my eyes widened. It was even more perfect than what I had imagined! Not only would it affect my future dungeon progress and monster subjugation, but it would also deliver me a sure victory in tomorrow’s battle.

I smiled. My final night in the Panan continent was passing by quickly.

1. Shin is referring to the animated series, Maeterlinck’s Blue Bird: Tyltyl and Myltyl Adventurous Journey. It is about a girl and her older brother seeking happiness, which is represented by The Blue Bird of Happiness ☜