CHAPTER 126: A BOND WOVEN IN SOUL

Chapter 124: A Bond Woven in Soul

The familiar shimmer of light rose before Ethan’s eyes as he called forth the translucent panels of his System Interface. Lines of glowing text arranged themselves neatly, revealing his ever-shifting existence.

And somehow even Lirael could see his status screen now, when she first saw it her mouth was agape.

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SYSTEM INTERFACE

Name: Ethan Cross (27)

Race: Human → High Human (Awakened)

Legacy: [Forgotten Empire] (partial unlock)

Title: [Goblin Slayer]

Talent: [Will of the Crown], [Tactical Reverie], [Indomitable Tide] (Shared)

Elemental Affinities: [All Elements] (Tier 10, Max)

Class: Decurion Steelweaver, Aqualith Sniper (Shared)

Level 11 (139,135 / 179,030)

Base Stats:

Strength: 30.3 → 3.0 + 1.0

Vitality: 38.8 → 4.0 + 1.5

Constitution: 37.0 → 3.5 + 1.5

Agility: 28.1 → 3.0 + 1.5

Stamina: 39.4 → 4.0 + 1.5

Intelligence: 36.0 → 3.5 + 1.5

Mana: 21.9 → 2.0 + 1.0

Unallocated Stats Points: 0 → 98

(50%–75% stats gained from subordinate’s stat pool)

(All stats boosted by 25%)

(Strength and Mana boosted by 50%, not reflected in the shown values)

Skills:

[Magic Arrow] – 92% Mastery (Basic)

[Longblade/Longsword Mixed Technique (Unnamed)] – 23% Mastery (Advanced)

[Fire Ball] – 1% Mastery (Basic)

→ [Avatar Elements Control] (Race Exclusive Skill) – 1% Mastery (Basic)

— Exclusive to High Humans and Dragons. Grants absolute mastery over elements tied to their affinities. Fire, water, wind, and earth can be shaped into any construct the wielder imagines—serpents of flame, chains of water, blades of wind, or walls of stone. Ordinary spells can be overlaid and reshaped at will, combat style bound only by imagination, willpower, and mana reserves.

Class Skills:

[Soldier Summons – 10]

[Undead Revive – 0/20]

[Netherworld Pocket Dimension (Soul-Bound)]

Shared Class Skills:

[Current Sense]

[Moonflow Volley]

[Ocean’s Eye]

SP: 6,560

Balance: 519 Gold, 23 Silver, 49 Bronze, 43 Copper

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Lirael leaned closer, her eyes scanning the glowing lines. When the realization struck, her mouth fell open, and she practically sputtered, "Wait—so I’m not just your servant anymore? I’ve become your subordinate? Is that the reason I can see your status?..and you’re actually sharing my stats, my class perks, even my talents! And on top of that..." She jabbed a finger at his race line, her voice rising. "You evolved into a never heard of a race High Human! Ethan, do you have any idea how absurd this is?! Your system is impossible—I don’t even want to listen anymore! And that new race exclusive skill...I only know some dragons that can freely control elements! And now even you can do it..arghhh..my head hurts..on top of that you even have max tier affinities with all elements!!!! You!..you are juat a leech...even if you have everything you are leeching off me."

Ethan gave his usual nonchalant shrug and said smugly. "Strong is strong. I’m not complaining. As for you turning into my subordinate... it’s probably tied to your race’s exclusive skill—Soulweaving. Feels like it reinforced our bond."

Her brows drew together as she thought on it. "Hmm... I did hear stories once. About the High Elves." Her voice softened, carrying a faint weight of caution. "It was said they had a bond unlike any other race. When linked, they fought as if they shared a single mind, their strength multiplying far beyond what anyone expected. Maybe that’s what this is... Soulweaving." She hesitated, then admitted in a quieter tone, "I can feel you closer than before. Not just beside me—but inside me, if that makes sense."

Ethan smiled faintly at that. "Then it’s working exactly as it should."

Her lips pressed together, her expression conflicted. "Ethan... you don’t understand. If anyone were to find out I’ve become a High Elf, the temple wouldn’t just ignore it. They’d claim me immediately—no matter what it took. High Elves are said to exist only to serve our god... their entire lives kept untouched, devoted. That’s what I’ve heard since I was a child."

A low laugh escaped Ethan, half amusement, half disdain. "Then let them try. If the temple comes knocking, they’ll regret it. And as for that ’untouched’ part—" his gaze slid toward her, filled with an unmistakable hunger— "we both know that vow doesn’t mean a damn thing anymore. I don’t regret it, and I don’t plan to give it up the heavenly feeling just because of some blind belief. Truth is, I don’t think you ever fully believed it either."

Lirael’s cheeks heated, her ears twitching slightly. She quickly turned her head, letting her hair veil her face. Under her breath she muttered, "...It did feel good..."

"Hm? Didn’t catch that." Ethan’s grin widened, wolfish.

She snapped her gaze back at him, eyes narrowed, voice sharp. "Shut up!"

Ethan chuckled, satisfied, while Lirael pressed her lips together, silently cursing herself for letting that slip.

Lirael’s brows furrowed as she traced the glowing numbers with her eyes. "So you’re telling me... all our stats that used to be in double digits have dropped to twos, threes, and fours... and yet, somehow, we’re just as strong—or even stronger than before?" She bit her lip, thinking aloud. "And with nearly a hundred unallocated stat points waiting... Ethan, this means we’ll become ridiculously powerful. Maybe even like those legendary heroes—the ones who weren’t bound by the level hundred cap." Her tone carried a mixture of awe and fear. Then something struck her

"I-I can even save my moth—"

Ethan stepped closer, his voice firm yet reassuring. "We will. Not just you. We’ll save your mother, Lirael. Remember—I’m with you now. And yes... we’re going to be powerful enough that no one will dare lay a hand on us." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice with a mischievous edge. "Well... no one except me. I’ll keep touching you."

Her heart warmed at the first half of his words—until the last sentence landed. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she spun away with a flustered huff. "Idiot!" she muttered under her breath, but her lips betrayed her with the faint curve of a smile.

Ethan watched her retreating figure with a smirk. "Tch... what a rebellious maid I’ve picked up. I’ll need to come up with a punishment for one who dares ignore her master."

At that, Lirael’s steps faltered for the briefest moment, her ears twitching, but she quickly regained her composure and kept walking as if she hadn’t heard.

"So," Ethan called after her, hands casually behind his head, "where are we going, my bossy maid?"

Lirael glanced over her shoulder, her silver hair catching the dim light like strands of moonlit silk. "To eat. I’m starving." Her stomach gave the faintest growl, which made her cheeks tint again.

Ethan chuckled and fell into step beside her. "Fair enough. Lead the way, High Elf."

She rolled her eyes but didn’t argue, and though her stride was brisk, the quiet smile lingering on her face said more than words could.