Chapter 170: Chapter 170 Come Home.

Soma's vision was slightly distorted as the surrounding land faded and changed into an unfamiliar white space that stretched endlessly. He fixed his posture, still in his kicking position, straightened his spine and began to feel a slight wonder.

"Where is this place?".

[Yo, Soma. It's been a while]

A translucent window that displayed on a bigger panel appeared in front of him. Soma, who knows from the tone and the writing habits, knitted his brows.

"...It's been a while, indeed".

There were so many complaints and questions he wanted to ask him. But after all this time, Soma felt slightly burned out trying to get himself involved with the author who sent him to his novel. He exhaled everything that had been bothering him for a while before opening his mouth.

"Where is this place?". seaʀᴄh thё Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

[Hm? Strange, I thought you would yell at me and protest too quickly to send you home to your previous word]

"Just hurry and answer me, will you!".

Soma raised his tone for a bit because of the question he had already thrown away a moment ago. He raised his head with an unwavering gaze toward the translucent window.

[Hmm, You seem a bit different. I have something to say to you, Soma. So, I invaded your consciousness and entered your dream. Well, anyway. How was the skill I gave you? It was pretty helpful, right?]

"...Yeah".

Just as the author said, the skill that he thought was a curse all along turns out to be his biggest trump card in the current battle he experienced. Soma saw his status window, which showed a detailed explanation of the skill the author mentioned.

[Extra Skill Puppeteer: the highest level of suggestion skill that could control the user's consciousness and physical ability, making it work automatically from the deepest desire from the user, making him like a marionette]

The text about the details of the skill gradually began to fade away before it was replaced with a new one.

[Extra Skill Puppeteer: The one in control]

The first time, he received the second message from the author saying that his actions were being manipulated until that stage greatly shook his mind to the core. Even though the author had already said, he wouldn't intervene in his life anymore. He still holds a huge doubt over the author's character.

With the stirred heart Soma had. He thought that with the current skill he possessed, puppeteer. His life was completely under the control of an unknown being. Pulling the invisible string behind him, manipulated all of his will, emotion and act to their own self-satisfaction. But it seems Soma was wrong about any of that.

The skill that he received was something that cracked beyond words. It could be called a Balance-Breaker because he is not restricted by anything in the world. As the detail of the skill described recalling it back, Soma's spine shuddered.

Watching Soma, who engrossed himself in his thoughts, the author let out a slight smile that was hidden from the eyes of the world.

[As you can see, I gave you that skill as a gift from me, who forcefully transmigrate you to the world I created]

"Why didn't you just show me straight at that time?".

[Well, for some reason I can't do that]

"Why?".

[...I already gave you enough lenience upon arriving in this world, a tremendous Luck that you could survive any of the dangerous events that unfold before you. Then, after some time, I give you that farewell messages. I thought, this is going nowhere. So, I decide to help you for the last time and never let myself get involved with you further. However…]

Soma raised his brows while reading the line that suddenly got paused. The display still didn't show anything until finally, it started to move again.

[...However, looking at you who doubted my Gift. I feel sad because you never intended to have a better look at your own abilities. Even though I give you a big hint. Which is why I decided to help you for the Last Time but also make you realise it by sheer force]

"That's why this trial was created?".

[Correct]

After hearing what the author had written on the display, he never thought about the abilities he had thoroughly. This was indeed his mistake for not looking at things properly from his perspective.

Soma's body began to fade away as the time for him to wake up had arrived.

"It is time?".

[Soma, this is truly my last farewell. Remember that no one restricts you, and you have the freedom to become a part of the story I wrote, or you can just chill out on the side. That is up to you…]

The Author's message halted as he took his time to write his last phrase.

[...Farewell, Soma. Let's…]

Soma couldn't read what the author wanted to say in the display as his vision began to distort, and his body suddenly jolted awake.

The first time he saw it was a vast black canvas dotted with myriad twinkling stars, like tiny brilliant gems scattered across the deep ink sky. The moon, glowing in full bloom, cast its soft light toward the land, giving it a tranquil atmosphere.

As Soma's mind was wholly awoken, He felt a cool wind that brushed his skin, making his body shudder.

