280 The Secrets that Mustn’t be Told

[BONUS] for reaching 500 GT

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Sitting on the round table was Ren at the center. On his left was Evie, and on his right was Leonel. It had been ten minutes since Evie had joined them, but the silence hadn't been broken ever since she came.

Leonel was staring at Ren with a pouting face and scrutinizing eyes. He then leaned and whispered, "Spill it. Are you two dating?"

He might as well yelled it since his voice echoed inside the room.

Ren smacked the heel of his boots against Leonel's shoes, and the latter gasped both in surprise and pain.

"No," Ren said with an edge to his tone before addressing Evie with a smile. "Don't mind him."

Unminding the pain of his foot, Leonel flicked his attention at Evie. "So, how did you two get closer?"

Another blow on the ribs shut Leonel's mouth.

"Ren and I are classmates," Evie answered. "And we've done some quests together."

Despite the pain, Leonel wiggled his brows at Ren. "I see. So that's why you've been absent. You have been busy." He then added with a thumbs up, "Nice job. You sneaky little love mongrel–oghf!"

Ren grinded his heels on Leonel's injured foot. It seemed that the pain wasn't enough, so he kicked the side of his leg that didn't contain any armor. Leonel was asking for it, and he was merely responding in kind.

"As I was saying," Ren changed the topic before Leonel could say something that would intensify the already awkward tension in the room.

"We will defeat a World Boss to regain World Conqueror's name."

Evie was surprised by the news. Knowing Ren, he would surely come up with something. Though she never expected that he would think of killing a World Boss.

"With just us thee?" she asked.

"Exactly my sentiments," Leonel seconded.

If Ren used Pii, they could totally do it without question, and everything would be over before they even knew it.

But this time, he wouldn't rely on Pii and his other persona. He would do this as a mercenary with World Conqueror's name on the line.

Besides, he needed the publicity anyway. Everyone needed to see how they killed the World Boss so no one would question his or World Conqueror's credibility. Their success would be enough to overpower Alvarez's threat, and everyone would clamor at their feet to employ them in the game once more.

"It's not like we're going with just us three," said Ren.

Evie and Leonel looked at each other before staring at Ren.

"We're going to announce the location of the World Boss."

Both Evie and Leonel's eyes widened.

"But if you announce it . . . we'll have numerous competitors," Evie said.

Leonel nodded his head like a chicken picking grains. "That's right."

"That's not a problem. The more audience we have, the better. It'll set the stage for us and . . . they would serve as cannon fodders for us too."

Leonel looked dead to the side. "Is that so?" Leave it to Ren to sacrifice dozens of guilds for his goal.

Evie captured Ren's eyes and stared intently into his silver poles. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes," replied Ren without a shred of doubt.

"Then . . . I'm with you," she said softly with a slight blush.

". . . Thanks," answered Ren, eyes melting.

". . ." At the side, Leonel willed his bottom lip not to tremble. Ren would finally have a girlfriend!

He was so proud that he wanted to cry!

Ren and Evie then stared at Leonel with serious faces.

Leonel slightly leaned away and asked, "W-what?"

"We have something to tell you, and this . . . should be kept secret at all costs."

Leonel gulped as he sensed the tension in the air. "O-okay?"

Evie briefly shot Ren a look, and when the latter nodded, she equipped her mask. The white porcelain mask shone under the soft light that seeped through from the canopies above. It enveloped Evie's half face, and she couldn't be recognized with it.

"You must keep Evie's identity a secret," Ren told Leonel in all seriousness.

Since they were going to do this under the whole world's watchful eyes, Evie wanted her real face hidden, and Ren respected that. He appreciated her helping them despite the fact that they would receive a lot of attention in the end.

"Cool." Leonel shrugged. "And don't worry. I may be a blubber mouth, but I don't tell my friends secrets."

Evie nodded. "Thank you."

It was Ren's turn to equip his [Phantom Cloak] and summoned Pii to his side. It was time that Leonel learned of his other identity. He was his best friend, and he felt that he needed to know.

Ragnar and Evie already knew, and he felt guilty that Leonel was kept in the dark. He didn't want to come to a point in time when Leonel would have to find out about it in other people's mouths.

Besides, with him knowing his secret, it would be easier to move around in the future if he ever needed his other persona to do mercenary stuff and vice versa.

"Whoa. What's this?" Leonel went over to Pii and was much more interested in the creature than seeing Ren in a cloak.

"Leo, this is my other identity in the game, and I'm counting on you to keep it a secret, too," Ren said, trying to take Leonel's attention off from Pii.

Leonel barely spared Ren a glance before saying, "Yeah. Yeah. Leave it to me. Anyway, what's with this adorable creature? Where did you get one? I want one too."

Ren didn't know what to make of Leonel's lack of interest in his other identity. One thing was for sure, though, it was the urge to hit Leonel in the head.

"Pii is a special pet that I acquired, and you can't have one."

"Egh?" Leonel's shoulders slumped. "I can't?"

"Only hunters and animist can have pets," said Evie. "Though Pii seemed like a special case."

She then took a peek at Ren. Seeing him with his cloak on and Pii on his shoulder stirred some emotions within her, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. Admit it or not, she missed his identity as Ren with a cloak.

Leonel stretched his arms over his head. "Man, all this secret identity and stuff made me want to create one too."

Ren removed his cloak and stored Pii in the pet section, while Evie stored her mask in her inventory.

"Leo, this is important." Ren stared Leonel straight in the eyes. "No one must know about this, alright?"

Leonel held Ren's intense gaze and answered with a no-nonsense tone, "I give you my word. No one will know. Not even my parents or my sister."

"Especially not your parents and your sister."

"Right."

"So . . . ," Evie chimed in, "what World Boss are we talking about here?"

Ren's focus flickered to her, and a lazy grin spread across his face.