Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 514 - 149. Bonds

Chapter 514: 149. Bonds

Baizhu Star, underground lair.

Three months of sweeping had already cleaned out the monsters here completely. With 25 players, each at the Alpha Stage, dealing with these low ecological niche weak creatures became effortless.

The team leaders of several large guilds stayed behind to consider how to transform the Goblin Lair.

The system prompted that this place could be transformed into an instance by finding the lord, but that would reduce the livability of the Newbie Village. Considering the Newbie Village’s rural farm, which couldn’t even be called a humble abode, the few decided it was necessary to think carefully before making a decision.

"This has nothing to do with us, let’s go." Cumin Powder swaggered as he grabbed Caramel Snail and started heading back.

Caramel Snail’s head was pulled directly into the other party’s embrace, and the soft, warm touch coupled with the scent generated after intense exercise made him momentarily forget that this was a game:

"...You are a girl after all, you can’t always do this, right? At least be a bit mindful."

"Ah, little Niuniu, why do you sound like a woman." Cumin Powder pouted. "It’s just a hug, be careful not to be mistaken for a lonely homebody without a girlfriend."

"But I really am one... I don’t have a girlfriend and spend my days at home playing games." Caramel Snail muttered.

"Ah, didn’t mean to hit a nerve, sorry, sorry." Cumin Powder patted the latter’s shoulder.

"You two have a good relationship," Garidon teased while putting away the picnic tools. "If it really doesn’t work out, I think you two make a fine pair. What’s it called again? Herbivore guy paired with a carnivore girl?"

"Huh? That’s so outdated, no one talks about that anymore." Cumin Powder pouted. "Besides, our little Niuniu is now among the top players—why don’t you start a stream? There’s sure to be some girls who like your type. Then just find a fan to end your single life, problem solved."

"Spare me..." Caramel Snail sighed. "With my extreme social anxiety, interacting with so many people in a livestream would kill me."

"Why? You get to earn money and date girls, isn’t that enough?" Cumin Powder shrugged.

"In real life, I don’t have many friends. For almost twenty years, there haven’t even been three girls I can talk to."

Caramel Snail mumbled:

"It’s only with you that I feel more at ease."

"Oh?" Cumin Powder crossed his arms, dissatisfied. "So you’re saying you see me as a pure guy?"

"No, not at all." Caramel Snail casually said, "You’re different from other girls, or rather—Miss Cumin Powder, you’re quite special."

"I’m special?"

"You’re straightforward, don’t hide anything in your heart, have distinct loves and hates, no one could dislike a girl like that."

"...And what about you?"

"I feel the same."

Cumin Powder’s eyes flickered as she turned her head to the side, resting her hands behind her head, pretending to be casual:

"...It’s not like I say everything straight out."

"Huh?" Caramel Snail was confused.

"Some people are really dense, but I won’t say who." Garidon munched on his fries, retreating a few steps to distance himself from the center of single-dog discomfort.

—What is this all about?

Caramel Snail scratched his head.

On one side was a suddenly acting mysterious girl friend.

On the other side was a cook looking at him with a disappointed gaze.

What exactly is going on? What happened?

Fortunately, his confusion didn’t last long. Caramel Snail’s gaze wandered ahead: A gray-white-haired woman carrying a basket was slowly walking out of the forest, the camp’s guide NPC, the ’Weaving Maiden,’ Yawen.

"Hmm, it’s time to settle the previous tasks."

Without thinking, Caramel Snail walked directly towards Yawen.

"Hey, I was just getting into it!" Garidon howled in distress, stomping his foot. "Caramel Snail! I hate that you’re such a blockhead!"

"Hehe." Cumin Powder chuckled softly, shrugged it off without saying anything, and followed.

She stepped forward just in time to see Caramel Snail taking out some collected materials from his backpack:

"Hello, Yawen. I want to submit a task—"

"I’m not in the mood."

Before he could finish, Yawen coldly interrupted him:

"Just leave it in my house."

"Tsk..."

Caramel Snail’s eye twitched. Cumin Powder approached, taking out a small pouch, and handed it to Yawen:

"Weaving Maiden~ I want to submit a task too."

Caramel Snail quickly whispered to Cumin Powder: "It’s useless, this NPC is not in the mood now—"

"Certainly."

Yawen looked up with a gentle smile:

"These flowers are exactly the dyes I need, and you’ve even wrapped them up. Well done."

"Ah? No, the pouch was given to me by you..."

"Is that so? Then thank you for returning it." Yawen said, pulling a purse from her chest, taking out several large-denomination Dinas, and placing them in Cumin Powder’s hand. "This is the reward; come find me anytime if you need more."

