The base of the “Vicious Wolf” Nicholas currently housed a total of fifty-seven people. Although the number was small, these were comrades who had fought alongside him, brothers who had experienced life and death together, and they were Nicholas’s most loyal subordinates.

 

Their strengths ranged from entry-level to mithril-level, with no one reaching the level of Earth-grade or above. In other words, despite being the successor of the Swift Wind style, Nicholas had a considerable gap with them.

 

It could be said that, at the moment, Nicholas was unilaterally taking care of this group of subordinates. Otherwise, with his Sky-level strength, he wouldn’t need to stay confined in the Oaken Grand Canyon.

 

“I’ll give you two choices now. Abandon these people and follow me directly. I can guarantee your safety and a worry-free future on your journey,” Violet said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

 

“Or, take these burdens with you, but I won’t be responsible for their lives. Even if they are besieged by the kingdom’s forces, it’s your own business.”

 

“Doesn’t that mean letting them sacrifice themselves?”

 

Nicholas hesitated. Naturally, he was unwilling to abandon this loyal group of subordinates, but…

 

Not to mention the Courage City, even on the other side of the Oaken Grand Canyon, in Norton Castle, there were various enemies eyeing the “Vicious Wolf” and his subordinates for different reasons.

 

If the current person in front of him refused to offer protection, Nicholas alone wouldn’t be able to safeguard so many subordinates.

 

“So, I’m giving you the choice~”

 

As soon as the words fell, the smirk in Violet’s words abruptly dissipated, turning into a ruthless declaration.

 

“Or choose the third option—die here, all of you… that would save me some trouble.”

 

Nicholas was taken aback. He raised his head to peer into the beautiful light-blue eyes of the girl. The coldness hidden in her smile made the “Vicious Wolf” shiver involuntarily.

 

He understood very clearly that the person in front of him was not lying.

 

This black-haired girl named Violet had no qualms about “human lives.” If he uttered the word “no” here, then everyone in the base, including himself, would be slaughtered in an instant.

 

Limited mercy… and perhaps, he still had some value of use.

 

No, for such an existence, his meager abilities were difficult to be of any significance. Perhaps, to her, it was just a casual action driven by curiosity.

 

Is that so… From the moment they were marked as plunder targets, the fate of the “Vicious Wolf” was already sealed.

 

“I understand. Please give me some time to settle my subordinates.”

 

“Heh, you’re clever. Go on then~”

 

Violet casually waved her hand, injecting a golden light into Nicholas. In a few breaths, the man’s legs, which should have required a long time for healing and recovery, were restored to their original state.

 

“This!?”

 

The “Vicious Wolf” instinctively stood up, trying to move his body a few times. His face was filled with disbelief, and when he glanced at the priestess girl, it seemed like there was something different.

 

The slight unwillingness and resentment had completely dissipated at this moment.

 

“Don’t stare with your big eyes. Your subordinates are just temporarily stunned. I won’t harm them. You have half an hour.”

 

With these words, the priestess waved to the golden-haired girl in the distance, and both of them walked away on their own, no longer paying attention to Nicholas.

 

“Sigh…………”

 

So much had happened in just one day, and even Nicholas, who had a broad-minded character, now felt as if he were in a different world.

 

However, although it was abrupt, some things did need to change. He couldn’t continue to live like a rat, stumbling through life aimlessly forever.

 

Slowly exhaling a breath held in his chest, the man gazed at the backs of the two girls, his eyes gradually firm.

 

With that in mind, the “Vicious Wolf” walked toward the depths of the base.

 

…………………………………

 

“Master, since you didn’t kill that human, do you have some other plan?”

 

Violet and her pet found a secluded spot under the shade of a tree. The dragon lady, who never attempted to conceal her thoughts, immediately expressed her confusion.

 

“Well… most of it was a casual decision. Besides, there is indeed something I’m slightly interested in.”

 

According to Nicholas, the 【Wishing Artifact】 was something he found in a peculiar location.

 

The Oaken Canyon is vast, more like an internal space squeezed between two parallel mountain ranges than a typical canyon. It winds and undulates for tens of kilometers. The narrowest point could be considered a true bottleneck, while the widest reaches several kilometers, not conforming to the conventional canyon dimensions.

 

The three diverging paths Violet saw earlier were not the only entrances to the canyon. She was simply unaware of this fact and happened to stumble upon the labyrinth of the “Vicious Wolf’s” nest, getting deceived.

 

Because of this, the Oaken Canyon harbors a complete ecosystem and diverse environments. The place where Nicholas found the magical artifact was even a lake.

 

Surrounded by a group of trees, the small lake was clear and azure. However, it lacked fish and birds, resembling a water-blue gem embedded in the earth. There was a protruding stone platform in the lake, and the magical artifact was placed on top.

 

It was a crystal-clear crystal pitcher, and it seemed as if there was an invisible bridge between the stone platform and the ground, allowing Nicholas to easily step onto the path to touch the 【Wishing Artifact】, converse with the elf inside, and make a wish.

 

Strangely, after the maze was generated and transported with him and his subordinates to the depths, the magical artifact did not leave with Nicholas. Moreover, when he later tried to find the same place in his memory, it had already changed completely.

 

There was no lake or pitcher, and even the surrounding group of trees was nowhere to be seen. In Nicholas’s eyes, it was a flat mound of earth, seemingly as if all that had happened that day was just a man’s illusion.

 

But the maze undeniably existed.

 

After hearing this story, Miss Violet déjà vu became even more intense.

 

This thing… no matter how you look at it, it seems like a mix of Aladdin’s magic lamp, the sword in the lake, and the Peach Blossom Spring. There are quite a few elements in it, damn it!

 

Violet increasingly felt that the legend of the 【Wishing Artifact】 was a prank by some unscrupulous predecessor who traveled through dimensions.

 

In other words, the 【Wishing Artifact】 is very likely an item from the 【Illusory World】.

 

Achieving wishes—there are indeed items in games with similar effects, but their quality is definitely not limited to golden-grade artifacts. Moreover, there are significant restrictions, and they can’t accomplish everything. Each use comes with a long cooldown period.

 

Saying it this way aligns quite well with Nicholas’s description.

 

As for the disappearing lake, it’s nothing more than a subspace similar to the Forgotten Land. If it’s a game mechanic, it’s not surprising.

 

Could it be that other players have really come to this world? But where are they now, and why haven’t they left much trace or legend about “players”?

 

Moreover, why Nicholas?

 

This is the most perplexing question for Violet.

 

The 【Wishing Artifact】 has been dormant for so long, yet it reacts to this guy. Saying he’s nothing special is truly mysterious.

 

Considering Nicholas’s personality, Violet doesn’t find him detestable. He has some principles. It might be a good idea to bring him to the capital to work for Lilya, exploit any remaining value, and maybe uncover the secrets he holds.

 

Although it’s just a hunch, he might have some connection to the players.

 

“Milady, we can set off now.”

 

It didn’t take half an hour. About ten minutes later, Mr. “Vicious Wolf,” who had changed into a new sword, carried his belongings and only brought a few personal items. He found Violet’s servant.

 

No one was following him, indicating that Nicholas had already taken care of everything.

 

“You’re quite efficient… Lead the way, and this time, try not to make any more ‘mistakes,’ alright?”