Chapter Twenty: Little Bob's Secret

[Prompt: Affection with Little Bob has increased from “Friendly” to “Sincere”!]

Seeing this notification, Ashes realized he had triggered a special event related to Little Bob. Even so, as he listened to Little Bob’s confession, he couldn’t help but feel deeply surprised.

“I’m sorry. There’s something I’ve kept from you all this time… Our meeting wasn’t a coincidence.”

As the Bloodvine’s illusion faded away, Little Bob spoke in a subdued, somewhat guilty tone, “Someone told me roughly where you would arrive and instructed me to bring you to her. I showed myself at the crossroads to the Central Ring on purpose, just to draw your attention. When I finally shook off the agents from the Great Tree Institute and didn’t see any sign of you, I guessed you’d gotten to the Corpse Nest ahead of me. Later, I revealed my true identity deliberately to win your trust, so I could gradually lead you into the Inner Ring, and deliver you to that person.”

“So that’s how it is?” Ashes was genuinely taken aback by Little Bob’s revelation. He scratched his head and couldn’t help but ask, “Who was it that asked for us by name? They even knew where we would arrive… Wait, could that person be from Paradise World?”

Ashes immediately thought back to the background briefing during the assessment’s entry—

[There’s no doubt this is an extremely dangerous mission. You must not only beware of dangers within the forbidden zone, but also be vigilant against foes from the Wasteland and even Paradise World. After all, not everyone wants to use the discovery of the Sun Staircase to save their doomed world.]

So far, most of the enemies Ashes had encountered were natives of the Wasteland. He had never seen anyone from Paradise World. Based on Little Bob’s descriptions, only someone from Paradise World could possibly know their landing zone.

“Yes. Have you heard of an organization called ‘The Chaotic Lighthouse’?” Little Bob looked at the visibly unsettled Ashes and Drunk Upon Wine, the guilt on his face deepening. “Back when I was still hiding in the wilds, a Chaotic Apostle found my hiding place. She’s the one who brought me into the Life Forbidden Zone. Otherwise, with my meager skills, how could I have slipped past all the Great Tree Institute’s blockades?”

The Chaotic Lighthouse!

Apostles of Chaos!

Hearing this organization mentioned again, Ashes couldn’t help but exchange a glance with Drunk Upon Wine, whose expression was equally surprised. Clearly, she too knew of this group’s existence. Who would have thought the Chaotic Lighthouse, which once stirred up storms within the Foundation, had extended its reach into the Wasteland World so silently and invisibly? If Little Bob hadn’t volunteered the information, they might have died never knowing their enemies included more than just the Great Tree Institute!

“Wait a minute, with the Institute’s defenses so tight, how did this Apostle of Chaos bring you in? And how are you supposed to take us into the Inner Ring?” Drunk Upon Wine voiced her own doubts, which were also questions Ashes was eager to have answered.

“As I’ve said before, Paradise World is the strongest dimension, and the Chaotic Lighthouse is a top-tier power rivaling the Foundation, the Scavengers, and the University. For reasons unknown to me, the Lighthouse wields extraordinary influence over the Wasteland World, enough to challenge the top financial groups here. This exploration of the Life Forbidden Zone is a case in point.

The Apostle of Chaos infiltrated the Great Tree Institute extensively, replacing the member in charge of approvals. So, sending me into the Forbidden Zone was no trouble at all—and neither is bringing you into the Inner Ring.”

A pensive look came into Little Bob’s eyes. “Although that Apostle was disguised when negotiating with me, my abilities are… rather special. I still saw through her identity. She’s a newly promoted core agent, heavily groomed by the Great Tree Institute—Thorn. In this exploration, she serves as Deputy Head of the Institute, so she’s authorized to adjust personnel and plant Apostles of Chaos as she pleases.”

“I see!” Ashes suddenly understood. He then clapped Little Bob on the shoulder and said with a gentle laugh, “Thank you for sharing such critical information. I suppose this Thorn, the Apostle of Chaos, must have promised you something important?”

“That’s right.” Little Bob nodded emphatically, laying everything on the table. “Thorn told me that the Gardener left a symbiote behind in the Life Forbidden Zone. If I could deliver the two of you to her, I’d be given a chance to avenge my grievances.”

