In a flash of golden light, Alex materialized at the heart of the [Fox Tribe Village] like he always did.
He carried Alice in his arms, her unconscious body limp, her face pale from the effects of the [Soul Attack].
The teleportation drew little attention, as the fox girl villagers had grown accustomed to seeing him come and go.
To them, that human, though he wasn’t truly from their tribe, was definitely one of their own.
But Alex’s sharp eyes immediately caught sight of an unexpected figure in the village square.
Eleonora, the beige-scaled ice dragon they had encountered within the [Mystical Temple], stood towering over a group of fox children.
Her once-imposing aura seemed almost softened as she chatted amicably with Alera, the fox queen, and allowed the giggling children to tug playfully at her tail.
[Eleonora the Ice Dragon – Dragon Tribe Member – Level 400]
She was just as powerful as Alex remembered.
Yet, the sight of such a regal and formidable being engaging with children in the tranquil village was a stark contrast to her fearsome presence during their previous encounter.
Maybe because he was now able to defeat level 650 monsters, who knows.
“…She’s really out here playing with kids,” Alex muttered, arching a brow.
Despite the peculiar scene, Alex reasoned there had to be a good explanation.
Eleonora’s master, Arcelia, was still in a cursed slumber after being freed from the [Ice Coffin] weeks ago by Tolkien, the [Exorcist Blacksmith].
The dragon was likely grateful to the fox tribe for their care and hospitality and the fact they allowed them to stay here.
Eleonora was level 400, but she was still a dragon, and she could protect them if she needed to.
Alex shifted Alice in his arms and made his way toward Alera.
“Is the other girl still asleep?” he asked bluntly, skipping any pleasantries.
Alera turned, her eyes lighting up as she recognized him.
“Oh! Alex! You’re back!”
Her cheerful demeanor faltered when she saw Alice though.
“Arcelia? No, unfortunately, she’s still sleeping,” Alera replied, her ears drooping slightly. “But her companion dragon has awakened!”
Alex glanced at Eleonora, who had now noticed him and was watching silently, her piercing blue eyes studying him with an unreadable expression.
“She’s still out, huh?” Alex murmured, directing his gaze toward Alera’s house where Arcelia had been resting.
“Yes,” Alera confirmed softly. “The curse binding her is… very strong. I wish there was more we could do.”
“…” Eleonora looked down as Alera spoke about her master’s condition.
As said before, Arcelia is the princess of the [Maple Empire], which has fallen at the hands of some unknown enemy as well as a [Grand Mage].
That [Grand Mage] had put Arcelia to sleep inside of that [Ice Coffin] and placed a [Soul Curse] on her in case anyone ever got her out.
Alex nodded before turning to Eleonora. “Hey, I’ve got a question for you.”
The dragon arched a brow, recovering from her grim expression, “What is it, human?”
“Do you know how someone could join the [Dragon Race]?”
Eleonora tilted her head, amusement flickering in her expression.
“You? A dragon? That’s a bold ambition.”
“I’m serious.”
Her bemusement shifted to something more contemplative.
“Well, it’s not exactly a common path. From what I know, you’d first have to find a way to undergo the transformation, and even then, you’d need the permission of a Primordial Dragon. Without one of their blessing, it’s impossible.”
Alex frowned. “Permission, huh…?”
“Yes,” Eleonora said with a shrug. “And good luck finding a Primordial Dragon willing to grant that as even the one with you probably won’t do that. It’s not happening, human. Sorry.”
Her words only deepened Alex’s frustration.
There was the chance that Alphox’s authority was still present, but from what he heard of the dragon trio inside the [Canyon of Death], it seemed that Alphox was demoted and replaced a long time ago.
Meaning that he wouldn’t have a say in that at all.
At least he would know the way to do it upon asking him though, as even Eleonora didn’t seem to have any information.
“I’ll figure it out,” Alex muttered, setting the thought aside.
With a deep breath, he knelt and carefully laid Alice on the ground before Alera and Eleonora.
Alera’s eyes immediately filled with concern as she knelt beside her.
“Do you want us to heal her?” she asked softly, her voice tinged with sadness. “She’s my friend… seeing her like this hurts.”
It seemed like the fox queen really liked Alex but also Alice, probably considering them as family.
“No, I don’t need you to heal her,” Alex shook his head with a grin.
But in opposition to what she believed, he didn’t need anything from her: no potions, no healing spells, nothing.
Alera blinked, confused by his response. “But she’s-“
“She’s fine,” Alex interrupted. “At least, she will be soon.”
He knew the mechanics of players well.
Unlike NPCs or monsters, players like Alice didn’t need extensive care when injured.
If a player died, they would respawn after a forced logout, free from any ailments or curses, at least if they weren’t soul related.
Soul Attacks were dangerous, that is true, but they only ever reached the crisis level once your soul was about to shatter or if it does shatter.
The former happened to Alice, but at the start of the game it was still manageable.
It was when there were level 1000+ monsters and more that it became a massive issue though.
Alera and Eleonora exchanged uncertain glances.
“I just need one of you to kill her,” Alex said, his tone calm but firm.
Upon hearing this, both Eleonora and Alera’s eyes widened, shocked at the statement they heard.
The reason he asked for that was simple: he would have done it himself for sure if it meant Alice didn’t need to suffer or be in this state.
But there was one single problem: if a player killed another, no matter what, the player kill would lose an item/equipment or even levels.
He couldn’t afford that even if it was only one level.
On the other hand, if it was an NPC way above Alice’s current level, which was 328, like let’s say level 450, then there would be no penalty!
That’s what Alex was aiming for.
“What?” Alera stammered, her voice shaking. Find your next read at empire
“You heard me,” Alex said plainly. “I need you to kill her.”
Even Eleonora, who didn’t know the human girl that much, had heard many stories about how kind and nice she was from Alera and the other girls.
The fact that the man who was supposed to protect her asked for them to kill her was… astonishing.
Alera’s mind raced.
‘Is he being controlled? Is this some kind of trick?’ Her claws twitched nervously, and her two tails flicked with unease, ”B-But if Alex is being manipulated, it’s over for us!’
Seeing their reactions, Alex sighed. “Let me explain.”
He detailed how players respawned in the real world after death, free from ailments and conditions like the one afflicting Alice.
Killing her wasn’t an act of cruelty but a means to ensure her recovery.
After a long pause, Alera’s trembling hand moved to get her weapon.