"All right.
I will lend you these two tokens."
The mermaid waved her hand, and two Illusionary Tokens flew forward and levitated in front of Austin.
"Thank you.
Don't worry. I will return these after I finish my cultivation."
Austin was overjoyed. A brilliant smile lit up his face as he studied the two tokens in his hands.
"Thank you again.
I will begin my cultivation now.
Stay nearby and don't run around by yourself.
This maze is full of dangers, and it's risky for you to be alone." Austin's voice was laced with concern
as he cautioned her.
He couldn't wait to cultivate in seclusion. However, he needed to ensure her safety first.
"Fine.
I will stay by your side. Even if you ask me to leave, I won't listen,"
the mermaid responded as she stuck out her tongue in a child-like, playful manner.
In the next second, she realized that Austin could misinterpret her actions. Her face turned crimson
when she thought that he might believe that she had feelings for him.
'Damn it! Why do I always blush when I'm with this guy?'
As the thought flashed through her mind, the mermaid cast Austin an angry stare.
At this point, Austin found an appropriate spot and sat cross-legged.
Excitement coursed through him as he had finally managed to acquire four Illusionary Tokens after
trying for so long. He couldn't wait to begin.
'I hope I can master the law of illusion, '
Austin thought, full of expectation.
With a wave of his hand, the four Illusionary Tokens appeared and suspended in front of him.
After taking a deep breath, he focused on comprehending the law of illusion.
Once Austin had settled on the floor, the mermaid sauntered up to him.
'Since you saved me, I will guard you, ' she thought as she titled her head and studied him.
Soon, she sat cross-legged near Austin. She released her spiritual sense to perceive their
surroundings for threats while keeping an eye on him.
As she introspected on all that had happened, she found that the wariness she had felt when she first
met Austin had disappeared.
In fact, she felt safe enough to let down her guard and be herself in front of him.
She stole glances at Austin from time to time.
Soon she thought of all the embarrassing things she had said to Austin and felt regretful and shy.
'I made it clear that I was willing to sleep with him as long as he came to my rescue. But he ignored
that.
He acts like he isn't attracted to me.
How could this be possible?
When a young, charming girl like me agrees to have sex with a young man, it is unexpected for the
young man to refuse.
However, this guy claims that he isn't tempted.
Could it be that he is not attracted to me? Am I not beautiful enough?
No, it's impossible!
I've always been considered as one of the five most stunning girls in the mermaid race.
Many men have tried to win my heart.
There must be another reason for his refusal.
Is he gay?'
The mermaid let her imagination run wild.
Time passed, day by day.
Austin sat cross-legged, motionless, like an old monk in meditation.
The mermaid guarded Austin the whole time.
Ten days later, Austin opened his eyes abruptly.
The mermaid sensed that he had woken and turned to look at him.
Before she could say anything, she saw two beams of misty light shoot out from his eyes.
Shoop! Shoop! Shoop!
In an instant, lots of illusions surged and swarmed toward Austin.
All kinds of unreal creatures and things appeared one after another.
Austin remained calm and composed amid this chaos.
Soon, mysterious runes floated around him.
These runes were made from the law of illusion.
'I have mastered the original chaotic law of illusion!
Even though I have only entered the Rudimentary Stage, it is a good start.'
Austin could release the original chaotic law of illusion, and he could communicate with the illusions
nearby. Since he had made progress, he was in a good mood.
'Up to now, I have mastered three original chaotic laws, the law of snow, the law of earth, and the law
of illusion.
I guess the combined power of these three original chaotic laws will be much stronger than that of two
such laws.
At the very least, it should be several times more powerful!'
Austin couldn't contain his excitement at the thought.
He stood and threw the two Illusionary Tokens at the mermaid.
"Here are your tokens. Take them," he said to her.
"You've succeeded in your cultivation?"
the mermaid asked as she took the tokens.
"I did, indeed. And it wouldn't have been possible without your help.
Thank you for lending me your tokens,"
Austin responded with a nod.
He had mastered the law of illusion after comprehending the four Illusionary Tokens.
It could be said that he had gained a lot in the Land of Outlaw.
"No need to thank me. Since you saved me, it's only right that I lend the tokens for you to use."
the mermaid replied shyly.
"All right." Austin nodded before he continued.
"We have repaid each other's debts.
As we are even, you don't owe me anything.
You are free to leave at any time,"
Austin said to the mermaid.
"What? You... Are you asking me to leave?
How could you be so cruel?
I just lent my tokens to you, and now you are going to drive me away! You are so inconsiderate,"
the mermaid huffed as she glared at Austin.
"You don't want to leave?
But we have already cleared our debts.
You are free now.
Don't worry. I will not stop you or do anything to you."
Austin was surprised by the mermaid's strong reaction. He couldn't understand why she was upset at
having earned her freedom.
"I don't have companions, and I am a girl. What if I run into bad people again?
It's too dangerous for me to be alone in this place.
Are you heartless enough to abandon a single, weak woman?
I don't care what you are thinking. I will follow you no matter where you go!
You are responsible for my safety.
Anyway, I lent you my tokens. You can't be so ungrateful!"
The mermaid refused to leave Austin's side.
"Let me understand this. You want to stay with me?"
Austin was dumbfounded and couldn't help voice his confusion.
"Exactly. I'm going to stay with you!
You have to be responsible for me!"
the mermaid stated determinedly as she drew closer to Austin.
'It's not safe for me to explore this place alone.
What if I meet those people from the beast race again?
Then I will be in grave trouble, ' she rationalized.
'Wouldn't that make me her bodyguard?'
Just the thought of being at her disposal made Austin feel like he had a headache.
When she saw his reaction, the mermaid pouted and declared, "Are you considering abandoning me?
Do you really have the heart to leave me in such a dangerous environment?"
Now that she had decided to stay with Austin, the mermaid would go to any lengths to change his
mind.
Before he could reply, she moved closer to him, and the scent of her body penetrated his nose.
"You are right..."
After careful consideration, Austin thought that what she said made sense.
'This mermaid is a genuine preliminary-grade divine god.
It is indeed ill-advised for her to explore the maze alone.'
"All right," he said with a subtle shake of his head.
"Before you get too excited, I have a condition," Austin cautioned.
He glanced at her as he spoke, "If you want to follow me, you will have to do whatever I tell you."
Seriousness reflected in Austin's tone and expression as he stared at her expectantly.
"Really? That's great!
Don't worry. I will listen to you! I promise!"
The mermaid was elated.
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