It amazed Elisia to see Upgrade’s ability that made him strong. “What an impressive ability, Upgrade! I didn't know that you had that kind of ability.”

"Don't be happy just yet! This ability makes me unable to use any skills and heal you. As long as we go according to the plan earlier, everything will be fine.” Upgrade facing Brando.

Brando was getting angry. “Your abilities will have no effect on me! I will defeat you!” The teenager fired a lot of arrows towards Upgrade.

Arrows pierced Upgrade's body, but the man didn't hurt in the slightest. Brando shocked and getting mad. He released more arrows until the quiver ran out. Upgrade smiled, then snapped his left hand.

“Dao, now!”

Dao moved swiftly to destroy all the arrows that flew at his master. Until all the arrows broken, Upgrade smiled again.

“Elisia, it’s show time!”

Elisia moved rather quickly towards Brando, who was panicking. He fumbled for the quiver, only three arrows left. Brando took one stick and launched it normally. The girl slashed at the ordinary arrow and started activating [Molten Flame]. Brando was getting overwhelmed, so unknowingly he fired the two remaining arrows. Elisia broke it again.

When it was closed, Elisia started swinging the spear with [Molten Flame] that burned the blade of the spear. Brando couldn’t fight her because he didn’t have melee combat abilities. Finally, Elisia's spear injured Brandon and leave a small amount of Max HP on him.

Brando fell to the ground, then saw Elisia, who was about to thrust the spear into his stomach. Suddenly, Upgrade stopped her. It surprised Elisia.

“Upgrade, what are you doing?!” Elisia felt her abilities being held at full power. It was very dangerous for a beginner like her.

“That’s enough, Elisia!”

Elisia stuck the spear into the ground so that she could channel the damage she was about to release. Upgrade threw a small bottle filled with green liquid at Elisia. The girl saw a strange liquid that had a slightly pungent smell.

“Give this to Christ. Brando is my business now,” Upgrade requested.

Elisia nodded and ran to Christ, who was lying on the side of the road. She opened the bottle immediately and gulped it into Christ's mouth. After the last drop, Christ's body convulsed. The girl panicked and didn't know what to do. Until finally, the teenager's body movements stopped and all his wounds healed.

Elisia breathed a sigh of relief and hugged Christ. “I’m glad that you're fine. I'm so worried about you.”

Christ tried to say something. “Elisia..., Thank you...”

A group of villagers came to the abandoned barn with some sharp tools. Elisia saw someone she knew very well standing in the crowd, looking angry.

He looked at Upgrade, who was conversing with Brando. “It seems I come late, but not too late.”

Elisia walked up to the figure, then hit him in the stomach. “Where have you been all this time, Risk? I am looking for you!”

Risk held both of Elisia's hands who were beating him. “Sorry if I didn't say so. I'll tell you later.”

Risk glanced at the village chief. “If you want to catch that liar, don't forget to tie him up with chains. I'm afraid that he'll slip away again.”

The village chief nodded and ordered several people to arrest Brando and the rest of his men. They chained well on the hands and body, then led to the main road. Upgrade approached Christ and took out the bandage.

Elisia and Risk approached Upgrade. The man continued to bandage the wound on Christ until finally the teenager could stand up again. Elisia was happy and hugged Christ again. The teenager endured the pain of the freshly bandaged wound from being pressured by Elisia. Upgrade instantly separated them.

“He still has to recover. Please don't contact him!” Upgrade command.

Elisia nodded. A message appeared in front of her.

“You have completed battle!”

.

“Result:”

“Ordinary Fighter ×7”

“Brando ×1”

“Total : 8 kills”

.

“EXP reward:”

“Ordinary Fighter : 200 × 7 = 1400”

“Brando : 500 × 1 = 500”

“Total EXP : 1900 points”

.

“Congratulations, your level up to 9!”

“Bonus: ATK +5 and RES +0,1%, Max HP limit +16, Stamina Limit +10, Skill Point Limit +6”

“Max HP, Stamina, and Skill Point restores”

.

“New Achievement unlocked: Class Duel”

“Reward : ATK and DEF +10, Player EXP and Skill EXP +200”

.

Elisia got a lot of rewards after defeating Brando. Her ability was increasing, something could feel it in her body. Risk stroked Elisia's head from behind, making the girl irritated. Christ looked at Elisia and her friends with great joy.

“Looks like you've been doing some heroic deeds while I've been away. You're growing, Risk praised.

“Not really. If it weren't for Christ, I wouldn't be doing all this.” Elisia pointed to Christ.

