Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill Chapter 528 The Hero's Party

"That outfit is absolutely perfect for you, Art. We should definitely pick this one," Ava exclaimed with visible excitement.

While Gunter busied himself selecting various gifts and supplies, a wide array of other items were quickly chosen for him. The morning was incredibly frantic, as if the entirety of the Yate realm had been swept up in a wave of activity.

The decorations were impressive, yet Ava remained mindful of Teresa’s unique circumstances; she knew that whatever her condition was, she was unable to physically touch others. Consequently, her son would eventually need to take a wife or perhaps several concubines later in life. She felt certain the Fords would not raise an objection, and even if they did, the union would proceed regardless.

"That should be everything. Go and get some rest now; the schedule ahead is going to be quite demanding."

Vritra was soon left in the solitude of his chambers, though his dragon waifu continued to drift through the air like a spectral presence. Rubbing his temples, Vritra let out a weary sigh. He was grateful that his old Tranquil Mind skill was still active, as it allowed him to maintain his composure.

"Yenni, where could you have gone?" Vritra was fully aware that Yennefer was being utilized as a pawn to force him along this specific path of destiny, yet he found himself powerless to intervene. He gazed down at the bracelet encircling his wrist, still detecting the faint, lingering connection he shared with her. Vritra attempted to channel the Null once more, but his efforts were fruitless. He couldn't understand where she could have vanished to, as she remained completely beyond his reach.

***

A young man led a small group toward the entrance of the newly discovered Quartz continent. His pace was brisk, his face lit by a wide grin, and his anticipation intensified with every stride. Intricate symbols were etched across his face, seemingly designed to mask a set of tattoos beneath. He possessed a handsome appearance, complemented by long red hair that was clearly dyed rather than natural.

"Huff... slow down. I don't get why you're so thrilled to arrive at this place," one of his companions muttered from behind.

Following him were three individuals: two men and a woman who appeared to be in a trance-like state. "Haha! It's because I'll finally get to reunite with her," the leader replied, his voice breaking into a boisterous laugh.

"Her? Are you talking about Fiona?" the first man inquired. This was Rhino. "Obviously. Who else would get him this worked up?" the second man remarked, shaking his head. The others simply referred to him as Shorty. Standing barely four feet tall, his thick beard and weathered features gave him the appearance of a dwarf. Though only in his early twenties, he looked significantly older due to a specific skill that rapidly aged his physical form. The poor man had become a heavy drinker at a young age after the girl he liked started calling him 'uncle'.

The woman in their group was someone Jack had encountered during his travels after entering the White Kingdom. She possessed a unique ability, but its use came at a heavy cost; every time she activated it, she was reduced to a state resembling a walking corpse for several days.

Upon reaching the continental gates, Jack passed through without difficulty. He was the Hero, though he had kept his identity hidden since departing the Dunshire continent, well aware of how many organizations would want to subject him to experiments. The Nine Pacts served as a grim reminder of that danger. Their instructor, while surviving thanks to a rescue by the Golden Moon, remained in a dire state. Having been decapitated, she managed to obtain a new body through specialized skills, but she possessed almost no mobility. Though she now lived comfortably with servants to attend her, her fate had instilled enough fear in Jack to keep his identity a secret while he wandered with his comrades.

While many of their former classmates had moved on or perished, no word had ever surfaced regarding Max. However, the most renowned figures from their class were undoubtedly Vritra and Fiona. "I still can't wrap my head around that goddess becoming the Human Empress... the ruler of the entire Quartz continent," Jack whispered. It was this very fact that gave him confidence, believing he had a powerful ally in this land. While Vanessa was also famous, neither Jack nor the others realized that Vritra’s mother was actually the Succubus Empress. Regarding Fiona, he was certain it was her. 'How did she gain so much power so quickly?' he wondered, running his hand through his hair.

In truth, Jack had also been remarkably fortunate, encountering one stroke of luck after another. His own strength had surged after leaving the kingdom where he had been shamed and seen the woman he loved taken from him. "Haa, the air here is refreshing, free from that demon's presence." Jack had been devastated by the relationship between Fiona and Vritra. But with Vritra now presumed dead, he believed he finally had a chance to win her back. He wouldn't be foolish this time; he was prepared to do whatever it took to capture her heart. Or, at least, that was his hope.

BOOOOOM!

"Look! Why did that temple just blow up?" Rhino shouted, stepping forward to point at a spot roughly 500 meters away immediately after they entered.

"Huh? What's with all the noise? Don't tell me the goddess sensed my arrival with her divine powers and prepared this massive welcome—"

"FIRE! I AM FIREEEEEE!"

In an instant, the group spotted a bald monk riding atop a massive bull. His entire frame was engulfed in flames as he gripped two bells. Rather than showing signs of agony, his face bore an expression of pure arrogance. "Does he look familiar?" Jack wondered, scratching his cheek, only to flinch as a sharp pain flared up. Hiding his tattoos came with a price. These were no ordinary marks, and most people had simply mocked him, refusing to remove them regardless of the payment offered. Some had even made vulgar comments about his mother or asked for his own price for a night.

Putting those thoughts aside, Jack focused his memory and eventually recalled the monk. "Right! That’s the monk I caught urinating on the temple wall— wait, how did he get so close?" Jack was stunned. His overconfidence in his own power made him feel invincible. Having surpassed the 8th Legion level, he felt there was nothing to fear, believing he could even reach the General rank. However, his companions had already scrambled to the side. Shitless was muttering frantically into a glyph attached to a locket. Suddenly, the monk's expression flickered, his arms began to vibrate, and it became clear he could no longer control the flaming bells in his grip. Without hesitation, he hurled them to the earth, prompting Bullo to leap high into the air.

Startled by the sudden chaos, Jack watched as the two bells plummeted toward his feet. Lacking any sense of danger, he simply prepared to jump. His body began to ascend; there was no way he could be caught by something so slow—

BANG!

At that exact moment, a heavy weight slammed down onto his head. Bullo had used Jack’s head as a springboard to propel himself higher, striking him with enough force to send him crashing back to the ground.

And then...

BOOOM!!

Thus began the sequence of calamities for the luckless Hero, and his disastrous entanglement with the wicked monk.

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