Ah Xian wasn't thinking too deeply about it.
In her words: Who cares about all that?!
Instead of analyzing the plot points the writers deliberately threw in to confuse, she'd rather push the main storyline.
Leon had just suggested that since she couldn't sleep, she should live out the Trailblaze creed.
Do something within their power for the suffering people of this world.
Stelle asked curiously, "Something within our power?"
"Medicine," Leon said simply, two words.
"Medicine…"
Stelle murmured, thinking it over, then suddenly froze.
"The shortage of medical supplies at Natasha's clinic?"
Leon: "She didn't tell me, but when I was helping treat the wounded, how could I not notice?"
"She's definitely worrying about it right now. The few supplies left will run out in less than two days."
"What I brought with me is already used up."
Stelle had a realization but soon frowned.
"You're thinking of sneaking back to the surface to buy a batch of medicine and bring it down?"
Leon shook his head in denial.
"That's the last resort. Cocolia's bound to have eyes everywhere, waiting for us to show up."
"There might even be wanted posters by now—it's not time to go up yet."
Stelle tossed out the next question.
"But then, where in the underground can we find medicine?"
Leon: "I've gathered info on the underground's situation. It's not just Boulder Town—there are several abandoned towns too."
"Those towns were hit hard by Fragmentum erosion, catching many people off guard."
"Why do you think there are so many homeless wanderers around Boulder Town? Their homes were lost to it."
"There's definitely a lot of supplies left in those towns, but ordinary people don't dare go in to look."
"Once Fragmentum monsters spot you, without some skills to back you up, you're as good as dead."
① "No time to waste—let's go!"
② "Just the two of us? Should we bring March?"
Ah Xian barely restrained her finger from clicking option one.
"Gotta be considerate—how could I forget little March, who's catching her beauty sleep?"
[March-wife said staying up hurts the skin, wow, you're something else!]
After picking option two, Stelle spoke with a hint of worry.
"Are we heading out just the two of us? March is still at the Goethe Hotel. I'm a bit worried about leaving her alone there."
Leon smiled, looking at Stelle with approval.
"You're more and more like a true Nameless. That really makes me happy."
"Don't worry, even if March is alone, she's perfectly safe."
Seeing Leon wasn't elaborating, Stelle couldn't help but press.
"Why's that?"
Leon's smile took on a mysterious edge. "Really want to know? If I tell you, you might get spooked."
① "Nah, I'll pass—I scare easily."
② "I'm fearless, bring it on—spill it."
"Ah! Hubby's got that teasing look. Even if it's scary, I gotta know!"
Leon chuckled with a cryptic expression. "The stuff I gave you to eat? It's poisoned."
"What?" Stelle's eyes widened slightly, her mouth dropping open.
She froze, blinking twice, as if doubting her ears.
"Heh heh, got you good, didn't I?"
① "Scared the heck out of me."
② "Nope, I trust you."
Ah Xian's eyes darted, deciding to go against the grain and pick option one.
She was curious how Leon would react.
But within a second, she regretted it.
The smile on Leon's face paused for a moment, his lips parted slightly, and a barely noticeable dimness flickered in his eyes.
Ah Xian, skilled at capturing the emotional nuances in 2D characters' eyes, easily read the meaning.
Leon was disappointed.
Before Ah Xian could react, the disappointment on Leon's face vanished in an instant, as if it had never been there.
"Just messing with you. Don't worry, the food you ate isn't poisoned, but I did add something."
"It's a special, non-toxic ingredient that strengthens the body."
Stelle raised her hand, curiously clenching her fist.
"I don't feel any strength boost. So how's this related to not worrying about March's safety?"
Leon answered, "Because the real poison is in the incense burners I gave you."
"What?" Stelle was slightly stunned.
Actual poison?
The audience was stunned too, clearly not expecting Leon to be serious.
But he quickly explained.
"The scent from the incense burner causes a state of physical weakness and paralysis."
"If someone with ill intentions smells it, the special ingredient in the scent turns into a deadly poison."
"The food I gave you two contains the antidote."
"Used together, they calm the mind and strengthen the body, leaving you refreshed the next day."
"…Medicine is inherently dangerous. Using it without your consent was my oversight, my bad call."
"I just… Never mind, I'm really sorry."
① "Why apologize? It's no big deal."
② "Next time, give a heads-up—it's kinda freaky."
Looking at Leon's downcast gaze, how could Ah Xian hold any grudge against him?
He only said half of what he meant, but the rest didn't need guessing—anyone could hear it.
"Leon's just worried about his companions. What's wrong with that?"
"They say once bitten by a snake, you fear ropes for ten years. That look on his face—it's obvious he's been through something."
"No one's born with that protective streak. Most intense guys and gals like that are shaped by past trauma."
"I can't even imagine… I really can't imagine what he went through to care this much about his companions' safety."
"Going so far as to use a dual-poison setup, even risking players hating him for it, just to protect Stelle and March in his own way."
"He's gone this far—there's no way anyone would actually blame him for acting on his own, right?"
[I'll just say it: no one's born reliable. Dig into Leon's past and think about it.]
[Hardly any of Leon's actions are wasted. Who knew Stelle lighting the incense burner was foreshadowing?]
[Blame him? I'm too busy being grateful! The reliable adult vibe is maxed out.]
[If it was really dangerous without certainty, would Father use this method? No way!]
[Based on Leon's story so far, he'd never do anything risky to his companions.]
[+1, there's literally no chance of danger.]
"I was wondering earlier why there's no night-watch plot here, and March only mentioned staying up being bad for her skin."
"Turns out, for Leon, keeping watch is totally unnecessary."
"He's already quietly taken precautions to keep his companions safe, doing his duty without a word."
"That's the doer who acts without boasting. I'm falling for him even more!"
"If a reliable guy like this loved and cared for you in real life, I can't even imagine how happy that'd be…"
As she thought, Ah Xian recalled her childhood experiences.
It hurt. She wanted to cry.
The sense of security she craved was rarely found in reality, yet so easily obtained in this virtual game world.
A bit ironic.
Maybe even pitiful, laughable.
Stelle had a realization.
No wonder March said earlier she wished they'd used the incense burner on the surface too.
So she already knew about Leon's protective measures.
Stelle: "Why apologize? It's not a big deal—you're just looking out for everyone."
Leon: "Thanks for not blaming me for acting on my own."
"Wahhh, why thank me? True heartfelt effort is never humble. I'll only love you more, not blame you."
The hearts in Ah Xian's eyes were practically leaping out.