Since it was a hellish difficulty level, Li Ke, though tempted, didn't plan to pursue the other party right now.
He wanted to train his stamina properly, familiarize himself with the potion's effects, and by the time he returned to Hendon Myre, Tanjie would have finished her work.
Then he could quickly obtain energy points through Tanjie and return to the 7 Days to Die world to help Lux go back.
As for Rias, that was up to her own choice.
Li Ke wouldn't mind having something happen between them.
But whether she was willing was up to her.
Anyway, after Lux was sent away, Li Ke didn't plan to stay in the 7 Days to Die world any longer.
Whoever wanted to stay in that wretched world could stay.
If it weren't for Tanjie being such a kind girl, and having a reason to become stronger, he wouldn't even want to return to the Arad world.
Even if Li Ke jumped off this cliff and died outside, he would never again have any connection with that damned world of 7 Days to Die!
Thinking this, Li Ke and his companions slowly walked out of Hendon Myre.
The bustling main street gradually disappeared, replaced by a crumbling cobblestone road.
Fortunately, this rammed earth road didn't present many obstacles. Although the original cobblestones were still clearly visible in some places, there was no doubt that the main force carrying merchants had now become this earthen road.
Lush trees lined both sides of the road, and Li Ke could vaguely see from these neatly trimmed trees how prosperous this trade route had once been.
However, now, he could only judge the age of this road from the occasional glimpse of the cobblestones.
"This used to be a very prosperous trade route, but after the great fire in the Grand Forest and the invasion of the Empire, fewer people lived nearby. The Dark Elves also frequently raided caravans, so the population gradually dwindled. Consequently, fewer caravans traveled this route, and fewer caravans made it inconvenient for residents to buy goods, leading to an even smaller population. This vicious cycle has resulted in practically only this one caravan route passing through here now."
Seemingly noticing Li Ke's confusion, Miss Lucia explained to him.
Walking beside the carriage, Li Ke, looking around with Lottie, understood the situation.
"So, in the near future, this trade route will disappear?"
Lucia simply shook her head. She didn't know either. After all, she was a person from the Suju Kingdom and didn't understand the situation here.
Besides, this wasn't her country, and even if she knew some things, she had no right to interfere.
"I don't know, who knows?"
She shook her head, then pointed around.
"There aren't many monsters around here, mostly just goblins. We mainly need to be wary of these small monsters and cat demons. But if we encounter dark elf thieves out raiding, then..."
Lucia paused for a moment before speaking.
"You'll come with me."
So, we are running away?
Li Ke looked at Lucia's calm face and was surprised to find her almost too reliable. While such an ordinary person wouldn't seem to consider running away, upon closer inspection, knowing they'd die if they were outmatched, what an ordinary person would do was quite predictable.
But dark elves going out to rob—that was something he'd never seen in the game before.
Li Ke was slightly surprised by this.
"But don't worry too much. After the Dark Elf Empire was conquered by the Empire, it no longer has the resources to raid. So our enemies are mostly minotaurs and goblins who can't survive the winter. Occasionally there are some bandits, but they're not common in Hendon Myre."
Lucia flexed her wrists. Her reason for accepting this escort mission was simple: for this reason.
It was perfect—earning money and fighting monsters to her heart's content.
"Understood, thank you."
"It's nothing, Tanjie paid me."
"..."
Another morning passed. Li Ke, who had been enjoying the scenery, began to feel bored. Simply walking was just too tedious.
But Miss Lucia didn't show much impatience, continuing to observe her surroundings.
Lottie, on the other hand, was gesturing with magic and flames in her hands, clearly fiddling with something. Li Ke glanced at her and remembered his own magic.
"Speaking of which, Lottie, what magic did you say you'd teach me last time?"
"Oh, this one, it's very simple. It's just directly converting magic power into various attributes and then attacking. It's a very suitable fighting style for beginners. That's roughly about it."
Lottie stretched out her hand, and a ball of colorless magic power instantly formed a symbol. The next moment, the colorless magic power transformed into the color of flame in her hand, which she casually flicked away.
"It's just a few tricks, but for beginners, it's a very good way to familiarize themselves with the conversion and control of magic power attributes."
Li Ke looked on with envy. The reason he sought to learn magic from Sharan was precisely for this extraordinary power.
"How do I do it?"
Lottie tilted her head, stretched out her hand, and magic power manifested as a rune before her.
"Just form a portion of your magic into this 'fire' rune, then imagine the magic transforming into flames and flowing. It's very simple."
"..."
Li Ke also extended his hand. Although his magic control wasn't as good as Lottie's, he easily outlined a fire rune with his magic.
However, when he imagined his magic transforming into flames and flowing, things went wrong.
The rune in his hand instantly turned into a ball of flame, then vanished like a fleeting flower. He couldn't even be sure he had succeeded, let alone unleash the flame like Lottie, or even like Iori or Kyo Kusanagi. If it weren't for the lingering bright spot of the flame on his retina, he wouldn't have been able to believe he had succeeded.
He turned to look at Lottie, who gave him an awkward yet polite smile.
"Yes, that's it. Just practice more."
She didn't offer any evaluation, but Li Ke understood the true level of his ability.
Watching the magic power gather again in his palm, Li Ke couldn't help but sigh.
If only it possible just to allocate skill points, or if he had a skill book.