I Know the Secret to Surpass Level 100
Chapter 69: Betrayal is Inevitable

Betrayal is a common thing in the world. That was a fact. But Ed couldn't help but get angry over the fact that his parents were betrayed by one of their closest friends.

To think that the one they trusted would do something that would end their lives and hurt people around them, this made him angry. For him who did not have any people to rely on before, he craved for that one speck of care someone would give. He needed it and prayed for it every day.

And for someone to easily throw that all away was not something he could forgive easily.

"All these things are hardly being seeped into my mind," Ed confessed, drinking a glass of beer. "There's a lot to digest and I can't help but feel overwhelmed with everything that's going on.

He gazed at the Eternal Chaos Sword. It was a long sword with a handle carved with intricate curves. The first few inches of the blade had five small diamond-shaped eminences. Each diamond eminence contained one small gem apart from the last one. The Weapon Gem was located at the end of the hilt where it was suspended by two crossing straps made of metal.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Elliot asked, sitting next to Ed. He took the glass out of Ed's hand and returned it to Midnight. "No more for him, please. Thank you, Midnight."

"Everything is just confusing," Ed sighed. "I wish I knew why Biankka betrayed her friends just to get what she wants. Or maybe she's just crazy."

"I told you, she's nuts," Luck said from the further side of the counter. He walked over and dunked a large glass of beer. "Nuts, I tell 'ya. She's got big jugs but other than that, nuts."

"You're really interested in women your age range, huh?" Frederick snickered. He was using a stick to guide him as he walked. The curse may not have killed him, but it did took a toll on his body. "And women with big jugs."

"Shut up," Luck snapped and walked away. Frederick was trailing over him and the younger boys left in the bar just let them be.

"I wish we could attack Biankka and all but that would leave the city unattended," Elliot sighed. "If we go there, she might launch an Alpha Strike again. Last time we were lucky since the soldiers retreated."

"Biankka wasn't even Biankka when they fought her," Connor slipped in their conversation. "She was actually Axla who used Biankka's spell to exchange their looks. That means Biankka is more powerful than that."

"Of course she's more powerful," Lance said. "Luck said for the first time in a long time, someone penetrated his thick magic defense."

"She's part Banshee, that's why," Xelon said, walking over to them. Keurig was behind him as well as George and Ethan. The Etheorians bowed to Ed. "If you'll excuse us, your grace. We will retire to our quarters for the night."

"Err," Ed smiled awkwardly. "T-That's okay. You don't have to do that."

"Where's Nataniel?" Hope asked. "That little kid is adorable. He reminded me of me back in the day."

"You were a little kid just a month ago, what 'back in the day' are you talking about?" Lance snorted. "Anyway, he's inside Luck's room. I heard he'll adopt him or something."

"So he has the ability to travel to dimensions?" Connor asked to which Lance nodded.

"Why don't we use Nataniel's power to take a couple of us to Etheoria and face Biankka?" Elliot suggested. "That way, there's less of us but the city's not defenseless."

"No," Lance said. "Until she wages another war, we can't do the first move. Think about it. If there's only so few of us there against her army, we'll be wiped out. And if we take a lot more and go to her then she decides to attack the city, the ones left behind will be massacred. It's too risky."

"So the sure way for us to survive all these is to wait for Biankka to attack?" Ed asked.

"Yes. We don't have to risk anything anymore anyway," Lance replied. "We have the sword, we have each other. Biankka doesn't have anything on us."

"Yo!" Francoise walked over that surprised the group. Although most citizens were back, they didn't expect the man to come over so suddenly. "What's with the crazy atmosphere? You need to breathe."

"What's up, Uncle Frank?" Midnight asked from the bar. "That's a new scabbard. Very specific too."

"Oh, here Edward," Francoise held out a purple scabbard that had the same shape as Ed's new sword. "It took me all day for this. I hope you like it."

"It's perfect," Ed smiled. "Thank you, Francoise. Here."

