Chapter 58: Chapter 58: "You Have to Give Me Back the Money Personally! Nothing Can Happen to You."
Liam hadn't even had a chance to respond when Sophia stepped forward, shielding him protectively. "I don't agree!" she exclaimed, standing between him and the others like a protective mother hen.
"He hasn't undergone formal training yet. He doesn't even fully understand what kind of abilities he might face. It's too dangerous for him to go up against chosen God's followers alone."
"I should stay. I'm also a newcomer. I can ensure everyone's safety," Sophia declared.
Cain sighed, shaking his head. "If it were before, you would have been the perfect candidate, Xiaoyi. But things aren't the same anymore. You're no longer an unknown talent."
"Since that battle, since you officially joined the Pantheon and became the eighth Warlord—the Frost Warlord—you've become just like the rest of us."
"You're marked, just like we are. Today, Liam is the only suitable choice," Cain explained, his tone filled with regret.
Sophia faltered, knowing Cain was right. But she still hoped there was a safer solution. She didn't want to see Liam thrown into such danger.
As the tension in the room grew, the other leaders remained silent, struggling with the same dilemma.
"Liam, do you think you can handle it? Are you willing to try?" Cain asked, his voice strained.
Liam shrugged slightly. "I don't know if I can do it, and honestly, why should I agree to something so dangerous and thankless?"
Cain blinked in surprise at Liam's response, but he quickly understood. Liam was just a student with no obligation to take on this burden. If he wanted to stay safe, it would be the smart choice.
This was their responsibility as the older generation, not his.
"But..." Liam continued, looking at the anxious faces around him. "If you pay me enough, I might be willing to give it a shot."
The room fell silent as everyone turned to stare at Liam, a mix of surprise and conflicted emotions on their faces. Did this mean he was agreeing?
They wanted him to step up, but at the same time, they feared the consequences if something went wrong. This could be the greatest loss of talent in history, a tragedy that would be recorded in the annals of humanity.
If Liam failed, they wouldn't just lose him, the most extraordinary talent ever discovered. They'd also lose the 125 other students, each brimming with potential.
"Thank you," Zhong Jing said, his eyes glistening with emotion. "This time, us old folks owe you one."
"If you make it through this, I'll give you my personal gold card! You can enjoy all services at any Western Academy establishment worldwide, for free!"
With that, Zhong Jing quickly left the room, not wanting to linger any longer. Dong Wushuang followed suit, giving Liam a firm pat on the shoulder. "Good man!" he said before rushing out.
As they left, Liam shrugged. "Hold on, what about the money? Don't just get emotional on me! Also, how long do you expect me to hold out?"
Cain, who had no mood for jokes, replied seriously, "Three hours. Can you do it?"
"Sure," Liam nodded. "But I want three million!"
Cain's eyes widened before he quickly approached Liam, gripping his shoulder tightly. "If you manage to hold out for three hours, I'll give you thirty million, not just three!"
After a final deep look at Liam, Cain turned to organize the students. The situation outside was growing dire, as more bloodied figures stumbled into the room, bringing urgent news.
The students, witnessing the chaos, quickly obeyed and were herded into the underground facility. Lila, Ryan, and a few others protested, wanting to fight alongside Liam, but Cain harshly reprimanded them, forcing all 125 into the shelter.
Returning to Liam, Cain nodded solemnly. "These are troubled times... Leaving such a burden to a student is my failure."
"Three hours... Hold out, and you'll be a hero of humanity."
"Don't give me that hero talk," Liam waved dismissively. "I'm just doing it for the money."
Cain turned to leave, with Sophia following, though she hesitated with every step. Liam's calm demeanor was unsettling; he didn't seem to care about the burden being placed on him. But as Cain reached the door, Liam called out.
"Hey, old man! You still owe me thirty thousand from my enrollment reward, right? If something happens to me, just give it to Sophia—I owe her that much."
Sophia, unable to hold back any longer, rushed to Liam, her voice choked with emotion. "Nothing will happen to you! I won't allow it. You have to give me that money yourself!"
"I'm not planning on anything happening," Liam replied. "But it's always wise to consider the worst..."
"There is no 'what if!'" Sophia interrupted, her voice softening. "If something did happen to you... some people would be very upset."
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