***
The next day.
Night Liberator Base.
[Status Abilities]
[Name: Aaron Lewis]
[CP: 56493]
[STR: 20]
[AGI: 24]
[INT: 47]
[LUCK: 19]
[DEX: 22]
[Ability Point: 0]
'Alright. This is enough for me.'
Aaron turned off his abilities status panel and looked over his shoulder. He saw David talking with Isabella; some women were seen nearby. Seven people would be participating in the Raid this time, three men and four women.
Among them, only four people had CPs above 30,000; the rest were in the range of 25,000. Isabella glanced ahead and waved as Aaron stared at her. David frowned, feeling suspicious of Isabella's response.
"Aaron," David called.
Suddenly, David's call startled Aaron and made him worried. He took a breath and stepped closer to David; the expression on his face looked very serious looking at the young man.
"What's wrong, Captain David?" Aaron asked.
"How much is your CP today?"
"About 56,000," Aaron replied flatly.
'He's been up to 50,000 CP in such a short time? His CP almost equals mine,' explained David.
Several people gasped at the amount of CP Aaron had. Isabella flashed a broad smile, the woman becoming more confident that Aaron was the right person to free her from David's control.
"He's already reached the second-highest CP in this group."
"This young man! We truly can't underestimate him."
"It's a good thing we didn't fight then."
David didn't like it when someone else created new dominance in his group. But since Aaron was a new member, he couldn't show his dislike to Aaron.
"Good. That's a good thing, Aaron. I knew I could count on you," David explained, patting Aaron's right shoulder several times.
Aaron smiled bitterly, he felt a strong grip on the shoulder where David patted him. It wasn't a tap of encouragement or joy but more of an unspoken anger and resentment.
'He's completely angry with me. Is it because of Isabella's friendly attitude towards me recently?'
'That woman is such a pain in the ass!' Aaron complained.
"I won't trouble you, Captain David," Aaron explained, trying to act casual amidst David's increasingly strong grip on him.
Isabella glared. She stepped forward after feeling that David was trying to intimidate Aaron. The woman's delicate hand held the back of David's hand, calming the emotional turmoil in his heart.
"You don't have to worry. The others and I will return from the Dark Pillar," Isabella replied, removing David's hand from Aaron's shoulder.
Bravely, Isabella pecked David on the cheek since the woman knew the only way to soften David's temper was with affection. Isabella had to do it for Aaron's safety.
"Alright. I'll wait for you to come back, dear," David replied, rubbing Isabella's cheek.
Isabella nodded. She quickly turned her face away and stepped away from David. The woman invited the others to start leaving for Dark Pillar.
Not on motorcycles, they marched while holding teleportation slips. Aaron knew the function and how the teleportation slip worked; Hilda told him yesterday.
'I still can't seem to get Hilda on board,' Aaron replied, sighing.
One by one, they began to put a small amount of their energy into the slip. Isabella and the others were sent to the front gate of the Dark Pillar. Yet, Aaron was frozen in silence, not tapping on his slip.
"What's wrong, Aaron?" asked David.
"Can I invite someone else?"
"Who?"
"Hilda!" said Aaron.
"Hilda? Why do you want to invite her?" asked David, confused.
Hilda, who had been near the south gate, snapped out of it. All eyes were on the woman who had made herself awkward.
David turned to the side, looking at Hilda while not forgetting the careless act she had committed at Raid Monster five days ago.
"Because she knows the Dark Pillar better than anyone. That will help me a lot," Aaron replied.
"What the hell, Aaron?! Are you trying to embarrass me?" asked Hilda.
Aaron looked sideways, pointing at Hilda with a look of seriousness.
"I want you to help me repay your failure."
"The team leader is Isabella anyway. She's only a guide," Aaron explained.
"I refuse if you ask me like that, Aaron!" Hilda snapped.
David raised his hand and clenched his palm. He asked for the dispute between Aaron and Hilda to stop as it would be pointless. Seeing David's gesture, Hilda and Aaron stopped arguing.
"The more members of the Night Liberators group who manage to get to the second floor, the more favorable our position will be."
"We have to think of the group's benefit rather than our personal interests. Do you both understand my point?" asked David sternly.
Aaron and Hilda cleared their throats and nodded in understanding. David glanced to the side, took out a backup slip and handed it to Hilda, shocking her when she took it.
"You know how it works, Hilda. This time, don't let me down again," David said, staring intently at Hilda.
Hilda could not hide her surprise. Her heart was pounding, with a faint smile spread across her face. Although she didn't go with the main raid team members, she was glad to be able to go again to make amends.
"Thank you. I promise not to let you down again, Captain David."
"Now go and protect Isabella," David ordered.
Aaron smiled widely; it was not in vain that he asked David to bring Hilda along. The young man knew everything that happened to the main Raid team led by Hilda. There was no harm in inviting Hilda to make amends for her failure yesterday.
[Teleportation Slip activated]
[Destination: Dark Pillar]
[Slip username: Aaron Lewis]
[Teleport in three seconds]
[Three]
[Two]
[One]
[Teleportation begins]
Slowly, blue light appeared around Aaron, as well as Hilda. David nodded to let them go. He entrusted the success of this monster raid not to Aaron but to Isabella.
Aaron and Hilda's figures disappeared completely from the place in a blink of light. Right when the two opened their eyes, they had arrived at the front gate of the Dark Pillar.
Aaron and Hilda's presence drew attention from Isabella and the others. Isabella was taken aback, not expecting Aaron to come with Hilda.
"Hilda? What are you doing here?" asked Isabella, stepping closer to Hilda.
"This is all because of Aaron. He was the one who forced David to ask me to join Raid Monster."
"Aaron?"
"Don't think badly of it, Ms. Isabella. I invited her because she has more experience than us," Aaron explained.
Isabella was silent for a moment with the corners of her eyes sharpening to look at Hilda. According to her, Hilda could threaten her plans due to her loyalty to David. That is why Isabella did not put Hilda's name in the Monster Raid team this time.
"Alright. Still, you have to stick to my words. I'm the leader of this team. If you deny me, I can abandon you in the maze for good," Isabella emphasized, pointing at Hilda harshly.
"Do you understand?"
"I understand, Ms. Isabella."
The woman began to notice Aaron. Bravely, she put her hand on the young man's arm, surprising many people, including Aaron.
"M-Ms. Isabella?" startled Aaron.
"It's okay, David's not here. You have nothing to fear," Isabella replied.
'She's a dangerous woman. I have to know what the main purpose of her plan is.'