章節 19: 'I Feel Ba-'

"You are going to keep staring at me?"

Valac spoke as he polished his sword while Lav chirped happily, staring out at the bright shiny world outside.

"Kyu! Kyu!"

How nice it is to be a dragon.

[Congratulations To Host!

Lavathore Upgraded! LVL. 1 --> LVL. 2!

New Skill Unlocked!

Domination

Skill Description - When Lavathore feels threatened he can use this skill to dominate the other party's soul. ]

How... This guy doesn't even eat!? All he does is chirp. How did he level up? I mean... Not like it's a bad thing. But, still...

Valac's eyes traced the faint reflection of Lav, his little dragon, who chirped quietly from the window ledge.

The creature's tiny, scaled body glistened in the fading light, its beady eyes fixed on Valac. It had been a long time since Valac had anyone or anything to truly rely on, and the small dragon, invisible to all but him, provided a strange comfort to him.

I'm glad, it's cute.

"Kyu! Kyu!" Lav chirped again, bouncing slightly as if trying to get Valac's attention.

Valac offered a soft smile, barely noticeable.

It was fleeting but genuine, as he turned his attention back to polishing his sword. He took his time with it, each stroke of the cloth deliberate, careful. He could see his face being reflected on the shiny surface of the sword.

Across the room, Nico's impatience simmered. His sharp golden eyes followed Valac's every movement, suspicion etched into every line of his face.

"When are we going to search for my sister, Noctis?" Nico asked, his voice edged with frustration, though he tried to mask it with calm. "You obviously know where she is. Just help me find her, and I'll help you get the key to Moonlit Cavern."

Valac paused mid-polish, letting out a slow breath as he looked up at Nico, his gaze steady but soft.

"Nico... We will find her. Rushing won't change the fact that the meeting is tonight. You need to be patient."

Nico's jaw clenched, his fists tightening by his sides. "Patience?" He stepped forward, the frustration bleeding into his tone now. "My sister could be suffering, or worse—dead. And you're telling me to be patient? I've been patient for a week! She's been missing for a week, Valac!"

Sigh! I feel ba-

[Quest Alert: Find Ixia]

Details : Help Nico Leitzier find his sister. But, not before getting the Cavern Key. A villain must always think of his interests first. However, you must make Nico not fly into rage currently.

Reward: SS Grade Speed Shoes

Punishment : Losing an arm. You may choose which arm.

This f**ker system! Calm down, Valac. Breathe in. Out. Phew!

Valac's heart filled with frustration. But he remained calm, his voice gentle. "I'm telling you to think clearly. If we act rashly, we could lose any chance of saving her. You want her back, don't you?"

Sounds reasonable, enough.

The tension between them was palpable, but Valac didn't flinch under Nico's gaze. He understood the anger, the desperation. He'd felt it before. Many times.

Though, not as Valac Noctis.

Lav chirped again, almost in agreement, though Nico couldn't hear or see the little creature. Valac gave the smallest nod to the dragon, as if to acknowledge the unspoken support.

Pfft. I suppose Lav is the greatest gift for me.

Nico's eyes narrowed. "You're awfully calm for someone who's supposed to be helping me."

Valac set the sword down, wiping his hands clean before standing up. His movements were slow, unthreatening, and his voice, when he spoke again, was quieter.

Almost soothing.

"I understand what it feels like to be desperate, Nico. To feel like everything is slipping out of your control." He took a step closer, though he made sure not to invade Nico's space. "But if you lose your head now, you might lose her forever. I don't want that for you."

The sincerity in Valac's voice caught Nico off guard. His expression faltered for a moment, the hard edges of his anger softening, just slightly. He looked away, clenching and unclenching his fists as if trying to find something solid to hold onto. "Losing control while being drunk is different."

"Why are you doing this, Noctis?" Nico asked, his voice quieter now, less accusatory. "What do you want to go to Moonlit Cavern?"

Hmm... How should I act now? A little hesitated?

Valac hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor for a moment before he met Nico's eyes again. "I told you. I want the key. And I want your help when I enter Moonlit Cavern." His voice was calm, almost too calm for someone in his position. "But... I also don't want to see you lose someone important to you."

Nico frowned, clearly confused by Valac's unexpected softness. "Why do you care?"

Can't this guy just shut up and come at night.

Valac smiled, but it was a sad, fleeting smile. "I care more than I let on. I don't want to lose my mom. I need to protect her. So, I need to enter the Cavern."

Lav chirped again, hopping off the ledge and onto the bed, watching Valac with its big shiny eyes.

Valac couldn't help but glance at the little dragon, the sight of him bringing a strange warmth to his chest, though Nico remained oblivious to the creature's presence.

"Tonight," Valac continued, his tone gentle but firm. "We'll ambush the bandits. We'll get the key, and we'll save your sister. But until then, you need to trust me."

Nico's gaze flickered with doubt, but there was something else there too—something more vulnerable, hidden beneath the layers of suspicion and anger.

He wanted to believe Valac's words, even if he didn't quite trust him.

After a long, tense pause, Nico nodded, though the gesture was stiff, reluctant. "Fine. But if you're lying to me..."

"I'm not lying," Valac interjected softly.

"I don't want to be your enemy, Nico. I've had enough of those."

Honestly. Just get out, now.

"Fine. Be ready, tonight."