Hearing this, Ashes stroked his chin and said to Drunk Upon Wine, “So, their goal is quite clear. The two of us are hardly worth mentioning, but what we carry is valuable. Whether it’s the Bloodvine artifacts with Gardener blood or the Matches, both are well worth all the trouble! The reason they didn’t just mobilize the Institute’s full power to hunt us is likely because they don’t want to alert the leadership. By the way, Little Bob, do you know who’s leading the Institute’s team this time?”

“Arbor!”

“Who? You don’t mean Arbor, Director of the Great Tree Institute?” Drunk Upon Wine was surprised. She remembered that this name appeared in the main quest introduction—by rights, with his position and power, he should have been barred from entering the Forbidden Zone!

“Yes, it’s really him!” Little Bob’s confirmation left Ashes and Drunk Upon Wine even more astonished. “Thorn told me that Arbor is a reality warper. His body is like a tree—he can split off an avatar from his trunk. While the avatar isn’t as strong as the original, it does retain comparable intellect and power far beyond those who haven’t undergone metamorphosis. Oh, right, you might not know what a metamorph is yet. Just understand that Arbor’s avatar can reach a stat maximum of thirteen points.”

“That powerful?” Ashes bared his teeth. A stat cap of thirteen was virtually unbeatable at their level. To reach that, he’d not only have to reach Level 10, but also consume two more Basic Evolution Elixirs. In other words, to match Arbor’s avatar, he’d have to pass two more high-difficulty trials perfectly. This made him realize neither Arbor nor Thorn, the Apostle of Chaos, were to be underestimated.

“Yes. Thorn is already exceptionally strong; her chances of surviving the metamorphosis are almost certain. Even so, she’s wary of Arbor’s avatar, which is why she gave me a secret signal—to notify her once I’d brought you into the Inner Ring.”

“In that case, maybe we can use this to our advantage. After all, an Apostle of Chaos is still an Apostle of Chaos. If Arbor, as Director, learns of this, I wonder how he’ll react?” Ashes smiled. “Of course, that’s just a preliminary idea. We should see what the Inner Ring holds first. At the very least, we need to survive ten more minutes so I can regain my chance to resurrect. In the meantime, we have to secure some quality Bloodvine artifacts and a Bloodvine Core to boost our strength. Also, if your father left any written records in the Inner Ring, we need to find them. No matter what, we’ll do everything we can to help you get your revenge. As for what’s happened before, let’s just leave it behind.”

“That’s right! You’ve come clean with us, so there’s nothing to feel guilty about.” Drunk Upon Wine gave Little Bob a friendly smile. She hadn’t thought much of him before this nightmare challenge. “Whatever difficulties you face, we’ll help you through!”

“Alright! I understand!”

Seeing Ashes and Drunk Upon Wine each voice their support, Little Bob’s gratitude overflowed, and at that moment, both of them received the second phase of a hidden quest.

…

Quest Name: [Little Bob’s Revenge] (Hidden Quest Phase Two)

Requirement: Help Little Bob search for parts of Old Bob’s notes left in the Inner Ring

Reward: Unknown (rewards accumulate; final rewards based on completion of all phases)

Introduction: Little Bob has learned that his father, once a renowned scholar who traveled the wilds, left three investigative journals in the Inner Ring, where Fairy Tale Town is located. He hopes you can help him recover them.

[Hint: Old Bob’s investigative notes will assist you in this assessment. The more complete your findings, the easier it will be to uncover the secrets of the Sun Staircase.]

…

“How long do you plan to dawdle there?”

The sound, like a shovel scraping across concrete, came as the Nightmare Pumpkin Coach appeared once more. The masked man addressed Ashes, “If you’re not going to hand over that woman’s lingering soul, then I’m leaving.”

Hearing this, Ashes immediately handed the witch’s remnant soul to the masked man and thus gained the opportunity to ride to the Inner Ring. Once aboard the cavernous Pumpkin Coach, they felt the Nightmare horse rear up, and the coach lifted from the ground.

“If you don’t want to get tossed off, you’d better sit quietly,” came the masked man’s unseen gaze in Ashes’ direction. “Also, I can’t stand noisy people, so I won’t hesitate to act ahead of time. At least that way, you won’t die in despair at the foot of the Sun Staircase. Heh, humans are always like this—without tasting true despair, they cling to their ridiculous hopes. You’re like that now. They were like that back then…”