NOVEL WEB Chapter 88: Murder
Chapter 88 - Murder
"I didn't expect to see you here," Orsted smiled and then glanced at Finn behind her.
Among the group, Finn was the only one Orsted hadn't met.
He'd crossed paths with the others before.
"First time meeting," Finn said, stepping forward.
"I'm Finn Deimne. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Orsted," Orsted replied.
"The pleasure's mine."
"We're heading to Rivira," Finn gestured towards the adventurer-built town lay on the 18th floor.
"Join us?"
Orsted had planned to find an open spot outside Rivira to pitch tents with Lili, Tifa, and Naaza, but Finn's invitation changed things.
"Sure, let's go together," he agreed.
The decision was low-risk, and Orsted could handle it.
Besides, another motive stirred: this might be when Ais and the Loki Familia first encounter the Jewel Fetus, tied to the corrupted spirit clone.
In recent events, Ais faced defeat here against Revis, a formidable foe.
Orsted wanted to join her in facing Revis, hoping to defeat or kill the creature.
Doing so could yield enough excelia to rank up without waiting for Goliath.
Revis, at her debut, was peak Level 5, overpowering even Ais.
Had Finn not intervened, Ais might have died.
The group trekked toward Rivira.
Along the way, Orsted sensed awkwardness.
Tione and Tiona openly studied him, whispering to each other.
Ais and Lefiya were subtler, stealing glances no one else noticed.
Tione and Tiona's scrutiny didn't faze Orsted, but Lili bristled.
"Jormungand, Amazon, can you stop staring at Orsted-sama?"
"We're just curious about Orsted," Tiona said blithely.
"Riveria told us to get closer to him."
Tiona's words spilled out before Tione could stop her, and Orsted caught a flicker of panic in Tione's eyes.
Sure enough, Riveria grabbed Tiona's ear, dragging her aside.
"It hurts, Riveria! I won't do it again!"
Tiona wailed, unable to resist the Level 6 elf, pleading like a scolded child.
"Keep spouting nonsense, and I'll tie a boulder to you and sink you in the sea," Riveria hissed, her eyes twitching.
Tiona clamped her mouth shut, hands covering it, her expression comically meek.
But the damage was done.
Orsted, Lili, Tifa, Naaza, and even Finn turned to Riveria, surprise in their eyes.
Finn, who'd heard Riveria's report on Orsted's grimoire-crafting yesterday, hadn't expected her to urge Ais and the others to connect with him.
Was this the same reserved Riveria he knew?
Riveria's composure faltered under their stares, a rare flush creeping in.
Salvation came unexpectedly.
A one-eyed man with an eyepatch—Bors Elder—emerged from a Rivira shop.
"Bors?" Finn said, recognizing him.
"Loki Familia?" Bors muttered, scratching his forehead in frustration.
"Of all times…"
"What's wrong?" Finn asked, sensing trouble in Rivira.
Bors's agitation suggested something dire.
"You're here just in time. Come see," Bors said, motioning for Finn to follow.
Finn didn't hesitate, and the group trailed Bors to an inn carved from a natural cave, Bors's Inn.
A crowd clogged the entrance, blocking access.
"Move!" Bors roared, his voice parting the adventurers like a blade.
His authority in Rivira was clear.
The crowd gaped at Finn and the Loki Familia, stunned by their presence, but parted further.
Orsted and others followed Bors inside, reaching a room deep within.
The sight inside silenced Ais and the others.
The cave room was drenched in blood, a headless male corpse sprawled on the floor.
Clothed only below the waist, its muscled frame spoke of rigorous training.
The shattered head confirmed Orsted's suspicion: this was the moment Ais first faced Revis.
'Revis would appear soon.'
Orsted's eyes narrowed, anticipation coiling within him.
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