Although this Absorption Art could evolve up to Rank S, the condition for evolution was to kill Awakened ones and monsters to absorb their energy.
But Rover wanted a peaceful life—he didn't want to become a murderer. If he chose this, he would turn into nothing more than a beast driven by slaughter.
Rover decided to skip the Cataclysmic Absorption Art and moved on to the second option.
[Absorption Art – Immortal | Price: 5,000 EXP]
He skimmed through the description and immediately dismissed it.
Why?
Because this Art required the user to remain seated in one place, endlessly absorbing energy.
The longer one sat still, the more energy they could absorb, and the faster the Art could evolve to Rank S, similar to Cataclysmic. However, it required total stillness and isolation.
He didn't want to be a tree—sitting quietly for hundreds or thousands of years.
He wanted to enjoy life. Even if immortality were guaranteed, he had no interest in living forever as a tree.
Rover sighed and muttered, "Hopefully the last one suits me better."
[Absorption Art – Eden Night]
"This one…" Rover's eyes lit up as soon as he saw it.
He opened the detailed description, and immediately burst into laughter. "This—this one's perfect for me! Hahahaha!"
…
Absorption Art: Eden Night
Price: 3,000 EXP
Rank: F
Description:Level up together, enjoy together.
Note: Once this Absorption Art is chosen, you cannot select or use any other Absorption Art.
…
Rover instantly understood the hidden meaning behind those words.
Level up together, enjoy together.
It was obvious what that meant.
Of course—it referred to that.
"Hahaha… this one fits me perfectly," Rover laughed. "In my past life, I ran a fake dating business and never had a real girlfriend. In this life, I'll make sure I have one—no, one from every race!"
"Hahahaha!"
Rover didn't realize that, from behind the tall trees in the distance, a graceful figure was watching him intently.
Yes—it was the Saintess.
Though her face was still hidden behind a mask, her eyes were filled with tenderness and affection, as if the entire world contained only him.
"Rover… we meet again."
"This time… I'll protect you. I won't let anyone harm you."
…
Nighttime.
BAM!
Cheng!
"Damn it!"
In his private chamber, Alex smashed a vase in fury, then threw a painting from the wall to the floor.
His handsome face was twisted with madness and rage, his bloodshot eyes burning like fire. "Why? What does he have that I don't?!"
"I'm the genius Awakened! I'm the one everyone admires! Why?! Why won't she even look at me once?! Why?!"
"He's nothing but a useless mutt! Why does the Saintess care about him?!"
"That's right—he's worthless."
At that moment, a calm voice echoed through the room, making Alex freeze.
"Who's there?!" Alex shouted, spinning around, searching for the source. "Who are you?!"
That's when he saw it—someone sitting casually on the windowsill, as if they had been there all along.
The person wore a white robe that covered their entire body, a hood over their head, and a mask that hid their face.
"I am the Saintess's guard." the woman said.
"Saintess's guard…" Alex muttered, then snapped back to attention and hurriedly said, "Sorry, I… this is—"
"I know you're angry." She smiled. "So am I. I don't like the Saintess getting so close to a worthless man like that either."
At first Alex was surprised by her words, but then he felt a sense of sympathy for her.
"That's right." Alex snarled, grinding his teeth. "He's useless and lazy. He doesn't participate in family affairs—just eats, sleeps, and plays. Why would the Saintess choose him?"
The woman nodded. "Exactly. That's why I came to cooperate with you, to help the Saintess see his true ugly face."
Alex frowned and asked, "You'll help me?"
"Of course!" she replied. "After all, my mistress is the Saintess. The one who stands by her should at least be a genius Awakened, not a worthless man."
"If she chooses Rover, then not only she but all her subordinates, including me, will become laughingstocks."
Alex found her reasoning convincing. The Saintess's status was supreme; though becoming her lover was nearly impossible, the person who stood by her would be regarded as her consort.
If the Saintess's lover were useless, it would damage her status and undermine her bid for the title of Divine.
"So…" Alex frowned, asking seriously, "What must we do?"
"I have a plan. You just need to cooperate." the woman said softly.
Alex eyed her suspiciously. "Why help me?" he asked.
"Don't misunderstand." she smiled. "I'm not helping you—I'm cooperating. Of course we'll both benefit."
Alex still seemed unconvinced, his gaze full of doubt.
She showed no worry and said calmly, "Have you heard of the struggle to become the Goddess?"
"I have." Alex replied, frowning.
"Although it's an internal conflict within the Church," she explained, "members of the Church can recruit talents and other forces to increase their chances of victory."
"If our Saintess wins and becomes the Goddess, not only will she benefit but so will you and I."
"You are already a genius Awakened with enormous potential. I think… you understand what I mean, yes?"
Alex nodded. He was a prodigy, not an idiot. After thinking a moment he said, "I trust you, but if we cooperate I need to see your face and know your name, right?"
The woman fell silent for a moment, then slowly removed her mask and lifted her hood.
Alex was stunned when he saw her face, his eyes widening. "You… you're of the Beast tribe?" he blurted.
Before him was a woman with short white hair and wolf-like ears standing atop her head that twitched—definitely not fake.
"You may call me Runa." she said. "As you see, I am a wolf-woman."
Alex frowned, perplexed. "You… the Beast tribe is meddling in human affairs?"
Runa glanced at Alex, then pulled her hood back over her head and said calmly, "The Beast tribe's territory is shrinking. If this continues, one day the Beast tribe's lands will be seized by other races, including humans."
"The only thing I can do is follow the Saintess and help her become the Goddess. Then I will have enough power and authority to reclaim land for the Beast tribe."
Alex felt more trusting after hearing her. She had a clear goal and motive—cooperating with her seemed reasonable.
He nodded and smiled. "Good! So what do you want me to do?"
"Very simple…" Runa produced a small box and tossed it to Alex.
He caught the small box—like catching a tennis ball—and was about to open it when Runa quickly said, "Don't open it."
"Hm?!" Alex looked at her in confusion.
Runa explained, "If you open it, it will carry your scent, and the Saintess will surely suspect you."
"You mean…" Alex began.
"Exactly." Runa cut him off. "Inside is the Saintess's underwear. You place this in Rover's room—best if you put it on his person."
"Tomorrow, when the Saintess discovers her underwear missing, you step forward and accuse Rover. She'll think he's a pervert and all trust in him will crumble."
"Perhaps… the Saintess will be so enraged she'll kill him."
Alex inhaled sharply, looking down at the box, then grinned with excitement. "Exactly. Steal the Saintess's underwear—hahahaha… he definitely has to die!"