Chapter 416 - 353: Pathetic
"I was just confirming, don’t worry," Aurianna said with a light chuckle, waving her hand dismissively.
"So, I feel like it’s better if you rest first since you only woke up recently. You really shouldn’t be trying to jump into all of this immediately," Zeche said while staring at her carefully, clearly still worried about her condition.
"That is true, but I feel extremely energetic right now!" Aurianna declared proudly as she raised one arm dramatically into the air. "So don’t worry too much about me," she added with a confident smile.
"Alright then. We’ll be heading out tomorrow using the teleportation towers to explore the newly merged regions. Our current mission involves drawing maps of the new landscapes while also eliminating monsters. Basically, monster subjugation missions. And since you’re on our team, the higher-ups specifically requested for you to handle most of the stronger monsters because of your level," Batholem explained calmly.
"Okay, that sounds fair enough. So what exactly do we get in return?" Aurianna asked curiously.
"They pay us using magic coins, platinum, or gold depending on how many monsters we kill," Zorian added casually before grinning slightly. "Basically, this is our chance to make a ridiculous amount of money."
"Okay... then I guess I should probably prepare a bag or something. Although I already have most of my stuff stored inside my inventory, so I don’t really need to pack much," Aurianna muttered thoughtfully before narrowing her eyes slightly at the group. "And you guys still seem a little stiff around me. Is there something you all want to say?"
"Well... apart from us missing you while you were asleep, I really wanted to thank you for saving us. Without you, we probably would have died," Kiana admitted bashfully while avoiding direct eye contact with her.
"Of course I saved you. I mean, you’re all weak after all," Aurianna replied with a smug grin as she crossed her arms proudly.
"What would you guys ever do without me?" she added dramatically.
’Man, I know she means well, but she’s unbelievably conceited,’ they all thought simultaneously as they stared at Aurianna with blank expressions.
Still... she was not wrong. In terms of strength, she was overwhelmingly stronger than all of them combined, so it made sense that she would be the one protecting everyone.
"Also, why wouldn’t I save you guys? You’re my friends after all," Aurianna added with a beautiful smile.
The moment they saw that smile, several of their expressions immediately turned bashful while their hearts skipped slightly.
"And besides, I couldn’t let you die because those people’s attacks directly affected the soul, meaning I wouldn’t have been able to revive any of you afterward. But if that wasn’t the case, honestly it probably would’ve been better to make use of the second life pact signed with the school," Aurianna admitted bluntly.
"Honestly... I expected you to just let us die," Elena admitted while leaning her head gently against Aurianna’s shoulder. "So hearing you say all this is still surprising. Well... not really surprising, but it honestly makes my heart feel warm knowing you cared about us that much."
"I would obviously care about all of you, so stop acting so stiff around me already," Aurianna huffed in annoyance.
"But that feeling of being weak and powerless was horrible. We couldn’t do anything except stand there and watch everything happen. And I hated it so much... I really hated it. I mean, I didn’t even have the courage to properly fight back against them. It felt pathetic," Christopher admitted quietly while tightly clenching his palms.
"Realistically speaking, if you had fought them directly, you would’ve died immediately. Even I would have died if not for my special circumstances," Aurianna stated while calmly staring at everyone.
"So yeah... I’ll train harder and become stronger. Maybe someday I’ll even reach the same level as you," Elena declared with a determined expression filled with motivation.
Aurianna stared at her for a moment before suddenly chuckling softly.
"Elena... you cannot seriously be saying that," Aurianna replied, giving her a completely blank look. "It’s honestly better if you don’t compare yourself to me because our situations are completely different. If you use me as your goal for strength, you’ll only end up depressing yourself. The path I walk and the strength I pursue are entirely different from yours because of my race and circumstances. So please, don’t use me as the blueprint for your own growth. Focus on your own journey instead," Aurianna explained calmly.
Elena stared at her silently for several moments before eventually nodding her head. "Alright... I’ll listen to you, Aurianna," she said obediently.
"Good girl," Aurianna said proudly while patting Elena on the head.
"Now then, I’m hungry," Aurianna suddenly announced while sniffing around the room for food.
However, after looking around for a while, she realized no food had been prepared.
She immediately rubbed her growling stomach pitifully before slowly turning toward Peter with pleading eyes.
"Alright, alright... I’ll cook something for you," Peter said with an amused smile.
Instantly, Aurianna’s entire face brightened up.
Everyone soon got up one after another and started giving her hugs, causing Aurianna to sigh inwardly.
’They were seriously worrying for no reason,’ she thought to herself.
Soon, evening arrived.
Aurianna quietly walked outside and stared up at the night sky. Remembering her big sister’s words "I’ll give you fifty years to finish everything." she let out a long sigh.
"I mean... I could probably finish everything within twenty years like I said, but would I really be willing to leave everybody behind?" Aurianna wondered quietly while staring at the countless stars above her.
"Ah, right... those three Crystals. Where are they even?" Aurianna muttered to herself.
"I’m pretty sure they are probably with Ragna. Though I did forget to give them permission to enter the church... but I can still vaguely feel them," she said thoughtfully.
"When I go out later, I’ll probably have to meet Ragna and the others again... Kisho, Huston, Hadina, Jade, Avriel, and Jugi too. Ah... this is honestly so stressful," Aurianna sighed tiredly.
"Don’t worry, big sister! I’ll definitely reach your level soon! Then we’ll finally be able to spend much more time together!" she suddenly yelled loudly toward the night sky.
"But I really wonder how Leila is doing right now," Aurianna murmured softly to herself.
Slowly, she laid down on the grass in the backyard before closing her eyes peacefully.
And then she suddenly heard Leila voice.
"Aurianna!" Leila called out.