Chapter 169: The Reincarnator’s Offer And Skarr’s Voice!
Neve was the first person whose eyes widened when he saw Maren step into the cave.
The shark king walked in like he owned the place. His expression was cold and indifferent. His presence was commanding.
Popi’s eyes widened as she immediately charged forward to step in front of Neve. Her protective instincts kicked in immediately.
She remembered how Maren had wrapped his hand around Neve’s neck earlier that day. Even though Neve had told her everything between him and Maren was fine, Popi just could not believe it.
Is grabbing someone by the neck a proof that things between them are cool? That made no sense to her.
"Why are you here?" Popi growled, baring her fangs at him like a wild animal protecting her young.
Maren lowered his head to look at her as if she was dirt on the floor. His eyes were dismissive and cold.
"I’m just here to see Neve," he said flatly, tilting his head to look past Popi at Neve. "That is my business. Not yours."
Neve stood up from the floor with the help of an invisible Sable. The fox’s hands guided him gently as he rose.
"Thank you," Neve whispered a quiet thank you to Sable and walked toward Maren.
Before he reached Maren, he put a hand on Popi’s shoulder to calm her down.
"I can handle it, Popi. I told you Maren is with us now. He’s on our side."
Popi was still upset.
"Why did he grab your neck earlier just because you mentioned his mother was in critical condition? That’s not how allies treat each other."
"It was fake," Maren said coldly, his voice cutting through the tension.
Popi gasped, her eyes widening as she looked at Neve as if asking for confirmation.
Neve nodded.
"That’s why I told you he’s with us," Neve said, smiling at the shark king. "Maren would never hurt me. The neck grab was for show. It was to make Zyreth believe that Maren hated me. That way, Zyreth wouldn’t worry about us being together."
"But it looked so real," Popi muttered, still not entirely convinced.
Neve turned his head to Maren, watching as the shark king walked deeper into the cave. His eyes seemed to be looking at something invisible.
Maren’s expression remained stoic as he looked at the empty space where Sable was standing.
"Who is the third person?" Maren asked, his voice carrying absolute certainty. "There are three life forces in this room. You two are visible. One is hidden."
Popi gasped again.
A lot of things had surprised her this night already. First Neve’s pretense about being unconscious. Then Sable’s sudden arrival. Then Neve revealing that Maren was actually helping them. And now this.
Neve turned behind to where Sable was standing, invisible and silent.
"He’s one of us," Neve said to Sable, giving him permission to reveal himself. "It’s safe. He knows everything."
Sable turned off his invisibility and folded his hands across his chest. His orange hair became visible. His abs became visible. His entire form solidified in the material world.
"Oh, a shark beastman?" Sable asked, clearly confused about how Maren was suddenly there in the cave.
Neve turned to Maren, furrowing his brows as he tried to understand.
"How did you sense him? He’s invisible. No one should be able to sense invisible people."
Maren rolled his eyes like the answer was obvious.
"I can feel and sense people’s life force," he said. "Or should I call them animals? Every living being has energy. Every creature has presence. I can feel that presence even if I cannot see it with my eyes."
He grabbed Neve by the shoulder, his grip gentle but possessive.
"I’m also an animal. Of all animals, a shark," Maren said, as if stating something obvious. "I can sense my territory. I can sense anything that moves through my domain. Why do I have to be a shark?"
"What is he talking about?" Sable asked, clearly confused by the conversation happening between Neve and Maren.
Popi lifted her finger as she furrowed her brows. She was trying to understand what they were saying. She was trying to piece together what was happening.
"Well, I never thought I’d be a rare breed here too," Neve replied, his voice carrying a mix of resignation and acceptance.
Another surprise hit Popi like a physical blow.
"He’s from the same world as you?" Popi asked, her jaw dropping open. "Maren is a reincarnator too?"
Neve nodded slowly.
"Yes. I found out today when we met by the water. We both have systems. We both have missions. We’re both trying to figure out how to survive in this world."
"How is that even possible?" Popi asked, her mind struggling to process the revelation. "What are the odds of two reincarnators ending up in the same world? And being in the same territory?"
Sable stood there, confused about whatever was happening. When Neve had told Cael and the others his secret about being a reincarnator, Sable had not joined them yet. Sable knew about the spatial magic that let Neve access his inventory. But he did not know Neve had something else. That was why Sable was the most confused person in the room right now.
"It’s a long story but that’s not why I’m here," Maren said abruptly, cutting off any further questions. He turned to Sable with a direct gaze. "You’re the one who killed those three snake beastmen in the forest, right?"
Sable nodded without hesitation.
"I am. They were attacking Neve. I removed them."
"Do you think you can kill Zyreth?" Maren asked bluntly.
Neve’s eyes widened.
"What? Why would you ask that?" Neve said, shock evident in his voice. "We’re trying to escape, not start a war."
But Sable interrupted, his tactical mind already working through the implications.
"Would killing him make it easier for us to leave here in one piece?" Sable asked Maren. "If we eliminate the king, would the territory fall into chaos? Would we be able to escape in the confusion?"
Maren nodded.
"Possibly. With Zyreth dead, the power structure would collapse. His brother Varek would become king. Varek is unpredictable. The territory would be in chaos for days. You could use that time to escape."
Sable sighed heavily.
"I would have tried my best to kill him even if it took all of my power and cost me my life," Sable said quietly. "But I doubt I’ll be able to leave a scratch on him. Zyreth is too powerful. He has abilities that I cannot counter. He has strength that surpasses mine."
The cave was suddenly silent.
Everyone was thinking. Everyone was processing the information. Everyone was realizing how difficult their situation actually was.
Then Neve heard a voice in his head.
Skarr.
The original body owner. The one whose dark magic had been absorbing all of Neve’s magical abilities.
"Why don’t I kill him for you and then, I shall claim his body as mine," Skarr said in Neve’s mind, his voice carrying absolute confidence. "I have been trapped in your body long enough. Zyreth’s body would be a perfect replacement. His power. His strength. His magic. All of it would be mine."
Neve’s eyes widened in surprise.