Soul system:Return Of The SSS-Ranked Troublemaker-Chapter 45: Game Of Fate (3) Bond.

With a small nod, the cloaked figure finally lifted his ability. In an instant, Zion and his group felt their bodies loosen, the invisible restraints vanishing like mist.

As soon as they were freed, everyone instinctively dropped to their knees, gasping for air. The sensation of being completely immobilized, even for a short moment, had drained them.

Calvin glanced at Zion, his eyes sharp. Though his voice was barely a whisper, Zion could read the words from his lips.

"Don’t accept it."

Zion clenched his jaw. His mind raced. What should I choose...?

"You could just accept their offer and crush them later," Zero’s voice echoed in his mind. "After all, you’re stronger than them. But you’d be at a disadvantage... You don’t know their abilities yet."

Zion hesitated. "You’re not certain, Master. Some of the students here awakened their Aetheris before I did."

Zero hummed in thought. "Hmph. Talent is an advantage."

Before Zion could process that thought, a system notification flashed before his eyes.

[System Alert]

[1: Accept K’s Offer.]

[2: ???]

[3: ???]

[Reward: ???]

Zion’s breath hitched. Another quest? He narrowed his eyes at the screen. The last two options are hidden... meaning it’s a chain quest?

"You might need to complete all three tasks to claim the final reward," Zero suggested.

A reward... what could it be? Zion wondered. The thought lingered, but another realization struck him. Most of the system’s core functions are missing... almost like it’s been sealed.

He exhaled sharply before turning to K. His gaze was steady, unwavering.

"I... I accept your offer."

The words left his mouth with firm conviction.

Calvin’s head snapped toward him. "Zion!" he shouted, frustration evident in his tone.

Zion met his gaze. "Trust me."

Calvin clenched his fists. His jaw tightened as if he wanted to argue, but in the end, he exhaled sharply, shoulders stiff. "...Fine." His voice was quiet, reluctant.

Yin, standing behind them, frowned. Is Zion really trusting that freak?

Karina crossed her arms. "We have no choice..." she muttered.

Meanwhile, Sera’s fingers trembled slightly. Is this really the result of me wanting to find allies...? Her voice in her head was small, uncertain.

Yin noticed her hesitation and stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"It’s not your fault," he said firmly. His determined expression made her blink in surprise. "We just have to trust Zion."

K grinned, his expression filled with satisfaction. "A wise choice from a smart man."

Then, he turned his head and called out, "Oi, lady, make them some black scarves!"

A woman in his group stepped forward. She wore a small black skirt, and her red top was designed to expose the middle of her chest, revealing a deep cleavage that ran down to her belly button. The sides of her suit were cut out, showing smooth skin, and her back was completely bare. A long red ponytail cascaded down her back as she nodded in acknowledgment.

She placed both hands on her chest, and within seconds, strands of material began forming in her palms—dark fabric weaving itself together, shaped from an unseen force. However, the process wasn’t without consequence.

K’s eyes widened slightly as he noticed the subtle shrinking of her frame. "Wait... are you using fat cells to create these?" he muttered to himself, feeling a slight disgust creeping up his spine.

Once the scarves were fully formed, she handed them over to K. He pressed his fingers into the fabric, testing its texture.

"Huh... feels fresh," he commented before tossing them over to Zion’s group. Each of them hesitantly took the scarves, tying them around their necks.

"Thanks," Zion said, giving a nod of appreciation.

Meanwhile, Yin’s eyes narrowed. A creation-type ability...? He analyzed the scarves carefully, trying to understand the mechanics behind them.

On the other hand, Calvin remained frozen in place, still gripping the scarf he had just received. His expression was unreadable, but something about the situation had caused his body to go completely rigid.

"Hey, Zion... is he okay?" Sera asked, pointing at Calvin.

Zion turned to look and immediately noticed the blood streaming from Calvin’s nose.

"Calvin... bleeding?" Yin muttered, also noticing the odd reaction.

Karina, meanwhile, was adjusting the scarf around her neck, feeling the soft warmth of the material. "It actually feels... like real fabric."

Then, just as suddenly, Calvin straightened up, wiping his nose and regaining his composure. "I’m fine," he stated in a serious tone.

For a brief moment, his eyes locked with the woman who had created the scarves. The two stared at each other before quickly looking away, both pretending the moment never happened.

Zion, ever observant, smirked to himself. "Interesting..."

"Let’s go," K said, his voice firm, and the group began walking forward. Zion’s group followed closely behind, leaving the unconscious students sprawled out on the ground, their bodies still and unmoving. As they walked, the thick air of the forest seemed to press in around them, but the group’s conversation kept their minds occupied.

