"I think we should leave," Abel said, breaking the silence. "If what those soldiers said earlier was true, the Burning Legion is probably already on its way. We need to cross the border and get out of here before they arrive. And the commotion we made earlier might have drawn attention, so we should set up some diversions."
Law nodded slightly in agreement.
The two immediately sprang into action.
First, they used the corpses in the area to conceal the bodies of the two dead soldiers as best they could. Then, they retrieved the jewelry the soldiers had hidden in their bodies and scattered it around the area.
All of this was done to mislead anyone who came to investigate and buy them time.
After all, such conspicuous and valuable jewelry would only bring trouble if they carried it.
Imagine: two ragged children, with no identification and survivors of White City's remnants, trying to exchange jewelry for money. What fate awaited them?
For safety's sake, they decided to abandon it all.
Shortly after they left, a group of soldiers arrived to investigate the area.
The corpse of the soldier Law had shot in the head was quickly discovered, but so were the scattered, valuable jewels.
This discovery threw everyone into a frenzy.
Considering the dead soldier had barely turned in any spoils of war and had recently made excuses to slip away...
Anyone with a shred of intelligence could easily imagine a grand drama of greed, betrayal, and mutual destruction!
It wasn't that no one considered other possibilities, but no one dared to voice them.
On one hand lay endless trouble; on the other, silent riches for all.
Which would you choose?
Thus, the soldiers tacitly agreed to ignore the corpse and frantically scavenged the surrounding jewels.
Then came the Burning Legion, whose massive flames incinerated everything, leaving nothing behind.
Everyone was perfectly satisfied with the outcome.
As thick black smoke billowed into the sky, Abel and Law had already crossed the border and stood on the territory of the neighboring nation, Minz.
They had finally escaped that hellish place.
The two gazed at the distant flames, their eyes flickering with uncertainty, betraying the turmoil in their hearts.
After a long silence, Abel finally spoke, "Law, what's on your mind?"
"I want to survive and then turn this hopeless world upside down."
"You're a terrifying guy, but it sounds kind of interesting."
"So, are you in?"
"Count me in for now. After all, you still owe me a life. I need to collect the interest first."
Hearing Abel's response, Law forced an awkward smile. "Then you'd better hurry. I only have three years left to live."
Abel frowned, remembering his own remaining five years. He couldn't help but ask, "Amber Lead Syndrome... is it really incurable?"
Law shook his head. "I don't know. Even my father couldn't do anything about it. Most likely, I'll just have to wait for death."
"Just wait to die? Hah, I refuse to believe that! If I could survive that 'hell,' then my fate is mine to control! I won't just live—I'll live longer and more brilliantly than anyone else!"
Abel's words struck Law, who had already resigned himself to despair, like a thunderbolt.
Though Law didn't truly believe Abel could achieve such a feat, he couldn't bring himself to crush his hope.
"Perhaps... a miracle really might happen."
"I guarantee it! A miracle will happen! Law, don't give up so easily. If we're the only two left alive, there must be a reason for our survival!"
"Mm, I'll look forward to that day."
Law nodded dazedly, as if infected by Abel's unwavering confidence. A faint, relieved smile spread across his face.
He finally realized that his future might not be so lonely after all.
A fundamental trust had been reestablished.
And this trust marked Gustavus Abel's first step into this world, signifying... rebirth!
In the town of Minz, Abel was currently hiding at the end of a dark, damp alley.
Law had volunteered to scout for information and bring back some food.
Although they had escaped Flevance, they were far from safe.
In fact, as one of the "culprits" who had destroyed Flevance, they would be immediately executed if discovered by Minz's soldiers.
Therefore, they needed to find a way to leave the island as soon as possible and reach a safer location.
But before that, Abel had an important task: purchasing the [Talent Metamorphosis Ray ]to awaken his own Talent.
With limited time remaining, he had chosen to act alone rather than accompany Law, seeking out this deserted spot for the purpose.
[Talent Metamorphosis Ray (Purple)]
[Description: The gospel for the Talentless, the ultimate 'little pill' for ordinary people!]
[Effect: Deeply unlocks the user's potential and metamorphoses it into a unique Talent. (Activates immediately upon purchase. Cannot be used by those who already possess a Talent.)]
[Price: 2,000 Transaction Points (Struck through)]
[Limited-Time Monthly Discount Flash Sale Price: 100 Transaction Points!]
[Quantity: 1]
[Time Remaining: 5 hours 12 minutes]
[PS: Will you settle for mediocrity, or dare to take a gamble?!]
"No one willingly settles for mediocrity! System, purchase now!"
Abel bought it without hesitation. Instantly, his body was enveloped in a beautiful yet terrifyingly dangerous seven-colored light.
Under the eerie beam, Abel's expression twisted into a ferocious grimace.
He felt an agonizing combination of pain and itching coursing through his entire body, as if his head were about to explode.
He remained in this dazed state for an indeterminate amount of time. Finally, the strange light enveloping him vanished, leaving Abel's clothes drenched in sweat.
But it seemed to have been worth it.
[Acquired Blue Talent: Otherworlder's Heart (Growable)]
[Description: Mutated from Amber Lead Syndrome. Normally, all toxins are concentrated in the heart. When actively activated, the toxins rapidly spread through the bloodstream, transforming the user into an Otherworlder!]
[Otherworlder State: Self-defense, speed, and strength are enhanced by 50%. Pain perception is reduced by 50%.]
[Side Effect: Due to the accelerated toxin eruption and corrosion, lifespan is consumed at a rate of 5 days per minute.]
[Growable: Inject three new lethal toxins into the heart until they are fully fused and absorbed. Toxins fused and absorbed: 0/3]
Under Abel's gaze, the white patches on his arm vanished completely in an instant!
It seemed all the toxins had truly retreated into his heart.
Yet he couldn't bring himself to feel happy.
How could he have imagined that his new Talent would be a mutation of the Amber Lead Syndrome he so desperately wanted to eradicate?!
And it didn't even seem particularly impressive...