Chapter 1234: Chapter 54: Lone Journey (2)
"There is," Bologue acknowledged, "a lot of progress."
"Hmph."
After being praised by Bologue, Aimou chuckled softly and then boasted, "Of course! It’s not like I could just stand still!"
"Yes, that’s why I’m looking forward to your future research with the expansion of the Special Operations Group. You’ll be the chief scholar."
After becoming the leader, Bologue read several books on administrative management. He has now mastered the art of offering grand visions to his team members.
"Good!"
After the conversation, Aimou returned to work, while Bologue, overwhelmed by a wave of fatigue, felt his eyelids getting heavy as if he might fall asleep at any moment.
Indeed, Bologue had been through many events during this time, including dying once... or maybe twice, as Bologue couldn’t quite recall.
Though resurrected now, he could distinctly feel that his inner ether wasn’t full.
Usually, after dying, Bologue would wake up at the Border Sanatorium, where the doctors, familiar with his condition, would inject Mang Silver Soul into him and increase the ether concentration of the surrounding environment to hasten his recovery.
There are clearly no such privileges within the Undying Club; Bologue’s current ether reserves solely come from the Alchemy Matrix’s continuous absorption over time.
Bologue didn’t linger in the Order Bureau; he quickly returned home, pulled open a drawer, took out several syringes, and injected them into his body one by one.
As the Mang Silver Soul melted into his blood, volatilizing into pure ether and poured into the Alchemy Matrix, Bologue couldn’t help but exhale deeply, feeling his body become lighter.
Both Bologue and Palmer were debtors. To counter the Bulimia Nervosa caused by the lack of soul, the Order Bureau periodically provided them with Mang Silver Soul and various potions to alleviate symptoms.
Due to the existence of Soul Shards, Bologue only needed to continue killing to resist Bulimia Nervosa, so he rarely used the resources provided by the Order Bureau, accumulating a pile in his cabinet.
Bologue himself didn’t think much of it, but others would surely be wide-eyed upon seeing such reserves, almost comparable to the strategic material storage of a base, thanks to Bologue’s frugality.
Palmer wasn’t aware of this; he respected Bologue’s privacy and never rifled through his cabinets.
After the injection, Bologue lay back on his bed, always finding unexpected reassurance in the familiar environment.
Even a fierce wolf has its own den.
He drifted into sleep until noise woke him up.
"You’re here again. Do you not go to work?"
"My work is quite leisurely, and I’m already off hours, aren’t I?"
"But...you came to find me after hours..."
"Is there a problem visiting my fiancé?"
"Wait a minute, Vasilina, wait a minute..."
Their voices lowered, followed by a commotion, sounding as if they were wrestling. Palmer seemed to be no match for Vasilina, and Bologue guessed Palmer must be getting choked now.
He sat up from the bed, realizing the two hadn’t noticed his presence in the room, contemplating whether to continue pretending to be dead or cough a few times to alert them.
Palmer must be yearning for his rescue.
In the living room, the situation was slightly off from Bologue’s guess; Palmer wasn’t getting choked, but his situation was far more embarrassing.
Palmer lay sprawled on the sofa, with his hands behind his back, while Vasilina knelt on him, immobilizing him.
Ever since Vasilina arrived, she acted almost like she had separation anxiety, visiting Palmer nearly every day, always getting physical with him.
Fortunately, Palmer was accustomed to it. It was akin to some sort of taming or desensitization training.
Bologue pushed the door open, coughed lightly, and Vasilina, who was about to take her next step, turned her head suspiciously. Upon seeing Bologue for the first time, Bologue could clearly spot a resentful look in Vasilina’s eyes.
Indeed, Bologue had disrupted her plans.
The next second, Vasilina’s eyes cleared, and she released Palmer, greeting Bologue with a smile as if nothing had happened.
Palmer scrambled over, grabbing Bologue tightly, eyes bloodshot, "You saw that, right? You saw it! She’s quite the actress!"
Palmer clung to Bologue like a drowning man clutching a straw, murmuring in his ear.
Bologue’s gaze wandered between Palmer and Vasilina before he solemnly stated, "What are you talking about? Did anything just happen?"
Palmer froze, while Vasilina’s face blossomed into a smile.
"Bologue!"
Palmer shrieked, shaking Bologue’s shoulders vigorously, "You’re my partner! You can’t lie with your eyes wide open!"
Bologue silently turned away, listening to Palmer’s plaintive cries, inexplicably feeling relaxed, as if his partner’s predicament offered him some relief.
Having just brawled with a Seeker of Glory, Bologue felt he needed a bit of stress relief.
"What lies? On the contrary, Palmer, shouldn’t you show more enthusiasm when your fiancé visits?"
Bologue pushed Palmer away, causing him to stumble and fall into Vasilina’s embrace.
It took Palmer a few seconds to recognize the reality.
Betrayed by a partner, he sat in place, seemingly dazed and heartbroken.
Vasilina’s gaze toward Bologue turned friendlier; she had thought Bologue would impede her, but then Bologue spoke again, "Vasilina, are you planning to work here for a long time?"
"Yes, why?"
Vasilina had already determined that she’d likely be at the Order Bureau for the next few years.
Bologue hinted, "I mean, there’s still plenty of time ahead."
Vasilina was a smart person; she quickly understood Bologue’s meaning.
Palmer remained momentarily dazed before promptly leaving Vasilina’s side and sitting near Bologue. Despite his partner’s earlier betrayal, at least Bologue wouldn’t get physical with him.
"Where were you yesterday?" Palmer changed the subject, "You didn’t come back all day."
Bologue sighed deeply; he had recounted the encounter with the Regent King too many times today and didn’t want to repeat it.
"Nothing much."
Bologue shook his head, guessing that someone at the Order Bureau would inform Palmer of everything when he went there the next day.
"Phew..."
Palmer exhaled deeply; having Bologue around meant Vasilina could maintain her normalcy, implying that Palmer needed to stick with Bologue to avoid being alone with Vasilina.
After racking his brains, Palmer knew what to chat about next.
"Bologue, was the ritual smooth when you advanced to the Negative Power User?"
Bologue recalled his exploration of the Ethereal Realm and decisively nodded, saying.
"Very smooth, after all, I’m an Undead."
Palmer paused, angrily slapped his thigh, "I shouldn’t have asked you!"
"What’s wrong?" Bologue didn’t expect Palmer to be curious about such a thing.
"I...I’m about to prepare for my advancement ritual."
Palmer began to explain to Bologue what he had been busy with during this time.
"The Clarks have provided resources for me, and in the upcoming time, I’ll be advancing to Negative Power User."
Bologue nodded, "Congratulations."
"What’s there to congratulate!"
Palmer seemed particularly anxious, "I’m a debtor, and a jinx; I might not come down once I’m on the ritual platform."
"Relax, from the time I’ve known you, you’ve been mostly lucky," Bologue comforted.
Palmer slumped on the sofa, lost in thought for a while before speaking again.
"Then, in my upcoming preparation time, you’ll have to act alone."
Bologue nodded; he had long been accustomed to moving independently.
