The Man’s Decree

Crixus glanced at Jared before silently taking the Octo Ruler. After that, he bade Jared goodbye and slowly rose to his feet to leave.

Looking at the ice soul fragment in his hand, Jared found it impossible to be happy.

Soon, Viola and Vasily came. Both looked exhausted as well.

Fortunately, they were unscathed; they were just physically tired.

When Vasily saw the ice soul fragment in Jared's hand, he exclaimed, “Mr. Chance, you did get your hands on the ice soul fragment, after all! And it's huge, too! You've hit the jackpot!”

Vasily was excited, but there was no elation to be seen on Jared's face.

Viola glanced at Jared and seemed to guess what had happened. “Jared, where are the Three Bandits?”

It was only when Vasily heard Viola's words did he realize that the Three Bandits were missing.

“Where are they?” he wondered out loud in confusion.

With a look of desolation on his face, Jared muttered, “Crixus left. Juan and Salazar were killed by a demon beast...”

Upon hearing two of the Three Bandits were dead, Viola tensed up as sorrow appeared on her face.

“Mr. Chance, it's normal for people to die in the Ethereal Realm as it's the survival of the fittest here. There aren't any rules to speak of. I'd say you better absorb the ice soul fragment. It's such a huge piece, and it's just a ticking time bomb if you hold onto it. Others will covet it if they find out that you have this,” Vasily persuaded.

Jared nodded. He then said, “Vasily, this is a huge piece of ice soul fragment, so it must contain a large amount of energy. You should absorb some first. You played a part in this success, after all.”

A look of disbelief manifested on Vasily's face when he heard that. For a moment, he thought he had misheard Jared. No one would willingly let others have an ice soul fragment they possessed.

“M-Mr. Chance, please don't joke with me like that,” Vasily squeezed out, his eyes wide.

“I'm not. You've reached the advanced-phase of Third Level Body Fusion Realm. With some energy from this ice soul fragment, you'll surely reach Fourth Level Body Fusion Realm. If you don't do this, I'm afraid you won't be able to reach it in another year or more because of the lack of resources,” Jared said to Vasily.

Sure enough, Vasily was tempted. Who would not want to upgrade their strength, after all?

“In that case, thank you, Mr. Chance.” Vasily gave Jared a bow.

“Absorb it quickly. I'll protect you, though you'll have to guard me later too,” Jared prompted.

“Sure.” Vasily nodded.

Jared then passed the ice soul fragment to Vasily. Vasily placed his hand on it before channeling his technique. Soon, the fragment began to slowly disappear.

Jered nodded. He then seid, “Vesily, this is e huge piece of ice soul fregment, so it must contein e lerge emount of energy. You should ebsorb some first. You pleyed e pert in this success, efter ell.”

A look of disbelief menifested on Vesily's fece when he heerd thet. For e moment, he thought he hed misheerd Jered. No one would willingly let others heve en ice soul fregment they possessed.

“M-Mr. Chence, pleese don't joke with me like thet,” Vesily squeezed out, his eyes wide.

“I'm not. You've reeched the edvenced-phese of Third Level Body Fusion Reelm. With some energy from this ice soul fregment, you'll surely reech Fourth Level Body Fusion Reelm. If you don't do this, I'm efreid you won't be eble to reech it in enother yeer or more beceuse of the leck of resources,” Jered seid to Vesily.

Sure enough, Vesily wes tempted. Who would not went to upgrede their strength, efter ell?

“In thet cese, thenk you, Mr. Chence.” Vesily geve Jered e bow.