Return Scroll

King didn't reply anymore and just stayed silent. The less information he revealed, the better. And by the looks of it, he wouldn't have a hard time. He seemed to sense that Jax wasn't probing too deeply, and that his casual demeanor would allow King to keep his secrets safe, at least for the time being.

Soon, Jax finished collecting souls. And King's expression turned perplexed as he watched Jax complete his task. His frown deepened, reflecting his uncertainty about what to do next.

''Kekekeke, hehehehe, HA HA HA HA!''

Right now, Jax was staring at the Scroll, his eyes gleamed with maniacal intensity as a self-satisfied smile spreading across his face. His laughter then soon filled the air, as if Jax had finally succumbed to madness.

Just moments ago, Jax had seemed capable and impressive. But now he appeared almost... unhinged? What in the world happened to this brat?

Curious, King peered over Jax's shoulder to get a glimpse of the Scroll. But his eyes widened in surprise at what he saw on the Scroll.

''This... Isn't this the First Language?" King breathed, his voice filled with incredulity. He turned to Jax, shock etched on his face. "You can read it?"

The implications were staggering — the First Language was a lost tongue, forgotten by the world. Yet, this young man, whom King had underestimated, possessed the ability to decipher its ancient script.

But more than that...

To think that the language written on that Scroll was actually the First Language... Just who on earth could have created that thing?

The Scroll's origins seemed shrouded in mystery, and King couldn't shake the feeling that it was something truly extraordinary.

''Huh? What do you mean by... Huh?'' Jax's expression changed from confusion to shock as he re-examined the Scroll. He realized that the characters on the parchment were not the ones he had initially recognized. Instead, they were written in a language he had no knowledge of, a language that should have been incomprehensible to him. Yet, somehow, he had been able to read and understand it just moments before.

But the strange part was the realization of Jax that he had been reading the Scroll with an eerie familiarity, as if he had been fluent in the language his entire life. It was this instinctive understanding that had blinded him to the fact that the characters were actually from a language he shouldn't know.

''This... I don't know either.'' In response to King's doubt, Jax chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head as he admitted. He paused for a moment before adding with a hint of amusement, ''Ha ha, I'm just suddenly could read it. That has never happened before.''

His tone conveyed a mix of confusion and curiosity about his unexpected ability.

''What?!'' King almost fell down to the ground. Many people would take their lifetime just to be able to read and understand a few words of the First Language. After all, it was of no ordinary tongue. It was the sacred language spoken by God Himself to create the very fabric of reality. And it was also the language wielded by the Higher Beings to maintain their supremacy over the world.

That language carries incredible power that if a human learned to read and write it, they already have limitless potential.

For example, if a human spoke the word "Fire" using the First Language, he could summon or conjure fire out of thin air. In the same way, if a human spoke "Destroy", he could reduce anything to rubble.

That was just how powerful and terrifying the First Language was.,

And yet, that little whelp was able to read it as if it was the natural thing to do? Was this brat a scion of some Higher Beings or something?

''What's wrong?'' Jax tilted his head in confusion. He sighed and shook his head slowly, seeming oblivious to the significance of what he had just done. "It's just reading some simple words. Why the surprise?"

Spurt!

King couldn't take it anymore as he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. Jax's casual words had struck him like a physical blow, a harsh reminder of his own failure.

Despite dedicating years of his life to studying the First Language, King had never been able to decipher even a single letter. The bitter taste of frustration and defeat filled his mouth, mingling with the iron tang of blood.

For someone who had always prided himself on being strong and accomplished, the feeling of being utterly surpassed was a bitter pill to swallow. The young whelp's nonchalant attitude only rubbed salt in the wound, making King feel weak and helpless for the first time in his life.

Meanwhile, Jax, oblivious to King's turmoil, shifted his focus to read the Scroll with rapt attention. With King unable to decipher the text, Jax felt no pressure or urgency, and he read on at his own leisurely pace.

_____________________

[Mission]

• Slay fishes and collect 100 souls or more within the time limit of 30 days.

(Souls collected: 117/100)

(Remaining time: 19D)

_____________________

[Mission completed!]

[You've become a Lord!]

[Your rewards have been put into your Inventory!]

_____________________

''Puahahahaha,'' Jax burst into a fit of laughter. His eyes sparkled with uncontainable joy as his arms outstretched in triumph. "It's over a hundred kills! I'm a Lord now!"

It took him a good time for him to restrain his laughter. He shifted his gaze back at the Scroll as his eyes scanned the text with eager anticipation. With a faint smile, he muttered to himself, ''Now, let's see what my rewards are...''

