2. Queen of Nasods
Demon subjugation army was formed and they finally started to march towards Temple of Water.
People partic.i.p.ating in the subjugation army were Penensio and the Velder Knights, Chung and the
El Search Party and…. imprisoned Ara.
El Search Party members each stared at the carriage with worried eyes. The carriage being guarded
by the Velder Knights was covered up in order to hide who was inside. But the person inside was
Ara.
“…..I’m worried.”
“Since we’re marching together anyways, can’t we just walk together?”
Seeing that Rena and Elsword couldn’t take their eyes off the carriage, Add sighed then responded.
“Don’t be stupid. Be patient for now.”
“How long do we have to be patient Add?”
Eve questioned Add with a cold voice.
“All you’ve been telling us is to be patient. I’d like you to promise me exact time when Ara Haan can
regain her freedom.”
“Stop thinking that this matter is so simple.”
Eve’s request was reasonable but even Add couldn’t answer her for sure.
As the representative of the El Search Party along with Rena, Add kept partic.i.p.ating in the strategy
meetings with Hamel. But he wasn’t able to make any explicit requests concerning Ara in those
meetings.
It was because if you took away all emotional ties, Chung’s method of handling things was right.
“Then what if I ride on the carriage together with her? How about that?”
Add dived into his thoughts for a moment at Rena’s suggestion. Although it was too much to ask
for Ara’s freedom right now…. Having companions riding together with her inside the carriage
could be negotiated.
Add’s heart moved so he nodded.
“I’ll try negotiating.”
32
Add moved his Dynamos forward and approached Chung who was traveling in front of the army.
Chung had volunteered to be in front because he knew the terrain well. He nodded politely as Add
approached.
“Do you need something?”
“About the person inside the carriage…. We’d like to take turns riding the carriage together with
her.”
“You can go ahead.”
Add was surprised when Chung answered right away seemingly without any particular thoughts.
“Is it okay for you to agree so easily?”
“If you were intending on breaking out Ara Haan, you would have already done so. Regardless…. It
would be troublesome for me if you people decided to honestly pressure me by force.”
Just as he said, the only person here from Hamel’s side at the moment was Chung. They had left
Hamel’s soldiers behind to guard the city just in case. This was a measure taken because the damage
Hamel took from Ran was too large.
Although Penensio was a righteous person, he was a person from Velder in the end. Chung was
alone amongst foreigners right now.
“But this is far as I can concede. I’d like you people to respect my opinion as well.”
“….I’ll accept for now.”
Chung was saying he’d accept the El Search Party’s suggestion in exchange for confirming his
opinion that he won’t free Ara. It was a fair negotiation based on mutual trust.
Add decided he might as well ask another question to Chung.
“I actually know Ran a bit myself as well…. Do you really think using a hostage will work on him?”
“I think it’s a half-half chance. I’m honestly not expecting much.”
Hostile expression showed immediately on Chung’s face when Ran was mentioned. Then he quickly
changed his expression back as if he was a bit embarra.s.sed by it.
“…..I agree that Ara Haan doesn’t seem to be a dangerous individual. But I’m the temporary lord of
Hamel and Hamel has been destroyed by Ran. I cannot handle this matter just based on my own
instincts.”
“That’s right.”
Chung smiled slightly when Add agreed.
33
“Thank you for understanding. I’ll carry this out in a way where she doesn’t come to harm much as
possible.”
“Please do that.”
Add accepted with a voice soft enough to surprise even himself as he turned the Dynamos around
to return to where the El Search Party was.
“Talk is over. You can go inside.”
“Alright. Call me if something happens.”
Rena nodded as she approached the Velder Knights that were guarding the carriage.
Rena’s steps were very quick. She never got the chance to talk with Ara face to face even though she
had been worried about her last couple of days,
“I’ll go talk with her after Rena.”
“Come to think of it…. Why are you worried about Ara so much?”
“I’m not particularly worried. I think it’s not righteous to pa.s.s by a person that’s being treated
unfairly.”
Elsword who’s been walking beside Eve joined in on their conversation.
“But you asked me about a way to get along with human girls..... ow!”
“Don’t say something strange Elsword.”
Reby flew away then came back after hitting the back of Elsword’s head. Eve noticed that Add was
staring at her with a strange gaze so she spoke to deny.
“I was just asking for some advice since I was finding understanding human girls a bit difficult. Do
not misunderstand.”
“Hoooh…..”
Eve frowned slightly when Add smiled vaguely.
Add felt like he’d get some interesting responses if he said something here but he purposely stayed
quiet.
Eve looked already friendly with Rena and judging by how she was caring about Ara this much, it
seemed that Eve att.i.tude towards people other than Elsword was loosening up.
Even though they had all traveled together, girls and boys bedrooms had always been different.
Various things must have happened out of Add’s sight.
34
Eve looked offended when Add continued to smile so she hastened her steps and moved forwards.
Add smirked as he looked at Eve’s back move further away. Elsword changed the subject.
“Anyways, do you think Ran will be strong?”
“Of course he will be.”
Add answered him right away. Add wasn’t even a match for Ran when they ran into each other in
Elder. But Add had been through many battles since then and had become stronger by enhancing
his Dynamo’s formulas.
Not only that, there were others beside him this time. Eve, Elsword, Rena and Ara were together
with him and that guy Chung looked quite skilled as well.
Ran was a powerful foe but Add felt like they had a chance.
“Hmm…..”
“Don’t worry about it. He’ll be weaker than Elesis.”
“Of course.”
Elsword agreed to Add’s baseless words as if it was obvious. It almost felt like if Add said that Elesis
was the strongest person in the world, Elsword would just respond by saying ‘why would you say
something so obvious?’
When Add laughed slightly, Elsword tilted his head.
“Come to think of it. You seem to be laughing more often Big brother Add.”
“….Kukukuk, it’s nothing.”
Add somehow became fl.u.s.tered and turned his head away. Eve was prudishly walking in front of
them by herself and Rena was talking with Ara inside the carriage.
“It doesn’t feel like we’ll lose….”
As an engineer, Add had always lived by trusting in numbers and percentages and yet these baseless
words came out of his mouth without him realizing.
Night.
The demon subjugation army stopped near the Resiam Outskirts and prepared to camp out. The El
Search Party was getting ready as well when Rena approached and spoke to Add.
“Add, could you go see Ara for a bit?”
35
“Didn’t everyone talk with her already? Was there a problem?”
