[CH598+ Continued] Dungeon Diver: Stealing A Monster's Power

Chapter 698

Her confusion, unease, and shock turn to a smile, and a laugh erupts from her as she puts her hammer down, dropping the offensive stance.

"No way... You're a bonded Co-Lord? That means you must have used one of those ascension thrones..."

Her gaze tightens, but the smile across her face doesn't leave.

"But you're a human... That means you killed a demon to get up here. What Class World are you from?"

I hesitate, as from the few words I've spoken, she's already siphoned even more information out of me. But I decide to tell the truth.

"A 3rd Class."

She reflexively looks down at her right hand, and my eyes follow to see a [0] glowing faintly in green light.

Then, she looks back up and responds in a saddened tone.

"I was a 3rd Class too..."

We stand in awkward silence for a few seconds. Neither of us knows if the other is telling the full truth or if we're about to attack once we fully let our guards down.

So, I speak my mind.

"If you don't know how to get back up to the Citadel, I'll leave, and you'll never see me again. Promise. However, if you can help me, I definitely have a skill that can help you. You mentioned before that you have quotas to meet, and I'm quite competent at finding the stones you need to mine, right?"

Her eyes flicker with excitement again, but soon after, they dull as she thinks about something and responds, stepping closer to me.

"I know a way back... but if the strength you showed me right now was everything you have, you can't even make it out of the Hollow District. The Lord that owns these mines will kill you before you blink twice. You're his property now"

All of her motivation fades as she considers things more logically.

"Even if falling down here was an accident, you're in the same boat as us exiles. There is no surveillance down here. It's a lawless land. The strong make the rules, and the weak follow them."

She lets out a sigh and stops a few meters in front of me.

"So, it would be pointless to even try. We'd need to make another deal if you want to create a soul contract. I can't fulfill that request."

I raise an eyebrow at her honesty but assume this soul contract must be customary when using Avatars—maybe some kind of foolproof agreement. She knows my current strength better than anyone, and if she believes this so-called Lord of the Hollow District can kill me this easily, I'm even more intrigued... This just means I need to get stronger before meeting them.

"Well, then how about we make another deal? I find you Ether Stones, and in return... let's say every ten stones I find, you spar with me for an hour."

I pause, thinking about my own offer, then add another point before she can respond.

"Oh—and let me keep one for every ten I find. I want to try and absorb a few."

The hobgoblin looks perplexed at my nonchalant attitude of the situation I'm in, and the horrible deal I've just offered; but after a few seconds, she shakes herself out of it and nods quickly.

"Yes, deal. If that's really all you want, I'll make up the soul contract right now."

I shake my head and smile, putting out a hand to shake.

"No contract is needed. Let's just shake on it. I'm Jay, by the way."

The hobgoblin looks down at my hand in confusion for a few seconds, then the light of recollection shines in her eyes.