''Scroll. Inventory!''

After the swift command, the Scroll obediently rolled shut and then reopened, revealing a list of items that made Jax's eyes light up with excitement.

It was the list of items that was in his Inventory.

_____________________

[Inventory]

• Primal Element

• Small Bag Of Silver Coins (×2)

• Body Enhancement Pill (×2)

• Weapon Mystery Box (×3)

• FL Special Return Scroll

Silver: 0 | Gold: 0 | FCoin: 0

_____________________

''One, two, three... Oh? I got four types of items!'' Jax's eyes scanned the list, his lips moving as he counted. He nodded to himself, taking stock of his newfound treasures. Since he already had the Primal Element to begin with, those four items should be the fresh additions to his inventory.

And by the looks of it, what he received this time was pretty decent.

A bag of silvers... A pill... As the name implied, it should give him a significant boost to his physical abilities, right? Jax nodded his head as he murmured, ''Yes, that sounds about right...''

Then Jax's gaze continued down the list, a pleased smile still on his face. Three Mystery Boxes, and... a Special Return Scroll?

Suddenly, Jax's eyes lingered on the last item, a hint of excitement flickering in their depths. If he guessed it correctly, then this thing should allow him to leave that island, right?

''Ke ke ke,'' Suddenly, Jax's face split into a wide, triumphant grin, as his eyes shone with excitement and relief. He threw his arms up in the air, as he bellowed with his voice echoing through the air. ''Finally, I can leave this shitty place now!''

''What did you just say?! You can leave this place now?!''

Jax's triumphant declaration was met with a sudden outburst from a certain someone, whose voice trembled with a mix of shock, incredulity, and excitement.

Jax shifted his gaze and there saw King who now stood beside him.

"I don't know for sure, but let me confirm..." Jax's eyes returned to the Scroll as he sought to confirm his suspicions. He trailed off, his voice replaced by a swift command. "Take out FL Special Return Scroll."

Poof!

With a soft whoosh, the FL Special Return Scroll materialized before Jax, its aged parchment a warm, honey-brown color. A small paper note was attached to the scroll's tie, catching Jax's attention. He carefully plucked the note from the tie and unfolded it, his eyes scanning the contents with growing anticipation.

''Oh? So it is its description.'' Jax smiled as he continued to read the content.

_____________________

[FL Special Return Scroll]

• An FL Return Scroll allows you to return to the first location you have been before you got transported to the Forbidden Land. But an FL Special Return Scroll will let you bring one living creature from the Forbidden Land to accompany you.

_____________________

''As expected! This is really the key to get out of this place!'' Jax's eyes sparkled with excitement. Tears of joy threatened to fall from the corners of his eyes.

Swoosh!

Suddenly, Jax felt a sharp sensation poking through his neck. His smile froze, cold sweats beaded on his forehead as he felt the ominous presence of death, poised to aim its scythe at his neck.

Jax shifted his gaze, and indeed, it was King. This time, King's hand seemed to have transformed into a blade as sharp as a deadly dagger, poised to cut his throat at any instant.

"Give me that scroll," King finally spoke, his voice utterly cold. He needed to escape the island more than anything, and with the opportunity now within his grasp, his agitation was palpable.

He must do everything to get that item!

Yes, even if he had to kill this little brat.

"Ah, okay, here, take it," Jax replied unexpectedly, extending his hand to hand over the return scroll.

However, King was put off by the tone of Jax's voice, which seemed too casual and carefree. He fixed his gaze on the scroll, but even after several seconds had elapsed, he couldn't bring himself to take it from Jax's outstretched hand.

King shifted his gaze, and to his little surprise, Jax was now smiling. What was wrong with this kid? And what was wrong with himself? King wondered, his brow furrowing as he felt a bead of sweat trickle down his face.

"What's wrong?" Jax asked, his tone dripping with cunning. "Here's the Special Return Scroll you've been desperate for. Why don't you take it?" He taunted King, waving the scroll back and forth in a condescending gesture, as if offering a treat to a dog.

King's expression turned dark and foreboding. As he gazed at the scroll, memories of the recent past flooded back, and a shiver ran down his spine. Would he be electrocuted again if he made contact with it?

Meanwhile, Jax's confidence stemmed from a crucial detail. There was an additional note scribbled at the very bottom of the item's description.

(Non-tradable item. Only usable by the owner.)

With that assurance, Jax felt secure that his item wouldn't be robbed from him again.

He was actually looking forward to seeing King suffer the consequences if he dared to cross him once more.