The Hero Turned Into A Potato And The World Fell To Ruin

Liu Ji was slightly dumbfounded. Out of nowhere, the pretty lady who had been with the black-clad swordsman walked over, performed a gesture that Liu Ji didn't understand, and then thanked him using incantation.

He had no idea why he was suddenly being thanked and thought there must have been some mistake.

This strange situation quickly caught the attention of everyone else. Most were puzzled as to why Calidora would suddenly thank Liu Ji.

Besides Mervant, who looked slightly embarrassed, Yaine seemed to know something. She smiled at Liu Ji and said softly, "I hadn't had a chance to tell them, but they figured it out on their own."

For some reason, she said this in incantation.

But with the language of incantation, difficulty increased exponentially from words to phrases to sentences. Liu Ji repeated the long sentence in his mind several times and still couldn't fully understand it.

He could only grasp that he had done something worth thanking for.

But… Liu Ji didn't think he had done anything significant. Even if this new lady was mistaken, surely Yaine wouldn't be, would she? Had he unknowingly done something extraordinary?

While Liu Ji was still baffled, he saw Calidora speaking to the others, and then, he noticed the way the others viewed him changed.

Then, as if he were at some kind of idol handshake event, they came over one by one, patting his shoulder or praising him, which made him feel rather embarrassed.

Even Myza joined in the fun, saying something in a mix of languages, "Hero saves beauty, brilliant."

Liu Ji couldn't understand.

And how does he even know English? Hero saves beauty? Me?

Oh… Is he referring to the time I swatted someone to death?

No, it couldn't be. He was just an amateur who acted on impulse, and from Yaine's reaction, it seemed like she didn't consider that foe a significant threat.

So, what else could it be?

No matter how much Liu Ji thought about it, he still felt like he hadn't done anything.

Yet, suddenly, it was as if his favorability with everyone skyrocketed.

Don't tell me my MC's halo is back? Liu Ji wondered.

But… No, that can't be… Wasn't it said that the halo's favorability boost is supposed to only affect women?

Then why is this big cat's arm around my shoulder and hugging me like this?

Uhh… But his fur is indeed quite comfortable…

————

————

A while after the commotion died down, everyone began discussing serious matters.

As Liu Ji couldn't understand, he could only space out at the side. Of course, he wasn't the only one zoning out.

The big cat on his left and the lalafell on his right were also zoning out as well.

These two, who usually didn't participate in decisions or discussions, seemed to have found a new companion in Liu Ji. They sandwiched him between them, sharing the sunflower seeds Myza had just brought over.

As long as they had something in their mouths, talking or not didn't matter.

Meanwhile, the other three created a completely different vibe. They spread out a bunch of items on the table and methodically exchanged all the information they had.

After organizing the information, Yaine gave her verdict.

"I believe we need to get back to the other side of the desert quickly. The whereabouts of the others are still unknown, but both Anwarda and Shelo have the ability to reach the other side faster than us.

"It's highly likely that Nox, Guoguo, and Nabelin are with them. The world on the other side of the desert is still unknown to us, and we need to reunite with them as soon as possible."

"I agree, but I think we can wait a bit. The blood moons these past two days have been unusual," Calidora said. "I don't know how long this anomaly will last. Maybe we should ask Myza."

"No, we don't need to fear the blood moon." Yaine shook her head. "We survived the last two days by hiding; we can leave the same way."

"Unfortunately, the same method might not work," Mervant interjected. "I observed the air quality during our confinement. The three of us, plus our new friend, just managed to maintain a balance. But if we add two more people, we won't be able to stay hidden in the earth all the way."

"That… I didn't notice," Yaine said, frowning and returning to contemplation.

Just as Mervant said, Liu Ji's ability to purify air had its limits. If that limit was exceeded, they would need to open a window to ventilate.

However, the bone beasts in the desert could detect even the slightest opening in the earthen walls with their keen senses.

While the trio were caught in a dilemma, Myza came over.

"Friends, want to listen to my opinion?" Myza pulled up a chair and sat down, casually placing his hands on the table. "Although I genuinely hope you can stay here long-term, I can see that you aren't the kind of people who would be content to stay here and live out the rest of your years."

"We are very grateful for all the help you've provided us, and if we could, we would love to stay and repay your kindness," Yaine said earnestly. "But we do have other matters to attend to."

"No, you guys don't have to repay me. Perhaps it seems like I've helped you a lot, but from my perspective, I was merely following my whims," Myza said. "I just overheard you all worrying about the blood moon problem?"

"Ah, yes." Yaine nodded. "Do you have any information regarding it?"

"Well, how should I put this." Myza rested his chin on his hand. "I only know that one day, the blood moon might display a power beyond imagination. If you all happen to be in the desert at that time, even if you're hiding in the earth like before, you will still surely die."

"That… can't be true, right? I've never heard of such a blood moon…" Yaine was taken aback.

"I have no reason to lie to you." Myza shrugged. "And I wouldn't bother lying just to make you stay here for a few more days or months."

"Of course, I believe you…" Yaine took a moment to think before asking, "So, are you saying we should stay here until that day passes?"

"That's right. For your own safety." Myza nodded. "But you don't need to worry. I know you're concerned about your companions, but perhaps I might have an idea where they are…

"Those earthwalkers always tell everyone who wants to cross the desert that there's nothing on the other side. They've done an excellent job, and because of their tireless efforts over thousands of years, countless fools have been prevented from dying in the desert.

"Perhaps for this reason, the Tyrant you speak of doesn't realize that he has only conquered half of this world."

The trio exchange astonished glances. On their original side beyond the desert, the belief that "there's nothing on the other side of the desert" was almost a consensus.

"Swirling Mire City, the closest city you can reach after crossing the desert," Myza said, pushing an old map to the center of the table. "If your companions made it out of the desert alive and can't find you, they would most likely wait there."

————

————

In a faraway royal court, the slumbering tyrant opened his eyes.

He glanced at the swinging pendulum clock. Sure enough, since he had fallen asleep, the short hand had moved exactly two notches.

Mm… Seems like I haven't slept this much in a month.

As he thought to himself, he stretched his neck.

Speaking of which, there was something I needed to do before I slept…

I remember now. There seems to be an interesting fellow in the desert.

Perfect timing to check it out. It'll serve as a good way to refresh myself after such a long sleep.