After Emma finished packing, Marcus returned, looking worn out from the chase. "You came back by yourself? Where's Malrik?" Emma furrowed her brow, puzzled that he had come back alone. Marcus exhaled in frustration. "He was too fast. I couldn't catch him." How is an enchanter even running that fast? Seriously? He stepped closer to Emma and offered an apologetic tone. "Sorry, Ms. Tibarn. I wasn't able to bring him back." Emma didn't hold it against him. It wasn't as if he had tried to fail. "It's fine. I'll ping him on the lightcore and tell him to return." She activated her lightcore and sent a message to Malrik. Emma texted: 'Malrik, I'm not sick. You don't need to find medicine for me. Come back now.'There were still several things she wanted to ask him. Malrik, racing toward Beast God Mountain, saw Emma's message and felt a wave of warmth spread through him. She must have sent this so he wouldn't risk himself. She was trying to protect him. Malrik replied: 'Ms. Tibarn, don't worry about me. I'll definitely bring back something that can cure you.' Emma was speechless. Oh crap. I tricked him earlier, and now he won't believe the truth. Immediately, Emma initiated a video call. If he didn't trust texts, a live projection should convince him. The call connected instantly. Emma's face appeared rosy as her lightcall projection materialized in front of Malrik. "Malrik, I said I was sick earlier just to get you to reveal your true identity. I lied. Come back. I'm fine. I don't need you hunting down medicine for me." Malrik stared at the projection, his eyes trembling. "Ms. Tibarn, as if I wouldn't know whether you're sick or not." She had been sleeping more than usual, and he had secretly checked on her multiple times. That couldn't be fabricated. Still, he assumed she was lying to prevent him from taking risks. Gratitude flared in his chest. "Ms. Tibarn, I'm your suitor. Doing everything for you is my duty. Don't worry about me. Just wait for me." With that, he hung up his lightcore and continued on his way. Her body had clearly been weak, yet she had applied makeup to look flushed for the call. He couldn't let her down. Watching the call end, Emma turned to Corvin and Marcus. "Where do you think he'd go to find medicine for me? He wouldn't do anything reckless, right?" Marcus spoke up reassuringly. "Ms. Tibarn, don't worry about Malrik. He's already Rank 11 and spends a lot of time on the outer battlefield. His survival instincts are top-notch. Even if he's hunting for medicine, he shouldn't run into danger." Marcus had heard about Malrik raiding Chitinid warships and mechs. If he could maneuver freely in Chitinid territory, only Beast God Mountain might pose a real threat. He wouldn't be heading there... would he? "He's Rank 11 already?" Emma was shocked. Lucien had mentioned Malrik as Rank 10. She hadn't expected him to advance so quickly. Marcus nodded with certainty. "Yes. I haven't confronted him head-on using abilities, but judging by the speed he left at—there's no doubt he's Rank 11." "If he's Rank 11, he probably won't encounter anything too dangerous." Emma finally relaxed. She didn't suggest chasing him. Marcus couldn't catch Malrik, and she was only Rank 6. She wouldn't even leave a faint trail for him to follow. "What I need to do now is find Silas first. As for Malrik, I'll clarify things when he returns."It was late, and Emma, exhausted from a long day, declined the company of Marcus and Corvin. She took a shower alone. Then she went to the training room and absorbed more than ten Rank 7 beast cores. By the time she finished, she was delighted to feel her ability approaching a breakthrough. This time, she wouldn't need to hunt beasts. Absorbing enough beast cores would allow her to break through directly. Apparently, pregnancy had its perks. Emma felt a surge of excitement. She decided to absorb a few more cores—maybe she could reach Rank 7 tonight. She set to work, drawing energy from several additional Rank 7 beast cores. Outside, Corvin, Edric, and Marcus waited anxiously by the door. Emma had yet to emerge, and concern gnawed at them. "Emma said she was going to absorb beast cores. Why hasn't she come out yet? Nothing's wrong, is it?" They had intended to ask who would keep her company at night, but the delay left them uneasy. Corvin's worry showed on his face. Edric pressed his lips together. "If Emma were in trouble, she'd find a way to signal us. No news probably just means she hasn't fully absorbed the cores. Let's wait." Marcus remained silent, standing calmly at the door.