Risk smiled. “After hearing Christ's story, I thought to find out more about this. Yesterday in afternoon, I visited the village chief’s house to find out about the land of Mister Lao. The village chief also said it was true, and he still stored the file. So, I suspect that someone trying to take over the land.”

“So, my father's land certificate is still in your house?” Christ asked to the village chief.

“Of course, young men. Your father told me to keep it, and after all, the certificate in your house was fake. Your father intentionally kept a fake letter so that the original file remain safe,” the village head explained.

“Everything is clear,” said Elisia, “Christ, we have solved your problem. You can live a normal life after this.”

Christ smiled sadly, then hugged Elisia. “Thank you, Elisia! I don't know how to pay you all. You have helped me well.”

“Don’t paying for anything. This is our realm. Now that I've dug up a lot of information from Brando,” Upgrade replied, “After this, we'll get ready to go to Tanggon!”

“Huh, we're going to leave this village soon?” Elisia confirmed.

“Yeah, we have little time. Eventually, we have to get out of here,” Upgrade replied, who started walking home with Dao.

Elisia looked at Christ with a sad face. “That means I will leave Christ?”

Christ stroked Elisia's head gently. “Maybe it's time we parted away. I know this is hard for you, but you still have a long way to go. I'll be fine here, with a new life.”

Elisia hugged Christ tightly. Christ's ears heard sobs. The teenager let Elisia go of all her tears until the sadness went away. Risk noticed the closeness of the two of them, making him remember something from the past.

Risk took out a pendant from his shirt pocket and watched it for a while. “Humph, how nostalgic.”

...

After arriving home, everyone gathered in the dining room to unwind after the fight. For this battle, Elisia felt grateful that it didn’t hurt her in the slightest. Upgrade that was injured earlier has recovered. Rhino and Tevanny immediately prepared a drink for them, namely [Rose Tea] which was re-mixed by Tevanny. Elisia took a sip of the drink without hesitation.

“You are happy because of your business, especially Risk, who has disappeared since morning,” Tevanny said, breaking the warmth.

“I was just walking in the fields, and playing chess with the village chief,” Risk replied jokingly.

“Yes, I am very grateful to you, wanderers! I've troubled you a lot in endless long affairs. I feel grateful for your arrival in this village,” Christ said happily.

Elisia tapped Christ's left shoulder. “My friends don't feel bothered by you. Dealing with problems like this has become their habit.”

“Huh, you say that like you've known us for years.” Upgrade walked over to Christ. “We are the ones who should be grateful. Thanks to you and the boy who claimed to be an agent, we found some useful information on our journey.”

“Really? But I still don't understand the real thing,” Christ replied.

“Your life is already better than before. Everything will change in a moment.” Upgrade goes back to the dining chairs. “The rest, it's our business.”

Elisia looked down again. Christ saw the girl and lifted her face. Elisia still couldn't part with Christ to continue her journey. There was still love that blossoms in her heart, and she understood what Risk and Tevanny were saying.

“Risk, it seems I have understood the love you have explained to me. I'm getting used to it,” Elisia said.

Risk turned away. “Love is beautiful, but you know that love is blind. You must fight them or submit to them.”

“Yes, I understand.” Elisia turned to Christ. “Christ, let's talk outside!”

The girl grabbed Christ's hand and took him to the front yard of the house. Everyone saw it with feelings of emotion and sadness, because they were going to continue their journey to Tanggon.

Elisia pulled Christ to the grassy ground opposite the house, where they used to practice and gather. The wind blew softly, plus Elisia's mood was very mixed between sadness and emotion. Christ felt the howling of the wind as if his heart captured a wave.

“Elisia, you don't need to be sad. I will be fine in this village. I'm used to being alone,” Christ said.

Elisia turned around with tears already running down her cheeks. “I don't know how it feels to have to leave someone I love, but I have to be strong enough to face it.”

“You still have a long way to go, and filled with challenges. Good people who will help you also surrounded you.” Christ approached Elisia and hugged her. “Farewell is painful, but your heart must be strong in facing it. I believe you can. You don't have to think about me anymore.”

Elisia wept bitterly, wiping away all the tears that had formed from her eyelids. Christ stroked Elisia's blonde hair and allowed her to let go all of her sadness. Elisia felt heavy, as if she had to go, but Christ's words were true. She still had a long way to go back to Gwelissa.

After Elisia stopped crying, Christ wiped the tears from Elisia's cheeks. They both smile. The girl felt relieved and could accept the situation.

“Christ, how about you stay at Tevanny's until tomorrow? I want to spend the rest of the time in this village with you,” Elisia offered.

