The final impression at the time of parting is crucial. 𝞸𝓋𝒍xt.𝐜𝒐𝔪
The synchronicity between Viviana and Tyler just now was actually a coincidence created by Tyler using mind-reading.
“Where will you go next?”
“I… I need to go to Gudetown first.”
Viviana remembered her agreement with Albert and feared she wouldn’t make it if she didn’t hurry back.
— (Elders… please don’t return early…)
“Banning, what about you?”
Although Viviana knew she had little time, she was also concerned about Banning’s journey.
If they parted ways here, they wouldn’t know when they could meet again… Viviana thought.
Tyler didn’t answer immediately but thought for a moment.
His original plan was to rendezvous with Avril/Elle and then return to Ira Village to deliver the sandrift flower to Grandma Kana for treatment.
However, if he went back to Ira Village, he would be on the same path as Viviana.
In that case, the situation would become Tyler, Avril/Elle, and Viviana traveling together.
The combination of one man and two women was already frightening, but with Elle, it would be one man and three women!
At that time, Tyler felt goosebumps just thinking about what might happen in such a battlefield.
“I need to go to Sunnytown. After defeating the demon earlier, I feel like there’s an energy inside me that’s full. I’m not sure if it’s the influence of the combat occupation, so I want to ask about it in Sunnytown,” Tyler said.
“Full…?…Combat occupation?”
Viviana was somewhat surprised. She had thought Banning was just a hunter, but it turned out he had a combat occupation in addition to his production occupation.
— (You’re truly no ordinary youth.)
Now Viviana understood a bit. Banning’s composure in the cave was no accident. If time allowed, she would love to learn everything about Banning.
“Indeed, defeating such a formidable demon would naturally lead to significant growth… I believe you must be approaching the bottleneck for a combat occupation advancement,” Viviana said, her extensive knowledge shining through.
Upon hearing this, Tyler’s eyes lit up.
“Combat occupation advancement?”
“Yes, combat occupations require the completion of corresponding ‘trials’ to advance and continue leveling up at levels 20, 50, 90, and beyond. Depending on the trial and individual performance, most combat occupations also undergo a ‘class change’… If you’re not in a hurry, I suggest you head to Emerald City for a profession and level appraisal,” Viviana explained in detail.
Tyler wanted to ask more about the “trials” and “class change”, but seeing Viviana’s eagerness to rush to Gudetown, he decided not to press further.
“Thank you, Viviana. You’re truly impressive.”
Viviana shook her head, indicating that there was no need for thanks.
She had hoped to thoroughly share her knowledge with Banning, but she was running out of time.
“Take this with you. If there’s a Quest Guild in Sunnytown, show them this badge, and they’ll help you,” Viviana said, handing Tyler a pure gold badge engraved with the emblem of her family. It was weighty and clearly valuable.
“…Or, you could… come to Flamestride City to find me… if you wish,” Viviana muttered quietly, unfortunately unheard by Banning.
“I will always remember your kindness, Viviana, and I will repay you someday.”
“…Alright.”
There was much left to say, but time waits for no one.
“I must go now…”
“Stay safe.”
Viviana took one last look at Banning before conjuring the Floating Crimson Sword. She deftly leaped back and forth between the rock wall and the flying sword, soon reaching the cliff’s top. Glancing back, she saw Banning still watching her, and her lips curved into an involuntary smile.
“Remember, never attempt the F·I·F·T·H level of difficulty in the trials, no matter what!” Viviana shouted to Banning.
“Alright! You should go now!” Tyler shouted back, waving goodbye.
It was a gentleman’s duty to see a lady off. He continued watching until Viviana disappeared from view before setting off.
.
Tyler searched for Avril and Elle along the bottom of the gorge, retracing their steps towards the earlier fissure, and finally, he found Avril lying unconscious near the crevice.
(…?!)
It had been over six hours since Tyler and Viviana had fallen into the underground cavern.
Tyler quickly rushed to Avril’s side, relieved to find she had merely fainted.
━━━━━━━━━
Avril
Life Energy: 16/30
Endurance: 0/23
Magic Energy: 80/80
━━━━━━━━━
(Did she faint due to exhaustion…?)
Tyler glanced at Avril’s status information and then at the pile of rocks beside her, resembling a small mountain. He felt a pang of discomfort in his heart. \
It was clear to Tyler that every stone in the pile was stained with blood—Avril’s blood.
Avril had painstakingly removed each rock blocking the crevice until she was utterly exhausted and had collapsed at the edge.
Imagining this scene, Tyler’s face turned pale.
He carefully examined Avril’s hands. Both were covered in blood, her skin rubbed raw and lacerated. In some places, her flesh had been worn away, exposing the bone beneath.
Tyler knew that Avril had endured such agony in her attempt to rescue him from the underground cavern.
Unable to fathom the excruciating pain Avril must have withstood while removing the rocks, and the desperation she felt in trying to save him, Tyler felt guilty, knowing her effort was ultimately futile.
(Too foolish… Avril… I’m not worth it…)
Tyler sat beside Avril, wanting to comfort her but not daring to touch her. He sat in silence for a long time.
Eventually, he got up and found the remains of the Gudetown cavalry squad. He collected a few usable healing potions from their belongings and brought them back to Avril.
The sting of the medicine roused Avril from her unconscious state. As she saw Banning’s face, she couldn’t tell if she was dreaming or awake.
But it didn’t matter if it was a dream or reality. As long as she could see Banning again, she was content.
—— (Oh, benevolent gods…)
—— (If this is reality, I’m willing to trade my life for Banning’s survival.)
—— (If this is a dream, please let me never wake up. )
—— (It’s my only request in this lifetime… Please grant my wish.)
Unrestrained tears slid down Avril’s cheeks.
.
At the same moment, atop the Sandrift Gorge’s cliff, the level 67 Mercenary Sage Granny Kasi gazed solemnly at the bottom of the gorge.
“I can no longer sense Swarerock’s presence… Could he be dead?” she muttered to herself. “Just in case, I’ll make a record.”
“Gudetown cavalry… annihilated…” she noted.
“Survivors include… the young hunter from Ira village… the orchard girl… Hm? And the young lady of the Scarlet Family?” Granny Kasi’s eyes widened in surprise.
—— (Swallelock, you couldn’t have been killed by Scarlet Family’s young lady, could you?)
The unexpected discovery intensified Granny Kasi’s suspicion that Swarerock was indeed dead.
To account for her findings when reporting to the “Earthly Ghost,” she quickly noted the names of the few survivors from the gorge incident.
“Sandrift Gorge survivors: Viviana of the Scarlet family, Banning from Ira village, and Avril, also from Ira village.”
.
End of the Volume /Shadow of the Sandrift Gorge/
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