Chapter – 24 Terms of Humiliation
[Status Window — Subject: Liraen Vaerune]
Age: 122
Race: Elf (Awakened) (Abyssal Oceania Sovereign Highelf — Bloodline Dormant)
Title: — None
Talent: "Indomitable Tide" — The deeper the pressure, the stronger the current. When faced with extreme adversity, physical and magical resistance gradually rise, and recovery rate increases proportional to sustained damage over time. (Sealed — Forced Use: 27%)
Effect– Perpetually puts strain on her body
Level: 8 — (14,265 / 34,015)
Status: Sealed — Mana Circulation Restrained, Stats Reduction, Bloodline Suppression
---
Attributes:
STR — 4.1
VIT — 6.7
CON — 4.4
AGI — 6.8
STA — 7.1
INT — 6.9
MANA — 4.6
---
Bloodline Status:
Current Estimated Power Output: 0.3% (due to diluted heritage and dormant bloodline)
Potential Power Output (After Bloodline Awakening Potion): 100%
[Under Illusion Disguise]
---
Bloodline Overview — Abyssal Oceania Sovereign Highelf
A vanished imperial lineage of the Abyss, born in pressure-crushed cities hidden beneath continents of water. At their zenith, Sovereign Highelves ruled the deep as living gods — able to sunder oceanic trenches with a flick of their wrist, summon abyssal maelstroms capable of dragging islands beneath the waves, and hunt Leviathan-class sea beasts for sport.
Their feasts were the stuff of legend — abyssal flames roasting flesh from beasts larger than mountains, their rich aroma carried on the sea breeze for miles. Their songs could calm even the fiercest of tempests or rouse the ocean itself into a killing tide. Though thinned by countless eons, the dormant ember of their bloodline still smolders — waiting for the moment it will rise again to reclaim the drowned throne that even time could not erase.
---
[Ding!]
Seal Removal Cost: 20,000 SP
Bloodline Awakening Potion Cost (usable after unsealing): 50,000 SP
---
[System Advisory]
The Abyssal Oceania Highborn Elves were the absolute loyalists of the Imperial Family.
During the Final Drowning War, they held back the wrath of the ocean itself — restraining the entire sea from consuming the mainland while the continent was sinking. Their mastery allowed them to split seas, boil Leviathan-class beasts alive, and feast upon them as if they were mere fish.
It is advised that the host consider taking Liraen Vaerune as a companion.
Her bloodline holds an inherent pull toward the rightful heir.
---
[Emotional State Readout — Subject: Liraen Vaerune]
Primary Emotion: Irritation — spiking rapidly
Emotional Triggers Detected: Individual "Alex" referring to her as his woman
Secondary Desires:
• Leave current party immediately
• Inflict severe physical harm on "Alex" and "Max" (restraint level: moderate)
The system vanished. But not Ethan's stare.
Across the hall, Liraen stood frozen — getting more irritated by the coming seconds. Alex rambled on.
"My woman doesn't need—"
Her gaze flicked.
Not angry — just done. And cold enough to kill.
Ethan stepped forward.
"You said what?"
Alex blinked, caught off guard.
"You're claiming a woman who wouldn't remember your name?" Ethan snorted. "You're not her man. You're a placeholder. Stupid swineless fool"
Chuckles passed through the crowd. Alex bristled.
Ethan didn't stop.
"You say I am wet behind the ears? How about I come and prove myself? Fair and square."
Alex never in his life had recieved such response, He got flustered and blurted.
"H-heh. Why would I go on my way to bully weak? I am just trying to discipline a junior. Isn't that right Max?" s-shit, Max hurry up and back me up. He looks powerful.
"You pick fights with people better than you so you have an excuse when you lose." Ethan said almost bored by his obvious cowardice.
Max finally stepped up, amused grin in place he had already realised he was the same magic arrow man..
trying to get back for insulting him?.
"Cute speech. Want a duel? to 'prove' yourself? Mr. Weakass doable magic arrow."
Ethan considered. "Hoh? a guard dog? Depends. Got anything worth staking?"
Nearby adventurers giggled at Ethan response, clearing enjoying the situation. Max anger flared at the word guard dog, but controlled it
Max scoffed. "I'm stronger. No need for stakes, I can wipe floor with 10 of you's together."
