I Refused To Be Reincarnated

"I don't care. She wants to force our hands!" Adam answered, his voice dripping with anger. Even without his madness' influence, he would never agree to do something under constraints.

"But you don't have to insult and provoke her!" Julius exclaimed, holding the bridge of his nose between his fingers in exasperation. Truthfully, it had been several months since his big brother had done something like that, and he gladly welcomed his evolution. Unfortunately, he slipped in this dangerous place. Worse, they didn't even know what he provoked.

As worries filled his heart, the earth rumbled to life, raging under their feet in a vindictive display of might. Supporting their bodies with the trembling walls, they felt an icy shiver run down their spines.

'Did I provoke the one responsible for the entire underground complex?' Adam thought, cursing his tongue and preparing to fight for their lives, swearing to watch his words next time!

"I already told you to stay calm!" Julius yelled in frustration, struggling to keep his balance.

"I know! I promise to be careful starting now!" Adam responded as the trembling intensified and the sound of displaced wind reverberated in his ears. Amidst the chaos, his mind raced to solve the problem he created himself. Swiftly replaying the brief conversation with Lily, he hoped she would be as he imagined.

Soon, the tremors shaking the entire place gradually receded, allowing them to breathe in relief. With how violent it had been, they feared the ceiling would collapse, burying them under tons of gravel.

Their vision impaired by the thick dust and their ears ringing from the loud noises, the same idea popped into the duo's minds as they gazed at the entrance blocked by a shining mystical veil of mana.

"We must leave!" They said, the poor boy coughing as the sound of shifting gravel above his head added to his worries. Meanwhile, Adam hurriedly helped him rise, blasting mana to dissipate the stall air.

But before they could take their first step, the energy barrier suddenly disappeared, revealing seven figures. Six among them gazed at them worriedly, while the last one, a short green-haired girl, glared at Adam with a devilish smile.

Among them, the ghost recognised the elegant figure of the college teacher, despair crawling in his heart. 'She failed to keep them busy!' He thought in alarm, understanding her family would relentlessly pursue them. His expression sunk as he took in her composed but urgent expression in the ringing chaos.

Surprisingly, the youngest spoke, her childish voice making it hard to take her words seriously despite the commanding tone. "Repeat what you said earlier."

However, before he could answer, Elysia hurriedly raised her right palm, her five fingers extended. Then, icy sweat covering her forehead, she used her left hand to point at them one at a time before grabbing all five and moving them frantically, hoping the ghost would get the message.

Confused, Adam sought to gather information before anything else, politely asking, "Who might you be, cute miss?"

"Humph, that's not how you called Lily before! Apologise!" The girl said, stomping her foot in anger. Ruble flew in every direction as a crater appeared under the duo's bristling hairs.

'Elysia is telling us not to mess with her because she is of the fifth tier!' They both realised, dread gripping their hearts. The air crackled with suppressed energy, and Adam felt a knot form in his stomach as he met the girl's furious gaze.

"Ahem. I really wanted to see you. That's why I used strong words, hoping you would show yourself," said Adam, his eyes scanning her features like a hawk to notice any change. "Now that we met, I can say that Selene had good eyes! You are the cutest person I have ever seen!" He added, noticing her green eyes and angry breathing soften a little.

As his words lingered, everyone gazed at the ghost, wondering if he was a fool for thinking she would buy his compliments.

Shockingly, Lily proudly responded, "You think so, too?"

Opposed to the elves and Julius, Adam swiftly understood what she wanted to hear. Thus, he continued showering her with the compliments she yearned to hear. "Of course! Not only his eyes but also his wits, strength and values! I'm sure Selene was one of the most incredible men... Elf to exist on the planet!"

The girl's menacing smile gradually turned brighter. Nods of approval and happy clapping accompanied the ghost's words until she burst into laughter. "Lily thought you were a fool for provoking her. But you are the most intelligent here!" She said, her eyes taking crescent shapes. She liked nothing more than to hear others praise her late master.

"Now that you saw me as you wished, answer the question. So we can leave to catch the bad guy. The earlier tremors alerted him," she added, causing the elves to grimace. Eldarion was bound to discover their location after Lily's commotion. Yet a part of them hoped he would miss it.

Afraid, they urged Adam to answer with their anticipant gazes and solemn faces, causing him to grit his teeth. 'I don't want to! Did I ever force someone to do things? So, why am I?!' He screamed inwardly, finding the situation unfair.

"Why don't you accept the boy's answer? That's exactly what I did in the past," he asked, searching for a way to avoid her inquiry.

"Because that would be a lie," Lily answered, shrugging before adding, "By the way, I didn't create the questions and won't allow you to leave until you tell the truth, either."

Echoing her words, a thick wall of vines and thorns sprouted from the ground, covering the empty treasury behind her.

Alarmed by the noise, Elysia swiftly gestured for Adam to speak, her exaggerated and insistent movements annoying him. Everyone's expectant and pressing gazes lingered on him, increasing his frustration until he cracked. Discover hidden content at empire

"You find it fun to force a man's secrets out? I would hide it and find a solution to protect my relationship and my friend's life. I don't make compromises or accept coercion. Not by the system, the magus, and much less by any of you!" He roared, his trembling fists clenched tightly and his luminous eyes glowing with defiance.

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AN: Bonus chapter to thank you for your support. :D