“Umm, actually….”
When Rena trailed her words, Add instinctively looked towards Elsword and Eve.
Add didn’t feel anything special seeing how those two were in front of the campfire getting ready for
dinner. Since those two had gone in and talked with Ara already, Add might as well do so too.
“Alright, I’ll go.”
“Yea, I’m counting on you. Here.”
Rena handed to Add two bowls of warm stew that she prepared beforehand.
Add took them without saying a word then headed to the carriage. He was planning on discussing
about their current situation with Eun anyways.
It shouldn’t matter if he comforted Ara before doing that.
“I’m coming in.”
Add abruptly entered by opening the carriage door then sat on the chair inside. Ara was sitting inside
the carriage with a numb expression. Then she recognised Add and lowered her head to greet him.
You could tell just from a single glance that she wasn’t her usual self. Ara took the stew when Add
handed it to her. But it didn’t look like she had much appet.i.te.
“Be sure to eat properly. The fight will start soon.”
“…..Yes.”
Add frowned after hearing her barely audible response. He understood that Ara was feeling dejected
right now, but this wasn’t right.
“If you’re worrying about Chung and Hamel, put those matters aside for now. Just focus on
defeating Ran.”
“…..”
Add stopped eating his own stew when Ara didn’t answer. This was a bit strange. Add put down his
bowl and asked seriously.
“What’s going on?”
“……It’s nothing.”
“You’re wasting my time. What’s going on?”
36
Ara’s expression turned even darker when Add asked repeatedly. After looking closely, she had a
dark circle under her eyes and had a pale expression. It looked like she didn’t get any proper sleep.
Her days inside the prison wouldn’t have been comfortable. But there was something else to this.
“Say it quickly.”
“…..I can’t tell you.”
“If you don’t want to talk, I’ll talk with Eun instead. Send her out.”
Ara bit her lower lips when Eun was mentioned. Her body shook thinly then she spoke quietly after
a long pause.
“It’s because I’ve been having strange dreams recently…..”
“Dreams?”
“…..A dream where Mr.Elsword was killed by Ms.Elesis.”
Add paused. There was something that rose up in his mind.
“Not only that, Ms.Eve was killed by Elder Brother Aren in Elder…….”
“…..”
They weren’t dreams. They were events from the timelines that Add had experienced.
When Add stayed frozen, Ara continued to speak spa.r.s.ely while looking down only at her palms on
top of her knees.
“And I know that this will happen….. So I try to fight. But I always lack the strength….. I cannot do
anything even though everyone is killed by the demons in front of my very eyes…..”
“Forget it. Those don’t have anything to do with the present.”
Add spoke stiffly after suppressing his shock. It was true that those events had happened but they
no longer held any meaning.
They were all times that Add abandoned.
But despite Add’s words, darkness soaked inside Ara’s expression didn’t disappear.
Just when Add was trying to choose his words to respond to this unexpected situation…. Ara’s hair
seemed to flash brightly then got dyed in white.
Then with a ‘poof’ sound, pair of fox ears appeared on her head.
“That’s no good, boy. Treat her more kindly.”
37
Add would have normally felt unpleasant by this change but he let out a sigh of relief this time. He
was actually glad.
“What happened? How does Ara know about those times?”
“She knows because I know, boy.”
Eun smiled coldly as she crossed her legs. Add knew that Eun had the power to look into the future.
But wasn’t that unrelated to Ara?
Eun must have read Add’s question so she explained.
“In martial arts, one trains to read the opponent’s mind. You predict beforehand how your
opponent would move then respond. Your opponent’s line of sight, breathing, weight, balance,
movement of their body, flow of the surrounding air, you combine all these factors to read your
opponent’s moves in order to stay one step ahead of them.”
“So?”
“Fundamentally, telegnosis ability that I use isn’t too different from this. I read the breathing of all
creation and combine those in order to look into the future.”
“What does that have to do with this?”
Enough with the explanations. How was it possible that Ara knew about times that Add abandoned?
Eun let out a thin sigh when Add pressed for an answer.
“A fissure has formed in Ara’s consciousness. Thus she started to become influenced by me. Our
souls are merging together.”
That sounded extremely dangerous to Add but Eun continued her words leisurely.
“For a human, Ara’s as a vessel is extremely large. Vessels like her are so rare that you can barely
find one or two out of thousands. Humans like her are able to carry my power up to certain amount.
But no matter how large the vessel is, she’s only a human in the end.”
“…..Ara is going to break because she cannot withstand your power?”
“No, it’s different.”
Eun shook her head to deny Add’s guess.
“As Ara’s heart breaks, my powers and memories end up filling the broken gap. If this continues,
Ara will turn into something that isn’t Ara. Just like how Aren turned into Ran…..”
“……”
“What an unfortunate fate these siblings have, so unfortunate.”
38
Add felt the chills from these words that Eun was confessing so calmly.
The scenery of moonlight coming through the carriage’s small window to shine upon Ara’s whitely
dyed hair was…. beautiful yet frightening at the same time.
“…..How come you’re speaking about this as if it was someone else’s business?”
“Because there’s no other way.”
“Then we should try to come up with one before….”
Eun shook her head.
“Boy is misunderstanding. Ara not becoming Ara anymore also means I won’t be myself anymore.
What should we call Ara who’s merged together with me and what should we call me who’s merged
together with Ara?”
“…..”
“Should we give her a name beforehand? How do you like Eunara?”
What a surprising talent Eun had to speak about such things so leisurely. Add lowered his head and
could only groan.
“If things continue like this, something that’s a mix of Ara and my consciousness will come out as a
result. Well, she’ll be much stronger than we are now at the least.”
“But that also means you’ll disappear. How can you be so casual about this?”
“I’ve lived for a long time so I don’t have any big attachments to life. I do have something I desire
…… But it can’t be helped if it cannot be fulfilled.”
Eun was speaking about her own demise ever so lightly. But even if Eun had accepted her demise,
there shouldn’t be any reason for Ara to get mixed up in this.
“How about if you….”
“If you’re going to say I should leave Ara’s body right now, that’s impossible. Ara borrowed too
much of my power up till now. Even if I were to leave her, the residues will delve into Ara’s
consciousness instead. It will only become worse.”
“Then what is the solution to this?”
Eun shook her head.
“Even I don’t know too much about feelings of humans in detail. There’s no other way but for Ara
to firmly guard her consciousness.”
