Second Lead Syndrome (1-187) | ✓

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Author's Note: Back from my break! Also, sadly, from now on, I will be replying to comments less frequently since I will be very busy with my personal life. If you have any urgent questions that needs to be answered, please ask on my message board or through discord!

I am always flooded with notifications, so I might miss your questions if you ask them in the chapter.

I will still try to reply to the comments, it's so sad that I can't interact with each and everyone of you ;_;

Cecil had the necessary materials in her storage ring to set up a campfire, and a brewing pot for her to make medicine out of the herbs she would collect along the way. Xue was lying on the ground close to the campfire, though he was completely still and his face was awfully pale. If it weren’t for his chest moving up and down slightly, one would assume he was completely dead.

Cecil turned to look at Hana and K’xug, choking on her saliva when she saw the two embracing one another passionately. She looked away, coughing harshly as she hit her chest. 

The cough jolted the pair awake from their daze, and Hana stopped her tears instantly. 

K’xug withdrew from the hug, his eyes wide as he realised he had embraced Hana since he felt too emotional. He glanced away awkwardly from Hana, before reverting back to his indifferent self and he finally remembered about Xue on the ground.

He hurried over to Cecil’s side, kneeling down and Cecil recovered from her coughing bout, blinking rapidly K’xug looked at her with sharp, questioning eyes. 

She recoiled back slightly, not knowing what K’xug was trying to ask. 

Hana joined Cecil, kneeling down beside her and she observed K’xug for a moment. 

“He is asking what happened to Xue, and if he is okay.” 

Cecil looked at Hana, and she looked back at K’xug.

K’xug nodded in agreement. 

“You...cannot talk?” Cecil asked gingerly. 

K’xug shook his head. 

Cecil frowned, she did not recall the novel saying he was mute. 

“I do not know if you know this but...Xue’s soul had been split into fifty pieces and scattered around the world, and he absorbed a soul that had drunk demon blood,” Cecil explained, resting Xue’s head on a makeshift pillow. “Whether he is okay…I do not know, one of his soul fragments said Xue’s presence was...gone.” 

Cecil ducked her head down, biting on her lower lip. “He...he absorbed the soul for me. Because of me, Xue ended up in this state.” 

“Cecil…” Hana muttered sadly.

“It’s all my fault,” Cecil said, her voice becoming hoarse as she fisted her dirty clothes in her hands. “If only I had been stronger, to take care of myself and not let myself get hurt, he…he wouldn’t have stupidly...” 

K’xug stretched his hand forward, waving it in front of Cecil who had her head ducked down. 

Cecil brought her up head, pushing back the tears that were threatening to spill from her eyes. 

K’xug patted himself on his chest, pointing towards Xue as he nodded. 

Cecil looked at Hana, waiting patiently for her translation. 

“He is saying that he can help Xue!” Hana beamed happily as she looked at K’xug. “Am I right?” 

K’xug nodded.