Chapter 53: Returning Early
[Darkened Germinated Vine Seed]
[Quality: Lv3 (Pale Gold)]
[Uses: Architecture, Summoning Sacrifice]
[Description: A seed of Greenvine turned into Azrak Nightshade. Originally a failed fusion product, the seed was slowly eroded by dark attributes over a millennium, then stimulated by necromantic methods, finally allowing it to germinate. Note: The seed absorbed the power of several other seeds during germination, raising its grade, but also increasing its demand for dark attribute energy. If the seed doesn't continuously absorb dark attribute energy after sprouting, it may die.]
Even though Leon had gotten what he wanted, he wasn't happy. The already sprouted seed had only grown two pale purple leaves the size of a palm, but it was enough to cause him pain. The white, hair-thin vine growing from the back of the leaves directly pierced into the back of his hand, relentlessly absorbing his dark energy.
Leon had seen how these fine, hair-like vines burrowed into other unactivated seeds, sucking all the life force and dark energy out of them.
So, Leon immediately gave up the idea of storing the seed in his card. Holding the seed with both hands, he quickly left the main laboratory and headed directly toward the cafeteria where the players had initially gathered.
When Leon reached the cafeteria, he found that Lady Ember hadn't gone to the main laboratory but was waiting there for everyone's return. Alongside her were her two juniors and the wind element player.
The four of them were stunned when they saw Leon return so early, as they hadn't expected him to come back so soon after entering.
But when Lady Ember saw the seed in Leon's hand, she smiled. "I say, buddy, it looks like your combat strength has dropped by more than 80%. In your current state, don't even think about fighting—you can't even run fast. Do you still plan to continue following us?"
Leon shook his head. "I've already come this far, thanks to all of you. I probably won't be able to accompany you further down this path. Could you tell me how to leave this map?"
Lady Ember smiled faintly. "It's simple, just use your Hearthstone to return. But once you leave, you can never come back here. You know the condition to enter this place is…"
"The Seven Knights IV?" Leon interrupted.
Lady Ember gave him a knowing look, while the wind element player beside her pulled Leon aside and asked, "Classmate, did you refuse Quinn Ashford's request earlier?"
Leon looked at the player in confusion, not understanding what he was talking about.
Seeing Leon's reaction, the player laughed. "You don't know, huh? I've been here all this time because Lady Ember promised to let me handle the Seven Knights IV—Dorian Sandshade. Once you all leave, I'll have three chances to enter this place freely.
Quinn Ashford, who's the junior of Lynn, wanted to take one of my chances. How could I let him? So, we had a bit of a conflict. Later, I heard he went to find you, probably to ask you to tamper with the Seven Knights IV—Dorian Sandshade."
"He wanted control of the Seven Knights IV—Dorian Sandshade," Leon said directly.
"I knew it!" the player exclaimed. "So, you helped me out. From now on, if you ever need anything at school, just mention my name, Caden Emberhart. I'll back you up."
As he said this, he heavily patted Leon on the shoulder, as if signaling their good relationship.
Of course, Leon had no intention of staying any longer. After exchanging a few more words with Lady Ember, he prepared to leave.
Just as Leon was about to activate the Hearthstone's portal, Lady Ember suddenly said, "Buddy, when you return, please don't announce the Seven Knights IV's function to the public, okay?"
Leon was taken aback but quickly understood. Lady Ember was worried that if people learned about the Seven Knights IV's function, they would try to enter this place.
Letting outsiders into the main laboratory might not be a big deal, but what if someone with higher authority came? If they could, like Lady Ember, access the ancient experimental field and then travel through the lands of the Seven Lords to reach the Princess's Tomb, what would happen?
What if Lady Ember's mission wasn't complete yet, or there were items she hadn't retrieved? What if someone else snatched the mission?
In that moment, Leon grasped Lady Ember's concerns. He nodded, "You're not blaming me for leaving early, which is already giving me a lot of face. I naturally won't reveal anything about this place. But you should be careful of those who died. I feel like the main laboratory is very dangerous."
Lady Ember waved dismissively, "They wouldn't dare. I'm familiar with most of them and can arrange things properly. It's just you whom I'm meeting for the first time. Although I've heard of you before, I didn't know much."
Seeing Lady Ember's disbelieving expression, Leon smiled wryly. Without saying more, he activated the Hearthstone.
Originally, Hearthstones were tools in the game for returning to inns outside the city. But over the years, they had evolved into a way for players to return to their personal space.
Of course, returning meant abandoning everything before you and never being able to come back.
As for traveling between towns and the wilderness, there were items like teleportation scrolls or inn keys, but these were one-time consumables, unlike the Hearthstone, which had no cooldown, was indestructible, and couldn't be traded.
Just as Leon activated the Hearthstone, the ground suddenly shook, followed by the distant sound of an explosion.
Leon noticed the explosion came from the direction of the main laboratory, likely indicating that Lynn and the others had encountered trouble, or that someone had activated something they shouldn't have.
Either way, it no longer concerned Leon. A silver-white door appeared before him, and as long as he stepped through it, he could return to his personal space.
At that moment, the cafeteria lights dimmed, and an ear-piercing alarm sounded. Footsteps of mechanical guards echoed from outside.
This startled Lady Ember, who shouted, "They're going to clear out all life in the experimental field! We need to leave now."
Hearing this, Lady Ember's two juniors immediately ran in a direction that seemed to lead back to where they had first descended into the Seven Knights IV.
And that was the last thing Leon saw. The next second, as he stepped into the silver-white door, he was instantly back in his own space—his tiny, four-square-meter room.