Getting closer(2)

Mark's training/torture continued for several hours and by the time the duo returned to the surface, it was already late at night.

Arriving at the fountain lit by several magic lamps, Zoe cast a worried glance at Mark, who seemed lifeless.

"Mark... I don't think you should continue."

"Haaa... I admit that having your skin burnt, then frozen, and then electrocuted again and again is not the best." -He said with a tired and pained air.

It was true that Zoe had limited herself a lot in her attacks, but supporting several natural elements with only his body was extremely onerous, especially considering the negative effects of 'limit break'.

"So you want to quit?"

"I tend to finish the things I start; so, see you tomorrow as well."

Although that form of training put pressure on both his mind and body, it would soon enable him to rank up 'abnormal resistance' and thus obtain an additional form of protection.

"You are crazy." -Zoe said, shaking her head.

Shrugging with a smirk, Mark handed her the backpack containing the various ingredients and they parted once they had confirmed the next day's meeting time.

With a heavy step, Mark began the tiring walk home, with only the thought of throwing himself on the bed. Healing potions and pain resistance potions were helpful for his body, but his mind needed rest.

As Mark walked slowly, the Guide, inside Mark's soul, watched in conflict the fragments of Selene. The more time Mark spent with Zoe, the more the fragments slightly resonated with the girl and it was only luck that nothing had happened so far, but how long would it last?

If Zoe's sleeping soul were to awaken while still damaged, it would start absorbing all the energy around it to occupy the void, but due to the high density of chaotic energy on the planet, the likelihood of her turning into a demon was too high.

(Author: remember that a demon is an existence where mainly chaotic energy is present in its soul, and the greater the purity/quantity the greater its strength, and if the quality of the energy exceeds a certain threshold, it turns into an abomination, which has the power to destroy galaxies. These points are dealt with in Chapter 86).

[It is difficult.]

This was where The Guide's conflict originated. His task was to make Mark keep as much distance from Zoe as possible and although it would not be easy, considering Mark's intelligence, The Guide still had ways to convince him, especially now that he trusted him.

But that very trust prevented the Guide from doing anything to stop the interaction between the two. Perhaps because of memories learned from his predecessors, the Guide felt pity for the people Origon had chosen, and the same applied to Mark, but gradually that pity turned into respect.

Despite being a mere human, he had always fought tooth and nail on all occasions, even if it meant having to suffer, and he did not do it for fame, power, or wealth, no, he did it because he simply wanted to meet the person he loved, a concept that the Guide still could not understand but found increasingly fascinating.

[I can neither be completely honest with him nor save him from the fate that awaits him. The least I can do is to let their two souls seek each other out and help him as much as possible].

For the first time, the Guide asked himself why he had been created to be so useless, not realizing that he had chosen Mark's happiness over the risk that billions of people might experience, a thought that was more than irrational.

...

After what seemed like an eternity, Mark arrived home, greeting the few members who were still awake, and when he thought he could finally rest, he saw what would probably be a source of headaches.

"Tiona... what are you doing in front of the door to my room?"

"Huh?!"

Hearing Mark's voice, Tiona woke up from her half-asleep state and immediately jumped to her feet, slightly embarrassed.

"Just to ask, but how long were you there?" -Mark asked with a strange expression.

"...I have just arrived."

'At least make an effort to make your lies more credible.'

"What can I do for you?" -Mark asked, changing the subject.

"I actually wanted to ask you a favor." -She said, struggling to maintain eye contact with him.

Looking at her, Mark felt like rubbing his forehead. He had decided to settle the matter with her by talking to her honestly, but the problem was that there was never an opportunity. First of all, their life rhythms were different, and the second was that she was always with someone; therefore, having a private chat always turned out to be quite complicated.

Now might seem like the perfect time, but he didn't have the energy, plus he owed her a favor.

"I owe you one for the time when I was in a coma, so tell me all about it."

"I was wondering... Of course, if you want... would you like, one of these days, to take a walk around the city? Just for fun and enjoyment among friends..."

Her voice became weaker and weaker towards the end, but she gave him several hopeful glances.

"Just the two of us?"

