“Gotcha!” I grabbed onto the wrists of the Guild Master and Ruby, a slight grin on my face, using their moment of triumph against them.

With Mimic equipped, I used Karmic Control, diving into their souls and attacking the miasmic infection at its source. The two let out panicked screams, but after having already worked out how to do this once, it was much easier the second time. I could probably even do it from a distance, but I had to be certain this time. The two infected people collapsed to the ground. Whether it was because my skill was more refined this time, or because they were both heartier, they didn’t pass out completely.

Instead, the pair leaned on the ground, gasping for breath. It was the Guild Master who had recovered first. He looked up at me, his eyes no longer black, and he let out a horrified cry.

“L-Lord Deekson!”

I looked down at him. “Guild Master.”

“Deek… y-you’re alive!” A voice shouted behind me, and then large arms wrapped around me from behind.

“Ahhh! C-can you at least get these weapons out of me?”

“Oh no!” She turned red, reaching out and grabbing and pulling her blade out.

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“I’m sorry!” The Guild Master ripped his weapon out at the same time.

“Gahhhh… that smarts!” I fell to a knee, but I was already casting Heal.

Actually, after the torture I had experienced through Alysia’s torment in the soul domain, this kind of pain was nothing. I had let the pair strike me. I had just been planning to let the Guild Master strike me. I hadn’t realized Ruby was there until it was too late, so I allowed her to strike too. My body was too tough for them to cause more than superficial wounds. My vitality was something that couldn’t be ignored. Even compared to Osterians, I would be hard to knockdown.

Although they were both fast and strong, they were still not thinking clearly. Perhaps, if they worked toward a fight of attrition, they could have slowly worn me down. That’s why I chose to ultimately take the hits head on. I needed to get close enough to grab them, and I needed them to let their guard down for a moment. I didn’t know if they could use skills in that state, and I didn’t want to tempt them to the point they were using powerful skills and potentially hurting themselves or the other infected.

As the wounds started to close at a visible rate, I heard a sudden sob. Ruby threw her arms around me again.

“I’m so sorry! I’m sorry!” She bellowed loud enough that even the infected downstairs awkwardly started to walk away.

“Who is this then?” Alysia asked.

She had been perfectly fine with princesses and slaves, but for some reason, Ruby, with her big chest that revealed a ton of cleavage being pressed against me had caused Alysia to grow irate. The Guild Master scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly.

“She had become a wreck after she thought you died.” He admitted. “I have to say, I’m glad to see the rumors were wrong. I’m even more glad to see you. As you can see, Chalm needs you.”

Hearing the screeching calls throughout the city, I had to say that this was an understatement.