Soul Bomb

“Resurrection? Regaining a physical body?”

Lin Gui frowned, a trace of incredulous contemplation flashing through his gray eyes.

Aside from those soulless undead and skeletons...

He had never heard of the dead returning to life.

Especially someone in Shadow Blade Lynn's state.

Her physical body had likely rotted away long ago, leaving behind nothing but a pure soul.

The only legends of resurrection that ever circulated...

Seemed to belong only to the sky city's stories of “angels resurrecting devout Saints.”

Lin Gui looked at Eve.

“Angel resurrection... is it real?”

Eve shook her head, her tone certain.

“It is a lie.”

“Eden might truly have angels, but they do not bring back the dead.”

“Otherwise, those high-ranking figures of the Holy Church whose lives are nearing their end...”

“...would not spend fortunes seeking alchemical elixirs to extend their lifespans.”

Shadow Blade Lynn laughed as she listened, her laughter sounding somewhat chilly in the dim post office.

“As for resurrection, I have my own ways. You do not need to worry about that.”

She tapped her finger lightly on her knee, the movement carrying an unquestionable finality.

“You only need to help me collect the required materials, and in the end...”

“...deliver me to the Royal Capital of the High Elves, right to the World Tree.”

She looked at Lin Gui, her gaze locking onto him like a falcon on its prey.

“That is why I came looking for you.”

“A mage who can see souls.”

“Once a spirit leaves the Wall of Sighs, its strength rapidly diminishes. Its soul energy will constantly dissipate without any way to replenish it.”

“But if a soul mage is by my side to guide and stabilize it... I can maintain a basic existence.”

She paused, her tone slowing down, yet carrying an even greater sense of pressure.

“My resurrection requires extremely rare materials, and the process is long.”

“Therefore...”

She leaned forward slightly, a sharp and dark gleam flashing in her purple eyes.

“Help me.”

“For every item you help me collect...”

“...I will pay you a reward.”

“The legacy of a peak High-tier Epic assassin, a lifetime of collections and knowledge...”

The corners of her mouth curled up into a smile that blended temptation with danger.

“That should be enough to tempt you, right?”

Lin Gui remained silent, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the cool surface of his staff.

Yet, a silent complaint drifted through his mind.

After a brief silence, the familiar prompt sounded in his mind.

However, it was slightly different from before.

【Ding! 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 activate it.】

【Time Limit: None】

【Final Reward: Spatial Magic—Slicing Enchantment (a magic that grants sharp weapons the property to slice through things).】

【Remarks: Before delivering the target to her destination, it is recommended to first complete the target's collection commissions.】

——“May obsession finally find peace, may the remnant soul regain new life.”

Lin Gui raised an eyebrow, feeling a sense of oddity.

This could trigger it too?

He really couldn't see how helping Shadow Blade Lynn resurrect...

...had anything to do with “conveying thoughts.”

The System responded calmly:

【Not necessarily, Host.】

Lin Gui looked up at the smiling Shadow Blade Lynn opposite him.

Was there... some other hidden story behind this resurrection?

He really couldn't imagine what kind of person or thing could ever make someone like her express deep feelings.

The triggering of the System's 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 pull back and retreat at any moment.

He knew that the real trouble... was only just beginning.

Lin Gui looked at Shadow Blade Lynn, deliberately adopting a somewhat respectful tone.

“The legacy of a High-tier Epic expert is naturally tempting to me.”

“I would be more than happy to serve you, Lady Lynn.”

Then, he shifted the topic.

“However... as you mentioned, Lady Lynn, your power will rapidly decline after leaving the Wall of Sighs.”

“Aren't you afraid that... I might go back on my word then?”

Shadow Blade Lynn clapped her hands lightly, a look of approval in her eyes.

“Not bad. Cautious enough.”

“We are mere acquaintances, and we've even had conflicts.”

“Naturally, I wouldn't bet my life... on a human.”

She raised her finger, and a thread 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 and soul.”

Her tone was flat, but every word was ice-cold.

“A precise soul bomb that only I can trigger.”

“Even if I weaken to the point of being inferior to a commoner...”

“...as long as I still possess a shred of consciousness, I can use the connection between the Soul Marks...”

“...to detonate it.”

She sneered as she watched Lin Gui's pupils contract slightly.

“But do not worry too much.”

“As I said, once a spirit leaves the Wall, without soul energy to nourish it...”

“...it cannot last long anyway.”

“If I really detonate it and kill you, I will dissipate shortly after.”

“This is a mutual restraint.”

She withdrew the soul light from her fingertip.

“It is good for both of us.”

“I see.”

Lin Gui nodded in agreement.

Then, a faint light flashed in his eyes.

He looked at Shadow Blade Lynn and asked:

“If I help you gather all the materials and deliver you to the World Tree...”

“...you will remove this soul bomb, right?”

Shadow Blade Lynn replied with a smile:

“Of course.”

“Once I actively sever the connection, it will naturally dissipate.”

Lin Gui also smiled slightly, but his gaze remained fixed on her.

“But what if... that is not the case?”

His voice softened, yet every word was crystal clear.

“Even if you sever the connection, the bomb would already be buried in my chest.”

“It would become a permanent threat that can never be removed.”

He paused, then suddenly suggested:

“How about... you demonstrate it first?”

Shadow Blade Lynn was taken aback.

Demonstrate?

How could something like this be demonstrated?

She was completely bewildered.

But Lin Gui had already raised his hand, pointing at Eve beside him.

His tone was as calm as if they were discussing what to have for breakfast.

“Try it on the Saintess.”

“Let me verify 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 questioning.

Lin Gui leaned in close to Eve's ear and lowered his voice:

“Anyway, your heart and soul...”

“...are already locked by the Hall of Heroic Spirits and tracked by Caleb.”

“You wouldn't mind having one more soul bomb, right?”

Eve cast a side-glance at him.

Her purple eyes clearly read “speechless” and “disdainful.”

Yet, after a few seconds of silence, she still nodded gently.

Shadow Blade Lynn did not waste words either. The soul light on her fingertip lit up once more.

She hovered her hand over Eve's chest.

Pale purple threads burrowed in like living creatures, completely silent.

The process was extremely rapid, yet it exuded a sense of precise danger.

It felt as if a cold seed had been planted in the deepest depths of her heart.

Once it was done, Shadow Blade Lynn looked up at Lin Gui.

Her eyes held a clear warning.

Yet Lin Gui showed no reaction whatsoever.

He merely stared quietly at Eve's chest.

There, an extremely fine thread of soul energy was faintly emerging, connecting to Shadow Blade Lynn.

Lin Gui chanted in a low voice. The incantation for Soul Attachment was quiet, incredibly quiet.

So quiet that even Shadow Blade Lynn, whose back was partially turned, did not notice it at all.

The white light of Soul Attachment enveloped his hand.

He reached out and lightly touched the thread with his fingertip.

His finger, which should have passed straight through, felt the thread tremble ever so slightly.

Lin Gui understood. The corner of his mouth curved up for a fraction of a second, almost imperceptibly.

He immediately straightened his expression and withdrew his hand.

“Remove it.”

He looked at Shadow Blade Lynn.

Shadow Blade Lynn raised an eyebrow and flicked her finger.

The thread of soul energy trembled slightly and dissipated like smoke.

The precise Soul Mark on Eve's chest slowly faded away.

After carefully confirming the dissipation of the Soul Mark with his Eyes of the Netherworld...

...Lin Gui finally nodded and said calmly:

“I agree to help you.”

“But before that, you must do me a small favor first.”