Chapter 53：Return (2/2)

In the 3rd world will I have this same increase in stats or will it be different there? Of the goals I've set before stepping in this world, I managed to reach my desired boost on my strength. I've also managed to discover the corruption's nature and a theory about the Invading World's inherent energy and the Pocket Dimension's Psyche Energy.

What I didn't find out was the source of the Hero's strength which boosted their abilities and provided them with the necessary Psyche Energy to use.

Avelin also got her first gain from using the Beast Core, charging through to the 2nd Stage Augmented Realm. And that made Erin be more eager to reach the Saint Realm before us.

Raiden already acknowledged their existence, naming that area as the Whiteshade Division. It became a place where those former slaves can sign up. It will be different from the tribe's official army, the Whiteshade Division will deal with the subordinate tribe's woes. Just like how we saved the Whiteshade Tribe from the Invading forces, that became their duty so as to not conflict with the proud soldiers under Raiden.

With only Ophelia as the strongest barbarian, it still looks weak and could only deal with the small tribes that needed help.

Old Man Reol pushed for the inspection of every subordinate tribe to flush out the possible corrupted barbarians that could parasitize the whole tribe with boosted strength as an enticement.

He also ordered a squad of elite to check the camp Erin infiltrated before, to monitor it and restrict it from doing anything shady at the moment.

The other large tribes already sent their envoys to ask for Raiden's explanation about his annexing of another large tribe. Like it's a normal thing to do, he pushed all of it to the Old Man's table.

Currently, we're now at the place where we first appeared, the Portal that will take us back to Earth already appeared at the same spot..

Apart from Old Man Reol, Erin, Avelin and Ophelia, they forbid the others to come here.

”Don't you think Yuko will be sad if she found out about this?”

Raiden teased me as he looked at the three, well Erin and Avelin were one thing but Ophelia was just really grateful to me. The slave system couldn't be abolished but redeeming themselves was still possible and Ophelia thought it was because of me. I did recommend it but the decision was made by Raiden and enacted by Old Man Reol.

”I will tell her everything that happened, you know?”

That's what I decided. Though there's still a blank in my memory about what happened that made her too attached to me, I never stopped trying to remember it but yeah, there's no such thing as recovering lost memories here in this world. I'll keep trying to find a method to remember it.

”You two… Anyway, I know she's too wary of me. But that's fine. You saw this world with your own eyes, what do you think about my method?”

Did he want me to evaluate his method? Ah. True that I somehow misunderstood him at the start, I always tend to overthink things and most of the time it will take me in the wrong direction. Thanks to Erin accompanying me, I got a glimpse at how a denizen of this world behaves.

”Apart from your fondness to crush those weaker than you on the battlefield, after staying here and seeing how the barbarians lived, everything makes sense.”

I told him the one thing I couldn't quite accept. He could let his subordinates handle those but no, he always chooses to crush them by himself.

”Ah. That? It's just fun.”

Raiden mysteriously smiled on purpose. I guess there's really a secret about it and that's something he didn't want to divulge.

”Does this mean the next time you come here, Daisuke will not be tagging along?”

Old Man Reol asked. Well, there's still a lot of worlds I need to visit and with the Invading Forces hastening up their plans, I don't think I would have enough time to visit them all before their real powerhouses descend to the Otherworlds.

”Yes. I still don't know when I'll be coming back here. The Whiteshade Division, please take care of them, Old Man.”

After saying that, I turned to the two girls. They both opted not to speak, we already said our goodbyes last night. I told them to look out for each other. They're already an important companion so the next time I come here, I want to see them still alive. This is a harsh world where life and death will always be at just a corner, lurking.

The activity of the Dark Beastmasters in the Desolate Plain will probably lessen but in the other regions, we have no way of knowing what's going on there.

Let's hope for Old Man Reol to reach the Emperor Realm soon. That way he can be a real deterrence before the powerhouses descend.

After settling everything. Raiden and I stepped into the Portal. And after a few seconds of whiteness covering our vision, we arrived at the familiar Principal's Office.

[You left the World of Barbarian]

[Automatic Accumulation has stopped]

[The World Bonus has expired]

”Welcome back, Takahashi-kun and Kuramoto-kun.”

The Principal, still with his usual expression and his usual attire, greeted us.

The Principal is here but Yuko is nowhere to be seen. Is she busy or is she still at the World of System? I want to see her already.

”Kuramoto-kun, Yuko-chan was sent somewhere. You see, something unexpected happened.”

He noticed that my eyes were looking for someone that should be beside him.

Somewhere? Then she's not in the Otherworld? And what could be something unexpected that his Clairvoyance hadn't predicted?