Chapter 124: Exchanging Items
Their pace was much faster than when they entered.
By the time the vehicles appeared through the trees, several people were already walking toward them.
The World Announcement had obviously reached everyone, and Cain could tell from the unsettled expressions around him.
Elara approached first.
"What happened?"
Professor Holt came behind her with several other survivors.
Everyone looked unsettled as some of them were still staring at the world map floating before them.
Cain stopped near the vehicles.
"It’s exactly what the World Announcement said."
Elara glanced toward the park.
"So that spatial crack..."
"Is the Southern Invasion Entrance."
Cain did not give them time to ask another question.
"We’re entering."
Professor Holt frowned.
"Immediately?"
"The longer those Gates stay active, the closer the corridor gets to becoming permanent."
Cain looked around at the people gathered nearby.
"And the rewards inside are doubled. I’m not wasting an opportunity like that either."
He paused briefly before continuing, "I’m taking a small group. Everyone else stays here."
His gaze moved through the crowd.
"Elara. Evelyne. Sonya."
The three women immediately looked toward him.
"Maya. Professor Irina. Professor Ian."
He paused briefly before looking toward another member of the group.
"Cole."
Cole looked surprised, then pointed to himself.
"Me?"
"Yes."
Cain had not forgotten the young archer.
Cole had been stupid enough to fire a training arrow at them when they first met, but he had improved significantly since then. More importantly, Cain wanted several capable ranged attackers besides Nathan.
Cole nodded quickly.
Cain counted everyone.
Cain himself would naturally count as one.
Ron, Nathan, Jack, and Alex had already been with him.
Adding the others brought the total to twelve.
That was more than enough for an elite team.
A larger group would become increasingly difficult to move through unknown territory, especially when Cain had no idea what kind of enemies waited inside.
Professor Holt looked toward the selected people.
"What about everyone remaining here?"
"Naturally, you’ll stay in charge like usual."
Professor Holt’s eyes returned to Cain as he raised an eyebrow.
"And if other survivors arrive?"
"Let them decide for themselves."
Cain glanced toward the spatial entrance hidden deeper inside the park.
"The entire world knows where this place is now. People will eventually come... "
Cain added with a chuckle. "If they have the audacity, that is."
He looked back toward Professor Holt.
"If they’re 1st Echelon and want to enter, don’t stop them."
Cain’s expression became more serious.
"But make it clear that we’re not responsible for what happens once they go through."
This was not the university anymore.
Cain had no intention of becoming responsible for every stranger who rushed into the Invasion Corridor simply because they saw the words double rewards.
If someone was strong enough to reach the 1st Echelon and still chose to enter after being warned about the danger, then whatever happened afterward would be their own responsibility.
Professor Holt understood what he meant.
"I’ll warn them."
"Good."
Cain turned toward the selected group.
"Prepare whatever you need and wait in front of the entrance."
The others immediately moved.
Cain watched them for several seconds before calling out again.
"Elara. Evelyne."
Both women immediately stopped.
"Come with me."
Elara raised an eyebrow.
Evelyne looked between Cain and her.
"Both of us?"
"Yes."
The two women exchanged a curious glance before following him.
Cain led them toward another part of the park where the trees blocked most of the group from view.
Once they were far enough away, he stopped and turned around.
Elara looked at him expectantly.
"What is it?"
Cain stared at her.
Then at Evelyne.
His gaze moved toward the staff still resting in Elara’s hands before shifting toward the silver crown sitting on Evelyne’s head.
Cain slowly raised one hand and rubbed his forehead.
"...What the hell have you two been doing this entire time?"
Both women froze.
Evelyne blinked.
"What?"
Cain pointed at the crown, then he pointed toward the staff.
"You were supposed to exchange them."
Elara looked down at the weapon in her hands.
Evelyne instinctively touched the crown resting on her head.
For several seconds, neither woman said anything.
Cain stared at them in disbelief.
"You’ve been walking around with equipment meant for each other this whole time."
"We were busy," Elara finally said.
"Doing what?"
She remained silent.
Cain shifted his gaze toward Evelyne.
Evelyne immediately defended herself.
"Uhhh—."
Cain cut her off as he shook his head helplessly.
"Just exchange the items now."
Neither woman argued.
Evelyne carefully removed the silver crown from her head. The faint Frost energy surrounding her immediately weakened.
Elara walked closer and held out the staff.
The exchange happened quickly.
The moment Elara placed the crown on her head, pale-blue light spread through the crystals embedded within it.
Frost gathered around several strands of her silver hair as the Ice Mana inside her body immediately reacted to the equipment.
The difference was obvious.
The crown had barely responded while Evelyne wore it.
Now, cold air naturally circulated around Elara as if the crown had finally found the person it was intended for.
Evelyne experienced something similar.
Her fingers wrapped around the pale staff.
The green crystal near its upper end brightened as life energy flowed along the shaft before gently entering her hand.
Evelyne’s eyes widened.
The Sacred Life Body immediately reacted.
The Life Mana inside her became noticeably smoother, while the energy surrounding the staff seemed to gather toward her without conscious effort.
Cain nodded in satisfaction.
"It’s much better now."
Evelyne continued staring at the weapon.
"This feels completely different."
"That’s because it actually suits you."
Elara adjusted the crown slightly, a faint mist of frost appeared around her head before slowly dispersing into the air.
Cain gave both women another look.
"If I see you wearing each other’s equipment again, I’m taking both of them away."
"I know you wouldn’t." Evelyne stuck out her tongue cutely.
"Try me." Cain chuckled lightly.
She opened her mouth to respond, but Cain had already opened his Inventory.
A Core appeared in his hand.
The atmosphere around them immediately changed as Evelyne’s attention moved away from the staff and even Elara’s expression became more serious.