Awakened Talent: 10,000 Exp Converter! - Chapter 163

Chapter 163: Clauny’s Experience (2)
Chapter 163: Clauny’s Experience (2)

Letting go of her hand, Vincent gently tossed Mochi towards Clauny.

Without warning, he vanished from where he stood.

When he reappeared, it was behind Boscauk, who still wore a forced, kind smile, oblivious to the danger now looming directly over him.

With a swift and casual motion, Vincent grabbed the man’s head.

“Wha—”

Bang!

Boscauk’s face smashed into the ground with a sickening thud.

“Bastar—”

Bang!

Before he could finish his sentence, Vincent slammed his head into the ground again. The impact echoed, reverberating through the silent space.

Clauny and the rest of her party stood frozen, their mouths agape. None of them could believe what they were witnessing.

“H-Help me, you idiots—”

Bang!

Vincent didn’t pause, showing no sign of stopping as he lifted Boscauk’s head again. His movements were methodical, almost routine, like someone working through an unpleasant chore.

Meanwhile, Mochi, now nestled in Clauny’s arms, muttered quietly, “He really likes smashing heads…”

Clauny, on the other hand, was utterly lost. Her mind couldn’t process what was happening. She had explicitly told him not to kill her leader, and yet Vincent continued to beat Boscauk without hesitation.

“L-Leader…” Mauro and the others murmured weakly. They glanced at one another but made no move to intervene.

They lacked the strength, but more importantly, they lacked the will. None of them particularly liked Boscauk, and the sight of him being pummeled didn’t exactly inspire sympathy.

“P-Please, sto—”

Bang!

The final impact left Boscauk utterly limp. His unconscious body slumped to the side as Vincent released him, tossing him aside like a broken doll.

Vincent straightened, brushing his hands off casually, and turned to face Clauny. His expression was unreadable, but his presence radiated a quiet authority that made everyone around him hesitate to speak.

Before addressing Clauny, he glanced at Mauro and the others, who stood trembling in place.

“Do you also want to fight?” Vincent asked, his tone flat and matter-of-fact, as though he were offering them a choice rather than issuing a threat.

The trio immediately shook their heads in unison, waving their hands frantically.

‘That wasn’t even a fight!’ they all thought, terrified. ‘That was just a one-sided beating!’

Satisfied with their response, Vincent ignored them and returned his focus to Clauny.

“I don’t know what happened to you or what you’ve been through, but if Jokyr were here, he’d do the same thing,” he said softly, his tone carrying an undeniable weight of certainty.

Clauny’s breath caught at his words.

“W-Wha… How do you know Jokyr?” she asked, her voice trembling.

For the first time, Vincent smiled in a way that wasn’t cold or detached. It was warm, familiar, and oddly comforting.

“It’s me, Shroud. It’s been a while,” he revealed.

“Shroud…” Clauny whispered, her voice barely audible as the realization hit her. Her eyes widened, her entire body freezing in place as if she had seen a ghost.

“Y-You’re Shroud?!” she exclaimed, her voice rising with disbelief.

Although curious about her reaction, Vincent simply nodded, his smile unwavering.

For a moment, Clauny didn’t move. Then, without warning, she tossed Mochi aside and lunged toward him, wrapping her arms tightly around him in an emotional embrace.

Vincent stiffened, surprised by the sudden contact.

“H-Hic… Hehe, you’re alive. Great, great…” Clauny muttered through her sobs, her voice breaking as she clung to him.

Vincent stood silently, letting her cry. He could feel her shoulders trembling as weeks of pent-up emotion poured out all at once.

Suddenly, her body went limp, and she collapsed against him.

Startled, Vincent caught her before she could fall. His hands instinctively steadied her, his expression softening slightly. He wasn’t worried; she had just consumed a recovery potion. She was probably just exhausted from everything.

Carrying her gently in his arms, Vincent released a wave of energy, clearing the surrounding mist. The once oppressive fog retreated several meters, leaving the area feeling more open.

He walked to a nearby patch of soft ground and knelt down, carefully laying Clauny down. Her mask slipped from her face, revealing her features for the first time.

Beneath the mask was a strikingly beautiful young woman. Her delicate features were framed by strands of messy hair, and even in her unconscious state, there was a certain grace about her.

Vincent allowed himself a brief moment to admire her appearance before his expression returned to its usual calm.

His attention shifted back to Mauro and the others. “Tie up your leader,” he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument.

The trio nodded quickly, rushing to comply. Though they were frightened by Vincent’s power, they were also relieved to have someone else taking charge.

As they worked, Vincent summoned a group of umbral rats. The dark creatures scurried into position, forming a perimeter around the group.

The sight of the rats sent shivers down Mauro and the others’ spines, but none of them dared to protest.

Satisfied with the precautions, Vincent sat down beside Clauny. He rested his arms on his knees, his gaze fixed on her as he waited for her to wake up.

After some time, Boscauk remained unconscious, but Clauny stirred. Her eyelids fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Vincent, his striking purple hair catching the light. He was staring at her with a calm expression, his presence steady and reassuring.

“Shroud…” she muttered, her voice weak but filled with emotion.

Vincent’s lips curved into a slight smile. “Yes? How are you feeling?”

“I’m good… so you didn’t die…” she replied, her voice trembling slightly.

Raising an eyebrow, Vincent teased, “What? Were you hoping I was dead?”

“N-No! That’s not what I meant!” Clauny stammered, her cheeks flushing as she waved her hands in protest.

Vincent chuckled, his laughter light and unburdened. “Haha, I’m just messing with you. But… why are you here with these idiots?” His gaze flicked toward the silent trio. “And where’s Jokyr and the others?”

At his question, Clauny’s expression darkened. She hesitated for a moment, but eventually, she began to speak. She told him everything—about her guilt, her choices, and the tragedies that had unfolded since they parted ways.

As she spoke, her voice wavered, but she forced herself to continue, keeping her emotions in check.

Vincent listened silently, his expression growing more somber with every word.

When she finally finished, the weight of her story hung heavy between them.

“Hic… It’s my fault! If I’d just believed that you were alive, if I’d stayed with them, they’d still be here! They wouldn’t have lost their futures! It’s all my fault!” Clauny cried, her voice breaking as the floodgates finally opened.