After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

The intense noon sunlight draped over the silver-haired maid.

Wrapped in black high heels were her pristine white stockings, yet her long skirt reached down to her ankles, unwilling to reveal even a slightly nicer place.

Lin Da conjured a question mark in his heart: Why would a maid wear high heels that impeded movement?

After a thought, he realized this was a Spike Monkey game; alright, then it was no problem.

"You also heard what I said to Mingli,"

Lin Da said indifferently.

The condition to unlock Tasya's trust reward was: to make Tasya admit that Dark Shadow was a part of herself, not just an attachment of herself to Dark Shadow.

It was about an incident that seemingly involved a Minotaur factor.

The person that Tasya must follow had to be him, not the game character he controlled.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Lin Da: "The person you are looking for has 'died'; what remains is Lin Da of the Eye of True Knowledge."

"If you still wish to join my adventure team, I will fulfill the promise to take you and everyone else to the top of the World Tree."

Upon hearing Lin Da mention summiting the World Tree, both Abner and Dawen's expressions became subtly complex.

You really dare to say it...

But for some reason, coming from Lin Da, it didn't sound arrogant.

Lin Da seemed very serious about wanting to take Tasya to the top layer.

"I... cannot accept that."

Tasya said with pursed lips and a hoarse voice, "You, you obviously are... why deny it?"

Lin Da shook his head.

"You no longer need that person; I want you to live freely, without depending on anyone else."

"Whose order is this?"

"It's not an order, just a suggestion from an ordinary Adventure Team Leader."

The atmosphere became a bit stiff.

Struggle flickered in Tasya's eyes.

Joining Lin Da's adventure team would mean acknowledging him as her master, that the once Dark Shadow was just a mask worn by Lin Da. And Lin Da no longer wanted to use that mask.

It was as good as the death of Dark Shadow himself.

"It seems this is your answer then."

Seeing Tasya unmoved, Lin Da said regretfully.

Panic spread across Tasya's face: "No, that's not it..."

"Lin Da, just take her!"

Dawen approached and sighed, "Though I don't know what happened in your past, but Tasya has reflected on it now. As the deputy leader of the Scarlet Adventure Group, I earnestly request that you take her in."

Tasya looked longingly at Lin Da.

So did Lulu and Monica.

Whether Lin Da accepted Tasya or not, the two of them would accept the decision.

Lin Da had already mentioned to them before, welcoming all former team members to join.

But this time, Lin Da shook his head.

"I cannot take her."

At this response, Tasya's face went pale, and her eyes welled up with tears.

It looked like she was about to drop tiny pearls.

Indeed, bullying a mature brown-skinned maid felt nice.

But that wasn't Lin Da's goal.

Lin Da needed Tasya to follow him, not the former Dark Shadow.

"If you want to join the Phoenix Tail Flower adventure team, that's fine, but you must say it yourself."

"To become a 'Lin Da' team member and adventure together with Phoenix Tail Flower."

"Otherwise, I won't accept you."

Lin Da's words were final.

Even if Dawen stepped in to plead, it was of no use.

Unless Tasya was truly convinced.

Otherwise, even if she were handed to Lin Da on a silver platter, he would not take her.

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Tasya, with a raspy voice, strained to speak: "If you give the order in 'that' capacity, I am willing to join Phoenix Tail Flower and serve you."

A hint of disappointment appeared in Lin Da's eyes.

Tasya became even more panicked inside.

She didn't understand why Lin Da would not give the order.

The former Lin Da had told her to stop thinking, just to follow orders.

And now he was telling her that she no longer needed orders, to live freely.

Tasya, coming from an Assassin Organization upbringing, which from a young age inculcated the idea that 'the command of a superior is everything', couldn't make her own decision.

Tasya's mind was thrown into chaos.

The conversation was on the brink of collapse.

Dawen stepped forward once more.

This proud red-haired swordsman bowed deeply to Lin Da, nearly parallel to the ground.

"Lin Da, no matter what, please take Tasya in!"

"On behalf of the Mandala family, I owe you a favor!"

Everyone looked at Dawen in surprise.

To plead on behalf of a team member, was the deputy leader of Crimson begging Lin Da?

It would be fine if he asked for something good,

but what Dawen requested was for Lin Da to take away his own strong Star Rank team member, offering her to Lin Da for free.

Either Dawen was a Sage Level leader,

or a super bootlicker!

Abner, who had known Dawen for a long time, wore a face full of surprise.

Lia was also stunned.

It seemed Dawen cared more about Tasya than he did about his own sister.

Lin Da quickly helped Dawen to his feet.

He sighed lightly, "I never said I didn't want her. As long as she speaks up herself, willing to follow me, I am very happy to welcome a Star Rank member."

Others misunderstood his conflict with Tasya, thinking that Tasya was the one begging to join and he was refusing.

She was on the verge of crying, and he still maintained his stance, not letting her join.

But having said all that, Tasya still hesitated, confused, unable to make a decision.

Lin Da: "Then I'm sorry."

He strode forward.

"Wait, Lin Da!"

Dawen stopped him once again.

"I understand how much Tasya yearns to see you! In the three years with the Scarlet Adventure Group, she's been looking for you continuously. If you reject Tasya today, her illness will surely flare up. Please, have mercy, and keep her here!"

Dawen bowed once more, bending even lower, his head almost touching the ground.