Ed handed Francoise a small pouch of money to which the old man declined. "It's fine. Just let me see the sword as payment. I heard it caused the purple light earlier and I'm intrigued as to how strong it is."

When Ed and Francoise were too busy with the sword, Elliot let out a sigh and stood. He walked to the door and decides to visit Isabelle. He still needed to complete the quest for the Skill Gem he owed.

"About time," Isabelle frowned when Elliot came.

"A lot has happened," Elliot pouted.

"I'm just kidding," Isabelle chuckled. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"No," Elliot sighed. "But you know, I didn't really expect to still see you here. At this hour too."

"It's just an hour or two past dusk, what's the problem with that?" Isabelle crossed his arms. "What about the Dragon Stones? Where are you on that?"

"Hope still can't use Dragon Froce, so that's stuck as it is," Elliot sighed.

"You sure you don't want me to do it?" Kian walked inside carrying a small crate of gems. "I have a lot of free time."

"Where you spend along with your money in brothels," Isabelle scoffed. "I swear, you young ones have incredibly animalistic hormones."

"Seriously though," Kian changed the topic. "I can do it, if you want."

Elliot shook his head, "No… I mean, Hope is really set for it and I don't want to ruin it for him, you know?"

"Oh, the dragon kid," Kian placed his index finger on his chin and looked like he was in deep thought. "I believe there are no shortcuts to leveling up the Dragon Form but what I did was really just let myself out there."

"That's it?" Elliot smirked. "No extraordinary trainings or secret recipes?"

"Nope," Kian said with a popped sound.

"Wait, I have to ask you something," Elliot said. "About your realm, the dragons' realm. Do you know anything about it?"

"How did you know about Dracon?" Kian quirked his brow, his face looking serious.

"I just–"

"No, sorry," Kian sighed. "To be honest, I don't know anything about it except that it's way up in Earth's atmosphere and is ruled by the Supreme Dragon Emperor."

"What's his affinity?" Elliot asked to which Kian shrugged.

"Dunno," he frowned. "But I heard he's twice the size of a Dragon Emperor."

"That's huge," Elliot let out. "But you have never seen it?"

"No," Kian said. "I just heard about it from other dragons– good dragons. Apart from his size, I have nothing else on him."

Elliot pouted after hearing Kian. He thought he could know more about his friend's history.

Elliot left Isabelle's shop and returned to his dorm room. It was already almost midnight when he got back. When he got inside, he saw his friends sleeping in his room.

"What the–"

"Shh," Lance shushed him, pointing his index finger on Elliot's lips. "They're tired and don't want to sleep alone. Is that alright?"

Elliot removed Lance's finger and wiped his lips with his sleeves. "It's alright. I was just surprised."

Lance sighed and went back to the chair he sat on. "You know, apart from Ed's age, we're the most mature ones here."

"Circumstances made him think like a kid. It must be hard living alone and constantly being rejected," Elliot sighed. "But they're adorable anyhow."

"Sometimes," Lance chuckled. "But I'm way adorable though."

"Now that's a lie," Elliot laughed lightly. "I'll head to bed now. Good night."

"I think I'll just wait here for a bit more," Lance said. "I need to clear my mind too. And besides, I don't want Biankka attacking us while we sleep."

"You sure? The bed's big enough to fit two people," Elliot said.

"I'm good," Lance reassured.

Elliot still didn't believe him so he took a sleeping bag from his Inventory. "Sleep here later."

Lance nodded, "Yes sir."

"Is that the boar sleeping bag?" Connor asked, sleepily. He only woke up after hearing the bag ruffling. Elliot chuckled and took another bag. He handed it to Connor who instantly fell right back to sleep.

"Good night," Elliot whispered and went to his bed, letting his dreams take over.

'Creation is the secret.'

'Unison of the Six Realms is a requirement.'

'Friendship is needed.'

'Betrayal is inevitable.'