"I think we should go. If what those soldiers said earlier is true, the burn unit is probably already on the way. We need to cross the border and get out of here before they arrive. Also, the noise we just made might draw people here early, so I think we should set things up."
Abel broke the silence.
Law nodded slightly in agreement.
The two immediately got to work.
First, they used nearby corpses to cover the bodies of the two dead soldiers as best they could. Then they retrieved the hidden jewels from the soldiers' bodies and scattered them around.
All of this was meant to confuse whoever came to investigate and buy time.
After all, those expensive jewels were far too eye-catching—just carrying them was asking for trouble.
Think about it: two ragged children, with no identification, survivors from the White City, trying to exchange jewels for money—what do you think would happen to them?
So, for safety's sake, they simply threw them all away.
Not long after they left, a group of soldiers arrived to investigate.
The body of the soldier Law had shot in the head was quickly discovered, but so were the expensive jewels scattered all around.
Everyone immediately became restless.
They quickly connected the dots—this guy had hardly turned in any loot, had even made an excuse to slip away not long ago…
Anyone with half a brain could imagine a scene of uneven loot distribution or a betrayal ending in mutual destruction.
It wasn't that no one considered other possibilities, but no one wanted to be the first to bring it up.
On one side was endless trouble; on the other, everyone quietly getting rich together.
Which would you choose?
So, in tacit agreement, the soldiers pretended not to see the body and rushed to snatch up as many jewels as they could.
Then the burn unit arrived, setting a massive fire that reduced everything to ashes.
Everyone was satisfied with the outcome.
By the time thick black smoke was rising into the sky, Abel and Law had already crossed the border into the neighboring country of Sodalancia.
They had finally escaped that hell.
The two gazed at the distant flames, their eyes flickering with emotions that betrayed their unrest.
After a long silence, Abel finally spoke. "Law, what are you thinking about?"
"I want to survive… and then turn this hopeless world upside down."
"You're a scary one. But I have to admit, it sounds interesting."
"So, want to join me?"
"Count me in for now. After all, you still owe me a life, and I intend to collect the interest first."
Hearing Abel's answer, Law forced a strained smile. "Better hurry then. I only have three years left to live."
Abel frowned, remembering he himself only had five years left. He couldn't help but ask, "Is Amber Lead Syndrome… really incurable?"
Law shook his head. "I don't know. Even my father couldn't do anything about it. Most likely… we just wait for death."
"Wait for death? No. I refuse. If I can walk out of that 'hell' alive, then my fate will be in my own hands! I'm not only going to live—I'll live longer and more brilliantly than anyone!"
Abel's words struck a chord in Law, who had already resigned himself to despair.
Though deep down he doubted Abel could pull it off, he didn't have the heart to crush that hope.
"Maybe… there really will be a miracle."
"I promise you—there will be a miracle! Law, don't give up so easily. If we're the only two who survived, then there must be a reason we're still alive!"
"…Alright. I'll look forward to that day."
Law nodded, faintly smiling as Abel's fierce confidence seemed to rub off on him.
For the first time, he felt certain—his future might not be lonely after all.
A basic foundation of trust was rebuilt between them.
For Abel Gustavus, this marked his first real step in this world… and also the beginning of a new life.
---
In a town in Sodalancia, Abel was hiding at the far end of a dark, damp alley.
Law had volunteered to gather information and bring back food.
Although they had escaped Flevance, that didn't mean they were safe.
On the contrary—being counted among the 'culprits' who destroyed Flevance meant that if soldiers in Sodalancia found them, they would be executed immediately.
They needed to find a way to leave the island and reach somewhere safer.
But before that, Abel had something important to do—purchase the Talent Mutation Ray and awaken his talent.
With time running out, he didn't go with Law but instead found this deserted place to act.
[Talent Mutation Ray] (Purple)
Description: A blessing for the talentless—the strongest 'little pill' for ordinary people!
Effect: Deeply excavates the user's potential and mutates it into a personal talent. (Activates immediately after purchase; unusable by those who already have a talent)
Price: 2000 transaction points (crossed out)
Limited-Time Monthly Discount: 100 transaction points!
Quantity: 1
Time remaining: 5 hours 12 minutes
…
"No one wants to be an NPC! System, buy this shit!"
Abel didn't hesitate. As soon as he bought it, his body was engulfed in a dazzling yet dangerous seven-colored light.
Under its strange glow, his expression twisted in pain.
His entire body felt as if it were burning and itching at the same time, his head ready to explode.
He had no idea how much time had passed when the strange light finally faded. His clothes were soaked with sweat.
But it seemed worth it.
[Acquired Blue Talent: Wightheart (Growth Potential)]
[Description: Mutated from Amber Lead Syndrome. Normally, all toxins are concentrated in the heart. When activated, the toxins spread rapidly through the bloodstream, transforming the body into a wight!]
[Author Note: Wight is some type of undead]
[In Wight form: Defense, speed, and strength increase by 50%. Pain sensation reduced by 50%.]
[Side Effect: Under the accelerated toxin outbreak, lifespan decreases at a rate of 5 days per minute.]
[Growth Potential: Inject three new lethal toxins into the heart until fully fused and absorbed. Fusion progress: 0/3]
---
Under Abel's gaze, the white patches on his arm suddenly vanished completely.
It really did seem as if all the toxins had retreated into his heart.
But he couldn't feel happy about it.
He never imagined that the new talent he gained would actually come from the very Amber Lead he wanted most to get rid of—and it didn't even look that impressive.