Chapter 97: Illusion

“Finally, we did it!” exclaimed Ram in excitement, as Wu Qingsong opened his arms for a hug, only to be playfully rebuffed.

The couple had been diligently working to unravel the nature of Ram’s ability. After numerous trials and errors, they accidentally discovered that if Ram intensely visualized a certain scenario, it would manifest before others’ eyes.

In essence, she could create an illusion in a small area around her, making people see a fabricated scene.

This was exemplified the day when Liuli pushed open the door and, due to her guilty conscience, Ram strongly wished Liuli wouldn’t see them. Consequently, to anyone looking in from outside, the corner with the sofa appeared empty.

Ram’s ability only covered a small, fixed area around her and affected only the visual senses. If someone got close enough, they could see through the illusion. Nonetheless, Wu Qingsong believed such a power was incredibly formidable.

Imagine infiltrating a location, lying in wait with a crossbow, and then…

Who could defend against such an assassination?

Or gathering intelligence by infiltrating a place?

Sitting right beside, yet undetected as long as you made no sound. It was absolutely terrifying.

“And perhaps it could grow like Ling’s ability?” Wu Qingsong suggested to Ram. “What if, after training, it could create lifelike sounds, affect a larger area, or even move? Wouldn’t that be invincible?”

His idea excited Ram so much that she impulsively kissed him, tickling his heart.

“So, let’s start training from tomorrow,” Ram declared.

Consequently, the base of the Thirteenth Mercenary Group began to experience ‘hauntings’. Unoccupied corners echoed with faint breathing and footsteps. Doors that seemed open would lead to bumped noses, flat paths tripped people with invisible obstacles, fleeting white figures darted in the dark, and huge spiders dropped from ceilings only to vanish. 

Among everyone, aside from the instigator Wu Qingsong himself, it was Beck, Wu Qingsong’s right-hand man, who encountered the most bizarre incidents. However, when a panicked Beck reported these events to Wu Qingsong, he only received strange expressions from him and Ram.

“It’s just a prank, nothing to worry about. Be careful, but don’t take it to heart,” Wu Qingsong reassured Beck, patting his shoulder. “Take a day off tomorrow, get some rest.”

After a bewildered Beck left, Wu Qingsong shook his head and said, “Why must you tease him like that?”

“Who asked him to always be suspicious of me and snitch on me to you? Besides, you’re completely immune to it now, so how would I know if it works without trying it on others?”

“You rascal,” Wu Qingsong reached out to grab her but grasped at thin air. However, since he was close enough, he could see that Ram was actually sitting not far behind the illusion.

“Haha~” Ram couldn’t help but laugh at Wu Qingsong’s foiled attempt, but this time he finally caught her.

“You’re already quite skilled. In a battle, an enemy would definitely be done for if they misjudge your illusion.”

“It’s a pity it only lasts for six hours,” Ram said with a hint of regret. “And it gets exposed if someone gets too close.”

No matter how much she trained, the duration and effective range of her ability remained the same. The only improvement was the speed and realism of the illusions she created. Although silent, she even managed to create an illusion of Wu Qingsong at his office door, waving to Beck below and tricking him into coming up, while the real Wu Qingsong was actually in the warehouse with Harold, tallying goods.

Those pranks were actually rehearsals for scenarios that might occur in reality. If she could trip up Wu Qingsong and Baker, she could set up potent traps to eliminate enemies. 

Suddenly creating an illusion of a giant spider lunging at an opponent in combat, even if it couldn’t cause real harm, could disrupt the enemy with a dodge or an attempt to attack the spider, giving her allies the upper hand.

“However, this illusion doesn’t work on animals,” Ram explained, recalling her attempt to lure nearby birds with an illusion, which they completely ignored.

“Six hours is plenty. Do you plan to leave me and venture far away?”

Ram sighed softly, her thoughts drifting to the warnings Nina had once shared with her. Although not exactly the same, part of Nina’s concerns had manifested. Ram found herself increasingly unable to be apart from Wu Qingsong, yet she relished this sweet dependency.

Months ago, she would never have believed such a change could occur in her.

“I want to go back for a bit,” she spoke quietly to Wu Qingsong. “Partly to deliver some supplies and to see Nina. I haven’t seen her for a long time, and I’m not sure how she’s doing. Also, I think… I want to tell Nina about us.”

Wu Qingsong was momentarily taken aback but then nodded in agreement, “She should know about this. There’s nothing to hide.”

In others’ eyes, Nina might be deemed more important, but to him, they were equal.

In fact, for him now, Ram had become even more important.

“Wu…” Ram, who had been avoiding this topic, finally couldn’t hold back her feelings any longer. “You have me, you have Ling, isn’t that enough? Do you really need to be so greedy?”

“I don’t know,” Wu Qingsong said after a moment of silence, speaking honestly.

Nina was the first girl who made his heart flutter, stirring in him a powerful longing. This was a first in his life.

Since being rescued by her in the city of Rem City, he had been unable to forget the image of her clad in silver armor, fiercely wielding a giant sword, nor could he forget the sight of her bouncing silver ponytail. As they fought side by side in the unnamed valley of the Tecks Mountains, defeating the necromancer, this longing, coupled with his growing self-confidence, had compelled him to speak those words.

Looking back, he wondered if he would have really made such a rash declaration if Nina had seriously said, “We’re not suitable for each other,” instead of Ram and Harold dousing his enthusiasm with cold water.

After arriving in the Esola Hills and being separated from Nina for so long, the impetuosity of that time had gradually faded, and he had even found his childishly spoken words somewhat amusing.

Yet, the image of her charging at the giant beast’s skeleton remained vividly clear in his mind.

Was it just an impulsive feeling?

Wu Qingsong wasn’t sure.

“But if this becomes an issue between us,” he said to Ram, “I am fully aware of what choice I would make.”

“If this caused you trouble,” he told Ram. “I take back what I once said about Nina, but my promise to help the Silver Moon Wolf Clan remains unchanged. I will do my utmost to help you achieve your dreams. I will return to the Seville Valley with you and help restore it to its former glory.”

Ram looked into his eyes, feeling a sudden sting, and had to gently wipe her eyes with her hand.

Then, she tenderly touched Wu Qingsong’s cheek with her hand.

“Thank you,” she said to Wu Qingsong, and for the first time, she initiated a kiss.