"Right," Ethan replied, deadpan. "Cowards always start there."
The crowd stirred. Pressure built. Someone muttered, "Say yes now, Max, or everyone remembers you backed down from the E–Ranked Goblin Slayer."
Max's lip curled. "Fine. If I win, you give your fancy gear, seems like a waste on you."
Ethan tilted his head. "And if I win, you shut up for good. No orders or talk. And you follow like a dog in upcoming raid like you are."
The crowd inhaled, stunned at Ethan provocative statement. He was E - rank and Max C - rank!
Liraen blinked slowly. Her grip loosened — just a little.
Max hesitated. He wasn't smiling anymore.
The tension was tight enough to hum. A pulse behind every breath. And then—
"Enough."
An elder stepped forward. Robes bearing the Adventurers Guild sigil. His voice held command.
"This hall isn't a battleground. Disputes are settled according to guild governance."
Max sighed, annoyed. "Fine. But this isn't over."
"Yeah yeah sure." Ethan murmured.
The crowd stepped back, energy still buzzing.
Then silence.
The guild elder addressed him. "Ethan Cross. The Goblin King expedition looms. Choose your allies wisely. Power matters, but trust sustains."
Ethan nodded once.
---
Outside the hall, stars blinked through coastal mist. The breeze was thick with salt and expectation. He stepped into it.
The emblem over the guild door glowed steadily — a beacon and a promise.
The square faded into quiet. Ethan leaned against a wall, arms folded and eyes wary.
Footsteps approached. Soft.
"Sir Ethan."
He turned. Liraen stood there.
Moonlight caught the seaborne silver strands in her hair; her expression was careful but not closed.
"Do we know each other?" she asked.
"No," Ethan replied. "I don't think so."
She tilted her head. "Then why step in?"
He hesitated, then shrugged. "Didn't like how they talked to you. Or about you."
He paused. "I wasn't trying to be noble. Just... couldn't ignore it."
She nodded.
"They do that often," Liraen said. "Push until someone cracks."
"But you haven't," he said.
"I'm not most people."
"Heh, I can indeed tell."
Silence pooled — not uncomfortable, just cautious.
"You should leave that party."
Her brow arched. "you think I haven't considered it?"
"You're waiting," Ethan said. "For the right excuse."
She studied him — calm and almost amused. "They did cross a line."
He didn't press. Just waited.
"But I don't leave unless my friends, Aina and Maya have somewhere better to land. If I go, I go with them."
Ethan nodded. "That's fair."
She smiled — the smallest tilt of her lips.
"You carry yourself like someone who doesn't care if anyone's watching."
"I don't," he replied. "Makes consequences easier to live with."
"Good answer."
She turned, then paused. Half in shadow.
"...Thank you."
"Anytime."
"What is your name?"
He asked...just for the mood.
"Liraen... Vaerune..."
Then she disappeared down the misty steps, cloak drifting behind like a tide receding.
--
Two Years Ago — Earth. Orion HQ.
"Mr. Cross?"
He didn't glance up right away. Just kept scrolling through pitch decks.
"Janice," he said.
Her voice was low. "This is about sir Dalton. He's been inappropriate. Touching and Ignoring when I tell him to stop."
Ethan finally looked up. Sighed.
"Dalton brings in a third of our annual volume… it's sensitive optics."
"You're saying not to file."
"I'm saying... be smart about picking battles."
Her face didn't change. Just her eyes — pulling back, like waves before a crash.
She didn't show up next week.
Reported suicide.
Family claimed foul play. HR called it "unfortunate."
No one looked deeper.
And Ethan never asked again.
--
Now – Virellia
The night air was cool, brushing his cloak.
Ethan stared down at his gloved hands.
Not this time. I learnt my lesson.
He wouldn't weigh silence against optics. Wouldn't watch someone like Liraen be silenced or ignored and cornered.
This wasn't a boardroom.
And she wasn't a footnote.
"Protecting someone," he thought, "isn't just standing in front of them. It's making sure they never have to watch their back again."
"I Hope you forgive me Jenice..."
...
..
.
"Ahhh....how I miss my cigarette"