Chapter 577 - 523: Birdcage (1/2)

”Where were you? I searched everywhere!”

Maxine's hair turned half-white but it was gradually regaining its original color. She looked a bit older and was holding her abdomen, clearly not as lively as before.

She went around looking for Lucy but the latter showed up out of nowhere, totally unharmed. Of course, she wore the mask and the pink hair and the bland face returned.

After a thorough talk with Arthur, she decided to remain hidden to not arouse Forne's suspicions. If he knows that Arthur had recognized Lucy, he'll try to force him out of the Red Tower just to make sure he doesn't interfere later on.

Arthur stated that he won't participate in the battle against Leiu, however, that doesn't mean he won't be present. As his brother, he must assure that nothing happens to the Nameless Knight because Forne and the rest may try to kill him to permanently get rid of Sol'khin. It's a plausible solution but very hard, if not impossible, to achieve. After all, they'll be facing the strongest person in the multiverse, even with flawless cooperation and a bunch of powerful experts, it's still difficult.

”The Bee escaped. Also, it's not our target.”

Lucy pointed at the tattoo on the back of her hand, explaining to Max how their target has three pairs of wings while Arthur's has only two.

”Whatever, let us find it.”

The player's mood seemed a bit down after fighting the Grey Seat. Apparently, whatever happened in that swamp made Maxine a bit cautious and no-longer carefree and hungry for constant fights.

…

”My my.”

Arthur chuckled while looking at his partner's miserable condition. She was puking blood, her hair messy and clothes ripped, revealing a lot of skin.

The woman ignored his mocking, clenching her fists and mumbling inaudible words.

”We're still here so that means you lost it?”

”Yes, a golem blocked my way, though I'll catch it next time.”

”What next time?! What if we don't find it!”

”Hey, woman, don't vent your frustration on me. At least I chased after it while you were getting your ass beaten.”

Celes ground her teeth, incensed even more by Arthur's words.

”She's lucky we are not allowed to kill other participants on this floor.”

The parasite shrugged his shoulders and patiently waited for her to recover, which didn't take long. Surprisingly, when she ate a few fresh fruits, her recovery accelerated and her body returned to its peak state.

Around ten minutes later, the two were on the road again, choosing the direction the Bee escaped to. Arthur knew that trying to use speed to catch the insect won't be easy so he came up with a better plan, one that is guaranteed to work. In fact, he doesn't even need Celes' help but had to keep her close.

The confusing thing is the rule he heard when he entered this floor. It clearly stated that a pair cannot be far from each other yet when he chased after the Bee, Celes was left behind and the distance was much greater than the one mentioned in by the tower.

So why were they not disqualified?

'Maybe the rule only applies when they're in possession of the target?'

The pair walked at a moderate pace, soon arriving at the foot of a medium-sized mountain covered by large pine trees. The place was filled with monsters and non-dangerous animals such as deers, it was quite a strange area to exist in the Red Tower.

The monsters weren't dangerous to God Monarchs, much less Overgods, moreover, it seemed that they weren't alone in there. Arthur and Celes sensed two more pairs wandering around the mountain, searching for something.