In all essence, Aectaeon's words only conveyed that he had no intention of helping from the very beginning. That's why Ralkias didn't refute.
"Prove to us that you won't be a burden. We're all in the same situation after all. Do you think we're better off than anyone else?"
Aectaeon said nothing more thereafter. He went on to look at the countdown panel, sighing as he saw it.
[[ Next Transmigration Countdown: 00 D ; 00 H ; 10 M ; 22 S ]]
'Rather than the next transmigration, this should be the countdown to my next visit in hell. Let's just hope that I will be transmigrated to a dating simulation game. Better yet, Tetris or something like the sims. Is there even a gacha game?' Aectaeon thought, managing to sigh several times in a short time.
While he was busy contemplating, Ralkias took a glance at the player who was still in front of them. He exhaled deeply, debating if he should initiate one last conversation with the player.
Eventually, his conscience won over his reason.
"What's your name?" He asked, "Before answering, sit properly."
For a few seconds, the player showed no signs of movement. Ralkias believed that he was heard, so he just waited for the player to respond instead of repeating his question.
Soon enough, the player rose from being on their knees. As they did so, they were cautious in meeting the gazes of the two men afore him. Once they were seated, albeit in an uncomfortable manner, they lowered their head and started muttering hushedly.
Ralkias didn't make an effort to understand what the player was saying. He closed his eyes while abiding for the time when the player could speak properly.
"Ve-- Verolon Hadret,"
At that very moment, Ralkias' mouth went agape. Aectaeon noticed the man's discombobulation and instantly became curious. He proceeded to gaze at Verolon, a smile appearing on his countenance.
'That's his true name, definitely. How witless.' Aectaeon thought as he wiped off the mirth on his face. 'They're really acquainted as I've assumed.'
Ralkias knew just what Aectaeon was thinking, but it was too late for him to make excuses. He glared at the Verolon, who was uncannily unaware of the gravity of what he had just said.
"From this moment on, we don't know each other. I never thought that you were this useless. " Ralkias said, clicking his tongue subsequently, "If you dare mention anything about me to other players, I will be sure to hunt you down and kill your first."
The man didn't even let a second pass before he stood up. He began walking away from the two without saying a word of farewell. Aectaeon looked at the man's back, thinking whether he should follow him or not.
'We're about to transmigrate anyway. There's no harm in being alone. However…'
Aectaeon gazed at Verolon whose shoulders were now trembling. He noticed that the young man had tears crawling down their face.
'No wonder Ralkias didn't want to help him. He won't last in the Obelisk if he continues to be this oblivious.'
From that point on, Aectaeon got to his feet. Ahead of leaving Verolon, he said, "If you want to help Ralkias, make sure to keep your mouth shut. He will surely be thankful if you did that."
Aectaeon caught up with Ralkias shortly. They walked alongside each other without saying a single word.
When the time came that they only had two minutes before transmigrating, Ralkias decided to talk.
"Aectaeon, what are you planning to do with him?"
At first, Aectaeon was hesitant to speak. However, he figured that it would be better if he divulged his plans to Ralkias. When it came down to it, he was indebted to Ralkias.
"If I happen to fail clearing a game world, I will hunt Verolon Hadret foremost. That is if no one beats me to it. Only a fool will pass up this chance of having insurance to their life."
"What if I tell you to not do it?"
"Then I'll look for Verolon without your knowledge. It's not like there's any way for you to know who's at fault for them being absorbed by the system. I might even approach him now and promise him that he can come to me for help. In that way, he will approach me first which will make things easier for me."
Perfectly reasonable, that was Aectaeon's statement. Hence, Ralkias had no idea how to refute him.
Ralkias drew a lungful of breath. He then stopped walking and looked at Aectaeon.
"Not even consideration for someone else's life will deter you from going through with your plans. Am I correct?"
"Why are you even asking that?" Aectaeon queried as he met the man's eyes, "I expected more from you, Ralkias."
"Well, I just want to make sure. I'm not really going to stop you."
Ralkias went back to his walk. Aectaeon shook his head prior to following the man's trail. Once Aectaeon was beside him, Ralkias continued his talk.
"Verolon won't last on his own anyway. Like the elf earlier, he won't be at the mercy of the other players. Someone will eventually use him."
Aectaeon nodded as his gaze fell on the countdown panel once more.
"He needs to stand up for himself. Anyway, it's almost our time. Shall we use that pillar over there?" Aectaeon asked, pointing his finger towards the said light pillar.
"There are only a handful of players that can see us, so I guess it's fine."
"Should we enter now? They'll just assume that we're on our way to another floor."
Ralkias and Aectaeon were uninterrupted in their stroll en route to the pillar. The instant they were inside, the floor panels didn't make an appearance.
"Aectaeon, let me tell you this as a warning." Ralkias said, looking ahead at the entrance of the pillar, "The pillar acts differently when it's used for transmigrating to another world."
Aectaeon snapped his head towards the man, furrowing his eyebrows slightly. With his gaze, he urged the man to speak.
"When we use it to travel from floor to floor, the pillar will only emit light inwards. But when it's used for transmigration, it will emit a blinding light both inwards and outwards."