"Hey, Zion," K said, breaking the silence as he glanced over at him. "What’s your ability?"

Zion’s gaze remained forward, but his voice was casual. "Infinity Gaze. I can see spirits."

K raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? Huh. Well, I don’t know if I’m too keen on dealing with that kind of power right now..."

Zion shrugged nonchalantly. "It’s not that useful to me anymore. Every time I use it, I end up getting spooked by what I see. It’s like... the more I look, the more it unsettles me."

"Wow," K said, looking thoughtful. "For someone with that kind of power, I thought you’d be this creepy, ghost-seeing maniac. But you actually seem pretty chill."

Zion chuckled under his breath, his lips twitching into a small, amused smile. Maybe K’s not so bad after all, he thought, his earlier unease starting to melt away.

K suddenly grabbed Zion by the shoulder, his hand firm but not aggressive. "Tell me something. Are there any ghosts around here? In this forest?"

Zion’s expression grew more serious as he stopped walking, taking a deep breath before answering. "Yeah... There are nineteen of them. All headless, hanging from the trees. It’s a pretty gruesome sight."

The air between them grew tense. K froze, his mind racing. "Wait, are you... serious?" His voice dropped, the suspicion clear in his tone.

Zion glanced over at K, then let out a soft laugh. "Nah, I’m just messing with you. Honestly, I don’t like using my ability in places like this, especially not in hospitals. It’s a bit too much for me, honestly."

K’s body relaxed as the tension left him in a rush. He exhaled deeply, shaking his head with a relieved smile. "You nearly gave me a heart attack there."

Zion smiled faintly, then his expression turned more contemplative. "But... I’ve awakened my own ability. I can sense someone’s energy, or aura, within a limited range. It helps me pick up on people’s intentions, their mood, things like that."

K’s eyes lit up with interest. "Wait, really? That’s actually amazing! We could use that if we get ambushed. You could warn us about any shady auras nearby."

Zion nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, but it’s not perfect. I can’t sense everything, and the range is limited. Still, it’s better than nothing."

K grinned, feeling a surge of confidence. "That’s good enough. With your Infinity Gaze and my own abilities, we’ll be unstoppable."

The group continued walking through the dense forest, their footsteps light but their minds alert, the quiet crackle of leaves underfoot their only companion as they moved forward into the unknown.

Yin was carefully carrying Sera on his back, his movements slow and deliberate as he adjusted her weight. Seems like she’s fallen asleep... Yin thought, glancing over his shoulder at the peaceful expression on her face. His cheeks flushed slightly as he took in the sight. She looks cute while sleeping... He quickly shook his head, trying to push the thought away, though the warmth in his cheeks didn’t subside.

Karina, walking a few paces ahead, was lost in her own thoughts, not bothering with the conversation around her. Meanwhile, Calvin was nervously fumbling through small talk with the lady from earlier.

"Hey, what’s your name?" the lady asked, her voice soft and casual, breaking the quiet tension.

"C-Calvin," he replied, his voice stuttering, his gaze darting away in embarrassment. "Y-yours?"

"Edith. My name’s Edith," she said with a gentle smile, her tone warm but not overly eager.

Calvin blinked. "I... I see..." He tried to collect his thoughts, his heart beating a little faster. What a traditional name, he thought absently, still nervous.

After a brief pause, Calvin cleared his throat. "B-by the way... why’s your suit like that?"

Edith glanced down at her outfit, the fabric seemingly mismatched and adorned with strange markings. She didn’t seem bothered by the question, her voice calm as she explained. "My ability to create things requires parts of my body—cells, fat cells, body fluids, and... other things," she said, almost apologetically, her words hanging in the air.

"Body fluids...?" Calvin’s eyes widened slightly, his cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. Did she just say... he thought, mortified by the implications.

Noticing his reaction, Edith smiled kindly, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I know it sounds strange. But I’ve had to adapt to survive, y’know? It’s just part of what I am now."

Calvin shifted awkwardly, still processing what she had said. "I see..." he muttered, trying to regain his composure. "It’s a great power, I guess... But doesn’t it... feel uncomfortable? I mean, using your own body parts and fluids?"

Edith’s smile remained, a little more relaxed now, as she shook her head. "Not really. It’s just how I survive. I’ve adapted over time. It doesn’t bother me as much anymore."

She grinned at him, her expression easygoing and confident. Calvin couldn’t help but feel a little more at ease, though the blush on his face remained. He stammered out a quiet reply. "That’s... pretty impressive."

Edith’s smile widened, as if pleased with the conversation, and the group continued walking, the rhythm of their footsteps carrying them deeper into the unknown.