Endless Evolution As A Skeleton In A Game-Like World

Out of all the people Soo-jin would have wanted to make it out alive, Cain had to be at the bottom of the list.

His was a classic example of what a noble was, determined, a stickler for family regulations and condescending.

He reminded her so much of her family, that seeing him irritated her eyes. It was only natural that she would come to hate him.

”It seems I have overstepped by having your healer treat me.” Soo-jin said in a reserved tone.

Daffodil was part of his team, and as the leader, he could very well object to them receiving treatment.

Of course Daffodil would still heal her anyways, but for her sake, and to prevent friction in their team... Soo-jin decided to act as cordially as she could.

”Oh no, please use her as much as you like.”

He said it like Daffodil was some sort of tool that could be dispatched at his disposal.

”You are an asset to us...” his eyes flickered to the other players. ”Unlike the lowborn trash who are worth nothing.”

’Does that mean he had been refusing healing for some people?’ Soo-jin thought.

Maybe not here, since Darius would never allow it, but they may have met people out in the forest...

Cain’s brows creased as he took in her form. While he still looked mostly clean and uninjured, Soo-jin was a mess of scratches, and blood.

”Look at the state you are in.” He frowned. ”All because you’ve had to carry baggage all day.”

He tried to reach for her hair, but as his hand drew near, Soo-jin smacked it to the side.

But this only seemed to excite Cain. He leaned forward, so much so that she could feel the disgusting heat of breath.

”Feisty as always aren’t we? But is there any need to be so cold? You may have rejected me countless times, but your family has taken the decision off your hands have they not?”

Soo-jin’s face remained stoic, but she was barely controlling herself on the inside.

Right now, she wanted nothing more than to sink her claws into those eyes of his.

Cain smiled. ”It is only a matter of time my dear, our betrothal will not be long...”

”Please distance yourself from my mistress. Your conduct is unsightly.” Isabella’s tone had a sharp edge to it, and her eyes were glowing crimson.

Cain glanced at her, his eyes filled with amusement, but when he realised that some people were staring, he stepped back.

”Prehaps, this is not the right time or place.”

He eyed her once more, then shook his head. ”I do not like damaged goods, Soo-jin.”

”A little trade secret, for your own safety. If you are going to carry baggage, make sure they are enough to serve as meat shields, that is all they are good for.”

Soo-jin saw Daffodil stiffen in the corner of her vision. Her eyes were filled with guilt, and she seemed to be doing her best to keep her composure.

What had Cain put her through? Daffodil was the type of person who would put everything at stake just to rescue one person.

But with someone like Cain as their leader... How many people did she have to watch die?

Soo-jin slowly shook her head. ”I have no need for such tactics. Those who are truly strong do not need to rely on such petty tricks to survive.”

She cocked her head to the side, and gave him a condescending look. ”I thought you were at least above average, it seems I was wrong. Did you survive this long by stepping on your subordinates?

Soo-jin seemed to have struck a nerve.

Cain’s face twitched, a vein pulsing on his sharp jawline. He seemed just about to burst, but at that moment, Darius joined them.

”It is good to see that you are well, Soo-jin. With you here, the top five leaders are complete.” He said in a hopeful tone.

Then his mood dampened. ”The others are yet to come, I’m afraid...” his voice trailed off. He shook his head and looked her in the eyes. ”What do you think about this tutorial, Soo-jin?”

”It is definitely not normal, the difficulty level is far too high.”

Soo-jin could not tell him about her family’s secrets, but Darius was smart enough to have figured at least a part of it by now.

”I think the tutorial is marvelous.” Cain cut in from the side, answering a question no one had asked him. ”Anyone that cannot pass this trial is trash, no, they are worse than trash. We do not need trash in Eden.”

”Cain...” Darius’ words came out as a low growl, but he was completely ignored.

Cain made a show of looking at every member of Soo-jin’s party, then a maniacal smile cut across his face.

”And speaking about trash. I don’t see that loud mouthed skeleton anywhere.” His smile grew even wider.

”Ah, don’t tell me. Did he bite the dust already?”

Bang!

A shockwave cut across the area, causing all the players to jump to their feet, eyes wide in panic.

Once the dust cleared, Darius was standing between Soo-hin and Cain, holding both their fists. But he was only able to stop them both, not the entire party...

Olivia had the sharp edge of her wings to Cain’s neck, a trickle of blood flowing down, while Isabella had a dagger made of blood to his heart.

There was madness in Soo-jin’s eyes, a bubbling rage that discarded all encumberments of logic, replacing them with violence.

It was a stark contrast to her normally aloof self.

Her eyes had turned feral, her ears were up straight, and every single hair on her body had turned prickly.

Cain on the other hand was coated by an eerie black matter, his hair floating calmly in the wind as his body pulsed with power.

But the longer he stared into her eyes, the more he felt his composure crack. Sweat slid down the side of his face as he took a step back away from them, slowly.

”You too, Olivia? Have you also been carried away by their madness?”

Olivia responded with silence.

”Tch.”

Cain clicked his tongue and walked away, his teeth gritted so hard that he could taste blood.

Another day...

It was only a matter of time until they paid for their disrespect.

Darius sighed as he watched him walk away. They had a boss fight on their hands, and the group was already showing signs of friction.

Most of the players that survived had also been damaged psychologically, after watching their teammates die in various horrible ways.

The boss raid would be in thirty minutes. But if things continued like this... only a few of them would survive.