Awakened Talent: 10,000 Exp Converter! - Chapter 162

Chapter 162: Clauny’s Experience (1)
Chapter 162: Clauny’s Experience (1)

Vincent ignored Boscauk and faced Clauny, who also wore a shocked expression beneath her clown mask.

“Are you alright now? Can you stand up?” Vincent’s voice broke the silence as he extended a hand toward her.

Clauny hesitated for a brief second. Her gaze darted from his outstretched hand to his face, as though unsure whether to trust him or not. After a moment of uncertainty, she finally accepted his hand, allowing him to help her up.

As she steadied herself on her feet, she looked directly at him. Her voice, though trembling slightly, carried a note of curiosity. “Who are you?”

Vincent didn’t answer right away. Instead, he gave her a warm, reassuring smile. His calm demeanor seemed almost out of place given the tense atmosphere. His gaze briefly shifted back to Boscauk, who looked as though he was about to interject. Vincent’s expression hardened instantly, silencing the man with nothing more than a glance.

Turning back to Clauny, his tone shifted, carrying an unsettling calmness. “Do you mind if I kill him?”

The question hung in the air like a blade poised to strike. His voice was cold and precise, lacking any trace of emotion. It felt less like a question and more like an invitation for her agreement. Yet, despite his demeanor, Vincent remained perfectly still, patiently waiting for her response.

The weight of his words caused the entire atmosphere to shift. Boscauk’s face immediately darkened, though he tried to cover it with an awkward smile.

“W-What are you talking about, Young Hero?” Boscauk stammered, forcing an unconvincing chuckle. His eyes darted toward Clauny, his expression growing more desperate. “Heale— Cough! Clauny, we have a good relationship, don’t we? I’ve been nothing but good to you, right? You wouldn’t want me to die, would you? I mean, remember, I was there for you when you needed help!”

As he spoke, his words came out in a hurried stream, each one more desperate than the last. He could see the hesitation in Clauny’s eyes and was determined to exploit it.

‘That’s right, bitch!’ Boscauk thought, his inner voice laced with arrogance. ‘I was the one who helped you when no one else would! You should be grateful to me, not questioning my intentions! You better speak up now, or else!’

Vincent, ever observant, noticed the flicker of doubt in Clauny’s gaze.

He didn’t say anything, but a part of him couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to her. The hesitation in her eyes told a story of conflict, of struggles he couldn’t yet understand. But he wasn’t about to pry into someone else’s personal matters unless absolutely necessary.

He had only stepped in because he had a favorable impression of her from before. If she didn’t want his help, he was prepared to walk away without a word.

At that moment, Clauny seemed lost in her thoughts. Her emotions swirled like a storm, visible even through the mask she wore.

Since the day they had parted from Vincent—back when he was known as “Shroud”—her life had taken a sharp turn. She hadn’t heard anything about him since then, leading her to believe the worst. That belief had driven a wedge between her and Jokyr’s group. She had argued with them, blaming them for letting Shroud die.

The argument escalated until she, consumed by anger and disappointment, decided to leave the group altogether.

Although Jokyr and the others had apologized, even begging her to reconsider, she had stood firm in her decision.

Not long after, during one of her solo hunts, she ventured into the territory of a savage race. She had underestimated the danger, and before she knew it, she had been captured.

Her despair was overwhelming, but to her shock, a member of her old party who had secretly followed her rallied the rest of the group to rescue her.

The rescue attempt succeeded, but at a devastating cost. Her entire party suffered injuries so severe that they lost their connection to the Origin World.

In this world, that fate was akin to being crippled.

An Origin Warrior without access to the Origin World would never progress to a higher realm, no matter how many experience potions or other items they consumed. Such items were only effective for those who retained their Origin World connection.

The guilt Clauny felt was immeasurable. How could she face them after everything?

Unable to confront them, she wandered aimlessly, joining one group after another. But her pain and guilt followed her, leaving her unable to stay in any party for long. Eventually, she joined the Scavenger Guild.

The guild was far from welcoming. She endured insults, mistreatment, and humiliation, all while clinging to the hope of reaching a higher realm.

Her sole goal was to secure a future—not for herself, but for the friends she had lost.

Through sheer determination, she rose from Tier 1 (3★) to the peak of Tier 1 in an impressively short time. Yet, every step forward came with pain and sacrifice.

Lost in these memories, tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. They fell silently, one by one, dampening the ground beneath her.

Clauny’s gaze returned to Vincent. There was something about him—something familiar. Yet, she couldn’t quite place it.

She wanted to ask who he was, but fear held her back. What if knowing his identity brought him trouble? She couldn’t risk it.

Swallowing her emotions, she forced a stiff smile beneath her mask and spoke with measured words. “I’m alright. Please, don’t kill my leader. He’s… been good to me.”

Vincent’s brow furrowed slightly at her response.

Boscauk, on the other hand, practically beamed with relief. His polite smile returned, though it did little to mask his true thoughts.

“You hear that, Young Hero? I told you, we’re like family here. Sure, things might look rough, but I care deeply for my party members! I’m just under a lot of pressure to clear this labyrinth. I have to prove to my superiors that my party is capable!”

Even as he spoke, his inner thoughts were filled with malice.

‘You little bastard,’ he sneered inwardly. ‘As soon as I get out of this place, I’ll make sure my guild hunts you down like the dog you are!’

Vincent remained silent, his eyes lowering to Clauny’s hand, which still gripped his own.

In a quiet voice, he whispered, “It’s alright. You’ll be fine.”