39
“…..”
“Wielding large power results in large recoil. Ara has been wielding my power to achieve greater
feats than her skills would normally allow. It is now time for her to withstand the recoils”
Tragedy in Hamel had caused a fissure in Ara’s heart…. And Eun’s memories and abilities started to
fill the gap. If this continues, Eun and Ara will merge together and be reborn as something that isn’t
Ara or Eun.
Just like how Aren became Ran, Ara will turn into something that isn’t Ara.
“You don’t have to mind this, boy. I’ll still have the eyes to see into time and s.p.a.ce even if I change.
I’ll still a.s.sist boy with time travel.”
“How can you tell me not to care about this?”
“Doesn’t boy have nothing to do with this issue?”
“….”
Add couldn’t answer right away. She was correct. Add’s goal was solely to obtain Eve’s core and go
back in time.
Even if Ara’s heart was shattered and she turned into something else during the process….
“Just tell me the solution.”
“Hoho, boy is being unexpectedly caring towards Ara. Did your thoughts change after seeing her in
her swimsuit?”
“Stop saying unhealthy things. I have no idea what will pop out if you and Ara get merged together
and I don’t know if whatever that comes out will be controllable.”
“My, so you’re saying Ara has to stay as she is because she’s naïve and listens to your orders well?
How cruel. Although Ara would have been happy to hear that.”
“I meant that I’m just not fond of things with vague ident.i.ties.”
Add frowned with displeasure when Eun smiled mysteriously.
“I’m just striving for the result I want while putting in some light extra effort. So just tell me the
solution.”
“Well, the answer is simple. Bring comfort to Ara’s heart.”
That was an extremely difficult condition. Ara couldn’t hold back her tears after seeing the atrocities
that Ran committed to Hamel and thus willingly accepted to be chained up and become a prisoner.
40
One must be a saint if they still had a comfortable heart after going through all this.
“Just what should I do exactly?”
“How about you have a heartfelt talk with her while bathing together? I’ll tell Ara beforehand.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Hmm?”
Add replied as he stood up. Eun momentarily made a surprised expression then smiled voluptuously
right after.
“So there are days when boy responds like this too. It’s a nice change.”
“Don’t make me laugh. I’ll do this in my own way.”
He realized that Ara needed mental comfort. And there was someone else that was suited for this
job.
Soon as Add exited the carriage, he headed toward the campfire where the El Search Party was
sitting around. Elsword and Eve just finished dinner and were sitting across from each other staring
at the campfire.
Add would have normally stopped and observed the two but he had a business to take care of right
now. He grabbed Eve’s arm and pulled her up right away.
“What is it?”
…….He tried to pull her up but she was heavier than expected.
When Eve looked back towards him, Add let go of her arm naturally as possible then requested.
“I have something to talk to you about. Follow me.”
“We can talk here.”
“It’s important.”
At Add’s persistence, Eve looked at Elsword for a moment then got up from her seat. When they
had distanced themselves away from the others far enough so that they wouldn’t be heard, Eve
asked.
“How did your talk with Ara Haan go?”
“It wasn’t good. So about that…..”
41
It seems the others didn’t know about Eun’s ident.i.ty or Ara’s crisis. It was somewhat difficult for
Add to explain it to them as well. The main objective here was Ara’s mental stability anyways.
“I’d like you to treat her well.”
“I’m planning to do so without you telling me.”
“I didn’t mean that….”
When it came to caring for Ara, Rena didn’t even needed to be mentioned and Eve was also caring
for her quite a lot. For Eve who had only focused her attention on Elsword before, this was a
change that was worthy of attention. But this much wasn’t enough.
“What is it then?”
“I’d like you to be even friendlier with her.”
Add tried to speak the words he had prepared beforehand. But the words got caught inside his
mouth and he ended up speaking in circles.
“I don’t understand what you mean. I’m not particularly distancing myself from her.”
“Haaah….”
Everything worked out so smoothly during the simulation inside his head but it was really difficult
to actually say them out loud.
“I mean, since Ara’s condition isn’t too good…. See if you can comfort her well.”
“…..Comfort her?”
Eve looked like she didn’t have much to say about this. Eve who didn’t have any emotions (or
believed that she didn’t) only knew what it meant to comfort others from just encyclopedic
knowledge.
“I’m sorry but I’m a Nasod. I don’t know anything about this. I think it’s better for you to ask Rena
for something like this.”
“Rena is already doing enough.”
Although he was sorry to say this…..things must have come to this because just having Rena wasn’t
enough.
“It’s not enough with just Rena. You’ll have to do it as well.”
“……That’s a troublesome request. What should I do exactly?”
“…..”
42
Add wasn’t too talented in comforting others as well.
He was confident in his abilities to treat someone cold-heartedly, but his mouth stopped whenever
he tried to say something kind. It didn’t suit his personality.
“I don’t know either.”
“You don’t know either and yet you’re telling me to do it?”
Eve’s tone felt dumbfounded. Honestly, both Add and Eve was people that were furthest distances
away from comforting other people. Although their fundamental reasons differed since Eve was
because she wasn’t knowledgeable about emotions and while Add knew about emotions, he
prioritised his own goals.
“I’m a Nasod. Telling me, a Nasod to comfort humans….”
“Think about it since you don’t know how.”
Add comforted Ara before they met Chung but he couldn’t prevent the fissure from forming in
Ara’s heart.
Rena was the same and Elsword wasn’t any better. There was only one person left to count on now.
“You’re the only one left who can do something for Ara.”
“…..”
How serious Add was right now must have been conveyed because Eve didn’t refuse right away. She
seemed to think deeply for a while then shook her head.
“Telling me to comfort her without giving any particular methods to do so, it’s too vague. I’ll have
to ask Rena for advice.”
“No, you can’t do that.”
Add immediately shook his head. That kind of method won’t do at all.
“Comfort Ara after thinking about this by yourself.”
“The chance of success isn’t too high if I try by myself.”
“It doesn’t matter. Since I’ll try in my own way as well.”
He just had to get rid of the reason that was shaking up Ara’s heart. In the end, the core reason why
Ara was suffering was because of Ran.
Ara’s mind would stabilize faster if they could defeat Ran soon as possible and received minimal
casualties during the process. Everything would be solved if….he explained the situation to Chung
43
to make him accept Ara’s situation, unite their strength to defeat Ran…. Then turn Ran back into
Aren as Ara wished.
