--- Chapter 44 ---
In the desert, Baek Ain meditated under the sun and felt Dou Qi filling his body like no tomorrow. After reaching the Record of Burning World's 3rd Stage, Baek Ain's control over Golden Flame increased tremendously.
Not to be mistaken with Gnome's Heavenly Four-Colored Flame, Golden Flame is a Spiritual Fire that came straight from his soul. It started as a tiny yellow spark but eventually grew stronger over months.
With the blessing of Golden Crow, Baek Ain cultivated this Spiritual Fire to the level of Heavenly Flame, despite only using it to enhance Gnome's Flame because his control is horrible.
"Fuu..."
[Breathing's Proficiency +0.5%]
[Breathing's Proficiency +0.5%]
[Breathing's Proficiency +0.5%]
[Ding! Innate Skill: Breathing(A) has become stronger]
[Breathing(A) >>> Breathing(A+)]
"Haha, nice." Baek Ain laughed somewhat proudly.
Lifting himself from the ground, Baek Ain used his hands and propelled himself up. He landed on his foot and stretched around, feeling the perfect sensation of his muscle flexing gently.
He's in his 100% performance today.
Unfortunately, Baek Ain needed 400% of that performance to win against Queen Medusa.
"For fuck sake, where is my cheat when I required one? Like Stand Power and other bullshit from anime." Baek Ain couldn't help but complain in displeasure. After all, his only cheat is to transmigrate randomly.
[You might get one in the future, host] Alicia commented monotonously.
"Oh, Yeah? Of course, I'd get one when I die, that's it."
[...]
"Do you have a direct line to the Goddess of Opportunity, Alicia?"
[Negative. A higher being like the "Goddess of Opportunity." passed through my defense so effortlessly, so the message and quest act one way only]
"In that case, I sincerely said "Thank you." for the impossible quest." Baek Ain's voice is filled with sarcasm enough for a system like Alicia to notice.
[...]
[Dark thoughts are negatively affecting you, host]
[Even though the "Goddess of Opportunity." is unfair, your growth so far is proving its effectiveness]
[Please bear it, host. Constellations cannot issue too many quests within a year. And you have received three directly from the "Goddess of Opportunity." which means you won't receive any next year]
"Finally, a useful piece of information."
"Thank you, Alicia."
[...You're welcome]
Baek Ain smiled, knowing the Goddess of Opportunity won't meddle with his life next year. The following year after that would be rather grim, but Baek Ain should be strong enough to handle most of the problems of this world.
Baek Ain returned to the Rock Desert City and saw his companions waiting for him. He smiled and greeted them casually, "Morning."
Lan Rou smiled and returned, "Morning, Ain."
"Morning..." Yi Xian responded somewhat quietly. Baek Ain could see her complicated emotion, knowing her savior might die in battle a few hours later.
"Morning, Boss!" Qing Lin responded with full vigor. Even though Qing Lin knew Baek Ain would fight Queen Medusa, she had 100% trust in Baek Ain's abilities. After all, he was the one who saved her from the horrible snake people.
Hai Bodong suspiciously gazes at Baek Ain because how does his niece's fiance play around with women like this? It makes him question Baek Ain's relationship with Yafei. And since Hai Bodong still lived in his library, he didn't know Baek Ain was clapping Lan Rou's cheeks last night.
Baek Ain faked a cough and grabbed the Green-Colored Lotus Pendant from his inventory. It's a beautiful pendant with a green gem that resembles a lotus tied with root-like chains.
"Here, these pendants gave you protection against extreme heat. I know you three are stubborn enough and want to watch the fight, but please do it cautiously." He handed the Green-Colored Lotus Pendants to his female companions. "So wear this, and it will protect you."
"Okay." They answered immediately.
"Good." Baek Ain was happy inside while glancing at Hai Bodong.
Hai Bodong sighed and commented, "I'll clear the area surrounding Queen Medusa's territory, so no Dou Kings or pests will mess with your fight."
"Do your best and take over the Green Lotus Core Flame."
"For Uncle Tengshan." Baek Ain confidently returned.
"For Tengshan." Hai Bodong agreed with Baek Ain's words by nodding his head.
Baek Ain whistled and called for Heavenly Gryphon, watching the 5-rank magical beast descend to the desert. He jumped to the beast and said farewell to his companions, "Well, see you soon."
