God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World! Chapter 518: Attacking the Black Star Clan [1]

Several days slipped by since then.

During that period, Gabriel remained confined to Scarlet’s room, devoting himself entirely to healing. His surface injuries mended ahead of the rest, but the profound internal harm demanded more time and drained his strength more than he preferred.

Scarlet entered and exited quietly over those days.

At times, she delivered potions and meals. On other occasions, new wrappings. Sometimes, she merely inspected his wounds, adjusted whatever required it, and departed with few words.

Gabriel observed this more than once.

Her demeanor stayed icy. Her strictness persisted. Her voice held that same monotone most often. Yet, those subtle gestures revealed a hidden facet of her, likely unseen by most guild members.

She wasn’t an unfeeling automaton.

She just refused to expend effort on matters unworthy of her concern.

By the fourth day, Gabriel managed to sit upright without his sight spinning.

Scarlet stood by the table, neatly folding a soiled cloth into a perfect square. A subtle aroma of herbs, pure water, and that familiar mild soap lingered in the air, unchanged since his awakening.

"I’m fine now," Gabriel declared.

Scarlet shot him a quick look and nodded briefly.

"You are better," she corrected. "Not fine."

Gabriel overlooked the remark. Soon after, once he rose steadily on his legs and moved without piercing agony halting him, he faced her with greater earnestness.

"Thank you," he stated. "I owe you one."

Scarlet dismissed it with a casual wave, barely glancing his way.

"There is no debt. We are allies. I am certain you would have done the same for me."

Gabriel paused briefly. He detested owing favors, and even more, basking in others’ thanks. Since mere words fell short here, he accessed his inventory and produced a valuable artifact—not some trivial trinket.

Scarlet’s gaze shifted to it.

"You do not need to do that," she said.

Gabriel set it down on the table regardless.

"I know. Take it."

Scarlet eyed the object, then him. Ultimately, she refrained from protest.

Shortly afterward, Gabriel departed the room.

He navigated the Adventurer Guild in silence, and upon emerging into the city once more, the outdoor breeze struck him as oddly ordinary amid the chaos of recent events. Crowded streets bustled, players hurried along routinely, and the city had pivoted to fresh gossip, though Darius Aston’s vanishing still sparked chatter.

That afternoon, Gabriel rendezvoused with XMan at the now-abandoned hotel—his property, with staff serving as his loyal attendants.

XMan had lingered in wait, and upon spotting Gabriel, visible relief crossed his features.

"You’re really okay," he said. "I was starting to think the city swallowed you."

Gabriel offered no response. Instead, he delved into his inventory and placed a Soul Key directly into XMan’s palm.

XMan’s eyes bulged instantly.

"You really got it," he exclaimed, fixating on the key as if it might vanish. "Damn. You really got it."

He rotated it gingerly in his grip, thrill radiating from him. Suspecting its location in the castle was one matter; holding it proved another entirely.

Gabriel regarded him momentarily before inquiring, "You sound surprised."

XMan cleared his throat and appeared somewhat sheepish.

"To be honest," he confessed, "I was not entirely sure."

Gabriel fixed him with a steady stare, masking any shift in his look.

"You were not sure?"

XMan lifted both hands in haste.

"I was close. Very close. But not completely certain."

Gabriel’s expression turned impassive. For an instant, he simply observed him wordlessly. He had teetered on death’s edge in that fortress. He had brushed against the king personally. And his guide into peril hadn’t even confirmed the intel.

"I could have lost my life for a guess."

XMan seemed mortified.

"You still got it."

"That is not the point."

XMan dipped his head a touch and murmured, "Fair."

A hush settled between them briefly before Gabriel posed his next query.

"Where is the last key?"

XMan stood taller and replied with gravity this time.

"I’m still working on that," he said. "But one thing I’m certain of now is that it is not in Stellar City."

Gabriel’s eyes narrowed faintly.

"You’re sure?"

"Yes," XMan affirmed. "That much I can say with confidence."

Gabriel nodded curtly. This signaled the end of his Soul Key pursuits in this city, for now.

"You can go," Gabriel instructed. "Keep researching."

XMan blinked in surprise.

"And you? What do you plan on doing while I’m away?"

"I have something else to take care of."

XMan’s brow furrowed with evident intrigue, yet he acquiesced and departed without probing further.

After the man departed, Gabriel lingered in place briefly before murmuring softly.

"Grizzlenaught."

Earth trembled as the enormous ghostly bear ascended from the depths. Barry was firmly clutched in its paws. The blindfolded summoner appeared even more wretched now. His body was rigid, breaths feeble, and lifting his head to face Gabriel’s stare proved nearly impossible.

Gabriel observed him intently for a brief instant.

Without a single question, he sensed the horrors Barry had endured buried underground had scarred him profoundly. The man no longer resembled a cunning plotter scheming for survival. Instead, he seemed like one teetering on the edge of collapse.

At first, Barry shunned his eyes, then compelled himself to lift them.

Gabriel’s voice stayed steady as he at last addressed him.

"I have a use for you. You’re going to take me to the Black Star base."

***

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