Re: Evolution Online

Liam frowned. He was really prepared to leave because now the risks far outweighed the rewards but this last move by the mysterious prisoner was a checkmate. He could no longer simply ignore what she said. Now she also held some power in her hands.

"What do you mean by deteriorating? I feel just fine." Liam shrugged, trying to play dumb. He wanted to get as much information as possible from this strange person, but how could it be so easy to trick someone like her?

The woman simply chuckled and did not entertain him with any further information. Liam waited for a few seconds but this was clearly a moot point. "Fine. I will come in and get it but you have to give me more information about this treasure first," he cautiously said.

"Heh. You don't trust my word. Then how could you trust anything I say?" The woman cackled in a shrill voice, mocking Liam. Now that she had all the power in the conversation she did not hold back.

Liam let out a sigh. What to do? What to do? What to do? He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. True, he did need to figure out what was wrong with him badly and the elf did not really help much with that. This woman might be his only chance for all he knew.

But… she was absolutely correct. He did not trust her at all. Risk everything he had just for a small chance that she could help him? No. It was far too risky. The woman could literally obliterate him the second he stepped inside the hall.

Liam was tempted. However, he sternly shook his head. There were some risks he couldn't afford to take. Even if he missed this chance down the road it was possible to find another solution. It was just good to know that a solution existed at all.

Giving one more look at the shackled prisoner, Liam turned to leave.

Huh? The woman gawked at this scene as she had definitely not expected this. She believed that she had this man on the hook so she was shocked to see him simply walk away.

The damned guy still won't enter the hall? Did he somehow figure out my trick? Her pulse started quickening. If Liam truly left her behind here just like this then she would be out of all options until someone else with a key arrives.

How long would that even take? Before that, if things escalate then once again, she would plunge into eternal darkness until an entirely different world descended! There was too much at stake for her. She simply couldn't let Liam leave.

"Wait. Stop. Stop. I see that you have seen through my tricks so I won't beat around the bush anymore. Listen. I will come clean. This time you can really trust my word."

Hmmm? Liam paused. Now, what was she talking about? He turned around to see that the hall had completely changed. He had only looked away for a couple of seconds but everything in front of him was different.

There were no piles of gold coins, gemstones, or precious ores. There were no glittering items, rings, or weapons. There was nothing. The entire treasure mountain had completely disappeared as if it had never existed in the first place!

Ah! Now it dawned on Liam. He finally understood why the woman was hell-bent on bringing him in even though he offered her the deal of sending the items out instead. These items had never existed in the first place! Everything was a lie and illusion, used to lure the players inside!

Wait a second, then why hasn't she still harmed the kid? Liam couldn't understand. He got the gist of the situation but he still had several questions.

However, for now, he acted as if he truly figured out all of this on his own.

"Now that you are finally being honest, we can start to have a conversation. Start by telling me who you are and what you are doing here." Liam cleared his throat and spoke firmly in an authoritative confident manner.

The woman sighed. She remained silent for a few seconds but then she opened her mouth and mumbled. "Would you believe me even if I told you?" She smiled bitterly.

"Go on." Liam nodded. Truth or not he did not mind hearing her out.

The woman lifted her head up, gazed directly at him, and moved her lips, "I am a draconian princess."

"Huh?" Liam blinked. This was the last thing he had expected. How was it possible for this person to be a draconian princess when wyverns were guarding her prison cell?

But then again, she was able to guide the kid to get the special hidden class so there was possibly some truth to what she said.

"I knew you wouldn't believe me. My own kin fighting to keep me imprisoned here. Unfathomable right? But it is the truth." She let out a sigh. "These creatures are not in their right minds. I don't blame them. What I have told you is the truth. It is up to you to believe me or not."

Hmmm. Liam remained silent for a couple of seconds and then nodded. "Ok, so why are you in this fort? In this prison?"

It seemed that he had asked something that he should not have because the next instant, the woman clenched her fists tightly and rattled the chains that were binding her. In the end, she bit her lips and shook her head. "That's none of your concern."

She seemed like she wanted to rant out venomously but for some reason did not actually do it. Liam also did not press her. As she mentioned, it was none of his business. Instead of asking her more superfluous questions, he directly came to the point.

"Now what can I do to help you? Don't ask me for the souls of the wyverns or the dragons. Just like how they are precious to you, I also need them. It is for my survival. I hope you understand."

The woman cackled loudly. "Survival huh?"

She looked at Liam with a gaze that spoke of millions of untold truths but her mouth was tightly shut. "You won't survive even with them. What are you going to do with a bunch of souls? It is useless to you."

"Hmmm?"

"I suggest you give them to me instead. I will put them to good use and repay you back with something that you can actually use to change your fate."

Liam was about to respond to her proposition but she interrupted him. "Wait and think for a minute before you give me an answer. Your future might depend on it."

***

Bonus chapter~~

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