Chapter 23: Let Go of That Girl

So he just popped up for a moment to show off, to let them know that what he held was a [Mid-tier Secret Realm], and then logged off... Did he really need to tell them that? Wasn’t there someone in their group who knew what a mid-tier secret realm was?

Luo Yong turned and glanced around, only to see—

Ahem.

Alright, so they truly had no idea.

At that moment, four people were gathered together, discussing the matter. As for the chubby one standing a little farther away, he seemed somewhat intimidated by the spirit of the array—perhaps he had a shadow from the cursed witch profession—and dared not come closer.

“We…”

Luo Yong thought to ask how to use the key to open the secret realm, but decided not to waste any more time here.

Yet just then, the ground trembled lightly as sounds came from the distance.

Turning to look, a tall human approached, accompanied by two hefty minotaurs dressed as rogues.

It was their footsteps that made the ground shake.

Behind them trailed a figure, noticeably smaller.

“One level 11, two level 10…” The chubby one muttered, as if he could see their stats floating above their heads. Luo Yong wondered if this guy could identify everyone’s level and title at a glance—such a talent would be highly sought after in the right circles.

But rogues… Minotaurs as rogues? Really?

Under the group’s curious gaze, the newcomers arrived at the stone circle. The minotaurs, despite their rogue profession, carried themselves with bullish arrogance, ignoring everyone else.

Even before they reached the group, they waved their long knives and began to drive people away.

“Move, move!”

“All you riffraff, clear out! Don’t block the master’s path!”

“When did rogues become so blatant?” A voice challenged, none other than Elia. She was the first to step forward, glaring at them with obvious hostility.

“Hey, where’d this little lady come from? If you dare meddle in the master’s business, move aside now or my blade might not spare you!” one of the minotaurs shouted.

“I’d say you’re the blind one!” Elia smoothed her short hair, and a special symbol glowed on her forehead—a small snake shimmering green.

“Ah!” The minotaur recoiled a few steps, startled by Elia, nearly dropping his blade.

“Cu-cursed witch!?” He stammered, terrified and incredulous.

“Useless fool!” came an angry rebuke from behind. The tall human stepped forward, scrutinizing Elia with a look of disdain, clicking his tongue and shaking his head.

“What are you afraid of? We’re equipped with gear that grants immunity to most negative effects!” He brightened suddenly, a wide smile spreading across his face. “Besides, we have a barbarian priest in our party, skilled in holy magic, specializes in countering evil witches! Heh heh!”

“Aman!” Wendy called to the figure lingering in the distance, beckoning her to come closer.

But Aman, seeing her familiar companions, shook her head and looked away, saying nothing.

“Aman, we found the key to a secret realm! We can grow stronger quickly!” Wendy persisted, hoping to coax her back.

“Oh? You know each other…” The man in front glanced smugly at the barbarian priest, then turned his gaze to the three female heroes before him.

Ahem.

He automatically ignored the cursed witch—her figure was hardly worth a second thought.

Look at those alluring curves.

Look at those delicate features.

As a man, how could he not be tempted by such women?

“I’ve heard of your names, but never had the chance to meet you. But my name, Ivan, is well-known in these parts—everyone’s heard of me. If you want to enter the secret realm, why not join our party? Together, we could—”

As he spoke, Ivan’s eyes roamed over the women, up and down, back and forth, as though he could see right through their clothes. The smile on his face was so irritating it made one want to plant the sole of a shoe right on it.

“To stamp my mark all over his big face.”

“We have enough people; we don’t need to team up with you,” Wendy replied earnestly.

“Hey, don’t say that! We all operate in the same area. You want to enter the secret realm, and I just happen to have a key. We can go in now and explore the treasures together. More people, more strength!”

“Oh? Then may I ask, which legendary key do you possess?” The storm mage stepped forward, seemingly swayed, and asked proactively.

“Well, you’ll see when you come along! Heh heh!” Ivan laughed, feigning mystery. “It’s definitely a real secret realm!”

“Tch…” On the other side, the wild hunter, though realizing the storm mage was acting, couldn’t even be bothered to play along.

“Hey, Aman, we truly have a secret realm key. Won’t you come back and explore with us?”

“What key? Which secret realm?” The barbarian priest called from afar, hesitating. On one side were her task companions, on the other was the notorious trickster.

Besides, the key that the trickster held led to a secret realm that had already been explored countless times—there was nothing new in it.

Otherwise, Ivan wouldn’t have been able to get his hands on any decent resources.

Still, having a key was better than having none.

That was why the barbarian priest lingered, reluctant to come over.

Were these people making it up to lure her back?

“It’s the Forest Secret Realm. We just used a Wish Scroll and got it directly,” Luo Yong called out loudly.

“Is that so…” The barbarian priest was tempted. If someone else had wished for it, there was a high chance of failure.

But if it was Luo Yong…

How many gems did he have in his coin pouch now?

For no reason, the thought popped into the barbarian priest’s mind.

Even she was surprised at herself.

“Forest Secret Realm?”

Ivan repeated, thinking hard—he had never heard of such a realm.

He burst out laughing, pointing at Luo Yong. “Kid, stop lying! Such a childish trick can’t fool me!”

“Do you think everyone’s a three-year-old? All secret realms have consistent naming: Deer Isle, Dragon Isle, Eagle Isle, Wolf Isle, or the newly discovered Bear Isle…”

“Those are real secret realms. As for the so-called mid-tier and high-tier realms, they don’t even appear on this continent, so there’s no need to mention them!”

“Ahem, even if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me. You’d think I was making it up to trick you!”

“If I just rattled off some random name, you’d believe me? Too naive. Who do you think I am? Ivan, who’s survived in these circles for so long—no one can fool me! Uh—”

At that moment, he suddenly saw Luo Yong—someone he’d never heard of before—raise his hand. In his palm, a dreamlike radiance shimmered.

A small tree appeared.

Gradually, it transformed into a forest, concealing an unknown secret realm.

“Fo-Forest… Secret Realm…”

Ivan, who had been rambling non-stop, suddenly stammered, unable to finish his sentence.

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Who was this Luo Yong? Where did he come from? What was his background?

How could he possibly have such a secret realm?

Was what he’d said true?

“How can this be? Aren’t all secret realm keys…” Ivan’s mind reeled, unable to comprehend how a tree-shaped key existed.

If he hadn’t witnessed others binding secret realm keys before, he might not believe what he saw.

But he had seen it—once bound, the key looked just like that.

“This is a mid-tier secret realm. It’s normal you haven’t seen it. You only operate in this region, your experience is limited. You can’t know everything…” Luo Yong replied coldly, glancing at the distant figure…

Whoosh!

Luo Yong’s vision blurred as a figure charged at him at a speed he couldn’t have imagined, like a tiger pouncing.

Immediately, he felt his wrist squeezed tight, someone’s hand digging fiercely into his palm, as if trying to pry the secret realm key loose.

“Ahem, my dear sister, isn’t this kind of snatching a bit improper?”

Luo Yong steadied himself, pulling the other into his embrace.

“Mm!” The barbarian priest cried out, refusing to let go, turning her head to meet Luo Yong’s gaze, stubborn and undefeated, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“You…”

“Let go of that girl!”

Before Luo Yong could finish, before they could exchange a word, Ivan’s furious shout rang out.

“She’s my teammate! You shameless bastard! Let her go, or I won’t be so polite!”