Chapter 118: Setting Out

“But the issue with the card rank should be resolved,” Luo Yong said calmly.

“What good does that do... Wait! Are you saying—” That damned fat man suddenly scrambled out of the water, naked, lunging at Luo Yong.

Then, with a splash, he was kicked back by Luo Yong’s foot.

“Ahem! Enough nonsense, get up quickly! We’re heading into the secret realm to level up!” Pang Ding sprang forward like a flash, quickly putting on his clothes in no time.

Then he came back, dragging Luo Yong along as they headed out.

“Are you rushing to reincarnate or something?” Luo Yong quickly put on his clothes, only to realize these weren’t his own. They hung loosely on him and were a bit short.

“These are mine. Wear them for now. All your gear is gone except for a single knife,” Pang Ding said without looking back.

“What did you do with them?” Luo Yong asked flatly.

Even if his own situation back then was rough—with his clothes torn to shreds and his body battered—it wasn’t like nothing was left!

“I cleaned up the scene,” Pang Ding snorted. “You caused such a huge commotion this time and still managed to survive. That’s just not possible!”

...

The Land of Divine Wails.

The Gale Squad received notification to come collect the items Luo Yong left behind:

A tattered cloak.

Damaged bracers.

Ragged edges of clothing.

And one shoe blown to bits.

“No! This can’t be true!”

“Luo Yong...”

“How could the captain... possibly...”

The team gathered, each face etched with disbelief and sorrow.

“Judging from the residual magical fluctuations, a fierce battle occurred here. An incredibly powerful demon unleashed unimaginable magic,” the Holy Light Sorcerer sighed. “Luo Yong must have been caught in the blast and didn’t escape in time...”

“That’s impossible! The captain had a level 20 flying device!” Mira spoke up.

“Look—” the Holy Light Sorcerer pointed to the distance where a pale gray Death Dragonfly lay quietly among the rubble, its fragmented form marked by countless cracks.

“Ah!”

“So, the captain really—”

“No! My little brother, how could this happen—”

“I don’t believe it!”

“This isn’t real!”

“I won’t believe he’s dead without seeing his body!”

The group erupted in shouted protests, their emotions growing more intense.

“I understand how you feel. I’ve lost comrades too, seen them die before my eyes. I couldn’t believe it then,” the Holy Light Sorcerer said, his voice heavy with grief. “But what can we do?”

“Let’s go,” the Truth Mage said without much ado, shaking his head and sighing occasionally. “We don’t know exactly what happened here. Perhaps the demon hasn’t left and is still hiding somewhere. We must prepare to prevent this from happening again.”

“You all...” The Holy Light Sorcerer opened a portal, glancing once more at the Gale Squad before departing with the Hero Association members. “Go to the Mage Guild to update the captain’s status so future missions can be assigned conveniently.”

...

After speaking, he left without waiting for their reactions.

“Wendy, what do we do now?” Aelia asked.

Everyone looked to her.

“We of the Gale Squad will always have only one captain—Luo Yong!” Wendy declared.

“I refuse to believe he’s dead!” The barbarian shaman stared into the distance, resolute. “Until I see his body, I won’t accept it!”

“Wah! Captain! Wah!” Among them, Seli cried the hardest, clutching the older women nearby and sobbing so much that their clothes were soaked.

“Seli, stop crying or you’ll ruin your health.”

“No! I don’t care! I want to cry! I want the captain!”

“Let her cry...”

There was no one else who could console her here.

Veer left.

Luo Yong left, taking Dodo with him.

...

“See? Everyone thinks you’re dead. That’s only logical!” Pang Ding said, calm and smug, shaking his head and grinning, making Luo Yong want to hit him.

“I curse your grandfather!” Luo Yong muttered silently, standing at a distance as he watched his teammates depart.

He never imagined that in this other world, he would be presumed dead!

“Fatty, you have a scheme!” Luo Yong said, now wearing a cloak and hood, his face masked, shrouded in mystery, making it impossible to discern his identity.

“What scheme could I have? I just want you to level up fast enough to use that spell, then bring your lover back to life, and mine, Belinda, too,” Pang Ding said, blending into the dense forest around them, hiding seamlessly.

“But you still haven’t told me how you drove Adela away?”

“With a tactical scroll!” Luo Yong casually tossed one to Pang Ding.

