Chapter 23: Their paths crossed

BOOM!

[You've killed a blue crocodile Lv. 35]

[You've killed a blue crocodile Lv. 35]

[You've…]

It was already a night, but the explosions continued. Leon was on an excellent leveling-up streak, continuously killing the monsters in the same way. He'd repeated the process five times, and each was easier than the previous one.

From afar, many villagers saw their boat, and a small source of light deeply sank in the water. When explosions came out, the village cheered, believing in Leon. He kept repeating that, so they were nearly convinced Leon used his otherworldly skills to perfectly deal with the blue crocodiles.

"Only three this time…" Leon commented while gazing at his system messages. "The most stubborn ones have died, and the rest ran away."

Controlling two blue crocodiles, the new additions to his team, Leon learned more about his class and the environment around him. First, he worked with his blue crocodiles by using them to survey the waters. It wasn't easy progress because those two couldn't convey their messages through the new connection or chat.

Leon actually had to call them back, then ask questions. These two would answer with their feelings, for Leon could sense their emotions pretty well.

Leon would understand them better if they could speak, but all he did hear were some noises.

"I guess we're done for today." Leon turned his monsters into cards, then used the boat's magic system to return to the village like a hero.

Well, he didn't think of others but about his situation.

"Absolute Command… It's so displeasing…" Leon recalled the name of his skills and only now understood the meaning of the word 'Absolute' in their description. When he first stared at his new monsters, he could read them like a book and easily sense their feelings.

They swore loyalty and didn't even question him. In fact, Leon could either make them mindless or keep some of their self-awareness intact. It was all within his control.

Moreover, Leon has a particular skill called the 'Book of Monsters', which gives him information about the monsters he interacts with. Having that knowledge, Leon used it for good and cleansed the river with the additional help of his blue crocodiles. He did a lot of good and leveled up significantly.

But that uncomfortable feeling took over his mind, not letting him forget about it. Leon couldn't imagine what he'd see in Louise if he used the same skill on her.Would she smile and be cute? "She wouldn't."

He'd only know about her personality in the card information. For the same reason, Leon didn't want to read Louise's card or even about her path.

He'd do it if she were to ask him.

Leon closed his eyes and deeply thought about his class.

The words he muttered that day would make Louise frightened and unconscious.

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Leon returned to the shore and got instantly crowded by the villagers. At the helm, the fishermen asked about Leon's progress and achievement, appearing nervous but still confident.

Anyone would be convinced of Leon's success after hearing about those explosions.

"No blue crocodile should appear in your river for some time." Leon's words shocked everyone, allowing him to easily go through them to Louise's side.

She wasn't here but on her way to her master, for Leon could see her on his minimap. They were close to each other, so this feature worked well, but it wouldn't work if they weren't in the same province.

"Master!"

Hearing her cheerful voice and basking in her smile, Leon's heavy mood instantly became merrier. She lifted some emotional burden off his heart and filled Leon's mind with her presence, warming him up.

​ Louise held a plate with tars, a snack she had been working on under the chef's careful eye. Of course, Louise had pissed him off a few times, but the man couldn't refuse this adorable woman.

A few of his workers noticed it already, so they teased him ambiguously, ensuring the fox girl's chaos continued.

"I'm back, all safe and healthy. What are these?" Leon looked at the plate and asked.Louise burst out with her warmth. "These are snacks I've prepared for you, Master! I'll make many of them for you if you go on an adventure without me… I don't want you to leave me behind, though."

With one of her snacks in his mouth, Leon smiled and replied. "I've leveled up, and you can't stay behind, so we will find some new monsters to deal with soon. I picked two conscious blue crocodiles, too. I'll try breeding and fusion tomorrow."

Louise couldn't care about the blue monsters. "Will we go hunting then?"

"Yeah," Leon replied decisively. He then asked a tricky question that sounded normal to Louise. "I've some dead bodies of blue crocodiles in my inventory. They're in card forms, so taking them out and preparing some meals will be easy. Do you think your chef will be able to teach you some blue crocodile meat dishes?"

Louise was impressed by her teacher, so she nodded a few times. "Yes!"

"Will you cook them for me?" Leon asked again, a seemingly innocent question.

Louise lively replied, "When I become good enough, Master will just have to give them to me!"

A few clogs in Leon's mindset shifted after those replies and his burden popped away like a balloon. He no longer cared about anything besides a bath and his comfy bed.

He'd progress tomorrow!

"Master must have used that skeleton, right?" Louise probed curiously after no one was in earshot.

Leon didn't mind sharing his experience with her, so he explained all that had happened.

The Crimson Chains and their prowess sown some doubts and slightly diminished Louise's excitement, but she was happy nonetheless.

Her master was level twenty now, so he became stronger!

It was just like she'd thought — Leon wouldn't be spared from leveling up!

Unfortunately, Louise wasn't aware that the lack of her presence made Leon cross paths with the person she feared the most. It wasn't a development she could see through the naked eye, but one day, Louise would surely face it.

Would she be able to deal with it, though?

"Master, how were my snacks?"

"Delicious!"

"Hehe, Master might fall in love with them!"

"You must become much better if you want to tame my stomach."

"T-That's a long road. The chef's head was purple a few times today!"

Leon nearly vomited.