Chapter 176: You were the same, Elise!
Cassandra wanted to power-level in Cascade Valley by taking full advantage of her guild’s new privilege, so the party headed for the destination together.
Martin took the lead like a proper tank, keeping most of his attention on Cassandra and Flash Fang. Since both of them were level one, they needed far more protection than NukEncore. His shield was already strapped to his arm, and while he watched the path ahead, his gaze still flicked back now and then to check on the party.
That left NukEncore trailing behind Cassandra and Flash Fang.
She did not simply walk beside her friend. She edged closer, caught Flash Fang by the sleeve, and tugged her a little farther from the others. Her eyes darted toward Martin’s back, then Cassandra, then Flash Fang again, full of the kind of panic she was clearly trying and failing to keep private.
Then she leaned in and whisper-shouted into Flash Fang’s ear.
[NukEncore: What are you doing, Rias?!]
Flash Fang barely flinched. She only turned her head and smiled, so calm that NukEncore looked even more distressed.
[Flash Fang: It’s more comfortable this way.]
NukEncore stared at her like the answer had personally betrayed her. Her fingers tightened around Flash Fang’s sleeve.
[NukEncore: What do you mean?! I don’t understand! You’re so beautiful! I mean, he can’t see it because you modified your avatar’s face like me and the others, but your ass! That ass! It makes people bite their lower lip and stare!]
Flash Fang’s smile twitched. She glanced ahead, where Cassandra walked with elegant, unhurried steps, her hips moving with the same calm confidence she carried everywhere else.
[Flash Fang: You’re exaggerating, as usual. Look ahead. Cassandra is thicker down here.]
[NukEncore: We aren’t going to talk about butts here and now! You both are awesome down there! Anyway, you should clear up that misunderstanding right now!]
Flash Fang’s expression softened, though she did not answer right away. The distant forest ambience filled the silence between them, mixed with the steady rhythm of footsteps along the valley path.
When she finally looked at NukEncore again, her smile had faded into something quieter.
[Flash Fang: Elise... you’ve never worked in a male-dominated industry, much less gaming. I know very well that this misunderstanding will help me catch up to you and the others fast. Martin won’t hold back with me, and he’ll call out all my mistakes. Didn’t you say he was too nice to all of you?]
NukEncore opened her mouth, but no reply came.
Her grip on Flash Fang’s sleeve loosened. Some of the nervous energy left her shoulders, and for half a second, her gaze dropped before she forced herself to look up again.
Her friend was right.
[Flash Fang: And you’re causing a huge misunderstanding too. Or rather, you’re hiding your own identity for your own comfort and selfishness, no matter how badly you want to excuse it. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.]
That one struck deeper.
NukEncore pressed her lips together and looked away, cheeks slightly puffed. Her usual loudness did not disappear completely, but it shrank under the weight of Flash Fang’s words, leaving her caught between wanting to argue and knowing there was no clean answer.
Then Flash Fang felt someone watching them.
She looked ahead just in time to catch Martin turning away.
The glance had been brief enough that most people would have missed it, but his shoulders stiffened afterward. He adjusted his grip on his shield, suddenly busy with nothing in particular.
Flash Fang blinked.
Could it be... that he’s uncomfortable with me? Jealous?
The thought almost made her laugh, but only for a second. It did not take long for her to understand that it wasn’t about her specifically, but rather the misunderstanding about her being a man. Martin was probably trying not to look curious. Or bothered. Or whatever strange feeling had crossed his mind when he saw "another guy" whispering so closely with Elise.
Flash Fang sighed.
You all are special. You’re not an excuse, Martin.
—
"Are you sure you want to level up with us as well, Fang?" Martin asked their new party member once they reached the deeper path into Cascade Valley.
"Yes," Fang nodded. "From what Encore told me, you guys aren’t that far ahead. She only has a few weapon masteries and a single epic skill. I think you also got one good blessing each, but that’s fair. Overall, I think it’s best to level up quickly and then start exploring new skills, subclasses, masteries, and so on."
"To be honest, yeah. Your points are fair. Spending too much time in one dungeon has its own benefits, too. You can really build solid habits and clean mechanics," Martin replied.
"I agree. But I want to play with everyone, so I gotta speedrun."
"Haha! Yeah!" Martin chuckled.
By then, Cassandra had already opened several translucent system windows in front of her.
A few steps behind Martin, she stood with one hand raised in casual elegance, her fingers gliding through the glowing panels. Spawn points shifted across the map under her touch, dragged and gathered into a single chamber as though she were rearranging pieces on a private game board. Nothing in her posture suggested tension or effort. The faint light from the system reflected in her eyes and traced the sharp, composed curve of her smile.
She was setting up a monster nest to overflow, yet she made it look no more troublesome than approving a routine report.
If left unattended, the ants might even start killing each other. Cassandra also made sure there would be no bosses. Once the final adjustment was complete, she closed one window with a flick of her finger and left another hovering beside her before turning to Martin and the others.
"We should wait a little before proceeding," Cassandra said. "Also, do you mind if I continue dealing with the guild’s matters, or should I stay wary?"
"It’s okay. Leave your safety to me!" Martin said as if swearing an oath.
Cassandra lifted her eyes from the system window.
For a second, her expression softened. Not much, only enough for the corners of her lips to curve with quiet approval.
"Thank you, Martin."
Martin smiled from ear to ear and turned around, planting himself at the entrance of the nest that would soon overflow. His stance widened, shield raised and shoulders squared, as though he had just received the most important mission in the world.
Behind him, NukEncore puffed out her chest and shook her head.
"Getting all giddy just because Cassandra praised him... Martin, Martin."
"Remember what you felt when your first single hit the top charts. That’s similar."
NukEncore froze.
"Oh... really?"
"Really."
That shut her up for a moment.