“Who are you trying to fool? That’s just... huh?” Pang Ding initially dismissed it, but after inspecting the scroll, he exclaimed, “Wow, this is incredible! A powerful tactical scroll that can threaten level 40 monsters! Totally different from the duds before! Where did you get it?”

“Probably dropped by monsters,” Luo Yong replied casually, not really knowing what kind.

“Where are we heading next?”

“Obviously the dungeon!” Pang Ding shot him a glare. “You’re already dead. Your secret realm can’t be reclaimed. We have to find a new one.”

“Yeah, I’m dead already...”

Without a sound, the two figures slipped away like shadows, unnoticed by anyone.

“Another squad captain dead. Do you think there’s a conspiracy?”

“Yeah, I heard the Wind Child of the Fearless Guild died recently too.”

“Wind Child? Handsome? He’s dead as well?”

“You don’t know? They say he died at the Stone Circle—clean as a whistle, not a trace left!”

“Shh! Keep your voice down, don’t let the Fearless Guild hear... trouble’s not worth it!”

...

Luo Yong and Pang Ding walked on, overhearing scattered heroes gossiping.

They remained silent, attracting no attention.

“They received a mission, thinking a powerful beast appeared nearby. Everyone dispersed to investigate.”

Pang Ding narrated as they walked.

It seemed much had happened during Luo Yong’s unconsciousness.

“At first, few dared to investigate. After all, something huge happened in the Land of Divine Wails. Running away was the only sensible thing. No one’s stupid enough to jump into that mess.”

“But as time passed with no incident and no sign of the beast, more people showed up.”

“And the Fearless Guild fools even issued a bounty, promising a great reward for capturing the killer of the Wind Child.”

“Then I can bring people to claim the reward, right?” Luo Yong said, glancing at Pang Ding.

“Hmph, do you have the ability?” Pang Ding scoffed, shaking his hefty frame. “Your Gale Squad also put out a bounty—whether you find traces of the beast or discover your corpse, you can claim a reward.”

“...” Luo Yong shuddered, sensing Pang Ding’s ill intent.

“You’re not planning to...”

“Yeah, after Belinda’s revival, we still have to live. The living expenses... might as well come from your corpse,” Pang Ding tapped his chin.

“Damn you, fatty! You won’t die a good death!” Luo Yong cursed, then added sincerely: “If I come back alive, they’ll give you more stuff to make Belinda’s life better.”

“Hm, that makes some sense.” Pang Ding considered for a moment. “But Belinda’s not the kind to indulge in luxury.”

“Aren’t you the same?” Luo Yong said flatly.

“Ahem, that’s not important.”

The two bantered as they walked, unknowingly reaching the dungeon after two or three days despite their quick pace.

“By the way, why don’t we use teleport scrolls instead of walking?”

“No idea. I thought you wanted to lose weight.”

“I’m not fat!” Pang Ding got agitated. “That’s energy stored in my body! Don’t talk nonsense!”

“Really? But... do you plan to greet Belinda in this state? Will she see you differently?” Luo Yong pressed, throwing a soul question.

“You said you weren’t always like this before.”

“...” Pang Ding’s steps faltered.

His breath paused.

His heartbeat stilled.

As if the whole world had hit pause.

After a moment, he mechanically turned to Luo Yong, uncertain: “Will she... will she? Belinda... she’s so kind, so gentle, so warm... she shouldn’t mind my current shape.”

“Are you sure?” Luo Yong narrowed his eyes.

“Sure of what?” Pang Ding glared irritably. “What’s there to doubt? Are you doubting Belinda’s kindness, gentleness, and—oh wait, I forgot to say—no, I didn’t get the chance because you interrupted me—her beauty?”

“That’s not it; I’m just questioning your physique,” Luo Yong said flatly.

“Damn it! I hate you handsome, fit, and self-controlled types!” Pang Ding suddenly drew his longsword. “Ask one more question and I’ll kill you!”

“Belinda’s still waiting for me to revive her,” Luo Yong said indifferently. “It’s fine if she’s not revived; I honestly don’t care.”

“No! You have to bring her back! Damn it! I’ll kill you! I’ll just change class myself and save her!”

“You don’t have a class change scroll or a necromancy scroll.”

“Ah!!!”