Chapter Forty-Two: Shadows in the Firelight, Exchanging Tokens of Affection p2
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Back at the apartment.
Luo Ling and Elsa sat on the floor, facing each other, examining the two treasures sent by the Company.
“This is…”
Elsa gulped, staring at the large spider legs Luo Ling had taken out of the treasure chest, embedded with bloodshot, bulging eyes, all with black pupils and white sclera.
An instinctive fear washed over Elsa, and she scooted away slightly.
The Sacred Relic of Naraku of Chaos.
Although… it came from a half-baked “Naraku Godchosen,” it contained a portion of Naraku’s power, undiminished even after its owner’s death.
Although Elsa had been freed from the Grotesquery’s influence after becoming Luo Ling’s Apostle, her power still originated from these sealed Grotesqueries.
And among these Grotesqueries, even the strongest had only barely reached the edge of the Dangerous Grotesquery level.
As one of the highest-ranking Grotesqueries, a Taboo’s power suppressed lower-ranked Grotesqueries effortlessly. Even a trace of its power… was beyond their ability to resist.
Suddenly, silver strands appeared in Elsa’s red hair, quickly spreading to almost half her head.
The mix of crimson and silver gave Elsa an ethereal, otherworldly appearance.
Luo Ling looked up, frowning slightly, then acted quickly.
—”Kingdom.”
Silver-white hair cascaded down, the petite girl waving her hand, the domain of her Authority enveloping the apartment, blocking all outside scrutiny.
“Huh?”
Seeing this beautiful scene, Elsa initially wondered why Miss Luo Ling had suddenly transformed into the White Witch.
But then, noticing the silver strands in her own hair, similar to Miss Luo Ling’s, she understood.
“S-sorry…”
Elsa panicked. She had accidentally used the White Witch’s power. If anyone saw this, it would cause trouble.
It might even implicate Miss Luo Ling.
“It’s alright, Elsa,” Luo Ling smiled faintly. “Aren’t you afraid anymore?”
“Oh, you’re right!”
Elsa realized that the fear that had gripped her had vanished completely. The spider legs no longer evoked any emotional response, just an ugly and grotesque Sacred Relic.
As Luo Ling’s Apostle, or Godchosen, when facing a mortal threat, like encountering a Taboo’s power, Elsa would receive Luo Ling’s blessing.
Currently, Elsa could wield most of the White Witch’s power. The reason it wasn’t Amethyst’s power was because Luo Ling’s Naraku form hadn’t fully matured yet.
Even Luo Ling’s own access to Naraku’s abilities was limited. She hadn’t even touched upon the “Omniscience” Authority, so she couldn’t bestow it upon Elsa.
For now, it was accurate to call Elsa the White Witch’s Godchosen.
However…
“It looks quite nice, actually.”
While Luo Ling examined the spider legs, Elsa glanced at the full-length mirror, a smile appearing on her face.
It was the same hair color as the White Witch…
And it looked even better with her Lolita dress.
It was a pity that Miss Luo Ling rarely used her White Witch form, so she didn’t have many opportunities to see her in her favorite dress.
Wait, now was a good opportunity, wasn’t it?
Elsa looked at the white-haired girl meticulously examining the Sacred Relic, a mischievous thought forming in her mind.
The White Witch was small, even smaller than her. If she could remove those drab clothes and dress her in her own Lolita dress…
And then… and then…
“What’s wrong, Elsa?”
Luo Ling looked up, noticing Elsa’s intense gaze, filled with an indescribable emotion.
Had she been contaminated by something?
Impossible, within her domain, what kind of being could contaminate her Apostle?
A High-Risk Grotesquery? A Taboo?
But… if not contamination, why was Elsa’s gaze so strange, almost predatory?
The strange look quickly vanished.
“N-nothing!”
Elsa waved her hands frantically, avoiding Luo Ling’s gaze, like a kitten caught misbehaving. “Nothing at all…”
Oh dear, what was she thinking…
Elsa covered her face, feeling her cheeks burning hot, steam seemingly rising from her head.
“Here.”
Luo Ling took out another treasure chest and pushed it towards Elsa.
“Huh?”
Elsa lowered her hands, staring at the box in confusion.
She remembered clearly. This was a Sacred Relic, not an ordinary one, but a High-Risk Grotesquery Sacred Relic.
Although incomplete, just a fragment, it was… a Sacred Relic from the main body, not an avatar or derivative, but a part of the true “Core of Fear” of Nightmare.
It was considered a first-place prize in the Company’s gacha vault.
Luo Ling had later learned that Elsa was truly lucky. The chance of drawing a treasure of this level was about 0.6 percent. Many veteran employees saved up for decades, accumulating ten draws.
