Liz glanced at the many people gathered around her and couldn’t help but lift her proud head.
However, Red showed no reaction to her proud demeanor; he simply shrugged indifferently.
There was no denying that Liz was indeed very popular.
As a noble-born hero, she possessed a magnificent and noble aura, and her swordsmanship was among the highest-tier, systematically refined techniques in the Empire.
With both strength and beauty, it was hardly surprising that she was so well-liked.
Coupled with her prestigious aristocratic background, she perfectly fit the image of a noble heiress.
Proud, arrogant, unreasonable, and fond of shifting blame.
Although Red was sincerely grateful to Lize deep down, in hindsight, she was not exactly the kind of friend worth getting close to.
Red silently watched as Liz was surrounded by the crowd, then turned to face the front desk, leaving without a glance back.
Not a trace of reluctance.
Liz’s recruitment event had nothing to do with him; right now, all he wanted was a quiet life.
“Kali’er, may I ask where the Dawn Adventurers Squad is? I have a commission for them.”
“The Dawn Squad?”
The receptionist Kali’er thought for a moment, then pointed towards the crowd.
“Do you see that Demon wearing leather armor? That’s her.”
“Her?”
Red was momentarily stunned.
“By herself?”
Kali’er sighed helplessly at this.
“Demons aren’t very well received.”
“No wonder the commission wasn’t specified and they insisted on a face-to-face meeting…”
Red muttered.
He didn’t mind, but if others knew the client was a Demon, they probably wouldn’t accept the job.
He glanced over; at that moment, the little Demon sat alone on the side, clearly out of place amid the noisy crowd.
Red was about to approach and greet her when Liz raised an eyebrow.
Since they were heading in the same direction, perhaps she thought Red was going to see her?
“Red.”
Before he had taken many steps, Liz called out to him.
He turned to look; the young woman crossed her arms and said coldly, “The Dawn Adventurers Squad will soon be advancing to the Twenty-Fourth Floor.”
“Oh,”
Red replied flatly with a nod, “I wish you success in your mission.”
Did she really think he would turn back?
Unfortunately, there was no way he could go back.
“The Dawn Adventurers Squad can do just fine without you.”
Seeing Red seemingly ignoring her, Liz stepped in front of him.
“But I can give you a chance to reconsider. If you apologize to me now, I can help you rejoin the Dawn Squad.”
All eyes in the vicinity landed on Red and Liz.
Many whispered among themselves.
“Didn’t Red already cancel his adventurer’s certification and quit the Dawn Squad?”
“That can’t be right. Didn’t Liz say they kicked Red out?”
“…”
Listening to their words, Red sighed.
An indescribable bitterness and helplessness welled up inside him.
Three years together, and not a single person willing to say a good word for him; outside, they even claimed he was the one who was kicked out.
Thinking about it carefully, it was truly laughable.
Reid looked at Liz.
Perhaps because of today’s recruitment, she was dressed very beautifully.
Her ornate armor paired with her neat twin tails, slender legs, and delicate features made her undeniably impressive and valiant.
But… her personality was utterly unappealing.
“Sorry, I chose to quit on my own, and I’m not going back.”
Red emphasized the first part; as for the latter, he didn’t care if Liz heard it or not.
“I have a mission to attend to; please make way.”
Repeatedly ignored, Liz’s face darkened in anger as she watched Red walk farther away.
“I know what’s been going on with you lately.”
Red stopped in his tracks.
“Is there a White Church Priestess named Litt following you around?”
At her words, Red furrowed his brows.
He had already left, so why was she investigating him?
“To be honest,”
Liz took a deep breath and said coldly, “that White Church Priestess… is fake.”
Red had already turned his head away; his expression had darkened.
Kali’er, seeing the tense atmosphere, quickly came over to check what was happening.
“There is no such person named Litt in the White Church delegation that came to Ye Ming Town. She’s a fake, a fraud!”
“Her intentions toward you are definitely impure, whether it’s for money or something even more sinister.”
“You’re the only one foolish enough to believe a complete stranger’s unreserved kindness!”
“Look at the commission you have—just a fifth-floor dungeon job. What happened to your dreams and ambitions?”
“Joining us, the Dawn Adventurers Squad, is the better path. Not this meaningless life here!”
Those nearby stopped their tasks, ready to watch the drama unfold.
Among them was the Dawn Squad’s little loli mage, Jessica.
Expressionless, she sat nearby holding a melon.
Just here for the show.
“Alright, alright…”
Kali’er stepped between the two and said to Liz, “Calm down, calm down. Everyone can talk this out—no need to get so worked up.”
Red had a trace of irritation earlier, but after hearing Liz’s words, he couldn’t help but laugh.
Even if Litt was truly a fraud,
at least she had shown him kindness, making him feel what true warmth was like.
Liz, on the other hand?
She kept claiming it was for his own good, but never took any real action.
Enjoying her own efforts while never satisfied with the status quo.
Really… enough was enough.
Red finally laughed aloud.
Slowly, he stretched out both hands and silently began to applaud.
This scene left everyone dumbfounded.
“You’re right. When I survived on the Twenty-Third Floor, it was pure luck. At that time, I reflected and realized that compared to you in the Dawn Squad, my strength was indeed unworthy… sigh…”
Before Liz could say anything further, Red spoke with a melancholic tone.
“The Dawn Squad truly is the model hero team, the model for independent women of the new era. I, Red, an ordinary creation mage, have no merit or ability to remain in your squad.”
At his words, expressions on the crowd’s faces varied.
Liz couldn’t understand what Reid was trying to do.
“A team made up entirely of women—that’s unheard of even among adventurers. Looking back through history, it’s the same. But the Dawn Adventurers Squad did it: just four women cleared the Twenty-Third Floor. That achievement is nothing short of holding half the sky. Even if there will be all-female squads in the future, none will reach the heights you have achieved!”
As Red’s applause continued, others joined in.
“When the people desire it, when the crowd supports it, I believe the Dawn Squad will find better, more suitable female partners for your path… please, keep it up.”
Under the expectant gazes of everyone, Liz’s smile completely froze.