CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 53: WORDS FORGOTTEN

"Do-Dorothy..." Li Ang was very surprised.

"Dorothy Campbell."

"Oh right, it’s been so long, I’m a bit unsure."

Li Ang thinks he’s not someone with a particularly good memory, but he wouldn’t easily forget people he has adventured with, especially those he got along with reasonably well.

He remembered the girl in front of him but didn’t dare to confirm if the name matched the person.

Years ago, she had worked with Li Ang for a period in the Adventurer’s Guild, before he joined The Soul Apex.

Because she was extraordinarily beautiful, she stood out among a group of rough adventurers, leaving a more profound impression.

Back then, she was only fifteen or sixteen, her noble demeanor displaying an extraordinary background, now the mature her had become more glamorous, with exquisite earrings, upturned lips, and faint peach-colored cheeks creating a refined elegance.

"But, did you dye your hair? Something else seems different, when I called your name, I was a bit hesitant." Li Ang asked

"You still remember me, huh."

Dorothy raised her hand wrapped in black silk gloves, twisting the rough ends of her ginger hair with her fingertips.

"I remember you, of course." Li Ang smiled: "You ventured out to experience adventure during your vacation, your healing spell was quite good, crucial to the adventure back then."

Li Ang scooped a spoonful of shaved ice into his mouth, the icy sweetness made him very satisfied, his thoughts becoming lighter.

"Healing spell," Dorothy paused for a moment, "I haven’t used it in a long time. I’m now a clerk at the city hall of Spark Port."

"Oh? A big shot?"

Li Ang’s tone was questioning, the administrative and management details in different places of Nebis vary greatly. Dorothy seemed to have some status, but he wasn’t entirely sure.

"Just getting by."

Her tone was plain, as if indicating that such a life was too ordinary.

"So, why are you here?" Li Ang pointed to the delicate handbag tossed on the table, "What does this mean?"

Dorothy propped her chin up, looking at Li Ang: "I saw you when you came to Spark Island."

That was when the commotion at the port happened in the morning when many seemingly noble and official people were around. A clerk wasn’t surprising.

Li Ang said: "What does ’hitting the road’ mean? Is it a term you use as an official to investigate me?"

The girl’s expression seemed to change for a moment, but it appeared to be an illusion. Li Ang blinked, and she was still calm and indifferent.

Faced with someone he hadn’t seen in a long time, Li Ang remained cautious, only formally stating: "I know people from the Order Sky Knight Corps, so we work together."

Dorothy folded her arms and stopped speaking, so Li Ang also kept silent, focusing on finishing his shaved ice.

When the snow-white fluffy ice turned into half a bowl of icy water, Dorothy spoke.

"I’m not investigating you."

"So are you here for old times’ sake? Are you inviting me for a meal?"

"I... have you forgotten what you once said?"

"What?"

"You clearly remember me."

"We adventured together, so of course, I remember... Wait a minute, you’re not implying that you want to go on an adventure with me, are you?"

"Should I submit a formal team application form?"

Her tone was modulated, as if practiced specifically for social and important occasions.

Li Ang felt a bit dizzy, eating several more bites of ice.

"You suddenly showing up and saying you want to adventure with me isn’t something that can be decided easily."

"You don’t want to?"

Li Ang couldn’t think of how to respond right away; he was looking for team members, but shouldn’t he evaluate things first?

"Wait a second..."

Dorothy sped up her speech abruptly.

"Do you not remember what you said before leaving that little ragtag group?"

The "small ragtag team" likely referred to the group Li Ang and Dorothy adventured with.

At that time, he already had a preliminary understanding of the Curse Art profession and could tackle multiple roles in an adventure, but due to a lack of reputation, he was still limited by the Curse Art profession, going wherever people were willing to take him.

As for Dorothy, although he couldn’t recall how she joined the group, he could now guess with experience. She, as a Healer, was already in demand and with her charming looks, was probably coaxed into joining on her way through.

Thinking carefully, that was seven or eight years ago, shortly after leaving that group, Li Ang joined The Soul Apex when the old leader was still around.

"What did I say back then?"

Li Ang had no idea.

The street group had many issues like unclear adventure purposes, chaotic tactics, profiting from unfair loot distribution, and standing others up due to personal matters.

Li Ang would rather temporarily have no group than be tormented, so he decisively left.

"Can’t remember?"

Dorothy tilted her head, her ginger hair covering half her face.

"Then you can take your time to think, I’m waiting for you."

"..."

The shaved ice in front had melted, leaving only water. Li Ang got up and walked out of the cold drink shop.

Dorothy unabashedly followed behind him.

"If you want to adventure, it doesn’t have to be with me; there are plenty of opportunities. The guild’s mission board is open to everyone."

"What about what you said?"

Li Ang didn’t know what he had done to warrant such persistence from her. He followed the bustling road, taking care of his own business.

Besides looking for gifts after leaving the Count’s Mansion today, his other goal was to increase the exploration percentage in Spark Port.

He remembered that after maxing out the exploration percentage on Satus Island, it unlocked the "hidden location" Island Heart World, which although housed powerful bosses, also offered many rewards.

He was curious about what the "hidden location" in Spark Port would be.

Currently, his exploration percentage was 67%, including regions he had explored here before.

Walking down the street, he increased the exploration percentage by about 3%, so Li Ang toured in a carpet manner.

Strangely enough, Dorothy really stuck around.

"Oh, this bridge is a spot, aren’t you going to take a good look?" Dorothy said when passing a stone bridge.

"We can accept two missions now?" Dorothy struck up a conversation when they passed the Sky Knight Guild office.

"Why are you looking at these girls’ accessories?" Dorothy asked when they passed a goods stall.

"It’s not for me."

"Buying for your wife or girlfriend? Or buying for both? Are they in your team?"

"I’m single."

"Oh—"

Did I somehow commit a sin? He gradually began to doubt himself.

Something’s not right here.

He had just exacted a minor revenge on The Soul Apex’s members, was about to form a new team for adventuring, and in the short term, shouldn’t have any troubles, yet, suddenly, he felt like he owed a debt from eight years ago.

"So, what did I say?"

Li Ang seriously asked Dorothy: "Miss, if I really did something wrong, the people I’m with are from the law enforcement, you could have them arrest me. But adventuring, you don’t have to insist on doing it with me, right?"

Upon hearing this, Dorothy brushed her hair, looking elsewhere.

She spoke softly and quickly, "There is a reason."

In this situation, Li Ang became increasingly skeptical of himself.

What did I do back then?

Dorothy took half a step forward, getting very close, the faint fragrance from her body wafting into his nose.

Her almond-shaped eyes looked straight over.

"Do you keep your promises?"