“It looks like you have something on your mind as well.”
“So, what will you do?”
“I’ll accept.”
Add had expected Eve to resist more but Eve accepted unexpectedly easily.
For a Nasod to accept the suggestion telling her to comfort a human so easily? Just when Add was
about to ask one more time for confirmation, Eve spoke first.
“Since I know you care about Ara Haan.”
“I’m telling you right now, it’s not because of human male and female relationsh….”
“I know that it’s not.”
Add was a bit surprised at this unexpected response. Eve tended to make mistakes about Add and
Ara’s relationship before but it wasn’t the case this time.
“Recently, I think I’ve come to know a bit about what it means to care for other people.”
“…..You’re changing.”
Add unconsciously exclaimed. Eve, who was a Nasod was changing. One couldn’t even imagine Eve
from back in Ruben would have said words like this.
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“You don’t have to understand. Kukukuk.”
Add cackled joyously.
He had forgotten recently because there had been so much going on. But Eve was without a doubt
one of a kind masterpiece that will never exist again in history.
Eve was changing from being together with the El Search Party.
“I’ll look forward to a good result, Queen of Nasods. Kahaha!!”
“…..”
Eve looked very coldly at Add laughing for a moment then returned to the campfire. It somehow
felt like he missed a great chance but Add didn’t stop laughing.
……Since it felt like it would look stranger if he stopped.
44
Nothing stood in the way of the subjugation army even until the next day’s sunset.
“Shadow demons should have appeared by now…..”
“Are they drawing us in on purpose?”
Add also delved into his thoughts from what Penensio said while he was instructing the Velder
Knights to prepare to camp out. Even though they were inside the enemy territory right now, they
haven’t found any hint of demons.
“But for what reason?”
“Maybe they are trying to block our retreat path. We’ll have to be careful.”
Penensio carefully expressed his opinion. Add shook his head.
“They won’t need to act like this if that’s the case. Didn’t you say demons that destroyed Hamel
also traveled using dimension gates? Demons that are disturbing Elrios right now are rather free
from spatial restrictions. So don’t think of them within the bounds of reason.”
“I see, that’s right.”
Add stopped speaking when Penensio nodded to agree with him. Add also knew that for demons
to move around using dimension gates, they needed the Dark El, and that Dark El was a limited
resource so demons couldn’t overuse it…..but Add didn’t reveal this fact.
In order to defeat Ran, they had to go to the temple regardless of if it was a trap or not. Although
he couldn’t deny that there were other reasons like he didn’t know what might happen to Ara if they
delayed longer……
“…..It wouldn’t be bad to move with haste anyways.”
As Add rid himself of the distracting thoughts, he saw Eve in the corner of his sight.
Her silver hair was shining from the twilight’s light. The bright skin of the mechanical doll amongst
the soldiers felt disparate yet beautiful.
So beautiful to the point where she had stolen Add’s gaze before he realized it himself.
Eve was talking with the soldiers, then she must have felt Add’s gaze because she turned around to
look at him.
Add felt guilty for some reason so he tried to look away but Eve approached him and suddenly
started a conversation as if this was a good time to do so.
“I’m going to take a bath.”
45
“……”
Why would she tell him that? At Add’s confused gaze, Eve continued her explanation.
“I confirmed that there’s a river ahead. I already checked the water’s depth so there shouldn’t be a
problem.”
“Hamel is called the city of water after all…”
They saw many streams and rivers during their march and he could also confirm with his own eyes
the river Eve was talking about.
“Not just Rena and me, Ara will bathe together with us as well.”
“…..So you want me to explain.”
They needed Chung’s permission in order to temporarily get Ara to move around freely. Add
understood what Eve meant and nodded. But her words weren’t over yet.
“Then I’ll be counting on you for your part as well.”
“What?”
“I have something for you to attempt on your side as well.”
The words Add told Eve while asking for her help yesterday was returned right back at him. Add
somehow felt a bit uneasy….. But Eve looked like she had finished all her calculations.
“Then let’s start.”
Blue river shining from the beautiful moonlight.
Three people had their bodies sunk inside the flowing river and were bathing carefully.
Such a light skin that would make even the pearl jealous. A drop of water made its way down the
neck and made a beautiful curve as it slid down all the way to the navel.
“Ah, it’s so refreshing!”
“…..”
“…..”
Add and Chung didn’t show any reaction to Elsword’s shout. There was nothing to say when the
three of them were bathing together stark naked.
“…….Thank you for inviting me, Mr.Add.”
46
“…..Just call me Add, it’s easier for me that way.”
Chung thanked reluctantly and Add felt reluctant as well. Even though they were all same genders,
bathing together with someone else was uncomfortable for him.
Elsword seemed to have done this couple times and didn’t look like he minded at all.
“Phew…..”
Add scratched his head as he stole a look at Chung. Even though he looked like a girl, he was clearly
a guy.
‘While I’m bathing with Ara Haan, you bathe together with Chung as well.’
Eve gave that condition before leaving without any more explanation.
Add had called Elsword also because it would be awkward to bathe 1 on 1 with Chung….. But
Elsword was smiling enjoyably without caring about the two of them.
“Aren’t two of you going to wash?”
“……We should.”
The water was quite deep further inside and reached all the way to the stomach. While being
cautious of his steps, Add examined Chung’s mood.
While this situation was awkward….. He couldn’t stay silent till the end.
“I heard that it gets colder the more you approach the Temple of Water and the Temple itself is
covered by snow. Why is that?”
“I’m not sure as well. It seems there’s some kind of legend that’s pa.s.sed down about it….”
Elsword who was washing his face joined in abruptly.
“You mean the legend about the Priestess of Water right?”
“Do you know something about this?”
“I heard from the other knights. Apparently some demon kidnapped the Priestess of Water who
knew about secret of the world. Then they fell in love with each other.”
Add frowned.
47
“What a cliché legend. Let me guess, their love didn’t work out and the temple was frozen because
of that?”
“Well, putting aside the legend, it is true that the temple is frozen. It will pose difficulties during the
battle.”
“Having many soldiers doesn’t matter at all. Only people who’ll be useful during the fight with Ran
are us.”
Chung carefully nodded and agreed to Add’s cold-hearted evaluation. He was polite yet cool-headed.
“Yes, pardon my words but the others will only get caught up during the battle. Sir Penensio has to
take care of the soldiers while we attack Ran.”