Cumin Powder turned around, looking at Caramel Snail peculiarly:

"Little Niuniu, what to do? My favorability with Yawen has reached 520 (Respect)..."

Caramel Snail couldn’t hold back anymore. He looked at Yawen, but due to his social anxiety, he chose to silently activate Camouflage Mode, summoning the personality of ’Saga Qi.’

"Hoo..."

After a brief preparation, he said sternly, "Miss Yawen, what you’re doing is really a bit much."

"Is it?" Yawen didn’t even bother to look at Caramel Snail, still focusing on Cumin Powder.

"Isn’t it obvious? We’re both here to submit tasks; why do you only accept hers but not mine? We’re both from Azure Star, right? Do we have to face discrimination on an alien planet too?"

Yawen did not respond to Caramel Snail’s question at all.

"Why is Miss Yawen so kind to me?" Cumin Powder also asked curiously.

"Ah, you might not believe this." Yawen blushed slightly. She looked at Cumin Powder’s face and softly said, "I once had a sister named Desca. You look a lot like her... the moment I saw you, I thought: If Sijia were to grow up, she would’ve looked just like you."

After speaking, she fell silent for a moment, then shook her head apologetically:

"Sorry, that must sound strange, doesn’t it? Please don’t mind. Your name is..."

"Asakusa Kid," said Cumin Powder. "You can call me Cumin Powder."

"Cumin Powder..." Yawen was dumbfounded. "You Descenders really like to eat."

[Favorability Increased]

Being so high in favorability, it might unlock a task.

"Oh right, speaking of which, we found an abandoned laboratory in the Goblin Cave earlier." Cumin Powder remembered something and privately messaged Caramel Snail to bring out their previous findings.

"Laboratory?" Yawen looked puzzled.

"Inside, we found this." Caramel Snail handed over the "Dragon Demise Weapon Design Manuscript."

Yawen had just taken it when Cumin Powder said:

"The owner of the laboratory was a "Doctor" from the "Secret Society." This manuscript seems to be a tool he used against some kind of enemy."

"—Secret?!"

Yawen stood frozen as if struck by lightning, her pupils contracting violently.

How could it be a secret...

The words of the "Adventurous Saintess" Vellia echoed in her ears:

"This planet already has citizens from the "Society" infiltrating. The narrative-level civilizations are constantly watching. Sooner or later, you’ll be discovered."

"Once Gaia’s people discover, they will merge your Will into the Ether. In such an environment, you won’t be able to resist and will immediately succumb to the "Society."

No.

After hiding for so long, finally, finally staying here with Mr. Leoz. After being comfortable for so long, and not even truly walking together yet... would they be found?

Could she not escape the clutches of the Secret Society?

"No..."

Yawen whispered.

"We suspect that this "Doctor" betrayed the "Secret Society." In his research, there’s a little girl named Dialan, who seems to be a weapon specifically created to fight the "Secret Society"..."

"Weapon?"

Yawen looked up, her spider-webbed eyes meeting the two, her voice tinged with excitement:

"You mean there’s a weapon specifically designed to fight the Secret?"

The two exchanged glances.

"Uh, it seems so?"

"Weaving Maiden, you could take a look at the contents of the manuscript..."

Yawen’s heart was in turmoil as she flipped through the manuscript in her hands. The more she read, the more excited she became, her heart pounding.

"Hehe, hehe..."

The wind lifted her hood, and for the first time, the two players saw the true appearance of the Weaving Maiden:

Her mouth cracked open, additional six eyes emerged on her forehead, corrosive fluid oozed between her teeth, and her skin showed a fragmented pattern like a water ripple.

"Mr. Leoz..."

Yawen clutched the manuscript tightly, her eyes filled with madness, her voice echoing like a hollow whisper:

"I see hope."

.........

The manuscript pages fluttered in the wind, sunlight highlighting the words:

"...Although it cannot be considered a 100% success, the current strength of Dialan allows for the full absorption of 70% of the target’s Ether Blood. For the citizens of the "Secret Society," being absorbed by Dialan twice would lead to complete regression to mortals."

"I once believed this to be a great victory, but the situation is not optimistic. Many experimental subjects exhibited transparency and complete disappearance shortly after losing Ether Blood."

"At that moment, I realized that once you step into society, everything personal has already disappeared. Yet, I still choose to believe in Dialan. After all, she is only 14 years old."

"In time, she will become the Savior of the Starry Abyss, an entity like Mr. Leoz, Dialan (Falysian language: Executer)."