"The question on everyone's mind is how this collaboration came to be, especially considering that Patricia is said to despise Ethan.
During his quest for strength in the migration tower, Ethan unexpectedly encountered Patricia and her group in a dire situation. They were facing an unbeatable beast, and, long story short, he saved them.
"Why did you save us? I thought you preferred working alone," Patricia asked, still harboring resentment over the death of her friend.
"Hmm... it wasn't my intention at first, but I need someone to do something for me," Ethan replied as he greedily collected runes, having no intention of sharing with them.
"And you think I would do that?" Patricia glared at Ethan, who seemed unfazed by her anger. He shifted his gaze to the most cunning of the trio.
"What do I gain in exchange?" Lauren asked, clearly unhappy with the situation. All her plans had unraveled the moment they entered this realm, and from what the fairy mentioned, they would continue to move through realms until the break.
Ethan nodded. "Eventually, I can help you grow. I need someone who can take care of certain tasks, and that person should be strong enough to handle them," he explained.
"What are you talking about?" Lauren frowned at Ethan's statement. Patricia, despite her anger, was also intrigued. Elliot, on the side, remained quiet and obedient.
"I'll help you three, become stronger and guide you to places where you can acquire good weapons," Ethan offered, opening his palms in invitation. This was a chance to gain power, and while Lauren and the others felt a twinge of excitement, an uneasy feeling lingered—they were about to shake hands with a devil…
*
""Did you find his whereabouts?" Ethan asked, receiving a small sack from Patricia. He looked into the bag and nodded.
"We found him in the Cage caverns... Are you sure he is the person you're looking for?" Lauren inquired, noting that the man she was supposed to locate wasn't really a man but a woman.
"He is. The poor guy got entangled with a strange monster that can modify the hormones of its victims," Ethan explained. "Despite looking female, Darcelle is male at the core." He prepared to move toward his destination.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Patricia asked, frowning. Ethan turned toward her. "To meet with him... Do you still have something to say?" he inquired.
"I just wanted to inform you that she has been searching for you all this time. Why are you distancing yourself from her?" Patricia asked though she didn't care for Ethan's feelings. It was unbearable for her to see Katnese's expression filled with pain.
"For now, it's for her own good," Ethan replied. "And with the task I will be undertaking from now on, it's best if she doesn't walk alongside me."
Lauren, indifferent to others' feelings and primarily focused on her own survival, began twirling her hair as she glanced at Ethan's body. "He sure is shaped well—look at those muscles! His youthful features are gradually fading; I can barely recognize him," she thought.
"Hold up... Why are you topless?" Lauren asked, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks. Patricia gave her a confused look. "Did you just realize that?" she asked. Lauren coughed.
"This is inappropriate; you'd attract too much attention from the dealers. Especially looking like that; they all seem strong, and that would be troublesome," she said. Ethan nodded.
"What do you want me to do? I don't have any clothes," he said. However, Lauren's chains, as if possessing a will of their own, brought a body closer to him.
...
"How do I look?" Ethan asked, now dressed in the dealer's outfit: a black jacket, brown pants, and black boots. Patricia nodded. "It's acceptable. Why do you look so different in those clothes? You look like a mannequin," she said without much thought.
Lauren buried a body before turning back. "That will suffice. Just make sure you stay low. Also, this is the underneath world—it's different from the upper continent. Here, law and order don't exist, so be careful," Lauren warned. She didn't understand why she felt concerned, but she knew she couldn't allow him to die—not now, at least.
Ethan smiled and nodded before leaping away. Before long, his shadow was no longer visible. "So fast!" Patricia exclaimed, astonished by his speed.
"What a monster, and he hasn't even unlocked the totem and mana slots yet," Lauren thought, feeling pleased with this development. If he continued to grow stronger, she would do everything to keep him by her side.
...
The underground continent certainly has an ominous vibe. The poorly developed areas and the pervasive gloom paint a stark picture of life there. The prevalence of slavery and violence, especially with clans like the Amate engaging in skin-wearing, adds an unsettling layer to the narrative. It creates an atmosphere thick with tension and danger, reminiscent of the darkest stories found in comic book lore.
Swoosh!
Ethan appeared in an alley. He looked around and spotted a man and a woman engaged in an intimate act in a dark corner, not far away. Nearby, two rats with horns on their foreheads were also in the midst of their own encounter.
Ignoring the scene, Ethan left the alley and stepped into the market square. It certainly resembled one, but everything being sold consisted mainly of weeds, poisons, drugs, and various stimulants. Overall, the underbelly of the continent was a place meant for those who had either given up on life and descended into depravity or those who were hungry for pleasure and sought to satisfy their cravings.
However, some remained there for other purposes, like Darcelle Morgan, nicknamed "the crazy bitch."
The door to the tavern swung open, letting in the biting cold air from outside. It mingled with the unmistakable stench of rotten wood and stale alcohol, a combination that would make any sane person's nose twitch with disdain.
The tavern fell silent for a moment as patrons turned to glance at the newcomer. Upon noticing his dealer's outfit, they quickly returned to their conversations, ignoring him.
Ethan approached the last table and stood beside it. "Darcelle Morgan?" he inquired. A woman with disheveled amber hair, clearly drunk, shuddered at the mention of her name. With what little strength she had, she looked up and asked, annoyed, "Who are you?"
Ethan nodded as he recognized her face.
"I have a request," he said. Darcelle showed no interest, waving her hand dismissively and trying to reach for another bottle.
"Help me hunt the Kraken," Ethan urged. The room fell silent immediately; even the bartender paused in his work as all eyes turned to Ethan.
Crack!
The bottle cracked as Darcelle looked up at Ethan. Her drunken gaze vanished, and she glared at him. "I didn't hear you well. Can you repeat what you said?" she asked.