Unrequited Affection

The Guide remained silent. Instead, the Sentinel, who had just been filled with shame and anger, took the initiative to speak: "Are you serious? Are you... pursuing me?"

The Sentinel's eyes were full of yearning, like a fragile piece of porcelain.

Dai Qiao suddenly felt the urge to retreat. She instinctively took half a step back, wanting to snap him back to reality: "I've insulted you so many times, have you forgotten them all?"

Ling Feng shook his head, answering clearly, "Those were just harmless words. Actions reflect a person's character far better than words ever could."

Just now, in a moment of dire peril, this Guide had stood before him without hesitation.

She had protected him.

It was rare for a Guide to protect a Sentinel, for Guides were inherently weak, usually providing support from the rear rather than engaging in direct combat.

But this beautiful Guide, with only a single sword, had slain an S-rank Ghost Frog.

She was powerful, and she knew how to protect her Sentinel.

Furthermore, she was the first person to ever actively pursue him.

Ling Feng leaned down to pick up the red book from the ground, gently brushing off the dust and holding it reverently with both hands: "If you are serious, I am willing to become the person..."

"No."

Dai Qiao interrupted him immediately.

The red book was gripped so tightly that a visible crease formed.

Ling Feng’s gaze froze, his long fingers trembling slightly: "What did you say?"

Dai Qiao raised her hand and pointed at the red book: "That's a fake, just a street-side knockoff. Can't you tell?"

A... street-side knockoff?

Ling Feng stood frozen, clutching the red book. His eyes turned bloodshot as he stared at Dai Qiao, his entire body trembling: "What did you just say?"

Facing Ling Feng’s wounded gaze, Dai Qiao’s lips parted as if to say something, but she stopped herself.

She drew the sword from her waist. A flash of light streaked through the air, knocking the red book out of his hand.

Dai Qiao lifted her chin, her tone arrogant: "You are too weak. You aren't even worthy of carrying my shoes."

"So weak that you need a Guide to protect you."

"So, what makes you think you have the right to become my contracted Sentinel?"

This time, she didn't insult his feelings; she insulted his strength.

Dai Qiao intentionally belittled Ling Feng’s prowess to provoke him into a rage.

Who would have thought this fool wouldn't catch the main point, only hearing the phrase "not worthy of being a contracted Sentinel."

"So, from beginning to end, you were just playing with me?"

Ling Feng clenched his fists, his teeth gritted so hard that the metallic taste of blood began to spread in his throat.

Without a hint of guilt, Dai Qiao nodded nonchalantly: "Yes."

But in Ling Feng’s eyes, her smile carried a cold mockery.

The clear sunlight shone upon the Guide, highlighting her indifferent face, which was so cold it bordered on heartless.

Even those pale purple eyes were devoid of any emotion.

Though she didn't have the advantage of height, that single look of disdain was enough to make Ling Feng feel like a laughingstock—belittled and despised beyond endurance.

So it turned out... he was just being self-sentimental.

He was the only one who had assumed too much.

Ling Feng tried to breathe but felt an immense suffocating pressure. He pressed a hand against his chest, trying to suppress the pain.

But it was futile.

The pain in his chest grew sharper.

It was the kind of pain as if something had pierced through his heart!

By the time Ling Feng realized something was wrong, it was too late. Fresh blood sprayed out, and a few drops even landed on Dai Qiao’s face!

Adding a few streaks of bright red.

A contaminated creature had launched a sneak attack.

The silver-haired, purple-eyed Guide, who rarely showed emotion, widened her eyes, her face momentarily contorting.

Ling Feng didn't have the chance to look again. His body went cold, and he fell powerlessly.

He fell into a warm embrace.

One that carried a faint, gentle fragrance.

Ling Feng opened his mouth to say something, but he could only vomit blood continuously. His eyelids fluttered, and finally, he sank into darkness.