Becoming a God Starts with Acting-Chapter 69: [The River God’s Wife] - Nerio’s Part (18)

"This isn’t going to be his ghost coming back for revenge, is it?" Taylor is half-joked, half-serious.

But no one refuted her words. On the contrary, they even started to ponder. After all, this was a dungeon—no one could predict what might happen. Who knew if Leonard would turn into a monster after death? Surviving in the jungle at night was already a near-impossible feat for an ordinary human.

They had only passed through the jungle for a single night and dragged 18 monsters back to the village. They would’ve all been slaughtered if it hadn’t been for Nerio’s abilities. So, what could a mere human do against those creatures? Nothing—except die.

Upon realizing the person before him was Leonard, Leon almost instantly regained his composure. He looked at Leonard, pleading desperately, his gaze sweeping over him from head to toe—from his panicked eyes to his lips, which showed no signs of dryness, smooth skin, and even his body, which seemed slightly fuller than the night before. Leon couldn’t help but frown.

Leon remembered—Leonard had always looked wretched. And that was because Leon himself had tormented him relentlessly. The honest Leonard could never look like this.

Taylor’s words didn’t even cross his mind anymore. Instead, an entirely different possibility surfaced—a family secret.

"He’s a monster. He’s a monster!" Leon pointed at Leonard and shouted, his voice unwavering.

Maya frowned in displeasure. They all knew how Leon felt about Leonard when they entered the dungeon. "Stop talking nonsense." Then she turned to Leonard and asked, "How did you survive the night?"

Leonard seemed utterly lost. He said, "I don’t know anything. When I woke up, I found myself lying in the middle of the jungle, and it was already morning. So I ran to look for everyone. I ran for a long time but couldn’t find a way out. Luckily, I finally found you all."

His face was filled with anguish and fear. His lips were clenched so tightly they looked like they might bleed. Though his long hair covered most of his eyes, it was still evident how terrified he was.

Alexis burst out laughing. "Hahaha! He’s so weak that even the monsters didn’t want to eat him! Hahaha!"

"But he’s pretty lucky, isn’t he? He still managed to find us." Clow smiled as if genuinely happy for Leonard.

But who could say whether finding the village was truly lucky or unlucky for Leonard?

When the monsters came, Leonard might wish he had remained lost in the jungle until death rather than escaping to face even greater dangers.

"He’s a monster! You have to believe me!" Leon still refused to let go of his suspicion. He lunged forward, grabbing Leonard’s wrists as if trying to do something.

Leonard screamed and stumbled backwards in panic.

Leon’s eyes gleamed, but thick red threads suddenly coiled around him, yanking him backwards just as he was about to move again. Maya stood there, her face cold. "That’s enough."

Leon clenched his fists in anger. He wanted to say something, but remembering that Maya would still be his protector in the future, he swallowed his rage and kept quiet.

He shot a glare at Leonard, who instinctively shrank back in fear.

[Lol, is Leonard terrified of Leon, or is this just an act? If it’s an act, he’s doing a fantastic job!]

[I don’t think this is fear—it’s submission, ingrained deep in his blood. Maybe he’s not acting; this could be his actual state.]

[Seems like Leon knows something. It makes sense—they’re both from the Curtis family, and Leon has started calling Leonard a monster. Could it be some family secret?]

[Either way, I’m looking forward to Leonard snapping and going on a massacre. Hahaha!]

[Bro, you’ll be waiting forever if you expect that from the Leonard we’re seeing now...]

"If you’ve survived, then just come with us." Matthew looked at Leonard and bowed his head sincerely. "Yesterday, I had no choice but to leave you behind. I hope you understand."

Leonard took another step back, shaking his hands frantically. "No, no, I know I was just a burden. Don’t apologize to me."

He seemed utterly timid. He kept clutching the hem of his shirt tightly as if trying to crush it in his grip.

"Tch. Another useless one." Alexis sneered before striding back toward the village. The dark espers didn’t pay Leonard much attention either.

After agreeing to let Leonard join the team, Matthew said nothing more and took the lead. The ordinary people quickly followed behind him. Aside from Leon, who was still glaring at Leonard, the others paid him no mind.

Leonard’s grip on the hem of his shirt loosened slightly. No one knew just how terrified he had been. If Leon had indeed yanked up his shirt, the disgusting sight underneath would have been exposed.

He didn’t want that. He didn’t want others to look at him like a monster. He wasn’t a monster.

He would go home. The Curtis family had to be able to cure him. They would treat him well—just like they did with Leon. He had a home. He wasn’t a monster. He wasn’t...

"Why haven’t you left yet?"

A sudden, childlike voice cut through Leonard’s spiralling thoughts.

He jolted so hard that his entire body flinched.

Wide-eyed, he lowered his gaze and looked behind him.

That beautiful boy stood staring at him with wide, gem-like eyes full of innocence.

With the height difference between them, Leonard almost instinctively clenched his shirt hem again, pressing it down tightly, afraid the boy might see something he shouldn’t.

Leonard took a step back, forcing a stiff smile. "I was just about to leave. Why aren’t you with the others?"

If he remembered correctly, this boy’s name was Nerio. He had a rather unique ability and was always kept close by Ace. Why was he left behind like this?

"I used up all my power. Now, I’m just like you... maybe even weaker." Nerio lowered his head, speaking with quiet sadness.

[Wait, why is Nerio talking so much to Leonard? What’s so special about him? I can’t accept this!]

[Hold up—wasn’t Leonard asking something else? Why did Nerio suddenly start talking about his powers?]

Leonard stiffened, embarrassed that a child had seemingly seen through his thoughts. But when he looked into Nerio’s eyes, he felt he might’ve been overthinking it. How could a kid possibly see through him? He was probably just too caught up in worrying about his depleted powers.

For some reason, Leonard felt his shoulders had broadened ever so slightly.

For the briefest moment, he was urged to take Nerio’s hand and lead him forward. But when he looked at his own filthy hands, he hesitated and withdrew. Instead, he said, "Let’s go."

Nerio nodded and walked alongside him.

[How did things end up like this?!]