Souls Online: Mythic Ascension
Chapter 282: Rachel’s Diplomacy

Chapter 282: Rachel’s Diplomacy

Greg was the first to speak.

"I think what I’m about to say sums up what we’re all probably thinking: that’s fucked up."

Rachel merely shrugged.

"Comes with the territory of being the princess of a secret shadow organization that specializes in intelligence, medicine, and assassination~!"

Adam rolled his eyes at her response while Greg and Penny both looked stunned. Aria’s expression was a little vacant, as if she were starting to question the fabric of reality.

Greg shook his head, struggling to hold onto his own sense of normal.

"So let me get this straight. Our group consists of a guy who was terminally ill less than a week ago?"

"That’s right," Leo confirmed with a nod.

"A girl who now has a literal demon in her soul."

Luna scowled but didn’t argue.

"A rich kid who wants to kill all his siblings like we’re in some medieval power struggle."

Adam looked up at him, clearly annoyed.

"What the fuck, man?"

Penny nodded. "He’s technically right, you know."

Adam shot her a sideways glare, clearly unimpressed by the support, while Greg pressed on.

"And now we’ve got a supposed princess of a secret organization in the mix?"

Rachel pouted. "Not supposed. I am one!"

Greg held up a finger like he was passing judgment. "You cut out a woman’s tongue! You don’t get to talk!"

Rachel gave Leo an aggrieved glare. This was all his fault.

Leo chuckled awkwardly and looked away.

"Anyone else got some wild backstory I should know about? I’d really like to not lose my shit the next time something like this comes up!"

"Aria is Ari Eversong."

Greg blinked. "Of course a famous singer is with us too. I feel like I’m the most normal guy here!"

Rachel wagged a finger at him.

"Nuh-uh. Normal is relative, and by that definition, you’re the craziest one here~!"

A sudden crack tore through the air.

A jagged line of blue light split the space near the edge of the graveyard, humming with unstable energy. The ground trembled as the line widened, tearing reality apart like paper. A swirling portal blinked into existence, its surface rippling like disturbed water. On the other side was the stone path just outside the dungeon’s entrance.

Silence followed.

Then came the collective intake of breath.

"No fucking way," Penny whispered, eyes wide.

"That leads out, right?" Aria asked. Her voice was small, almost fragile.

"It has to," Leo muttered. His fingers twitched, like he didn’t trust what he was seeing. "That’s the path. That’s the one we took coming in."

Everyone took a step forward.

Even Adam, who had remained rooted during most of the chaos, stared at the portal like it was salvation.

"Let’s get the hell out of here," Greg said, voice tight.

"Yes, please," Luna added, her expression pale. She didn’t even look back at the pile of sludge that had once been the Demon of Companionship.

Rachel didn’t speak for once. She just walked, not skipping, not spinning, just walking with purpose. She didn’t want to be here another second.

Leo held up a hand as they reached the portal.

"Wait. We should hand in the quest first. If we log out before we do, we might lose all progress. Or the system might bug out again."

Everyone stopped.

He wasn’t wrong. They’d seen what this place could do. They didn’t want to tempt fate.

"Where do we turn it in?" Adam asked.

Leo thought about it for a second before letting out a small sigh.

"We’ll have to make our way to the Elven village again."

An involuntary groan escaped Penny’s mouth.

"Really? That place is like an hour away from us!"

Greg rolled his eyes and jokingly remarked "So what? Do you want me to carry you there?"

Penny’s eyes gleamed as she immediately shouted "I would love that!"

Greg’s mouth opened but he was at a loss for words. He hadn’t expected her to take his joke literally.

Looking to Adam for assistance, the latter turned his head away, clearly indicating his stance on the matter: I’m not getting involved.

"Alright. Enough banter guys. Let’s go."

Leo was the first to step through the portal. It gave him the feeling he was falling but after a moment that feeling receded and his feet touched down on the stone path.

However to his surprise, when he looked up, he was actually surrounded. Surrounded by elves.

Each one of them had weapons drawn and looked incredibly nervous as Leo looked at them. His gaze wandered from the elves to the portal behind him and then it clicked.

"We cleared the Dungeon, the Demons are dead."

Leo declared, raising his hands trying to be amicable as his teammates began to appear behind him one by one.

When Penny saw what was going on, she wanted to say something but stayed silent when Adam placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

Trust him.

"How do we know you speak the truth and haven’t become the thralls of those Demons?!"

One elf shouted nervously, beads of sweat trickled down his cheek as he held his bowstring pulled tight. Ready to release an arrow at any second.

Rachel chose that time to chime in with a small joking answer.

"Cause we’re still pretty?"

Silence.

Tension crackled in the air. Bowstrings creaked. Several of the elves looked one twitch away from firing.

Leo stepped forward quickly, voice firm.

"Nyx, maybe don’t—"

"Talk. Right. Got it," she cut in with a nod. "Not talking."

Another moment passed. The air still felt tight.

Then, slowly, the elves began to lower their weapons. One by one. Some exchanged uncertain glances, but the immediate danger passed. No one moved to attack.

Lily blinked in shock. "Wait. That actually worked?"

Rachel smiled without a hint of shame. "Of course it did. I’m adorable."

Greg turned to the side and covered his mouth with one hand, his shoulders shaking. He tried to suppress the laugh clawing its way out but failed spectacularly. A snort escaped before he gave up and chuckled under his breath.

Leo pinched the bridge of his nose but looked more relieved than annoyed.

"We’re not here to cause trouble," he said, addressing the elf in charge. "We just want to turn in the quest your Princess gave us and leave."

The elven leader eyed them all for a long second before nodding.

"You will be escorted to the village. Until the rites are complete, you will remain under watch. Do not stray."

"No problem," Leo replied.

Rachel leaned toward Greg as they started walking, voice low and smug.

"Told you. My charm’s a cheat code."

Greg let out another small laugh. "You’re insane."