Chung must have admitted that the El Search Party was an important fighting a.s.set as well.
Add thought that the conversation was flowing favorably so he began to look for a good timing.
Could he possibly ask him to free Ara if things went well?
But Elsword who was listening to the two of them suddenly changed the topic.
“I was having doubts, but Chung is a guy after all.”
“…..O, of course I am.”
“I thought for sure that you’re a girl when I first saw you.”
Chung’s face got heated red at the words Elsword spoke without much thought.
“Please don’t make fun of me, Elsword.”
“But your hair is long and your skin is so light.”
“Even so, I’m a guy.”
Add didn’t know when the two have become so friendly with each other, but Chung and Elsword
were having a friendly chat right now. Although it was a random conversation, Chung’s expression
looked like it was brightening and Add used this chance to slip a word in.
“There’s not enough people for our fight with Ran.”
“…..So you’re trying to tell me to free Ara Haan.”
Chung’s eyes sharpened soon as he understood the meaning behind Add’s words. Add purposely
laughed as if to tell Chung to listen up.
“She’s been in charge of our front line during all our fights. You don’t specialize in close quarter
combat either right?”
48
“I’m sorry to say this but there’s no guarantee that she won’t turn her spear against us. Or she could
turn on us when we face Ran.”
“You have to bring her in front of Ran anyways if you’re going to use her as a hostage. And she can
betray any time if she really wanted. Do you honestly think that puny chain can tie her down?”
“That’s a sign of trust. A sign that I’ll also treat Ara Hann with respect long as she doesn’t break it.”
Their opinions clashed tightly. Actually, Add had been expecting this kind of result….. That’s why
he hadn’t asked Chung to free Ara before. Also, what Chung was saying was obvious considering his
position as Hamel’s lord.
Add had been planning to respect Chung’s methods but he couldn’t hold back anymore since Ara’s
consciousness was in danger now.
“You should already know by now that she’s innocent.”
“…….”
Chung didn’t answer and instead let out a heavy sigh. At first, Chung had reacted out of pa.s.sion
after hearing that she was Ran’s sister. But he stopped acting out of emotions after he actually got a
chance to speak with Ara.
“Is our request really that unreasonable?”
“She’s trying to turn Ran back saying he was once a human. Are you saying I should accept the
circ.u.mstances of my father’s killer?”
In the end, none of them could yield in this part. Ara who was trying to turn Ran back into Aren
and Chung who was trying to get revenge. The two of their goals couldn’t be accomplished at the
same time.
But Add already knew this.
“That’s something to think about later. I’m pointing out that we don’t have enough strength to take
Ran on right now. The burden is too heavy for Elsword alone.”
“I’ll try my best. But I do find it more rea.s.suring with Big Sister Ara by my side.”
Elsword who had been examining the ring on his finger read Add’s intentions and also joined in to
help. Chung didn’t look like he had any words for reb.u.t.tal.
It was always better to have more helping hands. It was a reasonable request.
“……I’ll think about it a bit more.”
“I’d like you to hurry. There isn’t much time left.”
49
Actually, having the conversation progress this far was a great accomplishment already.
Chung was currently acting very mature and reasonably. Add also thought highly of Chung’s polite
actions and didn’t want to urge him any more than this.
Eve probably pushed Add to bathe together with Chung in order to get him to try talking with
Chung privately. Well, it was about half successful.
“Then we are all going fight together right?”
Elsword spoke abruptly as he stretched out his arm to put it around Add’s neck. Add frowned
instinctively at this sudden skinship but Elsword didn’t mind it as he put his other arm around
Chung’s neck.
Elsword smiled as he looked up towards the night sky.
“Let’s win this time.”
It was a voice attempting to shake off sorrow and regret. Add stopped trying to shake off Elsword’s
arm and replied with a snort.
“We’ll obviously win without you having to say it.”
“I’ll do my best as well.”
Chung’s tight expression was loosened and he was smiling slightly.
That’s right, we lost last time.
But let’s win this time.
Making this kind of resolution while bathing felt like a joke…. But Add couldn’t help but to laugh
because he found it mysterious that their hearts were one.
50
51
Eve was looking up towards the moon then lowered her gaze. Ara and Rena were washing their
bodies a little further away.
The three of them were finally together after a long time but only silence dwelled between them.
Normally when the three of them were together, Rena would take the lead so that the conversation
wouldn’t stop even for a moment. But that wasn’t the case this time.
“The river’s temperature is adequate.”
“Yea, I think so too. How about you Ara?”
“……It’s fine.”
Ara nodded slightly to Eve’s evaluation and Rena’s question. Feeling anxious, Rena who was
watching over the two wanted to say something but she suppressed the urge.
Eve making a suggestion for them to bathe together was a very surprising change. Eve was a Nasod
and she didn’t need to bathe like humans. They had all bathed together before but that was just Eve
tagging along because Rena had offered strongly.
Eve prepared this occasion on her own right now to talk with Ara.
‘You can do it, Eve.’
Rena internally cheered Eve on. She was so proud of Eve who was right now trying to handle
emotions that she couldn’t understand. Rena wanted to help but she couldn’t intervene.
Rena watched over Eve feeling like a mother watching over her child who’s just started their first
steps.
“Ara Haan, how was your days in prison?”
“……”
Such a frank conversation opener made Rena want to intervene but she restrained herself. She must
restrain herself.
Thankfully, despite going through bad experiences recently, Ara temperament hadn’t changed so she
took Eve’s words literally.
“It wasn’t bad because of Mr.Chung’s thoughtful measures. How have you been Ms.Eve?”
“There wasn’t anything particular for me.”
Silence continued after the normal daily conversation ended. Eve continued to stare straightly at Ara
and Ara lowered her head and avoided Eve’s gaze as if she was feeling guilty.
52
Just when Rena’s patience finally ran out and she was about to open her mouth while thinking that it
couldn’t be helped, Eve suddenly moved her hand to splash the river water on Ara.
“Kyah?! M, Ms.Eve?”
“…….”
Eve continued to splash water on Ara without answering. Fl.u.s.tered, Ara covered her face with her
arm then stared at Rena. Ara’s gaze was as if she was asking Rena if she did something wrong.
When Ara continued to only defend, Eve stopped splashing water on her.
“Why aren’t you countering?”
“Umm, I was wondering if I made Ms.Eve angry somehow……”
“I’m not angry. We did this last time too.”
Seeing that Ara was confused, Eve explained calmly.