Even then, obtaining a first-place prize was a noteworthy event within the Company, earning the title of “lucky charm.”
Yet, Elsa had gotten it on her first try.
No wonder even the experienced Melissa had been stunned.
However, Lu Manqing’s comment at the time had been, “If Miss Luo Ling hadn’t touched that crystal ball, Elsa would have definitely gotten the grand prize.”
Luo Ling wanted to retort, but she couldn’t think of anything to say.
“No, no, Miss Luo Ling, this is too valuable.”
Elsa quickly pushed the box back, shaking her head vigorously. “I don’t need a gift, besides, I haven’t done anything to help you…”
Her voice trailed off, feeling that she had received far too much help from Miss Luo Ling. Accepting such a valuable gift was…
“It’s not that valuable, and I can’t use it. Besides, Elsa, aren’t you a Nightmare path Awakened One? Crafting it into a Sacred Tool or Sacred Medicine would be very useful for you.”
Luo Ling pushed the box back towards Elsa. “And if you become stronger, you can help me more, right?”
“That’s true…”
Elsa, swayed by Luo Ling’s words, accepted the box, a sweet feeling welling up within her.
Hehe, this was the first gift Miss Luo Ling had given her. Was this a token of affection…? No, no…
What was she thinking?!
But she hadn’t given Miss Luo Ling anything… wait!
As Luo Ling continued examining the spider legs, Elsa suddenly slapped her thigh and stood up.
She had completely forgotten!
“Hmm?”
Luo Ling tilted her head, looking at the suddenly flustered Elsa.
“I… I wanted to give this to you earlier…”
Elsa hesitated for a moment, then extended her hand, offering Luo Ling a small, cute butterfly hairpin.
“This is…”
Luo Ling took the hairpin, initially assuming it was a Sacred Tool or some special item, but realized it was just an ordinary hairpin.
“I wanted to give it to you back in Jiangcheng County, but I forgot…”
Elsa thought, Miss Luo Ling casually gave away a High-Risk Grotesquery Sacred Relic, how could she offer such an ordinary gift?
“Oh, I see.” Luo Ling realized it was just a gift. “It’s very pretty, I like it.”
“Try it on, Miss Luo Ling!”
Elsa said, her eyes shining with anticipation.
“Alright.” Luo Ling nodded, walking to the full-length mirror, combing her bangs, and carefully placing the butterfly hairpin near her forehead.
“No, no…”
Elsa panicked. Miss Luo Ling was so clumsy, that wasn’t how you wore a hairpin.
She quickly removed it and placed it correctly, sighing in relief.
Looking at the white-haired Luo Ling in the mirror, slightly shorter than herself, her somewhat dazed expression and loose clothing, adorned with the carefully chosen butterfly hairpin…
She looked so adorable!
If only she were wearing a dress…
Elsa gritted her teeth, but couldn’t bring herself to remove Luo Ling’s ill-fitting clothes and dress her in her beloved Lolita dress.
“It looks quite nice.”
Luo Ling touched the butterfly hairpin. It was a pity that her White Witch form was far more beautiful than her original appearance. Her ordinary looks didn’t do the hairpin justice.
“Wait, Elsa, I’ll see if I have any nice accessories for you.”
Luo Ling rummaged through her hair.
Elsa wanted to refuse, but for some reason…
She didn’t.
“Hmm…”
Luo Ling realized she didn’t have many personal belongings.
Scattered among her hair were a slightly crumpled hundred-dollar bill, a plain white lace-trimmed dress, a cute pink fluffy glove, a metallic ring…
Besides that, just Sacred Tools and tokens.
“It seems I don’t.”
Luo Ling said awkwardly. She hadn’t reached the age where she cared about fashion, and her family’s financial situation hadn’t allowed for such luxuries.
“Oh, it’s alright…”
Elsa’s disappointment was evident, but she quickly recovered.
It didn’t matter, she still had this token of affection—no, this Sacred Relic!
She would craft it into an accessory Sacred Tool and wear it every day!
“Don’t worry, I’ll get you something nice next time.” Luo Ling waved her hand dismissively. But given her questionable taste, “nice”…
Was a relative term.
“Okay!”
Elsa, clutching the box, nodded happily.
“Alright, next I should…”
Luo Ling’s expression turned serious as she looked at the spider leg Sacred Relic.
It didn’t contain much of Naraku’s power, but it was genuine, enough for her Naraku form to advance to the next stage. And it hadn’t been tampered with.
Luo Ling sat down cross-legged, picking up the Sacred Relic.
Preparing to “Devour.”
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