“I wish I could, but I have to go back to my hut. I have something to take care of. If I have time, I will meet you tomorrow morning with a present.”

“Present? You don't have to give me anything. I help you sincerely,” Elisia refused.

“Not because of that.” Christ started walking away from Elisia. “Just wait for tomorrow!” The teenager ran towards the village.

Elisia smiled as she watched the teenager leave. The girl turned around and felt the gentle howl of the afternoon breeze. Her eyes closed, and a smile was on her lips. A vision appeared in her eyes, a woman smiling before her proudly seeing Elisia's actions today. She didn't know who she was, but Elisia could feel the pride radiating from her.

It was getting dark, but Elisia was still standing on the grass field. Her eyes continued to stare at the expanse of fields nearby. Now, her eyes glanced at the small monument belonging to Christ's father that was covered in vines. Her smile returned.

“Mister Lao, I am very impressed by your son's bravery. Although I don't know how you were in the past, but I believe Christ inherited your courage,” Elisia muttered.

The wind blew slightly and gently stroked Elisia's cheeks, as if Mister Lao were giving her thanks in return. The girl touched her cheek and smiled again. This made her think about what obstacles she would face. Suddenly, a hand grabbed Elisia's right shoulder.

The girl turned around. “Risk?”

Risk walked beside her to enjoy the afternoon breeze. Elisia also felt the same thing as being near Christ.

“Risk, is it true that we are going to Tanggon in tomorrow morning?” Elisia asked to confirm what Upgrade said earlier.

Risk cleared his throat. “Tevanny said, we will ride with Mr. Pata to Tanggon by horse carriage. He moves tomorrow morning.”

Elisia looked down again. “Good, but I still can't leave this village. A comfortable place to live and full of stories.”

“Wanderers will surely leave stories in all the places they visit. They simply choose whether to stop or keep going. Besides, you want to go back to Gwelissa, which means you have to keep going until you get to your destination.”

“I know. I could turn if time back.” Elisia looked up at the darkening evening sky.

Risk grabbed Elisia's left shoulder. “Let's go in! I don't want your body to catch too much wind.”

Elisia nodded. They returned home to prepare equipment for tomorrow's trip. The condition of the house was a little cleaner because Dao and Tevanny had tidied some things up. Upgrade’s equipments had also removed from the room.

Elisia immediately entered the room to pack her books using the small bag that Risk had given her. However, the book Hex Aegis and Monstra turned into a grain of dust and flew into the pendulum. Elisia finally used the bag to carry other items.

After finishing with her equipment, Elisia intended to help the others. But, all the items had been packed, and they were already at the dining table. Elisia joined those who seemed to discuss their next plan.

“Elisia, while in Tanggon country later, try not to walk alone. We know the country as the headquarters of bandits and mafiosos in Nusantara. Many criminals roam every street. If you don't want to do any business, don't go out alone,” Upgrade said, who saw Elisia join.

“Okay, I understand!”

“Risk, are you sure you have acquaintances there who can help us?” Upgrade ensured.

“I have already sent a letter to them. Believe it or not, I'm also a little doubtful,” Risk said.

“But what if they weren't Risk's acquaintances?” Rhino asked.

“They have their own pattern in writing letter senders, and only they know. If it goes wrong, we have to fight to find a safe place,” Risk replied casually.

“We have to keep Elisia safe in there. If possible, we must kill anyone who dares to touch Elisia,” Upgrade said loudly.

Everyone nodded, then Tevanny served dinner. They ate the steaming food voraciously. Elisia suddenly lost her appetite because she had to part with Christ. Even though she had given up, her heart couldn't lie.

Risk saw Elisia stirred her food without eating it, started stroking her blonde hair. “Be sincere, Elisia! You should focus on your goal to Gwelissa.”

Elisia smiled. “You are right.”

After eating, Elisia returned to the room to lie down. She still feels tired since this afternoon. With sleepiness attacking, Elisia checked her stats.

Elisia Naumann

Level 9 (800/1400 exp)–Vanguard

Max HP : 832 /832

Stamina : 620/620

Skill Point (SP) : 136/136

ATK : 420

DEF : 247

RES : 10.4%

Agility : 45

.

Skills

Active Skills

1. Molten Flame (level 7 (Max level))

SP Requires : 36

ATK +75% and every attack gains 40% chance to ignore 20% Enemy DEF.

