Rise of The Living Enchantment [LITRPG REGRESSION]

So.... I mistake was made.

The chapter 132 that was posted was actually the contents of chapter 133. So, what's going to happen is this. In five hours, the correct chapter 132 will go up, then within ten minutes after it, chapter 133 and chapter 134 will go up, hopefully this does not end up breaking the immersion too much.

Thank you.

Interestingly enough, I have just discovered that a chapter must be five hundred words long so here's the ending section of the last chapter to jog our memories before the next chapter comes up.

...

Jang Su would be a great addition to his team, but the man had thrown his lot in with Nel Quan. And even if he could convince Jang Su to leave the kingdom, he doubted the kingdom would be merciful about him stealing their strongest summoned.

What about for just the expedition?

The thought died in his mind as quickly as it came alive. If Jang Su already knew what the [Crystal of Existence] was, that would be a problem. The questions would be unending and the kingdom of Nel Quan would find out about it.

Everyone would know who had the crystal, and every kingdom would be after him. Why? Because while they all settled down when one of the monarchs laid claim to having the crystal, no kingdom was willing to allow some random lowlife to have it.

Within the cave or without, the crystal was anyone's to snatch up until it fell under the ownership of one of the crowns.

Aiden had once asked why when he was a member of the Order. The response his instructor had given him had been a simple one.

"Power," the man had said. "If a peasant can claim the one thing that kings and queens fight over, then all peasants would want to claim it. Before you know it, everyone will think they can claim other things that the monarchs want. Then, what will be next? It will only be a matter of time before someone wants the crown."

It was a far jump from stealing the crystal or the heart to stealing the throne, but it was a possible one.

Sneaking around, it wasn't long before Aiden found the room he was looking for. The number was written clearly on the door.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Making up his mind, he raised his hand to knock, only for the door to open before his knuckles met wood.

Jang Su stood there, looking at him, confused.

He frowned as if trying to remember. "Lord Lacheart?"

Aiden looked down the hallway then back at him. "Were you heading out? I could walk with you."

"How did you find…" Jang Su shook his head as if it was not important and asked a different question. "Why are you here?"

"At your door or in Trackback?" Aiden asked, relaxing his expression.

"Both."

"How long does it take to let someone in?" a tired voice asked from inside.

Aiden grew alert very suddenly. Jang Su's hands shot out to calm him.

"Don't run," Jang Su said. His tone was serious. "Please."

Aiden frowned. Dreg had said that Jang Su was alone. Had the [Archer] done a half-assed job? Did he have to pay the man a visit before they met for the task he had initially hired him for?

Jang Su sighed and stepped to the side. He paused, frowning slightly.

"You've got something on your…" he let the words trail off as he touched a spot on his jaw with his finger.

Aiden reached up and wiped the same spot on his jaw. It was slick. When he looked at it, he wasn't very surprised to find blood.

"Are you alright?" Jang Su asked.

"It's not his," the voice answered from inside.

Jang Su stiffened at the sound. He was like a boy who wasn't supposed to have girls over just for a girl to come over when his parents were around.

"It's not mine," Aiden confirmed. "I ran into some overambitious people on the way here."

Inside, the voice let out a soft chuckle. "I like him already."

Aiden had no idea what was going on.

"Just…" Jang Su stood further to the side, giving Aiden space to enter. "Just don't say anything you wouldn't want someone to say to you."

Aiden nodded, not very sure of what was happening.

He walked into the orb-lit room and Jang Su closed the door behind him.

Lying down on the only bed in the room was an old man in a robe very similar to the one Jang Su was wearing. He looked to be in his fifties. Early fifties to be precise.

Jang Su stood off to the side as if he was embarrassed.

The old man moved so that he was sitting on the bed. "Oh, come on," he complained. "You can't be ashamed of me."

Aiden looked between the two of them. Was the man someone from Nel Quan? Had Jang Su run away? Was this something that had happened in his previous life that he was not aware of, or a change in the present timeline that he had somehow caused?

Everything isn't always about you, Aiden, he chided himself, while Jang Su let out a tired sigh.

"This is Lord Lacheart," he said, as if he didn't want to. "I met him during my visit to Bandiv with the princess."

"The one you couldn't win?" the old man asked, impressed.

Jang Su nodded.

The man sat up, straightened his back, and smiled as if he was trying to make a good impression. A twitch to his lips told Aiden that he was also enjoying Jang Su's discomfort.

"Lord Lacheart," Jang Su said hesitantly. He gestured to the man. "This is my master."

Aiden's entire world froze.

His feet twitched.

His brain fired off countless warnings.

They all boiled down to one thing.

Run.

An old voice fixed him in place.

"I would not advise it."