Chapter 501 – "Smile"

This was an extravagantly gilded space, so brilliantly golden that not only did it stand in stark contrast to the houses outside the small town, but it was undoubtedly… bizarre even compared to most buildings in the entire world!

Because it was too “golden,” almost everything visible in the entire living room was gold.

The vases were gold-plated, the statues were gold-plated, the staircase was gold-plated, and even the “fountain” in the center of the living room sprayed shimmering gold particles.

Without a second thought, such a garishly eccentric creation could only be the work of Kane, after all, Kane’s love for the color gold had reached the point where he dyed his entire body yellow. Gold-plating a house was hardly surprising.

Although the golden hall paired with the golden knight created a nauseatingly dazzling effect, Kane himself, who had arranged it this way, was clearly unaware.

At this moment, the unorthodox knight was eagerly bringing a young girl before Punk. Pointing at the beautiful double-tailed girl in pink leather attire and short leather pants beside him, Kane made an exaggerated and “grand” introduction:

“Ta-da! This is our Godchild—Miss ‘Smile’! Of course, her real name should be Alice Salatira, but since the family once established by a deity has fallen into such disrepute, she gave herself the name ‘Smile.’ We can just call her ‘Smile’.”

In the spot Kane indicated, a double-tailed girl with pale pink hair was gazing at Punk with a slightly sinister smile. Her large, blood-red eyes, illuminated by the golden light of the hall, were as exquisite as fine rubies, while her skin, like polished white jade, radiated a flawless brilliance.

“Smile” was a girl of about nineteen—her appearance was that of a strikingly beautiful tsundere-type maiden. There was no doubt about “Smile’s” beauty; it could be described as enchantingly stunning, capable of toppling cities and captivating nations. Especially when paired with her sinister smile, it conveyed a unique charm that blended angel and devil, leaving much unsaid.

But Punk paid no attention to “Smile’s” allure. Seeing this girl who met his gaze with neither humility nor arrogance, he was displeased by the idea of a low-level weakling attempting to “negotiate” with him. So, as usual, he coldly and grimly asked:

“An Apprentice-Level Stalker? What qualifications do you have to negotiate with me—Archmage Punk Cyan? I won’t coddle a little girl like the foolish knight standing beside you. Your best choice right now is to obediently follow every command and beg for the scraps and pity of the strong!”

Releasing his Master-Level pressure without restraint, Punk stared down at the girl before him like a monarch.

Punk had no intention of negotiating with someone who hadn’t even reached Formal-Level. After all, searching for a deity’s legacy wasn’t child’s play. He hoped his overwhelming pressure would instill fear and submission in the girl, so they could quickly embark on the journey to find the divine bloodline.However… this time, under Kane’s ambiguous gaze, Punk’s usually child-frightening cold demeanor proved ineffective.

Under the oppressive aura of a Master-Level powerhouse, although “Smile” was sweating uncontrollably, her attitude remained completely unchanged. On the contrary, even as sweat rapidly drenched her hair and droplets stung her eyes, “Smile” maintained her bewitching grin, and her pupils showed not the slightest tremor while meeting Punk’s icy stare.

“Even charity and pity are worth taking risks and striving for, let alone that you won’t harm me—because I still possess value!”

Speaking with confidence, “Smile” calmly straightened the hem of her garment.

She continued addressing Punk:

“For rational powerhouses, those with value aren’t to be killed—this is something I deeply understood during my childhood days as a thief!

Moreover, I know that seizing opportunities requires bearing risks. Even if the risk means confronting two Master-Level experts, one shouldn’t hesitate. So… since I’ve chosen my path, why not face everything with a smile? That’s part of the reason I named myself ‘Smile’!”

After firmly finishing her words, “Smile” pressed her lips together and kept her gaze locked on Punk’s pupils. Even as the azure eyes she saw began to tinge with bloodlust, her resolve showed no sign of wavering.

After observing the young girl for a long moment, Punk said nothing more, but a pale purple cone slowly materialized in his hand…

The next second, the rapidly extending energy tip soon pressed against “Smile’s” forehead. As the sharp “Kinetic Cone” expanded, a trail of blood quickly trickled from the wounded spot.

“Pathetic insect, who gave you the confidence to spout nonsense before me? This foolish knight? You should understand that if I attack now, this ‘Sir Knight’ couldn’t possibly save you.”

Stating this fact emotionlessly, the “Velocity Kinetic Cone” in Punk’s hand radiated even more dazzling light!

Just as Punk said, at such close range, once the spell erupted, even Kane couldn’t save “Smile.”

Instantly, the atmosphere in the golden hall grew tense as drawn swords. Kane, who had been watching indifferently as if at a play, now turned much more serious.

“Hey now, Punk, this is a Legendary key! If you misfire, don’t blame me for fighting you to the death…”

“Silence, fool!”

Coldly cutting off Kane’s warning, Punk continued staring icily into “Smile’s” eyes, with no intention of retracting the “Velocity Kinetic Cone” in his hand!

“Answer me now, little girl—do you still crave the so-called opportunity you spoke of?”There is immense terror between life and death. Many people who are usually incredibly strong might break down in tears if held at gunpoint, but how could the dangerous aura emitted by Punk’s “Velocity Kinetic Cone” possibly be compared to Earth’s firearms? With such a terrifying spell pressed against her forehead, it wouldn’t be strange for an ordinary person to be scared witless.

However… “Smile” didn’t show even a trace of panic in her expression. Instead, her face, now devoid of its smile, grew even more resolute.

The twin-tailed girl spoke to Punk word by word, as if completely ignoring the terrifying spell before her head:

“My family may have fallen to become a clan of thieves, but our family’s legends and ancestral teachings have been passed down through generations without omission. I know what you’re searching for, I know what my legendary ancestor left for me, and I know even more—this is my only chance to become strong!

I won’t let go of my only opportunity, because in this world… if one cannot become strong, it would be better to die than live!”

(End of Chapter)