"Like I said, have you ever cooked before?".

"...None".

"Why can you say that so confidently? No matter what, I won't let you help me. I can do this alone".

"...Why?".

A slight bickering that echoed above his head made the facial muscles on his face loosened. The lively chirp from Hina and the calm obliviousness from Xiao Lian made his tired body rejuvenated.

Soma tensed the muscles around his body, trying to awaken from his place. But he felt at a loss because his limbs were so heavy that he couldn't even lift a single finger. A groan ultimately escaped his lips, which made the two bickering girls stop their discussion.

"Soma?".

"?!".

"Hey, you!"

With swift footwork, Xiao Lian, with a free hand, approached Soma's right side and nestled herself beside him comfortably. She stares at his figure, who seems desperate to move his body. However, seeing Soma awoken from his slumber lifted the huge boulder that pressed her mind. Unconsciously, her facial muscles loosened as she spoke her greeting.

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"Good morning, Soma".

"Um, good morning".

Hina slowly began to put away the kitchen knife in hand before approaching Soma on the other side. Soma and Hina's eyes met before she flashed her smile, relieved to see his fine complexion.

"Soma! I'm glad you're awake".

"Yeah, thanks, Hina. By the way, how long was I unconscious?".

"It was not that long, right?".

"Mm, probably thirty minutes or so…".

"Not long, huh. Well, I wonder about that. Huuf…".

Soma once again tensed his body, trying to move his body again, but the result was still the same. After several times trying, he finally let loose his tensed body and lay on the hard ground while looking at the glittering stars, with a lot of unknown mysteries provided.

"It seems your body was paralyzed".

Hina, who observed Soma's action, sat beside him while giving him a wry smile.

"...Soma, do you want to sit?".

"Xiao Lian? Yes, if you don't mind. Please help me to get up".

"Mm".

Xiao Lian nodded and began to slide away her hands behind Soma's neck and gently lifted his solid and robust body. Her fingertips trace along his chest, making Soma feel a tingling sensation because of her soft caress.

Hina, who looked at the sight, sighed abruptly before raising her body from her sitting position and opening her mouth.

"Then I will prepare some food for us to eat".

"Food?".

Soma's stunned voice echoed, bringing an awkward silence, making Hina stop in her tracks. Hina, with a stiffened face, began to sweat as she gulped her saliva. Xiao Lian raised her brows upon witnessing the two interactions and cast her calm gaze on Hina, and she threw her face to the side.

"...Can you really cook?".

Hina, facing those expressionless gazes that pierced her being, starts to turn rigid while acting tough.

"We-well, I have some knowledge about it, and I already prepared everything in my storage rings. So I am pretty sure I can cook something decent?".

"Is that true?".

"We-well, yeah. I'm confident about my skill".

"Hmm, I'm not…".

"You!".

"Pffth, ahahahaha…".

Seeing the two of them interact with each other made Soma crackles in laugh. These two people who couldn't express their feelings honestly toward each other seemed endearing. It made him recall the good times when he read the novel.

Soma connected his thoughts with the relic on his palm, and in front of them appeared many snacks, mainly energy bars that were high in calories and beverages Soma had collected over time.

"...I couldn't move my body. Because of that, cooking is out of option. So, you two eat these snacks to replenish your energy".

"...Soma, can you cook?".

Xiao Lian, who heard that for the first time, turned her gaze to Soma. Before Soma could answer Xiao Lian, Hina, who sat back down on the opposite side, opened her mouth.

"That's right. Soma is incredible, and the dish he made was delicious".

"...Mm, why are you the one boasting? You talk big and yet, in the end, couldn't cook either".

"Sh-shut up! I can, if I try hard enough".

"Yeah, in your dreams".

"Pffth…".

"Don't laugh, Soma!".

"Sorry".

In the middle of the desolate land where, many traces of the huge battle unfold. The cheer and laughter resonated below the dark sky, making the atmosphere seem lively enough to forget that the three of them were in another dimension.

Several times had passed as the three of them kept the conversation continuing in a lively manner before suddenly. In front of them, a crack appears, and it emits a familiar golden light, inviting the three people to enter.

"Soma?!".

"?!"

"Yeah, It's time to go home".