“Don’t you remember? Back in Ruben.”
“Ah……”
It was something that happened when Rena, Ara and Eve were bathing together after they had
defeated the Nasod miners.
What Eve was asking her to recall was the time when Rena had suggested they should bathe
together to loosen their distant atmospheres. And while bathing, they had a playful game of
splashing water on each other.
“That’s when Mr.Add appeared all of a sudden.”
“You don’t have to remember that part.”
Eve cut her off abruptly. Ara cowered and looked nervously at Eve again. Seeing this, Eve splashed
water on Ara again.
“M, Ms.Eve!”
“You can fight back if you don’t like it.”
Eve started ruthlessly splashing water on Ara. Then Rena who was watching over them gracefully
struck the water’s surface. Then, a small wave splashed up towards Eve’s head.
“Just watching is boring so I’ll join in.”
“I won’t go easy.”
53
“Yea, of course. Then here’s one for Ara also to be fair~”
Ara was now completely cornered when even Rena who she thought would help started splashing
water on her as well. When Ara continued to only block with her two arms, Rena and Eve stopped
their attacks and waved towards Ara.
“Come, Ara.”
“How long are you going to just stand there?”
“…..Uuu.”
When Ara still hesitated despite their urge, Rena lightly struck the water’s surface again. Ara quickly
raised one of her arm to block the incoming drops of water then scooped up water with her other
hand to throw it towards Rena.
But Rena had already predicted this and dodged quickly so Eve who was behind her got hit instead.
“Ah……”
“Let’s continue.”
Eve didn’t react and splashed water on Ara again. Still nervous, Ara carefully made counterattacks
against Eve and Rena.
There were almost no words that went between them as they continued to splash water on each
other. Amazingly, Ara could feel her complex and tangled mind start to clear slightly as she moved
her body.
Her movements slowly got bolder and amount of water she splashed increased. Whenever Ara’s
hand swiped across the river, a huge wave rushed towards Rena and Eve.
Just moving without thinking about anything lightened her mind.
“Hyaaah!”
A wave much bigger than those before was created when Ara struck the water’s surface with her
palm again. Ara had done this in spur of the moment so she got surprised by what she just did. But
Eve and Rena who just got soaked lightly shook their heads.
Drops of water shined brightly from the moonlight.
“Ahahaha, this is very refreshing.”
“Not too bad. Then here I come too.”
After that, Rena displayed a skill of cutting across the water current to splash water on them, and
Eve displayed a method of using Moby and Reby to scoop up water and dropping it on their heads.
54
It was just a light game where they splashed water on each other, but the sound of laughter didn’t
cease. Then Ara realized that the laughter wasn’t just Rena’s. She was also laughing before she had
realized it.
And this felt so surreal that Ara stroked her own face. How long has it been since she had laughed
like this?
When Ara stood numbly, Eve asked.
“Do you require help, Ara Haan?”
“……Pardon me?”
“I’ll help you if you require it.”
Eve spoke hesitant and slowly as if she was trying to organize something inside her.
“I’ve heard about the circ.u.mstances you are facing. I’m not too knowledgeable about human
emotions but I know that you are facing a very difficult situation.”
“……”
Ara stood still and blinked at these unexpected words. For Ara, Eve had been a party member who
was very pretty and yet was a bit hard to face. Eve was always cold and objective so Ara felt that she
shouldn’t make any mistakes in front of her. But this in turn made her more nervous and lead to her
to making more mistakes in front of her.
Of course, this wasn’t Eve’s fault. It was just one of the reasons why she felt uneasy around Eve.
Also, Eve wasn’t too sociable so the two of their relationship had been dry up till now.
“Ms.Eve…… for me?”
“I may not look it, but I’m the Queen of Nasods. I can help you.”
“One who said we should bathe together was Eve as well.”
Ara got surprised at Rena’s words and stared at Eve again. Ara’s heart felt like it was warming up.
Then she recalled that Eve was still waiting for an answer so she made a quick bow.
“No, I already troubled you enough with my problem. I cannot trouble you anymore.”
“Then are you saying you don’t need my help?”
Ara didn’t know how she should answer. She asked carefully.
“…..Why is Ms.Eve trying to help me?”
55
It was just a light game where they splashed water on each
other, but the sound of laughter didn’t cease.
56
“I’m not sure either.”
Eve answered sharply then slowly closed her eyes.
“I don’t know why, but it felt like I had to. I’m sorry, I must have said something unnecessary when
you didn’t require any help.”
“No, that’s not true. I’m happy that Ms.Eve wants to help me.”
When Ara got fl.u.s.tered and shook her head, Eve went back to her original question.
“Then what should I help you with?”
“That’s…..”
Back to point one. Rena made a long sigh then stretched out her hand to playfully pinch Ara’s cheek.
“M, Ms.Rena?”
“Ara, I know things are very difficult for you right now. So can’t we be of any strength to you? …..Is
what Eve is asking.”
“That sounds a bit different, Rena.”
When Rena let go of her cheek, Ara rubbed the part of her face that got pulled. Then she slowly
lowered her head.
“Thank you for asking, but…..”
“It seems you are worried about something that we don’t know about. Can’t you tell us?”
“……”
Ara closed her mouth. What she was worried about was a very complicated issue. At first, it was a
problem with Ran and Chung…. But it became much more complicated after she met Karis again.
She couldn’t confess that she was having strange nightmares about her comrades dying every night.
Especially when they were heading to a fight right now.
Revealing it to Add couldn’t be helped because of Eun. But Add promised to keep this a secret and
it looked like he was keeping it…. She couldn’t tell such an ominous story to the others as well.
Ara swallowed her words and forced a smile.
“That’s not it. It’s just that what Elder Brother did was so horrible….. I don’t know what to do.”
“I see.”
“Yes, alright……”
57
Rena sighed then grabbed Ara’s hand tightly.
“It’s very…..difficult for you now, right?”
“……”
When Ara couldn’t answer, Rena whispered gently as if she was singing.
“Everything will work out when this fight is over. It will be for sure.”
“…….Yes.”
Listening to Rena made her feel like it really will be. Ara was nodding then her face suddenly
stiffened.
Ara quickly looked around then bowed.
“I, I’ll head back first now! Two of you can take your time.”
“You should dry up before leaving.”
Ara hurriedly spoke her parting words then left the two behind. The b.l.o.o.d.y visions she’s been
seeing recently, those glimpses had flashed by in her mind again.