'nod'

Tiona nodded faintly, blushing more and more, making her adorable, but in Mark's eyes, it was not worth much and after a moment's silence, he opened his mouth.

"OK."

"R-Really?!"

Tiona's mind was filled with happiness, she did not believe he would ever accept.

On the other hand, Mark didn't see it as a big deal. According to the estimate he made, in less than a week, the corruption would have decreased sufficiently for him to taste again and he would use the opportunity to take a tour of the city, plus he could use the chance to talk to her privately.

"Yes, but this week is not possible for me. Is the beginning of the next one fine with you?"

"Yes! That's a promise, alright? Whoever breaks the promises must eat 100 hot needles."

"This has gotten pretty dark, don't you think?"

"Hehehe, good night Mark."

Seeing her go off jumping merrily, Mark shook his head helplessly. All he wanted at that moment was a long night's sleep.

(The next day.)

When dawn arrived, Mark was already in the vicinity of Babel, feeling much more rested. Compared to him, Zoe, who had just arrived, looked fatigued, with traces of dark circles under her eyes. Ironically, they seemed to have swapped physical states during the night.

"Sleepless night?" -Said Mark jokingly.

Zoe looked at him with a frown, but even so, she handed him a container which Mark took curiously, but once he opened it, he felt confused as there were several potions in it. The strange thing was that he already had enough of them, and he doubted they were another apology gift.

"These are..."

"They are mainly pain resistance potions. They are still grade E, but considering the quality of the materials used, the effects are greater."

"How much do I owe?" -Obviously, Mark wanted to pay the trouble, but Zoe shook her head.

"Considering the various materials collected, you don't owe me anything. Plus, I'm used to staying up at night to work; so, it's not a problem."

"Thank you."

Mark thanked her gratefully, to which Zoe replied with a small smile. She didn't feel comfortable attacking Mark and seeing him suffer, she hoped that these new potions would help him.

The two began to descend into the dungeon and considering how easy the first floors were for them, they moved quietly as they chatted.

"Listen, Zoe, I was wondering, why were you so hung up on me and Haruhime?" -Mark asked curiously, almost making Zoe fall for the unexpected question.

"Let's just say I approached the matter wrongly, so please, let's try to forget the matter. Alright? I still feel embarrassed as hell." -Said Zoe depressed.

"Don't worry. It's just that you may not have noticed, but that girl likes Bell."

That evening when he was in the Hestia Familia residence, that fact was more than evident to him, especially from the way Haruhime looked at Bell.

"I am aware of that. Haaa, my Familia gets more and more peculiar." -Said Zoe not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

At first, Mark did not understand, but then something occurred to him. Leaving aside Mikoto and Welf, who would return to their old Familia, the only ones left were Lili, Haruhime, and Hestia, and all three had feelings for Bell.

"Is Bell really that popular?" - Mark asked skeptically. He had seen him a couple of times interacting with girls, and let's just say that he saw scenes he could hardly ever forget.

Realizing what he was referring to, Zoe remained silent for a moment to find the right words and said:

"Let's say that Bell has hero syndrome, so sometimes he tends to say and do things that can be easily misunderstood. For example, a few days ago, I was telling him about some dangers in the dungeon, and he suddenly came out and said he would always protect me.

Now I know he meant as a companion and friend, but those who don't know him well will end up misunderstanding him. If he keeps this up, sooner or later, some of those girls will end up stabbing him, especially when they find out that he already has someone he likes."

"So you know it too?" -Said Mark surprised.

"It's Sword Princess, isn't it? Although I hope Bell will be happy, I would prefer he chose one of the Familia girls and then not for something, I don't know what chance he has with her."

Mark wanted to laugh, but after a moment's reflection, the only guy he saw having a more direct relationship with Aiz was none other than Bell.

"Actually, he might have a chance."

"Really?" -Now it was Zoe's turn to be surprised.

Mark nodded, causing Zoe's expression to stiffen.

"It seems that his funeral is closer than expected."

The two looked at each other momentarily seriously, but the next second they burst out laughing. They seemed to have forgotten how deadly the place they were in was, but for the two of them, each other's company was more than pleasant.