The final impression at the time of parting is crucial. đžđđxt.đđđȘ
The synchronicity between Viviana and Tyler just now was actually a coincidence created by Tyler using mind-reading.
âWhere will you go next?â
âI⊠I need to go to Gudetown first.â
Viviana remembered her agreement with Albert and feared she wouldnât make it if she didnât hurry back.
â (Elders⊠please donât return earlyâŠ)
âBanning, what about you?â
Although Viviana knew she had little time, she was also concerned about Banningâs journey.
If they parted ways here, they wouldnât know when they could meet again⊠Viviana thought.
Tyler didnât 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.
âI need to go to Sunnytown. After defeating the demon earlier, I feel like thereâs an energy inside me thatâs full. Iâm not sure if itâs the influence of the combat occupation, so I want to ask about it in Sunnytown,â Tyler said.
âFullâŠ?âŠCombat occupation?â
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.
â (Youâre truly no ordinary youth.)
Now Viviana understood a bit. Banningâs composure in the cave was no accident. If time allowed, she would love to learn everything about Banning.
âIndeed, defeating such a formidable demon would naturally lead to significant growth⊠I believe you must be approaching the bottleneck for a combat occupation advancement,â Viviana said, her extensive knowledge shining through.
Upon hearing this, Tylerâs eyes lit up.
âCombat occupation advancement?â
âYes, combat occupations require the completion of corresponding âtrialsâ 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 âclass changeâ⊠If youâre not in a hurry, I suggest you head to Emerald City for a profession and level appraisal,â Viviana explained in detail.
Tyler wanted to ask more about the âtrialsâ and âclass changeâ, but seeing Vivianaâs eagerness to rush to Gudetown, he decided not to press further.
âThank you, Viviana. Youâre truly impressive.â
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.
âTake this with you. If thereâs a Quest Guild in Sunnytown, show them this badge, and theyâll help you,â Viviana said, handing Tyler a pure gold badge engraved with the emblem of her family. It was weighty and clearly valuable.
ââŠOr, you could⊠come to Flamestride City to find me⊠if you wish,â Viviana muttered quietly, unfortunately unheard by Banning.
âI will always remember your kindness, Viviana, and I will repay you someday.â
ââŠAlright.â
There was much left to say, but time waits for no one.
âI must go nowâŠâ
âStay safe.â
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 cliffâs top. Glancing back, she saw Banning still watching her, and her lips curved into an involuntary smile.
âRemember, never attempt the F·I·F·T·H level of difficulty in the trials, no matter what!â Viviana shouted to Banning.
âAlright! You should go now!â Tyler shouted back, waving goodbye.
It was a gentlemanâs 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 Avrilâs side, relieved to find she had merely fainted.
âââââââââ
Avril
Life Energy: 16/30
Endurance: 0/23
Magic Energy: 80/80
âââââââââ
(Did she faint due to exhaustion�)
Tyler glanced at Avrilâs 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 bloodâAvrilâs blood.
Avril had painstakingly removed each rock blocking the crevice until she was utterly exhausted and had collapsed at the edge.
Imagining this scene, Tylerâs face turned pale.
He carefully examined Avrilâs 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⊠Iâm not worth itâŠ)
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 Banningâs face, she couldnât tell if she was dreaming or awake.
But it didnât matter if it was a dream or reality. As long as she could see Banning again, she was content.
ââ (Oh, benevolent godsâŠ)
ââ (If this is reality, Iâm willing to trade my life for Banningâs survival.)
ââ (If this is a dream, please let me never wake up. )
ââ (Itâs my only request in this lifetime⊠Please grant my wish.)
Unrestrained tears slid down Avrilâs cheeks.
.
At the same moment, atop the Sandrift Gorgeâs cliff, the level 67 Mercenary Sage Granny Kasi gazed solemnly at the bottom of the gorge.
âI can no longer sense Swarerockâs presence⊠Could he be dead?â she muttered to herself. âJust in case, Iâll make a record.â
âGudetown cavalry⊠annihilatedâŠâ she noted.
âSurvivors include⊠the young hunter from Ira village⊠the orchard girl⊠Hm? And the young lady of the Scarlet Family?â Granny Kasiâs eyes widened in surprise.
ââ (Swallelock, you couldnât have been killed by Scarlet Familyâs young lady, could you?)
The unexpected discovery intensified Granny Kasiâs suspicion that Swarerock was indeed dead.
To account for her findings when reporting to the âEarthly Ghost,â she quickly noted the names of the few survivors from the gorge incident.
âSandrift Gorge survivors: Viviana of the Scarlet family, Banning from Ira village, and Avril, also from Ira village.â
.
End of the Volume /Shadow of the Sandrift Gorge/
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