Chapter 35: Favorability Skyrockets

Chapter 35: Favorability Skyrockets

Liu Ji was slightly dumbfounded. Out of nowhere, the pretty lady who had been with the black-clad swordsman walked over, performed a gesture that Liu Ji didn't understand, and then thanked him using incantation.

He had no idea why he was suddenly being thanked and thought there must have been some mistake.

This strange situation quickly caught the attention of everyone else. Most were puzzled as to why Calidora would suddenly thank Liu Ji.

Besides Mervant, who looked slightly embarrassed, Yaine seemed to know something. She smiled at Liu Ji and said softly, "I hadn't had a chance to tell them, but they figured it out on their own."

For some reason, she said this in incantation.

But with the language of incantation, difficulty increased exponentially from words to phrases to sentences. Liu Ji repeated the long sentence in his mind several times and still couldn't fully understand it.

He could only grasp that he had done something worth thanking for.

But... Liu Ji didn't think he had done anything significant. Even if this new lady was mistaken, surely Yaine wouldn't be, would she? Had he unknowingly done something extraordinary?

While Liu Ji was still baffled, he saw Calidora speaking to the others, and then, he noticed the way the others viewed him changed.

Then, as if he were at some kind of idol handshake event, they came over one by one, patting his shoulder or praising him, which made him feel rather embarrassed.

Even Myza joined in the fun, saying something in a mix of languages, "Hero saves beauty, brilliant."

Liu Ji couldn't understand.

And how does he even know English? Hero saves beauty? Me?

Oh... Is he referring to the time I swatted someone to death?

No, it couldn't be. He was just an amateur who acted on impulse, and from Yaine's reaction, it seemed like she didn't consider that foe a significant threat.

So, what else could it be?

No matter how much Liu Ji thought about it, he still felt like he hadn't done anything.

Yet, suddenly, it was as if his favorability with everyone skyrocketed.

Don't tell me my MC's halo is back? Liu Ji wondered.

But... No, that can't be... Wasn't it said that the halo's favorability boost is supposed to only affect women?

Then why is this big cat's arm around my shoulder and hugging me like this?

"No, you guys don't have to repay me. Perhaps it seems like I've helped you a lot, but from my perspective, I was merely following my whims," Myza said. "I just overheard you all worrying about the blood moon problem?"

"Ah, yes." Yaine nodded. "Do you have any information regarding it?"

"Well, how should I put this." Myza rested his chin on his hand. "I only know that one day, the blood moon might display a power beyond imagination. If you all happen to be in the desert at that time, even if you're hiding in the earth like before, you will still surely die."

"That... can't be true, right? I've never heard of such a blood moon..." Yaine was taken aback.

"I have no reason to lie to you." Myza shrugged. "And I wouldn't bother lying just to make you stay here for a few more days or months."

"Of course, I believe you..." Yaine took a moment to think before asking, "So, are you saying we should stay here until that day passes?"

"That's right. For your own safety." Myza nodded. "But you don't need to worry. I know you're concerned about your companions, but perhaps I might have an idea where they are...

"Those earthwalkers always tell everyone who wants to cross the desert that there's nothing on the other side. They've done an excellent job, and because of their tireless efforts over thousands of years, countless fools have been prevented from dying in the desert.

"Perhaps for this reason, the Tyrant you speak of doesn't realize that he has only conquered half of this world."

The trio exchange astonished glances. On their original side beyond the desert, the belief that "there's nothing on the other side of the desert" was almost a consensus.

"Swirling Mire City, the closest city you can reach after crossing the desert," Myza said, pushing an old map to the center of the table. "If your companions made it out of the desert alive and can't find you, they would most likely wait there."

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In a faraway royal court, the slumbering tyrant opened his eyes.

He glanced at the swinging pendulum clock. Sure enough, since he had fallen asleep, the short hand had moved exactly two notches.

Mm... Seems like I haven't slept this much in a month.

As he thought to himself, he stretched his neck.

Speaking of which, there was something I needed to do before I slept...

I remember now. There seems to be an interesting fellow in the desert.

Perfect timing to check it out. It'll serve as a good way to refresh myself after such a long sleep.