Just as Victor carried Erica out of the cave, he saw lights shining halfway up the mountain.
Anyone daring to light a lamp in Twilight Forest had to be federal enforcers.
"They came looking for me," Erica said softly, lowering her head.
"Erica, do me a favor," Victor whispered. "Don't say it was me who killed Ox King."
"Why? That's your honor!" Erica asked, confused.
Ox King was clearly slain by Victor. Erica was even thinking about what kind of reward her father should give him once they returned.
"This honor is too heavy. I don't want to carry it just yet," Victor said plainly.
Right now, he was still too weak. In the Underground, there were too many stronger than him.
If he exposed his top-tier talent too early, he would only draw envy and greed.
"Alright, I'll make up a proper lie," Erica nodded, agreeing to Victor's words.
Following the trail of light, Victor and Erica soon met the federal enforcers searching the area.
It had to be said, this search team was powerful.
Lord Chris himself was here, with Kane, the vice-captain of the Holy Knights' Order, at his side.
On top of that, dozens of enforcers above Level 15 were spread out searching every direction.
"Erica!" Chris saw Victor carrying Erica on his back and rushed over, his face full of joy.
"Father!" Erica, seeing her father again, was just as excited. The two hugged tightly.
"Hey, Victor!" Kane walked over and quietly asked, "How did you end up knowing Erica?"
Victor answered awkwardly, "Just a coincidence."
Kane could tell Victor didn't want to go into detail, so he added, "You don't even know—when Lord Chris found out Erica came to Twilight Mountain, he nearly fainted from fear!"
Victor thought for a moment, then asked curiously, "Who told Lord Chris?"
Kane pointed at a thin man in the crowd and whispered, "It was him—Odin."
"Odin?" Victor turned his head and saw Odin staring at him with a dark expression.
"Looks like Odin's plan didn't work out." Victor sneered as he looked at him.
From Kane's words, he already guessed Odin's scheme.
Most likely, Odin had discovered Erica was taken by Ox King, and so came up with a plan.
That was to inform Lord Chris and have him send people to rescue her.
Even if it didn't win Erica's favor, it would at least earn Lord Chris's deep gratitude.
Although Victor knew Erica's trip into Twilight Forest was Odin's scheme, he couldn't say it now.
After all, he had no proof, and Chris currently valued and liked Odin a lot.
"Victor!" Chris waved his phone, signaling Victor to come over.
"Lord City Master!" Victor stepped forward respectfully and gave Chris a slight bow.
"No wonder you were the student I once had high hopes for. If not for you, Erica would've almost lost her life!" Chris patted Victor's shoulder, gratitude in his eyes.
Victor glanced at the very pleased Erica, unsure what lie she had told to make Chris thank him so much.
"Right, what did that mysterious man look like? Victor, do you remember?" Chris suddenly asked.
Victor understood at once—the "mysterious man" was most likely himself.
"Uh, he wore a black robe. I couldn't see his face," Victor said with a hint of regret.
"Alright then." Chris shook his head, then smiled. "Come on, in my capacity as city master, I invite you to tonight's banquet."
"Gladly," Victor said. He would never refuse the city master's invitation.
"By the way, Odin will be there too. You're the same age—you should get along well." Chris pointed at Odin and smiled.
"Yes, we do get along," Victor said, looking at Odin and speaking against his heart.
Soon, Odin and Chris took a special car and left Twilight Mountain, heading back to Sky Ladder.
Then they took the luxury Sky Ladder back to the Underground and arrived at the place where the federal government was holding the banquet.
Victor didn't know the theme of tonight's event—anyway, the government held banquets often.
Chris was the city master after all, with many people to handle. After greeting Victor, he went off to receive others.
Erica was taken away by a psychologist for counseling.
So Victor could only sit alone in a corner, casually picking up a few plates of dessert.
He watched the performance on the dance floor while tasting the sweets.
"Hey, handsome, may I have this dance?"
Victor was enjoying the dance when a white, slender hand suddenly reached out in front of him.
He looked up—and froze.
Standing before him was Elena! The saintess of the Bonfire Society.
"You really didn't let me down." Elena pulled over a chair and sat beside Victor, smiling. "It's only been a few days, and you already qualify to attend the city lord's banquet."
"Just luck," Victor said casually.
"You really won't join the Bonfire Society? Trust me—with your ability, the Holy Son's seat is reserved for you." Elena's tempting voice brushed Victor's ear.
Victor glanced at her and asked, "To be blunt, what's the benefit of being your Holy Son?"
"The benefit is me." Elena's hand slipped to Victor's waist and wandered at will.
Victor really wanted to tell her this was a formal occasion.
But Elena's hand was very soft, and after thinking it over, Victor let it slide.
"So? Think about it?" Elena looked at Victor, eyes full of expectation.
"Sorry." Victor took a sip of tea and spoke with a hint of regret.
Elena was stunned. She hadn't expected this to not affect Victor at all.
But she stayed calm. She stood up and smiled, saying, "Okay, I'll wait for the day you change your mind."
To get back at Victor, Elena suddenly grabbed his lower body hard, making Victor jump in surprise.
Looking at Elena's back as she left, Victor sighed lightly.
The Bonfire Society was way too extreme. Victor just wanted to grow strong in peace.
"Victor!" A woman's voice came into Victor's ear.
"Huh?" Victor turned around and was stunned.
The person who came was Audrey. She was wearing a black chest-length dress, looking very beautiful.
"When did you get here?" Victor asked, feeling a little guilty.
"Since Elena's hand went in..."
"Stop, stop!" Victor quickly waved his hands to stop Audrey from talking.
"I heard you went to Twilight Mountain," Audrey said, sipping her wine and asking with a smile.
"Yeah, how did you know?" Victor asked.
"Odin told me," Audrey tapped the table and said with a sneer, "that guy is like a pervert. Just ask him a few questions, and he told everything."
"You'd better not talk to him. He's really... well, he's not a good person," Victor hesitated, but still tried to warn her.
"Are you worried about me?" Audrey looked at Victor and teased.
Victor nodded, "Sort of."
"Then dance with me. That way, Odin will give up for good," Audrey looked at Victor with big eyes and asked.
"Sorry, Victor already has plans with me," Erica ran over and grabbed Victor's arm.
Audrey looked at Victor and said coldly, "Miss Erica, you're the mayor's daughter. Lying doesn't fit your family's tradition."
"Mind your own business!" Erica crossed her arms and huffed.
Looking at the two women facing off, Victor felt a bit helpless.
Even though he had three Level 5 skills and could kill a Level 21 Ox King in one hit.
He still had no idea how to deal with a fight between two girls.
At that moment, a loud round of applause and cheers suddenly came from the entrance of the hall in the distance.
"Look over there, is someone important coming?" Victor used the chance to change the subject, trying to get out of the situation.
"Not a big deal. Just some teachers and students from outside," Erica said coldly, clearly not interested.
"Teachers and students from outside?" Victor asked with interest.
Partly to change the subject, and partly because he was really curious.
What kind of school would send teachers and students to a Level D dungeon like this?