The Evolution of the Weakest Ghoul

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: The misunderstood savior

”Hmm...”

Hearing what Bama said, Selak couldn’t help but look at Ronan twice, making Ronan even more tense.

Just as Bama had mentioned earlier, she was completely covered, with only her two crimson eyes visible. Yet even without seeing her face or the outline of her body, one couldn’t help but feel drawn to her.

Was it the beauty of her eyes?

Or was it the mystery surrounding her identity?

For Selak, however, what stunned him the most was simply how calm she was.

She wasn’t frightened.

She wasn’t surprised.

She wasn’t even nervous.

It was as though nothing around her could shake her composure.

”Do you have a name... Maiden?” Selak asked.

His gaze remained calm as he attempted to find at least one clue about her identity.

As the butler and personal guard of the Duke’s son, Selak knew the names of most prominent noble families. If she happened to be from one of them, he could easily investigate her background.

Hearing the question, Ronan’s heart quickened as he tried to appear as normal as possible.

His crimson eyes darted left and right.

Especially after seeing the old man’s stats, Ronan felt suffocated.

Host: Selak

Race: Human

Realm: Sovereign • Nine-Star

Trait: Guardian’s Heart Lv.18

Essence: 9000/9000

Effects:

Guardian’s Instinct - Reaction speed increases dramatically when the Protected Target is threatened.

Threat Detection — Instinctively identifies the greatest threat surrounding the protected target.

Enhanced Perception — Extremely sensitive to killing intent and hostile movements directed toward the protected target.

Flight

Enhanced Regeneration — Allows regeneration of severely damaged body parts, including limbs.

Abilities:

Protective Domain — Creates a defensive domain around the protected target. Attacks entering the domain are weakened, while a portion of the remaining damage is transferred to the Guardian.

Guardian’s Barrier — Generates a powerful defensive barrier around the protected target. The barrier automatically manifests when a lethal attack is detected.

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No wonder Bama hadn’t been killed by the assassin’s attacks. That barrier... it was Selak’s ability..

But that wasn’t all.

The enormous amount of Essence he possessed...

And the terrifying effects of each ability...

Every single one felt like a devastating blow to Ronan’s mind.

It was like a Level One player encountering a level 10 Elite Wolf King at the very beginning of the game.

But worse.

The old man was now asking Ronan for his name.

Could Ronan answer?

Absolutely not.

It was at this very moment that the importance of communication became painfully clear.

Ronan’s mind raced as he desperately tried to find an answer, his tiny heart pounding violently.

The silence made the situation even more tense and awkward.

At this point, Ronan felt cornered.

Wouldn’t it be strange if he didn’t answer?

And what if Selak thought he had been working with the assassin to kill Bama?

Would his short-lived ghoul life end right here?

Just as Ronan began overthinking everything, Selak spoke.

”I’ve heard that the Crimson-Eyed Maiden doesn’t speak.”

Selak smiled faintly.

”But I still need to know why my barrier was activated. Is the Destal Kingdom your enemy? Why would you allow yourself to get close enough to the Young Master for an assassination attempt?”

Each question made Ronan’s head ring.

He could feel immense pressure bearing down on him from every direction.

His body became incredibly heavy, and cold sweat trickled down his face.

He knew that if he could speak, his next words might determine whether he lived or died.

But Ronan couldn’t speak.

And worse...

It seemed Bama’s protector had completely misunderstood the situation.

Ronan lamented inwardly.

All he had wanted was to kill a drunk man.

Just one drunk man.

And now he had somehow been dragged into an assassination attempt and labeled as a potential accomplice to the assassin.

”Selak, she doesn’t speak. It would be wrong to force her to.”

Bama spoke up, looking at Ronan sweetly.

”Besides, she’s my savior, just like I said. She actually injured the assassin, and now the assassin is on the run. So you should be looking for that assassin, not blaming my savior.”

Bama’s words made Selak’s eyes widen.

Really?

This Crimson-Eyed Maiden hadn’t been responsible for activating the barrier?

Instead...

She had protected the Young Master?

Selak couldn’t help but look at Ronan again as the pieces began to fall into place.

No wonder he had sensed her aura flare up earlier.

She had most likely been fighting the assassin at that exact moment.

”Ah... my apologies.”

Selak bowed his head slightly.

”I humbly invite the Maiden back to the city lord’s mansion for a feast as a tribute for my apology.”

Selak’s expression carried a hint of embarrassment.

Ronan, meanwhile, stood completely stunned.

What exactly was going on?

Things had been going terribly.

Even though he was innocent, he couldn’t explain himself because he was an undead creature.

He had expected everything to end horribly.

But it seemed...

He had forgotten about Bama.

Bama had seen everything.

And, for some inexplicable reason, he seemed completely obsessed with Ronan.

’Why do I always assume the worst?’

Ronan couldn’t help but lament inwardly.

No matter what happened, his mind always seemed to jump straight to the worst possible outcome.

”As for the assassin, the city has already been locked down. Transcendent experts and several Sovereign Realm experts have been dispatched. By tomorrow morning at the latest, I will have the culprit brought before you, Young Master.”

Selak turned toward Bama.

Hearing this, Bama nodded.

”Good work, Selak. But...”

Bama paused before looking at Ronan.

”I want her brought to the Maiden.”

He spoke with complete righteousness.

”She risked her life to save mine, so I think the least I can do is bring the assassin back for her to punish.”

Selak nodded.

”As you wish, Young Master.”

He gave a small bow.

Bama then walked over to Ronan.

”Please... let’s head to the city lord’s mansion.”

Ronan remained frozen for a moment before reluctantly following along.

”Clean this up.”

Selak instructed the guards before leaving with Bama and Ronan.

”Yes, Sir Selak!”

The city guards saluted before entering the alleyway, searching for traces that could lead them to the assassin.

They also collected any materials she had left behind, including the arrow and other pieces of evidence.

Meanwhile, not only Ronan but everyone else had completely forgotten about the drunkard who had collapsed a few meters away from the scene.

”Hic...”

”Another... liquor...”

The drunkard muttered in his sleep with a foolish grin on his face.