CHAPTER 42: MEN ARE BRAVE

Leon knew a lot about the Corruption, so he could understand Amber’s words clearly. At one point, he was proud of this concept he had created, yet now he hated himself for creating such a vile thing.

"What I’m trying to say is that the world is always trying to kill us. And it’s not just women, even men who suffered so much from the Virus. So it’s better you learn quickly that you can’t save everyone."

Amber explained to him patiently.

"Over the years, I’ve lost count of the number of people I was supposed to protect and failed to do so. The world is sadistic in nature and wants to see us bending to it, Leon. You cannot save everyone and that’s a fact you need to accept. But you have to try your best to do that nonetheless."

She smiled and shifted her hand to his hair and began ruffling it lightly before saying, "That’s why I said you were amazing. You used your everything and saved five lives. That’s five more than nothing. So, don’t overthink about things that are not in your control."

Leon usually didn’t like anyone messing with his hair, but at that moment, he couldn’t bring himself to resist this insane woman who was actually giving him sane advice.

But how could he tell her that the world she was portraying as cruel was actually created by him? The deaths of people she couldn’t save were indirectly related to him.

That was the main thing bugging him.

"I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You’ll have people on your back. Do you know what that means?"

"I can take a step back and rely on them," Leon said with a smile.

"Bingo! Just like now, I had your back and I know you believed in me too." Amber said as she strolled forward. "As you’re slowly becoming one of my favourite students, you’ll truly have me holding your back, so never hesitate to take a step whenever you want or you can even tell me if you need a push."

She turned around and said, staring right into his eyes, "Lastly, don’t jeopardise your mental health. It is the most important thing for an Awakened. It doesn’t matter if they’re male or female, their mental health stability determines their future."

"Clearly you’re an exception." Leon shook his head.

"Never count an oddball like me among the normies," Amber shrugged. "But remember my words clearly. Well-being of mental health is very necessary."

Leon stopped for a moment before he smiled and followed behind her. "You’re surprisingly more chatty today."

"It’s because it was your first time in a dungeon and you have to experience this," Amber’s voice turned solemn as she said. "These types of experiences leave a bad mask in your memory, and it is stubborn as hell. It will never leave you. Leon, you have potential and also a good head on your shoulders, and I value students like you a lot. I don’t want this to leave any mark on you, so I hope you also try your best."

"I can’t really promise you anything, but I will definitely remember your words," Leon said and truly meant it.

This pep talk from Amber had managed to calm down his rapidly churning thoughts that were pulling him down with them. It was quite strange since he never expected Amber of all people to actually give him such wisdom considering how she treated herself.

Soon, they reached the broken brick wall, and Leon ran off to find his friends. He jumped over the chasm he had opened up and realised that the lava below was already frozen still.

’Scary! She’s scary!’ Leon shivered slightly, remembering that moment of divine judgement again.

He soon spotted Denver lying against a wall with his head down. If Leon hadn’t seen his heaving chest, he would have really considered that something happened to him.

"Hey buddy, are you okay?" Leon asked as he crouched near him.

Although his injuries seemed to have healed with the help of potions, there were still marks left behind. The potions could at most reduce the pain and heal slightly, but for a full recovery, they needed proper treatment.

His arms were fully burnt and most of his battle suit had already been torn by force. It was likely Denver himself who did that. Even his face had marks of being burnt.

This man had really defended the girls with his life. Leon couldn’t help but admire his character. He was the weakest in their group, yet he was probably the most courageous.

Hearing his voice, Denver stirred awake, looked up, and seeing that Leon was fine, he smiled. "You didn’t die there, huh. What? The Skeletons couldn’t kill one of their own?"

"Haha! But it seems like you were exiled from the Imp tribe, seeing how aggressively they attacked you," Leon chuckled and asked, "Seriously though, how did you get that wound on your face?"

"One of those little bastards actually stood up on a Skeleton and shot the Fireball towards that wall," Denver pointed behind him toward the wall where the girls were hiding. "I was slow to react, so I could only jump to save the wall from the Fireball. But the Fireball hit right on my face."

"You didn’t even die to that, huh. You’re a tough nut to crack."

"That I am."

"Why is everyone more talkative than usual? Even you’re talking so much today." A helpless smile hung on Leon’s lips.

"Perhaps it’s because I got some confidence. I just proved something my idol said," Denver said with a dreamy look in his eyes.

"What did he say?"

"Once I was stuck in a place with many others and no woman came to save us, but he did—even though he was weak. I asked why he was taking so much risk and he replied with just three words."

"What?"

"’Men are brave.’" He paused and then said, "And we just proved it today."

"He also proved it that day," Leon smiled and stood up. "Rest well. Professor has already eliminated all the threats. Just one more problem remaining. Once we’re done with it, we’ll go back."

"I’ll take a nap then. I really need it." Saying that, the big guy drifted into a deep sleep again.

Leon patted his shoulder once and moved toward the wall. It was a small corner covered after two walls collapsed from the middle, so it was a really good hiding location.

When he reached there, he found the three girls sleeping peacefully in a transparent bubble. Their breathing was even, and they had sweet smiles on their faces, as if they were having some sweet dreams.

"How is it?" Amber asked as she came to stand beside him.

"These bubbles? How did you even make them?"

Leon could already guess the bubble’s function and that’s why he was sure that Amber couldn’t do this before.

"Why do you think I arrived late?" Amber smiled and said. "When the Corrupted wave hit me, I was also on the verge of losing control because it took me off guard. Usually, we can predict these types of anomalies, but we couldn’t this time. It’s also rare to happen in a dungeon, so we didn’t think much even though it was going through an Evolution."

"You’re kidding, right? You almost lost control?" Leon was in disbelief.

"Yes, you almost met a rampaging Tier 11 Abyssal Creature."