It’s only a dream. It won’t actually come true right?
Ara moved swiftly while trying to control her restless heart.
Ara left. Rena sighed at how Ara had left almost as if she was running away.
“Did I speak too irresponsibly…….?”
“I judge that it was an appropriate advice.”
Rena smiled at Eve’s rigid evaluation then asked.
“Come to think of it Eve. You seem to be very caring towards Ara recently. Did something happen
between you two?”
“There was no such event.”
When Rena continued to smile, Eve must have felt slightly embarra.s.sed so she turned to avoid her
gaze.
“…..I just thought that I shouldn’t leave her alone like that.”
“Yea, that’s right.”
58
Actually, Eve had the tendency of distancing herself from the El Search Party. The one who was
visibly most distanced was Add, but that was because of his thought processes and his
actions……and he seemed to be somewhat integrating recently.
On the other hand, while Eve cared extremely about Elsword, she treated the other members from a
step further away. In human terms, she had a very picky and introverted personality. Of course, Eve
was a Nasod so comparing her to humans didn’t quite fit.
“Everyone went through a lot during the fight in Velder.”
“……Yes.”
Rena’s voice also became lower. The El Search Party was almost annihilated in their fight with Elesis,
and everything would have been over if Aisha hadn’t intervened.
That defeat still lingered within everyone as a wound.
“I sometimes regret that it was because my strength wasn’t enough. That my firepower wasn’t
sufficient compared to your rear support.”
“No, Eve you tried you best.”
“I tried my best and still lost.”
Eve’s voice was quite seeped with emotion. She hadn’t let it show before, but Eve must have been
quite dejected about that defeat as well.
“……I don’t want to lose next time.”
“Yes…….”
“I want to become stronger and be of help to Elsword and the others.”
“……”
Rena felt regretful as to why it was only her who was listening to these words right now. How
wonderful would it have been if the others could have listened to this as well?
Eve who hadn’t known how to a.s.sociate with people now started to take the initiative and care
about others.
It was a remarkable change.
“Rena, it’s stifling.”
Before she knew it, Rena had pulled Eve in her arms and was patting her. Eve slightly had an
expression as if she was feeling cramped but she didn’t push Rena away.
59
“It’s alright Eve. You don’t have to feel impatient. You can become stronger while being together
with everyone.”
“…….together?”
“Yea, me, Elsword, Ara and Add, we will always be together with you.”
At Rena’s whisper, Eve continued her words quietly.
“……So I’m not alone.”
“Yes.”
At this gentle answer, Eve hesitated then tried to embrace Rena. But at that moment, sound of an
explosion and a roar tore across the sky.
Gwwwooooh!!
“…..Looks like we got visitors.”
“Let’s hurry and check it out.”
Rena’s eyes sharpened and Eve also turned around without hesitation.
Not a sound could be heard.
Without even drying her hair properly, Ara reached the camp with such swift steps that she almost
looked like she was flying. Ara breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that nothing was wrong.
She had seen a glimpse of a giant shadow rampaging through and attacking the Velder Knights…..
But she must have been mistaken.
“Thank goodness.”
Ara eased her mind then delved into her thoughts while slowly strolling around the camp. She
recalled the talk she had while bathing with everyone.
She was so thankful of how Rena cared for her and how Eve was worrying for her that she didn’t
know what to say.
Even now she wanted to confess everything to them….. But what use would that be?
“Lord Eun, are you there?”
‘Yes, I’m listening. The air is fresh tonight.’
Eun replied softly to Ara’s call. Ara determined herself and asked to confirm what she already knew.
60
“The events I’ve been seeing in my dreams…. Is it true that they could actually come true?”
‘Future isn’t unchangeable and is determined by actions of the present. My eyes can see much
further than others and since you’ve also spent quite a bit of time together with me, you’ve also
somewhat become able to see as well. It’s an ability called foresight.’
The horrifying visions Ara has been seeing in her dreams past couple of days…
Eve being destroyed by Shadow Master in Elder, Elsword falling before Elesis’ blade, Rena trying to
protect the other members then falling to a dark elf’s ambush.
And Add being killed by Karis.
Even though they were only dreams, they felt so vivid and horrible….so she almost didn’t get any
sleep recently. It was to the point where she was too scared to close her eyes.
Ara stopped her steps then asked desperately while looking up at the moon.
“……What should I do then? What did you do in times like this Lord Eun?”
‘It’s now become a part of my daily life so I don’t have much to tell you. Life of a warrior is like
dancing on top of a blade, you should already know that death can come at any moment.’
“But…..”
If someone else was to see Ara right now it would look like she was talking to herself. Ara sadly
shook her head. Eun had always been together with her and gave her many advices but she tended
to be harsh sometimes.
Ara had always taken Eun’s harsh advices to heart but the situation was different this time.
“Still, I can’t let such a thing happen! It’s because I’m not strong enough……”
‘One cannot protect everything no matter how strong one becomes. This might sound cruel…. But
I also have many things that I failed to protect.’
“……”
Ara bit her lower lips in frustration at Eun’s lecturing tone.
Ara was able to survive Karis and Ran’s attack on her village thanks to Eun. But all the people in her
village were killed…. Ara was the sole survivor from that bloodbath.
‘No matter how strong you become….. You cannot change fate.’
“I don’t want to change something like that. I just want to stop the events I’ve been seeing if they
actually have a chance of happening. I don’t want such things to come true!”
61
‘Even so…..’
Eun didn’t continue her words anymore. Instead, sound of heavy armor moving was heard then
someone else spoke to her.
“What are you doing alone here Ara Haan?”
“Ah……”
It was a voice that she got to hear often these past couple of days. Ara got extremely startled as she
stopped her conversation with Eun and turn around. A boy in white armor was staring at Ara.
It was Chung who returned after his bath with Add.
“Didn’t you promise earlier? That you’ll move about freely only when you’re bathing.”
“…..I’m sorry. I was deep in thought and forgot for a moment.”
Chung made a troubled expression when Ara bowed her head politely to apologize. Chung looked
around the surrounding area for a moment to confirm that no one else was around then spoke
quietly.
“I’m sorry if my words sounded harsh. Please return to the carriage now.”
“Oka…..”
Ara realized that complying with Chung wasn’t what she wanted to say right now.
She understood very well why Chung was doing this. But waiting without a spear in her hand made
her mind too restless and anxious.
