CHAPTER 444: CHAPTER 290: SACRED OBJECT AND PROPHECY_1

"If you had come to me as a friend, I would have done my utmost to help you without even needing a reward, because your enemies are my enemies too. But sadly, you never considered me a friend and instead, you chose to make a transaction."

"Do you think I lack money, or that I care for the trifles you can barely present? It was out of the familiarity of our past encounter that I gave you a chance. But you?"

Lance looked down at her, his dissatisfaction undisguised.

"Time and time again you’ve disappointed me, never showing me the slightest respect, taking for granted the opportunity I gave you. Have you forgotten who you are?"

Lance’s words laid bare her little schemes entirely; the blunt language was so stark that it left her feeling utterly mortified.

Tamara’s excessively "shrewd" nature stemmed from the time she fell from grace due to an accident and then fled, pursued by the Romani from within. An organization that was once her support and gave her a sense of belonging suddenly became her enemy. This environment forced her to rely solely on herself for survival. She would do anything at any cost—petty theft, deception, and manipulation were just child’s play to her. Because in her mind, if the organization that raised her could "betray" her, then feelings were false, and only interests were real.

However, her trust in nobody was actually a sign of her insecurity. It was precisely because she craved security that she acted so extremely. It seemed contradictory, but it was actually very logical, because one always emphasizes what one lacks.

Lance’s words made her fall into reflection.

How had this man treated her? And how had she treated him?

Tamara knew very well that when she first met him, she recognized that the man before her was a big fish. Every day, common folk curious about Mysticism were swindled by a little trickery and tales spun around junk—so grateful as they handed over their fortunes. Not to mention, the ring excited her; many items in her collection had been acquired in similar ways.

She had thought that a few words would make him hand over the ring willingly, but instead, her ruse was seen through, and she suffered a significant loss. When her ruse was exposed, Tamara was actually ready to take action, but to her surprise, this man didn’t get angry but instead invited her along. Naturally, she didn’t believe in these things and quickly threw out some well-known information to confuse him, then she ran away.

Their next encounter was in a life-and-death crisis. He rescued her and brought her here to recuperate, without ever bringing up the past incident to coerce her. Instead, it was she who, not knowing what was good for her, repeatedly pestered him. Despite this, he didn’t get angry, which could be considered excessively good-natured.

Apart from her teacher, it was the first time someone had been so kind to her, yet she took his kindness for granted without valuing it. He was right; her current plight was entirely a result of her own doing.

Regret and guilt should not have appeared in her heart, but at this moment, they rushed in all at once.

Once, an opportunity lay before her, unappreciated until it was lost...

"Alright, get up, let’s talk business," Lance said, extending his hand to her.

This gesture brought a look of surprise and joy to Tamara’s face, as she hurriedly reached out with both hands to firmly grasp it.

"We’re still friends, right?"

Lance felt somewhat speechless at her words; give her an inch, and she’d take a mile.

But he still casually pulled her up, then corrected her, "No, my friends aren’t so cheap. This is a transaction."

As he tried to withdraw his hand, he realized Tamara had no intention of letting go. Looking up, he saw her tear-stained face and reddened eyes brimming with tears, an appearance that might inspire sympathy. But Lance still kept a straight face as he pried her fingers off, pulled his hand away sharply, and then moved past her to begin retrieving her possessions.

"I will fulfill what I promised. I said I would act as an intermediary for you, and I intend to do so. However, I won’t be short-changed. For your recent deception, you must pay extra. In addition to the collection, that money is also mine."

I was just talking; why did you take it so seriously?

In the real world, even blood brothers settle accounts clearly; you’re not mine, so how could I possibly help you without receiving payment just because you say ’friend’?

Although most of it was junk, the Sunlight Ring, Evilbane Star, and Legendary Bracers were indeed pieces of Extraordinary Equipment with practical value that could directly improve a team’s strength. And though the Saint’s Torch had lost most of its power, there was still the possibility of it regaining strength—a valuable item, indeed. And who would find money too little? There were at least a thousand Gold Coins, not a large sum, but certainly not small. You say ’friend’ and think you can renege on the deal? What a joke...

Tamara knew she was in the wrong, so she could only let Lance take away her belongings.

"While you’re at it, tell me about the Seeker of Omens organization, so I know how to negotiate for you," Lance said, picking up the scattered Gold Coins while steering the conversation back to business.

However, Tamara didn’t speak immediately upon hearing this, her hesitation apparent.

Lance caught her reaction and scoffed in reminder, "It’s them trying to kill you."

But suddenly, she also realized she was no longer a member of the Seeker of Omens; she was a defector.