"Ain..." Yi Xian watched the lone young man's silhouette disappear into the horizon.
"Once you witness the miracle Baek Ain could create, fears won't cross your mind." Lan Rou commented casually. "Well, I trusted Ain as much as I trusted myself."
"Stop rambling. Follow me quietly." Hai Bodong moved out from Rock Desert City.
"That brat has his task, and we have ours."
Lan Rou, Yi Xian, and Qing Lin nodded affirmatively. They followed Hai Bodong to the Tager Desert's inner area, entering the living space of the Snake People.
...
...
Baek Ain arrived at the front gate of the Snake People Tribe. He looked down and noticed some individuals approaching him with an aggressive aura.
"Human. Scram from our land!" A snake woman shouted at Baek Ain.
"Scram before we kill you!!"
Baek Ain didn't feel the threat from this woman and moved his gaze deep into the land with Cinder's Eyes. His Sixth Sense also explored the area more.
'She's there.'
A strong presence is looming inside the land, sitting on the gold throne majestically. She has a beautiful woman's upper physique and lower body like a snake covered with pinkish-red scales, wearing a revealing purple robe, a crown on top of her head, and a veil to cover her flawless face.
As if she noticed Baek Ain's observation, her red eyes pierced through miles away and stared back at him.
"Human, I warned you already!!!" The snake woman lunged toward Baek Ain, throwing her spear at him.
Baek Ain pulled Corrupted Scythe out and swung it gently, parrying the spear off. He used Heavenly Gryphon as a platform and kicked the spear back at the snake woman, stabbing her snake's tail in the process.
BAM!
"ARRGGGHHHH!"
The snake woman was pinned onto the ground, leaving her fellow snake people speechless. They couldn't even see what happened between her and Baek Ain, and she got launched back to the ground already.
Bear in mind this exchange occurred in the sky. And that snake woman is a 7-star Dou King.
"Yue Mei!"
"Human, how dare you?!" They surrounded Baek Ain, but before they could attack him.
Baek Ain summoned his Wings of Freedom and surpassed the snake people in the area, attacking their vital area without killing them.
BAM!
BAM!
BAM!
"I'm not here for you guys." He kicked the air and disappeared from the gate.
Baek Ain's figure flashed miles away after kicking the air continuously. He arrived at the oasis surrounded by a garden-like forest and saw Queen Medusa waiting for him.
She didn't seem surprised and showed somewhat surprise in her bored red eyes.
Queen Medusa exuded an arrogant presence from her body. She has the right to do so because she was the ruler of this place.
"Interesting, human. I haven't seen one for years, but you must have some guts to meet this queen." Her voice is alluring with confidence.
Baek Ain smiled and replied, "My name is Baek Ain. I'm here to challenge Queen Medusa in a fight and bet."
"Fight me?" Queen Medusa has never heard such a good joke in a while.
"You, a mere 1-Star Dou King, want to challenge me?"
"10-Star Dou Emperor? Hahaha~!"
Baek Ain maintained his smile and provoked her with the oldest trick in the book, "Are you afraid?"
BOOM!
The oasis filled with intense pressure as Queen Medusa sat straight on her golden throne. She gazed at Baek Ain and said, "Such a good joke..."
"And you even dared to provoke me pettily. It seems death wasn't an issue for you."
"You can kill me if you can?" Baek Ain shrugged casually.
"However, let's put our bet first. If I win, I want Green Lotus Core Flame."
BAM!
Queen Medusa flicked her finger and sent an energy projectile at Baek Ain. It was moving at unbelievable speed and reached his head almost instantly.
Clank! BOOM!
Baek Ain parried the energy projective and sent it down, making the ground explode.
'Hmm? It seems he isn't all talk.' Queen Medusa frowned inside.
She was "actually." amused by this young human's abilities and decided to play with his small game. "What if I win?" She asked while pressuring him with killing intent enough to make the other Dou Emperor pale and crap their pants.
Baek Ain gave her a solemn look and confidently answered, "I'll give you a 7-Tier Pill: Heaven Swallowing Python Pill and a chance."
"A chance?" Queen Medusa was confused for a moment
"Yes. A chance to become my wife."
"..." Queen Medusa.
[...] Alicia.