Chapter 571: Chapter 571 - The Bond Forged in Flame
Chapter 571: Chapter 571 - The Bond Forged in Flame
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Broken muttered a curse under his breath as he read through the messages, then glanced at Elaine, a conflicted look in his eyes.
"Broken?" she whispered. "Is there anything I can do to help solve this? I'll do whatever it takes."
He hesitated, mulling over the ridiculous suggestions his friends had given him.
Kissing... Could that really work?
But then he remembered... Elaine, despite being hundreds of years old, looked no older than a teenager. Was this even legal?
But was he really going to let technicalities stand in his way? After all, in a situation this desperate, nearly anything was fair game. Even life-and-death battles were justified in emergencies like this-so why should a kiss be any different?
Kissing is fine! Besides, Elaine's actually older than some of the people who lived during the medieval ages back on Earth!
Now, what year was that medieval age, anyway? Well, generally, the medieval era spanned from the 5th to the late 15th century.
More messages poured in, each with its own take on how to win Elaine's trust.
[Starfall: "Broken, I think women really appreciate honesty and sincerity. Show her how much you care, and you'll surely win her heart."]
[RememberMe: "Master, you're already a pro at making a woman's heart race. Just some sweet words and thoughtful gifts should do the trick."]
[Forev: "Women respond to genuine feelings, Broken. Just be honest and show her you care. That's what will reach her."]
[PussyCat: "Women like men who stand by their actions and values. Show her you have strong morals and integrity."]
[Melliandra: "Ugh, you're a disgusting, idiotic pervert! Stay away from me!"]
Broken stood frozen, his hands trembling slightly. He moved his face closer to hers... but not too close.
The sight of Elaine's pain-stricken expression kept tugging at his thoughts, making him hesitate.
"Broken?" she asked.
How the hell was stealing a kiss in this kind of situation supposed to solve anything? If anything, it might just make Elaine furious, pushing her to transform into her Eternal Flame form right away just to smack him for it.
He paused, diving deep into his mind, searching for where he might have gone wrong. He sifted through all the possible approaches, rethinking everything he'd done.
And then, at last, an idea surfaced a solution he hadn't tried yet.
Yes, he finally understood where he'd gone astray all along. Decision firm, he looked into Elaine's eyes, his gaze filled with sincerity.
"Broken?" she murmured. "What can I do to help?"
"Elaine..." he began, his voice almost a whisper. "To form a Faery Bond with you, we need a high value of affinity between us. That's why I went to such lengths to earn your trust."
He took a deep breath, focusing intently, pouring out everything he felt and thought, laying it bare. This time, he was determined to be purely honest-no holding back, no second- guessing.
"But... I see now that I've only been treating you like a task to complete. I tried to earn your trust through calculated actions, without really thinking about you as a person."
Elaine shook her head slowly. "No, Broken... You've done so much for me. You sacrificed so much of yourself."
He continued. "I've struggled to trust people for as long as I can remember. Growing up, the constant pressure to succeed pushed me away from others. It felt safer to keep everyone at a distance than to risk disappointment or getting hurt."
Elaine looked up at him with a soft gaze. "I can understand that, Broken. More than you know."
"I didn't come here just for the reward," he continued, his voice trembling. "I came to save you, to end the agony you've been carrying all this time. I truly want to help you, Elaine... I care about you!"
Elaine's tears fell freely now, each one reflecting her own pain and relief.
"I came here because I didn't want my friends suffering as they fought all those monsters outside. It tore at me to see Cedric and Cecilia trapped in their Eternal Forms..." His voice faded, thick with emotion.
"Broken..."
He reached out, gripping her shoulders firmly.
"Elaine, we have to end this curse. Now. So many people are depending on us—my friends are risking everything against those monsters. The faes are all suffering, and so are you. You shouldn't have to bear this any longer."
Elaine shook her head, her tears coming faster as she struggled to speak through her sobs. "Broken..." she choked out. "Yes, let's end this, once and for all. I was ready to die for them long ago... Please, help me bring this to an end."
"I will," he replied. "I'll give it everything I have."
[For the first time in hundreds of years, Elaine felt warmth bloom within her heart. The deep pain she had carried for so long seemed to be finally fading, touched by Broken's genuine
sincerity.]
[Your affinity with Elaine has increased to 82%.]
"Elaine," Broken said, "we can start the Faery Bonding now."
Elaine smiled softly, nodding. "Yes... we can," she replied, her voice trembling.
"Thank you... you're the first person I've ever been able to trust completely. I'm so grateful for this meeting, and I'll hold you in my heart always, even if I don't remain in this world after all this. Thank you..."
Broken gripped her shoulders tighter, as if to hold her there a little longer. "I will," he said firmly. "I'll complete this task to the very end..."
To kill her in her Eternal Flame form.
Elaine straightened. "I, Elaine, Tribe Leader of the Moonlight Fae, offer you my life and service. This Faery Bonding will grant you the right to command me, with punishment on
myself should I refuse. Through this Bond, I will unlock the hidden potential within me. A strength that will also be yours."
Broken nodded as a series of notifications lit up before him:
[Quest Completed: "Connecting with Elaine"]
[You have now gained access to form a Faery Bonding with her.]
[Rewards:
40 Stat Points
Permanent Buffs: +20% Mana Regeneration, -20% Spell Casting Time]
[Unbreakable Heart Ring Update:]
[A powerful new connection has been detected between you and Elaine.]
[New Bonus: +10% overall damage boost when fighting alongside Elaine.]
[New Ability Unlocked: A skill based on Elaine's characteristics.]
[Eternal Flame Form]
[This form embodies ambition and resolves burning within one's soul. By merging one's deepest desires with their spirit, they can intensify the Eternal Flame within, causing it to blaze ever brighter and stronger.]
[Only those with unwavering determination can achieve this form, tapping into their truest
dreams.]
[The Eternal Flame Form held a promise, a chance to wield the very power ability, a power rooted in ambition and resolve, fed by the fire of their shared purpose.]
[This wasn't just any skill. It was a testament to the bond they had forged and the resolve they
both carried forward.]
[Skill Unlocked: Conditional Active Skill - Eternal Flame Form (Grim Reaper)]
***
(Author's Note:)
Alright, Broken, you got the trust and the power boost, but what about the romance we all
wanted? Look, a deep, heartfelt confession is nice and all... but a kiss could've really sealed the deal! Anyone else agree?