Duration : 31 second

2. [Unknown]

(Unlocked in Level 15)

3. [Unknown]

(Unlocked in Level 25)

4. [Unknown]

(Unlocked in Level 40)

5. [Unknown]

(Unlocked in Level 50)

Passive Skills

1. Sixth Sense (level 5 (Max Level))

Can see the level, full statistics, and all skills of other characters, including their weakness

Duration : Passive

2. [Unknown]

(Unlocked in Level 10)

.

Equipment

1. Wool Jacket (not equipped)

2. Dublin Spear (saved)

3. Flame Pendulum (equipped)

4. Necklace of Fortune (equipped)

5. Book of Hex Aegis (available)

6. Monstra, Book of Monsters (available)

.

It surprised Elisia because the improvement was far from her expectations. [Molten Flame] and [Sixth Sense] had already reached their max level, which meant their abilities had been upgraded well. The battle with Brando that carried out together turned out to provide many improvements.

“With this, I need some more EXP to unlock passive skill 2,” Elisia muttered.

This increase made Elisia not sleepy anymore. She became eager to improve her abilities again. When she was in a cheerful mood, Tevanny went into the room to lie down. The woman looked at Elisia, who was still awake.

“Elisia, is something bothering you?” Tevanny asked. The woman could understand Elisia's feelings.

“Eh, it's nothing. I was just… trying to sleep…” Elisia's answer made Tevanny suspicious.

“Elisia, if there's something you can tell me. Let's just say… this is our last conversation.”

Elisia got up and sat beside Tevanny. “Actually, that's what bothered me. I can't leave you and Christ. It breaks my heart to leave Grasswood.”

Tevanny smiled and hugged Elisia. “Sometimes the reason we don't want to leave our birthplace because we feel comfortable and don't dare to take risks by traveling outside the village. But, remember that you won't know what's out there if you stay here.”

“Then what if I have to leave the person I love?”

“All of those are consequences, but they can take care of themselves. Christ was used to life in this village, so he already knew what to do. Maybe if you want him to remember you, you can give him something.”

“Something like what?” Elisia remembered something, and took off her [Necklace of Fortune]. “What if I give this to Christ?”

“Isn't this the necklace Tivet gave you?” Tevanny confirmed.

“Yeah, I think it's more suitable if Christ uses it,” Elisia answered.

Tevanny smiled. “I suggest, maybe you should give him something else.”

Elisia put on [Necklace of Fortune] and thought of something. “I think I already know what to give.”

...

The sun was not clearly visible from the eastern horizon yet, but Elisia and her friends were already getting ready to travel to Tanggon by riding with Mr. Pata's horse-drawn carriage. They issued all items to be brought to the front porch.

“Okay, looks like everything is ready,” Rhino reported.

“Dao has checked all the items, safe and complete,” Dao continued.

Risk turned to Tevanny, who also helped them earlier. “Tevanny, thank you for letting us stay at your house. We're sorry if we bothered you all this time. We will always remember your kindness.”

“Don’t think about that. It's been a long time since nomads have visited this village, let alone wanderer like you, who will fight for this village. I’m so grateful,” Tevanny replied with a smile.

“Tevanny, thank you for giving me this book. I promise to take good care of it,” Elisia said while showing [Monstra] book.

“It's okay, sweetie. I'm not very interested in monsters. You can keep it.”

Mr Pata's carriage arrived. They moved all the goods to the carriage. Not forget, Elisia said goodbye to Gray because Tivet wanted a dog. Then Elisia boarded the horse carriage and gazed at the village, which had not been active.

Suddenly Elisia heard the voice of someone calling her from afar. The girl's eyes saw someone running towards the horse carriage. From his appearance, Elisia recognized him and got off the horse carriage that was almost moving. Finally, the person arrived before Elisia.

“How lucky… I wasn't late…” The person caught his breath.

“Christ, you've finally arrived! There's something I want to give you.”

“Me too.” Christ gave her a hairpin with a flower decoration.

Elisia accepted and immediately put it on. Christ amazed and bowed to her. Elisia blushed.

“You look beautiful with that hairpin. Not in vain I made it,” Christ said.

“Thank you, Christ.” Elisia took out a knife complete with sheath. “This is a knife I took from one of Brando's men. I want you to have it as a self-defense weapon.”

Christ accepted the weapon with emotion. “Thank you, Elisia!”

“Plus, please bring your face closer to mine!”

Christ complied with the request. Suddenly Elisia kissed Christ's right cheek. The girl immediately ran to the horse carriage, which was about to start. Everyone shocked at Elisia's behavior that Dao encountered a system error. Christ touched the kissed cheek, then joined Tevanny to wave goodbye to Elisia and her friends.