Chapter 129: Errant Growth

Luo De opened his eyes.

The familiar ceiling came into view—the forest ranger's cabin.

It seemed Tally and the others had brought his body back.

Luo De sat up.

He saw Tally pinning her hair back with one hand.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh! I'm so hungry!"

"I can't hear you."

Tally wiped her lips, smiling broadly.

"Master, you're awake!"

"Didn't I tell you not to eat while I'm asleep?"

"But I was about to starve~"

Luo De sat up, steadying his head, still slightly dizzy.

"How long has it been?"

"Two days, so I haven't eaten for two whole days! I had no choice but to break the rule~"

The succubus pleaded pitifully.

Luo De pointed to the kitchen utensils still uncleaned, exactly as he'd left them that day.

The leftover food had barely changed.

"So, you didn't clean up for two days?"

"Mmm."

Tally paused, then began acting cute, tilting her head and sticking out her tongue.

"Oh! I misremembered—it's only been two hours~"

"Today's meal count is reset to zero."

"Nooo~ I haven't even sucked it out yet!"

Luo De ignored the succubus's pouting.

As for why he could see through her act at a glance—

His understanding of the 【Plague】 had improved; he could now judge the level of bacterial growth on food residue.

Besides, the succubus still maintained her maid-sister persona—even the lace on her undergarments hadn't changed.

She rarely repeated the same disguise.

He put on his pants.

Luo De left the cabin.

He went to the willow district, to Amy's magic cottage.

According to Tally, it had been requisitioned as a temporary medical station.

Amy was once again homeless, wandering the forest, reportedly playing in the mud by the river.

"You're awake? Already?"

As he entered the cottage, Kalist was laying out a spell array on the ground.

She froze when she saw Luo De.

Entering the Dread Field was a massive drain on spirit and soul, especially for non-high-tier mages and spiritual warriors.

The elf had assumed, upon sensing their souls' return, that they would lapse into a coma lasting four to five days.

Hence, she had set up some life-sustaining arrays here.

Yet now, this human pervert stood before her, perfectly fine.

Luo De shrugged.

Then he told her what had happened in the Dread Field.

Of course, he omitted the part about his deal with the bone dragon.

Upon hearing this, the elf's expression shifted.

"The Dread Field has been occupied and divided by another universe's creature. That's not good news—it means the cosmic beings inside the alternate space are entering an active phase."

She scowled and added:

"As for your deal with that bone dragon, I'll think of a way to circumvent it."

"Thank you for the trouble."

"Do you think you've troubled me little?"

Luo De could only smile bitterly.

"Should you ever need anything from me in the future, just say the word."

At this, the elf merely snorted and said nothing.

Two days later.

Evening, forest ranger's cabin.

After a day of training, Luo De sat on the cabin's front steps, resting.

Preparations for the ritual had been halted after the chief planner collapsed.

Some mages returned to the Magic Control League via teleportation; others chose to stay in Shi Ying Town for a brief vacation.

The desert's Gwei-e beasts and Shadow Weavers had ceased their attacks again.

The forest returned to its former silence.

The setting sun cast golden light, reflecting off the blade of the sword beside him, illuminating the silver blade.

A one-handed sword gifted by Oana, Deputy Director of Containment.

Its simple, dark brown leather scabbard contrasted sharply with the noble ceremonial longsword, engraved with deep, intricate patterns.

Yes, this was a ceremonial longsword.

Beautiful, valuable, and a clear marker of the wielder's noble status.

But it had one major flaw—it couldn't take a hit.

Oana had repeatedly warned him: never use it to strike anyone.

"The 【Tremor Blade】, huh."

It was a cursed magic sword.

As its name suggested, anyone who saw its blade would fall into a state of soul-shaking terror.

Moreover, the silver blade would retaliate against its wielder, periodically plunging them into nightmares.

For anyone else, it would likely be discarded immediately.

But Oana knew Luo De possessed extraordinary spiritual resistance, so she gave it to him.

"Can't take a hit? Heh—I'll level you up until you turn into a person."

Over the past week, his remaining 【Growth Spirit】 points had reached 87.

"Tremor Blade, let's see your limits."

【'Tremor Blade' acquired skill: Compass】

【Details: When thrown upward, the tip will always point south upon landing.】

【Auto-Translation: When gripping the hilt, any spoken words are converted into a language the wielder understands.】

【Taunt: While gripping the hilt, the wielder is more likely to be attacked and targeted (toggleable).】

【No Refusal: Tremor Blade accepts any being or object; any energy system can pass through it unimpeded and fully master it.】

"."

Damn, you little bitch.

【'Tremor Blade' acquired skill: Invisible Blade】

【Details: Tremor Blade becomes invisible.】

【!!!】

【Growth Spirit experienced erroneous growth!! Part of Growth Spirit has transformed into 'Errant Spirit'!】

【'Invisible Blade' and 'Tremor Blade' are in severe conflict. Spend 5 Growth Spirit points to remove this effect?】

"?"

Luo De froze.

The main effect is inducing fear in those who see the blade—and now it spawns 'Invisible'?

Are you kidding me?

"Yes."

【Removed】

【Remaining Growth Spirit: 72】

【Remaining Errant Spirit: 5】

"I should've expected it—this cursed blade wasted 15 points outright."

Luo De wasn't stubborn.

He set it aside.

He turned to his more commonly used 【Sacrificial Blade】.

It's much more normal now.

【Basic Sharpness: Sharpness increased; upon collision, a check is made, and the loser suffers damage.】

【Screaming Sword Wave: Launches a long-range sword wave.】

【Illusory Shadow: As it swings, twisted sword shadows appear, causing misjudgment.】

【Emotional Resonance: Enhances all effects on 'Sacrificial Sword' as the wielder's emotions intensify.】

Luo De's face filled with satisfaction.

"Only you could do it—no surprise you're my good kid."

Decided.

From now on, I'll only strengthen you.

As for the silver sword—heh.

"Why are you smiling like an idiot at the sword?"

Nearby, the half-deer person who brought Bond looked puzzled.

She held a bundle of ingredients; as agreed, she had come to learn cooking.

"Luo De!"

The pony girl laughed as brightly as ever.

With a leap, she dashed over and tackled Luo De to the ground.

Laughing, she tickled his sensitive spots.

Luo De refused to back down and fought back fiercely.

Xiao Ke watched their playfighting and couldn't help smiling.

(End of Chapter)