Chapter 25: 25. The Arrogant Lia
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The Ninth Layer Secret Realm has three random maps: the Giant Carnivorous Flower of the Twisted Forest, the Lava Giant of the Lava Cave, and the Blue Scaled Armor Snake of the Muddy Swamp.
The latter two maps are extremely incompatible with the Snow Goose Adventure Team; Lia's Fire Series can't even unleash half its power.
In such a state of arrogance, problems will arise sooner or later.
Linda did not want to see the Snow Goose Adventure Team fall into crisis because of Lia's recklessness.
He sighed, thinking that he had to find an opportunity to remind Lia.
As a former teammate, that's all he could do to help.
Meanwhile, on the stage of the press conference.
Aiko quietly tugged at Klyne's skirt and whispered, "He's here."
"Mr. Linda?" Klyne followed Aiko's gaze, and indeed found Linda, smiling and waving her hand.
Klyne and others sitting together all noticed Linda and greeted him.
But actually, the first to spot him was a certain red-haired girl standing in front of the stage.
At one meter eighty tall and with a calm demeanor, Linda was too conspicuous among those chattering adventurers.
Lia had spotted Linda as soon as he entered the hall.
However, she had been pretending not to see him, focusing all her energy on how to successfully hold the press conference.
Or rather, Lia had originally planned to simply say a few words before moving on to the sale of the spoils of war.
It was Linda's appearance that changed her mind.
She decided to deliver an 'exciting' speech, to show Linda that her eloquence was not inferior to his.
Despite presenting a 'nutrient-free' strategy of 'accumulate power, Flame Slash, then accumulate power again', Lia still felt quite pleased with herself.
Half an hour later, the Attacker's press conference came to an end.
The Snow Goose Adventure Team's spoils from the Ninth Layer sold out, and Lia even landed the spokesperson role for the Greatsword Main Weapon seller, 'Furious Wolf Fang'.
She walked with a swagger, filled with unrestrained pride.
As soon as the press conference was over, she made a beeline for someone.
Like a loosed arrow, she aimed at her target with a murderous look.
Gradually, everyone noticed a man of proportionate build, dressed in a refined white shirt, with a ring of Magic Potions on his belt, looking very steady.
"The Healer Linda from the Snow Goose Adventure Team? Why didn't he go on stage?"
"I thought he was sick."
"Didn't you hear the rumor from yesterday? Linda seems to have left the Snow Goose Adventure Team."
This news spread through the hall of the Adventurer's Guild with the speed of the plague.
The crowd was instantly restless.
Was the team leader Lia heading straight for the old teammate who had left the team, possibly to start a fight?
It's well-known in White Dove City that the captain of the Snow Goose team has a fiery temper.
Pretty, flat-chested, and hotheaded; she perfectly fits the adventurers' image of a noble Young Lady.
Those people were all envious of Linda.
After hearing the news of Linda's departure, they were baffled.
Now that Lia was charging straight at Linda, they all grew excited, eager to see this genius Swordsman in action.
Journalists from various agencies were also thrilled, as they turned their Magic Cameras towards Linda, taking photos.
The crowd parted like water, clearing an unobstructed path for Lia.
Linda could not avoid it.
Hands in his pockets, he watched the approaching girl with a mild expression.
"Good afternoon, Lia."
...
"Oh no."
Aiko on the stage was anxious.
With Lia's temperament, who knew what unpleasant words she would say.
Linda didn't want to come back in the first place, and to be insulted on top of that?
It would be the end of him.
"Quick, go stop Lia."
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Aiko spoke anxiously.
Seated in a wheelchair, with limited mobility in her legs and feet, she could only pin her hopes on her teammates.
Klyne and Oru exchanged looks.
The two of them chuckled awkwardly, indicating that they wouldn't dare to interfere.
Compared to the original five members who created the Snow Goose Adventure Team, they were, after all, just 'employees'; the relationship wasn't as close.
"Why block big sister Lia? Doesn't she plan on letting that small fry Lin Da come back?" Klrona asked innocently.
Of course, Lia wanted Lin Da to come back.
But now, she was just acting proud.
Aiko sighed, closed her eyes, and didn't want to look anymore.
Tap tap tap!
The heels of black high-heeled shoes clacked on the polished floor, sharp and clear.
Lia, like a fiery horse, approached Lin Da with an unmatched, fierce momentum.
The three-centimeter heels barely brought Lia's head up to Lin Da's neck as she lifted her chin proudly, her face alive with spirit.
Seeing this, everyone in the hall couldn't help but hold their breath, feeling that something big was about to happen.
"Out gallivanting all day, and now you know you're wrong and are ready to come back and beg this young lady to take you back?"
With hands on her hips, Lia arrogantly kicked Lin Da's shin with her high-heeled shoe.
"Seeing us clear the Ninth Layer Secret Realm, you come back like a groveling dog, wagging your tail? The rock level adventure team is not something you can just return to whenever you wish."
Actually... he was only here to get his proof of withdrawal from the team.
Lin Da felt somewhat embarrassed.
As for rejoining the team, he hadn't entertained even the slightest thought of it from the beginning to the end.
But he gave Lia the courtesy of not mentioning his withdrawal in front of the reporters from various newspapers.
If Lia exploded on the spot, she might not sign the document.
Although there are other ways to leave the team, they would certainly waste time.
"Let's talk about this when there's no one around," Lin Da said calmly, avoiding a direct response to Lia's question.
What does it mean to talk when there's no one around?
Lia's spirits lifted.
'Captain, there were too many people outside just now, but now I apologize to you.'
The image of Lin Da bowing his head and admitting his mistake appeared in Lia's mind.
Her chest puffed out even higher.
...
Possibly because his mindset had changed, Lin Da was now able to objectively observe Lia.
As long as Lia kept her mouth shut, she was actually not bad looking.
Today's Lia was dressed like a mature, black-stockinged female secretary, combining the innocence of a young girl with the hint of allure in the disobedience of her attire.
"Pretty cute."
Lin Da exclaimed.
The old him would never have said such a thing.
Just being annoyed by Lia would have been enough to drive him to fury, with the urge to make her cry with a punch.
But after leaving the team, no matter how annoying Lia was, she had nothing to do with him, so he could appreciate the girl's appearance with a simple heart.
"What, what?!" Lia exclaimed, her mouth hanging open in surprise.
In her expectations, Lin Da might be full of regret or obstinately unrepentant.
But she had never imagined that Lin Da, who was only ever focused on strategizing and seemed reclusive, would actually call her 'cute.'
This was unprecedented, like the sun rising in the west!
"Don't think that by flattering this young lady with a couple of sentences, you'll get back on the team," Lia's face turned red in an instant, and her pink toes wriggled inside her high heels like tiny worms burrowing.
She pushed Lin Da away, "Don't stand in the way, what are you, a pillar?"
Lia walked off with a tap, tap, tap, but due to being unaccustomed to the high heels, she stumbled, nearly falling over.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone