“Resurrection? Regaining a physical body?”
Lin Gui frowned, a trace of incredulous thought flickering in his grey eyes.
Aside from those soulless undead and skeletons...
He truly had never heard of the dead returning to life.
Especially in a state like Shadow Blade Lynn’s.
Her body had likely long since rotted away, leaving only a state of pure soul.
The only legend of resurrection that had ever circulated...
Seemed to be only the “Angel Resurrection” of devout saints in the sky city.
Lin Gui looked at Eve.
“Is... Angel Resurrection real?”
Eve shook her head, her tone certain:
“That is a lie.”
“Eden might really have angels, but they would not bring the dead back to life.”
“Otherwise, those Holy Church dignitaries whose lifespans were nearing their end...”
“...Would not have spent heavily to seek alchemical medicines that extend lifespan.”
Shadow Blade Lynn listened and started to laugh, her laughter sounding somewhat chilly in the dim post office.
“As for the matter of resurrection, I have my own ways; you need not worry about it.”
Her fingertip tapped lightly on her knee, a gesture that carried a sense of being beyond question.
“You only need to help me collect the necessary materials, and finally...”
“...Send me to the High Elven Capital, to the World Tree.”
She looked at Lin Gui, her gaze like a falcon that had locked onto its prey.
“That is why I sought you out.”
“A mage who can see souls.”
“Once a spirit leaves the Wall of Sighs, their power will weaken rapidly, and their soul force will constantly dissipate without a way to replenish it.”
“But if there is a soul mage nearby to guide and stabilize it... one can maintain basic survival.”
She paused, her tone slowing down, yet becoming even more oppressive.
“The materials needed for my resurrection are extremely rare, and the process is long.”
“So...”
She leaned forward slightly, a sharp and dark light flickering in her purple eyes.
“Help me.”
“For every item you help me collect...”
“...I will pay you a portion of the reward.”
“The heritage of a High-tier Epic apex assassin, a lifetime’s worth of collections and knowledge...”
The corner of her mouth curled up into a smile that mixed temptation with danger.
“It should be enough to tempt you, shouldn't it?”
Lin Gui was silent, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the cold surface of his staff.
A sarcasm silently drifted through his mind.
System, someone's coming to steal your job.
System: ????
System: ...
After a brief silence, the familiar notification sound rang in his head.
However, it was slightly different from before.
【Ding! The Special Long-Term Commission has been updated】
【Content: Escort Shadow Blade Lynn to the World Tree.】
【Route: Planning will begin once the Host formally chooses to start it.】
【Time Limit: None】
【Final Reward: Spatial Magic—Slicing Enchantment (a magic that grants sharp objects the property to slice through things).】
【Note: Before the escort target reaches their destination, it is recommended to complete the target’s collection commissions first.】
------「May obsessions finally be laid to rest; may remnant souls regain new life」
Lin Gui raised an eyebrow, feeling strange.
This could trigger it too?
He couldn't see how helping Shadow Blade Lynn resurrect...
...Could have anything to do with “longing.”
The System responded calmly:
【Not necessarily, Host.】
Lin Gui looked up at Shadow Blade Lynn, who was smiling on the opposite side.
This resurrection... had another hidden story?
He truly couldn't imagine what kind of person or thing this woman would feel affection for.
The triggering of the System commission gave Lin Gui a reason to accept this dangerous task.
But he did not agree immediately.
Instead, he silently tightened his grip on Eve’s hand.
He was ready to withdraw at any moment.
He was clear that the real trouble... was only just beginning.
Lin Gui looked at Shadow Blade Lynn, his tone intentionally taking on a bit of respect:
“I am naturally tempted by the heritage of a High-tier Epic.”
“And I am more than willing to serve you, Lord Shadow Blade Lynn.”
His words shifted.
“But... as you also said, after leaving the Wall of Sighs, your power will weaken rapidly.”
“Are you not afraid that when the time comes... I will go back on my word?”
Shadow Blade Lynn clapped her hands lightly, a look of approval in her eyes.
“Not bad; you are cautious enough.”
“We only met by chance and even had a conflict.”
“Naturally, it is impossible for me to stake my life... on a human.”
She raised her finger, and a wisp of pale blue soul light wrapped around her fingertip.
“As long as you agree to help me...”
“...I will plant a Soul Mark on your heart-soul.”
Her tone was flat, yet every word was cold.
“A precise soul bomb that only I can trigger.”
“Even if I weaken to the point of being inferior to even a commoner...”
“...As long as I still have a shred of consciousness, I can use the connection between the Soul Marks...”
“...To detonate it.”
She looked at Lin Gui’s slightly constricted pupils and let out a cold laugh.
“However, do not be too worried.”
“As I said, once a spirit leaves the Wall and is no longer nourished by soul force...”
“...They cannot last long anyway.”
“If I really detonate it and kill you, it won't be long before I dissipate as well.”
“This is a mutual constraint.”
She withdrew the soul light from her fingertip.
“It is good for you and good for me.”
“I see.”
Lin Gui nodded in agreement.
Then, his eyes flickered slightly.
He looked at Shadow Blade Lynn and asked:
“If I help you collect all the materials and send you to the World Tree...”
“...You will remove this soul bomb, right?”
Shadow Blade Lynn smiled and replied:
“Of course.”
“As long as I actively cut the connection, it will dissipate on its own.”
Lin Gui also revealed a faint smile, but his gaze was fixed straight on her.
“But what if... it is not like that?”
His voice softened, yet each word was clear.
“Even if you cut the connection, the bomb has already been buried in my chest.”
“It would become a hidden danger that can never be removed.”
He paused and suddenly proposed:
“How about... you demonstrate once first?”
Shadow Blade Lynn was taken aback.
Demonstrate?
This thing could be demonstrated?
She was a bit confused.
Lin Gui, however, had already raised his hand and pointed at Eve beside him.
His tone was as calm as if they were discussing what to eat for breakfast.
“Try it once on the Saintess.”
“Let me witness the truth of your words with my own eyes.”
Eve: “...?”
She slowly turned her head, her purple eyes widening slightly.
Her gaze toward Lin Gui was filled with silent questions.
Lin Gui leaned closer to Eve’s ear and lowered his voice:
“Anyway, at your heart-soul...”
“...It's already locked by the Hall of Heroic Spirits and tracked by Caleb.”
“You probably won't mind one more soul bomb, right?”
Eve tilted her head and glanced at him.
Her purple eyes were clearly filled with speechlessness and contempt.
But after a few seconds of silence, she still nodded gently.
Shadow Blade Lynn didn't say much either; the soul light on her fingertip lit up again.
She pressed it down above Eve’s chest.
A pale purple thread, like a living thing, drilled inside noiselessly.
The process was extremely fast, yet it oozed a sense of precise danger.
It was as if a cold seed had been buried in the deepest part of her heart.
Once finished, Shadow Blade Lynn looked up at Lin Gui.
There was a clear warning in her eyes.
But Lin Gui had no reaction.
He just quietly stared at Eve’s chest.
There, an extremely thin thread of soul force was faintly emerging, and the object it connected to was Shadow Blade Lynn.
Lin Gui chanted in a low voice—the spell for Soul Attachment. It was very, very quiet.
So quiet that Shadow Blade Lynn, whose back was turned, did not notice.
The white light of Soul Attachment attached itself to his hand.
He reached out his hand, and his fingertip lightly touched that thread.
The thread, which should have been passed through, moved very slightly.
Understanding dawned in Lin Gui’s heart, and the corner of his mouth curved for an imperceptible moment.
Immediately, he straightened his face and withdrew his hand.
“Remove it.”
He looked at Shadow Blade Lynn.
Shadow Blade Lynn arched an eyebrow and crooked her finger.
That wisp of soul thread trembled slightly and then dissipated like smoke.
And the precise Soul Mark at Eve’s chest slowly faded away.
After carefully confirming the dissipation of the Soul Mark with his Eyes of the Netherworld...
...Lin Gui then nodded and said calmly:
“I agree to help you.”
“But before that, you have to help me with a small favor.”
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