God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World! Chapter 546: VV: Without an Armour?

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Previously on God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World!...
Ragnarok99 fought Master Han of the Longsword sect. Despite his anger, Ragnarok99 managed to control his emotions and fought a disciplined battle. After a fierce exchange, Ragnarok99 managed to defeat Master Han, securing a win for Broken Dawn. The announcement confirmed that Olympus, ChaosKnight, and Broken Dawn had all won their challenges, while The Holy Church refused.
The residence quieted following the conclusion of dinner, with most factions retreating to their designated areas. The earlier commotion from the main hall had subsided, leaving only the distant echoes of footsteps, the click of closing doors, and hushed conversations behind partitions. Some sought repose after the recent trials, while others were evidently strategizing for the upcoming mission. Moving through the premises with his aura meticulously concealed, Gabriel’s footsteps made barely a whisper on the polished flooring. The ambient light from the hallway lamps bathed the corridor in a soft, yellowish hue. His stride remained even as he passed by attending servants, patrolling guards, and a scattering of players still meandering about; none, however, gave him more than a passing glance. The estate itself was of a sufficient scale to accommodate each invited contingent in its own dedicated wing. As his journey progressed deeper into the structure, he eventually drew near the Broken Dawn sector, though he did not pause. A sliver of light escaped from one of the larger chambers where the door was ajar, allowing the composed voice of Sophie to drift into the hallway as she issued directives to her primary members. "Ragnarok99, you must rest your ribs tonight. Do not pretend the injury is insignificant," she commanded, her tone measured yet resolute. "Cassie, reconfirm our provisions. Bunny, secure the token and keep it on your person only if I am not within immediate reach." After a brief interval, Cassie's voice responded, "Do you foresee any complications prior to our arrival at the tomb?" "Complications have already arisen," Sophie stated. "The challenge presented earlier was not merely about upholding pride. Tianlan's factions are gauging the extent to which they can apply pressure before the mission commences." Upon hearing this, Gabriel instinctively moderated his pace, his focus piqued by their earnest discussion. Despite not being affiliated with them directly, their predicament was of personal concern to him. Within the room, the atmosphere felt heavy with seriousness. The subtle scrape of chairs shifting and the exhalation of a weary sigh could be detected. Ragnarok99 uttered a low murmur, but Sophie interjected, cutting him off before his remark could escalate into a grievance. "You emerged victorious, but it was a narrow win. This is not meant as an insult, but rather as a crucial warning," she declared. "Should the environment within the tomb prove more perilous than what we faced today, every individual present must exercise utmost caution." For a fleeting instant, Gabriel's attention remained fixed upon the partially opened doorway. Sophie was managing the situation with considerable skill. She wasn't attempting to emulate his approach or adopt a sterner demeanor than necessary; instead, she led in her characteristic fashion—calm, unwavering, and clear—while ensuring her companions recognized the inherent dangers without inducing widespread alarm. For a brief moment, the impulse to enter the room crossed his mind. The thought, however, vanished almost as quickly as it had formed. At this juncture, he was the White Phantom, and the members of Broken Dawn were not yet privy to this truth. His appearance there would jeopardize too much, especially given the effort he had invested in maintaining the separation of his identities. Even with the trust he held for them, there was no strategic advantage in revealing this critical detail before the expedition to the Buried God’s Tomb. Moreover, his presence among them was not intended to be permanent. As Broken Dawn matured and cultivated greater self-reliance, his role in their development would naturally diminish over time. With these considerations guiding his decision, he opted against entering and continued his solitary walk. His path led him past their wing and further into the less frequented depths of the residence, where the corridors grew significantly quieter and the air perceptibly cooler. The decor along the walls became sparser, simpler, with unadorned wooden doors lining the passageway, a stark contrast to the more ornate sections encountered earlier. He wasn't actively searching for anything specific. At this moment, his sole desire was to move, to process his thoughts, and to achieve a sense of mental clarity after the events of the evening meal. This was especially true after recalling the fleeting scrutiny from Liang earlier. The man had spoken little, but the manner in which he had observed Gabriel left a persistent unease, a nagging doubt about the potential flaws in his disguise. Veering into one of the lower-level corridors, Gabriel noted the increased spacing between the lamps, which in turn cast elongated shadows as the surrounding silence deepened. Somewhere in the vicinity, a steady dripping sound indicated water falling into a basin. While certain rooms appeared unoccupied, others hinted at subtle signs of life behind their closed doors. It was at this point that he recognized a familiar figure. A person clad in armor was seated on the floor adjacent to one of the rooms, leaning back against the wall with their legs drawn up slightly. Portions of the heavy suit of armor had been removed and were placed neatly to the side, while the helmet rested on the floor beside them. It was Vv. Gabriel halted his movement. This marked the first occasion he had encountered Vv without the complete encasement of their armor. The illumination was subdued, and his vantage point was less than ideal, yet the distinction was palpable. Without the helmet, Vv presented a less imposing figure, transitioning from an unyielding metallic presence to someone resembling an individual finally able to exhale after maintaining a demanding posture for an extended duration. A glimpse of hair was visible, though not enough to discern specific features. While the individual’s posture remained watchful, the previous rigidity had softened. One hand lay near the helmet, fingertips lightly brushing its surface, poised for an instantaneous re-application. His inherent curiosity became noticeably more acute. Ever since their initial encounter, Vv had been an enigma—their silence, the ubiquitous armor, a peculiar aura, and their distinct combat style all contributed to an unanswered list of questions. Now, even this partial revelation of the individual beneath the armor made it increasingly difficult to dismiss these inquiries. Before Vv could utter a word, they were noticed. The reaction was swift; their hand shot out, snatching the helmet and donning it with fluid grace. Gabriel slightly raised a hand. "Calm yourself. I have no intention of prying." The corridor stayed silent for a few beats, the overhead lamp flickering intermittently as faint noises from faraway chambers drifted through the hallway. "You train in solitude. You meditate alone. You hardly ever speak," Gabriel stated with a tranquil demeanor as he advanced. "This is unusual, even for reserved individuals." Vv offered no reply. Their eyes narrowed subtly behind the mask, yet Gabriel's voice remained unchanged. "I find myself wondering what you look like without it." ... Your continued votes and support through golden tickets and power stones are deeply appreciated. A new month has dawned, so let's maintain our momentum and drive this novel forward! Increased support fuels author motivation, leading to more chapters. 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