After much hassle, I finally found Rena’s residence.
Su’er hurried into Rena’s room, and soon a soft green glow of healing Mana flickered inside.
Atiste walked in and saw that Rena’s upper body, thighs, calves, and arms were all wrapped in bandages, and even her neck was bound.
The bandages were soaked through with blood, almost entirely red, and looked like they hadn’t been changed in a long time.
That made sense—the direction-challenged fox girl had probably bandaged her up and then gone out to find Fairy Spirit Grass, without any care for whether she’d actually succeed.
Atiste could tell at a glance that Rena was indeed on the brink of death, but since the Holy Sword’s resurrection effect hadn’t triggered, it meant Rena’s vitality was strong enough to hold on.
“Rena… I’m sorry… I came too late, boohoo… Hang in there!”
Su’er had absorbed all the effects of the Fairy Spirit Grass and was now using her special ability to channel its power into Rena at maximum efficiency.
Under Su’er’s healing, Rena—who had been unconscious and deathly pale when they first entered—now looked much better, and her breathing had become smoother.
In truth, no matter how badly she was hurt, Atiste could have healed her with a single Full Recovery Art.
But his goal wasn’t to help the Hero.
Atiste began searching for the bag containing the “Naga Scale Powder.”
As the Strongest in the World, he had to have skills for searching items.
So he activated the Item Detection Art and scanned the entire room.
Around Rena, there was only a pillow, a blanket, and a bag by the bed containing some loose change. No Naga Scale Powder inside.
Rena’s room was nearly empty—just a table, a bed. Her Holy Sword was leaning against the wall.
There wasn’t even a hiding place in this room.
The space under the bed was empty too.
The only wooden chest contained a few light clothes, along with Rena’s undergarments and several sky-blue panties.
“How can she be this broke…”
Atiste couldn’t help but mutter.
Strange.
The System said the “Naga Scale Powder” was on Rena.
But why couldn’t he find it anywhere in this room?
So Atiste decided to ask Su’er.
“Su’er, when you met Rena, did she have anything shiny on her?”
The little fox girl didn’t even acknowledge him; she was completely focused on treating Rena.
Looked like he’d have to wait.
Atiste reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a pocket book titled Treant’s Proverbs.
It was a red-covered book, authored by “Treant,” a treefolk living in the human world.
Atiste liked reading peculiar books—a habit he’d developed over the past five hundred years.
Because after becoming the Strongest in the World, aside from making Art, only reading could kill time.
Atiste wasn’t good at killing; he just happened to become the strongest.
He wasn’t really into being a Villain either—it was just that the world saw him as the so-called “Villain.”
Atiste only wanted a peaceful life.
The words written by this author named “Treant” really resonated with Atiste’s thoughts.
For instance: “Fighting for the present is also fighting for the present and future of the author, because if you lose the present, you lose the future as well.”
And: “To observe, one must first think and read.”
Also: “Criticism, for the reader, or at least for the reader who shares similar interests with the critic, is useful.”
Atiste really liked these sentences, precisely because they had nothing to do with him.
Because no one could fight against him—at least not now.
He also enjoyed observing, thinking, and reading.
At the same time, aside from Eileen, no one in the world dared to criticize him.
So criticism, to him, seemed precious.
Reading like this made time pass without notice.
When he came to, Su’er had stopped casting.
Her body had returned to its original state, no longer glowing with the Fairy Spirit Grass’s light.
She looked completely spent, asleep leaning against Rena’s bed.
Her breathing was shallow, her whole form seemed light, her legs on the floor, a smile on her face, sleeping peacefully.
Rena still hadn’t woken up, but she was out of danger.
With more rest, she would fully recover.
But Atiste didn’t have time to wait for her to wake.
So he gently picked up Su’er and placed her on Rena’s bed, then grabbed Rena with his other hand, threw her over his shoulder, walked out of the house, and closed the door, ready to take her out of the city.
Let that dazed little fox get a good sleep.
Atiste considered Su’er a useful resource—a tool.
Keeping her around would definitely come in handy.
As for the already healed Hero, Rena, there was no need to be so careful.
Atiste carried her outside Aoyi City, threw her onto the ground, and used Water Ball Magic to forcibly wake her.
A water ball formed above Rena’s head, first covering her nose, then slowly engulfing her entire head.
In her sleep, Rena felt she couldn’t breathe, like she was drowning.
Not only that—no matter how she struggled, she couldn’t get out of the water.
She opened her eyes in panic, only to find herself lying on the ground but her head truly trapped in water!
She tried to swipe the water away with her hands, but it was useless.
Atiste dispelled the Water Ball Magic and said to her, “Where is the Naga Scale Powder?”
The moment the water ball vanished, Rena gasped for air.
She really thought she was going to drown.
As for who this person was or what he said—she hadn’t caught a word.
“Hurry up, Hero. Tell me, where did you hide the Naga Scale Powder?”
Rena finally calmed down and got a good look at the man’s face. He was very handsome, and she felt like she’d seen him somewhere before…
“Who are you? Did you just try to kill me?”
“Less chatter. Killing you is a matter of moments for me. I’m just here for the Naga Scale Powder.”
Rena said warily, “And if I can’t produce it?”
She sensed that his strength was immeasurable, so she dared not act rashly.
“No. You must produce it, or I won’t let it go.”
Rena thought to herself, ‘How can there be such a domineering person… None of the people I know have this kind of overwhelming presence.’
“Sir, this is the first time we’ve met. I don’t believe I’ve offended you. May I ask… your name?”
Rena tried to stall for time while probing whether he would actually harm her.
“My name is Atiste. It’s normal you don’t recognize me, but that’s not important. I’m just here to take the Naga Scale Powder.”
Rena was a bit surprised. If this person really was Atiste, she should be dead—rumor had it that monster left no survivors wherever he went.
But she was still alive, and he didn’t seem intent on killing her, so… maybe he was just a strong man with the same name?
Rena said cautiously, “Earlier today, I did obtain the Naga Scale Powder, but I was attacked before I could return to Aoyi City. When I woke up, I was here…”
“Tch, damn it. Why does getting one item have to be such a hassle?”
Atiste said angrily.
“Tell me, who stole your stuff?”
“They wore black robes, there were many of them, and they were stronger than me. At the time, the Holy Sword was asleep. I was outnumbered and got knocked down,” Rena recalled.
“Before I lost consciousness completely, I saw them heading toward the Muse Kingdom…”