Bernard thought for a while and agreed. Although killing and looting were common in this world, it was best to be low-key to avoid unnecessary conflict.
"I do know the black market in the Ravenwood Town. It opens once every week. Looking at the time, we can go tomorrow."
"Ok, then let's go tomorrow." Heizen readily agreed.
He was already thinking about picking up scraps. His Good Luck System could show its true potential in such a market. Well, hope there will be no risk.
After everyone rested for a while, they started to look for a returning team. By this time, there were a lot of adventures exiting the catacombs.
Since Bernard had some connection, they finally found spots under a fairly large team for 10 mana crystals per person. Though it was expensive, they earned quite a lot on this trip. So paying extra for a secure return was worth it.
While their team was following outside the Forbidden Forest, Sarah looked at Heizen imperceptibly as if she wanted to talk but didn't know how to.
Since Heizen was using his divine sense to scan the area, he naturally saw her entanglement. After thinking for a while, he slowed down his pace to match her,
"Thank You!"
Sarah was stunned for a while.
"No, no, it's ok. But why?" She was confused as she didn't think she had done anything.
Heizen smiled but didn't answer. He owed this gratitude to Sarah. Though she didn't sacrifice herself in reality, her thoughts needed validation. Moreover, she did help him a lot in his journey.
She was a good friend. He was even tempted for further relation, but now his thoughts had changed. He could no longer be as willful as before and luck may not favour him next time. It wasn't a good thing to implicate others.
"Tch, what about me? Do I need to cry to get thanks?" Sophie on the side couldn't stand them.
Heizen laughed awkwardly but still thanked her.
"Hmph."
Looking at this moody girl who had trouble expressing her thoughts, he was amused. While Bowen was genuinely a silent guy who treated his words as gold, Sophie was a cold beauty outside but fiery inside.
Speaking of which, Heizen suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, what was that transformation before? Do you have a bloodline?"
He was curious since she looked so cool in that attire. Moreover, she was fighting with the level 18 dark-robed figure back and forth.
"I prematurely awakened my bloodline. Under the lord's domain, no spell could be used unless you are above Tier 4. But bloodline skills are exclusive and usable."
Sophie said in a slightly proud manner as if it was a matter of course.
"Is there no sequel?" He asked after seeing there was no issue.
Sophie flinched but still said nonchalantly, "It's ok. I'm fine."
"Don't listen to her. Awakening the bloodline prematurely comes at a great cost. Sometimes, it may even endanger life. Thank god nothing happened to her. She was reckless." Sarah reprimanded.
"I am fine now, don't you see?" Sophie assured her friend.
Heizen looked thoughtful. There must be some price she paid for using such power. However, he was almost blind to this knowledge. He would keep this thought and help her if possible in the future.
"So, what about you? Do you also have a bloodline?" Seeing Sophie uncomfortable, Heizen diverted the topic.
"Um, I do have bloodline but it is still dormant." After thinking for a while, Sarah decided to tell him about their identity. They were already life-and-death friends, and keeping secrets wasn't good.
"We are from the aristocrat's clan with bloodline power. She is from the Scarlet family while I am from the Ford clan. We are temporarily active in the Ravenwood Town for some reason." Sarah didn't specify other details.
"Wait, does Ford Chamber Of Commerce belong to you?" Heizen said in surprise.
"Um, it belongs to my family," Sarah said in embarrassment.
"No wonder you are so rich. You are a princess. Why don't you support me for life?" Heizen joked.
Sarah rolled her eyes while Sophie couldn't help but laugh.
"Supporting a gigolo like you easy for her."
"Tch, don't act smug. Who is so afraid of ghosts that she almost cried?"
"You?" Sophie almost choked. She was fuming with rage while her friend was having a hard time controlling the laugh.
After some quarrel, they began to follow the team silently and appeared outside the Forbidden Forest in time.
Weird to say that Heizen received no prompts from the system this time either. Whether it was due to a lack of treasures and opportunities, or for some other reason, he didn't know.
After separating from the team, they smoothly entered Ravenwood Town. This place was the same as before, with hustle and bustle.
After they had a simple dinner together, they returned to their respective place. Heizen also returned to the dormitory in the Sirus Mage Academy. He was quite tired from this trip, so after taking a simple shower, he laid down on the bed and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
*** *** ***
In a magnificent courtyard within the Sirus Academy.
Sarah looked at the ceiling of her room while lost in her thoughts. Today was a very dangerous day for her. This time she almost died in the dungeon. Fortunately, Heizen came up with the plan and saved everyone.
Speaking of which, Heizen seemed different from all the other people around her. At first, she just helped him because he tried to save them with a good heart in the forest.
However, after getting along with him, she began to become curious. She was oddly comfortable around him. Maybe, he saved her twice, she had a special feeling.
But remembering her family, she wasn't optimistic about relationships. After all, she wasn't a princess of the Ford family as Heizen thought. Though she was also an aristocrat, she was almost marginalized in her circle.
So, she just wanted to invite him to the launch tomorrow to thank him for saving her life. It was better to treasure the remaining time with him and her friends. However, remembering him thanking her for no reason, she was amused.
"Haha, he is quite different." Sarah thought while closing her eyes with a slight smile on her lips.