Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!
Chapter 402 Unexpected Growth

Chapter 402: Chapter 402 Unexpected Growth

Suffering society’s heavy blows is one way to facilitate rapid growth.

But if society’s beatings are too harsh, they can backfire, leading to stagnation and self-isolation.

The mere thought of Iyas suddenly seeing the light and wanting to cut ties completely, acting alone from then on, gave Yang Yu an instant headache.

If Iyas really left, what was all his long-term planning for?

His ultimate nurturing project would all go down the drain.

Yet in such a situation, Yang Yu couldn’t possibly change his attitude abruptly, holding onto Iyas and asking her to stay.

If he changed his attitude too quickly, Iyas might sense something was amiss and see through his strategy.

Even if she didn’t see through it, she would surely consider herself special, develop an inflated ego, and become overbearing.

Yang Yu could already imagine Iyas, with a foolish grin on her face, muttering, "Hehe, indeed I am an indispensable presence in this team," and happily sticking close to him.

If that was the case, what would be the point of making her leave the team for reflection?

"Just letting go like this isn’t like you."

Yang Yu shook his head,

"If it were the old you, you’d wrack your brains, thinking how you could take me down.

Without the will to fight this battle and figure out a way to win, how can you talk about rescuing your imprisoned brother?

I’ll just say it straight, with your current strength, you won’t be able to save your brother."

Provocation might be an old trick, but it should work on someone with straightforward thinking like Iyas.

But who knew, Iyas wasn’t the same as before; she didn’t take the bait at all.

"I’m well aware that I can’t save my brother with my current abilities. That’s why I wanted to seek your help."

"If that’s the case, then come at me, show me your resolve."

Iyas shook her head, "I know that continuing to fight like this is pointless, which is why I decided to stop my attacks.

I’ve finally realized your true intentions; I want to have a proper talk with you again."

With so many hints dropped and such leniency shown, have you finally noticed?

What follows will finally bring this plan to a perfect close, as long as Iyas rejoins and obediently follows the arrangement, we can assemble the Warrior, Mage, Priest and begin a grand massacre.

Yang Yu suddenly smiled with some relief, as if seeing a daughter he had raised finally understand the hardships of an old father.

"Your next words are, ’Up to...’"

"I was never really a comrade of yours from the beginning, right?"

Just as Yang Yu was about to say "Your next words are, ’What exactly will it take for you to admit defeat to me?’" Iyas spoke with a determined gaze.

Hmm...

Huh?

Hmmm!!!!

Damn, how did this not match my prediction?

Fortunately, Iyas spoke quickly, allowing Yang Yu to cleverly change his words in the moment,

"Your next words are, ’Up till today, you haven’t treated me like a member of your team, right?’"

Faced with an unexpected turn of events, Yang Yu nervously wiped the embarrassment off his face and put on a nonchalant smile.

He watched every move Iyas made while rapidly spinning the gears in his mind, thinking of the possible directions the situation could take, and searching for corresponding countermeasures.

But soon, Yang Yu stopped thinking because he saw Iyas show a profoundly relieved smile.

"Indeed, everything is within your expectations. Had I not realized this, I might have parted ways with you forever, unable to save Hake, and lived with regret."

"If you want to stay, you know what to do next, don’t you?" Although it was a probe, Yang Yu spoke as if he had planned it all along.

"Of course."

Iyas nodded and moved to the center of the circle, kneeling on both knees, taking up a kneeling posture,

"Mr. Yang Yu, I shouldn’t have interfered too much in your rescue process, and there’s nothing wrong with your rejecting my request halfway.

But I would like to entrust you again. I believe in your strength, so please, you must save my brother.

I have nothing to offer as a reward.

All I have to give you is myself.

I offer myself to you as a reward; I hope you won’t disdain me."

Seeing Iyas kneel, Yang Yu realized what she truly meant.

Originally, Yang Yu thought that given Iyas’s character, she would never choose such a way to return, so he completely dismissed it as a possibility.

Yet surprisingly, Iyas made the least likely choice.

To be honest, this was the offer Yang Yu could least refuse but also the one he most disliked.

Determined to serve a purpose, begging on her knees to hand over the task, Yang Yu would accept such missions in any game and complete them at all costs, in the shortest time possible.

However, in this world, Yang Yu despised Iyas making such a choice.

Why choose this way that most negates their relationship when there are better methods available?

But he couldn’t blame Iyas.

The choices a person makes at any moment are based on what they can think of at the time.

Hindsight experts are common because once a person calms down, they can think of more options, and putting themselves back into the scenario repeatedly allows them to come up with better alternatives.

Before he became a game host, Yang Yu also had an experience working for others.

One day, he wanted to quit and go home, but he was persuaded to stay for another half-month by the HR department.

During that half-month, Yang Yu often thought that it would have been better if he had said this or that, so he wouldn’t have to work there another half-month.

But when Yang Yu finally came up with a retort, the HR department switched their argument, and without a swift comeback in mind, he ended up working another half-month.

Looking back, it’s a miracle that he changed from that timid and disadvantageous personality to his current one.

Since even he couldn’t always make the best choice, it was unreasonable to demand the same from Iyas.

The solution she had now must have been the result of intense thought.

Having the courage to make such a sacrifice, Iyas truly had grown a lot.

It’s precisely because people can grow that their thoughts and actions are so unpredictable, making the world so fascinating and diverse.

"There are better methods available, yet you still chose this one."

Yang Yu shook his head, a gentle smile emerging on his lips,

"But since you have this resolve, I don’t want to reject you.

However, this doesn’t mean I can fully accept everything about you.

Listen carefully, Iyas, what follows are my demands.

If you can agree to all of them, I will accept your commission."