Desther knew for a fact that Lexie was a strong Awakened Professional. She had even awakened an S-Grade Talent, and for that, Desther was entirely sure.

For someone like her to get that kind of injury, what she faced was surely not a normal monster.

Lexie actually tried to hide it. Or at the very least, she doesn’t want that injury to be seen.

The armor she was wearing was ragged and torn. On her backside, there was a big gap that she sloppily patched with monster leather.

Although faint, he could also see that her posture was not right. All this time, she was subconsciously leaning to her right side, as if she were someone with scoliosis.

Desther knew that she was a right-handed person, but her way of swinging the dull sword earlier also looked pretty awkward.

Desther knew for sure that something was up by then.

Upon observing further as she battles, he realizes that she might have a hidden injury somewhere around her back.

If he were to be specific, it should be around her upper hip or the lower part of her right lat.

If it were not for the fact that Desther was pretty observant, he would surely not notice that injury too.

Lexie went silent the moment Desther mentioned her injury.

Although she did not know how he found out, he was actually right about his guess.

Her left hand unconsciously caressed her left hip. A frown appeared on her face as she endured the pain.

"To be honest, I don’t know what kind of monster that was either..."

She paused for a bit, as if trying to recall the monster she faced at that time.

However, she ultimately shook her head, as if finding it difficult even just trying to recall what had happened.

"I was ambushed. I was just done killing a monster when it suddenly attacked my back. If I did not react in time, this would not be the only injury I would get..."

She took a quick glance at Noah, and upon noticing that he was still lying on the ground due to exhaustion, she decided to move closer toward Desther.

At the same time, she took off her battle-worn armor and showed her back to Desther.

Her upper body was covered in bondage. When she turned her back to Desther, he saw the area where she was injured.

He wanted to look away at first but fought the urge to do so upon seeing the state her back was in.

Although she bondaged it properly, a thick smell of blood still wafted in the air as two marks of blood seeped out of the white bondages covering her upper body.

With such a sight, even bondaged, Desther knew for sure that the wound she sustained was actually a serious one.

"You did not consume that healing potion?" He asked.

She wore her armor again and answered, "I did. But it’s no use. The claw, or the weapon used by that monster, seemed to be poisoned, or at the very least, contained some toxins that stopped healing."

Desther frowned upon hearing that, wondering what kind of monster it was that she had faced.

The potion was essentially a trump card for many. It was their go to if they ever got injured, especially if the injury was pretty bad.

For the potion not to work, it could only mean that what she faced was beyond what the potion could handle. And regarding such monsters, they were as rare as docile monsters.

To be honest, his curiosity was piqued in regards to that monster too. Though, that was all about it, and he would surely not go out of his way and check it out for himself. He was not someone that wanted to look for trouble.

"Have you at least managed to get a hit on it?"

She shook her head.

"I didn’t. After it got my back, I immediately tried to strike back. However, when I turned around, there was nothing. But I knew for sure that it was there. I just could not see it."

Her eyes lit up as if she recalled something.

"Right, one thing it has is a shadow. It tried to attack me multiple times, but since I was already alerted, I always managed to dodge its attacks at the last second."

Desther frowned upon hearing that.

’She could only see a shadow? What kind of monster is that?’

He had never heard of something like that before.

"I also tried hitting it back, but I couldn’t. Even though the shadow was there for me to see, hitting it is basically impossible. It’s pretty fast and does not seem to have any physical form. To be honest, I was helpless."

For her to say that says a lot regarding the monster that ambushed her.

Lexie was an S-Grade Awakener after all.

She sighed and continued.

"I was already pretty tired, and I think that it just wanted to buy some time. So in order not to get entangled with it, I decided to flee."

"I planned to go back to the main base merely to recuperate and get some supplies as well. I’d also want to see if there’s medicine available there that can cure this wound."

Desther nodded his head in understanding. He would do the same if he were in the same situation as her.

"How about you guys? Are you planning to go back to the main base as well?"

She asked, her gaze landing on the pouch on his waist that seemed full to the brim.

Noticing her gaze, Desther did not try to deny it and just simply nodded his head.

"Let’s go together then," she declared without an ounce of hesitation in her voice.

Desther thought that it was fine since they were going to the main base anyway.

He also has some more questions regarding that monster that she faces. Although faint, he actually had a feeling that it was the same one he and Noah encountered before.

"Well, if it suits you, then be our guest."

Besides, considering her tone of voice, there was totally no room for refusal.

Just as he was about to begin cleaning the battlefield, the screen suddenly flashed in his vision.

Looking at it briefly, Desther could not help but shake his head in dismay.

’I’ll be damned...’

The Chosen One title once again showed up just when things were getting peaceful.

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__________ 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

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A/N: Promise Extra Chapter for surpassing 100 Golden Tickers.

By the way, I have posted some goals in the Auxiliary Chapter. Once the goals are met, I will be posting additional extra Chapters.

Come check it out.