The Society of Truth was incredibly powerful. If Freya's guess was correct, all of its members were likely high-rank multi-pathway extraordinaries. Just as Kuro had said, if they stalled for enough time, it was entirely possible for the Society of Truth to discover their situation and rescue them both.
When that happened, Freya might even be able to use the opportunity to establish contact with the Society of Truth, or perhaps even join them to uncover the secrets of multi-pathways.
But this also meant that Freya would become a wanted fugitive afterward, bidding farewell to her peaceful life forever. This was something she absolutely could not accept. Simply put, while this path might work, it was not the future she wanted.
Even if she did join the Society of Truth, wouldn't it be enough to just let a clone join? Her original body could continue being an ordinary person, attending classes at school normally, and living a normal life. How wonderful would that be?
Still, Freya did not exit the simulation immediately. Instead, she let the time run a bit longer to see how things would develop.
Kuro took her and hid all over the place. Two days passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, the search efforts in the city grew increasingly intense, and the two of them crossed paths with search parties at least three times.
Even with Freya as a liability, these squads were completely no match for Kuro. Freya did not know much about the Trick Pathway, but she was certain she had seen at least three abilities from other pathways on Kuro.
First of all was her extreme physical fitness. Kuro's strength was at least at the level of a Rank Four Warrior. Considering Kuro was originally a cat whose lifeform had been modified into her current state, it was only natural that she had some extra "ingredients" packed into her.
Second, during combat, Kuro had also used the "Invisible Blade." This was an unseen weapon that possessed a healing-inhibition effect, which was an ability of the Moon Sting rank from the Moon Pathway. Previously, during her time with the Mind Research Association, that pink-haired shorty, Captain Joan, had used this very ability.
Additionally, during battle, Kuro's eyes would turn blood-red. With just a single glare at the enemy before her, they would freeze in place as white marks appeared on their body. It was petrification!
The outcome of that battle went without saying. Afterward, Freya asked Kuro about it and learned that it was an ability of the Myriad Spirits Pathway, also known as the Animal Pathway. This was an unexplored pathway similar to the Devil Pathway.
Aside from that, Kuro also had several extraordinary items on her, such as a Law ring identical to the one Luna wore, which had the ability to distort and deflect attacks.
Perhaps normal Trick Pathway extraordinaries had little direct combat capability, but Kuro was truly absurd. It was no exaggeration to say that she gave Freya the impression of... a chimera.
It was as if the Society of Truth had directly experimented on her with whatever research results they had.
Time marched on to the third day of their escape. Previously, Kuro had stayed in the bedroom while Freya and Euphy brought her food. Now, the situation was completely reversed: Freya crouched in their hiding spot while Kuro went out to forage, stealing food to bring back to her.
But just as Kuro was preparing to set off, a man appeared at their hiding spot. It was none other than Trig.
Seeing this, Freya immediately wore an “uh-oh, we're doomed” expression. What should one do when the final boss blocks the door?
Looking at the girl and the cat before him—or rather, Trig's attention was almost entirely focused on Freya, completely ignoring Kuro, who was hissing with her fur standing on end beside her—he murmured, “As expected... you look so much like her...”
Freya, a person who felt absolutely zero pressure, still had the mind to ask at a time like this, “Like what?”
Trig actually went ahead and explained, “The current King's mother. No, at this point, I should say the late King's mother. I once saw a portrait of her in her youth. You look at least sixty to seventy percent similar to the portrait.”
One could only say that the royal bloodline was simply too strong. Freya's appearance did not resemble her ordinary biological mother at all; instead, she looked very much like her grandmother.
In fact, during the first few simulations, hadn't Trig had an unfortunate noble invite Freya to dance? Trig had already suspected something back then, but because he didn't know the King had an illegitimate child at the time, he couldn't be sure.
Freya nodded, then raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. “Look, I didn't accept that biological dad's contract, and I won't contest your throne. Can you let me go?”
Hearing this, Trig was momentarily stunned. He murmured, “Biological dad?”
Without a doubt, he was shocked by this mind-boggling term from Freya's previous life. Nevertheless, Trig shook his head. “My apologies. Even if you don't have that intention yourself, as long as you are alive, and as long as the other nobles know you are alive, someone will inevitably harbor unnecessary thoughts. That would pose a threat to the stability of this kingdom.”
Freya clicked her tongue. “How ruthless.”
Though she could understand it if she put herself in his shoes. If their roles were reversed, she would definitely have Trig suppressed to death right now as well!
Right at that moment, Kuro launched an attack on Trig without warning. At some point, she had slipped to Trig's side, her eyes glowing with a dangerous red light. The first thing she unleashed was her petrification ability. Simultaneously, she swung her seemingly empty right hand, slashing toward Trig.
But as expected, Kuro missed. Or rather, her strike was deflected, and even the petrification ability failed to land on Trig. At Rank Four, the distortion ability could only deflect physical damage. But at Trig's stage, his distortion ability could even affect the abilities of others, causing them to lose their intended effects.
Trig slightly raised his right hand, throwing a simple and direct straight punch. Yet, at the same time, as if drawn by some invisible pulling force, Kuro flew directly toward Trig's fist on her own accord.
Seeing that she was about to be hit, at the critical moment, Kuro twisted her body mid-air, dodging the blow at an incredibly bizarre angle and sliding past Trig's side.
Trig wore a puzzled expression. “Is this... some ability of the Trick Pathway?”
Because he did not know what ability it was, his distortion ability naturally failed to take effect. However, he hadn't come away empty-handed either. Trig opened his right hand. Resting quietly in his palm was a blue ring—the very Law Pathway extraordinary item Kuro had been wearing just moments ago.
Trig looked at Freya and said, “For some reason, divination couldn't find your location at all. In the end, I gave up on using the power of Destiny to search, and managed to successfully locate you through the power of Law.”
......
Rate on N.U.