She was a mess right now……..to the point where everyone else was worried about her.
That was obvious. Ara Haan is a martial artist. She always solved her unrest and problems through
martial arts. There was no way she could ease her mind……from just waiting quietly without a spear
in her hand.
Ara took a deep breath then spoke the words she should have said before.
“Mr.Chung, I won’t ask you to trust me. It’s an excessive request after all.”
“That’s…..”
“But can you let me fight together as well?”
Just when Chung was about to respond to Ara’s words…. A sound of people screaming and a roar
tearing through the darkness was heard.
62
Gwwwooooh!!
“…….We’ll talk about this later. Your weapon is over here!”
“Yes!!”
Chung quickly turned around to run and Ara followed his back without any doubt.
Add was looking over the map in the commander’s tent when the tearing roar was heard. Add
instantly flew up on his Dynamos and swiftly headed North where the sound came from.
Dark shadow form was attacking by swinging its arm. Velder Knights were too shocked by its 3
storeys high size that they were hesitating.
“Shadow Master?”
A demon that made Add despair, it was his hated enemy from Elder. An enemy he should have
faced with caution in the past. But Add snorted and threw a Void Impact.
Booom!!
s.p.a.ce tore then a giant hole was created in the center of Shadow Master’s chest. Shadow Master’s
body shook from receiving a hole that would have killed any normal creature.
“Did you really think I’ll get startled from something like this now?”
Thanks to the formula revamp that Aisha told him, efficiency of Add’s attacks had improved greatly.
His mental ability to manipulate the Dynamos had improved as well so he could take down a
Shadow Master by himself easily.
After filling the hole in its chest as if clay was being molded, Shadow Master looked up at Add. Then
a Shadow Sniper started to sprout from the Shadow Master’s shadow. It was a bizarre way to make
an entrance but Add didn’t get startled and waved his arm.
Boom!
s.p.a.ce exploded and the newly born Shadow Snipers rolled on the floor. Shadow Snipers were the
correct choice for attacking Add who was in the air. But that was only when they could withstand
Add’s attacks.
“It’s way too simple.”
It was not a bad choice to ambush them with a Shadow Master….. But even Add alone could handle
this much. Could it be that Ran didn’t know about the El Search Party’s skills?
63
Add was about to launch another Void Impact with an indifferent expression…. When Shadow
Chargers that got born from Shadow Master’s shadow charged into the Velder Knights that were
still terrified. Velder Knights were still frightened from the Shadow Master’s size and were frozen
still.
Add clicked his tongue and made a sharp dive down to open up a Void Field to tie down the
Shadow Chargers’ in middle of their charge.
“Back out quickly!”
“Ugh…..”
“We’re sorry!”
Velder Knight members were apologizing as they slowly backed out. They weren’t at least bad since
they distanced themselves while keeping their formation.
“Well…. It’s kind of understandable.”
Add laughed slightly and shook his head. He couldn’t blame the Velder Knights for being scared of
Shadow Master. Wasn’t it an enemy that even Add struggled so much against before?
Velder Knights probably had enough ability to take down Shadow Chargers or Snipers….. But
Shadow Master was too much for them.
“Back off and observe. I’ll finish this quickly.”
Add declared lightly then closed the Void Field as he blew up the now free Shadow Chargers with a
Void Double Impact. Shadow Chargers got caught up by the s.p.a.ce explosion and shattered into
pieces…. Then the pieces turned into a murky dark liquid then went back into Shadow Master’s
shadow.
“It’s different than before.”
Shadow Master in Elder had appeared together with its minions through the dimension gate…..it
didn’t have an ability to create minions on the spot.
Although it hadn’t changed in appearance, it had a new ability.
Not only that….
Gwooooooh!!
A tearing roar was heard from far away. The ambush was happening not only in one location but in
multiple other locations as well.
64
Shadow Master in front of him wasn’t their only enemy. Add realized this and made an idle remark
while letting out a laugh.
“Kukukuk, you’re making this quite enjoyable.”
There wasn’t a reason to be worried at all. The other El Search Party members should be fighting
right now as well.
“But…. just in case, it would be troublesome if something happened to Eve.”
Add withdrew his laugh and glared at the Shadow Master coldly.
“And I’ve never liked you from the start. I’ll make sure to destroy you fast as I can.”
It was a dark night. Sound of battle and screams of demons from all over the place was creating a
terrifying atmosphere. But Eve was objectively facing a Shadow Master by herself.
Boooom!
Explosion Impact detonated as Shadow Chargers got launched up towards the air and got destroyed.
But they instantly turned into dark liquids then got absorbed into their origin shadow and were
reborn again.
“So it won’t end unless the source is destroyed.”
Minion demons will be reborn infinitely unless Shadow Master was defeated. Eve launched a missile
towards Shadow Master but Shadow Defender rose up from its shadow and became a meat shield.
“……”
Dismay rose up in Eve’s expression. Shadow Defender was obviously destroyed…. But they could
be reborn quickly.
These minuscule skills didn’t have enough firepower.
She had to use Generate Black Hole or Junk Break to end this in one go….. But Junk Break had a
short range so she had to venture getting close, and Generate Black Hole took time to bring forth
from the dimension gate and activate.
“No…..”
While Eve was hesitating, five Shadow walkers got created and spread out. Eve quickly fired an
electron ball to attack Shadow Master.
65
But Shadow Master didn’t even try to dodge and took the electron ball with it body. It was just
focusing on sp.a.w.ning minions. Electron ball did do noticeable damage to the Shadow Master’s body
but the damage was quickly covered up by the shadow.
“……”
Eve’s firepower couldn’t keep up with the speed of opponent’s regenerative ability and the speed
that the minions sp.a.w.ned.
Eve wasn’t a battle type Nasod in the first place. She was the Queen of Nasods, one who reigns. She
didn’t prioritize in abilities to fight head on. Even the battle capabilities she had right now were self
enhancements she made while going through various events during her travels with Elsword.
Eve’s firepower alone wasn’t enough to defeat Shadow Master.
And leaving Shadow Master alone like this would result in endlessly sp.a.w.ning minion demons…..
This would endanger the Velder Knights.
Rena went to support the other area. Judging by how Rena or anyone else wasn’t coming to support
her, they must be facing Shadow Master or demons that are of equal caliber.
Things will get out of control if she didn’t defeat this Shadow Master fast as possible.
Eve strengthened her resolve and boldly app