Unholy Player-Chapter 46: News About Marielle

"This is just one of the wolves I found during the expedition. I’ll attack the nest later. But first, I need to sleep," Adyr said to Vesha, ignoring the many eyes turned toward him.

"Of course," she replied with a smile, then added, "But eat first. They’ve prepared a feast to celebrate your safe return."

Adyr didn’t refuse. He could’ve logged out and had something better at the headquarters cafeteria—but eating what the villagers had prepared made more sense. Strategically, it was the right move.

The floor mat he sat on alone was filled with all kinds of dishes. Clearly, the villagers had each brought what they did best, using their finest ingredients. It was their way of honoring him.

As he ate, he noticed a few curious eyes watching him. Some of the children were old enough to grasp what had happened, while others still saw it all as nothing more than a game.

Adyr smiled and gestured for them to come closer, offering them food from his plate.

He’d always had a strange connection with children. They were the only ones around whom he felt... normal.

The survival instincts that had shaped him—the constant observation, the unspoken threat assessment, the guarded posture—none of it applied to them.

There was no need. Because they all shared one thing he had lost long ago.

Innocence.

Something life had taken from him long before he was allowed to grow into maturity.

As he sat with the children, eating, joking, telling stories, the women of the village watched him from a distance.

Until now, they had seen him only as a punisher, the weapon of their vengeance, the one who would save them. But seeing him laugh with the children forced them to confront a truth they hadn’t wanted to face.

He was just a young man, like anyone else, simply trying to live a life.

And yet, that changed nothing. They still needed him.

For vengeance. For protection. For survival.

—

Adyr opened his eyes and stepped out of the game pod. This time, only the doctor and the nurse were there—no unfamiliar faces waiting nearby.

After a brief check-up, they let him go. He made his way toward his room to change clothes.

As he approached the door, he noticed someone waiting outside.

Selina stood there, her violet hair catching the hallway light, eyes matching in hue. She wore a white, one-piece spring dress—simple, elegant, and unmistakably her.

"Hey, Selina. How are you?" Adyr asked as he walked up to her.

"I’m fine," she replied with a soft smile, then quickly got to the reason she came. "I’m here to inform you about your mom. She and her team arrived at the destination yesterday. According to her, there are far more children in need than they expected. Taking care of them will take some time."

"I see," Adyr said, exhaling quietly. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

It meant Marielle wouldn’t be returning anytime soon—something that would only make Niva more anxious. Still, there was nothing he could do.

"Thanks for letting me know," he said, keeping his thoughts to himself.

"I’ll update you if there’s any news," Selina replied with a bright smile, then turned and walked off with her usual grace.

Adyr watched her go, raising an eyebrow. Looks like she’s one of those who chose two paths.

From the way she moved, it had once been obvious she’d chosen Ignis and gained the corresponding [Will] stat.

But now, he could clearly see something more. The way her gaze shifted, how subtly she responded to changes in her surroundings—her [Sense] had improved significantly.

That meant she had gained stats from the Aether path as well.

He was sure of it—because he was the one who had personally taught her how to observe, how to notice details others overlooked. Naturally, he could detect the subtle shifts in her behavior.

"I wonder what the players who chose three paths are like," Adyr muttered as he stepped into his room.

Even someone like Selina—a natural genius—had stopped at two.

Which only confirmed one thing in his mind: those who had chosen three weren’t ordinary by any measure.

After changing into his school uniform, Adyr checked the forums for any updates that might interest him. As he scrolled through some of the newly opened threads, the screen on his wristband lit up with a notification.

Opening it, he saw that 86 merit points had been added to his profile.

The message also explained that the reward was granted for the Latin language information he had provided the previous day. Merit point distribution, as noted, was based on the value and depth of the shared knowledge.

"They are quite generous," Adyr muttered after reading through the details. 86 merit wasn’t a small amount at all.

With that, he could freely spend time in the training centers, enroll in any professional education programs he wanted, and even purchase intel from government databases. He could also buy tactical equipment—anything from a bulletproof vest to a fully automatic rifle—all paid for with merit.

Inside the facility, only the basics—playing the game, food, and shelter—were free. Everything else operated through merit. And for now, this amount would keep him going.

If only I could buy energy crystals with merit, Adyr thought. But that didn’t seem possible. So far, no one had figured out how to transfer items between the game world and reality—or the other way around.

When he was done in his room and stepped out, ready to head home, he noticed a group of three approaching from the elevator, staring directly at him.

"Well, look who it is. Never thought I’d see the loser walking around here," said one of them, a tall, broad-shouldered guy with mustard-colored hair, eyeing Adyr with a sly, mocking grin.

Adyr didn’t bother replying. He just smiled. That mustard-colored hair belonged to none other than Cole, his favorite bully.

Lately, Cole had been keeping his distance. Adyr had been too immersed in the game, and his instincts had remained calm and buried. That uneasy tension between them had faded.

But now, it had resurfaced.

Something about Cole had changed. Ever since Selina had likely kicked his ass, he hadn’t dared come close—probably out of fear.

But today, he walked differently. His voice held strength. His eyes, confidence.

It didn’t take Adyr long to figure out why.

At the front of the group, walking with a smug and entitled air, was someone. A young woman with striking features, dressed in high-end designer wear, carrying the effortless arrogance of someone born into power, someone who had never needed to earn her place, only inherit it.

Dalin Ravencourt.

One of the heirs to Ravencourt Logistics, the only cargo company operating across all twelve shelter cities.

If Henry Bates was considered the second most powerful man in Shelter City 9, right after the City Manager, then the owner of Ravencourt Logistics was someone whose influence extended far beyond a single city.

Across all twelve, he stood shoulder to shoulder with figures like Henry—perhaps even above them.

That explained everything.

Cole’s confidence had nothing to do with his own strength. It was borrowed—propped up by the shadow he now walked beside.

***

A/N: Privilage Chapters are out you can read more Chapters now.