Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord
Chapter 419 - You Call That Friendly?
The dwarf’s hand was clamped tightly around Atlas’s neck and jaw, strong enough to lock his mouth shut and prevent him from saying a single word. The man’s eyes, small compared to his massive frame, burned with raw hatred.
Atlas knew those eyes.
Their bodies dropped rapidly toward the ground. The dwarf did not strike again. He only tightened his grip, applying crushing pressure, enough to suggest he could shatter Atlas’s skull at any moment. Yet he held back, restraining his strength. Someone with his power could have ended Atlas instantly, but he chose not to.
Krythalis appeared nearby, matching their falling trajectory, ready to intervene. Atlas subtly signaled him not to act.
Moments later, a heavy impact shook the ground as the dwarf slammed into the earth. Atlas was still held in his grip, lifted higher as the dwarf’s feet hit the ground, leaving Atlas hanging with his legs no longer touching the surface.
Edrik reappeared not far from them.
"Mr. Fokil."
A voice suddenly rang out.
Atlas did not need to turn around. He recognized that voice instantly. It was Elyndra. She had arrived late, which was only natural given the speed of the clash.
The dwarf holding Atlas turned his head toward the sound, toward where Elyndra stood behind Atlas.
"He is a good person. He is the one who saved me," Elyndra said quickly. "We do not mean any harm. We only..."
"Did he force a contract on you?" the dwarf interrupted.
His voice was deep and hoarse, and a strong scent of alcohol poured from his breath as he spoke.
"I chose this myself. I trust him," Elyndra said firmly. "He did not pressure me in any way. He freed me and treated me kindly and fairly. He gave me a place to live, a family, and friends. He is Atlas, the Lord of Gacha Haven."
Krythalis still looked ready to attack at any second. Edrik, however, had gone completely calm, his expression flat.
It was clear that Edrik understood the situation.
This man did not truly intend to kill them. If he had, Atlas’s jaw would already have been crushed to dust.
The dwarf did not release his grip on Atlas right away. The tension in the air thickened, becoming almost suffocating. Krythalis looked as if he was one breath away from launching a brutal, all-out assault on the dwarf.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as everyone waited, as if standing before a silent judgment.
Then, the dwarf’s grip loosened slightly, giving Atlas just enough room to move his jaw and force out a few words.
"Sir," Atlas said hoarsely, "we came to greet you properly. Elyndra is with us, and I hope you do not take that as an offense. This was meant to be a meeting, nothing more. And forgive us if it seemed like we were watching you. That was simply the method we used to find you."
A moment later, the dwarf released his grip completely.
Atlas dropped to the ground, landing heavily.
At the same time, Elyndra rushed forward and grabbed Atlas’s right hand, her other hand moving to his jaw as she checked him anxiously. His jaw felt stiff beneath her touch, the bone aching as if it had nearly cracked.
Edrik stepped closer as well, coming to stand beside Atlas without a word.
"Leave this place," the dwarf said coldly. "Do not ever step into my range again."
Atlas did not respond immediately. He made no attempt to argue, no move to challenge the statement. He focused instead on keeping the situation from escalating further.
Elyndra had said this man was friendly. Yet Atlas could not help but wonder what kind of standard that was. By any normal measure, this man was neither warm nor open to negotiation.
"Are you alright?" the dwarf asked, turning his gaze toward Elyndra.
"Yes, Mr. Fokil. I am fine," Elyndra replied. "I am learning about this world, and I stand with Lord Atlas to protect his floating island."
"I have no involvement with lords," the dwarf said flatly. "Tell your lord to never seek me out again."
"Mr. Fokil," Elyndra tried again.
But the dwarf remained unmoved. Slowly, his gaze shifted back toward Atlas.
"Sir, I have resources," Atlas said quietly, keeping his voice low and controlled. "People who might be able to help you."
"Do not interfere in my affairs," the dwarf replied at once.
At the same time, the dwarf stored his hammer into his dimensional storage. His right hand then reached across to grip his left arm, as if tearing something away from himself. A sheet of shadow-like energy formed in his grasp. He ripped it free and threw it to the ground.
The shadow writhed violently for a brief moment, twisting and collapsing in on itself, before fading away completely.
"That was your final warning," the dwarf said coldly. "Do not ever seek me out again."
It was the detection skill Edrik had planted on him.
And the dwarf had noticed it.
"One more thing," he added, turning his gaze back to Atlas. "When I leave this world, Elyndra will be taken with me. That is how world transfer works. Be ready for that moment."
Atlas stiffened slightly at the statement. Elyndra had never mentioned this to him before.
"If you wish to keep her in this world," the dwarf continued, "then do something about it."
Atlas did not hesitate.
"I will protect her," he said firmly.
The dwarf studied him for a brief second longer, his expression unreadable. Then, without another word, he turned away.
A vortex of energy formed in front of the dwarf. Without hesitation, he stepped into it, and in an instant, his figure vanished completely.
The tension in the area dissipated almost immediately after his departure.
"He really just left like that," Atlas said, then turned his gaze toward Edrik.
"Did you manage to do it?"
Edrik responded with a faint smirk before giving a light bow. "Yes, my lord. I attached ten layers of detection to him. He only managed to remove three."
Atlas let out a slow breath. "I hope he does not get even angrier." A brief pause followed. "He does not seem to be in a friendly mood right now, does he?"
Elyndra simply gave him a puzzled look at that statement.
It seemed her definition of "friendly" was very different from Atlas’s.